APRÈN. Portal de la producció docent del professorat de la UPC

This project presents an Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) for a picosatellite using magnetorquers. The main objective is to develop a system capable of orienting a satellite in a controlled manner, and it is intended to be tested in a simulated space environment capable of generating magnetic fields. This system must fully fit inside the picosatellite, which is regulated by the PocketQube standard. The main focus of the project is the development of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that includes the ADCS and all the necessary elements for the functioning of the board. This board has all components used integrated, and all of them have been tested. As the board uses magnetorquers, they have been fabricated and measured. The PCB is mountable in the structure; together with the batteries, a battery holder and the structure the full picosatellite is presented. A control code was to be developed for the board, however it could not be done due to time as the board had to be tested first. Few versions of the PCB have been developed, correcting mistakes on each iteration, and testing for all of them has been done. As it stands, the board is operational with all components working, except for the IMU which is believed to not work due to programming errors. In future works, this control will be developed and tested as intended. This project is part of the HORUS mission of UPC Space Program, which has the objective to develop an accessible and customizable low-cost picosatellite kit. This project could be done thanks to HORUS sponsor FADESA. All work used from HORUS is with authorization, and is referenced accordingly. This project does not have preceding work, except for the structure, meaning this is the first board developed on the mission, and further designs will be made.

This thesis presents a numerical analysis of the acoustic behavior within the combustion chamber of a solid rocket engine, with a focus on the effects of temperature, acoustic absorption properties, and fuel grain geometry. The study explores how these factors interact to influence pressure oscillations and frequency behavior, which directly impacts the thrust profile. Key findings indicate that increasing the acoustic capacity within the combustion chamber significantly stabilizes pressure waves by reducing oscillation amplitudes, leading to improved control over acoustic instabilities. This stabilization can enhance thrust performance and engine stability, suggesting innovative solutions such as advanced composite materials for the chamber's metallic surfaces or additives in the solid fuel to optimize acoustic absorption. The analysis also highlights the influence of fuel grain geometry on acoustic behavior, particularly in the third acoustic mode, identified as the most significant due to its acoustic instability. In this mode, high-pressure oscillations are concentrated around the nozzle throat. Addressing these instabilities by increasing absorption or optimizing grain geometry could further improve combustion stability.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo ofrecer una serie de reflexiones sobre el desarrollo del nuevo aeropuerto corporativo dirigido tanto a lectores con formación técnica como al público general interesado en esta área. Para facilitar la comprensión de los conceptos más complejos, se incluye un glosario detallado que permite a los lectores no especializados acercarse al contenido de manera más accesible. Este enfoque busca no solo contribuir al avance del conocimiento técnico en el campo, sino también fomentar un diálogo más amplio entre diversos sectores de la comunidad.

This project describes the process of design, implementation, and testing of a satellite ground station for receiving and decoding High Resolution Protocol Transmission (HRPT) signals automatically. HRPT is a data transmission protocol used by various meteorological satellites to broadcast high resolution images and other environmental data in real time. The study covers the design and construction of an helix feed antenna combined with a parabolic reflector, crafted for HRPT signal reception at frequencies around 1,7 GHz. Furthermore, Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology was utilized for signal processing, significantly reducing equipment costs. Key elements of the project include: antenna modeling and fabrication using 3D printed components, antenna tuning procedures to achieve optimal impedance matching, and field testing to verify performance under real conditions. The ground station location, setup, and operation were optimized to ensure reliability and ease of use, allowing also to be operated remotely. The resulting system is capable of automatic reception of HRPT signals from active satellites such as NOAA, MetOp, and Meteor series. The system allows for scalability and can be modified easily to the operator needs.

The aim of this project is to analyze the internal structure of the Airbus A350-900 and simplify its primary components to develop a three-dimensional model design using SolidWorks. Based on the 3D model, detailed blueprints were generated to cut the pieces with laser cutting method in wood, which were subsequently assembled into a 1:50 scale model. The project starts with an overview of the recent history of the aircraft and its variants. Preliminary decisions, such as the selection of materials and software, were established to guide the project's direction. Following this, a detailed study of the major structural components, such as the fuselage, wings, and tail, was undertaken. The 3D model was meticulously designed to align with the geometry and dimensions of the actual aircraft, ensuring a high degree of accuracy. Nevertheless, minor adjustments were introduced to accommodate the model's adaptation to the chosen scale. The results of the project include a 1:50 scale model that accurately represents a simplified version of the aircraft's structure with exceptional detail. This project has been useful for applying the theoretical knowledge obtained during the degree. Key challenges included conducting an exhaustive analysis with limited available data on the aircraft, in addition to the complexity of assembling the scale model despite limited prior experience in similar tasks.

