The high demands on data processing and bandwidth in wireless/wireline communication and aerospace systems have been pushing forward circuit design techniques to their limitations to obtain maximum performances with respect to high operating frequency, low noise, small area, and low power consumption. Clock generators are essential components in numerous circuits, for instance, frequency synthesizers for high speed transceivers, clock sources for microprocessors, noise suppressed zero-delay buffers in system-on-chips (SOCs), and clock and data recovery (CDR) systems. Furthermore, clock generators are required to provide low jitter and high precision clocks in fully integrated image reject receivers and an ultra-wide tunability in time-interleaved applications. We explore several circuit design techniques and implementations of low jitter clock generator in this thesis. Firstly, a low jitter and wide range digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) operating 8 ~ 16 GHz is illustrated using a dual path digital loop filter (DLF). In order to mitigate the phase jitter in the phase detector (PD), we implement the separate loop filter and the output is not affected by the proportional path. For the stable operation, a 4 ~ 8 GHz linear phase interpolator (PI) is implemented in the proportional path. In addition, we design a low phase noise digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) using inductive tuning technique based on switched mutual coupling for wide operating range. The proposed DPLL implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology shows an outstanding figure-of-merit (FOM) over other state-of-art DPLLs in term of root mean square (RMS) and deterministic jitter (DJ). Secondly, we discuss a radiation-hardened-by-design (RHBD) PLL using a feedback voltage-controlled oscillator (FBVCO) in order to reduce DJ due to the radiation attack on the control voltage. Different from a conventional open loop VCO, the proposed FBVCO has a negative control loop and is composed of an open loop VCO, an integrator and a switched-capacitor resistor. Since the input to output of the FBVCO has a low-pass characteristic, any disturbance on the control voltage should be filtered and cannot affect the output phase. We are able to reduce the output frequency variation approximately 75% compared to the conventional PLL when the radiation pulse strikes on the control voltage. The proposed RHBD PLL is implemented in 130 nm and consumes 6.2 mW at 400 MHz operating frequency. Thirdly, a novel adaptive-bandwidth PLL is illustrated to optimize the jitter performance in a wide operating frequency range. We achieve a constant ratio of bandwidth and reference frequency with a closed loop VCO and an overdamping system with a charge pump (CP) current proportional to the VCO frequency for the adaptive-bandwidth technique. The proposed adaptive-bandwidth PLL presents 0.6% RMS jitter over the entire frequency range from 320 MHz to 2.56 GHz, which is 70% smaller than the conventional fixed-bandwidth PLL. Finally, we have developed a new feedback DCO to achieve a linear gain of DCO so that the DPLL can provide stability and a wide operating range in different process variations. Due to the negative feedback loop of the proposed DCO, the feedback DCO presents a linear gain from an input digital word to an output frequency. Moreover, we can control the bandwidth of the feedback DCO to optimize the total output phase noise in DPLL. In simulation, we can obtain 17 MHz/LSB of the peak-to-peak gain of the feedback DCO, which is reduced 96% over the conventional DCO.

Le motif de la « chambre close », considéré comme emblématique du roman policier, a été exploité par de nombreux écrivains depuis le XIXe siècle. Chez les pères fondateurs du genre, tels Edgar Allan Poe et Arthur Conan Doyle, il s’est d’abord incarné sous une forme simple, celle d’un mécanisme permettant la mise en scène d’un « défi à la raison » (Christiane Cadet, 2008), avant de se complexifier à la Belle Époque. Sous la plume de Gaston Leroux, la simplicité cède la place à l’hybridité alors que la « chambre close », en s’emplissant d’un étonnant parfum de femme, devient le lieu où se croisent le crime et la passion, le privé et le public, la raison et la superstition. Dans Le Mystère de la chambre jaune (1907) et Le Fantôme de l’Opéra (1910), le romancier articule ses intrigues autour d’espaces atypiques, destinés à bouleverser les codes du genre policier. Ce mémoire s’attache ainsi à la manière dont un roman populaire, malgré son recours à un motif largement exploité, peut déplacer et transgresser l’horizon d’attente auquel il est associé. Plutôt que d’être figée à la manière d’un cliché photographique, la « chambre close » évolue sans cesse dans les récits à l’étude. Influencée par le phénomène d’hybridité générique qui sous-tend les romans, elle se dote de nouvelles significations qui la singularisent par rapport à l’emploi qu’en ont fait les prédécesseurs. En s’intéressant, dans un premier temps, à la trajectoire empruntée par les corps féminins et à leur influence sur les décors et, dans un deuxième temps, à la manière dont l’espace canalise un certain imaginaire propre à la littérature du XIXe siècle, il s’agira de voir comment Leroux parvient à faire éclater les murs d’un lieu qui, jusqu’alors, était clos « comme un coffre-fort » (Gaston Leroux, 1925). / The "locked room" concept, generally considered symbolic of detective fiction, has been used by many writers since the 19th century. Amongst the authors of the genre, it was integrated as a simple mechanism to