Audio and video communication is a universal task with a long history of technologies. Recent examples of these technologies include Skype video calling, Apple’s Face Time, and Google Hangouts. Today, these services offer everyday users the ability to have an interactive conference with both audio and video streams. However, many of these solutions depend on extra plugins or applications installing on the user’s personal computer or mobile device. Some of them also are subject to licensing, introducing a huge barrier for developers and restraining new companies from entering this area. The aim of Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) is to provide direct access to multimedia streams in the browser, thus making it possible to create rich media applications using web technology without the need for plugins or developers needing to pay technology license fees. Ericsson develops solutions for communication targeting professional and business users. With the increasing possibilities to gather data (via cloud-based applications) about the quality experienced by users in their video conferences, new demands are placed on the infrastructure to handle this data. Additionally, there is a question of how the stats should be utilized to automatically control the quality of service (QoS) in WebRTC communication systems. The thesis project deployed a WebRTC quality control service with methods of data processing and modeling to assess the perceived video quality of the ongoing session, and in further produce appropriate actions to remedy poor quality. Lastly, after evaluated on the Ericsson contextual test platform, the project verified that two of the stats-parameters (network delay and packet loss percentage) for assessing QoS have the negative effect on the perceived video quality but with different influence degree. Moreover, the available bandwidth turned out to be an important factor, which should be added as an additional stats-parameter to improve the performance of a WebRTC quality control service. / Ljud och videokommunikation är en universell uppgift med en lång historia av teknik. Exempel på dessa teknologier är Skype-videosamtal, Apples ansiktstid och Google Hangouts. Idag erbjuder dessa tjänster vardagliga användare möjligheten att ha en interaktiv konferens med både ljud- och videoströmmar. Men många av dessa lösningar beror på extra plugins eller applikationer som installeras på användarens personliga dator eller mobila enhet. Vissa av dem är också föremål för licensiering, införande av ett stort hinder för utvecklare och att hindra nya företag att komma in i detta område. Syftet med Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) är att ge direkt åtkomst till multimediaströmmar i webbläsaren, vilket gör det möjligt att skapa rich media-applikationer med webbteknik utan att plugins eller utvecklare behöver betala licensavgifter för teknik. Ericsson utvecklar lösningar för kommunikationsriktning för professionella och företagsanvändare. Med de ökande möjligheterna att samla data (via molnbaserade applikationer) om kvaliteten hos användare på sina videokonferenser ställs nya krav på infrastrukturen för att hantera dessa data. Dessutom är det fråga om hur statistiken ska användas för att automatiskt kontrollera kvaliteten på tjänsten (QoS) i WebRTC-kommunikationssystem. Avhandlingsprojektet tillämpade en WebRTC-kvalitetskontrolltjänst med metoder för databehandling och modellering för att bedöma upplevd videokvalitet av den pågående sessionen och vidare producera lämpliga åtgärder för att avhjälpa dålig kvalitet. Slutligen, efter utvärdering på Ericssons kontextuella testplattform, verifierade projektet att två av statistikparametrarna (nätverksfördröjning och paketförlustprocent) för bedömning av QoS har den negativa effekten på upplevd videokvalitet men med olika inflytningsgrad. Dessutom visade den tillgängliga bandbredd att vara en viktig faktor, som bör läggas till som en extra statistikparameter för att förbättra prestanda för enWebRTC-kvalitetskontrolltjänst.

During past two decades a variety of SAW based wireless sensors were invented and research is still in progress. As different frequencies, varied bandwidths, coding techniques and constantly changing post processing algorithms are being implemented, there is a constant need for a universal and adjustable synchronous communication system able to interrogate new generations of SAW sensors. This thesis presents the design of a multiple FPGA based communication system with an operational frequency range of 450MHz-2.2GHz capable of producing user programmed modulated signal. The synchronous receiver is designed to have interchangeable chip, replacement of which would allow adjustment of the receiver’s bandwidth. Within this paper the performance of the system is only evaluated at 915MHz centered 20MHz bandwidth region. An OFC temperature sensor was interrogated. Post-processing algorithms, measurement results, and proposals for the future use of the system are presented. Detailed overview of the structure and performance of every functional block along with design considerations are analyzed. Previously designed Matlab based software was adapted for post processing of the received signal. New software with simplified GUI was designed for programming of the desired signal.

