On a stochastic sensor selection algorithm with applications in sensor scheduling and sensor coverage

In this note we consider the following problem. Suppose a set of sensors is jointly trying to estimate a process. One sensor takes a measurement at every time step and the measurements are then exchanged among all the sensors. What is the sensor schedule that results in the minimum error covariance? We describe a stochastic sensor selection strategy that is easy to implement and is computationally tractable. The problem described above comes up in many domains out of which we discuss two. In the sensor selection problem, there are multiple sensors that cannot operate simultaneously (e.g., sonars in the same frequency band). Thus measurements need to be scheduled. In the sensor coverage problem, a geographical area needs to be covered by mobile sensors each with limited range. Thus from every position, the sensors obtain a different view-point of the area and the sensors need to optimize their trajectories. The algorithm is applied to these problems and illustrated through simple examples.     

Resolution enhanced light field near eye display using e‐shifting method with birefringent plate

Light field near eye displays (LFNED) can produce lightweight devices and address the accommodation–convergence conflict. However, low spatial resolution creates a poor immersive experience in LFNED. In addition, although many e‐shifting devices have been proposed to enhance resolution in projection system, yet those devices are too bulky to be applied in an LFNED to keep it lightweight. In this paper, a compact e‐shifting component is proposed to enhance image resolution in an LFNED by using a birefringent plate and twisted nematic switch cell. The proposed e‐shifting device is a flat and thin component with only 2.6 mm of thickness, which could be placed in the gap of an LFNED without increasing the thickness. The results show that the proposed components could be easily integrated in an LFNED with the result of resolution enhancement.     

Effect of baffle height and Reynolds number on fluid mixing

In this paper, both numerical simulation and experiment were performed to investigate the mixing process within mixing chambers of the planar micromixer with three baffles at varied baffle height. The presence of three baffles causes the flow to separate and creates the recirculation and back flow within mixing chambers. The fluid mixing was greatly influenced by the baffle height and Reynolds number (Re) related to the size of recirculation zone. Larger baffle height or Re produces larger recirculation zone and convective mixing. The micromixer with 350 μm high baffles in 400 μm wide channel results in over 95% mixing at Re = 80 from the simulation results. The experiment results confirm the above simulation results qualitatively. This planar micromixer has the merits of simple design and easy fabrication as compared to the three-dimensional passive micromixers.     

The Graph Neural Network Model

Many underlying relationships among data in several areas of science and engineering, e.g., computer vision, molecular chemistry, molecular biology, pattern recognition, and data mining, can be represented in terms of graphs. In this paper, we propose a new neural network model, called graph neural network (GNN) model, that extends existing neural network methods for processing the data represented in graph domains. This GNN model, which can directly process most of the practically useful types of graphs, e.g., acyclic, cyclic, directed, and undirected, implements a function tau(G,n) isin IR^m that maps a graph G and one of its nodes n into an m-dimensional Euclidean space. A supervised learning algorithm is derived to estimate the parameters of the proposed GNN model. The computational cost of the proposed algorithm is also considered. Some experimental results are shown to validate the proposed learning algorithm, and to demonstrate its generalization capabilities.     

Hybrid model- and signal-based chatter detection in the milling process

Chatter causes machining instability and reduces productivity in the metal cutting process. It has negative effects on the surface finish, dimensional accuracy, tool life and machine life. Chatter identification is therefore necessary to control, prevent, or eliminate chatter and to determine the stable machining condition. Previous studies of chatter detection used either model-based or signal-based methods, and each of them has its drawback. Model-based methods use cutting dynamics to develop stability lobe diagram to predict the occurrence of chatter, but the off-line stability estimation couldn’t detect chatter in real time. Signal-based methods apply mostly Fourier analysis to the cutting or vibration signals to identify chatter, but they are heuristic methods and do not consider the cutting dynamics. In this study, the model-based and signal-based chatter detection methods were thoroughly investigated. As a result, a hybrid model- and signal-based chatter detection method was proposed. By analyzing the residual between the force measurement and the output of the cutting force model, milling chatter could be detected and identified efficiently during the milling process.

