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Fabrizio Tappero

Present Position:

PhD student since start-2006

Subitted PhD for examination 13 June 2008
Phone: +61 2 9385 4208
Fax: +61 2 9313 7493
Room Number: EE Building 413B
Email: f.tappero@student.unsw.edu.au

Education:

Laurea degree (equivalent to BS and MS) in Electronic Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy, March 2000.

Brief Biography:

Fabrizio Tappero graduated in 2000 from the Polytechnic of Torino (Italy). He obtained a Bachelor and a Master in Electronic Engineering. His thesis dealt with the implementation of stereo image compression routines for an autonomous rover on-board computer. In 2000 Fabrizio won a STA Japanese PhD research fellowship and spent 2 years in the diamond CVD plasma diagnostic research project in AIST (Japan). In the 2003 Fabrizio moved to the Space Technology Group in AIST, and worked for 3 years on a novel remote synchronization satellite system called RESSOX, to be used to develop a GPS augmentation system with no on-board satellite atomic clocks. Fabrizio is currently a PhD student in the University of NSW, researching further the RESSOX system. Fabrizio has spent six years working as researcher, and has published over 25 papers. He can speak fluent Italian, English and Japanese.

Current Research:

Time-Keeping System Control Algorithm for the Remote Synchronization System of the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS): Research includes the development of a particular VCXO control algorithm for the time-keeping system of the RESSOX/QZSS augmentation system.
Positioning Performance Evaluation of the Remote Synchronization System RESSOX for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS): Study of the positioning performances when the GPS is used together with the Japanese RESSOX/QZSS augmentation system.
Software Simulator for the Remote Synchronization System RESSOX for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. Research includes the investigation of the requirements and the design architecture of the RESSOX system throughout simulations of the whole augmentation system.

Research Project:

Synchronization system for the on-board time reference of the Japanese Quasi-Zenith satellite system

The Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) represents an innovative satellite system able to provide positioning augmentation for mobile users over Eastern Asia and Australasia. The integration of the QZSS with the present American Global Positioning System, GPS and/or the European GALILEO will improve accuracy, availability and capability over a wide area. Throughout a collaborative research program, the space technology group of AIST, Japan and the University of NSW, Australia are studying the feasibility of a revolutionary remote synchronization scheme for implementing a QZSS with no on-board atomic clocks. The system consists of a remote synchronization scheme where the satellite on-board time reference is constantly linked to a main atomic reference located in the ground station. An up-link/down-link network provides an opportune synchronization/ correction signal that keeps the master time reference and the satellite time reference in lock-step. This revolutionary system will, therefore, not require on-board atomic clock, in fact satellite clocks would just act as transponders and broadcasting the very precise time built at the ground station. The on-board controller, core of the remote synchronization method, is now under study by the candidate throughout the adoption of a dedicated software simulator module specifically tailored for this need and under development throughout a collaborative work with Mitsubishi Space Software (Tsukuba, Japan). By means of the same collaborative scheme, the candidate is also responsible for the development of a global software simulator that would prove the feasibility of the whole system, space segment and control station segment, as well as the study of the positioning performance of the combined system QZSS plus GPS/GALILEO.

Eventually, such concept could be extended to positioning systems with more satellites. Considering that nowadays, satellite based positioning systems (i.e. GPS, GALILEO) consist of about 26 satellites, each of them equipped with two/three very costly and bulky space-born atomic clocks. And that, the satellite life span for there systems is inevitably limited by the clocks themselves, the advantages of this remote synchronization system would be immense. This project does not only represent an interesting and challenging research topic for space science, but also has great applicability to drastically improve the way we conceive a satellite-based positioning system.

Publications:

