This thesis introduces the circuit and system design of interactive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. IoT has the vision of connectivity for anything, at anytime and anywhere. One of the most important characteristics of IoT is the automatic and massive interaction of real physical world (things and human) with the virtual Internet world.RFID tags integrated with sensors have been considered as one suitable technology for realizing the interaction. However, while it is important to have RFID tags with sensors as the input interaction, it is also important to have RFID tags with displays as the output interaction.Display interfaces vary based on the information and application scenarios. On one side, remote and centralized display interface is more suitable for scenarios such as monitoring and localization. On the other side, tag level display interface is more suitable for scenarios such as object identification and online to offline propagation. For tag level display, though a substantial number of researches have focused on introducing sensing functionalities to low power Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID tags, few works address UHF RFID tags with display interfaces. Power consumption and integration with display of rigid substrate are two main challenges.With the recent emerging of Electronic Paper Display (EPD) technologies, it becomes possible to overcome the two challenges. EPD resembles ordinary ink on paper by characteristics of substrate flexibility, pattern printability and material bi-stability. Average power consumption of display is significantly reduced due to bi-stability, the ability to hold color for certain periods without power supplies. Among different EPD types, Electrochromic (EC) display shows advantage of low driving voltage compatible to chip supply voltage.Therefore this thesis designs a low power UHF RFID tag integrated in 180 nm CMOS process with inkjet-printed EC polyimide display. For applications where refresh rate is ultra-low (such as electronic label in retailing and warehouse), the wireless display tag is passive and supplied by the energy harvested from UHF RF wave. For applications where refresh rate is not ultra-low (such as object identification label in mass customized manufacturing), the wireless display tag is semi-passive and supplied by soft battery. It works at low average power consumption and with out-of-battery alert. For remote and centralized display, the limitations of uplink (from tags to reader) capacity and massive-tag information feedback in IoT scenarios is the main challenge. Compared to conventional UHF RFID backscattering whose data rate is limited within hundreds of kb/s, Ultra-wideband (UWB) transmission have been verified with the performance of Mb/s data rate with several tens of pJ/pulse energy consumption.Therefore, a circuit prototype of UHF/UWB RFID tag replacing UHF backscattering with UWB transmitter is implemented. It also consists of Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes for healthcare applications of real-time remote monitoring of multiple patients ECG signals. The ECG electrodes are fabricated on paper substrate by inkjet printing to improve patient comfort. Key contribution of the thesis includes: 1) the power management scheme and circuit design of passive UHF/UWB RFID display tag. The tag sensitivity (the input RF power) is -10.5 dBm for EC display driving, comparable to the performance of conventional passive UHF RFID tags without display functions, and -18.5 dBm for UWB transmission, comparable to the state-of-the-art performance of passive UHF RFID tag. 2) communication flow and circuit design of UHF/UWB RFID tag with ECG sensing. The optimum system throughout is 400 tags/second with 1.5 KHz ECG sampling rate and 10 Mb/s UWB pulse rate. / <p>QC 20151012</p>

This study considers the effect, on plasma ion oscillations, of various lengths of discharge tubes as well as various cross sections of discharge tubes. Four different gases were used in generating the plasma. Gas pressure and discharge voltage and current were varied to obtain a large number of signals. A historical survey is given to familiarize the reader with the field. The experimental equipment and procedure used in obtaining data is given. An analysis of the data obtained is presented along with possible explanations for the observed phenomena. Suggestions for future study are made.

