A aquisição de sinais cerebrais de bovinos adultos, utilizando um equipamento de transmissão telemétrica dos dados e eletrodos de superfície, foi avaliada neste trabalho através de técnicas de processamento digital de sinais. Foram estudados a melhor disposição dos eletrodos, diferentes métodos de remoção de artefatos e as características em freqüência do sinal. A remoção de artefatos foi feita de duas maneiras: (1) uso de um filtro que substituía valores extremos do sinal por seu valor médio e (2) decomposição utilizando a capacidade de multiresolução das ondaletas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que apenas trechos de sinal livres de artefatos podem ser processados. O processamento indicou faixas de freqüências em acordo com a literatura. A metodologia usada neste trabalho mostrou-se suficiente para concluir que é possível monitorar e analisar sinais cerebrais de bovinos adultos que podem se mover livremente, sem acrescentar ao experimento o estresse característico de contenção / Acquisition of brain electrical activity from grown bovines, using a telemetric data transmitter system and scalp electrodes, was evaluated in this work. Electrodes placement, different artifact removal methodologies and signal frequency component were studied. Artifacts removal was carried out in two different ways: (1) by means of a filter that replaced elevated amplitude points for the signal’s mean value and (2) decomposition using wavelet multiresolution capability. Results using filters show that only artifact-free signal stretches can be processed. The processing indicated that frequency ranges are in agreement with literature. The methodology applied in this work is enough to conclude that it is possible to analyze brain electrical signal from grown bovines that can move freely, without add restrain stress factors to experiment

O desenvolvimento de componentes para veículos comerciais geralmente é uma tarefa bastante complexa, principalmente quando se trata de transporte pesado, considerando que são necessários uma série de simulações e diversos testes em campo, em vários tipos de pavimento e condição de carga, onde muitas vezes é necessário rodar milhares de quilômetros para validar um único componente ou subsistema. Este trabalho apresenta uma série de testes realizados com um implemento rodoviário em diferentes tipos de pavimento e condições de carga, bem como o tratamento e avaliação dos dados coletados, com o objetivo de caracterizar o comportamento do chassi do implemento rodoviário nas diferentes aplicações através de suas densidades espectrais. Através de uma avaliação de dados do transporte rodoviário nacional foi definida uma combinação veicular de carga (CVC) que, instrumentada em toda sua extensão longitudinal, foi submetida a uma série de pavimentos como estrada não pavimentada, rodovia pavimentada, pista de buracos, paralelepípedos, seixo rolado, costeletas, pista de torção e lombada, a fim de coletar os níveis de aceleração vertical e frequências de vibração aos quais a massa suspensa do implemento rodoviário é submetida. Para a aplicação em questão, foi definida a faixa de frequência de interesse entre zero e 30Hz. Os sinais foram tratados através de um filtro Butterworth passa-baixa com frequência ótima de corte igual a 45Hz e, por fim, foram geradas PSDs utilizando função janela de Hanning com sobreposição de 50%. Os resultados do trabalho permitiram a diferenciação das aplicações com maior clareza, com vibrações mais críticas na condição vazio entre 2,5Hz e 10Hz, para massa suspensa e na condição carregada entre 9Hz e 14Hz, para massa não suspensa. / Commercial vehicle parts development usually is a quite complex task, mainly for heavy cargo transportation, considering that are necessary several analysis and durability tests, in different roads and load conditions, that commonly requires thousands of kilometers to approve a single component or subsystem. This work presents a truck trailer test series using different pavement types and load conditions, as well as data processing and evaluation, aiming to describe the truck trailer chassis behavior on different applications through its spectral density. Based on the Brazilian road transport data, a load vehicle combination was chosen, instrumented throughout its length and submitted to different pavements as an offroad pavement, highway road pavement, pot holes, Belgian blocks, cobblestones, washboard, body twist track and a single bump track, seeking information regarding to the truck trailer sprung mass vertical acceleration and vibration frequencies. For the application studied, an interest frequency band was defined between zero and 30Hz. The acceleration data was processed using a Butterworth low pass filter with an optimal cutoff frequency at 45Hz and, finally, power spectral densities were created using Hanning window function and 50% as overlap value. The results allowed a clearer detailing of the application efforts, once the most critical sprung mass vibrations occurs at empty condition and are between 2,5Hz and 10Hz, and the most critical unsprung mass vibrations occurs at loaded condition and are between 9Hz and 14Hz.

