Autonomous driving is one of the megatrends in today’s automotive industry. Passengers are expected to do more non-driving tasks in an autonomous driving vehicle. Therefore, the comfort of the vehicle has become a more important factor for the passengers. This thesis investigates the possibility of increasing comfort through an integrated active chassis control strategy. First, this thesis has defined comfort in objective ways. Then, the objective comfort evaluation variables are used for comfort evaluation of the vehicle in different scenarios. The improvement in comfort is evaluated for four active chassis systems, including active suspension, active anti-roll bar, active rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring systems. Since more than one active chassis system can affect vehicle body motion in one direction, those four active chassis systems should be controlled in an integrated way. The model predictive control (MPC) is used because it can control a multi-input multi-output system in an optimized way. Two MPC controllers have been developed in this thesis to control multiple active chassis systems for comfort improvement. The original MPC controller is a linear MPC controller that uses a time-invariant state-space vehicle model. The adaptive MPC controller is a linear MPC controller that uses a time-variant state-space vehicle model. These two controllers are tested in the simulation software CarMaker with various scenarios, such as slalom, double lane-change, and bumps that are both symmetrical and shifted unsymmetrical. Finally, the simulation results are evaluated with objective comfort evaluation methods to assess the controller performances in comfort improvement. In conclusion, the model predictive control can be a feasible way to improve comfort with multiple active chassis systems. The simulation results show that the two MPC controllers can reduce the objective comfort evaluation variables. The discussions of the design process and simulation results point out future works that need to be done before this project becomes a product of real vehicles. / Autonom körning är en av megatrenderna i dagens bilindustri. Passagerare förväntas utföra fler icke-körrelaterade uppgifter i ett autonomt fordon. Därför har fordonets komfort blivit en allt viktigare faktor för passagerarna. Denna avhandling undersöker möjligheten att öka komforten genom en integrerad aktiv chassikontrollstrategi. Som utgångspunkt har denna avhandling definierat komfort på objektiva sätt. Sedan används de objektiva komfortvärderingsvariablerna för komfortutvärdering av fordonet i olika scenarier. Förbättringen av komfort utvärderas för fyra aktiva chassisystem, inkluderande aktiv fjädring, aktiv krängningshämmare, aktiv bakhjulsstyrning och drivmomentvektorisering. Eftersom mer än ett aktivt chassisystem kan påverka fordonets rörelse i en riktning, bör dessa fyra aktiva chassisystem styras på ett integrerat sätt. Modellprediktiv reglering (MPC) används eftersom den kan styra ett multi-input multi-output system på ett optimerat sätt. Två MPC-reglersystem har utvecklats för att styra flera aktiva chassisystem för komfortförbättring. Den ursprungliga MPC-reglerenheten är en linjär MPC-regulator som använder en tidsinvariant fordonsmodell. Den adaptiva MPC-reglerenheten är en linjär MPC-regulator som använder en tidsvariant fordonsmodell. Dessa två reglersystem testas i simuleringsprogramvaran CarMaker i olika scenarier, till exempel slalom, dubbelt körfältsbyte och väg-gupp som är både symmetriska och osymmetriska. Slutligen utvärderas simuleringsresultaten med objektiva komfortutvärderingsmetoder för att bedöma reglersystemens komfortförbättring. Sammanfattningsvis kan modellprediktiv reglering vara ett genomförbart sätt att förbättra komforten med flera aktiva chassisystem. Simuleringsresultaten visar att de två MPC-regulatorerna kan reducera de objektiva komfortutvärderingsvariablerna. Diskussionerna om designprocessen och simuleringsresultaten tar upp framtida arbeten som behöver göras innan detta projekt kan förverkligas i riktiga fordon.

