This thesis presents two new approaches for the broadband, time-domain modeling of lossy transmission lines. Each approach is based on an alternative derivation of delay extraction in order to separate the line's linear phase from its
attenuation and dispersion. Augmentation networks represent the derived attenuation networks as rational function approximations....
The desire to apply short-range wireless communication systems to telemetry sensor networks in a metal-enclosed chamber has prompted this study. This thesis will discuss the design of an infrared (IR) communication system for a wireless low-power, low-data- rate sensor network in a metal enclosure. This design requires an in-depth understanding...
The problem of locating a signal source, or an emitter, has many civilian and military applications, such as communication regulations enforcement, military reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations. Many of the most widely used emitter location methods rely on the accurate and robust estimation of the differential time delay,
or time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA),...
The atomic solid state energy (SSE) scale is introduced as a tool for inorganic materials design. The SSE scale is obtained by assessing an average electron affinity (EA) (for a cation) or an average ionization potential (IP) (for an anion) for each atom using data from compounds having that specific...
Fabrication techniques and process integration considerations for amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS) thin-film transistors (TFTs) constitute the central theme of this dissertation. Within this theme three primary areas of focus are pursued.
The first focus involves formulating a general framework for assessing passivation. Avoiding formation of an undesirable backside accumulation layer...
Spiral inductors are a key component of mixed-signal and analog integrated circuits (IC's). Such circuits are often fabricated using silicon-based technology, owing to the inherent low-cost and high volume production aspects. However, semiconducting substrate materials such as silicon can have adverse effects on spiral inductor performance due to the lossy...
The central focus of this thesis is the design, fabrication and characterization of amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS) thin-film transistor (TFT) current mirrors. The thin-film deposition and circuit fabrication methods used to realize zinc tin oxide (ZTO) TFT
current mirrors are addressed in order to elucidate the processing challenges for this...
Real-time, high efficiency neutron spectroscopy has, historically, been a persistent challenge in the field of radiation detection and, for the most part, has gone unsolved. The most promising method to resolve this challenge, is the boron-capture technique using an organic scintillation system (BC-523a). Detectors that utilize this method possess an...
The aim of this dissertation is to develop oxide semiconductors by radio-frequency
sputtering for thin-film transistor (TFT) applications. A variety of oxide semiconductors
are used as the TFT channel layer, including indium gallium oxide (IGO), zinc tin
oxide (ZTO), and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). The variety of materials used...