Evaluation of hectorites, synthesized in different conditions, as soot combustion catalysts after impregnation with copper

Two microporous hectorites were prepared by conventional and microwave heating, and a delaminated mesoporous hectorite by an ultrasound-assisted synthesis. These three hectorites were impregnated with copper. The characterization techniques used were XRD, N2 adsorption, TEM and H2 reduction after selective surface copper oxidation by N2O (to determine copper dispersion). The catalytic activity for soot combustion of the copper-free and the copper-containing hectorites was tested under a gas mixture of 500 ppm NOx/5% O2/N2 (and 5% O2/N2 in some cases), evaluating their stability through three consecutive soot combustion experiments. The delaminated hectorite showed the highest surface area (353 m2/g) allowing the highest dispersion of copper. This copper-containing catalyst was the most active for soot combustion among those prepared and tested in this study. We have also concluded that the Cu/hectorite-catalyzed soot combustion mechanism is based on the activation of the O2 molecule and not on the NO2-assisted soot combustion.

Performance comparisons between greedy and lagrange algorithms in adaptive MIMO MC-CDMA systems

This paper describes two algorithms for adaptive power and bit allocations in a multiple input multiple output multiple-carrier code division multiple access (MIMO MC-CDMA) system. The first is the greedy algorithm, which has already been presented in the literature. The other one, which is proposed by the authors, is based on the use of the Lagrange multiplier method. The performances of the two algorithms are compared via Monte Carlo simulations. At present stage, the simulations are restricted to a single user MIMO MC-CDMA system, which is equivalent to a MIMO OFDM system. It is assumed that the system operates in a frequency selective fading environment. The transmitter has a partial knowledge of the channel whose properties are measured at the receiver. The use of the two algorithms results in similar system performances. The advantage of the Lagrange algorithm is that is much faster than the greedy algorithm. ©2005 IEEE

Genetic algorithm based distance spectrum technique for performance union bound of space-time trellis coded OFDM

This paper derives the performance union bound of space-time trellis codes in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system (STTC-OFDM) over quasi-static frequency selective fading channels based on the distance spectrum technique. The distance spectrum is the enumeration of the codeword difference measures and their multiplicities by exhausted searching through all the possible error event paths. Exhaustive search approach can be used for low memory order STTC with small frame size. However with moderate memory order STTC and moderate frame size the computational cost of exhaustive search increases exponentially, and may become impractical for high memory order STTCs. This requires advanced computational techniques such as Genetic Algorithms (GAS). In this paper, a GA with sharing function method is used to locate the multiple solutions of the distance spectrum for high memory order STTCs. Simulation evaluates the performance union bound and the complexity comparison of non-GA aided and GA aided distance spectrum techniques. It shows that the union bound give a close performance measure at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It also shows that GA sharing function method based distance spectrum technique requires much less computational time as compared with exhaustive search approach but with satisfactory accuracy.

Digital video transmission over wireless networks

The advent of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) led to the standardisation of the first video codecs for interpersonal video communications, followed closely by the development of standards for the compression, storage and distribution of digital video in the PC environment, mainly targeted at CD-ROM storage. At the same time the second-generation digital wireless networks, and the third-generation networks being developed, have enough bandwidth to support digital video services. The radio propagation medium is a difficult environment in which to deploy low bit error rate, real time services such as video. The video coding standards designed for ISDN and storage applications, were targeted at low bit error rate levels, orders of magnitude lower than the typical bit error rates experienced on wireless networks. This thesis is concerned with the transmission of digital, compressed video over wireless networks. It investigates the behaviour of motion compensated, hybrid interframe DPCM/DCT video coding algorithms, which form the basis of current coding algorithms, in the presence of high bit error rates commonly found on digital wireless networks. A group of video codecs, based on the ITU-T H.261 standard, are developed which are robust to the burst errors experienced on radio channels. The radio link is simulated at low level, to generate typical error files that closely model real world situations, in a Rayleigh fading environment perturbed by co-channel interference, and on frequency selective channels which introduce inter symbol interference. Typical anti-multipath techniques, such as antenna diversity, are deployed to mitigate the effects of the channel. Link layer error control techniques are also investigated.

