Sizing of multi-stage Op Amps by combining design equations with the gm/ID method

Analog integrated circuit design has as integral parts both analytical reasoning and numerical validation in the process from topology construction to sizing. Given a circuit topology, different circuit sizing results can be obtained from different processes of sizing inference. Sizing methods by simulation-based numerical searching have been a continuously studied subject. However, almost all approaches in this category require an overwhelming number of circuit simulations to arrive at an optimized sizing result. On the other hand, many published manual sizing methods by using the conventional device equations also require repeated SPICE simulations to correct the equation-based sizing results. This paper proposes a systematic gm/ID-based initial sizing method specifically customized for designing multiple-stage operational amplifiers (Op Amps). A main feature of the proposal is to use circuit-level design equations as constraints on the gm/ID table lookup method to substantially reduce the uncertainty in the sizing calculations. As a result, a significant amount of SPICE based correction work can be reduced to complete an initial sizing. The proposed sizing procedure includes a few regular sizing rules customized to the configuration of multi-stage Op Amps. We validate the proposed sizing method by application to several multi-stage Op Amp examples with a capacitive load or Miller compensation. Simulations have justified that the produced initial sizing results can achieve most of the prespecified design targets.     

垂直矩形窄通道启动过程壁温变化特性研究

以去离子水为介质，对竖直矩形窄通道在启动过程中壁面温度的变化规律进行了研究。将一次启动与二次启动时壁面温度的变化特性进行了对比，并改变入口温度，研究了入口温度对启动壁面温度的影响。结果表明：一次启动时壁面温度经过三个阶段，即急剧上升阶段、缓慢升高阶段、缓慢上升至最高壁面温度后又缓慢降至稳态饱和沸腾阶段；二次启动时产生的沸腾滞后现象较一次启动时明显；提高入口温度可增加饱和沸腾段，减少壁面温度的波动，在一定程度上可避免壁面温度过冲对换热器的损坏。     

Seeing sweet and choosing sour: Compensatory effects of typeface on consumers’ choice behavior

The present research included two field studies investigating, firstly, the effects of round and angular typefaces on taste expectations and, secondly, how such expectations may have downstream effects on naturalistic consumer choice. A taste experiment conducted at a science festival asked participants (N = 125) to rate the expected and actual sweetness and sourness of beer served from plastic cups labelled with either angular or round typeface. Effects of typeface were found on both taste expectations and perceived taste, but in opposite directions; participants rated the expected sourness of a beer as higher in the round (vs. angular) typeface condition, whereas they rated perceived sourness as lower in the round compared to the angular typeface condition. A follow-up field study conducted at a beer bar tested whether different typefaces on a beer board would affect actual beer choices. Data consisted of beer transactions (N = 1,952) and included the monetary amount, and the specific style, and size of beer purchased. The results showed that average transaction amount was lower in the round (vs. angular) typeface condition, and that customers purchased more sour beer options in this condition. These findings support a crossmodal compensation account, and suggest that round typefaces could increase choices of contrasting sour products. Hence, marketers may want to consider how typefaces can either enhance or diminish certain tastes.     

非调制双色红外测温误差实时补偿方法研究

针对环境温度变化对双色红外测温准确度的影响,基于双色比色红外测温原理,分析了非调制双色红外测温的误差来源,提出一种新的快门式非调制双色红外测温方法。在光路中增加快门及其控制模块,控制快门闭合,将测得系统偏移作为补偿项,补偿实际测温时因温度变化给测量带来的误差。仿真结果表明,在600～1 100℃的测温范围内,长时间使用的无快门非调制红外双色测温的精度严重劣化,而快门式非调制双色红外测温的准确度大幅提高,可达到±0.5%。     

Double polarization hysteresis and dramatic influence of small compositional variations on the electrical properties in Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics

This work reports the existence of double polarization hysteresis (P–E) loop in Aurivillius-phase ferroelectric Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BiT) and reveals dramatic influence of small compositional variations on the electrical properties of it. The double polarization hysteresis is a characteristic of the interaction of defects with domain walls. This characteristic becomes more pronounced in Bi-deficient and Mg-doped BiT due to an increase in oxygen vacancy concentration at the lattices. Normal and saturated P–E loop is recalled by Nb donor doping, and associated composition Bi₄Ti_2.97Nb_0.03O_12.015 (BiT-0.03Nb) shows high remnant polarization (P_r = 12.5 μC/cm²) and large field-induced strain (S₃₃ = 5.6 × 10^?4). In addition, this doping results in bulk conductivity (σ_b) of BiT decreasing dramatically and associated activity energy (E_a) increasing significantly. In contrast, high oxide ion conductivity is induced with Mg²⁺ acceptor doping, and at 600 °C the optimum composition has ionic conductivity of ?0.65 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 in the bulk.     

Observer-based prescribed performance attitude control for flexible spacecraft with actuator saturation

This paper investigates the prescribed performance attitude control problem for flexible spacecraft subject to external disturbances and actuator constraints. By using a new performance function and an error transformation, the attitude control system is transformed into an error system which will be kept bounded to ensure expected dynamic and steady-state responses. Compared with the commonly used performance function, the modified one has an explicit prespecified terminal time which determines the maximum convergence time of the attitude control system. A modal observer and a disturbance observer are designed to deal with the flexible vibration and disturbances, respectively. Furthermore, when considering actuator saturation, an improved control strategy is developed with an auxiliary system utilized to compensate the saturation. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed by Lyapunov theory. Simulation results show the effectiveness and performance of the proposed methods.     

补偿强反光体表面红外测温误差的算法研究

针对运动强反光体表面温度实时测量困难、精度低这一难点,本文从红外测温原理入手,分析并揭示了红外测温精度易受到被测物体反射率、测量距离、测量环境、红外入射角等因素的影响。根据铝板材加工设备轧辊表面测温实际需要设计了一种利用红外传感器实现对强反光体表面温度点对点测量的方案。通过对测量数据的研究分析建立了一种基于斯忒藩定律的红外入射角度补偿算法,以此减小因红外入射角度变化产生的测温误差。实验结果证明本方法能较好地弥补红外入射角度变化产生的测温误差,提高测温精度。该补偿算法运算简单,适应性强,为改善入射角度变化对测温精度影响提供了新的方法。     

Design and validation of robotic bionic eye with multiple flexible ropes parallel mechanism inspired by oculomotor law

Producing a stable and agile bionic eye for visual image acquisition in robotics is a challenging task. In this paper, we design a bionic eye with mirror-symmetric distribution and cross-connection of flexible ropes. This mechanism is based on oculomotor law and the physiological structure of the extraocular muscles (EOMs). Specifically, the basic structural parameters are determined by Listing’s law, and the unique connection of the flexible ropes can realize the functions of the recti and oblique muscles. Furthermore, to mimic the trochlea structure, a pulley mechanism is constructed to permit the free movement of the flexible ropes. Through simulation and physical experiments, it is demonstrated that the bionic eye mechanism can move with agility under the structural parameters. The experimental results indicate that the proposed bionic eye mechanism has a superior motion accuracy of 2.798 mm, which is 6.7% of the maximum motion distance, and the repeatable accuracy of the mechanism can up to 0.210 mm.     

Rubber's dissipated energy quantification used in vibratory insulation and protection systems

In vibratory protection and insulation systems, the major problem consist to choose suitable passive elements (spring, damper, others), which are inserted between the resonator and the exciter which have the role of preventing or reducing the transmission of dynamic forces. This work consists of characterizing a synthetic rubber (SR) sample of hollow circular shape (design requirement) by determining the coefficient of energy dissipation at an average ambient temperature of 20°C with a humidity of 25%. The mechanical load and discharge tests make it possible to draw hysteresis curves through which the dissipation coefficient will be determined, the load values is between 500 and 1000 N, with 30, 60, and 90 mm/min loading speeds and a number of cycles 2, 3, and 5, these values have been chosen so as not to cause the effect of cyclic hardening and softening and also to take into consideration, that the vibration limits movement at 3 cycles, which makes this test different from other tests such as fatigue. The processing of different curves, allows to determine energy dissipation coefficient of rubber specimen and also to examine its variation as a function of load, loading speed, and number of cycles; it is possible to determine other characteristics from this coefficient, such as, damping ratio, dynamic amplification factor, and so on, necessary to study efficiency of protection systems, design, and manufacture, based on the curve of transmissibility of dynamic forces to evaluate performance rubber conditions use.     

Ferroelectric and electromechanical performance of diverse engineered states of Mn-doped 0.75Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.25PbTiO3 ceramics

The materials processing history has a great influence on their properties and finally determines their application effect. In this paper, the ferroelectric, polarization-switching current, and strain properties of Mn-doped 0.75Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.25PbTiO₃ ceramics were studied in fresh state, aged state, and poled state, respectively. Compared with the symmetric polarization-electric-field (P-E) hysteresis loops, current-density-electric-field (J-E) curves, and bipolar electric-field-induced strain (S-E) curves in fresh state samples, asymmetric P-E loops, J-E curves, and bipolar S-E curves were obtained in poled state samples. Well-aged-state samples exhibit double hysteresis P-E loop, four peaks J-E curves, and symmetric S-E curves without negative strain. The symmetry-conforming short-range order (SC-SRO) principle of point defects and internal electric field E_i is employed to clarify the different phenomenon of three states. Results indicated that randomly oriented defect polarization P_D in aged samples can reverse the spontaneous polarization P_S back and result in the double hysteresis P-E loop and four peaks J-E curves. The oriented P_D and resulting E_i in poled-state samples will lead to the asymmetric loops and strain memory effect.