Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed May 23, 2007). PDF text: vi, 140 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 2.70Mb UMI publication number: AAT 3236905. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-158). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 363-382).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-149).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-146). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

abstract: In this work, a high resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for use in harsh environments is presented. The ADC is implemented in bulk CMOS technology and is intended for space exploration, mining and automotive applications with a range of temperature variation in excess of 250°C. A continuous time (CT) sigma delta modulator employing a cascade of integrators with feed forward (CIFF) architecture in a single feedback loop topology is used for implementing the ADC. In order to enable operation in the intended application environments, an RC time constant tuning engine is proposed. The tuning engine is used to maintain linearity of a 10 ksps 20 bit continuous time sigma delta ADC designed for spectroscopy applications in space. The proposed circuit which is based on master slave architecture automatically selects on chip resistors to control RC time constants to an accuracy range of ±5% to ±1%. The tuning range, tuning accuracy and circuit non-idealities are analyzed theoretically. To verify the concept, an experimental chip was fabricated in JAZZ .18µm 1.8V CMOS technology. The tuning engine which occupies an area of .065mm2; consists of only an integrator, a comparator and a shift register. It can achieve a signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) greater than 120dB over a ±40% tuning range. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) is implemented in schools in the Libode education district. The study focused on the existence of IQMS documents as evidence or proof that IQMS is being implemented. In addition, the study looked at the existence and functionality of structures and processes for the implementation of IQMS in the selected schools. Lastly, the study focused on the deliverables and outcomes arising out of the implementation of IQMS in schools. The pragmatic paradigm and the case study design were used to frame and focus the research. Data was obtained from sixty (60) educators who were surveyed, principals of the three (3) selected schools, and three (3) Education District Officials (EDOs) selected on purpose for interviews. Data thus obtained was analysed both quantitatively using descriptive statistics, and qualitatively through extraction of themes. The study draws conclusions on findings based on the attendance of IQMS workshops meant to capacitate teachers on the conceptualisation and practice of IQMS; the availability and quality of IQMS workshops; understanding of IQMS processes by teachers and the officials; IQMS evaluation processes underwent by teachers; alignment between School Improvement Plans and the District Improvement Plan, and the connection between individual growth and school improvement; the constitution and functioning of IQMS structures; and the form and content of IQMS deliverables and outcomes. This research makes recommendations for IQMS implementation and further research.

The study sought to investigate problems encountered by educators in the implementation of IQMS in selected schools in the Butterworth Education District. The study emerged out of an agreement reached by the Department of Education, Education Labour Relation Council, unions and stakeholders (ELRC, 2003) that Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) be a developmental programme for quality performance in teaching and learning in public schools. The programme was based on the merging of three programmes, namely the Developmental Appraisal System (DAS), Performance Management System (PMS) and Whole School Evaluation (WSE) which were integrated in the implementation of IQMS (Resolution No.8 of 2003).The first three programmes, DAS, PMS and WSE, were less effective and had some flaws that caused implementers (educators) not to accept them as performance developmental programmes as they were punitive and judgmental. The researcher was interested in investigating those problems encountered by the educators in the implementation of IQMS. The study employed a qualitative research methodology with a qualitative survey design. Structured interviews were used to collect data. Five (5) schools out of three hundred and twenty five schools (325) in the Butterworth Education District were conveniently selected. From each school a sample of five (5) educators was purposively selected according to their duty lines on the IQMS structures, i.e. principal, school coordinator and three educators, for the purpose of getting relevant information from each level. Some of the main findings of the study were: the duration of the training was too short; unclear roles and responsibilities of role-players resulted in non-implementation of the programme; attachment of incentive to the programme made educators to focus on the incentives rather than on the programme and the heavy workload of educators hindered the implementation of IQMS. The researcher recommended that administrators/clerks be employed as a matter of urgency to all schools in order to lessen the educators’ workload especially the principals, for the benefit of accomplishing the objectives of IQMS programmes. Re-training was absolutely a necessity. Delinking of incentives to the development programme was a crucial issue. The researcher also recommended that the IQMS Departmental Officials should monitor the implementation of the programme timeuosly so as to tackle the problems in their premature stages. The improvement of working conditions in schools is essential. Key words: quality performance; quality management; quality performance measurement and quality implementation of IQMS programme.

No description available.

In Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), the unavailable Road Side Unit (RSU) becomes an increasing serious safety-related problem because of its important role in ITS. However, there is no existing method to solve this problem effectively and stably nowadays. To solve the unavailable RSU problem, a novel 2-tier integrated communication system is proposed in this thesis to address the issue of unavailable RSU in ITS. Compared to some other solutions proposed in the previous research works, which mostly focus on improving the system performance by adjusting parameters of vehicular ad-hoc network among vehicles, the proposed 2-tier communication network, called ITS-LEO Integrated System (ILIS), is composed of conventional ITS system and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mobile satellite system (MSS), where the LEO MSS is utilized as the complementary network when the RSU is unavailable. Since the LEO MSS primary message will get affected when overflowing messages from ITS to LEO MSS, we prioritize LEO MSS primary message over the overflowed message to minimize the effect, which is based on that the emergency message (EMsg) is given higher priority over routine message (RMsg) to get access to the channel in ITS. To optimize the utility of network resource, two different overflowing mechanisms are proposed in ILIS to improve system efficiency under different traffic density. Furthermore, we propose a bandwidth reservation protection mechanism for ILIS to increase the ITS network performance. A real-time simulation program in C++ is developed to evaluate the performance of ILIS in terms of Packet Loss Rate (PLR) and Delay, and simulation results show that adding LEO MSS as a complementary network to ITS is an effective way to solve the problem of an unavailable RSU.