<p> The subject of this thesis is the design, fabrication and comparative testing of two prototype L-band ferrite digital latching phase shifters. One phaser is a variation of a design published by G.T. Roome and H.A. Hair, "Thin Ferrite Devices for Microwave Integrated Circuits", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech, vol. MTT-16 pp. 411-420, July 1968. The second design is original and is experimentally and theoretical compared to the first phaser. A comparative study was made because of technological difficulties in making these devices. Insertion losses of 2dB and an order of magnitude less than possible phase shift occurred because of inadequate production facilities. Thus, the comparative study gave a common mode error to the published device and the new device.</p> <p> Also, the theory of ferrite microwave phasers and a discussion of a particular system application which prompted this study are included in this thesis.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Detta kandidatexamensarbete behandlar vågkraftverket “NoviOcean” och syftar till att skapa en rekommendation för de mätstorheter som bör övervakas, vilka mätprinciper som är lämpliga, samt eventuellt var sensorerna för dessa bör placeras. Först gjordes en informationssökning, för att förbättra förståelsen för hur vågkraftverket fungerar och vilka komponenter som ingår i konstruktionen. Detta gjordes dels genom att söka igenom företagets officiella dokument och dels med en genomgång med en tekniskt ansvarig från företaget, med en prototyp i mindre skala. Utöver detta undersöktes de förhållanden vågkraftverket kommer användas i, även här genom möten med ansvariga från företaget, för att öka förståelsen för vad produkten kommer utsättas för. När en komplett bild av vågkraftverkets funktion hade genererats påbörjades arbetet med att föreslå mätstorheter. Det första steget var att dela upp produkten i delsystem, för att strukturera upp arbetet. Detta gjorde det möjligt att sedan för respektive delsystem föreslå mätstorheter, som kan ge information om systemets prestanda, hälsa och miljön runtomkring. När de önskade mätstorheterna etablerats gjordes sedan ytterligare en informationssökning, för att undersöka vilka mätprinciper som ansågs vara lämpliga för produkten. Av dessa valdes en eller fler sensortyper ut, om det ansågs finnas mer än en lämplig lösning. Vissa sensorer kunde även placeras ut på enheten, då tillräckligt med information om det relevanta delsystemet ansågs finnas.' I stort anses den slutgiltiga rekommendationen av mätstorheter och mätprinciper uppfylla de krav som ställdes från företaget. En lista för respektive delsystem detaljerar de storheter och principer som anses lämpliga, med bilder och skisser för placering om detta bedömdes genomförbart. I bilagorna återfinns även mer specifika förslag för vidare arbete, för några av delsystemen. / This bachelor thesis report focuses on the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) “NoviOcean” and aims to recommend the physical quantities that should be measured aboard the unit, as well as the appropriate measuring principle for each quantity. An approximate position of each sensor was also recommended, if deemed possible. The first step was to complete a literature study, to form a better understanding of the product and its components. This was done in part by going through the company’s official documents and in part by interviewing the head of mechatronics, with a walk-through of a miniature prototype. Additional meetings with the company were also held, to better understand how and where the product is intended to be used and what conditions it will be exposed to. When the product and its function had been sufficiently understood, the work of suggesting measuring quantities began. The entire system was first divided into smaller sub-systems, to organize and simplify the process. A list of recommended quantities was then generated, that could provide information about the system’s performance, health and surroundings. Once finished, an additional literature study was performed, to understand what measuring principles would be appropriate for each quantity. The most suitable principle was then chosen from this list, unless there was more than one solution, in which case all options were included. Sensor placement could also be determined in some cases, provided that the relevant sub-system was sufficiently well defined. In conclusion, the final recommendation for measured quantities and measuring principles fulfills the demands placed by the commissioner of this report. A list of quantities and measuring principles was generated for each sub-system, with images and sketches detailing sensor placement, if applicable. For some systems, more specific sensor recommendations could be made, the results of which can be found in the appendix.

RF/microwave tunable filters are widely employed in radar systems, measurement instruments, and communication systems. By using tunable filters, the frequency bandwidth is utilized effectively and the system cost and complexity is reduced. In the literature, various tuning techniques have been developed to construct tunable filters. Mechanical tuning, magnetic tuning, and electrical tuning are the most common. In terms of quality factor, power handling capability, and linearity, mechanical tuning is superior to the other two tuning techniques. Unfortunately, due to their bulky size, heavy weight, and low tuning speed, mechanically tunable filters have limited applications. MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) technology has the potential to produce highly miniaturized tunable filters; however, most of the MEMS tunable filters reported so far have a relatively low quality factor. The objective of the research described in this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of using MEMS technology to develop tunable filters with a high quality factor. The integration of MEMS tuning elements with a wide range of filter configurations is explored, from micromachined filters to traditional dielectric resonator filters, from planar filters to cavity filters. Both hybrid integration and monolithic integration approaches are carried out. To achieve tunability, MEMS tuning elements are embedded within RF and microwave filters. Tuning is accomplished by disturbing the electromagnetic fields of resonators with nearby MEMS tuning elements, which in turn change the resonant frequency of the resonators. First, the proposed tuning concept is experimentally demonstrated by integrating a surface micromachined planar filter with MEMS thermal actuators as the tuning elements. Then, a novel micromachined ridge waveguide filter embedded with similar MEMS tuning elements is proposed and constructed by using the EFAB^{TM} micromachining technique. A power handling analysis is performed for the newly devised 3D micromachined filter, and potential failure mechanisms such as air breakdown are identified. For the first time, a tunable dielectric resonator bandpass filter, incorporating vertical long-throw MEMS thermal actuators as tuning elements, is developed to achieve a wide tuning range, high quality factor, and large power handling capability. Several prototype tunable filter units are fabricated and tested. The experimental results reveal that the tunable filters maintain a relatively high quality factor value over a wide tuning range. In addition to the hybrid integration approach, a monolithic integration approach is investigated. A novel surface micromachining process is developed to allow monolithic integration of MEMS tuning elements into micromachined filters. Due to a stress mismatch, MEMS actuators fabricated by this process obtain a vertical deflection of several hundred microns, resulting in a wide tuning range. Various latching mechanisms are created, based on the micromachining processes that are used to fabricate the MEMS tuning elements. These out-of-plane latching mechanisms with multi-stable states have the potential to be adopted not only for tunable filter applications but also for switches and phase shifters.

