MU LT I L E V E L inverters are becoming the preferred choice for medium voltage high power applications. Multilevel inverters have a number of inherent advantages over conventional two level inverters. The output voltage has multiple steps or levels, resulting in reduced dV/dt, which leads to lower electromagnetic interference, making it easier to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations. Multilevel inverters have a much lower effective switching frequency, which leads to a reduction in switching losses. The output voltage of multilevel inverters has a much lower harmonic content. In applications such as power conversion or grid-connection, filters need to be much smaller, or can be eliminated. In motor drive applications, the low harmonic content results in smoother, ripple-free shaft torque. The neutral-point clamped (NPC), cascaded H-bridge (CHB) and flying capacitor (FC) topologies were among the earliest multilevel topologies. NPC topologies require additional clamping diodes to clamp the output to the DC bus midpoint. CHB topologies use a number of isolated DC suplies to generate multilevel output. FC topologies work with a single DC link but use additional floating capacitors. Since then, a number derivatives and improvements to these topologies have been proposed. Topologies with low switch counts are desirable because of the corresponding reduction in system size and cost. A low total component count is also desirable since it results in better reliability. Induction motors in high power applications are often operated in the open-end configuration. Here, the start terminals of the motor phase windings are connected to one three phase inverter, while the end terminals are connected to a second three-phase inverter. The two inverters are typically powered by isolated supplies to prevent the flow of common mode currents through the motor. The open end configuration has a number of advantages It can be used with nearly all high power motors with no need for electrical or mechanical modification, since all six winding terminal are available externally. The two inverters driving the open-end motor are effectively cascaded. As a result, two inverters of lower voltage and power rating can replace a single inverter with higher voltage and power rating. In addition, if one of the inverter fails, it can be bypassed and the system can be operated at reduced power. In many applications such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), the load power is proportional to the cube of the shaft speed, so a 50% reduction in power translates to only 20% reduction in speed, thereby improving overall system reliability. The cascading of inverters also enables multilevel operation, which is exploited for the topologies proposed in this thesis. In the open-end configuration it is important to ensure that both the DC supplies deliver power to the load. Otherwise, power can circulate through the motor windings. In addition, if the two inverters are powered by rectifier supplies, the DC bus of one inverter can charge uncontrollably, resulting in distortion of phase voltages and currents. If DC bus overcharging continues unchecked the DC bus voltage can even exceed the system rating, resulting in permanent damage. This thesis proposes two novel topologies for open-end induction motor drives with low switch counts. Both topologies are powered by two unequal, isolated DC sources having DC voltages in a 3:1 ratio. Multiple levels in the output voltage are obtained using a number of floating capacitors in each phase. Modulation and control schemes are also proposed for both topologies to ensure that DC bus overcharging never occurs, while all the capacitor voltages are kept balanced at their nominal values. The first of these two topologies is a nine level inverter for open end induction motor drives. It consists of two three-level flying capacitor inverters connected to the induction motor in the open end configuration. The two inverters are powered by DC sources of voltage 6VDC/8 and 2VDC/8, which generates an effective phase voltage having nine levels in steps of VDC/8. This topology has only eight switches and two floating capacitors per phase. The space vector structure for this topology is hexagonal, and has 217 space vector locations. A space-vector based formulation is used to determine the pole voltage of the inverter such that DC bus over charging is prevented. In addition, selection of