The theoretical problem of finding the solution to an underdeterminedset of linear equations has for several years attracted considerable attentionin the literature. This problem has many practical applications.One example of such an application is compressed sensing (cs), whichhas the potential to revolutionize how we acquire and process signals. Ina general cs setup, few measurement coefficients are available and thetask is to reconstruct a larger, sparse signal.In this thesis we focus on algorithm design and selected applicationsfor cs. The contributions of the thesis appear in the following order:(1) We study an application where cs can be used to relax the necessityof fast sampling for power spectral density estimation problems. Inthis application we show by experimental evaluation that we can gainan order of magnitude in reduced sampling frequency. (2) In order toimprove cs recovery performance, we extend simple well-known recoveryalgorithms by introducing a look-ahead concept. From simulations it isobserved that the additional complexity results in significant improvementsin recovery performance. (3) For sensor networks, we extend thecurrent framework of cs by introducing a new general network modelwhich is suitable for modeling several cs sensor nodes with correlatedmeasurements. Using this signal model we then develop several centralizedand distributed cs recovery algorithms. We find that both thecentralized and distributed algorithms achieve a significant gain in recoveryperformance compared to the standard, disconnected, algorithms.For the distributed case, we also see that as the network connectivity increases,the performance rapidly converges to the performance of thecentralized solution. / <p>QC 20120229</p>

This study seeks to understand upper limb tremor in subjects with essential tremor (ET). A thorough understanding of tremor distribution will allow for the more effective development of tremor suppression devices, which offer an alternative to current treatments. Previous studies primarily focused on tremor in the hand only. This study seeks to characterize the distribution of tremor throughout the upper limb.We measured tremor in 25 subjects diagnosed with ET using motion capture, which provided displacement information of the limb during multiple postural and kinetic tasks. Inverse kinematics allowed us to analyze the motion capture data in the 7 major degrees of freedom (DOF) of the upper limb. The power spectral density estimate was used to determine: relative tremor magnitude throughout the DOFs, tremor variation between tasks, variation between subjects, and frequency variations between DOFs. Data analysis revealed that tremor increase is roughly proximal to distal. We also show that tremor magnitude in kinetic tasks is significantly higher than in postural tasks. Although we found some variation in tremor distribution between subjects, the roughly proximal to distal increase in tremor severity holds for several subsets of the study population. Finally, we found that tremor frequency doesnt vary significantly (< 1 Hz) between DOFs, in subjects with severe tremor. Our study shows that tremor distribution is quite stereotyped between subjects with ET. Furthermore, we have shown that tremor is greatest in the distal DOFs. This provides a compelling starting point for the development of future tremor suppression devices.

Thesis deals with the spectral analysis of 3D surface topography. The surface is described by a random function. Theoretical starting points necessary for right introduction and understanding of basic notions used within the framework of the surface topography spectral analysis are exactly formulated. They lie in the theory of random functions, the theory of the Fourier transform and the theory of signal processing. The notions mentioned are: the areal power spectral density (APSD) of a surface, the radial power spectral density (RPSD) of a surface and the angular power spectrum density (AnPSD) of a surface. These notions are introduced in their discrete form and generalized for the two-dimensional case. The thorough discussion of possible mistakes and inaccuracies which can be done during the application of spectral analysis techniques in a surface topography evaluation is performed. The procedure of APSD estimation by means of the periodogram method combined with the Welch´s method is discussed. The principle and capabilities of the optical profilometer MicroProf?FRT used for the surface topography measurement are described. Our original computer program computing APSD, RPSD and AnPSD is described too. The 3D spectral analyses is applied to surfaces generated by AWJ cutting, plane grinding and casting. We have focused our attention to AWJ cut surfaces, 3D spectral analyses of which brings new still unpublished opportunities of the surfaces topography evaluation. The influence of technological parameters on these AWJ cut surfaces topography is studied. The conclusion of the study is that results of the spectral analyses of these surfaces topography strongly depend on the technological conditions of the surfaces generation. An original procedure of the ASPD shape evaluation within individual regions of its frequency domain is mentioned. This procedure brings new substantial knowledge concerning the topography of surfaces. Results obtained from surfaces generated by plane grinding and casting are presented like examples of results from non-isotropic and isotropic surfaces.

