Novel Channel Estimation Method in Broadband MIMO-OFDM Systems

A least square （IS） parametric channel estimation method in broadband mt/ltiple input multiple output （MIMO） orthogonal frequency division multiplexing （OFDM） systems is proposed. The mean square error （MSE） performance using optimal training pilots is also given, which proves the method can improve the estimation precision greatly in sparse channel.. Since such method needs the multi-path time delays information of the channel, the probabilistic data association （PDA） method is employed to estimate the time delay of each path. Simulation results show that both the bit error rate （BER） and the MSE performance of the proposed method are better than the traditional LS channel estimation method.     

Efficient fast mode decision using mode complexity for multi-view video coding

The variable block-size motion estimation（ME） and disparity estimation（DE） are adopted in multi-view video coding（MVC） to achieve high coding efficiency. However, much higher computational complexity is also introduced in coding system, which hinders practical application of MVC. An efficient fast mode decision method using mode complexity is proposed to reduce the computational complexity. In the proposed method, mode complexity is firstly computed by using the spatial, temporal and inter-view correlation between the current macroblock（MB） and its neighboring MBs. Based on the observation that direct mode is highly possible to be the optimal mode, mode complexity is always checked in advance whether it is below a predefined threshold for providing an efficient early termination opportunity. If this early termination condition is not met, three mode types for the MBs are classified according to the value of mode complexity, i.e., simple mode, medium mode and complex mode, to speed up the encoding process by reducing the number of the variable block modes required to be checked. Furthermore, for simple and medium mode region, the rate distortion（RD） cost of mode 16×16 in the temporal prediction direction is compared with that of the disparity prediction direction, to determine in advance whether the optimal prediction direction is in the temporal prediction direction or not, for skipping unnecessary disparity estimation. Experimental results show that the proposed method is able to significantly reduce the computational load by 78.79% and the total bit rate by 0.07% on average, while only incurring a negligible loss of PSNR（about 0.04 d B on average）, compared with the full mode decision（FMD） in the reference software of MVC.     

Heating load interval forecasting approach based on support vector regression and error estimation

As the existing heating load forecasting methods are almostly point forecasting,an interval forecasting approach based on Support Vector Regression (SVR) and interval estimation of relative error is proposed in this paper.The forecasting output can be defined as energy saving control setting value of heating supply substation;meanwhile,it can also provide a practical basis for heating dispatching and peak load regulating operation.By means of the proposed approach,SVR model is used to point forecasting and the error interval can be gained by using nonparametric kernel estimation to the forecast error,which avoid the distributional assumptions.Combining the point forecasting results and error interval,the forecast confidence interval is obtained.Finally,the proposed model is performed through simulations by applying it to the data from a heating supply network in Harbin,and the results show that the method can meet the demands of energy saving control and heating dispatching.     

A Joint Rate Control and AMC Algorithm for Adaptive Transmission Systems

The traditional communication system is effectively designed for the worst-case channel state and it can not use the spectral efficiently over the time-varying multipath channel. In order to improve the spectral efficiency and ensure robust and spectrally-efficient transmission over the time-varying multipath channel, a joint rate control and adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) algorithm for adaptive transmission systems is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the proposed algorithm can formulate a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) switching table according to the offline simulation results and the target bit error rate (BER). Then, the optimal MCS is selected in MCS switching table according to the channel state information (CSI) and then passes to the transmitter and receiver to implement. So the adaptive system which always uses the optimal MCS to transmit signals uses the spectral efficiently. The simulation results validate the proposed algorithm and show that under the premise of meeting the target BER, the adaptive system performing the proposed algorithm has a higher average spectral efficiency (ASE) than that of the non-adaptive system.     

Optimal power allocation for a video layered multicasting relay strategy in cellular system

Within a cell of cellular system,cooperative relay technique can improve the performance of multicast efficiently,but it can cause the stream frequent interruptions because of the mobility of relay terminals.A video layered cooperative relay strategy is proposed to guarantee the continuity of multicast stream and retain high-bandwidth of the cooperative relay channel.Based on the capacity analysis for layered relay channel in the strategy,the optimal power allocation is studied to maximize capacity.After analyzing and optimizing the capacity in abstract models,the study is extended to a non-fading and a Gaussian wireless channel model to satisfy the scenario of cellular system.Giving the relay nodes position or distribution of noise power,the obtained results can determine the optimal power allocation among the transmitter and relay nodes.At last,the simulation results show that the strategy and its optimal power allocation have a significant improvement on the performance.     

