Abstract This paper discusses the problem of finding the optimal network topological configuration by changing the feeder status. The reconfiguration problem is considered as a multiobjective problem aiming to minimize power losses and total interruptions costs subject to the system constraints: the network radiality voltage limits and feeder capability limits. Due to its complexity, the metaheuristic methods can be applied to solve the problem and often the choice is genetic algorithm. NSGA II is used to solve the multiobjective optimization problem in order to get Pareto optimal set with possible solutions. The proposed method has been tested on real 35 kV distribution network. The numerical results are presented to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed genetic algorithm. Keywords radial distribution network, multiobjective optimization, reconfiguration, genetic algorithms, NSGA II

Duplex stainless steels (DSS's) have been placed as an excellent alternative for applications where high corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength are required. However, the DSS's, including the lean duplex stainless steels, present lower weldability than the austenitic stainless steels. This study aims to evaluate the corrosion resistance of welded joints using multipass welding of lean duplex stainless alloy UNS S32304 plates 22 mm thick, using the SMAW, GMAW and FCAW consumables with two types of chemical composition, 22%Cr9%Ni3%Mo and 23%Cr7%Ni, giving a total of six experiments. The welded joints were evaluated using the anodic potentiodynamic polarization technique to determine the pitting potential of the material. The electrolyte studied was 3.5% w/v sodium chloride aqueous solution. The lean duplex steel welded by GMAW process with consumable with 22%Cr9%Ni3%Mo showed the best behavior against corrosion in saline solution. The root of the weld region had the highest pitting potential compared to the top of the welded joints. The lean duplex steel joints welded using FCAW process showed a behavior characteristic of general corrosion in the medium of saline solution, unlike the other samples.

The TIGER-3 radar is being developed as an “all digital” radar with 20 integrated digital transceivers, each connected to a separate antenna. Using phased array antenna techniques, radiated power is steered towards a desired direction based on the relative phases within the array elements. This paper proposes an accurate phase measurement method to calibrate the phases of the radio output signals using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. The method sequentially measures the phase offset between the RF signal generated by each transceiver and a reference signal operated at the same frequency. Accordingly, the transceiver adjusts its phase in order to align to the reference phase. This results in accurately aligned phases of the RF output signals and with the further addition of appropriate phase offsets, digital beamforming (DBF) can be performed steering the beam in a desired direction. The proposed method is implemented on a Virtex-5 VFX70T device. Experimental results show that the calibration accuracy is of 0.153 degrees with 14 MHz operating frequency.