Measurement of IGBT switching characteristics and loss using coaxial current transformer

Device switching times and switching energy losses are required over a wide range of practical working conditions for successful design of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) based power converters. This paper presents a cost-effective experimental setup using a co-axial current transformer for measurement of IGBT switching characteristics and switching energy loss. Measurements are carried out on a 50A, 1200V IGBT (SKM50GB123D) for different values of gate resistance, device current and junction temperature. These measurements augment the technical data available in the device datasheet.Short circuit transients are also investigated experimentally under hard switched fault as well as fault under load conditions.

Discrimination of alpha-Amino Acids Using Green Tea Flavonoid (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate as a Chiral Solvating Agent

We report a special, hitherto-unexplored property of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a chiral solvating agent for enantiodiscrimination of alpha-amino acids in the polar solvent DMSO. This phenomenon has been investigated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The mechanism of the interaction property of EGCG with alpha-amino acids has been understood as arising out of hydrogen-bonded noncovalent interactions, where the -OH groups of two phenyl rings of EGCG play dominant roles. The conversion of the enantiomeric mixture into diastereomers yielded well-resolved peaks for D and L amino acids permitting the precise measurement of enantiomeric composition. Often one encounters complex situations when the spectra are severely overlapped or partially resolved hampering the testing of enantiopurity and the precise measurement of enantiomeric excess (ee). Though higher concentration of EGCG yielded better discrimination, the use of lower concentration being economical, we have exploited an appropriate 2D NMR experiment in overcoming such problems. Thus, in the present study we have successfully demonstrated the utility of the bioflavonoid (-)-EGCG, a natural product as a chiral solvating agent for the discrimination of large number of alpha-amino acids in a polar solvent DMSO. Another significant advantage of this new chiral sensing agent is that it is a natural product and does not require tedious multistep synthesis unlike many other chiral auxiliaries.

Calibration of etched fiber bragg grating sensor arrays for measurement of molecular surface adsorption

Etched Fiber Bragg Grating (EFBG) sensors are attractive from the point of the inherently high multiplexing ability of fiber based sensors. However, the strong dependence of the sensitivity of EFBG sensors on the fiber diameter requires robust methods for calibration when used for distributed sensing in a large array format. Using experimental data and numerical modelling, we show that knowledge of the wavelength shift during the etch process is necessary for high-fidelity calibration of EFBG arrays. However as this approach requires the monitoring of every element of the sensor array during etching, we also proposed and demonstrated a calibration scheme using data from bulk refractometry measurements conducted post-fabrication without needing any information about the etching process. Although this approach is not as precise as the first one, it may be more practical as there is no requirement to monitor each element of the sensor array. We were able to calibrate the response of the sensors to within 3% with the approach using information acquired during etching and to within 5% using the post-fabrication bulk refractometry approach in spite of the sensitivities of the array element differing by more than a factor of 4. These two approaches present a tradeoff between accuracy and practicality.

Analysis of Bandwidth-Unit-Vector-Distortion Tradeoff in PLL During Abnormal Grid Conditions

Phase-locked loops (PLLs) are necessary in applications which require grid synchronization. Presence of unbalance or harmonics in the grid voltage creates errors in the estimated frequency and angle of a PLL. The error in estimated angle has the effect of distorting the unit vectors generated by the PLL. In this paper, analytical expressions are derived which determine the error in the phase angle estimated by a PLL when there is unbalance and harmonics in the grid voltage. By using the derived expressions, the total harmonic distortion (THD) and the fundamental phase error of the unit vectors can be determined for a given PLL topology and a given level of unbalance and distortion in the grid voltage. The accuracy of the results obtained from the analytical expressions is validated with the simulation and experimental results for synchronous reference frame PLL (SRF-PLL). Based on these expressions, a new tuning method for the SRF-PLL is proposed which quantifies the tradeoff between the unit vector THD and the bandwidth of the SRF-PLL. Using this method, the exact value of the bandwidth of the SRF-PLL can be obtained for a given worst case grid voltage unbalance and distortion to have an acceptable level of unit vector THD. The tuning method for SRF-PLL is also validated experimentally.

