The interaction of an HVDC converter with the connected power system is of complex nature. An accurate model of the converter is required to study these interactions. The use of analytical small-signal converter models provides useful insight and understanding of the interaction of the HVDC system and the connected system components. In this thesis analytical models of the HVDC converters are developed in the frequency-domain by calculating different transfer functions for small superimposed oscillations of voltage, current, and control signals. The objective is to study the dynamic proprieties of the combined AC-DC interaction and the interaction between different HVDC converters with small signal analysis. It is well known that the classical Bode/Nyquist/Nichols control theory provides a good tool for this purpose if transfer functions that thoroughly describe the 'plant' or the 'process' are available. Thus, there is a need for such a frequency-domain model. Experience and theoretical calculation have shown that voltage/power stability is a very important issue for an HVDC transmission link based on conventional line-commutated thyristor-controlled converters connected to an AC system with low short circuit capacity. The lower the short circuit capacity of the connected AC system as compared with the power rating of the HVDC converter, the more problems related to voltage/power stability are expected. Low-order harmonic resonance is another issue of concern when line-commutated HVDC converters are connected to a weak AC system. This resonance appears due to the presence of filters and shunt capacitors together with the AC network impedance. With a weak AC system connected to the HVDC converter, the system impedances interact through the converter and create resonances on both the AC- and DC-sides of the converter. In general, these resonance conditions may impose limitations on the design of the HVDC controllers. In order to improve the performance of the HVDC transmission system when it is connected to a weak AC system network, a reactive compensator with a voltage source converter has been closely connected to the inverter bus. In this thesis it is shown that the voltage source converter, with an appropriate control strategy, will behave like a rotating synchronous condenser and can be used in a similar way for the dynamic compensation of power transmission systems, providing voltage support and increasing the transient stability of the converter. / QC 20100708

Shorter product development cycles, densely packed engine compartments and intensified noiselegislation increase the need for accurate predictions of IC-engine air intake noise at earlystages. The urgent focus on the increasing CO2 emissions and the efficiency of IC-engines, aswell as new techniques such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mightworsen the noise situation. Nonlinear one-dimensional (1D) gas dynamics time-domainsimulation software packages are used within the automotive industry to predict intake andexhaust orifice noise. The inherent limitation of 1D plane wave propagation, however, limitsthis technique to sufficiently low frequencies where non-plane wave effects are small. Thereforethis type of method will first fail in large components such as air cleaners. Further limitations,that might not be important for simulation of engine performance but indeed for acoustics,include difficulties to apply frequency dependent boundary conditions and losses as well as toinclude effects of vibrating walls. The first part of this thesis treats two different strategies to combine nonlinear and linearmodelling of intake systems in order to improve the accuracy of the noise predictions. Paper Adescribes how a linear time-invariant one-port source model can be extracted using nonlineargas dynamics simulations. Predicted source data for a six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine isvalidated using experimental data obtained from engine test bench measurements. Paper Bpresents an experimental investigation on the influence of mean flow and filter paper on theacoustics of air intake systems. It also suggests how a linear source, extracted from nonlinearsimulations can be coupled to acoustic finite elements describing the intake system and toboundary elements describing the radiation to the surroundings. Simulations and measurementsare carried out for a large number of engine revolution speeds in order to make the firstsystematic validation of an entirely virtual intake noise model that includes 3D effects for awide engine speed range. In Paper C an initial study on a new technique for the use of two-portsin the time domain for automotive gas dynamics applications is presented. Tabulated frequencydomaintwo-port data representing an air cleaner unit on the impedance form is inverselytransformed to the time domain and used as FIR filters in nonlinear time-domain calculations. The second part of the thesis considers detailed modelling of sound propagation in capillarytubes. Thermoviscous boundary effects and interaction between sound waves and turbulencecan, for sufficiently narrow tubes, yield significant attenuation. Several components in the gasexchange system of IC-engines are based on arrays of narrow ducts and might haveunderestimated silencing capabilities. In particular the sound transmission properties of chargeair coolers (CAC) have so far gained interest from very few authors. In Paper D a detailedinvestigation of the acoustic properties of CACs is presented. As a result the first linearfrequency-domain model for CACs, which includes a complete treatment of losses in the narrowtubes and 3D effects in the connecting tanks, is proposed. Interesting low frequency dampingmost likely due to interaction between sound and turbulence is observed in the experimentaldata. A new numerical model that describes this dissipative effect in narrow tubes is suggestedin Paper E. Validation is carried out using experimental data from the literature. Finally, inPaper F the CAC-model presented in Paper D is updated with the new model for interactionbetween turbulence and acoustic waves proposed in Paper E. The updated model is shown toyield improved predictions. / QC 20100723