Sustainability is a major focus for the industry considering the awareness among the public and legislators due to climate change. Automotive manufacturers use many steel products for assembly of vehicles and, many of these products; particularly the heavy and critical components like Front Axle beams and Crankshafts are manufactured using forging process. Due to increased awareness and regulations, all companies are expected to provide environmental impact data relevant to their products. Nonetheless, providing environmental impact data is not yet a common practice in the manufacturing industry, specifically in case of the forged products. Therefore, this thesis aims to establish a comprehensive study of environmental impacts of products namely Heavy vehicle Front Axle Beams, Heavy vehicle Crankshafts, Passenger car Crankshafts and Heavy vehicle steering arms forged at Bharat Forge Kilsta AB and create a baseline for current impact calculations as well as highlight areas for improvement in the future. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) is used as the method to study the environmental impacts of the forged products. The LCA method in this case is based on ISO 14044 and ILCD Handbook and the impact assessment methods used are EPD (2018) and Cumulative Energy Demand (LHV) v1.0 in accordance with EPD International’s requirements. This research finds that steel and the electricity used in the forging process are the major causes of environmental impacts. To ensure high accuracy of the results of this study, primary data for both steel and electricity is used in the analysis. The LCA results will be published in the form of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The CO2 footprint for an average product was found to be 0.89 kg CO2 / kg forged product. Previous studies have utilised average datasets for calculating environmental impacts of forged products which reduce the accuracy of the results. This study, due to the inclusion of primary data of steel manufacturing and electricity generation, provides highly accurate environmental impact results of forged products. / Hållbarhet är ett stort fokus för branschen med tanke på medvetenheten hos lagstiftare och allmänheten på grund av klimatförändringar. Biltillverkare använder många stålprodukter för montering av fordon och många av dessa produkter; speciellt de tunga och kritiska komponenterna som framaxelbalkar och vevaxlar tillverkas med hjälp av smidesprocess. På grund av ökad medvetenhet och bestämmelser förväntas alla företag tillhandahålla data på miljöpåverkan som är relevanta för sina produkter. Icke desto mindre är det ännu inte vanligt att tillhandahålla miljöpåverkansdata inom tillverkningsindustrin, särskilt när det gäller smidesprodukter. Därför syftar denna avhandling till att upprätta en omfattande studie av miljöpåverkan från produkter, specifikt framaxelbalkar för tunga fordon, vevaxlar för tunga fordon, vevaxlar för personbilar och styrarmar för tunga fordon smidda hos Bharat Forge Kilsta AB och skapa en bas för aktuella påverkansberäkningar och för att belysa framtida förbättringsområden. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) används som metod för att studera de smidda produkternas miljöpåverkan. LCA-metoden i detta fall är baserad på ISO 14044 och ILCD Handbook och de konsekvensbedömningsmetoder som används är EPD (2018)och Cumulative Energy Demand (LHV) v1.0 i enlighet med krav från EPD International. Denna forskning visar att stål och elektricitet som används i smidesprocessen är de främsta orsakerna till miljöpåverkan. För att säkerställa hög noggrannhet av resultaten av denna studie används primärdata för både stål och el i analysen. LCA resultaten kommer att publiceras i form av Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). CO2-avtrycket för en genomsnittlig produkt visade sig vara 0,89 kg CO2/kgsmidd produkt. Tidigare studier har använt genomsnittliga datamängder för att beräkna miljöpåverkan från smidda produkter som minskar noggrannheten i resultaten. Denna studie, på grund av inkluderingen av primärdata för ståltillverkning och elproduktion, ger mycket exakta miljöpåverkansresultat av smidda produkter.

The Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) concept can influence the vehicle behaviour both longitudinally and laterally with just one upper level control concept and further lower level controllers. This demands for state estimation of the vehicle which also includes estimating parameters of interest for the vehicle dynamicist. The approach to this research is firstly in developing a robust unscented Kalman filter (UKF) estimator for the vehicle side slip tracking and also for cornering stiffness estimation which is then fed to the existing model predictive control allocation (MPCA) controller to enhance the lateral stability of the vehicle for the different manoeuvres studied. Based on these developments, two types of filters are created. One with adaption of distance between center of gravity (COG) and roll center height and another without adaption. The key factor in the estimator development is the time adaptive process covariance matrix for the cornering stiffnesses, with which only the initial values have to be parameterised. Combining this research encompasses effective and adaptive method for a better quality of estimation with a kinematic vehicle model which behaves like a real world vehicle, at least virtually.This study is carried out with the understanding of various optimal estimators, parametric sensitivity analysis and statistical inferences, facilitating a base for robust estimation. Keywords: kalametric, state estimation, design matrix, aliasing, kalman filter, projection algorithm, resolution / Konceptet Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) kan påverka fordonets beteende både longitudinellt och lateralt med bara ett regler koncept iett övre lager och ytterligare regulatorer på lägre nivåer. Detta kräver tillståndsuppskattning av fordonet som också inkluderar uppskattning av parametrar av intresse för en fordonsdynamiker. Tillvägagångssättet för denna studie är för det första att utveckla en robust tillståndsestimering med hjälp av ett Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) för att uppskatta ett fordons avdriftsvinkel och även för uppskattning av ett däcks sidkraftskoefficient, vilket sedan används i den befintliga modell-prediktiva regleralgoritmen (MPCA) för att förbättra lateralstabiliteten hos fordonet för de olika studerade manövrarna. Baserat på denna utveckling skapades två typer av filter, ett med anpassning av avståndet mellan tyngdpunkten (COG) och krängcentrumhöjden och ett annat utan anpassning. Nyckelfaktorn i estimeringsutvecklingen är den tidsberoende adaptiva inställningenav processkovariansmatrisen för sidkraftskoefficienterna, med vilken endast de initiala värdena behöver parametriseras. Efter filterutvecklingen identifieras parametrar baserade på en förväntad kundanvändning och en statistisk variansanalys (ANOVA) utförs för att bestämma de mest inflytelserika faktorerna i gruppen. En parameteroptimering utförs för att förbättra uppskattningskvaliteten. Kombinationen av detta arbete omfattar en effektiv och anpassningsbar metod för en bättre uppskattningskvalitet med en kinematisk fordonsmodell som har en fordonsrespons som ett verkligt fordon, åtminstone praktiskt taget. Denna studie har genomförts med förståelse för olika optimala estimatorer, parametrisk känslighetsanalys och statistiska slutsatser, vilket underlättaren bas för robust uppskattning. Nyckelord: kalametric, tillståndsestimering, designmatris, vikningsdistorsion, kalmanfilter,projection algorithm, upplösning