Ces travaux de thèse portent principalement sur la génération de signal d'horloge haute fréquence. Dans un premier temps, la faisabilité d'un oscillateur à base de BAW y est démontrée par la conception d'un circuit en technologie CMOS 65 nm. Les deux principales innovations sont les performances en terme de stabilité (bruit de phase de -128dBc/Hz à 100kHz de la porteuse) et en précision (implémentation d'une banque de capacités ayant un pas de 0.4ppm) de l'oscillateur. Sa consommation est optimisée (0.9mW). Il est suivi d'un diviseur faible bruit (-140dBc/Hz à 100kHz de la porteuse) délivrant un signal à 500MHz. Dans un second temps, les imperfections des résonateurs BAW sont analysées. Une procédure de calibration comprenant une calibration initiale et une calibration en boucle ouverte est alors proposée. Cette dernière repose sur l'identification et l'utilisation d'un modèle comportemental du dispositif, régulièrement mis à jour grâce à un filtre de Kalman. Une précision de 0.4 ppm est atteinte / This thesis deals with the gigahertz range reference frequency generation. In a first part, this document presents the design of a 500 MHz oscillator in a 65 nm CMOS process using a 2 GHz Bulk Acoustic Wave resonator. A digital frequency control is implemented using a switched capacitor bank in parallel to the resonator. The tuning range is up to 500 kHz with a minimum step of 200 Hz. The oscillator core uses a differential topology and is designed for low phase noise (-128 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset) at low power consumption (0.9 mW). It is followed by a low noise divider which provides a 500 MHz output with a phase noise of -139 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from the carrier. In a second part, we consider a method for the calibration of a BAW based frequency reference. In fact, the frequency variations of a BAW oscillator against process, supply, temperature and aging effects make difficult its use as a frequency reference. We propose here a method based on Kalman filtering to identify with high precision a behavioral model of this BAW reference, thus enabling its use in an open loop frequency tuning. A precision of 0.4 ppm is achieved

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology allows for the scanning of RFID-tagged objects and individuals without line-of-sight requirements. Healthcare organizations use RFID to ensure the health and safety of patients and medical personnel and to uncover inefficiencies in operations. The successful implementation of a system incorporating RFID technologies requires acceptance and use of the technology. Nurses are a group of employees who must use RFID in hospitals throughout the United States. However, due to their being tracked by RFID technology, some of these nurses feel like "big brother" is watching them. This predictive study used a theoretical model that assessed the effect of five independent variables, namely, privacy concerns, attitudes, subjective norms, controllability, and self-efficacy, on a dependent variable, nurses' behavioral intention to use RFID. A total of 106 U.S. registered nurses answered a Web-based questionnaire containing previously validated and adapted questions that were answered through a five-point Likert scale. Two statistical methods, linear regression and multiple linear regression, were used to investigate the survey results. The results of the linear regression analysis showed that privacy concerns, attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy were each a significant predictor of nurses' behavioral intention to use RFID. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that all the constructs together accounted for 60% of the variance in nurses' intention to use RFID. Of the five predictors in the model, attitudes provided the largest unique contribution when the other predictors in the model were held constant. Subject norms also provided a unique contribution. The other predictors in the model (privacy concerns, controllability, and self-efficacy) were not statistically significant and did not provide a significant unique contribution to nurses' behavioral intention to use RFID. The outcomes of this study constitute a significant original contribution to the body of knowledge in the area of information systems by enhancing understanding of the factors affecting RFID acceptance among nurses. The results of this research also provide hospitals and medical centers that require their nurses to use RFID technology with information that they can use to address barriers to their nurses' acceptance and use of RFID technology.

Weak interactions in an atomic system by external electromagnetic fields or nucleon-nucleon interaction cause perturbations in the wave-function and energy levels of electrons, which allow for transitions that are otherwise forbidden. Of particular interest are magnetic dipole (M1) transitions, Stark-induced transitions, and parity non-conserving (PNC) transitions. The PNC interaction in the hyperfine ground states is dominantly due to the anapole moment of the nucleus and there has been up-to-date only one such measurement carried out in any system; the Boulder group's ground-breaking measurement of the anapole moment in atomic cesium in 1997. Their result derived from two different hyperfine transitions, however, did not agree with the meson-coupling model from high energy physics experiments. Therefore, it is important to revisit the anapole moment through another method to cross-check the Boulder group's measurement. Our goal is to excite the nuclear-spin-dependent (NSD) PNC ground hyperfine transitions in cesium via radio-frequency (rf) and Raman excitation to directly determine the anapole moment. I present our progress toward measurement of the NSD transition in an atomic Cs beam geometry. We have developed a broadband rf cavity resonator to strongly suppress the magnetic dipole (M1) transition while enhancing the forbidden PNC electric dipole (E1) transition. We employed an injection locking scheme to generate a pair of phase-coherent Raman lasers far detuned from the cesium D2 line (852 nm) with a 9.2 GHz frequency difference. I report various measurement data from atomic signal via rf and Raman excitation. In the next generation of measurements, we will carry out interference experiments between rf and Raman transitions by varying the phase relations of the rf and Raman lasers fields. Finally, based on the measurements, I discuss a novel robust measurement technique involving interference of the Raman, M1 and E_PNC contributions.<br>

