Silicon photonics is leading the advent of very-large-scale photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in which lasers, modulators, photodetectors, and multiplexers are integrated on a single chip and synchronized to enable faster data transfer both between and within highly integrated chips. Silicon photonics now extends beyond communication applications, paving new paths for many emerging applications and holding great potential in creating a compact beam projector. Compact beam steering in the visible and near-infrared spectral range is required for emerging applications such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) displays, optical traps for quantum information processing, biosensing, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and free-space optical communications (FSO). Here we discuss two novel integrated beam steering platforms in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths, optical phased array (OPA) and focal plane switch array (FPSA), that can shape and steer a light beam. Previous OPA demonstrations have been mainly limited to the near-infrared spectral range due to the fabrication and material challenges imposed by the smaller wavelengths. Here we present the first active blue light phased array at the wavelength of 488 nm, leveraging a high confinement silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) platform. We randomly and sparsely place the emitters to remove grating lobes, alleviate fabrication constraints at this short wavelength and achieve a wide-angle 1D beam steering over a 50° field of view (FoV) with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) beam size of 0.17°. This demonstration is a crucial first step in realizing a non-mechanical fully-integrated beam steering device for many emerging applications. Unlike 1D steering OPA, designing 2D OPA impose a different challenge. Numerous issues arise, including complicated waveguide routing and optical crosstalk between channels. Also, creating a highly directional beam without ghost images is required to deploy visible OPAs in emerging applications. However, current demonstrations of visible OPAs, including our first demonstration, suffer from the issue of low directionality due to the presence of grating lobes, high background noise and a low percentage of power in the main beam. We demonstrate an integrated OPA that generates a highly directional beam at blue wavelengths (488 nm) by leveraging a disordered hyperuniform distribution of emitters. This exotic distribution is found in birds’ cone photoreceptor arrangements, the most uniform sampling given intrinsic packing constraints. Such unique distribution allows us to mitigate fabrication and waveguide routing constraints and achieve a beam with low background noise, high percentage of power and no grating lobes. Large-scale integration of the platform enables fully reconfigurable high-efficiency light projection across the entire visible spectrum. The novel platform offers a viable platform for next-generation applications in visible-spectrum addressing, imaging, and scanning displays. Although OPA is an invaluable device for creating a highly directional beam on a chip-scale, OPA has an inherent power consumption issue. Its architecture requires simultaneous control of all the phase shifters in the system for operation. We propose a novel silicon photonics FPSA system for beam steering with orders of magnitude lower electrical power consumption than other state-of-the-art platforms. The demonstrated system operates in the near-infrared wavelength regime; however, this can be extended into different wavelengths. Our demonstration enables low-size, weight, and power (SWaP) LiDAR for precision and autonomous robotics and optical scanners for mobile devices.

Radar systems vary significantly in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) characteristics with many high SWaP-C models being inaccessible to consumers. Recognizing this, we have engineered an effective but low SWaP-C networked radar system tailored for detecting and tracking unmanned air vehicle (UAV) traffic. Using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and custom-designed printed circuit boards (PCBs), our system achieves remarkable efficiency without compromising performance. We use patch antennas for our transmitter and in our 4x4 receiver array. With our low SWaP-C system we have successfully concluded outdoor range testing, detecting corner reflector targets at a remarkable 10dB above our noise floor up to a distance of 100m. We have also finished testing and implementation of our angle of arrival (AOA) algorithm, using conjugate field matched (CFM) beamforming, with outdoor testing using both corner reflectors and drones. Combining our range and AOA algorithms we have detected and tracked both a corner reflector and a drone through time and created a 3D plot showing our target's path and location relative to our system. With this we have demonstrated the viability and effectiveness of our low SWaP-C radar for UAV traffic surveillance.

A novel concept in noise control devices for landing gears is presented. These devices consist of elastic membranes creating a fairing around the major noise sources. The purpose of these devices is to reduce wake interactions and to hide components from the flow, thus, reducing the noise emission. The design of these fairings was focused on the major noise sources identified in a 777 main landing gear. To find the major noise sources, an extensive noise source identification process was performed using phased arrays. To this end, phased array technologies were developed and a 26%-scale 777 main landing gear model was tested at the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel. Since phased array technologies present some issues leading to misinterpretation of results and inaccuracy in determining actual levels, a new approach to the deconvolution of acoustic sources has been developed. The goal of this post-processing is to "simplify" the beamforming output by suppressing the sidelobes and reducing the sources mainlobe to a small number of points that accurately identify the noise sources position and their actual levels. To this end, the beamforming output is modeled as a superposition of "complex" point spread functions and a nonlinear system of equations is posted. Such system is solved using a new 2-step procedure. In the first step an approximated linear problem is solved, while in the second step an optimization is performed over the nonzero values obtained in the previous step. The solution to this system of equations renders the sources position and amplitude. The technique is called: noise source Localization and Optimization of Array Results (LORE). Numerical simulations as well as sample experimental results are shown for the proposed post-processing. / Ph. D.

The need for a wide bandwidth array is introduced and explained. Basic planar array principles are reviewed as well as previous work performed on wide bandwidth planar array design. An Archimedean spiral is suggested for the array element and a model for the element radiation pattern is presented. A wide bandwidth linear array is then analyzed using the element model. The array is made to operate over a two octave bandwidth by using an alternate number of elements. This idea is then extended to two dimensions to form a wide bandwidth planar array design. An improved array design is then suggested using fewer elements. This array was fabricated and tested and showed close agreement to theoretically predicted radiation patterns. / M.S.

Although nondestructive evaluation techniques have been implemented in many industry fields and proved to be useful, they are generally expensive, time consuming, and the results may not always be reliable. To overcome these drawbacks, structural health monitoring (SHM) systems has received significant attention in the past two decades. As structural systems are becoming more complicated and new materials are being developed, new methodologies, theories, and approaches in SHM have been developed for damage detection, diagnosis, and prognosis. Among the methods developed, the guided Lamb wave based SHM can be a promising technique for damage evaluation since it provides reliable damage information through signals propagating over large distance with little loss of amplitude. While this method is effective for damage assessment, the guided Lamb wave contains complicated mode characteristics, i.e. an infinite number of wave modes exist and these modes are generally dispersive. For this reason, a minimum number of wave modes and various signal processing algorithms are implemented to obtain better signal interpretations. Phased array beamsteering is an effective means for damage detection in guided Lamb wave SHM systems. Using this method, the wave energy can be focused at localized directions or areas by controlled excitation time delay of each array element. In this research, two types of transducers are utilized as phased array elements to compare beamsteering characteristics. Monolithic piezoceramic (PZT) transducers are investigated for beamsteering by assuming omnidirectional point sources for each actuator. MacroFiber Composite (MFC) transducers with anisotropic actuation are also studied, considering the wave main lobe width, main lobe magnitude, and side lobe levels. Analysis results demonstrate that the MFC phased arrays perform better than the PZT phased arrays for a range of beamsteering angles and have reduced main lobe width and side lobe levels. Experiments using the PZT and MFC phased arrays on an aluminum plate are also performed and compared to the analysis results. A time-frequency signal processing algorithm coupled with a machine learning method can form a robust damage diagnostic system. Four types of such algorithms, i.e. short time Fourier transform, Wigner-Ville distribution, wavelet transform, and matching pursuit, are investigated to select an appropriate algorithm for damage classification, and a spectrogram based on short time Fourier transform is adopted for its suitability. A machine learning algorithm called Adaboost is chosen due to its effectiveness and high accuracy performance. The classification is preformed using spectrograms and Adaboost for crack and corrosion damages. Artificial cracks and corrosions are created in Abaqus® to obtain the training samples consist of spectrograms. Several beam experiments in laboratory and additional simulations are also performed to get the testing samples for Adaboost. The analysis results show that not only correct damage classification is possible, but the confidence levels of each sample are acquired. / Ph. D.

The use of phased array antennas in present day technology is limited, primarily due to the extremely high cost of implementation. This cost is contributed to the expense of phase shifters, which are the traditional method of beam steering in phased arrays. The need to alleviate this cost and avail the technology for commercial use necessitates study into alternative mechanisms for accomplishing beam steering. To this effect, this research is an exploration of one such mechanism. To characterize mutual coupling between microstrip patch antennas and explore its practicality as a feed mechanism, it is necessary to understand the factors controlling the phenomenon. A parametric study of the spacing between patch antennas and the consequent coupling is presented, the results of which are discussed in detail. further study into bandwidth extension and steer controlling techniques are also shown, with discussion on the practicality and future of the mechanism as a candidate for widespread application.

