Electrical and Electronics Commons^™

Analog Electric Guitar Distortion Effects And Headphone Amplification, Michael Alexander Jenkins

Electrical Engineering

The goal of this project was to create an electronic system which integrates popular audio processing effects as well as headphone amplification circuitry for use with an electric guitar. By implementing a system which fits natively inside the body of an electric guitar, the need for numerous external accessories relating to a standalone amplifier system is eliminated, improving device versatility and portability.

Single-Ended Tube-Based Guitar Amplifier, Joseph (Joe) Linn

Electrical Engineering

Since the advent of the transistor, the vast majority of designers and manufacturers of electronic devices have abandoned the vacuum tube. Compared to transistors, tubes are orders of magnitude larger, more power hungry, more expensive, less reliable, and dissipate much more heat. In short, transistors are superior devices for almost all applications. Despite this fact, many makers of high-end audio and instrument amplifiers continue to base their designs on tube technology.

Given all of their shortcomings, the obvious question is: Why bother with tubes? Proponents of tube-based audio amplifiers cite a certain “warmth” that tube circuitry lends to the sound …

Properties And Device Applications Of Silicon And Silicon-Germanium Nanostructures With Different Dimensions, Han-Yun Chang

Dissertations

Defect-free crystalline Si/SiGe(Ge) nanostructures are demonstrated despite the 4% lattice mismatch between Si and Ge. The lattice mismatch-induced strain is sufficiently relaxed through the designed, cluster morphology, or nanowire (NW) structures. Future device applications of these nano structures require complete understanding of their structural, optical, electrical and thermal properties. This study explores these properties in two-dimensional (2D) Si/Si:B delta-doped multilayers, 2D Si/Si_1-xGe_x planar multilayers, three-dimensional (3D) Si/Si_1-xGe_{x cluster multilayers, one-dimensional (1D) Si NWs and 1D Si/Ge NW heterojunctions (HJs).}

Raman scattering and photoluminescence measurements show that by alternating heavily boron-doped layers with layers of …

Mechanisms For Quality-Of-Service Provisioning In Networks With Extended Services, Zhen Qin

Dissertations

The emerging network traffic with various Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements creates a demand for QoS service provisioning beyond the best effort service that Internet currently provides. QoS provisioning requires a framework that satisfies users' QoS and cost demand while maximizes benefits for network service providers. It is considered that QoS provisioning involves three issues: a) estimations of the network QoS performance, which can be achieved by performing network measurement; b) dissemination of the measured QoS states throughout the network with states exchanged among different network routers; and c) QoS routing. In this dissertation, these three issues are addressed.

In QoS networks, …

Power Flow In Railway Electrification Power System, Sisi Li

Theses

This thesis discusses aspects of the design of the railway electrification system (RES) and in particular the electric distribution system for a 2x25 kV railway power system.

The analysis of Railway Power Supplies (RPS) presents a unique type of load flow problem which is characterized by its constant moving loads, dynamically changing load types (constant current/constant power), and its specialized network structure. The autotransformer power supply system with double track was the system studied in this thesis.

The details of the system studied were provided by Caltrain (California Commuter Rail) for a planned high speed extension to Caltrain system. A …

A Study Of Probability Distributions Of Dct Coefficients In Jpeg Compression, Gopal Thirumalai Narayanan

Theses

The Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) used in JPEG compression has shown excellent energy compaction properties that rival that of the ideal Karhunen-Loève Transform. Lossy compression in JPEG is achieved by distorting 8x8 block DCT coefficients through quantization. It has been shown in literature that DC block DCT coefficients are Gaussian probability distributed and AC block DCT coefficients are Generalized Normal probability distributed.

In this investigation, three probability density models for individual modes of non- quantized AC block DCT coefficients are evaluated and are used as basis for the derivation of probability distributions for quantized block DCT coefficients. The suitability of …

Study Of Methods To Predict Voltage Collapse, Niki Patel

Theses

One of the problems that must be addressed for a secure power system operation is the voltage collapse problem. The ever increasing size and connectivity of the power grid have lead to making the problem more multifarious. Widespread blackouts, similar to the one that occurred in the northeast in August 2003, could result from failure to address the problem.

This thesis presents an overview of the voltage collapse problem and reviews some existing methods to calculate voltage collapse indicators.

Thevenin and Maximum Power Transfer Theorems are used to provide indicators of the proximity of the system to voltage collapse. The …

Papr Reduction In Ofdm Communications With Generalized Discrete Fourier Transform, Sertac Sayin

Theses

The main advantage of Generalized Discrete Fourier Transform (GDFT) is its ability to design a wide selection of constant modulus orthogonal code sets, based on the desired performance metrics mimicking the engineering specs of interest. One of the main drawbacks of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems is the high Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) value which is directly related to power consumption of the system. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) spread OFDM technology, also known as Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SCFDMA), which has a lower PAPR value, is used for uplink channel.

