Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging is a widely used technique for medical and materials imaging. Even though the objects being imaged are often irregularly shaped, suitable coils permitting the measurement of the radio-frequency signal in these systems are usually made of solid copper. One problem often encountered is how to ensure the coils are both in close proximity and conformal to the object being imaged. Whilst embroidered conductive threads have previously been used as antennae in mobile telecommunications applications, they have not previously been reported for use within magnetic resonance. In this paper we show that an embroidered single loop coil can be used in a commercial unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance system as an alternative to a solid copper. Data is presented showing the determination of both longitudinal (T1) and effective transverse (T2eff) relaxation times for a flat fabric coil and the same coil conformed to an 8 cm diameter cylinder. We thereby demonstrate the principles required for the wider use of fabric based conformal coils within nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging.
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to provide a survey of some of the most important bifurcation phenomena that one can observe in pulse-modulated converter systems when operating with high corrector gain factors. Like other systems with switching control, electronic converter systems belong to the class of piecewise-smooth dynamical systems. A characteristic feature of such systems is that the trajectory is “sewed” together from subsequent discrete parts. Moreover, the transitions between different modes of operation in response to a parameter variation are often qualitatively different from the bifurcations we know for smooth systems. The review starts with an introduction to the concept of border-collision bifurcations and also demonstrates the approach by which the full dynamics of the piecewise-linear, time-continuous system can be reduced to the dynamics of a piecewise-smooth map. We describe the main bifurcation structures that one observes in three different types of converter systems: (1) a DC/DC converter; (2) a multi-level DC/DC converter; and (3) a DC/AC converter. Our focus will be on the bifurcations by which the regular switching dynamics becomes unstable and is replaced by ergodic or resonant periodic dynamics on the surface of a two-dimensional torus. This transition occurs when the feedback gain is increased beyond a certain threshold, for instance in Electronics 2013, 2 114 order to improve the speed and accuracy of the output voltage regulation. For each of the three converter types, we discuss a number of additional bifurcation phenomena, including the formation and reconstruction of multi-layered tori and the appearance of phase-synchronized quasiperiodicity. Our numerical simulations are compared with experimentally observed waveforms.
Abstract: A new auxiliary circuit that can be implemented in DC-DC and AC-DC ZVS-PWM converters is proposed in the paper. The circuit is for ZVS-PWM converters used in applications where high-frequency operation is needed and the load current is higher than that of typical ZVS-PWM converters. In the paper, the operation of a new ZVS-PWM converter is described, its steady-state operation is analyzed, and a procedure for its design is derived and then demonstrated. The feasibility of the new converter is confirmed by experimental results obtained from a prototype.
Abstract: Regarding standards, it is well established that common mode currents are the main source of far field emitted by variable frequency drive (VFD)-cable-motor associations. These currents are generated by the combination of floating potentials with stray capacitances between these floating potential tracks and the mechanical parts connected to the earth (the heatsink or cables are usual examples). Nowadays, due to frequency and power increases, the systematic compliance to EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) becomes increasingly difficult and costly for industrials. As a consequence, there is a well-identified need to investigate practical and low cost solutions to reduce the radiated fields of VFD-cable-motor associations. A well-adapted solution is the shielding of wound components well known as the major source of near magnetic field. However, this solution is not convenient, it is expensive and may not be efficient regarding far field reduction. Optimizing the components placement could be a better and cheaper solution. As a consequence, dedicated tools have to be developed to efficiently investigate not easy comprehendible phenomena and finally to control EMC disturbances using component placement, layout geometry, shielding design if needed. However, none of the modeling methods usually used in industry complies with large frequency range and far field models including magnetic materials, multilayer PCBs, and shielding. The contribution of this paper is to show that alternatives regarding modeling solutions exist and can be used to get in-deep analysis of such complex structures. It is shown in this paper that near field investigations can give information on far field behavior. It is illustrated by an investigation of near field interactions and shielding influence using a FE-PEEC hybrid method. The test case combining a common mode filter with the floating potentials tracks of an inverter is based on an industrial and commercialized VFD. The near field interactions between the common mode inductance and the tracks with floating potentials are revealed. Then, the influence of the common mode inductance shielding is analyzed.
Abstract: We discuss the architecture and design of parallel sampling front ends for analog to information (A2I) converters. As a way of example, we detail the design of a custom 0.5 µm CMOS implementation of a mixed signal parallel sampling encoder architecture. The system consists of configurable parallel analog processing channels, whose output is sampled by traditional analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The analog front-end modulates the signal of interest with a high-speed digital chipping sequence and integrates the result prior to sampling at a low rate. An FPGA is employed to generate the chipping sequences and process the digitized samples.
Abstract: The Next Generation Air Traffic Management system (NextGen) is a blueprint of the future National Airspace System. Supporting NextGen is a nation-wide Aviation Simulation Network (ASN), which allows integration of a variety of real-time simulations to facilitate development and validation of the NextGen software by simulating a wide range of operational scenarios. The ASN system is an environment, including both simulated and human-in-the-loop real-life components (pilots and air traffic controllers). Real Time Distributed Simulation (RTDS) developed at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a suite of applications providing low and medium fidelity en-route simulation capabilities, is one of the simulations contributing to the ASN. To support the interconnectivity with the ASN, we designed and implemented a dedicated gateway acting as an intermediary, providing logic for two-way communication and transfer messages between RTDS and ASN and storage for the exchanged data. It has been necessary to develop and analyze safety/security requirements for the gateway software based on analysis of system assets, hazards, threats and attacks related to ultimate real-life future implementation. Due to the nature of the system, the focus was placed on communication security and the related safety of the impacted aircraft in the simulation scenario. To support development of safety/security requirements, a well-established fault tree analysis technique was used. This fault tree model-based analysis, supported by a commercial tool, was a foundation to propose mitigations assuring the gateway system safety and security.
