No description available.

Linear and nonlinear microwave properties of chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene are characterized by incorporating a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission-line test structure. The intrinsic linear transport properties (S-parameters) of the graphene sample are measured and extracted via a deembedding procedure and then fitted with an equivalent circuit model up to 10 GHz. A statistical uncertainty analysis based on multiple measurements is implemented to esti- mate the error of the extracted graphene linear parameters as well. Nonlinear properties (second- and third-order harmonics as a function of fundamental input power) of the sample are also measured with a fundamental input signal of 1 GHz. Clear harmonics generated from graphene are observed, while no obvious fundamental power saturation is seen. The measured nonlinearity is applied in a graphene patch antenna case study to understand its influence on potential applications in terms of third-order intermodulation levels.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents a circuit-based design technique that leads to benefits in terms of the physical size, manufacturability, and exibility in the design of N-way conical line power combiners. An equivalent circuit model for the peripheral input ports of conical line power combiners is extracted, as well as empirical equations that allow the circuit element values to be calculated directly from the physical dimensions of the combiner, and vice versa. This allows for rapid optimization of various dimensions of the combiner at a significantly reduced computational cost compared to full-wave simulations. A design procedure is presented and a conical combiner designed with a measured reflection coefficient of better than -18 dB over a 46 % bandwidth around 10 GHz. The designed prototype is much smaller compared to previous designs while exhibiting similar performance. Design procedures for single-section and multi-section impedance tapered conical to coaxial line transitions are also presented, which can be used to simplify the design of conical combiners and reduce the manufacturing effort. Two combiners are designed, one with a single-section and one with a multi-section transition, and output port reflection coefficients of -23 dB and -17 dB over bandwidths of 20 % and 43 % around 10 GHz are measured, respectively. This dissertation additionally presents a method that can be used in general to improve the input port isolation of N-way power combiners without affecting their reciprocity. A simple S-parameter proof is presented, followed by a derivation of equations that can be used to estimate the worst-case performance. Some design examples are presented, showing that terminations can be used for isolation loads. A prototype based on microstrip transmission lines is manufactured and a much improved input port reflection and isolation performance of -15 dB and 20 dB is measured, respectively, compared to a simulated input port reflection coefficient of -2:5 dB and isolation of 2:5 dB before the method was applied. ii / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif stel 'n stroombaangebaseerde ontwerpsmetode voor wat lei tot voordele in terme van die fisiese grootte, vervaardigbaarheid, en vryheid in die ontwerp van koniese lyn kombineerders. 'n Ekwivalente stroombaanmodel vir die voerpoorte word onttrek, asook empiriese vergelykings wat gebruik kan word om die stroombaanelement waardes vanaf die afmetings van die kombineerder te bepaal. Dit laat die ontwerper toe om verskeie afmetings van die kombineerder te optimeer teen 'n beduidende laer koste in vergelyking met volgolf simulasies. 'n Ontwerpsprosedure word voorgestel en gebruik om 'n koniese kombineerder te ontwerp en 'n weerkaatskoëffisient van beter as -18 dB met 'n bandwydte van 46 % om 10 GHz word gemeet. Die prototipe is aansienlik kleiner as vorige ontwerpe, maar toon soortgelyke werkverrigting. Ontwerpsprosedures vir enkel en veelvoudige deel koniese na koaksiale lyn oorgange word ook voorgestel, wat gebruik kan word om die ontwerp en vervaardiging van koniese kombineerders te vereenvoudig. Twee kombineerders word ontwerp, een met 'n enkel deel oorgang en een met veelvoudige dele, en onderskeidelike uittree weerkaatskoëffisiente van -23 dB en -17 dB oor bandwydtes van 20 % en 43 % word gemeet. Hierdie proefskrif stel ook 'n metode voor wat gebruik kan word om die intree poort isolasie van N-rigting kombineerders in die algemeen te verbeter, sonder om die wederkerigheid daarvan te beïnvloed. 'n Bewys van die metode word gelewer, gevolg deur 'n afleiding van vergelykings wat gebruik kan word om die slegste-geval werkverrigting af te skat. Verskillende voorbeelde van kombineerders word getoon waarop die metode toegepas is, en wys dat terminasies gebruik kan word vir die isolasie laste. 'n Prototipe gebaseer op mikrostrook transmissielyne word vervaardig en 'n verbeterde intreepoort weerkaatskoëffisient en isolasie van onderskeidelik -15 dB en 20 dB word gemeet, in vergelyking met 'n weerkaatskoëffisient van -2:5 dB en isolasie van 2:5 dB voordat die metode toegepas is.

