[ES] El desarrollo de los biosensores está permitiendo llevar a cabo análisis bioquímicos cada vez más rápidos, de manera mucho más sencilla y utilizando una menor cantidad de muestra. Esto está dando lugar a aplicaciones en las que se monitorizan parámetros de manera continua y autónoma, aumentando la eficiencia y reduciendo los costes. El tema principal de esta Tesis ha sido el desarrollo y la evaluación de biosensores que se basan en técnicas de transducción óptica, fabricados en silicio poroso, un material nanoestructurado que puede llegar a alcanzar una gran sensibilidad. El trabajo ha consistido en el estudio de la fabricación y la caracterización de membranas de silicio poroso obtenidas a partir de substratos tipo p de baja resistividad. Para ello se ha desarrollado un modelo matemático realista que permite simular el comportamiento del transductor y calcular sus parámetros experimentales. Gracias a esto, se han estudiado propiedades del material como el efecto térmico, llevando a caracterizar el efecto termo-óptico del silicio poroso en el rango infrarrojo del espectro. Además, se ha analizado la infiltración de la muestra en el transductor con el objetivo de mejorar su funcionamiento. Por este motivo, se han examinado diferentes morfologías de poros y se ha implementado un flujo activo durante el sensado, en el cual la sustancia a analizar fluye a través de la membrana porosa, resolviendo problemas de rellenado del sensor y mezclado con otras sustancias. / [CA] El desenvolupament dels biosensors està permetent realitzar anàlisis bioquímics cada vegada més ràpids, de manera molt més senzilla i utilitzant una menor quantitat de mostra. Això està donant lloc a aplicacions en les quals es monitoritzen paràmetres de manera contínua i autònoma, augmentant l'eficiència i reduint els costos. El tema principal d'aquesta Tesis ha sigut el desenvolupament i l'avaluació de biosensors basats en tècniques de transducció òptica, fabricats en silici porós, un material nanoestructurat que pot arribar a aconseguir una gran sensibilitat. El treball ha consistit en l'estudi de la fabricació i la caracterització de membranes de silici porós obtingudes a partir de substrats tipus p de baixa resistivitat. Per a fer-ho, s'ha desenvolupat un model matemàtic realista que permet simular el comportament del transductor i calcular els seus paràmetres experimentals. Gràcies a això, s'han estudiat propietats del material com l'efecte tèrmic, el que ha permés caracteritzar l'efecte termo-òptic del silici porós en el rang infraroig de l'espectre. A més, s'ha analitzat la infiltració de la mostra en el transductor amb l'objectiu de millorar el seu funcionament. Per aquest motiu, s'han examinat diferents morfologies de porus i s'ha implementat un flux actiu durant el sensat, en el qual la substància a analitzar fluïx a través de la membrana porosa, resolent problemes d'ompliment del sensor i mesclat amb altres substàncies. / [EN] The development of biosensors is leading to faster and simpler analyses of biochemical samples, using them in lower quantities. Over the last years, these advances have allowed the emergence of applications where parameters can be monitored continuously and autonomously, increasing the efficiency and reducing the costs. This Thesis has focused on the development and evaluation of biosensors based on optical transducers, which are fabricated with porous silicon, a nanostructured material that is able to reach a high sensitivity. In this work, the fabrication and characterization of porous silicon membranes using heavily doped p-type silicon wafers have been studied. A realistic mathematical model has been developed in order to simulate the transducer's behavior and calculate the experimental parameters. This has led to the study of physical properties such as the thermal effect, where we were able to characterize the thermo-optic coefficient in the near-infrared range. Moreover, the penetration of the sample into the structure has been analyzed. For this purpose, several pore morphologies were examined and an active flow has been implemented during the sensing experiments, where the substance of interest flows through the porous membrane, to solve problems such as the partial filling of the sensor or the mixture of different substances during the experiments. / Martín Sánchez, D. (2019). Desarrollo de biosensores fotónicos basados en membranas de silicio poroso [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/125695

This thesis aims to contribute to the developments of wireless communication systems. The work generally consists of three parts: the first part is a discussion on general digital communication systems, the second part focuses on wireless channel modelling and fading mitigation techniques, and in the third part we discuss the possible application of advanced digital signal processing, especially time-frequency representation and blind source separation, to wireless communication systems. The first part considers general digital communication systems which will be incorporated in later parts. Today's wireless communication system is a subbranch of a general digital communication system that employs various techniques of A/D (Analog to Digital) conversion, source coding, error correction, coding, modulation, and synchronization, signal detection in noise, channel estimation, and equalization. We study and develop the digital communication algorithms to enhance the performance of wireless communication systems. In the Second Part we focus on wireless channel modelling and fading mitigation techniques. A modified Jakes' method is developed for Rayleigh fading channels. We investigate the level-crossing rate (LCR), the average duration of fades (ADF), the probability density function (PDF), the cumulative distribution function (CDF) and the autocorrelation functions (ACF) of this model. The simulated results are verified against the analytical Clarke's channel model. We also construct frequency-selective geometrical-based hyperbolically distributed scatterers (GBHDS) for a macro-cell mobile environment with the proper statistical characteristics. The modified Clarke's model and the GBHDS model may be readily expanded to a MIMO channel model thus we study the MIMO fading channel, specifically we model the MIMO channel in the angular domain. A detailed analysis of Gauss-Markov approximation of the fading channel is also given. Two fading mitigation techniques are investigated: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and spatial diversity. In the Third Part, we devote ourselves to the exciting fields of Time-Frequency Analysis and Blind Source Separation and investigate the application of these powerful Digital Signal Processing (DSP) tools to improve the performance of wireless communication systems.

[pt] Para suportar os requisitos das redes móveis de 5a geração (5G), os sistemas de comunicação óptica serão usados nas redes de acesso. Isso ocorre porque a evolução das RAN (Radio Access Networks) incluem a centralização do equipamento mais crítico para implantar pontos de acesso móveis de baixa potência, como DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) e Small Cells. Os serviços emergentes solicitam a implantação de tecnologias de rádio sobre fibra com ênfase na eficiência de largura de banda, eficiência energética e alta confiabilidade. Neste âmbito, um monitoramento eficiente da camada física é imperativo para a operação dessas redes. O sistema de monitoramento deve fornecer uma localização de falhas em serviço, econômico, centralizado e com impacto mínimo para a transmissão de dados. Esta tese propõe vários sistemas de monitoramento incorporado no transceptor utilizando reflectometria óptica no domínio do tempo. Os sistemas de monitoramento são testados em diferentes sistemas de transmissão de dados e arquiteturas de rede, onde é apresentada uma validação simulada e outras experimentais. / [en] In order to support the requirements for 5th generation mobile networks (5G), optical communication systems will be used in the access part of the network. This is because the evolution of radio access networks includes the centralization of the most critical equipment in order to deploy low power mobile access points, like distributed antenna systems and small cells. The emerging services call for the deployment of radio over fibre technologies with emphasis on bandwidth efficiency, energy efficiency and high reliability. Within this scope, an efficient monitoring of the physical layer would become essential for the operation of these networks. The monitoring system should provide in-service, cost efficient and centralized fault localization with minimum impact on data transmission. This thesis proposes several transceiver-embedded optical time domain reflectometry monitoring systems. The monitoring systems are tested over different data transmission systems and network architectures, where one architecture was simulated and several others experimentally validated.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / OFDM systems have experienced increased attention in recent years and have found applications in a number of diverse areas including telephone-line based ADSL links, digital audio and video broadcasting systems, and wireless local area networks (WLAN). Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a powerful technique for high data-rate transmission over fading channels. However, to deploy OFDM in a WLAN environment, precise frequency synchronization must be maintained and tricky frequency offsets must be handled. In this thesis, various techniques to improve the data throughput of OFDM WLAN are investigated. A simulation tool was developed in Matlab to evaluate the performance of the IEEE 802.11a physical layer. We proposed a rapid time and frequency synchronization algorithm using only the short training sequence of the IEEE 802.11a standard, thus reducing the training overhead to 50%. Particular attention was paid to channel coding, block interleaving and antenna diversity. Computer simulation showed that drastic improvement in error rate performance is achievable when these techniques are deployed. / Lieutenant, Hellenic Navy

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis analyzes the potential impact of incorporating wireless technologies, specifically an 802.11 mesh layer architecture and 802.16 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, in order to effectively and more efficiently transmit data and create a symbiotic operational picture between Coast Guard Cutters, their boarding teams, Coast Guard Operation Centers, and various external agencies. Two distinct collaborative software programs, Groove Virtual Office and the Naval Postgraduate School's Situational Awareness Agent, are utilized over the Tactical Mesh and OFDM network configurations to improve the Common Operating Picture of involved units within a marine environment to evaluate their potential impact for the Coast Guard. This is being done to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Coast Guard units while they carry out their Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Missions. Through multiple field experiments, including Tactical Network Topology and nuclear component sensing with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we utilize commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment and software to evaluate their impact on these missions. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Coast Guard / Lieutenant, United States Coast Guard

La communication cellulaire est un phénomène important pour le maintien de l’homéostasie des cellules. Au court des dernières années, cette sphère de recherche sur la signalisation cellulaire a connue des avancées importantes au niveau de l’identification des acteurs principaux impliqués dans la reconnaissance extracellulaire des signaux, ainsi que la compréhension des voies de signalisation engagées par les cellules pour répondre aux facteurs extracellulaires. Malgré ces nouvelles informations, les diverses interrelations moléculaires entre les acteurs ainsi que les voies de signalisation cellulaire, demeurent mal comprises. Le transfert d’énergie de résonance de bioluminescence (BRET) permet la mesure d’interactions protéiques et peut être utilisé dans deux configurations, le BRET480-YFP (connu aussi comme le BRET1) et le BRET400-GFP (connu aussi en tant que BRET2). Suite à l’oxydation de son substrat, la luciférase de renilla peut transférer son énergie à une protéine fluorescente, uniquement si elles sont à proximité l’une de l’autre (≤100Å). La combinaison dans un seul essai des BRET480-YFP et BRET400-GFP, a permis de suivre trois paires d’interactions, sur une même population cellulaire. Par contre, l’utilisation de deux substrats pour la réaction de bioluminescence rend impossible la mesure simultanée des différents signaux de BRET, pour ce trois nouvelles configurations de BRET ont été mises au point en utilisant des nouvelles protéines fluorescentes. Ainsi deux des nouvelles couleurs de BRET ayant des émissions résolues, le BRET400-BFP et le BRET400mAmetrine ont pu être combinées pour mesurer l’engagement par un RCPG d’une protéine G, ainsi que l’accumulation du second messager. La combinaison de ces BRET a également permis de révéler la formation d’un complexe entre le récepteur α2A adrénergique (α2AAR), Gαi1, le dimère Gβγ ainsi que la kinase des récepteurs couplés aux protéines G (GRK2), suite à l’activation du récepteur. De plus, seule l’entrée de GRK2 semble être en mesure de causer la désensibilisation du α2AAR, en s’intercalant entre Gαi1 et Gβγ. Par contre, la stabilisation de l’interaction entre α2AAR et la β-arrestine2 semble nécessiter l’activité kinase de GRK2. Une autre étude a révélé l’importance de différentes Gα pour la mobilisation du calcium, suite à l’activation du récepteur aux opioïdes de type delta (DOR). Suite à la surexpression de Gα de la famille Gαq, il a été possible de mesurer une influence de ces Gα sur la mobilisation du calcium. Toutefois, cette réponse calcique