PAPERS IN JOURNALS AND SYMPOSIUM OR CONFERENCE PAPERS

Nano-materials fabrication under low and high gravity. S. Usuba, Y. Abe, F. Tappero, G. Maizza, Symposium on Nano-structured Materials for Structural Applications and Nanodevices, Tsukuba Japan, November 2002.
In-situ plasma diagnostics study by means of optical emission spectroscopy for diamond CVD under high gravity conditions. F. Tappero, G. Maizza, Y. Abe, Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol.27 Number 10, pp. 4458-4461, October 2003.
In-situ diagnostics with optical emission spectroscopy for DC-Plasma diamond CVD in high gravity. (Japanese) Y. Tanaka, F. Tappero, Y. Abe, H. Taguchi, K. Gyoda, Y. Takagi, 20th Space Utilization Symposium, Japan, January 2004.
Ground tested for Quasi-Zenith Satellite Remote Synchronization System for on-board crystal oscillator. T. Iwata, A. Iwasaki, Y. Fukuyama, F. Tappero, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, 24th ISTS, International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, May 30th 2004, Miyazaki, Japan.
Software concept for Remote Synchronization System for on-board crystal oscillator of Quasi-Zenith Satellite. A. Iwasaki, T. Iwata, Y. Fukuyama, F. Tappero, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, 24th ISTS, International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, May 30th 2004, Miyazaki, Japan.
Simulation tool of a hybrid power storage system for humanoid robots. F. Tappero, T. Kato, ACTA Press, Power and Energy System, ISSN 1482-7891, 442,144, June 2004.
Wireless optical diagnostic apparatus for analyzing diamond thin film CVD process under high gravity conditions. F. Tappero, Y. Abe, Y. Takagi, Y. Tanaka, G. Maizza, Diamond & Related Materials, Vol. 13, Issues 11-12, pp 2063-2070, September 2004.
Growth and characterization of diamond for DC-plasma CVD under high gravity condition. (Poster presentation) F. Tappero, Y. Abe, Y. Takagi, Y. Tanaka, G. Maizza, 15th European Conference on Diamond, Diamond-Like Material, Carbon Nanotubes, Nitrides & Silicon Carbide, 12-17 September 2004, Riva del Garda, Trentino, Italy.
Software simulator for a Remote Time Reference Synchronization System of Satellite-Based Positioning System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, K. Nakajima, H. Murakami, SESP 2004: 8th International Workshop on Simulation for European Space Programmes, 19-21 October 2004, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
Hardware experimental setup for the Remote Synchronization System of on board crystal oscillator. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, A. Iwasaki, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, Symposium on Space Technology, November 4th 2004, Fukui, Japan.
Preparation and evaluation of Ce(Gd)O2 interlayer on supported Zr(Sc)O2 electrolyte SOFCs by a wet ceramic process. T. L. Nguyen, Z, K. Kobayashi, T. Honda, Y. Iimura, K. Kato, N. Neghisi, K. Nozaki, F. Tappero, Sasaki, H. Shirahama, K. Ota, M. Dokiya, T. Kato, Solid State Ionics, 164-174 (2004) 163Ð174.
Software development for the Remote Synchronization System of onboard crystal oscillator. A. Iwasaki, N. Takashi, T. Iwata, F. Tappero, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, Ken Nakajima Symposium on Space Technology, November 4th 2004, Fukui, Japan.
In-situ diagnostics with optical emission spectroscopy of DC-plasma diamond CVD in high gravity. (Japanese) Y. Tanaka, F. Tappero, Y. Abe, Y. Takagi, G. Maizza, Y. Kazama, K. Gyoda, The 20th Japan Society of Microgravity Application, JASMAC-20, November 4th 2004, Fukui, Japan.
Software simulator for the onboard Quasi-Zenith Satellites time reference. (Japanese) T. Iwata, F. Tappero, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, K. Hagimoto, H. Murakami, T. Ikegami, A. Iwasaki, K Nakajima, 3th Science Frontier Tsukuba 2004. November 14th 2004, Tsukuba, Japan.
Research on Remote Synchronization System for onboard crystal oscillators of Quasi-Zenith Satellites. T. Iwata, F. Tappero, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, K. Hagimoto, H. Murakami, T. Ikegami, A. Iwasaki, K Nakajima, GNSS 2004: The 2004 International Symposium on GNSS/GPS, Sydney, Australia 6Ð8 December 2004.
In-situ plasma diagnostics of diamond synthesized in high gravity. (Japanese). Y. Tanaka, F. Tappero, Y. Abe, Y. Takagi, K. Gyoda, Y. Kazama, Proceedings of the Twenty-first Space Utilization Symposium, Vol. 21, January 12-13, 2005. Science Council of Japan, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan.
Control algorithm of the hardware simulator for a Remote Synchronization System for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, ION NTM 2005 Conference, January 24-26, 2005, in San Diego.
Ground experiments of Remote Synchronization System for on board crystal oscillators of Quasi-Zenith Satellites. T. Iwata, F. Tappero, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, T. Suzuyama, H. Murakami, Y. Ikemoto, A. Iwasaki, T. Masubuchi. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 15 - 18 August 2005, San Francisco, California.
Optical emission spectroscopic study for diagnostics in high gravity DC-plasma CVD diamond growth. Y. Abe, F. Tappero, Y. Tanaka, Y. Takagi, G. Maizza. ELGRA Biennial Meeting and General Assembly. September 21-23, 2005, Santorini, Greece.
Computer simulation of Remote Synchronization System of onboard crystal oscillators for Quasi-Zenith Satellites. T. Iwata, F. Tappero, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, T. Suzuyama, K. Hagimoto, H. Murakami, T. Ikegami, N. Takasaki, A. Iwasaki, K. Nakajima. 56th International Astronautical Congress 2005. 17-21 October 2005, Fukuoka, Japan.
Remote Synchronization System for onboard crystal oscillators for Quasi-Zenith Satellites. (Japanese). T. Iwata, A. Iwasaki, Y. Ikemoto, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, F. Tappero, H. Murakami. Fifth Symposium on Microwave Science and Its Application to Related Fields. November 2-4 2005. AIST, Tsukuba, Japan.
Positioning performance evaluation of the Remote Synchronization System RESSOX for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki. GPS/GNSS 2005, 8-10 December 2005, Hong Kong.
Feedback control experiments of Remote Synchronization System for onboard crystal oscillators. (Japanese). T. Iwata, Y. Ikemoto, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, F. Tappero, A. Iwasaki, H. Murakami. Symposium on Space Technology, November 9th 2005, Hiroshima, Japan.
End-to-end simulation of Remote Synchronization System for on-board crystal oscillators. (Japanese). N. Takashi, A. Iwasaki, T. Iwata, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, F. Tappero, H. Murakami, K. Nakajima. Symposium on Space Technology, November 9th 2005, Hiroshima, Japan.
Study on control of Remote Synchronization System for on-board crystal oscillators during communication interruption. (Japanese). Y. Ikemoto, T. Iwata, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, F. Tappero, A. Iwasaki, H. Murakami. Symposium on Space Technology, November 9th 2005, Hiroshima, Japan.
Proposal of a novel Remote Synchronization System for the on board crystal oscillator of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, M. Imae. Transactions of JSASS, Space Technology Japan. Submitted.

