A novel dynamic Multiple Ring-based Local Restoration for point-to-multipoint multicast traffic in WDM mesh networks

Optical networks with DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplex) can provide multiple data channels to supply high speed, high capacity to perform bandwidth-intensive multicast transmission service. Light-tree is a popular technique applied to support point-to-multipoint multicast services. Any failure during a multicast session would cause severe service loss or disruptions, especially when the faults occur near the source node. A novel ring-based local fault recovery mechanism, Multiple Ring-based Local Restoration (MRLR), for point-to-multipoint multicast traffic based on the minimum spanning tree (MST) in WDM mesh networks is proposed in this article. The MRLR mechanism dismembers the multicast tree into several disjoint segment-blocks (sub-trees) and reserves preplanned spare capacity to set up multiple protection rings in each segment-block for providing rapid local recovery. The MRLR scheme outperforms other methodologies in terms of the blocking probability, recovery time, and average hop count of protection path per session for different network topologies.     

Acoustooptic Coherent Mode Coupling in Polarization-Maintaining Fiber and Its Application as a Variable-Polarization-Dependent Loss Element

In this letter, we investigate coherent acoustooptic coherent mode coupling from the LP₀₁ core mode to LP_1m cladding mode of a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) induced by two acoustic gratings. We show narrowband variable attenuation along either birefringent axis of the PMF by varying the relative phase between the two acoustic gratings. By launching two acoustic gratings at different frequencies, variable attenuation and low crosstalk along either birefringent axis within the acoustooptic coupling bandwidth are demonstrated     

Lateral Nonuniformity Effects of Border Traps on the Characteristics of Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors Subjected to High-Field Stresses

The lateral nonuniformity (LNU) effects of border traps are studied by exploring both the high- and low-frequency characteristics in N-type channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. According to experimental data, the deterioration of nonuniformity is significantly enhanced at low frequencies. The cause may be due to the additional trapped charges of border traps (near-interface oxide traps) under the low-frequency measurement. This model is successfully simulated by the combination of low-frequency C-V curves with the heavily and lightly damaged regions. Additionally, the double-peak charge-pumping current is observed in low-frequency measurements, which can further support our hypothesis that border-trap-enhanced LNU exists. Finally, the geometric effect of the polygate and the thickness effect of the gate oxide are also investigated for the nonuniformity issue.     

Topology-aided cross-layer fast handoff designs for IEEE 802.11/mobile IP environments

This study first reviews state-of-the-art fast handoff techniques for IEEE 802.11 or Mobile IP networks. Based on that review, topology-aided cross-layer fast handoff designs are proposed for Mobile IP over IEEE 802.1.1 networks. Time-sensitive applications, such as voice over IP (VoIP), cannot tolerate the long layer-2 plus layer-3 handoff delays that arise in IEEE 802.11/Mobile IP environments. Cross-layer designs are increasingly adopted to shorten the handoff latency time. Handoff-related layer-2 triggers may reduce the delay between layer-2 handoff completion and the associated layer-3 handoff activation. Cross-layer topology information, such as the association between 802.11 access points and Mobile IP mobility agents, together with layer-2 triggers, can be utilized by a mobile node to start layer-3 handoff-related activities, such as agent discovery, address configuration, and registration, in parallel with or prior to those of layer-2 handoff. Experimental results indicate that the whole handoff. delay can meet the delay requirement of VoIP applications when layer-3 handoff activities occur prior to layer-2 handoffs.     

70 dB Dynamic Range CMOS Wideband Digital Variable Gain Amplifier for AGC in DVB-T/H Receivers

This paper presents a novel variable gain amplifier (VGA) design which is applied in the automatic gain control loop of digital video broadcasting (DVB) receivers designed for standards DVB-T/H. The VGA is composed of three cascaded tunable gain stages to provide a 70 dB dynamic range with 2 dB gain steps. Each gain stage is based on a digital variable gain amplifier (DVGA) which is composed of a plurality of gain blocks (GBs) and a fully differential degeneration amplifier (FDDA). The GBs of the DVGA are digitally controlled current mirrors. A common-mode feedback circuitry is used to stabilize the FDDA by providing a stable common-mode voltage. Physical measurements on silicon show that the gain error is merely 0.55 dB given a 70 dB tuning range. This work was supported by National Science Council, Taiwan, under contract nos. NSC96-2628-E-110-019 and NSC96-2920-E-110-001.     

