Análise e projeto de superfícies seletivas de frequência com elementos pré-fractais para aplicações em comunicações indoor

In this thesis, a frequency selective surface (FSS) consists of a two-dimensional periodic structure mounted on a dielectric substrate, which is capable of selecting signals in one or more frequency bands of interest. In search of better performance, more compact dimensions, low cost manufacturing, among other characteristics, these periodic structures have been continually optimized over time. Due to its spectral characteristics, which are similar to band-stop or band-pass filters, the FSSs have been studied and used in several applications for more than four decades. The design of an FSS with a periodic structure composed by pre-fractal elements facilitates the tuning of these spatial filters and the adjustment of its electromagnetic parameters, enabling a compact design which generally has a stable frequency response and superior performance relative to its euclidean counterpart. The unique properties of geometric fractals have shown to be useful, mainly in the production of antennas and frequency selective surfaces, enabling innovative solutions and commercial applications in microwave range. In recent applications, the FSSs modify the indoor propagation environments (emerging concept called wireless building ). In this context, the use of pre-fractal elements has also shown promising results, allowing a more effective filtering of more than one frequency band with a single-layer structure. This thesis approaches the design of FSSs using pre-fractal elements based on Vicsek, Peano and teragons geometries, which act as band-stop spatial filters. The transmission properties of the periodic surfaces are analyzed to design compact and efficient devices with stable frequency responses, applicable to microwave frequency range and suitable for use in indoor communications. The results are discussed in terms of the electromagnetic effect resulting from the variation of parameters such as: fractal iteration number (or fractal level), scale factor, fractal dimension and periodicity of FSS, according the pre-fractal element applied on the surface. The analysis of the fractal dimension s influence on the resonant properties of a FSS is a new contribution in relation to researches about microwave devices that use fractal geometry. Due to its own characteristics and the geometric shape of the Peano pre-fractal elements, the reconfiguration possibility of these structures is also investigated and discussed. This thesis also approaches, the construction of efficient selective filters with new configurations of teragons pre-fractal patches, proposed to control the WLAN coverage in indoor environments by rejecting the signals in the bands of 2.4~2.5 GHz (IEEE 802.11 b) and 5.0~6.0 GHz (IEEE 802.11a). The FSSs are initially analyzed through simulations performed by commercial software s: Ansoft DesignerTM and HFSSTM. The fractal design methodology is validated by experimental characterization of the built prototypes, using alternatively, different measurement setups, with commercial horn antennas and microstrip monopoles fabricated for low cost measurements

Sistema auxiliar na análise de mamogramas digitais

This work proposes the development of a Computer System for Analysis of Mammograms SCAM, that aids the doctor specialist in the identification and analysis of existent lesions in digital mammograms. The computer system for digital mammograms processing will make use of a group of techniques of Digital Image Processing (DIP), with the purpose of aiding the medical professional to extract the information contained in the mammogram. This system possesses an interface of easy use for the user, allowing, starting from the supplied mammogram, a group of processing operations, such as, the enrich of the images through filtering techniques, the segmentation of areas of the mammogram, the calculation the area of the lesions, thresholding the lesion, and other important tools for the medical professional's diagnosis. The Wavelet Transform will used and integrated into the computer system, with the objective of allowing a multiresolution analysis, thus supplying a method for identifying and analyzing microcalcifications

Trendtv : uma arquitetura para mudança automática de canais de TV baseada em redes sociais virtuais com graus de amizade e suporte a múltiplos dispositivos no cenário da TV digital brasileira

Due to the large amount of television content, which emerged from the Digital TV, viewers are facing a new challenge, how to find interesting content intuitively and efficiently. The Personalized Electronic Programming Guides (pEPG) arise as an answer to this complex challenge. We propose TrendTV a layered architecture that allows the formation of social networks among viewers of Interactive Digital TV based on online microblogging. Associated with a pEPG, this social network allows the viewer to perform content filtering on a particular subject from the indications made by other viewers of his network. Allowing the viewer to create his own indications for a particular content when it is displayed, or to analyze the importance of a particular program online, based on these indications. This allows any user to perform filtering on content and generate or exchange information with other users in a flexible and transparent way, using several different devices (TVs, Smartphones, Tablets or PCs). Moreover, this architecture defines a mechanism to perform the automatic exchange of channels based on the best program that is showing at the moment, suggesting new components to be added to the middleware of the Brazilian Digital TV System (Ginga). The result is a constructed and dynamic database containing the classification of several TV programs as well as an application to automatically switch to the best channel of the moment

Estudos e projetos de filtro interdigital em microfita para aplicação prática ao transponder do satélite ITASAT

