Analysis and improvement of performance of MC-CDMA system withnonlinear amplifier

A multicode CDMA system with nonlinear amplifier is analysed for uncoded BER and a simulation carried out to evaluate the coded BER performance. The adaptive predistorter is shown to significantly reduce the nonlinear effect of the amplifier     

Development of operation-aided system for chemical processes

This paper presents the development of a knowledge-based operation-aided system for polypropylene process. The important part of this system is the search for the root cause of faults by detecting and analyzing the symptoms which occurred in the process in the case of abnormal situations. In this system, an artificial neural network which is able to handle pattern recognition is used for qualitative interpretation of sensor data and generating symptoms. For effective fault diagnosis, two causal effect models which are based on SDG (Signed Directed Graph) are developed. One model, RCED (Reduced Cause Effect Digraph) uses only the measurable sensor data of the process and is constructed off-line and stored in the knowledge base of the system. The other model, PGTT (Pattern Graph Through Time) is generated in the real-time mode during the diagnosis period. It is generated from symptoms—status and/or tendency change—and can handle dynamic state effectively. By implementing the developed qualitative interpretation method and two causal effect graph models, the operation-aided system for the polypropylene process, FINDS/PP (Fault Isolation aNd Detection System/PolyPropylene) was developed. This system was developed with the expert system tool G2 and showed good results.     

Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics with Various Porosities and Dissolution Rates

Porous bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and biphasic HA/TCP, were fabricated using the polyurethane sponge technique. The porosity of the ceramics was controlled by a multiple coating of the porous body. When a porous body was produced by a single coating, the porosity was ∼90%, and the pores were completely interconnected. When the sintered body was coated five times after the porous network had been made, the porosity decreased to 65%. As the porosity decreased, the strength increased exponentially. The TCP exhibited the highest dissolution rate in a Ringer's solution, and the HA had the lowest rate. The biphasic HA/TCP showed an intermediate dissolution rate.     

Optimal redundancy resolution of a kinematically redundant manipulator for a cyclic task

This article proposes a method for the global optimization of redundancy over the whole task period in a kinematically redundant manipulator. The necessary conditions based on the calculus of variations for integral-type criteria result in a second-order differential equation. For a cyclic task, the boundary conditions for conservative joint motions are discussed. Then, we reformulate a two-point boundary value problem to an initial value adjustment problem and suggest a numerical search method based on the iterative optimization for providing a globally optimal solution using the gradient projection method. Since the initial joint velocity is parameterized with the number of redundancy, we only search parameter values in the parameterized space using the configuration error between the initial and final time. We show through numerical examples that multiple nonhomotopic extremal solutions satisfying periodic boundary conditions exist according to initial joint velocities for the same initial configuration. Finally, we discuss an algorithm for topological liftings of the paths and demonstrate the generality of the proposed method by considering the dynamics of a manipulator.     

Characterization of ultra low density polyethylenes (PE-ULD)

Ultra low density polyethylene (PE-ULD), the newest and most recently commercialized member of polyethylene family, has been characterized in terms of structure, thermal and rheological properties, and molecular parameters. Since the prime use of PE-ULD is polyolefin modifier, emphasis is put on the melt rheology of the samples to provide data base for blending with other resins.     

Range-dependent path-loss model in residential areas for the VHFand UHF bands

Implementation digital fixed wireless systems, such as digital FM, high definition TV (HDTV) and wireless local loop (WILL), require a high level of accuracy of propagation prediction in the VHF and UHF bands. This paper presents a theoretical model that predicts the average path loss from an elevated base station to subscriber antennas at rooftop level in residential areas for frequencies in the approximate band from 30 MHz up to 3 GHz. In addition, the model gives the standard deviation of the path loss at the average rooftop level and the height gain for subscriber antennas above or below the average rooftop level. The approach used here generalizes that of Walfisch and Bertoni (1988), who developed a theoretical model of UHF propagation in urban environments. The rows of buildings in residential areas are modeled as a series of dielectric screens having random heights and uniform spacing. Propagation takes place over and through the dielectric screens, and ground reflections are included. The fields at the plane of each screen are obtained in terms of repeated numerical evaluation of the physical optics (PO) integral. Results obtained for the variation of the range dependence on frequency and row spacing are consistent with those previously found for high frequencies by assuming the screens to be totally absorbing. Using the results at different heights of receiving antenna allows computation of the height gain. The predictions are in agreement with the International Telecommunication Union Radio Communication (ITRU-R) recommendations in the VHF and UHF bands     

Contact control for advanced applications of light weight arms

Many applications of robotic and teleoperated manipulator arms require operation in contact and noncontact regimes. This paper deals with both regimes and the transition between them with special attention given to problems of flexibility in the links and drives. This is referred to as contact control. Inverse dynamics is used to plan the tip motion of the flexible link so that the free motion can stop very near the contact surface without collision due to overshoot. Contact must occur at a very low speed since the high frequency impact forces are too sudden to be affected by any feedback generated torques applied to a joint at the other end of the link. The effects of approach velocity and surface properties are discussed. Force tracking is implemented by commands to the deflection states of the link and the contact force. This enables a natural transition between tip position and tip force control that is not possible when the arm is treated as rigid. The effects of feedback gain, force trajectory, and desired final force level are of particular interest and are studied. Experimental results are presented on a one-link arm and the system performance in the overall contact task is analyzed. Extension to multi-link cases with potential applications are discussed.     

High selectivity plasma etching of InN over GaN

Etch selectivities for InN over GaN as high as 40 and 100 are achieved in BBr₃/Ar and BI₃/Ar, respectively, under inductively coupled plasma conditions. Previous work on Cl₂-based plasma chemistries has produced selectivity in the reverse direction, i.e., GaN over InN, and therefore the introduction of these new Br₂- and I₂-based mixtures facilitates device fabrication involving double heterostructures of GaN/In_xGa_1−xN/GaN. Selectivities up to 10 for InN over the common mask materials SiO₂ and SiN_x were obtained in both BI₃ and BBr₃.     

Preparation and properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene copolymer hybrid nanocomposites with organoclays

Acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) hybrid nanocomposites with organoclays were prepared by melt mixing, and their properties were compared with those of conventional rubber compounds filled with carbon black and silica. Based on X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, the NBR nanocomposites obtained were found to form generally an intercalated structure, although they formed an exfoliated structure when the organoclay content was low enough, <2 parts per 100 rubber. The NBR nanocomposite showed a simultaneous improvement in ultimate strength and stiffness, which is generally in a trade‐off relation in rubbery materials. A characteristic fracture morphology of ‘laminated board‐type’ was observed for NBR nanocomposites instead of typical ‘cross‐hatched’ morphology in conventional rubber composites. The NBR nanocomposites also showed much higher hysteresis and tension set. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry