With the explosive growth of the wireless market, the demand for low-cost and highly-integrated radio frequency (RF) transceiver has been increased. Keeping up with this trend, complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) has been spotlighted by virtue of its superior characteristics. However, there are challenges in achieving this goal, especially designing the transmitter portion. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of fully integrated CMOS transmitter module which includes power amplifier (PA) and transmit/receive (T/R) switch by compensating for the intrinsic drawbacks of CMOS technology. As an effort to overcome the challenges, the high-power handling T/R switches are introduced as the first part of this dissertation. The proposed differential switch topology and feed-forward capacitor helps reducing the voltage stress over the switch devices, enabling a linear power transmission. With the high-power T/R switches, a new transmitter front-end topology - differential PA and T/R switch topology with the multi-section PA output matching network - is also proposed. The multi-stage PA output matching network assists to relieve the voltage stress over the switch device even more, by providing a low switch operating impedance. By analyzing the power performance and efficiency of entire transmitter module, design methodology for the high-power handling and efficient transmitter module is established. Finally, the research in this dissertation provides low-cost, high-power handling, and efficient CMOS RF transmitter module for wireless applications.

銅銻硒礦是具有 0.3 eV狹窄能帶間隙的P型半導體，且已被發現是在中溫區下極具潛力的熱電材料。銅銻硒礦的晶體結構具有三維銅硒子框架可提供導電的電洞，而有較高的功率因子900 μW/mK2。銻硒四面體結構可藉由其他元素取代銻的位置，扭曲其鑽石結構以達到提高功率因子以及降低熱傳導的目的。理論預測可藉由 IV 族元素鍺、錫、鉛和過渡金屬鈦等元素取代銻來提供電洞載子。本研究藉由燒結與電漿放電製備樣品，探討鈦、錫、鉛、鍺取代銻的熱電效應。 在上述之元素取代效應後，鈦與鉛並沒有帶來顯卓的熱電效應提升，反之錫與鍺能有效地提升電洞載子濃度，然而與摻錫的研究相似的結果已被其他團隊發表，惟鍺的取代效應則尚未被做完整的探討。2 % 鍺的取代有1200μW/mK2的功率因子，相較於母材(900μW/mK2)有 30 % 的提升，因此我們會對鍺的取代效應做完整一系列的研究。摻雜比例從 1~8 % 的結果裡，發現晶格熱傳導係數隨摻雜比例提升減少的合金效應，然而高於 6 % 的取代造成電導大幅提升，使得熱傳導的載子貢獻高於 50% 並嚴重降低載子移動率，致使功率因子大幅衰減與優質係數降低。 4% 的鍺摻雜在提高功率因子與降低熱傳導係數上皆有顯卓的表現，使得優質係數在溫度650 K達到 0.7 相對於母材 (0.54) 有30 ％的提升。 / Cu3SbSe4 is a p-type semiconductor with a narrow band gap near 0.3 eV, and has been found to be a promising thermoelectric material at medium temperatures. The crystal structure of Cu3SbSe4 consists a three-dimensional [Cu3Se4] framework acting as electron hole conduction pathway which cause high power factor near 900 μW/mK2. The inserting guest atom to the Sb site of tetrahedral [SbSe4] framework cause a more distorted diamond-like structure, thus providing a relatively lower lattice thermal conductivity in relatively large electric conductivity. According to theoretical predication which are based on the defect formation energy and band structure calculations, p-type doping can be achieved by substituting Sb with group IV elements, as Ge, Sn, and Pb, and transition metals as Ti. This study is investigation of the doping effect in Cu3SbSe4 semiconductor which are prepared by melting and spark plasma sintering. Herein, we take a close look at the thermoelectric properties of Cu3SbSe4 which are mentioned in previous paragraph. No significant change in results of Ti and Pb. Carrier concentrations are dramatic increasing in results of Sn and Ge, but the results of Sn substitution were already reported by another group. Power factor of Ge substitution is 1,200μW/mK2 which is 30 % more than raw material. We did more study in germanium doping series because it have high power factor which did not be investigated in Cu3SbSe4. Alloy effects, as description of lattice thermal conductivity reducing with doping fraction increasing, are explored in Ge doping fraction from 1 % to 8 %. Although electric conductivity were largely enhanced, figure of merit were reducing by electric contribution of thermal conductivity were higher than 50 % and carrier mobility were significantly reducing when the doping fraction were higher than 4 %. Doping fraction in 4 % have relatively high power factor and relatively low thermal conductivity. Figure of merit in 4 % doping fraction is 0.7, as 30% more than 0.5 of raw material.

Vibration control requires high dynamic stiffness in mechanical structures for a reliable performance under extreme conditions. Dynamic stiffness composes the parameters of stiffness (K) and damping (η) that are usually in a trade-off relationship. This thesis study aims to break the trade-off relationship. After identifying the underlying mechanism of damping in composite materials and joint interfaces, this thesis studies the deposition technique and physical characteristics of nano-structured HDS (high dynamic stiffness) composite thick-layer coatings. The HDS composite were created by enlarging the internal grain boundary surface area through reduced grain size in nano scale (≤ 40 nm). The deposition process utilizes a PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition) method combined with the HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) technology. The HDS composite exhibited significantly higher surface hardness and higher elastic modulus compared to Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), yet similar damping property. The HDS composites successfully realized vibration control of cutting tools while applied in their clamping interfaces. Compression preload at essential joint interfaces was found to play a major role in stability of cutting processes and a method was provided for characterizing joint interface properties directly on assembled structures. The detailed analysis of a build-up structure showed that the vibrational mode energy is shifted by varying the joint interface’s compression preload. In a build-up structure, the location shift of vibration mode’s strain energy affects the dynamic responses together with the stiffness and damping properties of joint interfaces. The thesis demonstrates that it is possible to achieve high stiffness and high damping simultaneously in materials and structures. Analysis of the vibrational strain energy distribution was found essential for the success of vibration control.

The objective of the research is to develop a cost-effective high-power bi-directional dc/dc converter with low total-device ratings, reduced system parasitic effects, and a wide input/output range. Additional objectives of the research are to develop a small-signal model and control methods, and to present performance characterizations. Device stresses in the proposed topology are controlled to maintain minimal levels by varying the duty ratio and phase-shift angle between the primary and the secondary bridges, which results in a low total-device rating, when compared to conventional bi-directional dc/dc topologies. In the proposed topology, soft switching, which reduces power loss, can be realized under specific operating conditions. When the condition that causes minimal device stress is satisfied, zero-voltage switching (ZVS) can be obtained. In the research, ZVS capability is explored for a wide range of voltage conditions as well as for the minimal device-stress condition. The performance characterization includes verifying the soft-switching regions and power-loss estimation. Another part of the thesis is the controller design of the converter. Small-signal models and feedback controllers are developed, and the controllers are experimentally validated. Because in the isolated high-frequency converters, transformer saturation is an important issue, a method to prevent transformer saturation is proposed and experimentally validated.

