Developing Model-Based Design Evaluation for Pipelined A/D Converters

This paper deals with a prospective approach of modeling, design evaluation and error determination applied to pipelined A/D converter architecture. In contrast with conventional ADC modeling algorithms targeted to extract the maximum ADC non-linearity error, the innovative approach presented allows to decompose magnitudes of individual error sources from a measured or simulated response of an ADC device. Design Evaluation methodology was successfully applied to Nyquist rate cyclic converters in our works [13]. Now, we extend its principles to pipelined architecture. This qualitative decomposition can significantly contribute to the ADC calibration procedure performed on the production line in term of integral and differential nonlinearity. This is backgrounded by the fact that the knowledge of ADC performance contributors provided by the proposed method helps to adjust the values of on-chip converter components so as to equalize (and possibly minimize) the total non-linearity error. In this paper, the design evaluation procedure is demonstrated on a system design example of pipelined A/D converter. Significant simulation results of each stage of the design evaluation process are given, starting from the INL performance extraction proceeded in a powerful Virtual Testing Environment implemented in Maple™ software and finishing by an error source simulation, modeling of pipelined ADC structure and determination of error source contribution, suitable for a generic process flow

Monitoring PC Hardware Sounds in Linux Systems Using the Daubechies D4 Wavelet.

Users of high availability (HA) computing require systems that run continuously, with little or no downtime. Modern PCs address HA needs by monitoring operating system parameters such as voltage, temperature, and hard drive status in order to anticipate possible system failure. However, one modality for PC monitoring that has been underutilized is sound. The application described here uses wavelet theory to analyze sounds produced by PC hard drives during standard operation. When twenty-nine hard drives were tested with the application and the results compared with the drives\u27 Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) data, the binomial distribution\u27s low p-value of 0.012 indicated better than chance agreement. While the concurrence between the two systems shows that sound is an effective tool in detecting hardware failures, the disagreements between the systems show that the application can complement S.M.A.R.T. in an HA system

A 12-b 50Msample/s Pipeline Analog to Digital Converter

This thesis focuses on the performace of pipeline converters and their integration on mixed signal processes. With this in mind, a 12-b 50MHz pipeline ADC has been realized in a 0.6um digital CMOS process. The architecture is based on a 1.5-b per stage structure utilizing digital correction for the first six stages. A differeintial switched capacitor circuit consisting of a cascode gm-c op-amp with 250MHz of bandwidth is used for sampling and amplification in each stage. Comparators with an internal offset voltage are used to implement the decision levels required for the 1.5-b per stage structure. Correction of the pipeline is accomplished by measuring the offset and gain of each of the first six stages using subsequent stages. The measured values are used to calculate digtal values the compensate for the inaccuracies of the analog pipeline. Corrected digital values for each stage are stored in the pipeline and used to create corrected output codes. Errors caused by measuring the first six stages using uncalibrated stages are minimized by using extra switching circuitry during calibration

