Power transformers are one of the most important components in the electrical energy network. Extending transformer life is very economically valuable due to power outage. Therefore the development of instruments to monitor the transformer condition is of great interest. Detection of partial discharges (PDs) in power transformers is an effective diagnostic because it may reveal and quantify an important aging factor and provide information on the condition of the transformer. However, partial discharge diagnostics are still not effectively used for online monitoring of transformers because of the complexity of PD measurements and difficulties of discriminating of PDs and other noise sources. This thesis presents a further study of detection and location of partial discharges in power transformers based on previous work conducted at the Center for Photonics Technology (CPT) at Virginia Tech. The detection and positioning system consists of multiple extrinsic Fabry-Parot interferometric (EFPI) fiber acoustic sensors which can survive the harsh environment of oil-filled transformers. This thesis work is focused on optimal arrangement of multiple sensors to monitor and locate PD activities in a power transformer. This includes the following aspects. First, the sensor design requirements are discussed in order to successfully detect and accurately position the PD sources. In the following sections, Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to model the EFPI sensor fabricated at CPT. Experiments were conducted to measure the angular dependence of the frequency response of the sensor. It is shown that within the range of ±45º incident angles, the sensitivity varies by 3-5dB. Finally, the thesis demonstrates a PD positioning experiment in a 500 gallon water tank (R à H = 74" à 30" cylinder) using a hyperbolic positioning algorithm and time difference of arrival (TDOA). Finally we demonstrated that 100% of the positioning data is bounded by a 22.7à 4.1à 5.3 mm₃ cube, with a sensing range of 810 mm using the leading edge method with FIR filtering. / Master of Science

<p dir="ltr">Accurately locating a radio-frequency (RF) emitter is imperative in the defense sector, and passive direction finding systems are intriguing due to relatively low cost. This approach involves using the time difference between a signal’s impact at equispaced antennas to determine the location of the emitter, a particular challenge for wideband waveforms operating near the noise floor. Microwave photonic systems have been demonstrated for passive direction finding. These techniques possessed drawbacks, such as reliance on the incoming signal’s bandwidth, dependence on laser power, or the inability to recover an angle from wideband pulses. This thesis presents a novel approach to passive direction finding by translating the methods of spectral interferometry from the optical domain to RF. Spectral interferometry involves interfering a time-delayed reference pulse with a “signal” pulse that has passed through an unknown system. By removing the spectral phase of the reference pulse from the resulting interferogram, the spectral phase of the uncharacterized system is recovered. This enables direction-finding for many waveforms, including the wideband low peak power chirps frequently used in radar. Incorporating an analog optical delay line into both a hard-wired RF interferometer and a two-element antenna array demonstrated spectral interferometric processing of chirped signals with up to 1 GHz instantaneous bandwidth. The technique extracted accurate delays and angles to within 2$\degree$ throughout testing. This approach only requires the imposed delay be longer than the autocorrelation of the bandwidth limited pulses. With additional backend processing, this method could simultaneously determine the angle and classify the incoming signal.</p>

A partial discharge (PD) is the dissipation of energy caused by the buildup of localized electric field intensity. In high voltage devices such as transformers, this buildup of charge and its release can be symptomatic of problems associated with aging, such as floating components and insulation breakdown. This is why PD detection is used in power systems to monitor the state of health of high voltage transformers. If such problems are not detected and repaired, the strength and frequency of PDs increases and eventually leads to the catastrophic failure of the transformer, which can cause external equipment damage, fires and loss of revenue due to an unscheduled outage. Reliable online PD detection is a critical need for power companies to improve personnel safety and decrease the potential for loss of service. The PD phenomenon is manifested in a variety of physically observable signals including electric and acoustic pulses and is currently detected using a host of exterior measurement techniques. These techniques include electrical lead tapping and piezoelectric transducer (PZT) based acoustic detection. Many modern systems use a combination of these techniques because electrical detection is an older and proven technology and acoustic detection allows for the source to be located when several sensors are mounted to the exterior of the tank. However, if an acoustic sensor could be placed inside the tank, not only would acoustic detection be easier due to the increased signal amplitude and elimination of multipath interference, but positioning could also be performed with more accuracy in a shorter time. This thesis presents a fiber optic acoustic sensing system design that can be used to detect and locate PD sources within a high voltage transformer. The system is based on an optical acoustic (OA) sensor that is capable of surviving the harsh environment of the transformer interior while not compromising the transformer's functionality, which allows for online detection and positioning. This thesis presents the theoretical functionality and experimental validation of a band-limited OA sensor with a usable range of 100-300 kHz, which is consistent with the frequency content of an acoustic pulse caused by a PD event. It also presents a positioning system using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the acoustic pulse with respect to four sensors that is capable of reporting the three-dimensional position of a PD to within ±5cm on any axis. / Master of Science

