300 research outputs found
Classification and modeling of power line noise using machine learning techniques
A thesis submitted in ful lment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in the
School of Electrical and Information Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
June 2017The realization of robust, reliable and e cient data transmission have been the theme of
recent research, most importantly in real channel such as the noisy, fading prone power
line communication (PLC) channel. The focus is to exploit old techniques or create new
techniques capable of improving the transmission reliability and also increasing the transmission
capacity of the real communication channels. Multi-carrier modulation scheme such
as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) utilizing conventional single-carrier
modulation is developed to facilitate a robust data transmission, increasing transmission capacity
(e cient bandwidth usage) and further reducing design complexity in PLC systems.
On the contrary, the reliability of data transmission is subjected to several inhibiting factors
as a result of the varying nature of the PLC channel. These inhibiting factors include noise,
perturbation and disturbances. Contrary to the Additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN)
model often assumed in several communication systems, this noise model fails to capture
the attributes of noise encountered on the PLC channel. This is because periodic noise or
random noise pulses injected by power electronic appliances on the network is a deviation
from the AWGN. The nature of the noise is categorized as non-white non-Gaussian and
unstable due to its impulsive attributes, thus, it is labeled as Non-additive White Gaussian
Noise (NAWGN). These noise and disturbances results into long burst errors that corrupts
signals being transmitted, thus, the PLC is labeled as a horrible or burst error channel.
The e cient and optimal performance of a conventional linear receiver in the white Gaussian
noise environment can therefore be made to drastically degrade in this NAWGN environment.
Therefore, transmission reliability in such environment can be greatly enhanced if we
know and exploit the knowledge of the channel's statistical attributes, thus, the need for
developing statistical channel model based on empirical data. In this thesis, attention is
focused on developing a recon gurable software de ned un-coded single-carrier and multicarrier
PLC transceiver as a tool for realizing an optimized channel model for the narrowband
PLC (NB-PLC) channel.
First, a novel recon gurable software de ned un-coded single-carrier and multi-carrier PLC
transceiver is developed for real-time NB-PLC transmission. The transceivers can be adapted
to implement di erent waveforms for several real-time scenarios and performance evaluation.
Due to the varying noise parameters obtained from country to country as a result of
the dependence of noise impairment on mains voltages, topology of power line, place and
time, the developed transceivers is capable of facilitating constant measurement campaigns
to capture these varying noise parameters before statistical and mathematically inclined
channel models are derived.
Furthermore, the single-carrier (Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Di erential BPSK
(DBPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) and Di erential QPSK (DQPSK)) PLC
transceiver system developed is used to facilitate a First-Order semi-hidden Fritchman
Markov modeling (SHFMM) of the NB-PLC channel utilizing the e cient iterative Baum-
Welch algorithm (BWA) for parameter estimation. The performance of each modulation
scheme is evaluated in a mildly and heavily disturbed scenarios for both residential and
laboratory site considered. The First-Order estimated error statistics of the realized First-
Order SHFMM have been analytically validated in terms of performance metrics such as:
log-likelihood ratio (LLR), error-free run distribution (EFRD), error probabilities, mean
square error (MSE) and Chi-square ( 2) test. The reliability of the model results is also
con rmed by an excellent match between the empirically obtained error sequence and the
SHFMM regenerated error sequence as shown by the error-free run distribution plot.
This thesis also reports a novel development of a low cost, low complexity Frequency-shift
keying (FSK) - On-o keying (OOK) in-house hybrid PLC and VLC system. The functionality
of this hybrid PLC-VLC transceiver system was ascertained at both residential and
laboratory site at three di erent times of the day: morning, afternoon and evening. A First
and Second-Order SHFMM of the hybrid system is realized. The error statistics of the realized
First and Second-Order SHFMMs have been analytically validated in terms of LLR,
EFRD, error probabilities, MSE and Chi-square ( 2). The Second-Order SHFMMs have
also been analytically validated to be superior to the First-Order SHFMMs although at the
expense of added computational complexity. The reliability of both First and Second-Order
SHFMM results is con rmed by an excellent match between the empirical error sequences
and SHFMM re-generated error sequences as shown by the EFRD plot.
