Positive temperature dependence of the electron impact ionizationcoefficient in In0.53Ga0.47As/InP HBTs

Impact ionization is a major limiting factor to the maximum operating voltage of InGaAs-based, high-speed transistors. In this work, data on the positive temperature dependence of the electron impact ionization coefficient α_n in In_0.53Ga_0.47As at medium-low electric fields are reported for the first time. The increase of α_n with temperature is opposite to the behavior normally observed in most semiconductors. This anomalous behavior implies the onset of a positive feedback between power dissipation and avalanche generation which may adversely affect the power handling capability of In_0.53Ga _0.47As-based devices, and which should be taken into account in device thermal modeling. In the experimental procedure, based on the measurement of the multiplication factor M-1 in npn In_0.53Ga _0.47As/InP Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBT), particular care has been taken in order to rule out possible spurious, temperature-dependent contributions to the measured multiplication current     

Application of neural networks and machine learning in networkdesign

Communication network design is becoming increasingly complex, involving making networks more usable, affordable, and reliable. To help with this, we have proposed an expert network designer (END) for configuring, modeling, simulating, and evaluating large structured computer networks, employing artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, and network simulation tools. We present a neural network/knowledge acquisition machine-learning approach to improve the END's efficiency in solving the network design problem and to extend its scope to acquire new networking technologies, learn new network design techniques, and update the specifications of existing technologies     

Series equivalence/operation of current-controlled boost-typesingle-phase voltage source converters for bidirectional power flow

Single-phase voltage source power converters (VSCs) under consideration are AC-DC current-controlled boost-type power converters with bidirectional power-handling capability. Equivalence between two series-connected two-level power converters and a single three-level power converter is considered here. Further considered is the series operation of three-level power converters. Simulation results and experimental verification for both are provided. Economical configurations of three-level power converters leading to multilevel waveforms are presented thereafter     

Analysis of switched diversity TCM-MPSK systems on Nakagami fadingchannels

Space diversity reception and forward-error correction coding are powerful techniques to combat multipath fading encountered in mobile radio communications. In this paper, we analyze the performance of a discrete-time switched diversity system using trellis-coded modulation multiple phase-shift keying (TCM-MPSK) on slow, nonselective correlated Nakagami (1960) fading channels. Analytical upper bounds using the transfer function bounding technique are obtained and illustrated by several numerical examples. A simple integral expression for calculating the exact pairwise error probability is presented. The use of optimum adaptive and fixed switching thresholds is considered. Monte Carlo simulation results, which are more indicative of the exact system performance, are also given     

Use of a two-wire microwave line at the boundary of the investigated zone to measure the electron density in a low-temperature plasma

A new method based on a two-wire line has been developed for noncontact diagnostics of a low-temperature plasma and its fluxes in channels with complex profiles. This method provides good spatial and time resolution. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 1–7 (July 26, 1997)     

Triple check for antigen specificity of B cells during germinal centre reactions

Somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin variable genes during germinal reactions might permit the expansion of B-cell clones with unwanted (e.g. autoreactive) specificity. Here, Ernst Lindhout and colleagues propose three antigen-specific checkpoints that ensure the appropriate antigen specificity of activated B cells is maintained by regulating the activation, selection and further differentiation of B cells.