This work shows a theoretical analysis together with numerical and experimental results of transmission characteristics from the microstrip bandpass filters with different geometries. These filters are built over isotropic dielectric substrates. The numerical analysis is made by specifical commercial softwares, like Ansoft Designer and Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS). In addition to these tools, a Matlab Script was built to analyze the filters through the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. The filters project focused the development of the first stage of filtering in the ITASAT s Transponder receptor, and its integration with the others systems. Some microstrip filters architectures have been studied, aiming the viability of implementation and suitable practical application for the purposes of the ITASAT Project due to its lowspace occupation in the lower UHF frequencies. The ITASAT project is a Universityexperimental project which will build a satellite to integrate the Brazilian Data Collect System s satellite constellation, with efforts of many Brazilian institutes, like for example AEB (Brazilian Spatial Agency), ITA (Technological Institute of Aeronautics), INPE/CRN (National Institute of Spatial Researches/Northeastern Regional Center) and UFRN (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte). Comparisons were made between numerical and experimental results of all filters, where good agreements could be noticed, reaching the most of the objectives. Also, post-work improvements were suggested.

Estudo de Superfícies Seletivas de Frequência com o Uso de Inteligência Computacional

The main objective of this work is to optimize the performance of frequency selective surfaces (FSS) composed of crossed dipole conducting patches. The optimization process is performed by determining proper values for the width of the crossed dipoles and for the FSS array periodicity, while the length of the crossed dipoles is kept constant. Particularly, the objective is to determine values that provide wide bandwidth using a search algorithm with representation in bioinspired real numbers. Typically FSS structures composed of patch elements are used for band rejection filtering applications. The FSS structures primarily act like filters depending on the type of element chosen. The region of the electromagnetic spectrum chosen for this study is the one that goes from 7 GHz to 12 GHz, which includes mostly the X-band. This frequency band was chosen to allow the use of two X-band horn antennas, in the FSS measurement setup. The design of the FSS using the developed genetic algorithm allowed increasing the structure bandwidth

Sistema Especialista para Supressão Online de Alarmes em Processos Industriais

Operating industrial processes is becoming more complex each day, and one of the factors that contribute to this growth in complexity is the integration of new technologies and smart solutions employed in the industry, such as the decision support systems. In this regard, this dissertation aims to develop a decision support system based on an computational tool called expert system. The main goal is to turn operation more reliable and secure while maximizing the amount of relevant information to each situation by using an expert system based on rules designed for a particular area of expertise. For the modeling of such rules has been proposed a high-level environment, which allows the creation and manipulation of rules in an easier way through visual programming. Despite its wide range of possible applications, this dissertation focuses only in the context of real-time filtering of alarms during the operation, properly validated in a case study based on a real scenario occurred in an industrial plant of an oil and gas refinery

Acelerando algoritmos de baixo nível em visão robótica com hardware reconfigurável

A challenge that remains in the robotics field is how to make a robot to react in real time to visual stimulus. Traditional computer vision algorithms used to overcome this problem are still very expensive taking too long when using common computer processors. Very simple algorithms like image filtering or even mathematical morphology operations may take too long. Researchers have implemented image processing algorithms in high parallelism hardware devices in order to cut down the time spent in the algorithms processing, with good results. By using hardware implemented image processing techniques and a platform oriented system that uses the Nios II Processor we propose an approach that uses the hardware processing and event based programming to simplify the vision based systems while at the same time accelerating some parts of the used algorithms

Projeto e Implementação em Ambiente Foundation Fieldbus de Filtragem Estocástica Baseada em Análise de Componentes Independentes (M175)

This work considers the development of a filtering system composed of an intelligent algorithm, that separates information and noise coming from sensors interconnected by Foundation Fieldbus (FF) network. The algorithm implementation will be made through FF standard function blocks, with on-line training through OPC (OLE for Process Control), and embedded technology in a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that interacts with the fieldbus devices. The technique ICA (Independent Component Analysis), that explores the possibility of separating mixed signals based on the fact that they are statistically independent, was chosen to this Blind Source Separation (BSS) process. The algorithm and its implementations will be Presented, as well as the results

Modelagem de Superfícies Seletivas de Freqüência e Antenas de Microfita utilizando Redes Neurais Artificiais