O Ruído de Baixa Frequência (LFN), tais como o ruído flicker e o Random Telegraph Noise (RTN), são limitadores de performance em muitos circuitos analógicos e digitais. Para transistores diminutos, a densidade espectral de potência do ruído pode variar muitas ordens de grandeza, impondo uma séria limitação na performance do circuito e também em sua confiabilidade. Nesta tese, nós propomos um novo modelo de RTN estatístico para descrever o ruído de baixa frequência em MOSFETs. Utilizando o modelo proposto, pode-se explicar e calcular o valor esperado e a variabilidade do ruído em função das polarizações, geometrias e dos parâmetros físicos do transistor. O modelo é validado através de inúmeros resultados experimentais para dispositivos com canais tipo n e p, e para diferentes tecnologias CMOS. É demonstrado que a estatística do ruído LFN dos dispositivos de canal tipo n e p podem ser descritos através do mesmo mecanismo. Através dos nossos resultados e do nosso modelo, nós mostramos que a densidade de armadilhas dos transistores de canal tipo p é fortemente dependente do nível de Fermi, enquanto para o transistor de tipo n a densidade de armadilhas pode ser considerada constante na energia. Também é mostrado e explicado, através do nosso modelo, o impacto do implante de halo nas estatísticas do ruído. Utilizando o modelo demonstra-se porque a variabilidade, denotado por σ[log(SId)], do RTN/LFN não segue uma dependência 1/√área; e fica demonstrado que o ruído, e sua variabilidade, encontrado em nossas medidas pode ser modelado utilizando parâmetros físicos. Além disso, o modelo proposto pode ser utilizado para calcular o percentil do ruído, o qual pode ser utilizado para prever ou alcançar certo rendimento do circuito. / Low Frequency Noise (LFN) and Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) are performance limiters in many analog and digital circuits. For small area devices, the noise power spectral density can easily vary by many orders of magnitude, imposing serious threat on circuit performance and possibly reliability. In this thesis, we propose a new RTN model to describe the statistics of the low frequency noise in MOSFETs. Using the proposed model, we can explain and calculate the Expected value and Variability of the noise as function of devices’ biases, geometry and physical parameters. The model is validated through numerous experimental results for n-channel and p-channel devices from different CMOS technology nodes. We show that the LFN statistics of n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs can be described by the same mechanism. From our results and model, we show that the trap density of the p-channel device is a strongly varying function of the Fermi level, whereas for the n-channel the trap density can be considered constant. We also show and explain, using the proposed model, the impact of the halo-implanted regions on the statistics of the noise. Using this model, we clarify why the variability, denoted by σ[log(SId)], of RTN/LFN doesn't follow a 1/√area dependence; and we demonstrate that the noise, and its variability, found in our measurements can be modeled using reasonable physical quantities. Moreover, the proposed model can be used to calculate the percentile quantity of the noise, which can be used to predict or to achieve certain circuit yield.

