Scheduling light-trails on WDM rings

We consider the problem of scheduling communication on optical WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) networks using the light-trails technology. We seek to design scheduling algorithms such that the given transmission requests can be scheduled using a minimum number of wavelengths (optical channels). We provide algorithms and close lower bounds for two versions of the problem on an n$n$ processor linear array/ring network. In the stationary   version, the pattern of transmissions (given) is assumed to not change over time. For this, a simple lower bound is c$c$, the congestion or the maximum total traffic required to pass through any link. We give an algorithm that schedules the transmissions using O(c+logn)$O(c+logn)$ wavelengths. We also show a pattern for which Ω(c+logn/loglogn)$\Omega (c+logn/loglogn)$ wavelengths are needed. In the on-line   version, the transmissions arrive and depart dynamically, and must be scheduled without upsetting the previously scheduled transmissions. For this case we give an on-line algorithm which has competitive ratio Θ(logn)$\Theta (logn)$. We show that this is optimal in the sense that every on-line algorithm must have competitive ratio Ω(logn)$\Omega (logn)$. We also give an algorithm that appears to do well in simulations (for the classes of traffic we consider), but which has competitive ratio between Ω(log²n/loglogn)$\Omega ({log}^{2}n/loglogn)$ and O(log²n)$O\left({log}^{2}n\right)$. We present detailed simulations of both our algorithms.     

Algorithms for computing diffuse reflection paths in polygons

Let s be a point source of light inside a polygon P of n vertices. A polygonal path from s to some point t inside P is called a diffuse reflection path if the turning points of the path lie on edges of?P. A?diffuse reflection path is said to be optimal if it has the minimum number of reflections on the path. The problem of computing a diffuse reflection path from s to t inside P has not been considered explicitly in the past. We present three different algorithms for this problem which produce suboptimal paths. For constructing such a path, the first algorithm uses a greedy method, the second algorithm uses a transformation of a minimum link path, and the third algorithm uses the edge–edge visibility graph of?P. The first two algorithms are for polygons without holes, and they run in O(n+klogn) time, where k denotes the number of reflections in the constructed path. The third algorithm is for polygons with or without holes, and it runs in O(n ²) time. The number of reflections in the path produced by this third algorithm can be at most three times that of an optimal diffuse reflection path. Though the combinatorial approach used in the third algorithm gives a better bound on the number of reflections on the path, the first and the second algorithms stand on the merit of their elegant geometric approaches based on local geometric information.     

Comparative study of cognitive systems for ground vibration measurements

This paper deals with the application of a support vector machine (SVM) optimization technique to predict the blast-induced ground vibration. Peak particle velocity (PPV) is an important parameter to be kept under control to minimize the damage caused due to the ground vibration. A number of previous researchers have tried to use different empirical methods to predict PPV, but these empirical equations have their limitations due to its less versatile application and acceptability from field conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to apply these empirical equations to predict PPV because they are based on limited parameters which does not really reflect and connect with real influencing parameters. In this paper, SVM technique is used for the prediction of PPV by incorporating blast design and explosive parameters, and the suitability of one technique over other has been tested based on the results. To avoid the biasness in man-made choice of parameters of SVM, we have used the chaos optimization algorithm to find the optimal parameters which can help the model to enhance the learning efficiency and capability of prediction. Datasets have been obtained from one of the large opencast mine from southeastern coalfield limited, Chhattisgarh, India. One hundred and twenty-seven datasets were used to establish SVM architecture, and 10 datasets have been randomly chosen for validation of SVM model to see its prediction potential. The results obtained have been compared with different vibration predictors, multivariate regression analysis, artificial neural network and the superiority of application on SVM over previous methodology. The mean absolute percentage error using SVM is very low (0.001) as compared to other predictors indicate its better prediction capability.

     

Coinage Metals in the Nanometer Length Scale

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-stabilized gold organosol in toluene has been prepared by using a two-phase (water-toluene) extraction of AuCl₄^- followed by its reduction with sodium borohydride in the presence of the surfactant, CPC. The surfactant-stabilized gold nanoparticles were exploited to examine their optical properties when exposed to various solvent systems by measuring the changes in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectrum.     

Nano and micro structural studies of thin films of ZnO

Zinc oxide thin films grown by sol–gel and RF sputtering methods have been characterized. The characterization techniques used involve ellipsometry, optical absorption, scanning tunneling microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The films grown by sol–gel spin method which followed zinc acetate route exhibited a smoother texture than the films, which were deposited by using zinc nitrate route. The later type of films showed a dendritic character. Nano-structured fine grains of size ranging from 20 to 60 nm were observed with zinc nitrate precursor film. Individual grains show a sharp contrast with different facets and boundaries. Crystal planes and lattice parameters calculated by electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction are quite close and in agreement with the reported values in literature. Scanning tunneling microscopy has been used for measuring the average roughness of the surface and estimating the lattice constants. The STM studies of RF sputtered films, although showing a ZnO structure, exhibited a disturbed lattice. This was presumably due to the fact that after deposition the films were not annealed. Nanographs of 2D and 3D view of atomic positions of ZnO have been presented by using scanning tunneling microscopy.     

Conductometric Study of Some Metal Halides in Glycerol + Water Mixtures

Electrolytic conductivities of potassium halides, KX (X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) have been investigated in 10, 20, and 30 mass% glycerol + H₂O mixtures at 298.0, 308.0, and 318.0 K. The conductance data have been analyzed by the Fuoss-conductance–concentration equation in terms of the limiting molar conductance (Λ⁰), the association constant (K _A ), and the distance of closest approach of ion (R). The association constant (K _A ) tends to increase in the order: 10 mass% < 20 mass% < 30 mass% glycerol + water mixtures, while it decreases with temperature. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH ⁰, ΔG ⁰, and ΔS ⁰ are obtained and discussed. Also, Walden products (Λ⁰η) are reported. The results have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent interactions and structural changes in the mixed solvents.     

Synthesis of B-Sb by rapid thermal annealing of B/Sb multilayer films

Group III-V compound B-Sb films were synthesized from B/Sb/…/B multilayer films deposited by electron gun evaporation onto silicon substrate and subjecting the above multilayer to rapid thermal annealing at 773 K for 3 min. The films were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS and optical studies. XPS studies indicated the ratio of B: Sb ∼ 1. XRD and electron diffraction patterns indicated the reflections from (100), (111), (102) and (112) planes of zinc blende BSb. Band gap evaluated from optical studies was ∼ 0·51 eV. Refractive index of the films varied between 1·65 and 2·18 with increasing energy of incident photon and plasma frequency (ω_p) was estimated to be ∼2·378×10⁻¹⁴ s⁻¹. The effective mass was computed to be ∼ 0·0845 m_e.     

Very low-noise ENG amplifier system using CMOS technology.

In this paper, we describe the design and testing of a system for recording electroneurographic signals (ENG) from a multielectrode nerve cuff (MEC). This device, which is an extension of the conventional nerve signal recording cuff, enables ENG to be classified by action potential velocity. In addition to electrical measurements, we provide preliminary in vitro data obtained from frogs that demonstrate the validity of the technique for the first time. Since typical ENG signals are extremely small, on the order of 1 1 microV, very low-noise, high-gain amplifiers are required. The ten-channel system we describe was realized in a 0.8 microm CMOS technology and detailed measured results are presented. The overall gain is 10 000 and the total input-referred root mean square (rms) noise in a bandwidth 1 Hz-5 kHZ is 291 nV. The active area is 12 mm(2) and the power consumption is 24 mW from +/-2.5 V power supplies.     

A low-power up-conversion CMOS mixer for 22-29-GHz ultra-wideband applications

A double-balanced, low-power, and low-voltage dual-gate up-conversion mixer working at K-band is designed and fabricated in the UMC 130-nm logic CMOS process. The mixer achieves a 3-dB conversion-gain bandwidth of 1.8 GHz at the input IF port and a 3-dB conversion-gain bandwidth of 10 GHz at the output RF port. The mixer achieves an output referred 1-dB compression point as high as -5.8 dBm and an output referred third-order intercept point as high as 5.8 dBm, while consuming 8.0 mW from a 1.2-V supply. This study demonstrates that the implementation of low-power mixers operating in the 22-29-GHz band for ultra-wideband automotive radar applications is possible in low-cost and low-voltage logic CMOS technology.     

Results demonstrating techniques for enhancing electrochemical reactions involving iron oxide in slags and C in liquid iron

Two techniques are described for the enhancement of the kinetics of reduction of iron oxide from slags by carbon in molten iron. Laboratory experiments have shown that the rate of iron oxide reduction by carbon-saturated iron can be increased by 5 to 10 times when the reaction is carried out under a reduced-pressure atmosphere. This effect is thought to be the result of the increased volumetric gas evolution through the slag layer and the associated increase in slag stirring. A model is presented, which relates the mass-transfer coefficient for ferrous ions in the slag to its stirring that is controlled by varying the ambient pressure. Additional laboratory experiments examined the electrochemical nature of iron oxide reduction from slag by carbon in liquid iron. Results indicate that the reduction of iron oxide from slag is increased in the presence of an applied electric field. The external circuit allows for the separation of the half-cell reactions associated with iron oxide reduction and decarburization and increases the reaction area available for the individual reactions. These results have significant implications for several important slag metal reactions, which occur during ironmaking and steelmaking operations.