This work has as main objective the application of Artificial Neural Networks, ANN, in the resolution of problems of RF /microwaves devices, as for example the prediction of the frequency response of some structures in an interest region. Artificial Neural Networks, are presently a alternative to the current methods of analysis of microwaves structures. Therefore they are capable to learn, and the more important to generalize the acquired knowledge, from any type of available data, keeping the precision of the original technique and adding the low computational cost of the neural models. For this reason, artificial neural networks are being increasily used for modeling microwaves devices. Multilayer Perceptron and Radial Base Functions models are used in this work. The advantages/disadvantages of these models and the referring algorithms of training of each one are described. Microwave planar devices, as Frequency Selective Surfaces and microstrip antennas, are in evidence due the increasing necessities of filtering and separation of eletromagnetic waves and the miniaturization of RF devices. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance the study of the structural parameters of these devices in a fast and accurate way. The presented results, show to the capacities of the neural techniques for modeling both Frequency Selective Surfaces and antennas

Observational Characterization of the Downward Atmospheric Longwave Radiation at the Surface in the City of São Paulo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Concepção e estudo de um biofiltro para tratamento de compostos orgânicos voláteis COVs

In the last decade, biological purification of gaseous waste has become an important alternative to many conventional methods of exhaust air treatment. More recently, biofiltration has proved to be an effective and inexpensive method for the treatment of air contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A biofilter consists in a reactor packed with a porous solid bed material, where the microorganisms are fixed. During the biofiltration process, polluted air is transported through the biofilter medium where the contaminant is degraded. Within the biofilm, the pollutants in the waste gases are energy and carbon sources for microbial metabolism and are transformed into CO2, water and biomass. The bed material should be characterized by satisfactory mechanical and physical properties as structure, void fraction, specific area and flow resistance. The aim of this research was the biofilter construction and study of the biological degradation of ethanol and toluene, as well as the modeling of the process. Luffa cylindrica is a brazilian fiber that was used as the filtering material of the present work. The parameters and conditions studied were: composition of nutrients solution; effect of microflorae strains, namely Pseudomanas putida and Rhodococcus rhodochrous; waste gas composition; air flow rate; and inlet load of VOCs. The biofilter operated in diffusion regime and the best results for remotion capacity were obtained when a microorganisms consortion of Pseudomanas putida and Rhodococcus rhodochrous,were used, with a gas flow rate of 1 m3.h-1 and molar ratio nitrogene/phosphore N/P=2 in the nutrients solution. The maximum remotion capacity for ethanol was around 90 g.m-3.h-1 and 50 g.m-3.h-1 to toluene. It was proved that toluene has inhibitory effect on the ethanol remotion When the two VOCs were present in the same waste gas, there was a decrease of 40% in ethanol remotion capacity. Luffa cylindrica does not present considerable pressure drop. Ottengraf and van Lith models were used to represent the results obtained for ethanol and toluene, respectively. The application of the transient model indicated a satisfactory approximation between the experimental results obtained for ethanol and toluene vapors biofiltration and the ones predicted it

Ensaios de tratabilidade aplicados a determinação de parâmetros para dimensionamento de processos de tratamento de água de manancial eutrofizado

Eutrophication is a growing process present in the water sources located in the northeast of Brazil. Among the main consequences of these changes in trophic levels of a water source, stands out adding complexity to the treatment to achieve water standards. By these considerations, this study aimed to define, on a laboratory scale, products and operational conditions to be applied in the processing steps using raw water from Gargalheiras dam, RN, Brazil. The dam mentioned shows a high number of cyanobacteria, with a concentration of cells / ml higher than that established by Decree No. 518/04 MS. The same source was also considered by the state environmental agency in 2009 as hypereutrophic. The static tests developed in this research simulated direct filtration (laboratory filters) and pre-oxidation with chlorine and powdered activated carbon adsorption. The research included the evaluation of the coagulants aluminum hydrochloride (HCA) and alum (SA). The development of the research investigated the conditions for rapid mixing, the dosages of coagulants and pHs of coagulation by the drawing of diagrams. The interference of filtration rate and particle size of filtering means were evaluated as samples and the time of contact were tested with chlorine and activated carbon. By the results of the characterization of the raw water source it was possible to identify the presence of a high pH (7.34). The true color was significant (29 uH) in relation to the apparent color and turbidity (66 uH and 13.60 NTU), reflecting in the measurement of organic matter: MON (8.41 mg.L-1) and Abs254 (0.065 cm-1). The optimization of quick mix set time of 17", the speed gradient of 700 s-1 in the coagulation with HCA and the time of 20" with speed gradient of 800 s-1 for SA. The smaller particle sizes of sand filtering means helped the treatment and the variation in filtration rate did not affect significantly the efficiency of the process. The evaluation of the processing steps found adjustment in standard color and turbidity of the Decree nº 518/04 MS, taking in consideration the average values found in raw water. In the treatment using the HCA for direct filtration the palatable pattern based on the apparent color can be achieved with a dose of 25 mg L-1. With the addition of pre-oxidation step, the standard result was achieved with a reduced dose for 12 mgHCA.L-1. The turbidity standard for water was obtained by direct filtration when the dose exceeds 25 mg L-1 of HCA. With pre-oxidation step there is the possibility of reducing the dose to 20 mg L-1.The addition of CAP adsorption, promoted drinking water for both parameters, with even lower dosage, 13 mg L-1 of HCA. With coagulation using SA removal required for the parameter of apparent color it was achieved with pre-oxidation and 22 mgSA.L-1. Despite the satisfactory results of treatment with the alum, it was not possible to provide water with turbidity less than 1.00 NTU even with the use of all stages of treatment

