Although nondestructive evaluation techniques have been implemented in many industry fields and proved to be useful, they are generally expensive, time consuming, and the results may not always be reliable. To overcome these drawbacks, structural health monitoring (SHM) systems has received significant attention in the past two decades. As structural systems are becoming more complicated and new materials are being developed, new methodologies, theories, and approaches in SHM have been developed for damage detection, diagnosis, and prognosis. Among the methods developed, the guided Lamb wave based SHM can be a promising technique for damage evaluation since it provides reliable damage information through signals propagating over large distance with little loss of amplitude. While this method is effective for damage assessment, the guided Lamb wave contains complicated mode characteristics, i.e. an infinite number of wave modes exist and these modes are generally dispersive. For this reason, a minimum number of wave modes and various signal processing algorithms are implemented to obtain better signal interpretations. Phased array beamsteering is an effective means for damage detection in guided Lamb wave SHM systems. Using this method, the wave energy can be focused at localized directions or areas by controlled excitation time delay of each array element. In this research, two types of transducers are utilized as phased array elements to compare beamsteering characteristics. Monolithic piezoceramic (PZT) transducers are investigated for beamsteering by assuming omnidirectional point sources for each actuator. MacroFiber Composite (MFC) transducers with anisotropic actuation are also studied, considering the wave main lobe width, main lobe magnitude, and side lobe levels. Analysis results demonstrate that the MFC phased arrays perform better than the PZT phased arrays for a range of beamsteering angles and have reduced main lobe width and side lobe levels. Experiments using the PZT and MFC phased arrays on an aluminum plate are also performed and compared to the analysis results. A time-frequency signal processing algorithm coupled with a machine learning method can form a robust damage diagnostic system. Four types of such algorithms, i.e. short time Fourier transform, Wigner-Ville distribution, wavelet transform, and matching pursuit, are investigated to select an appropriate algorithm for damage classification, and a spectrogram based on short time Fourier transform is adopted for its suitability. A machine learning algorithm called Adaboost is chosen due to its effectiveness and high accuracy performance. The classification is preformed using spectrograms and Adaboost for crack and corrosion damages. Artificial cracks and corrosions are created in Abaqus® to obtain the training samples consist of spectrograms. Several beam experiments in laboratory and additional simulations are also performed to get the testing samples for Adaboost. The analysis results show that not only correct damage classification is possible, but the confidence levels of each sample are acquired. / Ph. D.

This study is aimed to provide comprehensive evaluation and mechanistic understanding of the impact of process intensification techniques applied in main and side stream wastewater treatment on biosolids management in terms of anaerobic digestion enhancement, dewaterability improvement, odor mitigation, as well as phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The first part of this study was conducted to understand the effect of anaerobic digester solids retention time (SRT) on odor emission from biosolids. A kinetic model and inhibitory studies showed the emission of methanethiol (MT), a representative odor compound, was primarily determined by the dynamic concurrence of MT production from amino acid and utilization by methanogens in the course of anaerobic digestion. MT emission pattern follows a bell-shape curve with SRT in anaerobic digesters. However, for digested and dewatered biosolids, SRT ranging from 15 to 50 days in anaerobic digesters demonstrated insignificant effect on the odor emission from biosolids. In contrast, the peak odor emission was found to exponentially increase with both shear intensity and polymer dose applied during dewatering. The second part of this study investigated the impact of process intensification practices on sludge dewatering performance. The integration of high-rate activated sludge process and anaerobic digestion elevated the sludge orthophosphate level, leading to struvite scaling and dewaterability deterioration. Superior orthophosphate removal, significant improvement of sludge dewaterability, and favorable economics were achieved through sludge conditioning by cerium chloride. Continuous flow aerobic granulation technology offered significant process intensification of mainstream treatment trains. However, its impact on biosolids management was not studied. This study showed that there was little dewaterability difference between aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge when polymer was not added. However, about 75% polymer saving and improved dewatering performance were observed with polymer addition. When subjected to high shear, a greater dewaterability deterioration was observed for granular sludge than activated sludge. The last part of this study is focused on the impact of anaerobic digestion process intensification through thermal treatment including pre-pasteurization, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, temperature phased anaerobic digestion, and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. Improved methane production, pathogen reduction, dewatering performance, and odor mitigation were observed with the involvement of these high-temperature processes. However, special cautions and measure should be taken during the start-up of these high rate processes as they are more liable to digester souring. In addition, the in-depth understanding of the mechanism of recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen formation during sludge thermal pretreatment was provided. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study is aimed to provide comprehensive evaluation and mechanistic understanding of the impact of process intensification techniques applied in main and side stream wastewater treatment on biosolids management in terms of anaerobic digestion enhancement, dewaterability improvement, odor mitigation, as well as phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The first part of this study was conducted to understand the effect of anaerobic digester solids retention time (SRT) on odor emission from biosolids. A kinetic model and inhibitory studies showed the emission of methanethiol (MT), a representative odor compound, was primarily determined by the dynamic concurrence of MT production from amino acid and utilization by methanogens in the course of anaerobic digestion. MT emission pattern follows a bell-shape curve with SRT in anaerobic digesters. However, for digested and dewatered biosolids, SRT ranging from 15 to 50 days in anaerobic digesters demonstrated insignificant effect on the odor emission from biosolids. In contrast, the peak odor emission was found to exponentially increase with both shear intensity and polymer dose applied during dewatering. The second part of this study investigated the impact of process intensification practices on sludge dewatering performance. The integration of high-rate activated sludge process and anaerobic digestion elevated the sludge orthophosphate level, leading to struvite scaling and dewaterability deterioration. Superior orthophosphate removal, significant improvement of sludge dewaterability, and favorable economics were achieved through sludge conditioning by cerium chloride. Continuous flow aerobic granulation technology offered significant process intensification of mainstream treatment trains. However, its impact on biosolids management was not studied. This study showed that there was little dewaterability difference between aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge when polymer was not added. However, about 75% polymer saving and improved dewatering performance were observed with polymer addition. When subjected to high shear, a greater dewaterability deterioration was observed for granular sludge than activated sludge. The last part of this study is focused on the impact of anaerobic digestion process intensification through thermal treatment including pre-pasteurization, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, temperature phased anaerobic digestion, and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. Improved methane production, pathogen reduction, dewatering performance, and odor mitigation were observed with the involvement of these high-temperature processes. However, special cautions and measure should be taken during the start-up of these high rate processes as they are more liable to digester souring. In addition, the in-depth understanding of the mechanism of recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen formation during sludge thermal pretreatment was provided.

