No description available.

Advances in communicat ions have been unarguably essent ial to enablemodern systems and applicat ions as we know them. Ubiquity has turned into reality, allowing specialised embedded systems to eminent ly grow and spread. That is notably the case of unmanned vehicles which have been creat ively explored on applications that were not as efficient as they currently are, neither as innovative as recent ly accomplished. Therefore, towards the efficient operat ion of either unmanned vehicles and systems they integrate, in addition to communicat ion improvements, it is highly desired that we carefully observe relevant , co-related necessit ies that may lead to the full insert ion of unmanned vehicles to our everyday lives. Moreover, by addressing these demands on integrated solut ions, better resultswill likely be produced. This thesis presentsHAMSTER, theHeAlthy, Mobility and Security based data communication archiTEctuRe for unmanned vehicles, which addresses threemain types of communicat ions: machine-to-machine, machine-to-infrast ructure and internal machine communications. Four addit ional elements on co-related requirements are provided alongside with HAMSTER for more accurate approaches regarding security and safety aspects (SPHERE platform), crit icality analysis (NCI index), energy efficiency (NP plat form) and mobility-oriented ad hoc and infrast ructured communicat ions (NIMBLE platform). Furthermore, three specialised versions are provided: unmanned aerial vehicles (Flying HAMSTER), unmanned ground vehicles (Running HAMSTER) and unmanned surface/ underwater vehicles (Swimming HAMSTER). The architecture validat ion is achieved by case studies on each feature addressed, leading to guidelines on the development of vehicles more likely to meet certificat ion requirements, more efficient and secure communicat ions, assert ive approaches regarding crit icality and green approaches on internal communicat ions. Indeed, results prove the efficiency and effectiveness of HAMSTER architecture and its elements, as well as its flexibility in carrying out different experiments focused on various aspects of communication, which helps researchers and developers to achieve safe and secure communicat ions in unmanned vehicles. / Os avanços na área de comunicações foram indiscutívelmente essenciais para a obtenção de sistemas e aplicações modernos como os o atuais. A computação ubíqua se tornou realidade, permitindo que sistemas embarcados especializados ganhassem espaço e cada vez mais autonomia. Esse é notavelmente o caso de veículos não tripulados que têm sido criativamente explorados em aplicações inovadoras e avançadas. Entretanto, para o funcionamento eficiente desses veículos e sistemas não tripulados, além de melhorias de comunicação, é altamente desejável que as necessidades relevantes co-relacionadas a comunica¸cao sejam cuidadosamente observadas, levando a uma facilitação na inserção de veículos não tripulados em espaços públicos. Além disso, ao abordar essas demandas de modo integrado, as chances de produzir melhores resultados é maior. Esta tese apresenta a HAMSTER, uma arquitetura de comunicação de dados baseada em mobilidade e segurança para veículos não tripulados, que aborda três tipos principais de comunicação: máquina-para- máquina, máquina-para-infraestrutura e comunicações internas. Quatro elementos adicionais co-relacionados são fornecidos juntamente com a arquitetura HAMSTER de modo a prover abordagens mais precisas em relação a aspectos de segurança física e da informação (plataforma SPHERE), análise de criticalidade (índice NCI), eficiência energética (plataforma NP) e comunicações ad hoc e infraestruturadas orientadas a mobilidade (plataforma NIMBLE). Além disso, são fornecidas três versões especializadas: para veículos aéreos não tripulados (Flying HAMSTER), veículos terrestres não tripulados (Running HAMSTER) e veículos submarinos e de superfície não tripulados (Swimming HAMSTER). A validação da arquitetura é obtida por meio de estudos de caso sobre cada recurso abordado, levando a diretrizes sobre o desenvolvimento de veículos mais preparados para atender a requisitos de certificação, comunicação mais eficiente e segura, abordagens assertivas sobre criticidade e abordagens verdes nas comunicações internas. Por fim, os resultados comprovaram a eficiência da arquitetura HAMSTER e os elementos com ela providos, bem como a flexibilidade em realizar experimentos focados em vários aspectos de comunicação, auxiliando na obtenção de comunicações seguras em veículos autônomos.

This thesis describes the design of a modem for a communication over residential power lines. First part is focused on the history, suitable frequency bands, modulation techniques and mainly on the selection of the optimal modem device. Second section contains the description of the hardware design of the modem itself and clarifies the implementation of the PLC module to be used as a communication interface for a full residential automation solution. Last chapters of this thesis introduce the communication protocol, design of the software for the ATmega32 MCU and present of the final field testing under real conditions.

