Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mode matching method'

The limit of current technology for mobile base station filters is the multimode filter, in which each cavity supports two (or possibly three) independent degenerate resonances. Shielded dielectric resonators with a rectangular cross-section are useful in this application. In the design of these filters, manufacturers are using software packages employing finite element or finite difference time domain techniques. However, for sufficient accuracy these procedures require large numbers of points or elements and can be very time consuming. Over the last decade research using the mode matching technique has been used to solve this kind of difficulty for various types of filter design and waveguide problems. In this thesis a mode matching method and computer program is developed to calculate the propagation coefficients and field patterns of the modes in a shielded rectangular dielectric rod waveguide. Propagating, complex, evanescent and backward wave modes are included and the work shows the presence of a dominant mode, and other fundamental modes, not previously identified. The effect of the shield proximity on the propagation characteristics and mode spectrum is investigated, together with the limitations on the accuracy of the mode matching method. In addition, the fields within the shielded rectangular dielectric rod waveguide, are used to calculate the attenuation coefficient of the dominant and fundamental modes. The influence on the attenuation coefficient of the proximity of the shield to the rod is also evaluated for these modes and limitations on accuracy are discussed. The calculated numerical results for the propagation and attenuation coefficient values are verified by measurement. The propagation coefficients results are typically within 2% of those measured. Verification of the attenuation coefficient results is achieved by comparing calculated and measured Q at the resonant frequencies of a number of shielded rectangular dielectric rod resonators. The difference between calculated and measured Q values is on average less than 4%. In the absence of a full solution of the shielded rectangular dielectric rod resonator, these results provide useful design information for this structure. In addition, the work reported in this thesis provides a basis for a full electromagnetic solution of this type of resonator. This would encompass the cubic dielectric resonator in a cubical cavity.

A novel full wave analysis method to determine the scattering parameters and the radiation field intensities of arbitrary Body of Revolution (BOR) radiators consisting of impenetrable media is explored through derived components of modal analysis and the method of moments (MoM). Modal excitation is utilized to excite the structural feed; allowing for a more accurate measure of the scattering parameters of the total structure as opposed to the use of external excitation sources. The derivation of the mode matching method introduces a novel approach to achieving a frequency independent coupling matrix that will reduce the computational requirements for iterations utilized in the solution of multi-step discontinuous junctions. An application of interpolation functions across a single element of the MoM's traditional basis function approach allows for the ability to facilitate the meshing of complex structures. The combined field integral equation method is implemented in the analysis method to assure the mitigation of spurious solutions that can be problematic for electric field integral equation solutions that are predominant in many MoM based codes. The structures of interest represent bodies of revolution (BOR), which maintains that the structures must exhibit rotational symmetry about the longitudinal, or directional, axis. The complexity of the domain of structures that can be treated with the analysis method will be significantly reduced through the use of BOR symmetry of the structure. The proposed method for the solution of structures will include the comprehensive treatment of Boundary Value Problems (BVP's) through modal analysis, aperture treatment, and an application of the method of moments. Solutions for BOR radiating structures can be divided into two regions of analytical concern, the inner guided wave region and the outer radiating region. Modal analysis will be used to determine the scattering matrix of the inner guided wave region. The modal analysis will consist of subdividing the inner region into a number of finite step discontinuities, and the method of mode matching will be implemented to numerically solve the BVP's at each step discontinuity for a finite number of modal field distributions. The surface field equivalence principle will be applied to treat the aperture in order to produce an equivalent problem that supplants a source magnetic current density and an induced electric current density across the aperture that will radiate in the presence of the outer structural material of the BOR radiator. An algorithm utilizing the MoM is applied to solve integral equations that are defined to treat the surfaces of the BOR structure using electromagnetic boundary conditions. The application of the MoM will develop the field intensities on the aperture with complete consideration of the outer structural boundaries of the BOR radiator. The field intensities on the aperture will be related to the inner guided wave region through electromagnetic boundary conditions, and an admittance matrix will be numerically calculated. The admittance matrix will then apply to the inner guided wave region's scattering matrix to determine the reflection and transmission coefficients at the input of the BOR radiator. The comprehensive solution method will be applied to a variety of BOR structures; the electromagnetic solutions of the structures as obtained by the proposed method shall be verified for accuracy against comparative analysis of the structures using known computational packages that have been generally accepted throughout industry with respect to design capabilities.
Ph.D.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Electrical Engineering

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
PROGRAMA DE EXCELENCIA ACADEMICA
PROGRAMA DE DOUTORADO SANDUÍCHE NO EXTERIOR
No processo de perfilagem de poços de petróleo e gás, as propriedades entre duas camadas axiais podem apresentar diferenças. Estas descontinuidades das propriedades algumas vezes trazem dificuldades na representação do comportamento dos campos electromagnéticos. Nas análises eletromagnéticas de perfilagem de poço de petróleo, o Método de Casamento de Modos (NMM) vem sendo utilizado a partir da combinação de técnicas numéricas com analíticas e da resolução das equações de Maxwell em meios heterogêneos, cujos campos eletromagnéticos, na direção axial, são representados via decomposição espectral, e, na direção radial, por meio de solução das equações diferenciais ordinárias. Assim, com o objetivo de explorar a representação dos campos eletromagnéticos sobre as interfaces axiais via NMM, este trabalho propõe a utilização de funções B-Splines cúbicas na expansão dos campos, na direção axial, bem como a incorporação da multiplicidade de nós, que permitem uma melhor representação do comportamento dos campos nas interfaces axiais. O algoritmo implementado foi validado nas suas diversas etapas ao comparar os autovalores da representação modal com os obtidos analiticamente em problemas canônicos, e os resultados finais comparados com exemplos apresentados na literatura e calculados com o Método de Diferenças Finitas no Tempo (FDTD). O método NMM, combinado às funções B-Splines cúbicas, foi aplicado a vários perfis de poços de petroléo que serviram de exemplo neste estudo. Um estudo comparativo mostrou que o uso das funções B-Splines cúbicas com multiplicidade dos nós sobre as descontinuidades permitiu uma redução no número total de nós nas expansões dos campos eletromagnéticos.
In the logging process of gas and oil wells, differences in the properties between two axial layers can usually be found. These property discontinuities can bring difficulties for the representation of electromagnetic fields behavior. For electromagnetic analysis of well logging, the Numerical Mode-Matching - NMM method has been used. It combines numerical and analytical techniques, by solving equations Maxwell s in a heterogeneous media. There, the electromagnetic fields in the axial direction are represented by spectral decomposition and in the radial direction are represented by the solution of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE). With the objective of explorer the representation of the electromagnetic fields on axial interfaces in the Numerical Mode Matched Method, this work explores the use of B-Splines cubic functions to expand the fields in the axial direction, as well as the incorporation of the multiple knots fetching to become the representation of fields behavior most optimized and realistic on axial interfaces. The NMM algorithm was implemented and it was validated by comparing the final results with those obtained by using Finite Difference Time-Domain – FDTD to analyse examples shown in the literature. To validate the results obtained for the eigenvalues, they were compared with the analytical solutions obtained for canonical configurations. The use of NMM Method combined with B-Spline cubic has been applied to several well profiles shown in the literature. The comparative study showed that the use B-Spline cubic with multiple knots near the discontinuities allows a reduction in the overall number of knots employed in the field expansion.

In this work, waveguides with simultaneous negative dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability, otherwise known as left-handed waveguides, are investigated. An approach of formulating and solving an eigenvalue problem with finite element method resulting in the dispersion relation of the waveguides is adopted in the analysis. Detailed methodology of one-dimensional scalar and two-dimensional vector finite element formulation for the analysis of grounded slab and arbitrary shaped waveguides is presented. Based on the analysis, for waveguides with conventional media, excellent agreement of results is observed between the finite element approach and the traditional approach. The method is then applied to analyze left-handed waveguides and anomalous dispersion of modes is found. The discontinuity structure of a left-handed waveguide sandwiched between two conventional dielectric slab waveguides is analyzed using mode matching technique and the results are discussed based on the inherent nature of the materials. The scattering characteristics of a parallel plate waveguide partially filled with left-handed and conventional media are also analyzed using finite element method with eigenfunction expansion technique.
M.S.E.E.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Electrical Engineering

During the past 60 years fluid-structure interaction in a wide range of three dimensional circular cylinder problems have been studied. Initial problems considered a rigid wall structure which were solved using impedance model comparisons. Soon after, further solution techniques were used, such as computer simulation, transfer matrix methods and finite element techniques. However such problems were only valid for low frequencies when compared with experiments, this was because that did not include higher order modes. The importance of higher order modes was then established and studies have since included these modes. More recently, mode matching methods have been used to find the amplitudes of waves in structures comprising two or more ducts. This has been done with using an orthogonality relation to find integrals which occur from the application this method. This methodology is demonstrated in as background information and is applied to prototype problems formed of rigid ducts. The rigid duct theory led to the consideration of elastic shells, of which several shell modelling equations were available from the vibration theory. In this thesis, the Donnell-Mustari equations of motion are used to model thin, elastic, fluid-loaded shells of circular cross-section. It is demonstrated that generalised orthogonality relations exist for such shells. Two such relations are found: one for shells subject to axisymmetric motion and one for shells subject to non-axisymmetric motion. These generalised orthogonality relations are new to the field of acoustics and are specific to shells modelled with the Donnell-Mustari equations of motion. The mode matching method is used to find the amplitudes of waves propagating in prototype problems and the generalised orthogonality relations are used to find integrals which occur through this method. Expressions for energy for all considered structure types are used to find the resulting energy for each prototype problem and results for equivalent problems are compared. In addition, verification of the resulting amplitudes is done by ensuring that the matching conditions are suitably satisfied. It is anticipated that the method will have application to the understanding and control of the vibration of cylindrical casings such as those enclosing turbo-machinery. Another application of the method would be the tuning of cylindrical casings, such as those featured on car exhaust systems or HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems.

La tesis estudia cinco formulaciones del método de modos acoplados para analizar guías con medios magnéticos en su interior. La formulación indirecta, de tipo general, se ha aplicado al análisis de desfasadores toroidales obteniéndose resultados similares a los obtenidos mediante un método numérico puro como es el de diferencias finitas. La tesis introduce igualmente una formulación del método de adaptación que junto con el método de modos acoplados permite analizar discontinuidades simples. La combinación de los métodos anteriores con la matriz de dispersión generalizada ha permitido analizar discontinuidades en guías de onda con ferritas transversalmente magnetizadas con discontinuidades en las tres direcciones del sistema de coordenadas.

Le principe d'analyse de structure par la méthode des éléments finis consiste à exploiter un modèle analytique élaboré par le concepteur. Ce modèle est fondé sur un certain nombre d'hypothèses et permet, dans le domaine particulier de la dynamique, d'approximer le comportement modal de la structure réelle. Cependant, l'écart entre le modèle et la réalité existe. En approche globale, les techniques de recalage permettent de corriger cet écart. Elles nécessitent néanmoins, une mise en œuvre expérimentale qui n'est pas toujours réalisable. Ainsi, nous définissons une méthodologie d'intégration d'un élément annexe difficilement modélisable. La méthodologie constitue alors une approche locale du problème d'amélioration et comprend deux phases essentielles qui sont : la détermination des caractéristiques modales de l'élément annexe, l'intégration de ces caractéristiques dans le modèle à améliorer. La nature des données du composant à intégrer peut être analytique recalée ou expérimentale. Chaque technique d'intégration est développée en tenant compte de cette distinction. Il s'agit, soit de l'intégration directe qui utilise les propriétés d'assemblage matriciel éléments finis, soit de la réanalyse modale classique et enrichie ou encore d'un autre concept de réanalyse permettant la prise en compte directe de données d'origine expérimentale. Le problème d'amélioration étant pose dans un contexte où les informations relatives à la structure finale ne sont pas connues, nous proposons une procédure de contrôle relatif basée sur la confrontation des résultats calcules par les techniques d'intégration en utilisant des jeux de données différents. Afin d'appuyer les conclusions tirées dans le mémoire, nous présentons les résultats obtenus à partir d'un cas test expérimental réalisé sur des structures a topologie simple.

Electrical arcing in the railway environment radiates wideband noise that can disturb nearbysensitive electronics e.g. signaling systems. High frequency disturbances follow conducting wiresand rails. For Electromagnetic Compatibility reasons, radiation from wire structures is studied atspecific frequencies, to assess the risk to sensitive electrical devices further along the track.The specific problem is to construct a fast and accurate solver for computing the currents inducedby a dipole source on an arbitrary number of parallel wires inside a layered medium. In this project, atwo-layered medium is considered, each medium defined by arbitrary permittivity and permeability.Once the wire currents are known, the fields may be calculated everywhere.The approach is to transform the circular wires into equivalent strips, creating a planarly layeredstructure. The fields from a source in a layered structure may be expanded as a sum of planewaves propagating in the direction of stratification. The strip currents are expanded into Chebyshevpolynomials and together with the fields and boundary conditions, the currents are solved with themode matching technique in the spectral domain.Moreover, a simplified model for strips much narrower than the wavelength is derived, onlyconsidering axial currents, further reducing the complexity of the problem and still exhibiting highaccuracy.Unlike most full wave methods, the spectral domain approach does not rely on spatial discretisationof wires. Since infinitely long wires are considered, they are electrically large and thusconventional full wave methods yield to massive computations as many grid points are required, thusmotivating the spectral domain approach.The result is a linear system of integral equations solving the currents on an arbitrary numberof narrow strips. Results for different configurations of strips and dipole locations are shown andverified by comparing them with a commercial Method of Moments based solver, 4NEC2, using finitelengths of wire.In conclusion, a simple, fast and accurate method has been developed in Matlab for solving thecurrents along parallel strip conductors.
Blixtar längs järnvägen strålar bredbandigt brus som kan störa närligande känslig elektronik t.ex.signaleringssystem. Högfrekventa störningar följer ledningar och spår. För elektromagnetisk förenlighet,studeras strålning från ledningstrukterer vid specifika frekvenser, för att bedömma risken förkänsliga system längre bort längs ledningen.Problemet är att konstruera en snabb och nogrann numerisk lösare för att beräkna strömmarnainducerade av en dipolkälla hos en godtycklig antal parallella ledare innuti en lagrad struktur. Idetta projekt används en tvålagrig struktur, varje medium definierad av godtycklig permittivitet ochpermeabilitet. Då strömmarna i ledningarna är kända, kan fälten bestämmas överallt.Metoden är att transformera de circulära ledarna till ekvivalenta strips, vilket skapar ett plantlagrat struktur. Fält som härör en källa i ett lagrat medium kan expanderas som en summa planavågor som utökar sig i avlagringsrikningen. Strömmar på stripen expanderas som Chebyshev polynomoch tillsammans med fält och gränsvärden, kan strömmarna tas fram med modanpassning ispektrala rummet.Utöver detta, har en simplifierad model för strips mycket smalare än våglängen härleds fram,där enbart strömmar i stripens parallella riktning utses vilket vidare förenklar problemet utan attförlora mycket nogrannhet.Olikt de alra flest helvågsmetoderna, använder sig inte spektrala metoden av rumdiskretiseringav ledare. Eftersom ledarna i frågan är oändligt långa är de elektriskt stora som gör att rumdiskretiseringkommer att orsaka för stora beräkningar då det kräver för många diskretiserings punkter,vilket motiverar valet av spektrala metoden.Resultatet är ett linjärt ekvationssystem bestående av integralekvationer för att lösa strömmarnalängs en godtycklig antal smala ledare. Resultat för olika konfigurationer av strips och dipolpositionär redovisade och överensstämmer väl med den kommersiella Method of Moments baserade lösaren4NEC2 med ändligt långa ledare.Sammanfattningsvis, har det tagits fram en enkel, snabb och nogrann metod i Matlab för attlösa strömmarna längs parallella ledande strips.

L'objet de cette thèse porte sur la conception et la réalisation de deux sources laser non linéaires accordables dans les domaines IR et UV, pour le raccordement de la sensibilité spectrale des détecteurs au moyen du radiomètre cryogénique du laboratoire commun de métrologie (LCM). La source IR est un oscillateur paramétrique optique (OPO) résonant sur les ondes pompe et signal (PRSRO), utilisant un cristal de niobate de lithium à inversion de domaines de polarisation dopé par 5% d'oxyde de magnésium (ppMgCLN). Pompé par un laser Ti:Al2O3 en anneau mono-fréquence et accordable, délivrant 500 mW de puissance utile autour de 795 nm, l'OPO possède un seuil d'oscillation de 110 mW. Une couverture spectrale continue entre 1 µm et 3.5 µm a été obtenue, avec des puissances de l'ordre du mW pour l'onde signal (1 µm à 1.5 µm) et des puissances comprises entre $20$ à $50$ mW pour l'onde complémentaire couvrant un octave de longueur d'onde IR entre 1.7 µm et 3.5 µm. La source UV est obtenue par doublage de fréquence en cavité externe du laser Ti:Al2O3, dans un cristal de triborate de lithium (LiB3O5). Un accord de phase en température à angle d'accord de phase fixé permet l'obtention d'une couverture spectrale comprise entre 390 nm et 405 nm. L'asservissement de la cavité de doublage sur la fréquence du laser Ti:Al2O3 par la méthode de Pound-Drever-Hall, ainsi qu'une adaptation de mode optimale, permet d'obtenir une puissance de 5.64 mW à 400 nm à partir de 480 mW de puissance fondamentale.

