Diversity Performance of a Wavelet-Packet-Based Multicarrier Multicode CDMA Communication System

In this paper, we propose and analyze a novel multicarrier (MC) multicode (MCD) code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system employing wavelet packets (WPs) for modulation. This system can achieve robust performance against multipath fading due to the localization of WPs in the time and frequency domains. The analytical framework is presented, and the system performance with diversity is evaluated by means of bit error rates and the outage probability . Since WPs have lower sidelobes compared to sinusoidal carriers, our system is very effective in reducing the problem of intercarrier interference. The effects of system parameters (e.g., order of diversity, fading parameters, and WP type) were investigated. The major contribution is to compare the performance of the system to that of the MC/MCD-CDMA system that is based on sinusoidal carriers. The results reveal a considerable performance improvement of our proposed system over the MC/MCD-CDMA system.     

Reading the footprints of strained islands

We report on recent advances in the understanding of surface processes occurring during growth and post-growth annealing of strained islands which may find application as self-assembled quantum dots. We investigate the model system SiGe/Si(0 0 1) by a new approach based on “reading the footprints” which islands leave on the substrate during their growth and evolution. Such footprints consist of trenches carved in the Si substrate. We distinguish between surface footprints and footprints buried below the islands. The former allow us to discriminate islands which are in the process of growing from those which are shrinking. Islands with steep morphologies grow at the expense of smaller and shallower islands, consistent with the kinetics of anomalous coarsening. While shrinking, islands change their shape according to thermodynamic predictions. Buried footprints are investigated by removing the SiGe epilayer by means of selective wet chemical etching. Their reading shows that: (i) during post-growth annealing islands move laterally because of surface-mediated Si–Ge intermixing; (ii) a tree-ring structure of trenches is created by dislocated islands during their “cyclic” growth. This allows us to distinguish coherent from dislocated islands and to establish whether the latter are the result of island coalescence.     

Waveguide probe structures for a multilayer magnetodielectric: An inverse problem

Direct and inverse problems are considered for diffraction by an open end of a rectangular waveguide (RW) with a flange that adjoins a piecewise inhomogeneous planar layered lossy medium. Also considered are similar diffraction problems for a junction of an RW and a rectangular resonator filled with a multilayer medium and a junction of two RWs, one of which contains a multilayer plate. Such open and shielded waveguide probe structures (WPSs) are used for determination and nondestructive testing of parameters of multilayer samples. The direct problem is formulated on the basis of admittance and impedance algorithms with consideration for losses existing in the medium, flange, and screens. In this case, the approximation of the given aperture field allows obtainment of explicit solutions for open and shielded WPSs in the form of integrals. Solution of the inverse problem that lies in determining thicknesses, permittivities, and permeabilities of the layers from measured values of the magnitude of the reflection coefficient is obtained by minimizing the corresponding least-squares error and by constructing artificial neural networks. In order to increase the accuracy, it is proposed to use a two-port of errors and perform measurements for several positions of the sample with respect to the flange and different impedance conditions behind the sample.     

Molecularly‐Engineered, 4D‐Printed Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators

Three‐dimensional structures that undergo reversible shape changes in response to mild stimuli enable a wide range of smart devices, such as soft robots or implantable medical devices. Herein, a dual thiol‐ene reaction scheme is used to synthesize a class of liquid crystal (LC) elastomers that can be 3D printed into complex shapes and subsequently undergo controlled shape change. Through controlling the phase transition temperature of polymerizable LC inks, morphing 3D structures with tunable actuation temperature (28 ± 2 to 105 ± 1 °C) are fabricated. Finally, multiple LC inks are 3D printed into single structures to allow for the production of untethered, thermo‐responsive structures that sequentially and reversibly undergo multiple shape changes.     

Model of the behavior of MOS structures under ionizing irradiation

A quantitative model describing the behavior of MOS structures under ionizing irradiation is developed. The model is based on the capture of holes by hydrogen-containing traps. Some traps are charged and thus form a positive space charge in the insulator. The other traps decay to release positive hydrogen ions. These ions migrate in the insulator electric field to the insulator-semiconductor interface, where they depassivate surface states. The charging of surface states both under irradiation and during measurement of the threshold voltage is taken into account.     