L'amplificateur de puissance est le module le plus critique dans les équipements de communication radio. Il détermine la qualité de la liaison par sa linéarité et a une contribution conséquente dans la consommation de l'émetteur ; environ 60% de l'énergie consommée est consacré à l'amplification. Il est donc crucial de le faire fonctionner avec un rendement énergétique élevé. Cependant, ces deux spécifications principales de l'amplificateur que sont la linéarité et le rendement énergétique sont antagoniques. Par conséquent, la conception d'un module d'amplification de puissance suppose de trouver un compromis entre la linéarité et le rendement. L'optimisation de ce compromis est la raison d'être des techniques de linéarisation d'amplificateurs et d'amélioration du rendement, parmi lesquelles la prédistorsion numérique (DPD) et les techniques de réduction du PAPR du signal (CFR).Le cœur de cette thèse est la linéarisation d'amplificateurs RF haute-puissance et large-bande par prédistorsion numérique (DPD). Dans ces travaux, nous abordons trois problématiques liées à la prédistorsion et qui constituent des verrous technologiques importants. Le premier aspect concerne l'implémentation de la prédistorsion numérique dans un contexte multi-bande où le signal à linéariser comporte plusieurs formes d'ondes, situées à des fréquences différentes. La seconde problématique est l'utilisation conjointe de la prédistorsion avec une technique de CFR. Dans la majorité des applications haute-puissance, les techniques de DPD et de CFR sont présentes de manière complémentaire, cependant elles sont utilisées de façon autonome et disjointe. Celles-ci gagneraient en performances de linéarisation en étant implémentées de manière plus concertée. . Le dernier thème abordé par cette thèse est l'effet des désadaptations d'impédance de l'antenne sur le mode de fonctionnement de l'amplificateur. La variation de l'impédance d'antenne entraine des réflexions de signal vers l'amplificateur qui modifient ses spécifications de linéarité et de rendement. Nous améliorons la linéarité du système DPD + AP, lorsque l'amplificateur est soumis à des variations de l'impédance à sa charge, grâce à une correction adaptative de gain / Power amplifier is one of the most critical element within radiocommunications systems. The PA is their main source of nonlinearities and it has a great contribution on the emitter's power consumption. Running the PA with highest power efficiency is thus as crucial as having it linear for a good communication quality. However these two specifications of the PA are antagonistic and PA manifacturers need to find a compromise between linearity and power efficiency. Digital Predistortion (DPD) and Crest factor Reduction techniques are intended to improve power efficiency while preserving linearity or inversely. Linearization of wideband RF power amplifiers using Digital Predistortion is the focus of this thesis. Three DPD issues are investigated in these works. The first issue deals with multiband linearization where signals with various waveforms located at different frequency bands are amplified. The second objective of this thesis is to study a concurrent DPD/CFR systems based on an automatic estimation of the necessary CFR gain. The last part of this dissertation deals with PA linearization under antenna load variations. Indeed, the impedance of antenna may vary because of electromagnetic objects that are present in its vicinity. Those impedance variations may instigate signal reflections toward the PA, that modify some of its main specifications (linearity, delivered power and efficiency). Our goal in this field is to preserve DPD linearization performances under antenna load mismatch

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Throughout the twentieth century, the supply of electricity, mainly obtained from fossil fuels like oil and coal, it has supported the growth and transformation of the world economy. In the early years of this century, the scenario has changed to a new reality, the need for sustainable development. In other words, the challenge is to gradually replace the traditional sources of electricity from renewable energy sources, in which the solar photovoltaic energy has highlighted. Photovoltaic inverters may be constituted in different ways, presenting in recent decades a high research progress. The main study efforts focus on getting high efficiency, high power density and high reliability, to increase the overall performance of the photovoltaic installation. In this direction, this Master Thesis aims to propose, analyze, design and implement a single-phase grid-tied photovoltaic inverter, which provides high efficiency and high power density. This circuit is called Transformerless Photovoltaic Interleaved Multilevel NPC Inverter , that use uncoupled inductors, Gallium Nitride power transistors and employs interleaving strategy beside the LCL filter, synthesizing 9 levels. Are introduced studies on the operation, modulation and design methodology of power stages, considering the static performance. Results are presented for the 1 kW, in order to support the validity of the proposed topology in conjunction with the standard aspects, especially in relation to THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of grid current, leakage current, efficiency and power density. / Durante todo o século XX, a oferta de energia elétrica, obtida principalmente a partir dos combustíveis fósseis como petróleo e o carvão mineral, deu suporte ao crescimento e as transformações da economia mundial. Já nos primeiros anos do século atual, o cenário mudou para uma nova realidade, a necessidade do desenvolvimento sustentável. Em outras palavras, o desafio é substituir gradativamente as fontes tradicionais de energia elétrica por fontes de energia renovável, onde a energia solar fotovoltaica tem destaque. Os conversores eletrônicos para sistemas fotovoltaicos, também chamados de inversores, podem ser constituídos de diversas maneiras, apresentando nas últimas décadas um acentuado progresso de pesquisa. Os principais esforços de estudo tem se concentrado em obter alto rendimento, alta densidade de potência e alta confiabilidade, de modo a aumentar o desempenho global da instalação fotovoltaica. Neste horizonte, esta dissertação tem por objetivo propor, analisar, projetar e implementar um inversor fotovoltaico monofásico, para aplicação conectada à rede, de alto rendimento e alta densidade de potência. Esta estrutura é denominada de Inversor Fotovoltaico NPC Multinível Intercalado sem Transformador , que utiliza indutores não acoplados, interruptores de Nitreto de Gálio e emprega a técnica interleaving junto ao filtro LCL, sintetizando 9 níveis. No decorrer do trabalho são introduzidos estudos relativos à operação, modulação, metodologia de projeto e estágios de potência, estabelecendo critérios, enquanto considera a performance estática. São apresentados resultados, observando a potência de 1 kW, com a finalidade de corroborar a validade da topologia proposta juntamente as normativas e aspectos que norteiam a aplicação, especialmente com respeito à THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) da corrente da rede, corrente de fuga, rendimento e densidade de potência.