generate a mental challenge for the reader (Thomas Narcejac, 1975). The concept became more complex with the advent of the Belle Époque. The "locked room", under Gaston Leroux’s influence, became the central place where crime and passion, public and private, reason and superstition meet, when filled with the perfume of a woman. In The Mystery of the Yellow Room (1907) and The Phantom of the Opera (1910), Gaston Leroux built his intrigues around atypical "locked rooms" with the intent of upending the codes of detective fiction. This research focuses on the elements through which a popular novel can break its commonly associated expectations, despite the use of a widely exploited pattern. Instead of being frozen in time, the "locked room" is always evolving ; influenced by the novels’ underlying generic hybridity, it acquires new meanings that distinguish it from its predecessors. By first focusing on the path of female bodies and their influence on the decor, and then on the way the "locked room" reuses components associated with literature from the 19th century, we will see how Leroux manages to break the walls of a place that has been considered as closed as a safe (Gaston Leroux, 1925).

Apresenta-se a evolução dos sitemas de comunicação, com ênfase especial nos sistemas com tecnologia óptica. Discute-se a necessidade contínua do aumento de capacidade de tais sistemas de comunicação, e a consequente repercussão sobre os futuros sistemas ópticos. Em vista da necessidade do aumento de capacidade dos futuros sistemas de comunicação óptica, apresentam-se em seguida duas propostas recentes da literatura, sendo uma referente à realização de um gerador de pulsos ópticos estreitos, e a outra referente à implementação de um extrator de relógio realizado com técnicas ópticas. Apresenta-se um breve resumo da teoria das malhas de sincronismo de fase, ou PLLs, mostrando como as duas propostas discutidas realizam funções típicas desses sistemas. Ressalta-se a necessidade dos PLLs de sistemas ópticos possuirem ganhos de malha (parâmetro K) elevados. Após a caracterização dos requisitos necessários para PLLs de futuros sistemas ópticos, e após um resumo de alguns conceitos necessários da teoria de redes e filtros elétricos, apresentam-se dois tipos de projeto de filtros para aqueles PLLs. As duas formas de projeto tem como objetivo viabilizar o uso de filtros de tipo e ordem arbitrários. Um tipo de projeto visa a realização da função de transferência do PLL com a curva de resposta igual à de um filtro escolhido. O outro tipo de projeto parte da realização do filtro de loop do PLL com as características de um tipo de filtro escolhido, e define métodos para ajustar a função de transferência resultante para esse PLL. Apresentam-se algoritmos para o cálculo de parâmetros importantes nos dois procedimentos. Após a discussão dos dois pontos de vista de projeto, apresentam-se exemplos de realização de PLLs de acordo com as técnicas apresentadas. Para cada exemplo, mostram-se as curvas de resposta em frequência tanto do PLL como do correspondente filtro de loop, bem como o lugar das raízes e a resposta de captura do PLL obtido. O processo de captura foi estudado por simulações que procuram reproduzir o mais fielmente possível as condições reais de implementação, sem entretanto considerar efeitos de ruído. Finalmente, mencionam-se brevemente possíveis linhas de pesquisa futuras, sendo o foco principal o uso de filtros com pólos e zeros finitos. / The evolution of communication systems is discussed, with emphasis on optical technology. Special consideration is given to the continuous need for increasing the capacity of such systems, and the impact over future optical communication. In view of the great demands imposed over the capacity of future optical systems, an overview is presented of two recent proposals found in the literature, one of such proposals being the implementation of a generator of short optical pulses, and the other being a clock extractor device realized through the use of optical techniques. A brief review is made of phase-locked loop (or PLL) theory, to show how the discussed proposals could be used to realize tipical functions found in these systems. The very high loop gains (the so-called parameter K) that must be used in PLLs of optical communication systems are emphasized. After discussion of the necessary characteristics for PLLs of future optical systems, and also after a review of some concepts of the theory of electrical networks and filters, two design procedures for filters to be used in such PLLs are presented. Both designs have the goal of allowing the use of loop filters with any type and order. The first type of design has the objective to realize a PLL transfer function that has a frequency response identical to the response of a chosen type of filter. The other design starts with a chosen type of filter for a PLL loop filter, arriving to an suitable PLL transfer function. Some algorithms for determination of important design parameters are also presented. After the discussion of the two types of design, some examples of PLLs obtained by such methods are presented. For each example, frequency response curves are presented for the PLL and the respective loop filter, as well as the root locus and the capture response for the PLL so obtained. The capture process was studied through the use of simulations with parameters intended to approximate real implementation conditions, although noise effects are not considered. Finally, some possible research lines are discussed, whose main focus is on filters with finite poles and zeros.