Software radios (SWR) have been proposed for wireless communication systems to enable them to operate according to incompatible wireless communication standards by implementing most analog functions in the digital section on software-reprogrammable hardware. However, this significantly increases the required computations for SWR functionality, mainly because of the digital front-end computationally intensive filtering functions, such as sample rate conversion (SRC), channelization, and equalization. For increasing the computational efficiency of SWR systems, two new SRC methods with better performance than conventional SRC methods are presented. In the first SRC method, we modify the conventional CIC filters to enable them to perform SRC on slightly oversampled signals efficiently. We also describe a SRC method with high efficiency for SRC by factors greater than unity at which SRC in SWR systems may be computationally demanding. This SRC method efficiently increases the sample rate of wideband signals, especially in SWR base station transmitters, by applying Lagrange interpolation for evaluating output samples hierarchically using a low-rate signal that is computed with low cost from the input signal. A new channelizer/synthesizer is also developed for extracting/combining frequency multiplexed channels in SWR transceivers. The efficiency of this channelizer/synthesizer, which uses modulated perfect reconstruction (PR) filter banks, is higher than polyphase filter banks (when applicable) for processing few channels, and significantly higher than discrete filter banks for processing any number of variable-bandwidth channels where polyphase filter banks are inapplicable. Because the available methods for designing modulated PR filter banks are inapplicable due to the required number of subchannels and stopband attenuation of the prototype filters, a new design method for these filter banks is introduced. This method is reliable and significantly faster than the existing methods. Modulated PR filter banks are also considered for implementing a frequency-domain block blind equalizer capable of equalizing SWR signals transmitted though channels with long impulse responses and severe intersymbol interference (ISI). This blind equalizer adapts by using separate sets of weights to correct for the magnitude and phase distortion of the channel. The adaptation of this blind equalizer is significantly more reliable and its computational requirements increase at a lower rate compared to conventional time-domain equalizers making it efficient for equalizing long channels that exhibit severe ISI.

Considering the communication systems with cyclic prefix (CP), such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and single-carrier cyclic prefixed (SCCP) modulation, when the length of CP is longer than the channel length, the use of cyclic prefix (CP) does not only eliminate the inter-block interference, but also convert linear convolution of the transmitted signal with the channel into circular convolution. Unfortunately, the use of CP significantly decreases the bandwidth utilization. Therefore, to reduce the length of CP is a critical issue. The thesis investigates that how to design a channel-shortening equalizer (CSE) at receiver which forces the length of the effective channel response as short as the CP length. The thesis describes the signal model as a matrix form. The effect channel response after CSE is investigated and then the coefficient of channel shortening filter is obtained using singular value decomposition method under various criterions. We further propose a novel CSE maximizing the shortening signal-to-interference ratio. In addition, it is demonstrated that the proposed CSE has the same performance as the conventional scheme but a lower computation complexity.

The objective of this research is to develop a method to evaluate important weld dimensions in thin plates by using laser generated ultrasounds and EMAT receiver. The superimposed laser sources (SLS) technique is developed to generate narrowband Lamb waves with fixed wavelengths in thin plates. The method permits the flexibility of selecting desired wavelength. The signal processing procedure that combines wavenumber-frequency (k-w) domain filtering and synthetic phase tuning (SPT) is used to further reduce the complexity of Lamb waves. The k-w domain filtering technique helps to filter out the unwanted wave components traveling at the direction that is not of interest to us and the SPT technique is applied to amplify and isolate a particular Lamb wave mode. The signal processing procedure facilitates the calculation of reflection coefficients of Lamb waves that result from the presence of weld joints. The SLS and signal processing procedure are then applied to measure reflection coefficients in butt welds and lap welds. Two methods, the direct method and indirect method, are used to develop models that use reflection coefficients as predictors to predict these weld dimensions. The models developed in this research are shown to accurately predict weld dimensions in thin plates.