This dissertation presents a wide-band lumped element equivalent circuit model and a building block-based scalable circuit model for multiple quantum well laser diodes. The wide-band multiple-resonance model expresses two important laser diode characteristics such as input reflection and electrical-to-optical transmission together. Additionally, it demonstrates good agreements with the measurement results of the selected commercial discrete laser diodes. The proposed building block-based modeling approach proves its validity using a numerically derived scalable rate equation. Since success in a circuit design depends largely on the availability of accurate device models, the practical application of the proposed models provides improved accuracy, simple implementation and a short design time.

This thesis focuses on the structures of plated through holes in organic substrate, and discusses the high-frequency electrical characteristics of various plated through hole structures. This thesis consists of four parts. The first part introduces various kinds of vias in multilayer substrate. This content includes substrate drilling processes and capabilities, and discussions on plated through hole structures and their manufacture concerns. The second part focuses on actual measurement of plated through holes, and introduces high-frequency double-side probing technique. The difference from traditional high-frequency coplanar probing measurement is also discussed. The third part focuses on the high-frequency simulation by full-wave software ¡V Ansoft HFSS, and discusses the effects of various excited source and model structures on simulations. Part4 focuses on developing the broadband equivalent circuit model based on the physical structures, and discusses the electrical characterization of different plated through holes, and provides the related design concept.

Interwell connectivity is a very important piece of the puzzle for petroleum engineers. To optimize the injection well flow for increasing the production rate, interwell connectivity is a very important parameter. To build a model that works with better precision and with less effort has always been desired by reservoir engineers. In this study we developed an electric circuit network model (referred as the admittance or ymodel) for calculating the admittance parameters to predict branch flow rates (injectorproducer well pair) of oil reservoirs with precision. The y-model is very simple and efficient model that can predict branch flow very efficiently. Injection and production flow rates are the key data used in this model, which also happens to be the most abundant data for oil reservoirs. Injector well bottom-hole pressure data can also be used in this model if available. The governing equation of the electric circuit analogy of well to well flow rates in the oil reservoir is based on Ohm’s law for admittance. A mathematical procedure is also being developed for this circuit network model which solves a series of equations and finds unique solutions for the admittances and branch flows. These results can further be used for predicting the production flow rate for individual producer well. The model shows very good agreement with the exploration data of real oil reservoir. / text

Batteries have imparted momentum to the process of transition towards a green future. However, mass application of batteries is obstructed due to their explosive nature, a trait specific to Li-Ion batteries. To cater to an efficient battery utilization, an introduction of a battery management system would provide an ultimate solution. This thesis deals with different aspects crucial in designing a battery management system for high energy as well as high power applications. To build a battery management system capable of predicting battery behavior, it is necessary to analyze the dynamic processes happening inside the battery. Hence, a battery equivalent circuit model is proposed in this thesis as well as proper analysis is done in MATLAB to project a generic structure applicable to all Li-Ion chemistries. The model accounts for all dynamic characteristics of a battery including non-linear open circuit voltage, discharge current and capacity. Effect of temperature is also modeled using a cooling system. The model is validated with test current profiles. Less than 0.1% error between measured and simulated voltage profiles indicates the effectiveness of the proposed model to predict the runtime behavior of the battery. Furthermore, the model is implemented with the energy as well as the power battery pack. State of charge calculations are performed using the proposed model and the coulomb counting method and the results indicate only a 4% variance. Therefore, the proposed model can be applied to develop a real-time battery management system for accurate battery states estimation.