Structural adhesives are widely used with great success, and yet occasional failures can occur, often resulting from improper bonding procedures or joint design, overload or other detrimental service situations, or in response to a variety of environmental challenges. In these situations, cracks can start within the adhesive layer or debonds can initiate near an interface. The paths taken by propagating cracks can affect the resistance to failure and the subsequent service lives of the bonded structures. The behavior of propagating cracks in adhesive joints remains of interest, including when some critical environments, complicated loading modes, or uncertainties in material/interfacial properties are involved. From a mechanics perspective, areas of current interest include understanding the growth of damage and cracks, loading rate dependency of crack propagation, and the effect of mixed mode fracture loading scenarios on crack path selection. This dissertation involves analytical, numerical, and experimental evaluations of crack propagation in several adhesive joint configurations. The main objective is an investigation of crack path selection in adhesively bonded joints, focusing on in-plane fracture behavior (mode I, mode II, and their combination) of bonded joints with uniform bonding, and those with locally weakened interfaces. When removing cured components from molds, interfacial debonds can sometimes initiate and propagate along both mold surfaces, resulting in the molded product partially bridging between the two molds and potentially being damaged or torn. Debonds from both adherends can sometimes occur in weak adhesive bonds as well, potentially altering the apparent fracture behavior. To avoid or control these multiple interfacial debonding, more understanding of these processes is required. An analytical model of 2D parallel bridging was developed and the interactions of interfacial debonds were investigated using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The numerical solutions to the analytical results described the propagation processes with multiple debonds, and demonstrated some common phenomena in several different joints corresponding to double cantilever beam configurations. The analytical approach and results obtained could prove useful in extensions to understanding and controlling debonding in such situations and optimization of loading scenarios. Numerical capabilities for predicting crack propagation, confirmed by experimental results, were initially evaluated for crack behavior in monolithic materials, which is also of interest in engineering design. Several test cases were devised for modified forms of monolithic compact tension specimens (CT) were developed. An asymmetric variant of the CT configuration, in which the initial crack was shifted to two thirds of the total height, was tested experimentally and numerically simulated in ABAQUS®, with good agreement. Similar studies of elongated CT specimens with different specimen lengths also revealed good agreement, using the same material properties and cohesive zone model (CZM) parameters. The critical specimen length when the crack propagation pattern abruptly switches was experimentally measured and accurately predicted, building confidence in the subsequent studies where the numerical method was applied to bonded joints. In adhesively bonded joints, crack propagation and joint failure can potentially result from or involve interactions of a growing crack with a partially weakened interface, so numerical simulations were initiated to investigate such scenarios using ABAQUS®. Two different cohesive zone models (CZMs) are applied in these simulations: cohesive elements for strong and weak interfaces, and the extended finite element method (XFEM) for cracks propagating within the adhesive layer. When the main crack approaches a locally weakened interface, interfacial damage can occur, allowing for additional interfacial compliance and inducing shear stresses within the adhesive layer that direct the growing crack toward the weak interface. The maximum traction of the interfacial CZM appears to be the controlling parameter. Fracture energy of the weakened interface is shown to be of secondary importance, though can affect the results when particularly small (e.g. 1% that of the bulk adhesive). The length of the weakened interface also has some influence on the crack path. Under globally mixed mode loadings, the competition between the loading and the weakened interface affects the shear stress distribution and thus changes the crack path. Mixed mode loading in the opposite direction of the weakened interface is able to drive the crack away from the weakened interface, suggesting potential means to avoid failure within these regions or to design joints that fail in a particular manner. In addition to the analytical and numerical studies of crack path selection in adhesively bonded joints, experimental investigations are also performed. A dual actuator load frame (DALF) is used to test beam-like bonded joints in various mode mixity angles. Constant mode mixity angle tracking, as well as other versatile loading functions, are developed in LabVIEW® for use with a new controller system. The DALF is calibrated to minimize errors when calculating the compliance of beam-like bonded joints. After the corrections, the resulting fracture energies ( ) values are considered to be more accurate in representing the energy released in the crack propagation processes. Double cantilever beam (DCB) bonded joints consisting of 6061-T6 aluminum adherends bonded with commercial epoxy adhesives (J-B Weld, or LORD 320/322) are tested on the DALF. Profiles of the values for different constant mode mixity angles, as well as for continuously increasing mode mixity angle, are plotted to illustrate the behavior of the crack in these bonded joints. Finally, crack path selection in DCB specimens with one of the bonding surfaces weakened was studied experimentally, and rate-dependency of the crack path selection was found. Several contamination schemes are attempted, involving of graphite flakes, silicone tapes, or silane treatments on the aluminum oxide interfaces. In all these cases, tests involving more rapid crack propagation resulted in interfacial failures at the weakened areas, while slower tests showed cohesive failure throughout. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is presented using the rate-dependency of the yield stress (commonly considered to be corresponding to the maximum traction) of the epoxy adhesives. These experimental observations may have some potential applications tailoring adhesive joint configurations and interface variability to achieve or avoid particular failure modes. / Ph. D.

