Doctoral Degrees (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Quantification and improvement of state consistency in a virtual environment under adverse network conditions

Schoonwinkel, Daniel (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Virtual Environments (VE) all share a critical requirement: the virtual environment needs to be consistent and interactive, in order to provide the realism that ...

Robust control of a quadrotor with a suspended payload

Taylor, Cameron Carden (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents the design of a feedback control system for a quadrotor with a suspended payload, where the quadrotor-payload system contains significant uncertainties in the quadrotor thrust, ...

Modelling and performance evaluation of a pseudo-random impulse sequence for in situ parameter estimation in energy applications

Mwaniki, Frederick Mukundi (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: System identification and parameter estimation procedures involve the use of experiments to find an accurate model for a target system. These experiments typically involve excitation of the target system ...

Automatic sub-word unit discovery and pronunciation lexicon induction for automatic speech recognition with application to under-resourced languages

Agenbag, Wiehan (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Automatic speech recognition is an increasingly important mode of human- computer interaction. However, its implementation requires a sub-word unit inventory to be designed and an associated pronunciation ...

Soft-decision decoding of moderate length binary cycle codes based on parity-check transformation

Babalola, Oluwaseyi Paul (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis focuses on obtaining low complexity soft-decision (SD) decoding of binary cyclic codes with coding performance close to the optimal decoding algorithm. The belief propagation (BP) algorithm ...

Partially filled radial power combiner with port isolation

Du Toit, Hendrik J. (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation documents the design and testing of a partially filled radial power combiner with a passive peripheral isolation network, at 4 GH'. A review of available literature on power combiners ...

Stochastic triangular mesh mapping

Lombard, Clint Daniel (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For a mobile robot to operate autonomously in general environments, the ability of the robot to perceive its surroundings is paramount. To perform this task of perception, a robot must have the ability ...

Virtual reality assisted fluorescence microscopy data visualisation and analysis for improved understanding of molecular structures implicated in neurodegenerative diseases

Theart, Rensu (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Confocal microscopy is one of the major imaging tools used in molecular life sciences. It delivers detailed three-dimensional data sets and is instrumental in biological analysis and research where ...

Fast star tracker hardware implementation and algorithm optimisations on a system-on-a-chip device

Von Wielligh, Christiaan Lodewyk (2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Star trackers are instruments used onboard a spacecraft that utilize digital image sensors, optics and digital hardware to determine the inertial attitude of the spacecraft. Currently, these star trackers ...

Multi-layered substrate integrated Waveguide (MSIW) Waffle-Iron Filters

Maas, Susan (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation will present the following two topics: (1) Implementation of a waffle-iron filter, utilising multi-layered substrate integrated waveguide (MSIW) technology and (2) Developing a new ...

Analysis and design optimisation of grid-connected wound-rotor synchronous and induction motors

Mabhula, Mkhululi (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation presents new approaches in the analysis, design and optimisation of three-phase cylindrical wound-rotor synchronous (WRSM) and induction (WRIM) motor types. The new approaches are based ...

Design and performance evaluation of a permanent magnet vernier machine For wind turbine generator applications

Tlali, Pushman Micheal (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wind power conversion has emerged as one of the attractive and rapidly growing renewable energy resources. Research in this field has indicated a crucial need of developing new or improved electrical ...

Optimisation of an impulse radiating antenna through an effective trifilar coupled-line balun

Kuja, Stanley Okoth (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope { a mega-science endeavour { is planned to be the largest and most sensitive radio astronomy facility when operational. And the South African SKA (SKA-SA) ...

Modelling and short-term forecasting of high wind speed events at operational wind farms

Groch, Matthew (2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increasing penetration of wind energy has prompted a reform of the prototypical operational practices of conventional power systems, especially systems dominated by thermal generation sources. The ...

Position/speed sensor-less control of wind energy conversion systems based on Rotor-Tied Doubly-Fed induction generator systems

Mbukani, Mwana Wa Kalaga (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) is amongst the most popular wind turbine generator in South Africa. This is partly due to the fact that its backtoback power converters are partially rated. More ...