Digital twin implementation for electric motor control

Aquesta tesi presenta la implementació d'un sistema de control de llaç tancat per a un motor AC sense escombretes utilitzant un digital twin per al desenvolupament i proves. L'objectiu d'aquest estudi és dissenyar una estratègia de control fiable i eficient que es pugui utilitzar per controlar un motor síncron d'imants permanents (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, PMSM) en diverses aplicacions, com ara vehicles elèctrics, robòtica i sistemes d'energies renovables. El primer pas d'aquesta investigació ha estat crear un digital twin que simuli el sistema físic, inclòs el motor, l'inversor trifàsic, la font d'alimentació i el controlador, mitjançant Simulink. El digital twin s'ha validat mitjançant un conjunt de senyals de prova i els resultats de la simulació van mostrar un bon acord amb el comportament esperat del sistema físic. L'algoritme de control s'implementa mitjançant la modulació d'amplada de pols de vectors espacials (Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation, SVPWM) en combinació amb altres conceptes matemàtics, com ara Clake i Parke, per simplificar la complexitat del sistema d'equacions restants. Així, s'obté un control més eficient tant per als càlculs com per a la commutació dels interruptors. La tècnica SVPWM genera un conjunt de vectors de tensió aplicats al motor per aconseguir la velocitat i el parell desitjats. L'algoritme de control s'ha optimitzat per obtenir una alta eficiència i una baixa distorsió harmònica. Un cop validada la simulació i produint els resultats esperats, es compila el codi del controlador per al desplegament. Esmenta que el model de controlador Simulink és la interfície de control del motor, on es mostren les variables a controlar. El rendiment del sistema s'avalua mesurant la velocitat del motor, el parell i el corrent i comparant els resultats amb la simulació. Els resultats experimentals demostren l'èxit d'implementació del digital twin, l'estimació dels paràmetres del motor i l'algorisme de control. El sistema assoleix un bon rendiment dinàmic. En conclusió, el sistema de control desenvolupat ofereix una estratègia de control fiable i eficient per als motors sense escombretes d’AC, amb aplicacions potencials en diversos camps. L'enfocament del digital twin proporciona una manera flexible i rendible de dissenyar i optimitzar el sistema de control abans d'implementar-lo en un sistema físic. El mètode proposat es pot estendre a altres tipus de motors i sistemes electrònics de potència.This thesis presents the implementation of a closed-loop control system for an AC brushless motor using a digital twin for development and testing. The purpose of this study is to design a reliable and efficient control strategy that can be used to control a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in various applications, such as electric vehicles, robotics, and renewable energy systems. The first step of this research has been to create a digital twin that simulates the physical system, including the motor, three-phase inverter, power source, and controller, using Simulink. The digital twin has been validated using a set of test signals and the simulation results showed good agreement with the expected behavior of the physical system. The control algorithm is implemented using Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) in combination with other mathematical concepts, such as Clake and Parke, to simplify the complexity of the remaining system of equations. Thus, a more efficient control is obtained for both the calculations and commutation of the switches. The SVPWM technique generates a set of voltage vectors applied to the motor to achieve the desired speed and torque. The control algorithm has been optimized to achieve a high efficiency and low harmonic distortion. Once the simulation has been validated and produces the expected results, the controller code is compiled for deployment. Mencion that the Simulink controller model is the motor control interface, where the variables to be controlled are displayed. The performance of the system is evaluated by measuring the motor speed, torque, and current and comparing the results with the simulation. The experimental results demonstrate the successful implementation of the digital twin, estimation of the motor parameters, and control algorithm. The system achieves good dynamic performance. In conclusion, the developed control system offers a reliable and efficient control strategy for AC brushless motors, with potential applications in various fields. The digital twin approach provides a flexible and cost-effective way to design and optimize the control system before implementing it in a physical system. The proposed method can be extended to other types of motors and power electronics systems

UAVino

UAVino is a drone solution that uses aerial imagery to determine the overall plant health and water content of vineyards. In general, the system focuses on automating crop inspection by taking aerial imagery of a vineyard, conducting post-processing, and outputting an easily interpreted map of the vineyard\u27s overall health. The project\u27s key innovation is an auto-docking system that allows the drone to automatically return to its launch point and recharge in order to extend mission duration. Long term, UAVino is envisioned as a multi-year, interdisciplinary project involving both the Santa Clara University Robotics Systems Laboratory and local wineries in order to develop a fully functional drone agricultural inspection service

The arrival of healthcare 2.0 in British Columbia: An evaluation of telemedicine and eHealth literacy as a barrier to access

Telemedicine has grown exponentially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and has demonstrated the benefits of a virtual healthcare system. In British Columbia, third-party providers are currently meeting the demand for telemedicine, but legislation and policies are lagging behind. Telemedicine’s growth in the private sector within a policy vacuum may allow for barriers to develop as not all patients are equipped for the transition to virtual healthcare. eHealth literacy has been identified as an obstacle to equitable and accessible telemedicine and requires consideration in virtual care delivery. This study examined how eHealth literacy affected patients’ perspectives on telemedicine and compared it to the current landscape of third-party providers in British Columbia. The results informed the development of policy options for decision-makers in government. The recommendations are the development of standards for providers, the creation of a provincial telemedicine program and the establishment of clear leadership in virtual care

Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Analysis: Demographics, Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This report is associated with Minneapolis Saint Paul Entrepreneurial Opportunity Survey Analysi

Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Analysis: Demographics, Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This report is associated with Minneapolis Saint Paul Entrepreneurial Opportunity Survey Analysi

Anomalous behaviour detection for cyber defence in modern industrial control systems

