A mixed-signal approach for tuning continuous-time low-pass filters

A mixed-signal approach for tuning the bandwidth of continuous-time low-pass filters is presented. The tuning loop uses common circuit blocks (a data converter and digital filters). Simulation results are presented for a number of filters, and measured results are presented for tuning second-order and fourth-order filters.     

A Markov-Based Channel Model Algorithm for Wireless Networks

Techniques for modeling and simulating channel conditions play an essential role in understanding network protocol and application behavior. In [11], we demonstrated that inaccurate modeling using a traditional analytical model yielded suboptimal error control protocol parameters choices. In this paper, we demonstrate that time-varying effects on wireless channels result in wireless traces which exhibit non-stationary behavior over small window sizes. We then present an algorithm that extracts stationary components from a collected trace in order to provide analytical channel models that, relative to traditional approaches, more accurately represent characteristics such as burstiness, statistical distribution of errors, and packet loss processes. Our algorithm also generates artificial traces with the same statistical characteristics as actual collected network traces. For validation, we develop a channel model for the circuit-switched data service in GSM and show that it: (1) more closely approximates GSM channel characteristics than traditional Markov models and (2) generates artificial traces that closely match collected traces' statistics. Using these traces in a simulator environment enables future protocol and application testing under different controlled and repeatable conditions.     

Accelerated image processing on FPGAs

The Cameron project has developed a language called single assignment C (SA-C), and a compiler for mapping image-based applications written in SA-C to field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The paper tests this technology by implementing several applications in SA-C and compiling them to an Annapolis Microsystems (AMS) WildStar board with a Xilinx XV2000E FPGA. The performance of these applications on the FPGA is compared to the performance of the same applications written in assembly code or C for an 800 MHz Pentium III. (Although no comparison across processors is perfect, these chips were the first of their respective classes fabricated at 0.18 microns, and are therefore of comparable ages.) We find that applications written in SA-C and compiled to FPGAs are between 8 and 800 times faster than the equivalent program run on the Pentium III.     

Concentrations of native and gold defects in HgCdTe from first principles calculations

We have studied the defect formation energies of the various native (vacancies, interstitials, and antisites) and Au defects in Hg_1−xCd_xTe using density functional-based total energy calculations with ultrasoft pseudo-potentials. These studies are important for infrared (IR) detection technology where the device performance can be severely degraded because of defects. To calculate formation energies, we modeled the neutral and charged defects using supercells containing 64 atoms. From the formation energies, we have determined the defect concentrations as a function of stoichiometry and temperature. We find the prevalent neutral defects to be Au at the Hg site (Au_Hg ), Hg vacancies (V_Hg ), and Te antisites (Te_Hg ). We have also explicitly studied charged defects and have found Te _Hg ²⁺ , Au _Hg ¹⁻ , V _Hg ¹⁻ , V _Hg ²⁻ , and V _Te ²⁺ to have low formation energies. We have identified Au_Hg to be the prevalent Au defect, having concentrations several orders of magnitude greater than the other Au defects. We find that the charge state of V_Hg is primarily (1−) or (2−) depending on the electronic chemical potential.     

简述拼接显示

尽管玻璃基板尺寸不断增大,但是单块整屏并没有突破目前的尺寸。拼接显示则提供了完美的解决方案,使远视距、高背景光环境下的大面积显示成为可能。下文是对拼接技术的综述。     

Customizing MRI-Compatible Multifunctional Neural Interfaces through Fiber Drawing