Energy transmission modes based on Tabu search and particle swarm hybrid optimization algorithm

In China, economic centers are far from energy storage bases, so it is significant to select a proper energy transferring mode to improve the efficiency of energy usage. To solve this problem, an optimal allocation model based on energy transfer mode was proposed after objective function for optimizing energy using efficiency was established, and then, a new Tabu search and particle swarm hybrid optimizing algorithm was proposed to find solutions. While actual data of energy demand and distribution in China were selected for analysis, the economic critical value in comparison between the long-distance coal transfer and electric power transmission was gained. Based on the above discussion, some proposals were put forward for optimal allocation of energy transfer modes in China. By comparing other three traditional methods that are based on regional price differences, freight rates and annual cost with the proposed method, the result indicates that the economic efficiency of the energy transfer can be enhanced by 3.14%, 5.78% and 6.01%, respectively.     

Content based error resilience coding using redundant coding,reference frame modification,and mode decision

Quality degradation occurs during transmission of video streaming over the error-prone network. By jointly using redundant slice, reference frame selection, and intra/inters mode decision, a content and end-to-end rate-distortion based error resilience method is proposed. Firstly, the intra/inter mode decision is implemented using macro-block（MB） refresh, and then redundant picture and reference frame selection are utilized together to realize the redundant coding. The estimated error propagation distortion and bit consumption of refresh MB are used for the mode and reference frame decision of refresh MB. Secondly, by analyzing the statistical property in the successive frames, the error propagation distortion and bit consumption are formulated as a function of temporal distance. Encoding parameters of the current frame is determined by the estimated error propagation distortion and bit consumption. Thirdly, by comparing the rate-distortion cost of different combinations, proper selection of error resilience method is performed before the encoding process of the current frame. Finally, the MB mode and bit distribution of the primary picture are analyzed for the derivation of the texture information. The motion information is subsequently incorporated for the calculation of video content complexity to implement the content based redundant coding. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves significant performance gains over the LA-RDO and HRP method when video is transmitted over error-prone channel.     

A new compensation method for angular rate estimation of non-gyro inertial measurement unit

A new compensation method for angular rate estimation of non-gyro inertial measurement unit (NGIMU) is proposed in terms of the existence of accelerometer mounting error, which seriously affects the precision of navigation parameter estimation. Using the accelerometer output error function, the algorithm compensates the posture parameters in the traditional algorithm of angular rate estimation to reduce the accelerometer mounting error. According to the traditional accelerometer configurations, a novel nine-accelerometer confi-guration of NGIMU is presented with its mathematic model constructed. The semi-hardware simulations of the proposed algorithm are investigated based on the presented NGIMU configuration, and the results show the effectivity of the new algorithm.     

Markov Model for Packet Scheduling in the Transmission of Streaming Media

The difficulties in the transmission of streaming media are analyzed, the packet scheduling on the streaming media server is studied. A Markov model is proposed under the effect of the complex dependency among the streaming media packets and the parameters of the transmission channel. On the basis of the Markov model,a policy is made to queue the streaming media packets in the sending buffer by using the iteration method, which can optimize the playback quality under the lack of the channel bandwidth.     

Improved channel estimation based on adaptive SVM for NC-OFDM systems

Non-contiguous OFDM (NC-OFDM) system is popular as its characteristics of avoiding interference by spectrum sensing. The traditional channel estimation methods can not be applied to the NC-OFDM systems directly as its special scheme. The improved time-domain channel estimation method based on adaptive support vector machine (SVM) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) estimation is proposed for NC-OFDM systems in this paper. It adopts the spectrum sensing based on adaptive SVM at the receiver. The simulation results show that the mean square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER) performance outperform than the conventional schemes under the same condition.     

Parametric analysis of steel plated shear structures

Due to outstanding ductility and high strength, the steel plate shear wall （SPSW） is recognized as a good lateral system for building structures; particularly as it interacts with earthquake resistant design. This study aims to reveal the dynamic and cyclic behavior of steel plated shear wall. Finite element method of analysis was implemented in order to simulate the behavior of such a wall structure. To determine the dynamic behavior of un-stiffened plate shear wall, two different analytical models were implemented The post buckling strength of steel plate subjected to lateral loading was also employed. The story shear-drift diagrams of steel shear wall system were presented. The strength and ductility of the system obtained from the analysis were compared with those of steel shear wall tests reported before. The pertinent parameters of the steel shear wall system such as plate thickness, column and beam stiffness and the plate aspect ratio were recognized and their effects were recorded. The effect of stiffeners on the behavior of the SPSW was also investigated.     