<p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Over the past decade, optical frequency combs have spurred significant advancements in both classical ultrafast optics and quantum optics. My research contributes to these two fields, catering to applications in precision metrology and optical networking. In the domain of quantum optics, the study delves into biphoton frequency combs with time-energy entanglement, employing novel electro-optic modulation schemes to enhance sensitivity and enable precise measurements of temporal correlations. Additionally, Bell states, a crucial class of entangled quantum bases, are generated in the frequency domain, showcasing their utility in delay metrology and quantum cryptographic protocols. </p><p dir="ltr">In the realm of classical optical frequency combs, this work explores dynamic steering of pulsed optical beams, holding promise for applications in imaging and remote sensing. The concept of time-efficient dynamic beam steering using a spatial array of optical frequency combs is elucidated and experimentally demonstrated through the utilization of a high-resolution spectral disperser, specifically a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA). Furthermore, integrated photonic designs featuring wavelength-selective switches and spectral dispersers are proposed to enable a versatile on-chip implementation of the beam steering approach. In sum, this research leverages the capabilities of classical and quantum optical frequency combs, with implications for emerging applications such as distributed sensing, quantum networking, and light detection and ranging (LIDAR).</p>

This work is focused on the development of a thorough study about ISO standards focused on the vehicle dynamics, standardized tests of vehicle dynamics and measured variables that allow us to describe and model the behaviour of riding vehicles properly. In the Appendix A of the thesis, there is a list of all known ISO standards dealing with given topic. The standard ISO 15037-1 Road vehicles – Vehicle dynamics test methods, Part 1: General conditions for passenger cars is described in detail, including the forms for test reports and the Appendix C and D. In the thesis, there is also described a model of minimal needed measuring system that is still in good accordance with the standard ISO 15037-1 and fulfills all its requirements. Detailed description of all used sensors that are used to measure required variables is given, as well as a short description of all sensors that are used for measurement of other variables. After that, measurement abilities of the instrumentation of measuring system RIO used in ÚADI FSI Brno is compared and confronted with requirements given by the standard, to see, if all given criteria are properly fulfilled. Because of the fact that standard-given criteria are quite mild, while the equipment of the faculty is high-level technology, mostly made directly for measuring of dynamic parameters of the vehicles, including racing vehicles, the system is in full accordance with the standard ISO 15037-1.

Les systèmes de communications sans fils actuels imposent des contraintes très sévères en termes de la capacité du canal, la qualité de transmission tout en gardant les niveaux d'interférences et multi-trajets assez faibles. De telles contraintes ont rendu les antennes multifaisceaux un élément essentiel dans ces systèmes. Parmi les techniques permettant de réaliser une antenne multifaisceaux (sans avoir recours aux systèmes à balayages électroniques), un réseau d'antennes élémentaires est associé à un réseau d'alimentation (une matrice) à formation de faisceau (Beam Forming Network-BFN). Parmi les différents types de ces matrices, la matrice de Butler a reçu une attention particulière. Ceci est dû au fait qu'elle est théoriquement sans pertes et qu'elle emploie un nombre minimum de composants (coupleurs et déphaseurs) afin de générer l'ensemble de faisceaux orthogonaux demandé (avec l'hypothèse que le nombre de faisceau est une puissance de 2). Néanmoins, la matrice de Butler a un problème de conception majeur. Ce problème réside dans la structure de la matrice qui renferme des croisements ce qui a été adressé par différents travaux de recherches dans la littérature. Les Guide Intégré au Substrat (GIS) offrent des caractéristiques intéressants pour la conception des composants microondes et millimétriques faciles à intégrer sur un même support avec d'autres composants planaires. Les composants à base de GIS combinent les avantages des guides d'ondes rectangulaires, comme leur grand facteur de qualité Q, leur faibles pertes tout en étant compatible avec les technologies à faibles coûts comme le PCB et le LTCC. Vus ses caractéristiques attrayants, la technologie GIS devient un bon candidat pour la réalisation des matrices multifaisceaux faciles à intégrer avec d'autres systèmes en technologies planaires ou à base de guide GIS. Dans cette thèse, de nouveaux composants passifs sont développés en exploitant la technologie GIS en multicouches en vue de la réalisation d'une matrice de Butler 4x4 compacte et large bande. Les composants recherchés sont donc des coupleurs et des déphaseurs ayant des performances large bande en termes des amplitudes des coefficients de transmissions et les phases associés tout en gardant de faibles niveaux de pertes et de bonnes isolations. Différents techniques pour l'implémentation de déphaseurs large bande en technologie GIS sont présentés. Une nouvelle structure à base d'une propagation composite : main gauche main droite (Composite Right/Left- Handed, CRLH) dans un guide d'onde est proposée. La structure consiste d'un guide d'onde monocouche ayant des fenêtres inductives et des fentes transversales à réactances