In this thesis is described the function and design of the transformer designed on ferromagnetic core, composed of transformer sheets. It is explained a transient inrush current of the transformer. In this work is inserted voltage and current waveforms, designed printed circuit board, serving to reduce the inrush current.

Modal analysis of printed circuit board results, gained from computional and experimental modeling, have been compared. Anylyses have been performed on dummy boards (models without electronic components), created as one-layered at first, then as three-layered PCB. Board is usually clamped by its longer edges with wedgelock. In order to enable the realization of boundary conditions in computional and experimental modeling, real clamping has been simplified to simply supported. Computional models have used FEM elements, which are comomnly used in this type of problem. Determined results have been evaluated by comparing the experimental modeling results. Models‘ sensitivity on modification of element length and number of elements through thickness have been performed.

In this thesis is described the function and design of the transformer designed on ferromagnetic core, composed of transformer sheets. It is explained a transient inrush current of the transformer. In this work is inserted voltage and current waveforms, designed printed circuit board, serving to reduce the inrush current.

The aim of this thesis is to improve the knowledgebase regarding the technical lifetime of radio circuit boards. The purpose is to create opportunities to facilitate the design of products that live up to the customers' requirements and to Ericsson's sustainable responsibility goals. The problem at hand was to look for the average temperature that has contribiuted to the performance degradation of circuit boards used in the field. The method was to measure the performance degradation of capacitors used in a power distribution function on the circuit board and combining those values with the time the circuit board has been in operation, to derive the average operation temperature with the help of the Arrhenius equation. The radio circuit board used in the field showed signs of performance degradation that could be interpreted as having reached the end of its technical lifetime after being used for 31 800 hours (3,6 years) at an average temperature of 78 °C to 79 °C. For it to be possible to interpret the temperature results of the unit used in the field, the three parameters: measured performance degradation, time of operation and average temperature at that time, had to be collected. All three parameters are key when evaluating technical lifetime since they need to be interpreted in relation to each other. The temperature results exists in a thermodynamic system that includes the capacitors, circuit board, the temperature of the surrounding environment, and the global climate. The temperature results and the measured performance degradation is a consequence of how the radio was operated, which is linked to the desired performance it was designed for. The radio circuit boards are also designed to comply with customers' requirements and the requirements based in the companys's sustainability responsibility goals. It is likely that the desired performance of radios in the future needs to be balanced with the company's sustainability responisibility goals, and the temperatures created as an effect of climate change. / Målet med detta examensarbete var att öka kunskapen om radiokretskorts tekniska livslängd. Syftet var att skapa möjligheter att främja utveckling av produkter som möter kunders krav samt de krav som följer av Ericssons strategi för hållbarhet och ansvarsfullt företagande. Problemformuleringen består av att söka efter medeltemperaturen som har bidragit till den prestandadegradering som lett till att kretskort i fält nått slutet på sin tekniska livslängd. Metoden som användes för att kunna härleda medeltemperaturen under drift var att mäta prestandadegraderingen hos kondensatorer som används i en specifik kraftfördelningsfunktion på radiokretskort och kombinera dessa mätvärden med tiden kretskortet varit i drift. Tiden och temperaturen härleddes med hjälp av Arrhenius ekvation. Den radiokretskortsenhet som användes i fält kan tolkas ha nått slutet på sin tekniska livslängd efter 31 800 timmar (3,6 år) och under tiden i drift haft medeltemperaturen på ungefär 78 °C till 79 °C. För att det skulle vara möjligt att tolka temperaturresultatet för radiokretskortet som användes i fält behövde följande tre parameterar samlas in: uppmätt prestandadegradering, tiden som radiokretskortet varit i drift samt medeltemperaturen under driftstiden. Samtliga tre parameterar behöver analyseras i relation till varandra när den tekniska livslängden ska utvärderas. Temperaturresultatet existerar i ett termodynamiskt system som består av kondensatorerna, krestkortet, temperaturen i den omkringliggande miljön samt det globala klimatsystemet. Temperaturresultatet och den uppmätta prestandadegraderingen är en konsekvens av hur radion har använts och är länkat till den den prestanda radion är designad för. Radiokretskorten är också designade för att följa kundernas krav och de krav som följer av Ericssons strategi för hållbarhet och ansvarsfullt företagande. Det är sannolikt att den önskade prestandan hos radioprodukter i framtiden behöver balanseras med de krav som följer av Ericssons strategi för hållbart företagande samt de temperaturer som skapas som konsekvens av klimatförändringarna.

A simple and novel dual-CP printed antenna is modelled and measured. The patch antennais small and achieves a low axial ratio without quadrature feeding. The measured pattern showsaxial ratio pattern squinting over frequency. Possible methods of improving the individual element are discussed, as well as an array technique for improving the axial ratio bandwidth. Three endfire printed antenna structures are designed, analyzed, and compared. The comparison includes an analysis of costs of production for the antenna structures in addition to their performance parameters. This analysis concludes that cost of materials primarily reduces the size of antennas for a given gain and bandwidth. An antenna stucture with an annular beam pattern for down-looking navigational radar is proposed. The antenna uses sub-wavelength grating techniques from optics to achieve a highly directive planar reflector which is used as a ground plane for a monopole. A fan-beam array element is fabricated for use in a digitally steered receive array for obstacle avoidance radar. The steered beam pattern is observed. The element-dependent phase shifts for a homodyned signal in particular are explored as to their impact on beam steering.

This thesis project aims to create an overview of new technologies in printed circuit board manufacturing which when automated could become part of an Industry 4.0 production flow. Potential design limits imposed by new technologies are then applied in the creation process of a minimum distance estimation function. The intended purpose of this function is to correctly estimate the minimum distance required for the auto-routing software FreeRouting to be able to successfully route between two components. This is achieved by using a brute-force attack to progressively decrease the distance between components using a bisectional approach to find the minimum distance at which the auto-routing software can still successfully route for a specific design. Using the results from this brute-force attack a couple of linear functions based on different base designs are created and then used to implement a minimum distance function. The minimum distance estimation function is then intended to be used to implement limits to how close components can be placed to each other in a printed circuit board design tool which purpose is to enable people with lesser knowledge of printed circuit boards to still be able to realize their design ideas. / Detta examensarbete ämnar skapa en överblick av nya tekniker inom mönsterkorts-tillverkning som när de automatiseras skulle kunna bli en del av ett Industri 4.0 produktionsflöde. Eventuella designbegränsningar som uppstår till följd av dessa tekniker kommer sedan appliceras i skapningsprocessen av en minsta avståndsfunktion. Syftet med denna funktion är att korrekt uppskatta det minimala avståndet som krävs för att auto-routing mjukvaran FreeRouting ska kunna dra ledningar mellan två komponenter. Detta görs genom en brute-force attackvinkel där avståndet mellan komponenter fortsätter minskas med bisektionsmetoden tills ett minsta avstånd hittats där auto-routing mjukvaran fortfarande kan dra ledningar för en specifik design. Genom användande av resultaten från denna brute-force attack skapas sedan ett par linjära funktioner baserade på olika bas-designer och dessa används sedan för att implementera minsta avståndsfunktionen. Denna minsta avståndet-funktion är sedan ämnad att implementeras som begränsningar för hur nära komponenter kan placeras varandra i ett program för design av mönsterkort vars syfte är att möjliggöra folk utan kunskaper inom mönsterkortsdesign att ändå kunna realisera sina designidéer.

Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave devices are typically implemented in Integrated Circuit (IC) form to minimize parasitics, increase precision and tolerances, and minimize size. Although IC fabrication for students and independent engineers is cost-prohibitive, an abundance of low-cost, easily accessible printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic component manufacturers allows affordable PCB fabrication. While nearly all microwave voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) designs are IC-based, this study presents a discrete PCB-level cross-coupled, differential LC VCO to demonstrate this more affordable and accessible approach. This thesis presents a 65 mW, discrete component VCO PCB with industry-comparable RF performance. A phase noise of -103.7 dBc/Hz is simulated at a 100 kHz offset from a 4.05 GHz carrier. This VCO achieves a 532 MHz (13.25%) tuning bandwidth. A figure of merit, FOMP, [1] value of -177.7 dB (includes phase noise and power consumption) is calculated at 4.05 GHz. This surpasses the performance of an industry standard VCO (HMC430LPx, Analog Devices), -176.5 dB, and four other commercially available VCOs. Furthermore, this study presents novel discrete design implementations to minimize both power consumption and capacitive loading effects, while optimizing phase noise. Finally, this project serves as a reference for analyzing and implementing low-level, complex RF and Microwave circuits on a PCB accessible to all students and independent engineers.

The monitoring of pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine concentration in drinking water is important for public health and the environment. However, conventional laboratory-based analytical methods are labor-intensive, expensive, and time consuming. This thesis focuses on developing an integrated, highly sensitive, easy-to-use, and low-cost pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine sensing system for drinking water quality monitoring. A low-temperature, solution-processed modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) on glassy carbon electrode is developed for detecting low levels of acetaminophen. The adsorption properties of βCD are combined with the high surface area of carbon nanotubes towards enhanced electrochemical sensing of acetaminophen with a limit of detection of 11 nM and linear range from 0.05-300 μM. Also, a systematic investigation is carried out using four types of modified MWCNT-βCD. A novel, one-step approach called Steglich esterification modified MWCNT-βCD results in large effective surface area, and fast electron transfer towards sensitive detection of acetaminophen and 17β-estradiol (E2, primary female sex hormone) in the range of 0.005–20 and 0.01–15 μM, with low detection limits of 3.3 and 2.5 nM, respectively. The similar MWCNT-βCD modified electrodes can also detect heavy metal ion (lead, Pb2+) with a limit of detection of <10 ppb. Low frequency noise behavior of these sensors are studied. A spin-coated Pd/PdO based pH sensor, and amine-modified carbon electrode-based free chlorine sensor are fabricated on a common substrate together with the pharmaceuticals and heavy metal sensors. A Wheatstone-bridge temperature sensor is fabricated based on silicon and PEDOT:PSS on another substrate. All the sensors are connected to an Arduino microcontroller based data acquisition system with a smartphone application interface. The integrated sensing system is easy-to-use, low-cost, and can provide accurate monitoring data with real drinking water samples. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Low-cost, easy-to-use, and sensitive monitoring system for pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine in drinking water is crucial for public health safety. In this thesis, we develop solution-based synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by β-cyclodextrin for electrochemical sensing of pharmaceuticals and heavy metal. The modification approaches are compared and characterized to analyze their electrochemical behavior and sensing performances. The developed sensors are highly sensitive toward the detection of acetaminophen (a widely used pain-killer) and estrogen hormone in drinking water. We also develop a modified spin-coating technique to deposit palladium/palladium oxide films for potentiometric pH sensor, a calibration-free free chlorine sensor based on modified carbon electrode, and a resistive temperature sensor. The developed pH, free chlorine and temperature sensors are highly sensitive, and stable with fast response time. All the sensors are integrated and interfaced with a custom-made and smartphone-controlled electronic readout system for accurate and on-site drinking water quality monitoring at low cost.

This project investigates developing and implementing innovative indoornavigation systems by leveraging repurposed Wi-Fi infrastructure anddedicated RFM69HCW transceivers. Aimed at enhancing indoor positioningaccuracy, the study explores the viability of using Received Signal StrengthIndicator (RSSI) and dedicated device localization techniques to overcomethe limitations of existing Global Positioning System (GPS) technology inindoor environments. Through the design and testing of a printed circuit board(PCB) prototype that connects Raspberry Pi Pico (RPP) to RFM69HCWmodules and the development of custom drivers for the RP2040 processor,this research addresses the challenges of indoor navigation, such as signalvariability and environmental interference. The project also emphasizes theimportance of sustainable technology development by repurposing electronicwaste for innovative applications. Findings from the study reveal the potentialof these methodologies to improve indoor positioning accuracy despitechallenges related to hardware compatibility and the dynamic nature of indoorspaces. This research contributes to indoor navigation by demonstrating thefeasibility of using repurposed and dedicated hardware solutions, offeringinsights into future directions for enhancing indoor navigation systems, andhighlighting the role of sustainability in technological innovation.

Board-to-board connectors are used for electrically connecting one printed circuit board to another. In this thesis, a method for assessing the reliability of such connectors will be developed and tested with the goal of determining the reliability of a selection of connectors. Board-to-board connectors are widely used for connecting different electronic modules to each other, forming a modular system. Today, one of the limiting factors when it comes to modularizing electronic systems, is the lack of data on the long-term reliability of board-to-board connectors. The methods detailed in this thesis are meant to enable electronic designers to make informed decisions on connector selection when modularizing electronic systems. Modularization of electronic systems has several advantages, for example an increased first-pass yield (FPY) during assembly, and the ability to modify or replace certain parts of the system without re-spinning the entire thing. The method by which the reliability of connectors will be tested, is to continuously measure the contact resistance of the connectors during a selection of stress tests. The stress tests in question are mechanical vibration tests, thermal cycling tests, and actuation tests, all of which represent conditions that products from Hitachi Energy may be subjected to. There already exist standards on how to measure contact resistance, but those standards are not necessarily scalable to the measurement of thousands of contacts, nor are they made with the expectation that contacts can be measured during stress tests. The methods presented in this report are developed with the existing standards as basis, but have been modified in order to facilitate the measurement of thousands of contacts during stress tests. The results show that there are advantages to continuous monitoring of contact resistances during tests, as behaviors can be observed, which would not have been captured had the tests been performed conventionally. Furthermore the system which was developed forms the groundwork for a more convenient and cost effective method for testing the reliability of a large selection of board-to-board connectors. / Kontaktdon för kort-till-kort-anslutning används för att elektriskt koppla ett kretskort till ett annat. I denna avhandling utvecklas och testas en metod för att bedöma pålitligheten hos sådana anslutningar, med målet att fastställa pålitligheten hos ett urval av existerande kontaktdon. Kontaktdon för anslutning av kretskort till varandra används allmänt för att knyta ihop olika elektroniska moduler till varandra och bilda ett modulärt system. Idag är en av de begränsande faktorerna när det gäller att modularisera elektroniska system, bristen på data för långtidstålighet hos kontaktdon för kort-till-kort-anslutning. De metoder som beskrivs i denna avhandling är avsedda att möjliggöra för elektronikdesigner att fatta korrekta beslut om kontaktdonsval vid modularisering av elektroniska system. Modularisering av elektroniska system har flera fördelar, till exempel en förbättrad “first-pass yield”, FPY, när det gäller montering och möjligheten att modifiera eller ersätta vissa delar av systemet utan att behöva göra om hela systemet. Metoden som här används för att testa pålitligheten hos kontaktdon är att kontinuerligt mäta kontaktresistansen hos kontaktdonen under ett antal stresstester. De aktuella stresstesterna är mekaniska vibrationsprov, termocykeltester och aktiveringstester, vilka alla representerar vanliga situationer som Hitachi Energy’s produkter kan utsättas för. Det finns redan standarder för hur man mäter kontaktresistans, men dessa standarder är ofta inte skalbara till mätningar av tusentals kontakter samtidigt, och de är inte heller utformade för att mäta kontakter under stresstester. De metoder som presenteras i denna rapport är utvecklade med befintliga standarderna som grund, men har modifierats för att underlätta mätning av tusentals kontakter under olika stresstester. Resultaten visar att det finns fördelar med kontinuerlig övervakning av kontaktresistanser under tester, eftersom vissa beteenden kan observeras som inte skulle ha upptäckts om testerna hade utförts på ett konventionellt sätt. Dessutom utgör det system som utvecklades grunden för en mer bekväm och kostnadseffektiv metod för att testa pålitligheten hos ett stort urval av kontaktdon för kort-till-kort-anslutningar.