Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) of the Stellenbosch University Satellite (SUNSAT I) is an integrated system providing some redundancy and the necessary data management to control the spacecraft. However, the redundancy is not easily accessible and there is a lack in flexibility when testing individual modules during integration or when the system needs to be extended. The objective of this thesis was thus to develop a high reliability, flexible, modular communication system that included some type of redundancy to manage real-time data and to prevent severe malfunctioning of the entire system. The first step in the project's development methodology was to summarise the requirements and specifications by studying the current ADCS architecture and data management. An investigation into the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol showed that this technology would fit the requirements very well, leading to the design and implementation of several concept topologies based on CAN. Thereafter, a demonstration model consisting of three prototype nodes was composed. The performance of the so called dual CAN node was analysed and an extrapolation was 'made to determine whether the architecture could support the complete ADCS. It was demonstrated that the dual CAN node provides enough room to accommodate all the processors, actuators and sensors of the ADCS. At the same time, it was shown that reliability and robustness was increased by enhanced redundancy at a node-level as well as at the greater system-level. A dual CAN bus was provided for redundancy at a node-level. At the system-level, the command and data-gathering modules (ACP or OBC's) can now effectively be multiplexed on the network of actuators and sensors. Furthermore, it was shown that error detection capabilities and diagnostics can be enhanced and the complexity of the communication architecture and related wiring harnesses can be reduced. This allows easier access to modules and simplifies development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) van Stellenbosch University Satellite (SUNSAT I) is 'n geïntegreerde stelsel wat voorsiening maak vir 'n mate van oortolligheid en 'n vermoeë om stelseldata te bestuur vir goeie satellietbeheer. Nietemin, hierdie oortolligheid is nie baie toeganklik nie en daar is 'n gebrek aan aanpasbaarheid tydens die toets en integrasie van individuele modules of moontlike stelseluitbreidings. Die doelwit van hierdie tesis was dus die ontwikkeling van 'n betroubare, aanpasbare, modulêre kommunikasie stelsel wat 'n tipe oortolligheid insluit sodat intydse data bestuur kan word en algehele stelselondergang vermy kan word. Die eerste stap in die projek se ontwikkelings metodiek was om 'n opsomming te verkry van die vereistes en spesifikasies deur die huidige ADCS se argitektuur en databestuur te ondersoek. 'n Ondersoek na die Controller Area Network (CAN) protokol het getoon dat hierdie tegnologie aan baie van die vereistes voldoen. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot die ontwerp en implementering van 'n paar konsep ontwerpe gebaseer op CAN. Daarna is 'n demonstrasie model bestaande uit drie prototipe nodusse gebou. Die werksverrigting van die sogenoemde dual CAN node, is ondersoek en 'n ekstrapolasie was gemaak om vas te stelof die argitektuur die volkome ADCS kan huisves. Deur demonstrasie was daar getoon dat die dual CAN node wel genoeg ruimte verskaf om al die verwerkers, aktueerders en sensors van die ADCS te akkommodeer. Daar was terselfdertyd getoon dat betroubaarheid en robuustheid verhoog is deur die verbeterde oortolligheid op 'n node-vlak sowel as op die groter stelsel-vlak. 'n Dubbele CAN bus is gebruik vir oortolligheid op 'n node-vlak. Op 'n stelsel-vlak kan die bevel-en-dataversamelings modules (ACP en aBC's) effektief gemultipleks word op die netwerk van aktueerders en sensors. Daar was verder getoon dat die foutopspoorings vermoeë en diagnostiese vermoeë verbeter kan word en die kompleksiteit van die kommunikasie argitektuur en ooreenkomstige kabelharnasse vereenvoudig kan word. Die gevolg is vereenvoudigde toegang tot modules en vergemaklikde opgradering.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis we addressed some issues concerning the automation of the detection, processing and the analysis of gravitational microlensing events, which are currently being used in the search for extra-solar planets. We were provided with a series of data images containing a microlensing event. Using these images we address several practical problems: registration, background subtraction and some PSF modelling. Registration is accomplished by using the intersection points of circular arcs drawn around stellar objects. After which the influence of the sky background is removed by using the watershedding algorithm and plane fitting. Our analysis is based on relative brightness - to counter seeing, the brightness of stars are calculated by isolating the objects from the background and summing over the area. A brightness variation curve is plotted and the trend of the lensing event and the posi tion of a blip are extracted using wavelets, calculating general trends and LOESS. The trend of the brightness variation curve can be used for both identification and classification of various events. It can also be used for the identification and classification of variable stars. Blip analysis is used to detect the presence of a planet (or dark body) in the vicinity of the source. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf tegnieke om die identifikasie, prosessering en analise van gravitasie mikro-lens gebeure te outomatiseer. Die analise van hierdie gebeure is belangrik aangesien dit gebruik word vir die opsporing van planete buite ons sonnestelsel. Om gebruik te maak van 'n reeks beelde wat een van hierdie gebeure vertoon moet ons die volgende probleme aanspreek: beeld registrasie, verwydering van die agtergrond en die modulering van die verspreiding van die lig van 'n puntbron deur die atmosfeer. Ons verkry registrasie deur die berekening van die snypunte van sirkels met middelpunte by sekere voorwerpe op die beeld. Na registrasie kan ons die invloed van die agtergrond bepaal deur gebruik te maak van die waterskeidingsalgoritme. Dit stelons in staat om die relatiewe helderheid van die voorwerpe ondersoek deur die voorwerpe te isoleer en te sommeer oor die area van 'n voorwerp. 'n Grafiese voorstelling van die helderhede dui vir ons die relatiewe variasies in die helderhede van die mikrolens objek tussen die beelde aan. Ons ondersoek die vorm van die kromme asook die moontlike voorkoms van 'n 'blip' deur middel van wavelet analiese en die LOESS metode. Die vorm van die kromme word gebruik vir die identifikasie en klassifikasie van die verskillende mikro-lens gebeure en kan uitgebrei word om ook veranderlike sterre te ondersoek. Die teenwoordighied van 'n 'blip' op die data wys op die moontlik teenwoordigheid van 'n planeet nabyaan die bron wat ons ondersoek.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the study of two soft-switching inverter topologies that are well suited to high-power applications. For the first topology, namely an active resonant turn-off snubber, the existing theory is expanded with a detailed study into operation strategies and topology protection. This is followed by an investigation into the second topology, which is a combined snubber that reduces both turn-off and turn-on losses. The investigation involves a detailed analysis of the losses in the snubber components and main devices, as well as a study into the effects of parasitic components and diode reverse recovery on the operation of the snubber. Based on this theory a snubber optimisation procedure is also developed. Possible operation strategies and protection techniques were also evaluated for this topology. Single-phase experimental inverters were used to verify the basic operation theory and switching loss prediction for both topologies. The thesis is concluded by the design and construction of a practical soft-switching threephase inverter. After implementation the experimental inverter is used for theory verification. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif beskryf die ondersoek na twee saggeskakelde omsetter topologieë wat veral geskik is vir hoë-drywing toepassings. Die bestaande teorie aangaande die eerste topologie, naamlik 'n aktiewe, resonante, afskakel gapser, word uitgebrei met 'n deeglike-studie oor bedryfstegnieke en beskermingsmetodes. Vervolgens word 'n gekombineerde gapser topologie, wat beide aanskakel- en afskakelverliese verminder, ondersoek. Die studie behels 'n volledige analise van die verliese in die omsetter en gapser komponente en die invloed van parasitêre komponente en diode tru-herstel. Hierdie teorie word ook gebruik om 'n optimale gapser ontwerp prosedure te ontwikkel. Die moontlikke bedryfstegnieke en beskermingsmetodes word ook vir hierdie topologie evalueer. In albei gevalle is eksperimentele, enkelfase omsetters gebruik om die teorie oor basiese werking en skakelverlies vermindering te verifieer. Die ondersoek word afgesluit deur die ontwerp en konstruksie van 'n praktiese, saggeskakelde, drie-fase omsetter te beskryf. Na implimentering van die omsetter word volledige eksperimentele verifikasie uitgevoer.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the problems with any deep space communication system is that information may be altered or lost during transmission due to channel noise. It is known that any damage to the bit stream may lead to objectionable visual quality distortion of images at the decoder. The purpose of this thesis is to design an error correction and data compression algorithm for image protection, which will allow the communication bandwidth to be better utilized. The work focuses on Sunsat (Stellenbosch Satellite) images as test images. Investigations were done on the JPEG 2000 compression algorithm's robustness to random errors, putting more emphasis on how much of the image is degraded after compression. Implementation of both the error control coding and data compression strategy is then applied to a set of test images. The FEe algorithm combats some if not all of the simulated random errors introduced by the channel. The results illustrates that the error correction of random errors is achieved by a factor of 100 times (xl00) on all test images and that the probability of error of 10-2in the channel (10-4for image data) shows that the errors causes little degradation on the image quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die probleme met kommunikasie in die ruimte is dat informasie mag verlore gaan en! of gekorrupteer word deur ruis gedurende versending deur die kanaal. Dit is bekend dat enige skade aan die bisstroom mag lei tot hinderlike vervorming van die beelde wat op aarde ontvang word. Die doel van hierdie tesis om foutkorreksie en datakompressie te ontwikkel wat die satelliet beelde sal beskerm gedurende versending en die kommunikasie kanaal se bandwydte beter sal benut. Die werk fokus op SUNSAT (Stellenbosch Universiteit Satelliet) se beelde as toetsbeelde. Ondersoeke is gedoen na die JPEG2000 kompressie algoritme se bestandheid teen toevalsfoute, met klem op hoeveel die beeld gedegradeer word deur die bisfoute wat voorkom. Beide die kompressie en die foutkorreksie is ge-implementeer en aangewend op die toetsbeelde. Die foutkorreksie bestry die gesimuleerde toevalsfoute, soos wat dit op die kanaal voorkom. Die resultate toon dat die foutkorreksie die toevalsfoute met 'n faktor 100 verminder, en dat 'n foutwaarskynlikheid van 10-2 op die kanaal (10-4 op die beelddata) weinig degradering in die beeldkwaliteit veroorsaak.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An antenna for ground level deployed Ground Penetrating Radar applications is presented. The antenna is matched to the ground via a low impedance dielectric matching section improving the radiation pattern and input impedance characteristics. A bowtie antenna was used for the design with the edges rounded to stabilize the resonant frequency. The radiation pattern was focused to the one side of the antenna for ground penetration using a non-absorptive metallic cylindrical air filled cavity. Edge reflections from the antenna were reduced by means of discrete resistor terminations between the antenna and the cavity. A wire equivalent of the solid metallic antenna was investigated giving similar characteristics to that of the solid antenna. The radiation pattern deformation arising from transmitting a wave from an antenna in air into the ground due to the impedance mismatch was investigated. This was overcome with the use of a polypropylene dielectric slab inserted between the antenna and the ground. Together with improving the radiation pattern the antenna was less sensitive to ground parameter variations and to an air gap introduced between the slab and the ground. This was implemented as a wheel mounted system with adjustable height settings depending on the terrain. A pair of mounted antennas was constructed to be tested on an existing bistatic Stepped Frequency Continuous Wave radar operating in the 50-400 MHz band developed by the University of Cape Town. This antenna is seen as providing a solution to the problem of coupling an antenna to a low wave impedance medium such as ground. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Antenne word vir Grond Penetrerende Radar toepassings voorgestel. Dit is spesifiek ontwikkel vir oppervlak ontplooide stelsels ontwerp. Die antenne is aangepas tot die grond deur middel van 'n diëlektriese aanpassingseksie wat die starlingspatroon en intree-impedansie karakteristieke verbeter. Die antenne is tot die grond toe aangepas deur middel van 'n diëlektriese aanpassingseksie wat die starlingspatroon en intree-impedansie karakteristieke verbeter. 'n Strikdas antenne was gebruik vir die ontwerp, met die kante gerond om die resonante freqwensie te stabiliseer. Om die stralingspatroon van die antenne na een kant toe te fokus was 'n nie-absorbeerede metaleiese, luggevulde, silindriese holte daaragter geplaas om die energie vorentoe te weerkaats. Weerkaatsings van die rand van die antenne word onderdruk met behulp van koppelende weerstande tussen die antenne en die holte. A draad ekwivalent van die antenne was ook ondersoek met goeie ooreenstemming met die soliede strikdas. Die impedansie wanaanpassing wat ontstaan as 'n antenne wat in lug is, in die grond in straal veroorsaak dat die stralingspatroon van die antenne vervorm word. Dit was gevind dat deur 'n aanpassings blad van 'n diëlektriese materiaal, naamlik polipropileen, gebruik te maak tussen die antenne en die grond dat dit die probleem oplos. Saam met dit was gevind dat die antenne minder sensitief was vir veranderings in grondparameters en ook vir 'n lug gaping tussen die blad en die grond. Die het gemaak dat die antenne op wiele gemonteer kon word met verstelbare hoogte afhangend van die terrein. 'n Stel geskaleerde antennes was gemaak om op 'n beskikbare bistatiese Trap Frekwensie Kontinue Golf radar te werk. Dit werk oor die 50-400 MHz band en was ontwikkel deur die Universitiet van Kaapstad. Die antenne word gesien as 'n oplossing vir antenne koppelingsprobleme ondervind by laë golf impedansie materiale.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes various software technologies implemented, or specifically developed, for the SUNSAT micro-satellite mission. With the discussion centered on the Mission Operations System functions of Data Handling and Mission Control, particular emphasis is placed on data processing aspects such as the deployed database schema, and the data communications mechanisms implemented as part of the communications protocol stack. Both the groundsystem architecture and the Flight Software are discussed, their constituent components are analysed, and recommendations are made for improvement. Finally, a Unified Information Model for the design and operation of future, integrated satellite groundsystems is proposed, with suitable implementation technologies being identified and introduced. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf die sagteware tegnologieë wat qeirnpternenteer. of spesifiek ontwerp is vir die SUNSAT mikro-satelliet missie, Met die bespreking gefokus op die Missie Operasionele Stelsel funksies van Data Hantering en Missie Beheer, word daar veral klem gelê op data prosesserings aspekte, soos byvoorbeeld die databasis skema wat ontplooi is, asook die data kommunikasie meganismes wat qeimplernenteer is as deel van die kommunikasie protokol stapel. Beide die grondstelsel argitektuur en die Vlugsagteware word bespreek, hulonderskeie komponente word geanaliseer, en aanbevelings ter verbetering word gemaak, Laastens word daar 'n Verenigde Informasie Model voorgestel vir die ontwerp en operasionele werking van 'n toekomstige, qeinteqreerde satelliet grondstelsel. Geskikte tegnologieë vir die implementasie hiervan word ook qeidentifiseer en voorgelê,

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The application of artificial neural networks to microwave circuits is investigated. A neural network model is developed for two parallel waveguides coupled by a longitudinal slot in the common broad wall. Training data is generated through a moment method solution of the integral equations that describe the structure. A systematic investigation of training options is carried out and the development of the model is described in detail. The model is evaluated and compared with an Adaptive Sampling Interpolation (ASI) Technique. The neural network is found to be less accurate than the ASI Technique at a much greater expense of development time and required user supervision. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toepassing van neurale netwerke op mikrogolfbane is ondersoek. In Neurale netwerk-model is ontwikkel vir twee parallelle golfleiers met longitudinale gleufkoppeling in die gemeenskaplike bree wand. Data vir die opleiding van die netwerke is verkry deur In momentmetode-oplossing van die integraalvergelykings wat die struktuur beskryf. Verskillende ontwerpsopsies vir die netwerke is stelselmatig ondersoek en die ontwikkelingsproses van die netwerk is volledig beskryf. Die model is geevalueer en vergelyk met In Aanpasbare Monstering Interpolasietegniek (AMI). Daar is gevind dat die neurale netwerk minder akkuraat is as die AMI terwyl die koste aan ontwikkelingstyd en gebruikerstoesig hoer is.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001, / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A frequency domain Power Line Carrier (PLC) simulation program, with the ability to simulate signal attenuation including the coupling equipment, was developed. This simulation program was put to the test against the independent program of Professor L.M. Wedepohl and against practical field measurements. The predictions of the two programs were in precise agreement for a wide range of input parameters. Results from the field tests and predictions also showed close agreement. Further investigations, applying the simulation program, explained how ground conductors and soil resistivity influences PLC signal propagation. An experiment, which was developed to monitor PLC signal attenuation, was installed on the PLC system between Koeberg power station and Acacia substation, both near Cape Town. Data logged continuously over 28 days, indicated measurable and deterministic PLC signal attenuation variations with typical time constants of a few hours. Simulations of the PLC system indicated that the signal amplitude variations were influenced by changes in the height above the ground plane of the phase conductor. This significant finding creates the possibility to obtain real time knowledge of the sag of an Over Head Transmission Line (OHTL) by exploiting an operational PLC system. The knowledge about real time sag can be used in economical dynamic ampacity control systems. The practical and financial benefits to the electricity supply and distribution industry can be significant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Frekwensie gebied "Power Line Carrier" (PLC) simulasie program wat die sein verswakking en die koppeling verliese kan naboots, is ontwikkel. Die program is getoets teen die onafhanklike program van Professor L.M. Wedepohl asook praktiese metings in die veld. Die vooruitskatings van beide programme is presies die selfde vir 'n wye reeks van parameters. Metings en nabootsings het ook noue ooreenstemming getoon. Verdere ondersoek, m. b. v. die program, is gedoen ten einde te verduidelik hoe grond-geleiers en grond weerstand die PLC sein se voortplanting beïnvloed. 'n Eksperiment om die PLC sein se verswakking mee te monitor is ontwerp. Die eksperiment was geïnstalleer in die PLC stelsel tussen Koeberg kernkragstasie en Acacia substasie, naby Kaapstad. Die eksperiment was vir 28 dae geaktiveer en die data wat die eksperiment opgelewer het toon meetbare PLC sein verswakking met tyd konstantes van 'n paar uur. Verdere nabootsings het gewys dat die veranderende verswakking in die PLC seinsterkte toegeskryf kan word aan die wisseling in hoogte van die fase geleiers bo die grondvlak. Hierdie bevinding is van besondere belang aangesien dit die moontlikheid oopmaak om die gemiddelde sak van kraglyne in reële tyd en onder bedryfs toestande te kan meet. Die informasie van die reële sak van kraglyne kan gebruik word in effektiewe stroomdrae-vermoë beheer stelsels. Die praktiese en finansiële voordele wat krag voorsieners en verspreiders hieruit kan put kan aansienlik wees.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Balanced loads such as antennas normally require baluns when they are measured. For wide band applications, designing and building a balun complicates the measurement and introduces errors. A simple model for load impedances was developed, together with a novel measurement procedure. The procedure enables the measurement of balanced loads using a network analyzer with no balun. Measured and simulated results are presented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gebalanseerde laste soos antennas benodig gewoonlik balons om korrek gemeet te word. Die ontwerp van 'n balon vir wye band toepassings bemoeilik die metings en veroorsaak foute. 'n Eenvoudige model vir die lasimpedansies is ontwikkel sowel as 'n eenvoudige meetmetode. Die metode word gebruik om die gebalanseerde laste te meet met 'n netwerk analiseerder sonder die gebruik van 'n balon. Gemete en gesimuleerde resultate word getoon.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unshielded distribution lines has a poor performance during lightning activity. Lightning initiates flashovers between the phases and earth and causes line breakers to trip several times during a lightning storm. In addition equipment like fuses, surge arresters and transformers are damaged by lightning and cause in some cases long power interruptions to customers. The application of line surge arresters on distribution lines is a solution that is implemented worldwide to limit the lightning related problems. This thesis investigated using line surge arresters in conjunction with bushing-mount fuses to decrease nuisance fusing and transformer damage during lightning activity. Two new pieces of equipment (dropout surge arresters and transformer bushingmount fuses) were developed and strategically placed on 4 different distribution lines. Equipment failures decreased by 90 % while financially the project had an excellent return on investment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Distribusie lyne sonder skermdrade presteer swak gedurende weerlig aktiwiteit. Weerlig veroorsaak oorvonking tussen fases en aard geleiers wat lei tot breker klinke. Transformators, sekerings, stuwingsafleiers en ander toerusting word ook deur weerlig beskadig en veroorsaak in sommige gevalle lang toevoer onderbrekings. Installering van lyn stuwingsafleiers op distribusielyne is 'n metode wat wêreldwyd gebruik word om oorvonking en weerligskade te beperk. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die installering van lyn stuwingsafleiers en deurvoerder gemonteerde sekerings om transformator skade en onnodige blaas van sekerings te beperk tydens weerlig aktiwiteit. Nuwe toerusting (uitval stuwingsafleiers en transformator deurvoerder gemonteerde sekerings) was ontwikkel en strategies op 4 verskillende distribusie lyne geïnstalleer. 'n Negentig persent vermindering in toerusting beskadiging is behaal terwyl die projek finansiël 'n goeie opbrengs op belegging meegebring het.