Low-frequency noise in TaSiN/HfO/sub 2/ nMOSFETs and the effect of stress-relieved preoxide interfacial layer

Low-frequency noise characteristics are reported for TaSiN-gated n-channel MOSFETs with atomic-layer deposited HfO/sub 2/ on thermal SiO/sub 2/ with stress-relieved preoxide (SRPO) pretreatment. For comparison, control devices were also included with chemical SiO/sub 2/ resulting from standard Radio Corporation of America clean process. The normalized noise spectral density values for these devices are found to be lower when compared to reference poly Si gate stack with similar HfO/sub 2/ dielectric. Consequently, a lower oxide trap density of /spl sim/4/spl times/10/sup 17/ cm/sup -3/eV/sup -1/ is extracted compared to over 3/spl times/10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/eV/sup -1/ values reported for poly Si devices indicating an improvement in the high-/spl kappa/ and interfacial layer quality. In fact, this represents the lowest trap density values reported to date on HfO/sub 2/ MOSFETs. The peak electron mobility measured on the SRPO devices is over 330 cm/sup 2//V/spl middot/s, much higher than those for equivalent poly Si or metal gate stacks. In addition, the devices with SRPO SiO/sub 2/ are found to exhibit at least /spl sim/10% higher effective mobility than RCA devices, notwithstanding the differences in the high-/spl kappa/ and interfacial layer thicknesses. The lower Coulomb scattering coefficient obtained from the noise data for the SRPO devices imply that channel carriers are better screened due to the presence of SRPO SiO/sub 2/, which, in part, contributes to the mobility improvement.     

Multiple-dwell and sequential code acquisition with diversity forFFH/MFSK spread-spectrum systems under band multitone jamming

Pseudonoise code acquisition is investigated for constant hopping rate fast frequency-hopped (FFH)/M-ary frequency-shift keying systems under the effects of white Gaussian noise and band multitone jamming. In particular, serial search acquisition systems based on the traditional multiple-dwell test (up to three dwells) and three novel sequential tests are analyzed and compared. Analytical results show the following in a heavily jammed environment: (1) the inherent time diversity in an FFH system can significantly improve the acquisition performance of the multiple-dwell test and (2) the novel sequential tests can significantly outperform the multiple-dwell test. Our analytical results are verified by computer simulations     

Design of robust envelope-constrained filter with orthonormal bases

In the continuous-time envelope-constrained (EC) filtering problem using an orthonormal filter structure, the aim is to synthesize an orthonormal filter such that the noise enhancement is minimized while the noiseless output response of the filter with respect to a specified input signal stays within the upper and lower bounds of the envelope. The noiseless output response of the optimum filter to the prescribed input signal touches the output boundaries at some points. Consequently, any disturbance in the prescribed input signal or error in the implementation of the optimal filter will result in the output constraints being violated. In this paper, we review a semi-infinite envelope-constrained filtering problem in which the constraint robustness margin of the filter is maximized, subject to a specified allowable increase in the optimal noisy power gain. Using a smoothing technique, it is shown that the solution of the optimization problem can be obtained by solving a sequence of strictly convex optimization problems with integral cost. An efficient optimization algorithm is developed based on a combination of the golden section search method and the quasi-Newton method     

The effects of boron penetration on p+ polysilicon gatedPMOS devices

The penetration of boron into and through the gate oxides of PMOS devices which employ p⁺ doped polysilicon gates is studied. Boron penetration results in large positive shifts in V_FB , increased PMOS subthreshold slope and electron trapping rate, and decreased low-field mobility and interface trap density. Fluorine-related effects caused by BF₂ implantations into the polysilicon gate are shown to result in PMOS threshold voltage instabilities. Inclusion of a phosphorus co-implant or TiSi₂ salicide prior to gate implantation is shown to minimize this effect. The boron penetration phenomenon is modeled by a very shallow, fully-depleted p-type layer in the silicon substrate close to the SiO ₂/Si interface     

A lightweight,self‐adaptive lock gate designation scheme for data collection in long‐thin wireless sensor networks

Constrained by the physical environments, the long‐thin topology has recently been promoted for many practical deployments of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In general, a long‐thin topology is composed of a number of long branches of sensor nodes, where along a branch each sensor node has only one potential parent node toward the sink node. Although data aggregation may alleviate excessive packet contention, the maximum payload size of a packet and the dynamically changing traffic loads may severely affect the amount of sensor readings that may be collected along a long branch of sensor nodes. In addition, many practical applications of long‐thin WSNs demand the exact sensor readings at each location along the deployment areas for monitoring and analysis purposes, so sensor readings may not be aggregated when they are collected. This paper proposes a lightweight, self‐adaptive scheme that designates multiple collection nodes, termed lock gates, along a long‐thin network to collect sensor readings sent from their respective upstream sensor nodes. The self‐adaptive lock gate designation scheme balances between the responsiveness and the congestion of data collection while mitigating the funneling effect. The scheme also dynamically adapts the designation of lock gates to accommodate the time‐varying sensor reading generation rates of different sensor nodes. A testbed of 100 Jennic sensor nodes is developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed lock gate designation scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.