\chapter*{Acknowledgments}
First, I would like to thank my research advisor and committee chair, Dr. Adam Hoover. His guidance, expertise, and patience over the past year has helped me grow as a student, professional, and as a person. I could not have made it this far without his help.

I would like to thank Dr. Harlan Russell for his encouragement to pursue graduate education. And, I would like to thank both Dr. Harlan Russell and Dr. Yingjie Lao for taking the time to serve on my defense committee. Furthermore, I am incredibly appreciative of all my professors at Clemson University and especially the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for this wonderful opportunity.

Lastly, I would like to extend a huge thanks to my friends and members of our research group for their help and encouragement.