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, in ICT Policy and Regulation, University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / There is a common opinion among researchers and experts that efficient management of radio spectrum plays a vital role in ensuring universal access to telecommunications services. The objective of this study was to identify radio spectrum reforms and their associated effects on market liberalisation. It was postulated that appropriate radio spectrum reforms would be catalysts for market liberalisation. The evolution of command-and-control approaches in relation to market-based approaches was assessed. The research involved literature critique, review of policies as that relates to history of radio spectrum management in South Africa and across the world, and radio spectrum regulations analysis in South Africa. Interviews of radio spectrum industry experts and documents study of the evolution of telecommunications regulatory environment with respect to radio spectrum management and market liberalisation were also used as main sources of research. The purpose of the literature critique, review of policies, regulations and documents was to identify hints of radio spectrum reforms and measure qualitatively the extent of market liberalisation. While interviews of radio spectrum industry experts were used to ascertain industry response to strides made as far as radio spectrum and market liberalisation in South Africa. It was observed that initially, in most parts of the world and in South Africa, market liberalisation progressed quickly despite appreciable correlation with radio spectrum reforms. Early radio spectrum reforms, such as the establishment of an independent regulator of the industry and radio spectrum, had contributed to some level of market liberalisation with creation of oligopolistic telecommunication market, and had increased to radio spectrum by Vodacom, MTN and Cell C having access to both 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. However, perpetual practise of command-and-control, an efficient radio spectrum management encouraged hoarding. The literature review and interview provided seven main contributions of reforms in the form of strides. These strides formed the basis for the research framework: 1) establishment of an independent regulator of the industry and radio spectrum, 2) increased access to radio spectrum, 3) service and technology neutrality on radio spectrum, 4) essential facilities to enable sharing, 5) market-based approaches radio spectrum pricing: AIP, 6) service-based competition versus infrastructure-based competition, and 7) non-rival, non-exclusive usage of radio spectrum. The conclusion is that increasing access to radio spectrum and the independent regulator were not primary determinants of market liberalisation. An analytic framework has been used to show that market liberalisation reached a plateau phase, with a few incumbents becoming dominant and creating an oligopolistic market structure. It is at this point that further market liberalisation could be stimulated by additional radio spectrum reforms. The command-and-control approach remains the main bottleneck source for access and efficiency in radio spectrum management, which encourages rival and exclusive use of radio spectrum. It has been observed that market-based radio spectrum reforms have also entrenched rivalry and exclusivity in the use of radio spectrum. Radio spectrum reforms that encourage non-rivalry and non-exclusivity, such as open-access to radio spectrum, are highly recommended in this research. / GR2016