En s’appuyant sur les procédés de fabrication matures et sur la production à grande échelle de l’industrie CMOS, la technologie photonique silicium est une solution potentielle pour le développement de liens optiques haut débit peu onéreux destinés aux centres de données. Un premier pas a été franchi il y a une dizaine d’année avec la réalisation, à l’échelle industrielle, de transmetteurs/récepteurs avec des débits jusqu’à 100Gb/s. Cependant, tout semble indiquer que des vitesses encore plus élevées, (200 voir 400Gb/s), seront bientôt nécessaires. Malheureusement, les limitations techniques de cette première génération de circuits photoniques suggèrent qu’il sera difficile de réaliser des multiplexeurs (MUX/DEMUX) performants. Ces composants sont à la base des solutions de multiplexage en longueur d’onde (WDM) envisagées pour répondre à cette nouvelle demande de bande passante. Par ailleurs, on assiste depuis quelques années à une diversification des applications de la photonique intégrée qu’il semble également difficile de satisfaire au vu des performances de la technologie actuelle. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrit le travail de thèse présenté dans ce manuscrit. La solution étudiée est basée sur l’intégration d’un second circuit optique dont les propriétés sont complémentaires de celles du circuit silicium formant ainsi une plateforme optique performante quelle que soit la fonction à réaliser. Un schéma d’intégration monolithique a été privilégié afin de limiter les couts de production et d’assemblage. Le matériau choisi pour la réalisation de ce second circuit optique est le nitrure de silicium (SiN). Il possède en effet des propriétés parfaitement complémentaires de celles du circuit silicium : contraste d’indice réduit, coefficient thermo optique faible et grande gamme de transparence. C’est également un matériau utilisé depuis de nombreuses années dans l’industrie CMOS. Le premier objectif de ce travail de thèse a donc consisté à développer le schéma d’intégration de ce second circuit optique au sein de la technologie photonique PIC50G de STMicroelectronics. Une fois les différentes étapes du flot de fabrication validées, le développement de composants a pu débuter. Tout d’abord les guides d’onde, proposant des pertes de propagation inférieures à 0,2dB/cm à 1300nm, mais également divers composants élémentaires : transitions entre les différentes géométries de guides, coupleur fibre/puce, terminaison de guide d’onde, filtre de signaux parasites et coupleurs/séparateurs de puissance. Une caractérisation statistique de la transition optique entre les circuits Si et SiN a révélé des pertes d’insertion inférieures à 0,3dB entre 1270nm et 1330nm, validant la stabilité de ce composant particulièrement critique. Une attention particulière a été portée à la gestion de la polarisation dans les guides d’onde via le développement de séparateurs et de rotateurs de polarisation dont les performances sont à l’état de l’art des composants silicium. Une étude complète sur les MUX/DEMUX en SiN a également été réalisée. Des réseaux de guides d’onde ont notamment montré de bonnes performances : dérive en température < 12pm/°C, faible sensibilité à la polarisation, pertes d’insertion <1dB, diaphonie < -30dB, fonctionnement jusqu’à 12 canaux, bande passante à -1dB >11nm. Pour terminer, un émetteur/récepteur WDM quatre canaux a été conçu pour démontrer l’intérêt de cette plateforme hybride Si/SiN, il est actuellement en attente de caractérisation. Enfin, une étude des propriétés optiques non linéaires du SiN a permis de démontrer la génération de troisième harmonique de l’UV jusqu’au visible ainsi que la génération d’un supercontinuum s’étendant de 425nm à 1660nm, ouvrant ainsi la voie à de nouvelles applications. / Based on CMOS industry's mature manufacturing processes and large-scale production, silicon photonics technology is a potential solution for inexpensive high-speed optical links for data centers. About ten years ago, a first step was taken with the realization, at an industrial scale, of transmitters/receivers with data rates up to 100Gb/s. However, it seems that even higher speeds (typically 200 or 400Gb/s) will soon be needed. Unfortunately, the technical limitations of this first generation of photonic circuits suggest that it will be difficult to make efficient multiplexers (MUX / DEMUX), which form the basis of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) solutions designed to meet this new bandwidth demand. Moreover, a diversification of the applications of integrated photonics is ongoing for a few years, which also seems difficult to satisfy given the performance of current technology. The thesis work presented in this manuscript yielded from this context. The studied solution is based on the integration of a second optical layer whose properties are complementary to those of the silicon circuit. This forms an integrated optical platform which can be efficient whatever the function to be performed. A monolithic integration scheme is chosen leveraging the low cost and manufacturing capability of CMOS industry. Silicon nitride (SiN), with a reduced index contrast and a low thermo-optical coefficient, is an interesting candidate for the realization of this second photonic circuit. Indeed, those properties are perfectly complementary to the silicon