Neste trabalho, são estudados os problemas de sincronismo de fase nas redes mestre-escravo de via única (OWMS), nas topologias Estrela Simples, Cadeia Simples e mista, através da Teoria Qualitativa de Equações Diferenciais, com ênfase no Teorema da Variedade Central. Através da Teoria das Bifurcações, analisa-se o comportamento dinâmico das malhas de sincronismo de fase (PLL) de segunda ordem que compõem cada rede, frente às variações nos seus parâmetros constitutivos. São utilizadas duas funções de excitação muito comuns na prática: o degrau e a rampa de fase, aplicadas pelo nó mestre. Em cada caso, discute-se a existência e a estabilidade do estado síncrono. A existência de pontos de equilíbrio não-hiperbólicos, não permite uma aproximação linear, e nesses casos é aplicado o Teorema da Variedade Central. Através dessa rigorosa técnica de simplificação de sistemas dinâmicos é possível fazer uma aproximação homeomórfica em torno desses pontos, preservando a orientação no espaço de fases. Desse modo, é possível determinar, localmente, suas estabilidades. / This work presents stability analysis of the syncronous state for three types of one-way master-slave time distribution network topologies: single star, single chain and both of them, mixed. Using bifurcation theory, the dynamical behavior of second-order phase-locked loops employed to extract the syncronous state in each node is analyzed in function of the constitutive parameters. Two usual inputs, the step and the ramp phase pertubations, are supposed to appear in the master node and, in each case, the existence and stability of the syncronous state are studied. For parameter combinations resulting in non hyperbolic synchronous states, the linear approximation does not provide any information, even about the local behaviour of the system. In this case, the center manifold theorem permits the construction of an equivalent vector field representing the asymptotic behaviour of the original system in the neighborhood of these points. Thus, the local stability can be determined.

Die bisherige empirische Forschung hat geschlossene Heimunterbringungsformen nicht evaluiert – weder in Deutschland noch in anderen Ländern. Die hiesige Untersuchung soll – im Sinne einer Erkundungsstudie – einen ersten Schritt in diese Richtung einleiten. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie liefern eine umfangreiche Bestandsaufnahme über die Situation der Mädchen, die sich im Zeitraum von 1991 bis 2001 (n = 260) in den individuell-geschlossenen Gruppen im Mädchenheim Gauting befanden. Im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Dissertation stehen Indikationsfaktoren für freiheitsentziehende Maßnahmen sowie die Wirksamkeit pädagogisch-therapeutischer Hilfen im geschlossenen Jugendhilfesetting. Berücksichtigt werden dabei subjektive Aspekte wie Zufriedenheit der Heimbewohnerinnen mit der Einrichtung – im Vergleich dazu subjektive Fremdeinschätzungen durch das pädagogische Personal (Erzieher und Lehrer), zusätzlich werden aber auch objektive Aspekte wie etwa Testauswertungen in Kombination mit Interviews unter Einbeziehung von faktischen Lebensdaten und Diagnosen die Klientel betreffend sowie eine Datenerhebung durch ein externes unabhängiges Institut herangezogen. Insgesamt finden sich eine Reihe von Belegen, die auf positive Veränderungen durch den Aufenthalt in Gauting hinweisen – allerdings gibt es auch Ergebnisse ohne signifikant positive Fortschritte. Der Wert der vorliegenden Dissertation liegt vor allem in ihren dokumentarischen Charakter, der eine Vielzahl von Anregungen für inhaltliche und methodische Diskurse sowie einen guten Ausgangspunkt für weiterführende Analysen bietet. / Previous empirical research has not evaluated forms of placement in a locked home, either in Germany or in other countries. This investigation is intended to take a first step in this direction, in the form of an exploratory study. The results of the present study provide an extensive stock-taking of the situation of girls living in individually locked groups at the Gauting Girls'' Home in the period from 1991 to 2001 (n = 260). The present thesis centers on indication factors for freedom-depriving measures as well as the effectiveness of pedagogical therapeutic aids in a locked youth welfare setting. It takes account of subjective aspects such as the home residents'' satisfaction with the facility and, in comparison, subjective outside assessments by the pedagogical staff (educators and teachers). In addition it considers objective aspects such as test evaluations in combination with interviews including factual biographical data and diagnoses for the clients as well as a data collection by an external independent institute. Altogether there is a certain amount of evidence of positive changes through a stay in Gauting; however, some results also show no significantly positive progress. The primary value of the present thesis is its documentary nature, which offers a multitude of suggestions for content-related and methodological discourses as well as a good starting point for deeper analysis.

