Computing the Average Symbol Error Probability of the MPSK System Having Quadrature Error

When quadrature error exists, the shape of the M‐ary phase shift keying (MPSK) signal constellation becomes skewed‐elliptic. Each MPSK symbol takes on a different symbol error probability (SEP) value. The analytical results presented thus far have been derived from studies which examined the SEP problem assuming that the SEP of each MPSK symbol is equally likely; therefore, those results should not be treated as offering a complete solution. In this letter, we present a new and more complete solution to the SEP problem of MPSK by relaxing the above assumption and finding the expressions for the average as well as individual SEP in the presence of quadrature error.     

Optically preamplified receiver performance due to VSB filtering for 40-Gb/s optical signals modulated with various formats

Optically preamplified receiver performance according to the vestigial sideband (VSB) filtering has been numerically investigated for 40-Gb/s optical signals modulated with nonreturn-to-zero, duobinary nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ), return-to-zero (RZ), carrier-suppressed RZ, and duobinary carrier-suppressed RZ formats. The VSB filtering enables the spectral widths of NRZ, duobinary NRZ, and RZ signals to be reduced without severe power penalties at the receiver. On the other hand, carrier-suppressed RZ and duobinary carrier-suppressed RZ signals have no large advantages over VSB filtering because of the characteristics of their signals. Our results suggest that RZ signals are the most suitable modulation format for VSB filtering, without considering the filter loss, because of the tolerance of the intersymbol interference and a large spectral width. However, duobinary NRZ signals are the most suitable modulation format for VSB filtering, considering the filter loss, because of their narrow spectral width.     

Spectral shape tunable band-rejection filter using a long-period fiber grating with divided coil heaters

We have developed a new type of tunable band rejection filter, which provides high spectral-shaping flexibility in a wide tuning range. The filter consists of a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) with divided coil heaters. Each of the divided coil heaters is controlled individually to adjust a temperature distribution along the LPFG and to modify the spectral shape of the LPFG filter. The tunable band rejection filter is demonstrated to function properly when applied as an erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain-flattening filter.     

Intelligent process analytics for CRM

Many organisations use decision models in their processes such as tables or trees to provide decision support to their operational divisions. For example, in fault management, customer contact centre operators usually use a decision model in the form of prescribed interviews. Based on the answers given by customers, the operator navigates through the decision model to reach an assessment of the problem. In order to achieve customer satisfaction and operational excellence, it is very important to constantly monitor the performance of a decision model not only on an overall level, but also on the level of individual decisions. In this paper we present a configurable business process analytics tool, known as the intelligent Universal Service Management System, that constantly monitors decision data and is capable of optimising the decisions based on high-level business objectives. We explain the various features of the software and show how it can be used to optimise decision processes. We also show how we can easily provide a customised version to monitor the performance of provision processes.     

Comparison of total and faecal coliforms as faecal indicator in eutrophicated surface water.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of total coliforms (TC) and faecal coliforms (FC) using a membrane filtration method for precise monitoring of faecal pollution in Korean surface water. The samples were collected in Korea from both main rivers and their tributaries. Presumptive TC * FC were enumerated. The ratios of presumptive FC to TC were not constant, but varied widely, and TC were difficult to enumerate because of overgrowth by background colonies. For FC this was not the case. Seven hundred and three purified strains of presumptive TC * FC and their background colonies were biotyped using API 20E. Among 272 presumptive TC, non-faecal related species, Aeromonas hydrophila dominated (34.6%) and E. coli accounted for only 5.1%. In contrast, E. coli made up 89% of the 209 presumptive FC. Furthermore, of 164 background colonies on Endo Agar LES, 54.9% was A. hydrophila, while background colonies on m-FC Agar were few (58 strains), and despite their atypical colony appearance, most of them were biotyped as enteric bacteria. These results reveal that the detection of FC rather than TC using m-FC Agar is more appropriate for faecal pollution monitoring in eutrophicated surface water located in a temperate region.     

