The objective of this research is to design and implement low-noise wideband RFIC components with CMOS technology for the direct-conversion architecture. This research proposes noise reduction techniques to improve the thermal noise and flicker noise contribution of a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a mixer. Of these techniques, the LNA is found to reduce noise, boost gain, and consume a relatively low amount of power without sacrificing the wideband and linearity advantages of a conventional common gate (CG) topology. The research concludes by investigating the proposed mixer topology, which senses and compensates local oscillator (LO) phase mismatches, the dominant cause of flicker noise.

This thesis conducts numerical and experimental studies of the nonlinear electrokinetic motion of heterogeneous particles in microfluidic systems and their corresponding applications in laboratory-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. Induced-charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomena flow is generated by applying an external electric field to a conducting particle immersed in an aqueous solution. As a result of this field, micro-vortices form around the conducting particle. Using this phenomenon, many shortcomings of classical electrokinetics (e.g. poor mixing, leakage, back flow problem) can be improved. This thesis proposes and investigates a complete 3-D numerical multi-physics method to calculate the induced zeta potential on the conducting surface of a heterogeneous object. To model the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle in a DC electric field, the moving grid technique is used to conduct the particle-fluid simulation. It was numerically shown that the vortices form near the conducting surface of a particle. Both transitional and rotational motions of heterogeneous particles are investigated. A set of novel experiments are designed and conducted to investigate several aspecs of ICEK. It is demonstrated for the first time that four vortices form around a conducting sphere in contact with an aqueous solution while the DC electric field is applied. The motions of heterogeneous particles are experimentally studied. The speed of a heterogeneous particle is compared with the same size non-conducting particle under the same experimental conditions and it is shown that the heterogeneous particle moves significantly faster than the non-conducting particle. It is also shown that the micro-vortices on the conducting section of the heterogeneous particle act like an engine and push the particle to move faster. These experiments verify the results of our simulation studies. We introduce three applications for induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena in ths thesis: ICEK micro-valve, ICEK micro-mixer, and ICEK micro-motor, which can be used in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devises. This ICEK micro-valve significantly improves many shortcomings of other micro-valves reported in the literature (such as leakage, considerable dead volume and complicated fabrication processes). Our ICEK micro-mixers take the advantages of induced micro-vortices and boost the mixing process in a micro-channel. As a result well mixed homogeneous (100%) mixture could be obtained at the downstream of the mixer. Our proposed no-contact ICEK micro-motor rotates as long as the DC electric field is being applied. This thesis develops a new understanding of several ICEK phenomena and applications related to heterogeneous particles. The 3D numerical model developed in this thesis along with the experimental studies are capable of describing the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle and is a considerable step to calculate the ICEK phenomena for real-world applications. This thesis, for the first time, experimentally visualized and verified the induced micro-vortices around conducting particles under applied DC electric field. The proposed ICEK micro-mixers, valve and motor can be used in various LOC devices and applications.

The diploma thesis entitled The effect of individual components of mixed feed rations in the mixer feeder wagon (without a cutter) on the accuracy of loading is divided into two separate parts. In the first (theoretical) part, the issue of livestock together with preparation and distribution of feed with the mixing feeder wagons are analyzed. The second (practical) part of my work is focused on specific selection of a mixing feeder truck, diet components characteristic and way of their loading including evaluation of their loading accuracy. The main objective of the thesis is to specify evaluation of loading accuracy of each component in the mixed feed rations of a mixing feeder wagon in the selected agricultural companies that specialize in milk and meat production.

