Connectivity of Ad Hoc Networks with Link Asymmetries Induced by Shadowing

The aim of this letter is to determine the minimum node density to achieve a connected large-scale ad hoc network, where every node has the same transmitting and receiving capabilities. Due to the log-normal shadowing, links are unidirectional in general. Contrary to the prevailing opinion, we argue that such asymmetries result into a "reduced" connectivity graph, which, from the point of view of MAC and routing protocols, is to be considered the true or effective connectivity graph. Accordingly, we derive a new formula for the connection probability between two nodes in order to compute global connectivity. Finally, theoretical findings, borrowed from random graphs theory, are compared to numerical simulation results in synthetic wireless network scenarios.     

Adaptive Call Admission Control for QoS/Revenue Optimization in CDMA Cellular Networks

In this paper, we show how online management of both quality of service (QoS) and provider revenue can be performed in CDMA cellular networks by adaptive control of system parameters to changing traffic conditions. The key contribution is the introduction of a novel call admission control and bandwidth degradation scheme for real-time traffic as well as the development of a Markov model for the admission controller. This Markov model incorporates important features of 3G cellular networks, such as CDMA intra- and inter-cell interference, different call priorities and soft handover. From the results of the Markov model the threshold for maximal call degradation is periodically adjusted according to the currently measured traffic in the radio access network. As a consequence, QoS and revenue measures can be optimized with respect to a predefined goal. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed QoS/revenue management approach, we present quantitative results for the Markov model and a comprehensive simulation study considering a half-day window of a daily usage pattern.     

A syntax-preserving error resilience tool for JPEG 2000 based on error correcting arithmetic coding.

JPEG 2000 is the novel ISO standard for image and video coding. Besides its improved coding efficiency, it also provides a few error resilience tools in order to limit the effect of errors in the codestream, which can occur when the compressed image or video data are transmitted over an error-prone channel, as typically occurs in wireless communication scenarios. However, for very harsh channels, these tools often do not provide an adequate degree of error protection. In this paper, we propose a novel error-resilience tool for JPEG 2000, based on the concept of ternary arithmetic coders employing a forbidden symbol. Such coders introduce a controlled degree of redundancy during the encoding process, which can be exploited at the decoder side in order to detect and correct errors. We propose a maximum likelihood and a maximum a posteriori context-based decoder, specifically tailored to the JPEG 2000 arithmetic coder, which are able to carry out both hard and soft decoding of a corrupted code-stream. The proposed decoder extends the JPEG 2000 capabilities in error-prone scenarios, without violating the standard syntax. Extensive simulations on video sequences show that the proposed decoders largely outperform the standard in terms of PSNR and visual quality.     

Lone‐Pair‐Induced Covalency as the Cause of Temperature‐ and Field‐Induced Instabilities in Bismuth Sodium Titanate

Bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)‐derived materials have seen a flurry of research interest in recent years because of the existence of extended strain under applied electric fields, surpassing that of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the most commonly used piezoelectric. The underlying physical and chemical mechanisms responsible for such extraordinary strain levels in BNT are still poorly understood, as is the nature of the successive phase transitions. A comprehensive explanation is proposed here, combining the short‐range chemical and structural sensitivity of in situ Raman spectroscopy (under an applied electric field and temperature) with macroscopic electrical measurements. The results presented clarify the causes for the extended strain, as well as the peculiar temperature‐dependent properties encountered in this system. The underlying cause is determined to be mediated by the complex‐like bonding of the octahedra at the center of the perovskite: a loss of hybridization of the 6s² bismuth lone pair interacting with the oxygen p‐orbitals occurs, which triggers both the field‐induced phase transition and the loss of macroscopic ferroelectric order at the depolarization temperature.     

Lead‐Free Polycrystalline Ferroelectric Nanowires with Enhanced Curie Temperature

Ferroelectrics are important technological materials with wide‐ranging applications in electronics, communication, health, and energy. While lead‐based ferroelectrics have remained the predominant mainstay of industry for decades, environmentally friendly lead‐free alternatives are limited due to relatively low Curie temperatures (T _C) and/or high cost in many cases. Efforts have been made to enhance T _C through strain engineering, often involving energy‐intensive and expensive fabrication of thin epitaxial films on lattice‐mismatched substrates. Here, a relatively simple and scalable sol–gel synthesis route to fabricate polycrystalline (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ nanowires within porous templates is presented, with an observed enhancement of T _C up to ≈300 °C as compared to ≈90 °C in the bulk. By combining experiments and theoretical calculations, this effect is attributed to the volume reduction in the template‐grown nanowires that modifies the balance between different structural instabilities. The results offer a cost‐effective solution‐based approach for strain‐tuning in a promising lead‐free ferroelectric system, thus widening their current applicability.     

Performance Evaluation of a Bluetooth-Based WLAN Adopting a Polling Protocol Under Realistic Channel Conditions

Even if Bluetooth has not been specifically designated for WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) and the interconnection of computers, the possibility of establishing low-cost wireless connections makes this technology attractive for this kind of context also. In this paper we assess, by means of a simulative approach that takes the complete physical and MAC level aspects into account, the performance of a Bluetooth-based WLAN adopting a roll-call polling protocol under realistic channel conditions, that is, in the presence of the typical impairments of indoor wireless communications (fading, etc); moreover, we propose an analytical formulation to derive the maximum throughput offered by a Bluetooth link and we suggest a call admission control technique based on the previous analytical considerations.     

Audio-biofeedback for balance improvement: an accelerometry-based system

This paper introduces a prototype audio-biofeedback system for balance improvement through the sonification using trunk kinematic information. In tests of this system, normal healthy subjects performed several trials in which they stood quietly in three sensory conditions while wearing an accelerometric sensory unit and headphones. The audio-biofeedback system converted in real-time the two-dimensional horizontal trunk accelerations into a stereo sound by modulating its frequency, level, and left/right balance. Preliminary results showed that subjects improved balance using this audio-biofeedback system and that this improvement was greater the more that balance was challenged by absent or unreliable sensory cues. In addition, high correlations were found between the center of pressure displacement and trunk acceleration, suggesting accelerometers may be useful for quantifying standing balance.     

Fiber continuity: an anisotropic prior for ODF estimation

The accurate and reliable estimation of fiber orientation distributions, based on diffusion-sensitized magnetic resonance images is a major prerequisite for tractography algorithms or any other derived statistical analysis. In this work, we formulate the principle of fiber continuity (FC), which is based on the simple observation that the imaging of fibrous tissue implies certain expectations for the measured images. From this principle we derive a prior for the estimation of fiber orientation distributions based on high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). We demonstrate on simulated, phantom, and in vivo data the superiority of the proposed approach. Further, we propose another application of the FC principle, named FC flow, a method to resolve complex crossing regions solely based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The idea is to infer directional information in crossing regions from adjacent anisotropic areas.