switching states is used to balance the voltages of all floating capacitors. This scheme allows the floating capacitors to be charged up during system startup, thereby eliminating the need for separate pre-charging circuitry. A level-shifted carrier PWM based modulation scheme has been developed, which can be used with both scalar and vector control schemes. The gating signal for switches turning on must be delayed by a small amount (to allow the complementary switch to turn of), failing which current shoot through can occur. This delay is called dead time, during which gate signals to both complementary devices are turned of. Under certain conditions in the flying capacitor topology, the pole voltage can contain large undesirable transients during the dead time which result in phase current distortion, and electromagnetic noise. A novel scheme to eliminate this problem is proposed using a digital state machine approach. The switching state for each subsequent switching interval is determined based on the present switching state such that the pole voltage does not contain a transient, without affecting the phase voltage of the inverter, and irrespective of the current magnitude or direction. The state machine was implemented using an FPGA, and required an additional computation time of just 20ns, which is much smaller than the inverter dead time duration of typically 2.5µs. The second novel topology proposed in this thesis is a seventeen level inverter for an open end induction motor drive. Here, one three-level inverter and one seven-level inverter are connected to the two ends of the induction machine. The three-level inverter is a flying capacitor inverter. The seven-level inverter is a hybrid topology – it consists of an H-bridge cascaded to each phase of a three level flying capacitor inverter. This scheme is also powered by two isolated DC sources in 3:1 ratio with magnitudes 12VDC/16 and 4VDC/16. The effective phase voltage has seventeen levels in steps of VDC/16. This topology has a total of twelve switches and three floating capacitors per phase. The space vector structure for this topology is hexagonal, and has 817 space-vector locations. Space vector analysis was used to determine the pole voltages, and the switching states such that DC bus overcharging is prevented while also balancing the voltages of the floating capacitors. A non-iterative algorithm was developed for determining the switching states, suitable for implementation in digital logic using an FPGA. The scheme is able to charge the all capacitors at startup as well, eliminating the need for separate pre-charging circuits. Hardware prototypes were built for both the topologies described above for experimental verification, and used to drive a three phase 50Hz, 1.5kW, four pole induction motor in V/f control mode. The inverters topologies were built using 1200V, 75A IGBT half-bridge modules (Semikron SKM75GB12T4) with hybrid opto-isolated gate drivers (Mitsubishi M57962). Three phase rectifiers were used to create the asymmetric DC supplies Hall effect sensors were used to sense the DC link and floating capacitor voltages and phase currents (LEM LV20P voltage sensors and LA55 current sensors). Signal conditioning circuitry was built using discrete components. The PWM signals and V/f controller were implemented using a digital signal processor (Texas Instruments TMS320F28335). Synchronous PWM with was used to eliminate sub-harmonics from the phase voltage, and to ensure three-phase and half-wave symmetry. The internal ADC of the DSP was used for sampling all voltages and currents. The remaining digital logic for switch state selection was implemented on a FPGA (Xilinx Spartan3 XC3S200). Dead time functionality was also implemented within the FPGA, eliminating the need for separate dead time hardware. Both topologies were first tested for steady state operation over the full modulation range, and the pole voltages, phase voltages and phase currents were recorded. System startup, and the ability of the controllers to balance all the capacitors at startup was tested next. The capacitor voltages were also observed during sudden loading, by quickly accelerating the motor. Finally, the phenomenon of DC bus overcharging was also demonstrated. These results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed topology for a number of applications, including industrial drives, alternate energy systems, power conversion and electric traction.