[EN] This Thesis is focused on the development and implementation of efficient numerical methods for the acoustic modelling and design of noise control devices in the exhaust system of combustion engines. Special attention is paid to automotive perforated dissipative silencers, in which significant differences are likely to appear in their acoustic behaviour, depending on the temperature variations within the absorbent material. Also, material heterogeneities can alter the silencer attenuation performance. Therefore, numerical techniques considering all these features are required to guarantee the accuracy of the results. A literature review is carried out, mainly related to one-dimensional models, as well as to acoustic models for absorbent materials and perforated surfaces. However, plane wave model limitations make indispensable using alternative multidimensional methods. In addition, the possibility of using new acoustic elements is explored. These elements have as an objective being a potential alternative to the fibrous absorbent materials, which can have a negative impact on health. The Thesis considers the use of microperforated and sintered surfaces. The latter have, in some cases, a nearly constant acoustic impedance, whose value depends, among others, on the thickness and porosity of the plates. To avoid the limitations of plane wave models, a finite element (FE) approach is proposed for the acoustic analysis of dissipative silencers including a perforated duct with uniform axial mean flow and an outer chamber with a heterogeneous distribution of the absorbent material. On the other hand, property variations can be also produced by temperature gradients. In this case, a hybrid FE model has been derived for perforated dissipative silencers including: (1) Thermal gradients in the central duct and the chamber; (2) A perforated passage carrying non-uniform axial mean flow. A FE approach has been implemented to solve the pressure-based wave equation for a non-moving heterogeneous medium, associated with the chamber. Also, the governing equation in the central duct has been written and solved in terms of an acoustic velocity potential to allow the presence of an axially inhomogeneous flow. The coupling between both regions has been carried out by means of a perforated duct and its acoustic impedance, adapted here to include absorbent material heterogeneities and mean flow effects. It has been found that the presence of non-homogeneities can have a significant influence on the acoustic attenuation of a silencer and should be included in the theoretical models. Optimization techniques for industrial noise control devices are relevant, since they lead to the production of elements with better characteristics. Evolutionary algorithms are emergent techniques able to obtain a solution, even in those problems in which the traditional optimization have difficulties. Optimization techniques are combined with the FE method to achieve the maximum attenuation in the frequency range of interest. A multichamber silencer optimization problem is defined and several analyses are carried out to obtain the most suitable configuration for each application. Under certain assumptions of axial uniformity, several techniques have been considered to reduce the computational effort of a full 3D FE analysis for dissipative silencers with temperature gradients and mean flow. These are based on a decomposition of the acoustic field into transversal and axial modes within each silencer subdomain, and a matching procedure of the modal expansions at the silencer area changes through the continuity conditions of the acoustic fields. The relative computational efficiency and accuracy of predictions for the matching techniques are studied, including point collocation at nodes and Gauss points and also mode-matching with weighted integration. All of them provide accurate predictions of the attenuation and improve the computational cost of a FE calculation
[ES] Esta Tesis se centra en el desarrollo e implementación de métodos numéricos eficientes para el diseño y modelado de componentes de la línea de escape en motores de combustión interna. Merecen especial atención los silenciadores disipativos perforados de automóviles, ya que su comportamiento acústico puede sufrir variaciones importantes debidas a las variaciones de temperatura en el material absorbente, así como a las heterogeneidades de la fibra. Por tanto, se requieren técnicas numéricas que consideren estos casos para garantizar la precisión de los resultados. Se lleva a cabo una revisión bibliográfica que recoge los modelos de onda unidimensionales, así como modelos acústicos de materiales absorbentes y superficies perforadas. Sin embargo, las limitaciones de los primeros hacen indispensable el uso de modelos multidimensionales. Además se explora la posibilidad de usar nuevos elementos acústicos, cuyo objetivo es ser una alternativa potencial a los materiales absorbentes, que pueden tener un efecto negativo sobre la salud. La Tesis considera el uso de superficies microperforadas y sinterizadas. Estas últimas en algunos casos presentan una impedancia casi constante, cuyo valor depende, entre otras cosas, del espesor y la porosidad de las placas. Para evitar las limitaciones de los modelos de onda plana, se propone un enfoque en elementos finitos (EF) para el análisis acústico de silenciadores disipativos que incluyen un conducto con flujo medio axial uniforme y una cámara externa con una distribución heterogénea de material absorbente. Por otro lado, la variación de las propiedades también puede producirse por gradientes térmicos. En este caso, se propone una formulación híbrida de EF para silenciadores disipativos perforados que incluye: (1) Gradientes térmicos en el conducto central y la cámara; (2) Un conducto perforado que canaliza flujo medio axial no uniforme. Se ha implementado una formulación de EF para resolver la ecuación de ondas en términos de presión para el medio estacionario heterogéneo asociado a la cámara. Además, la ecuación asociada al conducto central, expresada en términos de potencial de velocidad acústica, permite la presencia de flujo axial no uniforme. El acoplamiento entre ambas regiones se ha realizado mediante un conducto perforado y su impedancia acústica y se ha adaptado para incluir la citada falta de homogeneidad. Se ha visto que las heterogeneidades pueden influir notablemente en la atenuación acústica de un silenciador, debiéndose incluir en los modelos teóricos. Las técnicas de optimización para componentes industriales de control de ruido son importantes, ya que producen elementos con mejores características. Los algoritmos evolutivos son técnicas emergentes capaces de obtener una solución, incluso cuando la optimización tradicional tiene dificultades. Las técnicas de optimización se combinan con el MEF para conseguir la máxima atenuación posible en el rango de frecuencias de interés. Se ha definido un problema de optimización de un silenciador multicámara y se han llevado a cabo varios análisis para obtener la configuración más adecuada para cada caso. Bajo ciertas hipótesis de uniformidad axial, se han considerado varias técnicas para reducir el coste computacional de un análisis 3D completo para silenciadores disipativos con gradientes de temperatura y flujo medio. Éstas se basan en la descomposición del campo acústico en modos axiales y transversales dentro de cada subdominio, y un procedimiento de acoplamiento de las expansiones modales en los cambios de sección del silenciador mediante las condiciones de continuidad de los campos acústicos. Se estudia la eficiencia computacional y precisión de las predicciones de las técnicas de acoplamiento, incluyendo colocación puntual en nodos y puntos de Gauss, así como ajuste modal. Todos ellos proporcionan predicciones precisas de la atenuación mejorando el coste
[CAT] Aquesta Tesi es centra en el desenvolupament i implementació de mètodes numèrics eficients per al disseny i modelatge de components de la línia d'escapament en motors de combustió interna. Mereixen especial atenció els silenciadors dissipatius perforats d'automòbils, ja que el seu comportament acústic pot patir variacions importants degudes a les variacions de temperatura en el material absorbent, així com a les heterogeneïtats de la fibra. Per tant, es requereixen tècniques numèriques que considerin aquests casos per garantir la precisió dels resultats. Es porta a terme una revisió bibliogràfica que recull els models d'ona unidimensionals, així com models acústics de materials absorbents i superfícies perforades. No obstant això, les limitacions dels primers fan indispensable l'ús de models multidimensionals. A més s'explora la possibilitat d'usar nous elements acústics amb l'objectiu que siguen una alternativa potencial als materials absorbents, que poden tenir un efecte negatiu sobre la salut. La Tesi considera l'ús de superfícies microperforades i sinteritzades. Aquestes últimes en alguns casos presenten una impedància gairebé constant. El seu valor depèn, entre altres coses, del gruix i la porositat de les plaques. Per evitar les limitacions dels models d'ona plana, es proposa un enfocament amb elements finits (EF) per a l'anàlisi acústic de silenciadors dissipatius que inclouen un conducte amb flux mig axial uniforme i una càmera externa amb una distribució heterogènia de material absorbent. D'altra banda, la variació de les propietats també es pot produir per gradients tèrmics. En aquest cas, es proposa una formulació híbrida d'EF per silenciadors dissipatius perforats que inclou: (1) Gradients tèrmics en el conducte central i la càmera; (2) Un conducte perforat que canalitza flux mig axial no uniforme. S'ha implementat una formulació d'EF per resoldre l'equació d'ones en termes de pressió per al medi estacionari heterogeni associat a la càmera. A més, l'equació associada al conducte central, expressada en termes de potencial de velocitat acústica, permet la presència de flux axial no uniforme. L'acoblament entre les dues regions s'ha realitzat mitjançant un conducte perforat i la seva impedància acústica i s'ha adaptat per incloure la esmentada falta d'homogeneïtat. S'ha vist que les heterogeneïtats poden influir notablement en l'atenuació acústica d'un silenciador i s'han d'incloure en els models teòrics. Les tècniques d'optimització per a components industrials de control de soroll són importants, ja que produeixen elements amb millors característiques. Els algoritmes evolutius són tècniques emergents capaces d'obtenir una solució, fins i tot quan l'optimització tradicional té dificultats. Les tècniques d'optimització es combinen amb el mètode d'elements finits (MEF) per aconseguir la màxima atenuació possible en el rang de freqüències d'interès. S'ha definit un problema d'optimització d'un silenciador multicàmera i s'han dut a terme diverses anàlisis per obtenir la configuració més adequada per a cada cas. Sota certes hipòtesis d'uniformitat axial, s'han considerat diverses tècniques per reduir el cost computacional d'una anàlisi 3D complet per silenciadors dissipatius amb gradients de temperatura i flux mig. Aquestes es basen en la descomposició del camp acústic en modes axials i transversals dins de cada subdomini, i un procediment d'acoblament de les expansions modals en els canvis de secció del silenciador mitjançant les condicions de continuïtat dels camps acústics. S'estudia l'eficiència computacional i precisió de les prediccions de les tècniques d'acoblament, incloent col·locació puntual en nodes i punts de Gauss, així com ajust modal. Tots ells proporcionen prediccions precises de l'atenuació millorant el cost computacional d'EF.
Sánchez Orgaz, EM. (2016). Advanced numerical techniques for the acoustic modelling of materials and noise control devices in the exhaust system of internal combustion engines [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64090
TESIS

Four history matching methods were used to calibrate the parameters of the LUCICAT model for three catchments in Western Australia. The methods used were ant colony optimization (ACOR and DACOR), Robust Parameter Estimation and Gauss Levenberg Marquadt. These methods were applied directly and indirectly, and in the latter case multidimensional Kriging and artificial neural networks were used to build proxy models for LUCICAT. All HM methods performed favourably well.

En esta tesis se han desarrollado los siguientes métodos numéricos para el análisis de estructuras planares, especialmente finline, en la banda de microondas y ondas milimétricas:
-el método de las líneas con discretizacion uniforme y no uniforme.
-el método de los elementos finitos aplicado al análisis de guías homogéneas e inhomogeneas.
-el método de la matriz de lineas de transmisión tridimensional.
-el método de la matriz se generalizada para el análisis de estructuras uniformes y discontinuidades planares.
-el método del dominio espectral para el análisis de estructuras planares uniformes.
-el método del circuito planar con corrección de la dispersión.