Direction finding with radio-frequency (RF) waves have numerous applications in radio navigation, wireless localization, emergency aid, and air traffic control, among others. Direction-finding using digital arrays outperforms traditional analog techniques but requires precise knowledge of the location of the array elements to obtain accurate results. Array perturbations can lead to algorithm failures and false detection, compromising direction-finding capabilities. This research proposes implementing a Matched Filter - Least Square (MF-LS) algorithm for Two-Way Ranging (TWR) to enhance direction-finding accuracy in arrays with perturbed element locations. The MF-LS algorithm leverages the properties of matched filters to accurately determine element positions by measuring the Time of Flight (ToF) of a signal between two ranging nodes. This method is independent of GPS or other sensor data, making it a cost-effective and easily deployable solution aimed at minimizing the effects of array perturbations, thus improving direction-finding accuracy. This work validates the MF-LS algorithm efficacy and enables robust direction-finding capabilities in challenging environments where traditional communication and localization services are unavailable. Moreover, this research provides a comprehensive study of direction-finding accuracy in amateur radio bands using the proposed ranging approach which can provide an immediate low-cost option for search and rescue operations in emergency situations.

This thesis describe detection of direction receiving sound with small–size microphone array. Work is based on analyzing methods of time delay estimation, energy decay or phase difference signal. Work focus mainly on finding of angle of arrival in small time difference. Results of measuring, as programming sound, so sound recorded in laboratory conditions and real enviroment, are mentioned in conclusion. All calculations were done by platform Matlab

There is a need for a fuel-optimal required time of arrival (RTA) mode for aircraft flight management systems capable of enabling controlled time of arrival functionality in the presence of wind speed forecast uncertainty. A computationally tractable two-stage stochastic algorithm utilizing a data-driven, location-specific forecast uncertainty model to generate forecast uncertainty scenarios is proposed as a solution. Three years of Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS) wind speed reports are used in conjunction with corresponding wind speed forecasts from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) forecast product to construct an inhomogeneous Markov model quantifying forecast uncertainty characteristics along specific route through the national airspace system. The forecast uncertainty modeling methodology addresses previously unanswered questions regarding the regional uncertainty characteristics of the RUC model, and realizations of the model demonstrate a clear tendency of the RUC product to be positively biased along routes following the normal contours of the jet stream. A two-stage stochastic algorithm is then developed to calculate the fuel optimal stage one cruise speed given a required time of arrival at a destination waypoint and wind forecast uncertainty scenarios generated using the inhomogeneous Markov model. The algorithm utilizes a quadratic approximation of aircraft fuel flow rate as a function of cruising Mach number to quickly search for the fuel-minimum stage one cruise speed while keeping computational footprint small and ensuring RTA adherence. Compared to standard approaches to the problem utilizing large scale linear programming approximations, the algorithm performs significantly better from a computational complexity standpoint, providing solutions in fractional power time while maintaining computational tractability in on-board systems.

The ultra-wideband (UWB) technology has a vast unlicensed frequency spectrum, which can support precise indoor positioning in orders of centimeters. The features of UWB signals can be utilized for variety of applications. In this project first we present an empirical channel models to analyze the localization accuracy of the UWB technology for interactive electronic gaming (Ping-Pong) in Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Obstructed LOS (OLOS) scenarios. Then we introduce a new concept that we refer to as micro-gesture detection to handle the more refined motions of the hand, such as rotation, while one antenna is held by the user using features of UWB signal. We use four specific features of the UWB signals: time of arrival, power of the first peak, total power, and the Root-Mean Square (RMS) of the delay spread, for this purpose. As the hand rotates the position of the antenna in the hand and the external antenna changes from LOS to OLOS. We demonstrate that features of the UWB signals are more useful than the RSS signal of the Wi-Fi to detect this class of micro-gestures. We foresee this micro-gesture detection capabilities become helpful for the people with limited ability or visually impaired for implementation of simplified sign language to communication with electronic devices located away from a person. We compare gesture detection using multiple features of the UWB signal with traditional gesture detection using the received signal strength (RSS) of the Wi-Fi signal.