In addition, the multi-carrier (QPSK-OFDM, Di erential QPSK (DQPSK)-OFDM) and
Di erential 8-PSK (D8PSK)-OFDM) PLC transceiver system developed is used to facilitate
a First and Second-Order modeling of the NB-PLC system using the SHFMM and BWA
for parameter estimation. The performance of each OFDM modulation scheme in evaluated
and compared taking into consideration the mildly and heavily disturbed noise scenarios
for the two measurement sites considered. The estimated error statistics of the realized
SHFMMs have been analytically validated in terms of LLR, EFRD, error probabilities, MSE
and Chi-square ( 2) test. The estimated Second-Order SHFMMs have been analytically
validated to be outperform the First-Order SHFMMs although with added computational
complexity. The reliability of the models is con rmed by an excellent match between the
empirical data and SHFMM generated data as shown by the EFRD plot.
The statistical models obtained using Baum-Welch to adjust the parameters of the adopted
SHFMM are often locally maximized. To solve this problem, a novel Metropolis-Hastings
algorithm, a Bayesian inference approach based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
is developed to optimize the parameters of the adopted SHFMM. The algorithm is used to
optimize the model results obtained from the single-carrier and multi-carrier PLC systems
as well as that of the hybrid PLC-VLC system. Consequently, as deduced from the results,
the models obtained utilizing the novel Metropolis-Hastings algorithm are more precise, near
optimal model with parameter sets that are closer to the global maxima.
Generally, the model results obtained in this thesis are relevant in enhancing transmission
reliability on the PLC channel through the use of the models to improve the adopted modulation
schemes, create adaptive modulation techniques, develop and evaluate forward error
correction (FEC) codes such as a concatenation of Reed-Solomon and Permutation codes and
other robust codes suitable for exploiting and mitigating noise impairments encountered on
the low voltage NB-PLC channel. Furthermore, the recon gurable software de ned NB-PLC
transceiver test-bed developed can be utilized for future measurement campaign as well as
adapted for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) PLC applications.MT201
Classification and modeling of power line noise using machine learning techniques
A thesis submitted in ful lment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in the
School of Electrical and Information Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
June 2017The realization of robust, reliable and e cient data transmission have been the theme of
recent research, most importantly in real channel such as the noisy, fading prone power
line communication (PLC) channel. The focus is to exploit old techniques or create new
techniques capable of improving the transmission reliability and also increasing the transmission
capacity of the real communication channels. Multi-carrier modulation scheme such
as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) utilizing conventional single-carrier
modulation is developed to facilitate a robust data transmission, increasing transmission capacity
(e cient bandwidth usage) and further reducing design complexity in PLC systems.
On the contrary, the reliability of data transmission is subjected to several inhibiting factors
as a result of the varying nature of the PLC channel. These inhibiting factors include noise,
perturbation and disturbances. Contrary to the Additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN)
model often assumed in several communication systems, this noise model fails to capture
the attributes of noise encountered on the PLC channel. This is because periodic noise or
random noise pulses injected by power electronic appliances on the network is a deviation
from the AWGN. The nature of the noise is categorized as non-white non-Gaussian and
unstable due to its impulsive attributes, thus, it is labeled as Non-additive White Gaussian
Noise (NAWGN). These noise and disturbances results into long burst errors that corrupts
signals being transmitted, thus, the PLC is labeled as a horrible or burst error channel.
The e cient and optimal performance of a conventional linear receiver in the white Gaussian
noise environment can therefore be made to drastically degrade in this NAWGN environment.
Therefore, transmission reliability in such environment can be greatly enhanced if we
know and exploit the knowledge of the channel's statistical attributes, thus, the need for
developing statistical channel model based on empirical data. In this thesis, attention is
focused on developing a recon gurable software de ned un-coded single-carrier and multicarrier
PLC transceiver as a tool for realizing an optimized channel model for the narrowband
PLC (NB-PLC) channel.
First, a novel recon gurable software de ned un-coded single-carrier and multi-carrier PLC
transceiver is developed for real-time NB-PLC transmission. The transceivers can be adapted
to implement di erent waveforms for several real-time scenarios and performance evaluation.
Due to the varying noise parameters obtained from country to country as a result of
the dependence of noise impairment on mains voltages, topology of power line, place and
time, the developed transceivers is capable of facilitating constant measurement campaigns
to capture these varying noise parameters before statistical and mathematically inclined
channel models are derived.
Furthermore, the single-carrier (Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Di erential BPSK
(DBPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) and Di erential QPSK (DQPSK)) PLC
transceiver system developed is used to facilitate a First-Order semi-hidden Fritchman
Markov modeling (SHFMM) of the NB-PLC channel utilizing the e cient iterative Baum-
Welch algorithm (BWA) for parameter estimation. The performance of each modulation
scheme is evaluated in a mildly and heavily disturbed scenarios for both residential and
laboratory site considered. The First-Order estimated error statistics of the realized First-
Order SHFMM have been analytically validated in terms of performance metrics such as:
log-likelihood ratio (LLR), error-free run distribution (EFRD), error probabilities, mean
square error (MSE) and Chi-square ( 2) test. The reliability of the model results is also
con rmed by an excellent match between the empirically obtained error sequence and the
SHFMM regenerated error sequence as shown by the error-free run distribution plot.
This thesis also reports a novel development of a low cost, low complexity Frequency-shift
keying (FSK) - On-o keying (OOK) in-house hybrid PLC and VLC system. The functionality
of this hybrid PLC-VLC transceiver system was ascertained at both residential and
laboratory site at three di erent times of the day: morning, afternoon and evening. A First
and Second-Order SHFMM of the hybrid system is realized. The error statistics of the realized
First and Second-Order SHFMMs have been analytically validated in terms of LLR,
EFRD, error probabilities, MSE and Chi-square ( 2). The Second-Order SHFMMs have
also been analytically validated to be superior to the First-Order SHFMMs although at the
expense of added computational complexity. The reliability of both First and Second-Order
SHFMM results is con rmed by an excellent match between the empirical error sequences
and SHFMM re-generated error sequences as shown by the EFRD plot.
In addition, the multi-carrier (QPSK-OFDM, Di erential QPSK (DQPSK)-OFDM) and
Di erential 8-PSK (D8PSK)-OFDM) PLC transceiver system developed is used to facilitate
a First and Second-Order modeling of the NB-PLC system using the SHFMM and BWA
for parameter estimation. The performance of each OFDM modulation scheme in evaluated
and compared taking into consideration the mildly and heavily disturbed noise scenarios
for the two measurement sites considered. The estimated error statistics of the realized
SHFMMs have been analytically validated in terms of LLR, EFRD, error probabilities, MSE
and Chi-square ( 2) test. The estimated Second-Order SHFMMs have been analytically
validated to be outperform the First-Order SHFMMs although with added computational
complexity. The reliability of the models is con rmed by an excellent match between the
empirical data and SHFMM generated data as shown by the EFRD plot.
The statistical models obtained using Baum-Welch to adjust the parameters of the adopted
SHFMM are often locally maximized. To solve this problem, a novel Metropolis-Hastings
algorithm, a Bayesian inference approach based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
is developed to optimize the parameters of the adopted SHFMM. The algorithm is used to
optimize the model results obtained from the single-carrier and multi-carrier PLC systems
as well as that of the hybrid PLC-VLC system. Consequently, as deduced from the results,
the models obtained utilizing the novel Metropolis-Hastings algorithm are more precise, near
optimal model with parameter sets that are closer to the global maxima.
Generally, the model results obtained in this thesis are relevant in enhancing transmission
reliability on the PLC channel through the use of the models to improve the adopted modulation
schemes, create adaptive modulation techniques, develop and evaluate forward error
correction (FEC) codes such as a concatenation of Reed-Solomon and Permutation codes and
other robust codes suitable for exploiting and mitigating noise impairments encountered on
the low voltage NB-PLC channel. Furthermore, the recon gurable software de ned NB-PLC
transceiver test-bed developed can be utilized for future measurement campaign as well as
adapted for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) PLC applications.MT201
Bioelectronic Sensor Nodes for Internet of Bodies
Energy-efficient sensing with Physically-secure communication for bio-sensors
on, around and within the Human Body is a major area of research today for
development of low-cost healthcare, enabling continuous monitoring and/or
secure, perpetual operation. These devices, when used as a network of nodes
form the Internet of Bodies (IoB), which poses certain challenges including
stringent resource constraints (power/area/computation/memory), simultaneous
sensing and communication, and security vulnerabilities as evidenced by the DHS
and FDA advisories. One other major challenge is to find an efficient on-body
energy harvesting method to support the sensing, communication, and security
sub-modules. Due to the limitations in the harvested amount of energy, we
require reduction of energy consumed per unit information, making the use of
in-sensor analytics/processing imperative. In this paper, we review the
challenges and opportunities in low-power sensing, processing and
communication, with possible powering modalities for future bio-sensor nodes.
