Concurrent Cholesky factorization of positive definite banded Hermitian-matrices

First the Cholesky factorization is extended to cover uniformly partitioned banded positive definite matrices of rank n which may be real symmetric or Hermitian. Then two stratagems are given for the use of the algorithm in concurrent machines where the number of processing elements is less than required to factor the matrix in as few serial steps as possible, and where uniformly high efficiency is expected from all processing elements. Expressions are given for the efficiency factor e appearing in the speed-up expression g = eN, and these are specialized for the N node hypercube machine as a function of partition size s, the number N of processing elements of the hypercube machine, and the cost μ of interelement transmission relative to computation. It is shown that efficiency factor e is inversely proportional to μ/s, and that e is almost independent of N when N is large and μ/s = 0. The task is completed in n/s serial steps with no limit on n. The half bandwidth b of the matrix is 2Ns.     

On the coherent interference suppression using a spatiallysmoothing adaptive array

The behavior of a spatially smoothing adaptive array is examined. An expression for the weight vector is first derived. Using the array gain on the desired signal and the coherent interference is obtained. Then the expression for output signal-to-noise (SNR) is derived. It shows that the performance of the spatially smoothing array depends on the number of the subarrays, the angle separation, relative power and initial phase difference between the desired signal and the coherent interference. For good interference suppression it is found that the magnitude of the phase difference of the incident and interference signals must be greater than the beamwidths of both the subarray and the equivalent array. There is also a tradeoff between increasing the groups of subarrays and decreasing the number of elements in the subarrays. Computer simulation results are given that validate the analysis     

Performance evaluation of dynamically linearized and kinematically redundant planar manipulators

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of a theoretical development which could lead to advanced manipulator concepts offering fast dynamic and control features. Specifically, the application of “dynamic linearization” to a kinematically redundant planar manipulator is studied. In comparing such a manipulator with a standard non-linear, non-redundant design it is shown that in addition to the expected merits in linearity, dexterity, and computational simplicity, savings in actuator energy consumption can also be realized using a relative simple trajectory optimization scheme.     

Phase separation studies in RIM polyurethanes catalyst and hard segment crystallinity effects

Polyurethanes were prepared from pure 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,4-butane diol (BDO) or 1,2-ethane diol (EDO) and α,ω-hydroxyl poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) by reaction injection moulding (RIM). Hard segment (MDI + BDO or EDO) level was 45–50 wt%. The PPO had about 20% ethylene oxide copolymerized in at the chain ends to provide 80% primary OH end groups. M_n was varied from 2000 to 4000. Dibutyl tin dilaurate catalyst and mould temperature were varied. Dynamic mechanical, wide-angle X-ray, differential scanning calorimeter, molecular weight and tensile elongation measurements were made on the RIM polyurethanes. At low reaction rates (low catalyst or temperature) highly crystalline, well phase separated but low molecular weight polymers were produced. At high catalyst or temperature levels more poorly phase separated but high molecular weight, tough polymers resulted. Higher M_n PPO gave better phase separation and EDO gave higher melting temperatures. Preventing hard segment crystallinity by substituting asymmetric MDI or glycols resulted in phase compatibility.     

Removing cesium radionuclides from sodium-potassium coolant

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 1., pp. 22–24, January, 1989.