No description available.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--Catholic University of America. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-34) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2001. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 55 p.; also contains graphics. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-54).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--Catholic University of America. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-34) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-140). Also available in electronic version.

This work is an effort to investigate and derive a simple equivalent circuit model to represent an electromagnetically coupled microstrip patch antenna. This provides a simple approach to the complicated electromagnetic coupling behaviour in the patch. A simplified theory based on the broadside coupled line and improved transmission line theories is developed to derive the equivalent circuit of EM coupled patch antenna. The design parameters are determined from the above mentioned theory. Computer programs are developed to provide a practical design of such antennas without involving complicated, time consuming, rigorous methods. A number of sample patches are designed, made and tested to verify the theory. These elements are also incorporated into an array to evaluate their performance in an array environment. The impedance and pattern measurements are made for comparison with theoretical results.

This research was motivated by the use of multi-track feeders in the printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. In a low volume, high mix production environment, setup time is usually considered more important than processing time. Implementation of multi-track feeders not only increases the capacity of the surface mount machines but also reduces feeder changeovers. However, improper planning could diminish these benefits. The objective of this research is to develop a process plan to minimize the feeder setups in multi-track feeder systems. Two problems have been identified: component to multi-track feeder assignment problem and PCB sequencing problem. The assignment problem is formulated as a multi-dimension symmetric assignment problem with an integer-programming model. The objective is to maximize the total similarity of the component assignment. This optimization model is implemented for small-sized problems using a commercial solver package. Due to NP-complete characteristics, heuristic algorithms are developed for solving large-scale problems and industrial cases. The Hungarian algorithm, designed for asymmetric assignment problems, is used to reduce problem size in the double feeder case. The PCB sequencing problem is solved in three stages: component and PCB grouping, intra- and inter-group PCB sequencing, and feeder setup planning. An optimal tool switch policy called Keep Tool Needed Soonest is adapted for planning the multi-track feeder setup. This research also identifies the interrelationship of the assignment problem and PCB sequencing problem. An optimal component to feeder assignment will show real advantages only when working with a well-planned PCB sequence. Data obtained from literature are used to verify the heuristic developments. The methods are also applied to industrial data for evaluation of performance of real-world problems. Experimentation is conducted with simulation data to investigate the performance of methodology for different production situations. The results show that savings of up to 85% in feeder setups can be realized with a double feeder system compared to a single feeder system, with the use of the developed methodology. The approach is also robust and efficient for different production environments. / Graduation date: 1999

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.