Specifically, we analyze, compare and contrast (a) different sensing mechanisms
such as voltage/current domain vs time-domain, (b) low-power, secure
communication modalities including wireless techniques and human-body
communication, and (c) different powering techniques for both wearable devices
and implants.Comment: 30 pages, 5 Figures. This is a pre-print version of the article which
has been accepted for Publication in Volume 25 of the Annual Review of
Biomedical Engineering (2023). Only Personal Use is Permitte
Broadband Power Line Communication in Railway Traction Lines: A Survey
Power line communication (PLC) is a technology that exploits existing electrical transmission and distribution networks as guiding structures for electromagnetic signal propagation. This facilitates low-rate data transmission for signaling and control operations. As the demand in terms of data rate has greatly increased in the last years, the attention paid to broadband PLC (BPLC) has also greatly increased. This concept also extended to railways as broadband traction power line communication (BTPLC), aiming to offer railway operators an alternative data network in areas where other technologies are lacking. However, BTPLC implementation faces challenges due to varying operating scenarios like urban, rural, and galleries. Hence, ensuring coverage and service continuity demands the suitable characterization of the communication channel. In this regard, the scientific literature, which is an indicator of the body of knowledge related to BTPLC systems, is definitely poor if compared to that addressed to BPLC systems installed on the electrical transmission and distribution network. The relative papers dealing with BTPLC systems and focusing on the characterization of the communication channel show some theoretical approaches and, rarely, measurements guidelines and experimental results. In addition, to the best of the author's knowledge, there are no surveys that comprehensively address these aspects. To compensate for this lack of information, a survey of the state of the art concerning BTPLC systems and the measurement methods that assist their installation, assessment, and maintenance is presented. The primary goal is to provide the interested readers with a thorough understanding of the matter and identify the current research gaps, in order to drive future research towards the most significant issues
Live Wire - A Low-Complexity Body Channel Communication System for Landmark Identification
This paper presents a robust simplex Body Channel Communication (BCC) system aimed at providing an interactive infrastructure solution for visually impaired people. Compared to existing BCC solutions, it provides high versatility, weara- bility and installability in an environment in a low complexity hardware-software solution. It operates with a ground referred transmitter (TX) and it is based on an asynchronous thresh- old receiver (RX) architecture. Synchronization, demodulation and packetizing and threshold control are completely software defined and implemented using MicroPython. The RX includes BluetoothÂź (BT) radio connectivity and a cell-phone application provides push text-to-speech notifications to a smartphone. The hardware achieves a Packet Error Rate (PER) of âŒ0.1 at 550 kHz pulse center frequency, Synchronized-On Off Keying (S- OOK) modulation and 1 kbps data rate, for an average current consumption of 44mA
The effect of EMI generated from spread-spectrum modulated converters on the power line communication systems
Over the last few years, the smart grid and renewable energy environment have attracted heightened interest and relevance from governments and investors for the purpose of decreasing their dependency on fossil fuels as a source of energy. Consequently, the dependency on the power converters and the communication systems continues to rise in order to link the grid elements with each other, thereby creating a complex environment. As such, one of the challenges resulting from this âcomplexâ environment is the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) between the smart grid devices. In most cases, the power converterâs modulation is the main source of emissions in the smart grid. Thus, the focus of this thesis remains only on the conducted emissions in the low-frequency range. The EMC standards deal with managing the amplitude of the emissions generated from the devices at any given frequency range. A great many studies have been interested in the use of Spread-Spectrum modulation (SSM) as an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) amplitude mitigation tool. Notably, the communication systems operating in the smart grid are the main victim, as most of the power converters switching modulation frequencies lay in the same frequency range as the communication systems.The SSM works to distribute the signal power by randomizing the modulation parameters. The PLC system works by the OFDM modulation, which works also by distributing the communication signal to several sub-carriers. To meet the research needs, a proposed testbed is implemented to couple both the power and the communication circuit. The performance of the communication system is analysed under several various operating scenarios using two approaches to assure the robustness of the resultsâ (1) measuring the Frame Error Rate (FER) throughout the communication channel, and; (2) calculating the channel capacity of the used channel by the Shannon Hartley equation. In conclusion, the purpose of the thesis is to assure the robustness of the power line communication data transmission capability by controlling the modulation parameters of power electronic converters working in nearby electromagnetic environments
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