In this thesis, the PAPR …

A Comparison Of Software Engines For Simulation Of Closed-Loop Control Systems, Sanket D. Nikam

Theses

A wide array of control system design and simulation software engines is available in market. It includes MATLAB-Simulink, LabVIEW, Maple-MapleSim, Scilab-Scicos, VisSim and Mathematica-Control Professional Suite (CPS). Among all of them MATLAB-Simulink is dominant and widely used software engine. The main aim of this study is to implement different state space control methods for non-linear Furuta pendulum system in each one of them and to compare performance against MATLAB-Simulink.

Different parameters like learning curve, interoperability, flexibility, control design tools, documentation and tech support are considered for efficiency comparison. It is shown that MapleSim has multi-body intuitive physical modeling (acausal) approach …

A Fpga/Dsp Based Ultrasound System For Tumor Detection, Ashish Ravindra Ratnakar

Theses

This work presents a method of detection of size and location of tumor using ultrasound transmission. The system utilizes Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) which means sending an ultrasound signal from a transmitter and receiving it at multiple receivers. This received signal is analyzed for echogenic as well as echolucent tumors to differentiate between the two along with non-tumorous sample and also for delay, signal distortion to determine the size/location of the tumor.

This analysis is further implemented using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) technologies. The proposed detection system utilizes Low Transient Pulse (LTP) technique. In this …

High-Voltage Programmable Delta-Sigma Modulation Voltage-Control Circuit, Lucien Jan Bissey

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Modern memory semiconductors require different internal voltages to accomplish the myriad of tasks that are required for operation. These internal voltages are multiples of the external voltage that is applied to the part. This multiple can be greater than one, as is the case with voltage pumps, less than one, as in the case of regulated supplies, and negative, as in the case of negative charge pumps. All of these potentials require control and regulation to ensure proper operation of the die. The control of the supply ensures that the required potentials are available when the die needs it. The …

Gain And Offset Error Correction For Cmos Image Sensor Using Delta-Sigma Modulation, Kuang Ming Yap

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

A delta-sigma modulation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has many benefits over the use of a pipeline ADC in a CMOS image sensor. These benefits include lower power, noise reduction, ease of maximizing the input range, and simpler signal routing for large arrays. Multiple delta-sigma modulation ADCs are required in a CMOS image sensor, one for each pixel column. Any voltage threshold mismatch between ADCs will introduce gain and offset errors in the ADC's transfer function. These errors will lead to fixed-pattern noise. Correcting gain and offset error for every ADCs in the image sensor will require a complex digital signal processor. …

Micronetworking: Reliable Communication On 3d Integrated Circuits, Andres A. Contreras

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The potential failure in through-silicon vias (TSVs) still poses a challenge in trying to extend the useful life of a 3D integrated circuit (IC). A model is proposed to mitigate the communication problem in 3D integrated circuits caused by the breaks at the TSVs. We provide the details of a low-complexity network that takes advantages of redundant TSVs to make it possible to re-route around breaks and maintain effective communication between layers. Different configurations for the micronetwork are analyzed and discussed. We also present an evaluation of the micronetwork's performance, which turns out to be quite promising, based on several …

A Finite Domain Constraint Approach For Placement And Routing Of Coarse-Grained Reconfigurable Architectures, Rohit Saraswat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Scheduling, placement, and routing are important steps in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) design. Researchers have developed numerous techniques to solve placement and routing problems. As the complexity of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) increased over the past decades, so did the demand for improved place and route techniques. The primary objective of these place and route approaches has typically been wirelength minimization due to its impact on signal delay and design performance. With the advent of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), the same place and route techniques were applied to FPGA-based design. However, traditional place and route techniques may …

Flow Rate Measurement In A High Temperature, Radioactive, And Corrosive Environment, Taleb Moazzeni

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Accurate measurement of coolant flow rate is essential for determining the maximum power required by the nuclear plant operation and critical for monitoring its operation safety. However, no practical off-the-shelf flowmeter is available to satisfy all the pressing multidimensional operation requirements (i. e., high temperature, high irradiation, and high corrosion). This work thus deals with the development of a new flowmeter for nuclear power plant/reactor process-monitoring and real time analysis; this proposed flowmeter shall be able to continuously conduct robust measurements under extremely harsh environment with high irradiation, high pressure, high temperature and corrosive media. We investigate a transit-time based …

Wavelets As A De-Noising Approach Of Cartilage Displacement Field Determined By Mri, David Francisco Toribio Carvajal

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Tissue engineering was once categorized as a subfield of biomaterials, but having grown in scope and importance, it can be considered as a field in its own right. Tissue engineering studies the mechanical properties of tissues and the applications that repair or replace portions of or whole tissues. The analyses of the mechanical properties of tissues can help in the diagnosis of tissue diseases and in the monitoring of the progress of tissue treatments and replacements.