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<p>Fiber-optic communication systems have revolutionized the telecommunications industry and have played a major role in the advent of the Information Age. Thousands of kilometers of optical fiber are used by telecommunications companies to transmit telephone signals, Internet communication, and cable television signals throughout the world. So, working in this area has always been interesting. This thesis analyzes the nonlinearity of fiber-optic systems and proposes a system to mitigate fiber nonlinear e®ects. The topics of this thesis can be categorized into two parts. In the first part of thesis (Chapters 2, 3, and 4), analytical models are developed for fiber-optic nonlinear effects. It is important to have an accurate analytical model so that the impact of a specific system/signal parameter on the performance can be assessed quickly without doing time-consuming Monte-Carlo simulations. In the second part (Chapters 5, and 6), a multi-core/fiber architecture is proposed to reduce the nonlinear effects.</p> <p>In Chapter 2, intrachannel nonlinear impairments are studied and an analytical model for the calculation of power spectral density (PSD) and variance of the non- linear distortion is obtained based on quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal. For QPSK signals, intrachannel four-wave mixing (IFWM) is the only stochastic non- linear distortion. To develop the analytical model, a first order perturbation theory is used. For a Gaussian pulse shape, a closed form formula is obtained for the PSD of IFWM. For non-Gaussian pulses, it is not possible to find the PSD analytically. However, using stationary phase approximation approach, convolutions become multiplications and a simple analytical expression for the PSD of the nonlinear distortion can be found. The total PSD is obtained by adding the PSD of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) PSD to that of the nonlinear distortion. Using the total PSD, bit error ratio (BER) can be obtained analytically for a QPSK system. The analytically estimated BER is found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations. Significant computational effort can be saved using the analytical model as compared to numerical simulations, without sacrificing much accuracy.</p> <p>In Chapter 3, the same approach as that in Chapter 2 is used to find an analytical expression for the PSD of the intrachannel nonlinear distortion of a fiber-optic system based on quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal. Unlike the QPSK signal, intrachannel cross-phase modulation (IXPM) is a stochastic process for the QAM signal which leads to the increase of the nonlinear distortion variance. In this chapter, analytical expressions for the PSDs of self-phase modulation (SPM), IXPM, IFWM, and their correlations are obtained for the QAM signal. Simulation results show good agreement between the analytical model and numerical simulation.</p> <p>In Chapter 4, inter-channel nonlinear impairment is studied. This time, a first order perturbation technique is used to develop an analytical model for SPM and cross-phase modulation (XPM) distortions in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system based on QAM. In this case, SPM distortion is deterministic and does not contribute to the nonlinear noise variance. On the other hand, XPM is stochastic and contributes to the noise variance. In this chapter, effects of input launch power, fiber dispersion, system reach, and channel spacing on the nonlinear noise variance are investigated as well.</p> <p>In Chapter 5, a single-channel multi-core/fiber architecture is proposed to reduce intrachannel fiber nonlinear effects. Based on the analytical model obtained in the first part of thesis, the nonlinear distortion variance scales as P³, where P is the fiber input launch power, which suggests that decreasing the fiber input power can reduce the nonlinear distortion significantly. In this system, the input power is divided between multiple cores/fibers by a power splitter at the input of each span and a power combiner adds the output fields of multiple cores/fibers so that one amplifier can be used for each span. In this case, each core/fiber receives less power and hence adds less nonlinear distortion to the signal. In a practical system, individual fiber parameters are not identical; so the optical pulses propagating in the fibers undergo different amounts of phase shifts and timing delays due to the fluctuations of fibers' propagation constants and fibers' inverse group speeds. Optical and electrical equalizers are proposed to compensate for these inter-core/fiber dispersions. In the case of an optical equalizer, adaptive time shifters and phase shifters are adjusted such that the maximum power is obtained at the output of power combiner. Our numerical simulation results show that for unrepeatered systems, the performance (Q factor) is improved by 6.2 dB using 8-core/fiber configuration as compared to single- core fiber system. In addition, for multi-span system, the transmission reach at BER of 2.1*10^-3 is quadrupled in 8-core/fiber configuration.