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias de integração para circuitos integrados junto com a demanda de cada vez mais processamento digital de sinais, como em sistemas de telecomunicações e aplicações SOC, resultaram na crescente necessidade de circuitos mistos em tecnologia CMOS integrados em um único chip. Em um trabalho anterior, a arquitetura de uma interface analógica para ser usada em aplicações SOC mistas foi desenvolvida e implementada. Basicamente esta interface é composta por uma célula analógica fixa (fixed analog cell – FAC), que translada o sinal de entrada para uma freqüência de processamento fixa, e por um bloco digital que processa este sinal. Primeiramente, as especificações de sistema foram determinadas considerando o processamento de sinais de três bandas de freqüência diferentes: FM, vídeo e celular, seguido por simulações de alto-nível do sistema da FAC. Então, uma arquitetura heteródina integrada CMOS para o front-end que integrará a FAC, composto por 2 mixers ativos e um amplificador de ganho variável, foi apresentada, enumerando-se e propondo-se soluções para os desafios de projeto e metodologia. Os blocos analógicos/RF, juntamente com o front-end, foram projetados e implementados em tecnologia CMOS IBM 0.18μm, apresentando-se simulações e medidas de um protótipo físico. / The development of IC technologies coupled with the demand for more digital signal processing integrated in a single chip has created an increasing need for design of mixed-signal systems in CMOS technology. Previously, a general analog interface architecture targeted to mixed-signal systems on-chip applications was developed and implemented, which is composed by a fixed analog cell (FAC), that translates the input signal to a processing frequency, and a digital block, that processes the signal. The focus of this thesis is to analyze, design and implement analog/RF building blocks suitable for this system. First, a set of system specifications is developed and verified through system level simulations for the FAC system, aiming the signal processing of three target applications: FM, video and digital cellular frequency bands. Then, a fully CMOS integrated dual-conversion heterodyne front-end architecture with 2 active mixers and a variable-gain amplifier is presented, enumerating and proposing solutions for the design challenges and methodology. The stand-alone building blocks and the front-end system are designed and implemented in IBM 0.18μm CMOS process, presenting simulations and experimental data from an actual physical prototype.

Les procédés continus par rapport aux procédés batch sont réputés être plus surs, plus économiques et plus sélectifs. Au regard de ces avantages, de plus en plus d'industries opérant traditionnellement en batch s'orientent vers des procédés continus. Si beaucoup de recherches ont été menées dans ce domaine en chimie fine, il n'en est pas de même pour les procédés de polymérisation et plus particulièrement pour le procédé de polymérisation en suspension du chlorure de vinyle. Ce procédé est à l'heure actuelle un des procédés batch les plus aboutis tant il a subi d'améliorations au cours des dernières décennies sur les plan chimiques (recette) et technologiques. Cependant, l'exposition au chlorure de vinyle est extrêmement toxique et le procédé présente notamment toujours des limitations en transfert thermique inhérentes à la technologie batch. De plus, l'étape réactionnelle constitue la seule étape batch du procédé total de production. Eu égard a la formation des grains de PVC au cours de la réaction, le procédé peut-être divise en trois principales étapes : une étape de dispersion liquide-liquide dans laquelle les gouttelettes de monomères (diamètre moyen 30-50μm) sont formées et stabilisées, une étape de réaction qui s'accompagne d'un phénomène d'agglomération contrôlée des gouttelettes de monomères et au cours duquel les particules polymérisant s’avèrent collantes et une pure étape réactionnelle au cours de laquelle la polymérisation est menée jusqu'à la conversion désirée. La présente étude se propose d'identifier les technologies adaptées pour chacune des étapes identifiées. Compte tenu des connaissances actuelles sur le comportement et l'évolution des grains avec la conversion et après une étude bibliographique sur les procédés continus de polymérisation, les technologies choisies dans ce travail sont les mélangeurs statiques et différents design de colonnes pulsées utilisées à co-courant. L'étape de dispersion liquide-liquide a été étudiée a l’aide de trois technologies différentes pour des systèmes de phases modèles. Concernant les mélangeurs statiques, les études ont démontré leur capacité à obtenir des gouttelettes de taille contrôlée et de la taille désirée. Dans la gamme étudiée, aucun effet de la concentration en phase dispersée n'a été démontre sur la taille des gouttes. Le paramètre physico-chimique le plus influent est la tension interfaciale. Celle-ci a d'ailleurs été estimée aux temps courts, correspondant aux temps de séjour (40-100 ms) dans les mélangeurs statiques, en modifiant la technique de la goutte pendante. Les résultats en termes de diamètre de goutte ont été corrélés via les nombres adimensionnels caractéristiques du système et de l'écoulement, à savoir les nombres de Reynolds et de Weber. A la lueur de ces résultats, les mélangeurs statiques ont été installes au pilote industriel pour effectuer des chargements de réacteurs batch de polymérisation. En plus de réduire considérablement les temps de chargement, leur utilisation a montré une meilleure répartition des agents de suspension et de l'initiateur au sein du grain. Ensuite, deux design de colonnes pulsées ont été utilises : la colonne pulsée a disques et couronnes a co-courant ascendant vertical et le COBR (continuous oscillatory baffled reactor, Nitech). Pour le premier design, les influence du matériau de garnissage et de son agencement (type et hauteur), des paramètres physicochimiques (concentration en phase dispersée, tensioactifs) et des paramètres hydrodynamiques (débit total, amplitude et fréquence d'oscillation) sur la taille des gouttes obtenues ont été examinées. Avec le second design, seuls les paramètres hydrodynamiques ont été étudiés. Une corrélation sur la taille des gouttes est proposée en fonction de nombres adimensionnels caractéristiques de ces appareils. Les trois technologies génératrices de la dispersion sont alors comparées en termes d'énergie dissipée et de puissance dissipée. [...] / Continuous processes present the benefit to be safer and more cost saving than batch processes. Many researches have been carried out in fine chemistry but few contributions refer to polymerization. We focus on the vinyl chloride suspension polymerization. This process has been extensively studied in batch with lots of improvement regarding the formulation and the technologies. This polymerization process is highly complex due to the toxic nature of the monomer, the good manage of heat transfer and stirring. Moreover the reaction step remains the only batch step of the PVC production. According to the PVC grain formation, the process can be divided into three steps (i) a liquid-liquid dispersion step in which the monomer droplet (30-50 µm) are generated and stabilized, (ii) a controlled agglomeration step of the reacting droplets exhibiting a sticky behaviour, (iii) a reaction step until the conversion rate is around 80-90% and the particles size is stable. In this study, the different technologies suitable for the different steps are pointed out. Based on the state of the art of the grain behaviour depending on the reaction conversion and on the literature concerning polymerization continuous process, static mixers and different co-current pulsed columns are proposed. Three technologies with different model system were chosen to study the liquid-liquid dispersion step. Static mixers allow the control of the droplet size under turbulent flow. In the range of the operating conditions, the dispersed phase concentration does not have a significant effect on the droplet size. The interfacial tension appears to be the most significant physico-chemical parameters. Correlation to predict the mean droplet size is proposed depending on different dimensionless numbers based on the hydrodynamics and on the systems: the Reynolds and Weber numbers. Given the promising results, static mixers are implemented at pilot scale to load the batch prior to polymerization. Their use demonstrates a noticeable reduction of the loading time and a better homogenisation of the different suspending agents and initiator inside the PVC grain. The two co-current pulsed columns design studied are the discs and doughnuts pulsed column and the COBR (continuous oscillatory baffled reactor, Nitech). For the first one, the effect of the packing materials (type and height), of the physico-chemical parameters (dispersed phase concentration, surfactant) and of hydrodynamic parameters (flowrate and oscillation conditions) on the droplet size are investigated where as for the second one the study is limited to the hydrodynamic parameters. A mean droplet size correlation is proposed based on the characteristic dimensionless numbers. The three continuous contactors used for liquid-liquid dispersion are compared in term of energy dissipation rate. The reaction is carried out in a continuous tubular reactor (the pulsed column). The column is suitable to transport solid-liquid suspension. Vinyl acetate suspension polymerization is performed to demonstrate the feasibility and particularly to study the encrusting and fouling problem. The first results are very promising.

The theoretical part features an overview of the historical development of dairy cows feeding and introduces currently used trends in feeding. This part also outlines basic technologies in the production of roughage and describes modern feed distribution machinery. The practical part evaluates the accuracy of loading of individual components and the total weight of a feed ration loaded into a vertical suspension mixer feeder wagon by a front-end loader tractor. The observation was carried out at Mr. Kadlec's family farm in Velký Bor near Netolice and lasted four months. During this period, the actual weight of loaded components (grass-clover haylage, maize silage, grains meal) was being monitored daily. The evaluation came to a conclusion that grass-clover haylage stored in bales is loaded with a greater accuracy than maize silage stored in a clamp silo.

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias de integração para circuitos integrados junto com a demanda de cada vez mais processamento digital de sinais, como em sistemas de telecomunicações e aplicações SOC, resultaram na crescente necessidade de circuitos mistos em tecnologia CMOS integrados em um único chip. Em um trabalho anterior, a arquitetura de uma interface analógica para ser usada em aplicações SOC mistas foi desenvolvida e implementada. Basicamente esta interface é composta por uma célula analógica fixa (fixed analog cell – FAC), que translada o sinal de entrada para uma freqüência de processamento fixa, e por um bloco digital que processa este sinal. Primeiramente, as especificações de sistema foram determinadas considerando o processamento de sinais de três bandas de freqüência diferentes: FM, vídeo e celular, seguido por simulações de alto-nível do sistema da FAC. Então, uma arquitetura heteródina integrada CMOS para o front-end que integrará a FAC, composto por 2 mixers ativos e um amplificador de ganho variável, foi apresentada, enumerando-se e propondo-se soluções para os desafios de projeto e metodologia. Os blocos analógicos/RF, juntamente com o front-end, foram projetados e implementados em tecnologia CMOS IBM 0.18μm, apresentando-se simulações e medidas de um protótipo físico. / The development of IC technologies coupled with the demand for more digital signal processing integrated in a single chip has created an increasing need for design of mixed-signal systems in CMOS technology. Previously, a general analog interface architecture targeted to mixed-signal systems on-chip applications was developed and implemented, which is composed by a fixed analog cell (FAC), that translates the input signal to a processing frequency, and a digital block, that processes the signal. The focus of this thesis is to analyze, design and implement analog/RF building blocks suitable for this system. First, a set of system specifications is developed and verified through system level simulations for the FAC system, aiming the signal processing of three target applications: FM, video and digital cellular frequency bands. Then, a fully CMOS integrated dual-conversion heterodyne front-end architecture with 2 active mixers and a variable-gain amplifier is presented, enumerating and proposing solutions for the design challenges and methodology. The stand-alone building blocks and the front-end system are designed and implemented in IBM 0.18μm CMOS process, presenting simulations and experimental data from an actual physical prototype.

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias de integração para circuitos integrados junto com a demanda de cada vez mais processamento digital de sinais, como em sistemas de telecomunicações e aplicações SOC, resultaram na crescente necessidade de circuitos mistos em tecnologia CMOS integrados em um único chip. Em um trabalho anterior, a arquitetura de uma interface analógica para ser usada em aplicações SOC mistas foi desenvolvida e implementada. Basicamente esta interface é composta por uma célula analógica fixa (fixed analog cell – FAC), que translada o sinal de entrada para uma freqüência de processamento fixa, e por um bloco digital que processa este sinal. Primeiramente, as especificações de sistema foram determinadas considerando o processamento de sinais de três bandas de freqüência diferentes: FM, vídeo e celular, seguido por simulações de alto-nível do sistema da FAC. Então, uma arquitetura heteródina integrada CMOS para o front-end que integrará a FAC, composto por 2 mixers ativos e um amplificador de ganho variável, foi apresentada, enumerando-se e propondo-se soluções para os desafios de projeto e metodologia. Os blocos analógicos/RF, juntamente com o front-end, foram projetados e implementados em tecnologia CMOS IBM 0.18μm, apresentando-se simulações e medidas de um protótipo físico. / The development of IC technologies coupled with the demand for more digital signal processing integrated in a single chip has created an increasing need for design of mixed-signal systems in CMOS technology. Previously, a general analog interface architecture targeted to mixed-signal systems on-chip applications was developed and implemented, which is composed by a fixed analog cell (FAC), that translates the input signal to a processing frequency, and a digital block, that processes the signal. The focus of this thesis is to analyze, design and implement analog/RF building blocks suitable for this system. First, a set of system specifications is developed and verified through system level simulations for the FAC system, aiming the signal processing of three target applications: FM, video and digital cellular frequency bands. Then, a fully CMOS integrated dual-conversion heterodyne front-end architecture with 2 active mixers and a variable-gain amplifier is presented, enumerating and proposing solutions for the design challenges and methodology. The stand-alone building blocks and the front-end system are designed and implemented in IBM 0.18μm CMOS process, presenting simulations and experimental data from an actual physical prototype.

