Academic literature on the topic 'Multi-Layer SIW'

Gram scale multi-layer graphene grown on polycrystalline SiC microspheres were prepared by continuously preparation method in argon through chemical vapor deposition process using liquid polysilacarbosilane as raw material. The observation of products obtained at different temperature confirmed the growth is temperature dependent process. The method could be developed to synthesis hybrid nanostructures based on multi-layer graphene grown on polycrystalline SiC microspheres.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices based on multi-layer structures have been widely used in filters and sensors. The electromechanical coupling factor (K2), which reflects energy-conversion efficiency, directly determines the bandwidth of the filter and the sensitivity of sensor. In this work, a new configuration of dual-mode (quasi-Rayleigh and quasi-Sezawa) SAW devices on a ZnO/SiC layered structure exhibiting significantly enhanced K2 was studied using the finite element method (FEM), which features in the partial etching of the piezoelectric film between the adjacent interdigitated electrodes (IDTs). The influences of piezoelectric film thickness, etching ratio, top electrodes, bottom electrodes, and the metallization ratio on the K2 were systematically investigated. The optimum K2 for the quasi-Rayleigh mode and quasi-Sezawa mode can exceed 12% and 8%, respectively, which increases by nearly 12 times and 2 times that of the conventional ZnO/SiC structure. Such significantly promoted K2 is of great benefit for better comprehensive performance of SAW devices. More specifically, a quasi-Rayleigh mode with relatively low acoustic velocity (Vp) can be applied into the miniaturization of SAW devices, while a quasi-Sezawa mode exhibiting a Vp value higher than 5000 m/s is suitable for fabricating SAW devices requiring high frequency and large bandwidth. This novel structure has proposed a viable route for fabricating SAW devices with excellent overall performance.

AbstractIn this study, the properties of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, including phase velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient (K2) are investigated. The effective surface permittivity (ESP) method was employed to estimate the K2 of bulk materials (single layer) and multi-layer (double-layer and trilayer) structures. In the cases of bulk materials, the calculation results agree with the experimental data, and the errors are less than 7% for quartz. In the cases of double-layer materials, the phase velocity and K2 of various materials, such as ZnO/Diamond and LiNbO3/Diamond, were acquired, and the results demonstrate that LiNbO3/diamond is the optimal choice for high-frequency SAW devices. For the cases of trilayer, the structure of ZnO/PZT/diamond has relatively high K2 and phase velocity. Therefore, this structure is the optimal trilayer structure for high-frequency SAW devices. The study demonstrates that ESP method can be successfully used for estimating SAW properties in piezoelectric multi-layer structures even though the structures contain nonpiezoelectric film (diamond). The proposed numerical computation has the potential to shorten the developing time of SAW device.

Thick multi-layer 4H-SiC epitaxial growth was investigated for very high-voltage Si-face p-channel insulated gate bipolar transistors (p-IGBTs). The multi-layer included n+ buffer, p+ field stop, and thick p- drift layers. Two processes were employed to enhance the carrier lifetime of the p- drift layer: carbon ion implantation/annealing and hydrogen annealing, and the enhanced carrier lifetime was confirmed by the open-circuit voltage decay measurement. Using the grown thick multi-layer 4H-SiC, simple pin diodes were fabricated instead of p-IGBTs to demonstrate efficient conductivity modulation in the thick p- drift layer. While the on-state voltage was high at room temperature, it decreased significantly at elevated temperatures, and attained 3.5 V at 100 A/cm2 at 200°C for the diode with the carrier lifetime enhancement processes, indicating sufficient conductivity modulation.

A Mo-Si-C-N multi-layer anti-oxidation coating was in situ fabricated on C/C composites by fused slurry and reaction-sintering method in nitrogen atmosphere using Mo and Si element powders, and characterized by X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. It is shown that the coating contains three distinctive layers, namely, SiC inner-layer, MoSi2/Si middle-layer and Si3N4/SiC/Si thin surface-layer. The MoSi2/Si middle-layer, whose thickness could be controlled by dipping process, is the main portion of coating. Oxidation test reveals that the Mo-Si-C-N multi-layer coating significantly improves the oxidation resistance of the C/C composites. Compared with the Mo-Si-C coating, the oxidation temperature is extended up to 1450°C. After oxidation pre-treating at 1400°C, the anti-oxidizing temperature of the Mo-Si-C-N multi-layer coated C/C composites can be raised to 1500°C and the weight loss is less than 1wt% after 12-hour oxidizing test.