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Carrier-Envelope Phasendrift modengekoppelter Laser sowie Maßnahmen zu deren aktiver und passiver Stabilisierung. Das restliche Phasenrauschen wird in verschiedenen Messaufbauten im Hinblick auf physikalische Ursachen und mögliche Optimierungen untersucht. Dazu werden einführend verschiedene Interferometeranordnungen zur Messung der CEP Drift von Ti:Saphir Oszillatoren systematisch auf ihr Eigenrauschen hin untersucht. In einem Vergleichsexperiment wird die Überlegenheit kompakter Interferometeraufbauten demonstriert. Zusätzlich wird eine einfache Anordnung vorgestellt, welche die Bestimmung der Phase eines spektralen Interferenzmusters. Das analoge Verfahren wird zur Einzelschussanalyse der CEP Drift von Verstärkerimpulsen verwendet. Hiermit werden erstmals schnelle Rauschbeiträge aufgedeckt. Ergänzend wird ein Konzept zur orthogonalen Kontrolle der CEP Drift mithilfe einer speziellen Kompensatoreinheit diskutiert. Der Kompensator besteht aus zwei Keilprismen, hergestellt aus unterschiedlichen optischen Materialien, die als Einheit verschoben werden. Durch geeignete Wahl der Materialien werden Effekte auf die Gruppenlaufzeit oder deren Dispersion gleichzeitig eliminiert. Darüber hinaus wird ebenfalls erstmalig ein lineares Messverfahren demonstriert, das die CEP Drift auch für ps-Oszillatoren erschließt. Zur linearen Detektion wird die spektrale Interferenz aufeinander folgender Impulse eines Impulszuges aufgelöst, die mit einem Ringresonator überlagert werden. Abschließend wird ein neues Verfahren präsentiert, das einen Impulszug generiert, dessen Einzelimpulse eine identische Feldstruktur aufweisen. Dazu das Messsignal direkt an ein externes Rückstellelement übergeben ohne eine zusätzliche Regelschleife zu benötigen. Auf diese Weise können Bandbreitenprobleme der Regelschleife vermieden werden. Da Rückstellelement und Laser voneinander getrennt sind, bleibt der Laser in seinem Betrieb ungestört. / This work discusses the carrier-envelope phase drift of mode-locked lasers as well as techniques for its active and passive stabilization. In order to reveal the physical origin of the drift, the investigations focus on the analysis of residual phase noise. From the analysis, potential improvements are developed. For this purpose, in a first experimental approach, different interferometer configurations for CEP drift detection of Ti:sapphire oscillators are compared. Comparative studies clearly reveal the superiority of compact interferometer set-ups in terms of noise. In a second series of experiments, a simple assembly is introduced for the direct extraction of the phase from spectral interference patterns. The analog method is demonstrated with single-shot measurements and utilized for stabilization of the CEP drift of an amplifier system, thereby enabling monitoring of additional fast noise contributions for the first time. Moreover, a concept for orthogonal control of the CEP drift by a specially designed compensator assembly is discussed. This assembly consists of two thin wedge prisms made from different optical materials. By choosing an appropriate material group delay and its dispersion are eliminated synchronously. Furthermore, a linear method is presented that provides access to the CEP drift of ps-oscillators for the first time. The newly introduced much more general linear approach relies on resolving the spectral interference of subsequent pulses from a pulse train, which are superimposed utilizing a ring resonator. Finally, a technique is demonstrated that generates a pulse train consisting of single pulses with identical field structure. Particularly, the heterodyne signal is directly fed forward to the external feedback element, replacing the classical servo loop. Therefore, servo bandwidth limitations are eliminated. Since feedback element and laser oscillator are decoupled, the laser performance is not corrupted by side effects from the feedback.