capacitives pour synthétiser l'inductance parallèle et la capacité série main gauche, respectivement. La structure est adaptée pour les réalisations de déphaseurs compacts en technologie GIS. Bien que les pertes d'insertions restent dans le même ordre de grandeur de celles des structures CRLH à base d'éléments non-localisés, ces niveaux de pertes restent relativement grands par rapport aux applications nécessitant plusieurs déphaseurs. Les déphaseurs à bases de GIS ayant des longueurs égales et des largeurs variables sont ensuite abordés. Ce type de déphaseur est effectivement très adapté à la technologie GIS qui permet des réalisations de parcours avec différentes formes (parcours droits, courbés, coudés, ..) tout en assurant des différences de phase large bande. Afin de satisfaire de faibles pertes d'insertions pour une large dynamique de phase, la longueur de ces déphaseurs est en compromis avec les variations progressives des différentes largeurs associées aux valeurs de déphasages requises. Une transition large bande, double couche et à faible perte est ainsi proposée. La transition est analysée à partir de son circuit électrique équivalent afin d'étudier les performances en termes de l'amplitude et la phase du coefficient de transmission par rapport aux différents paramètres structurels de la transition. Cette transition est ensuite exploitée pour développer un déphaseur à trois couches, large bande, en GIS. La structure consiste effectivement d'un guide d'onde replié à plusieurs reprises sur luimême selon la longueur dans une topologie trois couches à faibles pertes. De nouveaux coupleurs double couche en GIS sont également proposés. Pour les applications BFNs, une structure originale d'un coupleur large bande est développée. La structure consiste de deux guides d'onde parallèles qui partagent leur grand mur ayant une paire de fentes inclinées et décalées par rapport au centre de la structure. Une étude paramétrique détaillée est faite pour étudier l'impact des différents paramètres des fentes sur l'amplitude et la phase du coefficient de transmission. Le coupleur proposé a l'avantage d'assurer une large dynamique de couplage ayant des performances larges bandes en termes des amplitudes et les phases des coefficients de transmission avec de faibles pertes et de bonnes isolations entre le port d'entré et celui isolé. D'autre part, contrairement à d'autres travaux antérieurs et récents qui souffraient d'une corrélation directe entre la phase en transmission et le niveau de couplage, la structure proposée permet de contrôler le niveau de couplage en maintenant presque les mêmes valeurs de phase en transmission pour différents niveaux de couplage. Ceci le rend un bon candidat pour les BFNs déployant différents coupleurs telle la matrice de Nolen. Une deuxième structure originale d’un coupleur bibande est également proposée. La structure consiste de deux coupleurs concentriques en guide nervuré intégré au substrat avec un motif innovant de démultiplexage à base de GIS. Ce coupleur a été développé conjointement avec M. Tarek Djerafi de l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal dans un cadre de collaboration avec le Prof. Ke Wu. Finalement, pour l'implémentation de la matrice de Butler, la topologie double couche est explorée à deux niveaux. Le premier consiste à optimiser les caractéristiques électriques de la matrice, tandis que le second concerne l'optimisation de la surface occupée afin de rendre la matrice la plus compacte possible sans dégrader ses performances électriques. D'une part, la structure double couche présente une solution intrinsèque au problème de croisement permettant ainsi une plus grande flexibilité pour la compensation de phase sur une large bande de fréquence. Ceci est réalisé par une conception adéquate de la surface géométrique sur chaque couche de substrat et optimiser les différentes sections de GIS avec les différents parcours adoptés. La deuxième étape consiste effectivement à optimiser la surface sur chaque couche en profitant de la technologie GIS. Ceci consiste à réaliser des murs latéraux communs entre différents chemin électrique de la matrice en vue d'une compacité optimale. Les deux prototypes de matrices de Butler 4x4 sont optimisés, fabriqués et mesurés. Les résultats de mesures sont en bon accord avec ceux de la simulation. Des niveaux d'isolations mieux que - 15 dB avec des niveaux de réflexions inférieurs à -12 dB sont validés expérimentalement sur plus de 24% de bande autour de 12.5 GHz. Les coefficients de transmission montrent de faibles dispersions d'environ 1 dB avec une moyenne de -6.8 dB, et 10° par rapport aux valeurs théoriques, respectivement, sur toute la bande de fréquence. / Multibeam antennas have become a key element in nowadays wireless communication systems where increased channel capacity, improved transmission quality with minimum interference and multipath phenomena are severe design constraints. These antennas are classified in two main categories namely adaptive smart antennas and switched-beam antennas. Switched-beam antennas consist of an elementary antenna array connected to a Multiple Beam Forming Network (M-BFN). Among the different M-BFNs, the Butler matrix has received particular attention as it is theoretically lossless and employs the minimum number of components to generate a given set of orthogonal beams (provided that the number of beams is a power of 2). However, the Butler matrix has a main design problem which is the presence of path crossings that has been previously addressed in different research works. Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) features interesting characteristics for the design of microwave and millimetre-wave integrated circuits. SIW based components combine the advantages of the rectangular waveguide, such as the high Q factor (low insertion loss) and high power capability while being compatible with low-cost PCB and LTCC technologies. Owing to its attractive features, the use of SIW technology appears as a good candidate for the implementation of BFNs. The resulting structure is therefore suitable for both waveguide-like and planar structures. In this thesis, different novel passive components (couplers and phase shifters) have been developed exploring the multi-layer SIW technology towards the implementation of a two-layer compact 4×4 Butler matrix offering wideband performances for both transmission magnitudes and phases with good isolation and input reflection characteristics. Different techniques for the implementation of wideband fixed phase shifters in SIW technology are presented. First, a novel waveguide-based CRLH structure is proposed. The structure is based on a single-layer waveguide with shunt inductive windows (irises) and series transverse capacitive slots, suitable for SIW implementations for compact phase shifters. The structure suffers relatively large insertion loss which remains however within the typical range of non-lumped elements based CRLH implementations. Second, the well-known equal length, unequal width SIW phase shifters is discussed. These phase shifters are very adapted for SIW implementations as they fully exploit the flexibility of the SIW technology in different path shapes while offering wideband phase characteristics. To satisfy good return loss characteristics with this type of phase shifters, the length has to be compromised with respect to the progressive width variations associated with the required phase shift values. A twolayer, wideband low-loss SIW transition is then proposed. The transition is analyzed using its equivalent circuit model bringing a deeper understanding of its transmission characteristics for both amplitude and phase providing therefore the basic guidelines for electromagnetic optimization. Based on its equivalent circuit model, the transition can be optimized within the well equal-length SIW phase shifters in order to compensate its additional phase shift within the frequency band of interest. This twolayer wideband phase shifter scheme has been adopted in the final developed matrix architecture.This transition is then exploited to develop a three-layer, multiply-folded waveguide structure as a good candidate for compensated-length, variable width, low-loss, compact wideband phase shifters in SIW technology. Novel two-layer SIW couplers are also addressed. For BFNs applications, an original structure for a two-layer 90° broadband coupler is developed. The proposed coupler consists of two parallel waveguides coupled together by means of two parallel inclined-offset resonant slots in their common broad wall. A complete parametric study of the coupler is carried out including the effect of the slot length, inclination angle and offset on both the coupling level and the transmission phase. The first advantage of the proposed coupler is providing a wide coupling dynamic range by varying the slot parameters allowing the design of wideband SIW Butler matrix in two-layer topology. In addition, previously published SIW couplers suffer from direct correlation between the transmission phase and the coupling level, while the coupler, hereby proposed, allows controlling the transmission phase without significantly affecting the coupling level, making it a good candidate for BFNs employing different couplers, such as, the Nolen matrix. A novel dual-band hybrid ring coupler is also developed in multi-layer Ridged SIW (RSIW) technology. This coupler has been jointly developed with Tarek Djerafi in a collaboration scenario with Prof. Ke Wu from the Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. The coupler has an original structure based on two concentric rings in RSIW topology with the outer ring periodically loaded with radial, stub-loaded transverse slots. A design procedure is presented based on the Transverse Resonance Method (TRM) of the ridged waveguide together with the simple design rules of the hybrid ring coupler. A C/K dual band coupler with bandwidths of 8.5% and 14.6% centered at 7.2 GHz and 20.5 GHz, respectively, is presented. The coupler provides independent dual band operation with low-dispersive wideband operation. Finally, for the Butler matrix design, the two-layer SIW implementation is explored through a two-fold enhancement approach for both the matrix electrical and physical characteristics. On the one hand, the two-layer topology allows an inherent solution for the crossing problem allowing therefore more flexibility for phase compensation over a wide frequency band. This is achieved by proper geometrical optimization of the surface on each layer and exploiting the SIW technology in the realization of variable width waveguides sections with the corresponding SIW bends. On the other hand, the two-layer SIW technology is exploited for an optimized space saving design by implementing common SIW lateral walls for the matrix adjacent components seeking maximum size reduction. The two corresponding 4×4 Butler matrix prototypes are optimized, fabricated and measured. Measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. Isolation characteristics better than -15 dB with input reflection levels lower than -12 dB are experimentally validated over 24% frequency bandwidth centered at 12.5 GHz. Measured transmission magnitudes and phases exhibit good dispersive characteristics of 1dB, around an average value of -6.8 dB, and 10° with respect to the theoretical phase values, respectively, over the entire frequency band.

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).

This thesis presents a numerical exploration of the dynamics governing rotating flow driven by a surface stress in the " sliced cylinder " model of Pedlosky & Greenspan (1967) and Beardsley (1969), and its close relative, the " sliced cone " model introduced by Griffiths & Veronis (1997). The sliced cylinder model simulates the barotropic wind-driven circulation in a circular basin with vertical sidewalls, using a depth gradient to mimic the effects of a gradient in Coriolis parameter. In the sliced cone the vertical sidewalls are replaced by an azimuthally uniform slope around the perimeter of the basin to simulate a continental slope. Since these models can be implemented in the laboratory, their dynamics can be explored by a complementary interplay of analysis and numerical and laboratory experiments. ¶ In this thesis a derivation is presented of a generalised quasigeostrophic formulation which is valid for linear and moderately nonlinear barotropic flows over large-amplitude topography on an f-plane, yet retains the simplicity and conservation properties of the standard quasigeostrophic vorticity equation (which is valid only for small depth variations). This formulation is implemented in a numerical model based on a code developed by Page (1982) and Becker & Page (1990). ¶ The accuracy of the formulation and its implementation are confirmed by detailed comparisons with the laboratory sliced cylinder and sliced cone results of Griffiths (Griffiths & Kiss, 1999) and Griffiths & Veronis (1997), respectively. The numerical model is then used to provide insight into the dynamics responsible for the observed laboratory flows. In the linear limit the numerical model reveals shortcomings in the sliced cone analysis by Griffiths & Veronis (1998) in the region where the slope and interior join, and shows that the potential vorticity is dissipated in an extended region at the bottom of the slope rather than a localised region at the east as suggested by Griffiths & Veronis (1997, 1998). Welander's thermal analogy (Welander, 1968) is used to explain the linear circulation pattern, and demonstrates that the broadly distributed potential vorticity dissipation is due to the closure of geostrophic contours in this geometry. ¶ The numerical results also provide insight into features of the flow at finite Rossby number. It is demonstrated that separation of the western boundary current in the sliced cylinder is closely associated with a " crisis " due to excessive potential vorticity dissipation in the viscous sublayer, rather than insufficient dissipation in the outer western boundary current as suggested by Holland & Lin (1975) and Pedlosky (1987). The stability boundaries in both models are refined using the numerical results, clarifying in particular the way in which the western boundary current instability in the sliced cone disappears at large Rossby and/or Ekman number. A flow regime is also revealed in the sliced cylinder in which the boundary current separates without reversed flow, consistent with the potential vorticity " crisis " mechanism. In addition the location of the stability boundary is determined as a function of the aspect ratio of the sliced cylinder, which demonstrates that the flow is stabilised in narrow basins such as those used by Beardsley (1969, 1972, 1973) and Becker & Page (1990) relative to the much wider basin used by Griffiths & Kiss (1999). ¶ Laboratory studies of the sliced cone by Griffiths & Veronis (1997) showed that the flow became unstable only under anticyclonic forcing. It is shown in this thesis that the contrast between flow under cyclonic and anticyclonic forcing is due to the combined effects of the relative vorticity and topography in determining the shape of the potential vorticity contours. The vorticity at the bottom of the sidewall smooths out the potential vorticity contours under cyclonic forcing, but distorts them into highly contorted shapes under anticyclonic forcing. In addition, the flow is dominated by inertial boundary layers under cyclonic forcing and by standing Rossby waves under anticyclonic forcing due to the differing flow direction relative to the direction of Rossby wave phase propagation. The changes to the potential vorticity structure under strong cyclonic forcing reduce the potential vorticity changes experienced by fluid columns, and the flow approaches a steady free inertial circulation. In contrast, the complexity of the flow structure under anticyclonic forcing results in strong potential vorticity changes and also leads to barotropic instability under strong forcing. ¶ The numerical results indicate that the instabilities in both models arise through supercritical Hopf bifurcations. The two types of instability observed by Griffiths & Veronis (1997) in the sliced cone are shown to be related to the western boundary current instability and " interior instability " identified by Meacham & Berloff (1997). The western boundary current instability is trapped at the western side of the interior because its northward phase speed exceeds that of the fastest interior Rossby wave with the same meridional wavenumber, as discussed by Ierley & Young (1991). ¶ Numerical experiments with different lateral boundary conditions are also undertaken. These show that the flow in the sliced cylinder is dramatically altered when the free-slip boundary condition is used instead of the no-slip condition, as expected from the work of Blandford (1971). There is no separated jet, because the flow cannot experience a potential vorticity " crisis " with this boundary condition, so the western boundary current overshoots and enters the interior from the east. In contrast, the flow in the sliced cone is identical whether no-slip, free-slip or super-slip boundary conditions are applied to the horizontal flow at the top of the sloping sidewall, except in the immediate vicinity of this region. This insensitivity results from the extremely strong topographic steering near the edge of the basin due to the vanishing depth, which demands a balance between wind forcing and Ekman pumping on the upper slope, regardless of the lateral boundary condition. The sensitivity to the lateral boundary condition is related to the importance of lateral friction in the global vorticity balance. The integrated vorticity must vanish under the no-slip condition, so in the sliced cylinder the overall vorticity budget is dominated by lateral viscosity and Ekman friction is negligible. Under the free-slip condition the Ekman friction assumes a dominant role in the dissipation, leading to a dramatic change in the flow structure. In contrast, the much larger depth variation in the sliced cone leads to a global vorticity balance in which Ekman friction is always dominant, regardless of the boundary condition.