</p> <p>In Chapter 6, a multi-channel multi-core/fiber architecture is proposed to reduce the inter-channel nonlinear distortions. In this architecture, different channels of a WDM system are interleaved between multiple cores/fibers which increases the channel spacing in each core/fiber. Higher channel spacing decreases the inter-channel nonlinear impairments in each core/fiber which leads to system performance improvement. At the end of each span, a multiplexer adds the channels from different cores/fibers so that one amplifier can be used for all of the channels. Unlike the single-channel multi-core/fiber system, the WDM multi-core/fiber system does not require equalizers since different cores/fibers carry channels with different frequencies. Simulation results show that for a 39-span system, the 4-core/fiber system with negligible crosstalk outperforms the single-core system by 2.2 dBQ₂₀. The impact of crosstalk between cores of a multi-core fiber (MCF) on the system performance is studied. The simulation results show that the performance of the multi-core WDM system is less sensitive to the crosstalk effect compared to conventional multi-core systems since the propagating channels in the cores are not correlated in frequency domain.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In the recent years, the exponential Internet traffic growth projections place enormous transmission rate demand on the underlying information infrastructure at every level, from the long haul submarine transmission to optical metro networks. In recent years, optical transmission at 100 Gb/s Ethernet date rate has been standardized by ITU-T and IEEE forums and 400Gb/s and 1Tb/s rates per DWDM channel systems has been under intensive investigation which are expected to be standardized within next couple of years.To facilitate the implementation of 400GbE and 1TbE technologies, the new advanced modulation scheme combined with advanced forward error correction code should be proposed. Instead of using traditional QAM, we prefer to use some other modulation techniques, which are more suitable for current coherent optical transmission systems and can also deal with the channel impairments. In this dissertation, we target at improving the channel capacity by designing the new modulation formats. For the first part of the dissertation, we first describe the optimal signal constellation design algorithm (OSCD), which is designed by placing constellation points onto a two dimensional space. Then, we expand the OSCD onto multidimensional space and design its corresponding mapping rule. At last, we also develop the OSCD algorithm for different channel scenario in order to make the constellation more tolerant to different channel impairments. We propose the LLR-OSCD for linear phase noise dominated channel and NL-OSCD for nonlinear phase noise dominated channel including both self-phase modulation (SPM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM) cases. For the second part of the dissertation, we target at probability shaping of the constellation sets (non-uniform signaling). In the conventional data transmission schemes, the probability of each point in a given constellation is transmitted equally likely and the number of constellation sets is set to 2!. If the points with low energy are transmitted with larger probability then the others with large energy, the non- uniform scheme can achieve higher energy efficiency. Meanwhile, this scheme may be more suitable for optical communication because the transmitted points with large probabilities, which have small energy, suffer less nonlinearity. Both the Monte Carlo simulations and experiment demonstration of both OSCD and non-uniform signaling schemes indicate that our proposed signal constellation significantly outperforms QAM, IPQ, and sphere-packing based signal constellations.