ones, and particularly adapted to the realization of MUX/DEMUX. Moreover, SiN is a well-known material of CMOS electronics. The first objective of this thesis was to develop the integration scheme of the second optical circuit within ST Microelectronics PIC50G photonic technology. Once all the fabrication steps validated, the development of photonic devices could begin. It starts with several kinds of optical waveguides, among which rib-type demonstrated propagation losses below 0.2dB/cm at 1300nm, but also various elementary components: transitions between waveguides, fiber/chip coupler, waveguide termination, parasitic signals filters and power splitters/combiners. A statistic characterization of the optical transition between Si and SiN circuits reveal insertion losses below 0,3dB from 1270nm to 1330nm, confirming the stability of this critical device. Special attention was paid to the polarization management within the SiN circuit. Polarization splitters and rotators were developed showing comparable performances with Si devices state of the art. An exhaustive study about the realization of SiN MUX/DEMUX was also carried out. Arrayed waveguide gratings especially show good performances: thermal drift < 12pm/°C, low polarization sensitivity, insertion loss <1dB, crosstalk level < -30dB, up to twelve channels, -1dB bandwidth >11nm. To conclude this work, a four channel WDM transmitter/receiver was designed in order to demonstrate the interest of this hybrid Si/SiN platform, its currently waiting for characterization. Finally, a study of the nonlinear properties of SiN demonstrated the generation of a third harmonic optical signal from UV to visible and the generation of a supercontinuum spanning from 425nm to 1660nm, paving the way to new applications.

The rapid development of technology in the health-care sector has led to the discovery of many new illnesses and improved treatments that were not possible earlier. However, many treatments and medicines for a specific disease often come with several side effects. The accuracy in treatments with an optimal result on specified targets is therefore desired with minimum side effects. This requires that the production and the usage processes should be precise. The scope of this study is not about the medicine production phase but rather on managing a medicine schedule. How many times a medicine should be taken in a day is strongly related to its dosage and following a precise timing plays a crucial role in the individual’s health. As a solution, a pill box based on a low power display (Electronic Paper Display, EPD) together with an embedded system has been introduced by the project owner (Victrix AB, Stockholm) .The pill box should have some different functions like alarms, data logging and wireless reporting. Different types of alarms including ringtone, vibration and voice recording/playing are required as well. To be able to trace the already planned timing for taking medicines, system will be able to save and report history of the past 100 days. Since every single idea for solving different parts of the problem should be tested in real system, a Quantitative Research based on experiments be used and the best possible solution be selected and implemented in the project. Studying technical material and also related works besides analyzing generated data after each experiment were a useful tool for the system integration in this work. As the result, a pill box based on an embedded system was designed and integrated successfully. A hardware platform, in form of a prototype system based on an ARM microcontroller and a compatible embedded software have been designed, improved and tested successfully and are available. At the end of this work, the low power E-paper display works properly, alarms can be set and activated, data can be saved and also sent wirelessly. Basically, the result of this project shows how an embedded system can be specialized and programmed to be able to interact with patients and e.g. nurses in order to make a stable and continuous connection between them. Most of determined goals have been achieved and some of them be changed and modified during the work. Also a few additional functions and improvements be suggested as future work.

Context: Flatbed applicators are machines made for laminating, primarily signs on an industrial level. These applicators are controlled manually, which exhibits potential for digitalization in order to enhance the user experience. Problem: The first challenge is to develop a user interface for a mobile app, created to provide an easy path for communication to customers, with user-friendliness as the focal point. The second challenge is being able to communicate with a flatbed applicator, through the aforementioned app. Method: This project started out with pre-studies about the required topics. The system prototype was then designed and implemented with a focus on adequate UI design guidelines for the mobile app and a suitable protocol to enable communication between the app and the applicator. Results: The app prototype was developed through the usage of J.J. Garrett’s model along with Material Design guidelines, in order to establish a customer-centric user interface. Communicating between the mobile app and a PLC using TwinCAT, MQTT and React Native appears to be a feasible solution.

