This thesis investigates inkjet-printed flexible antennas fabricated on paper substrates as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost and mass production of RF structures. These modules are designed for the UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags and Wireless Sensor Nodes (WSN); however the approach could be easily extended to other microwave and wireless applications. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to RFID technology and its capabilities while listing the major challenges that could potentially hinder RFID practical implementation. Chapter 2 discusses the benefits of using paper as a substrate for high-frequency applications, reporting its very good electrical/dielectric performance up to at least 1 GHz. The dielectric properties are studied by using the microstrip ring resonator. Brief discussion on Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) is also given in this chapter. Chapter 3 gives details about the inkjet printing technology, including the characterization of the conductive ink, which consists of nano-silver-particles, while highlighting the importance of this technology as a fast and simple fabrication technique especially on flexible organic (e.g.LCP) or paper-based substrates. Chapter 4 focuses on antenna designs. Four examples are given to provide: i) matching techniques to complex IC impedance, ii) proof of concept of inkjet printing on paper substrate through measurement results, iii) demonstration of a fully-integrated wireless sensor modules on paper and show a 2D sensor integration with an RFID tag module on paper. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis by explaining the importance of this work in creating a first step towards an environmentally friendly generation of "green" RF electronics and modules.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Traceability systems are capable of both tracking and tracing parts. They offer many benefits to an organisation from assisting with recall applications to monitoring the everyday workings of a production line or supply chain. There are numerous methods able to act as traceability systems but only a few can be regarded as automatic and unique identifiers. Automatic traceability of individual entities is the future. It is already widely used by a number of leading companies throughout different business sectors and wide mass adoption is imminent. At present, they are slightly more expensive than the simpler technologies but once mass produced, the cost will come down. To completely understand how traceability systems are implemented, practical experience is required. When starting a traceability project, there are a lot of different options. The different systems offer their own set of advantages and some don’t work in certain environments. It was for this reason that The Decision Making Model was developed to assist users through the difficult initial stages of traceability implementation (i.e. choosing the system most suitable to a particular environment). This model was programmed in Excel and supplies the user with a number of questions regarding the environment the system would work in as well as the user’s requirements. The answers to these questions help the user work through the different types of traceability options to eliminate unsuitable choices. The result is an easy to use program designed with the ability to be upgraded as the technologies evolve.

Submitted by MARCIA ROVADOSCHI (marciar@unifra.br) on 2018-08-22T14:20:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_SimoneFranciscattoPanno.pdf: 24728642 bytes, checksum: 70b8361698b1e4342af3bd188424423e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T14:20:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_SimoneFranciscattoPanno.pdf: 24728642 bytes, checksum: 70b8361698b1e4342af3bd188424423e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-30 / The correct identification of the patient is fundamental in the provision of safe care, being the first international safety goal of the World Health Organization. Protocols for patient identification in health services standardize actions and reduce the occurrence of errors. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the adherence of the professionals to the institutional protocol of identification of the patient, in the pediatric units of a teaching hospital. As specific objectives were considered: verify if the health care professionals identify the patients with bracelets; identification of the patient prior to care / procedures / transfers / discharge and educating / advising patients / caregivers on the correct identification, according to the protocol; verify the presence and general compliance of identification wristbands; and, produce a video emphasizing the importance of identification actions. A cross-sectional study was carried out, with a descriptive design and a quantitative approach. The population was composed by the health / support professionals, who worked in the care of patients of the Pediatric Emergency Room, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Clinical and Surgical Unit of a teaching hospital in Rio Grande do Sul. The sample consisted of 385 opportunities of actions. At each opportunity, we sought: to verify if the patients were identified with bracelets - action 1; to observe if the professionals confer the identification of the patients - action 2; and, if the patients / companions were educated about the correct identification - action 3. Also, in the opportunities in which the bracelet was present, the conformity of the bracelet with the protocol was verified. Data collection took place from April to June 2017, through the completion of a research instrument. Data was entered into Excel 2007 spreadsheets and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The adhesion of professionals to action 1 was 74.28%, action 2 had no adhesion, and action 3 had adhesion of 2.08%. The bracelet was present at 82.85% of the opportunities and overall compliance was 12.22%. Regarding the location / fixation of the bracelet, compliance was 89.56%; in the presence of the three correct identifiers, 25.07% and, in the specifications, 69.29%. The findings contributed to establish the situational diagnosis of the professionals' adherence to the institutional protocol. In addition, it will enable the implementation of measures for compliance with the proposed actions and strengthening of the safety culture. The resulting product was a video aimed at informing and sensitizing health professionals / support, patients and caregivers as to the importance of the first goal. / A identificação correta do paciente é fundamental na prestação do cuidado seguro, sendo a primeira meta internacional de segurança da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os protocolos para identificação do paciente nos serviços de saúde padronizam as ações e reduzem a ocorrência de erros. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi avaliar a adesão dos profissionais ao protocolo institucional de identificação do paciente, nas unidades pediátricas de um hospital de ensino. Como objetivos específicos foram considerados: verificar se os profissionais de saúde/apoio identificam os pacientes com pulseiras; se conferem a identificação do mesmo antes dos cuidados/procedimentos/transferências/alta e se educam/orientam os pacientes/ acompanhantes sobre a correta identificação, conforme o protocolo; verificar a presença e a conformidade geral das pulseiras de identificação; e, produzir um vídeo enfatizando a importância das ações de identificação. Realizou-se um estudo transversal, com delineamento descritivo e abordagem quantitativa. A população foi composta pelos profissionais de saúde/apoio, atuantes na assistência aos pacientes do Pronto Socorro Pediátrico, Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo Pediátrico e Unidade Pediátrica Clínica e Cirúrgica de um hospital de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul. A amostra foi constituída por 385 oportunidades de observação das ações. Em cada oportunidade buscou-se: verificar se os pacientes estavam identificados com pulseiras – ação 1; observar se os profissionais conferiam a identificação dos pacientes – ação 2; e, se realizavam a educação dos pacientes/acompanhantes sobre a identificação correta – ação 3. Também, nas oportunidades em que a pulseira estava presente foi verificada a conformidade da mesma com o protocolo. A coleta dos dados ocorreu de abril a junho de 2017, mediante o preenchimento de um instrumento de pesquisa. Os dados foram digitados em planilhas do Excel 2007 e analisados por estatística descritiva. A adesão dos profissionais à ação 1 foi de 74,28%, a ação 2 não teve adesão, já a ação 3 teve adesão de 2,08%. A pulseira estava presente em 82,85% das oportunidades e a conformidade geral foi de 12,22%. Em relação à localização/fixação da pulseira, a conformidade foi de 89,56%; na presença dos três identificadores corretos, 25,07% e, nas especificações, 69,29%. Os achados contribuíram para estabelecer o diagnóstico situacional da adesão dos profissionais ao protocolo institucional. Além disso, possibilitará a implementação de medidas em prol do cumprimento das ações propostas e fortalecimento da cultura de segurança. O produto resultante foi um vídeo com a finalidade de informar e sensibilizar os profissionais de saúde/apoio, paciente e acompanhantes, quanto à importância da primeira meta.