Homoepitaxial growth of 4H-SiC p+/π/n- multi-epilayer on n+ substrate and in-situ doping of p+ and π-epilayer have been achieved in the LPCVD system with SiH4+C2H4+H2. The surface morphologies, homogeneities and doping concentrations of the n--single-epilayers and the p+/π/n- multi-epilayers were investigated by Nomarski, AFM, Raman and SIMS, respectively. AFM and Raman investigation showed that both single- and multi-epilayers have good surface morphologies and homogeneities, and the SIMS analyses indicated the boron concentration in p+ layer was at least 100 times higher than that in π layer. The UV photodetectors fabricated on 4H-SiC p+/π/n- multi-epilayers showed low dark current and high detectivity in the UV range.

Nano-yttria powder can be synthesized by yttrium citrate-urea precursor, combusted at 600°C in air. The CVD SiC coated on graphite (CVD SiC/Graphite) infiltrated by the yttrium citrate-urea precursor, combusted at of 600°C, and then sintered at 1450°C, the thin yttria film can be achieved. The SEM morphology and EDS result of the thin yttria film show a mass of needle-shaped pining into the CVD SiC layer, which improves the combination of CVD SiC layer and wash yttria coating. Therefore, it is an effective transition layer between CVD SiC coating and wash yttria layer.

A transmission line format is presented which takes the form of a Multilayer Ridged Substrate Integrated Waveguide, for which signal energy is transmitted within standard PCB substrates, within a wave-guiding structure formed from conducting tracks in the horizontal plane and arrays of through-plated vias in the vertical plane. The Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) is a recent development into which research is so far concentrated on single-layer rectangular variants which, like traditional rectangular waveguide, are amenable to analytic computation of the cutoff eigenvalues. Recent publications have offered empirically-derived relationships with which a Substrate Integrated Waveguide can be analysed by equivalence of the horizontal dimensions with a conventional waveguide, allowing such structures to be designed with minimal effort. We propose a ridged form of this structure, in which multiple PCB layers are stacked to obtain the desired height and the published equivalent width is used to obtain the horizontal dimensions. The proposed structure combines the increased bandwidth of ridged waveguide with SIW’s greatly reduced cost of manufacture and integration, relative to conventional waveguide, and improved power handling capacity and loss susceptibility relative to microstrip. Ridged variants have not yet been studied in the literature, however, in part because the eigenspectrum can not be obtained analytically. We thus present a semi-analytical software model with which to synthesise and analyse the cutoff spectrum in ridged Substrate Integrated Waveguide, verified by comparison with analytical solutions, where they exist, simulation in finite-element software and a physical prototype. Agreement with simulated and measured results is within 1 % in certain subsets of the parameter space and 11 % generally, and individual results are returned in times of the order of seconds. We use the model to analyse the relationship between geometry and frequency response, constructing an approximating function for the early modes which is significantly faster, such that think it can be used for first-pass optimisation. A range of optimal parameters are presented which maximise bandwidth within anticipated planar geometric constraints, and typical design scenarios are explored.

La technologie SIW, introduite dans les années 2000, suscite aujourd’hui un très vif intérêt pour la conception de circuits micro-ondes compacts, intégrés, faible coût et blindés par nature. Cependant, les guides d’onde métalliques, qui offrent de bien meilleures performances en termes de pertes d’insertion et de tenue en puissance, malgré un coût bien plus important, sont encore incontournables pour de nombreuses applications millimétriques. Afin de proposer une alternative intégrée et faible coût au guide d’onde rectangulaire, et de permettre une large exploitation du spectre millimétrique, cette thèse propose une nouvelle structure SIW appelée SIW creux. Cette nouvelle structure a été étudiée théoriquement et expérimentalement. Aux fréquences millimétriques, comparativement au SIW, le SIW creux offre des pertes d’insertion trois fois plus faible ainsi qu’une tenue en puissance moyenne quatre fois plus importante. De nombreux dispositifs passifs SIW creux ont été conçus en prenant avantage du procédé de circuit imprimé multicouche mis en œuvre. Des coupleurs, déphaseurs, diviseurs de puissance, antennes et filtres ont été réalisés basés sur la technologie introduite. Leurs performances sont théoriquement et expérimentalement comparées avec leur contrepartie SIW afin de démontrer les avantages de la nouvelle technologie proposée
The substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology, introduced in the early 2000s, has presently trigged a huge interest from academia to industry with the focus on the design and development of low-loss, compact, integrated, self-packaged and low-cost microwave and millimeter-wave circuits, antennas and systems. However, the classical metallic waveguide technology, which offers better performances such as lower insertion loss and higher power handling, has still been used in the design of microwave and millimeter-wave systems, despite its higher cost and bulky structure. To offer a highly integrated, further loss-reduced, low-cost alternative to the conventional waveguide and also to allow a wide-spread use of the millimeter-wave spectrum, this thesis research introduces a new SIW structure called Air-Filled SIW (AFSIW). This new structure has been theoretically and experimentally studied in details with a substantial amount of results. At millimeter wave frequencies, compared to the SIW topologies, the proposed AFSIW scheme exhibits a substantially lower insertion loss (three times, for example) and a much higher average power handling capability (four times, for example). Numerous AFSIW passive components have been investigated designed and demonstrated, which take advantages of the well-established multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication process. Couplers, phase shifters, power dividers, antennas and filters have been modeled, designed, prototyped and measured based on the introduced technology. Their performances have theoretically and experimentally been compared with their SIW counterparts to demonstrate and validate the benefits of the proposed technology