Simultaneous measurement of mechanical and electrical contact resistances during nanoindentation of NiTi shape memory alloys

The nanoindentation technique can be employed in shape memory alloys (SMAs) to discern the transformation temperatures as well as to characterize their mechanical behavior. In this paper, we use it with simultaneous measurements of the mechanical and the electrical contact resistances (ECR) at room temperature to probe two SMAs: austenite (RTA) and martensite (RTM). Two different types of indenter tips - Berkovich and spherical - are employed to examine the SMAs' indentation responses as a function of the representative strain, epsilon(R). In Berkovich indentation, because of the sharp nature of the tip, and in consequence the high levels of strain imposed, discerning the two SMAs on the basis of the indentation response alone is difficult. In the case of the spherical tip, epsilon(R) is systematically varied and its effect on the depth recovery ratio, eta(d), is examined. Results indicate that RTA has higher eta(d) than RTM, but the difference decreases with increasing epsilon(R) such that eta(d) values for both the alloys would be similar in the fully plastic regime. The experimental trends in eta(d) vs. epsilon(R) for both the alloys could be described well with a eta(d) proportional to (epsilon(R))(-1) type equation, which is developed on the basis of a phenomenological model. This fit, in turn, directs us to the maximum epsilon(R), below which plasticity underneath the indenter would not mask the differences in the two SMAs. It was demonstrated that the ECR measurements complement the mechanical measurements in demarcating the reverse transformation from martensite to austenite during unloading of RTA, wherein a marked increase in the voltage was noted. A correlation between recovery due to reverse transformation during unloading and increase in voltage (and hence the electrical resistance) was found. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inference for the Component and System Lifetime Distribution of a k-unit Parallel System Based on System Data

In this paper, we consider the inference for the component and system lifetime distribution of a k-unit parallel system with independent components based on system data. The components are assumed to have identical Weibull distribution. We obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the unknown parameters based on system data. The Fisher information matrix has been derived. We propose -expectation tolerance interval and -content -level tolerance interval for the life distribution of the system. Performance of the estimators and tolerance intervals is investigated via simulation study. A simulated dataset is analyzed for illustration.

SARAS: a precision system for measurement of the cosmic radio background and signatures from the epoch of reionization

SARAS is a correlation spectrometer purpose designed for precision measurements of the cosmic radio background and faint features in the sky spectrum at long wavelengths that arise from redshifted 21-cm from gas in the reionization epoch. SARAS operates in the octave band 87.5-175 MHz. We present herein the system design arguing for a complex correlation spectrometer concept. The SARAS design concept provides a differential measurement between the antenna temperature and that of an internal reference termination, with measurements in switched system states allowing for cancellation of additive contaminants from a large part of the signal flow path including the digital spectrometer. A switched noise injection scheme provides absolute spectral calibration. Additionally, we argue for an electrically small frequency-independent antenna over an absorber ground. Various critical design features that aid in avoidance of systematics and in providing calibration products for the parametrization of other unavoidable systematics are described and the rationale discussed. The signal flow and processing is analyzed and the response to noise temperatures of the antenna, reference termination and amplifiers is computed. Multi-path propagation arising from internal reflections are considered in the analysis, which includes a harmonic series of internal reflections. We opine that the SARAS design concept is advantageous for precision measurement of the absolute cosmic radio background spectrum; therefore, the design features and analysis methods presented here are expected to serve as a basis for implementations tailored to measurements of a multiplicity of features in the background sky at long wavelengths, which may arise from events in the dark ages and subsequent reionization era.

Measurement of temperature and pressure on the surface of a blunt cone using FBG sensor in hypersonic wind tunnel

Measurement of temperature and pressure exerted on the leeward surface of a blunt cone specimen has been demonstrated in the present work in a hypersonic wind tunnel using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The experiments were conducted on a 30 degrees apex-angle blunt cone with 51 mm base diameter at wind flow speeds of Mach 6.5 and 8.35 in a 300 mm hypersonic wind tunnel of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. A special pressure insensitive temperature sensor probe along with the conventional bare FBG sensors was used for explicit temperature and aerodynamic pressure measurement respectively on the leeward surface of the specimen. computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the flow field around the blunt cone specimen has also been carried out to obtain the temperature and pressure at conditions analogous to experiments. The results obtained from FBG sensors and the CFD simulations are found to be in good agreement with each other.

Asynchronous Measurement of Transient Phase-Shift Resulting From RF Receiver State-Change

In a wireless receiver, a down-converted RF signal undergoes a transient phase shift, when the gain state is changed to adjust for varying conditions in transmission and propagation. A method is developed, in which such phase shifts are detected asynchronously, and their undesirable effects on the bit error rate are corrected. The method was developed for and used in, the system-level characterization and calibration of a 65-nm CMOS UHF receiver. The phase-shifts associated with specific gain-state transitions were measured within a test framework, and used in the baseband signal processing blocks to compensate for errors, whenever the receiver anticipated a gain-state transition.

Polymer solar cells: design of materials by donor-acceptor approach

A brief overview of our group research activities is given and the concept of donor acceptor is described for the development of conjugated polymers for optoelectronic devices. In particular, a new family of conjugated polymers based on dithienopyrrole has been synthesized to demonstrate the concept of donor-acceptor. The dithienopyrrole was coupled to benzodithiophene via Stille coupling to obtain two low band gap polymers P5a and P5b having -C18H37 and -2-ethylhexyl alkyl chain respectively. Both the polymers exhibit absorption within the solar spectrum with an optical band gap below 2 eV. Atomic force microscopy revealed that both the polymers form smooth film with roughness of 2.4 nm and photoluminescence measurement of polymer/fullerene derivative blend film suggests effective dissociation of exciton.

