Efficient algorithms for SS/TDMA scheduling

Efficient scheduling algorithms for the slot assignment problem in a satellite-switched time-division multiple-access (SS/TDMA) system are presented. This problem is translated into a modified open-shop scheduling problem, allowing the use of known optimal algorithms. Their complexity is expressed as a function of the following parameters: the number of nonzero entries in the demand matrix, the number of uplinks, and the number of downlinks. According to the values of these parameters, the algorithm with the lowest computational complexity can be adopted. Although the computational complexity of previously published algorithms is drastically reduced, simulation results show that the results are close to previously presented solutions in terms of the assignment duration and the number of switching matrices     

Electrical Characterization of p-Type Pb1−x Eu x Te

The transport properties of p-type Pb_1?x Eu _x Te epitaxial layers were studied as a function of Eu content, temperature, and magnetic field. The low-temperature hole mobility is drastically reduced when the Eu concentration is increased from 0 to 6%, while the hole concentration remains almost constant. A metal-insulator transition was observed for x ≈ 0.04, which is probably induced by the disorder caused by the introduction of Eu. For temperatures down to 10 K, only positive magnetoresistance has been observed at low magnetic fields. An anomalous behavior of the resistivity as a function of temperature has been detected for a Eu content about 5%, which is attributed to the resonance between the localized Eu 4f level and the valence band maximum.     

Multi‐layered flat‐surface micro‐optical components directly molded on an LCD panel

Abstract— We have developed a process to fabricate optical components, such as a lens, prism, or diffuser, directly on to a glass substrate. Processes include precision mastering by diamond cutting and multi‐layer photopolymer (2P) molding to realize flat surfaces and the integration of multiple components with an alignment within a few micrometers.     

Polyvinylidene fluoride monofilament sutures: can they be used safely for long-term anastomoses in the thoracic aorta?

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) represents an attractive alternative to polypropylene as a monofilament vascular suture because of its satisfactory physicochemical properties, it ease of handling, and its good biocompatibility. However, the polymer's ability to remain mechanically and chemically stable when exposed to a mild hydrolytic environment over the long term has yet to be demonstrated. One in vitro study involved the comparison of the long-term relative resistance of PVDF and polypropylene sutures to hydrolysis for a period of 9 years. The PVDF suture showed major molecular rearrangements from the original ratio of three crystalline structures to the single beta crystalline phase. The observation of some surface oxidation and water inhibition did not significantly modify the tensile strength of the PVDF suture, which retained 92.5% of its original value. In contrast, the polypropylene sample did not undergo any recrystallization but was associated with more oxidation byproducts and more water molecules near the surface, which contributed to a 46.6% loss in initial tensile strength. An in vivo study confirmed that PVDF sutures are biocompatible and are able to maintain satisfactory biostability when used to anastomose thoracic aortic allografts for a period of 6 months in the dog. The cellular reaction of fresh allografts as well as the control autografts to PVDF sutures was minimal. In other allografts that had been preserved in a supplemented medium for 1 week prior to implantation, the PVDF sutures healed satisfactorily with the formation of neocollagen and few macrophages surrounding the monofilament. No evidence of instability at the allograft-host artery junction was observed, confirming that the PVDF sutures were able to ensure a secure anastomosis in the thoracic aorta. PVDF sutures have demonstrated superior long-term biostability in vitro and minimal tissue response in vivo. These are two essential requirements when evaluating the use of a suture for vascular surgery in general and thoracic aortic surgery in particular.     

Radar reflectivity in snowfall

Backscattering properties of dry snowflakes at different microwave frequencies are examined. It is shown that the Rayleigh approximation does not often provide the necessary accuracy for snowflake reflectivity calculations for radar wavelengths used in meteorology; however, another simple approximation, the Rayleigh-Gans approximation, can be safely used for such calculations. Reflectivity-snowfall rate relationships are derived for different snow densities and different radar frequencies. It is shown that dual-wavelength radar measurements can be used for estimating the effective sizes of snowflakes. Experimental data obtained during radar snowfall measurements in the WISP project of 1991 with the NOAA X- and Ka-band radars are found to be consistent with the described theoretical results     

Surface Position-Resolved Thermophysical Properties for Metallic Alloys

Thermophysical properties are collective measures of a material to transport dynamical quantities of physical nature on its surface or through the bulk. As such, the exact nature of couplings between particles in a many-body assembly of building block atoms or molecules sensitively determines their values. The couplings between nearest neighbors are the product of the local elemental composition and the material phase. In this study, thermal cycling of a four-element Wood’s alloy specimen brings out cadmium-rich patches to the top surface of the specimen. An assembly of such patches leads to depth-dependent deviations of elemental composition from that of the bulk. Surface-layer atoms are driven to form a high temperature laser-produced plasma (LPP), and time-resolved spectroscopy of their emissions show the variability of elemental composition over surface positions as well as over depth from the surface. These thermal history-driven composition anomalies contribute to significant variability in the measured values of spectral emissivity and thermal diffusivity.     

Thermal stability of indium-tin-oxide/n-GaAs Schottky diodes

The thermal degradation of ITO Schottky contacts on GaAs has been studied. The rectifying contacts show rapid degradation with heating and could have serious implications for optoelectronic devices that operate at elevated temperatures.<>