Se ha elegido el método de la resonancia transversal generalizado como el mas idóneo para el análisis preciso y rápido de discontinuidades finline con un mínimo de recursos informáticos. Se ha desarrollado incluyendo el carácter singular de los campos en las aristas de la estructura, consiguiéndose minimizar el fenómeno de la convergencia relativa y obteniéndose resultados precisos con expansiones reducidas de las funciones modales que representan los campos, validándose los resultados obtenidos al analizar diversas estructuras con medidas experimentales.

Thesis (M.S. in Meterology and Physical Oceanography)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2005.
Thesis Advisor(s): D. Benjamin Reeder, John A. Colosi. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-75). Also available online.

Evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention can pose challenges if there is not an adequate control group. The effects of the intervention can be distorted by observable differences in the characteristics of the control and treatment groups. Propensity score matching can be used to confirm the outcomes of an intervention are due to the treatment and not other characteristics that may also explain the intervention effects. Propensity score matching is an advanced statistical technique that uses background information on the characteristics of the study population to establish matched pairs of treated participants and controls. This technique improves the quality of control groups and allowing for a better evaluation of the true effects of an intervention. The purpose of this study was to implement this technique to derive county-level matches across the southeastern United States for existing counties within a single state where future statewide initiatives are planned. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC, USA). A select set of key county-level socio-demographic measures theoretically relevant for deriving appropriate matches was examined. These include the proportion of African Americans in population, population density, and proportion of the female population below poverty level. To derive the propensity-matched counties, a logistic regression model with the state of primary interest as the outcome was conducted. The baseline covariates of interest were included in the model and used to predict the probability of a county being in the state of primary interest; this acts as the propensity score used to derive matched controls. A caliper of 0.2 was used to ensure the ratio of the variance of the linear propensity score in the control group to the variance of the linear propensity score in the treatment group is close to 1. The balance of covariates before and after the propensity score matching were assessed to determine if significant differences in each respective covariate persisted after the propensity score matching. Before matching, a significant difference was found in the proportion of African Americans in control group (21.08%, n=3,450) and treatment group (36.95%, n=230) using the t-test (P<0.0001). The percent of females below poverty level showed significant difference between control and treatment group (P=0.0264). The t-test of population density also showed significant differences between the groups (P=0.0424). After matching, the mean differences for the treated-control groups were all zero for these three covariates and the characteristics were no longer showing any significant differences between the two groups. This study found that the use of propensity score matching methods improved the accuracy of matched controls. Ensuring that the control and treatment counties have statistically similar characteristics is important for improving the rigor of future studies examining county-level outcomes. Propensity score matching does not account for unobserved differences between the treatment and control groups that may affect the observed outcomes; however, it does ensure that the observable characteristics between the groups are statistically similar.This method reduces the threat to internal validity that observable characteristics pose on interventions by matching for these potentially confounding characteristics.

La réduction des dimensions des composants optoélectroniques constitue une contrainte importante pour un couplage optimal avec la fibre optique. Le but recherché étant de focaliser le maximum de lumière à l'intérieur de la couche intrinsèque de la photodiode, il faudrait donc envisager de réduire le diamètre de la fibre optique. Une étude du bout de la fibre est également menée et montre que pour une forme lentillée appropriée, il est possible d'adapter la distribution d'énergie entre fibre optique et photodiode. Le calcul du champ le long de ce guide de dimensions lentement décroissantes utilise la méthode des modes locaux. Cette méthode est employée car il n'y a pas de solutions exactes aux équations de Maxwell. En réalité, le champ total est la superposition des champs locaux et du champ radiatif. Les pertes d'énergie le long de ce guide sont analysées avec la théorie du couplage des modes locaux. On obtient alors un bilan le long de ce guide que l'on cherche à optimiser. La comparaison de ces résultats avec la simulation numérique quasi 3 D de la propagation optique guidée sur ALCOR est également réalisée. Ceci permet de définir la structure la mieux adaptée pour un couplage optimum entre la fibre et le composant

We study certain questions related to the performance of the Karp-Sipser algorithm on the sparse Erdös-Rényi random graph. The Karp-Sipser algorithm, introduced by Karp and Sipser [34] is a greedy algorithm which aims to obtain a near-maximum matching on a given graph. The algorithm evolves through a sequence of steps. In each step, it picks an edge according to a certain rule, adds it to the matching and removes it from the remaining graph. The algorithm stops when the remining graph is empty. In [34], the performance of the Karp-Sipser algorithm on the Erdös-Rényi random graphs G(n,M = [^cn/₂]) and G(n, p = ^c/_n), c > 0 is studied. It is proved there that the algorithm behaves near-optimally, in the sense that the difference between the size of a matching obtained by the algorithm and a maximum matching is at most o(n), with high probability as n → ∞. The main result of [34] is a law of large numbers for the size of a maximum matching in G(n,M = ^cn/₂) and G(n, p = ^c/_n), c > 0. Aronson, Frieze and Pittel [2] further refine these results. In particular, they prove that for c < e, the Karp-Sipser algorithm obtains a maximum matching, with high probability as n → ∞; for c > e, the difference between the size of a matching obtained by the algorithm and the size of a maximum matching of G(n,M = ^cn/₂) is of order Θ_{log n}(n^1/5), with high probability as n → ∞. They further conjecture a central limit theorem for the size of a maximum matching of G(n,M = ^cn/₂) and G(n, p = ^c/_n) for all c > 0. As noted in [2], the central limit theorem for c < 1 is a consequence of the result of Pittel [45]. In this thesis, we prove a central limit theorem for the size of a maximum matching of both G(n,M = ^cn/₂) and G(n, p = ^c/_n) for c > e. (We do not analyse the case 1 ≤ c ≤ e). Our approach is based on the further analysis of the Karp-Sipser algorithm. We use the results from [2] and refine them. For c > e, the difference between the size of a matching obtained by the algorithm and the size of a maximum matching is of order Θ_{log n}(n^1/5), with high probability as n → ∞, and the study [2] suggests that this difference is accumulated at the very end of the process. The question how the Karp-Sipser algorithm evolves in its final stages for c > e, motivated us to consider the following problem in this thesis. We study a model for the destruction of a random network by fire. Let us assume that we have a multigraph with minimum degree at least 2 with real-valued edge-lengths. We first choose a uniform random point from along the length and set it alight. The edges burn at speed 1. If the fire reaches a node of degree 2, it is passed on to the neighbouring edge. On the other hand, a node of degree at least 3 passes the fire either to all its neighbours or none, each with probability 1/2. If the fire extinguishes before the graph is burnt, we again pick a uniform point and set it alight. We study this model in the setting of a random multigraph with N nodes of degree 3 and α(N) nodes of degree 4, where α(N)/N → 0 as N → ∞. We assume the edges to have i.i.d. standard exponential lengths. We are interested in the asymptotic behaviour of the number of fires we must set alight in order to burn the whole graph, and the number of points which are burnt from two different directions. Depending on whether α(N) » √N or not, we prove that after the suitable rescaling these quantities converge jointly in distribution to either a pair of constants or to (complicated) functionals of Brownian motion. Our analysis supports the conjecture that the difference between the size of a matching obtained by the Karp-Sipser algorithm and the size of a maximum matching of the Erdös-Rényi random graph G(n,M = ^cn/₂) for c > e, rescaled by n^1/5, converges in distribution.

While a lot of time and resources have been placed into transceiver design, due to the pace of a conventional engineering design process, the design of a power amplifier is often completed using scattered resources; and not always in a methodological manner, and frequently even by an iterative trial and error process. In this thesis, a research question is posed which enables for the investigation of the possibility of streamlining the design flow for power amplifiers. After thorough theoretical investigation of existing power amplifier design methods and modelling, inductors inevitably used in power amplifier design were identified as a major drawback to efficient design, even when examples of inductors are packaged in design HIT-Kits. The main contribution of this research is engineering of an inductor design process, which in-effect contributes towards enhancing conventional power amplifiers. This inductance search algorithm finds the highest quality factor configuration of a single-layer square spiral inductor within certain tolerance using formulae for inductance and inductor parasitics of traditional single-π inductor model. Further contribution of this research is a set of algorithms for the complete design of switch-mode (Class-E and Class-F) power amplifiers and their output matching networks. These algorithms make use of classic deterministic design equations so that values of parasitic components can be calculated given input parameters, including required output power, centre frequency, supply voltage, and choice of class of operation. The hypothesis was satisfied for SiGe BiCMOS S35 process from Austriamicrosystems (AMS). Several metal-3 and thick-metal inductors were designed using the abovementioned algorithm and compared with experimental results provided by AMS. Correspondence was established between designed, experimental and EM simulation results, enabling qualification of inductors other than those with experimental results available from AMS by means of EM simulations with average relative errors of 3.7% for inductors and 21% for the Q factor at its peak frequency. For a wide range of inductors, Q-factors of 10 and more were readily experienced. Furthermore, simulations were performed for number of Class-E and Class-F amplifier configurations with HBTs with ft greater than 60 GHz and total emitter area of 96 μm² as driving transistors to complete the hypothesis testing. For the complete PA system design (including inductors), simulations showed that switch-mode power amplifiers for 50 Ω load at 2.4 GHz centre frequency can be designed using the streamlined method of this research for the output power of about 6 dB less than aimed. This power loss was expected, since it can be attributed to non-ideal properties of the driving transistor and Q-factor limitations of the integrated inductors, assumptions which the computations of the routine were based on. Although these results were obtained for a single micro-process, it was further speculated that outcome of this research has a general contribution, since streamlined method can be used with a much wider range of CMOS and BiCMOS processes, when low-gigahertz operating power amplifiers are needed. This theory was confirmed by means of simulation and fabrication in 180 nm BiCMOS process from IBM, results of which were also presented. The work presented here, was combined with algorithms for SPICE netlist extraction and the spiral inductor layout extraction (CIF and GDSII formats). This secondary research outcome further contributed to the completeness of the design flow. All the above features showed that the routine developed here is substantially better than cut-and-try methods for design of power amplifiers found in the existing body of knowledge.
Thesis (PhD(Eng))--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
unrestricted