Two rotor configurations with different non-uniform inflows were studied: a rotor ingesting the wake of an upstream cylinder and a rotor ingesting a thick axially symmetric boundary layer from an upstream centerbody. In both cases, the undisturbed inflow was measured without the rotor present in order to characterize the inflow, in particular to calculate the unsteady upwash velocity distribution at the location of the rotor. In addition, detailed acoustic measurements were completed using a 251-channel large-area microphone array. In all, over 400 conditions covering different advance ratios, angles of yaw, and inflow conditions were measured. Measurements of the sound show that the source has a complex directivity, different from that of a streamwise aligned dipole, due to the inhomogeneous unsteady upwash distribution. In addition, observers at different far field locations will perceive sources from different locations on the rotor disk. The directivity is a function of both the rotor geometry and turbulent inflow. A simplified model of the sound source was developed using these inputs and accurately predicts trends observed in the far field noise. For the cylinder wake ingestion case, on-blade measurements of the flow field show that the wake is drawn to the center of the rotor disk with increasing thrust. This is particularly noticeable if the wake does not strike the center of the rotor disk. The effects of this flow distortion on the far field directivity are well predicted by the model. The effects of yaw to rotate the produced sound field can be inferred from this model as well. A novel beamforming procedure was used to isolate sources across the face of the rotor for the cylinder wake ingestion case for an upstream observer position. This method may be used to isolate different sound sources on a rotor if multiple sources are present or if different regions of the rotor disk need to be isolated. The directivity of a rotor ingesting an axially symmetric boundary layer is far less complex than the ingestion of a two-dimensional cylinder wake, but measurements still show the perceived source location shift with observer location. Overall, the proposed noise modeling technique is an efficient method to predict the directivity of turbulence ingestion noise for inhomogeneous inflows. This can enable quick absolute noise predictions at all far field locations using only a single point measurement or far field noise prediction to establish absolute levels. / Doctor of Philosophy / In many engineering applications, rotors interact with turbulence. Aircraft and ships with rear mounted propellers can have upstream appendages or discontinuities that generate turbulence that travels downstream and is drawn into the propeller. Wind turbines interact with turbulence in the atmosphere and with turbulent wakes from other turbines. Interaction of a rotor with turbulence results in unsteady loading on the rotor blades that can radiate as sound, causing unwanted community noise or vehicle detection. As such, prediction and reduction of noise due to turbulence ingestion is highly desirable and remains an active area of research. Turbulence ingestion noise is well understood from first principles and can be successfully predicted provided an accurate description of the turbulent inflow and unsteady aerodynamic response of the rotor blades. Much work has focused on homogenous, isotropic turbulence ingestion noise, however, in practical applications, the rotor inflow is often non-uniform, anisotropic, and can change dramatically with the thrusting condition of the rotor. Research efforts to develop noise predictions considering these more complex, but practical inflows have focused on the inflow modeling and measurement and have relied on a small subset of sound measurements for validation. The present study seeks to provide new physical insight into inhomogeneous, anisotropic turbulence ingestion noise through wind tunnel experiments. In particular, two rotor configurations with different practical non-uniform inflows are studied: a rotor ingesting the wake of an upstream cylinder and a rotor ingesting a thick axially symmetric boundary layer from an upstream center body. In both cases, the undisturbed inflow was measured without the rotor present in order to characterize the inflow, and detailed acoustic measurements were completed using a 251-channel large-area microphone array. In all, over 400 rotor operating conditions were measured. The acoustic directivity in each case is examined in detail as a function of rotor operating condition. A simplified directivity model is developed and validated with measurements. Ultimately, the directivity model can provide a good engineering approximation of the full directivity with reduced computational time or can be used to extrapolate measured results to positions in the far field where placement of sensors is not possible. The results can also be used to guide the analysis and interpretation of single point or microphone array measurements in the acoustic far field of a rotor.

The need for a wide bandwidth array is introduced and explained. Basic planar array principles are reviewed as well as previous work performed on wide bandwidth planar array design. An Archimedean spiral is suggested for the array element and a model for the element radiation pattern is presented. A wide bandwidth linear array is then analyzed using the element model. The array is made to operate over a two octave bandwidth by using an alternate number of elements. This idea is then extended to two dimensions to form a wide bandwidth planar array design. An improved array design is then suggested using fewer elements. This array was fabricated and tested and showed close agreement to theoretically predicted radiation patterns. / M.S.

Pneumatic percussion tools are extensively used in the construction industry. They are one of the noisiest machines in the construction industry generating noise levels above 110 dBA which are well beyond the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 85 dBA. This work presents a comprehensive methodology for the acoustic characterization and noise source identification of these percussion tools. The methodology is applied to a representative pneumatic tool and the characterization results are described in detail. A mechanical analysis was performed on a chipping hammer finding mode shapes and natural frequencies of individual components. The mechanical analysis included modal hammer measurements and creating FE models. Fluid measurements were performed on the chipping hammer to find the velocity of the exhaust and pressure in the upper and lower chambers. The fluid tests found that the velocity of the exhaust is approximately Mach 1.0 or greater. Noise measurements were carried out on the chipping hammer to determine the spectral characteristics, overall sound power level, and spatial source strength maps of the tool. A spherical array of microphones was used to obtain an accurate estimate of the overall sound power levels and the directivity. The overall sound power radiation was found to be in the range of 110-115dBA. An advanced 63 microphone phased array was used to successfully locate and identify the major sources of noise from this tool via the use of beam-forming maps. This thesis also presents a preliminary noise control method employing commercial-off-the-shelf pneumatic silencers. The outcome of the tests is illustrated in detail in this thesis. / Master of Science

Yes / In this manuscript, a high-performance beam-steerable phased array antenna is introduced for fifth-generation (5G) mobile handsets. The configuration of the design is arranged by employing eight dielectric-insensitive L-ring/slot-loop radiators in a linear form on the top edge of the handset mainboard. The beam-steerable array design exhibits high radiation performances even though it is implemented on a lossy FR-4 material. The proposed design exhibits an impedance bandwidth of 18-20 GHz with the center frequency of 19 GHz. It provides satisfactory characteristics such as wide beam-steering, high gain and efficiency characteristics indicating its promising potential for beam-steerable 5G smartphones. The characteristics of the antenna array are insensitive for different types of dielectrics. Furthermore, the designed antenna array offers quite good radiation behavior in the presence of hand phantom.

Yes / This study aims to introduce a new phased array design with improved radiation properties for future cellular networks. The procedure of the array design is simple and has been accomplished on a low-cost substrate material while offering several interesting features with high performance. Its schematic involves eight air-filled slot-loop metal-ring elements with a 1 × 8 linear arrangement at the top edge of the 5G smartphone mainboard. Considering the entire board area, the proposed antenna elements occupy an extremely small area. The antenna elements cover the range of 21–23.5 GHz sub-mm-wave 5G bands. Due to the air-filled function in the configurations of the elements, low-loss and high-performance radiation properties are observed. In addition, the fundamental characteristics of the introduced array are insensitive to various types of substrates. Moreover, its radiation properties have been compared with conventional arrays and better results have been observed. The proposed array appears with a simple design, a low complexity profile, and its attractive broad impedance bandwidth, end-fire radiation mode, wide beam steering, high radiation coverage, and stable characteristics meet the needs of 5G applications in future cellular communications. Additionally, the smartphone array design offers sufficient efficiency when it comes to the appearance and integration of the user’s components. Thus, it could be used in 5G hand-portable devices.

