A 14-bit 250 MS/s IF Sampling Pipelined ADC in 180 nm CMOS Process

This paper presents a 14-bit 250 MS/s ADC fabricated in a 180 nm CMOS process, which aims at optimizing its linearity, operating speed, and power efficiency. The implemented ADC employs an improved SHA with parasitic optimized bootstrapped switches to achieve high sampling linearity over a wide input frequency range. It also explores a dedicated foreground calibration to correct the capacitor mismatches and the gain error of residue amplifier, where a novel configuration scheme with little cost for analog front-end is developed. Moreover, a partial non-overlapping clock scheme associated with a high-speed reference buffer and fast comparators is proposed to maximize the residue settling time. The implemented ADC is measured under different input frequencies with a sampling rate of 250 MS/s and it consumes 300 mW from a 1.8 V supply. For 30 MHz input, the measured SFDR and SNDR of the ADC is 94.7 dB and 68.5 dB, which can remain over 84.3 dB and 65.4 dB for up to 400 MHz. The measured DNL and INL after calibration are optimized to 0.15 LSB and 1.00 LSB, respectively, while the Walden FOM at Nyquist frequency is 0.57 pJ/step

DC MICROGRID STABILIZATION THROUGH FUZZY CONTROL OF INTERLEAVED, HETEROGENEOUS STORAGE ELEMENTS

As microgrid power systems gain prevalence and renewable energy comprises greater and greater portions of distributed generation, energy storage becomes important to offset the higher variance of renewable energy sources and maximize their usefulness. One of the emerging techniques is to utilize a combination of lead-acid batteries and ultracapacitors to provide both short and long-term stabilization to microgrid systems. The different energy and power characteristics of batteries and ultracapacitors imply that they ought to be utilized in different ways. Traditional linear controls can use these energy storage systems to stabilize a power grid, but cannot effect more complex interactions. This research explores a fuzzy logic approach to microgrid stabilization. The ability of a fuzzy logic controller to regulate a dc bus in the presence of source and load fluctuations, in a manner comparable to traditional linear control systems, is explored and demonstrated. Furthermore, the expanded capabilities (such as storage balancing, self-protection, and battery optimization) of a fuzzy logic system over a traditional linear control system are shown. System simulation results are presented and validated through hardware-based experiments. These experiments confirm the capabilities of the fuzzy logic control system to regulate bus voltage, balance storage elements, optimize battery usage, and effect self-protection

A Novel Approach In Large Signal Power Line Communication

The main aim of this research is to identify and introduce a novel stand-alone and robust method for monitoring and control of a remote application. Among the three common techniques using fibre optic transmission layer, Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Power Line Communication (PLC). PLC method will result in minimizing the cabling usage. However, this technique will be unable to carry reliable information for long distance without the repeater facilities. In fibre-optic technique, although the attenuation of an optical transmission through a fibre layer is considerably low it will normally require additional electrical conductivity for transmission of power. Moreover, a hybrid cable, which consists of multiple physical fibre and copper layers, is irreparable in case of any damage during deployment and the cost of replacing such cables is often relatively high. While, A SCADA system will need both repeater facilities and additional power cable for remote applications. In order to overcome these problems, the Frequency and Amplitude Modulations Power Line Communication (FAMPLC) technique is proposed. FAMPLC, in general, provides a narrowband communication platform which consists of a Frequency Modulated Power Supply (FMPS) and Thevenin Equivalent Converter (TEC) block at the server side and the PWM reader and an active resistance as a dummy load at the receiver side. FMPS is a power gateway, as well as the large signal carrier for the Frequency Modulation (FM), to transmit the combination of the supplying voltage and the informative data as PWM

Proof-of-Concept of Real-World Quantum Key Distribution with Quantum Frames

We propose and experimentally investigate a fibre-based quantum key distribution system, which employs polarization qubits encoded into faint laser pulses. As a novel feature, it allows sending of classical framing information via sequences of strong laser pulses that precede the quantum data. This allows synchronization, sender and receiver identification, and compensation of time-varying birefringence in the communication channel. In addition, this method also provides a platform to communicate implementation specific information such as encoding and protocol in view of future optical quantum networks. Furthermore, we report on our current effort to develop high-rate error correction.Comment: 25 pages, 14 figures, 4 table