mesurée en présence des Gαq demeure sensible aux prétraitements à la toxine de Bordetella pertussis, qui inhibe sélectivement l’activité des Gαi. De plus, la co-expression de Gαi et Gαq permet de potentialiser la mobilisation de calcium, démontrant une interrelation entre ces deux familles de protéine Gα, pour la signalisation du DOR. Afin de démontrer l’interrelation directe, des expériences de BRET ont été réalisées entre différentes Gα. En plus de montrer la formation de complexes sélectifs entre les Gα, les expériences de BRET réalisées en parallèle d’analyses de séquences de Gα, ont également mis à jour un site de sélectivité d’interaction entre les Gα, l’hélice α4. Suite à la transposition de cette hélice α4 de Gα12 sur Gαi1, qui normalement n’interagissent pas, il a été possible de forcer l’interaction entre Gα12 et Gαi1, confirmant ainsi que cette hélice α contient l’information permettant une sélectivité d’interaction. Au cours de cette thèse, il a été possible de générer de nouvelles méthodes de mesure d’interactions protéiques qui permettent de multiplexer différents signaux, ce qui a permis de mettre à jour de nouvelles interactions entre divers effecteurs de la signalisation de RCGP / Cellular communication is an important phenomenon for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Recently, important progress has been made in the cell signalling research field concerning the identification of the major actors and the cellular pathways engaged in response to these extracellular factors. However, in spite of this new information, the interrelationships at the molecular level between the various cellular actors and the different signalling pathways remain badly understood. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) monitors interactions between proteins and can be used in two configurations, the BRET480-YFP (also known as BRET1) and the BRET400-GFP (also known as BRET2). Following oxidation of its substrate, renilla luciferase transfers its energy to a fluorescent protein, only if they are in close proximity (≤100Å). By combining the BRET480-YFP and BRET400-GFP in one assay, it is possible to follow three pair-wise interactions in the same cellular population. However, using two bioluminescence reaction substrates limits the possibility of measuring the different BRET signals simultaneously. In order to measure multiple BRET signals simultaneously, three new BRET configurations, based on the BRET400-GFP, were developed using fluorescent proteins with different emission wavelengths. Two of the new BRET colors which have resolved emission wavelengths, the BRET400-BFP and BRET400mAmetrine, were combined for measuring the heterotrimeric G protein engagement by the vasopressin V2 receptor, as well as the accumulation of the second messenger. Combining these new BRET techniques reveals for the first time the formation of a complex between the α2A adrenergic receptor (α2AAR), Gαi1, the Gβγ dimer and G protein-receptor kinase (GRK2) following receptor activation. Moreover, only the entry of GRK2 into the receptor complex is required for the α2AAR desensitization, by inserting between Gαi1 and Gβγ. On the other hand, the stabilization of the interaction between α2AAR and β-arrestin2 requires the kinase activity of GRK2. Another study revealed the importance of multiple Gα subunits for calcium mobilization induced upon activation of the delta opioid receptor (DOR). Gαq subfamily member overexpression altered the DOR-induced calcium mobilization, but this Gαq calcium mobilization remained sensitive to pre-treatement pertussis toxin, through selective inhibition of the activity of Gαi members. Moreover, Gαi and Gαq co-expression potentiated calcium mobilization, suggesting an interrelationship between these two Gα families in DOR signaling. This Gαi and Gαq interrelationship could result from the formation of a complex close to the receptor. In order to test this hypothesis, BRET experiments were performed, with the aim of measuring the presence of complexes between different Gα. In addition to demonstrating complex formation between Gα subunits, the BRET experiments in parallel with sequence analysis, also revealed a selective interaction site between the Gα, the α4 helix. By swapping the a4 helix of Gαi with the α4 helix of Gα12, which doesn’t normally interact with Gα12, it was possible to force the interaction between Gα12 and Gαi to confirm that this α helix contains information concerning the selectivity of interactions between Gα subunits. During this thesis, new methods were to detect protein interactions and multiplexing these methods allowed the detection of novel interactions between signalling effectors of GPCRs.

O presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento e implementação de duas configurações distintas de um receptor optoeletrônico integrado. A primeira configuração é similar a um projeto encontrado na literatura mas apresenta diversas modificações que lhe conferiram melhor desempenho em comparação ao projeto original. A segunda configuração é uma nova proposta deste trabalho. O receptor foi desenvolvido e implementado visando sua aplicação em redes de comunicações ópticas passivas (PONs) de alta velocidade comutadas a pacote, para possibilitar a utilização da técnica de multiplexação em comprimento de onda (WDM), aumentando assim a capacidade de transmissão da rede, em particular no ramo de ligação da rede de serviços com o usuário final, denominado rede de acesso. O principal objetivo do receptor aqui desenvolvido foi proporcionar uma sintonia rápida entre os canais disponíveis na rede, possibilitando sua seleção num tempo inferior àquele necessário para a transmissão de um único pacote de informação, diminuindo assim o atraso de sintonia e, por conseguinte, a perda de informação. Para tanto, os circuitos integrados implementados e caracterizados referem-se aos circuitos de chaveamento eletrônico e do amplificador de transimpedância das duas configurações investigadas. Os dados experimentais obtidos para as duas configurações confirmaram a previsão de chaveamento dos canais de entrada num intervalo de tempo da ordem de alguns nanosegundos, o que é totalmente compatível com a velocidade de transmissão das aplicações a que se destina este receptor (aproximadamente 5 Gbits/s). Adicionalmente, são apresentados os dados experimentais relativos à freqüência de corte, ganho direto, isolação, relação on/off e características de ruído dos circuitos implementados. / The present work describes the design and implementation of two configurations of an integrated optoelectronic receiver. The first one is similar to a previously reported design but with some modifications to improve its performance. The second one is a new proposal of this work. The goal of the receiver design and implementation was its application in high bit rate packet-switched passive optical networks (PONs) employing the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique to increase the network capacity, in particular on the connection branch of the network core with the final user, the access network. The main goal of the receiver design was to achieve a fast channel tuning, allowing a tuning time smaller than the required for the transmission of a single information packet, decreasing the tuning latency and, therefore, the rate of information packet loss. In order to accomplish this goal, the implemented and tested integrated circuits include the electronic switching circuit and the transimpedance amplifier for both configurations investigated. The measured data for both configurations confirm the expected input channel switching time results, of about a few nanoseconds, which is certainly useful for the expected bit rate of operation (approximate 5 Gbps). Additionally, experimental results concerning cutoff frequency and bandwidth, direct gain, isolation, on/off ratio, and noise characteristics of both implemented circuits are presented.

[pt] Objetivando suprimir as instabilidades dinâmicas de ganho em um amplificador à fibra dopada com Érbio (EDFA), uma nova configuração de laser em anel é apresentada e demonstrada. Neste trabalho, analizamos os efeitos da variação do nível de atenuação no laço de re-alimentação sobre a resposta transitória do EDFA. Particularmente, observamos as excursões de ganho experimentadas pelo canal sobrevivente quando sete dentre oito canais da rede são adicionados ou removidos, à exemplo do que ocorre em sistemas WDM reais. Sob esta análise, avaliamos o desempenho do sistema em suprimir as instabilidades dinâmicas de ganho do EDFA. / [en] A new ring laser configuration to eliminate the gain dynamic instabilities of an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is proposed and demonstrated. We examine the effect of the attenuation level in the optical feedback path over thetransient response of the EDFA. In particular, we look at the transient gain excursions experienced by surviving channel when seven of eight channels are added or dropped, like in real WDM systems. Using this analysis as a guide, we highlight the robustness of the approach and evaluate its performance to EDFA gain stabilization.

