Performance analysis of linear multiuser detectors for randomlyspread CDMA using Gaussian approximation

The performance of a linear decorrelating detector (LDD) and a minimum mean square error (MMSE) detector is analyzed for random spreading waveforms. The performance of the LDD and MMSE detectors is expressed in terms of the so-called near-far resistance, defined by a reciprocal of a diagonal component of inverse matrix. For random code division multiple access, which employs random spreading waveforms, the near-far resistance can be regarded as a random variable. Many papers have dealt with the analysis of multiuser detectors for random spreading sequences. In most cases, however, these analyses derived only the expectations or bounds for the near-far resistance. In this paper, we directly derive the approximate probability density function (PDF) of the near-far resistance and corresponding bit error rate expression for random spreading sequences. It is based on Gaussian approximation of the cross correlation between any two randomly generated spreading codes. The resulting PDF turned out to be a reversed-and-scaled version of chi-square distribution. The approximate expressions, both the PDF and the corresponding bit error rate expression, were verified via Monte Carlo simulations. The results showed that the approximation is quite close to the simulation results when the number of users is less than half the processing gain     

Electrical properties of N2O/NH3 plasma grownoxynitride on strained-Si

Growth of ultrathin (<100 Å) oxynitride on strained-Si using microwave N₂O and NH₃ plasma is reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate a nitrogen-rich layer at the strained-Si/SiO₂ interface. The electrical properties of oxynitrides have been characterized using a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure. A moderately low value of insulator charge density (6.1×10¹⁰ cm^-2) has been obtained for NH₃ plasma treated N₂O oxide sample. Nitrided oxide shows a larger breakdown voltage and an improved charge trapping properties under Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) constant current stress     

Solder engineering for optoelectronic packaging

In addition to providing electrical connections, solder is useful in the formation of passive, precision alignments for optoelectronic packaging. Different designs have demonstrated micrometer-level alignment accuracies, and the aligned structures are becoming more and more complex. Solder engineering has been successfully introduced into the field of optoelectronics, and it is expected to be applied to many other areas demanding low-cost, precision alignments.     

Evaluation of different methods of catching anopheline mosquitoes in western Venezuela

During a longitudinal study of vector biology and malaria transmission in western Venezuela, adult mosquitoes were collected by different methods and their efficiency was compared with human landing catches. CDC light traps, a double-net, a calf-baited trap and collection of resting mosquitoes on vegetation were tested. These methods did not prove to be effective substitutes for human landing catches.     

Two-level optimal output feedback stabilizer design

The paper addresses the design of two-level power system stabilizers using an optimal reduced order model whose state variables are torque angles and speeds. The reduced order model retains their physical meaning and is used to design a two-level linear feedback controller that takes into account the realities and constraints of electrical power systems. The two-level control strategy is used, and a global control signal is generated from the output variables to minimize the effect of interactions. The effectiveness of this controller is evaluated and a multimachine system is given as an example to illustrate the advantages of the proposed method. Responses of the system with a two-level scheme and an optimal reduced order scheme are included for comparative analysis.     

Multichip Differential Phase-Shift-Keyed Transmission Over (Non)Linear Optical Channels

The recently introduced multichip differential phase-shift keying (MC-DPSK) optical transmission format, entailing the modulation of relative phases over a moving transmission window of successive chip intervals, is analytically and numerically analyzed. The maximum-likelihood optimal MC-DPSK receiver is derived and synthesized using integrated-optic Mach-Zehnder delay interferometers, whose electrical outputs are interpreted as generalized Stokes' parameters. The MC-DPSK performance over a nonlinear fiber channel, limited by the combination of amplified spontaneous emission noise and self-phase modulation, is further derived and simulated, demonstrating that the lowest complexity three-chip binary-phase MC-DPSK receiver provides an ~1-dB Q-factor advantage over conventional DPSK.