La technologie NFC (Near Field Communication) est une nouvelle technique de communication basée sur la technologie RFID (Radio-Fréquence IDentification). La NFC utilise le couplage magnétique entre deux antennes afin de transférer les données et / ou l'énergie entre deux dispositifs électroniques. Elle exploite la fréquence de 13,56 MHz. En raison de la large gamme de dispositifs et d'applications, une définition de la géométrie de l'antenne et de ses paramètres électriques associés est très difficile. En effet, chaque dispositif présente des caractéristiques physiques différentes. En revanche, le circuit intégré (CI) de contrôle NFC est générique et indépendant d'une antenne où d'un dispositif. C'est pourquoi, chaque intégrateur associe le circuit intégré NFC avec une antenne pour chaque dispositif. Or le module de transmission du système NFC nécessite une bonne adaptation de l'antenne à son circuit intégré (IC). Actuellement, cette adaptation est effectuée à la main pour chaque dispositif selon un processus itératif chronophage. En outre, l'adaptation est effectuée une seule fois au moment de la conception du dispositif, quel que soit le mode de communication (lecteur, carte ou peer-to-peer) et à vide c'est-à-dire sans considérer l'influence du dispositif secondaire. Dans ce manuscrit, nous proposons une description détaillée des performances électriques des systèmes NFC. Ensuite un modèle électrique analytique complet et précis de l'antenne NFC est proposé. Enfin, nous développons une nouvelle technique d'adaptation automatique d'impédance afin d'optimiser les performances électriques dans la phase d'émission en termes de transfert d'énergie entre le lecteur et le transpondeur. / Near Field Communication (NFC) is a standardized communication technology derived from Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). NFC uses magnetic induction between two antennas in order to transfer data and/or energy between two electronic devices. NFC operating frequency is 13.56 MHz.Due to the wide range of devices and applications, a predefinition of antenna geometry and corresponding electrical parameters is difficult. In fact, each device shows different antennaphysical characteristics ; On the Other hand, the NFC control integrated circuit (IC) is generic and does not depend on antenna nor a device. Therefore, each integrator associates the NFC IC with a specific antenna for each device. Current NFC transmission modules require the antenna circuitry to be matched with the integrated circuit. Nowadays, the matching is performed manually using a time consuming iterative procedure for each device. Moreover, the matchingcan be done only once at the device design level, regardless of the communication mode (reader, card or peer-to-peer) and regardless of the secondary device influence on the primary antenna characteristics.In this manuscript, we propose a detailed description of the electrical performances of NFC Systems. Then an accurate and complete analytical electrical model of NFC antennas is proposed.Finally, we develop a new technic of automatic adaptation of the matching network in order to optimize the electrical performances in the transmission phase in terms of energy transfer from the reader to the transponder.

by Wong Chun Kau, Jolly. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-88). / ABSTRACT --- p.1 / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.3 / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1 --- Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Communications / Chapter 1.2 --- Paramilitary Communications Security / Chapter 1.3 --- Voice Scrambling Methods / Chapter 1.4 --- Digital Voice Encryption / Chapter 1.5 --- Digital Secure LMR / Chapter 2. --- DESIGN GOALS --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- System Concept and Configuration / Chapter 2.2 --- Operational Requirements / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Operating conditions / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Intelligibility and speech quality / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Field coverage and transmission delay / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Reliability and maintenance / Chapter 2.3 --- Functional Requirements / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Major system features / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Cryptographic features / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Phone patch facility / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Mobile data capability / Chapter 2.4 --- Bandwidth Requirements / Chapter 2.5 --- Bit Error Rate Requirements / Chapter 3. --- VOICE CODERS --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1 --- Digital Speech Coding Methods / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Waveform coding / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Linear predictive coding / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Sub-band coding / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Vocoders / Chapter 3.2 --- Performance Evaluation / Chapter 4. --- CRYPTOGRAPHIC CONCERNS --- p.52 / Chapter 4.1 --- Basic Concepts and Cryptoanalysis / Chapter 4.2 --- Digital Encryption Techniques / Chapter 4.3 --- Crypto Synchronization / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Auto synchronization / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Initial synchronization / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Continuous synchronization / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Hybrid synchronization / Chapter 5. --- DIGITAL MODULATION --- p.63 / Chapter 5.1 --- Narrowband Channel Requirements / Chapter 5.2 --- Narrowband Digital FM / Chapter 5.3 --- Performance Evaluation / Chapter 6. --- SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION --- p.71 / Chapter 6.1 --- Potential EMC Problems / Chapter 6.2 --- Frequency Planning / Chapter 6.3 --- Key Management / Chapter 6.4 --- Potential Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Problems / Chapter 7. --- CONCLUSION --- p.80 / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.81 / REFERENCES --- p.82 / APPENDICES --- p.89 / Chapter I. --- Path Propagation Loss(L) Vs Distance (d) / Chapter II. --- Speech Quality Assessment Tests performed / by Special Duties Unit (SDU)