Conditioning geologic models to production data and assessment of uncertainty is generally done in a Bayesian framework. The current Bayesian approach suffers from three major limitations that make it impractical for field-scale applications. These are: first, the CPU time scaling behavior of the Bayesian inverse problem using the modified Gauss-Newton algorithm with full covariance as regularization behaves quadratically with increasing model size; second, the sensitivity calculation using finite difference as the forward model depends upon the number of model parameters or the number of data points; and third, the high CPU time and memory required for covariance matrix calculation. Different attempts were used to alleviate the third limitation by using analytically-derived stencil, but these are limited to the exponential models only. We propose a fast and robust adaptation of the Bayesian formulation for inverse modeling that overcomes many of the current limitations. First, we use a commercial finite difference simulator, ECLIPSE, as a forward model, which is general and can account for complex physical behavior that dominates most field applications. Second, the production data misfit is represented by a single generalized travel time misfit per well, thus effectively reducing the number of data points into one per well and ensuring the matching of the entire production history. Third, we use both the adjoint method and streamline-based sensitivity method for sensitivity calculations. The adjoint method depends on the number of wells integrated, and generally is of an order of magnitude less than the number of data points or the model parameters. The streamline method is more efficient and faster as it requires only one simulation run per iteration regardless of the number of model parameters or the data points. Fourth, for solving the inverse problem, we utilize an iterative sparse matrix solver, LSQR, along with an approximation of the square root of the inverse of the covariance calculated using a numerically-derived stencil, which is broadly applicable to a wide class of covariance models. Our proposed approach is computationally efficient and, more importantly, the CPU time scales linearly with respect to model size. This makes automatic history matching and uncertainty assessment using a Bayesian framework more feasible for large-scale applications. We demonstrate the power and utility of our approach using synthetic cases and a field example. The field example is from Goldsmith San Andres Unit in West Texas, where we matched 20 years of production history and generated multiple realizations using the Randomized Maximum Likelihood method for uncertainty assessment. Both the adjoint method and the streamline-based sensitivity method are used to illustrate the broad applicability of our approach.

Le contexte général du recalage de modèle à partir d'essais vibratoires est présenté dans le premier chapitre. En particulier, les critères usuels pour confronter modes calcules et modes mesures sont décrits. Dans une seconde partie, un recensement des méthodes de recalage déjà existantes est effectué. On distingue ainsi les méthodes de correction globale de celles basées sur le contrôle paramétrique du modèle. Ces dernières reposent sur trois idées différentes : les techniques de sensibilité, l'évaluation des forces résiduelles dans les équations d'équilibre, l'analyse des erreurs en relation de comportement. La démarche adopté par l'auteur est développée dans le troisième chapitre. Elle est composée de trois étapes : l'expansion des données expérimentales, étape la plus critique, la localisation des erreurs par l'analyse des forces résiduelles, la correction paramétrique des zones localisées par minimisation sous contraintes d'une fonctionnelle énergétique. Une méthode d'optimisation de l'emplacement des capteurs basée sur la maximisation de la matrice d'information de Fisher est également présentée. Dans la dernière partie, la méthode a été appliquée sur un cas test garteur, et également pour le recalage des modèles du lanceur Ariane 5. De nombreuses références bibliographiques sont fournies

Cette thèse porte sur la Half-Space Matching Method qui a été développée pour traiter certains problèmes de diffraction dans des domaines complexes infinis pour lesquels les méthodes numériques existantes ne s'appliquent pas. En 2D, elle consiste à coupler plusieurs représentations en ondes planes dans des demi-espaces entourant les obstacles et une représentation éléments finis dans un domaine borné. Afin d'assurer la compatibilité entre les différentes représentations, les traces de la solution sont liées par des équations intégrales de Fourier posées sur les frontières infinies des demi-espaces. Dans le cas d'un milieu dissipatif, il a été montré que ce système d'équations intégrales est coercif plus compact dans un cadre L².Dans cette thèse, nous établissons des estimations d'erreur par rapport aux paramètres de discrétisation (à la fois pour les variables spatiales et les variables de Fourier). Pour traiter le cas non-dissipatif, nous proposons une version modifiée de la Half-Space Matching Method, obtenue en appliquant une dilatation complexe aux inconnues afin de retrouver le cadre L².Nous étendons ensuite la Half-Space Matching Method aux problèmes de diffraction dans une plaque élastique infinie 3D en vue d'applications au Contrôle Non Destructif. La difficulté par rapport au cas 2D vient de la décomposition sur les modes de Lamb utilisée dans les représentations de demi-plaque. La relation de bi-orthogonalité des modes des Lamb impose de considérer comme inconnues non seulement le champ de déplacement, mais aussi le champ de contrainte sur les bandes infinies au bord des demi-plaques. Certaines questions théoriques soulevées par cette formulation multi-inconnues sont étudiées dans le cas 2D scalaire. Des connexions avec les méthodes intégrales sont aussi abordées dans le cas où la fonction de Green est connue, au moins partiellement dans chaque sous-domaine.Les différentes versions de la méthode ont été mises en oeuvre dans la bibliothèque XLiFE++ et des résultats numériques sont présentés pour les cas 2D et 3D
This thesis focuses on the Half-Space Matching Method which was developed to treat some scattering problems in complex infinite domains, when usual numerical methods are not applicable. In 2D, it consists in coupling several plane-wave representations in half-spaces surrounding the obstacle(s) with a Finite Element computation of the solution in a bounded domain. To ensure the matching of all these representations, the traces of the solution are linked by Fourier-integral equations set on the infinite boundaries of the half-spaces. In the case of a dissipative medium, this system of integral equations was proved to be coercive plus compact in an L² framework.In the present thesis, we derive error estimates with respect to the discretization parameters (both in space and Fourier variables). To handle the non-dissipative case, we propose a modified version of the Half-Space Matching Method, which is obtained by applying a complex-scaling to the unknowns, in order to recover the L² framework.We then extend the Half-Space Matching Method to scattering problems in infinite 3D elastic plates for applications to Non-Destructive Testing. The additional complexity compared to the 2D case comes from the decomposition on Lamb modes used in the half-plate representations. Due to the bi-orthogonality relation of Lamb modes, we have to consider as unknowns not only the displacement, but also the normal stress on the infinite bands limiting the half-plates. Some theoretical questions concerning this multi-unknown formulation involving the trace and the normal trace are studied in a 2D scalar case. Connections with integral methods are also addressed in the case where the Green's function is known, at least partially in each subdomain.The different versions of the method have been implemented in the library XLiFE++ and numerical results are presented for both 2D and 3D cases

La solution numérique des systèmes dynamiques est un moyen efficace pour étudier des phénomènes physiques complexes. Cependant, dans un cadre à grande échelle, la dimension du système rend les calculs infaisables en raison des limites de mémoire et de temps, ainsi que le mauvais conditionnement. La solution de ce problème est la réduction de modèles. Cette thèse porte sur les méthodes de projection pour construire efficacement des modèles d'ordre inférieur à partir des systèmes linéaires dynamiques de grande taille. En particulier, nous nous intéressons à la projection sur la réunion de plusieurs sous-espaces de Krylov standard qui conduit à une classe de modèles d'ordre réduit. Cette méthode est connue par l'interpolation rationnelle. En se basant sur ce cadre théorique qui relie la projection de Krylov à l'interpolation rationnelle, quatre algorithmes de type Lanczos rationnel pour la réduction de modèles sont proposés. Dans un premier temps, nous avons introduit une méthode adaptative de type Lanczos rationnel par block pour réduire l'ordre des systèmes linéaires dynamiques de grande taille, cette méthode est basée sur l'algorithme de Lanczos rationnel par block et une méthode adaptative pour choisir les points d'interpolation. Une généralisation de ce premier algorithme est également donnée, où différentes multiplicités sont considérées pour chaque point d'interpolation. Ensuite, nous avons proposé une autre extension de la méthode du sous-espace de Krylov standard pour les systèmes à plusieurs-entrées plusieurs-sorties, qui est le sous-espace de Krylov global. Nous avons obtenu des équations qui décrivent cette procédure. Finalement, nous avons proposé une méthode de Lanczos étendu par block et nous avons établi de nouvelles propriétés algébriques pour cet algorithme. L'efficacité et la précision de tous les algorithmes proposés, appliqués sur des problèmes de réduction de modèles, sont testées dans plusieurs exemples numériques
Numerical solution of dynamical systems have been a successful means for studying complex physical phenomena. However, in large-scale setting, the system dimension makes the computations infeasible due to memory and time limitations, and ill-conditioning. The remedy of this problem is model reductions. This dissertations focuses on projection methods to efficiently construct reduced order models for large linear dynamical systems. Especially, we are interesting by projection onto unions of Krylov subspaces which lead to a class of reduced order models known as rational interpolation. Based on this theoretical framework that relate Krylov projection to rational interpolation, four rational Lanczos-type algorithms for model reduction are proposed. At first, an adaptative rational block Lanczos-type method for reducing the order of large scale dynamical systems is introduced, based on a rational block Lanczos algorithm and an adaptive approach for choosing the interpolation points. A generalization of the first algorithm is also given where different multiplicities are consider for each interpolation point. Next, we proposed another extension of the standard Krylov subspace method for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, which is the global Krylov subspace, and we obtained also some equations that describe this process. Finally, an extended block Lanczos method is introduced and new algebraic properties for this algorithm are also given. The accuracy and the efficiency of all proposed algorithms when applied to model order reduction problem are tested by means of different numerical experiments that use a collection of well known benchmark examples

