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Since most people now have a high-performing computing device with an attached camera in their pocket, in the form of a smartphone, robotics and computer vision researchers are thrilled about the possibility this creates. Such devices have previously been used in robotics to create 3D maps of environments and objects by feeding the camera data to a 3D reconstruction algorithm. The big downside with smartphones is that their cameras use a different sensor than what is usually used in robotics, namely a rolling shutter camera.These cameras are cheaper to produce but are not as well suited for general 3D reconstruction algorithms as the global shutter cameras typically used in robotics research. One recent, accurate and performance effective 3D reconstruction method which could be used on a mobile device, if tweaked, is LSD-SLAM. This thesis uses the LSD-SLAM method developed for global shutter cameras and incorporates additional methods developed allow the usage of rolling shutter data.The developed method is evaluated by calculating numbers of failed 3D reconstructions before a successful one is obtained when using rolling shutter data.The result is a method which improves this metric with about 70\% compared to the unedited LSD-SLAM method.

Les travaux de cette thèse consistent à étudier le phénomène de rectification optique au sein de dispositifs plasmo-électroniques. L’adressage optique de ces composants, de taille extrêmement réduite et présentant un temps de réponse ultra-rapide, induit une conversion du champ incident en un courant statique mesurable. L’intégration monolithique d’éléments plasmoniques et électroniques requiert une connaissance détaillée des mécanismes de transport thermique et électrique à l’échelle du nanomètre. Ces travaux visent donc également à discuter l’ensemble des effets thermiques inhérents à l’excitation optique de ces dispositifs connectés dans le but d’identifier les différentes contributions entrant en jeu dans la génération d’un courant photo-assisté. / The work described in this manuscrit consists in studying the optical rectification within plasmo-electronic devices. These ultra-compact optically adressed components with an ultra-fast time response induces a conversion of the incident field into a static current. The monolithically-integrated electronically optical antenna requires a detailed knowledge of nanoscale thermal and electrical transport mechanisms. This work also aims to discuss all thermal effects inherent in the optical excitation of these connected devices, in order to identify the different contributions in the generation of a photo-assisted current.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-05-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lopes_rf_me_prud.pdf: 5197639 bytes, checksum: 1c8da2ba222153e72f0e411a1ff89f69 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A utilização de imagens adquiridas por sensores CCD de médio formato, em plataformas aéreas, é uma alternativa para a redução de custos em projetos de aerolevantamento. Porém, alguns inconvenientes, como a pequena área de cobertura e a limitação às bandas do visível restringem algumas aplicações. Para resolver estes problemas podem ser usados vários sensores CCD simultaneamente, sendo necessária uma etapa posterior de fusão e registro destas imagens. Neste trabalho foram utilizados dois sistemas compostos por múltiplas câmaras, o Sistema de Aquisição e Pós-Processamento de Imagens Tomadas com Câmaras Digitais (SAAPI) e o Sistema de Câmaras Fuji. O sistema SAAPI permite diferentes configurações entre os sensores que o compõem, podendo estar nos modos duplooblíquo ou nadiral à área fotografada. A metodologia desenvolvida no trabalho trata duas questões envolvidas com a configuração de sistemas de múltiplas câmaras: o registro entre imagens IR e RGB e a fusão entre imagens RGB oblíquas, tendo como objetivo o aumento da resolução espectral e geométrica da imagem final produzida. Para isto são utilizados processos como a retificação e reamostragem de imagens. Estes, por sua vez, necessitam dos dados de calibração do sistema de câmaras, pois os parâmetros de orientação interior e exterior (POI e POE) são imprescindíveis para corrigir os efeitos das distorções nas imagens e o efeito da inclinação do sistema de câmaras. Experimentos realizados com imagens áreas, utilizando a metodologia proposta, demonstram que a discrepância nas coordenadas de pontos comuns às imagens registradas foi menor que 1 pixel. Este resultado é dependente da qualidade da calibração do sistema de câmaras / The use of images acquired by medium format CCD sensors from aerial platforms, is a cost effective alternative for aerial surveying projects. However, some drawbacks, as small coverage area and limitation to the visible spectrum bands restrict some applications. To solve these problems multiple CCD sensors can be used simultaneously, requiring a later stage for registration and fusion of these images. In this study, two systems with multiple cameras, the System for Airborne Acquisition and Processing of Digital Images (SAAPI) and Fuji Camera System were used. The SAAPI system allows different configurations between the sensors that can be either double-oblique or nadir to the area photographed. The methodology developed in this study approached two issues involved with systems with multiple cameras: the registration between IR and RGB images and oblique RGB images fusion, aiming at increasing the geometric and spectral resolution of the final image to be produced. There were used processes such as rectification and images resampling. These processes require the previous camera and system calibration, because inner and exterior orientation parameters (IOP and EOP) are essential to correct the effects of distortions in the images and the effect of camera convergence within the system. Experiments performed with real terrestrial and aerial images using the proposed methodology, showed that the discrepancy in the coordinates of common points in the registered images were less than 1 pixel. This result is dependent on the quality of the system and camera calibration