Process intensification of fine coal separation using two-stage flotation column

Flotation column is widely used as the separation equipment for fine mineral due to its high selectivity. However, this device may be unsuitable for the coarse particle flotation and has high handling ability. A two-stage flotation column with dimensions of 2 000 mm× 1 000 mm×4 000 mm was designed to enhance the column flotation process. The energy input was modified by adjusting the flow rate and the head of circulating pump. The flotation column was designed with low energy input in the first stage （speed flotation stage） to recover easy-to-float materials quickly, and high energy input in the second stage （recovery stage） to recover difficult-to-float minerals compulsorily. Contrast experiments on the throughput and coarse coal recovery of high ash coal from the Kailuan Mine were conducted using conventional single-stage flotation column and the two-stage flotation column. The results show that the combustible matter recovery of the two-stage flotation column is 5.25% higher than that of the conventional single-stage flotation column. However, the ash contents of clean coal for both columns are similar. Less coarse coals with low ash are obtained using the two-stage flotation column than that using the single-stage column flotation with the same handling ability. The two-stage flotation column process can enhance coal flotation compared with the conventional single-stage column flotation.     

Interfacial intermetallic compound growth and shear strength of low-silver SnAgCuBiNi//Cu lead-free solder joints

The growth rule of the interfacial intermetallic compound （IMC） and the degradation of shear strength of Sn-0.SAg-0.5Cu-2.0Bi-0.05Ni （SACBN）/Cu solder joints were investigated in comparison with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu （SAC305）/ Cu solder joints aging at 373, 403, and 438 K. The results show that （Cul-x,Nix）6Sn5 phase forms between the SACBN solder and Cu substrate during soldering. The interracial IMC thickens constantly with the aging time increasing, and the higher the aging temperature, the faster the IMC layer grows. Compared with the SAC305/Cu couple, the SACBN/Cu couple exhibits a lower layer growth coefficient. The activation energies of IMC growth for SACBN/Cu and SAC305/Cu couples are 111.70 and 82.35 kJ/mol, respectively. In general, the shear strength of aged solder joints declines continuously. However, SACBN/Cu solder joints exhibit a better shear strength than SAC305/Cu solder joints.     

Numerical and theoretical verification of modified cam-clay model and discussion on its problems

Isotropic consolidation test and consolidated-undrained triaxial test were first undertaken to obtain the parameters of the modified cam-clay （MCC） model and the behavior of natural clayey soil. Then, for the first time, numerical simulation of the two tests was performed by three-dimensional finite element method （FEM） using ABAQUS program. The consolidated-drained triaxial test was also simulated by FEM and compared with theoretical results of MCC model. Especially, the behaviors of MCC model during unloading and reloading were analyzed in detail by FEM. The analysis and comparison indicate that the MCC model is able to accurately describe many features of the mechanical behavior of the soil in isotropic consolidation test and consolidated-drained triaxial test. And the MCC model can well describe the variation of excess pore water pressure with the development of axial strain in consolidated-undrained triaxial test, but its ability to predict the relationship between axial strain and shear stress is relatively poor. The comparison also shows that FEM solutions of the MCC model are basically identical to the theoretical ones. In addition, Mandel-Cryer effect unable to be discovered by the conventional triaxial test in laboratories was disclosed by FEM. The analysis of unloading-reloading by FEM demonstrates that the MCC model disobeys the law of energy conservation under the cyclic loading condition if the elastic shear modulus is linearly pressure-dependent.     

Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic property of nanostructu- red Fe-doped TiO2 from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag

Nanostructured Fe-doped titanium dioxide was synthesized from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag （TCEFMS） by using an alkali fusion, followed by a hydrolyzation-acidolysis-cMcination route. The effects of Mkali/slag mass ratio, calcinating temperature, calcinating time, and water/slag mass ratio on the extraction efficiency and purity of products were systematically studied in this paper. It is indicated that the best extraction efficiency of nanostructured Fe- doped titanium dioxide is 99.35%, when the molten slag is calcinated at 700℃ for 1 h with the mass ratio of alkali/molten slag of 1.5：1. The influence of alkali/slag mass ratio on the photocatalytic activity of final products was evaluated by the photodegradation of methyl blue under visible light irradiation. A maximum photodegradation efficiency of 88.12% over 30 min was achieved under the optimum conditions.     

Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of aged Ni-Fe-Ga-Ti shape memory alloy

This article reports the effect of ageing on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 shape memory alloy. There are five specimens of this alloy aged at 573 up to 973 K for 3 h per each. This range of ageing temperature greatly affects the microstructure of the alloy. As the ageing temperature increased from 573 up to 973 K, the microstructure of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 alloy gradually changed from the entirely martensitic matrix at 573 K to the fully austenitic microstructure at 973 K. The volume fraction of precipi- tated Ni3Ti particles increased with the ageing temperature increasing from 573 to 773 K. Further increasing the ageing temperature to 973 K decreased the content of Ni3Ti in the microstructure. The martensitic transformation tempera- ture was decreased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature. The magnetization saturation, remnant magnetization, and coercivity increased with the ageing temperature increasing up to 773 K. A further increase in ageing temperature decreased these raagnetic properties. Moreover, the hardness values were gradually increased at first by increasing the ageing temperature to 773 K, and then dramatically decreased to the lowest value at 973 K.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu rein- forced with alumina nanoparticles by stir casting method

The microstructure and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu Mloy reinforced with different volume fractions （1.5vo1%, 3vo1%, and 5vo1%） of alumina nanoparticles, fabricated using stir casting method, were investigated. CMculated amounts of alumina nanoparticles （about ~50 nm in size） were ball-milled with aluminum powders in a planetary ball mill for 5 h, and then the packets of milled powders were incorporated into molten Al-4.5wt% Cu alloy. Microstructural studies of the nanocomposites reveal a uniform distribution of alumina nanoparticles in the A1-4.5wt% Cu matrix. The results indicate an outstanding improvement in compression strength and hardness due to the effect of nanoparticle addition. The aging behavior of the composite is also evaluated, indicating that the addition of alumina nanoparticles can accelerate the aging process of the Mloy, resulting in higher peak hardness values.     

Preparation of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass from molten blast furnace slag

To use the potential heat of molten blast furnace slag completely, a CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass （MSG） was prepared from the molten industrial slag. The corresponding method proposed in this study utilized both slag and its potential heat, improving the production rate and avoiding the environmental pollution. Using appropriate techniques, an MSG with uniform color and superior performances was produced. Based on the experimental results and phase diagram, the chemical composition of MSG by mass is obtained as follows：CaO 27%-33%, SiO2 42%-51%, Al2O3 11%-14%, MgO 6%-8%, and Na2O＋K2O 1%-4%. Thermodynamic processes of MSG preparation were analyzed, and the phases and microstructures of MSG were investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that alkali metal oxides serve as the fluxes, calcium oxide serves as the stabilizer, and alumina reinforces the Si-O network. XRD and SEM analyses show that, the prepared MSG displays the glass-feature patterns, the melting process is more complete, and the melt viscosity is lowered with an increase in calcium oxide content;however, a continuous increase in slag content induces the crystalli-zation of glass, leading to the formation of glass subphase. The optimum content of molten slag in MSG is 67.37wt%. With respect to bend-ing strength and acid/alkali resistance, the performance of MSG is better than that of ordinary marble.     

Effect of some operational variables on bubble size in a pilot-scale mechanical flotation machine简

This work aims to provide a relationship of how the key operational variables of frother type and impeller speed affect the size of bubble （D32）. The study was performed using pilot-scale equipment （0.8 m^3） that is up to two orders of magnitude larger than equipment used for studies performed to date by others, and incorporated the key process variables of frother type and impeller speed. The results show that each frother family exhibits a unique CCC95-HLB relationship dependent on n （number of C-atoms in alkyl group） and m （number of propylene oxide group）. Empirical models were developed to predict CCC95 from HLB associated with other two parameters a and ft. The impeller speed-bubble size tests show that D32 is unaffected by increased impeller tip speed across the range of 4.6 to 9.2 m/s （representing the industrial operating range）, although D32 starts to increase below 4.6 m/s. The finding is valid for both coalescing and non-coalescing conditions. The results suggest that the bubble size and bubble size distribution （BSD） being created do not change with increasing impeller speed in the quiescent zone of the flotation.     

Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.