I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr.John Cavazos, for giving me the impetus to work on this exciting project. His timely advice and suggestions were the cornerstones for the completion of this thesis. I would also like to thank my friends(arul, vinu, chetan, naran, nimmy) for the much needed encouragement dur-ing tough times. I dedicate this work to my mom, dad and sister for their eternal love and affec-tion which keeps me going all the time, my uncle and aunt for their innocent words of wisdom