Le travail de thèse s'intéresse aux effets liés aux agressions MFP et du chaos sur l'électronique. Après une étude théorique et expérimentale du couplage électromagnétique entre deux ports d'accès d'impédance 50 Ω réalisés dans une cavité complexe, un nouveau modèle est proposé pour étendre l'étude aux cas des impédances de rayonnements quelconques en s'appuyant sur le principe de Babinet. L'impact des agressions EM intentionnelles sur les circuits "front-end" des récepteurs comme par exemple les circuits limiteurs lorsque les antennes sont agressées en dehors de leur bande passante a été aussi étudié et validé sur plusieurs types d'antennes pour les applications 2,45 GHz et bande-X. Les résultats montrent que pour certaines conditions, il est possible que l'agression EM génère des signaux chaotiques à l'entrée du récepteur. Enfin, deux sources chaotiques ont été étudiées et caractérisées et la possibilité d'enrichir leur spectre est proposée. / The thesis focuses on the effects associated with HPM and Chaos aggressions on electronics. After a theoretical and experimental study of the electromagnetic coupling between two ports of 50 Ω impedance in a complex cavity, a new model based on Babinet principle is proposed to extend the study to the case of any radiation impedances. The impact of intentional EM attacks on the "front end" receiver circuits such as limiters at outside the antennas bandwidth was also studied and validated on several types of antennas for 2.45 GHz an X-band applications. The results show that for certain conditions, it is possible that EM aggression generates chaotic signals in the front end receivers. Finally, two chaotic sources have been studied and characterized. The opportunity to enhance their spectrum is also proposed.

L'amplificateur de puissance est le module le plus critique dans les équipements de communication radio. Il détermine la qualité de la liaison par sa linéarité et a une contribution conséquente dans la consommation de l'émetteur ; environ 60% de l'énergie consommée est consacré à l'amplification. Il est donc crucial de le faire fonctionner avec un rendement énergétique élevé. Cependant, ces deux spécifications principales de l'amplificateur que sont la linéarité et le rendement énergétique sont antagoniques. Par conséquent, la conception d'un module d'amplification de puissance suppose de trouver un compromis entre la linéarité et le rendement. L'optimisation de ce compromis est la raison d'être des techniques de linéarisation d'amplificateurs et d'amélioration du rendement, parmi lesquelles la prédistorsion numérique (DPD) et les techniques de réduction du PAPR du signal (CFR).Le cœur de cette thèse est la linéarisation d'amplificateurs RF haute-puissance et large-bande par prédistorsion numérique (DPD). Dans ces travaux, nous abordons trois problématiques liées à la prédistorsion et qui constituent des verrous technologiques importants. Le premier aspect concerne l'implémentation de la prédistorsion numérique dans un contexte multi-bande où le signal à linéariser comporte plusieurs formes d'ondes, situées à des fréquences différentes. La seconde problématique est l'utilisation conjointe de la prédistorsion avec une technique de CFR. Dans la majorité des applications haute-puissance, les techniques de DPD et de CFR sont présentes de manière complémentaire, cependant elles sont utilisées de façon autonome et disjointe. Celles-ci gagneraient en performances de linéarisation en étant implémentées de manière plus concertée. . Le dernier thème abordé par cette thèse est l'effet des désadaptations d'impédance de l'antenne sur le mode de fonctionnement de l'amplificateur. La variation de l'impédance d'antenne entraine des réflexions de signal vers l'amplificateur qui modifient ses spécifications de linéarité et de rendement. Nous améliorons la linéarité du système DPD + AP, lorsque l'amplificateur est soumis à des variations de l'impédance à sa charge, grâce à une correction adaptative de gain / Power amplifier is one of the most critical element within radiocommunications systems. The PA is their main source of nonlinearities and it has a great contribution on the emitter's power consumption. Running the PA with highest power efficiency is thus as crucial as having it linear for a good communication quality. However these two specifications of the PA are antagonistic and PA manifacturers need to find a compromise between linearity and power efficiency. Digital Predistortion (DPD) and Crest factor Reduction techniques are intended to improve power efficiency while preserving linearity or inversely. Linearization of wideband RF power amplifiers using Digital Predistortion is the focus of this thesis. Three DPD issues are investigated in these works. The first issue deals with multiband linearization where signals with various waveforms located at different frequency bands are amplified. The second objective of this thesis is to study a concurrent DPD/CFR systems based on an automatic estimation of the necessary CFR gain. The last part of this dissertation deals with PA linearization under antenna load variations. Indeed, the impedance of antenna may vary because of electromagnetic objects that are present in its vicinity. Those impedance variations may instigate signal reflections toward the PA, that modify some of its main specifications (linearity, delivered power and efficiency). Our goal in this field is to preserve DPD linearization performances under antenna load mismatch

