High-speed CMOS demultiplexer with redundant multi-valued logic

This paper describes an 11-Gb/s CMOS demultiplexer with redundant multi-valued logic. The proposed circuit receives serial binary data which is converted to parallel redundant multi-valued data. The converted data are reconverted to parallel binary data. By the redundant multi-valued data conversion, the redundant multi-valued logic makes it possible to achieve higher operating speeds than that of a conventional binary logic. The implemented demultiplexer consists of eight integrators. The circuit is designed with a 0.35?µm standard CMOS process. The validity and effectiveness are verified through HSPICE simulation. The demultiplexer is achieved to the maximum data rate of 11-Gb/s and the average power consumption of 69.43?mW. This circuit is expected to operate at a higher speed than 11-Gb/s in the deep-submicron process of the high operating frequency.     

Linearity improvement of cascode low-noise amplifiers using double DS method with a tuned inductor

We propose a highly linear low-noise amplifier (LNA) using the double derivative superposition method with a tuned inductor. This topology has an auxiliary common gate stage of the cascode amplifier to cancel each third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) component and can provide a high third-order input intercept point (IIP3) for the 5.25 GHz frequency band. From the simulation results using the TSMC 0.18 μm RF CMOS process, the IIP3 in the proposed cascode LNAs can be improved by 9 dB, compared with the conventional derivative superposition method. The proposed LNA achieves an IIP3 of + 15 dBm with a gain of 10.5 dB, a noise figure of 2.4 dB, and a power consumption of 6 mA at 1.5 V.     

Synchronization controller for a 3-R planar parallel pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) robot using modified ANFIS algorithm

Parallel manipulator is a closed-kinematic chain mechanism in which performance of its end effector – moving platform is contributed by its independent actuators. In traditional designs, each elemental actuator has its own controller as well as reference input, and it works independently without gathering information from its neighbors. Consequently, as one of the actuators cannot keep up with the others, the platform performance is easily deteriorated due to the lack of coherence between these actuators. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to design a 3-R planar parallel robot and develop a proper synchronization controller for its tracking control task. Adaptive Network Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) algorithm was modified and applied as the main strategy of this synchronization controller. The controller is then able to compensate errors between the actuators and enforce them to cooperate harmonically with each other regardless external disturbances caused by the outside environment or geometrical constraints of the closed-loop structure. Simulations and practical experiments on a scaled parallel robot were carried out to evaluate the designed controller. The results showed that by applying the proposed control technique, the working errors of the component actuators converged quickly to zero almost at the same time. As a result, the tracking performance of the common platform was significantly improved in comparison with the performance when applying a non-synchronization controller. The proposed method is effective in controlling systems which require collaborations between the sub-agents.     

Estimation of vector error correction models with mixed‐frequency data

Vector autoregressive (VAR) models with error‐correction structures (VECMs) that account for cointegrated variables have been studied extensively and used for further analyses such as forecasting, but only with single‐frequency data. Both unstructured and structured VAR models have been estimated and used with mixed‐frequency data. However, VECMs have not been studied or used with mixed‐frequency data. The article aims partly to fill this gap by estimating a VECM using the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm and US data on four monthly coincident indicators and quarterly real GDP and, then, using the estimated model to compute in‐sample monthly smoothed estimates and out‐of‐sample monthly forecasts of GDP. Because the model is treated as operating at the highest monthly frequency and the monthly‐quarterly data are used as given (neither interpolated to all‐monthly data, nor aggregated to all‐quarterly data), the application is expected to be unbiased and efficient. A Monte Carlo analysis compares the accuracy of VECMs estimated with the given mixed‐frequency data vs. with their single‐frequency temporal aggregate.     

Effect of BiAlO3 concentration on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of lead-free (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 piezoelectric ceramics

In this paper, lead-free (1-x)(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃-xBiAlO₃ (BNBT-BA, x?=?0, 0.010, 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, and 0.030) piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method. The effect of BiAlO₃ concentration on dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of BNBT ceramics are significantly influenced by the presence of BA. In the composition range studied, X-ray diffraction revealed a perovskite phase with the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. The temperature dependence of dielectric properties showed that the depolarization temperature (T _d) shifted towards lower temperatures and that the degree of diffuseness of the phase transition around T _d and T _m became more obvious with increasing BiAlO₃ content. The remanent polarization increased with increasing BA, and reached a maximum value of 30 μC/cm² at x?=?0.020. As a result, at x?=?0.020, the piezoelectric constant (d ₃₃) and the electromechanical coupling factor (k _p) of the ceramics attained maximum values of 188 pC/N and 34.4 %, respectively. These results indicate that BNBT-BA ceramics is a promising candidate for lead-free piezoelectric materials.     

