Bioimpedance measurements are useful for determining a variety of biological conditions. By accounting for small impedance variations due to the arterial pulse, the effect of the blood can be studied more closely. The quasi-circulator system presented enables monitoring of pulsatile impedance changes with input frequencies above 1 MHz. The adjustable Rmatch allows for dynamic tuning of the system to increase sensitivity. By tuning Rmatch to be near the match point, the pulsatile signal in the output magnitude can be amplified, and tuning Rmatch to be at the match point causes the pulsatile signal in the output phase to be amplified. The system is tested on discrete circuit elements as well as human subjects, and results are analyzed. Pulsatile variations in the output voltage signal of up to 7 mV and 2.3° are demonstrated on human subjects. Tuning Rmatch allows for the pulsatile signal to be increased by more than 4 times.

No description available.

This study examines how a shuttle system can meet transportation needs in Pittsburg. A circulator shuttle connecting major commercial nodes, public facilities, and residential locations, can increase travel options and improve accessibility to key locations. A review of best practices and transit planning standards provides a means to determine the cost of a shuttle service. The base costs of service are then applied to three alternatives for different shuttle route alignments: 1) a north-south route along Railroad Avenue only, 2) a north-south route along Railroad Avenue and an east-west route to Century Plaza, and 3) a north-south route along Railroad Avenue and an east-west route to Century Plaza that also links to Los Medanos College. Each alternative presents the basic system characteristics, which include travel time between proposed stops; the difference in shuttle and automobile travel times; ridership along each route; and cost evaluation of service. Alternatives are evaluated based on comparisons of benefits and costs they can produce in the current environment. Alternative 3 provides the greatest coverage, has the largest potential ridership, and provides access to other major destinations in the eastern half of the city. This should be the ultimate vision for the shuttle service. However, fiscal uncertainties at the moment suggest that it is prudent to select the least expensive alternative, Alternative 1, and slowly branch out the system over time. This would create opportunities for the shuttle system to expand with the future growth of central Pittsburg.

This report intends to impart a good understanding of routing modules used in modern transceiver systems. The radar system at RadarBolaget AB needed to have a good routing module for its newly designed transceiver antenna. In this report, studies have been done related to two majorly used routing modules in modern electronics industry; Microwave Circulator and RF/Microwave Switch. First off, different characteristics of routing modules are discussed. After having discussed important design parameters, practical design considerations for two routing modules are presented in a profound way. Theoretical knowledge for both of these two devices is presented in the beginning, followed by their practical designs using standard simulation software like HFSS and ADS. The report concludes its findings in a way that at the end of this report, reader becomes acquainted with ample information to be able to choose the best option available among all of the discussed designs. An FET RF Switch is chosen at the end of this project to be used for transceiver system which should be able to satisfy specifications specified by RadarBolaget AB. This project was carried out by two students of Master Program in Electronics/Telecommunications at Högskolan i Gävle in collaboration with RadarBolaget AB, Gävle, Sweden.

Cyanobacteria are a naturally occurring component of reservoir aquatic ecosystems. Given that some species possess the ability to control their depth within the water column, they have a competitive advantage over other species of photosynthetic organisms. This leads to the potential for cyanobacteria blooms, and because of taste and odor problems, as well as possible toxin production associated with certain species of cyanobacteria, these organisms can cause major problems in drinking water production. The Western Virginia Water Authority installed a solar-powered circulator in Falling Creek Reservoir, located in Bedford County, Virginia, in an attempt to limit the growth of these organisms through limiting light exposure by circulating them deeper within the reservoir. Experiments were performed during the summer of 2008 to quantify the effect of the circulator on the reservoir. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, water velocity, and photosynthetic yield were monitored before and during operation of the unit. The overall effect of the mixer was limited to the first 10 m immediately adjacent to the unit during the afternoon. The effect was stronger during the morning when the difference in density between the intake water and the surface of the reservoir was smaller, allowing the water to travel up to 80 m away from the unit. Although the circulator was only intended to mix and possibly deepen the epilimnion, the entire reservoir became mixed about two weeks after the circulator was put into operation. The reservoir is quite shallow, leading to a weak stratification that is easily disrupted by the operation of the circulator. / Master of Science

This diploma thesis deals with optical and optoelectronic components. The first part describes three selected optical and three optoelectronic components. Optical components include power divider, isolator and circulator. The optoelectronic ones are laser diode, photodetector and modulator. Basic measurement parameters were defined for each component. In the experimental part, four components from different manufacturers were measured. Selected components are power dividers, isolators, circulators and a laser diode. Subsequently, the measured parameters were compared with the catalog values.

This report is introduced with a presentation of fundamental electromagnetic theories, which have helped a lot in the achievement of methods for calculation and design of microstrip transmission lines and circulators. The used software for the work is also based on these theories. General considerations when designing microstrip solutions, such as different types of transmission lines and circulators, are then presented. Especially the design steps for microstrip lines, which have been used in this project, are described. Discontinuities, like bends of microstrip lines, are treated and simulated. There are also sections about power handling capability of microstrip transmission lines and different substrate materials. In the result part there are computed and simulated dimensions of the microstrip transmission lines used in the prototype system. Simulations of conceivable loads in the cavity illustrate quantitatively the reflection coefficient. Even practical measurements are made in a network analyzer and are presentedin this part. Suitable materials and dimensions for the final microwave feed transmission line system for high powers are then presented. Since circulators are included in the system a basic introduction to the design of these in stripline and microstrip techniques is also made. At last conclusions, examinations of the designed system and comparisons to the today’s systems are made.

<p>This report is introduced with a presentation of fundamental electromagnetic theories, which have helped a lot in the achievement of methods for calculation and design of microstrip transmission lines and circulators. The used software for the work is also based on these theories. </p><p>General considerations when designing microstrip solutions, such as different types of transmission lines and circulators, are then presented. Especially the design steps for microstrip lines, which have been used in this project, are described. Discontinuities, like bends of microstrip lines, are treated and simulated. There are also sections about power handling capability of microstrip transmission lines and different substrate materials. </p><p>In the result part there are computed and simulated dimensions of the microstrip transmission lines used in the prototype system. Simulations of conceivable loads in the cavity illustrate quantitatively the reflection coefficient. Even practical measurements are made in a network analyzer and are presentedin this part. </p><p>Suitable materials and dimensions for the final microwave feed transmission line system for high powers are then presented. Since circulators are included in the system a basic introduction to the design of these in stripline and microstrip techniques is also made. </p><p>At last conclusions, examinations of the designed system and comparisons to the today’s systems are made.</p>

Commuter rail systems, operating on unused or under-used railroad rights-of-way, are being introduced into many urban transportation systems. Since locations of available rail rights-of-way were typically chosen long ago to serve the needs of rail freight customers, these locations are not optimal for commuter rail users. The majority of commuter rail users do not live or work within walking distance of potential commuter rail stations, so provision of quick, convenient access to and from stations is a critical part of overall commuter decisions to use commuter rail. Minimizing access time to rail stations and final destinations is crucial if commuter rail is to be a viable option for commuters. Well-designed feeder routes or circulator systems are regarded as potential solutions to provide train station to ultimate destination access. Transit planning for main line or feeder routes relies upon static demand estimates describing a typical day. Daily and peak-hour demands change in response to the state of the transport system, as influenced by weather, incidents, holiday schedules and many other factors. Recent marketing successes of “smart phones” might provide an innovative means of obtaining real time data that could be used to identify optimal paths and stop locations for commuter rail circulator systems. Such advanced technology could allow commuter rail users to provide real-time final destination information that would enable real time optimization of feeder routes. This dissertation focuses on real time optimization of the Commuter Rail Circulator Route Network Design Problem (CRCNDP). The route configuration of the circulator system – where to stop and the route among the stops – is determined on a real-time basis by employing adaptive Tabu Search to timely solve an MIP problem with an objective to minimize total cost incurred to both transit users and transit operators. Numerical experiments are executed to find the threshold for the minimum fraction of travelers that would need to report their destinations via smart phone to guarantee the practical value of optimization based on real-time collected demand against a base case defined as the average performance of all possible routes. The adaptive Tabu Search Algorithm is also applied to three real-size networks abstracted from the Martin Luther King (MLK) station of the new MetroRail system in Austin, Texas. / text

Les systèmes embarqués dans les aéronefs comme dans les véhicules spatiaux doivent impérativement se conformer aux impératifs de masse et de volume mais aussi de coût. Les modules actifs pour antenne à balayage électronique constituent, dans ce cadre, un enjeu stratégique majeur en termes de masse, de volume et de fiabilité. Dans une antenne à balayage électronique actuelle, on peut trouver jusqu’à 1000 modules, chacun étant équipé d’un circulateur-isolateur afin de garantir ses performances. La technologie des circulateurs et des isolateurs à ferrite reste la plus performante en termes d’isolation et de pertes d’insertion. Elle est de plus totalement passive et ne demande aucune énergie extérieure pour son fonctionnement. Elle reste néanmoins coûteuse car la fabrication industrielle de ces dispositifs consiste à assembler mécaniquement de nombreuses pièces usinées précisément : céramiques magnétiques et diélectriques, aimants, conducteurs en cuivre et pièces en métal magnétique doux. De plus, le niveau d’intégration recherché nécessite de réduire les dimensions sans augmenter les pertes pour des niveaux de puissance qui peuvent être importants. S’inspirant des composants céramiques multicouches (condensateurs et inductances) ainsi que de la technologie LTCC (Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics), une nouvelle voie de fabrication de ces composants, en rupture avec les technologies d’assemblage traditionnelles, est abordée dans ces travaux de thèse. L’idée consiste à réaliser par cofrittage le cœur du composant qui est le plus délicat à ajuster et qui détermine le volume final. Les ferrites qui constituent actuellement le cœur des circulateurs sont principalement des grenats ferrimagnétiques fabriqués par des techniques céramiques classiques et frittés à haute température (> 1400°C). Pour les rendre compatibles de la technologie LTCC, il est nécessaire de diminuer leur température de frittage. Les températures visées doivent être inférieures à 1000°C pour pouvoir cofritter avec des parties métalliques en or et si possible être proches de 900°C pour espérer cofritter avec de l’argent. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail de thèse était de mettre au point des grenats ferrimagnétiques pour des applications en hyperfréquences présentant des températures de frittage proche de 900°C. Ces ferrites ont alors été utilisés pour la réalisation de circulateurs hyperfréquences, composants indispensables dans les systèmes de Radars et de télécommunications. De plus, des études d’optimisation des propriétés magnétiques et diélectriques de ces ferrites ont aussi été réalisées pour adapter le ferrite aux conditions de fonctionnement (gamme de fréquence et niveau de puissance). / Embedded systems in aircraft must comply with the requirements of mass, volume and cost. The active modules of electronic scanning antenna are, in this context, a strategic challenge in terms of mass, volume and reliability. Today, there are up to 1000 modules per antenna, each one containing a circulator-isolator in order to guarantee its performances. The technology of ferrite circulators and isolators remains the most efficient in terms of isolation and insertion losses. It is also fully passive as no external energy is required to work. However this technology is expensive due to complex mechanical assembling of the different materials: magnetic and dielectric ceramics, magnets, conductors made of copper and soft metallic material. The integration of such devices also requires the reduction of dimensions without increasing losses for power levels that can be high. Based on by multilayer ceramic components (capacitors and inductors) as well as Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics (LTCC) technology, a new way of manufacturing these components, is investigated in this PhD work.. The idea is to be able to cofire the heart of the component which is the most difficult to adjust and also determines the final volume. The ferrites which currently constitute the core of the circulators are ferrimagnetic garnets synthetized by using a conventional ceramic process and sintered at high temperature (> 1400°C). To make them compatible with LTCC technology, it is essential to reduce their sintering temperature. The targeted temperatures must be less than 1000°C in order to cofire with gold metal parts and, if possible, close to 900°C for circulators with silver. In this context, the objective of this PhD work was to develop a ferrimagnetic garnet for microwave applications with sintering temperatures close to 900°C. This ferrite was then used for the preparation of microwave circulators which are essential components in radar and telecommunications systems. In addition, studies of optimization of the magnetic and dielectric properties have also been carried out to meet the operating requirements (frequency band and power level).