Este trabalho apresenta o projeto de um bloco LNA-Misturador dentro de um mesmo circuito integrado para aplicações em um receptor Bluetooth 2;45GHz. Uma estratégia de projeto bem clara, concisa e com uma boa base física e matemática foi desenvolvida para auxiliar o processo de projeto de um bloco LNA-Misturador, composto por um LNA cascode em cascata com um misturador de chaveamento de corrente com entradas simples e degeneração indutiva nas fontes dos estágios de transcondutância. Esta estratégia foi adaptada de trabalhos apresentados na literatura. A estratégia de projeto proposta considera o compromisso entre ruído, linearidade, ganho, dissipação de potência, casamento de impedâncias e isolamento de portas, usando as dimensões dos dispositivos e condições de polarização como variáveis de projeto. Com base nesta estratégia se obteve um bloco LNA-Misturador que atinge algumas especificações propostas. Um bloco LNA-Misturador foi projetado e fabricado em uma tecnologia CMOS 0;35µm para validar a estratégia de projeto proposta. Além disso, para atingir os objetivos, durante o desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi dada atenção especial no projeto dos indutores. Foi projetado, fabricado e medido um chip de teste. Para tal fim foram aplicadas técnicas e estruturas de de-embedding nas medidas para conseguir resultados mais confiáveis. Os resultados experimentais obtidos para os indutores e os resultados preliminares do bloco LNA-Misturador s~ao satisfatórios de acordo com as especificações e os esperados das simulações. No entanto, os indutores integrados degradam significativamente o desempenho do bloco LNA-Misturador. Se forem usados processos de fabricação nos quais os indutores apresentem melhor desempenho, os resultados do bloco LNA-Misturador aplicando a estratégia de projeto desenvolvida neste trabalho podem ser melhorados. Finalmente, é importante ressaltar que a estratégia de projeto proposta neste trabalho já está sendo usada e adaptada em outros projetos com o propósito de melhorar os resultados obtidos, e conseguir auxiliar o processo de projeto deste tipo de blocos. / This work presents a fully integrated LNA-Mixer design for a Bluetooth receiver application at 2:45GHz. A concise design strategy with good physics and mathematics basis was developed to assist the design process of a LNA-Mixer block, formed by a cascode LNA in cascade to a single balanced current commutation Mixer with inductive degeneration. This strategy was adapted from literature and considers the trade-offs between noise, linearity, gain, power dissipation, impedance matching and ports isolation, using the device dimensions and bias conditions as design variables. Based on this strategy, the proposed LNA-Mixer design specifications were achieved. To validate the proposed design strategy, the LNA-Mixer were fabricated in a 0:35µm CMOS process. Furthermore, to achieve the specifications, during the development of this work a special attention to the RF CMOS inductors was given. A test chip was designed, fabricated and measured applying de-embedding structures to obtain more reliable results. The experimental results obtained for the inductors and the preliminary results for the LNA-Mixer are satisfactory compared to the specifications and as expected from simulations. However, the integrated inductors degrade the performance of the block significantly and if a manufacturing process in which the inductor has better performance is used, the resulting LNA-Mixer design applying the strategy developed in this work can be improved. Finally, it is important to highlight that the design strategy proposed in this work is already being used and adapted in other designs in order to improve the results, and to assist the design process of such blocks.

La généralisation des mélangeurs continu dans l'industrie est freinée par le manque de connaissance générale sur ces procédés et en particulier d'une stratégie de contrôle commande de ce procédé. Se plaçant dans cette perspective, ce travail se penche, tant du point du vue expérimental et modélisation, sur la dynamique du procédé de mélange en continu, en particulier durant les phases transitoires que sont le démarrage, la vidange ou le changement de consigne. On étudie l'effet des variables opératoires, vitesse d'agitation et débit, sur la répartition massique et les débits internes des particules dans le mélangeur, ainsi que sur les variations d'homogénéité du mélange en sortie. A ce titre, un protocole expérimental spécifique basé sur l'analyse d'images est développé pour mesurer en ligne la qualité du mélange à une échelle d'observation que l'on peut ajuster. Un cadre de modélisation Markovienne est proposé pour décrire les phénomènes observés aux échelles macro et méso. Le modèle permet de décrire la composition du mélange dans les différentes zones du mélangeur ainsi qu'en sortie de l'appareil, quel que soit le régime envisagé, notamment lors de fortes perturbations de vitesse de rotation, dont l'intérêt est discuté. / The implementation of a continuous mixer in the industry requires detailed studies for a better understanding of this process, with essential aim the development of a control process strategy. The present work reports experimental and modelling results concerning the dynamics of a continuous powder mixer in steady and unsteady states. In particular, we will focus on the transitory phases that are likely to occur : starting, emptying, feeder's feeding, accidental perturbation, etc. We investigate the effect of operating variables, as rotational speed of the stirrer and the inflow rate, on the distribution of particles mass in the mixer and the intermediates flow rates, as well as that of the homogeneity of binary mixtures at the outlet of continuous mixer. A specific experimental protocol, based on image analysis, has been developed for determining mixture quality. The scale of scrutiny can be adjusted and mixture homogeneity can be calculated for this scale in real time. AMarkov chain model is proposed to describe the phenomena observed at both macro-and meso-scales. The model allows to describe the composition of the mixture in different zones of the mixer as well as in the outlet of the vessel, during steady and unsteady regimes and especially at high speed perturbations, whose interest is discussed.