Le système auditif ascendant est constitué d’étages multiples procédant chacun à un traitement complexe du signal, traitement qui est modulé par un système descendant, formant de multiples boucles corticales et sous-corticales de rétroaction : le système efférent auditif. La boucle la plus longue de ce système serait capable de moduler directement le fonctionnement des cellules sensorielles de l’organe périphérique de l’audition. Le but de ce travail était d’étudier pour la première fois chez le sujet sain, l’effet d’une modulation corticale expérimentale sur le fonctionnement périphérique auditif. Nous avons donc recueilli, dans le cadre d’un protocole en double aveugle contre placebo, chez 34 sujets sains, l’activité des cellules ciliées externes de l’organe de Corti (cellules sensorielles directement en contact avec les fibres nerveuses efférentes), par le recueil d’otoémissions acoustiques (OEAs), avant et après stimulation du cortex auditif par une stimulation magnétique transcrânienne répétitive (SMTr). Une diminution de l’amplitude d’un type d’OEA a été obtenue du côté controlatéral à une stimulation du cortex auditif par SMTr à 10 Hz, effet qui ne peut être expliqué seulement par une action non-spécifique liée au bruit de la SMTr mais qui reste extrêmement variable d’un sujet à un autre. De plus, nous avons montré, du côté ipsilatéral à la SMTr, une diminution de l’amplitude des OEAs immédiatement après la SMTr, et uniquement pour les fortes intensités d’utilisation de la SMTr (donc, pour des niveaux de bruit plus importants), reflétant un effet direct du bruit de la SMTr sur les mécanismes cochléaires actifs, effet présent chez nos sujets même en cas de protections auditives de bonne qualité / The ascending auditory system involves multiples stages where the auditory information is processed and modulated by a top-down influence involving multiple cortico sub-cortical loops: the efferent auditory system. It is hypothesized that the longest loop of this efferent system is able to modulate directly the sensory cells of the peripheral auditory organ. The aim of this work was to study this system, to our knowledge for the first time in healthy humans, and to show a direct cortical influence on the auditory periphery. In a double blind randomized procedure, we recorded, in 34 healthy subjects, the activity of outer hair cells of the organ of Corti (sensory cells, that are in direct synaptic contact with medial efferent fibers), by means of evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), before and after auditory cortex stimulation by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). We showed an inhibitory influence of the auditory cortical stimulation by 10 Hz rTMS on OAE amplitudes, predominantly in the ear contralateral to the rTMS, effect that cannot be attributed to a non-specific effect linked to the impulse noise associated with the rTMS technique, but that remains highly variable across subjects. In addition, we showed a decrease in OAE amplitude on the ipsilateral side, immediately after the rTMS session and only for high rTMS intensities (and hence, higher noise levels), that reflect a direct influence of the rTMS noise on the auditory periphery, effect that is present even in well ear-protected subjects

Cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude de la localisation d'objets enfouis dans acoustiques sous-marins en utilisant les méthodes de traitement d'antenne et les ondes acoustiques. Nous avons proposé un modèle bien adapté en tenant compte le phénomène physique au niveau de l'interface eau/sédiment. La modélisation de la propagation combine donc la contribution de l'onde réfléchie et celle de l'onde réfractée pour déterminer un nouveau vecteur directionnel. Le vecteur directionnel élaboré à partir des modèles de diffusion acoustique est utilisé dans la méthode MUSIC au lieu d'utiliser le modèle d'onde plane habituel. Cette approche permet d'estimer à la fois coordonnées d'objets (angle et distance objet-capteur) de forme connue, quel que soit leur emplacement vis à vis de l'antenne, en champ proche ou en champ lointain. Nous remplaçons l'étape de décomposition en éléments propres par des algorithmes plus rapides. Nous développons un algorithme d'optimisation plus élaboré consiste à combiner l'algorithme DIRECT (DIviding RECTangles) avec une interpolation de type Spline, ceci permet de faire face au cas d'antennes distordues à grand nombre de capteurs, tout en conservant un temps de calcul faible. Les signaux reçus sont des signaux issus de ce même capteur, réfléchis et réfractés par les objets et sont donc forcément corrélés. Pour cela, nous d'abord utilisons un opérateur bilinéaire. Puis nous proposons une méthode pour le cas de groupes indépendants de signaux corrélés en utilisant les cumulants. Ensuit nous présentons une méthode en utilisant la matrice tranche cumulants pour éliminer du bruit Gaussien. Mais dans la pratique, le bruit n'est pas toujours gaussien ou ses caractéristiques ne sont pas toujours connues. Nous développons deux méthodes itératives pour estimer la matrice interspectrale du bruit. Le premier algorithme est basé sur une technique d'optimisation permettant d'extraire itérativement la matrice interspectrale du bruit de la matrice interspectrale des observations. Le deuxième algorithme utilise la technique du maximum de vraisemblance pour estimer conjointement les paramètres du signal et du bruit. Enfin nous testons les algorithmes proposés avec des données expérimentales et les performances des résultats sont très bonnes. / This thesis is devoted to the study of the localization of objects buried in underwater acoustic using array processing methods and acoustic waves. We have proposed a appropriate model, taking into account the water/sediment interface. The propagation modeling thus combines the reflected wave and the refracted wave to determine a new directional vector. The directional vector developed by acoustic scattering model is used in the MUSIC method instead of the classical plane wave model. This approach can estimate both of the object coordinates (angle and distance sensor-object) of known form, in near field or far field. We propose some fast algorithms without eigendecompostion. We combine DIRECT algorithm with spline interpolation to cope with the distorted antennas of many sensors, while maintaining a low computation time. To decorrelate the received signals, we firstly use a bilinear operator. We propose a method for the case of independent groups of correlated signals using the cumulants. Then we present a method using the cumulants matrix to eliminate Gaussian noise. But in practice, the noise is not always Gaussian or the characteristics are not always known. We develope two iterative methods to estimate the interspectral matrix of noise. The first algorithm is based on an optimization technique to extract iteratively the interspectral matrix of noise. The second algorithm uses the technique of maximum likelihood to estimate the signal parameters and the noise. Finally we test the proposed algorithms with experimental data. The results quality is very good.

