<p>To counter radio signal reconnaissance, an efficient way of covert communication is to use subsecond duration burst transmissions in the congested HF band. Against this background, the present thesis treats fast direction finding (DF) using antenna arrays with known response only in a few calibration directions. In such scenarios the known method of array mapping (interpolation) may be used to transform the output data vectors from the existing array onto the corresponding output vectors of another (virtual) array that is mathematically defined and optimally chosen. But in signal reconnaissance the emitters are initially unknown and the mapping matrix must be designed as a compromise over a wide sector of DOAs. This compromise may result in large DOA estimate errors, both deterministic and random. Analyzing, analytically describing, and minimizing these DOA errors, is the main theme of the present thesis. The first part of the thesis analyzes the deterministic mapping errors, the DOA estimate bias, that is caused by dissimilarity between the two array geometries. It is shown that in a typical signal reconnaissance application DOA estimate bias can dominate over DOA estimate variance. Using a Taylor series expansion of the DOA estimator cost function an analytical expression for the bias is derived and a first order zero bias condition is identified. This condition is general, estimator independent, and can be applied to any type of data pre-processing. A design algorithm for the mapping matrix is thereafter presented that notably reduces mapped DOA estimate bias. A special version is also given with the additional property of reducing the higher order Taylor terms and thus the residual bias. Simulations demonstrate a bias reduction factor exceeding 100 in some scenarios. A version based on signal subspace mapping rather than array manifold mapping is also given. This version is of large practical interest since the mapping matrix can be designed directly from calibration data. In the second part of the thesis the derived bias minimization theory is extended into Mean Square Error (MSE) minimization, i.e. measurement noise is introduced. Expressions for DOA error variance and DOA MSE under general pre-processing are derived, and a design algorithm for the mapping matrix is formulated by which mapped DOA estimate MSE can be minimized. Simulations demonstrate improved robustness and performance for this algorithm, especially in low SNR scenarios. In the third and final part of the thesis the theoretical results are supported by experimental data. For an 8 element circular array mapped onto a virtual ULA across a 600 sector it is shown that the mapped DOA estimate errors can be suppressed down to the Cramér-Rao level.</p>

Objetivos: Analisar por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto a presença de alterações moleculares nos genes SHH, SIX3, ZIC2 e TGIF1 em indivíduos com diagnóstico clínico de HPE. Analisar por meio da técnica de CGH-array a presença de alterações moleculares em indivíduos com diagnóstico clínico de HPE previamente submetidos à análise por sequenciamento direto. Local: Laboratório de Genética e Citogenética Humana HRAC/USP, Bauru-SP. Casuística e metodologia: Foram selecionados 50 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos com idades entre 03 meses a 50 anos com diagnóstico clínico para HPE. Todos foram analisados por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto para os genes SHH e TGIF1 completamente e para os genes ZIC2 e SIX3 parcialmente. Dentre os indivíduos que não apresentaram alterações na técnica de sequenciamento oito indivíduos com fenótipo mais grave foram selecionados para a análise por CGH-array. Resultados e discussão: Foram analisados 50 indivíduos por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto dos gene SHH e TGIF1, foram encontradas duas variantes patogênicas na análise do gene SHH, no caso 1 a variante p.24G>P foi identificada, e no caso 2 foi identificada a variante c.1031del C. No gene TGIF1 foram encontrados cinco polimorfismos já descritos na literatura. Foi identificada uma nova variante silenciosa no éxon 1 do gene ZIC2 p.Q46Q (c. 431 G>A) e um polimorfismo já descrito na literatura em dois indivíduos no gene SIX3. A análise por CGH-array revelou a presença de uma microdeleção no caso 37, de 1,5Mb no cromossomo 17p12 entre as posições genômicas 14,052,279-15,102,307. A mesma deleção foi encontrada na mãe, sendo que esta região nunca foi associada a HPE. Conclusão: A técnica de sequenciamento direto é uma ferramenta muito importante no diagnóstico molecular da HPE, a padronização do sequenciamento direto para os genes ZIC2 e SIX3 poderá auxiliar em diagnósticos mais precisos em estudos futuros dentro do HRAC/USP. O emprego de novas técnicas como CGH-array pode indicar novas relações entre regiões cromossômicas e os múltiplos fatores envolvidos na formação da HPE. / Objective: Analyze through direct sequencing technique the presence of molecular changes on the genes SHH, SIX3, ZIC2 and TGIF1 on individuals with clinical diagnosis of HPE. Analyze through array-CGH technique the presence of molecular changes on individuals with clinical diagnosis of HPE previously submitted to the direct sequencing analyzes. Local: Genetics and Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, HRAC/USP, Bauru-SP. Methods: Were selected 50 individuals from both genders with ages between 03 months and 50 years clinically diagnosed with HPE. Everyone was analyzed through the direct sequencing technique for the genes SHH and TGIF1 completely and for the genes ZIC2 and SIX3 partially. From those individuals which did not have shown changes on the direct sequencing technique, eight individuals with more severe phenotype were selected to the analysis through array-CGH. Results an Discussion: Were analyzed 50 individuals through the technique of direct sequencing of the genes SHH and TGIF1, were found two pathogenic variants in the analysis of SHH gene, in the case 1, the variant p.G24P was identified, and in the case 2 was identified the variant c.1031delC. On the TGIF1 gene were found five polymorphisms already described on the literature. Was identified a new silent variant on the exon 1 of the ZIC2 gene p. Q46Q(c.431G>A) and a polymorphism already described in the literature in two individuals on the gene SIX3. The analysis through array-CGH revealed the presence of one microdeletion in the case 37, of 1,5 Mb on the region 17p12 between the genomic positions 14,052,279-15,102,307. The same deletion was detected in the mother, though this region was never associated to the HPE. Conclusion: The direct sequencing technique is a very important tool for the molecular diagnosis of the HPE, and the direct sequencing standardization for the genes ZIC2 and SIX3 might help in more precise diagnostics on HRAC/USP future studies. The employ of new techniques such as array-CGH may indicate new relations between chromosomal regions and the multiple hit involved in the development of HPE.

The following results were obtained in the presented thesis: 1. Based on a previous work on the MoM method, a software modulus was created and tested in MATLAB, which solves a small-size scanning metal array with arbitrary element position and arbitrary lumped loading. 2. The solver was applied to optimize a broadband planar array of dipoles using the concept of negative lumped loading, which was introduced by R.C. Hansen in 2003. The problem statement was formulated by E. Kratzenberg of MIT Haystack Observatory. 3. The optimization implies full testing of varied array configurations with different element numbers, dipole thicknesses, generator impedances, and lumped loading values. 4. The results obtained indicate that that both 4x4 and 6x6 arrays of dipoles may be optimized over the frequency band from 50 to 300 MHz. The optimization means that the Scan Element Pattern of the array at zenith nearly follows the theoretical limit (area gain per element).

To counter radio signal reconnaissance, an efficient way of covert communication is to use subsecond duration burst transmissions in the congested HF band. Against this background, the present thesis treats fast direction finding (DF) using antenna arrays with known response only in a few calibration directions. In such scenarios the known method of array mapping (interpolation) may be used to transform the output data vectors from the existing array onto the corresponding output vectors of another (virtual) array that is mathematically defined and optimally chosen. But in signal reconnaissance the emitters are initially unknown and the mapping matrix must be designed as a compromise over a wide sector of DOAs. This compromise may result in large DOA estimate errors, both deterministic and random. Analyzing, analytically describing, and minimizing these DOA errors, is the main theme of the present thesis. The first part of the thesis analyzes the deterministic mapping errors, the DOA estimate bias, that is caused by dissimilarity between the two array geometries. It is shown that in a typical signal reconnaissance application DOA estimate bias can dominate over DOA estimate variance. Using a Taylor series expansion of the DOA estimator cost function an analytical expression for the bias is derived and a first order zero bias condition is identified. This condition is general, estimator independent, and can be applied to any type of data pre-processing. A design algorithm for the mapping matrix is thereafter presented that notably reduces mapped DOA estimate bias. A special version is also given with the additional property of reducing the higher order Taylor terms and thus the residual bias. Simulations demonstrate a bias reduction factor exceeding 100 in some scenarios. A version based on signal subspace mapping rather than array manifold mapping is also given. This version is of large practical interest since the mapping matrix can be designed directly from calibration data. In the second part of the thesis the derived bias minimization theory is extended into Mean Square Error (MSE) minimization, i.e. measurement noise is introduced. Expressions for DOA error variance and DOA MSE under general pre-processing are derived, and a design algorithm for the mapping matrix is formulated by which mapped DOA estimate MSE can be minimized. Simulations demonstrate improved robustness and performance for this algorithm, especially in low SNR scenarios. In the third and final part of the thesis the theoretical results are supported by experimental data. For an 8 element circular array mapped onto a virtual ULA across a 600 sector it is shown that the mapped DOA estimate errors can be suppressed down to the Cramér-Rao level. / QC 20101022

No description available.

Sensor arrays are used in many applications where their ability to localize signal sources is essential. For many applications, it is necessary to estimate the direction-of-arrival (DOA) of target sources. Although there are many DOA estimation methods available, most of them are valid only for narrowband signals where time delay can be approximated as a phase shift. This thesis focuses on DOA estimation algorithms for wideband sources. Specifically, this thesis proposes the pruned fast beamformer which can reduce the number of computations of Delay-and-Sum (DS) beamforming by using a multi-resolution structure. For high resolution methods, signal subspace methods are required. Most of the subspace techniques for wideband signals decompose the received wideband signals into several bands of narrowband signals through bandpass filtering. Then, there are two different ways of processing decomposed signals. The incoherent methods process each band independently by a given narrowband method and average the results. The coherent methods attempt to modulate the signals in each band so that they can be combined coherently. In this thesis, a new DOA estimator, which is called TOPS, is developed to avoid disadvantages of both the incoherent and the coherent methods. The new method which can be categorized as a non-coherent method is tested and compared with other methods. It exhibits many desirable features for a number of applications where the sources are wideband such as acoustic direction finding.

