Yes / This paper presents the architectural design, software implementation, the validation and flight trial results of an aeronautical communications system developed within the Seamless Aeronautical Networking through integration of Data links Radios and Antennas (SANDRA) project funded by the European 7th Framework Aeronautics and Transport Programme. Based on Software Defined Radio (SDR) techniques, an Integrated Modular Radio (IMR) platform was developed to accommodate several radio technologies. This can drastically reduce the size, weight and cost in avionics with respect to current radio systems implemented as standalone equipment. In addition, the modular approach ensures the possibility to dynamically reconfigure each radio element to operate on a specific type of radio link. A radio resource management (RRM) framework is developed in the IMR consisting of a communication manager for the resource allocation and management of the different radio links and a radio adaptation manager to ensure protocol convergence through IP. The IMR has been validated though flight trials held at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany in June 2013. The results presented in the paper validate the flexibility and scalability of the IMR platform and demonstrate seamless service coverage across different airspace domains through interworking between the IMR and other components of the SANDRA network. / European Commission

Thesis (M.Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007 / The latest technological trend worldwide, is automation. Reducing human labour and introducing robots to do the work is a pure business decision. The reason for automating a plant can be some, or all, of the following: Improve productivity Reduce labour and equipment costs Reduce product damage System reliability can be monitored Improves plant safety When the automation process is started, Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) will be one of the first commodities that can be used. The reason for this is that they are so versatile. They can be programmed to follow specific paths when moving material from one point to another and the biggest advantage of all is that they can operate for twenty four hours a day. Automatic Guided Vehicles are developed for many different applications and therefore many different types of AGVs are available. All AGVs are equipped with sensors so that they are able to “see” what is happening around them. Since the AGV must be able to function without any human help or control, it must be able to navigate through the work environment. In this study a remote control car was converted to an AGV and thorough research was done on the different types of sensors that can be used to make the AGV more intelligent when it comes to navigating in an unknown environment.

Attitude control remains one of the top engineering challenges faced by small satellite mission planning and design. Conventional methods for attitude control include propulsion, reaction wheels, magnetic torque coils, and passive stabilization mechanisms, such as permanent magnets that align with planetary magnetic fields. Drawbacks of these conventional attitude control methods for small satellites include size, power consumption, dependence on external magnetic fields, and lack of full control authority. This research investigates an alternative, novel approach to attitude-control method for small satellites, utilizing the noncommutative property of rigid body rotation sequences. Piezoelectric bimorph actuators are used to induce sinusoidal small-amplitude satellite oscillations on two of the satellites axes. While zero net change occurs on these signaled axes, the third axis can develop an average angular rate. This noncommutative attitude control methodology has several advantages over conventional methods, including scalability, power consumption, and operation outside of Earth's magnetic field. This research looks into the feasibility of such a system, and lays the foundation for a simple control system architecture.

The core aim of this research project was to improve understanding of the effects of microstructure and crystallographic texture on the high strain rate plastic deformation behaviour of the industrially important Titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V. To facilitate this study, four rolled plates of Ti-6Al-4V, with varying thermo-mechanical processing histories, were provided by TIMET Corp., the world’s largest supplier of Titanium product. To determine the nature of each plate’s microstructure and the crystallographic texture of the dominant α phase, the four Ti-6Al-4V plates were microstructurally characterised using techniques such as optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). To determine the effects of the measured microstructures and textures on the strain rate dependent plastic deformation behaviour of the four Ti-6Al-4V plates, uniaxial compression and tension tests were carried out in the three orthogonal material orientations at quasi-static (10^-3 s^-1) and high strain rates (10^3 s^-1) using a standard electro-mechanical test device and split-Hopkinson pressure bars (SHPB), respectively. To provide further understanding of the effects of microstructure and texture on the plastic deformation behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V, this time under complex impact loading conditions, the classic Taylor impact experiment was adapted to include an optical measurement and geometry reconstruction technique. A novel experimental setup was designed that consists of an ultra-high speed camera and mirror arrangement, allowing the Taylor impact specimen to be viewed from multiple angles during the experiment. Using the previously mentioned optical measurement and geometry reconstruction technique, it was then possible to gain valuable, previously unobtainable, data on the deformation history of Taylor impact specimens in-situ, such as the major/minor axes of the anisotropically deforming elliptical specimen cross-sections as a function of time and axial position, true strain as a function of time and axial position, and the true strain rate as a function of axial position. The technique was verified by testing a specimen cut from the in-plane material orientation of a clock-rolled high purity Zirconium plate. The output measurements from a post-deformation image frame were compared with measurements of the recovered specimen made using a coordinate measurement machine (CMM), with analysis showing excellent agreement between the two techniques. The experiment was then carried out on specimens cut from the two orthogonal in-plane material orientations of one of the four Ti-6Al-4V plates. Analysis of the data from these experiments gave significant insight into the plastic deformation behaviour of macroscopically textured Ti-6Al-4V under complex impact loading. Recovered Ti-6Al-4V specimens from the outlined Taylor impact experiments were then sectioned along specific planes and microstructurally characterised using EBSD, with comparisons made between the pre and post-deformation microstructures. From this analysis, and the previously discussed geometry reconstruction technique, insight was gained into the effects of micro-texture on the general anisotropic plastic deformation behaviour of Ti-6Al- 4V plate materials and in particular the role of micro-texture on the formation of deformation twins. Finally, the understanding gained from these experiments, and a detailed review of the literature, was used to inform a novel, physically based material modelling framework, capable of capturing the effects of microstructure and texture on the strain rate and temperature dependent plastic deformation behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V. The model was implemented in the computational software package, MATLAB, and verified by comparison with the mechanical characterisation results from one of the Ti-6Al-4V plates. A number of frameworks are discussed for implementing the new Ti-6Al-4V model within finite element (FE) analysis software packages, such as ABAQUS, LS-DYNA and DEFORM. It is hoped that the new Ti-6Al-4V model can be used to optimise the design of Ti-6Al-4V components and structures for impact loading scenarios.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de créer de nouveaux mélanges thermoplastiques présentant une processabilité accrue comparée à des matrices thermoplastiques hautes performances utilisées dans l'industrie aéronautique. Ces matériaux ont vocation à être intégrés en atmosphère avionique pressurisée. Afin de combler le cahier des charges imposé par le domaine aéronautique, le choix des matériaux s'est porté sur un mélange incompatible de polyétheréthercétone PEEK et de polymères à cristaux liquides LCP présentant une morphologie fibrillaire développée grâce à des conditions particulières d'écoulement lors de la mise en oeuvre.Dans un premier temps, les propriétés rhéologiques des matériaux sont caractérisées de manière à confirmer le respect des spécifications relatives à leur processabilité. La compréhension des phénomènes régissant la baisse de viscosité du mélange permet d'assurer la répétabilité et la reproductibilité des performances rhéologiques en vue d'un transfert industriel. L'étude se concentre ensuite sur les propriétés de cristallinité des mélanges, qui permettent de déterminer que la présence de deux matériaux semi-cristallins au sein d'une même structure ne perturbe pas leurs propriétés de cristallinité garantes de leurs performances thermomécaniques.Enfin, une campagne de caractérisation complète est effectuée afin de dresser une fiche matière et de la comparer aux spécifications exigées par l'industrie aéronautique. / The aim of this thesis is to create new thermoplastic blends exhibiting improved processability incomparison with high performance aeronautical thermoplastics. These materials are dedicated tointegrating pressurized avionic structures.To reach the specific aeronautical specifications, an incompatible polymer blend made ofpolyetheretherketone PEEK and liquid crystalline polymers LCP is chosen. The particular flow conditionsset for the compounding ensure the blend a fibrillar morphology.First, the material rheological properties are characterized so as to confirm that the processabilityspecifications are met. The viscosity drop causes are explained and grant the maintaining of therheological performances in any processing configuration.The study then focuses on the blend crystallinity properties in order to determine whether two interlinkedsemi-crystalline structures do not impede the thermomechanical performances.At last, a characterization campaign is led to compare the blend performances with the demandedaeronautical specifications.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo definir o modal de transporte ótimo para componentes comprados que abastecem a linha de produção de uma empresa aeronáutica, ao menor custo logístico. Devido a característica do material e das exigências de órgãos e entidades responsáveis pelo ambiente industrial aeronáutico, os fornecedores são especializados e de origem internacional, pois as indústrias nacionais ainda não têm a certificação exigida para produzir tais materiais, salvo algumas poucas exceções, o que onera e torna a cadeia de suprimentos muito mais complexa. Portanto, para atingir o objetivo proposto utilizou-se um modelo heurístico, que decide o modal de transporte ótimo para transportar estes materiais de sua origem, EUA ou Europa, até seu destino que é o Brasil. / The present paper aims to define an optimum modal of transportation for acquired components used to supply the production line in a Aeronautical Company, based on the lowest logistic cost. Due to the caracteristics of such material and the special requirements of the Governamental agencies as well as the specific agencies that rule the aeronautical industrial environment, the suppliers which are in its vast majority of this net are from abroad. It happens due to the fact that the local Industry do not hold the required certification to manufacture or assemble such materials which throws the costs and its complexity much more present. Some few isolated companies constitute a exception of this general frame. Based on the exposed, to achieve the proposed goal a heuristic model was used, which defines that the best modal of transportation to transport those specific materials from its origin, USA or Europe, to your final destination in Brazil.

Au début des années 2000, les instances aéronautiques ont exprimé le besoin de développer un nouveau système de radiocommunication aéronautique du fait de l'augmentation du trafic aérien et de la saturation croissante des capacités de communication radio entre les aéronefs et les stations de contrôle aérien. L'une des composantes de ce système, nommée L-DACS (« L-band Digital Aeronautical Communication System »), devrait opérer dans la bande L-aéronautique (960-1164 MHz), dans laquelle fonctionnent également de nombreux autres systèmes radioélectriques. La compatibilité radioélectrique (CRE) de L-DACS avec ces systèmes est un des facteurs principaux à prendre en considération dans le développement d'un tel système.L'objectif principal de cette thèse est d'identifier les principaux problèmes reliés à la CRE et d'en étudier les cas critiques. Ces travaux sont fondamentaux en aéronautique, puisque tout dysfonctionnement dans la communication ou dans les systèmes de radionavigation peut mettre en danger la sécurité du vol. Les conclusions de cette thèse contribueront à la normalisation du système L-DACS et à la finalisation de ses spécifications.Dans une première étape, on étudie l'état de l'art dans les communications aéronautiques et en CRE. On analyse en particulier les dernières spécifications des deux systèmes candidats L-DACS. Ensuite, on propose un algorithme de calcul de brouillage dans le but d'étudier la CRE dans le domaine fréquentiel, d'en identifier et d'en traiter les cas critiques. L'analyse fréquentielle étant insuffisante dans plusieurs cas, on propose alors une approche temporelle d'étude de CRE. Après en avoir présenté les avantages, on présente un exemple d'étude de l'effet d'un système L-DACS sur un récepteur DME (« Distance Measuring Equipment ») à l'aide d'un banc de test CRE aéronautique.Cette thèse a été réalisée en collaboration avec la Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), qui est un acteur principal pour la réglementation des communications et un affectataire de fréquence pour le spectre aéronautique en France. La thèse contribue aux études menées par la DGAC à l'échelle nationale et internationale.Dans les perspectives, on propose la poursuite de cette étude par une approche temporelle plus générale pour étudier la CRE entre des systèmes radioélectriques quelconques en tenant compte de paramètres supplémentaires liés à la dynamique des systèmes et aux propriétés de leurs technologies. / In the beginning of the 21th century, the aeronautical authorities expressed their need to develop a new system for aeronautical radiocommunications, because the air-traffic is increasing and that current communication systems between pilots and air-controllers are reaching their capacity limits. The L-band Digital Aeronautical Communication System (L-DACS) is the part of the future system that will be operating in a part of the aeronautical L-band (960-1164 MHz), already occupied by a large number of radio-frequency legacy systems. Consequently, it is essential to consider its radio-frequency compatibility (RFC) for the development of the future L-DACS system. This thesis aims at identifying the principal issues related to RFC and studying its critical situations. Such topics are fundamental in aeronautics, as any communication or radionavigation dysfunction may endanger flight and passengers security. Some obtained results will be used for the L-DACS standardization and its specifications finalization. We first analyze the state-of-the-art in both aeronautical communications and RFC, focalizing on updated specifications of both preselected L-DACS candidate systems. We then propose a deterministic algorithm to compute the interference level in order to study the RFC in the frequency domain under identified critical scenarios. Since the frequency-domain analysis seems to be insufficient in several cases, we develop a different methodology, called the time-frequency approach, to analyze the RFC for such situations. We apply this new approach to analyze the effect of an L-DACS interferer on a Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) receiver, using an aeronautical RFC test-bed that we implemented at SUPELEC. This work has been performed in collaboration with the French Civil Aviation Authorities (DGAC), which are an important actor in aeronautical communication regulations and aeronautical spectrum management in France. The thesis contributes to DGAC studies at national as well as international levels. For further work, we suggest to generalize the proposed time-frequency approach to analyze the RFC between any two radio-frequency systems, taking into account additional parameters related to system dynamics and their technology properties.

De nos jours, l'utilisation des drones ne cesse d'augmenter et de nombreuses études sont réalisées afin de mettre en place des systèmes de communication dronique destinés à des applications non seulement militaires mais aussi civiles. Pour le moment, les règles d'intégration des drones commerciaux dans l’espace aérien doivent encore être définies et le principal enjeu occupation est d'assurer une communication fiable et sécurisée. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans ce contexte de communication. Motivée par la croissance rapide du nombre des drones et par les nouvelles générations des drones commandés par satellite, la thèse vise à étudier les différents liens possibles qui relient le drone aux autres composants du système de communication. Trois principaux liens sont à mettre en place : le lien de contrôle, le lien de retour et le lien de mission. En raison de la rareté des ressources fréquentielles déjà allouées pour les futurs systèmes droniques, l'efficacité spectrale devient un paramètre crucial pour leur déploiement à grande échelle. Afin de mettre en place un système de communication par drones spectralement efficace, une bonne compréhension des canaux de transmission pour chacune des trois liaisons est indispensable, ainsi qu’un choix judicieux de la forme d’onde. Cette thèse commence par étudier les canaux de propagation pour chaque liaison : canaux de type muti-trajets avec ligne de vue directe, dans un contexte d’utilisation de drones à moyenne altitude et longue endurance (drones MALE). L’objectif de cette thèse est de proposer de nouveaux algorithmes de réception permettant d’estimer et égaliser ces canaux de propagation muti-trajets. Les méthodes proposées dépendent du choix de la forme d’onde. Du fait de la présence d’un lien satellite, les formes d’onde considérées sont de type mono-porteuse (avec un faible facteur de crête) : SC et EW-SCOFDM. L’égalisation est réalisée dans le domaine temporel (SC) ou fréquentiel (EW-SC-OFDM). L'architecture UAV prévoit l'implantation de deux antennes placées aux ailes. Ces deux antennes peuvent être utilisées pour augmenter le gain de diversité (gain de matrice de canal). Afin de réduire la complexité de l'égalisation des canaux, la forme d'onde EW-SC-OFDM est proposée et étudiée dans un contexte muti-antennes, dans le but d'améliorer l'endurance de l'UAV et d'accroître l'efficacité spectrale, une nouvelle technique de modulation est considérée: Modulation spatiale ( SM). Dans SM, les antennes de transmission sont activées en alternance. L'utilisation de la forme d'onde EW-SC-OFDM combinée à la technique SM nous permet de proposer de nouvelles structures modifiées qui exploitent l’étalement spectrale pour mieux protéger des bits de sélection des antennes émettrices et ainsi améliorer les performances du système. / Nowadays, several studies are launched for the design of reliable and safe communications systems that introduce Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), this paves the way for UAV communication systems to play an important role in a lot of applications for non-segregated military and civil airspaces. Until today, rules for integrating commercial UAVs in airspace still need to be defined, the design of secure, highly reliable and cost effective communications systems still a challenging task. This thesis is part of this communication context. Motivated by the rapid growth of UAV quantities and by the new generations of UAVs controlled by satellite, the thesis aims to study the various possible UAV links which connect UAV/aircraft to other communication system components (satellite, terrestrial networks, etc.). Three main links are considered: the Forward link, the Return link and the Mission link. Due to spectrum scarcity and higher concentration in aircraft density, spectral efficiency becomes a crucial parameter for largescale deployment of UAVs. In order to set up a spectrally efficient UAV communication system, a good understanding of transmission channel for each link is indispensable, as well as a judicious choice of the waveform. This thesis begins to study propagation channels for each link: a mutipath channels through radio Line-of-Sight (LOS) links, in a context of using Meduim Altitude Long drones Endurance (MALE) UAVs. The objective of this thesis is to maximize the solutions and the algorithms used for signal reception such as channel estimation and channel equalization. These algorithms will be used to estimate and to equalize the existing muti-path propagation channels. Furthermore, the proposed methods depend on the choosen waveform. Because of the presence of satellite link, in this thesis, we consider two low-papr linear waveforms: classical Single-Carrier (SC) waveform and Extented Weighted Single-Carrier Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (EW-SC-OFDM) waveform. channel estimation and channel equalization are performed in the time-domain (SC) or in the frequency-domain (EW-SC-OFDM). UAV architecture envisages the implantation of two antennas placed at wings. These two antennas can be used to increase diversity gain (channel matrix gain). In order to reduce channel equalization complexity, the EWSC- OFDM waveform is proposed and studied in a muti-antennas context, also for the purpose of enhancing UAV endurance and also increasing spectral efficiency, a new modulation technique is considered: Spatial Modulation (SM). In SM, transmit antennas are activated in an alternating manner. The use of EW-SC-OFDM waveform combined to SM technique allows us to propose new modified structures which exploit exces bandwidth to improve antenna bit protection and thus enhancing system performances.

A língua franca utilizada na comunicação piloto-controlador ainda é pouco conhecida no meio acadêmico. Poucos estudos têm sido dedicados ao seu contexto de uso e ao mapeamento de suas características lingüísticas principais. Esta pesquisa acadêmica apresenta um estudo mais acurado da atividade de controlador de tráfego aéreo, no que se refere ao uso dessa linguagem de especialidade, além de desenvolver um estudo descritivo da língua franca utilizada na comunicação piloto-controlador para a identificação de suas características lingüísticas principais, com o recorte para a produção de material didático. Por meio da utilização do método do Professor André Camlong, a ferramenta computacional denominada STABLEX, fazemos uma análise descritiva, objetiva e indutiva de um corpus lingüístico, constituído dessa linguagem de especialidade. O que se pretende é oferecer subsídios aos professores de língua estrangeira para a produção do seu próprio material didático para o ensino dessa linguagem. É fato que, em determinados contextos de ensino, a necessidade de aprendizagem dos alunos é tão específica, que os materiais prontos para consumo, disponibilizados nas prateleiras das livrarias ou pelas editoras, não são suficientes, cabendo ao professor a tarefa de elaborá-los. No entanto, essa tarefa não tem se mostrado amistosa, já que o professor não dispõe de \"guias de orientação\", cientificamente justificáveis, para fazê-la. Assim sendo, o processo de elaboração torna-se intuitivo e empírico e, na grande maioria das vezes, restringese à adoção de fórmulas já consagradas de apresentação dos conteúdos. Acreditamos ser fundamental o correto entendimento das reais necessidades lingüísticas de um determinado público-alvo, para que haja mais condições de se estabelecerem processos mais ricos e eficientes de ensino e aprendizagem de qualquer língua estrangeira. / The lingua franca used in the communication between pilots and controllers is still not well known in the academic community. Few studies about its use and mapping of its main linguistic characteristics have been made. This theoretical research introduces an accurate study on the language used in the activity of air traffic controllers and develops a descriptive study of the lingua franca used in the communication between pilots and controllers, in order to identify its main linguistic characteristics towards material production. By using the method developed by Professor André Camlong and the computational tool STABLEX, an objective descriptive and inductive analysis of a linguistic corpus constituted by the language used in the ATC specialty has been conducted. The aim of this work is to provide language teachers with subsides for ATC material production hence helping teachers to elaborate materials that meet the very specific needs of their students based on the real needs of the stakeholders so as they can establish a more fruitful and efficient language teaching and learning process.

L’objectif de cette thèse est de réaliser un système de Contrôle Santé Intégré des structures aéronautiques (CSI ou SHM) autonome et à double-fonctionnalité. Ce système doit être en mesure d’assurer son autonomie énergétique tout en réalisant les tâches de détection et de localisation des endommagements. Latechnique retenue pour alimenter ce système est basée sur la récupération d’énergie vibratoire par transducteurs piézoélectriques SHM collés. Durant ces travaux, un modèle analytique complet de la chaîne de récupération d’énergie vibratoire a d’abord été créé. Ce modèle, validé par la Méthode des ÉlémentsFinis (MEF), permet d’améliorer le rendement du système en déterminant les dimensions, les locali-sations et le type de matériau piézoélectrique idéals des transducteurs. Ce modèle a ensuite été étendu à une configuration plus représentative des conditions de vibrations d’une structure en vol. Une bonne corrélation entre les résultats provenant du modèle prédictif et les essais sur un banc de mesures a étémise en évidence. Une puissance de 1.67mW a été récupérée et la capacité large bande des transducteurs a été vérifiée. L’application de la récupération d’énergie au contrôle de structures composites en cours d’assemblage sur les lignes de production a également été étudiée. Dans ce cas, un transducteur stratégiquement localisé et alimenté par une source de tension disponible génère des ondes de Lambdans la structure afin de pallier l’absence de vibrations naturelles. Un réseau de transducteurs secondaires disséminés sur cette structure récupère et convertit cette énergie vibratoire en énergie électrique. Une puissance de 7.36 mW a été récoltée et ce système a été en mesure de détecter une chute d’outil sur le composite et d’éclairer de façon autonome une diode électroluminescente (DEL) simulant ici la consommation de la transmission sans fil de l’information. / The aim of this thesis is to develop a self-powered Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system for aeronautical applications. This system has to be fully autonomous and has to be able to carry out SHM tasks such as damage detection and location. The energetic autonomy of the system is provided by a vibrational energy harvesting technology using bonded SHM piezoelectric transducers. In this document,an analytical model of the energy harvesting process has been proposed. This model, validated by the Finite Element Method (FEM), allows the optimization of the energy harvesting system by determining the ideal type of transducers as well as their optimal dimensions and locations. Then, this model has been applied to a configuration aiming to be more representative of the in-flight vibrations experienced by a structure. Good agreement has been found between the analytical simulation and the experimental measurements. A power of 1.67mW has been harvested and the wideband capability of the transducers has been verified. Afterwards, the possibility of using the vibrational energy harvesting technology to control composite structures on assembly line has been investigated. For this case study, a transducer strategically located nearby an available power supply generates Lamb waves throughout the structure to tackle the absence of natural vibration. The remaining sensors, spread all over the structure, convertthe mechanical vibrations into electrical power. Using this technology, a power of 7.36mW has been harvested. Finally, this SHM system has also been able to detect a tool drop on the composite structure and to light simultaneously and autonomously a light-emitting diode (LED) simulating the consumption required to transmit the information wirelessly.