"Turbo DPSK" using soft multiple-symbol differential sphere decoding

Coded interleaved differential M-ary phase-shift keying (M-DPSK) with iterative decoding, the so-called "Turbo DPSK," is known as a power-efficient transmission format. Due to the rotational invariance of DPSK, it particularly enables detection without channel state information (CSI). However, the soft-input soft-output (SISO) component decoder for DPSK is the computational bottleneck if performance close to the ideal case of perfect CSI is desired. In this paper, we take a fresh look at SISO decoding without CSI and apply sphere decoding (SD) to reduce complexity. In particular, we devise a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) multiple-symbol differential sphere decoder (MSDSD) which efficiently solves the high-dimensional search problem inherent to detection without CSI. Together with a soft-output generation device the MAP-MSDSD algorithm forms a new SISO-MSDSD module for iterative decoding. We analyze the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) characteristic of the novel module, by means of which we are able to design powerful encoder and decoder structures. For, respectively, the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and the continuously time-varying Rayleigh-fading channel without CSI these designs operate within 1.7-1.9 and 2.3-2.5 dB of channel capacity assuming perfect CSI. These figures compare favorably with results available in the literature, especially for reasonably high data rates of 1-2 bit/channel use. Simulation studies of the average and the maximum complexity required by SISO-MSDSD demonstrate the advantageous performance versus complexity tradeoff of our approach.     

Iterative decision-feedback differential demodulation ofbit-interleaved coded MDPSK for flat Rayleigh fading channels

A simple receiver structure previously proposed by the authors for convolutional coded M-ary differential phase-shift keying transmission over flat Rayleigh fading channels without channel state information is analyzed in detail. We present a thorough discussion of the iterative decoding procedure, which is referred to as iterative decision-feedback differential demodulation (iterative DF-DM). The convergence behavior of iterative DF-DM is theoretically examined. The analysis supports the observation that the iterative decoding scheme works well for target bit-error rates which are usually of interest. Furthermore, the associated cut-off rate for error-free decision feedback is studied. Judging from this performance parameter, remarkable gains in power efficiency compared to conventional differential demodulation are indicated, while the computational complexity of the decoding remains low. The results from information theory are in good agreement with the given simulation results     

A performance study of MIMO detectors

Several approaches have recently been proposed for the efficient optimum or approximate solution of the detection problem in multiple-input multiple-output transmission systems. These are, however, difficult to compare. In the present work we briefly summarize the most popular and promising of these approaches and offer a way to visualize the tradeoff between complexity of the detection and the achievable power efficiency using "complexity-power diagrams". We conclude that the so-called sphere decoder algorithm is very attractive in terms of average complexity, while for low and constant processing delay lattice reduction with subsequent simple linear or nonlinear detection is more favorable.     

The Zenithal Bistable Display: From concept to consumer

Abstract— The first commercial use of the Zenithal Bistable Display (ZBD?) is for electronic point‐of‐purchase (epop?) signage in the retail sector. As a reflective bistable display, this novel LCD technology only consumes power if new information is required and the image is updated. This allows complex images to be shown constantly for several years from the energy of a single low‐cost battery, when the display is updated up to ten times each day — ideal for signage applications. Excellent performance characteristics are achieved in a TN‐like STN‐LCD in which one of the alignment surfaces is a relief grating. Correct design of the grating shape and surface properties not only imparts the bistability, but allows control of the optical performance, the latching voltages, and the temperature range. Being addressed using a simple passive‐matrix approach, without the need for a thin‐film‐transistor backplane, large amounts of information may be displayed by STN drivers. Alow‐cost fabrication method has been devised that is compatible with conventional TN and STN manufacture, and with negligible equipment outlay. The device operating principles, manufacturing method, and performance of ZBDs are reviewed.     

