Shape space estimation by higher-rank of SOM

The aim of this study is to develop an estimation method for a shape space. In this work, “shape space” means a nonlinear subspace formed by a class of visual shapes, in which the continuous change in shapes is naturally represented. By using the shape space, various operations dealing with shapes, such as identification, classification, recognition, and interpolation can be carried out in the shape space. This paper introduces an algorithm based on a generative model of shapes. A higher-rank of the self-organizing map (SOM²) is used to implement the shape space estimation method. We use this method to estimate the shape space of artificial contours. In addition, we present results from a simulation of omnidirectional camera images taken from mobile robots. Our technique accurately predicts changes in image properties as the robot’s attitude changes. Finally, we consider the addition of local features to our method. We show that the inclusion of local features solves the correspondence problem. These results suggest the potential of our technique in the future.     

Further demonstration of the VRLA-type UltraBattery under medium-HEV duty and development of the flooded-type UltraBattery for micro-HEV applications

The UltraBattery has been invented by the CSIRO Energy Technology in Australia and has been developed and produced by the Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd., Japan. This battery is a hybrid energy storage device which combines a super capacitor and a lead-acid battery in single unit cells, taking the best from both technologies without the need of extra, expensive electronic controls. The capacitor enhances the power and lifespan of the lead-acid battery as it acts as a buffer during high-rate discharging and charging, thus enabling it to provide and absorb charge rapidly during vehicle acceleration and braking.The laboratory results of the prototype valve-regulated UltraBatteries show that the capacity, power, available energy, cold cranking and self-discharge of these batteries have met, or exceeded, all the respective performance targets set for both minimum and maximum power-assist HEVs. The cycling performance of the UltraBatteries under micro-, mild- and full-HEV duties is at least four times longer than that of the state-of-the-art lead-acid batteries. Importantly, the cycling performance of UltraBatteries is proven to be comparable or even better than that of the Ni-MH cells. On the other hand, the field trial of UltraBatteries in the Honda Insight HEV shows that the vehicle has surpassed 170,000 km and the batteries are still in a healthy condition. Furthermore, the UltraBatteries demonstrate very good acceptance of the charge from regenerative braking even at high state-of-charge, e.g., 70% during driving. Therefore, no equalization charge is required for the UltraBatteries during field trial. The HEV powered by UltraBatteries gives slightly higher fuel consumption (cf., 4.16 with 4.05 L/100 km) and CO₂ emissions (cf., 98.8 with 96 g km⁻¹) compared with that by Ni-MH cells. There are no differences in driving experience between the Honda Insight powered by UltraBatteries and by Ni-MH cells. Given such comparable performance, the UltraBattery pack costs considerably less – only 20–40% of that of the Ni-MH pack by one estimate. In parallel with the field trial, a similar 144-V valve-regulated UltraBattery pack was also evaluated under simulated medium-HEV duty in our laboratories.In this study, the laboratory performance of the 144-V valve-regulated UltraBattery pack under simulated medium-HEV duty and that of the recently developed flooded-type UltraBattery under micro-HEV duty will be discussed. The flooded-type UltraBattery is expected to be favorable to the micro-HEVs because of reduced cost compared with the equivalent valve-regulated counterpart.     

SSDT-site selection diversity transmission power control for CDMAforward link

This paper proposes site selection diversity transmission power control (SSDT), an advanced form of transmission power control (TPC) for CDMA forward link, SSDT realizes site selection transmission diversity instead of full site transmission diversity used in conventional TPC during soft hand over (SHO) mode. The major intention of the site selection is to mitigate interference caused by multiple site transmission done at conventional TPC. Simulation results indicated that the higher the capacity gain of SSDT is in comparison to conventional TPC, the lower the mobile station (MS) speed is. Capacity gain of about 55% for a pedestrian MS is achieved by SSDT in case of MS reception diversity and 6 finger RAKE reception. This paper also presents the benefits of SSDT in terms of its high path capturing efficiency and the mitigation of power imbalance among active BSs due to TPC command reception error     

Drivability improvement on deep-submicron MOSFETs by elevation ofsource/drain regions

Deep submicron MOSFETs with elevated source/drain (S/D) structures, where S/D extension regions were partially elevated besides deep S/D regions, were fabricated by use of Si selective epitaxial growth technique. As fairly compared with a well-developed conventional MOSFET, we clarify an advantage of the elevated S/D structures, i.e., improvement upon driving performance with keeping excellent short-channel characteristics, which is enhanced for decrease in gate sidewall spacer width. The experimental results are explained in terms of the reduction in S/D parasitic resistance by addition of the Si epitaxial layer where the impurity profile is suitable     