Análise de séries temporais de coordenadas estimadas com GPS: uma proposta metodológica para detecção, remoção e recuperação de efeitos sazonais

GPS active networks are more and more used in geodetic surveying and scientific experiments, as water vapor monitoring in the atmosphere and lithosphere plate movement. Among the methods of GPS positioning, Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has provided very good results. A characteristic of PPP is related to the modeling and/or estimation of the errors involved in this method. The accuracy obtained for the coordinates can reach few millimeters. Seasonal effects can affect such accuracy if they are not consistent treated during the data processing. Coordinates time series analyses have been realized using Fourier or Harmonics spectral analyses, wavelets, least squares estimation among others. An approach is presented in this paper aiming to investigate the seasonal effects included in the stations coordinates time series. Experiments were carried out using data from stations Manaus (NAUS) and Fortaleza (BRFT) which belong to the Brazilian Continuous GPS Network (RBMC). The coordinates of these stations were estimated daily using PPP and were analyzed through wavelets for identification of the periods of the seasonal effects (annual and semi-annual) in each time series. These effects were removed by means of a filtering process applied in the series via the least squares adjustment (LSQ) of a periodic function. The results showed that the combination of these two mathematical tools, wavelets and LSQ, is an interesting and efficient technique for removal of seasonal effects in time series.

Noções básicas de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e sua aplicabilidade clínica

O sistema nervoso autônomo (SNA) desempenha um papel importante na regulação dos processos fisiológicos do organismo humano tanto em condições normais quanto patológicas. Dentre as técnicas utilizadas para sua avaliação, a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) tem emergido como uma medida simples e não-invasiva dos impulsos autonômicos, representando um dos mais promissores marcadores quantitativos do balanço autonômico. A VFC descreve as oscilações no intervalo entre batimentos cardíacos consecutivos (intervalos R-R), assim como oscilações entre frequências cardíacas instantâneas consecutivas. Trata-se de uma medida que pode ser utilizada para avaliar a modulação do SNA sob condições fisiológicas, tais como em situações de vigília e sono, diferentes posições do corpo, treinamento físico, e também em condições patológicas. Mudanças nos padrões da VFC fornecem um indicador sensível e antecipado de comprometimentos na saúde. Uma alta variabilidade na frequência cardíaca é sinal de boa adaptação, caracterizando um indivíduo saudável, com mecanismos autonômicos eficientes, enquanto que, baixa variabilidade é frequentemente um indicador de adaptação anormal e insuficiente do SNA, implicando a presença de mau funcionamento fisiológico no indivíduo. Diante da sua importância como um marcador que reflete a atividade do SNA sobre o nódulo sinusal e como uma ferramenta clínica para avaliar e identificar comprometimentos na saúde, este artigo revisa aspectos conceituais da VFC, dispositivos de mensuração, métodos de filtragem, índices utilizados para análise da VFC, limitações de utilização e aplicações clínicas da VFC.

Avaliação de meios filtrantes primários em filtro contínuo de tambor rotativo a vácuo para lodo de caldo de cana

Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de treze tipos de meios filtrantes primários desenvolvidos para uso na filtração a vácuo de lodo de caldo de cana, simulando as operações de formação e desidratação da torta em filtros contínuos de tambor rotativo a vácuo, empregados nas indústrias de açúcar e álcool do Brasil. Para tanto, foi desenvolvida uma planta-piloto anexa ao filtro de tambor rotativo a vácuo, na qual foram realizados todos os ensaios, com o objetivo de refletir a realidade das variáveis operacionais durante uma safra sucroalcooleira. Os resultados são apresentados, comparando-se as taxas de filtração, variando a pressão de formação da torta, temperatura e concentração de auxiliar filtrante, mostrando ao usuário um novo caminho para o melhoramento quantitativo e qualitativo, sem aumentar a área nominal da unidade de filtração.