Thesis (Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / This dissertation presents the development of a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) demodulator for nanosatellites that complies with both the limited resources associated with nanosatellites as well as the flexibility and configurability required for a software defined radio (SDR) platform. This research project is a component of a bigger project, which is to develop a high-speed receiver for nanosatellites, and aims to provide a practical solution to the need for communication technologies that support emerging nanosatellite applications, such as Earth observation and communications. The development of the QPSK demodulator follows an all-digital implementation approach. The main reason for selecting this approach is to have a system that is flexible and reconfigurable to comply with the SDR requirements. Another reason for selecting this approach is to comply with the low noise system, low power consumption as well as the small size and weight requirements associated with nanosatellites. The QPSK demodulator is implemented on an IGLOO2 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), due to its robustness to radiation and high-speed capability. Initially, the techniques used to design each subsystem of the QPSK demodulator are selected. Then, algorithms to digitally implement the designed subsystems are produced. Thereafter, the code for the digital QPSK demodulator is written and verified in Matlab first. The simulation of the Matlab-based QPSK demodulator performs satisfactorily. Subsequently, the code to implement the QPSK demodulator on an FPGA (IGLOO2) has been written in Libero, using VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL). The resulting FPGA-based QPSK demodulator has been emulated in Libero (an integration and development environment (IDE) for Microsemi FPGAs) using a test-bench as well as other analysis tools. The test-bench results are visualized using Modelsim. The results show that the demodulator can support data rates up to 13.25 Mbps if 16 samples-per-symbols are used, and up to 26.5 Mbps if 8 samples-per-symbols are used. It also has a very good bit-error-rate performance, which is simulated to be within a factor of 5 of the theoretical limit of QPSK modulation. Finally, the demodulator consumes less than 15 mW at the maximum operating speed. and has been coded to mitigate the effects of space radiation and noise contriution by the demodulator itself.

Problems in the demodulation of one, two, and three-dimensional signals are investigated. In one-dimensional linear systems the analytic signal and the Hilbert transform are central to the understanding of both modulation and demodulation. However, it is shown that an efficient nonlinear algorithm exists which is not explicable purely in terms of an approximation to the Hilbert transform. The algorithm is applied to the problem of finding the envelope peak of a white light interferogram. The accuracy of peak location is then shown to compare favourably with conventional, but less efficient, techniques. In two dimensions (2-D) the intensity of a wavefield yields to a phase demodulation technique equivalent to direct phase retrieval. The special symmetry of a Helmholtz wavefield allows a unique inversion of an autocorrelation. More generally, a 2-D (non-Helmholtz) fringe pattern can be demodulated by an isotropic 2-D extension of the Hilbert transform that uses a spiral phase signum function. The range of validity of the new transform is established using the asymptotic method of stationary phase. Simulations of the algorithm confirm that deviations from the ideal occur where the fringe pattern curvature is larger than the fringe frequency. A new self-calibrating algorithm for arbitrary sequences of phase-shifted interferograms is developed using the aforementioned spiral phase transform. The algorithm is shown to work even with discontinuous fringe patterns, which are known to seriously hamper other methods. Initial simulations of the algorithm indicate an accuracy of 5 milliradians is achievable. Previously undocumented connections between the demodulation techniques are uncovered and discussed.

In recent years, the development of power line communication and relational application is gradually attracted much attention. The use of power line system is able to achieve home network automation, automatic meter reading, and demand supply management, so it can be a great help for the current emphasis on energy conservation ideas. Therefore, many international organizations and national programs involve in researches. The signal is vulnerable to the environment causing data error in the power line transmission, so that we reduce the use of power line communication. For making great application of power line system, the main purpose of the thesis is to study that ensure the data accuracy, integrity and security through power line transmission. Therefore, we designed the digital chip for power line communication. We achieve the signal transmission with the half-duplex ability through power line by digital chip designing and solve error problems about transmitting data. By designing the modules of digital circuit, the chip can encrypt/decrypt data, correct error-bits of data, detect accuracy of data, process control signals, and modulate/demodulate signals. The purpose is for increasing data accuracy in PLC transmission. The chip design adopts TSMC 0.18£gm process as full digital circuits and applies to the energy meter management.

The reflection wavelength of Fiber Bragg Grating is sensitive to the strain and the temperature¡¦s variation. We use Fiber Bragg Grating to be the sensor head and measure the vibration frequency in constant temperature environment. The vibration of object can make the sinusoidal strain to Fiber Bragg Grating, and it will make a little phase difference to the light of the fiber. Using the interferometer and demodulation system, we can measure the phase difference and vibration frequency. Our sensor configuration is made up of imbalance Mach-Zehnder interferometer and Fiber Bragg Grating. The two light of different path need different time to pass through the vibration source, so they make phase difference. We use the demodulation circuit to measure the phase difference causing by vibration and get the vibration frequency. Our experiment structure is a novel configuration of Fiber Bragg Grating vibration sensor. Its intensity of signal is larger than the intensity of original sensor configuration, about 4dB.The novel sensor configuration is easier spread than traditional accelerometer and it is designed of all fiber. The accuracy for measuring low frequency vibration is 99.971%. The Dynamic range of the system is more than 45dB. It is larger than the dynamic range of original sensor configuration, about 9dB. The smallest signal that can be measured is about 0.0075rad.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Tri T. Ha, Jan E. Tighe. Includes bibliographical references (p. 105). Also available online.

This study was designed to investigate an alternative to the use of traditional physical laboratory activities in a communication systems course. Specifically, this study examined whether as an alternative, computer simulation is as effective as physical laboratory activities in teaching college-level electronics engineering education students about the concepts of signal transmission, modulation and demodulation. Eighty undergraduate engineering students participated in the study, which was conducted at a southeastern four-year university. The students were randomly assigned to two groups. The groups were compared on understanding the concepts, remembering the concepts, completion time of the lab experiments and perception toward the laboratory experiments. The physical groups (n=40) treatment was to conduct laboratory experiments in a physical laboratory. The students in this group used equipment in a controlled electronics laboratory. The Simulation groups (n=40) treatment was to conduct similar experiments in a PC laboratory. The students in this group used a simulation program in a controlled -PC lab. At the completion of the treatment, scores on a validated conceptual test were collected once after the treatment and again three weeks after the treatment. Attitude surveys and qualitative study were administered at the completion of the treatment. The findings revealed significant differences, in favor of the simulation group, between the two groups on both the conceptual post-test and the follow-up test. The findings also revealed significant correlation between simulation groups attitude toward the simulation program and their post-test scores. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the two groups on their attitude toward their laboratory experience in favor of the simulation group.

ITC/USA 2013 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Ninth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 21-24, 2013 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV / With the characteristics of constant envelope and continuous phase, Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) signal has higher spectrum efficiency and power efficiency than other modulation forms. A noncoherent demodulation with Viterbi decoding for partial response CPM signals is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the demodulation performance of proper partial response CPM is better than the traditional PCM-FM, which is a typical modulation of full response CPM. And higher spectral efficiency is also obtained by partial response CPM.

The paper focuses on the design and implementation of the base-band basic receiving functions, for a binary CP-FSK demodulator pilot study, as independent modules of a complete Reconfigurable Data-Link (RDL). A model-based approach and Software Defined Radio (SDR) paradigm are used for the design. The implementation will be executed on Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based hardware.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy