Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Applications are normally developed with a specific purpose in mind and when new features are needed the source code has to be modified, recompiled and redistributed. It will be more beneficial if new features can be dynamically added during runtime without the need to disrupt execution, especially in the case of ground station software. This thesis is about the implementation of a dynamic development environment within which a modular system can be created from existing components that can be extended with additional components at any time. The interaction between these components can then be specified which can result in a completely automated system. It is concluded that the graphical tools of such an environment can make it easy for people who do not necessarily have programming knowledge to build a system from existing components that can be extended and reconfigured whenever necessary.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrial and Electronic Engineering.))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This thesis covers the design and development of a radio telemetry system to assist in management of the Grumeti reserves. This was accomplished through the integration of a digital data transmission system into the existing analog voice radio network, while minimizing any possible interference. The primary application of the system is vehicle tracking, but it is also capable of supporting other telemetry data in the future. The system relies on a server based at the reserve headquarters and various client telemetry units installed in the vehicles. A vehicle’s location is requested via the server application. The results are displayed on a digital map and stored into a database. Various methods are used to reduce radio interference and support reliable transmission of data. The system is also designed to be affordable, maintainable and robust. Two prototypes were implemented to perform various tests and establish the feasibility of the sysem. It proved to be capable of meeting the main objectives and implementation will commence in the future.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / A singing transcription system transforming acoustic input into MIDI note sequences is presented. The transcription system is incorporated into a pronunciation-independent sight-singing tutor system, which provides note-level feedback on the accuracy with which each note in a sequence has been sung. Notes are individually modeled with hidden Markov models (HMMs) using untuned pitch and delta-pitch as feature vectors. A database consisting of annotated passages sung by 26 soprano subjects was compiled for the development of the system, since no existing data was available. Various techniques that allow efficient use of a limited dataset are proposed and evaluated. Several HMM topologies are also compared, in analogy with approaches often used in the field of automatic speech recognition. Context-independent note models are evaluated first, followed by the use of explicit transition models to better identify boundaries between notes. A non-repetitive grammar is used to reduce the number of insertions. Context-dependent note models are then introduced, followed by context-dependent transition models. The aim in introducing context-dependency is to improve transition region modeling, which in turn should increase note transcription accuracy, but also improve the time-alignment of the notes and the transition regions. The final system is found to be able to transcribe sung passages with around 86% accuracy. Finally, a note-level sight-singing tutor system based on the singing transcription system is presented and a number of note sequence scoring approaches are evaluated.

Thesis (MEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The aim of this thesis is to find an a ordable and upgradeable manner of increasing the data rate of current satellite systems. The compression, modulation and amplification techniques and telecommunication regulations restrict the data rate, which are bypassed by designing a parallel channel configuration. In order to test this solution a system is developed that is based on the existing standards of DVB-S and MPEG-2. The combination of these standards protect the data from interference, package the data for ease of storage, modulate the data to more effectively radiate the signal and shape the spectrum to adhere to telecommunication regulations. The spacing between the channels is reduced and the transmitted signal is amplified to inject interference into the system. The effect of this interference on the receiver is shown by transmitting image data and comparing the received image with the original.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems are an attractive means for companies to deliver value added services with which to improve customer satisfaction. Such ASR systems require a telephony interface to connect the speech recognition application to the telephone system. Commercially available telephony interfaces are usually operating system specific, and therefore hardware device driver issues complicate the development of software applications for different platforms that require telephony access. The drivers and application programming interface (API) for telephony interfaces are often available only for the Microsoft Windows operating systems. This poses a problem, as many of the software tools used for speech recognition research and development operate only on Linux-based computers. These interfaces are also typically in PCI/ISA card format, which hinders physical portability of the device to another computer. A simple, cheaper and easier to use USB telephony interface device, offering cross-platform portability, was developed and presented, together with the necessary API.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / An ad-hoc network encompasses the cooperative engagement of a collection of mobile nodes that are free to move and communicate with each other wirelessly without the required intervention of any centralized access point or existing infrastructure. The advantage of such a network lies in it’s robustness, adaptiveness, the fact that its self-configurable and that it becomes somewhat indestructible due to it’s decentralized nature. But such a network layout simultaneously introduces many complex network management issues which are normally taken care of inherently by a rigid network architecture. The biggest challenge faced by any such protocol is the fact that it needs to be scalable, must maintain a decent stable data throughput, all whilst performing it’s own continuous network management and associated routing algorithms. These mobile nodes need a complex, scalable, compact and essentially realtime algorithm for maintaining an up to date representation of the overall network layout, yet without clogging the system’s communications channels with too much overhead traffic, and drastically lowering the effective data throughput. Since each mobile node only has a limited communications range each node also needs very advanced routing capabilities which will allow it to track who is currently within communications range, and at the same time allow the node to create multihop paths to distant destination nodes, thus connecting nodes which cannot directly communicate. This report follows the development process of both the software needed to successfully conceptualize, simulate and test the protocol, as well as the hardware needed as proof of concept. It highlights and discusses the various design choices / considerations made in development of such a protocol, the strong- and weakpoints of the developed protocol, as well as providing several possibilities to further evolve the developed protocol.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This thesis documents the research, design and implementation of a virtual hysteroscopy simulator. A hysteroscopy is a medical procedure used in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. The system consists of a mechanically modelled hysteroscope connecting to any personal computer using USB, and is plug and play compatible on any modernWindows operating system. The scope interfaces with custom-designed software, which simulates a patient’s anatomy and thus creates a virtual operating environment. The software incorporates features like simulated soft tissue and an ablation algorithm. This system is developed with the aim to aid the young or inexperienced surgeon with hands-on training, developing his hand-eye coordination and visual and surgical skills used in this procedure.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aerostats and Stratolites could play a major role in expanding current satellite and other technologies in the near future. A study was made on the development of aerostat platforms and the current state of Stratolite development. The aim was to develop an airship system that is capable of maintaining a specific position regardless of the presence of wind. The various applications of such a geostationary platform are discussed. A dynamic model of an airship was developed and a simulation was implemented in software. This was done to study the possibility of developing aerostats like these. A tethered airship system was developed and built to demonstrate that it is possible to control the position of an airship. The airship system uses current technology in an unique combination to fulfil the requirement of remaining stationary despite the influence of wind. Various control system design techniques were used to implement the controllers. Linear models of the airship system were identified practically and used to design the controllers. The controllers were tested in simulation as well as practically and the results of these tests are given. It was concluded that there exists potential for the development of Stratolite systems, although there exists a fair amount of challenges and obstacles that would need to be overcome before this technology could be implemented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aerostats en Stratolites kan ’n besondere rol speel in die uitbreiding van huidige sateliet- en ander aardwaarnemingstoepassings. ’n Studie is gemaak oor die ontwikkeling van Aerostat platforms en die huidige stand van Stratolite ontwikkeling. Die mikpunt was om ’n lugskipstelsel te ontwikkel wat in staat is om ’n spesifieke posisie te handhaaf ten spyte van die invloed van wind. Die verskeidenheid van toepassings, waarvoor so ’n geostasionêre platform gebruik kan word, word genoem. ’n Dinamiese model van ’n lugskip is ontwikkel en die stelsel is in sagteware gesimuleer. Dit is gedoen om die moontlikheid te ondersoek om sulke Aerostats in die toekoms te ontwikkel. ’n Lugskipstelsel, wat aan die grond geanker word met ’n kabel, is ontwerp en gebou. Die stelsel is gedemonstreer en daar is bewys dat dit moontlik is om die posisie van die lugskip te beheer. Die lugskip gebruik huidige tegnologie wat in ’n unieke kombinasie saamgevoeg is om te illustreer dat dit moontlik is vir die lugskip om stasionêr te bly ten spyte van wind. Verskeie beheerstelsels ontwerptegnieke is gebruik om die beheerders mee te implementeer. Lineêre modelle van die lugskip is prakties geïdentifiseer en is gebruik om die beheerders te ontwerp. Die lugskip se beheerders is in simulasie sowel as prakties getoets en die resultate van hierdie toetse word gegee. Die projek bevestig dat daar ’n potensiaal bestaan vir die praktiese ontwikkeling van Stratolite stelsels. Daar is egter ’n hele paar uitdagings en probleme wat eers uit die weg geruim sal moet word, voordat hierdie tegnologie ’n alledaagse werklikheid sal word.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. 220 leaves single printed pages ,preliminary pages i-xiv and numberd pages 1-188.Includes bibliography.list of figures and used a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format (OCR), / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the process followed to determine the short-term control and stability derivatives of an ASK-13 glider (ZS-GHB). The short-term control and stability derivatives are obtained by parameter estimation done using data recorded in flight. The algorithm used is the MMLE3 implementation of a maximum likelihood estimator. To collect the flight data sensors were installed in the ZS-GHB. Sensors measuring the control surface deflections, translation acceleration, angular rates and the dynamic and static pressure are needed to provide enough data for the estimation. To estimate accurate derivatives specific manoeuvres were flown by the pilot, to ensure that all the modes of the glider were stimulated. The results reveal that the control and stability derivatives estimated from the flight data are not very accurate but are still suitable to be used in simulating the glider's motion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf die proses wat gebruik is om die kort periode beheer en stabiliteit afgeleides van 'n ASK-13 sweeftuig vas te stel. Die kort periode beheer en stabiliteit afgeleides is verkry deur parameter afskatting op data wat gedurend vlugte van die sweeftuig opgeneem is. Die algoritme wat gebruik is om die parameters af te skat is die MMLE3 voorstelling van 'n maksimale moontlikheid afskatter. Om vlug data te versamel sensore moes in die sweeftuig geinstalleer word. Die sensore meet beheer oppervlak hoeke, versnellings, hoeksnellhede en die dinamies en statiese lugdruk om te verseker dat daar genoeg data is vir die afskatting. Om die afgeskatte parameters akkuraad te kry moet die loods spesefieke manoeuvres vlieg om seker te maak dat al die moduse van die sweeftuig is gestimuleer. Die resultate wat gelewer is 'n stel kort periode beheer en stabiliteit afgeleides wat nie akkuraad is nie, maar wat weI goed genoeg is or ie bewegings van die sweeftuig te simuleer.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the design and implementation of a software based QPSK demodulator with a demodulation speed of 100 Mbps. The objective of the thesis was to identify a topology for the QPSK demodulator that would allow for high data rates and the design of the synchronization algorithms for carrier and symbol recovery. The QPSK demodulator was implemented on an Altera Stratix II field programmable gate array (FPGA), which does complex I and Q sampling on a down converted 720 MHz QPSK signal. The I and Q down converted baseband signals are sent through matched filters which are implemented with discrete components to maximize the signal to noise ratio of the received rectangular baseband pulses. A 1 GSPS direct digital synthesizer (DDS) is used to generate the synchronous clock for the analog to digital converters which samples the matched filter outputs. The demodulator uses two samples per symbol to demodulate the QPSK signal. A dual locking system is implemented to have a wide pre-locking filter for symbol synchronization and a narrow band post-lock filter to minimize the loop noise. A symbol lock detection algorithm decides when the symbol recovery loop is locked and switches between the loop filters. A second 1 GSPS DDS output is mixed with a local oscillator to generate the 1.44 GHz LO signal for the quadrature down conversion. The carrier recovery loop uses a numerically controlled oscillator inside the FPGA for initial carrier acquisition which allows for very wide locking bandwidth. After lock is achieved, the external carrier recovery loop takes over and removes any frequency offset in the complex baseband signal by changing the frequency of the DDS. A QPSK modulator was also developed to provide a QPSK signal with known data. The modulator can generate any constellation diagram up to 256 points. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bespreek die ontwerp en implementasie van ’n sagteware gebaseerde QPSK demodulator met ’n demodulasie spoed van 100 Mbps. Die doelstelling is om ’n topologie te identifiseer vir ’n QPSK demodulator wat ’n hoë datatempo sal toelaat en ook om sinkronisasie algoritmes te ontwikkel vir draer en simbool herkenning. Die QPSK demodulator is geïmplimenteer op ’n Stratix II FPGA van Altera wat kompleks basisband monstering doen op infase en kwadratuur basisband seine. Die basisband seine word gegenereer van ’n 720 MHz QPSK sein met ’n kwadratuur menger wiese uittrees deur puls passende filters gestuur word om die sein tot ruis verhouding te maksimeer. ’n Een gigamonster per sekonde direk digitale sintetiseerder (DDS) is gebruik om die klok vir die analoog na digitaal omsetters te genereer vir sinkrone monstering van die pulse passende filter uittrees. Die demodulator gebruik twee monsters per simbool om ’n QPSK sein te demoduleer. ’n Tweevoudige sluit algoritme word gebruik vir die simbool sinkronisasie waar ’n wyeband filter die inisiële sluit funksie verrig en dan word daar oorgeslaan na ’n nouband filter vir fase volging wat die ruis in die terugvoerlus verminder. Daar is ’n simbool sluit detektor wat identifiseer wanneer die simbool beheerlus gesluit is en selekteer dan die gepaste filter. ’n Tweede DDS en ’n sintetiseerder se uittrees word gemeng om ’n 1.44 GHz draer te genereer vir kohurente frekwensie translasie in die kwadratuur menger. Die draer sinkronisasie gebruik ’n numeries beheerbare ossilator vir die inisiële frekwensie en fase sluit wat baie vinnig geimplenteer kan word omdat dit alles in sagteware binne in die FPGA gebeur. Na die interne draer beheerlus gesluit is, neem die eksterne beheerlus oor om enige fase of frekwensie afsette in die kompleks basisband seine van die kwadratuur menger te verwyder deur die frekwensie van die draer DDS te beheer. ’n QPSK modulator is ook ontwikkel om verwysings data te genereer. Enige konstelasie vorm tot 256 punte kan geimplementeer word.