This research explores two issues when implementing drain-source voltage sensed synchronous rectification (SR) on LLC DC-Transformers (DCXs). Firstly, a current resonance issue caused by the SR controller, and secondly a early turn-off issue from parasitics present in the drain-source sensing path. Two novel methods are proposed to solve the early turn-off issue, and an FPGA based solution is built to validate and fix the resonance issue. Simulations are run to quantify the amount of rectifier power savings possible with the proposed solutions. / Master of Science / This research explores issues and improvements in synchronous rectifiers used in resonant based power conversion circuits. The two issues explored hurt rectifier efficiency, and thus total power conversion circuit efficiency. Implementation issues are identified, simulated, and new solutions are proposed. Simulations are run to quantify the amount of power savings is possible.

Hybrid actuation is an expanding field in which several systems, such as a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or thermal, among others, are integrated in order to combine certain aspects of each system, and achieve a better and more efficient performance under certain operating conditions. The concept of piezohydraulic actuation takes advantage of the high force capabilities that piezoceramics have and combines it with the operation at high frequencies, in order to achieve the hydraulic actuation of a system under a specified stroke and force. High frequency rectification translates the low stroke of a piezoelectric stack into a desired amount of stroke per unit time. Thus, the low displacement, oscillatory motion of the piezoelectric device (coupled with a high frequency operation) is translated into a unidirectional motion of a hydraulic cylinder. As part of this research, a benchtop piezohydraulic unit has been developed and the concept of piezohydraulic actuation has been demonstrated. The effective bidirectional displacement of a hydraulic cylinder through the actuation of a piezoelectric stack has been achieved. A lumped parameter model is developed in order to simulate the dynamics of the hydraulic system and of the entire piezohydraulic unit. The model did approximate the response of the piezohydraulic unit under a one-sided operation. Time response analysis is performed through the frequency spectrum comparison of the measured and the simulated data. Then a two-stage cycle simulation is used to model the pumping operation of the unit. Discrepancies were obtained between the model and the actual system for the single-ended piezohydraulic unit, nonetheless, a good approximation has been achieved for the pumping operation of the double-ended unit under certain conditions. Furthermore, several factors have been identified that may limit the operation of the piezohydraulic unit. First, the need of high displacement actuators often comes with the requirement of high voltage operation along with high current consumptions. Thus, the amplifier becomes the first limitation to overcome. Second, is the response of the controlled valves. The highest valve operating frequency and their time response will set the limit on the piezohydraulic unit. And finally, once these limitations are overcome, the unit is eventually limited by the dynamics of the fluid and the hydraulic system itself. Attenuation in the frequency response, or the operation near resonance and the possibility of cavitation, are some of the aspects that eventually will limit the operation of the piezohydraulic unit. A custom made, high displacement stack is used along with a custom made switching amplifier. The current system is being limited by the second factor, the solenoid valves. Nonethelss the analysis performed has addresed the relevant issues required for the design and use of another set of controlled valves. Finally, the eventual limitation from the hydraulic system has been determined through the analysis of the fluid dynamics of the system. The analysis does not account for potential cavitation, and future operations at high frequencies should take it into account. / Master of Science