Les systèmes de communications sans fils actuels imposent des contraintes très sévères en termes de la capacité du canal, la qualité de transmission tout en gardant les niveaux d'interférences et multi-trajets assez faibles. De telles contraintes ont rendu les antennes multifaisceaux un élément essentiel dans ces systèmes. Parmi les techniques permettant de réaliser une antenne multifaisceaux (sans avoir recours aux systèmes à balayages électroniques), un réseau d'antennes élémentaires est associé à un réseau d'alimentation (une matrice) à formation de faisceau (Beam Forming Network-BFN). Parmi les différents types de ces matrices, la matrice de Butler a reçu une attention particulière. Ceci est dû au fait qu'elle est théoriquement sans pertes et qu'elle emploie un nombre minimum de composants (coupleurs et déphaseurs) afin de générer l'ensemble de faisceaux orthogonaux demandé (avec l'hypothèse que le nombre de faisceau est une puissance de 2). Néanmoins, la matrice de Butler a un problème de conception majeur. Ce problème réside dans la structure de la matrice qui renferme des croisements ce qui a été adressé par différents travaux de recherches dans la littérature. Les Guide Intégré au Substrat (GIS) offrent des caractéristiques intéressants pour la conception des composants microondes et millimétriques faciles à intégrer sur un même support avec d'autres composants planaires. Les composants à base de GIS combinent les avantages des guides d'ondes rectangulaires, comme leur grand facteur de qualité Q, leur faibles pertes tout en étant compatible avec les technologies à faibles coûts comme le PCB et le LTCC. Vus ses caractéristiques attrayants, la technologie GIS devient un bon candidat pour la réalisation des matrices multifaisceaux faciles à intégrer avec d'autres systèmes en technologies planaires ou à base de guide GIS. Dans cette thèse, de nouveaux composants passifs sont développés en exploitant la technologie GIS en multicouches en vue de la réalisation d'une matrice de Butler 4x4 compacte et large bande. Les composants recherchés sont donc des coupleurs et des déphaseurs ayant des performances large bande en termes des amplitudes des coefficients de transmissions et les phases associés tout en gardant de faibles niveaux de pertes et de bonnes isolations. Différents techniques pour l'implémentation de déphaseurs large bande en technologie GIS sont présentés. Une nouvelle structure à base d'une propagation composite : main gauche main droite (Composite Right/Left- Handed, CRLH) dans un guide d'onde est proposée. La structure consiste d'un guide d'onde monocouche ayant des fenêtres inductives et des fentes transversales à réactances capacitives pour synthétiser l'inductance parallèle et la capacité série main gauche, respectivement. La structure est adaptée pour les réalisations de déphaseurs compacts en technologie GIS. Bien que les pertes d'insertions restent dans le même ordre de grandeur de celles des structures CRLH à base d'éléments non-localisés, ces niveaux de pertes restent relativement grands par rapport aux applications nécessitant plusieurs déphaseurs. Les déphaseurs à bases de GIS ayant des longueurs égales et des largeurs variables sont ensuite abordés. Ce type de déphaseur est effectivement très adapté à la technologie GIS qui permet des réalisations de parcours avec différentes formes (parcours droits, courbés, coudés, ..) tout en assurant des différences de phase large bande. Afin de satisfaire de faibles pertes d'insertions pour une large dynamique de phase, la longueur de ces déphaseurs est en compromis avec les variations progressives des différentes largeurs associées aux valeurs de déphasages requises. Une transition large bande, double couche et à faible perte est ainsi proposée. La transition est analysée à partir de son circuit électrique équivalent afin d'étudier les performances en termes de l'amplitude et la phase du coefficient de transmission par rapport aux différents paramètres structurels de la transition. Cette transition est ensuite exploitée pour développer un déphaseur à trois couches, large bande, en GIS. La structure consiste effectivement d'un guide d'onde replié à plusieurs reprises sur luimême selon la longueur dans une topologie trois couches à faibles pertes. De nouveaux coupleurs double couche en GIS sont également proposés. Pour les applications BFNs, une structure originale d'un coupleur large bande est développée. La structure consiste de deux guides d'onde parallèles qui partagent leur grand mur ayant une paire de fentes inclinées et décalées par rapport au centre de la structure. Une étude paramétrique détaillée est faite pour étudier l'impact des différents paramètres des fentes sur l'amplitude et la phase du coefficient de transmission. Le coupleur proposé a l'avantage d'assurer une large dynamique de couplage ayant des performances larges bandes en termes des amplitudes et les phases des coefficients de transmission avec de faibles pertes et de bonnes isolations entre le port d'entré et celui isolé. D'autre part, contrairement à d'autres travaux antérieurs et récents qui souffraient d'une corrélation directe entre la phase en transmission et le niveau de couplage, la structure proposée permet de contrôler le niveau de couplage en maintenant presque les mêmes valeurs de phase en transmission pour différents niveaux de couplage. Ceci le rend un bon candidat pour les BFNs déployant différents coupleurs telle la matrice de Nolen. Une deuxième structure originale d’un coupleur bibande est également proposée. La structure consiste de deux coupleurs concentriques en guide nervuré intégré au substrat avec un motif innovant de démultiplexage à base de GIS. Ce coupleur a été développé conjointement avec M. Tarek Djerafi de l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal dans un cadre de collaboration avec le Prof. Ke Wu. Finalement, pour l'implémentation de la matrice de Butler, la topologie double couche est explorée à deux niveaux. Le premier consiste à optimiser les caractéristiques électriques de la matrice, tandis que le second concerne l'optimisation de la surface occupée afin de rendre la matrice la plus compacte possible sans dégrader ses performances électriques. D'une part, la structure double couche présente une solution intrinsèque au problème de croisement permettant ainsi une plus grande flexibilité pour la compensation de phase sur une large bande de fréquence. Ceci est réalisé par une conception adéquate de la surface géométrique sur chaque couche de substrat et optimiser les différentes sections de GIS avec les différents parcours adoptés. La deuxième étape consiste effectivement à optimiser la surface sur chaque couche en profitant de la technologie GIS. Ceci consiste à réaliser des murs latéraux communs entre différents chemin électrique de la matrice en vue d'une compacité optimale. Les deux prototypes de matrices de Butler 4x4 sont optimisés, fabriqués et mesurés. Les résultats de mesures sont en bon accord avec ceux de la simulation. Des niveaux d'isolations mieux que - 15 dB avec des niveaux de réflexions inférieurs à -12 dB sont validés expérimentalement sur plus de 24% de bande autour de 12.5 GHz. Les coefficients de transmission montrent de faibles dispersions d'environ 1 dB avec une moyenne de -6.8 dB, et 10° par rapport aux valeurs théoriques, respectivement, sur toute la bande de fréquence
