Bio-optical variability of surface waters in Northeastern Gulf of Mexico (NEGOM) was examined using satellite and in situ data. Relatively high chlorophyll-a concentration (chl>=1 mg m-3) and high colored dissolved organic mater (ag443>=0.1 m-1) were generally observed inshore, near major river mouths, and in plumes of Mississippi River water that extended offshore during the three consecutive summer seasons (1998, 1999, and 2000). River discharge dominated chlorophyll-a concentration variability inshore, particularly near major river mouths. Strong interannual variability in chlorophyll-a concentration was observed inshore from Escambia to Tampa Bay region during the winter to spring transition, which was different in 1998 compared to the winter to spring transition in 1999 and 2000. This was related to higher fresh water discharge during the 1997-1998 El Niño-Southern Oscillation event as well as strong upwelling in spring 1998. The Mississippi plume extended >500 km southeast of the Mississippi delta and up to the Florida Keys was observed for the periods extending over 14 weeks between May and September every year of the study. In general, ag443 covaried linearly and inversely with salinity inshore during spring and fall, indicating conservative mixing. The NEGOM salinity-ag443 relationship of fall 1998, i.e., Salinity=36.59-29.86*ag443 (n=8771, r2=0.86; 0.01<=ag443<=0.52, 16 <=S<=36), served as the best predictor of NEGOM salinity based on in situ ag443 observations for spring and fall seasons from all years (<3% mean percentage errors; corresponding to <1.03 psu). This may help estimate salinity from satellite ocean color data, but further testing using data from multiple years is needed to improve such relationship. While river discharge was an important source of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), phytoplankton blooms also contributed to CDOM formation in the NEGOM. Using a pigment index of phytoplankton taxonomic groups, the variability in biomass proportion of microphytoplankton explained up to 76% of the variability of the average of normalized phytoplankton absorption coefficients (545, 625, and 673 nm). The clorophyll-specific absorption coefficient, a*ph(440), varies by a factor of 7 (0.02-0.15 m2mg-1). Particle size and pigment composition played important roles in determining a*ph(440) variability. This must be accounted for in chlorophyll-a concentration algorithms based on aph.

In this thesis, an internal mobile phone antenna with a distributed matching circuit for eight-band LTE/WWAN operation is presented. By selecting proper dimensions of the distributed matching circuit, the bandwidth of the proposed antenna can be greatly enhanced. Good radiation characteristics are also obtained, and the proposed antenna occupies only 60 ¡Ñ 10 ¡Ñ 3 mm^3 and is very suitable for slim mobile phone applications. Effects of the human body including user¡¦s head and hand are also studied, and the SAR and HAC issues are simulated and analyzed in this thesis.

A tablet computer antenna array for WWAN/LTE and LTE MIMO operations is proposed. The antenna array comprises a main antenna and an auxiliary antenna. The main antenna is an eight-band coupled-fed antenna, which can cover the GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS and LTE700/2300/2700 operations. The auxiliary antenna is a three-band antenna, which can cover the LTE700/2300/2500 operation and occupies a small size. Acceptable isolation between the main and auxiliary antennas has also been obtained, which makes it promising for the main and auxiliary antennas to perform LTE MIMO operation in the LTE700/2300/2500 bands. Effects of the internal tablet computer antenna on the user¡¦s body are also studied. The obtained results show that the antenna can meet the 1-g body SAR specification of less than 1.6 W/kg by selecting a proper distance between the antenna and the flat phantom. Also, since the user¡¦s body is a lossy material, a decrease in the antenna¡¦s radiation efficiency is observed when the user¡¦s body is in the vicinity of the internal antenna.

In this thesis, a comparison of the body SAR value of five planar WLAN antennas including two coupled-fed shorted monopole antennas, a coupled-fed loop antenna, a monopole antenna, and a monopole slot antenna for tablet PC applications are presented. A required minimum distance between the antenna and the testing flat phantom to meet the 1-g body SAR requirement of 1.6 W/kg has been determined. Results show that the body SAR results of the coupled-fed loop antenna are lowest among the five tested antennas. Detailed results and discussion are presented in this thesis. Also, a comparison of the body SAR value of a planar antenna and an antenna with 3-D bent structure are presented.

Bandwidth enhancement of the LTE/WWAN handset antenna achieved by improving the excited surface current distribution in the system ground plane is presented. To achieve this goal, the system ground plane is shaped to be of a C-shape in this thesis. In this case, the longitudinal excited surface current in the system ground plane can have a smooth distribution. The proposed antenna is disposed at one edge of the C-shaped system ground plane, and the antenna comprises a driven monopole strip, a shorted monopole strip and a distributed parallel resonance (PR) circuit. By controlling the resonant frequency of the distributed PR circuit, it can result in dual-resonance excitation of the lowest resonant mode contributed by the shorted monopole strip to cover the LTE700/GSM850/900 operation. The antenna also occupies a small volume of 44 ¡Ñ 10 ¡Ñ 5 mm3 (about 2.2 cm3). Good radiation characteristics of the antenna are also obtained. For practical applications, effects of the electrical connection between the system ground plane and the surrounding metal elements such as the battery¡¦s metal casing and the handset metal midplate are studied. The simulated SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) and HAC (Hearing Aid Compatibility) results are also analyzed.

The focus of this thesis lies on the development, and implementation, of parallel transmission (pTx) techniques in magnetic resonance imaging for flip-angle homogenization throughout the human brain at ultra-high field. In order to allow in-vivo demonstrations, a conservative yet viable safety concept is introduced to control the absorbed radiofrequency (RF) power . Subsequently, novel methods for local SAR control and non-selective RF pulse-design are investigated. The impact of these short and energy-efficient waveforms, referred to as kT-points, is first demonstrated in the context of the small-tip-angle domain. Targeting a larger scope of applications, the kT-points design is then generalized to encompass large flip angle excitations and inversions. This concept is applied to one of the most commonly used T1-weighted sequences in neuroimaging. Results thus obtained at 7 Tesla are compared to images acquired with a clinical setup at 3 Tesla, validating the principles of the kT-points method and demonstrating that pTx-enabled ultra-high field systems can also be competitive in the context of T1-weighted imaging. Finally, simplifications in the global design of the pTx-implementation are studied in order to obtain a more cost-effective solution.

A grande maioria da população mundial está crescentemente exposta à radiação eletromagnética proveniente de fontes que muitas vezes estão localizadas nas proximidades do corpo. A radiação eletromagnética é considerada um agente possivelmente cancerígeno para as pessoas, classificação 2B indicada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde-OMS (WHO/IARC, 2011). Devido às preocupações em relação aos riscos associados a esta exposição existem normas que recomendam os valores máximos de exposição permitidos (ICNIRP, 1998; FCC, 2001). A correta avaliação das doses de radiação é, portanto, relevante. Este trabalho tem a finalidade de avaliar o impacto dos resultados do cálculo da dose da Taxa de Absorção Específica (SAR) em usuários expostos a radiação por tablets operando na faixa de radiocomunicações Wi-fi. Os três modelos existentes de cabeça humana utilizados serão um manequim homogêneo SAM phantom e dois modelos de cabeça realistas heterogêneos: um adulto masculino e uma criança masculina. Será também utilizado nas simulações um modelo masculino de criança que foi desenvolvido através de imagens de tomografia computadorizada (TC) pelo processo de segmentação feito no software AMIRA. Será utilizado um modelo genérico de tablet. Os parâmetros dosimétricos usados para simulação da SAR serão computados pelo software SEMCAD X que é baseado no Método das Diferenças Finitas no Domínio do Tempo (FDTD). Será criado também um código do Método FDTD através do software MATLAB que servirá para a escolha dos parâmetros do SEMCAD X. A distância entre o tablet e os modelos de cabeças varia de 50 mm a 300 mm. Os resultados da SAR serão comparados com os limites de exposição recomendados pelas normas internacionais. Também serão simuladas diferentes posições da antena no tablet. Da análise dos resultados foi constatado que os valores de SAR são muito baixos e todos os resultados ficaram dentro dos limites do psSAR recomendados pela FCC de 1,6 W/kg em cada 1 g de tecido e de 2 W/kg em cada 10 g de tecido estabelecidos pela ICNIRP. Comparando os valores de SAR do modelo SAM com o modelo DUKE, o modelo SAM se mostra conservador, porém quando a comparação é feita com as crianças o SAM deixa de ser conservador. / The vast majority of the world population is increasingly exposed to electromagnetic radiation from sources which are often located near to the body. Electromagnetic radiation is considered a possible carcinogen for people, classification 2B indicated by the World Health Organization-WHO (WHO/IARC, 2011). Due to concerns regarding the risks associated with this exposition there are regulations suggesting maximum allowed exposure values (ICNIRP, 1998; FCC, 2001). The correct evaluation of radiation doses is therefore relevant. This work aims to assess the impact of the results of the calculation of Specific Absorption Rate dose (SAR) in users exposed to radiation from tablets operating in the Wi-fi band. The three existing models of human head used are a homogeneous dummy SAM phantom and two heterogeneous realistic head models: a male adult and a male child. It will also be used in the simulations a male child model which was developed from computed tomography (CT) imaging using the AMIRA software for the segmentation process. A generic model of tablet is used. Dosimetric parameters used for simulation of the SAR are computed using the SEMCAD X software which is based on the Finite Difference Method in Time Domain (FDTD). A FDTD code was developed using the MATLAB software in order to help to choose the input SEMCAD X parameters. The distances between the tablet and the head of the models varies from 50 mm to 300 mm. SAR results are compared with the exposure limits recommended by international standards. Different antenna positions on the tablet are simulated too. Examining the results it was found that the SAR values are very low and all results are within the psSAR limits recommended by FCC (1,6 W/kg averaged over 1 g of tissue) and by ICNIRP (2 W/kg in 10 g of tissue). Comparing the SAR in the SAM model with the SAR in the DUKE model, the SAM model shows to be conservative. However, when compared with the children, the SAM is not conservative.

