Call number: LD2668 .T4 1984 A42 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 B72 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 S246 / Master of Science

Thesis submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree of Technology: Electrical Engineering - Light Current, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / This research is devoted to the development of an intelligent image motion detection system based on artificial neural networks (ANN’s). Object motion detection, non-stationary image isolation and extraction, and image filtering is investigated, with the intention of developing a system that will overcome some of the shortcomings associated with the performance of conventional motion detection systems. Motion detection and image extraction finds popular application in medical imagery and engineering based diagnostics systems. Conventional image processing systems utilise Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to perform the non-stationary image motion detection function. Aliasing and filtering are problematic processes in DSP based image processing systems. The proposed ANN motion detection system overcomes some of these shortcomings. The study compares the performance of conventional DSP systems to that of the proposed ANN based system. The excellent noise immunity, ability to generalise and robustness of the ANN system is exploited in the design of the motion detection system. The ANN’s are arranged as ensembles in order to improve the computation time of the proposed motion detection system. A hybrid system comprising DSP and ANN ensembles is also proposed in the study. The hybrid system exploits the positive characteristics of DSP and ANN’s within a single system. The performance of the pure ANN system and the hybrid system is compared to that of DSP systems, using the image’s signal-to-noise ratio and computation times as a basis for comparison.

Submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the Degree Master of Engineering: Electrical: Electronic Engineering, Durban University of Technology. Durban. South Africa, 2015. / A two element correlating radio telescope interferometer is the fundamental building block of modern radio telescope aperture synthesis arrays. Early radio telescopes consisted of a single antenna, usually a dish antenna. Larger and larger antennas were constructed in order to improve the resolution of the measurement of the direction and extent of radio frequency radiation coming from the sky. Telescope resolution is fundamentally limited by the ratio of the telescope aperture to the wavelength of the received radiation. For single element radio telescopes to approach the resolution of their optical telescope counterparts, they would need to be impractically large. Mathematical analysis of correlating two element radio telescope interferometers shows that very large aperture radio telescopes can be synthesized from a number of two element interferometers. An array of two element correlating radio telescope interferometers can be used to produce a synthesized aperture equal to the largest distance between two receiving antennas in the array. Telescope arrays thus enable very high resolution since the angular resolution of a telescope is proportional to the wavelength of the received signal divided by the aperture diameter. A spread of separation distances between antenna pairs is required to produce a complete image of the radiating sources in the field of view. Modern digital signal processing techniques can be used to provide cost effective performance and flexibility in two element correlating radio telescope interferometer design. The aim of this research project was to design and construct a two element correlating radio telescope interferometer using modern digital signal processing techniques and hardware. The relevant theory has been investigated together with suitable hardware and software platforms and tools used to produce such a system. The two element correlating radio telescope interferometer produced, will be used as a platform for further investigative research into its design, performance and application. The outcome of this research project was the successful completion of a working two element correlating radio telescope interferometer. The development process has been analysed and carefully documented. Some fringe measurements for a simple single frequency radiating point source have been taken and these measurements have been analysed according to theoretical expectation. Potential for further research, using the two element correlating radio telescope interferometer produced, has been identified and discussed.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Digital audio data storage mediums have long been used within the consumer market. Today, because of the advancement of processor clock speeds and increased MOSFET switching capabilities, digital audio data formats can be directly amplified using power electronic inverters. These amplifiers known as Class-D have an advantage over there analogue counterparts because of their high efficiency. This thesis deals with the signal processing algorithms necessary to convert the digital audio data obtained from the source to a digital pulse width modulated signal which controls a full bridge inverter for audio amplification. These algorithms address difficulties experienced in the past which prevented high fidelity digital pulse width modulators to be implemented. The signal processing algorithms are divided into modular blocks, each of which are defined in theory, designed and simulated in Matlab® and then implemented within VHDL firmware. These firmware blocks are then used to realize a Class-D audio amplifier.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Keywords: digital signal processing, OSI layer, network protocols, embedded systems, satellite technology This thesis describes the design and implementation of a rural e-mail system for the Sumbandila satellite. The rural e-mail system was developed during a project sponsored by the Department of Communications of the South African government. The complete Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) layer structure of the protocol architecture used on the satellite hardware and software is described. The equivalent implementation of the OSI layer on the ground station hardware is given. This includes the adaptation of the soundmodem Open Source Software modem to work for the e-mail system’s OSI layer. The design of the Application Layer e-mail system is described and the implementation of this design using the Python, Korn Shell and C programming environments is also given. The procedures used to test the system for reliability and the use of a database to create detailed logs of the e-mail system is shown to have generated a reliable system that is easily maintained. A critical evaluation of the system is provided in the last chapter. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sleutelwoorde: Syferseinverwerking, OSI-lae, netwerkprotokolle, toegewyde stelsels, satelliettegnologie Hierdie tesis beskryf die ontwerp en implementering van ’n plattelandse e-posstelsel vir die Sumbandila satelliet. Die plattelandse e-posstelsel is ontwikkel in opdrag van die Departement van Kommunikasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse regering. Die volledige Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) laagstruktuur van die protokol-argitektuur wat in die satelliet se apparatuur en programmatuur gebruik is, word beskryf. Die ekwivalente implementering van die OSI-laag op die grondstasie-apparatuur word gegee, insluitende die aanpassing van soundmodem, ’n oopbronkode sagteware-modem. Hierdie sagteware-modem word gebruik in die e-posstelsel se fisiese laag. Die ontwerp van die toepassingslaag van die e-posstelsel word beskryf, asook die implementering van hierdie ontwerp met behulp van Python, die Korninterpreteerder en C. Die prosedures waarvolgens stelselbetroubaarheid getoets is, en die gebruik van ’n databasis om noukeurige joernale van e-postransaksies te hou, demonstreer dat ’n betroubare, onderhoubare stelsel gemplementeer is. In die laaste hoofstuk word die stelsel krities geevalueer.

published_or_final_version / Speech and Hearing Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Electrical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy