The purpose of this initial chapter it to present the problems and motivations that sparkled and impulsed the development of this thesis work and exposes what it aimed to achieve. Working towards this, section 1.1 introduces the topic of the thesis and the motivations behind it. Section 1.2 defines the set of objectives pursued with its development. Finally, section 1.3 outlines the contents to be found in each of the remaining chapters in this document.