Generalisation of inter-layer intra prediction for scalable video coding

In the scalable video coding (SVC) standard, a simple inter-layer intra prediction (ILIP) method has been adopted to reduce the bit rate of scalable video sequences. Proposed is an improved ILIP method by generalising the original one adopted in the SVC. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce bit rates by 4.1 to 5.9%, compared with the original one, while average PSNR is not decreased.     

Highly Stretchable or Transparent Conductor Fabrication by a Hierarchical Multiscale Hybrid Nanocomposite

As is frequently seen in sci‐fi movies, future electronics are expected to ultimately be in the form of wearable electronics. To realize wearable electronics, the electric components should be soft, flexible, and even stretchable to be human‐friendly. An important step is presented toward realization of wearable electronics by developing a hierarchical multiscale hybrid nanocomposite for highly flexible, stretchable, or transparent conductors. The hybrid nanocomposite combines the enhanced mechanical compliance, electrical conductivity, and optical transparency of small CNTs (d ≈ 1.2 nm) and the enhanced electrical conductivity of relatively bigger Ag nanowire (d ≈ 150 nm) backbone to provide efficient multiscale electron transport path with Ag nanowire current backbone collector and local CNT percolation network. The highly elastic hybrid nanocomposite conductors and highly transparent flexible conductors can be mounted on any non‐planar or soft surfaces to realize human‐friendly electronics interface for future wearable electronics.     

Hybrid DPWM implementation using coarse and fine programmable ADLL

In the paper we propose a novel architecture and implementation of 11-bit Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM) circuit based on previously known building blocks. Linearized Class-AD Double-sided (LADD) algorithm has been used to calculate the DPWM signals of the 11-bit resolution hybrid DPWM for a Class-AD digital audio amplifier. Noise-shaping process is used to support high fidelity with practical values of time resolution. The proposed DPWM circuit is composed of 8-bit counter and Analog Delay Locked Loop (ADLL) using 4-bit tapped delay line. A dual ADLL employing coarse and fine programmable delay element is used to adjust the delay time of delay line and lock it to required time. The coarse- as well as fine-delay lines are implemented as a cascade of variable-delay elements based on shunt capacitor delay element or single-ended Schmitt trigger. The proposed 11-bit DPWM circuit, at a switching frequency of 352.8 kHz and clock generator frequency of 90.3 MHz allows us to attain SNR of 120 dB and THD of the output signal less than 0.1% within the audio baseband and modulation index M=0.95. Basic verification of circuit manufacturability and simulation results (Monte Carlo analysis) for real CMOS process are presented.     

An Intra-domain Mobility Handling Scheme Across All-IP Wireless Networks

The rapid growth of wireless network technology such as HSDPA and WiMAX, has lead to greater demand for access to Internet via mobile hosts. Supporting mobile connection with fast and smooth roaming across heterogeneous wireless technologies has been an important challenge over past years. In this paper, a novel multilayer scheme for QoS-aware intra-domain mobility management is proposed. The mobility support capability is embedded in key components for the domain access network, namely, the Paging Access Routers and the Mobility-support Anchor Servers (MASs). The MASs are organized in three layers; starting from the top layer Superior-MASs, Middle-MASs and Inferior-MASs, respectively. The proposed scheme identified mobility support functionality, includes intra-domain anchor specification, route optimization algorithm, intra/inter-anchor mobility support, paging and authentication management. Simulation results of the proposed scheme show fair performance especially in the presence of QoS sensitive services.     

Active only integrator and differentiator with tunable time constants

In this paper new active only current-mode integrator and differentiator with electronically tunable time constants are described. They are composed of one operational amplifier (OA) and two operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs), and are suitable for monolithic implementation either with CMOS or bipolar technologies. No realizability conditions are imposed for the proposed circuits and all of the active sensitivities are low. The performances of the circuits are demonstrated on the PSPICE platform.     

Voltage–frequency converter for laser welding control

An experimental model of a voltage–frequency converter was realised and utilised for the control of the thermal behaviour by the laser welding of thermoplastic polymer materials. The input signal of 0–10?V comes from a thermal–optical real-time analysing device of the welding process. The output signal of 0–300?Hz is introduced to the input interface of a laser welding equipment, for setting the laser pulse frequency. Operation tests were performed on the laser welding equipment type HL 124P LCU. The pulses have rectangular waveform, with the amplitude of 20?V. The frequency is very stable, with deviations of less than 0.5?Hz. The waveform and the frequency response at the converter output are appropriate.     

Accelerometers and force sensing resistors for optimal control of walking of a hemiplegic

We developed a method for use of accelerometers and force sensing resistors (FSRs) within an optimal controller of walking for hemiplegic individuals. The data from four dual-axis accelerometers and four FSRs were inputs, while six muscle activation profiles were outputs. The controller includes two stages: 1) estimating the target gait pattern using artificial neural networks; and 2) optimal control minimizing tracking errors (from the estimated gait pattern) and muscle efforts. The controller was tested using data collected from six healthy subjects walking at five speeds (0.6–1.4 m/s). The average root mean square errors (RMSEs) normalized by the peak-to-peak value of the target signals [normalized RMSE (NRMSE)] were below 6%, 7%, 8%, and 3% for estimation of joint angles, hip acceleration, ground reaction force, and movement of the center of pressure, respectively. Using the estimated data as inputs, the simulation generated the target healthy-like gait patterns and reproducible muscle activation profiles in 90% of 300 tested gait trials. Overall tracking NRMSE was between 2% and 9%. The optimal controller was developed for testing the feasibility of healthy-like gait patterns in hemiplegic individuals, and generating a knowledge base that is required for the synthesis of a sensory-driven control of walking assisted by functional electrical stimulation.      

Monitoring of PON System Using Compound Surveillance Technique

A passive optical network (PON) monitoring system combined light pulse and frequency sweep techniques is proposed and verified in a field test. The light pulse surveys over the all whole network and th...     

Combined effect of gamma-irradiation and conventional cooking onAeromonas hydrophila in meatball

Irradiation combined with a conventional cooking procedure was applied to meatball and the effects on bacterial load and inoculatedAeromonas hydrophila were determined. Meatball samples were irradiated by using a⁶⁰Co source at the dose levels of 0, 0.30,0.75,1.50,2.50 kGy and cold stored at 4±1°C for 7 days. Bacterial load and the count ofA. hydrophila decreased when the irradiation dose level increased. A minimum inhibition effect was found at the dose of 0.30 kGy. Irradiation in combination with a conventional cooking procedure was found to be more effective in reducingA. hydrophila and the bacterial load in meatball. This study indicated that a dose of 0.75 kGy was sufficient to destroy approximately 10⁴ cfu/g ofA. hydrophila in meatball.