La corrosion des armatures de renforcement des structures en béton représente un enjeu socio-économique majeur. Sa détection et le suivi de son évolution constituent un défi pour la recherche appliquée. Les techniques standards non destructives de détection de corrosion mettent en œuvre des procédés indirects tels la mesure d’impédance, de potentiels, ou par ultrasons. Leurs capacités d’auscultation sont limitées dans l’espace (notamment en profondeur), leur coût reste élevé dans un contexte de maintenance périodique et elles conduisent à des paramètres d’interprétation complexe. Des progrès sont nécessaires dans la détection et l’analyse fiable de la progression des processus de corrosion. Dans ce travail, nous présentons une nouvelle méthode pour détecter la corrosion et le suivi de son évolution, basée sur l’observation directe des changements intervenant à l’interface fer-béton par Capteur à Fibre Optique (CFO). L'attaque par corrosion de la surface de l'armature dépend de plusieurs paramètres électrochimiques (température, pH, carbonatation, présence de chlorures, contamination biologique, etc.). Deux comportements mécaniques à l'interface fer-béton sont distingués. Dans le premier cas (carbonatation), le produit d'oxydation du métal reste à l'interface et augmente la pression interne, pouvant conduire à la fissuration de la couche de béton extérieure. Dans le second cas (piqures), les ions métalliques sont évacués hors de la structure avec comme conséquence une réduction de section des barres d'armature (affaiblissement du renforcement). Un CFO innovant est proposé dans le but de localiser et quantifier les deux types de corrosion précités. Le principe consiste à observer l’impact direct de la corrosion sur l’état de déformation d’une fibre optique préalablement précontrainte par construction. Deux procédés métrologiques sont étudiés : Bragg et réflectométrie fréquentielle (Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometry - OFDR). Des tests de corrosion accélérée montrent la faisabilité du procédé. Une procédure de fabrication simplifiée et à coût optimisé est proposée pour la surveillance in situ et répartie des structures de génie civil, dans une perspective future de maintenance conditionnée. / Corrosion of reinforced bars (rebars) in concrete structures remains a major issue in civil engineering works, being its detection and evolution a challenge for the applied research. Usual non-destructive corrosion detection methods involve impedance, potential or ultra-sonic indirect measurements of complex interpretation. Besides, they are restricted to near-surface examinations and the maintenance cost is still high (scheduled maintenance). Many efforts remain to be done to survey the onset and progression of corrosion processes in a reliable way. In this work, we present a new methodology to detect the onset of corrosion and to monitor its evolution, based on the direct observation of rebar–concrete interface changes by the use of an Optical Fiber Sensor (OFS). The corrosion attack over rebar surface depends on several physical, chemical and electrochemical parameters (temperature, pH, presence of chlorides/CO2, biological contamination, etc.). Two types of mechanical behavior and described. In the first case (carbonation), metal oxidation products stay at the interface and increase internal pressure, potentially leading to a crack of the external concrete layer. In the second case (pitting), metal ions are evacuated out of the structure, leading to a reduction of the rebar section (structural weakness). An innovative sensor design is proposed with the purpose of localizing and quantifying the amount of both corrosion types. The basic principle consists in measuring the impact of corrosion over the state of strain of a prestressed optical fiber. Two metrological techniques are used: Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) and Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometry (OFDR). Accelerated corrosion tests were performed in electrolytic solutions for both kinds of corrosion types (pitting and carbonation) and provide a proof-of-concept for the technique. A low-cost, simplified manufacturing procedure is proposed with the aim to provide distributed and in situ Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), suitable for future Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) of civil engineering concrete structures.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-02-11T12:44:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 henriqueluismoreiramonteiro.pdf: 1229121 bytes, checksum: 42eac85a6ba4045f928f5e191a450601 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-02-26T11:59:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 henriqueluismoreiramonteiro.pdf: 1229121 bytes, checksum: 42eac85a6ba4045f928f5e191a450601 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T11:59:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 henriqueluismoreiramonteiro.pdf: 1229121 bytes, checksum: 42eac85a6ba4045f928f5e191a450601 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-17 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O cálculo de componentes harmônicos e inter-harmônicos é efetuado geralmente através do cálculo da FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). Porém, com a utilização desta ferramenta, alguns problemas podem ser ocasionados de modo que a energia do sinal original se espalhe ao longo do espectro de frequência. Isto proporciona o surgimento de componentes que na realidade não existem. Este fenômeno é definido como espalhamento espectral e acontece pelo fato de haver algum componente interharmônico fora da resolução da frequência da FFT ou pelo fato do sinal ser amostrado de forma assíncrona. Para o primeiro caso, utiliza-se a norma IEC 61000-4-7 que apresenta uma abordagem de grupos e subgrupos a fim de englobar a energia dos interharmônicos espalhada ao longo do espectro de frequência. Quanto ao sinal amostrado de forma assíncrona, são apresentados métodos de interpolação no domínio da frequência e no domínio do tempo para corrigir o resultado obtido através da FFT. Dessa forma, este trabalho faz uma abordagem da norma IEC e de cada método de interpolação, comparando-os com intuito de se conhecer o melhor método a ser aplicado para o cálculo dos componentes contidos no sinal, de acordo com a norma IEC 61000-4-7. / The harmonic and interharmonic components calculation is usually performance by using the FFT ( Fast Fourier Transform). However, through the use of this tool, some problems may arise due the fact that the original signal energy can spread over the frequency spectrum, promoting the appearance of not actually existing components. This phenomenon is defined as spectral leakage and happens because either there is some interharmonic component whose frequency does not match the frequency resolution of the FFT, or because the signal is sampled asynchronously. In the first case, IEC 61000-4-7 provides the groups and subgroups approaches to include the interharmonic energy spreads over the frequency spectrum. In the case of asynchronous sampled rate, interpolation methods are presented both in the frequency domain and in time domain for correcting the result obtained through the FFT. Thus, this work addresses IEC approach and presents how the time and frequency interpolation can be used to improve the IEC criteria. The interpolation methods are compared in order to find the best method to be applied for the calculation of the components contained in the signal, in accordance with IEC 61000-4-7.

