Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) are manifestations of space weather phenomena on the electric power grid. Although not a new phenomenon, they assume great importance in wake of the present, ever expanding power grids. This thesis discusses the cause of GICs, methodology of modeling them into the power system and the ramifications of their presence in the bulk power system. GIC is treated at a micro level considering its effects on the power system assets like Transformers and also at a macro level with respect to issues like Voltage instability. In illustration, several simulations are made on a transformer & the standard IEEE 14 bus system to reproduce the effect of a geomagnetic storm on a power grid. Various software tools like PowerWorld Simulator, SimPower Systems have been utilized in performing these simulations. Contingency analysis involving the weakest elements in the system has been performed to evaluate the impact of their loss on the system. Test results are laid out and discussed in detail to convey the consequences of a geomagnetic phenomenon on the power grid in a holistic manner.

In immersive audio environments with distributed microphones, Independent Component Analysis (ICA) can be applied to uncover signals from a mixture of other signals and noise, such as in a cocktail party recording. ICA algorithms have been developed for instantaneous source mixtures and convolutional source mixtures. While ICA for instantaneous mixtures works when no delays exist between the signals in each mixture, distributed microphone recordings typically result various delays of the signals over the recorded channels. The convolutive ICA algorithm should account for delays; however, it requires many parameters to be set and often has stability issues. This thesis introduces the Channel Aligned FastICA (CAICA), which requires knowledge of the source distance to each microphone, but does not require knowledge of noise sources. Furthermore, the CAICA is combined with Time Frequency Masking (TFM), yielding even better SOI extraction even in low SNR environments. Simulations were conducted for ranking experiments tested the performance of three algorithms: Weighted Beamforming (WB), CAICA, CAICA with TFM. The Closest Microphone (CM) recording is used as a reference for all three. Statistical analyses on the results demonstrated superior performance for the CAICA with TFM. The algorithms were applied to experimental recordings to support the conclusions of the simulations. These techniques can be deployed in mobile platforms, used in surveillance for capturing human speech and potentially adapted to biomedical fields.

An average-value model of a rotating rectifier circuit in a brushless excitation system is set forth, where a detailed simulation is required to extract the essential averaged-model parameters using numerical averaging. In the proposed approach, a synchronous machine model with saturation and cross saturation and an arbitrary rotor network representation that uses a voltage-behind-reactance representation for the field winding of the main machine is proposed. This allows the field winding to be represented as branches in a circuit solver, permitting straightforward simulation with connected circuitry. Also a brushless exciter model is introduced to be compatible with the averaged-model, where the exciter armature windings are represented using a voltage-behind-reactance formulation. The resulting average-value model is verified in time domain against detailed simulation, and its validity is demonstrated in all rectifier modes of operation.

The output power variability of intermittent renewable sources can cause significant fluctuations in distribution system voltages. A local linear controller that exploits the capability of a photovoltaic inverter to provide both real and reactive power is described. This controller substitutes reactive power for real power when fluctuations in the output of the photovoltaic source are experienced. In this way, the inverter can help mitigate distribution system voltage fluctuations. In order to provide real and reactive to the grid, a three-phase grid-connected single-stage photovoltaic system with maximum power point tracking and power control is described. A method of reducing the current harmonic caused by resonance of the LC filter and transformer is presented. The local linear controller is examined using an example distribution system, and it is found that the controller is effective at mitigating voltage violations. The photovoltaic control system is examined using three-phase single-stage PV inverter system. The power control and damping system show good performance and stability under rapid change of irradiance.

The frequency demands of radiating systems are moving into the terahertz band with potential applications that include sensing, imaging, and extremely broadband communication. One commonly used method for generating and detecting terahertz waves is to excite a voltage-biased photoconductive antenna with an extremely short laser pulse. The pulsed laser generates charge carriers in a photoconductive substrate which are swept onto the metallic antenna traces to produce an electric current that radiates or detects a terahertz band signal. Therefore, analysis of a photoconductive antenna requires simultaneous solutions of both semiconductor physics equations (including drift-diffusion and continuity relations) and Maxwell’s equations. A multi-physics analysis scheme based on the Discontinuous-Galerkin Finite-Element Time-Domain (DGFETD) is presented that couples the semiconductor drift-diffusion equations with the electromagnetic Maxwell’s equations. A simple port model is discussed that efficiently couples the two equation sets. Various photoconductive antennas were fabricated using TiAu metallization on a GaAs substrate and the fabrication process is detailed. Computed emission intensities are compared with measured data. Optimized antenna designs based on the analysis are presented for a variety of antenna configurations.