Widespread adoption of phased array technologies has been hindered primarily by the high cost associated Transmitter/Receiver (T/R) modules. In conventional phased arrays, these vital elements often comprise up to fifty-percent of the entire array's expense. Recent development of a new type of phased array - the Electronically Steerable Passive Array Radiator (ESPAR) - is underway at laboratories around the globe. This innovative concept utilizes mutual coupling to excite neighboring (passive) elements placed in the near field of a center-driven (active) radiator. Using this method, T/R modules are only required for the active radiators. The radiation pattern of an ESP AR is controlled electronically by means of variable reactive loading of the passive antenna elements. In order to attain the full range of beam steering offered by this array, a broad range of reactance is required at the input port of each passive antenna. This thesis presents a varactor-based reactive network design that can accurately and reliably produce a wide range of reactance. The purpose of this research was to design a network compatible with the requirements of the ESP AR phased array, which is in development at the Antennas, RF, and Microwave Integrated Systems CARMI) laboratory at the University of Central Florida. To this end, an elaborate survey weighing different varactor-based reactive network and DC bias tee designs was conducted. This study took into account the practical issues and limiting factors that arose during design and implementation of such a network. While this specific network design was constrained to operate at 3 GHz, the proposed design methodology may be applied to realize reactive networks at other frequencies. This flexibility allows incorporation into similar ESPAR's and a plethora of other relevant devices.

[ES] La tecnologia en fases de paquets es va convertir en dècades enrere en la indústria del radar. Avui en dia, la matriu de fases o la formació de bigues s'està convertint en una necessitat per a la comunicació digital. L'explotació d'un sistema de transmissió de feixos ajudarà a reduir el consum total d'energia de les estacions base i dels equips d'usuaris. També permetrà al servei oferir dades molt més elevades i millorar la qualitat del servei. La investigació sobre la comunicació digital i la comunicació requereix una antena i un maquinari compatible. El maquinari hauria de ser capaç de gestionar diferents escenaris i enfocaments per a problemes de comunicació mòbil. Hi ha diversos sistemes utilitzats per a la investigació de la formació de bigues, especialment per a la comunicació mòbil. Aquests sistemes pateixen de diverses deficiències. Són cares d'implementar, no adaptatives i fixades a una arquitectura relacionada amb determinat algorisme de generació de feixos o amb un nombre d'elements d'array fix. En aquesta tesi es proposa un nou sistema de matrius per fases. Aquest sistema es podria explotar per a la investigació en problemes de comunicació mòbil o radar. Està compost per una xarxa d'antenes planes de 8x1, canals de conversió de RF a banda base i processador de banda base. Es fa una estimació de la transformació de fases i de la DOA en mostres digitals de banda base. Això proporciona al sistema dinàmica quant als algorismes provats. Amb aquesta finalitat, es fan servir juntes SDR àgils per adquirir senyals de la matriu d'antenes i convertir-les en fluxos de dades digitals. Els fluxos de dades es processen després en un processador de banda base basat en FPGA. A més de ser baixos en costos i assequibles per part de petits instituts d'investigació i investigacions independents, el sistema es pot ajustar per portar més elements de matriu d'antenes. La matriu monopola plana de 8x1 està dissenyada, simulada i mesurada. Es combinen i descriuen les característiques d'impedància i de radiació. Els SDR s'introdueixen i es calibren per al funcionament de diversos elements i s'introdueixen els mètodes de calibratge per incerteses de fase i amplitud. El rendiment global del sistema es prova mitjançant diferents algorismes de formulació de feixos i algorismes de direcció d'estimació d'arribada. Els resultats de la mesura mostren que el sistema és fiable. S'aconsegueix un model de beamformació amb bona resolució i un rebuig elevat de la interferència. La estimació de la direcció d'arribada és precisa. / [CA] La tecnología de matriz en fase hizo una rotación en la industria del radar hace décadas. Hoy en día, la matriz en fase, o formación de haz, se está convirtiendo en una necesidad para la comunicación digital. La explotación de la formación de haz ayudaría a reducir el consumo de energía general de las estaciones base y el equipo del usuario. También permitirá que el servicio brinde datos mucho más altos y mejore la calidad del servicio. La investigación sobre la formación y comunicación de haces digitales requiere un conjunto de antenas y hardware compatible. El hardware debe ser capaz de manejar diferentes escenarios y enfoques para problemas de comunicación móvil. Hay varios sistemas utilizados para la investigación de conformación de haz, especialmente para la comunicación móvil. Estos sistemas sufren de varias deficiencias. Son costosos de implementar, no adaptativos y fijos a una arquitectura relacionada con cierto algoritmo de conformación de haz o con un número de elementos de arreglo fijo. En esta tesis, se propone un nuevo sistema matricial por fases. Este sistema podría ser explotado para la investigación en comunicaciones móviles o problemas de radar. Está compuesto por un conjunto de antenas planas de 8x1, canales de conversión de RF a banda base y procesador de banda base. La formación de haz y la estimación de DOA se realizan en muestras digitales de banda base. Esto proporciona al sistema dinamismo con respecto a los algoritmos probados. Para ese propósito, las tarjetas SDR ágiles se utilizan para adquirir señales de la red de antenas y convertirlas en flujos de datos digitales. Los flujos de datos se procesan en un procesador de banda base basado en FPGA. Además de ser de bajo costo y asequible para los pequeños institutos de investigación e investigaciones independientes, el sistema se puede ajustar para llevar más elementos de la red de antenas. El conjunto monopolo plano 8x1 está diseñado, simulado y medido. La correspondencia de impedancia y las características de radiación se representan y describen. Los SDR se introducen y se calibran para la operación de elementos múltiples y se introducen los métodos de calibración para las incertidumbres de fase y amplitud. El rendimiento general del sistema se prueba mediante diferentes algoritmos de conformación de haz y algoritmos de estimación de la dirección de llegada. Los resultados de las mediciones muestran que el sistema es confiable. Se logra una conformación de haz con buena resolución y alto rechazo de interferencia. Dirección de estimación de la llegada es precisa. / [EN] Phased array technology made a turnover in radar industry decades ago. Nowadays, phased array, or beamforming, is becoming a necessity for digital communication. Exploiting beamforming would help in reducing the overall power consumption of base stations and user equipment. It will also enables the service to provide much higher datarates and enhance the quality of service. Research on digital beamforming and communication requires antenna array and compatible hardware. The hardware should be capable of handling different scenarios and approaches for mobile communication problems. There are several systems used for beamforming research especially for mobile communication. These systems suffer from several deficiencies. They are either expensive to implement, not adaptive and fixed to an architecture related to certain beamforming algorithm or with fixed array elements number. In this thesis, a new phased array system is proposed. This system could be exploited for research in mobile communication or radar problems. It is composed of 8x1 planar antenna array, RF to baseband conversion channels and base band processor. Beamforming and DOA estimation is done on base band digital samples. This provides the system with dynamicity regarding tested algorithms. For that purpose, agile SDR boards are used to acquire signals from antenna array and convert them to digital data streams. Data streams are then processed in an FPGA based base band processor. In addition to being low in cost and affordable by small research institutes and freelancing researches, the system can be adjusted to carry more antenna array elements. The 8x1 planar monopole array is designed, simulated and measured. Impedance matching and radiation characteristics are plotted and described. SDRs are introduced and calibrated for multi-element operation and calibration method for phase and amplitude uncertainties are introduced. Overall system performance is tested by different beamforming algorithms and direction of arrival estimation algorithms. Measurement results show that the system is reliable. Beamforming with good resolution and high interference rejection is achieved. Direction of arrival estimation is accurate. / Haroun, MH. (2019). 8×1 Antenna Array System for Uplink Beamforming in LTE-A and 5G NR [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/129852