Optical properties of some surfaces for solar energy application

The preThe present work is a study of the optical properties of some surfaces, in order to determine their applications in solar energy utilisation. An attempt has been made to investigate and measure the optical properties of two systems of surface moderately selective surfaces like thermally grown oxide of titanium, titanium oxide en aluminium and thermally grown oxides of stainless steel; and, selective surfaces of five different coloured stainless at (INCO surfaces) and of black nickel foil. A calorimetric instrument based on the steady state method for measuring directly the total emittance has been designed. Chapter 1 is an introductory survey of selective surface. It also includes a brief review of various preparation techniques in use since 1955. Chapter 2 investigates the theory of selective surfaces, defining their optical properties and their figures of merit. It also outlines the method of computing the optical properties (i.e. absorptance, a, and emittance, a) which have been adopted for the present work. Chapter 3 describes the measuring technique and the modes of operation of the equipment used in the experimental work carried out. Chapter 4 gives the results of the experimental work to measure the optical properties, the life testing and chemical composition of the surfaces under study. Chapter 5 deals with the experimentation leading to the design of a calorimetric instrument for measuring the total emmitance directly. Chapter 6 presents concluding remarks about the outcome of the present work and some suggestions for further work. sent work is a study of the optical properties of some surfaces, in order to determine their applications in solar energy utilisation. An attempt has been made to investigate and measure the optical properties of two systems of surface moderately selective surfaces like thermally grown oxide of titanium, titanium oxide en aluminium and thermally grown oxides of stainless steel; and, selective surfaces of five different coloured stainless at (INCO surfaces) and of black nickel foil. A calorimetric instrument based on the steady state method for measuring directly the total emittance has been designed. Chapter 1 is an introductory survey of selective surface. It also includes a brief review of various preparation techniques in use since 1955. Chapter 2 investigates the theory of selective surfaces, defining their optical properties and their figures of merit. It also outlines the method of computing the optical properties (i.e. absorptance, a, and emittance, a) which have been adopted for the present work. Chapter 3 describes the measuring technique and the modes of operation of the equipment used in the experimental work carried out. Chapter 4 gives the results of the experimental work to measure the optical properties, the life testing and chemical composition of the surfaces under study. Chapter 5 deals with the experimentation leading to the design of a calorimetric instrument for measuring the total emmitance directly. Chapter 6 presents concluding remarks about the outcome of the present work and some suggestions for further work.

Ion plating

Under ideal conditions ion plating produces finely grained dense coatings with excellent adhesion. The ion bombardment induced damage initiates a large number of small nuclei. Simultaneous coating and sputtering stimulates high rates of diffusion and forms an interfacial region of graded composition responsible for good adhesion. To obtain such coatings on components far industrial applications, the design and construction Of an ion plater with a 24" (O.6rn) diameter chamber were investigated and modifications of the electron beam gun were proposed. A 12" (O.3m) diameter ion plater was designed and constructed. The equipment was used to develop surfaces for solar energy applications. The conditions to give extended surfaces by sputter etching were studied. Austenitic stainless steel was sputter etched at 20 and 30 mTorr working pressure and at 3, 4 and 5 kV. Uniform etching was achieved by redesigning the specimen holder to give a uniform electrostatic field over the surfaces of the specimens. Surface protrusions were observed after sputter etching. They were caused by the sputter process and were independent of grain boundaries, surface contaminants and inclusions. The sputtering rate of stainless steel was highly dependent on the background pressure which should be kept below 10-5 Torr. Sputter etching improved the performance of stainless steel used as a solar selective surface. A twofold improvement was achieved on sputter etching bright annealed stainless steel. However, there was only slight improvement after sputter etching stainless steel which had been mechanically polished to a mirror finish. Cooling curves Were used to measure the thermal emittance of specimens.The deposition rate of copper was measured at different levels of power input and was found to be a maximum at 9.5 kW. The diameter of the copper feed rod was found to be critical for the maintenance of a uniform evaporation rate.