Ferroelectric Photocurrent Effect in Polycrystalline Lead‐Free (K0.5Na0.5)(Mn0.005Nb0.995)O3 Thin Film

We deposited (K_0.5Na_0.5)(Mn_0.005Nb_0.995)O₃ (KNMN) thin films on Pt(111)/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates with a top electrode of indium tin oxide and investigated photocurrent properties in the wavelength range of 300?400 nm. Before the photocurrent measurement, the KNMN film was poled by applying a DC voltage. The photocurrents strongly depend on the wavelength of the incident photon energy. The photocurrents of the first measurement with poling in the up (?5 V) and down (+5 V) states were 21 and 3.2 nA/cm², respectively, at 344 nm. The difference in the photocurrents in both poling directions was explained by a space charge due to an asymmetric Schottky barrier height, which was caused by an internal electric field and polarization in the KNMN thin film.     

Qualitative verification of the dispersion level in nano-composite and its application to YD-128/MWCNT composite to assess the wear characteristics with respect to the dispersion level

We analyzed the wear characteristics according to dispersion level of MWCNT in YD-128/MWCNT composite. Specimens for this study were fabricated using mechanical stirrer after blending of YD-128 and MWCNT. To change the dispersion level, the mixture of YD-128/MWCNT was stirred using mechanical stirrer during different times, such as, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Because the direct measuring of dispersion level is difficult in the case of solid composite, we suggest an indirect method for checking qualitatively the dispersion level as follows. Firstly, using the AEH (asymptotic expansion homogenization) in-house code, we analyzed numerically the mechanical stiffness of composite using RVEs (representative volume elements) which are modeled with different dispersion level. According to the numerical results of RVEs, we verified that the mechanical stiffness is higher as the dispersion degree is better. Then, through the experimental tensile test of the fabricated specimens using UTM, we obtained that the mechanical stiffness is higher as the stirring time is longer. Consequently, we could ensure that the dispersion degree of the fabricated specimens is better as the mechanical stirring time is longer. Finally, we assessed the wear test using abrading machine with fabricated specimens. We confirmed that the abrasion loss is decreased according to the increasing of dispersion degree in the case of YD-128/MWCNT composites.     

Rotordynamic analysis and experimental validation of a high speed induction motor made by copper die casting process

A copper die casting induction motor can obtain an energy saving effect of about 2–3% compared to previous aluminum die casing induction motors. In addition, copper die casting motors can reduce the size of motors and reduce material costs. The critical speed and unbalance response of high speed machines need to be verified by rotordynamic analysis for dynamic stability of the rotors. The critical speed analysis, harmonic analysis and transient analysis by unbalance are performed for dynamic stability. The unbalance analysis results are compared with the experiment considering allowable vibration displacement (API 611) and balancing grade (ISO 1940-1). This paper dealt with the design, analysis and experimental validation of a high speed induction motor. The dynamic stability of the prototype is verified successfully, and two experimental methods by ISO 10816-3 are suitable and reliable for the allowable vibration evaluation of rotating machine.     

Coolant controls of a PEM fuel cell system

When operating the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, temperatures in the stack continuously change as the load current varies. The temperature directly affects the rate of chemical reactions and transport of water and reactants. Elevated temperature increases the mobility of water vapor, which reduces the ohmic over-potential in the membrane and eases removal of water produced. Adversely, the high temperature might impose thermal stress on the membrane and cathode catalyst and cause degradation. Conversely, excessive supply of coolants lowers the temperature in the stack and reduces the rate of the chemical reactions and water activity. Corresponding parasitic power dissipated at the electrical coolant pump increases and overall efficiency of the power system drops.     

Surface-modified maghemite as the cathode material for lithium batteries

The inorganic–organic hybrid maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃)/polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized and evaluated as cathode-active material for room temperature lithium batteries. The nanometer-sized core–shell structure of the hybrid consisting of the maghemite core with surface modified by PPy was evidenced from the morphological examination. The cathode fabricated with the as-prepared hybrid material delivered an initial discharge capacity of 233 mAh g⁻¹ and a reversible capacity of ∼62 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 charge–discharge cycles. A much higher performance with an initial discharge capacity of 378 mAh g⁻¹ and a reversible capacity of ∼100 mAh g⁻¹ was achieved with the cathode based on the segregated active material, which was obtained by subjecting the as-prepared hybrid material to an additional ball-milling process. The study demonstrates the promising lithium insertion characteristics of the nanometer-sized core–shell maghemite/PPy particles prepared under optimized conditions for application in secondary batteries.