O protocolo International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)-61850 tornou possível integrar os equipamentos das subestações de energia elétrica, através de uma rede de comunicação de dados Ethernet de alta velocidade. A utilização deste protocolo tem como objetivo principal a interligação dos Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) para a automatização dos processos no sistema elétrico. As contribuições deste protocolo para a integração do controle e supervisão do sistema elétrico são diversas, porém, o fato de utilizar uma rede de comunicação de dados Ethernet integrada expõe o sistema elétrico à ataques cibernéticos. A norma IEC-62351 estabelece uma série de recomendações para prover segurança à rede de comunicação do sistema elétrico, dentre elas, o gerenciamento da rede de comunicação, a análise dos campos da mensagem Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) e a utilização de sistemas de detecção de intrusão. O presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um Intrusion Detection System (IDS) que atende os requisitos de segurança propostos pelo protocolo IEC-62351, para a identificação de ataques à comunicação realizada por mensagens GOOSE do protocolo IEC-61850, e entre equipamentos do sistema elétrico. Para o desenvolvimento desta aplicação, foram identificados os campos que compõem as mensagens GOOSE, de forma a reconhecer os valores esperados em diferentes situações de operação do sistema elétrico. Determinaram-se padrões de comportamento a serem utilizados para discernir mensagens falsas na rede de comunicação. Instalou-se e configurou-se um sistema operacional de tempo real embarcado na plataforma de desenvolvimento Zynq Board (ZYBO), juntamente com o controlador Open-Mul, para gerenciar a rede de comunicação da subestação, através do protocolo OpenFlow, realizando otimizações para o tráfego multicast. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de detecção e bloqueio de mensagens GOOSE falsas que utiliza o protocolo OpenFlow para controle da rede de comunicação do Sistema Elétrico. Desenvolveu-se ainda um sistema inteligente, utilizando-se uma Rede Neural Artificial (RNA) Nonlinear Autoregressive Model with Exogenous Input (NARX), para predição do tráfego realizado por mensagens GOOSE e detecção de ataques Distributed Deny of Service (DDOS). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o protocolo OpenFlow pode ser uma ferramenta interessante para controle da rede, porém, os fabricantes necessitam amadurecer sua implementação nos switches, para que sejam utilizados em produção nas redes de comunicação das subestações. O sistema de predição do tráfego gerado por mensagens GOOSE apresentou benefícios interessantes para a segurança da rede de comunicação, demonstrando potencial para compor um sistema de detecção de ataques DDOS realizado por mensagens GOOSE, na rede de comunicação das subestações de energia elétrica. / The IEC-61850 made it possible to integrate equipments of electric power system substations to a high-speed Ethernet data communication network. Its main goal is the interconnection of IEDs for the automation of processes in an electrical system. The contributions of this protocol for the integration of the control and supervision of the electrical system are diverse, although an Ethernet network exposes the electrical system for cyber attacks. The IEC-62351 states a series of recommendations to provide security to the communication network of the electrical system, such as the communication network management, the analysis of GOOSE messages and the use of intrusion detection systems. This study describes the development of an IDS that meets the security requirements proposed by the IEC-62351 standard to identify attacks on communication between GOOSE messages exchanged by electrical equipment using IEC-61850. For the development of this application, fields of the GOOSE messages were identified, in order to recognize the expected values in different power system operating conditions. Behaviour patterns were determined to detect false messages on the communication network. A real-time embedded operating system on ZYBO was installed and configured, as well as the OpenMul controller to manage the communication network of the substation through the OpenFlow protocol, performing optimizations for multicast traffic. A detection system and block tamper GOOSE messages, using the OpenFlow protocol for control of the electrical system communication network, were developed. In addition, an intelligent system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Nonlinear Autoregressive Model with Exogenous Input (NARX) for predicting of the GOOSE messages traffic and the detection of Distributed Deny of Service attack (DDOS) were also developed. The results obtained show that the OpenFlow protocol may be a valuable tool for network control, however, manufacturers should maturely carry on with its implementation in the switches, so that it be used in substation communication networks. The traffic prediction system of the GOOSE messages presented interesting benefits for the security of the communication network, demonstrating potential to built a DDOS attack detection system performed by GOOSE messages on the communication network of electric power substations.