Pneumatic percussion tools are extensively used in the construction industry. They are one of the noisiest machines in the construction industry generating noise levels above 110 dBA which are well beyond the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 85 dBA. This work presents a comprehensive methodology for the acoustic characterization and noise source identification of these percussion tools. The methodology is applied to a representative pneumatic tool and the characterization results are described in detail. A mechanical analysis was performed on a chipping hammer finding mode shapes and natural frequencies of individual components. The mechanical analysis included modal hammer measurements and creating FE models. Fluid measurements were performed on the chipping hammer to find the velocity of the exhaust and pressure in the upper and lower chambers. The fluid tests found that the velocity of the exhaust is approximately Mach 1.0 or greater. Noise measurements were carried out on the chipping hammer to determine the spectral characteristics, overall sound power level, and spatial source strength maps of the tool. A spherical array of microphones was used to obtain an accurate estimate of the overall sound power levels and the directivity. The overall sound power radiation was found to be in the range of 110-115dBA. An advanced 63 microphone phased array was used to successfully locate and identify the major sources of noise from this tool via the use of beam-forming maps. This thesis also presents a preliminary noise control method employing commercial-off-the-shelf pneumatic silencers. The outcome of the tests is illustrated in detail in this thesis. / Master of Science

Yes / In this manuscript, a high-performance beam-steerable phased array antenna is introduced for fifth-generation (5G) mobile handsets. The configuration of the design is arranged by employing eight dielectric-insensitive L-ring/slot-loop radiators in a linear form on the top edge of the handset mainboard. The beam-steerable array design exhibits high radiation performances even though it is implemented on a lossy FR-4 material. The proposed design exhibits an impedance bandwidth of 18-20 GHz with the center frequency of 19 GHz. It provides satisfactory characteristics such as wide beam-steering, high gain and efficiency characteristics indicating its promising potential for beam-steerable 5G smartphones. The characteristics of the antenna array are insensitive for different types of dielectrics. Furthermore, the designed antenna array offers quite good radiation behavior in the presence of hand phantom.