Studies on Loss Aging in Submarine Coaxial Cable During Storage

Attenuation loss change in submarine coaxial cables during 4 years of storage has been measured. Attenuation loss is shown to increase for one year after manufacturing. Then, loss is also shown to increase during summer (May to October) and to stay constant or to decrease during winter (November to April of the next year). This work concentrates on the causes and an estimation method of loss aging. The first part of the paper covers experimental results on the cable aging phenomenon. The second part discusses various factors affecting loss aging, and shows that fretting corrosion on the outer conductor tape will be a main factor. The third part describes an estimation method for and countermeasures to avoid loss aging during cable storage.     

Epitaxial growth of titanium oxide thin films on MgO(100) single-crystal substrates by reactive deposition methods

We synthesized titanium oxide thin films on MgO(100) single-crystal substrates by two reactive deposition methods and compared the structures of the thin films formed by these methods. In one method (pulsed-molecular-beam deposition method), molecular oxygen is supplied to the substrates by using a pulsed-molecular-oxygen beam source and deposition of one unit layer of titanium and subsequent supply of molecular oxygen are repeatedly performed. In the other method (radical beam deposition method), atomic oxygen is irradiated to the substrates by using an atomic oxygen beam generated by the radical beam source and irradiation of the atomic oxygen and deposition of titanium are simultaneously performed. In the case of the pulsed-molecular-beam deposition method, the crystal structure was changed by increasing the number of oxygen pulses supplied from the beam source. We found that the crystal structure of titanium oxide depended on the composition ratio of O:Ti in the film. The maximum ratio of O:Ti attainable by this method was 1.85, and at this ratio, (100)-oriented pseudorutile was formed. In the case of the radical beam deposition method, (100)-oriented anatase was formed below the titanium deposition rate of 0.10 nm/s and pseudorutile (TiO_2−δ) was formed above 0.15 nm/s. The pseudorutile structure synthesized on this experiment was very stable in air. We concluded that the crystal structure of the pseudorutile is a new crystal structure of titanium oxide.     

ArF excimer laser induced CVD of aluminum oxide films

The authors have demonstrated photochemical deposition of aluminum oxides from Trimethylaluminum (TMA) and N₂O by using a pulsed ArF excimer laser (193 nm). Both TMA and N₂O are efficiently photodissociated by the 193 nm light. The films are grown on Si and InP wafers contained in a low pressure flowing cell with a heated substrate. The incident laser beam is focused and parallel to the substrate surface. Typical deposition rates are 80–150 A/min. Stripes of aluminum oxide 30 mm wide are uniformly grown on 7.5 cm Si-wafers. The film composition and purity have been investigated using Auger and Infra-red spectroscopy analysis. Surprising results are the relatively low concentration of carbon. Refractive index and thickness have been determined by an ellipsometer. Typical values for the films are 1.54–1.62. Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors have been fabricated and characterized. The C-V curves for n-InP/aluminum oxide have clockwise hysteresis, and minimum loop width is less than 0.5 V. The surface state densities are 1 × 10¹¹ cm^-2 eV⁻¹ at the mid band gap.     

Relation between Mechanical Twinning and Cracking in Stoichiometric Lithium Niobate Single Crystals

The relationships between cracking and mechanical twinning, and between ferroelectric polarization and mechanical twinning, in stoichiometric LiNbO₃ were investigated in the present study. Three sets of mechanical twins crossed one another, and the crossed points of those twins provided preferred sites for the nucleation of cracks. Mechanical twins of LiNbO₃ revealed a head-to-tail arrangement of ferroelectric polarization, and complicated polarization states were observed at the crossed points. Some possible mechanisms of crack nucleation and propagation are proposed in this paper.     

Secondary neutral and ionized particle measurements under MeV-energy ion bombardment

We have measured both secondary neutral and ionized particles from an InSb target under 3.0 MeV Si ion bombardment. Measurements of both ions and neutrals have not been carried out so far in the MeV-energy range. The mass spectra and axial emission energy distributions of secondary particles were investigated. Secondary ions were measured with a linear- and a reflective-type time-of-flight technique, whereas secondary neutral particles were photo-ionized by a UV pulsed laser (ArF: 193 nm) and measured with a reflective-type time-of-flight technique. Different results were obtained for neutral particles in comparison with ionized particles. The mean energy of neutral Sb atoms was much lower than that of neutral In atoms, whereas the mean energies of secondary In and Sb ions were nearly equal.