Fiber drawing enables scalable fabrication of multifunctional flexible fibers that integrate electrical, optical, and microfluidic modalities to record and modulate neural activity. Constraints on thermomechanical properties of materials, however, have prevented integrated drawing of metal electrodes with low-loss polymer waveguides for concurrent electrical recording and optical neuromodulation. Here, two fabrication approaches are introduced: 1) an iterative thermal drawing with a soft, low melting temperature (T_m) metal indium, and 2) a metal convergence drawing with traditionally non-drawable high T_m metal tungsten. Both approaches deliver multifunctional flexible neural interfaces with low-impedance metallic electrodes and low-loss waveguides, capable of recording optically-evoked and spontaneous neural activity in mice over several weeks. These fibers are coupled with a light-weight mechanical microdrive (1 g) that enables depth-specific interrogation of neural circuits in mice following chronic implantation. Finally, the compatibility of these fibers with magnetic resonance imaging is demonstrated and they are applied to visualize the delivery of chemical payloads through the integrated channels in real time. Together, these advances expand the domains of application of the fiber-based neural probes in neuroscience and neuroengineering.     

Design aspects of satellite–cellular hybrid wireless systems

In this paper we investigate various issues related to the design of satellite–cellular hybrid systems. First, we review the fundamental problems of channel partitioning and call admission/assignment. Second, we study the impact of different frequency reuse constraints, in both layers, on the optimum channel partitioning. Third, we investigate, analytically and via simulation, the effect of reducing the cell size. We emphasize the blocking‐forced termination probabilities trade‐off for pure cellular and satellite–cellular hybrid systems. Accordingly, an optimization problem with respect to the cell size is formulated. Finally, we search for the optimum dynamic call re‐assignment policy that improves the system capacity at the expense of the complexity associated with tearing down a connection in one system and setting‐up an alternative one in the other system. For a small hybrid system, we characterized the optimum re‐assignment policies that minimize the blocking probability, dropping probability, and a weighted cost function of these probabilities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physicochemically Stable Polymer‐Coupled Oxide Dielectrics for Multipurpose Organic Electronic Applications

A chemically coupled polymer layer is introduced onto inorganic oxide dielectrics from a dilute chlorosilane‐terminated polystyrene (PS) solution. As a result of this surface modification, hydrophilic‐oxide dielectrics gain hydrophobic, physicochemically stable properties. On such PS‐coupled SiO₂ or AlO_x dielectrics, various vacuum‐ and solution‐processable organic semiconductors can develop highly ordered crystalline structures that provide higher field‐effect mobilities (μ_FETs) than other surface‐modified systems, and negligible hysteresis in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). In particular, the use of PS‐coupled AlO_x nanodielectrics enables a solution‐processable triethylsilylethynyl anthradithiophene OFET to operate with μ_FET ～ 1.26 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at a gate voltage below –1 V. In addition, a complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor‐like organic inverter with a high voltage gain of approximately 32 was successfully fabricated on a PS‐coupled SiO₂ dielectric.     

The natural food grade inhibitor, lacticin 3147, reduced the incidence of mastitis after experimental challenge with Streptococcus dysgalactiae in nonlactating dairy cows.

Lacticin 3147 is a broad-spectrum bacteriocin produced by the food-grade organism Lactococcus lactis. Lacticin 3147 is active at a neutral pH and has been shown to be bactericidal to streptococci and staphylococci in vitro. The effectiveness of an intramammary teat seal formulation, and a teat seal containing lacticin 3147 was evaluated at drying off in 68 uninfected quarters of 18 cows. Following infusion of either teat seal or lacticin 3147 combined with teat seal, a deliberate infection challenge of Streptococcus dysgalactiae (approximately equal to 1.5 x 10(4) cfu per teat) was administered by direct inoculation into the teat sinus. During an 8-d experimental period following inoculation, 61% of control quarters and 6% of the treatment quarters either developed clinical mastitis or were shedding the challenge organism. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction genetic typing was used to confirm that both the new infections and the bacteria surviving in the teats at the end of the experiment were the challenge strain. The combination of teat seal and lacticin 3147 was well tolerated within the udder and elicited only a temporary increase in somatic cell count to 5.7 x 10(5)/ml (88 h after infusion) in a previously uninfected lactating udder quarter. Therefore, we concluded that this nonantibiotic approach to mastitis prevention may contribute to a reduction in the routine application of antibiotics at drying off in the future.