Models and performances of wireless MIMO and cooperative communication systems

Multiple-antenna systems offer significant performance enhancement and will be applied to the next generation broadband wireless communications. This thesis presents the investigations of multiple-antenna systems – multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and cooperative communication (CC) – and their performances in more realistic propagation environments than those reported previously. For MIMO systems, the investigations are conducted via theoretical modelling and simulations in a double-scattering environment. The results show that the variations of system performances depend on how scatterer density varies in flat fading channels, and that in frequency-selective fading channels system performances are affected by the length of the coding block as well as scatterer density. In realistic propagation environments, the fading correlation also has an impact on CC systems where the antennas can be further apart than those in MIMO systems. A general stochastic model is applied to studying the effects of fading correlation on the performances of CC systems. This model reflects the asymmetry fact of the wireless channels in a CC system. The results demonstrate the varied effects of fading correlation under different protocols and channel conditions. Performances of CC systems are further studied at the packet level, using both simulations and an experimental testbed. The results obtained have verified various performance trade-offs of the cooperative relaying network (CRN) investigated in different propagation environments. The results suggest that a proper selection of the relaying algorithms and other techniques can meet the requirements of quality of service for different applications.

Bandpass switching based on a nonlinear optical loop mirror and an in-fibre grating reflector

Nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) requires breaking the loop symmetry to enable the counter propagating pulses to acquire a differential π phase shift. This is achieved with either an asymmetric fused fibre coupler at the input or by the inclusion of an asymmetrically located gain or loss element within the loop. By introducing a frequency selective loss element, nonlinear switching may be confined to a narrow band of wavelengths or multiple wavelengths. This configuration may have applications in time-wavelength demultiplexing. We demonstrate this technique of bandpass switching in the soliton regime using a fibre-Bragg grating reflector as the wavelength dependent loss.

Desenvolvimento teórico e experimental de FSS com elementos fractais de Gosper em estruturas de multicamadas

The fractal self-similarity property is studied to develop frequency selective surfaces (FSS) with several rejection bands. Particularly, Gosper fractal curves are used to define the shapes of the FSS elements. Due to the difficulty of making the FSS element details, the analysis is developed for elements with up to three fractal levels. The simulation was carried out using Ansoft Designer software. For results validation, several FSS prototypes with fractal elements were fabricated. In the fabrication process, fractals elements were designed using computer aided design (CAD) tools. The prototypes were measured using a network analyzer (N3250A model, Agilent Technologies). Matlab software was used to generate compare measured and simulated results. The use of fractal elements in the FSS structures showed that the use of high fractal levels can reduce the size of the elements, at the same time as decreases the bandwidth. We also investigated the effect produced by cascading FSS structures. The considered cascaded structures are composed of two FSSs separated by a dielectric layer, which distance is varied to determine the effect produced on the bandwidth of the coupled geometry. Particularly, two FSS structures were coupled through dielectric layers of air and fiberglass. For comparison of results, we designed, fabricated and measured several prototypes of FSS on isolated and coupled structures. Agreement was observed between simulated and measured results. It was also observed that the use of cascaded FSS structures increases the FSSs bandwidths and, in particular cases, the number of resonant frequencies, in the considered frequency range. In future works, we will investigate the effects of using different types of fractal elements, in isolated, multilayer and coupled FSS structures for applications on planar filters, high-gain microstrip antennas and microwave absorbers

Análise de superfícies seletivas em frequência com geometria multifractal

Frequency Selective surfaces are increasingly common structures in telecommunication systems due to their geometric and electromagnetic advantages. As a matter of fact, the frequency selective surfaces with fractal geometry type would allow an even bigger reduction of the electrical length which provided greater flexibility in the design of these structures. In this work, we investigated the use of multifractal geometry in frequency selective surfaces. Three structures with different multifractal geometries have been proposed and analyzed. The first structure allowed the design of multiband structures with greater flexibility in controlling the resonant frequencies and bandwidth. The second structure provided a bandwidth increase even with the rising of the fractal level. The third structure showed response with angle stability, dual polarization and provided room for a bandwidth increase with the rising of the structural multifractality. Furthermore, the proposed structures increased the degree of freedom in the multiband designs because they have multiple resonant frequencies ratios between adjacent bands and are easy to deploy. The validation of the proposed structures was initially verified through simulations in Ansoft Designer software and then the structures were constructed and the experimental results obtained

