Superresolution frequency estimation by alternating notchperiodogram

A novel periodogram-based maximum-likelihood algorithm is proposed for a frequency estimation problem. It is called an alternating notch-periodogram algorithm (ANPA), since the original multidimensional maximum likelihood problem is decomposed into a sequence of much simpler one-dimensional problems of finding the peaks of notch periodograms. The ANPA achieves superresolution and a very low SNR threshold and can be computed and implemented in several efficient ways. First, with FFT and a concurrent Gram-Schmidt procedure using Schur's recursions, the notch periodogram can be computed without any costly eigendecomposition and matrix inversion. This approach can further lead to a mapping of the notch periodogram onto a VLSI architecture consisting mainly of a highly pipelined notch processor and two FFT processors. Second, without degrading the excellent performance of ANPA, the notch periodogram can be simplified and approximated to provide further computational reduction and implementational simplicity     

An a-Si:H/a-Si,Ge:H bulk barrier phototransistor with a-SiC:Hbarrier enhancement layer for high-gain IR optical detector

The design and fabrication of a high-gain amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon germanium (a-Si:H/a-Si,Ge:H) bulk barrier phototransistor for infrared light detection applications are reported. The a-Si,Ge:H material featured a lower energy gap and is suitable for the absorption of longer wave light, but it also leads to a low breakdown voltage and high dark current. An additional a-SiC:H thin-film layer was used at the collector/base interface in the conventional amorphous bulk barrier phototransistor to enhance the function of the bulk barrier and obtain high optical gain     

Scale and rotation invariant pattern recognition using complex-log mapping and augmented second order neural network

A scale and rotation invariant pattern recognition system using complex-log mapping (CLM) and an augmented second order neural network (SONN) is proposed. CLM is very useful for extracting the scale and rotation invariant features. The results are, however, given in a wrap-around translated form. This problem is solved with an augmented SONN. Experimental results show that the proposed system has improved recognition performance.<>     

Tunneling and thermal emission of electrons from a distribution ofdeep traps in SiO2 [nMOSFET]

Both field-induced, or tunneling, and thermal emission of electrons from deep traps in the gate oxides on n-channel LDD CMOS devices have been observed and characterized. Experimental results show that the deep trapping effects at room temperature are similar to the shallow-level trapping effects observed by others below room temperature. In this case, however, the time constants involved are very long. This model and physical mechanisms can explain the apparent saturation observed under AC stress conditions, and also the differences observed between AC use conditions and DC stress     

Adaptive median filters: new algorithms and results

Based on two types of image models corrupted by impulse noise, we propose two new algorithms for adaptive median filters. They have variable window size for removal of impulses while preserving sharpness. The first one, called the ranked-order based adaptive median filter (RAMF), is based on a test for the presence of impulses in the center pixel itself followed by a test for the presence of residual impulses in the median filter output. The second one, called the impulse size based adaptive median filter (SAMF), is based on the detection of the size of the impulse noise. It is shown that the RAMF is superior to the nonlinear mean L(p) filter in removing positive and negative impulses while simultaneously preserving sharpness; the SAMF is superior to Lin's (1988) adaptive scheme because it is simpler with better performance in removing the high density impulsive noise as well as nonimpulsive noise and in preserving the fine details. Simulations on standard images confirm that these algorithms are superior to standard median filters.     

Reparable key distribution protocols for Internet environments

A new concept of reparable key distribution protocol is introduced in this paper. The merit of a reparable protocol is in that once all compromised keys have been replaced by secure keys, the protocol is secure. We show that the key distribution protocol of Lu et al. (1989), for Internet is not reparable. A reparable one is proposed instead     

Acquisition of PN code with adaptive threshold for DS/SScommunications

An adaptive acquisition scheme of PN sequences is presented for DS/SS communications. The basic idea of the scheme is to apply the radar CFAR technique to the acquisition of PN sequences. The detection performance is analysed and an example of adaptive thresholding for multipath Rayleigh fading channels is given     

A new family of Routh approximants

Based on the combinatorial Routh- and- expansions of a stable transfer function, a new energy decomposition tree for linear systems is developed. The pertinent properties to the energy decomposition tree are investigated, and an algorithm is derived for synthesizing transfer functions from the tree. The synthesis process naturally leads to a new family of Routh approximants to the system. It is indicated that the selection of Routh approximants based on the values of impulse-response energy is often inadequate because there may be a number of different Routh approximants with the same order and the same impulse-response energy. In such cases, an additional performance criterion, such as the integral of squared error of impulse response or unit-step response, has to be used to select a suitable Routh approximant.This work was supported by the National Science Council of the Republic of China under Grant NSC80-0402-E006-12.     

Miniature aperture-coupled microstrip antenna of very highpermittivity

A miniature aperture-coupled microstrip antenna of very high permittivity designed at 1.66 GHz is described. Superstrates of appropriate thickness are added on the substrate for gain enhancement. Its size is dramatically reduced and the electrical performance remains almost the same as compared with the conventional microstrip antenna of low dielectric constant. Experimental data for the return loss, radiation pattern and measured antenna gain are presented to validate the design     

Fabrication of V-grooved inner stripe GaAs-AlGaAs quantum-wire lasers

V-grooved inner stripe (VIS) GaAs-AlGaAs quantum-wire (QWR) lasers were successfully fabricated by, combining two-step metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth with a wet-etching technique. In order to achieve low threshold current density and high reliability, a conductive stripe width (W), a thickness (t/sub p-CBL/), and a doping concentration (n/sub p-CBL/) of the p-GaAs current-blocking layer (CBL) were determined to be W=1.2 /spl mu/m, t/sub p-CBL/=2 /spl mu/m, and n/sub p-CBL/=1/spl times/10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/. The leakage currents passing through the CBL were also estimated using a modified P-SPICE. Thus far, a threshold current of 45 mA and an output power of 4 mW at 51 mA have been achieved under room-temperature pulsed operation for some devices with uncoated facets.