A grande maioria da população mundial está crescentemente exposta à radiação eletromagnética proveniente de fontes que muitas vezes estão localizadas nas proximidades do corpo. A radiação eletromagnética é considerada um agente possivelmente cancerígeno para as pessoas, classificação 2B indicada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde-OMS (WHO/IARC, 2011). Devido às preocupações em relação aos riscos associados a esta exposição existem normas que recomendam os valores máximos de exposição permitidos (ICNIRP, 1998; FCC, 2001). A correta avaliação das doses de radiação é, portanto, relevante. Este trabalho tem a finalidade de avaliar o impacto dos resultados do cálculo da dose da Taxa de Absorção Específica (SAR) em usuários expostos a radiação por tablets operando na faixa de radiocomunicações Wi-fi. Os três modelos existentes de cabeça humana utilizados serão um manequim homogêneo SAM phantom e dois modelos de cabeça realistas heterogêneos: um adulto masculino e uma criança masculina. Será também utilizado nas simulações um modelo masculino de criança que foi desenvolvido através de imagens de tomografia computadorizada (TC) pelo processo de segmentação feito no software AMIRA. Será utilizado um modelo genérico de tablet. Os parâmetros dosimétricos usados para simulação da SAR serão computados pelo software SEMCAD X que é baseado no Método das Diferenças Finitas no Domínio do Tempo (FDTD). Será criado também um código do Método FDTD através do software MATLAB que servirá para a escolha dos parâmetros do SEMCAD X. A distância entre o tablet e os modelos de cabeças varia de 50 mm a 300 mm. Os resultados da SAR serão comparados com os limites de exposição recomendados pelas normas internacionais. Também serão simuladas diferentes posições da antena no tablet. Da análise dos resultados foi constatado que os valores de SAR são muito baixos e todos os resultados ficaram dentro dos limites do psSAR recomendados pela FCC de 1,6 W/kg em cada 1 g de tecido e de 2 W/kg em cada 10 g de tecido estabelecidos pela ICNIRP. Comparando os valores de SAR do modelo SAM com o modelo DUKE, o modelo SAM se mostra conservador, porém quando a comparação é feita com as crianças o SAM deixa de ser conservador. / The vast majority of the world population is increasingly exposed to electromagnetic radiation from sources which are often located near to the body. Electromagnetic radiation is considered a possible carcinogen for people, classification 2B indicated by the World Health Organization-WHO (WHO/IARC, 2011). Due to concerns regarding the risks associated with this exposition there are regulations suggesting maximum allowed exposure values (ICNIRP, 1998; FCC, 2001). The correct evaluation of radiation doses is therefore relevant. This work aims to assess the impact of the results of the calculation of Specific Absorption Rate dose (SAR) in users exposed to radiation from tablets operating in the Wi-fi band. The three existing models of human head used are a homogeneous dummy SAM phantom and two heterogeneous realistic head models: a male adult and a male child. It will also be used in the simulations a male child model which was developed from computed tomography (CT) imaging using the AMIRA software for the segmentation process. A generic model of tablet is used. Dosimetric parameters used for simulation of the SAR are computed using the SEMCAD X software which is based on the Finite Difference Method in Time Domain (FDTD). A FDTD code was developed using the MATLAB software in order to help to choose the input SEMCAD X parameters. The distances between the tablet and the head of the models varies from 50 mm to 300 mm. SAR results are compared with the exposure limits recommended by international standards. Different antenna positions on the tablet are simulated too. Examining the results it was found that the SAR values are very low and all results are within the psSAR limits recommended by FCC (1,6 W/kg averaged over 1 g of tissue) and by ICNIRP (2 W/kg in 10 g of tissue). Comparing the SAR in the SAM model with the SAR in the DUKE model, the SAM model shows to be conservative. However, when compared with the children, the SAM is not conservative.

