Abstract: Virtual sensors constitute a novel area of virtual instrumentation, whose principal mission is to perform indirect measurements of process important variables using historical data of the desired variable and some other variable that affects its performance. Virtual sensors are widely used because they are computer programs that can be change or updated when it is necessary. These programs can consist of a mathematical model, heuristic models or intelligent model. Virtual sensors are some times designed for working in parallel with a physical sensor in order to evaluate its performance, but they can also be used for having on-line estimation of the desired measurement. Neural networks have been one of the most used intelligent tool for designing and developing Virtual Sensors due to its accurate, its capability for identifying complex nonlinear dynamical systems, giving appropriate results in different situations, modeling and Identification capabilities and easy for implantation. This plenary will present some methodological frameworks for designing Virtual Sensors using Artificial Neural Networks. This Methodology is based upon Software Engineering, Knowledge-Based Systems and Neural Networks schemes. It includes both technical and economical feasibility for building the virtual sensors and considers important aspects concerning computational platform, data processing, virtual sensor requirements, among others. It also considers the computational nature of virtual sensors. It will be also presented some industrial examples.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Francklin Rivas-Echeverria Systems Engineer, MSc. in Control Engineering and Applied Science Doctor. Full professor in Control Systems Department, at Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela. He has been invited professor in the Laboratoire d'Architecture et d'Analyse des Systemes (LAAS, Toulouse-France) and some Venezuelan and international Universities. He has also been technical advisor for "Venezuelan Oil Company" (PDVSA), "Aluminum Venezuelan Company" (VENALUM), "Steel Venezuelan Company" (SIDOR), Trolleybus System in Venezuela (TROLMERIDA). He has created and is the Director of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory and is the head of the University consulting unit (UAPIT-ULA). Over 180 publications in high level conferences and journals: the main topics of his papers are: Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Control, Automation Systems and Industrial Applications. He has applied his results to many fields: Processes Control and Supervision, Oil production, Steel production processes, among others. Also, has developed several tools for automatic control teaching. He is coauthor of two books concerning Artificial Intelligence and Nonlinear Systems.