Oscillatory neural activity associated with cognitive processes affected by spatial frequency

The spatial frequency contained in visual objects is known to affect human psychophysiology. In our previous study, we showed that event‐related potentials are affected by spatial frequency during a simple calculation task. In that study, however, we did not investigate the contribution of oscillatory neural activities. The purpose of the present study is to characterize the changes in oscillatory neural activity associated with cognitive processes, and to investigate how these signals are affected by the spatial frequency of a visual stimulus during simple calculation tasks. We investigate these issues by analyzing our previously collected electroencephalography (EEG) dataset using the same visual stimulus, tasks, subjects, and EEG recordings. In that study, four types of vertically striped visual stimuli were used. The visual stimuli contained embedded numbers (from 0 to 9) that possessed the following frequency (f) characteristics: white noise, 1/f, 1/f², and 1/f³. The subjects were instructed to perform two tasks: ‘add numbers’ (addition task) and ‘do not add numbers’ (reference task). EEG data were recorded, and event‐related synchronization (ERS) and desynchronization (ERD) for each visual stimulus were analyzed on the basis of the intertrial variances of wavelet coefficients for theta, alpha, low‐beta, and gamma band activity. Eight healthy men (21–23 years) were recruited to participate in the study. Our results suggest the presence of a frequency discrimination function in the theta band activity in the fronto‐central area at the latency of 198 ms during the addition task. The alpha‐band ERD during completion of the reference task also showed a spatial frequency dependency. This phenomenon was observed in the left temporal‐parietal area at a latency of 376 ms, and is thought to be related to the perceptual filter. We conclude that the observed changes in oscillatory neural activity associated with cognitive processes are affected by spatial frequency. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Event‐related potentials affected by spatial frequencies of background visual pattern during a cognitive task

Spatial variation in luminance, which is one of the most important attributes of a visual image, may cause characteristic reactions in higher order brain functions. We aim to characterize the event‐related potentials (ERPs) associated with a cognitive task (simple addition) in terms of how they are influenced by the spatial frequencies of the background visual pattern. We use vertically striped visual stimuli with embedded numbers (0–9) and different spatial frequency characteristics (white noise, 1/f, 1/f², and 1/f³). The subjects are instructed to perform two tasks: an addition task that involved adding numbers presented as visual stimuli, and a reference task wherein the numbers were not added. In ERPs averaged over four types of visual stimuli for the addition task, positive components peaking at latencies of 182 ms in the central and frontal areas and 360 ms in the parietal area are observed, and significant differences are found between ERPs for the addition and reference tasks. In the addition task, the 182‐ms latency component shows a larger positive amplitude for 1/f³ compared with other stimuli in the right parietal‐occipital‐temporal area (P₄, T₆, O₂), and the 360‐ms latency component tends to show a larger positive amplitude for 1/f compared with other stimuli in the parietal‐central area (C₃, P₃, P_z). We conclude that spatial frequency characteristics influence ERPs associated with the retrieval of arithmetic data and certain neural activities that accompany simple forms of addition. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Periodic noise analysis of electric circuits: Artifacts,singularities and a numerical method

In this paper it is shown that a numerical method largely adopted for the simulation of noise in autonomous circuits is affected by singularities that manifest when the frequency at which the noise analysis is carried out approaches a harmonic of the autonomous circuit. The resulting noise power spectral density (PSD) is thus characterized by spurious spikes. The presence of these singularities is for the first time justified from an analytical standpoint and their effects are shown by simulating some oscillators, employed as benchmarks. Furthermore, the presented approach justifies the 1/(f_s?f)² shape of the PSD of noise at the output when the f_s frequency approaches the f fundamental of a stable oscillator and the 1/|f_s?f|³ shape when the effects of flicker noise are manifest. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An example of dB/dt characteristics of the dynamic magnetic loss parameter

Ferrite cores are used for power electronics circuits operating under excitation conditions of frequency ranging from hundreds of kilohertz to several tens of megahertz. Development of a mathematical model enabling the estimation of the power loss of ferrites in high‐frequency regions, contributes to the designing of power circuits. The power loss in high‐frequency regions consists of hysteresis and dynamic magnetic losses. Although hysteresis loss does not depend on the excitation frequency, the dynamic magnetic loss increases with increasing excitation frequency. The dynamic magnetic loss parameter, λ_f, has been introduced for identifying the power loss in high‐frequency regions. In this study, λ_f − dB/dt characteristics are experimentally obtained by a newly introduced hysteresis model that uses a normal distribution function. It is found that the λ_f − dB/dt characteristics do not depend on the size of B − H loops. The instantaneous power loss of a ferrite core in the high‐frequency region can be calculated using the λ_f − dB/dt characteristics. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Forsterite ceramics for millimeterwave dielectrics

The wireless communications have been tremendously developed in the recent ubiquitous age. The utilizable frequency region has been expanded to millimeterwaves because of shortage of conventional frequency regions. For the ultra high frequencies of millimeterwaves, dielectrics with ultra high quality factor Q and low dielectric constant ε _r are desired. Low ε _r is necessary to short the delay time of signals and to make devices small in size. Silicates for candidate of millimeterwave materials have low dielectric constant, because of silica-oxygen tetrahedra composed of half covalent bonds. Forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) as such kind of silicates has high Q ⋅ f of 270000 GHz and low ε _r of 6.8. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ _f was improved by adding rutile TiO₂ with high τ _f of plus 450 ppm/^∘C. In this paper, these results for forsterite are summarized.     

High‐tuning‐range CMOS band‐pass IF filter based on a low‐Q cascaded biquad optimization technique

A design procedure for high‐order continuous‐time intermediate‐frequency band‐pass filters based on the cascade of low‐Q biquadratic cells is presented. The approach is well suited for integrated‐circuit fabrication, as it takes into account the maximum capacitance spread dictated by the available technology and maximum acceptable sensitivity to component variations. A trade‐off between noise and maximum linear range is also met. A novel, wide‐tuning‐range transconductor topology is also described. Based on these results, a 10‐pole band‐pass filter for a code division multiple‐access satellite receiver has been designed and tested. The filter provides tunable center frequency (f₀) from 10 to 70 MHz and exhibits a 28‐MHz bandwidth around f₀ = 70 MHz with more than 39‐dB attenuation at f₀/2 and 2f₀. Third‐order harmonic rejection is higher than 60 dB for a 1‐Vpp 70‐MHz input, and equivalent output noise is lower than 1 mV_rms. The circuit is fabricated in a 0.25‐µm complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, and the core consumes 12 mA from a 2.5‐V supply, offering the best current/pole ratio figure. The die area resulted to be 0.9 × 1.1 mm². Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fatigue and dielectric properties of undoped and Ce doped PZT thin films

Abstract

Ce doping improves the ferroelectric properties of sol-gel derived PZT thin films by facilitating easier domain wall movement. It also decreases the leakage current densities by reducing the concentration of free carriers through a decrease in concentration of Pb and O vacancies. Ce-PZT films retain good dielectric dispersion characteristics since the concentration of defects and defect dipoles are reduced. Ce doping dramatically improves the fatigue resistance of PZT thin films. We have studied the frequency dependence of fatigue behavior and shown that the loss of polarization due to fatigue follows a universal scaling behavior with N/f², where N is the number of the switching cycles and f is the frequency. The origin of the scaling is attributed to the drift of oxygen vacancies, which is the rate limiting process in the growth of the interface layer responsible for fatigue. Empirical fits for both undoped and cerium doped samples show that switchable polarization follows a stretched exponential decay with time or N/f. Cerium doping is believed to improve fatigue resistance by impeding the motion of oxygen vacancies.     

Switched capacitor circuit for 1/f noise generation using a power-law circuit

A simple switched capacitor (SC) circuit is given which realizes a one-dimensional discrete dynamical system X_n+1 = X_n + ux^z generating intermittent chaos with a 1/f-shaped power spectrum. an integrated circuit with a pair of logarithmic and antilogarithmic amplifiters can easily realize the power-law term x^z which plays a key role in generating l/fnoise. an inevitable small offset voltage ? in the SC circuit governs the cut-off frequency of 1/f noise, and when the dynamical system is modified by introducing an effective ?, the ‘indirect method’ enables us to get the precise power spectrum in the modified system.     

双馈风力发电机转子绕组故障的试验研究

在实际生产中,双馈风力发电机(DFIG)转子绕组状态监测能有效提高风电机组的运行可靠性。为研究DFIG转子绕组运行故障试验方案,首先介绍试验平台的基本原理、现场试验装置及搭建过程中主要问题的解决方法;然后以变换器网侧电流作为研究对象,分析故障特征信息流经变流器电力电子器件的传播规律,基于电流频谱提取转子绕组发生不平衡故障的诊断依据;最后基于获取的转子绕组三相不对称负载故障运行前后的转子绕组电流频谱图,可分析转子侧电气量故障特征频率。依据试验结果将转子变换器网侧电流频谱中的100 Hz、200 Hz和几个特征频率边频分量作为转子绕组不平衡故障的诊断依据;将3sf和(2±3s) f(s为转差率,f为基频)作为转子三相负载不对称故障的特征频率,具有一定的试验指导性和工程意义。     

Phase transformation and microwave dielectric properties of BiPO4 ceramics

Monazite-type compounds, BiPO₄ polymorphs were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The phase transformation and microwave dielectric properties of sintered ceramics were investigated using the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and a network analyzer, respectively. The low-temperature phase of BiPO₄ has monoclinic structure, and was transformed into the high-temperature phase with a slight distortion of monoclinic when it is heated above 600^∘C. The effect of the transformation on the microwave dielectric properties was examined. It was found that the dielectric properties of each phase were significantly different. In particular, the high-temperature phase sintered at 950^∘C has good microwave dielectric properties; the relative dielectric constant (ε _r ) = 22, the quality factor (Q× f) = 32,500 GHz and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ _f ) = − 79 ppm/ ^∘C.     

Effects of structural characteristics on microwave dielectric properties of (1−x)CaWO4 –xLaNbO4 ceramics

Dependences of microwave dielectric properties on the structural characteristics of (1−x)CaWO₄–xLaNbO₄ ceramics were investigated as a function of LaNbO₄ content (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5). A single phase with tetragonal scheelite structure was obtained up to x = 0.35, and then the mixture phases with scheelite and fergusonite structure were detected. With the increase of LaNbO₄, the deviation of the observed dielectric polarizabilities calculated by the Clausius-Mosotti equation from the theoretical values calculated by the additivity rule of dielectric polarizability, was decreased due to the decrease of oxygen bond valence in ABO₄ scheelite structure. Dielectric constant (K) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) were increased with LaNbO₄ content due to the decrease of oxygen bond valence. Q ⋅ fvalue was dependent on the atomic packing fraction of unit cell as well as the grain size. Typically, K = 13.3, Qf = 50,000 GHz and TCF = −8.7 ppm/^oC were obtained for the specimens with 0.3 mol of LaNbO₄ sintered at 1150^oC for 3 h.     

Measurement of dynamic magnetic loss parameter in ferrites

The measurement of the iron loss in ferrites is important for developing high‐efficiency switching power supplies. The authors have proposed the dynamic magnetic loss parameter, λ_f, for evaluating the iron loss in ferrites. In previous studies, the parameter was assumed to be a constant value for an individual ferrite material and defined for one period of a small B–H loop. In this paper, assuming that λ_f is a function of the time derivative of the magnetic flux density, dB/dt, a novel measurement method of λ_f of a Ni‐Zn ferrite is proposed using rectangular wave voltage excitation and the Fourier expansion of the exciting current. In order to realize an iron loss measurement system with the rectangular wave voltage excitation, a high‐frequency FET inverter has been developed. The results of measuring λ_f show that it is uniquely determined by dB/dt regardless of the B–H loop size. The measured dB/dt characteristics of λ_f are applied to practical examples for switching power supplies and sinusoidal wave voltage excitations. Their experimental and computational results coincide and it is clarified that the measured dB/dt characteristics are effective and useful. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 156(1): 1–6, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20101     

Calculation of frequency response of thyristor‐controlled series capacitor

In this paper, we propose a method of analytically calculating an impedance of a thyristor‐controlled series capacitor (TCSC). The TCSC consists of a thyristor‐controlled reactor (TCR) and a capacitor. If a small voltage component of frequency f superimposes the TCSC voltage of frequency f_o, then current components of frequency (nf_o ± f) flow through the TCR, where n takes even numbers. We derive theoretical equations for them. In the derivation, we consider an influence of odd harmonics in the TCSC voltage. We also consider deviations in its zero‐crossing times due to the superimposed voltage. The current components flow through the capacitor and the transmission line, and produce new voltage components of frequency (nf_o ± f). In order to count their influence, we introduce admittance matrices for the TCR, the capacitor, and the transmission line. By solving a network equation consisting of the matrices, we can obtain the distribution of the voltage and current components. We define the impedance of TCSC as a ratio of the voltage component of frequency f to the current one of the same frequency. The impedance analytically obtained corresponds well with that obtained by simulations. Its frequency responses vary with the firing method of thyristors. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 139(3): 35–44, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.1158     

SVPWM逆变器供电时FSCW-PMSM损耗特性研究

为探究空间矢量脉宽调制(space vector pulse width modulation,SVPWM)逆变器引入的时间谐波电流对分数槽集中绕组永磁同步电机(fractional-slot concentrated-winding permanent magnet synchronous machine,FSCW-PMSM)损耗特性的影响,文中提出一种SVPWM逆变器与FSCW-PMSM联合系统中电机损耗谐波特性分析方法。首先,理论分析了考虑时间谐波电流时电机损耗的时空谐波特性。其次,以一台三相双层绕组10极12槽PMSM为例,搭建电机与SVPWM逆变器的场路联合仿真模型,求解样机在恒转矩和恒功率调速时损耗的谐波特性,揭示各谐波损耗的产生机理。结果表明：转子谐波损耗由基波电流与次谐波、iZ±p次齿谐波和(f_c±4f)/f、(f_c±2f)/f次时间谐波电流与p、Z±p次空间谐波引起;定子铁芯谐波损耗由基波磁场、谐波励磁磁场及(f_c±4f)/f、(f_c±2f)/f次时间谐波电流引起。该结论适用于其他极槽组合的FSCW-PMSM。最后,通过实验验证了该分析方法的有效性。     

高压变频工况下调相机启机保护的分析与改进

计算并分析了调相机采用静止变频器启动的谐波特性,探讨了变频启动系统的变频特性及谐波特性对调相机启机保护的影响。为滤除变频状态下的主要谐波,提高调相机启机保护的计算精度,提出一种改进型的定频采样变数据窗离散傅里叶变换算法。该算法对f_s/f₀(采样频率/系统频率)为非整数时的固有误差进行补偿,并根据系统频率自适应优化每周期傅里叶变换计算的点数,同时采用拟合函数实时计算正余弦系数表。在此基础上,对调相机启机保护进行了改进,并给出了动作判据。在保护装置上进行了实验验证,结果表明改进后的启机过流保护与启机零序电压保护在不同频率下精度较高,在变频工况下能够准确计算故障中的基波分量。此外,启机差动保护使用峰峰值算法进行差动启动计算,并结合改进型定频采样变数据窗离散傅里叶变换算法进行差流动作判别,能够确保该保护的可靠性与速动性。     

A very-low-frequency block-digital oscillator

The development of a block-digital oscillator when the oscillating frequency f_o is very low with respect to the sampling frequency f_s is outlined. Explicit relations for the sensitivity to coefficient quantization, for scaling and for mean-squared round-off error analysis are derived. the principal conclusion is that both the sensitivity and the mean-squared round-off error remain constant and do not depend on the ration f_s/f_o. Finally, the block oscillator is compared with the scalar oscillator proposed in Reference 7; some numerical results are also included.     

Oscillation frequency in hybrid stepping motors

Oscillation characteristics under constant drive pulse-rate conditions are measured on the basis of the drive pulse rate f (pps). Relationships between the oscillation frequency under rotating conditions and the single-step response are investigated. It is clarified that the main components of oscillation consist of the integral- and fractional-harmonics of f, and that they are determined from the times at the valley and peak of the single-step response, respectively. The f/4 component oscillation, which is very different from the forementioned oscillations, also is discussed.     

Multi‐component instantaneous frequency estimation using locally adaptive directional time frequency distributions

This paper presents a locally adaptive time‐frequency (t,f) method for estimating the instantaneous frequency (IF) of multi‐component signals. A high‐resolution adaptive directional time‐frequency distribution (ADTFD) is defined by locally adapting the direction of its smoothing kernel at each (t,f) point based on the direction of the energy distribution in the (t,f) domain. The IF of signal components is then estimated from the ADTFD using an image processing algorithm. Using the mean square error between the original IF and estimated IF as a performance criterion, experimental results indicate that the ADTFD gives better IF estimation performance compared with other TFDs for a multi‐component signal. For example, for signal‐to‐noise ratio of 12dB, the IF estimate obtained using the ADTFD achieves a mean square error of ?42dB for a weak signal component, which is an improvement of ?12dB compared with other TFDs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of Ba3Ti5Nb6O28 with B2O3 and CuO additions

The low sintering temperature and the good dielectric properties such as high dielectric constant (ε _r ), high quality factor (Q × f), and small temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) are required for the application of chip passive components in wireless communication low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). In the present study, the sintering behaviors and dielectric properties of Ba₃Ti₅Nb₆O₂₈ ceramics were investigated as a function of B₂O₃-CuO content. The pure Ba₃Ti₅Nb₆O₂₈ system showed a high sintering temperature (1250^∘C) and had the good microwave dielectric properties: Q × f of 10,600 GHz, ε _r of 37, TCF of −12 ppm/^∘C. The addition of B₂O₃-CuO was revealed to lower the sintering temperature of Ba₃Ti₅Nb₆O₂₈, 900^∘C and to enhance the microwave dielectric properties: Q × f of 32,500 GHz, ε _r of 40, TCF of 9 ppm/^∘C. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) studies, these phenomena were explained in terms of the reduction of oxygen vacancies and the formation of secondary phases having the good microwave dielectric properties.     

Control of 0.2CaTiO3-0.8Li0.5Nd0.5TiO3 microwave dielectric ceramics by additions of Bi2Ti2O7

Ceramics of 0.2CaTiO₃-0.8Li_0.5Nd_0.5TiO₃) have been prepared by the mixed oxide route using additions of Bi₂O₃-2TiO₂ (up to 15 wt%). Powders were calcined 1100^∘C; cylindrical specimens were fired at temperatures in the range 1250–1325^∘C. Sintered products were typically 95% dense. The microstructures were dominated by angular grains 1–2 μm in size. With increasing levels of Bi₂O₃-2TiO₂ additions, needle and lath shaped second phases developed. For Bi₂Ti₂O₇ additions up to 5 wt%, the relative permittivity increased from 95 to 131, the product of dielectric Q value and measurement frequency increased from 2150 to 2450 GHz and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ _f ) increased from −28pp/^∘C to +22pp/^∘C. A product with temperature stable τ _f could be obtained at ∼2 wt% Bi₂Ti₂O₇ additions. For high levels of additives, there is minimal change in relative permittivity, the Qxf values degrade and τ _f becomes increasingly negative.