Post-prognostics decision making in distributed MEMS-based systems

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of using prognostics information of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for post-prognostics decision in distributed MEMS-based systems is addressed. A strategy of postprognostics decision is proposed and then implemented in a distributed MEMS-based conveying surface. The surface is designed to convey fragile and tiny microobjects. The purpose is to use the prognostics results of the used MEMS in the form of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) to maintain as long as possible a good performance of the conveying surface. For that, a distributed algorithm for distributed decision making in dynamic conditions is proposed. In addition, a simulator to simulate the decision in the targeted system is developed. Simulation results show the importance of the postprognostics decision to optimize the utilization of the system and improve its performance.