A concepção de aeronaves não convencionais a fim de alcançar um determinado desempenho ou melhoria operacional é sem dúvida um dos objetivos mais importantes da engenheira aeronáutica. Tais melhorias envolvem: redução de arrasto, redução da seção transversal, redução de ruído, redução da distância de decolagem e pouso, aumento da eficiência aerodinâmica, aumento da carga útil, entre outros. Por tanto, métodos de otimização multidisciplinar se tornaram em ferramentas muito úteis para aprimorar o projeto conceitual destas aeronaves. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento do projeto conceitual de uma aeronave não convencional de combate e a análise de desempenho aerodinâmico do seu sistema de admissão de ar (Intake), tendo como principal característica, estar localizado na parte superior da fuselagem da aeronave (Dorsal Intake). O delineamento conceitual foi desenvolvido através da implementação de metodologias de otimização multidisciplinar de projeto (MDO) na fase de projeto paramétrico, integrando conceitos como: entropia estatística, desdobramento da função qualidade (QFD) e análise de restrições. Além disso, foram usados métodos analíticos e teóricos, ferramentas de desenho assistido por computador (CAD) e simulações da dinâmica dos fluidos computacionais (CFD) para otimizar e obter a configuração final da aeronave. Posteriormente, 5 configurações de asa delta foram selecionadas para avaliar as mudanças de desempenho do dorsal intake sob a influência aerodinâmica das superfícies principais da aeronave (Asa e Fuselagem), em regimes de voo subsônico (Mach = 0.4), transônico (Mach = 0.9) e supersônico (Mach = 1.7; 2) a diversos ângulos de ataque (De α = 10º a α = 30º ). Os resultados encontrados neste trabalho foram avaliados em separado, subsequentemente foram integrados, a fim de obter a nova concepção de aeronave não convencional de combate; a aplicação de MDO permitiu estimar as variáveis de projeto ideais para o desenvolvimento do projeto da aeronave, em relação a sua missão. Em contrapartida, os resultados da integração intake-estrutura mostram que apropriadas características de desempenho e compatibilidade foram mantidas durante as fases de voo subsônicas, para as 5 configurações de asa. No entanto, para velocidades transônicas, a configuração canard apresentou um acréscimo nos níveis de recuperação de pressão total, devido ao fluxo de alta energia na parte superior da fuselagem, o qual é produzido pelo vórtice do canard a moderados ângulos de ataque. Finalmente, para velocidades supersônicas, a asa com dispositivos LEX (Leading Edge Extensions) obteve os melhores níveis de recuperação de pressão total, pois a implementação destes dispositivos apresentou uma montagem mais vantajosa com sua fuselagem para gerar o cone de Mach, aumentando os níveis de recuperação de pressão total e reduzindo a distorção na face do motor. No entanto, para velocidades maiores a Mach = 2, sem importar a configuração de asa, a expansão do escoamento sobre a fuselagem e as asas da aeronave produziu um aumento no número Mach local na entrada do intake, o que reduziu os níveis de desempenho e compatibilidade do mesmo. Em consequência, a posição do intake na parte superior da fuselagem representa uma opção de configuração viável para aeronaves que requerem apenas capacidades de ângulo de ataque razoáveis, tais como aeronaves de caça ar-terra, sendo a asa com dispositivos LEX a geometria que representa melhores qualidades de desempenho na maioria dos 3 regimes de voo avaliados. / The conception of non-conventional aircraft with the aim of achieving a certain performance or operational improvement is undoubtedly, one of the most important objectives of the aeronautical engineering. These improvements involve: drag reduction, cross section reduction, noise reduction, shortening of take-off and landing distance, increase of aerodynamic efficiency, payload increase, among others. Therefore, optimization multidisciplinary methods became in very important tools to upgrade the conceptual design phase of these aircraft. In this context, this work had as aim the development of the conceptual design of a nonconventional fighter aircraft and the aerodynamic performance analysis of its air intake, having as main characteristic to be located at the top of the fuselage (Dorsal Intake). The conceptual design was developed through the implementation of multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) methods in the parametric design phase, integrating concepts of: statistical entropy, quality function deployment (QFD) and constraint analysis. Besides that, it was used analytical and theoretical methods, computer-aided design (CAD) tools and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to optimize and obtain the final aircraft configuration. Subsequently, 5 delta wing configurations were selected to evaluate the dorsal intake performance changes under the aerodynamic influence of the main aircraft surfaces (Wings and Fuselage) in subsonic (Mach = 0.4), transonic (Mach = 0.9) and supersonic (Mach = 1.7; 2) flight regimes, at various angles of attack (From α = 10º to α = 30º ). The results found in this work were evaluated separately, later these were integrated, in order to get the new conception of non-conventional fighter aircraft; the MDO application allowed to estimate the ideal design variables for developing the aircraft design, regarding to its mission. On the other hand, the results of the intake-structure integration shown that appropriate performance and compatibility characteristics were maintained during the subsonic flight stages for the 5 wing configurations. However, for transonic velocities, the canard configuration presented an increase in the total pressure recovery levels, due to the high energy flux on the fuselage, which is produced by the canard vortex at moderate angles of attack. Finally, for supersonic velocities, the wing with LEX (Leading Edge Extensions) devices got the best levels of total pressure recovery, because the implementation of these devices presented a more advantageous assembly with its fuselage to generate the Mach cone, increasing the total pressure recovery levels and reducing the distortion at the engine face. However, for velocities higher than Mach = 2, regardless the wing configuration, the flow expansion on the fuselage and the wings produced an increase in the local Mach number in the intake entrance, which reduced the performance and compatibility levels of it. As a consequence, the top mounted intake position represents an option of viable configuration to aircraft that require only reasonable angles of attack capabilities, such as air-to-ground fighter aircraft, being the wing with LEX devices the geometry that represents better performance qualities in the majority of the 3 evaluated flight regimes.

This master thesis is focused on design and aerodynamic analysis of subsonic turbine engine inlet in NACA duct configuration for unmanned aircraft. The first part of this paper is methodics for design considerations for NACA duct, which is based on theoretical analysis of this type of inlet. The acquired knowledge is used to design an inlet for the specified unmanned aircraft that is subject of CFD analysis. The impact of deflectors is considered in the evaluation and the solution is compared to the S-duct inlet. The proposed inlet with deflectors meets DC60 distortion criterion for all specified cases and the pressure losses requirements are met for lower velocities. Based on the results, the recommended application is for aircraft that flies in optimal design conditions for most of the mission.