High-speed civil transport flight- and propulsion-control technological issues

Technology advances required in the flight and propulsion control system disciplines to develop a high speed civil transport (HSCT) are identified. The mission and requirements of the transport and major flight and propulsion control technology issues are discussed. Each issue is ranked and, for each issue, a plan for technology readiness is given. Certain features are unique and dominate control system design. These features include the high temperature environment, large flexible aircraft, control-configured empennage, minimizing control margins, and high availability and excellent maintainability. The failure to resolve most high-priority issues can prevent the transport from achieving its goals. The flow-time for hardware may require stimulus, since market forces may be insufficient to ensure timely production. Flight and propulsion control technology will contribute to takeoff gross weight reduction. Similar technology advances are necessary also to ensure flight safety for the transport. The certification basis of the HSCT must be negotiated between airplane manufacturers and government regulators. Efficient, quality design of the transport will require an integrated set of design tools that support the entire engineering design team

Design of an Autonomous Hovering Miniature Air Vehicle as a Flying Research Platform

This thesis, by developing a Miniature Aerial Vehicle (MAV) hovering platform, presents a practical solution to allow researchers and students to implement their theoretical methods for guidance and navigation in the real world. The thesis is not concerned with the development of guidance and navigation algorithms, nor is it concerned with the development of external sensors. There have been some recent advances in guidance and navigation towards developing algorithms and simple sensors for MAVs. The task of developing a platform to test such advancements is the subject of this thesis. It is considered a difficult and time consuming process due to the complexities of autonomous flight control and the strict size, weight and computational requirements of this type of system. It would be highly beneficial to be able to buy a platform specifically designed for this task that already possesses autonomous hovering capability and the expansion connectivity for interfacing your own custom developed sensors and algorithms. Many biological and computer scientists would jump at the opportunity to maximize their research by real world implementation. The development of such a system is not a trivial task. It requires a great deal of understanding in a broad range of fields including; Aeronautical, Microelectronic, Mechanical, Computer and Embedded Software Engineering in order to create a successful prototype. The challenge of this thesis was to design a research platform to enable easy implementation of external sensors and guidance algorithms, in a real world environment for research and education. The system is designed so it could be used for a broad range of testing experiments. After extensive research in current MAV and avionics design it became obvious in several areas the best available products were not sufficient to meet the needs of the proposed platform. Therefore it was necessary to custom design and build; sensors, a data acquisition system and a servo controller. The latter two products are available for sale by Jimonics (www.jimonics.com). It was then necessary to develop a complete flight control system with integrated sensors, processor and wireless communications network which is called ‘The MicroBrain’. ‘The MicroBrain’ board measures only 45mm x 35mm x 11mm and weighs ~11 grams. The coaxial contra-rotating MAV platform design provides a high level of mechanical stability to help minimise the control system complexity. The platform was highly modified from a commercially available remotely controlled helicopter. The system incorporates a novel collision protection system that was designed to also double as a mounting place for external sensors around its perimeter. The platform equipped with ‘The MicroBrain’ is capable of fully autonomous hover. This provides a great base for testing guidance and navigational sensors and algorithms by decoupling the difficult task of platform design and low-level stability control. By developing a platform with these capabilities the researcher can now focus on the guidance and navigation task, as the difficulties in developing a custom platform have been taken care of. This therefore promotes a faster evolution of guidance and navigational control algorithms for MAVs

Design and Development of a Self-contained and Non-Invasive Integrated System for Electricity Monitoring Applications

Growing interest in improving the energy consumption efficiency in residential and commercial buildings has led to the emergence of intelligent energy management systems. This growing technology allows the transformation of the outdated electric distribution network within buildings to a smart and intelligent system. A major challenge in the development of such infrastructure is the need for low cost, integrated, self-contained, and non-invasive wireless sensor nodes. While an electric meter provides the utility company with information regarding the total energy consumption, no information is provided to the consumers regarding the energy consumed by individual appliances. Such visibility can provide consumers with the ability to better control and manage their energy usage leading to a reduced overall energy consumption. This work explores the design and development of a self-contained and non-invasive integrated system intended for real-time electricity monitoring within residential and commercial buildings. The proposed system includes an Energy Harvester, an electric current sensor, a Micro-controller Unit, and a wireless communication device. The proposed system is self-powered and non-invasive, which offers a promising solution in providing real time information regarding the energy distribution within buildings. The design featured in this work provides an innovative approach in the development of a customized interface circuitry that is designed to collect and regulate the energy from the Energy Harvester. The entire sensor node will operate under a power budget in the range of microwatts collected by the Energy Harvester. A Wireless MCU is programmed to acquire, process, and transmit the data from the sensor to the central hub via Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity. The real-time data transmitted to the central hub provides detailed information regarding the energy consumed by individual appliances within the building