Submitted by Maria Eneide de Souza Araujo (mearaujo@ipen.br) on 2017-03-10T12:19:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 22065.pdf: 2518783 bytes, checksum: e0f2e9eb82a52ecd6b57db50dcdac3fb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-10T12:19:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 22065.pdf: 2518783 bytes, checksum: e0f2e9eb82a52ecd6b57db50dcdac3fb (MD5) / Muitos estudos têm sido realizados para determinar elementos essenciais nos alimentos, dentre eles o vinho, devido aos seus importantes papéis nutricionais em funções do corpo humano. Estudos apontam que o consumo diário e moderado de vinho contribui de forma significativa para as necessidades dos elementos essenciais para o corpo humano, tais como Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, V, entre outros, bem como traz benefícios para a saúde como a prevenção de inúmeras doenças e maior expectativa de vida, relacionados em particular com a ingestão de antioxidantes como os compostos polifenólicos. Por outro lado, outros elementos são bons indicadores da origem do vinho e as suas concentrações podem ser utilizadas como critério para garantir a autenticidade e a qualidade do vinho, bem como avaliar se os limites de tolerância estabelecidos pela lei foram respeitados durante todo o processo de produção. Todavia, embora a indústria do vinho no Brasil esteja entre as 15 maiores do mundo, ainda são poucos os estudos analíticos dos elementos no vinho se comparado a outros grandes produtores. Neste sentido este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar alguns procedimentos para preparação de amostras de vinho para determinar elementos essenciais por Análise por Ativação Neutrônica Instrumental (INAA) e comparar os resultados com a técnica de Espectrometria de Emissão Atômica por Plasma de Argônio Acoplado Indutivamente (ICP OES). Três procedimentos de preparação da amostra foram estudados: liofilização, evaporação e calcinação. Os parâmetros estudados foram precisão, exatidão e limite de detecção. Foram aplicados testes estatísticos de ANOVA e Tukey Kramer para verificar as diferenças estatísticas entre as médias obtidas pelos três procedimentos de preparação do vinho para INAA com as médias obtidas por ICP OES. Foi observado que cerca de 60% dos resultados obtidos por liofilização foram concordantes com aqueles obtidos por ICP OES. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Submitted by Maria Eneide de Souza Araujo (mearaujo@ipen.br) on 2017-03-10T16:58:27Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-10T16:58:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O uso e a aplicação cada vez mais constante da tecnologia nuclear consistente em áreas relacionadas à saúde, energia, industrial, bélica, agrícola, entre outras, faz com que haja a necessidade de uma regulamentação de acordo com os padrões de segurança e proteção radiológica internacionais. Dessa forma, utilizando-se de conceitos provenientes do Direito Constitucional, do Direito Ambiental e do Direito do Trabalho, o enfoque da presente pesquisa foi investigar a difícil questão da competência nuclear e a competência ambiental, a impossibilidade de legislar dos Estados, bem como a falta de regulamentação sobre Rejeitos radioativos. Para tanto, foram atualizados e revisados critérios e métodos de interpretação constitucional para solucionar possíveis antinomias jurídicas advindas de múltipla positivação de normas pelos entes federados que dificultam tanto o asseguramento quanto o aprimoramento da Proteção radiológica do trabalhador e do meio ambiente. Finalmente, a hipótese considerada demonstrou que as mudanças na estrutura legislativa nas três esferas de poderes são necessárias, visando à aplicabilidade de responsabilidade legal na esfera nuclear, principalmente no que se refere às entidades administrativas e estatais. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Devido à crescente implementação do Controle Preditivo baseado em Modelo (MPC) em outros processos além de refino e plantas petroquímicas, que geralmente possuem múltiplas entradas e saídas, tem-se um aumento na demanda de modelos gerados por identificação de sistemas. Identificar modelos que representem fielmente a dinâmica do processo depende em grande medida das características dos sinais de excitação dos processos. Assim, o foco deste trabalho é realizar um estudo dos sinais típicos usados em identificação de sistemas, PRBS e GBN, em uma abordagem multivariável. O estudo feito neste trabalho parte das características da geração dos sinais individualmente, depois é feita uma análise de correlação cruzada dos sinais de entrada, observando a influência desta sobre os resultados de identificação. Evitar uma alta correlação entre os sinais de entrada permite determinar o efeito de cada entrada sobre a saída no processo de identificação. Um ponto importante no projeto de sinais de identificação de sistemas multivariáveis é a frequência dos mesmos para conseguir excitar os processos nas regiões de frequência de operação normal e assim extrair a maior informação dinâmica possível do processo. As características estudadas são avaliadas por meio de testes em três plantas simuladas diferentes, categorizadas como mal, medianamente e bem condicionadas. Estas implementações foram feitas usando sinais GBN e PRBS de diferentes frequências. Expressões para a caracterização dos sinais de excitação foram avaliadas identificando os processos em malha aberta e malha fechada. Para as plantas mal condicionadas foram implementados sinais compostos por uma parte completamente correlacionada e uma parte não-correlacionada, conhecido como método de dois passos. Finalmente são realizados experimentos de identificação em uma aplicação em tempo real de uma planta piloto de neutralização de pH. Os testes realizados na planta foram feitos visando avaliar os estudos de frequência e correlação em uma aplicaficção real. Os resultados mostram