O protocolo International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)-61850 tornou possível integrar os equipamentos das subestações de energia elétrica, através de uma rede de comunicação de dados Ethernet de alta velocidade. A utilização deste protocolo tem como objetivo principal a interligação dos Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) para a automatização dos processos no sistema elétrico. As contribuições deste protocolo para a integração do controle e supervisão do sistema elétrico são diversas, porém, o fato de utilizar uma rede de comunicação de dados Ethernet integrada expõe o sistema elétrico à ataques cibernéticos. A norma IEC-62351 estabelece uma série de recomendações para prover segurança à rede de comunicação do sistema elétrico, dentre elas, o gerenciamento da rede de comunicação, a análise dos campos da mensagem Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) e a utilização de sistemas de detecção de intrusão. O presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um Intrusion Detection System (IDS) que atende os requisitos de segurança propostos pelo protocolo IEC-62351, para a identificação de ataques à comunicação realizada por mensagens GOOSE do protocolo IEC-61850, e entre equipamentos do sistema elétrico. Para o desenvolvimento desta aplicação, foram identificados os campos que compõem as mensagens GOOSE, de forma a reconhecer os valores esperados em diferentes situações de operação do sistema elétrico. Determinaram-se padrões de comportamento a serem utilizados para discernir mensagens falsas na rede de comunicação. Instalou-se e configurou-se um sistema operacional de tempo real embarcado na plataforma de desenvolvimento Zynq Board (ZYBO), juntamente com o controlador Open-Mul, para gerenciar a rede de comunicação da subestação, através do protocolo OpenFlow, realizando otimizações para o tráfego multicast. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de detecção e bloqueio de mensagens GOOSE falsas que utiliza o protocolo OpenFlow para controle da rede de comunicação do Sistema Elétrico. Desenvolveu-se ainda um sistema inteligente, utilizando-se uma Rede Neural Artificial (RNA) Nonlinear Autoregressive Model with Exogenous Input (NARX), para predição do tráfego realizado por mensagens GOOSE e detecção de ataques Distributed Deny of Service (DDOS). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o protocolo OpenFlow pode ser uma ferramenta interessante para controle da rede, porém, os fabricantes necessitam amadurecer sua implementação nos switches, para que sejam utilizados em produção nas redes de comunicação das subestações. O sistema de predição do tráfego gerado por mensagens GOOSE apresentou benefícios interessantes para a segurança da rede de comunicação, demonstrando potencial para compor um sistema de detecção de ataques DDOS realizado por mensagens GOOSE, na rede de comunicação das subestações de energia elétrica. / The IEC-61850 made it possible to integrate equipments of electric power system substations to a high-speed Ethernet data communication network. Its main goal is the interconnection of IEDs for the automation of processes in an electrical system. The contributions of this protocol for the integration of the control and supervision of the electrical system are diverse, although an Ethernet network exposes the electrical system for cyber attacks. The IEC-62351 states a series of recommendations to provide security to the communication network of the electrical system, such as the communication network management, the analysis of GOOSE messages and the use of intrusion detection systems. This study describes the development of an IDS that meets the security requirements proposed by the IEC-62351 standard to identify attacks on communication between GOOSE messages exchanged by electrical equipment using IEC-61850. For the development of this application, fields of the GOOSE messages were identified, in order to recognize the expected values in different power system operating conditions. Behaviour patterns were determined to detect false messages on the communication network. A real-time embedded operating system on ZYBO was installed and configured, as well as the OpenMul controller to manage the communication network of the substation through the OpenFlow protocol, performing optimizations for multicast traffic. A detection system and block tamper GOOSE messages, using the OpenFlow protocol for control of the electrical system communication network, were developed. In addition, an intelligent system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Nonlinear Autoregressive Model with Exogenous Input (NARX) for predicting of the GOOSE messages traffic and the detection of Distributed Deny of Service attack (DDOS) were also developed. The results obtained show that the OpenFlow protocol may be a valuable tool for network control, however, manufacturers should maturely carry on with its implementation in the switches, so that it be used in substation communication networks. The traffic prediction system of the GOOSE messages presented interesting benefits for the security of the communication network, demonstrating potential to built a DDOS attack detection system performed by GOOSE messages on the communication network of electric power substations.