Neuronové sítě vycházející z architektury WaveNet a sítě využívající rekurentní vrstvy jsou v současnosti používány jak pro syntézu lidské řeči, tak pro „black box“ modelování systémů pro úpravu akustického signálu – modulační efekty, nelineární zkreslovače apod. Úkolem studenta bude shrnout dosavadní poznatky o možnostech využití neuronových sítí při modelování akustických signálů. Student dále implementuje některý z modelů neuronových sítí v programovacím jazyce Python a využije jej pro natrénování a následnou simulaci libovolného efektu nebo systému pro úpravu akustického signálu. V rámci semestrální práce vypracujte teoretickou část práce, vytvořte zvukovou databázi pro trénování neuronové sítě a implementujte jednu ze struktur sítí pro modelování zvukového signálu. Neuronové sítě jsou v průběhu posledních let používány stále více, a to víceméně přes celé spektrum vědních oborů. Neuronové sítě založené na architektuře WaveNet a sítě využívající rekurentních vrstev se v současné době používají v celé řadě využití, zahrnující například syntézu lidské řeči, nebo napřklad při metodě "black-box" modelování akustických systémů, které upravují zvukový signál (modulačí efekty, nelineární zkreslovače, apod.). Tato akademická práce si dává za cíl poskytnout úvod do problematiky neuronových sítí, vysvětlit základní pojmy a mechanismy této problematiky. Popsat využití neuronových sítí v modelování akustických systémů a využít těchto poznatků k implementaci neuronových sítí za cílem modelování libovolného efektu nebo zařízení pro úpravu zvukového signálu.

My diploma thesis deals about the one possibility of distortion measuring in TV devices and distributions. The main objectives are analysis of special measuring signals sin220T and sin22T, means of precision assesments and design possibilities. Next point is proposal and after that draft of generator circuit. It will consist analog a digital section of processing measuring signals. Pulse sin22T is generated by digital decoder CPLD, trigged by “hardware” quartz oscilator 60MHz. Low-frequency component of signal sin220T have identical form like sin22T, diference is only in clocking by 10MHz assured by “software”frequency divider. High-frequency component of pulse is gained like product of AM modulation, that the modulation signal is low-frequency sin220T and harmonic carrier with frequency 4,433619MHz. Ocilator with automatic gain control (AGC) and quartz feed-back generates absolute accuracy oscillation (precision 10-6). Finaly this parts are summing in operation amplifier. Detailed analysis, draft and layout of PCB (Printed Circuid Board) is reffered – to diploma thesis.

This thesis describes application of image processing for precise distance measurement in self acting production of a tip for AFM microscopes. The main goal is to measure distances between assembly parts during fabrication process. The purpose is to acquire a data for self acting assembly line which have to substitute inaccurate and nonrecurring manual assembly process. The assembly process consists of three technological steps. In first two steps the tungsten wire is glued to the cantilever. Distance measurement is necessary in all axes for proper alignment of parts. In third step the sharp tip is etched by KOH solution. The right distance between liquid level and the cantilever must be kept. A camera with high resolution and macro objective is used to acquire an image. Camera image is then calibrated to suppress distortions and scene position with respect to camera position. Length conversion coefficient is also computed. Object recognition and distance measurement is based on standard computer vision methods, mainly: adaptive thresholding, moments, image statistics, canny edge detector, Hough transform… Proposed algorithms have been implemented in C++ using Intel OpenCV library. The final achieved distance resolution is about 10µm per pixel. Algorithm output was successfully used to assembly few test tips.

This Master’s thesis deals with design of a new method for voltage quality benchmarking using voltage quality index. This index should determinate total voltage quality in the power grid and compare voltage quality in different places. There is design of several algorithms which value measured parameters in this thesis. The best suitable algorithm is selected. Program for this algorithm was compiled in GUI Matlab. The algorithm is verified by using measured parameters in this program. The last part of this thesis is focused on possible usage of created algorithm.

This master thesis is engaged in problematics of creation and compensation of geometric distortions in 1D agarose electrophoresis. This master thesis analyze the problematics of cause of these distortions and summarize the theory needed for compensation of these distortions. Based on acquired theory and created electrophoretic phantoms, the master thesis contains several suggestions for compensation of incurred distortions. These suggestions are recreated into functions, which are connected into a functional user interface for gel image analysis and geometric distortions compensation.