     

Reduction of flow-induced noise in a household air purifier

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - In this study, we propose a design for a household air purifier that reduces the flow-induced noise caused by the impeller of the fan system. The...     

Demonstration of Time‐ and Wavelength‐Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Network Based on VCSEL Array

We demonstrate a time‐ and wavelength‐division multiplexed passive optical network system employing a vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser array–based optical line terminal transceiver and a tunable bidirectional optical subassembly–based optical network terminal transceiver. A packet error–free operation is achieved after a 40 km single‐mode fiber bidirectional transmission. We also discuss an arrayed waveguide grating, a photo detector array based on complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor photonics technologies, and low‐cost key devices for deployment in access networks.     

Spectrum sharing in multi-channel cooperative cognitive radio networks: a coalitional game approach

In this paper, we study a coalitional game approach to resource allocation in a multi-channel cooperative cognitive radio network with multiple primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs). We propose to form the grand coalition by grouping all PUs and SUs in a set, where each PU can lease its spectrum to all SUs in a time-division manner while the SUs in return assist PUs’ data transmission as relays. We use the solution concept of the core to analyze the stability of the grand coalition, and the solution concept of the Shapley value to fairly divide the payoffs among the users. Due to the convexity of the proposed game, the Shapley value is shown to be in the core. We derive the optimal strategy for the SU, i.e., transmitting its own data or serving as a relay, that maximizes the sum rate of all PUs and SUs. The payoff allocations according to the core and the Shapley value are illustrated by an example, which demonstrates the benefits of forming the grand coalition as compared with non-coalition and other coalition schemes.     

Isometry-Based Shape-Adaptive Fractal Coding for Images

Fractal image coding is an effective method to eliminate the image redundancy through piecewise self-transformability. The fractal code consists of a set of contractive affine transforms. To improve the performance when a range block experiences large error, we usually partition the range block into square or nonsquare subrange blocks for two- or multilevel fractal coding. In this paper, we find an inherent property of fractal coding that can be used to decide the edge orientation of a range block. Then this property is used for shape-adaptive fractal coding (SAFC). In SAFC, the top-level range block is partitioned into square or nonsquare (rectangle or triangle) subrange blocks for multilevel fractal encoding. Here, the maximum size of the range block can be the same as that of the whole image size while the minimum size is 4×4. In SAFC, no additional computations are required to obtain the edge orientation of a range block. Instead, we propose an edge-orientation detector, where the edge orientation of a range block is obtained during the fractal encoding process. According to our simulation results, SAFC can reduce the bit rate requirement of the conventional fractal coding scheme.     

Highly Customizable All Solution–Processed Polymer Light Emitting Diodes with Inkjet Printed Ag and Transfer Printed Conductive Polymer Electrodes

Inkjet and transfer printing processes are combined to easily form patterned poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films as top anodes of all solution–processed inverted polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) on rigid glass and flexible plastic substrates. An adhesive PEDOT:PSS ink is formulated and fully customizable patterns are obtained using the inkjet printing process. In order to transfer the patterned PEDOT:PSS films, adhesion properties at interfaces during multistep transfer printing processes are carefully adjusted. The transferred PEDOT:PSS film on the plastic substrates shows not only a sheet resistance of 260.6 Ω/□ and a transmittance of 92.1% at 550 nm wavelength but also excellent mechanical flexibility. The PLEDs with spin‐coated functional layers sandwiched between the transferred PEDOT:PSS top anodes and inkjet‐printed Ag bottom cathodes are fabricated. The fabricated PLEDs on the plastic substrates show a high current efficiency of 10.4 cd A^?1 and high mechanical stability. It is noted that because both Ag and PEDOT:PSS electrodes can be patterned with a high degree of freedom via the inkjet printing process, highly customizable PLEDs with various pattern sizes and shapes are demonstrated on the glass and plastic substrates. Finally, with all solution process, a 5 × 7 passive matrix PLED array is demonstrated.