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-05-17T12:37:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 diogofernandes.pdf: 2723080 bytes, checksum: 27ac16e618618f1cb4c4dc6394956f80 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-06-28T14:08:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 diogofernandes.pdf: 2723080 bytes, checksum: 27ac16e618618f1cb4c4dc6394956f80 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T14:08:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 diogofernandes.pdf: 2723080 bytes, checksum: 27ac16e618618f1cb4c4dc6394956f80 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar técnicas com complexidade computacional reduzida para implementação em hardware do modulador de amplitude em quadratura M-ária (M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation - M-QAM) de elevada ordem, que pode ser viável para sistemas banda larga. As técnicas propostas abrangem as constelações M-QAM quadradas e cruzadas (número par e ímpar de bits), a regra de decisão abrupta (hard decison rule), derivação de constelações M-QAM de baixa ordem das de elevada ordem. A análise de desempenho em termos de taxa de bits errados (bit error rate - BER) é realizada quando os símbolos M-QAM são corrompidos por ruído Gaussiano branco aditivo (additive white Gaussian noise - AWGN) e ruído Gaussiano impulsivo aditivo (additive impulsive Gaussian noise - AIGN). Os resultados de desempenho da taxa de bits errados mostram que a perda de desempenho das técnicas propostas é, em média, inferior a 1 dB, o que é um resultado surpreendente. Além disso, a implementação das técnicas propostas em arranjo de portas programáveis em campo (field programmable gate array - FPGA) é descrita e analisada. Os resultados obtidos com as implementações em dispositivo FPGA mostram que as técnicas propostas podem reduzir consideravelmente a utilização de recursos de hardware se comparadas com as técnicas presentes na literatura. Uma melhoria notável em termos de redução da utilização de recursos de hardware é conseguida através da utilização da técnica de modulação M-QAM genérica em comparação com a técnica de regra de decisão heurística (heuristic decision rule - HDR) aprimorada e uma técnica previamente concebida, a tà c cnica HDR. Com base nas análises apresentadas, a técnica HDR aprimorada é menos complexa do que a técnica HDR. Finalmente, os resultados numéricos mostram que a técnica de modulação M-QAM genérica pode ser oito vezes mais rápida do que as outras duas técnicas apresentadas, quando um grande número de símbolos M-QAM (p. ex., > 1000) são transmitidos consecutivamente. / This work aims at introducing techniques with reduced computational complexity for hardware implementation of high order M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (MQAM) which may be feasible for broadband communication systems. The proposed techniques cover both square and cross M-QAM constellations (even and odd number of bits), hard decision rule, derivation of low-order M-QAM constellations from high order ones. Performance analyses, in terms of bit error rate (BER) is carried out when the M-QAM symbols are corrupted by either additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) or additive impulsive Gaussian noise (AIGN). The bit error rate performance results show that the performance loss of the proposed techniques is, on average, less than 1 dB, which is a remarkable result. Additionally, the implementation of the proposed techniques in field programmable gate array (FPGA) device is described and outlined. The results based on FPGA show that the proposed techniques can considerably reduce hardware resource utilization. A remarkable improvement in terms of hardware resource utilization reduction is achieved by using the generic M-QAM technique in comparison with the enhanced heuristic decision rule (HDR) technique and a previously designed technique, the HDR technique. Based on the analyses performed, the enhanced HDR technique is less complex than the HDR technique. Finally, the numerical results show that the generic M-QAM technique can be eight times faster than the other two techniques when a large number of M-QAM symbols (e.g., > 1000) are consecutively transmitted.

This thesis describes the provision of the data communication of the new protection relays via 6 kV switch gears to the electro monitoring system at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station. These protection relays will replace the current analog protection. The replacement process will start in 2015 and will finish in 2018. Given the overall complexity of the project, this thesis deals only with the following 6 kV switch gears 9BB and 9BD. The thesis is divided into a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part concerns the actual consumption and output of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station. The following chapters describe the electro monitoring system and GRAF and LOGA software programs that are closely connected with it and that were used in the practical part. The last chapter of the theoretical part deals with the actual replacement of the protection relays of the 6 kV switch gears. Also, it describes a new optical network, which will be set up at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station as a part of the process of replacement. The segment of the practical part concerns laboratory verification of the data communication of the new protection relays. Next, it describes actions that had to be taken in order to ensure and verify correct functionality of the data communication. This part is followed up by a closely related practical activity, which describes examination and verification of the protection functions of each of the 9BB and 9BD switch gears protection relays.