Optical performance of a composite parabolic trough

The effects of receiver misplacement and the trough pointing towards the sun on the concentration characteristics of a composite parabolic trough are discussed. Results from some numerical calculations are presented graphically and discussed.     

Protecting multicast sessions in WDM optical mesh networks

Recent advances in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) technology are expected to facilitate bandwidth-intensive multicast applications. However, a single fiber (bundle) cut on such a network can disrupt the transmission of information to several destination nodes on a "light tree"-based multicast session. Thus, it is imperative to protect multicast sessions e.g., by reserving resources along backup trees. We show that, if a backup tree is directed-link-disjoint to its primary counterpart, then data loss can be prevented in the event of any single link failure. We provide mathematical formulations for efficient routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) of several multicast sessions (including their backup trees for dedicated protection) at a globally optimum cost. We present these formulations for networks equipped with two kinds of multicast-capable switch architectures: one using the opaque (O-E-O) approach and the other using transparent (all-optical) approach. We expand our formulations to accommodate sparse splitting constraints in a network, in which an optical splitter has limited splitting fanout and each node has a limited number of such splitters. We develop a profit-maximizing model that would enable a network operator to be judicious in selecting sessions and simultaneously routing the chosen ones optimally. We illustrate the solutions obtained from solving these optimization problem formulations for a representative-size network.     

An experimentally validated thermo-mechanical model for the prediction of thermal contact conductance

A predictive model for estimating thermal contact conductance between two nominally flat metallic rough surfaces has been developed and experimentally validated. The predictive model consists of two complementary parts, the first of which is a surface deformation analysis to calculate the actual area of contact for each contact spot, while the second accounts for the effects of constriction resistance and gas gap conductance between the contacting surfaces. A surface characterization technique is developed which generates an equivalent 3-D surface profile from multiple 2-D profiles and determines the unique wavelengths of importance for the surface deformation and constriction resistance models. For given surface profiles and material properties of two contacting surfaces, and a specified contact pressure, the surface characterization technique filters out non-essential wavelengths on the surface, after which the surface deformation analysis calculates the deformation and contact area of each contacting asperity by considering three different modes of deformation, namely, elastic, elastic–plastic, and plastic. The constriction resistance model is then used to calculate the constriction resistance for each contacting asperity based on the area of contact and radius of curvature of the asperity. The constriction resistance values for all the contacting asperities are then used to calculate the total thermal contact conductance. An experimental facility has also been constructed to measure thermal contact conductance of interfaces to verify the results of the predictive model. Good agreement has been found between the model predictions and experimental measurements, validating the modeling approach.     

Parametric Optimization of Complementary Split-Ring Resonator Dimensions for Planar Antenna Size Miniaturization

Wireless Personal Communications -     

Reliability of large periphery GaN-on-Si HFETs

GaN devices exhibit excellent potential for use in many RF applications. However, commercial acceptance of the technology has been hindered by the scarcity and non-statistical nature of reliability results. In this work we present a full device level reliability study of GaN-on-Si HFETs. Reliability results on this technology include three-temperature DC data that show an activation energy of 1.7 eV and an average failure time >10⁷ h at 150 °C. Additionally, long duration DC lifetest (30 000 device hours) and RF lifetest (4000 device hours) results demonstrate a repeatable low drift process. Environmental tests such as autoclave and ESD demonstrate the ruggedness of the material system and technology. Finally, initial failure analysis is discussed.     

Distributed dynamic fault-tolerant channel allocation for cellularnetworks

Efficient allocation of communication channels is critical for the performance of cellular systems. The centralized channel allocation algorithms proposed in literature are neither robust nor scalable. Several of these algorithms are unable to dynamically adjust to spatial and temporal fluctuations in channel demand (load). We present a distributed dynamic channel allocation (DCA) algorithm in which heavily loaded regions acquire a large number of communication channels, while their lightly loaded neighbors get assigned fewer channels. As the spatial distribution of channel demand changes with time, the spatial distribution of allocated channels adjusts accordingly. The algorithm described in this paper requires minimal involvement of the mobile nodes, thus conserving their limited energy supply. The algorithm is proved to be deadlock free, starvation free, and fair. It prevents cochannel interference and can tolerate the failure of mobile as well as static nodes without any significant degradation in service. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the performance of the proposed distributed dynamic algorithm is comparable to, and for some metrics, better than that of efficient centralized dynamic algorithms where the central switch has complete and latest information about channel availability. The major advantages of the proposed algorithm over its dynamic centralized counterparts are its scalability, flexibility, and low computation and communication overheads     

Computation methods for hydrodynamic problems (Reynold's equation)

This paper deals with the application of numerical methods to finding approximate solutions for a two-dimensional Reynolds' equation.Pressure height parameters ($\text{P}{}^1$) are evaluated at a series of discrete points on a rectangular mesh in the circumferential direction. Using these parameters the Reynold's equation is transformed into its equivalent finite difference form.In this form the equation gives the value of the pressure height parameter $\text{P}{}^1$ in terms of the values at neighbouring points and the corresponding influence coefficients. The finite difference equation is solved using an interactive method.Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel and successive over-relaxation methods are discussed. It is observed that by using an optimum over-relaxation factor, much computer time can be saved. Finally a convergence criterion is discussed which decides the iteration process.     

Kinetic Modelling of Colour Degradation in Tomato Puree (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

The kinetics of colour (measured as Hunter ‘a’ value) degradation in tomato puree (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) has been studied over a temperature range of 50–120 °C (isothermal condition), and also during normal open pan cooking, pressure cooking and cooking in a newly developed and patented fuel-efficient ‘EcoCooker’ (non-isothermal condition). The degradation of colour as measured by Hunter ‘a’ value was found to follow first order kinetics. The temperature dependence of degradation was adequately modelled by Arrhenius equation. A mathematical model has been developed using the isothermal parameters obtained to predict correctly the losses of red colour from the time–temperature data of non-isothermal heating/processing method. The results obtained indicate a colour degradation of similar magnitude in all the three modes of cooking used in the study.