Minimalist counting in sensor networks (Noise helps)

We propose a novel algorithm for counting N indistinguishable objects, called targets, by a collection of sensors. We adopt a minimalist scenario where sensors are unaware of the (non-empty) intersections of sensing regions, and so simple addition of all sensor counts inflates estimates of the total number of targets. The multiple counting in intersections must be accounted for, but with nothing more than the sensor counts, this is clearly impossible. However, noise is typically present in the target counting of many, if not most, applications. We make the key observation that if there is a (target-dependent) noise source affecting all sensors simultaneously, then it couples those with non-empty intersections. Exploitation of this coupling allows us to extract multiple-counting statistics from stochastic correlation patterns, and hence to compute accurate estimates of N via the classical inclusion–exclusion formula. Cumulants are the correlation measures of choice. Our analysis brings out and resolves certain technicalities that arise in our statistical counting algorithm. Examples are worked out to show the potential of the new algorithm. The paper concludes with a discussion of alternative models and open problems.     

Novel UWB Transceiver for WBAN Networks: A Study on AWGN Channels

A novel ultra‐wideband (UWB) transceiver structure is presented to be used in wireless body area networks (WBANs). In the proposed structure, a data channel and a control channel are combined into a single transmission signal. In the signal, a modulation method mixing pulse position modulation and pulse amplitude modulation is proposed. A mathematical framework calculating the power spectrum density of the proposed pulse‐based signal evaluates its coexistence with conventional radio systems. The transceiver structure is discussed, and the receiving performance is investigated in the additive white Gaussian noise channel. It is demonstrated that the proposed scheme is easier to match to the UWB emission mask than conventional UWB systems. The proposed scheme achieves the data rate requirement of WBAN; the logical control channel achieves better receiving performance than the logical data channel, which is useful for controlling and maintaining networks. The proposed scheme is also easy to implement.     

Mechanoreceptor-Inspired Dynamic Mechanical Stimuli Perception based on Switchable Ionic Polarization

Diverse touch experiences offer a path toward greater human–machine interaction, which is essential for the development of haptic technology. Recent advances in triboelectricity-based touch sensors provide great advantages in terms of cost, simplicity of design, and use of a broader range of materials. Since performance solely relies on the level of contact electrification between materials, triboelectricity-based touch sensors cannot effectively be used to measure the extent of deformation of materials under a given mechanical force. Here, an ion-doped gelatin hydrogel (IGH)-based touch sensor is reported to identify not only contact with an object but also deformation under a certain level of force. Switchable ionic polarization of the gelatin hydrogel is found to be instrumental in allowing for different sensing mechanisms when it is contacted and deformed. The results show that ionic polarization relies on conductivity of the hydrogels. Quantitative studies using voltage sweeps demonstrate that higher ion mobility and shorter Debye length serve to improve the performance of the mechanical stimuli-perceptible sensor. It is successfully demonstrated that this sensor offers dynamic deformation-responsive signals that can be used to control the motion of a miniature car. This study broadens the potential applications for ionic hydrogel-based sensors in a human–machine communication system.     

One- and two-dimensional constant geometry fast cosine transformalgorithms and architectures

This paper presents general radix one- and two-dimensional (1-D and 2-D) constant geometry fast cosine transform algorithms and architectures suitable for VLSI, owing to their regular structures. A constant geometry algorithm is obtained by shuffling the rows and columns of each decomposed DCT matrix that corresponds to a butterfly stage. The 1-D algorithm is derived, and then, it is extended to the 2-D case. Based on the derived algorithms, the architectures with a flexible degree of parallelism are discussed     

Mutual interference considered power allocation in OFDM-based cognitive networks: the multiple SUs case