Optical communications systems operate at the limits of their margins to respond to increasing capacity demands. Some of the signal processing functions required must soon operate at speeds beyond electronic implementation. Optical signal processors are fundamentally analog which requires precise control of the operating state. Programmable optical components are consequently essential. The thesis explores and elucidates the properties of meshes of generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers (GMZIs) amenable to silicon (Si) photonics integration that are based on multimode interference couplers with programmability achieved via voltage controlled phase-shift elements within the interferometer arms to perform a variety of finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) signal processing functions. The thesis presents a novel class of integrated photonic phased array systems with a single-stage, multistage, and feedback architectures. The designed photonic integrated systems utilize nano-electromechanical-system (NEMS) operated phase shifters of cascaded free suspended slot waveguides that are compact and require a small amount of power to operate. The structure of the integrated photonic phased array switch (IPPAS) elements is organized such that it brings the NEMS-operated phase shifters to the exterior sides of the construction; facilitating electrical connection. The transition slot couplers used to interconnect the phase shifters to the rest of the silicon structure are designed to enable biasing one of the silicon beams of each phase shifter from an electrode located at the side of the phase shifter. The other silicon beam of each phase shifter is biased through the rest of the silicon structure of the fabric, which is taken as a ground. Phased array processors of 2×2 and 4×4 multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) ports are conveniently designed within reasonable footprints native to the current fabrication technologies. The response of the single-stage 4×4 broadband IPPAS element is determined, and its phase synthesis states required for single-throw, double-throw and broadcast routing operations are predicted. The transmission responses of the single-stage wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) processors of 2×2 and 4×4 MIMO ports are simulated. The wavelength steering capability of the transmission interferograms by applying progressive phase shifts through the array of NEMS-operated phase shift elements of the single-stage 4×4 WDM (de)multiplexer is demonstrated. The advantages of cascading broadband and WDM phased array sections are articulated through several study cases. Five different cascaded phased array architectures are trialed for the construction of non-blocking 4×4 IPPAS broadband switches that are essential elements in the construction of universal photonic processors. A cascaded 2×2 WDM (de)multiplexer that can set the bandwidth of the (de)multiplexed cyclic channels into a binary number of programmable values is demonstrated. The envelope and wavelength modulations of the transmission responses utilizing a cascaded forward structure of three 2×2 sections that can be utilized for the (de)multiplexing of different bandwidth channels are demonstrated providing individual wavelength steering capability of the narrowband and wideband channels and the individual wavelength steering capability of the slow envelope and wavelength modulating functions. Innovative universal 2×2 and 4×4 cascaded phased array processors of advanced high-order architectures that can function as both non-blocking broadband routers and tunable WDM (de)multiplexers with spectrum steering and bandwidth control of the (de)multiplexed demands are introduced. The multimode interference (MMI) coupler is utilized for the construction of several IIR feedback photonic processors. Tunable photonic feedback processors have the advantage of using less number of MMI couplers compared to their counterparts of FIR forward-path processors saving on the footprint and loss merits. A passive feedback 2×2 (de)multiplexer made of a 4×4 MMI coupler and two loopback paths is proposed. The inclusion of an imbalance in the lengths of the loopback paths of the same symmetrical feedback (de)multiplexer is demonstrated to achieve wavelength modulation of the (de)multiplexed transmission responses that are useful for the (de)multiplexing of different bandwidth channels. Several newly introduced IIR feedback architectures are demonstrated to function similarly as their counterparts of FIR forward-path processors as binary bandwidth variable (de)multiplexers, envelope and wavelength modulation (de)multiplexers, and universal feedback processors. The investigation provided in this thesis is also supported with dynamic zero-pole evolution analysis in the complex plane of analysis of the studied FIR and IIR photonic processors to enhance understanding the principle of operation. This research expands the prospective for constructing innovative silicon-on-insulator (SOI) based optical processors for applications in modern optical communication systems and programmable elastic optical networks (EONs).

Cette thèse a pour objectif l'analyse du système de télévision numérique chinois (DTMB) et l'optimisation de sa fonction d'estimation de canal. Tout d'abord, une analyse approfondie de ce système est effectuée en comparaison du système DVB-T en termes de spécifications, d'efficacité spectrale et de performances. Ensuite, la fonction d'estimation de canal basée sur la séquence pseudo-aléatoire du système est étudiée dans les domaines temporel et fréquentiel, et plusieurs améliorations sont apportées aux méthodes typiques afin de notamment gérer les canaux très dispersifs en temps. Enfin, de nouveaux procédés itératifs aidés par les données et peu complexes sont proposés pour raffiner les estimés de canal. Les fonctions de décodage de canal et d'entrelacement sont exclues de la boucle et des fonctions de filtrage temps/fréquence sont étudiées pour fiabiliser les estimations. Ces nouveaux algorithmes démontrent leur efficacité par rapport aux méthodes courantes de la littérature.