The use of phased array antennas in present day technology is limited, primarily due to the extremely high cost of implementation. This cost is contributed to the expense of phase shifters, which are the traditional method of beam steering in phased arrays. The need to alleviate this cost and avail the technology for commercial use necessitates study into alternative mechanisms for accomplishing beam steering. To this effect, this research is an exploration of one such mechanism. To characterize mutual coupling between microstrip patch antennas and explore its practicality as a feed mechanism, it is necessary to understand the factors controlling the phenomenon. A parametric study of the spacing between patch antennas and the consequent coupling is presented, the results of which are discussed in detail. further study into bandwidth extension and steer controlling techniques are also shown, with discussion on the practicality and future of the mechanism as a candidate for widespread application.

Widespread adoption of phased array technologies has been hindered primarily by the high cost associated Transmitter/Receiver (T/R) modules. In conventional phased arrays, these vital elements often comprise up to fifty-percent of the entire array's expense. Recent development of a new type of phased array - the Electronically Steerable Passive Array Radiator (ESPAR) - is underway at laboratories around the globe. This innovative concept utilizes mutual coupling to excite neighboring (passive) elements placed in the near field of a center-driven (active) radiator. Using this method, T/R modules are only required for the active radiators. The radiation pattern of an ESP AR is controlled electronically by means of variable reactive loading of the passive antenna elements. In order to attain the full range of beam steering offered by this array, a broad range of reactance is required at the input port of each passive antenna. This thesis presents a varactor-based reactive network design that can accurately and reliably produce a wide range of reactance. The purpose of this research was to design a network compatible with the requirements of the ESP AR phased array, which is in development at the Antennas, RF, and Microwave Integrated Systems CARMI) laboratory at the University of Central Florida. To this end, an elaborate survey weighing different varactor-based reactive network and DC bias tee designs was conducted. This study took into account the practical issues and limiting factors that arose during design and implementation of such a network. While this specific network design was constrained to operate at 3 GHz, the proposed design methodology may be applied to realize reactive networks at other frequencies. This flexibility allows incorporation into similar ESPAR's and a plethora of other relevant devices.