Power allocation for secondary users (SUs) in cognitive networks is an important issue to ensure the SUs’ quality of service. When the mutual interference between the primary users (PUs) and the SUs is taken into consideration, it is wanted to achieve the conflict-free power allocation while synchronously maximizing the capacity of the secondary network. In this paper, the optimal power allocation problem is considered in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing cognitive networks. The single SU case is primarily formulated as a constrained optimization problem. On this basis, the multiple SUs case is then studied and simulated in detail. During the analysis, the mutual interference among the PUs and the SUs is comprehensively formulated as the restrictions on the SU’s transmission power and the optimization problems are finally resolved by iterative water-filling algorithms. Consequently, the proposed power allocation scheme restrains the interference to the primary network, as well as maximizing the capacity of the secondary network. Specifying the multiple-SUs case, simulation results are exhibited in a simplified scenario to confirm the efficiency of the proposed water-filling algorithm, and the influence of the mutual interference on the power allocation and the system capacity is further illustrated.     

On the scalability of ad hoc networks

We investigate the inherent scalability problem of ad hoc networks originated from the nature of multihop networks. First, the expected packet traffic at the center of a network is analyzed. The result shows that the expected packet traffic at the center of a network is linearly related with the network size, that is, the expected packet traffic at the center of a network is O(k), where k is the radius of a network. From the result, the upper bound of the diameter of a network D=2k, that guarantees the network is scalable, is obtained. The upper bound is given by C/r-1, where C is the channel capacity available to each node and r is the packet arrival rate at each node.     

Organic Semiconductor Cocrystal for Highly Conductive Lithium Host Electrode

In this work, a highly conductive organic cocrystal is investigated as an anode material for conducting agent‐free lithium‐ion battery (LIB) electrodes. A unique morphology of semiconducting fullerene (C₆₀) and contorted hexabenzocoronene (cHBC) is developed as a cocrystal that efficiently enhances the electron transfer during discharge and charge processes due to the formation of a well‐defined junction between C₆₀ and cHBC. In particular, the present study reveals the exact cocrystal phase of orthorhombic Pnnm using grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction characterization and computational methods. The detailed cocrystal structure analysis indicates that the columnar structure of C₆₀/cHBC cocrystal facilitates the reliable vacant sites for Li⁺ storage, which ultimately enhances the reversible capacity to 330 mAh g^–1 at 0.1 A g^–1 with long cyclability of 600 cycles in the absence of a conducting agent. Furthermore, the rate performance of the C₆₀/cHBC cocrystal anode is improved compared to that of the graphite anode, indicating that the cocrystal formation between C₆₀ and cHBC enhances the charge transport at a high current density. It demonstrates that the approach of this study can be a promising strategy for preparing conducting agent‐free organic cocrystal anodes, which also provides a viable design rule for high‐performance LIBs electrodes.     

Chirp‐Based Cognitive Ultra‐wideband Radio

In this letter, we propose a cognitive ultra‐wideband radio scheme which is based on a modified chirp waveform. Therefore, it requires only time domain processing in the cognitive radio systems and reduces system complexity and power consumption.     

High‐Performance Piezoelectric,Pyroelectric, and Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on P(VDF‐TrFE) with Controlled Crystallinity and Dipole Alignment

Poly(vinylidenefluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐TrFE)), as a ferroelectric polymer, offers great promise for energy harvesting for flexible and wearable applications. Here, this paper shows that the choice of solvent used to dissolve the polymer significantly influences its properties in terms of energy harvesting. Indeed, the P(VDF‐TrFE) prepared using a high dipole moment solvent has higher piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients and triboelectric property. Such improvements are the result of higher crystallinity and better dipole alignment of the polymer prepared using a higher dipole moment solvent. Finite element method simulations confirm that the higher dipole moment results in higher piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and triboelectric potential distributions. Furthermore, P(VDF‐TrFE)‐based piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and triboelectric nanogenerators (NGs) experimentally validate that the higher dipole moment solvent significantly enhances the power output performance of the NGs; the improvement is about 24% and 82% in output voltage and current, respectively, for piezoelectric NG; about 40% and 35% in output voltage and current, respectively, for pyroelectric NG; and about 65% and 75% in output voltage and current for triboelectric NG. In brief, the approach of using a high dipole moment solvent is very promising for high output P(VDF‐TrFE)‐based wearable NGs.