Desenvolvimento de estruturas integradas de filtros e antenas para aplicações em sistemas de comunicações sem fio

This paper presents a study of the integration of filters and microstrip antennas, yielding devices named as filtennas for applications in wireless communications systems. The design of these structures is given from the observation of filtennas based integration between horn antennas and frequency selective surfaces (FSS), used in the band X. The choice of microstrip line structures for the development of a new configuration filtennas justifies the wide application of these transmission lines, in recent decades, always resulting in the production of circuit structures with planar light-weight, compact size, low cost, easy to construct and particularly easy to integrate with other microwave circuits. In addition, the antenna structure considered for the composition of filtennas consists of a planar monopole microstrip to microstrip filters integrated in the feed line of the antenna. In particular, are considered elliptical monopole microstrip (operating in UWB UWB) microstrip filters and (in structures with associated sections in series and / or coupled). In addition, the monopole microstrip has a proper bandwidth and omnidirectional radiation pattern, such that its integration with microstrip filters results in decreased bandwidth, but with slight changes in the radiation pattern. The methods used in the analysis of monopoles, and filters were filtennas finite elements and moments by using commercial software Ansoft Designer and HFSS Ansoft, respectively. Specifically, we analyze the main characteristics of filtennas, such as radiation pattern, gain and bandwidth. Were designed, constructed and measures, several structures filtennas, for validation of the simulated results. Were also used computational tools (CAD) in the process of building prototypes of planar monopoles, filters and filtennas. The prototypes were constructed on substrates of glass-fiber (FR4). Measurements were performed at the Laboratory for Telecommunications UFRN. Comparisons were made between simulated and measured, and found good agreement in the cases considered

Projeto de absorvedores de micro-ondas integrados com superfícies seletivas em frequência

Considering the fact that, the use of wireless communication systems has grown too fast, investigations concerning absorbers of electromagnetic waves has called closer attention of researchers. It is applicable from indoor systems to military applications. Paralleling with this growth, some extremely relevant investigations through Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) allows its filter property to be applicable in several systems, for example: reflector antennas, band-pass radomes, and absorbers, which are the main objective of this work. Therefore, the main goal of this work concerns to design micro-waves absorbers through FSS. Thus, the methodology consists basically in two steps: the first step concerns a theoretical and numerical analysis of the structures involved in the process of absorption, the second step, the analysis of the cascaded structures. In order to carry out the analysis, the Equivalent Circuit Method will be used. This method provides characteristics of transmission from the structure, for a plane wave incidence and it requires an extremely limited computing resource in relation if compared to full wave analyses method. Hence, it is useful to allow fast predictions of the development of the structures. Furthermore, a spreading matrix will be used in order to cascade the conductive FSS and the resistive FSS achieving absorption characteristics in the designed band. The experimental results used for the analysis are found in the literature due to the difficulty of building soon, given that it is not a simple construction technique. To conclude, a mathematical development through the Equivalent Circuit Method of a FSS modeling with cross-dipole geometry and a resistive FSS will be presented, as well as the cascading involving the two structures. The same setting is used with a square loop geometry. Besides it, the next steps will be discussed in the conclusion.

Caracterização de superfícies seletivas de frequência de periódicas e não-periódicas

The past years have seen a great interest in the use of frequency selective surfaces (FSS), as spatial filters, in many microwave applications. Among these, we highlight applications in telecommunication systems (such as satellite communications and radar), high gain antennas (combined with planar antennas) and (home and industrial) microwave ovens. The FSS is usually composed of two-dimensional periodic arrays, with equally spaced elements, which may be metallic patches (printed on dielectric substrates) or aperture (holes in thin metal surfaces). Using periodic arrays, the FSS have been able to meet the demands of the telecommunications industry. However, new demands are finding technological limitations. In this context, adverse filtering requirements have forced designers to use FSS optimization methods to find specific formats of FSS elements. Another alternative that has been used to increase the selectivity of the FSS is the cascaded FSS, a simple technique that has as main drawback the increased dimensions of the structure, as well as its weight. This work proposes the development of a new class of selective surfaces frequency (FSS) composed of quasi-periodic (or non-periodic) arrangements. The proposed FSS have no array periodicity, in relation with the spatial position of their elements. The frequency responses of these structures were simulated using commercial softwares that implement full-wave methods. For the purpose of validation of this study, FSS prototypes were built and measured, being possible to observe a good agreement between simulated and measured results. The main conclusions of this work are presented, as well as suggestions for future works.