Este estudo discute as transformações verificadas nas relações mercantis e sociais paulistas após a chegada da Corte portuguesa ao Rio de Janeiro. Assim, analisa o lugar ocupado por São Paulo e pelos grupos políticos paulistas no âmbito dos domínios portugueses, bem como identifica os nexos articuladores entre São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, entre os anos de 1808 e 1822, questão central para a compreensão das bases sociais de sustentação do governo joanino e, posteriormente, do governo de D. Pedro. Partindo do caso paulista, busca problematizar as repercussões da abertura dos portos, assim como os modos como ela foi apreendida, evidenciando em que medida teria essa decisão efetivamente constituído um marco, do ponto de vista socioeconômico no Centro-Sul da colônia, seja em termos das relações entre os portugueses do Brasil e de Portugal, seja das vinculações com interesses britânicos. / This study analyzes the transformations in social and mercantile relations in Sao Paulo that followed the arrival of the Portuguese Court in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, we sought to analyze the position occupied by Sao Paulo and its political groups in the Portuguese domains as well as to identify the contextual relation between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro from 1808 to 1822, key to understanding the social bases that sustained D. Joaos government and the subsequent D. Pedros government. Considering the case of Sao Paulo, we discussed the consequences of the opening of the ports and how this process was understood, highlighting to which extent that decision was effectively a milestone from a socioeconomic perspective for the central-southern colony, whether in terms of the relations between the Portuguese from Brazil and Portugal or in terms of the connections with British interests.

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are some of the extraterrestrialevents most impactful to earth. Eorts to model and predict theireects have seen new possibilities in the two most recent decades dueto multiple new spacecrafts providing a wider range of data than everbefore. Models of these events suer from a number of inaccuracies,one of them being the density ratio between the CME and the ambientsolar wind. Since the arrival time for potentially harmful disturbancespredicted by models has been proved to be highly sensitive to thisparameter we therefore take care to set it as accurately as possible.Traditionally this value is either set to a default, justied by denitionand theory, or set to the density ratio between the bulk if the ejectedgas and the surrounding medium. A proposition has been made tomeasure density enhancement dierently, using a reference point at theshock wave preceding the CME for each event. This method strives toimprove arrival time predictions and was in this paper tested for onecoronal mass ejection event. Two runs if the model WSA-ENLIL+Conewas made; one with the default value of density enhancement, onewith a value determined through the revised method using coronographdata. Running the model with the revised value improved the predictedarrival time by moving it forwards in time by 4h, which was still tooearly. Other input data into the model run was then discussed as apossible cause of the remaining inaccuracy. / Koronamassutkastningar är ett av solfenomenen som påverkar jorden mest.Nya rymdfarkoster med instrument som satts i arbete de senaste två decenniernahar gett data som gjort det möjligt att modellera och förutse dessaevent till en högre precision än någonsin. Alla dessa modeller lider av någonform av felkälla, en av vilka är kvoten mellan densitet för massutkastningenoch den omgivande miljön. Eftersom förutsedda ankomsstider för potentielltskadliga störningar har visat sig vara särskilt känsliga för denna parameterså tar vi särskild hänsyn till att ange den så precist som möjligt. Vanligtvissätts detta värde till ett fast standardvärde, som anges av dess denitionoch bakomliggande teori, eller till kvoten mellan utkastningens bulk ochomgivningen. Ett förslag har dock lagts fram om att omdeniera parametern.Denna metod strävar efter att förbättra förutsedda ankomsttider ochhar i denna text testats för en koronamassutkastning. Två körningar avmodellen WSA-ENLIL+Cone gjordes; en med defaultvärdet för densitetsratiot,en med värdet satt genom mätning av empirisk cononagrafdata enligtden föreslagna metoden. Att köra modellen med den nya parametern förbättrade den förutsedda ankomsttiden genom att ytta den framåt i tidenmed 4 timmar, vilket fortfarande är för tidigt. Andra inputdata i modellendiskuterades då som möjliga orsaker till den återstående diskrepansen.

<p>This thesis is concerned with detection of transient signal families and detectors in nonlinear static sensor systems. The detection problems are treated within the framework of likelihood ratio based binary hypothesis testing.</p><p>An analytical solution to the noncoherent detection problem is derived, which in contrast to the classical noncoherent detector, is optimal for wideband signals. An optimal detector for multiple transient signals with unknown arrival times is also derived and shown to yield higher detection performance compared to the classical approach based on the generalized likelihood ratio test.</p><p>An application that is treated in some detail is that of ultrasonic nondestructive testing, particularly pulse-echo detection of defects in elastic solids. The defect detection problem is cast as a composite hypothesis test and a methodology, based on physical models, for designing statistically optimal detectors for cracks in elastic solids is presented. Detectors for defects with low computational complexity are also formulated based on a simple phenomenological model of the defect echoes. The performance of these detectors are compared with the physical model-based optimal detector and is shown to yield moderate performance degradation.</p><p>Various aspects of optimal detection in static nonlinear sensor systems are also treated, in particular the stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon which, in this context, implies noise enhanced detectability. Traditionally, SR has been quantified by means of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and interpreted as an increase of a system's information processing capability. Instead of the SNR, rigorous information theoretic distance measures, which truly can support the claim of noise enhanced information processing capability, are proposed as quantifiers for SR. Optimal detectors are formulated for two static nonlinear sensor systems and shown to exhibit noise enhanced detectability.</p>