Characterization of n-Type and p-Type ZnS Thin Layers Grown by an Electrochemical Method

Electrodeposition of n-type and p-type thin-film layers of ZnS was carried out using a simple two-electrode system and aqueous solutions of ZnCl₂ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₃ with different Zn²⁺ concentrations. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the ZnS layers deposited from both solutions are amorphous. Optical absorption measurements show low absorbance of the layers with energy bandgap in the range of 3.68 eV to 3.78 eV after postdeposition annealing. Photoelectrochemical cell measurements show that both n-type and p-type ZnS thin layers can be electrodeposited by simply changing the concentrations of the deposition solutions. With higher Zn²⁺ concentration in the bath, n-type ZnS films were deposited, while p-type ZnS films were deposited with lower Zn²⁺ concentration. The estimated resistivity of layers from both solutions using I–V measurements were 3.0 × 10⁴ Ω cm and 2.0 × 10⁴ Ω cm, respectively, for n-ZnS and p-ZnS. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the deposited films consist of particles with good surface coverage of the glass/fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate.     

Numerical analysis on compliance and electrical behavior of multi-copper-column flip-chip interconnects for wafer-level packaging

This paper presents modeling and simulation results of a modified copper-column-based flip-chip interconnect with ultrafine pitch for wafer-level packaging, and the process and prototyping procedure are described as well. This interconnect consists of multiple copper columns which are electrically in parallel and supporting a solder bump. A simple analytical model has been developed for correlation between the interconnect geometry and the thermal fatigue life. In comparison to the conventional single-copper-column (SCC) interconnects, numerical analysis reveals that the multi-copper-column (MCC) interconnect features enhanced compliances and, hence, higher thermomechanical reliability, while the associated electrical parasitics (R, L, and C) at dc and moderate frequencies are still kept low. Parametric studies reveal the effects of geometric parameters of MCC interconnects on both compliances and electrical parasitics, which in turn facilitate design optimization for best performance. By using coplanar waveguides (CPWs) as feed lines on both chip and package substrate, a high-frequency (up to 40 GHz) S-parameter analysis is conducted to investigate the transmission characteristics of the MCC interconnects within various scenarios which combines various interconnect pitches and common chip and package substrates. An equivalent lumped circuit model is proposed and the circuit parameters (R, L, C, and G) are obtained throughout a broad frequency range. Good agreement is achieved for the transmission characteristics between the equivalent lumped circuit model and direct simulation results.     

Stability of rain-rate distribution: how many years to measure?

A relative root mean square error (RMSE) between the cumulative distribution of rain-rates derived from several years' (x years) measurement and a long-term (N years, N>x) measurement is given. Long-term (63 years) data from the Czech Republic are used. It is concluded that a period of 10-20 years' measurement is required to reduce this relative rain-rate RMSE to under 7%. An applicable example of a relative error computation (caused by the microwave link rain attenuation estimation from only a few years' measurement) is also given.     

MILLIMETER WAVES DETECTOR BASED ON JOSEPHSON’s JUNCTIONS WITH OPTIMAL SUBSTRATE

The detectors based on superconductors are used for the registration of signals in the millimeter range [1]. Specially, the quantum radio receptor is widely used due to its very high sensibility. The structure of such receptor consists usually of a periodic Josephson’s Junctions (JJs) lattice and its very high sensibility may be obtained with the synchronization of the JJs using resonators of superficial electromagnetic wave [2]. These resonators realize automatically the synchronization of several hundreds of JJs, including the electro dynamical especial line like lattice [2]. The purposes of this article are: the analysis of the quality factor of the periodic JJs lattice, the optimal choice of the substrate for this system and the construction of the millimeter waves detector based on these elements.     

INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELD INHOMOGENEITY ON OPERATION OF THE THz GYROTRON WITH A PULSE MAGNET

Influence of magnetic field tapering on operation of a gyrotron working in the TE _4,12 mode at the second harmonic frequency 1013.67 GHz is investigated. It is found that the existing inhomogeneity of the magnetic field of the order of 0.25%–0.50% in the cavity allows one to achieve higher efficiencies. It improves also mode competition scenario by suppressing oscillations of the two parasitic TE _3,6 ⁺ and TE _5,5 ^? modes at the fundamental frequencies 513.35 GHz and 503.64 GHz, respectively.