Cette thèse présente les contributions de l'auteur au domaine des ondes non-diffractives. Essentiellement, les ondes non diffractives sont des faisceaux électromagnétiques qui rayonnent une énergie localisée avec une variété d'applications pratiques potentielles. Le travail présenté dans cette thèse peut être divisé en deux parties. Dans la première partie, un nouveau concept de synthèse de lanceurs de faisceaux de Bessel/ondes X à profil spline a été proposé. Tout d'abord, un outil basé sur l'adaptation de mode est présenté. L'outil est capable d'évaluer les paramètres S, les diagrammes de rayonnement en champ proche et lointain de structures métalliques à symétrie azimutale. Ensuite, des lanceurs métalliques à faisceau de Bessel/ à impulsion sont synthétisés à l'aide de cet outil ad hoc. Le concept a été validé expérimentalement en fabriquant et en mesurant un lanceur pour fonctionner dans une gamme de fréquences de 75 à 105 GHz. Le lanceur est la première démonstration d'un lanceur d'ondes X à de telles fréquences. Dans la deuxième partie, nous avons étudié l'utilisation d'ondes non diffractives pour le transfert d'énergie sans fil. Tout d'abord, l'utilisation de faisceaux de Bessel-Gauss pour le WPT est étudiée. Les performances supérieures des faisceaux de Bessel-Gauss par rapport aux faisceaux de Bessel sont démontrées. Un lanceur Bessel-Gauss a été conçu pour valider cette affirmation. Le coefficient de transfert de puissance du lanceur dépasse 50 % pour les distances dépassant sa portée de non diffraction
This thesis present the author’s contributions to the field of non-diffractive waves. Essentially, non-diffractive waves are electromagnetic beams that radiate localized energy with a variety of potential practical applications. The work presented in this thesis can be divided into two parts. In the first part, a novel concept of synthesizing metallic spline profiled Bessel beam/X-wave launchers has been proposed. First, an ad-hoc tool based on mode matching is presented. The tool is capable of evaluating the S parameters, near-, and far-field radiation patterns of metallic structures with azimuthal symmetry. Then, metallic Bessel beam/X-wave launchers are synthesized using the ad-hoc tool. The concept has been experimentally validated by manufacturing and measuring an X-wave launcher operating in a 75-105 GHz frequency range. The fabricated launcher is the first experimental demonstration of an X-wave launcher at such frequencies. In the second part, we have investigated the use of non-diffractive waves for wireless power transfer. First, the use of Bessel-Gauss beams for WPT is investigated. The superior performance of Bessel-Gauss beams compared to Bessel beams is demonstrated. A Bessel-Gauss launcher has been designed for validating this claim. The power transfer coefficient of the launcher exceeds 50% for distances exceeding its non-diffractive range

Unlike the traditional two-stage methods, a conditional and inverse-conditional simulation approach may directly generate independent, identically distributed realizations to honor both static data and state data in one step. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (McMC) method was proved a powerful tool to perform such type of stochastic simulation. One of the main advantages of the McMC over the traditional sensitivity-based optimization methods to inverse problems is its power, flexibility and well-posedness in incorporating observation data from different sources. In this work, an improved version of the McMC method is presented to perform the stochastic simulation of reservoirs and aquifers in the framework of multi-Gaussian geostatistics. First, a blocking scheme is proposed to overcome the limitations of the classic single-component Metropolis-Hastings-type McMC. One of the main characteristics of the blocking McMC (BMcMC) scheme is that, depending on the inconsistence between the prior model and the reality, it can preserve the prior spatial structure and statistics as users specified. At the same time, it improves the mixing of the Markov chain and hence enhances the computational efficiency of the McMC. Furthermore, the exploration ability and the mixing speed of McMC are efficiently improved by coupling the multiscale proposals, i.e., the coupled multiscale McMC method. In order to make the BMcMC method capable of dealing with the high-dimensional cases, a multi-scale scheme is introduced to accelerate the computation of the likelihood which greatly improves the computational efficiency of the McMC due to the fact that most of the computational efforts are spent on the forward simulations. To this end, a flexible-grid full-tensor finite-difference simulator, which is widely compatible with the outputs from various upscaling subroutines, is developed to solve the flow equations and a constant-displacement random-walk particle-tracking method, which enhances the com
Fu, J. (2008). A markov chain monte carlo method for inverse stochastic modeling and uncertainty assessment [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/1969
Palancia

This document discusses a problem of tooth detection on jaw 3D polygonal model. It describes known methods that can be used to reach expected results, such as their advantages and disadvantages. Considering this, I choose one solution that is closely described with all theory needed for its implementation.

Cette thèse est consacrée au recalage de modèles éléments finis avec amortissement visqueux non proportionnel sur les caractéristiques modales des structures modélisées. Le document est scindé en trois parties. - la première partie consiste en un rappel succinct des différents types d'amortissement couramment utilisés, un exposé de la problématique du recalage et une présentation des méthodes de recalage disponibles. - la seconde partie rassemble les nouveaux développements réalisés par l'auteur. Trois méthodes de recalage de modèles sur les caractéristiques modales des structures correspondantes sont présentées : la méthode de sensibilité inverse des valeurs et vecteurs propres, la méthode d'erreur en valeurs et vecteurs propres et la méthode d'erreur en loi de raideur. Deux méthodes de localisation des erreurs de modélisations sont proposées : la méthode d'erreur en loi de raideur et la méthode d'erreur en loi d'inertie. - la troisième et dernière partie est consacrée à l'utilisation des méthodes figurant dans la seconde partie du document pour le recalage de modèles industriels sur des données issues de mesures. Trois modèles sont recalés : le modèle de la maquette du bâtiment réacteur Hualien, le modèle d'une tuyauterie sur appuis en caoutchouc et le modèle d'une machine tournante.

Para abordar el análisis de estas estructuras de forma altamente eficiente, se pretenden utilizar dos enfoques distintos, que llevarían a dos técnicas distintas y eficientes, pero cada una de ellas con sus ventajas e inconvenientes respecto de la otra, que podremos concluir una vez finalizado el trabajo de investigación. Por un lado, se pretende utilizar el Método de los Momentos, una técnica numérica que convierte las ecuaciones integrales de un problema electromagnético en un sistema linear, expandiendo la magnitud desconocida usando un conjunto de funciones con coeficientes desconocidos. Al forzar las condiciones de contorno, en este caso de potencial eléctrico, en un determinado número de puntos, se obtiene un sistema linear de ecuaciones que será resuelto numéricamente. Por otro lado, según el segundo enfoque, pretende utilizar una expansión en modos cilíndricos del campo, tanto incidente como dispersado. Dada la geometría circular de las vías éstas pueden ser caracterizadas de forma analítica mediante espectros circulares. Posteriormente se resolverá el acoplo entre las vías mediante el método de [1] pero generalizado al caso de objetos inmersos en un medio dieléctrico infinito, y se desarrollará un nuevo método de acoplo modal entre modos cilíndricos y modos guiados proyectando las ecuaciones del acoplo modal tanto sobre modos cilíndricos como sobre modos guiados para evitar las singularidades que aparecen con el método de de [2] cuando los planos de referencia están muy próximos al objeto dispersor. Por tanto, esta técnica caracterizará las vías de forma analítica y resolverá las integrales del acoplo de modos mediante la transformada rápida de Fourier. Para aumentar más aún la eficiencia de ambos métodos se evitará repetir los cálculos para cada punto en frecuencia, y se implementará la técnica de barrido rápido en frecuencia similar descrita en [3], adaptándola al caso particular de cada método de análisis, aunque se prevé que quizá dicho procedimiento sea más difícil de implementar en el segundo método. Se espera que ambas técnicas puedan proporcionar unos tiempos de computación inferiores a los del software comercial de análisis electromagnético más habitual (i.e. HFSS), y también inferiores a otros métodos de análisis recientemente aparecidos en la bibliografía técnica ([4],[5],[6]). En concreto, se espera que los tiempos de computación para barrido discreto en frecuencia sea inferior con el segundo método ya que usa únicamente expresiones analíticas y transformada rápida de Fourier, pero, dado que el primer método es más susceptible de realizar barrido rápido en frecuencia, éste puede ser muy útil a la hora de realizar muchos análisis consecutivos. Una vez se disponga de métodos eficientes para el análisis de dispositivos SIW, se abordará el diseño de varios dispositivos pasivos en esta tecnología (filtros de diferentes topologías, diplexores, multiplexores, híbridos, acopladores, etc.). Como se dispone de una vasta experiencia en el grupo de investigación en el diseño de dispositivos en guía de onda rectangular, se puede como primera aproximación realizar el diseño en guía, y luego transformar esta estructura guiada en otra en tecnología SIW mediante unas reglas empíricas que relacionan ambas tecnologías [7]. Posteriormente se debe ajustar el diseño en el dispositivo SIW ya que estas reglas empíricas no consiguen que la respuesta sea idéntica a la del dispositivo guiado original, principalmente debido al hecho de que los irises rectangulares de la guía son transformados en vías metalizadas con geometría circular, no rectangular. Para minimizar este ajuste, se diseñará el dispositivo guiado con irises con esquinas redondeadas en la cavidad (método de [8] pero con un simulador más eficiente [9]), haciendo que el radio de esas esquinas redondeadas coincida con el de las vías metalizadas que se van a utilizar en el dispositivo SIW. Esto permitirá [...] (Ver documento anexo)
Díaz Caballero, E. (2013). Efficient analysis and design of devices in Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/34627
TESIS

