SVD-Based Techniques for Zero-Padded Block Transmission Over Fading Channels

In this paper, the performance of filter bank transceivers in the presence of a dispersive time-variant channel is investigated. It is well known that filter bank transceivers can be adapted to the channel transfer function to yield intersymbol interference (ISI) cancellation. When the channel is time variant, several problems arise, since the transceiver should be changed whenever the channel evolves. In this paper, we will allow both the transmitter and the receiver to change and satisfy the interference-free condition, under the assumption of a zero-padded block transmission. In this case, the optimum transmitter-receiver pair can be computed by using a singular value decomposition (SVD) of the channel matrix. A fast receiver adaptation based on SVD tracking is presented. Simulation results show that minimum performance loss with respect to the optimum receiver can be achieved for our reduced complexity receiver     

A Transmit and Receive Multi-Antenna Channel Model and Simulator for Communications from High Altitude Platforms

The interest of the scientific and industrial communities on the application of high altitude stratospheric platforms to communications is increasingly growing. Several research projects and field trials are being carried out by international consortia and specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum have been allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for communications applications. The channel experienced by such systems plays a key role for the provision of reliable communications services but, unfortunately, its inherent characteristics are substantially different from those of other channel typologies. Therefore, in order to design and simulate effective propagation impairment mitigation techniques such as adaptive modulation and coding or adaptive beamforming and equalization algorithms, an ad hoc channel model and simulator is definitively required. In this paper a novel channel model and a related channel simulator especially tailored for HAP-based communication systems are presented. The model is conceived for link-level simulations of point-to-point communication links, wherein both the transmitter and the receiver may be equipped with an array of antennas. Peculiar physical effects of the stratospheric channel are taken into account as well as impairments due to the possible presence of scatterers and relative movement of both transmitting and receiving stations. The structure of the channel simulator has been conceived to maintain the computational burden at required by the channel simulator is kept low by an efficient tapped delay line implementation. This work is supported by the CAPANINA project (FP6 IST-2003-506745): Communications from aerial platform networks delivering broadband communications for all, http://www.capanina.org.

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Double actuation architectures for rendering variable impedance in compliant robots: A review

Novel compliant actuation systems have been developed in recent years for a variety of possible advantages, such as establishing a safe human–robot interaction, increasing energy efficiency, reducing the effects of impacts and even for the development of neuro-inspired robotic platforms to be used in human motor control studies.In this rapidly growing and transversal research field, systems involving more than one active element (typically motors) for each actuated degree of freedom are being investigated to allow separate position and impedance regulations. Considering the wide range of applications and the large number of different arrangements deriving from the combination of two active elements and passive elastic components, several actuation architectures have been devised.This paper reviews state-of-the-art rotary variable impedance units incorporating two separate motors. Existing devices are grouped in three main categories. A critical and comparative analysis of the most relevant features is carried out, also based on most representative prototypes. Recently proposed methodologies and evaluation criteria for design optimization are illustrated and perspectives on potential applications of double actuation systems are presented.     

CMOS-Compatible Room-Temperature Rectifier Toward Terahertz Radiation Detection

In this paper, we present a new rectifying device, compatible with the technology of CMOS image sensors, suitable for implementing a direct-conversion detector operating at room temperature for operation at up to terahertz frequencies. The rectifying device can be obtained by introducing some simple modifications of the charge-storage well in conventional CMOS integrated circuits, making the proposed solution easy to integrate with the existing imaging systems. The rectifying device is combined with the different elements of the detector, composed of a 3D high-performance antenna and a charge-storage well. In particular, its position just below the edge of the 3D antenna takes maximum advantage of the high electric field concentrated by the antenna itself. In addition, the proposed structure ensures the integrity of the charge-storage well of the detector. In the structure, it is not necessary to use very scaled and costly technological nodes, since the CMOS transistor only provides the necessary integrated readout electronics. On-wafer measurements of RF characteristics of the designed junction are reported and discussed. The overall performances of the entire detector in terms of noise equivalent power (NEP) are evaluated by combining low-frequency measurements of the rectifier with numerical simulations of the 3D antenna and the semiconductor structure at 1 THz, allowing prediction of the achievable NEP.     