Rapid recovery of rare earth elements in industrial wastewater by CuFe2O4 synthesized from Cu sludge

This study systematically evaluates the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from aqueous solution and industrial wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles CuFe₂O₄. The industrially manufactured CuFe₂O₄ displays a nonlinear isotherm for REEs adsorption, suggesting limiting binding sites on the CuFe₂O₄ surface. The recovery of REEs increases significantly from 0.1% to 99.99% with increasing pH (2.29–8.15). At room temperature, the maxima recovery rates of Nd, La, and Ce are observed to be in a high capacity of 51.02, 42.02, and 40.16 mg/g, respectively. No significant attenuation of REE adsorption is observed with increasing NaCl concentration from 0.001 to 1.0 mol/L, showing high selectivity of REEs even in such high NaCl concentration matrix. In addition, desorption efficiency increases with the increasing concentration of HNO₃ in the range of 0.005–0.05 mol/L. When HNO₃ concentration is over 0.05 mol/L, the desorption efficiency can reach almost 100% in each batch experiment. Importantly, our results show that REEs can be sorbed and recycled from liquid crystal display (LCD) polishing wastewater, suggesting that CuFe₂O₄ may be a good candidate in the efficient and rapid recovery of REEs from industrial wastewater.     

气流床气化炉的CPFD数值模拟

利用CPFD(computational particle fluid dynamics)模拟方法对三维、全尺寸的气流床气化炉进行了模拟计算,建立起了适用于CPFD模拟方法的气化模拟模型。模拟结果与实验数据相一致,说明模型基本准确且CPFD模拟方法适用于气流床气化过程的模拟。借由CPFD模拟方法给出了颗粒相在气化炉中的具体反应历程及颗粒停留时间的概率分布;结果表明,在单喷嘴顶喷的气化炉中,同时存在颗粒相的轴向流动短路及返混,短路主要发生在炉中心区域;颗粒在炉中心区域反应剧烈而边壁区域反应则很缓慢,而且从气化炉流出的第一股短路颗粒主要由充分反应了的粉煤颗粒构成。     

Raman study of aluminum speciation in simulated alkaline nuclear waste

The chemistry of concentrated sodium aluminate solutions stored in many of the large, underground storage tanks containing high-level waste (HLW) at the Hanford and Savannah River Nuclear Reservations is an area of recent research interest. Not only is the presence of aluminate in solution important for continued safe storage of these wastes, the nature of both solid and solution aluminum oxyhydroxides is important for waste pretreatment. Moreover, for many tanks that have leaked high aluminum waste in the past, little is known about the speciation of Al in the soil. In this study, Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the speciation of the aqueous species in the Al2O3-Na2O-H2O system over a wide range of solution compositions and hydration. A ternary phase diagram has been used to correlate the observed changes in the spectra with the composition of the solution and with dimerization of aluminate that occurs at elevated aluminate concentrations (>1.5 M). Dimerization is evidenced by growth of new Al-O stretching bands at 535 and 695 cm(-1) at the expense of the aluminate monomer band at 620 cm(-1). The spectrum of water was strongly influenced by the high concentrations of Na+ and OH- (>17 M). Upon increasing the concentration of NaOH in solution, the delta-(H-O-H) bending band of water (v2 mode) increased in frequency to 1663 cm(-1), indicating that the water contained in the concentrated caustic solution was more strongly hydrogen bonded at the higher base content. In addition, the sharp, well-resolved band at 3610 cm(-1), assigned to the v(O-H) of free OH-, increased in intensity with increasing NaOH. Analysis of the v(O-H) bands in the 3800-2600 cm(-1) region supported the overall increase in hydrogen bonding as evidenced by the increase in relative intensity of a strongly hydrated water band at 3118 cm(-1). Taking into consideration the activity of water, the molar concentrations of the monomeric and dimeric aluminate species were estimated using the relative intensities of the Al-O stretching bands from the Raman spectra. A constant apparent log Kdimer value was obtained at aluminate concentrations >1.5 M with a value of 0.97+/-0.04 at approximately 25 degrees C. This study represents the first spectral-based estimation of a thermodynamic equilibrium constant for the Al2O3-Na2O-H2O system.     

Data-aided and blind stochastic gradient algorithms for widely linear MMSE MAI suppression for DS-CDMA

In this paper, three novel stochastic gradient algorithms for adjustment of the widely linear (WL) minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) filter for multiple access interference (MAI) suppression for direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) are introduced and analyzed. In particular, we derive a data-aided WL least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm, a blind WL minimum-output-energy (MOE) algorithm, and a WL blind LMS (BLMS) algorithm. We give analytical expressions for the steady-state signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs) of the proposed WL algorithms, and we also investigate their speed of convergence. Wherever possible, comparisons with the corresponding linear adaptive algorithms are made. Both analytical considerations and simulations show, in good agreement, the superiority of the novel WL adaptive algorithms. Nevertheless, all proposed WL algorithms require a slightly lower computational complexity than their linear counterparts.