This thesis analyses one of the less explored areas of Swedish politics: the political appointees in the ministerial staffs of the Swedish core executive. The study draws attention to the everyday life of the ministerial staff in order to give an idea of their function: What do the political appointees do? How is the work of the ministerial staffs organized? How is policy coordinated at the political level? The main empirical focus of this thesis is the 2002-2006 term of office. The study contributes to an understanding of the role of political advisers in steering and policy making, and, in the light of this, their potential influence on the policy capacity of the government is considered. Political advisers occupy an ambiguous place within the political system. They play a vital political role, but their presence also challenges the traditional relationship between ministers and public servants. The study shows that political advisers certainly have a leeway to participate in the steering of the ministry's civil servants: they can be said to have a number of steering functions. At the same time, it is made clear that this does not mean that the political advisers are in the position to influence government policy to any great extent. In conclusion, it is suggested that the ministerial staffs do have importance for the government's policy capacity in the sense that they reduce the work load of both the minister and the state secretary and thereby make space for them to govern. The research questions are answered by means of empirical material gathered through a combination of methods, providing data with a range as well as depth and context rarely found in studies of core executives: a survey, participatory observations, focus groups and a series of interviews. The dissertation demonstrates that the ethnographic method is a useful tool for anyone who seeks to highlight and explain the relationships within political organizations. / Avhandlingen analyserar en av de mer outforskade delarna av svensk politik: de politiskt anställda i Regeringskansliets politiska staber. Regeringskansliet betraktas i studien som en politisk organisation, snarare än som enbart en politiskt styrd organisation. Avhandlingen utgör ett bidrag till The Core Executive Approach, som definierar exekutiven i termer av funktion och ställer frågor om vem som gör vad i exekutiven. Studien uppmärksammar vardagslivet i de politiska staberna för att ge en bild av deras funktion: Vad gör de politiskt anställda? Hur är arbetet i de politiska staberna organiserat? Hur samordnas politiken på politisk nivå i Regeringskansliet? Ansatsen är organisationsteoretisk och de olika aktörernas funktion och plats i organisationen står i centrum. Studien bidrar även till förståelse av de politiskt sakkunnigas roll i policyskapande och i styrning av departementen. I ljuset av detta, diskuteras de politiskt sakkunnigas betydelse för regeringens styrningskapacitet. De politiskt sakkunniga spelar en betydande roll för statsrådets politiska och personliga stöd, men deras närvaro i Regeringskansliet utmanar även det traditionella förhållandet mellan statsråd och tjänstemän. Eftersom de politiskt sakkunniga inte ingår i departementens linjeorganisation ingår de inte i den parlamentariska styrningskedjan som helhet, d.v.s. de kan inte utkrävas ansvar av riksdagen. Ur ett demokratiskt perspektiv är det därför angeläget att analysera denna grupps deltagande i skapandet av politiken. Därutöver studeras empiriskt hur de politiskt anställda själva resonerar om styrning och vilka styrningsstrategier de lyfter fram. Avhandlingens huvudsakliga empiriska fokus är begränsat till mandatperioden 2002-2006. Studiens tillvägagångssätt utgörs av en kombination av metoder som ger material med såväl bredd som djup och kontext, vilket är ovanligt i studier av regeringskanslier: en enkätundersökning, deltagande observation, fokusgrupper och kvalitativa intervjuer. Avhandlingens etnografiska inslag är särskilt tydliga i de dagboksutdrag som kompletterar analysen. Avhandlingen visar att etnografisk metod är ett användbart verktyg för den som vill belysa och förklara relationer inom politiska organisationer. Den empiriska undersökningen visar att statssekreterare, planeringschefer och pressekreterare har olika funktioner, som inte överlappar varandra i större utsträckning. De kan snarare sägas komplettera varandra. De politiskt sakkunniga har å andra sidan en bredare funktion, som överlappar de övriga politiskt anställdas funktioner i förhållandevis stor grad. De kan påverka policyprocesser, och i egenskap av statsrådets nära medarbetare, även statsrådets inställning. Studien visar också att politiskt sakkunniga deltar i styrningen av departementen: de kan sägas ha en rad olika styrningsfunktioner. Samtidigt innebär inte detta att de politiskt sakkunniga har möjlighet att påverka regeringens politik i större utsträckning. Styrning från de politiskt sakkunniga betraktas endast som legitimt när den överensstämmer med och kan härledas till statsrådets eller statssekreterarens styrning.  Närhet och möjligheten att ta reda på statsrådets åsikt är en viktig förutsättning för att detta ska fungera. Om de politiska staberna är för stora finns en risk att de politiskt anställdas förmåga att agera i enighet med statsrådets vilja minskar. Sammanfattningsvis föreslås att de politiska staberna har betydelse för regeringens styrningskapacitet i den meningen att de avlastar såväl statsrådet från statssekreteraren, och därigenom skapar utrymme för dem att styra. / Regeringskansliet och samhällets organisering (Reko)