Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Seamless mobility is the missing ingredient needed to address the inefficient communication problems faced by the field workforces of service companies that are using field workforce automation solutions to streamline and optimise the operations of their field workforces in an increasingly competitive market place. The key enabling function for achieving seamless mobility and seamless service continuity is seamless handoffs across heterogeneous wireless access networks. A challenging issue in the multi-service next generation wireless network (NGWN) is to design intelligent and optimal vertical handoff decision algorithms, beyond traditional ones that are based on only signal strength, to determine when to perform a handoff and to provide optimal choice of access network technology among all available access networks for users equipped with multimode mobile terminals. The objective of the thesis research is to design such vertical handoff decision algorithms in order for mobile field workers and other mobile users equipped with contemporary multimode mobile devices to communicate seamlessly in the NGWN. In order to tackle this research objective, we used fuzzy logic and fuzzy inference systems to design a suitable handoff initiation algorithm that can handle imprecision and uncertainties in data and process multiple vertical handoff initiation parameters (criteria); used the fuzzy multiple attributes decision making method and context awareness to design a suitable access network selection function that can handle a tradeoff among many handoff metrics including quality of service requirements (such as network conditions and system performance), mobile terminal conditions, power requirements, application types, user preferences, and a price model; used genetic algorithms and simulated annealing to optimise the access network selection function in order to dynamically select the optimal available access network for handoff; and we focused in particular on an interesting use case: vertical handoff decision between mobile WiMAX and UMTS access networks. The implementation of our handoff decision algorithm will provide a network selection mechanism to help mobile users select the best wireless access network among all available wireless access networks, that is, one that provides always best connected services to users

A study of defects in semiconductors is vital as defects tend to influence device operation by modifying their electrical and optoelectronic properties. This influence can at times be desirable in the case of fast switching devices and sometimes undesirable as they may reduce the efficiency of optoelectronic devices. ZnO is a wide bandgap material with a potential for fabricating UV light emitting diodes, lasers and white lighting devices only after the realization of reproducible p-type material. The realization of p-type material is greatly affected by doping asymmetry. The self-compensation behaviour by its native defects has hindered the success in obtaining the p-type material. Hence there is need to understand the electronic properties, formation and annealing-out of these defects for controlled material doping. Space charge spectroscopic techniques are powerful tools for studying the electronic properties of electrically active defects in semiconductors since they can reveal information about the defect “signatures”. In this study, novel Schottky contacts with low leakage currents of the order of 10-11 A at 2.0 V, barrier heights of 0.60 – 0.80 eV and low series resistance, fabricated on hydrogen peroxide treated melt-grown single crystal ZnO samples, were demonstrated. Investigations on the dependence of the Schottky contact parameters on fabrication techniques and different metals were performed. Resistive evaporation proved to produce contacts with lower series resistance, higher barrier heights and low reverse currents compared to the electron-beam deposition technique. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and Laplace-DLTS have been employed to study the electronic properties of electrically active deep level defects in ZnO. Results revealed the presence of three prominent deep level defects (E1, E2 and E3) in the as-received ZnO samples. Electron-beam deposited contacts indicated the presence of the E1, E2 and E3 and the introduction of new deep level defects. These induced deep levels have been attributed to stray electrons and ionized particles, present in the deposition system during contact fabrication. Exposure of ZnO to high temperatures induces deep level defects. Annealing samples in the 300°C – 600°C temperature range in Ar + O2 induces the E4 deep level with a very high capture cross-section. This deep level transforms at every annealing temperature. Its instability at room temperature has been demonstrated by a change in the peak temperature position with time. This deep level was broad, indicating that it consists of two or more closely spaced energy levels. Laplace-DLTS was successfully employed to resolve the closely spaced energy levels. Annealing samples at 700°C in Ar and O2 anneals-out E4 and induces the Ex deep level defect with an activation enthalpy of approximately 160 – 180 meV. Vacuum annealing performed in the 400°C – 700°C temperature range did not induce any deep level defects. Since the radiation hardness of ZnO is crucial in space applications, 1.6 MeV proton irradiation was performed. DLTS revealed the introduction of the E4 deep level with an activation enthalpy of approximately 530 meV, which proved to be stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure since its properties didn’t change over a period of 12 months. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Physics / unrestricted

The master thesis is dealing with characterization of the structure and properties of the YSZ thermal barrier coating deposited by water hybrid plasma spray technology on the CoNiCrAlY bond coats modified by using electron beam and vacuum annealing. Deposition of the bond coats was performed via high velocity oxy-fuel technology and cold spray. In case of experimental evaluation, the microstructure and chemical composition of the ceramic top coat deposited with powder and suspension feedstock was analyzed. The same analysis procedure was used also for bond coats after electron beam remelting by using two sets of parameters. Furthermore, the changes in microstructure and chemical composition of the remelted and annealed bond coats was evaluated. Eventually, the micromechanical properties of the top coats and the bond coats were measured. The ceramic top coats deposited with powder feedstock exhibited the structure composed by splats, while the top coats deposited in form of suspension showed fine structure with columnar grains. The dendritic structure was observed on remelted bond coats. The annealing process had an influence on the structure in form of coarsened phases and the chemical composition was changed due to diffusion of the elements.

The thesis studies selected evolution systems to use in planning of high intensity focused ultrasound surgeries. Considered algorithms are statistically analyzed and compared by appropriate criteria to find the one that adds the most value to the potential real world medical problems.

First part of the thesis is about literature research of optimization algorithms. Three of the algorithms were implemented and tested, concretely the ant colony algorithm, tabu search and simulated annealing. All three algorithms were implemented to solve the traveling salesman problem. In second part of the thesis the algorithms were tested and compared. In last part the influence of the ant colony parameters was evaluated.

This paper deals with simulation models of the human operator controlling lateral position of simulated vehicle. I am comparing parameters and quality of the McRuer human driver model and the PID controller. Simulated system is single-track vehicle model. Simulated driver is tasked to pass a Moose test with this vehicle model. I am using the simulated annealing method to find optimal parameters of the driver model and then I visualize realized test in 2D and 3D visualization. In the end of this paper I compare simulations of the driver models and assess achieved results.

The aim of the thesis is to examine the dielectric function Ta2O5 insulating layers in tantalum capacitors. The capacitor plugged in the regular mode represents a MIS structure of reverse direction. Three different factors can be determined for the residual current of the component according to its charge transmission mode: the ohmic, Pool–Frenkel, tunnel and Schottky. An apparatus was constructed by the author of the thesis to measure the temporary connection between residual current and rise of temperature of the tantalum capacitors. Annealing of three different sets of tantalum capacitors made by different producers was performed at the temperature of 400 K and nominal voltage of 35 V during the period of 20 days.The experiment has proved the residual current in the electric field changes with rising temperature in time as a result of the ion movement. The singular factors of the residual current are influenced during the process. By the “ion movement” is meant the ion drift influenced by the attached electric field and diffusion caused by the concentration gradient. First, the samples were being annealed for c. 2 x 106 s, and then the residual current was being regenerated under the voltage of 5 V for 106 s. The residual current values increased considerably after annealing, and decreased again to more or less the original level after the regeneration, some of the samples reaching even values bellow the original level. The VA characteristics of the samples measured before and after the process of controlled obsolescence, and after the regeneration prove not only a change in parameters of the different current factors, but also a change of the current transmission mechanism employed in the process.

This master’s thesis deals with the problem of thin film solar cells, their parameters and measuring. The introductory chapter describes the properties of individual thin-film technology, summarizes their advantages against the crystalline silicon cell. Another chapter is exclusively focused on thin-film cells based on amorphous silicon. There is described the manufacturing processes of amorphous cells and modifications performed during the manufacturing. One part of master’s thesis is dedicated to the description of basic electrical quantities and PV cell degradation mechanisms that negatively affect these electrical properties. It is explained in detail the most important degradation phenomenon called Steabler - Wronski effect. The master’s thesis describes standards regarding testing amorphous cells as well as method, how to achieve their performance stability. The practical part is focused on the testing of several single-layer amorphous cells that were exposed to degradation and regeneration effects. One part of the thesis is studying of a new method of testing of amorphous cell, where is necessary to determine whether it is the degradation or regeneration process. Measured values obtained from several types of measurements were compared, evaluated and displayed in the graphs. The recommendation for future testing of amorphous article is stated in the final chapter.

This thesis is focused on the description of the method of reactive sputtering of thin films. Currently, there are many ways how to create thin films and there are many applications of thin films in various industrial sectors. In this paper at the first are listed the issue of thin films, followed by an overview of the deposition techniques and of the chemical analysis of deposited thin films. It also describes the four-point measurement method of sheet resistance, mechanical test of adhesion and optical properties. At the end of the theoretical part are described the material composition of the deposited films. The goal of the practical part is to optimize the deposition process of the mixed layer of indium tin oxide (In2O3: SnO2) and contribute to the overall understanding of the influence of annealing on the layer. There were created six series of samples with that applied layers. First, the work focused on examining of the influence of annealing on the throughput in the whole measuring range, and then comparing the series due to the transmittance in the visible light spectrum. Furthermore were compared the value of sheet resistance of unannealed and subsequently annealed samples.

This master‘s thesis deals with radiation damage of reactor pressure vessels, specifically of NPP Dukovany Unit No. 3. In general damage mechanisms of reactor steels are described and possibilities of monitoring of material degradation and its recovery used at NPP’s all over the world are mentioned as well. A practical part of the thesis is focused on interpretation of analyses carried out with the assistance of MOBY DICK code. The ground of these analyses is a neutron fluence value development on different locations of RPV for the whole life of operation up to 24th cycle. The analyses results are put into context with performed in-service inspections. The thesis follows up with neutron fluence computation for the future cycles containing new types of nuclear fuel up to 34th cycle. The outcome of practical part of the master‘s thesis is a comparison between new types of nuclear fuel with respect to radiation damage of RPV’s.