Discrete-time implementation of high-gain observers for numerical differentiation

High-gain observers have been used in non-linear control to estimate derivatives of the output. In this paper, we study discrete-time implementation of high-gain observers and their use as numerical differentiators, in noise-free as well as noisy measurements. We show that discretization using the bilinear transformation method gives better results than other discretization methods. We also show that many of the available numerical differentiators are special cases of the bilinear discrete-time equivalents of full-order or reduced-order high-gain observers.     

Harnessing social dynamics through persuasive technology to promote healthier lifestyle

In light of current calls by medical professionals to confront the global issue of obesity and related illnesses, we developed a mobile application called STEP UP that monitors physical activity and provides data that can be easily shared within a social network. We then conducted an exploratory, theoretical study based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) followed by an experimental trial and user study. The purpose of the studies was to explore the effect of persuasive technology on physical activity behavior and to investigate its effectiveness in motivating users to use the technology to be more physically active. The application was found to have a positive effect on the participants and their level of physical activity. They enjoyed using the application and were motivated to walk more, especially when enabled to share their step counts with their friends. The social component of the application clearly enhanced users’ walking experience, as the atmosphere of friendly competition motivated them to walk more. Based on user responses, we conclude that a further enhanced application that includes chat functionality may be even more successful in supporting increased physical activity and thus healthier lifestyle.     

Theoretical calculations of the surface tension of Ag(1−x)-Cu(x) liquid alloys

The surface tension of silver-copper binary liquid alloys is calculated, in the frame work of Eyring theory. The calculations were made for different compositions (mole fraction, x_Cu = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1), in the temperature range 1100-1800 K. The surface tension decreases with temperature increase, at a fixed copper fraction x_Cu, and increases with increasing copper content. The calculated results are appropriately compared with existing literature data.     

Choice of a pertinent color space for color texture characterization using parametric spectral analysis

This article presents a comparison of different color spaces including RGB, IHLS and L?a*b* for color texture characterization. This comparison is based on the fusion of the independent spatial structure and color feature cues. In IHLS and L*a*b*, two channel complex color images are created from the luminance and the chrominance values. For such images, two dimensional complex multichannel linear prediction models are used to perform parametric power spectrum estimation and the structure feature cues are computed from this estimated power spectrum. Quantitative comparison of auto spectra of luminance and combined chrominance channels for different color spaces is done. This comparison is based on the degree of decorrelation between luminance and chrominance information provided by different color space transformations. Three dimensional histograms are used as color feature cues. Then, to classify color textures, Kullback-Leibler divergence based symmetric distance measures are calculated for pure color, luminance structure and chrominance structure feature cues. Individual as well as combined effect of information from all feature cues on classification results is then compared for different color spaces and different color texture data sets. The proposed color texture classification method performs better than the state of the art methods in certain cases. The L*a*b* color space gives us a better characterization of the chrominance spatial structure as well as the overall spatial structure for all of the chosen data sets. Experimental results on pixel classification of color textures are also presented and discussed.     

Apodized chirped fiber Bragg grating for postdispersion compensation in wavelength division multiplexing optical networks

In this paper, a postdispersion compensation unit is proposed leading to a better performance for the optical communication systems. This unit utilizes a chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG). For enhanced performance of the CFBG, a proper apodization function is chosen to improve the quality factor (Q‐factor) and the bit error rate (BER) of the system. A 110‐km wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical link is investigated. The system performance is evaluated through its Q‐factor, eye diagram, and BER showing best performance when using the Hamming apodization function.     

Analysis of the decoupled uplink downlink technique for varying path loss exponent in multi-tier HetNet

In this paper, the impact of varying path loss exponent (PLE) on user association probability, decoupled uplink coverage probability as well as decoupled uplink average spectral efficiency in downlink uplink decoupled (DUDe) multi-tier heterogeneous networks, is investigated. We investigate the effect of the difference in path loss exponents in both macro and small cell environments over uplink network performance. It is assumed that the mobile user connected to the macro base station experience different path loss exponent as compared to when connected to small base station. It is observed that the difference of path loss exponents in both cases has significant effect on the user association probability, decoupled uplink coverage probability as well as decoupled uplink average spectral efficiency. Moreover, in order to further support key findings and make sound comparison between coupled and DUDe performance in varying PLE environment, generalized analytical expressions for coupled association probabilities, along with coupled uplink coverage probability and coupled uplink average spectral efficiency have been derived. The analytical results evaluated in this paper are compared with the computer simulation and found in good agreement. Our analysis shows that decoupling technique performs suboptimal for cases where the environments around macro and small base stations are different with respect to each other. The work explained in this paper highlights the limitation of applying DUDe technique in realistic conditions where the PLEs of cellular tiers are not exactly equal to one another.

     

POLYBiNN: Binary Inference Engine for Neural Networks using Decision Trees

Journal of Signal Processing Systems - Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have gained significant popularity in several classification and regression applications....     

New high accuracy CMOS current conveyors

In this paper, a new CMOS CCII⁺ is proposed. The circuit is characterized by high precision in voltage tracking and exhibits very low input resistance. An adaptive voltage offset cancellation methodology is introduced and then applied to the proposed circuit. As a result, a higher accuracy CCII⁺ is presented. For both circuits, the voltage offset cancellation is independent of the input current and voltage. To demonstrate the strength of the proposed architectures, fair comparisons with Liu and Yodprasit CCII realizations are held.     

Propagation Path Loss and Materials Insertion Loss in Indoor Environment at WiMAX Band of 3.3 to 3.6?GHz

The purpose of this study is to characterize the indoor channel for IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) at 3.3?C3.6?GHz frequency. This work presents a channel model based on measurements conducted in commonly found scenarios in buildings. These scenarios include closed corridor, wide corridor and semi open corridor. Path loss equations are determined using log-distance path loss model and a Rayleigh multipath induced fading, Normal multipath induced fading or a combination of both. A numerical analysis of measurements in each scenario was conducted and the study determined equations that describe path loss for each scenario. Propagation loss is given for 300?MHz bandwidth. This work also represents the insertion loss of different materials and the obstruction loss due the existence of human beings between the transmitting antenna and the receiving one.