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.The fusion of pervasive internet connectivity and emerging technologies in smart cities creates fragile cyber-physical-natural ecosystems. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are intrinsic parts of smart cities and critical to modern societies. Not designed for interconnectivity or security, disruptor technologies enable ubiquitous computing in modern ICS. Aided by artificial intelligence and the industrial internet of things they transform the ICS environment towards better automation, process control and monitoring. However, investigations reveal that leveraging disruptive technologies in ICS creates security challenges exposing critical infrastructure to sophisticated threat actors including increasingly hostile, well-organised cybercrimes and Advanced Persistent Threats. Besides external factors, the prevalence of insider threats includes malicious intent, accidental hazards and professional errors. The sensing capabilities create opportunities to capture various data types. Apart from operational use, this data combined with artificial intelligence can be innovatively utilised to model anomalous behaviour as part of defence-in-depth strategies. As such, this research aims to investigate and develop a security mechanism to improve cyber defence in ICS. Firstly, this thesis contributes a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which helps analyse frameworks and systems that address CPS’ cyber resilience and digital forensic incident response in smart cities. The SLR uncovers emerging themes and concludes several key findings. For example, the chronological analysis reveals key influencing factors, whereas the data source analysis points to a lack of real CPS datasets with prevalent utilisation of software and infrastructure-based simulations. Further in-depth analysis shows that cross-sector proposals or applications to improve digital forensics focusing on cyber resilience are addressed by a small number of research studies in some smart sectors. Next, this research introduces a novel super learner ensemble anomaly detection and cyber risk quantification framework to profile anomalous behaviour in ICS and derive a cyber risk score. The proposed framework and associated learning models are experimentally validated. The produced results are promising and achieve an overall F1-score of 99.13%, and an anomalous recall score of 99% detecting anomalies lasting only 17 seconds ranging from 0.5% to 89% of the dataset. Further, a one-class classification model is developed, leveraging stream rebalancing followed by adaptive machine learning algorithms and drift detection methods. The model is experimentally validated producing promising results including an overall Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) score of 0.999 and the Cohen’s Kappa (K) score of 0.9986 on limited variable single-type anomalous behaviour per data stream. Wide data streams achieve an MCC score of 0.981 and a K score of 0.9808 in the prevalence of multiple types of anomalous instances. Additionally, the thesis scrutinises the applicability of the learning models to support digital forensic readiness. The research study presents the concept of digital witness and digital chain of custody in ICS. Following that, a use case integrating blockchain technologies into the design of ICS to support digital forensic readiness is discussed. In conclusion, the contributions of this research thesis help towards developing the next generation of state-of-the-art methods for anomalous behaviour detection in ICS defence-in-depth

Novel miniaturised and highly versatile biomechatronic platforms for the characterisation of melanoma cancer cells

There has been an increasing demand to acquire highly sensitive devices that are able to detect and characterize cancer at a single cell level. Despite the moderate progress in this field, the majority of approaches failed to reach cell characterization with optimal sensitivity and specificity. Accordingly, in this study highly sensitive, miniaturized-biomechatronic platforms have been modeled, designed, optimized, microfabricated, and characterized, which can be used to detect and differentiate various stages of melanoma cancer cells. The melanoma cell has been chosen as a legitimate cancer model, where electrophysiological and analytical expression of cell-membrane potential have been derived, and cellular contractile force has been obtained through a correlation with micromechanical deflections of a miniaturized cantilever beam. The main objectives of this study are in fourfold: (1) to quantify cell-membrane potential, (2) correlate cellular biophysics to respective contractile force of a cell in association with various stages of the melanoma disease, (3) examine the morphology of each stage of melanoma, and (4) arrive at a relation that would interrelate stage of the disease, cellular contractile force, and cellular electrophysiology based on conducted in vitro experimental findings. Various well-characterized melanoma cancer cell lines, with varying degrees of genetic complexities have been utilized. In this study, two-miniaturized-versatile-biomechatronic platforms have been developed to extract the electrophysiology of cells, and cellular mechanics (mechanobiology). The former platform consists of a microfluidic module, and stimulating and recording array of electrodes patterned on a glass substrate, forming multi-electrode arrays (MEAs), whereas the latter system consists of a microcantilever-based biosensor with an embedded Wheatstone bridge, and a microfluidic module. Furthermore, in support of this work main objectives, dedicated microelectronics together with customized software have been attained to functionalize, and empower the two-biomechatronic platforms. The bio-mechatronic system performance has been tested throughout a sufficient number of in vitro experiments.Open Acces