Effect of Synthesis and Sintering Conditions on the Thermoelectric Properties of n-Doped Mg2Si

Magnesium silicide (Mg₂Si)-based alloys are promising candidates for thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion in the middle–high temperature range. The detrimental effect of the presence of MgO on the TE properties of Mg₂Si based materials is widely known. For this reason, the conditions used for synthesis and sintering were optimized to limit oxygen contamination. The effect of Bi doping on the TE performance of dense Mg₂Si materials was also investigated. Synthesis was performed by ball milling in an inert atmosphere starting from commercial Mg₂Si powder and Bi powder. The samples were consolidated, by spark plasma sintering, to a density >95%. The morphology, and the composition and crystal structure of samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electronic microscopy and x-ray diffraction, respectively. Moreover, determination of Seebeck coefficients and measurement of electrical and thermal conductivity were performed for all the samples. Mg₂Si with 0.1 mol% Bi doping had a ZT value of 0.81, indicative of the potential of this method for fabrication of n-type bulk material with good TE performance.     

使用系统总线性能计数器来测量和改善嵌入式系统的性能

了解系统总线的活动情况可帮助开发工程师显著改善嵌入式应用的性能。过去,由于嵌入式处理器缺乏复杂的软硬件结合特性,因此监测系统总线的活动情况是一项挑战性难题。在系统级了解应用程序的行为对于有效利用系统资源非常关键,这些资源包括外部存储器、DMA控制器、仲裁、系统总线互连等。     

嵌入式操作系统管理汇聚应用

当今许多复杂的嵌入式系统要求信号处理和信号控制两种功能.过去这两种功能一直属于DSP和微控制器(MCU)两种独立的器件.然而,汇聚处理器的推出改变了这种现状,将DSP和MCU两种功能集成到一种灵活体系结构中,典型的代表有ADI公司的B1ackfin处理器系列.     

Lateral‐Polarity Structure of AlGaN Quantum Wells: A Promising Approach to Enhancing the Ultraviolet Luminescence

Aluminum‐gallium‐nitride alloys (Al _x Ga_{1– x} N, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) can emit light covering the ultraviolet spectrum from 210 to 360 nm. However, these emitters have not fulfilled their full promise to replace the toxic and fragile mercury UV lamps due to their low efficiencies. This study demonstrates a promising approach to enhancing the luminescence efficiency of AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) via the introduction of a lateral‐polarity structure (LPS) comprising both III and N‐polar domains. The enhanced luminescence in LPS is attributed to the surface roughening, and compositional inhomogeneities in the N‐polar domain. The space‐resolved internal quantum efficiency (IQE) mapping shows a higher relative IQE in N‐polar domains and near inversion domain boundaries, providing strong evidence of enhanced radiative recombination efficiency in the LPS. These experimental observations are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations, where both lateral and vertical band diagrams are investigated. This work suggests that the introduction of the LPS in AlGaN‐based MQWs can provide unprecedented tunability in achieving higher luminescence performance in the development of solid state light sources.     

了解高级处理器特点提高编码效率

如今的数字信号处理器(DSP)在性能、外围设备集成、功耗和成本方面都具备很多优势,很多系统设计人员希望在原有系统设计中利用DSP获得比传统处理器更好的效益。但其中一个     

An Adaptive Control System to Deliver Interactive Virtual Environment Content to Handheld Devices

Wireless communication advances have enabled emerging video streaming applications to mobile handheld devices. For example, it is possible to display and interact with complex 3D virtual environments on mobile devices that don’t have enough computational and storage capabilities (e.g. smart phones, PDAs) through remote rendering techniques, where a server renders 3D data and streams the corresponding image flow to the client. However, due to fluctuations in bandwidth characteristics and limited mobile device CPU capabilities, it is extremely challenging to design effective systems for streaming interactive multimedia over wireless networks. This paper presents a novel approach based on a controller that can automatically adjust streaming parameters basing on feedback measures from the client device. Experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed solution in coping with bandwidth changes, thus providing high Quality of Service (QoS) in remote visualizations.