Estudo da variação da periodicidade e do acoplamento entre superfícies seletivas de frequência com elementos fractais e helicoidais em estruturas de multicamadas

This work aims to investigate the behavior of fractal and helical elements structures in planar microstrip. In particular, the frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) had changed its conventional elements to fractal and helical formats. The dielectric substrate used was fiberglass (FR-4) and has a thickness of 1.5 mm, a relative permittivity 4.4 and tangent loss equal to 0.02. For FSSs, was adopting the Dürer’s fractal geometry and helical geometry. To make the measurements, we used two antennas horns in direct line of sight, connected by coaxial cable to the vector network analyzer. Some prototypes were select for built and measured. From preliminary results, it was aimed to find practical applications for structures from the cascading between them. For FSSs with Dürer’s fractal elements was observed behavior provided by the multiband fractal geometry, while the bandwidth has become narrow as the level of iteration fractal increased, making it a more selective frequency with a higher quality factor. A parametric analysis allowed the analysis of the variation of the air layer between them. The cascading between fractal elements structure were considered, presented a tri-band behavior for certain values of the layer of air between them, and find applications in the licensed 2.5GHz band (2.3-2.7) and 3.5GHz band (3.3-3.8). For FSSs with helical elements, six structures were considered, namely H0, H1, H2, H3, H4 and H5. The electromagnetic behavior of them was analyzed separately and cascaded. From preliminary results obtained from the separate analysis of structures, including the cascade, the higher the bandwidth, in that the thickness of the air layer increases. In order to find practical applications for helical structures cascaded, the helical elements structure has been cascaded find applications in the X-band (8.0-12.0) and unlicensed band (5.25-5.85). For numerical and experimental characterization of the structures discussed was used, respectively, the commercial software Ansoft Designer and a vector network analyzer, Agilent N5230A model.

Método híbrido para projeto de superfícies seletivas em frequência

This thesis presents a hybrid technique of frequency selective surfaces project (FSS) on a isotropic dielectric layer, considering various geometries for the elements of the unit cell. Specifically, the hybrid technique uses the equivalent circuit method in conjunction with genetic algorithm, aiming at the synthesis of structures with response single-band and dual-band. The equivalent circuit method allows you to model the structure by using an equivalent circuit and also obtaining circuits for different geometries. From the obtaining of the parameters of these circuits, you can get the transmission and reflection characteristics of patterned structures. For the optimization of patterned structures, according to the desired frequency response, Matlab™ optimization tool named optimtool proved to be easy to use, allowing you to explore important results on the optimization analysis. In this thesis, numeric and experimental results are presented for the different characteristics of the analyzed geometries. For this, it was determined a technique to obtain the parameter N, which is based on genetic algorithms and differential geometry, to obtain the algebraic rational models that determine values of N more accurate, facilitating new projects of FSS with these geometries. The optimal results of N are grouped according to the occupancy factor of the cell and the thickness of the dielectric, for modeling of the structures by means of rational algebraic equations. Furthermore, for the proposed hybrid model was developed a fitness function for the purpose of calculating the error occurred in the definitions of FSS bandwidths with transmission features single band and dual band. This thesis deals with the construction of prototypes of FSS with frequency settings and band widths obtained with the use of this function. The FSS were initially reviewed through simulations performed with the commercial software Ansoft Designer ™, followed by simulation with the equivalent circuit method for obtaining a value of N in order to converge the resonance frequency and the bandwidth of the FSS analyzed, then the results obtained were compared. The methodology applied is validated with the construction and measurement of prototypes with different geometries of the cells of the arrays of FSS.