This Thesis addressed the challenge of ensuring balanced currents in the phases of a multi-kW, interleaved dc-dc converter by means of closed-loop digital control. The Thesis examines uniformly-sampled, valley-current, peak-current and average-current control for a dual interleaved boost converter with inter-phase transformer which might form part of the power train of an electric vehicle. Also, an enhancement of the average-current control is investigated in which the transistor duty-ratio is updated more rapidly, which allows an improvement of approximately ten times in the response speed of the system. Based on the theoretical analysis, the average-current control methodology was determined to be the most suitable technique for this type of converter as it ensures well-balanced phase currents over a wide range. To provide a basis for control system analysis and design for interleaved converters, a modelling methodology is developed based on a combination of multi-rate data-sampled theory and a small-signal averaged converter model. The model is shown to represent accurately the interaction between the interleaved phases, revealing a reduced stability range compared with a non-interleaved converter. The modelling and control methods are validated using switched and average value simulations obtained with the SABER software and by experimental results from a 25 kW, 30 kHz converter prototype. The control techniques were implemented on a Texas Instruments TMS320F28335 digital signal controller.

Dans le domaine du transport de l'électricité, les qualités intrinsèques des réseaux alternatifs s'estompent devant la difficulté imposée par le transport de la puissance réactive lorsque les lignes aériennes ou, plus particulièrement, les câbles souterrains ou sous-marins atteignent des longueurs critiques. Dans le cadre des réflexions visant à exploiter au mieux les énergies renouvelables d'origine éolienne off-shore ou hydrolienne, l'hypothèse de la création d'un réseau électrique à haute tension continue pour acheminer ces énergies jusqu'aux centres de consommation est considérée. Ce travail de thèse est en lien avec le projet européen TWENTIES (Transmission system operation with large penetration of Wind and other renewable Electricity sources in Networks by means of innovative Tools and Integrated Energy Solutions, ref 249812), financé dans le cadre du programme FP7 de la Commission Européenne. Ces travaux traitent de la protection des réseaux à courant continu contre les défauts d'isolement dans les câbles et au niveau des jeux de barre. L'étude se concentre sur des réseaux multi-terminaux bouclés et/ou maillés, et propose d'étudier la faisabilité d'un plan de protection comportant un algorithme principal et un secours en cas de défaillance d'un disjoncteur. / In the area of power transmission grids, the inherent qualities of alternative current networks fade behind the difficulty imposed by the transmission of the reactive power when overhead lines or, particularly, underground or undersea cables reach critical lengths. As part of thought aimed for operate at best renewable energy resources, namely wind or marine resources, the assumption of the creation of a high voltage direct current power grid to dispatch those energies to the consumption centers is considered. This Ph.D work is linked to the European project TWENTIES (Transmission system operation with large penetration of Wind and other renewable Electricity sources in Networks by means of innovative Tools and Integrated Energy Solutions, ref 249812), funded as a part of the 7th framework program of the European Commission. This work deal with the protection of DC grids against insulation faults occurring in the cables or at a busbar. The study focusses on meshed and/or looped multi-terminal grids, and proposes to study the feasibility of a protection plan including a main protection algorithm and a backup in case of breaker failure.