While all mammals sleep, the functions and implications of sleep are not well understood, and are a strong area of investigation in the research community. Mice are utilized in many sleep studies, with electroencephalography (EEG) signals widely used for data acquisition and analysis. However, since EEG electrodes must be surgically implanted in the mice, the method is high cost and time intensive. This work presents an extension of a previously researched high throughput, low cost, non-invasive method for mouse behavior detection and classification. A novel hierarchical classifier is presented that classifies behavior states including NREM and REM sleep, as well as active behavior states, using data acquired from a Signal Solutions (Lexington, KY) piezoelectric cage floor system. The NREM/REM classification system presented an 81% agreement with human EEG scorers, indicating a useful, high throughput alternative to the widely used EEG acquisition method.

The hardware validation of a novel average-value model (AVM) for the simulation of a synchronous-generator/controlled rectifier system is presented herein. The generator is characterized using genetic algorithm techniques to fit standstill frequency response (SSFR) measurements to q and d-axis equivalent circuits representing the generator in the rotor reference frame. The generator parameters form the basis of a detailed model of the system, from which algebraic functions defining the parametric AVM are derived. The average-value model is compared to the physical system for a variety of loading and operating conditions including step load change, change in delay angle, and external closed-loop control, validating the model accuracy for steady-state and transient operation.

In any power system, fault means abnormal flow of current. Insulation breakdown is the cause of fault generation. Different factors can cause the breakdown: Wires drifting together in the wind, Lightning ionizing air, wires with contacts of animals and plants, Salt spray or pollution on insulators. The common type of faults on a three phase system are single line-to-ground (SLG), Line-to-line faults (LL), double line-to-ground (DLG) faults, and balanced three phase faults. And these faults can be symmetrical (balanced) or Unsymmetrical (imbalanced).In this Study, a technique to predict the zero crossing point has been discussed and simulated. Zero crossing point prediction for reliable transmission and distribution plays a significant role. Electrical power control switching works in zero crossing point when a fault occurs. The precision of measuring zero crossing point for syncing power system control and instrumentation requires a thoughtful approach to minimize noise and external signals from the corrupted waveforms A faulted current waveform with estimated faulted phase/s, the technique is capable of identifying the time of zero crossing point. Proper Simulation has been organized on MATLAB R2012a.

Simulated mirror displays have a promising prospect in applications, due to its capability for virtual visualization. In most existing mirror displays, cameras are placed on top of the displays and unable to capture the person in front of the display at the highest possible resolution. The lack of a direct frontal capture of the subject's face and the geometric error introduced by image warping techniques make realistic mirror image rendering a challenging problem. The objective of this thesis is to explore the use of a robotic camera in tracking the face of the subject in front of the display to obtain a high-quality image capture. Our system uses a Bislide system to control a camera for face capture, while using a separate color-depth camera for accurate face tracking. We construct an optical device in which a one-way mirror is used so that the robotic camera behind can capture the subject while the rendered images can be displayed by reflecting off the mirror from an overhead projector. A key challenge of the proposed system is the reduction of light due to the one-way mirror. The optimal 2D Wiener filter is selected to enhance the low contrast images captured by the camera.

Because DGs are introduced into distribution systems, the coordination of fuses and reclosers doesn’t work well. It means the original protection schemes are not available for the distribution systems with DGs. This thesis paper presents the study on the impacts of DGs on the fault current and voltage in the distribution system by the simulation of a model distribution system. After we study the impacts of DG on distribution systems, there is an introduction of current several current protection schemes and fault locations methods. At last, an adaptive protection scheme with a more efficient fault location method for the distribution systems is discussed in this thesis paper.