Migration cost optimization for service provider legacy network migration to software-defined IPv6 network

This paper studies a problem for seamless migration of legacy networks of Internet service providers to a software-defined networking (SDN)-based architecture along with the transition to the full adoption of the Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) connectivity. Migration of currently running legacy IPv4 networks into such new approaches requires either upgrades or replacement of existing networking devices and technologies that are actively operating. The joint migration to SDN and IPv6 network is considered to be vital in terms of migration cost optimization, skilled human resource management, and other critical factors. In this work, we first present the approaches of SDN and IPv6 migration in service providers' networks. Then, we present the common concerns of IPv6 and SDN migration with joint transition strategies so that the cost associated with joint migration is minimized to lower than that of the individual migration. For the incremental adoption of software-defined IPv6 (SoDIP6) network with optimum migration cost, a greedy algorithm is proposed based on optimal path and the customer priority. Simulation and empirical analysis show that a unified transition planning to SoDIP6 network results in lower migration cost.     

Text extraction and document image segmentation using matched wavelets and MRF model.

In this paper, we have proposed a novel scheme for the extraction of textual areas of an image using globally matched wavelet filters. A clustering-based technique has been devised for estim ating globally matched wavelet filters using a collection of groundtruth images. We have extended our text extraction scheme for the segmentation of document images into text, background, and picture components (which include graphics and continuous tone images). Multiple, two-class Fisher classifiers have been used for this purpose. We also exploit contextual information by using a Markov random field formulation-based pixel labeling scheme for refinement of the segmentation results. Experimental results have established effectiveness of our approach.     

Wave-pipelined multiplexed (WPM) routing for gigascale integration (GSI)

In modern-day VLSI systems, performance and manufacturing costs are being driven by the on-chip wiring needs due to the continuous increase in the number of transistors. This paper proposes a low overhead wave-pipelined multiplexed (WPM) routing technique that harnesses the inherent intraclock period interconnect idleness to implement wire sharing throughout the various hierarchical levels of design. It is illustrated in this paper that the WPM network can be readily incorporated into future gigascale integration (GSI) systems to reduce the number of interconnect routing channels in an attempt to contain escalating manufacturing costs. Both, a system level analysis and circuit level verification of this WPM routing are presented in this paper. A multilevel interconnect network design simulator (MINDS) that uses system level interconnect prediction (SLIP) techniques and HSPICE circuit simulations for optimizing the interconnect dimensions has been used to assess the opportunities for application of WPM wire circuits in high performance digital designs. A custom routing example highlights the ease with which the WPM routing technique can be easily incorporated into the existing VLSI systems. In addition, for a 40 million transistor system case study, this system level analysis reveals that the use of a WPM network could result in an almost 20% decrease in the number of metal layers for less than 4% increase in dynamic power with no loss of communication throughput performance. The key virtues of WPM routing are its flexibility, robustness, implementation simplicity and its low overhead requirements.     

Depth discontinuity-based cup segmentation from multiview color retinal images

Accurate segmentation of the cup region from retinal images is needed to derive relevant measurements for glaucoma assessment. A novel, depth discontinuity (in the retinal surface)-based approach to estimate the cup boundary is proposed in this paper. The proposed approach shifts focus from the cup region used by existing approaches to cup boundary. The given set of images, acquired sequentially, are related via a relative motion model and the depth discontinuity at the cup boundary is determined from cues such as motion boundary and partial occlusion. The information encoded by these cues is used to approximate the cup boundary with a set of best-fitting circles. The final boundary is found by considering points on these circles at different sectors using a confidence measure. Four different kinds of data sets ranging from synthetic to real image pairs, covering different multiview scenarios, have been used to evaluate the proposed method. The proposed method was found to yield an error reduction of 16% for cup-to-disk vertical diameter ratio (CDR) and 13% for cup-to-disk area ratio (CAR) estimation, over an existing monocular image-based cup segmentation method. The error reduction increased to 33% in CDR and 18% in CAR with the addition of a third view (image) which indicates the potential of the proposed approach.     

