Performance of Efficient Signal Detection for LED-ID Systems

In this paper, effects of reader-to-reader interference are investigated for LED identification (LED-ID) system in a multi-reader environment. The LED-ID readers typically use different channels to avoid collision between readers. However, in-channel collision usually happens in terms of interrogation range. A reader-to-reader interference scenario is proposed, and nominal interrogation range of a desired reader is derived from this model. In order to evaluate the LED-ID reader-to-reader interference quantitatively, an efficient detection scheme is proposed and simulated by employing spreading sequence. The spreading sequence is inserted between each user’s frame formats. In the receiver, the desired signal is detected by using correlation among inserted spreading sequences. From simulation results, it is confirmed that the proposed scheme is very effective to enhance reliability of LED-ID communication systems.     

A Discrete‐Amplitude Pulse Width Modulation for a High‐Efficiency Linear Power Amplifier

A new discrete‐amplitude pulse width modulation (DAPWM) scheme for a high‐efficiency linear power amplifier is proposed. A radio frequency (RF) input signal is divided into an envelope and a phase modulated carrier. The low‐frequency envelope is modulated so that it can be represented by a pulse whose area is proportional to its amplitude. The modulated pulse has at least two different pulse amplitude levels in order that the duty ratios of the pulse are kept large for small input. Then, an RF pulse train is generated by mixing the modulated envelope with the phase modulated carrier. The RF pulse train is amplified by a switching‐mode power amplifier, and the original RF input signal is restored by a band pass filter. Because duty ratios of the RF pulse train are kept large in spite of a small input envelope, the DAPWM technique can reduce loss from harmonic components. Furthermore, it reduces filtering efforts required to suppress harmonic components. Simulations show that the overall efficiency of the pulsed power amplifier with DAPWM is about 60.3% for a mobile WiMax signal. This is approximately a 73% increase compared to a pulsed power amplifier with PWM.     

Examining the factors that influence early adopters’ smartphone adoption: The case of college students

The influence of early adopters on potential adopters’ decisions of whether or not to adopt a product is known to be critical. In this paper, we examine the factors that influence the adoption behavior of smartphone early adopters by looking at smartphone adoption behavior of college students, because a large portion of the early adopters of smartphones are college students. Our focus is on the effect of normative peer influence on a college student’s smartphone adoption. We also examine the influence of other factors such as self-innovativeness, self-efficacy, the decision maker’s attitudes towards a product, financial burden of using the product, familial influence, and other demographic factors (e.g., age and gender). College students’ adoption behavior is studied using logit and probit choice models developed based on random utility theory. The discrete choice models are empirically estimated using survey data. We find important influence of friends, financial burden, and other family members on the smartphone adoption of college students who adopted smartphones earlier than other students.     

A Fully Integrated Thin‐Film Inductor and Its Application to a DC‐DC Converter

This paper presents a simple process to integrate thin‐film inductors with a bottom NiFe magnetic core. NiFe thin films with a thickness of 2 to 3 μm were deposited by sputtering. A polyimide buffer layer and shadow mask were used to relax the stress of the NiFe films. The fabricated double spiral thin‐film inductor showed an inductance of 0.49 μH and a Q factor of 4.8 at 8 MHz. The DC‐DC converter with the monolithically integrated thin‐film inductor showed comparable performances to those with sandwiched magnetic layers. We simplified the integration process by eliminating the planarization process for the top magnetic core. The efficiency of the DC‐DC converter with the monolithic thin‐film inductor was 72% when the input voltage and output voltage were 3.5 V and 6 V, respectively, at an operating frequency of 8 MHz.     

A Rigorous 2D Approximation Technique for 3D Waveguide Structures for BPM Calculations

We propose a rigorous 2D approximation technique for the 3D waveguide structures; it can minimize the well‐known approximation errors of the commonly used effective index method. The main concept of the proposed technique is to compensate for the effective cladding index in the equivalent slab model of the original channel waveguide from the modal effective index calculated by the nonuniform 2D finite difference method. With simulations, we used the proposed technique to calculate the coupling characteristics of a directional coupler by the 2D beam propagation method, and the results were almost exactly the same as the results calculated by the 3D beam propagation method.     