La maitrise de modèles de plus en plus complexes en mécanique est une préoccupation constante tant au niveau industriel qu'en recherche. Le problème auquel nous nous intéressons ici concerne le recalage de l'amortissement dans les modèles dynamiques de structures à partir de fonctions de réponses en fréquences. D'une manière plus générale, l'appréciation de la qualité d'un modèle est le problème central. Bien des propositions ont été faites mais peu ont une interprétation mécanique forte ; la méthode développée au LMT, depuis le début des années quatre vingt, est basée sur la notion d'erreur en relation de comportement. Après de récents développements (voir le rapport interne 150), cette approche tient compte des effets d'amortissement, et plus généralement des effets non-linéaires dus au comportement des matériaux. De plus, elle intègre tous type de résultats expérimentaux disponibles (statiques, forces et vibrations libres). L'étude présentée s'intéresse particulièrement à l'amortissement. Le recalage de l'amortissement dans le comportement dynamique des structures nécessite une représentation correcte de celui-ci. Son influence peut apparaitre tant au niveau structural qu'au niveau des liaisons entre sous-structures. La première partie de l'exposé concerne l'étude de la sensibilité de l'erreur en relation de comportement aux effets d'amortissement. Puis, dans une seconde partie, nous nous intéressons à l'influence du bruit de mesure sur le processus de recalage. Enfin, nous montrons sur différents exemples l'aptitude de la méthode à recaler l'amortissement et à l'identifier dans les liaisons entre sous-structures. Les modèles considérés sont linéaires et les résultats d'essais exploités sont de type fonctions de réponses en fréquences, incomplets et entaches de bruit de mesure.

The green bond market offers investors the opportunity to take an explicit focus on sustainable investment projects. However, it is yet to be determined whether this novel asset class offers attractive yields compared to non-green bonds. To address this question, we study European green bonds and how they diverge from conventional bonds in terms of yields. Using a dataset of 88 matched pairs of European green bonds between 2015 and 2019, we document a significant negative green bond premium of -12 bps on average in the secondary market. The green bond premium is defined as the yield differential between a green and a conventional bond while controlling for liquidity. The results suggest that European investors accept a lower financial return in exchange for receiving non-pecuniary benefits and thus challenging the assumptions of classical asset pricing models. Furthermore, we use a matching method and two-step regression to control for liquidity and identify the determinants of the green bond premium. The results show that the negative green bond premium is less pronounced for lower-rated bonds. Moreover, we find support for variations in the green bond premium across different business sectors. Government-related green bonds experience a greater negative green bond premium than green bonds related to financials and industrial corporates.

Les modèles de calcul doivent permettre de prédire le comportement de structure complexe de façon précise. Il s'agit de minimiser la distance séparant les résultats de calcul (modèles éléments-finis) des données expérimentales (vibrations libres). Pour cela, la technique itérative de localisation-correction basée sur la notion de mesure d'erreur en relation de comportement (incluant une mesure d'erreur dynamique) est utilisée. Une base réduite de projection est proposée pour le recalage concernant les modélisations à grand nombre de degrés de liberté. Cette base construite à l'aide d'une méthode de sous-structuration a la particularité d'être associée aux tests expérimentaux. La robustesse au bruit de la méthode est considérée. Au niveau des résultats, l'étape de localisation des erreurs de modélisation est particulièrement performante et le problème inverse de détermination des paramètres dans le processus de correction ne rencontre pas de difficulté de résolution. Les erreurs faites lors de la modélisation des masses et des raideurs sont corrigées en quelques itérations.

碩士
國立中山大學
光電工程研究所
93
Dielectric waveguides are important passive devices in optical communication systems. Circular-core fibers with slight ellipticity may lead to polarization-mode dispersion. A clear understanding of the propagation characteristics of the elliptical fibers thus becomes important for theoretical as well as practical purposes. Although mesh-dependent methods such as the finite-element method or finite-difference method, can be used to study such a complex structure, its computational task is very high. Strictly speaking, mesh-based solution does satisfy the Helmholtz equation and the solution only provided four to five significant digits. On the other hand, the highly accurate solution based on solving the Helmholtz equation of the elliptical coordinate system spend most its computational resources on computing the functional value and the zeros of the modified Mathieu functions of the first kind. Our method is based on linear combination of the exact mode-field solutions of the dielectric optical fiber. We apply the analytical continuity principle to obtain the simultaneous equation of the expansion coefficient vector. Since each basis solution satisfies the Helmholtz equation exactly, the overall solutions are very accurate and provide more than six significant digits for fibers with small elliptical eccentricity. In addition, only the Bessel functions are needed in our computation. Using cylindrical coordinate and symmetry, together with ACM principle, we simplify the problem of modal analysis of dielectric elliptical waveguides. This method also can be applied to some regular polygonal dielectric waveguides such as the large area VCESL.

碩士
國立中山大學
光電工程學系研究所
98
We show that a 3-D microwave crossing waveguide can be solved by a 2-D scalar Helmholtz equation with combining boundary conditions for TE and TM modes. Furthermore the crossing waveguide possesses a symmetry along two diagonal axes passing through the origin. Computation of the EM wave fields is decomposed into four smaller tasks of computing reflection coefficient vector of a parallel plate waveguide terminated with a corner made of two perfectly electric or magnetic conducting walls (PECW/PMCW). In this thesis, we propose a mixed Cartesian and polar coordinate mode-matching method to solve this 2-D corner cube microwave reflection problem. The solution is obtained by applying the continuity condition of both the tangential field and its normal derivative along a given curve inside the overlapped region of the two coordinate systems. We are able to compute up to the third decimal place of the reflection, through and cross transmission coefficients. All results pass the energy conservation test and are verified and compared with those computed by Integral equation method simulation.

In this study, we developed and improved the numerical mode matching (NMM) method which has previously been shown to be a fast and robust semi-analytical solver to investigate the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves in an isotropic layered medium. The applicable models, such as cylindrical waveguide, optical fiber, and borehole with earth geological formation, are generally modeled as an axisymmetric structure which is an orthogonal-plano-cylindrically layered (OPCL) medium consisting of materials stratified planarly and layered concentrically in the orthogonal directions.

In this report, several important improvements have been made to extend applications of this efficient solver to the anisotropic OCPL medium. The formulas for anisotropic media with three different diagonal elements in the cylindrical coordinate system are deduced to expand its application to more general materials. The perfectly matched layer (PML) is incorporated along the radial direction as an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) to make the NMM method more accurate and efficient for wave diffusion problems in unbounded media and applicable to scattering problems with lossless media. We manipulate the weak form of Maxwell's equations and impose the correct boundary conditions at the cylindrical axis to solve the singularity problem which is ignored by all previous researchers. The spectral element method (SEM) is introduced to more efficiently compute the eigenmodes of higher accuracy with less unknowns, achieving a faster mode matching procedure between different horizontal layers. We also prove the relationship of the field between opposite mode indices for different types of excitations, which can reduce the computational time by half. The formulas for computing EM fields excited by an electric or magnetic dipole located at any position with an arbitrary orientation are deduced. And the excitation are generalized to line and surface current sources which can extend the application of NMM to the simulations of controlled source electromagnetic techniques. Numerical simulations have demonstrated the efficiency and accuracy of this method.

Finally, the improved numerical mode matching (NMM) method is introduced to efficiently compute the electromagnetic response of the induction tool from orthogonal transverse hydraulic fractures in open or cased boreholes in hydrocarbon exploration. The hydraulic fracture is modeled as a slim circular disk which is symmetric with respect to the borehole axis and filled with electrically conductive or magnetic proppant. The NMM solver is first validated by comparing the normalized secondary field with experimental measurements and a commercial software. Then we analyze quantitatively the induction response sensitivity of the fracture with different parameters, such as length, conductivity and permeability of the filled proppant, to evaluate the effectiveness of the induction logging tool for fracture detection and mapping. Casings with different thicknesses, conductivities and permeabilities are modeled together with the fractures in boreholes to investigate their effects for fracture detection. It reveals that the normalized secondary field will not be weakened at low frequencies, ensuring the induction tool is still applicable for fracture detection, though the attenuation of electromagnetic field through the casing is significant. A hybrid approach combining the NMM method and BCGS-FFT solver based integral equation has been proposed to efficiently simulate the open or cased borehole with tilted fractures which is a non-axisymmetric model.