Yip Kim-fung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-100). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / Acknowledgement --- p.III / Table of Contents --- p.IV / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objective --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Theory of Oscillators --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Oscillator Design --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Loop-Gain Method --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Negative Resistance-Conductance Method --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Crossed-Coupled Oscillator --- p.10 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Noise Analysis --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1 --- Origin of Noise Sources --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Flicker Noise --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Thermal Noise --- p.17 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Noise Model of Varactor --- p.18 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Noise Model of Spiral Inductor --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2 --- Derivation of Resonator --- p.19 / Chapter 3.3 --- Phase Noise Model --- p.22 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Leeson's Model --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Phase Noise Model defined by J. Cranincks and M Steyaert --- p.24 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Non-linear Analysis of Phase Noise --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Flicker-Noise Upconversion Mechanism --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4 --- Phase Noise Reduction Techniques --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Conventional Tank Circuit Structure --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Enhanced Q tank circuit Structure --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Tank Circuit with parasitics --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Reduction of Up-converted Noise --- p.39 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- CMOS Technology and Device Modeling --- p.42 / Chapter 4.1 --- Device Modeling --- p.42 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- FET model --- p.42 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Layout of Interdigitated FET --- p.46 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Planar Inductor --- p.48 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Circuit Model of Planar Inductor --- p.50 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Inductor Layout Consideration --- p.54 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- CMOS RF Varactor --- p.55 / Chapter 4.1.7 --- Parasitics of PMOS-type varactor --- p.57 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Design of Integrated CMOS VCOs --- p.59 / Chapter 5.1 --- 1.5GHz CMOS VCO Design --- p.59 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Equivalent circuit model of differential LC VCO --- p.59 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Reference Oscillator Circuit --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Proposed Oscillator Circuit --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Output buffer --- p.63 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Biasing Circuitry --- p.64 / Chapter 5.2 --- Spiral Inductor Design --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3 --- Determination of W/L ratio of FET --- p.67 / Chapter 5.4 --- Varactor Design --- p.68 / Chapter 5.5 --- Layout (Cadence) --- p.69 / Chapter 5.6 --- Circuit Simulation (SpectreRF) --- p.74 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Experimental Results and Discussion --- p.76 / Chapter 6.1 --- Measurement Setup --- p.76 / Chapter 6.2 --- Measurement results: Reference Oscillator Circuit --- p.81 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Output Spectrum --- p.81 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Phase Noise Performance --- p.82 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Tuning Characteristic --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Microphotograph --- p.84 / Chapter 6.3 --- Measurement results: Proposed Oscillator Circuit --- p.85 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Output Spectrum --- p.85 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Phase Noise Performance --- p.86 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Tuning Characteristic --- p.87 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Microphotograph --- p.88 / Chapter 6.4 --- Comparison of Measured Results --- p.89 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Phase Noise Performance --- p.89 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Tuning Characteristic --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.93 / Chapter 7.1 --- Conclusion --- p.93 / Chapter 7.2 --- Future Work --- p.94 / References --- p.95 / Author's Publication --- p.100 / Appendix A --- p.101 / Appendix B --- p.104 / Appendix C --- p.106

Ubiquitous computing describes the notion that computing devices will be everywhere: clothing, walls and floors of buildings, cars, forests, deserts, etc. Ubiquitous computing is becoming a reality: RFIDs are currently being introduced into the supply chain. Wireless distributed sensor networks (WSN) are already being used to monitor wildlife and to track military targets. Many more applications are being envisioned. For most of these applications some level of security is of utmost importance. Common to WSN and RFIDs are their severely limited power resources, which classify them as ultra-low power devices. Early sensor nodes used simple 8-bit microprocessors to implement basic communication, sensing and computing services. Security was an afterthought. The main power consumer is the RF-transceiver, or radio for short. In the past years specialized hardware for low-data rate and low-power radios has been developed. The new bottleneck are security services which employ computationally intensive cryptographic operations. Customized hardware implementations hold the promise of enabling security for severely power constrained devices. Most research groups are concerned with developing secure wireless communication protocols, others with designing efficient software implementations of cryptographic algorithms. There has not been a comprehensive study on hardware implementations of cryptographic algorithms tailored for ultra-low power applications. The goal of this dissertation is to develop a suite of cryptographic functions for authentication, encryption and integrity that is specifically fashioned to the needs of ultra-low power devices. This dissertation gives an introduction to the specific problems that security engineers face when they try to solve the seemingly contradictory challenge of providing lightweight cryptographic services that can perform on ultra-low power devices and shows an overview of our current work and its future direction.