In this thesis, we study the array theory and the array synthesis methods to design a sector antenna composed of a broadside collinear array and a corner reflector that is suitable for base stations. The antenna produces a sector beam in the horizontal plane to reduce the co-channel interference. In the elevation plane the antenna produces a narrower beam in order to achieve a higher gain. A uniform array is known to produce a high side lobe level which will cause serious interference. Therefore, Dolph-Tchebyscheff linear array method and Taylor line source method are utilized for the antenna design. We also design the structure of corner reflector which is combined with an array to form the sector antenna. We also study the switched-beam system, design and fabricate a 4¡Ñ1 microstrip patch antenna array to simulate the operation of the system and measure its performance.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-132).

Objetivos: Analisar por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto a presença de alterações moleculares nos genes SHH, SIX3, ZIC2 e TGIF1 em indivíduos com diagnóstico clínico de HPE. Analisar por meio da técnica de CGH-array a presença de alterações moleculares em indivíduos com diagnóstico clínico de HPE previamente submetidos à análise por sequenciamento direto. Local: Laboratório de Genética e Citogenética Humana HRAC/USP, Bauru-SP. Casuística e metodologia: Foram selecionados 50 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos com idades entre 03 meses a 50 anos com diagnóstico clínico para HPE. Todos foram analisados por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto para os genes SHH e TGIF1 completamente e para os genes ZIC2 e SIX3 parcialmente. Dentre os indivíduos que não apresentaram alterações na técnica de sequenciamento oito indivíduos com fenótipo mais grave foram selecionados para a análise por CGH-array. Resultados e discussão: Foram analisados 50 indivíduos por meio da técnica de sequenciamento direto dos gene SHH e TGIF1, foram encontradas duas variantes patogênicas na análise do gene SHH, no caso 1 a variante p.24G>P foi identificada, e no caso 2 foi identificada a variante c.1031del C. No gene TGIF1 foram encontrados cinco polimorfismos já descritos na literatura. Foi identificada uma nova variante silenciosa no éxon 1 do gene ZIC2 p.Q46Q (c. 431 G>A) e um polimorfismo já descrito na literatura em dois indivíduos no gene SIX3. A análise por CGH-array revelou a presença de uma microdeleção no caso 37, de 1,5Mb no cromossomo 17p12 entre as posições genômicas 14,052,279-15,102,307. A mesma deleção foi encontrada na mãe, sendo que esta região nunca foi associada a HPE. Conclusão: A técnica de sequenciamento direto é uma ferramenta muito importante no diagnóstico molecular da HPE, a padronização do sequenciamento direto para os genes ZIC2 e SIX3 poderá auxiliar em diagnósticos mais precisos em estudos futuros dentro do HRAC/USP. O emprego de novas técnicas como CGH-array pode indicar novas relações entre regiões cromossômicas e os múltiplos fatores envolvidos na formação da HPE. / Objective: Analyze through direct sequencing technique the presence of molecular changes on the genes SHH, SIX3, ZIC2 and TGIF1 on individuals with clinical diagnosis of HPE. Analyze through array-CGH technique the presence of molecular changes on individuals with clinical diagnosis of HPE previously submitted to the direct sequencing analyzes. Local: Genetics and Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, HRAC/USP, Bauru-SP. Methods: Were selected 50 individuals from both genders with ages between 03 months and 50 years clinically diagnosed with HPE. Everyone was analyzed through the direct sequencing technique for the genes SHH and TGIF1 completely and for the genes ZIC2 and SIX3 partially. From those individuals which did not have shown changes on the direct sequencing technique, eight individuals with more severe phenotype were selected to the analysis through array-CGH. Results an Discussion: Were analyzed 50 individuals through the technique of direct sequencing of the genes SHH and TGIF1, were found two pathogenic variants in the analysis of SHH gene, in the case 1, the variant p.G24P was identified, and in the case 2 was identified the variant c.1031delC. On the TGIF1 gene were found five polymorphisms already described on the literature. Was identified a new silent variant on the exon 1 of the ZIC2 gene p. Q46Q(c.431G>A) and a polymorphism already described in the literature in two individuals on the gene SIX3. The analysis through array-CGH revealed the presence of one microdeletion in the case 37, of 1,5 Mb on the region 17p12 between the genomic positions 14,052,279-15,102,307. The same deletion was detected in the mother, though this region was never associated to the HPE. Conclusion: The direct sequencing technique is a very important tool for the molecular diagnosis of the HPE, and the direct sequencing standardization for the genes ZIC2 and SIX3 might help in more precise diagnostics on HRAC/USP future studies. The employ of new techniques such as array-CGH may indicate new relations between chromosomal regions and the multiple hit involved in the development of HPE.

No description available.