The dissertation is dedicated to the detailed numerical modelling of generation dynamics of actively and/or passively Q-switched diode laser longitudinally pumped solid-state lasers, characterization of spatial and temporal laser properties and for the demonstration of application possibility of created minilasers. A detailed theoretical model for the description of generation dynamics using travelling wave approach is presented. In this model more parameters of active laser medium, pump sources and resonator architecture are taken into account. In this thesis the results which show the principal difference between results obtained using the laser travelling wave model and point laser model are presented. Using point laser model the problems of generated pulse timing jitter in passively Q-switched lasers are described and its lowering possibilities using different pumping methods are suggested. In this thesis new, based by the second order moment, laser beam characterisation by knife-edge method is presented. Also laser pulse compression possibilities in tetrachloride CCL4 medium are described. It is showed that using seed signal it is possible to obtain shorter (< 60 ps) and more stable optical pulses. In this thesis application possibilities of created minilasers are presented: the experimental results of the Z-scan measurements obtained using pulses with different pulse shapes for fused silica are presented; also experiments, in which, created minilasers for paper cleaning... [to full text] / Disertacija skirta diodais kaupinamų kietojo kūno lazerių su aktyviąja ir pasyviąja kokybės moduliacija generacijos dinamikos detalesnei skaitmeninei analizei, lazerio impulsų laikinių ir erdvinių parametrų charakterizavimui ir sukurtų minilazerių panaudojimo galimybių demonstracijai. Generacijos dinamikos detalesniai skaitmeniniai analizei, darbe pristatomas sukurtas bėgančiųjų bangų modelis, kuriame atsižvelgiama ne tik į daugelį procesų vykstančių lazerio aktyviajame elemente, bet ir į rezonatoriaus konfigūraciją bei kaupinimo šaltino parametrus. Pateikiami skaitinio modeliavimo rezultatai demonstruojantys šio modelio privalumus lyginant su dažniausiai naudojamu taškiniu lazerio modeliu. Naudojant taškinį lazerio modelį yra nagrinėjama generuojamų impulsų laikinio tirtėjimo problema pasyvios kokybės moduliacijos lazeriuose ir pasiūlyti mažinimo būdai naudojant skirtingus kaupinimo būdus. Darbe taip pat pateiktas naujas, antraisiais momentais pagrįstas, pluošto charakterizavimo judančiu peiliu metodas. Nagrinėjamos lazerių impulsų spūdos galimybės tetrachlorido CCL4 skystyje ir pademonstruota, kad naudojant užkrato signalą galima gauti trumpesnius (< 60 ps) ir stabilesnius optinius impulsus. Darbe pademonstruotos sukurtų minilazerių pritaikymo galimybės: aprašomas netiesinio lūžio rodiklio kvarciniame stikle matavimas Z-skenavimo metodu ir gautų duomenų apdorojimo procedūra įskaitant naudojamų impulsų erdvinę ir laikinę formą; aprašomi eksperimentai, kuriuose sukurti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

To date the majority of research in the area of cooperative communications focuses on maximizing throughput and reliability while assuming perfect channel state information (CSI) and synchronization. This thesis, seeks to address performance enhancement and system parameter estimation in cooperative networks while relaxing these idealized assumptions. In Chapter 3 the thesis mainly focuses on training-based channel estimation in multi-relay cooperative networks. Channel estimators that are capable of determining the overall channel gains from source to destination antennas are derived. Next, a new low feedback and low complexity scheme is proposed that allows for the coherent combining of signals from multiple relays. Numerical and simulation results show that the combination of the proposed channel estimators and optimization algorithm result in significant performance gains. As communication systems are greatly affected by synchronization parameters, in Chapter 4 the thesis quantitatively analyzes the effects of timing and frequency offset on the performance of communications systems. The modified Cramer-Rao lower bound (MCRLB) undergoing functional transformation, is derived and applied to determine lower bounds on the estimation of signal pulse amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to timing offset and frequency offset, respectively. In addition, it is shown that estimation of timing and frequency offset can be decoupled in most practical settings. The distributed nature of cooperative relay networks may result in multiple timing and frequency offsets. Chapters 5 and 6 address multiple timing and frequency offset estimation using periodically inserted training sequences in cooperative networks with maximum frequency reuse, i.e., space-division multiple access (SDMA) networks. New closed-form expressions for the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for multiple timing and multiple frequency offset estimation for different cooperative protocols are derived. The CRLBs are then applied in a novel way to formulate training sequence design guidelines and determine the effect of network protocol and topology on synchronization parameter estimation. Next, computationally efficient estimators are proposed. Numerical results show that the proposed estimators outperform existing algorithms and reach or approach the CRLB at mid-to-high SNR. When applied to system compensation, simulation results show that application of the proposed estimators allow for synchronized cooperation amongst the nodes within the network. / Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-29 16:52:50.272

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Mixed-signal processing systems especially data converters can be reliably tested at high frequencies using on-chip testing schemes based on memory. In this thesis, an on-chip testing strategy based on shift registers/memory (2 k bits) has been proposed for digital-to-analog converters (DACs) operating at 5 GHz. The proposed design uses word length of 8 bits in order to test DAC at high speed of 5 GHz. The proposed testing strategy has been designed in standard 65 nm CMOS technology with additional requirement of 1-V supply. This design has been implemented using Cadence IC design environment. The additional advantage of the proposed testing strategy is that it requires lower number of I/O pins and avoids the large number of high speed I/O pads. It therefore also solves the problem of the bandwidth limitation that is associated with I/O transmission paths. The design of the on-chip tester based on memory contains no analog block and is implemented entirely in digital domain. In the proposed design, low frequency of 1 MHz has been used outside the chip to load the data into the memory during the write mode. During the read mode, the frequency of 625 MHz is used to read the data from the memory. A multiplexing system is used to reuse the stored data during read mode to test the intended functionality and performance. In order to convert the parallel data into serial data at high frequency at the memory output, serializer has been used. By using the frequencies of 1.25 GHz and 2.5 GHz, the serializer speeds up the data from the lower frequency of 625 MHz to the highest frequency of 5 GHz in order to test DAC at 5 GHz.

Le feedback auditif se définit comme un signal auditif qui contient de l'information sur un mouvement. Il a été montré que le feedback auditif peut guider le mouvement en temps réel, mais son influence sur l'apprentissage moteur est moins clair. Cette thèse a pour but d'examiner l'influence du feedback auditif sur l'apprentissage moteur, en se focalisant sur le contrôle temporel des mouvements. Premièrement, nous étudions l'apprentissage moteur chez les non-musiciens sains et montrons qu'ils bénéficient de l'information temporelle contenue dans le feedback auditif et qu'ils sont sensibles aux distortions de cette information temporelle. Deuxièmement, nous appliquons ces connaissances à la rehabilitation de patients cérébro-lésés. Nous trouvons que ces patients améliorent leurs capacités de mouvement mais ne dépendent pas de la correspondance temporelle entre le mouvement et le son. Paradoxalement, ces patients ont même benéficié des distortions temporelles dans le feedback. Troisièmement, nous étudions les experts musicaux, car ils ont établi des liens particulièrement forts entre leur mouvement et le son. Nous développons de nouveaux outils d'analyse qui nous permettent de séparer les déviations temporelles en variation systématique et non-systématique. Le résultat principal est que ces experts sont devenu largement indépendents du feedback auditif. La proposition centrale de cette thèse est que le feedback auditif joue un rôle dans l'apprentissage moteur de la regularité, mais la façon dont le cerveau l'utilise dépend de la population étudiée. Ces résultats donnent une nouvelle perspective sur l'intégration audio-motrice et contribuent au développement de nouvelles approches pour l'apprentissage de la musique et la réhabilitation.

Disertacija skirta diodais kaupinamų kietojo kūno lazerių su aktyviąja ir pasyviąja kokybės moduliacija generacijos dinamikos detalesnei skaitmeninei analizei, lazerio impulsų laikinių ir erdvinių parametrų charakterizavimui ir sukurtų minilazerių panaudojimo galimybių demonstracijai. Generacijos dinamikos detalesniai skaitmeniniai analizei, darbe pristatomas sukurtas bėgančiųjų bangų modelis, kuriame atsižvelgiama ne tik į daugelį procesų vykstančių lazerio aktyviajame elemente, bet ir į rezonatoriaus konfigūraciją bei kaupinimo šaltino parametrus. Pateikiami skaitinio modeliavimo rezultatai demonstruojantys šio modelio privalumus lyginant su dažniausiai naudojamu taškiniu lazerio modeliu. Naudojant taškinį lazerio modelį yra nagrinėjama generuojamų impulsų laikinio tirtėjimo problema pasyvios kokybės moduliacijos lazeriuose ir pasiūlyti mažinimo būdai naudojant skirtingus kaupinimo būdus. Darbe taip pat pateiktas naujas, antraisiais momentais pagrįstas, pluošto charakterizavimo judančiu peiliu metodas. Nagrinėjamos lazerių impulsų spūdos galimybės tetrachlorido CCL4 skystyje ir pademonstruota, kad naudojant užkrato signalą galima gauti trumpesnius (< 60 ps) ir stabilesnius optinius impulsus. Darbe pademonstruotos sukurtų minilazerių pritaikymo galimybės: aprašomas netiesinio lūžio rodiklio kvarciniame stikle matavimas Z-skenavimo metodu ir gautų duomenų apdorojimo procedūra įskaitant naudojamų impulsų erdvinę ir laikinę formą; aprašomi eksperimentai, kuriuose sukurti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation is dedicated to the detailed numerical modelling of generation dynamics of actively and/or passively Q-switched diode laser longitudinally pumped solid-state lasers, characterization of spatial and temporal laser properties and for the demonstration of application possibility of created minilasers. A detailed theoretical model for the description of generation dynamics using travelling wave approach is presented. In this model more parameters of active laser medium, pump sources and resonator architecture are taken into account. In this thesis the results which show the principal difference between results obtained using the laser travelling wave model and point laser model are presented. Using point laser model the problems of generated pulse timing jitter in passively Q-switched lasers are described and its lowering possibilities using different pumping methods are suggested. In this thesis new, based by the second order moment, laser beam characterisation by knife-edge method is presented. Also laser pulse compression possibilities in tetrachloride CCL4 medium are described. It is showed that using seed signal it is possible to obtain shorter (< 60 ps) and more stable optical pulses. In this thesis application possibilities of created minilasers are presented: the experimental results of the Z-scan measurements obtained using pulses with different pulse shapes for fused silica are presented; also experiments, in which, created minilasers for paper cleaning... [to full text]

Synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) technology has rapidly progressed over the past few years with a number of commercial systems emerging. Such systems are typically based on an autonomous underwater vehicle platform containing multiple along-track receivers and an integrated inertial navigation system (INS) with Doppler velocity log aiding. While producing excellent images, blurring due to INS integration errors and medium fluctuations continues to limit long range, long run, image quality. This is particularly relevant in mine hunting, the main application for SAS, where it is critical to survey the greatest possible area in the shortest possible time, regardless of sea conditions. This thesis presents the simulation, design, construction, and sea trial results for a prototype "active beacon" and remote controller unit, to investigate the potential of such a device for estimating SAS platform motion and medium fluctuations. The beacon is deployed by hand in the area of interest and acts as an active point source with real-time data uploading and control performed by radio link. Operation is tightly integrated with the operation of the Acoustics Research Group KiwiSAS towed SAS, producing one-way and two-way time of flight (TOF) data for every ping by detecting the sonar chirps, time-stamping their arrival using a GPS receiver, and replying back at a different acoustic frequency after a fixed time delay. The high SNR of this reply signal, combined with the knowledge that it is produced by a single point source, provides advantages over passive point-like targets for SAS image processing. Stationary accuracies of < 2 mm RMS have been measured at ranges of up to 36m. This high accuracy allowed the beacon to be used in a separate study to characterise the medium fluctuation statistics in Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand, using an indoor dive pool as a control. Probability density functions were fitted to the data then incorporated in SAS simulations to observe their effect on image quality. Results from recent sea trials in Lyttelton Harbour show the beacon TOF data, when used in a narrowband motion compensation (MOCOMP) process, provided improvements to the quality of SAS images centred on frequencies of 30 kHz and 100 kHz. This prototype uses simple matched-filtering algorithms for detection and while performing well under stationary conditions, the fluctuations caused by the narrow sonar transmit beam pattern (BP) and changing superposition of seabed multipath often cause dropouts and inaccurate detections during sea trials. An analysis of the BP effects and how the accuracy and robustness of the detection algorithms can be improved is presented. Overcoming these problems reliably is difficult without dedicated large scale testing facilities to allow conditions to be reproduced consistently.

Market Timing Strategy is an active investment strategy, which is based on the signals of indicators, for the investors to make their investment decisions. However, there has always been the question on which variable is a good indicator, that would provide superior returns for the investment. Bond to Equity Yield Ratio (BEYR) is a new indicator widely researched by many academics in the field of finance and extensively applied by practitioners of the financial markets during the last two decades. Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is a theory in finance which states that stock prices are always reflected with the relevant information and beating the market from predicting the trend of future stock prices is not possible. Therefore, if the market is in accordance with EMH, market timing strategy is not useful and passive investment strategy is better than active investment strategy. Although extant literatures have proved BEYR as a good indicator to be used in market timing strategy, the focus of the existing research is on the financial markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Europe; the study on Asian financial markets is very limited. The main objective of the research is mainly motivated by this knowledge gap. This study will use extreme value strategy as an active trading strategy to conduct research on the market timing ability of BEYR in three Asian financial markets: Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition, passive trading strategy will be used to compare with active trading strategy in each country to identify whether the markets comply with weak form of EMH. Deductive approach of quantitative research is conducted and three main hypotheses are developed to achieve the research objective. The empirical findings from our research and the responses to the main hypotheses can be summarized as active trading strategy does perform better than passive trading strategy for all countries and the market timing ability of BEYR is not as good as the traditional indicators: dividend yields and earning yields for all countries. Therefore, the financial markets of all counties under scrutiny do not comply with weak form of EMH. However, it is worthy to take note that the sample period chosen for this research includes the period when the Global Financial Crisis occurred in 2008. Therefore, it is assumed that the impact of the financial crisis is the main reason contributing the difference between the findings from our research and the existing literatures. Moreover, the difference in the nature of financial market can be considered as another underlying factor for the new perspective on BEYR resulting from our empirical results.

Die Arbeit befasst sich mit der Simulation von Zweiwellen-Zahnriemengetrieben und deren Vorspannmethoden, insbesondere mit der relativ neuen Methode Spannring (ROLL-RING®). Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, ein analytisches Simulationsmodell zu entwickeln, mit dem grundlegende Erkenntnisse über das statische und dynamische Verhalten solcher ringgespannten Zahnriemengetriebe gewonnen werden können. Für einen exemplarischen Vergleich der Vorspannmethoden, werden außerdem analytische Simulationsmodelle für Zahnriemengetriebe ohne Spannelement und mit federgespannter Rolle erstellt. Als weiteren Bestandteil der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine Dimensionierungsvorschrift für ringgespannte Zahnriemengetriebe abgeleitet, bei der sowohl statische als auch dynamische Vorgänge im Getriebe berücksichtigt werden können. Anschließend wird der Einfluss der relevanten Parameter auf das Verhalten des ringgespannten Getriebes untersucht. Alle erstellten Simulationsmodelle werden sowohl experimentell an Versuchsständen als auch mittels FEM-Vergleichsrechnung validiert. Die dafür benötigten Getriebeparameter wurden ebenfalls experimentell ermittelt. Abschließend folgt der exemplarische Vergleich der Vorspannmethoden anhand von drei Simulationsbeispielen und einem experimentellen Vergleich des Wirkungsgrads. / This dissertation deals with the simulation of two-shaft timing belt drive and its pre-tension methods. Special attention is given to the relatively new method tensioning ring (ROLL-RING®). The target of the present work is to develop an analytical simulation model, with this fundamental understanding of the static and dynamic behavior of such ring-tensioned timing belt drives can be gained. For an exemplary comparison of pre-tension methods, analytical simulation models for synchronous belt drive without pre-tension element and with tensioner pulley with spring will be created. As another part of the present work a dimensioning specification for ring-tensioned toothed belt drives was deduced. This specification can be considered in both static and dynamic processes in the transmission. Then, the influence of relevant parameters on the behavior of the ring-tensioned timing belt drives is researched. All created simulation models will vali-date both experimental and FEM using comparative calculation. The parameters re-quired for the transmission were also experimentally determined. Finally, the exemplary comparison of pre-tensioned methods basis of three examples of simulation and an ex-perimental comparison of energy conversion efficiency follow.

The work reported in this thesis is divided in to two parts. In the first part, we report a closed-form bit error rate (BER) performance analysis of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) on the uplink in the presence of carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) and/or timing offsets (TOs) of other users with respect to a desired user. We derive BER expressions using probability density function (pdf) and characteristic function approaches, for a Rician faded multi-cluster multi-path channel model that is typical of indoor ultrawideband channels and underwater acoustic channels. Numerical and simulation results show that the BER expressions derived accurately quantify the performance degradation due to non-zero CFOs and TOs. Ultrawideband channels in indoor/industrial environment and underwater acoustic channels are severely delay-spread channels, where the number of multipath components can be of the order of tens to hundreds. In the second part of the thesis, we report low complexity equalization algorithms for cyclic-prefixed single carrier (CPSC)systems that operate on such inter-symbol interference(ISI) channels characterized by large delay spreads. Both single-input single-output and multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) systems are considered. For these systems, we propose a low complexity graph based equalization carried out in frequency domain. Because of the noise whitening effect that happens for large frame sizes and delay spreads in the frequency domain processing, improved performance compared to time domain processing is shown to be achieved. Since the graph based equalizer is a soft-input soft-output equalizer, iterative techniques(turbo-equalization) between detection and decoding are shown to yield good coded BER performance at low complexities in convolutional and LDPC coded systems. We also study joint decoding of LDPC code and equalization of MIMO-ISI channels using a joint factor graph.