Collaborative beamforming is a powerful technique to increase communication energy efficiency and range in an energy-constrained network. To achieve high performance, collaborative beamforming requires accurate knowledge of channel state information (CSI) at the transmitters (collaborative nodes). In practice, however, such exact knowledge of CSI is not available. A robust transmitter design based on partial CSI is required to mitigate the effects of CSI mismatches. / This thesis focuses on the design and evaluation of a beamforming scheme that is robust to CSI mismatches for collaborative multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless systems. Using a max-min robust design approach, the robust beamformer is designed to maximize the minimum (worst-case) received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) within a predefined uncertainty region at each OFDM subcarrier. In addition, several subcarrier power allocation strategies are investigated to further improve the robustness of collaborative systems. Numerical simulation results show that the robust beamformer offers improved performance over the nonrobust beamformers and the use of power allocation strategies among subcarriers further improves the system performance.

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the number of wireless devices for both commercial and defense applications. Such unprecedented demand has increased device cost and complexity and also added a strain on the spectrum utilization of wireless communication systems. This thesis addresses these issues, from an antenna system perspective, by developing new techniques to dynamically optimize adaptive beamforming arrays for improved anti-jamming and reliability. Available frequency spectrum is a scarce resource, and therefor e increased interference will occur as the wireless spectrum saturates. To mitig ate unintentional interference, or intentional interference from a jamming source, antenna arrays are used to focus electromagnetic energy on a signal of interest while simultaneously minimizing radio frequency energy in directions of interfering signals. The reliability of such arrays, especially in commercial satellite and defense applications, can be addressed by hardware redundancy, but at the expense of increased volume, mass as well as component and design cost. This thesis proposes the development of new models and optimization algorithms to dynamically adapt beamforming arrays to mitigate interference and increase hardware reliability. The contributions of this research are as follows. First, analytical models are developed and experimental results show that small antenna arrays can thwart interference using dynamically applied stochastic algorithms. This type of insitu optimization, with an algorithm dynamically optimizing a beamformer to thwart interference sources with unknown positions, inside of an anechoic chamber has not been done before to our knowledge. Second, it is shown that these algorithms can recover from hardware failures and localized faults in the array. Experiments were performed with a proof-of-concept four-antenna array. This is the first hardware demonstration showing an antenna array with live hardware fault recovery that is adapted by stochastic algorithms in an anechoic chamber. We also compare multiple stochastic algorithms in performing both anti-jamming and hardware fault recovery. Third, we show that stochastic algorithms can be used to continuously track and mitigate interfering signals that continuously move in an additive white Gaussian noise wireless channel.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96). / xv, 96 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Includes bibliographies. / xix, [252] leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This research addresses probe fed classical rectangular microstrip antenna elements and arrays, that are fabricated on substrate materials with various thicknesses and relative permittivities. Formulae are developed for calculating the patch dimensions, the resonant input resistance, the resonant frequency, the bandwidth and the radiation patterns of elements, as well as the mutual coupling coefficients of arrays. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 1996

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio University, June, 1990. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Rolla, 2007. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed November 16, 2007) Includes bibliographical references (p. 134-136).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisor: Terence D. Todd. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-186).

Thesis (Ph.D. - Electrical Engineering) -- University of Western Sydney, 2001. / "Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy - Electrical Engineering" Bibliography : leaves 205-222.

Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 158-162). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.47-50).