que a condição de sinais completamente descorrelacionados n~ao deve ser cumprida para ter bons resultados nos modelos identificados. Isto permite ter mais exibilidade na geração do conjunto de sinais de excitação. / Due to the Predictive Control based on Model (MPC) rising in other process beyond refining and petrochemical plants, which in general have multiple inputs and outputs, there have been an increase in demand of models generated by system identification. Identify models that accurately represent the dynamics of the process depends largely on the characteristics of the processes excitation signals. Thus, the focus of this work is to perform a study of the typical signals used in identification systems, PRBS and GBN, in a multivariable approach. The study carried out in this work begins on the individual generation characteristics of the signals, and then an analysis is made of input signals cross-correlation, by observing the in uence of this on the identification results. Avoid a high correlation among the input signals allows to determine the effect of each input on the output of the identification process. An important point in the signals design for multivariable system identification is its frequency to get excite the processes in the normal operation frequency regions and thus extract the maximum dynamic information possible of the process. The studied characteristics are evaluated by testing three different simulated plants, categorized as well, medium and ill conditioned. These implementations were made using GBN and PRBS signals of dierent frequencies. Expressions to characterize the excitation signals were evaluated identifying the processes in open and closed-loop. For ill-conditioned plants were implemented signals composed by a fully correlated part and a non-correlated part, known as two-step method. Finally, identification experiments are performed on a real time application in a pilot pH neutralization plant. The tests were made in the plant in order to evaluate the frequency and correlation studies in a real application. The results show that the completely uncorrelated signals condition must not be satisfied to have good results on the identified models, which besides allows greater exibility in the generation of the excitation signals set.

Orientador: José Maria Campos dos Santos / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T06:05:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sica_MauricioRoselli_M.pdf: 6187406 bytes, checksum: eb76c3ee4e60cfc7e2fbff17dbb0b05b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: As simulações físicas em laboratórios da indústria automotiva são realizadas utilizando informações colhidas de veículos que são submetidos a ciclos de testes em rotas urbanas. Medir as respostas em pontos específicos durante uma rota de teste, não significa conhecer as excitações a que o veículo esta sendo submetido, visto que este normalmente é composto por sistemas mecânicos não lineares. O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um algoritmo que possibilite através dos dados de resposta medidos em campo, conhecer as excitações de entrada, contribuindo para a reprodução da rota de teste. A metodologia utilizada está baseada na obtenção de funções de resposta em freqüência, de modelos lineares simples e no desenvolvimento de sinais de entrada, capazes de reproduzir as mesmas respostas medidas nas rotas nos sistemas não lineares. O algoritmo desenvolvido foi avaliado com simulações em sistemas lineares e não lineares de um, dois e quatro graus de liberdade. Através dos sinais de resposta medidos em um sistema e, utilizando sinal de identificação tipo Schroeder, foi possível estimar as forças de excitação, com um erro menor do que 1,0% para sistemas de dois graus de liberdade lineares e não lineares. No caso de sistemas com quatro graus de liberdade este valor foi menor do que 1,5%, utilizando sinais de identificação do tipo multisseno. Discute-se a metodologia utilizada para a obtenção das funções de resposta em freqüência comparando-a com outras empregadas em equipamentos comerciais, bem como a influência de fatores no processo de convergência do algoritmo, como o grau de não linearidade, a qualidade do sinal medido e a importância da escolha do sinal para a identificação dos sistemas / Abstract: Laboratory simulation testing in the automotive industry is carried out considering information acquired from vehicle urban routes testing. Due to the non-linearity of the vehicle mechanical systems, the output measuring collected from routes on specific points, does not mean the knowledge of the input signal excitation which it is submitted. The present study focuses on the development of an iterative algorithm that knowing the output signals measured, it is able to search for the input excitations, so given subsidies to reproduce events of the urban route, with its load amplitude and its frequencies. The methodology is based on the frequency response function of simple linear models and on the development of input signal, which is capable to reproduce the same measured responses of non-linear system. The developed algorithm was validated with simulations on linear and non linear system with one, two and four degrees of freedom. Making use of the Schroeder identification signal, it was possible to estimate input forces with an error lower than 1,0%, for linear and non-linear systems with two degrees of freedom. In the case of four degrees of freedom the algorithm converges to estimate input force with a tolerance of error lower than 1,5%, using multissine identification signal. A discussion about the methodology used to obtain the frequency function response is carried out, comparing it with others found in commercial test equipments, as well the influence of some factors on the algorithm process of convergence, as the level of the non-linearity of the system, the quality of the acquisition of signal response and the importance of the correct choice of the input signal for the system identification / Mestrado / Dinâmica / Mestre em Engenharia Automobilistica

