The development of the terrestrial broadcasting networks of the United Kingdom in the twentieth century

This thesis describes an investigation into the evolution of terrestrial broadcasting -a vital new medium that has had an enormous social impact. The approach has been to concentrate upon the research and development needed to plan the intricate radio and television transmitter networks. These processes required national and international agreement on the use of the radio frequency spectrum, and the specification of many hundreds of transmitting stations. They provided the link between the broadcasters and the public, and this work presents a unique illustration of a project which dealt with many novel technical problems whilst accommodating the demands of all those concerned with the exploitation of the medium. The UK became prominent in the field of broadcasting technology, particularly in areas concerned with propagation and service planning. The geographical position of this country between large land and sea masses, the nature of its terrain, meteorology and its population distribution, presented a wide range of distinctive problems. Research in the UK provided valuable evidence for the subsequent planning of services throughout the world, although during the rapid development of broadcasting it was impossible to examine fully all the experimental results which were produced. With resources not previously available, the author - engaged on planning work since the middle of the century - has researched evidence much of which was archived many years ago. It is not simply a work of historical interest, because new information concerning radio propagation has emerged. Its timing is also appropriate, because the beginning of the twenty-first century is witnessing revolutionary changes in broadcasting

Sustainable packaging in the healthcare industry

The recycling of plastics tends to lag behind other packaging materials. The research investigates opportunities to improve the capture of valuable packaging polymers and to preserve their specification during recycle operations, thus increasing second user opportunity. The legislative and policy drivers on the sustainable use of plastics are described and discussed with particular reference to achieving sustainability, reuse and recycle of healthcare packaging materials. Four strategic methods of achieving improvements in sustainability, reuse and recycle are developed to represent aspects of sorting of materials, collection of recyclables, replacement of unsustainable packaging materials and measurement of the environmental impacts of packaging and changes in packaging, using examples of packaging from GlaxoSmithKline consumer healthcare and medical products. The use of radio frequency identification methodology as a means of separating high quality plastics and individual reusable devices from mixed waste streams has been developed and trialled under simulated materials recycling and separation conditions. The use of Reverse Vending Machines (RVM's) designed to capture high quality polyethylene terephthalate polymers is described along with results of successful trials on this method of capture in the out of home consumption sector. Recovered material is suitable for reuse in food grade applications after reprocessing. A novel biodegradable packaging material has been successfully developed from sources of green waste as an alternative to existing polymer packaging materials for transport of vaccines, and provides results that are extendable to the replacement of other types of packaging over a wide range of consumer goods. The material also offers intangible benefits to a business in terms of claims that can be made within a corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. Life cycle analysis methodologies have been used to illustrate the environmental benefits that can be achieved by reuse of polypropylene as an example of a widely used packaging polymer with potential for reuse in other industrial sectors. The implications of the results obtained in this work should be of value in the future eco-design of polymer products designed to make end-of-life recovery and recycle more efficient and environmentally beneficial

Digitally Fabricated Epidermal Transfer Tattoo UHF Radio Frequency Identification Tags

This thesis focuses on the inkjet printing of UHF RFID tags in the form of transfer tattoos for use on the skin. Inkjet printing of these tags is proposed as a cheaper and more appropriate alternative to conventional etching. The work seeks to assesses the performance of inkjet printed epidermal RFID tags using parameters such as read range, transmitted power and backscattered power. The effect of different printing parameters such as the number of conductive ink layers, sintering time and temperature on the performance of the tags are assessed by simulation and measurement. Additionally, techniques to reduce the volume of conductive ink used for the fabrication of the tag are also examined and compared with an aim to determine which has the best achieved read range and ink utilization balance. This would help to reduce the cost of fabrication of the tags. Also, due to some defects being introduced to the tags during the printing process because of printing conditions and characteristics inherent to the printing technology, the effects of these defects on the performance of the printed tag is also examined by simulation and measurement. The robustness of the epidermal transfer tattoo tag was further experimentally determined by exposure to everyday use conditions and situations involving sweat and mechanical friction. Finally, a diversity study on an inkjet printed tag integrated with a medical sticking plaster was performed. This involved the use of two to four tags placed horizontally and vertically in order to determine which orientation offers better read coverage in each of the diversity setups while a volunteer carried out a set of motions

NASA compendium of satellite communications programs

A comprehensive review of worldwide satellite communication programs is reported that ranges in time from the inception of satellite communications to mid-1971. Particular emphasis is placed on program results, including experiments conducted, communications system operational performance, and technology employed

NASA Compendium of Satellite Communications Programs

A comprehensive review is presented of worldwide communication programs that range in time from the inception of satellite communications to August 1971. The programs included are: Echo, Courier, West Ford, Telstar, Relay, Syncom, Lincoln experimental satellites, Intelsat, Tacsat, Skynet, Nato system, and Telesat

