Date of Award
5-2021
Culminating Project Type
Thesis - Restricted Access
Degree Name
Electrical Engineering: M.S.
Department
Electrical Engineering
College
College of Liberal Arts
First Advisor
Yi Zheng
Second Advisor
Md. Mahbub Hossain
Third Advisor
Timothy Vogt
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Dielectric Microwave High Frequency Amplifier
Abstract
Trimming of poultry tissues including claws and beaks/bills is a common industry practice to keep the poultry from causing harm to one another affecting welfare of the flock as well as decreased value at slaughter. Current methods for treating poultry claws utilize older aging technology and leave room to be improved from both a technology and bird welfare standpoint. A new RF amplifier design is introduced and implemented using solid state amplifier technology. The amplifier utilizes an embedded control system with custom firmware to actively monitor the forward and reflected RF energy and control the output power, frequency (synthesizer), and other elements to ensure accurate and consistent treatment. A dynamic power range of 54dB is achieved across the 2.4GHz-2.5GHz frequency band with .1dB of resolution across the entire power range. A measurement accuracy of less than .15% forward and reflected power is also achieved. A design of an applicator capable of coupling the amplifier output to the tissue is introduced as well. Efficacy trials were performed comparing the newly developed system to current methods of trimming Digit I on a turkey. Results showed the new design with a score of 92% and 91% for the left and right claws respectively with the ideal amount of claw removed approximately 30 days after treatment. The results from the current methods used were 52% and 39% for the left and right claws, respectively with the same amount of claw removal. These results show the developed system can be an improved alternative to the current industry methods of claw trimming.
Recommended Citation
Worcester, Derek, "High Frequency Amplifier Design and Development for Dielectric Treatment of Poultry Claws" (2021). Culminating Projects in Electrical Engineering. 6.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/ece_etds/6
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Comments/Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife Jessie and daughter Emma. Without their continual support and understanding the long nights and weekends spent on this project would never be possible.
I would like thank Dr. Yi Zheng for his continued support, understanding and continual push to succeed throughout all my time as an SCSU student. If not for his support and understanding, I would have never even pursued an advanced degree.