Apresenta-se a evolução dos sitemas de comunicação, com ênfase especial nos sistemas com tecnologia óptica. Discute-se a necessidade contínua do aumento de capacidade de tais sistemas de comunicação, e a consequente repercussão sobre os futuros sistemas ópticos. Em vista da necessidade do aumento de capacidade dos futuros sistemas de comunicação óptica, apresentam-se em seguida duas propostas recentes da literatura, sendo uma referente à realização de um gerador de pulsos ópticos estreitos, e a outra referente à implementação de um extrator de relógio realizado com técnicas ópticas. Apresenta-se um breve resumo da teoria das malhas de sincronismo de fase, ou PLLs, mostrando como as duas propostas discutidas realizam funções típicas desses sistemas. Ressalta-se a necessidade dos PLLs de sistemas ópticos possuirem ganhos de malha (parâmetro K) elevados. Após a caracterização dos requisitos necessários para PLLs de futuros sistemas ópticos, e após um resumo de alguns conceitos necessários da teoria de redes e filtros elétricos, apresentam-se dois tipos de projeto de filtros para aqueles PLLs. As duas formas de projeto tem como objetivo viabilizar o uso de filtros de tipo e ordem arbitrários. Um tipo de projeto visa a realização da função de transferência do PLL com a curva de resposta igual à de um filtro escolhido. O outro tipo de projeto parte da realização do filtro de loop do PLL com as características de um tipo de filtro escolhido, e define métodos para ajustar a função de transferência resultante para esse PLL. Apresentam-se algoritmos para o cálculo de parâmetros importantes nos dois procedimentos. Após a discussão dos dois pontos de vista de projeto, apresentam-se exemplos de realização de PLLs de acordo com as técnicas apresentadas. Para cada exemplo, mostram-se as curvas de resposta em frequência tanto do PLL como do correspondente filtro de loop, bem como o lugar das raízes e a resposta de captura do PLL obtido. O processo de captura foi estudado por simulações que procuram reproduzir o mais fielmente possível as condições reais de implementação, sem entretanto considerar efeitos de ruído. Finalmente, mencionam-se brevemente possíveis linhas de pesquisa futuras, sendo o foco principal o uso de filtros com pólos e zeros finitos. / The evolution of communication systems is discussed, with emphasis on optical technology. Special consideration is given to the continuous need for increasing the capacity of such systems, and the impact over future optical communication. In view of the great demands imposed over the capacity of future optical systems, an overview is presented of two recent proposals found in the literature, one of such proposals being the implementation of a generator of short optical pulses, and the other being a clock extractor device realized through the use of optical techniques. A brief review is made of phase-locked loop (or PLL) theory, to show how the discussed proposals could be used to realize tipical functions found in these systems. The very high loop gains (the so-called parameter K) that must be used in PLLs of optical communication systems are emphasized. After discussion of the necessary characteristics for PLLs of future optical systems, and also after a review of some concepts of the theory of electrical networks and filters, two design procedures for filters to be used in such PLLs are presented. Both designs have the goal of allowing the use of loop filters with any type and order. The first type of design has the objective to realize a PLL transfer function that has a frequency response identical to the response of a chosen type of filter. The other design starts with a chosen type of filter for a PLL loop filter, arriving to an suitable PLL transfer function. Some algorithms for determination of important design parameters are also presented. After the discussion of the two types of design, some examples of PLLs obtained by such methods are presented. For each example, frequency response curves are presented for the PLL and the respective loop filter, as well as the root locus and the capture response for the PLL so obtained. The capture process was studied through the use of simulations with parameters intended to approximate real implementation conditions, although noise effects are not considered. Finally, some possible research lines are discussed, whose main focus is on filters with finite poles and zeros.

Inicialmente, apresentam-se características de dispositivos eletrônicos conhecidos como PLLs (phase-locked loops). PLLs são amplamente empregados para se extrair sinais de tempo em canais de comunicação e em aplicações nas quais se deseja controle automático de freqüência. O objeto principal é estudar PLLs analógicos descritos por uma equação diferencial ordinária de terceira ordem. Assim, deduzem-se condições de estabilidade assintótica e identifica-se um regime de caos conservativo, que ocorre sob certas combinações de valores de parâmetros. Três métodos de controle não-linear/caótico são então apresentados e aplicados. Os métodos são os seguintes: o Método de Pyragas via realimentação de variável de estado; o Método de Pyragas com atraso temporal na realimentação; e o Método de Sinha, o qual efetua o controle perturbando um parâmetro do sistema. Simulações numéricas são levadas a cabo a fim de ilustrar o comportamento dinâmico do sistema quando sujeito à ação desses métodos. Este trabalho termina com um estudo de uma rede formada por uma cadeia de PLLs. Condições para soluções síncronas, periódicas e caóticas (dissipativas e conservativas) são deduzidas para tal rede. / Firstly, features of electronic devices known as PLLs (Phase-Locked Loops) are presented. PLLs are widely employed to extract time signals in communication channels and in applications where automatic control of frequency is desired. The main goal is to study analog PLLs described by a third-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Thus, conditions for asymptotic stability are derived and a regime of conservative chaos occurring under certain combinations of parameter values is identified. Then, three methods of control of nonlinear/ chaotic dynamics are presented and applied. The methods are the following: the Pyragas method via feedback of state variable; the Pyragas method with time delay in the feedback; and the Sinhas method, which performs the control by disturbing a parameter of the system. Numerical simulations are accomplished in order to illustrate the dynamical behavior of the system when subjected to the action of these methods. This work ends with a study of a single-chain PLL network. Conditions for synchronous, periodic and chaotic (dissipative and conservative) solutions are derived for such a network.

Ionospheric scintillation is a phenomenon caused by varying concentrations of charged particles in the upper atmosphere that induces deep fades and rapid phase rotations in satellite signals, including GPS. During periods of scintillation, carrier tracking loops often lose lock on the signal because the rapid phase rotations generate cycle slips in the PLL. One solution to mitigating this problem is by employing decision-directed carrier recovery algorithms that achieve data wipe-off using differential bit detection techniques. Other techniques involve PLLs with variable bandwidth and variable integration times. Since nearly 60% of the GPS signal repeats between frames, this thesis explores PLLs utilizing variable integration times and decision-directed algorithms that exploit the repeating data as a training sequence to aid in phase error estimation. Experiments conducted using a GPS signal generator, software radio, and MATLAB scintillation testbed compare the bit error rate of each of the receiver models. Training-based methods utilizing variable integration times show significant reductions in the likelihood of total loss of lock.

This study discusses how the World Trade Organization could promote the development of an international gas market by playing a more prominent role in regulating rights essential to effective pipeline gas transit. Gas transit is network-dependent in the sense that it cannot be established without the existence of pipeline infrastructure in the territory of a transit State and the ability to access this infrastructure. Nevertheless, at an inter-regional level, there are no sufficient pipeline networks that would allow gas to travel freely from a supplier to the most lucrative markets. The existing networks are often operated by either private or State-controlled vertically-integrated monopolies that are usually reluctant to release unused pipeline capacity to their potential competitors. These obstacles diminish the gains from trade for States endowed with scarce and relatively immobile natural resources, such as gas, including developing land-locked countries that rely on revenues from gas exports. These obstacles can also undermine Members’ energy security and their sustainable development achieved by shifting domestic production from dirty fuels to cleaner energy sources – namely gas. From a technical perspective, gas transit can be established by invoking what is referred to in this study as ‘third-party access’ and/or ‘capacity establishment’ rights. The first main question that this thesis analyses is, therefore, whether, and, if so, how these rights are regulated by WTO rules relevant to transit, including: GATT Article V:2 (first and second sentences) establishing the principles of freedom of transit and non-discrimination, the ‘non-violation complaint’ provision under GATT Article XXIII:1(b), and the GATS. This question has not been answered by WTO panels or examined sufficiently by scholars. The key contribution of this study to the existing academic literature on energy transit lies in the fact that this study analyses the above rules through the prism of systemic integration of WTO law sources with other relevant rules of public international law, including principles of general international law and treaties regulating transit. By contrast, previous researchers discussed the regulation of third-party access and capacity establishment rights from a limited perspective of WTO law. The second main question examined in this study is how WTO transit rules could be improved through a legislative reform to regulate particular aspects of trade in pipeline gas better – namely third-party access and capacity establishment rights. This question is answered by exploring two options: the codification of the existing principles of general international law relevant to these rights in the WTO legal system and the progressive development of WTO transit rules through the expansion of additional commitments of Members on energy services under the GATS. While this study analyses the relationship between WTO transit obligations and inherent ancillary rights (namely third-party access and capacity establishment rights) implied in these obligations in the context of trade in pipeline gas, the conclusions reached here may have practical application in other areas of network-bound trade, such as trade in electric power.