Quantisation noise control in perceptual audio coding using low selectivity filter banks

The problem of computing, in a subband audio coder, the maximum quantisation noise power that can be injected in each band to ensure transparent coding when low selectivity filter banks are used, is addressed. A low complexity strategy, taking into account the frequency responses of the synthesis filter bank, is proposed for achieving an overall distortion due to quantisation noise always below the masking threshold (provided by a psycho-acoustic model) for any length prototype filters.     

Near-field corrections to site attenuation

The theoretical model used for calculating normalized site attenuation for broadband antennas in ANSI C63.4-1992 and for antenna calibration in ANSI C63.5-1988 includes only the radiation terms in the electric field. The omission of the near field terms leads to errors of as much as 2.0 dB at 30 MHz for horizontally polarized antennas separated by 3 m. Corrected values of normalized site attenuation and E _D^max are presented for the 30-300 MHz frequency range     

Crosstalk between microstrip transmission lines

Methods for prediction of crosstalk between microstrip transmission lines are reviewed and simplified for the weak-coupling case. Classical coupled transmission line theory is used for uniform lines, and potential and induced EMF methods are used for crosstalk between nonuniform lines. It is shown that the potential method is equivalent to classical coupled transmission line theory for the case of uniform lines. An experiment was performed for uniform coupled microstrip lines for frequencies from 50 MHz to 5 GHz, and good agreement between theory and measurement was obtained for both near- and far-end crosstalk     

High-frequency analysis of the Ellipticus antenna

Efficient numerical solution techniques have been developed and used to examine the electromagnetic fields that can be developed in the working volume of the CW Ellipticus antenna operated at frequencies from 100 kHz to 1 GHz. An exponentially tapered transition section is designed to obtain the desired illumination pattern in the working volume. The input transition section is needed for impedance matching and to drive efficiently the Ellipticus antenna. A parametric study is performed to ascertain the performance of the Ellipticus antenna for frequencies up to 1 GHz     

Microscopic simulation of electronic noise in semiconductormaterials and devices

We present a microscopic interpretation of electronic noise in semiconductor materials and two-terminal devices. The theory is based on Monte Carlo simulations of the carrier motion self-consistently coupled with a Poisson solver. Current and voltage noise operations are applied and their respective representations discussed. As application we consider the cases of homogeneous materials, resistors, n⁺nn ⁺ structures, and Schottky-barrier diodes. Phenomena associated with coupling between fluctuations in carrier velocity and self-consistent electric field are quantitatively investigated for the first time. At increasing applied fields hot-carrier effects are found to be of relevant importance in all the cases considered here. As a general result, noise spectroscopy is found to be a source of valuable information to investigate and characterize transport properties of semiconductor materials and devices     

A base-band NDS electrode configuration for HACT devices

Heterostructure Acoustic Charge Transport (HACT) devices have been fabricated with a new nondestructive sense (NDS) electrode structure that provides for the recovery of base-band signals without the use of an integrating capacitor. This electrode structure provides an output signal comprising an RF carrier at the SAW frequency, amplitude modulated by the sampled input signal which has been delayed by a period proportional to the output electrodes distance from the input diode. The output of the NDS electrode structure is subsequently demodulated to provide the base-band signal     

Similarities in normal and binocularly rivalrous viewing

We report here a series of observations-most of which the reader can experience directly-showing that distinct components of patterned visual stimuli (orthogonal lines of a different hue) vary in perception as sets. Although less frequent and often less complete, these perceptual fluctuations in normal viewing are otherwise similar to the binocular rivalry experienced when incompatible scenes are presented dichoptically.     

D-AKAP2, a novel protein kinase A anchoring protein with a putative RGS domain

Subcellular localization directed by specific A kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) is a mechanism for compartmentalization of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Using a two-hybrid screen, a novel AKAP was isolated. Because it interacts with both the type I and type II regulatory subunits, it was defined as a dual specific AKAP or D-AKAP1. Here we report the cloning and characterization of another novel cDNA isolated from that screen. This new member of the D-AKAP family, D-AKAP2, also binds both types of regulatory subunits. A message of 5 kb pairs was detected for D-AKAP2 in all embryonic stages and in all adult tissues tested. In brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, and testis, a 10-kb mRNA was identified. In testis, several small mRNAs were observed. Therefore, D-AKAP2 represents a novel family of proteins. cDNA cloning from a mouse testis library identified the full length D-AKAP2. It is composed of 372 amino acids which includes the R binding fragment, residues 333-372, at its C-terminus. Based on coprecipitation assays, the R binding domain interacts with the N-terminal dimerization domain of RIalpha and RIIalpha. A putative RGS domain was identified near the N-terminal region of D-AKAP2. The presence of this domain raises the intriguing possibility that D-AKAP2 may interact with a Galpha protein thus providing a link between the signaling machinery at the plasma membrane and the downstream kinase.