In order to study the mechanical properties of tissues, it is often required to repeatedly compress and decompress the tissue. This deformation process helps …

Analog Front-End Design Using The Gm/Id Method For A Pulse-Based Plasma Impedance Probe System, Arun J. Rao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Plasma Impedance Probe (PIP) is an electronic instrument that measures the impedance of a dipole antenna immersed in a plasma environment. Measurements made by the PIP provide valuable information regarding the plasma environment. Knowledge of ionospheric plasma density and density disturbances is required to understand radio frequency communication with satellites. The impedance curve provides us with significant plasma characteristics such as the electron-neutral collision frequency and plasma electron density.

The work proposed here is a transistor-level implementation of the analog front-end, the non-inverting amplifier that is used to drive the antenna. The antenna immersed in plasma is excited with …

Cooperative Remote Sensing And Actuation Using Networked Unmanned Vehicles, Haiyang Chao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation focuses on how to design and employ networked unmanned vehicles for remote sensing and distributed control purposes in the current information-rich world. The target scenarios are environmental or agricultural applications such as river/reservoir surveillance, wind profiling measurement, and monitoring/control of chemical leaks, etc. AggieAir, a small and low-cost unmanned aircraft system, is designed based on the remote sensing requirements from environmental monitoring missions. The state estimation problem and the advanced lateral flight controller design problem are further attacked focusing on the small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform. Then the UAV-based remote sensing problem is focused with further flight …

Transmitter Localization Using Autonomous Robotic Swarms, Joshua S. Adams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research is to design a proof of concept system that is capable of locating a hidden radio transmitter and to investigate methods of multi-agent formation control with a specific interest in the effectiveness of these methods on the overall objective of locating this transmitter. A system is proposed and developed in which autonomous agents work together to locate this transmitter and their responsiveness is analyzed while using formations based both on a behavioral system and a system derived from centroidal Voronoi tessellations. Many software adaptations to the existing MASnet program are required, as well as some …

Decentralized Coordination Of Multiple Autonomous Vehicles, Yongcan Cao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation focuses on the study of decentralized coordination algorithms of multiple autonomous vehicles. Here, the term decentralized coordination is used to refer to the behavior that a group of vehicles reaches the desired group behavior via local interaction. Research is conducted towards designing and analyzing distributed coordination algorithms to achieve desired group behavior in the presence of none, one, and multiple group reference states.

Decentralized coordination in the absence of any group reference state is a very active research topic in the systems and controls society. We first focus on studying decentralized coordination problems for both single-integrator kinematics and …

Optimal Sensing And Actuation Policies For Networked Mobile Agents In A Class Of Cyber-Physical Systems, Christophe Tricaud

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main purpose of this dissertation is to define and solve problems on optimal sensing and actuating policies in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). Cyber-physical system is a term that was introduced recently to define the increasing complexity of the interactions between computational hardwares and their physical environments. The problem of designing the "cyber'' part may not be trivial but can be solved from scratch. However, the "physical'' part, usually a natural physical process, is inherently given and has to be identified in order to propose an appropriate "cyber'' part to be adopted. Therefore, one of the first steps in designing a …

Minimum Symbol Error Rate Timing Recovery System, Nagendra Bage Jayaraj

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis presents a timing error detector (TED) used in the symbol timing synchronization subsystem for digital communications. The new timing error detector is designed to minimize the probability of symbol decision error, and it is called minimum symbol error rate TED (MSERTED). The new TED resembles the TED derived using the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion but gives rise to faster convergence relative to MLTED. The new TED requires shorter training sequences for symbol timing recovery. The TED operates on the outputs of the matched filter and estimates the timing offset. The S-curve is used as a tool for analyzing …

Metamaterial-Inspired Miniaturized Multi-Band Microwave Filters And Power Dividers, Alper Genc

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Integration of more communication standards in one microwave wireless device created a demand on developing compact, low-cost, and robust multi-band microwave components. This dissertation presents three studies for designing miniaturized and multi-band circuits that can be used for multi-band radio frequency (RF) front-ends. These three studies are the design of dual-band and tunable bandpass filters as well as dual- and triple-band equal-split power dividers/combiners. The dual-band filter is based on split ring resonators and double slit complemantary split ring resonators. A dual-band prototype three-stage Chebyshev filter, with a fractional bandwidth of 2% at 0.9 GHz and a fractional bandwidth of …

