Salt-and-pepper noise removal by adaptive median-based lifting filter using second-generation wavelets

In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive median-based lifting filter for image de-noising which has been corrupted by homogeneous salt and pepper noise. The median-based lifting filter removes the noise of the input image by calculating the median of the neighboring significant pixels. The algorithm for image noise removal uses the lifting scheme of the second-generation wavelets in conjunction with the proposed adaptive median-based lifting filter. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. The proposed algorithm is compared with all the basic filters, and it is found that our method outperforms many other algorithms and it can remove salt and pepper noise with a noise level as high as 90%. The algorithm works exceedingly well for all levels of noise, as illustrated in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) measures.     

Efficient clustering algorithms for self-organizing wireless sensor networks

Self-organization of wireless sensor networks, which involves network decomposition into connected clusters, is a challenging task because of the limited bandwidth and energy resources available in these networks. In this paper, we make contributions towards improving the efficiency of self-organization in wireless sensor networks. We first present a novel approach for message-efficient clustering, in which nodes allocate local “growth budgets” to neighbors. We introduce two algorithms that make use of this approach. We analyze the message complexity of these algorithms and provide performance results from simulations. The algorithms produce clusters of bounded size and low diameter, using significantly fewer messages than the earlier, commonly used, Expanding Ring approach. Next, we present a new randomized methodology for designing the timers of cluster initiators. This methodology provides a probabilistic guarantee that initiators will not interfere with each other. We derive an upper bound on the expected time for network decomposition that is logarithmic in the number of nodes in the network. We also present a variant that optimistically allows more concurrency among initiators and significantly reduces the network decomposition time. However, it produces slightly more clusters than the first method. Extensive simulations over different topologies confirm the analytical results and demonstrate that our proposed methodology scales to large networks.     

A Novel FRFT Beamformer for Rayleigh Faded Channels

A method of optimal beamforming for flat Rayleigh faded channels using the Fractional Fourier Transform (FRFT) is considered in this paper. It has been demonstrated through simulations that optimal beamforming with FRFT allows smaller mean-square errors in restoring signals degraded with linear time-or frequency variant distortions and Additive White Gaussian Noise. This is made possible by the additional flexibility that comes with free parameter ‘a’ of the fractional Fourier transform as oppose to the classical Fourier transform (FT). The method is especially useful in moving source problems, where Doppler Effect produces frequency shift when the source is moving, as in mobile and wireless communication where user produces the frequency shift while moving. In this paper it is shown through simulations that beamforming in fractional domain reduces BER as compared to time or frequency domain.     

Low resistance pd/ge ohmic contacts to epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs film

A low resistance PdGe nonalloyed ohmic contact has been successfully formed to epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs films. The contact is made by lifting off partially metallized n-type GaAs films using the epitaxial lift-off method and bonding them to metallized Si substrates by natural intermolecular Van Der Waals forces. Low temperature sintering (200°C) of this contact results in metallurgical bonding and formation of the ohmic contact. We have measured specific contact resistances of 5 × 10⁻⁵ Ω-cm₂ which is almost half the value obtained for pure Pd contacts. Germanium forms a degenerately doped heterojunction interfacial layer to GaAs. Our experimental results show that germanium diffuses to the interface and acts as a dopant layer to n-GaAs film surface. Therefore, for epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs films, PdGe is a low resistance ohmic metal contact to use.     

A new two-dimensional C-V model for prediction of maximum frequency of oscillation (fmax) of deep submicron AlGaN/GaN HEMT for microwave and millimeter wave applications

An analytical two-dimensional capacitance-voltage model for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMTs) is developed, which is valid from a linear to saturation region. The gate source and gate drain capacitances are calculated for 120 nm gate length including the effects of fringing field capacitances. We obtain a cut-off frequency (f_T) of 120 GHz and maximum frequency of oscillations (f_max) of 160 GHz. The model is very useful for microwave circuit design and analysis. Additionally, these devices allow a high operating voltage V_DS, which is demonstrated in the present analysis. These results show an excellent agreement when compared with the experimental data.     

G-FANET: an ambient network formation between ground and flying ad hoc networks

In wireless communications, both control information and payload (user-data) are concurrently transmitted and required to be successfully recovered. This paper focuses on block-level detection, which is applicable for detecting transmitted control information, particularly when this information is selected or chosen from a finite set of information that are known at both transmitting and receiving devices. Using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing architecture, this paper investigates and evaluates the performance of a time-domain decision criterion in comparison with a form of Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimation method. Unlike the ML method, the proposed time-domain detection technique requires no channel estimation as it uses the correlation (in the time-domain) that exists between the received and the transmitted selective information as a means of detection. In comparison with the ML method, results show that the proposed method offers improved detection performance, particularly when the control information consists of at least 16. However, the implementation of the proposed method requires a slightly increased number of mathematical computations.     

Effect of Oxygen Flow Rate on Structural,Electrical and Optical Properties of Zinc Aluminum Oxide Thin Films Deposited by DC Magnetron Sputtering

Semiconductors - Zinc Aluminum Oxide thin films were deposited on glass substrates by reactive DC magnetron sputtering method by varying oxygen flow rates from 1 to 4 sccm. Glancing angle X-ray...     

Efficient data management and control over WSNs using SDN‐enabled aerial networks

The recent developments in collaborative search, acquisition, and tracking have hoisted the geographical barrier. The network between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is one such collaboration, which comprises battery‐powered static sensor nodes that act as sources and sinks and UAVs that act as relays. This collaborative network presents with opportunities and advantages, but at the same time, configuration of such networks is an arduous task. The WSN nodes are characterized by constant depleting power. Their network itself requires constant management and reconfiguration. These requisites can be slaked through the formation of an efficient data dissemination algorithm, which acclimates according to the network state. Considering this, a data dissemination approach is presented in this paper, which constructs a virtual topology predicated on the charge of WSN nodes utilizing software‐defined networks (SDNs) through UAVs. The topology is constantly monitored and reconfigured when required. The aerial nodes are equipped with multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antennas in order to facilitate simultaneous communication with the ground nodes, the base station, and the SDN controller. An efficient sleep timer and backoff counter strategies are also utilized by the proposed approach. The SDN controller facilitates the topology formation and maintenance of a sleep timer and a backoff counter. The proposed model is compared with clustered hierarchical layouts and hexagonal cell layouts through the network simulations. The results suggest significant improvements in the proposed model for various metrics, such as lifetime, delay, latency, delivery ratio, and throughput in comparison with the existing solutions.     

Adaptive Buffering and Fuzzy Based Multilevel Clustering for Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless Personal Communications - Wireless sensor network consists of a number of power constrained sensor nodes that sense data from the environment. The collected data is directed to the base...