Sensitive devices are affected by extreme vibration excitations during operation so require isolation from high levels of vibration excitations. When these excitation characteristics of the devices are well known, the vibration isolation can be achieved accurately. However, it is possible to have expected profile information of the excitations with respect to frequency. Therefore, it is practical and useful to implement this information in the design process for vibration isolation. In this thesis, passive vibration isolation technique is examined and a computer code is developed which would assist the isolator selection process. Several sample cases in six degree of freedom are designed for a sample excitation and for sample assumptions defined for an inertial measurement unit. Different optimization methods for design optimizations are initially compared and then different designs are arranged according to the optimization results using isolators from catalogues for these sample cases. In the next step, the probable designs are compared according to their isolator characteristics. Finally, one of these designs are selected for each case, taking into account both the probable location deviations and property deviations of isolators.

Higher-order spectral analysis of acoustical waveforms can provide phase information that is not retained in calculations of power spectral density. In the propagation of high intensity sound, nonlinearity can cause substantial changes in the waveform as frequency components interact with one another. The bispectrum, which is one order higher than power spectral density, may provide a useful measure of nonlinearity in propagation by highlighting spectral regions of interaction. This thesis provides a review of the bispectrum, places it in the context of nonlinear acoustic propagation, and presents spectra calculated as a function of distance for numerically propagated acoustic waveforms. The calculated spectra include power spectral density, quad-spectral density, bispectrum, spatial derivative of the bispectrum, bicoherence, and skewness function. / text

Abstract Cognitive Radio (CR) improves the efficiency of spectrum utilization by allowing non- licensed users to utilize bands when not occupied by licensed users. In this thesis, we address several challenges currently limiting the wide use of cognitive radios. These challenges include identification of unoccupied bands, energy consumption and other technical challenges. Improved accuracy edge detection techniques are developed for CR to mitigate both noise and estimation error variance effects. Next, a reduced complexity Simplified DFT (SDFT) is proposed for use in CR. Then, a sub-Nyquist rate A to D converter is introduced to reduce energy consumption. Finally, a novel multi-resolution PSD estimation based on expectation-maximization algorithm is introduced that can obtain a more accurate PSD within a specified sensing time.

Cette thèse présente une étude expérimentale et numérique d'essais de chute libre et de vibrations aléatoires d'emballages en carton ondulé contenant différents calages en mousse. Un modèle d'homogénéisation efficace pour le carton ondulé a été développé. Dans ce modèle homogénéisé, le carton ondulé est représenté par une plaque 2D. Au lieu d'utiliser une loi de comportement locale (reliant les déformations aux contraintes) à chaque point d'intégration, l'homogénéisation conduit aux rigidités globales (reliant les déformations généralisées aux forces résultantes) pour la plaque équivalente homogène. Ce modèle a été implémenté dans le logiciel Abaqus. Le comportement de la mousse a été déterminé expérimentalement et modélisé avec un modèle de mousse déformable d'Abaqus. Les emballages sont soumis à des tests de chute libre d'une hauteur donnée sur un sol rigide et des essais de vibrations aléatoires type bruit blanc sur table vibrante. Les résultats numériques obtenus en utilisant la simulation avec le modèle homogénéisé concordent bien avec les résultats expérimentaux. Nous avons également montré que la contribution de la caisse en carton ondulé à la réponse au choc et à la vibration aléatoire ne pouvait pas être négligée dans la conception des calages. / This thesis presents experimental and numerical studies of drop tests random vibrations of corrugated cardboard packaging containing different foam cushions. An efficient homogenization model for the corrugated cardboard has been developed. In this homogenized model, the corrugated cardboard is represented by a 2D plate. Instead of using a local constitutive law (relating the strains to the stresses) at each material point, the homogenization leads to global rigidities (relating the generalized strains to the resultant forces) for the equivalent homogeneous plate. This model was implemented into the FE software Abaqus. The foam behaviour was experimentally determined and modelled using a crushable foam model of Abaqus. The packages are tested in free fall from a given height on a rigid floor and submitted to white noise random vibrations. The numerical results obtained using the FE simulation with the homogenized model agree well with the experimental results. We have also shown that the contribution of the corrugated cardboard box to the shock and random vibration responses could not be neglected in the design of cushioning package.