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / The main aim of this research was to automate student attendance registration, thereby reducing human involvement in the whole process. This was made possible using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The Central University of Technology uses student cards that are compatible for use with RFID technology. As a result, no initial investment (except for the existing personal computer’s and the constructed RFID reader) in infrastructure was required for this project. The basic working of the project was as follows. The students belonging to a specific class had their vital educational data (Student number, Name) entered into a database table at the time of registration. A student card containing a serial number, with reference to the data contained in the database table, was given to the students after registration. The students walk into their respective classes and scan their student cards with the RFID reader. The serial number stored in the student card is transferred to the reader and from there wirelessly to the main server using ZigBee technology. In the main server, using Java programming language, the card serial number is sent to the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). In this project the Netbeans IDE (Java platform) was used. The Netbeans IDE is connected to the Apache Derby database using Java Database Connector (JDBC), so the serial number (which is referenced to the educational data of the students) from the student card is automatically compared with the original database created at the time of registration. Once a match is confirmed between the two entries, the data is entered into a separate database table which serves as the basic attendance sheet for a specific day.

In past and recent literature, random access protocols have been investigated with growing interest. In particular, the Slotted ALOHA protocol has been extensively used in satellite communications, and has also attracted considerable attention in many areas of wireless communication systems, especially in the cellular mobile environment. In this thesis, we investigate the performance of Slotted ALOHA, an effective random access protocol, in a Weibull fading environment. We study the performance metrics based on the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) model, in a cellular network system, assuming two captures models. The capture effect, also called co-channel interference tolerance, is the ability to correctly receive a strong signal from one transmitter despite significant interference from other transmitters. We derive closed-formed expressions and numerical evaluations for both the capture probability and the system throughput. he analytical results will be validated with computer simulations. Finally, to mitigate the effects of Weibull fading channel we also consider the effect of dual selection diversity that will increase the capture probability and the system throughput. / by Jean N. Rene. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The quest to generate, preserve and utilise knowledge is driving firms and organisations towards a knowledge-based approach to managing organisational knowledge assets. Therefore, knowledge management (KM) is becoming increasingly important for organisations such as academic libraries to enhance their competitive edge in performance, to become more effective and to keep the organisation’s knowledge for future use. The importance of KM cannot be overemphasised in terms of how academic libraries can find meaningful and effective ways to manage knowledge resources to improve the services rendered to information users. Pressure is mounting for academic libraries to attain, retain and share knowledge for strategic planning, decision-making and remaining competitive. The adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies is one of the preferred approaches to managing organisational knowledge assets; therefore, this was the motivation for undertaking this study in order to understand how these new technologies can change the knowledge management landscape in academic libraries. A qualitative research methodology, informed by the interpretivist research philosophy, was adopted in this study. Data were collected from a sample of 12 participants using non-probability purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The use of purposive and convenience techniques was ideal for this study because the participants were readily available and possessed the relevant data required to address the research questions and research problem of the study. Open-ended questions were designed to form an interview guide, which was the main data collection instrument. Annual reports, system manuals and user manuals were consulted to augment the primary data collected to address the problem at hand. The findings from the study showed that RFID technologies improved efficiency, tracking and tracing, inventory management and assisted with planning. It was revealed that users of RFID technologies required further training and development to fully utilise these systems for the benefit of the organisation. The study was conducted using a small sample of 12 participants; therefore, it was recommended that further studies could be conducted with large sample sizes using different research strategies. It was suggested that further research should be conducted to establish how change programmes have been managed before in other departments or sections and how the staff exodus was managed. An organisation-wide research would be recommended to ascertain the views and opinions of a larger population so that findings can be generalisable. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)