The fabrication of new and novel materials contributes to qualitative enhancement of human life. Among the various branches of fabrication, nanolithography is an emerging neoteric fabrication technology. Even though nanofabrication procedures and the techniques can be precisely controlled through various error prevention techniques and algorithms, there is always a probability of human or instrumental error in a fabrication process. Minimization or rectification of errors during the fabrication process would increase the productivity and reduce cost per unit of the fabricated devices. Therefore there is a compelling need for an error rectification system. Compared to the number of techniques available for fabrication using nanolithography, the techniques available for error rectification are very limited. Successful implementation of more error rectification techniques may have a huge impact in device fabrication and manufacturing processes. The main focus our work is the development of a lithographic error rectification system that we named as Polymeric Submicron Editor (POSE). This system is made of submicron "pens" and "erasers" made from flexible polymers. The pens and erasers were made of polydiemethylsiloxane (PDMS) and agarose hydrogel respectively. They are fabricated by template synthesis from anisotropically track etched conical micropores in glass. The polymeric pens mounted to piezoelectric motors were used to deposit and remove submicron patterns driven by diffusion. This entire deposition system is housed on an inverted microscope to optically track and register the area of deposition so that if required it can be erased and rectified by agarose hydrogel erasers and PDMS pens. POSE can deposit, erase and rectify patterns with submicron resolution. Apart from the development of POSE, this process also led to the development of techniques for, (i) two dimensional gradient etching in tracked glass, (ii) mask less photolithography and with tracks etched glass and (iii) polymeric microfabrication which will also be covered in detail in this dissertation

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This thesis aims to design and build a power electronics system for the rectification and control of magnetization currents in synchronous generators with rotating exciters.The rotating exciter provides three-phase AC while the generator rotor needs DC with a high degree of control. The system needs to be able to rectify the three-phase AC to a stable DC without unwanted harmonic content, neither on the DC or the AC side. For control purposes it is also important that the current in the rotor can be changed very swiftly, preferably by several amperes during a single revolution ofthe machine.The system of choice is a synchronous rectifier bridge consisting of six MOSFET switches operated using the Space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) algorithm. This method gives a stable and controllable DC voltage while it keeps the harmonic content of the input currents at a minimum. However the DC voltage will always be higher than the peak line-to-line voltage from the exciter. To be able to lower the voltage below this value a Buck-converter is placed after the rectifier bridge.To gain a higher degree of control of the current density in the rotor windings the windings have been subdivided into three parts. To provide individual control of the current in the three rotor parts each part have been outfitted with a Push and Pull H-bridge.The proposed system has been both simulated using MATLAB Simulink and built and tested in the laboratory with satisfactory results. / I detta examensarbete presenteras ett kraftelektroniksystem för förbättrad kontroll av magnetiseringsstömmar i vattenkraftsgeneratorer som är utrustade med roterande matare.Generatorer används för att konvertera energi från rörelseenergi till elektrisk energi. Detta görs genom att man utsätter spolar för varierande magnetfält; då induceras spänning i spolarna. I vattenkraftsgeneratorer används oftast stora elektromagneter placerade i en rotor för att skapa dessa magnetfält. För att magnetisera elektromagneterna behövs ström som på något sätt måste överföras mellan den statiska och den roterande sidan i generatorn. Traditionellt görs detta med hjälp av släpringar och kolborstar som genom mekanisk kontakt överför elektriciteten. En roterande matare kan beskrivas som en liten generator som har sina elektriska utgångar på den roterande sidan istället för på den statiska sidan. Genom att placera en roterande matare på samma axel som den stora generatorn kan man istället alstra den elektricitet som behövs för att magnetisera generatorn direkt på den roterande sidan. Däregenom undviks många problem som är associerade med lösningen med släpringar.Den roterande mataren ger dock växelström medan magnetiseringsströmmen måste vara likström. Det är här kraftelektroniken kommer in i bilden. Det finns flera sätt att åstadkomma likriktning av ström. I det här projektet har ett fullständigt aktivt system byggts. Systemet är uppbyggt av transistorer av MOSFET typ och kan kontrolleras trådlöst med hjälp av Bluetoothteknik. Systemet ger full kontroll över strömmar och spänningar både på växelströmssidan och på likströmssidan och ska användas till en testgenerator på avdelningen för ellära vid Uppsala Universitet. Där ska den utökade kontroll som systemet ger förutsättningar till användas för att undersöka hur den här typen av system kan optimera de magnetiska krafterna inuti generatorn. En sådan optimering kan minska vibrationerna i generatorn och därigenom minska slitaget på lager och andra delar i maskinen.