Fabrication of Ordered Nanostructured Arrays Using Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Replica Molds Based on Three‐Dimensional Colloidal Crystals

Hexagonally arrayed structures of colloidal crystals with uniform surface are a good candidate for master molds to be used in soft lithography. Here, the fabrication of periodically arrayed nanostructures using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds based on three‐dimensionally (3D) ordered colloidal crystals is reported. A robust, high‐quality 3D colloidal‐crystal master molds is prepared using the colloidal suspension containing a water‐soluble polymer. The surface patterns of the 3D colloidal crystals can then be transferred onto a polymer film via soft lithography, by means of the replication of the surface pattern with PDMS. Various hexagonally arrayed nanostructure patterns can be fabricated, including close‐packed and non‐close‐packed 2D arrays and honeycomb structures by the structural modification of the 3D colloidal‐crystal templates. The replicated hexagonally arrayed structures can also be used as templates for producing colloidal crystals with 2D superlattices.     

Reconfigurable Optical Add‐Drop Multiplexer Using a Polymer Integrated Photonic Lightwave Circuit

We have developed a fully functional reconfigurable optical add‐drop multiplexer (ROADM) switch module using a polymer integrated photonic lightwave circuit technology. The polymer variable optical attenuator (VOA) array and digital optical switch array are integrated into one polymer PLC chip and packaged to form a 10‐channel VOA integrated optical switch module. Four of these optical switch modules are used in the ROADM switch module to execute 40‐channel switching and power equalization. As a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) filter device, two C‐band 40‐channel athermal arrayed waveguide grating WDMs are used in the ROADM module. Optical power monitoring of each channel is carried out using a 5% tap PD. A controller and firmware having the functions of a 40‐channel switch and VOA control, optical power monitoring, as well as TEC temperature control, and data communication interfaces are also developed in this study.     

Effects of Interfacial Dielectric Layers on the Electrical Performance of Top‐Gate In‐Ga‐Zn‐Oxide Thin‐Film Transistors

We investigate the effects of interfacial dielectric layers (IDLs) on the electrical properties of top‐gate In‐Ga‐Zn‐oxide (IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) fabricated at low temperatures below 200°C, using a target composition of In:Ga:Zn = 2:1:2 (atomic ratio). Using four types of TFT structures combined with such dielectric materials as Si₃N₄ and Al₂O₃, the electrical properties are analyzed. After post‐annealing at 200°C for 1 hour in an O₂ ambient, the sub‐threshold swing is improved in all TFT types, which indicates a reduction of the interfacial trap sites. During negative‐bias stress tests on TFTs with a Si3N4 IDL, the degradation sources are closely related to unstable bond states, such as Si‐based broken bonds and hydrogen‐based bonds. From constant‐current stress tests of Id = 3 µA, an IGZO‐TFT with heat‐treated Si₃N₄ IDL shows a good stability performance, which is attributed to the compensation effect of the original charge‐injection and electron‐trapping behavior.     

UV‐Curable Silver Electrode for Screen‐Printed Thermoelectric Generator

Fabricating thermoelectric generators (TEGs) using the screen‐printing process has advantages, including mass production, device scalability, and system applicability. However, the thick film formed through the process typically has low film density, and reduced performance, because of the presence of pores in the film created by the vaporization of the resin during high‐temperature annealing. During the soldering process used for thermoelectric module fabrication, the printed solder infiltrates into the screen‐printed electrodes through the micropores in the electrodes, causing cracks of the electrode film and an increase in resistivity. In this paper, an ultraviolet radiation (UV)‐curable process for screen‐printed electrodes is reported. The paste for the electrodes is synthesized by mixing Ag flakes that can be cured at low temperature with a UV resin. Scanning electron microscope images show that the UV‐curing process significantly reduces pores and thereby results in a smooth‐surfaced electrode layer. The film density after crystallization is also enhanced. TEGs composed of 72 couples with UV‐curable Ag electrodes generate a high power density of ≈6.69 mW cm^?2 at a temperature difference of 25 °C; the device resistance is ≈0.75 Ω, and the figure of merit of the device is recorded to be 0.57, which is the highest among the printed TEGs.