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in next generation wireless systems provides high downlink data rates by employing frequency-domain scheduling and rate adaptation at the base station (BS). However, in order to control the significant feedback overhead required by these techniques, feedback reduction schemes are essential. Best-m feedback is one such scheme that is implemented in OFDM standards such as Long Term Evolution. In it, the sub channel (SC) power gains of only the m strongest SCs and their corresponding indices are fed back to the BS. However, two assumptions pervade most of the literature that analyze best-m feedback in OFDM systems. The first one is that the SC gains are uncorrelated. In practice, however, the SC gains are highly correlated, even for dispersive multipath channels. The second assumption deals with the treatment of unreported SCs, which are not fed back by the best-m scheme. If no user reports an SC, then no data transmission is assumed to occur. In this thesis, we eschew these assumptions and investigate best-m feedback in OFDM systems with correlated SC gains. We, first, characterize the average throughput as a function of correlation and m. A uniform correlation model is assumed, i.e., the SC gains are correlated with each other by the same correlation coefficient. The system model incorporates greedy, modified proportional- fair, and round robin schedulers, discrete rate adaptation, and non-identically distributed SC gains of different users. We, then, generalize the model to account for feedback delay. We show in all these cases that correlation degrades the average throughput. We also show that this effect does not arise when users report all the SC power gains to the BS. In order to mitigate the reduction in the average throughput caused by unreported SCs, we derive a novel, constrained minimum mean square error channel estimator for the best-m scheme to estimate the gains of these unreported SCs. The estimator makes use of the additional information, which is unique to the best-m scheme, that the estimated SC power gains must be less than those that were reported. We, then, study its implications on the downlink average cell throughput, again for different schedulers. We show that our approach reduces the root mean square error and increases the average throughput compared to several approaches pursued in the literature. The more correlated the SC gains, greater is the improvement.

The finite strip method (FSM) is a very efficient numerical method employed for performing the structural analysis of slender structures, such as cable-stayed bridges; the strip discretization of the model allows for the usage of a lower number of degrees of freedom, in comparison with the finite element method (FEM), while, as it will be discussed in the current research, the results obtained from both methods are in relatively good agreement. Moreover, to address the latest developments in the area of smart construction materials used for long-span bridges, the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites were implemented for the bridge deck modeling, as part of a hybrid composite FRP cable-stayed bridge, and an extend laminate integrated finite strip method (LFSM) was applied for estimating the static structural performance of the hybrid composite FRP long-span cable-stayed bridge under several concentrated and uniformly distributed loadings. The free vibrations analysis was conducted for the Kap Shui Mun Cable-stayed Bridge model, and the natural frequencies were compared with the ones obtained from an FE model of the same bridge. One of the advantages of using the integrated finite strip method is that number of vibration modes, which can be included in the dynamic analysis when the effect of a sweeping sinus and a seismic loading are investigated when a conventional FE analysis would fail to converge. The outcomes of this research will set the stage for the hybrid long-span cable-stayed bridges modeling by the laminate integrated finite strip method (LFSM) which is more efficient and straightforward than the finite element analysis, for performing the static, free vibration, time domain, and frequency domain analyses.

This diploma thesis deals with the issue of operational modal analysis, which is one of the newer areas of structural dynamics that makes it possible to estimate modal properties of structures directly during their operation. The aim of this work is to create theoretical basis of operational modal analysis, more specifically of Frequeny Domain Decomposition method. Furthermore, apply this method to a selected structure and verify the achieved results using computational modelling and experimental modal analysis. The technique of dividing the experiment to separate measurements using reference sensor was used. Evaluation of the operational modal analysis was performed using self-created function for the MATLAB software and using the commercial PULSE Operational Modal Analysis software. Obtained results were verified by computational modelling and experimental modal analysis.