[ES] La tecnologia en fases de paquets es va convertir en dècades enrere en la indústria del radar. Avui en dia, la matriu de fases o la formació de bigues s'està convertint en una necessitat per a la comunicació digital. L'explotació d'un sistema de transmissió de feixos ajudarà a reduir el consum total d'energia de les estacions base i dels equips d'usuaris. També permetrà al servei oferir dades molt més elevades i millorar la qualitat del servei. La investigació sobre la comunicació digital i la comunicació requereix una antena i un maquinari compatible. El maquinari hauria de ser capaç de gestionar diferents escenaris i enfocaments per a problemes de comunicació mòbil. Hi ha diversos sistemes utilitzats per a la investigació de la formació de bigues, especialment per a la comunicació mòbil. Aquests sistemes pateixen de diverses deficiències. Són cares d'implementar, no adaptatives i fixades a una arquitectura relacionada amb determinat algorisme de generació de feixos o amb un nombre d'elements d'array fix. En aquesta tesi es proposa un nou sistema de matrius per fases. Aquest sistema es podria explotar per a la investigació en problemes de comunicació mòbil o radar. Està compost per una xarxa d'antenes planes de 8x1, canals de conversió de RF a banda base i processador de banda base. Es fa una estimació de la transformació de fases i de la DOA en mostres digitals de banda base. Això proporciona al sistema dinàmica quant als algorismes provats. Amb aquesta finalitat, es fan servir juntes SDR àgils per adquirir senyals de la matriu d'antenes i convertir-les en fluxos de dades digitals. Els fluxos de dades es processen després en un processador de banda base basat en FPGA. A més de ser baixos en costos i assequibles per part de petits instituts d'investigació i investigacions independents, el sistema es pot ajustar per portar més elements de matriu d'antenes. La matriu monopola plana de 8x1 està dissenyada, simulada i mesurada. Es combinen i descriuen les característiques d'impedància i de radiació. Els SDR s'introdueixen i es calibren per al funcionament de diversos elements i s'introdueixen els mètodes de calibratge per incerteses de fase i amplitud. El rendiment global del sistema es prova mitjançant diferents algorismes de formulació de feixos i algorismes de direcció d'estimació d'arribada. Els resultats de la mesura mostren que el sistema és fiable. S'aconsegueix un model de beamformació amb bona resolució i un rebuig elevat de la interferència. La estimació de la direcció d'arribada és precisa. / [CA] La tecnología de matriz en fase hizo una rotación en la industria del radar hace décadas. Hoy en día, la matriz en fase, o formación de haz, se está convirtiendo en una necesidad para la comunicación digital. La explotación de la formación de haz ayudaría a reducir el consumo de energía general de las estaciones base y el equipo del usuario. También permitirá que el servicio brinde datos mucho más altos y mejore la calidad del servicio. La investigación sobre la formación y comunicación de haces digitales requiere un conjunto de antenas y hardware compatible. El hardware debe ser capaz de manejar diferentes escenarios y enfoques para problemas de comunicación móvil. Hay varios sistemas utilizados para la investigación de conformación de haz, especialmente para la comunicación móvil. Estos sistemas sufren de varias deficiencias. Son costosos de implementar, no adaptativos y fijos a una arquitectura relacionada con cierto algoritmo de conformación de haz o con un número de elementos de arreglo fijo. En esta tesis, se propone un nuevo sistema matricial por fases. Este sistema podría ser explotado para la investigación en comunicaciones móviles o problemas de radar. Está compuesto por un conjunto de antenas planas de 8x1, canales de conversión de RF a banda base y procesador de banda base. La formación de haz y la estimación de DOA se realizan en muestras digitales de banda base. Esto proporciona al sistema dinamismo con respecto a los algoritmos probados. Para ese propósito, las tarjetas SDR ágiles se utilizan para adquirir señales de la red de antenas y convertirlas en flujos de datos digitales. Los flujos de datos se procesan en un procesador de banda base basado en FPGA. Además de ser de bajo costo y asequible para los pequeños institutos de investigación e investigaciones independientes, el sistema se puede ajustar para llevar más elementos de la red de antenas. El conjunto monopolo plano 8x1 está diseñado, simulado y medido. La correspondencia de impedancia y las características de radiación se representan y describen. Los SDR se introducen y se calibran para la operación de elementos múltiples y se introducen los métodos de calibración para las incertidumbres de fase y amplitud. El rendimiento general del sistema se prueba mediante diferentes algoritmos de conformación de haz y algoritmos de estimación de la dirección de llegada. Los resultados de las mediciones muestran que el sistema es confiable. Se logra una conformación de haz con buena resolución y alto rechazo de interferencia. Dirección de estimación de la llegada es precisa. / [EN] Phased array technology made a turnover in radar industry decades ago. Nowadays, phased array, or beamforming, is becoming a necessity for digital communication. Exploiting beamforming would help in reducing the overall power consumption of base stations and user equipment. It will also enables the service to provide much higher datarates and enhance the quality of service. Research on digital beamforming and communication requires antenna array and compatible hardware. The hardware should be capable of handling different scenarios and approaches for mobile communication problems. There are several systems used for beamforming research especially for mobile communication. These systems suffer from several deficiencies. They are either expensive to implement, not adaptive and fixed to an architecture related to certain beamforming algorithm or with fixed array elements number. In this thesis, a new phased array system is proposed. This system could be exploited for research in mobile communication or radar problems. It is composed of 8x1 planar antenna array, RF to baseband conversion channels and base band processor. Beamforming and DOA estimation is done on base band digital samples. This provides the system with dynamicity regarding tested algorithms. For that purpose, agile SDR boards are used to acquire signals from antenna array and convert them to digital data streams. Data streams are then processed in an FPGA based base band processor. In addition to being low in cost and affordable by small research institutes and freelancing researches, the system can be adjusted to carry more antenna array elements. The 8x1 planar monopole array is designed, simulated and measured. Impedance matching and radiation characteristics are plotted and described. SDRs are introduced and calibrated for multi-element operation and calibration method for phase and amplitude uncertainties are introduced. Overall system performance is tested by different beamforming algorithms and direction of arrival estimation algorithms. Measurement results show that the system is reliable. Beamforming with good resolution and high interference rejection is achieved. Direction of arrival estimation is accurate. / Haroun, MH. (2019). 8×1 Antenna Array System for Uplink Beamforming in LTE-A and 5G NR [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/129852