On the interior resonance problem when applying a hybrid FEM/MoMapproach to model printed circuit boards

A hybrid finite element method/method of moments (FEM/MoM) technique is used to analyze a printed circuit board power bus structure where the source and observation points are in the near field. The FEM is used to model the lossy region between the planes of the board including the source. The MoM is used to model the region outside the planes and provide a radiation boundary condition to terminate the FEM mesh. Numerical results for a bridged power bus structure are compared with measurements. A nonphysical interior resonance of the electric field integral equation is observed. The problem can be avoided by using a hybrid technique based on a combined field integral equation     

The Onsager relations analyzed using an ellipsoidal statistical equation

Validity on the well-known Onsager reciprocal relations L ₁₂=L ₂₁ is verified in the kinetic theory of gases taking into account mass and heat transfer near the surface. Using an analytical solution to the ellipsoidal statistical equation (providing for the true Prandtl number), it is demonstrated that the Onsager relations are obeyed, at least to within exponential corrections of the type exp(−1/Kn) in the Knudsen number.     

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In this paper, the authors present the results of experiments which clearly demonstrate a technical basis confirming that the carrier frequency harmonics data can be used for diagnostics relative to motor stator insulation degradation.     

Indicators for inspection and maintenance planning of concrete structures

Based on an idea introduced by Benjamin and Cornell (1970. Probability, statistics and decision for civil engineers. New York: McGaw Hill) and previous works by the authors it is demonstrated how condition indicators may be formulated for the general purpose of quality control and for assessment and inspection planning in particular. The formulation facilitates quality control based on sampling of indirect information about the condition of the considered components. This allows for a Bayesian formulation of the indicators whereby the experience and expertise of the inspection personnel may be fully utilized and consistently updated as frequentistic information is collected. The approach is illustrated on an example considering a concrete structure subject to corrosion. It is shown how half-cell potential measurements may be utilized to update the probability of excessive repair after 50 years. Furthermore in the same example it is shown how the concept of condition indicators might be applied to develop a cost optimal maintenance strategy composed of preventive and corrective repair measures.     

An application-specific protocol architecture for wireless microsensor networks

Networking together hundreds or thousands of cheap microsensor nodes allows users to accurately monitor a remote environment by intelligently combining the data from the individual nodes. These networks require robust wireless communication protocols that are energy efficient and provide low latency. We develop and analyze low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH), a protocol architecture for microsensor networks that combines the ideas of energy-efficient cluster-based routing and media access together with application-specific data aggregation to achieve good performance in terms of system lifetime, latency, and application-perceived quality. LEACH includes a new, distributed cluster formation technique that enables self-organization of large numbers of nodes, algorithms for adapting clusters and rotating cluster head positions to evenly distribute the energy load among all the nodes, and techniques to enable distributed signal processing to save communication resources. Our results show that LEACH can improve system lifetime by an order of magnitude compared with general-purpose multihop approaches.     

Effects of extended dislocations on charge distribution in GaN epilayer

We have investigated the effect of extended dislocations (0.5-3 μm) on charge distribution in GaN epilayer grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on (0001) sapphire using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM). It has been observed for the surface at the extended dislocations present in undoped GaN film to be negatively charged showing 0.04-0.2 V higher potential relative to regions that contain no dislocations. In addition to the higher potential at the dislocation core, the surrounding surfaces, including the edge of the dislocations, are also negatively charged in a symmetric way around the dislocations revealing crater-shaped higher potential regions (∼0.04 V) relative to surrounding dislocation-free area. The experimental results show that the protrusion-type of dislocation is also negatively charged and its potential is dependent on the size of dislocation.     

370 W output power GaN-FET amplifier for W-CDMA cellular base stations

A single-ended amplifier using small packaged GaN-FETs exhibits a record 2.14 GHz W-CDMA output power. The amplifier, composed of paralleled 48 mm gate periphery FET die, delivers a peak saturated output power of 371 W with a linear gain of 11.2 dB at a drain voltage of 45 V under 2.14 GHz 3GPP W-CDMA signal input. The output power density (output power/package size) of 1.1 W/mm/sup 2/ is twice as high as that of the existing over 300 W GaAs-FET amplifiers. A low 5 MHz offset ACLR of -36 dBc with a drain efficiency of 24% is also obtained at 8 dB power back off from the saturated output power.     

Acoustic emission method for research and control of friction pairs

One of the new physical methods that provides much information about the processes going on in a friction contact zone in real time is acoustic emission (AE). Basic experimental results of AE in friction are presented and analysed. Using AE signals we can get an indication about the state of the friction processes, about the quality of solid and liquid layers on the contacting surfaces in real time, sometimes about intensity of wear, changing of wear and friction regimes and so on. The influence of sliding velocity, load, roughness and some physical and mechanical properties of the body on the parameters of AE are also given. Some attention to the practical implementation of these techniques for control of capability for work of friction pairs in real conditions are given. Modern methods and devices enable condition monitoring of sliding and rolling bearings.