<p>This thesis investigates simulation of synchronous machines using a novel Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) model. The proposed model offers sufficient detail richness for design calculations, while still keeping the simulation time acceptably short.</p><p>Different modeling methods and circuit alternatives are considered. The selected approach is a combination of several previous methods added with some new features. A detailed description of the new model is given. The flux derivative is chosen as the magnetic flow variable which enables a description with standard circuit elements. The model is implemented in dq-coordinates to reduce complexity and simulation time. A new method to reflect winding harmonics is introduced.</p><p>Extensive measurements have been made to estimate the traditional dq-model parameters. These in combination with analytical calculations are used to determine the parameters for the new MEC model.</p><p>The model is implemented using the Dymola simulation program. The results are evaluated by comparison with measurements and FEM simulations. Three different operation cases are investigated; synchronous operation, asynchronous start and inverter fed operation. The agreement with measurements and FEM simulations varies, but it is believed that it can be improved by more work on the parameter determination.</p><p>The overall conclusion is that the MEC method is a useful approach for detailed simulation of synchronous machines. It enables proper modeling of magnetic saturation, and promises sufficiently detailed results to enable accurate loss calculations. However, the experience is that the complexity of the circuits should be kept at a reasonable low level. It is believed that the practical problems with model structure, parameter determination and the simulation itself will otherwise be difficult to master.</p>

Modern communications systems are evolving rapidly to address the demand for data exchange, a fact which imposes stringent requirements on the design process of their RF and antenna front-ends. The most crucial pressure on the antenna front-end is the need for miniaturized design solutions while maintaining the desired radiation performance. To satisfy this need, this thesis presents innovative types of periodic antennas, including electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) antennas, which are distinguished in two respects. First, the periodic cells contain thick metal traces, contrary to the conventional thin-trace cells. Second, such thick traces contain very narrow gaps with very tall sidewalls, referred to as high aspect ratio (HAR) gaps. When such cells are used in the structure of the proposed periodic antennas, the high capacitance of HAR gaps decreases the resonance frequency, mitigates conduction loss, and thus, yields considerably small high efficiency antennas. For instance, one of the sample antenna designs with only two EBG cells offers a very small XYZ volume of 0.25λ×0.28λ×0.037λ with efficiency of 83%. Also, a circularly polarized HAR EBG antenna is presented which has a footprint as small as 0.26λ×0.29λ and efficiency as high as 94%. The main analysis method developed in this thesis is a combination of numerical and mathematical analyses and is referred to as HFSS/Bloch method. The numerical part of this method is conducted using a High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS), and the mathematical part is based on the classic Bloch theory. The HFSS/Bloch method acts as the mainstay of the thesis and all designs are built upon the insight provided by this method. A circuit model using transmission line (TL) theory is also developed for some of the unit cells and antennas. The HFSS/Bloch perspective results in a HAR EBG TL with radiation properties, a fragment of which (2 to 6 cells) is introduced as a novel antenna, the self-excited EBG resonator antenna (SE-EBG-RA). Open (OC) and short circuited (SC) versions of this antenna are studied and the inherently smaller size of the SC version is demonstrated. Moreover, the possibility of employing the SE-EBG-RA as the element of a series-fed array structure is investigated and some sample high-efficiency, flat array antennas are rendered. A microstrip antenna is also developed, the structure of which is composed of 3×3 unit cells and shows fast-wave behaviors. Most antenna designs are resonant in nature; however, in one case, a low-profile efficient leaky-wave antenna with scanning radiation pattern is proposed. Several antenna prototypes are fabricated and tested to validate the analyses and designs. As the structures are based on tall metal traces, two relevant fabrication methods are considered, including CNC machining and deep X-ray lithography (DXRL). Hands-on experiments provide an outlook of possible future DXRL fabricated SE-EBG-RAs.

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) based voltage source converter (VSC) applica-tions embedded in power systems are growing. Optimal design of thermal management systems for such converters requires estimation of IGBT losses under various operating conditions, both normal and abnormal. Therefore, development of tools for estimating IGBT losses in EMT simulators is important as converters embedded in large power sys-tems are simulated in EMT simulators. Two circuit models are developed to simulate turn-on and turn-off transients using a be-havioral approach. These circuit models mimic the observed behavior in distinct phases of the turn-on and turn-off transients under the inductive load switching. In this model, the nonlinear nature of the circuit model of the IGBT is treated and converter specific in-fluential parameters are taken in to account. An excellent correlation between the meas-ured and simulated waveforms as well as measured and estimated switching losses is ob-served. Finally, an efficient method to incorporate switching loss calculation in an EMT program in the form of a lookup table created using the developed transient model is pro-posed.