Ethylene polymerization over MgO‐supported zirconocene catalysts

Supported zirconcene catalysts on a new support, MgO, were prepared and tested in ethylene polymerization. Three types of impregnation methods were employed to find an optimum supporting method for MgO. The direct impregnation of Cp₂ZrCl₂ on MgO showed low metal loading and polymerization activity, while the catalyst had a higher metal loading and polymerization activity when MgO was treated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) before supporting. Treatment of MgO with MAO during the supporting step invoked two types of catalytic sites, which was evidenced by the bimodal molecular weight distribution of the polymer products. MgO is considered to have potential as a support for metallocenes.     

An Analysis of Citation Counts of ETRI‐Invented US Patents

From its foundation until 2004, ETRI has registered over 1,000 US patents. This letter analyzes the characteristics of these patents and addresses the explanatory factors affecting their citation counts. For explanatory variables, research team related variables, invention specific variables, and geographical domain related variables are suggested. Zero‐altered count data models are used to test the impact of independent variables. A key finding is that technological cumulativeness, the scale of invention, outputs in the electronic field, and the degree of dependence on the US technology domain positively affect the citation counts of ETRI‐invented US patents. The magnitude of international presence appears to negatively affect the citation counts of ETRI‐invented US patents.     

Low-temperature poly-SiGe alloy growth of high gain/speed pin infrared photosensor with gold-induced lateral crystallization (Au-ILC)

The hydrogenated poly-silicon germanium (poly-SiGe:H) epitaxial film has been investigated using gold-induced lateral crystallization (Au-ILC) technology on a-SiGe:H layers at 10-h 350/spl deg/C annealing temperature and 60-sccm hydrogen (H/sub 2/) content. Using this optimal condition, the growth rate of the induced Au was as large as 15.9 /spl mu/m/h. With a low annealing temperature (/spl les/400/spl deg/C) and large growth rate, this novel technology will be noticeably useful for poly-SiGe:H pin IR-sensing fabrication on a conventional precoated indium tin oxide (ITO)-glass substrate. Under a 1-/spl mu/W IR-LED incident light (with peak wave length at 710 nm) and at a 5-V biased voltage, the poly-SiGe:H pin IR sensor developed by the Au-ILC technology, i.e., an Al (anode)/n poly-SiGe:H/i poly-SiGe:H/p poly-SiGe:H/ITO (cathode)/glass-substrate structure allowed for maximum optical gain and response speed. The optical gains and the response speeds were almost 600 and 130%, respectively, better than that of a traditional pin type. Meanwhile, the FWHM of a poly-SiGe:H pin sensor with Au-ILC technology was reduced from 280 to 150 nm. This reveals excellent IR-sensing selectivity. These IR-sensing trials demonstrated again that the proposed Au-ILC technology has very useful application in the field of low cost integrated circuits on optoelectronic applications.     

Dual command travel times and miniload system throughput with turnover-based storage

We analyze travel times for automated storage/retrieval systems. In particular, we apply our travel time model to turnover-based storage systems and determine the mean and variance of dual command travel times. We present detailed numerical results for selected rack shape factors and ABC inventory profiles. We then investigate the effect of alternative rack configurations on travel time performance measures. We also show how to determine the throughput of miniload systems with turnover-based storage and exponentially distributed pick times.     

A new method to suppress harmonics using /spl lambda//4 bias line combined by defected ground structure in power amplifiers

A new /spl lambda//4 bias line combined by a dumb-bell shaped defected ground structure (DGS) is proposed to suppress harmonics in power amplifiers. The proposed DGS bias line maintains the required high impedance even after DGS is inserted, while the width and length of the /spl lambda//4 bias line are broader and shorter than those of conventional bias lines. When the DGS bias line is used in power amplifiers, the third harmonic components as well as the second harmonic are reduced, because of the increased slow-wave effect over wide harmonic band. It is shown that the reduction of the third harmonic component, the improvement of 1 dB compression point, and power added efficiency are 26.5 dB, 0.45 dB, and 9.1%, respectively.