The main objective of this study is to learn about the theory of electromagnetic field and to create a model of propagation of ultra short waves in a biological tissue. Next point of this paper is to determine a specific absorption rate (SAR) using a valid sanitary standard. A particular model solution was realized in a model environment of the program Comsol Multiphysics 3.5. A human head and a cellular phone with an intern antenna were successfully created in this model environment. First of all were entered appropriate parameters which led to a successful representation of the distribution of electric field intensity. A value of specific absorption rate taken by a biological tissue was determined in the next step. This value was compared to the value listed in a valid sanitary standard to prevent its overrun. A development of a temperature in a biological tissue was determined as well, according to a six minutes long interval stated in a valid sanitary standard.

Le travail présenté dans cette thèse a pour objectif l’étude des conditions nécessaires pour évaluer l'exposition radio fréquence (RF) due aux téléphones mobiles dans un scenario d’utilisation réelle et le développement d’une méthodologie permettant de prédire et de comparer les téléphones mobiles en fonction de leurs expositions RF réelles. Les téléphones mobiles sont caractérisés par leur débit d'absorption spécifique (DAS) et leur performance en émission et en réception (over-the-air, OTA). En utilisant le DAS et la puissance totale rayonnée (PTR), un indice d'exposition appelée l'indice SAROTA a été proposé précédemment afin de prévoir l'exposition réelle des téléphones mobiles. L’indice SAROTA sert ainsi de métrique permettant de comparer les téléphones mobiles. Afin de déterminer expérimentalement l’exposition réelle aux RF, plusieurs téléphones avec des modifications logicielles permettant d’enregistrer les paramètres du réseau, sont utilisés pour l’étude qui est menée comme suit : (a) caractérisation des outils et des ressources disponibles pour effectuer des mesures ciblées, (b) identification des ressources radio et des paramètres importants pour effectuer ces mesures, (c) étude de la mise en œuvre effective du mécanisme de contrôle de puissance observé dans un réseau mobile réel pour différents niveaux et de qualités du signal reçus, (d) étude de la corrélation entre la performance OTA des téléphones mobiles et l’étendue effective du contrôle de puissance appliquée par le réseau, (e) comparaison entre la valeur réelle de l’exposition et la valeur prédite en utilisant l’indice SAROTA. Comme les défis logistiques et techniques sont plus difficiles à surmonter pour les mesures dans un environnement multi-trajets extérieur, les expériences ont été limitées à des environnements intérieurs pour assurer une meilleure répétabilité des mesures. Lors d’une première phase de l’étude, la stabilité de l’environnement intérieur a été évaluée. Lors d’une deuxième phase, l’influence de la main sur le DAS et la PTR des téléphones mobiles ainsi que sur l’évaluation de l’exposition réelle prédite par l’indice SAROTA a été étudiée. Lors d’une troisième phase, un ensemble de téléphones mobiles identiques ont été modifiés et des mesures effectuées pour vérifier que l’indice SAROTA permet bien de prédire l’exposition réelle des personnes. / The work presented in the thesis is directed towards addressing the requirement for determining the radio frequency (RF) exposure due to mobile phones under typical usage/ real-life scenarios and also to develop a method to predict and compare mobile phones for their real-life RF exposure. The mobile phones are characterized for their specific absorption rate (SAR) and for transmit and receive performance given by the over-the-air (OTA) characterization. Using the SAR and the total radiated power (TRP) characterization, an exposure index referred to as the SAROTA index was previously proposed to predict the real-life exposure due to mobile phones which would also serve as a metric to compare individual phones. In order to experimentally determine the real-life RF exposure, various software modified phones (SMP) are utilized for the study. These phones contain an embedded software capable of recording the network parameters. The study is undertaken in the following order: (a) Characterization of the available tools and resources for performing targeted measurements/experiments, (b) identifying the important radio resource parameters and metrics to perform the targeted measurements, (c) investigation of the actual implementation of the power control mechanism in a live network for various received signal level and received quality environments, (d) investigating the correlation of the over-the-air performance of the mobile phones and the extent of actual power control realization, (e) comparing the actual exposure and the real-life exposure as predicted by the SAROTA index. Based on the logistical and technical challenges encountered, the experiments were restricted to indoor environments to enable repeatability. During the first phase of the study, the stability of the indoor environment was evaluated. During the second phase, the influence of hand phantom on the SAR and TRP of the mobile phones and the capability of the SAROTA index to predict the exposure was investigated. Further developing on the insights from the hand phantom experiments, in the third phase, a set of identical software modified phones were externally modified to alter the TRP performance and the methodology to determine the real-life exposure and also verify the capability of the SAROTA index to predict the exposure levels was investigated. The experiments demonstrate that the SAROTA index is capable of predicting the real-life exposure and comparing the mobile phones.