Efficient aircraft maintenance planning is essential for ensuring operational readiness during peak seasons. This thesis presents a rotational planning framework designed to address the most critical maintenance tasks and common maintenance requirements prior to the summer operational peak. Focused on Volotea's Airbus fleet, the study evaluates workload distribution across bases in Nantes, Verona, and Venice, incorporating a detailed analysis of critical and common tasks to streamline maintenance operations. The research includes an in-depth study of the most critical tasks, emphasizing their role in ensuring safety and performance, alongside an assessment of the most common tasks to optimize routine maintenance efficiency. A scenario-based sensitivity analysis explores the impact of fleet size increments, resource adjustments, and operational deadlines, demonstrating the adaptability of the proposed framework. The introduction of Venice as a supplementary base highlights its effectiveness in alleviating workload pressures on Nantes and Verona, ensuring timely task completion. The findings underscore the importance of integrating strategic planning and resource optimization to maintain operational reliability and efficiency. This study provides actionable insights for dynamic and scalable maintenance planning, ensuring the successful execution of all critical and routine tasks before the high-demand summer season.

This study explores the novel application of Monte Carlo techniques to optimise race strategies in Formula E, specifically under the new 2023/2024 regulations, which introduce complexities such as the attack charge and proper management of energy limitations. A robust simulation was developed to accurately model Formula E race dynamics, accounting for energy consumption, overtaking strategies, and variable race conditions. The methodology involves constructing a unique race simulation model, integrating innovator empirical models based on historical data for car performance, driver behaviour, track characteristics, energy management, crashes and caution periods occurrence. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to analyse various race scenarios, allowing for a detailed examination of how strategic decisions, such as the timing of attack modes and pit stops, affect race outcomes. The results indicate that the simulation model can reliably predict race dynamics and the impact of different strategies, with validation against real-world race data showing high accuracy, and flexibility to switch between racetracks. Key findings highlight the optimal timing for attack mode activations and pit stops under varying race conditions, providing innovative strategic insights that can significantly enhance race performance by leveraging unique state-of-the-art technology. In conclusion, the application of Monte Carlo techniques in this context offers a novel and powerful tool for strategy optimisation in Formula E, enabling teams to navigate the complexities of the sport's evolving regulations with data-driven decision-making. This research contributes to the advancement of simulation-based strategies in motorsport, demonstrating the potential of Monte Carlo methods for optimising performance under uncertainty.

This report uses data from the last three years to conduct a study on the Weddell Sea ionospheric anomaly. The data used for this work was generated by the Ionospheric Model for High Accuracy Services, (IONO4HAS) developed by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) research group of Astronomy and Geomatics (gAGE). The Weddell Sea is located near the coasts of Antarctica, south of Argentina and Chile. The Weddell Sea Anomaly (WSA) is a region of the ionosphere where abnormally high Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) values appear at night (a time at which low values are expected). The mechanisms and causes of this anomaly are still unknown. The objective of this work is to characterize the nature of the WSA, using the ionospheric data generated by IONO4HAS that was calculated by determining the error the ionosphere incurs in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) calculations. A secondary objective of this work is a learning process to understand the workings of GNSS communications, how IONO4HAS can calculate the ionospheric activity with them, and the tools used in data processing for these purposes. In the study, three years' worth of data have been classified and processed using GNU-awk (gawk) and bash scripts. The data acquired from IONO4HAS has values of the activity of the ionosphere on two separate layers, a lower one that accounts for the main electronic content of the ionosphere and a higher one that accounts for plasmapheric content; both layers have data recorded every 300 seconds. The lower layer has 7184 Ionospheric Grid Points (IGPs), and the higher layer has 1800, both of which cover the whole earth. The first results generated to study the WSA are Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) that show the average VTEC values at each point of the world, in terms of its Local Time (LT). The LT maps are an innovative approach that show the average VTEC value when each point of the earth is at a certain LT (this actually happens at different instants since it is never the same LT in the entire world). The maximum and minimum daily VTEC values (and the hours at which these occur), together with the daily range of VTEC values, are also calculated and shown in GIMs. All results were also calculated seasonally to better characterize the WSA The results show different behaviors and characteristics of the anomaly in different regions near the Weddell Sea. Each of these regions and their anomalous behavior have been defined; three different sub-anomalies have been identified as the West, Central, and East WSA. Most conclusions have been inferred from the results of the first layer in the ionospheric model, however, the second layer showed some interesting values for the hours at which maximum and minimum daily values occur. The general results are aligned with what is known so far of the WSA.

This study presents a computational model designed to simulate and analyse the mechanical behaviour and damage evolution in materials with self-healing properties, with a specific focus on representing the behaviour of vitrimers. The model is formulated at the Gauss point level and is based on the theory of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. This theoretical framework is applied to a constitutive model that incorporates internal variables to describe isotropic damage and the self-healing process, utilizing various functions. Subsequently, the impact of each of these functions on the results is analysed. This is an innovative study, as the development of a model capable of successfully representing the behaviour of these materials is still in its early stages.

This project focuses on studying electric vehicles and internal combustion engines and performing a conversion blueprint from ICEV to EV for a light vehicle used by logistics companies or supply chains. Firstly, both types of vehicles were studied with their benefits and disadvantages, and their components were mentioned as each component usage too. Secondly, the methodology was selecting the vehicle first, which was the Fiat Doblo cargo 1.4L for the study as it is one of the most used vehicles by supply chain companies in Egypt. Afterward, the electric components were selected, and each one's purpose, cost, model name, and manufacturers were mentioned too. Moreover, the steps for disassembly and assembly processes for the conversion were addressed in detail, along with the equipment, time needed, and labor required for this job to be carried out successfully. Moving along with the discussion of the solution that was selected to build the electric Fiat Doblo by using new electric components that are compatible with the vehicle to assure quality and longevity of the lifetime of the vehicle. Afterward, the legal aspects were discussed, mentioning the European laws as a benchmark and reference for the Egyptian law for electric vehicles, which is still not complete as it is under construction nowadays. Moreover, incentives and support from the government were discussed to motivate people and business owners to use electric vehicles instead of the internal combustion engine ones. The feasibility study was carried out based on some assumptions, and factors were analyzed. Three scenarios were used to discuss the feasibility of this project and 3 out of 3 scenarios showed that this project would produce losses if the conversion were done for less than 100 vehicles. On the bright side, if more than 100 vehicles are converted for a supply chain or logistics company, a 20% discount would be applied giving the company a bigger chance to succeed in the three scenarios. In these 3 scenarios, with the 20% discount applied the EV conversion option is winning against the ICEV-keeping option by far which ensures the feasibility of this project under this circumstance. Adding to this, the social and environmental implications all favor the studied solution, as it will provide new jobs in the market, protect the environment, and reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation sector around the globe

This thesis explores a comparative analysis of customer segmentation strategies supported by advanced analytical methodologies. It focuses on two foundational frameworks: Recency, Frequency, Monetary (RFM) and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), which respectively capture short-term transactional behaviors and long-term economic contributions. These metrics are subsequently analyzed through five clustering algorithms: K-Means, Hierarchical Clustering, DBSCAN, Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM), and Fuzzy C-Means. The study utilizes the UK E-Commerce data set from the UCI repository, which undergoes meticulous preprocessing and normalization to ensure robust and consistent input for the clustering models. The evaluation framework leverages two internal validation metrics—the Silhouette Score and the Calinski–Harabasz Index—to provide complementary perspectives on local density separation and global variance partitioning. Experimental results reveal that DBSCAN consistently outperforms other methods in identifying dense microclusters, often representing high-value or niche customers. In contrast, K-Means and Hierarchical Clustering exhibit stronger performance in generating broader global partitions. While Fuzzy C-Means achieves moderate results by accommodating overlapping segment boundaries through soft membership, GMM struggles with the non-Gaussian characteristics of the RFM and CLV datasets. The findings underscore that no single approach universally outperforms the others. Instead, the selection of metrics and clustering algorithms should be strategically aligned with business goals, such as identifying anomalies or performing large-scale segmentation. This study provides actionable insights for businesses aiming to enhance marketing strategies, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen customer relationship management (CRM) through data-driven segmentation approaches.

This research thoroughly investigates the possibility of creating an enterprise in Pakistan that will involve the manufacture and sales of electric bedsheets which are to be specifically geared towards less developed cold climatic regions. The work answers important questions including firstly estimating market demand by analysing the characteristics of the potential consumers such as size, age structure and buying habits. It stresses on the designing and production of low cost and energy regulator compliant electric bedsheets that are suitable for the income and energy resources of these regions..Furthermore, the study investigates potential ways of increasing the output of products and setting up a well-structured network for efficient distribution of goods considering logistical problems such as level of development of infrastructure and location of distribution centres characteristic of less developed regions. The analysis of consumer behaviour is essential in tracking demand, response to advertisement, or tendency to try modern devices as opposed to heating blankets. Financial and operational feasibility are key areas of concern, and they entail a comprehensive analysis of required start-up capitalization, ongoing operating costs, pricing methods, and revenue projections. Emphasis is placed on the aspects that determine the level of sustainability energy use, pollution, and the penetration of local materials and workforce to foster community support. The findings of this research aim to provide a roadmap for developing a viable and sustainable business model that effectively addresses the unique challenges and needs of cold-climate underdeveloped markets, where traditional heating solutions are limited or inefficient. The study's insights serve as a guide for entrepreneurs and policymakers seeking to improve living standards and promote innovative solutions in resourceconstrained settings