In this thesis, the design of passive networks with the aid of full-wave simulation software and geometry-based models of lumped elements is investigated. This is done by examining the results of a number of simulation examples, as well as measured data from manufactured designs to compare against simulated equivalents. One such example is a chip antenna evaluation board design, in which the PCB, antenna, matching components and connector are all modeled. When measured, the simulation agreed with the board’s best matched frequency of 5.5 GHz to within 20 MHz. In another, a new antenna layout is generated from an existing evaluation design which, produced a match of about -15 dB at the design frequency with a similar bandwidth to that shown on the antenna datasheet on the first attempt at manufacture. Additionally, a statistical experiment was conducted in order to provide insight into the phenomenon of coupling between lumped components, and to define clearly when it starts to become an important effect to consider. For both chip capacitors and inductors, a behavioral model of how much crosstalk is present in a prospective circuit was developed which takes into account angle and distance between components, as well as case size. Finally, a simple discrete gradient descent was implemented in a commercial full-wave simulation software in order to assist in the refinement of designs containing 3-D geometry-defined component models.

Orientador: Dionízio Paschoareli Júnior / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta um método que visa possibilitar a gestão do aparente impasse envolvendo três agentes do setor elétrico. A Distribuidora de Energia que visa lucros, o Regulador que impõe às Distribuidoras, metas permanentes de melhor desempenho juntamente com viés de redução das tarifas e o Consumidor que deseja qualidade de fornecimento de energia e tarifas justas. Este método possibilita identificar e priorizar com precisão qual circuito de um sistema elétrico é mais adequado para os investimentos em melhoria de desempenho, quantificar o ganho de qualidade após as melhorias e avaliar técnica e economicamente se o benefício obtido em melhoria de qualidade produzirá retorno financeiro para remunerar o investimento. Para o desenvolvimento deste método, os dados de desempenho do sistema elétrico foram tratados estatisticamente para identificar quais ocorrências podem ser mitigadas com ações da distribuidora. Foi desenvolvida uma matriz de decisão multiatributos, referenciada pelos parâmetros de desempenho do sistema elétrico, para possibilitar a ordenação das regiões elétricas prioritárias para investimentos em melhorias. As ações técnicas de melhorias consideram a utilização de redes compactas e através de medições de desempenho destas redes e a comparação com o desempenho de redes nuas, foi possível estabelecer o potencial de redução do número de ocorrências após a implantação. Foi estabelecido critérios para identificar a taxa de melhoria de desempenho, que estabelece... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This paper presents a methodology which supports the management of this apparent impasse involving three electricity sector agents. The Utility Company which focus on profit, the Regulator that imposes on Distributors permanent goals of better performance together with tariff reduction biases, and the Consumer who seeks for quality of energy supply and fair tariffs. This method makes it possible to accurately identify and prioritize which circuit of an electrical system is most appropriate for investments in performance improvement and to technically and economically evaluate whether the benefit obtained in quality improvement will yield financial return for the investment. For the development of this method, the performance data of the electrical system was treated statistically to identify which occurrences could be mitigated by distributor actions. A multi-attribute decision matrix was developed, supported by the performance parameters of the electric system, to enable the ordering of the priority electric regions for investments in improvements. The technical actions of improvements consider the use of spacer cable system. Through performance measurements of these networks, it was possible to establish the potential of reducing the number of occurrences after the implantation. To identify the rate of performance improvement a criterion has been established which establishes the correlation between the modernized network extension and the reduction of the number of occurre... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor