Minimum delay routing for wireless networks with STDMA

STDMA emerges as a promising channel access technique for providing Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees in multi-hop ad hoc networks such as community mesh and sensor networks. The contention-free channel access combined with spatial reuse of the channel provide significant benefits in the energy/throughput trade-off. On the other hand, the time-multiplexed communication introduces extra delay on the packets when relayed by intermediate nodes. Hence in large wireless sensor networks or mesh networks, where data is routed over several hops before reaching the data sink, STDMA protocols may introduce high end-to-end latency due to the reservation-based access policy. We argue that a suitable routing protocol specifically designed for reservation-based Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols can alleviate their high-latency drawback. Following this argument, we propose first such routing algorithms working on top of a generic STDMA MAC protocol. First, we consider routing with data fusion and present our GreenWave routing idea. We show that our algorithm significantly reduces the end-to-end delay when compared to routing over the shortest-hop paths. Second, we consider routing without data fusion, by taking into account the effect of congestion along the paths on the end-to-end delays. We provide a QIP formulation of the problem, and present a lower bound and a heuristic algorithm to bound the optimal solution. Based on the centralized heuristic algorithm, we propose a distributed, dynamic routing protocol GreenWave routing with Congestion and Flow control (GWCF), which uses a novel congestion and flow control technique utilizing the underlying contention-free protocol. We show by simulations that GWCF routing significantly improves the end-to-end delay while increasing the network throughput when compared to routing over shortest paths.

Electricity generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment by a microbial fuel cell (MFC) with Cu and Cu–Au electrodes

Background: A microbial fuel cell (MFC) consisting of anaerobic and aerobic chambers separated by a salt‐agar slab was used for electricity generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment where copper and gold covered copper wires were used as anode and cathode, respectively. The electrons produced from degradation of carbohydrates in anaerobic chamber traveled through the copper wire generating electricity and the protons were transferred from cathode to anode through the salt‐agar slab. Variation of the current intensity (mA) and the electrical power (mW) were investigated as function of the surface area of anode and also the chemical oxygen demand (COD) content of the synthetic wastewater. Results: The generated power density (mW m^?2) increased with increasing surface area of the electrodes and also with the COD content of the wastewater. Both the current intensity (mA) and the power generated (mW) increased with time and reached maximum levels at the end of batch operation. More than 80% COD removal was achieved in the aerobic chamber with an electricity generation of 2.9 mW m^?2 when the initial COD content was 6000 mg l^?1. Conclusion: The MFC configuration and the use of Cu and Cu‐Au electrodes instead of graphite were proven to be effective for electricity generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment. The electrical current (0.24 mA) and power (2.9 mW m^?2) obtained in our microbial fuel cell are comparable with the literature studies utilizing salt bridge. The microbial fuel cell developed in this study can be improved further to yield higher power generations by modifications. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Scheduling image processing tasks in a multilayer system

Multilayer multiprocessor systems are generally employed in real-time applications such as robotics and computer vision. This paper introduces three heuristic algorithms for multiprocessor task scheduling in such systems. In our model, tasks with arbitrary processing times and arbitrary processor requirements are considered. The scheduling aims at minimising completion time of processes in a two-layer system. We employed an effective lower bound (LB) for the problem. Then, we analysed the average performance of the heuristic algorithms by computing the average percentage deviation of each heuristic solution from the LB on a set of randomly generated problems. We have also applied these algorithms for scheduling computer vision tasks running on prototype multilayer architecture. Our computational and empirical results showed that the proposed heuristic algorithms perform well.     

Support vector design of the microstrip lines

In this article, the support vector regression is adapted to the analysis and synthesis of microstrip lines on all isotropic/anisotropic dielectric materials, which is a novel technique based on the rigorous mathematical fundamentals and the most competitive technique to the popular artificial neural networks (ANN). In this design process, accuracy, computational efficiency and number of support vectors are investigated in detail and the support vector regression performance is compared with an ANN performance. It can be concluded that the ANN may be replaced by the support vector machines in the regression applications because of its higher approximation capability and much faster convergence rate with the sparse solution technique. Synthesis is achieved by utilizing the analysis black‐box bidirectionally by reverse training. Furthermore, by using the adaptive step size, a much faster convergence rate is obtained in the reverse training. Besides, design of microstrip lines on the most commonly used isotropic/anisotropic dielectric materials are given as the worked examples. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2008.     

Amplitude‐only pattern synthesis of nonuniform linear arrays using a generalized pattern search optimization

In this work, synthesis of linear array geometry and excitation amplitudes is first formulated as a linearly constrained multiobjective optimization problem with the goals of minimum sidelobe level, null control and high directivity and then solved by a generalized pattern search (GPS) algorithm for the optimum element locations and excitation amplitudes. The constraints are imposed on the interelement spacing and dynamic range ratio of the amplitude tapering to reduce mutual coupling effects between the elements. GPS methods are newly discovered, derivative‐free methods where the current iterate is updated by sampling the fitness function at a finite number of points along a suitable set of search directions to find a decrease in the function value. Thus, GPS methods can be exploited efficiently in solving optimization problems without requiring any information about the gradient of the fitness function which may be even discontinuous, nondifferentiable, stochastic or highly nonlinear. Finally, four worked examples are presented that illustrate the use of the whole GPS synthesis method, and the optimization goal in each example is easily achieved. Furthermore the full‐wave simulations of the synthesized arrays are also completed to examine the mutual coupling effects. Finally the results of the GPS algorithm are validated by comparing with results obtained using the genetic algorithm, and the results of the uniform and Dolph ‐ Chebyshev arrays, having the same number of element and the same aperture length. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.     

High power generation with simultaneous COD removal using a circulating column microbial fuel cell

BACKGROUND: A circulating column microbial fuel cell (MFC) with Cu anode and Au? Cu air cathode was used for power generation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from synthetic wastewater. The column was operated in repeated‐fed batch mode using acclimated anaerobic sludge. The contents of the column MFC were circulated while the feed wastewater was fed to the reactor in fed‐batch mode. Effects of feed COD concentration and COD loading rate on voltage difference, power density and percentage COD removal were investigated. RESULTS: The highest voltage difference (650 mV), power density (40 W m^?2) were obtained with a feed COD of 6400 mg L^?1, yielding 45% COD removal with a COD loading rate of nearly 90 mg h^?1. Low COD loadings (<90 mg h^?1) caused substrate limitations, and high loadings (>90 mg h^?1) resulted in inhibition of COD removal and power generation. The highest percentage COD removal (50%) was obtained with feed COD content of 10.35 g L^?1 or a COD loading rate of 145 mg h^?1. CONCLUSION: The power densities obtained with the circulating column MFC were considerably higher than those reported in the literature due to elimination of mass transfer limitations by the high circulation rates, proximity of electrodes and small anode surface area used in this study. Further improvements may be possible with optimization of the operating parameters. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling and optimization of the spray drying parameters for soapwort (Gypsophila Sp.) extract

Food Science and Biotechnology - In this study, the effects of spray drying parameters as feed soluble solid content, inlet air temperature and outlet air temperature on spray drying of soapwort...     

Signal‐noise support vector model of a microwave transistor

In this work, a support vector machines (SVM) model for the small‐signal and noise behaviors of a microwave transistor is presented and compared with its artificial neural network (ANN) model. Convex optimization and generalization properties of SVM are applied to the black‐box modeling of a microwave transistor. It has been shown that SVM has a high potential of accurate and efficient device modeling. This is verified by giving a worked example as compared with ANN which is another commonly used modeling technique. It can be concluded that hereafter SVM modeling is a strongly competitive approach against ANN modeling. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2007.     

Chromium removal from aqueous solution by the ferrite process

This research summarises the results of the study on the removal of chromium by applying the ferrite process to the solutions obtained from two different Cr(VI) reduction processes utilising sodium sulphite and ferrous sulphate as reducing agents. For both solutions containing trivalent chromium ions, the optimum treatment conditions were determined. The generated sludges were characterised by XRD analysis and physical tests. In addition, to explore the dissolution properties of the sludges obtained, they were contacted with the solutions of sulphuric, citric, tartaric, oxalic and ascorbic acids and EDTA. Also, the sludge samples were subjected to standard toxicity characterisation leaching procedure (TCLP) test of USEPA in order to determine the pollution potential. An efficient Cr(III) removal (about 100%) in the solution from the Cr(VI) reduction process utilising sodium sulphite as reducing agent was achieved when the solution was treated at pH 9 and 50 degrees C for 60 min in the presence of Fe2+/Cr3+ weight ratio of 16. For the other Cr(III) solution prepared from Cr(VI) reduction by ferrous sulphate, a Fe2+/Cr3+ weight ratio of 17.9 at the same conditions was found to produce complete removal of Cr(III). It was determined that the spynel chromium-iron compounds obtained in the process were in the form of chromite (Cr2FeO4). Dissolution experiments and TCLP tests show that the concentrations of the chromium dissolved from both sludges were below the limit given as 5 mg l(-1) by USEPA. The results showed that Cr(III) removal through ferrite process provides the advantages that the sludges generated are non-voluminous, easily separable and environmentally stable.     

Cr(VI) reduction in aqueous solutions by siderite

Hexavalent chromium is a common and toxic pollutant in soils and wastewaters. Reduction of the mobile Cr(VI) to less mobile and less toxic Cr(III) is a solution for decontamination of industrial effluents. In this study, the reduction of hexavalent chromium in aqueous solutions by siderite was investigated. The influences of amount of acid, contact time, siderite dosage, initial Cr(VI) concentration, temperature and particle size of siderite have been tested in batch runs. The process was found to be acid, temperature and concentration dependent. The amount of acid is the most effective parameter affecting the Cr(VI) reduction since carbonaceous gangue minerals consume acid by side reactions. The highest Cr(VI) reduction efficiency (100%) occurred in the 50 mg/l Cr(VI) solution containing two times acid with respect to stoichiometric amount of Cr(VI) and at the conditions of siderite dosage 20 g/l, contact time 120 min and temperature 25 degrees C. Reduction efficiency increased with increase in temperature and decrease in particle size. The reduction capacity of siderite was found to be 17 mg-Cr(VI)/g.