Low leakage and high CMRR CMOS differential amplifier for biomedical application

In order to increase user experience in using near field communication smartcard, analog front-end (AFE) module is required to provide a sufficient and a well-regulated voltage regardless the distance between the card and the reader. A highly stable AFE design for energy harvesting purpose is introduced in this paper. The design consists of antenna, rectifier, voltage limiter, bandgap reference, and low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator circuit. The antenna is designed to resonate at 13.56 MHz as regulated by ISO/IEC 14443-2. In order to simplify the implementation using 0.18 μm CMOS process, a full-wave rectifier circuit is built of all low-threshold-voltage diode-connected PMOS transistors. To protect the system from undesired excessive input voltages, a voltage limiter circuit is included in the module. Moreover, control and maintain a stable supply voltage for the whole system, a robust LDO voltage regulator and bandgap circuits are specially designed for this purpose. The LDO is able to provide a stable 1.8 V of supply voltage with a sub-1% ripple factor even under a low input current as low as 20 mA.     

Levinson-like and Schur-like fast algorithms for solvingblock-slanted Toeplitz systems of equations arising in wavelet-basedsolution of integral equations

The Wiener-Hopf integral equation of linear least-squares estimation of a wide-sense stationary random process and the Krein integral equation of one-dimensional (1-D) inverse scattering are Fredholm equations with symmetric Toeplitz kernels. They are transformed using a wavelet-based Galerkin method into a symmetric “block-slanted Toeplitz (BST)” system of equations. Levinson-like and Schur-like fast algorithms are developed for solving the symmetric BST system of equations. The significance of these algorithms is as follows. If the kernel of the integral equation is not a Calderon-Zygmund operator, the wavelet transform may not sparsify it. The kernel of the Krein and Wiener-Hopf integral equations does not, in general, satisfy the Calderon-Zygmund conditions. As a result, application of the wavelet transform to the integral equation does not yield a sparse system matrix. There is, therefore, a need for fast algorithms that directly exploit the (symmetric block-slanted Toeplitz) structure of the system matrix and do not rely on sparsity. The first such O(n²) algorithms, viz., a Levinson-like algorithm and a Schur (1917) like algorithm, are presented. These algorithms are also applied to the factorization of the BST system matrix. The Levinson-like algorithm also yields a test for positive definiteness of the BST system matrix. The results obtained are directly applicable to the problem of constrained deconvolution of a nonstationary signal, where the locations of the smooth regions of the signal being deconvolved are known a priori     

Effects of transverse doping variations on the transient responseof silicon avalanche shaper devices

Two-dimensional (2-D) drift-diffusion simulations were performed to study the transient response of silicon avalanche shaper (SAS) devices that are used in high-power switching and pulse sharpening applications. The role of transverse doping variations on the transient device response has been studied. Our results clearly reveal a potential for filamentary current conduction. The filamentation, however, is shown to be strongly dependent on the transverse doping characteristics, and hence in principle, could he tailored     

Improved Multilevel Hysteresis Current Regulation and Capacitor Voltage Balancing Schemes for Flying Capacitor Multilevel Inverter

This paper focuses on the development of multilevel hysteresis current regulation strategies. Two such strategies have been discussed and some modifications in their control tasks have been proposed to achieve more reliable and improved performance. In general, the multiband concept has been used while making the proposals. The hysteresis band size considerations have also been presented by taking into account the desired and existing system conditions. The proposed modulation schemes have been applied to a five-level flying-capacitor inverter, whose operation under hysteresis current control mode is much less established. A new method of flying-capacitor voltage balancing is proposed which ensures balanced flying-capacitor voltages and, at the same time, maintains the desired current profile. It uses a time-based approach for controlling the capacitor voltages and achieves appreciable voltage spectrum under wide range of load power factor conditions. The performance of the proposed strategies is confirmed through both simulation and experimental investigations.     

Research issues in developing compact pulsed power for high peak power applications on mobile platforms

Pulsed power is a technology that is suited to drive electrical loads requiring very large power pulses in short bursts (high-peak power). Certain applications require technology that can be deployed in small spaces under stressful environments, e.g., on a ship, vehicle, or aircraft. In 2001, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) launched a long-range (five-year) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) to study fundamental issues for compact pulsed power. This research program is endeavoring to: 1) introduce new materials for use in pulsed power systems; 2) examine alternative topologies for compact pulse generation; 3) study pulsed power switches, including pseudospark switches; and 4) investigate the basic physics related to the generation of pulsed power, such as the behavior of liquid dielectrics under intense electric field conditions. Furthermore, the integration of all of these building blocks is impacted by system architecture (how things are put together). This paper reviews the advances put forth to date by the researchers in this program and will assess the potential impact for future development of compact pulsed power systems.