Multibeam antennas have become a key element in nowadays wireless communication systems where increased channel capacity, improved transmission quality with minimum interference and multipath phenomena are severe design constraints. These antennas are classified in two main categories namely adaptive smart antennas and switched-beam antennas. Switched-beam antennas consist of an elementary antenna array connected to a Multiple Beam Forming Network (M-BFN). Among the different M-BFNs, the Butler matrix has received particular attention as it is theoretically lossless and employs the minimum number of components to generate a given set of orthogonal beams (provided that the number of beams is a power of 2). However, the Butler matrix has a main design problem which is the presence of path crossings that has been previously addressed in different research works. Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) features interesting characteristics for the design of microwave and millimetre-wave integrated circuits. SIW based components combine the advantages of the rectangular waveguide, such as the high Q factor (low insertion loss) and high power capability while being compatible with low-cost PCB and LTCC technologies. Owing to its attractive features, the use of SIW technology appears as a good candidate for the implementation of BFNs. The resulting structure is therefore suitable for both waveguide-like and planar structures. In this thesis, different novel passive components (couplers and phase shifters) have been developed exploring the multi-layer SIW technology towards the implementation of a two-layer compact 4×4 Butler matrix offering wideband performances for both transmission magnitudes and phases with good isolation and input reflection characteristics. Different techniques for the implementation of wideband fixed phase shifters in SIW technology are presented. First, a novel waveguide-based CRLH structure is proposed. The structure is based on a single-layer waveguide with shunt inductive windows (irises) and series transverse capacitive slots, suitable for SIW implementations for compact phase shifters. The structure suffers relatively large insertion loss which remains however within the typical range of non-lumped elements based CRLH implementations. Second, the well-known equal length, unequal width SIW phase shifters is discussed. These phase shifters are very adapted for SIW implementations as they fully exploit the flexibility of the SIW technology in different path shapes while offering wideband phase characteristics. To satisfy good return loss characteristics with this type of phase shifters, the length has to be compromised with respect to the progressive width variations associated with the required phase shift values. A twolayer, wideband low-loss SIW transition is then proposed. The transition is analyzed using its equivalent circuit model bringing a deeper understanding of its transmission characteristics for both amplitude and phase providing therefore the basic guidelines for electromagnetic optimization. Based on its equivalent circuit model, the transition can be optimized within the well equal-length SIW phase shifters in order to compensate its additional phase shift within the frequency band of interest. This twolayer wideband phase shifter scheme has been adopted in the final developed matrix architecture.This transition is then exploited to develop a three-layer, multiply-folded waveguide structure as a good candidate for compensated-length, variable width, low-loss, compact wideband phase shifters in SIW technology. Novel two-layer SIW couplers are also addressed. For BFNs applications, an original structure for a two-layer 90° broadband coupler is developed. The proposed coupler consists of two parallel waveguides coupled together by means of two parallel inclined-offset resonant slots in their common broad wall. A complete parametric study of the coupler is carried out including the effect of the slot length, inclination angle and offset on both the coupling level and the transmission phase. The first advantage of the proposed coupler is providing a wide coupling dynamic range by varying the slot parameters allowing the design of wideband SIW Butler matrix in two-layer topology. In addition, previously published SIW couplers suffer from direct correlation between the transmission phase and the coupling level, while the coupler, hereby proposed, allows controlling the transmission phase without significantly affecting the coupling level, making it a good candidate for BFNs employing different couplers, such as, the Nolen matrix. A novel dual-band hybrid ring coupler is also developed in multi-layer Ridged SIW (RSIW) technology. This coupler has been jointly developed with Tarek Djerafi in a collaboration scenario with Prof. Ke Wu from the Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. The coupler has an original structure based on two concentric rings in RSIW topology with the outer ring periodically loaded with radial, stub-loaded transverse slots. A design procedure is presented based on the Transverse Resonance Method (TRM) of the ridged waveguide together with the simple design rules of the hybrid ring coupler. A C/K dual band coupler with bandwidths of 8.5% and 14.6% centered at 7.2 GHz and 20.5 GHz, respectively, is presented. The coupler provides independent dual band operation with low-dispersive wideband operation. Finally, for the Butler matrix design, the two-layer SIW implementation is explored through a two-fold enhancement approach for both the matrix electrical and physical characteristics. On the one hand, the two-layer topology allows an inherent solution for the crossing problem allowing therefore more flexibility for phase compensation over a wide frequency band. This is achieved by proper geometrical optimization of the surface on each layer and exploiting the SIW technology in the realization of variable width waveguides sections with the corresponding SIW bends. On the other hand, the two-layer SIW technology is exploited for an optimized space saving design by implementing common SIW lateral walls for the matrix adjacent components seeking maximum size reduction. The two corresponding 4×4 Butler matrix prototypes are optimized, fabricated and measured. Measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. Isolation characteristics better than -15 dB with input reflection levels lower than -12 dB are experimentally validated over 24% frequency bandwidth centered at 12.5 GHz. Measured transmission magnitudes and phases exhibit good dispersive characteristics of 1dB, around an average value of -6.8 dB, and 10° with respect to the theoretical phase values, respectively, over the entire frequency band

Carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) composite is a ceramic matrixcomposite (CMC) that has considerable promise for use in high-temperature structuralapplications. In this thesis, systematic numerical studies including the prediction of elasticand thermal properties, analysis and optimization of stresses and simulation ofhigh-temperature oxidations are presented for the investigation of C/SiC composites.A strain energy method is firstly proposed for the prediction of the effective elastic constantsand coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of 3D orthotropic composite materials. Thismethod derives the effective elastic tensors and CTEs by analyzing the relationship betweenthe strain energy of the microstructure and that of the homogenized equivalent model underspecific thermo-elastic boundary conditions. Different kinds of composites are tested tovalidate the model.Geometrical configurations of the representative volume cell (RVC) of 2-D woven and 3-Dbraided C/SiC composites are analyzed in details. The finite element models of 2-D wovenand 3-D braided C/SiC composites are then established and combined with the stain energymethod to evaluate the effective elastic constants and CTEs of these composites. Numericalresults obtained by the proposed model are then compared with the results measuredexperimentally.A global/local analysis strategy is developed for the determination of the detailed stresses inthe 2-D woven C/SiC composite structures. On the basis of the finite element analysis, theprocedure is carried out sequentially from the homogenized composite structure of themacro-scale (global model) to the parameterized detailed fiber tow model of the micro-scale(local model). The bridge between two scales is realized by mapping the global analysisresult as the boundary conditions of the local tow model. The stress results by global/localmethod are finally compared to those by conventional finite element analyses.Optimal design for minimizing thermal residual stress (TRS) in 1-D unidirectional C/SiCcomposites is studied. The finite element models of RVC of 1-D unidirectional C/SiCIIcomposites with multi-layer interfaces are generated and finite element analysis is realized todetermine the TRS distributions. An optimization scheme which combines a modifiedParticle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm and the finite element analysis is used toreduce the TRS in the C/SiC composites by controlling the multi-layer interfaces thicknesses.A numerical model is finally developed to study the microstructure oxidation process and thedegradation of elastic properties of 2-D woven C/SiC composites exposed to air oxidizingenvironments at intermediate temperature (T<900°C). The oxidized RVC microstructure ismodeled based on the oxidation kinetics analysis. The strain energy method is then combinedwith the finite element model of oxidized RVC to predict the elastic properties of composites.The environmental parameters, i.e., temperature and pressure are studied to show theirinfluences upon the oxidation behavior of C/SiC composites.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008.
Committee Chair: Ingram, Mary Ann; Committee Member: Andrew, Alfred; Committee Member: Copeland, John; Committee Member: Owen, Henry; Committee Member: Sivakumar, Raghupathy.

