Theory and application of time-frequency analysis to transient phenomena in electric power and other physical systems

This dissertation provides a new theoretical scheme of signal processing: cross time-frequency analysis. The proposed cross time-frequency analysis is applied to various types of real-world signals and systems in order to verify the feasibility and applicability of the proposed theory. The application of time-frequency analysis is focused on electric power and other physical systems. Unfortunately, classical Fourier-based methodologies and power quality indices are not directly applicable for the assessment and localization of transient power quality phenomena. Hence, in this dissertation, application of time-frequency analysis is discussed for the assessment and localization of transient power quality events. Through the use of joint time and frequency localized “energy” distributions, a set of time-frequency based transient power quality indices are presented and applied to real-world disturbance signals. Also, a solution for the spatial localization of transient disturbances is presented. It rests upon calculating a time and frequency localized “phase difference” via cross time-frequency analysis. By evaluating the phase difference of voltage and current at the time and frequency of interest and at different spatial points, one can identify the direction of transient disturbance energy flow in order to pinpoint the location of the transient disturbance source. In addition, applications of time-frequency theory have been extended to various types of real-world physical signals and systems. A new reflectometry methodology, time-frequency domain reflectometry, is proposed and demonstrated with experimental results. Also, cross time-frequency analysis has been utilized for the characterization of ocean wave group propagation, and applied to transient postural sway signals to identify the effects of aging and sensory systems on human postural control systems.