A two-axis in-plane motion measurement system based on optical beam deflection

Measurement of in-plane motion with high resolution and large bandwidth enables model-identification and real-time control of motion-stages. This paper presents an optical beam deflection based system for measurement of in-plane motion of both macro- and micro-scale motion stages. A curved reflector is integrated with the motion stage to achieve sensitivity to in-plane translational motion along two axes. Under optimal settings, the measurement system is shown to theoretically achieve sub-angstrom measurement resolution over a bandwidth in excess of 1 kHz and negligible cross-sensitivity to linear motion. Subsequently, the proposed technique is experimentally demonstrated by measuring the in-plane motion of a piezo flexure stage and a scanning probe microcantilever. For the former case, reflective spherical balls of different radii are employed to measure the in-plane motion and the measured sensitivities are shown to agree with theoretical values, on average, to within 8.3%. For the latter case, a prototype polydimethylsiloxane micro-reflector is integrated with the microcantilever. The measured in-plane motion of the microcantilever probe is used to identify nonlinearities and the transient dynamics of the piezo-stage upon which the probe is mounted. These are subsequently compensated by means of feedback control. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Ternary ion-pair complexation: a protocol for chiral discrimination and the assignment of absolute configuration of chiral hydroxy acids

The study demonstrates the utility of ternary ion-pair complex formed among BINOL (1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol), a carboxylic acid and an organic base, such as, dimethylpyridine (DMAP), 1,4-diazabicyclo2.2.2]octane (DABCO), as a versatile chiral solvating agent (CSA) for the enantiodiscrimination of carboxylic acids, measurement of enantiomeric excess (ee) and the assignment of absolute configuration of hydroxy acids. The proposed mechanism of ternary complex has wider application for testing the enantiopurity owing to the fact that the binary mixture using BINOL alone does not serve as a solvating agent for their discrimination. In addition, the developed protocol has an excellent utility for the assignment of the absolute configurations of hydroxy acids.

System-level SoC near-field (NF) emissions: Simulation to measurement correlation

As System-on-Chip (SoC) designs migrate to 28nm process node and beyond, the electromagnetic (EM) co-interactions of the Chip-Package-Printed Circuit Board (PCB) becomes critical and require accurate and efficient characterization and verification. In this paper a fast, scalable, and parallelized boundary element based integral EM solutions to Maxwell equations is presented. The accuracy of the full-wave formulation, for complete EM characterization, has been validated on both canonical structures and real-world 3-D system (viz. Chip + Package + PCB). Good correlation between numerical simulation and measurement has been achieved. A few examples of the applicability of the formulation to high speed digital and analog serial interfaces on a 45nm SoC are also presented.

Design and development of Fiber Bragg Grating sensing plate for plantar strain measurement and postural stability analysis

This paper describes an ab initio design and development of a novel Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor based strain sensing plate for the measurement of plantar strain distribution in human foot. The primary aim of this work is to study the feasibility of usage of FBG sensors in the measurement of plantar strain in the foot; in particular, to spatially resolve the strain distribution in the foot at different regions such as fore-foot, mid-foot and hind-foot. This study also provides a method to quantify and compare relative postural stability of different subjects under test; in addition, traditional accelerometers have been used to record the movements of center of gravity (second lumbar vertebra) of the subject and the results obtained have been compared against the outcome of the postural stability studies undertaken using the developed FBG plantar strain sensing plate. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement Based Impromptu Deployment of a Multi-Hop Wireless Relay Network

We study the problem of optimal sequential (''as-you-go'') deployment of wireless relay nodes, as a person walks along a line of random length (with a known distribution). The objective is to create an impromptu multihop wireless network for connecting a packet source to be placed at the end of the line with a sink node located at the starting point, to operate in the light traffic regime. In walking from the sink towards the source, at every step, measurements yield the transmit powers required to establish links to one or more previously placed nodes. Based on these measurements, at every step, a decision is made to place a relay node, the overall system objective being to minimize a linear combination of the expected sum power (or the expected maximum power) required to deliver a packet from the source to the sink node and the expected number of relay nodes deployed. For each of these two objectives, two different relay selection strategies are considered: (i) each relay communicates with the sink via its immediate previous relay, (ii) the communication path can skip some of the deployed relays. With appropriate modeling assumptions, we formulate each of these problems as a Markov decision process (MDP). We provide the optimal policy structures for all these cases, and provide illustrations of the policies and their performance, via numerical results, for some typical parameters.