In IEEE 802.11 WLANs, Link Adaptation mechanisms, which choose the transmission rate of each node, provoke unexpected and random variations on the effective channel capacity. When these changes are towards lower bitrates, inelastic flows, such as VoIP, can suffer from sudden congestion, which results on higher packet delays and losses. In this thesis, a VoIP codec adaptation algorithm is proposed as a solution, based on a cross-layer feedback from RTCP packets and the MAC layer, which can adapt the codecs of active calls to adjust them to the multirate scenario. A combination of this algorithm with a call admission control mechanism is also studied. The results show an important improvement in terms of the QoS of the already active flows as also in the total hotspot's capacity. Additionally, by defining a new Grade of Service related parameter, the Q-Factor, which captures the trade-off between dropping and blocking ratio and perceived speech quality, the codec adaptation algorithm can be tuned to achieve maximum capacity without severely penalizing any of those variables, and hence satisfying both technical and user quality requirements. Finally, a new QoS-enabled AP, which implements these enhancements is designed.
En las redes inalámbricas del estándar IEEE 802.11, los mecanismos de adaptación de enlace que eligen la tasa de transmisión de cada nodo, pueden provocar variaciones aleatorias e inesperadas en la capacidad efectiva del canal. Cuando estos cambios son hacia tasas de transmisión mas bajas, los flujos inelásticos, tales como los de VoIP, pueden de repente sufrir congestión, lo que se traduce en aumento de retrasos y pérdidas de paquetes. En esa tesis, se propone un algoritmo de adaptación de codificadores de voz como solución, basado en técnicas multinivel (cross-layer) que combinan el uso de información de diferentes capas, como los paquetes RTCP y la capa MAC, y que puede adaptar los codecs de las llamadas activas para ajustarlos al escenario "multi-rate". Adicionalmente, la combinación de este algoritmo con un mecanismo de control de admisión de llamadas (CAC) se ha estudiado. Los resultados muestran una importante mejora en términos de QoS de los flujos activos como también en la capacidad total del hotspot. Además, mediante la definición de un nuevo factor, el Q-Factor, que puede captar la compensación entre la tasa de corte y de bloqueo de llamadas y de la calidad percibida por esas, el algoritmo de adaptación de codecs se puede ajustar para lograr la máxima capacidad sin penalizar severamente ninguna de esas variables y así satisfacer los requisitos técnicos de calidad y los usuarios. Por último, un nuevo punto de acceso (AP) habilitado para ofrecer calidad de servicio, ha sido diseñado que lleva a cabo estas mejoras.