The wave energy converter developed at Uppsala University consists of a linear generator at the seabed driven by the motion of a buoy on the water surface. The energy absorbed by the generator is negatively affected by variations of the mean sea level caused by tides, changes in barometric pressure, strong winds, and storm surges. The work presented in this doctoral thesis aims to investigate the losses in energy absorption for the present generation wave energy converter due to the effect of sea level variations, mainly caused by tides. This goal is achieved through the modeling of the interaction between the waves and the point absorber. An estimation of the economic cost that these losses imply is also made. Moreover, solutions on how to reduce the negative effect of sea level variations are discussed. To this end, two compensation systems which adjust the length of the connection line between the floater and the generator are designed, and the first prototype is built and tested near the Lysekil research site. The theoretical study assesses the energy loss at about 400 coastal points all over the world and for one generator design. The results highlight critical locations where the need for a compensation system appears compelling. The same hydro-mechanic model is applied to a specific site, the Wave Hub on the west coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom, where the energy loss is calculated to be about 53 %. The experimental work led to the construction of a buoy equipped with a screw jack together with its control, measurement and communication systems. The prototype, suitable for sea level variations of small range, is tested and its performance evaluated. A second prototype, suitable for high range variations, is also designed and is currently under construction. One main conclusion is that including the compensation systems in the design of the wave energy converter will increase the competitiveness of the technology from an economic point of view by decreasing its cost per kWh. The need for a cost-effective wave energy converter with increased survivability emphasizes the importance of the presented research and its future development.

Speech intelligibility of voice alarm communication systems is extremely important for proper notification and direction of building occupants. Currently, there is no minimum standard to which all voice alarm communication systems must be held. Tests were conducted to determine how system and room characteristics, and the addition of occupants, affect the intelligibility of a voice signal. This research outlines a methodology for measuring the speech intelligibility of a room and describes the impact of numerous variables on these measurements. Eight variables were considered for this study: speaker quantity and location, speaker power tap, sound pressure level (SPL), number and location of occupants, presence of furniture, location of intelligibility measurements, data collection method, and floor covering. All room characteristics had some affect on the room intelligibility; the sound pressure level of the signal and the number and location of occupants had the greatest overall impact on the intelligibility of the room. It is recommended, based on the results of this study, that further investigation be conducted in the following areas: floor finishes, speaker directivity, various population densities, furniture packages and room sizes.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-31T17:49:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MelissaRabelo.pdf: 1104841 bytes, checksum: c9bb16655006bc62171c47418ece8b29 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-31T17:49:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MelissaRabelo.pdf: 1104841 bytes, checksum: c9bb16655006bc62171c47418ece8b29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Thesis about the contemporary challenges in the Brazilian public communication, in contrast to the vast access to private TV versus the restrict access to public TV, that brings concerns originated from the studies of Communication Policies and Political Communications Economics during the development of Master dissertation, entitled: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE IN THE PUBLIC FIELD OF COMMUNICATION IN BRAZIL: the experiences of TV Cultura and TV Brasil. It is intended, therefore, to examine the conditions of access to the Brazilian public TV, as opposed to the Private TV, before the technological progress of the field, able to ensure the democratization in the field. Therefore, it was developed a documental bibliographic research and a field research, having as contributions, the studies made during the period of the “sandwich” doctorate (PhD) program at the Syracuse University NY/USA, within the evaluation of public policies, with a process appraisal. In the evaluation, the discussion about the relationship between public and private in the public field of communication in Brazil is revisited and is made an in depth analysis, added to the discussion about public field, hegemony and cultural industry, categories that give a conceptual base to the qualitative approach of the research. Discusses about this