The present society is highly dependant on complex electronics systems, which have a low damage threshold level. Therefore, there is a high risk of partial or total loss of the system’s electronics when they are exposed to a thunderstorm environment. This calls for a deep understanding on the mechanism related to the interaction of lightning generated electromagnetic fields with various large distributed/scattered systems. To accurately represent the interaction of lightning electromagnetic fields with electrical networks, it is necessary to have return stroke models capable to reproduce the electromagnetic field signatures generated by a lightning flash. Several models have been developed in the recent past to study the field-to-wire coupling mechanism. The most popular, simple and accurate among the available models is the Agrawal et al. model. On the other hand, ATP-EMTP is a well-known transient simulation package widely used by power engineers. This package has various built-in line models like Semlyen, Marti and Noda setups. There is a difficulty in applying the Agrawal et al. model with the built-in line models of ATP-EMTP, as the voltage source due to the horizontal component of electric field in Agrawal et al. model is in series with the line impedance and not in between two transmission line segments. Furthermore, when the electromagnetic field is propagating over a finite conducting ground plane, the soil will selectively attenuate the high frequency content of the electromagnetic field; causing a change in the field wave shape. A finite conducting ground will also produce a horizontal field component at the ground level. Several approximations are available in the literature to obtain the horizontal electric field; namely the wave-tilt and the Cooray-Rubinstein approximation. Consequently, it is important to investigate the change on the induced voltage signature when the power line is located over a finitely conducting ground. Additionally, to provide protection from lightning induced transients it is necessary to use Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) capable of diverting the incoming transients and provide protection level necessary to avoid damage in the equipment. However, standard test procedures of the SPDs do not take into account sub-microsecond structure of the transients. Therefore, to provide the required protection level to sensitive equipments connected to the low voltage power network, it is essential to understand the response of SPDs subjected to high current derivative impulses. This thesis is aimed to investigate the research problems as addressed above. Special attention will be given to a new proposed return stroke model, a simple circuit approach for efficient implementation of Agrawal et al. model using ATP-EMTP, the effect of the soil conductivity on the lightning induced overvoltage signatures and the response of surge protective devices subjected to high current derivative impulses.

This thesis deals with the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems of distributed electrical networks, especially that caused by lightning to electrified railway. Lightning transients were found to damage important devices that control train movements, causing traffic stoppage and delays. This thesis attempts to develop computational models for identification of parameters influencing the coupling phenomena between those devices and lightning. Some supporting experimental investigations are also carried out. This thesis forms the groundwork on the subject of lightning interaction with the electrified railway networks. Lightning induces transient overvoltages in railway conductor systems such as tracks, overhead wires, and underground cables, either due to direct lightning strike to the system or due to the coupling of electromagnetic fields from remote strikes. Models based on multiconductor transmission line theory were developed for calculating the induced voltages and currents. A transmission line return stroke model, that can predict the remote electromagnetic fields comparable to experimental observations, is also developed. Earlier works on modeling earth return impedances for transient studies in power distribution systems are not readily applicable for railways for lightning transients, in cases of low earth conductivities found in Sweden and for large variation in conductor heights. For the wires above ground, the ground impedance models were modified for wide range of frequencies, soil conductivities and wide spread of conductor heights. Influences of pole insulator flashovers, pole-footing soil ionizations and interconnections between the conductors on the lightning surge propagation are studied. Wave propagation in buried shielded and unshielded cables with ground return is studied. Simplified, valid and computationally efficient ground impedance expressions for buried and on-ground wires are proposed. A model for the coupling phenomena (transfer impedance) through multiple cable shields with multiconductor core is also proposed. Besides, experimental studies on lightning induced transients entering a railway technical house, failure modes of relay and rectifier units used in the train position/signaling applications for lightning transients are performed. A high frequency circuit model for the booster transformer for lightning interaction studies is developed. The simulation models are being converted to user-friendly software for the practicing engineers of the railway industry.

The scope of this thesis is the design and verification of an electronic packaging of a device which is a subunit of a network system that is designed for combat communication in sheltering ship. According to the project requirements this device is subjected to some environmental and electromagnetic interference tests. This thesis includes design and manufacturing steps as well as vibration, shock and thermal analyses. Electromagnetic interference is examined through the design procedure and total shielding effectiveness of the device is calculated after the applications of some electromagnetic interference precautions which are given in details.

Electric and magnetic fields in the vicinity of strong sources of radiation (e.g. radar and broadcasting) can exceed the limits mentioned in the national standards for the exposition of persons. Field probes are needed to warn personnel if they are going too close to the RF-sources. For acceptance reasons the field probes should be universal in such a way that no user adjustment of frequency is required. The limits for power density, electric and magnetic field strength depend on the frequency. In contrast, field probes covering a large frequency range, e.g. 1 MHz to 18 GHz or even larger, normally have a flat frequency response. Therefore, the person using the field probe has to know the frequency of the electromagnetic field and to evaluate fieldstrength with respect to the frequency dependent limit value defined by law. Human mistakes while making that evaluation can lead to expositions above the limit value. On the other hand, the evaluation of the power density in the presence of multiple strong sources of radiation at different frequencies with different limit values also leads to measurement problems. A new approach has been undertaken to overcome these difficulties in the development of a rectifying field probe. It consists in shaping the antenna factor of the probe inversely proportional to the limit value. The isotropic response of field probes can be achieved, if three dipole antennas are arranged perpendicular to each other. The presence of dielectric supporting material leads to degradation of the isotropic response of such a field probe. The effect will be investigated. For typical substrates the isotropic response is degraded by up to 3.8 dB. An compensation for this effect will be proposed that leads to a residual unisotropic response of less than 0.2 dB.

The ability to accurately predict dose from electron backscatter created by internal lead shielding utilized during various superficial electron beam treatments (EBT), such as lip carcinoma, is required to avoid the possibility of an overdose. Methods for predicting this dose include the use of empirical equations or physically measuring the electron backscatter factor (EBF) and upstream electron backscatter intensity (EBI). The EBF and upstream EBI are defined as the ratio of dose at, or upstream, from the shielding interface with and without the shielding present respectively. The accuracy of these equations for the local treatment machines was recognised as an area that required verification; in addition the ability of XiO's electron Monte Carlo (eMC) treatment planning algorithm to handle lead interfaces was examined. A Monte Carlo simulation using the EGSnrc package of a Siemens Artiste Linac was developed for 6, 9, 12, and 15 MeV electron energies and was verified against physical measurements to within an accuracy of 2 % and 2 mm. Electron backscatter dose distributions were predicated using the MC model, Gafchromic film, and XiO eMC, which when compared showed that XiO's eMC could not accurately calculate dose at the lead interface. Several MC simulations of lead interfaces at different depths, corresponding to energies of 0.2-14 MeV at the interfaces, were used to validate the accuracy of the equations, with the results concluding that the equation could not accurately predict EBF and EBI values, especially at low energies. From this data, an equation was derived to allow estimation of the EBF and upstream EBI, which agreed to within 1.3 % for the EBF values and can predict the upstream EBI to a clinically acceptable level for all energies.

Ο στόχος της διπλωματικής αυτής είναι η περιγραφή της αναδυόμενης τεχνολογίας PLC (PowerLine Communication). Η τεχνολογία αυτή με τη χρήση του πανταχού παρόντος ηλεκτρικού δικτύου προσφέρει ακόμα και σε απομακρυσμένους χρήστες πληθώρα ευρυζωνικών υπηρεσιών και πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο, αποτελώντας μια ανταγωνιστική επιλογή τρόπου επικοινωνίας. Για την κατανόηση της PLC τεχνολογίας αρχικά κρίνουμε απαραίτητη την λεπτομερή περιγραφή της δομής του ηλεκτρικού δικτύου, του εξοπλισμού που απαιτείται για την εφαρμογή της και των αρχιτεκτονικών της. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται αναφορά στα προβλήματα που παρουσιάζονται και χρήζουν αντιμετώπισης. Επιπρόσθετα, γίνεται σύντομη παρουσίαση των εναλλακτικών υπηρεσιών και σύγκριση των PLC με αυτές. Η μετάδοση μέσω ηλεκτροφόρων καλωδίων προσφέρει ένα μεγάλο εύρος ζώνης, παρέχοντας μία γκάμα πολυάριθμων υπηρεσιών, όπως το έξυπνο σπίτι ή το AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) για τη διευκόλυνση τόσο των οικιακών χρηστών όσο και των επιχειρησιακών. Η χρήση των γραμμών ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας ως τηλεπικοινωνιακό κανάλι απαιτεί την εφαρμογή των κατάλληλων τεχνικών πρόσβασης. Οι πιο διαδεδομένες τεχνικές είναι οι FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) και CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) . Η παρούσα διπλωματική επικεντρώθηκε στην TDMA και την FDMA με διαμόρφωση σήματος OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) η οποία ονομάζεται OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). Πραγματοποιήθηκαν εξομοιώσεις σε Matlab διάφορων αλγορίθμων αναλογικής δικαιοσύνης με τεχνική OFDMA και ταυτόχρονη εξομοίωση της TDMA. Στόχος είναι να συγκρίνουμε τους αλγόριθμους αυτούς ως προς το συνολικό ρυθμό μετάδοσης και τη δικαιοσύνη κατανομής των πόρων στους χρήστες. Από τη σύγκριση αυτή προκύπτει ότι η τεχνική TDMA αποδίδει λιγότερο, ενώ από τους υπόλοιπους αλγόριθμους τα καλύτερα αποτελέσματα επιφέρει ο αλγόριθμος των Bill et al., με ισορροπία του συνολικού ρυθμού μετάδοσης και της επιθυμητής δικαιοσύνης. / Main goal of this diploma thesis is the description of the up and coming PLC (PowerLine Communication) technology. This technology offers access to the web and to several broadband services to even distant and isolated users, by exploiting the power line grid, widely spread to nearly all surface land sites, consisting this way a competitive communication alternative. For a better comprehension of the PLC technology, this work starts with a detailed description of the power line grid, the several PLC technology architectures and the necessary equipment for their application. Following this work, there is a reference to any possible problems that need to be overcome and a short comparative presentation of the PLC technology versus other alternatives to it. The data transmission over electricity lines offers a wide bandwidth and thus it may support a variety of applications, as the smart home and AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) for the proper service of either domestic or industrial users. The use of electricity power lines as a communication channel necessitates the application of multiple access Strategies as FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), which are currently the most popular. This thesis is focused on TDMA and FDMA with OFDM signal modulation. This technique is called OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). Several proportional rate constraints algorithms were simulated in Matlab applying both OFDMA and TDMA strategies in order to compare these algorithms in terms of the maximized total throughput and the fair allocation of resources to the end users (fairness). From this comparison it comes up that TDMA technique is less efficient, whereas from the other algorithms the most efficient is the one of Bill et al., that offers a good balance between total throughput and fairness.

Ce travail de thèse s’inscrit dans la démarche engagée depuis quelques années et concernant l’intégration monolithique en électronique de puissance avec pour objectif de faire émerger une nouvelle structure de bras d’onduleur plus compacte, plus fiable et plus performante. En s'appuyant sur des technologies à base de transistors « complémentaires » sur substrat N et P, la nouvelle structure étudiée présente de nombreux avantages vis-à-vis de la CEM conduite, de la simplification de commande rapprochée et de la mis en œuvre. Ces aspects sont abordés et validés de manières "théoriques" et expérimentales. Le point pénalisant concernant le rendement de la structure par l’introduction du transistor sur substrat P est également analysé et de nouvelles topologies sont proposées afin d’améliorer cette limitation. Des techniques d’alimentation pour la commande bipolaire offrant un niveau maximal intégration sont ainsi développées. / The work presented in this Phd manuscript was targeted to the monolithic integration of the generic power stage of static converters with the goal of bringing out a new inverter leg structure. It is based on "complementary" transistors, N and P types, and it presents several advantages regarding the conducted EMC reduction, the simplification of the gate driver and its implementation. These aspects are studied and validated thanks to experimental results. The drawback concerning the lack of performance due to the introduction of the P type transistor is also analyzed. Several evolutions are proposed to improve the structure’s efficiency while maintaining the obtained advantages at their highest levels. Finally, bipolar gate driver supply techniques, offering high integration levels, are also developed.

Avec la tendance continue vers la technologie nanométrique et l'augmentation des fonctions complexes intègres dans les électroniques systèmes embarqués, Assurant la compatibilité électromagnétique (CEM) des systèmes électroniques est un grand défi. CEM est devenu une cause majeure de redesign des Circuits intègres (CI). D’ailleurs, les performances des circuits pourraient être affectés par les mécanismes de dégradation tels que hot carrier injection (HCI), negative bias temperature instability (NBTI), gate oxide breakdown, qui sont accélérés par les conditions d'exploitation extrême (haute / basse température, surcharge électrique, le rayonnement). Ce vieillissement naturel peut donc affecter les performances CEM des circuits intégrés.Les travaux développés dans notre laboratoire vise à clarifier le lien entre les dégradations induites par le vieillissement et les dérives CEM, de développer les modèles de prédiction et de proposer des "insensibles au cours du temps" structures pour CEM protection, afin de fournir des méthodes et des guidelines aux concepteurs d'équipements et CI pour garantir la CEM au cours de durée de vie de leurs applications. Ce sujet de recherche est encore sous-exploré en tant que communautés de recherche sur la «fiabilité IC» et «compatibilité électromagnétique IC» n’a souvent pas de chevauchement.Ce manuscrit de thèse introduit une méthode pour quantifier l'effet du vieillissement sur les CEM des circuits intégrés par la mesure et la simulation. Le premier chapitre donne un aperçu du contexte général et le deuxième chapitre est dédié a l’état de l'art de CEM des circuits intégrés et de problèmes de fiabilité IC. Les résultats expérimentaux de circuits CEM évolution sont présentés dans le troisième chapitre. Ensuite, le quatrième chapitre est consacré à la caractérisation et la modélisation des mécanismes de dégradation du CI. Un EMR modèle qui inclut l'élément le vieillissement pour prédire la dérive du niveau CEM de notre puce de test après stress est proposé / With the continuous trend towards nanoscale technology and increased integration of complex electronic functions in embedded systems, ensuring the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electronic systems is a great challenge. EMC has become a major cause of IC redesign. Meanwhile, ICs performance could be affected by the degradation mechanisms such as hot carrier injection (HCI), negative bias temperature instability(NBTI), gate oxide breakdown, which are accelerated by the harsh operation conditions (high/low temperature, electrical overstress, radiation). This natural aging can thus affect EMC performances of ICs. The work developed in our laboratory aims at clarifying the link between ageing induced IC degradations and related EMC drifts, developing prediction models and proposing “time insensitive” EMC protection structures, in order to provide methods and guidelines to IC and equipment designers to ensure EMC during lifetime of their applications. This research topic is still under-explored as research communities on “IC reliability” and “IC electromagnetic compatibility” has often no overlap. The PhD manuscript introduced a methodology to quantify the effect of ageing on EMC of ICs by measurement and simulation. The first chapter gives an overview of the general context and the second chapter states the EMC of ICs state of the art and IC reliability issues. The experimental results of ICs EMC evolution are presented in the third chapter. Then, the fourth chapter is dedicated to the characterization and modeling IC degradation mechanism. An EMR model which includes the ageing element to predict our test chip’s EMC level drift after stress is proposed

Les éléments constituant la chaîne de traction sont le plus souvent dissocies et indépendants entre eux (pack de batteries, convertisseur de traction et moteur). L'utilisation des convertisseurs en cascade en tant que convertisseurs de traction a été le cœur de ces travaux de thèse. Les performances énergétiques des convertisseurs en cascade et de l'onduleur de tension classique ont été comparées sur un cycle de conduite normalisé pour différentes configurations sur les convertisseurs de puissance (niveau de tension mis en jeu dans la chaîne de traction, variation du nombre d'onduleurs connectés en série pour les convertisseurs en cascade et variation du nombre de semi-conducteurs en parallèle pour réaliser la fonction des interrupteurs de puissance dans les convertisseurs). D'autres convertisseurs d'électronique de puissance sont nécessaires pour le bon fonctionnement d'un véhicule électrique. L'un de ces convertisseurs est le chargeur de batteries qui puise l'énergie du réseau électrique pour venir recharger les batteries du véhicule. Un autre est le système de monitoring des batteries qui permet d'assurer un équilibrage et un état de charge uniforme entre les différentes cellules qui composent le pack de batteries du véhicule. Dans une optique de mutualisation de fonction du convertisseur de puissance, les convertisseurs en cascade ont été étudiés pour assurer la fonction de chargeur et d'équilibreur lorsque la traction du véhicule n'est pas utilisée. / The elements that can be found in traction chain are usually separate and independent between them (battery pack, traction converter and motor). The use of cascaded inverter in order to drive the vehicle has been the heart of this thesis. The energy performance of cascaded inverter and classical voltage source inverter were compared on a standardized driving cycle for different power converters configurations (voltage level for the traction chain, variation of the number serial inverter for cascaded H-bridge and different number of semiconductors in parallel to do the function of the power switches in converters). Other power electronic converters are necessary for the electrical vehicle. One of these converters is the battery charger which tranfer energy from the network to the vehicle's batteries. Another is the battery monitoring system that ensures a balance and uniform state between the different cells which make up the battery pack of the vehicle. With an objective of increasing the function of the power converter, cascaded H-bridge have been designed to provide the function of charger and balance the battery cell when the traction chain of the vehicle is not used.

La prolifération des composants électroniques fait que l'étude de leur vulnérabilité face à des agressions électromagnétiques intentionnelles ou non devient de plus en plus préoccupante. Notre étude s'inscrit dans ce contexte et s'oriente plus particulièrement vers les composants numériques. Ces derniers incorporent généralement, à toutes leurs interfaces d'entrée et de sortie, des éléments de protection contre les décharges électrostatiques permettant d'éliminer tout signal se présentant avec une amplitude élevée. Cependant, les signaux perturbateurs peuvent avoir des amplitudes moindres mais des formes d'onde complexes et capables de causer des dysfonctionnements à ces composants numériques sans activer les protections. Dans ce cas, les étages d'entrée se retrouvent au premier plan et leur comportement face à ces signaux perturbateurs peut altérer la fonctionnalité globale du circuit. Ainsi, nous nous sommes proposés d'étudier et de modéliser les comportements de ces étages d'entrée face à ces types d'agressions. Une première étape a consisté à définir une plateforme d'expérimentation pour les composants numériques. Une sélection des types de composants de test a d'abord été effectuée et le choix s'est porté naturellement sur l'inverseur CMOS, car il est présent sur la quasi-totalité des étages d'entrée, et sa structure est simple et connue. Le choix de cette technologie est également dicté par sa simplicité et son omniprésence dans les équipements électroniques actuels. Différents types de signaux perturbateurs ont été appliqués à ces inverseurs CMOS afin d'observer et de relever leurs comportements typiques et particuliers. Ensuite, à partir des résultats expérimentaux, un modèle SPICE comportemental et générique des inverseurs CMOS a été créé. Différents types de modèles de composants numériques existent mais le type SPICE est le seul à expliciter leur architecture complète. En effet, pour des raisons liées aux propriétés intellectuelles, les fabricants sont généralement discrets sur les structures internes de leurs circuits intégrés. Par contre, ces modèles SPICE ne sont à priori valables que dans des limites de fonctionnement définis par les fabricants. Nous avons apporté diverses modifications à ce modèle afin d'incorporer les comportements observés en dehors des limites de fonctionnement des inverseurs CMOS. Le besoin de trouver un modèle générique a imposé d'étudier un grand nombre d'échantillons d'inverseurs CMOS de différents fabricants et de différentes familles technologies. Enfin, une synthèse des résultats de simulations et des modèles, en fonction des fabricants et des familles technologiques, a été réalisée sous forme d'un tableau récapitulatif. / The proliferation of electronic components increases the interest of investigations about their vulnerability against electromagnetic interference intentionally emitted or not. Our study falls in this context and is specifically devoted to digital devices. These devices usually include, at their input/output ports, protection elements to prevent against electrostatic discharges and all kind of signals with very high amplitude. However, the perturbating signals can have low amplitude and complex waveforms that can cause trouble to these digital devices without triggering protection elements. In this case, first stages are the front, and their behaviors against these perturbation signals can alter the good operation of the device. Thus, we propose to study and model the behaviors of these first stages against such aggressions. First of all, an experimental platform was defined for the digital devices. A selection of devices is done and CMOS inverter was naturally chosen because of its presence in almost all of the first stages of digital devices, and because its structure is simple and well known. The choice of the CMOS technology is also due to its simplicity and omnipresence in current electronic equipments. Different perturbation signals were applied to these CMOS inverters to observe and record their typical and particular behaviors. Secondly, with the experimental results, a behavioral and generic SPICE model of CMOS inverters was developed. Different models exist for digital devices, but SPICE is the only one explicitly describing their complete architecture. But, for intellectual proprieties reasons, the manufacturers are usually reluctant to share information on their devices’ internals. However, the SPICE models are only valid within some operating limits defined by manufacturers. We have brought different modifications to this SPICE model to incorporate the observed behaviors of CMOS inverters inside and outside their normal operating conditions. The generic criterion of the final model imposed to study a large number of CMOS inverters of different manufacturers and different logic families. Finally, a synthesis of models and simulation results, by manufacturer and logic family, is produced.