International standards from IEC and IEEE regulate power grid parameters such as theRMSvalue, frequency, harmonic and interharmonic distortion, unbalance or the presence of transients, that are important to assure the quality of distributed power. Standard IEC 61000-4-30 suggests the zero crossing algorithm for the measurement of the power grid frequency, but also states that different algorithms can be used. This paper proposes a new algorithm, the Fractional Interpolated Discrete Fourier Transform, FracIpDFT, to estimate the power grid frequency, suitable for implementation in resource limited embedded measurement systems. It is based on the non-integer Goertzel algorithm followed by interpolation at non-integer multiples of the DFT frequency resolution. The proposed algorithm is validated and its performance compared with other algorithms through numerical simulations. Implementation details of the FracIpDFT in an ARM Cortex M4 processor are presented along with frequency measurement results performed with the proposed algorithm in the developed system.

Friction stir welding is a solid state innovative joining technique, widely being used for joining aluminium alloys in aerospace, marine automotive and many other applications of commercial importance. The welding parameters and tool pin profile play a major role in deciding the weld quality. In this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the influences of welding speed and pin profile of the tool on friction stir welded joints of AA6082-T6 alloy. Three different tool pin profiles (tapered cylindrical four flutes, triangular and hexagonal) have been used to fabricate the joints at different welding speeds in the range of 30 to 74 mm/min. Microhardness (HV) and tensile tests performed at room temperature were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the joints. In order to analyse the microstructural evolution of the material, the weld’s cross-sections were observed optically and SEM observations were made of the fracture surfaces. From this investigation it is found that the hexagonal tool pin profile produces mechanically sound and metallurgically defect free welds compared to other tool pin profiles.