Architecture, Inertial Navigation, And Payload Designs For Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Personal Remote Sensing, Calvin Coopmans

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis presents work done towards a Personal Remote Sensing (PRS) system: small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with electronic, control, and sensing subsystems. Based on papers presented to conferences (AutoTestCon2008 and MESA2009), as well as other work on PRS, multiple levels of engineering are detailed: complex multi-UAV data flow; attitude estimation filters; real-time microprocessor functionality; and small, mobile power systems. Wherever possible, Open-Source tools and designs have been used, modified, or studied, providing excellent cost to performance ratios in most cases. First, the overall PRS UAV architecture, AggieAir, is presented with a motivating examples (GhostEye and EagleEye camera payloads). Then, …

Integrated Solar Panel Antennas For Cube Satellites, Mahmoud N. Mahmoud

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis work presents an innovative solution for small satellite antennas by integrating slot antennas and solar cells on the same panel to save small satellite surface real estate and to replace deployed wire antennas for certain operational frequencies. The two main advantages of the proposed antenna are: 1) the antenna does not require an expensive deployment mechanism that is required by dipole antennas; 2) the antenna does not occupy as much valuable surface real estate as patch antennas. The antenna design is based on using the spacing between the solar cells to etch slots in these spaces to create …

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Integrated Frequency Reconfigurable Antennas For Public Safety Applications, Hema Swaroop Mopidevi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis work builds on the concept of reconfiguring the antenna properties (frequency, polarization, radiation pattern) using Radio Frequency (RF) Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). This is a part of the overall research performed at the RF Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (μN∈MS) Laboratory at Utah State University, which includes design, microfabrication, test, and characterization of μN∈MS integrated cognitive wireless communication systems (Appendix A).

In the first step, a compact and broadband Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) is designed with a goal to accommodate reconfigurability at a later stage. Then, a Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna …

Meshscan: A Fast And Efficient Handoff Scheme For Ieee 802.11 Wireless Mesh Networks, Yin Chen

Masters

As a next generation network solution, Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) provides fast Internet access to a large area, which is from university campus to city scale. In order to provide an uninterrupted Internet experience to a mobile client, a process called handoff is required to maintain the network connection from one Mesh Node (MN) to another MN. Ideally, handoff should be completely transparent to mobile users. A critical application like VoIP will require a handoff capability that transfers a call from one mesh node (MN) to another in less than 50 msec. However the current IEEE 802.11 standards do not …

A Simple Technique For Surface Area Determination Through Supercritical Co2 Adsorption, Mahmud Sudibandriyo

Makara Journal of Technology

The measurement of specific surface area of porous materials has long been important in physical sciences and is currently growing in importance in applied and environmental science. Numerous systems have been developed for surface area measurement by gas adsorption. Commercial systems are available which can measure a wide range of absolute surface area with relative ease. However, their cost is often prohibitive. In this study, an inexpensive apparatus for surface area measurement has been set up to be used for measuring supercritical adsorption of CO2. The Ono-Kondo Lattice model was used to represent the adsorption isotherm and to determine the …

Fishing Catch And Catch Rate Assesment Of Mini Trawl, Trapnet And Setnet Fisheries, Muhammad Firdaus

Makara Journal of Technology

Fishing Catch and Catch Rate Assesment of Mini Trawl, Trapnet and Setnet Fisheries. This paper is aimed at assessing fishing catch and catch rate of the dragged gear on shrimp, trapnet, and setnet fisheries in Tarakan. The catch and effort data (number and species) and the fishing time of captured units were used in this qualitative analysis of fishing catch and catch rate to describe catch composition and catch rate from three catch fishery units in Tarakan. The result of the research shows that in the catching operation the dragged gear on shrimp has two main catch targets, which are …

Electric Field Analysis In Insulating Films For Complex Electrode Systems, Anusha Jambula

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Complex electrode systems with thin insulating materials demand careful examination of field distribution near the electrodes to improve the breakdown characteristics of dielectrics and optimal utilization of the space. The present work contributes to an extended research of physical electrode systems, namely axi-symmetric and non-uniform field systems. In an attempt to optimize the dimensions of the electrode system for subsequent use in electrical measurements, such as electroluminescence, capacitance and conduction current, field values at key points (sharp edges and triple junctions) in an axi-symmetric electrode system are simulated as a function of clearances between low voltage and guard electrodes. Since …