Internet of Things for Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Our world is vulnerable to climate change risks such as glacier retreat, rising temperatures, more variable and intense weather events (e.g., floods, droughts, and frosts), deteriorating mountain ecosystems, soil degradation, and increasing water scarcity. However, there are big gaps in our understanding of changes in regional climate and how these changes will impact human and natural systems, making it difficult to anticipate, plan, and adapt to the coming changes. The IoT paradigm in this area can enhance our understanding of regional climate by using technology solutions, while providing the dynamic climate elements based on integrated environmental sensing and communications that is necessary to support climate change impacts assessments in each of the related areas (e.g., environmental quality and monitoring, sustainable energy, agricultural systems, cultural preservation, and sustainable mining). In the IoT in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change chapter, a framework for informed creation, interpretation and use of climate change projections and for continued innovations in climate and environmental science driven by key societal and economic stakeholders is presented. In addition, the IoT cyberinfrastructure to support the development of continued innovations in climate and environmental science is discussed

NASA compendium of satellite communications programs

A comprehensive review is given of worldwide satellite communication programs that range in time from the inception of satellite communications to mid-1974. Particular emphasis is placed on program results, including experiments conducted, communications system operational performance, and technology employed. The background for understanding these results is established through brief summaries of the program organization, system configuration, and satellite and ground terminal characteristics. Major consideration is given to the communications system aspects of each program, but general spacecraft technology and other experiments conducted as part of the same program are mentioned summarily

Radio communication via near vertical incidence skywave system

Abstract. While the overall picture of our cutting-edge communication framework is one of high unwavering quality, the practical experience could be completely different during catastrophic situations, when communication services are disrupted due to damages in the communications infrastructure. Moreover, wireless connectivity in remote areas of the works is still a highly significant problem, with an estimated two billion people being outside of the connected world. This thesis studies the use of high frequencies communications as a way to address the abovementioned cases. High frequency (HF) communication utilizes radio waves between 3 and 30 MHz with the wavelengths of 100 to 10 m. The dominant means of long-distance communication in this band is skywave propagation, in which radio waves that are directed at an angle into the sky are reflected on Earth by the ionized layers of the atmosphere. HF ionospheric reflection technique is commonly used specifically for military, maritime, aeronautical, and emergency communication in remote areas, and as backup system. Factors such as season, sunspot cycle, solar activity, as well as polar aurora plays significant roles in the sustainability of HF radio communications. Propagation plays the most significant role while designing a communication network. Radio waves propagates with an objective of transmitting signal successfully without having an error. So, studies on wave propagation mechanisms, channel and noises are equally important. This thesis focuses on high frequency near vertical incidence skywave (HF NVIS) technology. NVIS, exploiting a frequency range of 2–10 MHz, can provide continuous coverage up to a couple of hundred kilometres from the transmitter without skip zone. NVIS operation is considered during disaster relief operations when infrastructure is severely damaged or where tactical communication is needed in military operations. NVIS operation requires the presence of substantial ionization in the ionosphere directly above the transmitter. For optimizing a NVIS communication system, the most important parameters to consider are elevation angle, fading, noise and polarization. Furthermore, NVIS operation requires careful selection of antennas, operating frequency, maximum usable frequency (MUF), lowest usable frequency (LUF), as well as frequency of optimum transmission (FOT) for successful communication. At the time of emergency, low data services such as voice and text could be easily established with NVIS system. A comprehensive overview of NVIS based on number of research articles is given which highlights ionospheric propagation, antennas, the operational use of HF communications, as well as applications. Further, we highlight the challenges with possible solutions, and future research direction to ensure NVIS system sustainability. From this literature review, the significant relationship between NVIS antenna and NVIS propagation mechanism is discussed. Furthermore, thesis provides a reference text to understand various elements of NVIS system and demonstrate how modern technology can be used to solve HF issues. We believe that this article will encourage more interests in addressing the technical challenges on the research and development of future HF radio communication systems

Online condition monitoring of MV cable feeders using Rogowski coil sensors for PD measurements

Condition monitoring is a highly effective prognostic tool for incipient insulation degradation to avoid sudden failures of electrical components and to keep the power network in operation. Improved operational performance of the sensors and effective measurement techniques could enable the development of a robust monitoring system. This paper addresses two main aspects of condition monitoring: an enhanced design of an induction sensor that has the capability of measuring partial discharge (PD) signals emerging simultaneously from medium voltage cables and transformers, and an integrated monitoring system that enables the monitoring of a wider part of the cable feeder. Having described the conventional practices along with the authors' own experiences and research on non-intrusive solutions, this paper proposes an optimum design of a Rogowski coil that can measure the PD signals from medium voltage cables, its accessories, and the distribution transformers. The proposed PD monitoring scheme is implemented using the directional sensitivity capability of Rogowski coils and a suitable sensor installation scheme that leads to the development of an integrated monitoring model for the components of a MV cable feeder. Furthermore, the paper presents forethought regarding huge amount of PD data from various sensors using a simplified and practical approach. In the perspective of today's changing grid, the presented idea of integrated monitoring practices provide a concept towards automated condition monitoring.This work is done under the project Smart Condition Monitoring of Power Grid that is funded by the Academy of Finland (Grant No. 309412)