Dissertation

With the rapid development of microwave and millimetre-wave systems, the performance requirements for passive band-pass filters and diplexers, as essential parts in these systems, are steadily increasing. Both rectangular waveguide and substrate-integrated waveguide technologies help to satisfy various high-performance requirements. Rectangular waveguides offer the advantages of low loss and high power handling capabilities, while substrate-integrated waveguides have the advantages of low cost and easy integration into planar circuit technology. Besides, the miniaturisation of electronic devices is of great importance, especially for microwave or millimetre-wave systems whose volume is limited by system considerations. Hence, the two main aims of this thesis are firstly to develop efficient methods which can improve the design reliability and reduce the design cycle of such passive devices, and secondly to present novel structures of band-pass filters and diplexers whose dimensions are reduced. In the first part of the thesis, a method based on the mode-matching technique is developed to rigorously and efficiently analyse the negative influence introduced by micromachining errors on the performance of band-pass H-plane iris filter. This analysis includes the effect on the centre frequency and 3 dB bandwidth caused by the round angles between waveguide walls and H-plane irises, or by the bevel angles on the H-plane irises. To remove these undesired influences, three approaches are proposed and verified with simulations performed with the finite-element method. In the next part, efficient approximation approaches are investigated in the framework of the mode-matching method to analyse the characteristics of cylindrical posts placed in the cross-section of a rectangular waveguide or substrate-integrated waveguide. Compared with the H-plane irises in rectangular waveguides, cylindrical posts are more promising for realising band-pass rectangular waveguide filters, because the geometries are easier to manufacture and less prone to machining errors. Thus, a general design procedure for band-pass post filters in rectangular waveguides and substrate-integrated waveguides is developed and verified with finite-element simulations and measurements on prototypes. The tolerance analysis for the band-pass filters is also explored quickly and accurately with the developed method, while the influence of realistic material losses on the insertion loss of various structures, is also quantitatively analysed with a full-wave simulation solver. Next, the characteristics of a shielded microstrip line for single-mode operation is investigated rigorously based on the mode-matching method. The research focuses on the influence of the metal enclosure dimensions on the fundamental mode, and the relationships between the cutoff frequency of the 2nd-order mode and the geometrical variables of the cross-section of the shielded transmission line. A similar method is then applied to an E-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide. The analysis demonstrates that the propagation characteristics for the first twenty modes in the E-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide and its corresponding equivalent rectangular waveguide are almost identical if the width of the middle metal vane in the E-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide is chosen reasonably. Exploiting this similarity property, a novel concept of band-pass post filter in E-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide technology is developed to reduce the band-pass filter dimension further, together with an efficient specific design procedure. The validity of the approach is verified via finite-element simulations and measurements on a fabricated prototype. Finally, to reduce the sizes of common diplexers, four types of novel three-port junctions are proposed, including two improved Y-junctions in substrate-integrated waveguide technology, a double-layer junction in substrate-integrated waveguide technology, a Y-junction in T-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide technology, and a junction with stairs in T-type and E-type folded substrate-integrated waveguide technology. Exploiting the flexibility of the in-house developed mode-matching code or a commercial finite-element simulation solver, the characteristics for all presented junctions are shown to satisfy the constraints for optimum performance of diplexers when adjusting the relevant variables in the corresponding structures. Three types of these junctions are then utilised in realising diplexers whose performance is verified over the required operation bands with either numerical simulations or measurements on fabricated prototypes. In summary, this thesis has introduced novel concepts and realisations of compact band-pass filters and diplexers in unfolded or folded substrate-integrated waveguide technology, as well as related structures. One of the crucial aspects emphasised throughout the research is the need for efficient and accurate modelling methods specifically tailored to support such developments. This has been demonstrated throughout the thesis with the combined use of powerful numerical methods and equivalent models based on symmetries or unfolded geometries.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2016.

by Cheng Sze Wan.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-[76]).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- Traffic Scheduling in Input-buffered Switches .。 --- p.3
Chapter 1.3 --- Organization of Thesis --- p.7
Chapter 2 --- Principle of Enchanced PIM Algorithm --- p.8
Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Switch Model --- p.9
Chapter 2.2 --- Enhanced Parallel Iterative Matching Algorithm (EPIM) --- p.10
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Motivation --- p.10
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Algorithm --- p.12
Chapter 2.3 --- Performance Evaluation --- p.16
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Simulation --- p.16
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Delay Analysis --- p.18
Chapter 3 --- Providing Bandwidth Guarantee in Input-Buffered Switches --- p.25
Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.25
Chapter 3.2 --- Bandwidth Reservation in Static Scheduling Algorithm --- p.26
Chapter 3.3 --- Incorporation of Dynamic and Static Scheduling Algorithms .。 --- p.32
Chapter 3.4 --- Simulation --- p.34
Chapter 3.4.1 --- Switch Model --- p.35
Chapter 3.4.2 --- Simulation Results --- p.36
Chapter 3.5 --- Comparison with Existing Schemes --- p.42
Chapter 3.5.1 --- Statistical Matching --- p.42
Chapter 3.5.2 --- Weighted Probabilistic Iterative Matching --- p.45
Chapter 4 --- EPIM and Cross-Path Switch --- p.50
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.50
Chapter 4.2 --- Concept of Cross-Path Switching --- p.51
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Principle --- p.51
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Supporting Performance Guarantee in Cross-Path Switch --- p.52
Chapter 4.3 --- Implication of EPIM on Cross-Path switch --- p.55
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Problem Re-definition --- p.55
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Scheduling in Input Modules with EPIM --- p.58
Chapter 4.4 --- Simulation --- p.63
Chapter 5 --- Conclusion --- p.70
Bibliography --- p.72

Unconventional reservoirs are typically characterized by very low permeabilities, and thus, the pressure depletion from a producing well may not propagate far from the well during the life of a development. Currently, two approaches are widely utilized to perform unconventional reservoir analysis: analytical techniques, including the decline curve analysis and the pressure/rate transient analysis, and numerical simulation. The numerical simulation can rigorously account for complex well geometry and reservoir heterogeneity but also is time consuming. In this thesis, we propose and apply an efficient technique, fast marching method (FMM), to analyze the shale gas reservoirs. Our proposed approach stands midway between analytic techniques and numerical simulation. In contrast to analytical techniques, it takes into account complex well geometry and reservoir heterogeneity, and it is less time consuming compared to numerical simulation. The fast marching method can efficiently provide us with the solution of the pressure front propagation equation, which can be expressed as an Eikonal equation. Our approach is based on the generalization of the concept of depth of investigation. Its application to unconventional reservoirs can provide the understanding necessary to describe and optimize the interaction between complex multi-stage fractured wells, reservoir heterogeneity, drainage volumes, pressure depletion, and well rates. The proposed method allows rapid approximation of reservoir simulation results without resorting to detailed flow simulation, and also provides the time-evolution of the well drainage volume for visualization. Calibration of reservoir models to match historical dynamic data is necessary to increase confidence in simulation models and also minimize risks in decision making. In this thesis, we propose an integrated workflow: applying the genetic algorithm (GA) to calibrate the model parameters, and utilizing the fast marching based approach for forward simulation. This workflow takes advantages of both the derivative free characteristics of GA and the speed of FMM. In addition, we also provide a novel approach to incorporate the micro-seismic events (if available) into our history matching workflow so as to further constrain and better calibrate our models.

Les analyses effectuées dans le cadre de ce mémoire ont été réalisées à l'aide du module MatchIt disponible sous l’environnent d'analyse statistique R. / Statistical analyzes of this thesis were performed using the MatchIt package available in the statistical analysis environment R.
L’estimation sans biais de l’effet causal d’une intervention nécessite la comparaison de deux groupes homogènes. Il est rare qu’une étude observationnelle dispose de groupes comparables et même une étude expérimentale peut se retrouver avec des groupes non comparables. Les chercheurs ont alors recours à des techniques de correction afin de rendre les deux groupes aussi semblables que possible. Le problème consiste alors à choisir la méthode de correction appropriée. En ce qui nous concerne, nous limiterons nos recherches à une famille de méthodes dites d’appariement. Il est reconnu que ce qui importe lors d’un appariement est l’équilibre des deux groupes sur les caractéristiques retenues. Autrement dit, il faut que les variables soient distribuées de façon similaire dans les deux groupes. Avant même de considérer la distribution des variables entre les deux groupes, il est nécessaire de savoir si les données en question permettent une inférence causale. Afin de présenter le problème de façon rigoureuse, le modèle causal contrefactuel sera exposé. Par la suite, les propriétés formelles de trois méthodes d’appariement seront présentées. Ces méthodes sont l’appariement par la distance de Mahalanobis, de l’appariement par le score de propension et de l’appariement génétique. Le choix de la technique d’appariement appropriée reposera sur quatre critères empiriques dont le plus important est la différence des moyennes standardisées. Les résultats obtenus à l’aide des données de l’Enquête longitudinale et expérimentale de Montréal (ÉLEM) indiquent que des trois techniques d’appariement, l’appariement génétique est celui qui équilibre mieux les variables entre les groupes sur tous les critères retenus. L’estimation de l’effet de l’intervention varie sensiblement d’une technique à l’autre, bien que dans tous les cas cet effet est non significatif. Ainsi, le choix d’une technique d’appariement influence l’estimation de l’effet d’une intervention. Il est donc impérieux de choisir la technique qui permet d’obtenir un équilibre optimal des variables selon les données à la disposition du chercheur.
The unbiased estimate of the causal effect of an intervention requires the comparison of two homogeneous groups. It is rare that an observational study has comparable groups and even an experiment may end up with non-comparable groups. The researchers then used correction techniques to make the two groups as similar as possible. The problem then is to choose the appropriate correction method. In our case, we will restrict our research to a family of so-called matching methods. It is recognized that what matters in a match is the balance between the two groups on selected characteristics. In other words, it is necessary that the variables are distributed similarly in both groups. Even before considering the distribution of variables between the two groups, it is necessary to know whether the data in question allow for causal inference. To present the problem rigorously, the counterfactual causal model will be exposed. Thereafter, the formal properties of three matching methods will be presented. Those methods are the Mahalanobis matching, the propensity score matching and genetic matching. The choice of the appropriate matching technique is based on four empirical criteria which the most important is the standardized mean difference. Results obtained using data from the Montréal Longitudinal and Experimental Study indicate that of the three matching techniques, genetic matching is the one that better balance the variables between groups on all criteria. The estimate of the effect of intervention varies substantially from one technique to another, although in all cases this effect is non significant. Thus, the selection of a matching technique influences the estimation of the effect of an intervention. Therefore, it is imperative to choose the technique that provides an optimal balance of the variables based on data available to the researcher.