RF/microwave tunable filters are widely employed in radar systems, measurement instruments, and communication systems. By using tunable filters, the frequency bandwidth is utilized effectively and the system cost and complexity is reduced. In the literature, various tuning techniques have been developed to construct tunable filters. Mechanical tuning, magnetic tuning, and electrical tuning are the most common. In terms of quality factor, power handling capability, and linearity, mechanical tuning is superior to the other two tuning techniques. Unfortunately, due to their bulky size, heavy weight, and low tuning speed, mechanically tunable filters have limited applications. MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) technology has the potential to produce highly miniaturized tunable filters; however, most of the MEMS tunable filters reported so far have a relatively low quality factor. The objective of the research described in this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of using MEMS technology to develop tunable filters with a high quality factor. The integration of MEMS tuning elements with a wide range of filter configurations is explored, from micromachined filters to traditional dielectric resonator filters, from planar filters to cavity filters. Both hybrid integration and monolithic integration approaches are carried out. To achieve tunability, MEMS tuning elements are embedded within RF and microwave filters. Tuning is accomplished by disturbing the electromagnetic fields of resonators with nearby MEMS tuning elements, which in turn change the resonant frequency of the resonators. First, the proposed tuning concept is experimentally demonstrated by integrating a surface micromachined planar filter with MEMS thermal actuators as the tuning elements. Then, a novel micromachined ridge waveguide filter embedded with similar MEMS tuning elements is proposed and constructed by using the EFAB^{TM} micromachining technique. A power handling analysis is performed for the newly devised 3D micromachined filter, and potential failure mechanisms such as air breakdown are identified. For the first time, a tunable dielectric resonator bandpass filter, incorporating vertical long-throw MEMS thermal actuators as tuning elements, is developed to achieve a wide tuning range, high quality factor, and large power handling capability. Several prototype tunable filter units are fabricated and tested. The experimental results reveal that the tunable filters maintain a relatively high quality factor value over a wide tuning range. In addition to the hybrid integration approach, a monolithic integration approach is investigated. A novel surface micromachining process is developed to allow monolithic integration of MEMS tuning elements into micromachined filters. Due to a stress mismatch, MEMS actuators fabricated by this process obtain a vertical deflection of several hundred microns, resulting in a wide tuning range. Various latching mechanisms are created, based on the micromachining processes that are used to fabricate the MEMS tuning elements. These out-of-plane latching mechanisms with multi-stable states have the potential to be adopted not only for tunable filter applications but also for switches and phase shifters.

abstract: Space systems such as communication satellites, earth observation satellites and telescope require accurate pointing to observe fixed targets over prolonged time. These systems typically use reaction wheels to slew the spacecraft and gimballing systems containing motors to achieve precise pointing. Motor based actuators have limited life as they contain moving parts that require lubrication in space. Alternate methods have utilized piezoelectric actuators. This paper presents Shape memory alloys (SMA) actuators for control of a deployable antenna placed on a satellite. The SMAs are operated as a series of distributed linear actuators. These distributed linear actuators are not prone to single point failures and although each individual actuator is imprecise due to hysteresis and temperature variation, the system as a whole achieves reliable results. The SMAs can be programmed to perform a series of periodic motion and operate as a mechanical guidance system that is not prone to damage from radiation or space weather. Efforts are focused on developing a system that can achieve 1 degree pointing accuracy at first, with an ultimate goal of achieving a few arc seconds accuracy. Bench top model of the actuator system has been developed and working towards testing the system under vacuum. A demonstration flight of the technology is planned aboard a CubeSat. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore a phenomenon known as pexing that is prevalent in South Africa‟s Black youth. The study aimed to explore the nature of pexing in relation to other conspicuous consumption behaviours and understand the drivers for this behaviour. The study interviewed a sample of 10 participants. Findings of the study indicated that pexing is similar to conspicuous consumption but also has aspects that are distinct to it and the researcher proposes a framework and term (destructive conspicuous consumption) for this noted consumption activity. The study also shows that although different to anti-consumption pexing has some anti-consumption behaviours. The study also identifies antecedents that lead to the noted behaviour and these range from a low income environment to adult modelling. Relationships and links between antecedents; coping strategies and the resultant consumption activity (Pexing) was demonstrated. The research then concludes by making recommendation to both government and marketers in light of the findings of this research. The research also highlights some socio-economic considerations of pexing and also suggests other variables to be researched that are key to further understanding of pexing. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

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