relationship considering the hegemony of the private system of communication and it´s relationship with the State, as well as, the principles and challenges of the public system. It is presented discussions about public space versus private interests, in addition to discussing the regulations of the field. Thus, it is intended to propose alternative changes of such paradigms, through theoretical discussion and presentation of the field research data with technological innovations in contemporary times, being an important contribution. / Tese sobre os desafios contemporâneos na comunicação pública brasileira, em contraponto ao acesso amplo da TV privada versus o acesso restrito da TV pública, que traz inquietações originadas nos estudos de Políticas de Comunicação e Economia Política de Comunicação durante o desenvolvimento da Dissertação de Mestrado, com o título: A RELAÇÃO ENTRE PÚBLICO E PRIVADO NO CAMPO PÚBLICO DE COMUNICAÇÃO NO BRASIL: as experiências da TV Cultura e TV Brasil. Pretende-se, portanto, analisar as condições de acesso à TV pública brasileira, em contraposição à TV privada, em face aos avanços tecnológicos do setor, capazes de garantir a democratização do setor. Para tanto, desenvolve-se pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e pesquisa de campo, tendo como contribuições os estudos realizados no período de Doutorado-sanduíche na Syracuse University, NY/USA, no âmbito da avaliação das políticas públicas, com uma avaliação de processo. Na avaliação resgata-se e aprofunda-se a discussão sobre a relação entre o público e o privado no campo da comunicação no Brasil, aliada à discussão sobre esfera pública, hegemonia e Indústria Cultural, categorias que oferecem suporte conceitual à abordagem qualitativa da investigação. Reflete-se sobre essa relação considerando a hegemonia do sistema privado de comunicação e sua relação com o Estado, bem como os princípios e desafios do sistema público. Apresenta-se discussões acerca do espaço público em contraposição com os interesses privados, além de discorrer sobre a regulação do setor. Dessa forma, pretende-se propor alternativas de mudanças de tais paradigmas, através da discussão teórica e da apresentação dos dados da pesquisa de campo, tendo as inovações tecnológicas na contemporaneidade grande contribuição.

La conception d’un réseau de communication de sécurité basée sur l’Ethernet temps réel répondant aux exigences de la norme PESSRAL, dérivée de l’IEC 61508, constitue la base de notre travail. Afin d’atteindre cet objectif, nous mettons en oeuvre des mécanismes permettant de réduire la probabilité d’erreur et d’atteindre les niveaux d’intégrité de sécurité (SIL) par l’utilisation d’un système électronique déterministe. Avec un seul canal de communication, notre système doit être capable d’intégrer des fonctions critiques et non critiques sans remettre en cause la certification du système.Lors de cet engagement nous proposons un système de communication industrielle basé sur l’Ethernet temps réel. Les interfaces de communication proposées répondent aux exigences de réactivité, de déterminisme pour garantir les contraintes temporelles imposées par le processus et la norme. Pour assurer la sécurité fonctionnelle des interfaces, nous avons proposé une surcouche de type "safety" qui implémente des fonctions de sécurité selon le concept du canal noir défini dans l’IEC 61508. En nous basant sur ces propriétés, nous avons réussi à classifier les solutions temps réel à base d’Ethernet en trois classes en fonction du temps de cycle. La surcouche "safety", basée sur la redondance de données, a permis de renoncer à la solution de redondance physique. Cette redondance de données duplique le temps de cycle initial du réseau qui satisfait néanmoins aux conditions de sécurité et temporelles de la norme. / The design of a communication network with a real-time Ethernet-based security that meets the requirements of the PESSRAL standard, derived from IEC 61508, is the basis of our work. In order to achieve this goal, we implement mechanisms reducing the residual error probability and achieving Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) via a deterministic electronic system. Through a single communication channel, our system must be able to integrate critical and non-critical functions without compromising the system certification.According to this commitment, we suggest an industrial communication system based on real-time Ethernet. The proposed communication interfaces meet the requirements of responsiveness and determinism in order to guarantee the temporal constraints imposed by the process and the standard. To ensure the functional safety of the interfaces, we have proposed a "safety" overlay that implements security functions according to the concept of the black channel defined in IEC 61508. Based on these properties, we have managed to classify the Ethernet-based real-time solutions into three classes in terms of cycle time. The overlay "safety", based on the redundancy of data, made it possible to give up the solution of physical redundancy. This data redundancy duplicates the initial cycle time of the network, which nonetheless satisfies the security and time conditions of the standard.