The content of this master’s thesis are methods of pretreatment and coating of the surface of PET to produce conductive copper structure and quality control. Thesis also includes theoretical analysis of these methods. Physical and chemical techniques of surface pretreatment methods are discussed in the theoretical part as well as methods making surface of substrate conductive, the subsequent galvanic copper plating and quality control of coating and testing of the adhesion between layers. The experimental part focuses on two methods of the polymer material surface pretreatments. The properties of these pretreatments were evaluated by using the atomic force microscopy and detection of surface energy by wetting and contact angle measurements. The surface is making conductive with cathode sputtering and electrochemical coating of copper. Adhesion of layers is tested mainly with scratch test and other methods. The results of these sub-operations are used for the realization of multi-layer conductive structures.

Multibeam antennas have become a key element in nowadays wireless communication systems where increased channel capacity, improved transmission quality with minimum interference and multipath phenomena are severe design constraints. These antennas are classified in two main categories namely adaptive smart antennas and switched-beam antennas. Switched-beam antennas consist of an elementary antenna array connected to a Multiple Beam Forming Network (M-BFN). Among the different M-BFNs, the Butler matrix has received particular attention as it is theoretically lossless and employs the minimum number of components to generate a given set of orthogonal beams (provided that the number of beams is a power of 2). However, the Butler matrix has a main design problem which is the presence of path crossings that has been previously addressed in different research works. Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) features interesting characteristics for the design of microwave and millimetre-wave integrated circuits. SIW based components combine the advantages of the rectangular waveguide, such as the high Q factor (low insertion loss) and high power capability while being compatible with low-cost PCB and LTCC technologies. Owing to its attractive features, the use of SIW technology appears as a good candidate for the implementation of BFNs. The resulting structure is therefore suitable for both waveguide-like and planar structures. In this thesis, different novel passive components (couplers and phase shifters) have been developed exploring the multi-layer SIW technology towards the implementation of a two-layer compact 4×4 Butler matrix offering wideband performances for both transmission magnitudes and phases with good isolation and input reflection characteristics. Different techniques for the implementation of wideband fixed phase shifters in SIW technology are presented. First, a novel waveguide-based CRLH structure is proposed. The structure is based on a single-layer waveguide with shunt inductive windows (irises) and series transverse capacitive slots, suitable for SIW implementations for compact phase shifters. The structure suffers relatively large insertion loss which remains however within the typical range of non-lumped elements based CRLH implementations. Second, the well-known equal length, unequal width SIW phase shifters is discussed. These phase shifters are very adapted for SIW implementations as they fully exploit the flexibility of the SIW technology in different path shapes while offering wideband phase characteristics. To satisfy good return loss characteristics with this type of phase shifters, the length has to be compromised with respect to the progressive width variations associated with the required phase shift values. A twolayer, wideband low-loss SIW transition is then proposed. The transition is analyzed using its equivalent circuit model bringing a deeper understanding of its transmission characteristics for both amplitude and phase providing therefore the basic guidelines for electromagnetic optimization. Based on its equivalent circuit model, the transition can be optimized within the well equal-length SIW phase shifters in order to compensate its additional phase shift within the frequency band of interest. This twolayer wideband phase shifter scheme has been adopted in the final developed matrix architecture.This transition is then exploited to develop a three-layer, multiply-folded waveguide structure as a good candidate for compensated-length, variable width, low-loss, compact wideband phase shifters in SIW technology. Novel two-layer SIW couplers are also addressed. For BFNs applications, an original structure for a two-layer 90° broadband coupler is developed. The proposed coupler consists of two parallel waveguides coupled together by means of two parallel inclined-offset resonant slots in their common broad wall. A complete parametric study of the coupler is carried out including the effect of the slot length, inclination angle and offset on both the coupling level and the transmission phase. The first advantage of the proposed coupler is providing a wide coupling dynamic range by varying the slot parameters allowing the design of wideband SIW Butler matrix in two-layer topology. In addition, previously published SIW couplers suffer from direct correlation between the transmission phase and the coupling level, while the coupler, hereby proposed, allows controlling the transmission phase without significantly affecting the coupling level, making it a good candidate for BFNs employing different couplers, such as, the Nolen matrix. A novel dual-band hybrid ring coupler is also developed in multi-layer Ridged SIW (RSIW) technology. This coupler has been jointly developed with Tarek Djerafi in a collaboration scenario with Prof. Ke Wu from the Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. The coupler has an original structure based on two concentric rings in RSIW topology with the outer ring periodically loaded with radial, stub-loaded transverse slots. A design procedure is presented based on the Transverse Resonance Method (TRM) of the ridged waveguide together with the simple design rules of the hybrid ring coupler. A C/K dual band coupler with bandwidths of 8.5% and 14.6% centered at 7.2 GHz and 20.5 GHz, respectively, is presented. The coupler provides independent dual band operation with low-dispersive wideband operation. Finally, for the Butler matrix design, the two-layer SIW implementation is explored through a two-fold enhancement approach for both the matrix electrical and physical characteristics. On the one hand, the two-layer topology allows an inherent solution for the crossing problem allowing therefore more flexibility for phase compensation over a wide frequency band. This is achieved by proper geometrical optimization of the surface on each layer and exploiting the SIW technology in the realization of variable width waveguides sections with the corresponding SIW bends. On the other hand, the two-layer SIW technology is exploited for an optimized space saving design by implementing common SIW lateral walls for the matrix adjacent components seeking maximum size reduction. The two corresponding 4×4 Butler matrix prototypes are optimized, fabricated and measured. Measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. Isolation characteristics better than -15 dB with input reflection levels lower than -12 dB are experimentally validated over 24% frequency bandwidth centered at 12.5 GHz. Measured transmission magnitudes and phases exhibit good dispersive characteristics of 1dB, around an average value of -6.8 dB, and 10° with respect to the theoretical phase values, respectively, over the entire frequency band.

More and more regions are cooperating with their Chinese counterparts in many different areas: economy, environment, culture, academic exchange. Although the subnational dimension has started to be a visibly important element of EU-China relations, this trend is not reflected in the academic literature on EU-China relations. Until now, we have not known what the network of contacts with China at the regional level looks like and what the determinants and institutional forms of inter-regional partnerships there are. The present book maps Sino-European relations at the regional level and presents a detailed analysis of subnational contacts in the six analysed EU member states, illustrated by case studies of interesting regions from each country. It shows the rising role of non-state actors in international relations, the growing importance of paradiplomacy, as well as the necessity to look at the EU-China relations as a multi-layer phenomenon, engaging different types of actors on different levels.

The aim of this article is to examine the addressing models and investigate cross-layer interactions of different mobility protocols. One of the interesting questions is how mobility should be handled and coordinated when there are multiple layers offering support for mobility. We also consider the case of the hop-by-hop routed layer-7 environment, implemented typically using SOAP (W3C, 2003), CORBA, or SIP in the telecommunications sector. These three technologies are the most frequently used, have differing characteristics and product bases, and contain the essence of middleware/application layer communication. SOAP is an abstract and generic messaging framework with extendable header system, allowing rich facilities for hop-by-hop propagation of messages.

The research work presented in this article investigates and explains the conceptual mechanisms of consciousness and common-sense thinking of animates. These mechanisms are computationally simulated on artificial agents as strategic rules to analyze and compare the performance of agents in critical and dynamic environments. Awareness and attention to specific parameters that affect the performance of agents specify the consciousness level in agents. Common sense is a set of beliefs that are accepted to be true among a group of agents that are engaged in a common purpose, with or without self-experience. The common sense agents are a kind of conscious agents that are given with few common sense assumptions. The so-created environment has attackers with dependency on agents in the survival-food chain. These attackers create a threat mental state in agents that can affect their conscious and common sense behaviors. The agents are built with a multi-layer cognitive architecture COCOCA (Consciousness and Common sense Cognitive Architecture) with five columns and six layers of cognitive processing of each precept of an agent. The conscious agents self-learn strategies for threat management and energy level maintenance. Experimentation conducted in this research work demonstrates animate-level intelligence in their problem-solving capabilities, decision making and reasoning in critical situations.