Issues in electromagnetic compatibility of integrated circuits: emission and susceptibility

This paper is focused on the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of integrated circuits. The introduction gives general keyword definitions and principles for emission and susceptibility. The second part deals with the evolution of integrated circuit design and technology with its consequences on EMC. The third part describes the mechanisms for generating parasitic noise within integrated circuits and the role of the package and on-chip supply network. Next, the standardized measurement methods are described for both parasitic emission characterization (conducted and radiated) and immunity from 1 MHz to 1 GHz. Issues and proposals up to 18 GHz are discussed. The advances in modeling of emission are also addressed, as well as the issues in immunity prediction.     

Contribution of EARLINET/ACTRIS to the summer 2013 Special Observing Period of the ChArMEx project: monitoring of a Saharan dust event over the western and central Mediterranean

In the framework of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx; http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.fr/) initiative, a field campaign took place in the western Mediterranean Basin between 10 June and 5 July 2013 within the ADRIMED (Aerosol Direct Radiative Impact on the regional climate in the MEDiterranean region) project. The scientific objectives of ADRIMED are the characterization of the most common ‘Mediterranean aerosols’ and their direct radiative forcing (column closure and regional scale). During 15–24 June a multi-intrusion dust event took place over the western and central Mediterranean Basin. Extra measurements were carried out by some EARLINET/ACTRIS (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network /Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network, http://www.actris.net/) lidar stations in Spain and Italy, in particular on 22 June in support to the flight over southern Italy of the Falcon 20 aircraft involved in the campaign. This article describes the physical and optical properties of dust observed at the different lidar stations in terms of dust plume centre of mass, optical depth, lidar ratio, and particle depolarization ratio. To link the differences found in the origin of dust plumes, the results are discussed on the basis of back-trajectories and air- and space-borne lidars. This work puts forward the collaboration between a European research infrastructure (ACTRIS) and an international project (ChArMEx) on topics of interest for both parties, and more generally for the atmospheric community.     

Cascade fuzzy variable structure control of induction motor based on the approach of fuzzy modelling of Ben-Ghalia

In this article, a control design concept using fuzzy sets for an induction motor is presented. The aim of the proposed modelling approach is to provide a fuzzy set-based representation of the cascade sliding mode control of an induction motor fed by PWM voltage source inverter, which operates in a fixed reference frame. For this purpose, a new decoupled and reduced model is first proposed. Then, a set of simple surfaces and associated control laws are synthesised. A piecewise smooth control function with a threshold is adopted. However, the magnitude of this function depends closely on the upper bound of uncertainties, which include parameter variations and external disturbances. This bound is difficult to obtain prior to motor operation. To solve this problem, a fuzzy modelling approach is presented to improve the design and tuning of a fuzzy logic controller using variable structure control theory. The robust fuzzy control design is made feasible without resorting to model simplification or imposing restrictive conditions on the system uncertainty. The fuzzy controller is designed in order to improve the control performances and to reduce the control energy and the chattering phenomenon. Simulation results reveal some very interesting features and show that the proposed fuzzy sliding mode controller could be considered as an alternative to the conventional sliding mode control of induction motors.     

"Lactobacillus murinus" n. sp., a new species of the autochtoneous dominant flora of the digestive tract of rat and mouse (author's transl)

Lactobacillus murinus, a new species isolated from rat and mouse digestive tracts, is described. It belongs to the subgenus Thermobacterium although it is able to ferment pentoses. The electrophoretic mobilities of soluble proteins and lactic dehydrogenase, the guanine + cytosine content (43.7%), the L-lysine-D-Aspartic acid cell wall (b type, Kandler), the immunological relationship with other Lactobacillus species and also the aminoacid requirements show that it has to be assigned to a new species, Lactobacillus murinus. This species settles in the digestive tract of rodents in their first days of life and remains ther as a dominant flora throughtout the whole life of the animal.     

Evaluation of zolpidem on alertness and psychomotor abilities among aviation ground personnel and pilots

The use of hypnotics to optimize rest periods during sustained operations could be of help to military personnel. Zolpidem, an imidazopyridine hypnotic, was evaluated for its residual effects on daytime wakefulness in 12 subjects belonging to ground air force personnel and 12 navy fighter pilots. In this controlled double blind crossover study, each subject randomly received zolpidem 10 mg, flunitrazepam 1 mg or placebo, in three separate sessions, 1 week apart at 10 p.m. or 1 a.m., respectively. The absence of residual effects after zolpidem intake was attested by subjective assessments, psychomotor tests (including a simulated flight), and EEG analysis showed that this hypnotic could be considered for operational use.     

Mycobacterium chelonae cutaneous infection: efficacy of prolonged treatment by clarithromycin

The great auricular nerve is routinely divided during the operation of parotidectomy, however, some surgeons have suggested that preserving the posterior branches reduces the area of post-operative anaesthesia. A prospective study was performed comparing the area of anaesthesia and hypoaesthesia in patients undergoing parotidectomy. In 20 patients the great auricular nerve was preserved and in 11 it was sacrificed. Mapping of the area of sensory loss at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months showed that there was no difference between the two groups. The area of sensory loss decreased in an exponential fashion in both groups. The majority of the change occurred within 6 months. We conclude that preservation of the posterior branches of the great auricular nerve is unnecessary.     

Comparison among emission and susceptibility reduction techniques for electromagnetic interference in digital integrated circuits

This paper presents a comparative study of susceptibility reduction techniques for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in digital integrated circuits (ICs). Both direct power injection (DPI) and very-fast transmission-line pulsing (VF-TLP) methods are used to inject interference into the substrate of a single test chip. This IC is built around six functionally identical cores, differing only by their EMI protection strategies (RC protection, isolated substrate, meshed power supply network) which were initially designed for low emission design rules. The ranking of three of these cores in terms of electromagnetic immunity is then compared with the one of their radiated emission, thanks to near-field scanning (NFS) measurements. This leads to the establishing of design guidelines for low EMI in digital ICs.     

Ice slurry: Pressure drop and deposition velocity

Ice slurries are used in indirect refrigeration systems. The storage tank of ice slurry systems decreases the maximum required cooling capacity of the equipment and smooths down the installation consumption. An advantage of ice slurry systems compared to chilled water systems is the higher cooling energy that can be delivered to customers using the same installed pipes. This paper gives a complete investigation of ice slurry pressure drops and deposition velocity. A model for the friction factor, obtained by empirical and semi-empirical approximation, is discussed. A new simple and efficient method is introduced to find the deposition velocity in an ice slurry fluid flow. Finally a variety of experimental results and some theoretical calculations of ice slurry flow patterns are shown.