Approvals

This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Yvan Pointurier

Approved:

$\parbox{2.75in}{ \rule{2.75in}{0.01in}\\ \mbox{}\hfill Ma\uml it\... ...0.24in} \rule{2.75in}{0.01in}\\ \mbox{}\hfill Toby Berger \hfill\mbox{} }$ $\parbox{2.75in}{ \rule{2.75in}{0.01in}\\ \mbox{}\hfill Stephen G.... ...e{2.75in}{0.01in}\\ \mbox{}\hfill Ira Jacobs (Virginia Tech) \hfill\mbox{} }$

Accepted by the School of Engineering and Applied Science:

James H. Aylor (Dean)

August 2006