INTERNAL REPORTS

Development of a remote deformation meter instrument with a radio power transponder. F. Tappero, P. Civera. Consulting Job, Electronics Department of Politecnico di Torino. August 2000.
Development of a C algorithm for stereo image compression and path recognition. (Italian). F. Tappero, I. Vigna. Laurea Thesis. Politecnico di Torino. March 2000.
Development of an autonomous vehicle for metal detection. (Italian). F. Tappero. Minor Thesis. Politecnico di Torino. University Courses. January 1999.

PRESENTATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Wireless optical diagnostic apparatus for analyzing diamond thin film cvd process under high gravity conditions. F. Tappero, Y. Abe, Y. Takagi, Y. Tanaka, G. Maizza, 9th Int. Conf. of New Diamond Science and Technology, March 2004, Waseda Univ. Tokyo Japan
Simulation tool of a hybrid power storage system for humanoid robots. F. Tappero, Toru Kato 4th Int. Conference on Power and Energy System, Rhodes Greece, June 2004.
Software simulator for a Remote Time Reference Synchronization System of Satellite-Based Positioning System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, K. Nakajima, H. Murakami, SESP 2004: 8th International Workshop on Simulation for European Space Programmes, 19-21 October 2004, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
Hardware experimental setup for the Remote Synchronization System of on board crystal oscillator. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, A. Iwasaki, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, Symposium. on Space Technology, November 4th 2004, Fukui, Japan.
Control algorithm of the hardware simulator for a Remote Synchronization System for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki, K. Hagimoto, T. Ikegami, H. Murakami, ION NTM 2005 Conference, January 24-26, 2005, in San Diego.
Positioning performance evaluation of the Remote Synchronization System RESSOX for the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. F. Tappero, T. Iwata, M. Imae, T. Suzuyama, Y. Fukuyama, A. Iwasaki. GPS/GNSS 2005, 8-10 December 2005, Hong Kong.

Interests:

Reading, scuba-diving, roller-blading, playing hockey and painting.