On the Performance of FFT/DWT/DCT-based OFDM Systems with Chaotic Interleaving and Channel Estimation Algorithms

The efficiency of data transmission over fading channels in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems depends on the employed interleaving method. In this study, we propose an improved chaotic interleaving scheme which aims to improve the performance of OFDM system under fading channel. In the proposed scheme, the binary data is interleaved with chaotic Baker map prior to the modulation process. In the sequel, significant degree of encryption is being added during data transmission. The performance of the proposed approach is tested on the conventional fast Fourier transform OFDM, discrete wavelet transform OFDM, and discrete cosine transform OFDM with and without chaotic interleaving. Furthermore, an expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm is proposed for improving channel impulse response (CIR) estimation based on a maximum likelihood principle. The proposed scheme makes use of EM algorithm to update the channel estimates until convergence is reached. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed algorithms under Rayleigh fading environments where the symbol error rate essentially coincides with that of the perfect channel case after the fifth EM iteration.     

Study of GaAsBi MOVPE growth on (1 0 0) GaAs substrate under high Bi flow rate by high resolution X-ray diffraction

GaAsBi alloy was grown on (1 0 0) GaAs substrate by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy. GaAsBi film was elaborated with V/III ratio of 9.5, trimethyl bismuth molar flow rate of about 3 μmol/min and a growth temperature of 420 °C. The surface morphology of GaAsBi alloy was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results show surface Bi droplets formation. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) curves present more diffraction peaks other than that of GaAs substrate. Detailed HRXRD characterization shows that diffraction peaks splitting do not represent a crystallographic tilting with respect to GaAs substrate. Diffraction patterns also show a remarkable stability of the alloy against thermal annealing.     

A Bluetooth Based Sensor Network for Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring

Communicating with sensors has long been limited either to wired connections or to proprietary wireless communication protocols. Using a ubiquitous and inexpensive wireless communication technology to create Sensor Area Networks (SANs) will accelerate the extensive deployment of sensor technology. Bluetooth, an emerging, worldwide standard for inexpensive, local wireless communication is a viable choice for SANs because of its inherent support for some of the important requirements – low power, small form factor, low cost and sufficient communication range. In this paper we outline an approach, centered on the Bluetooth technology, to support a sensor network composed of fixed wireless sensors for health monitoring of highways, bridges and other civil infrastructures. We present a topology formation scheme that not only takes into account the traffic generated by different sensors but also the associated link strengths, buffer capacities and energy availability. The algorithm makes no particular assumptions as to the placement of nodes, and not all nodes need to be in radio proximity of each other. The output is a tree shaped scatternet rooted at the sensor hub (data logger) that is balanced in terms of traffic carried on each of the links. We also analyze the scheduling, routing and healing aspects of the resulting sensor-net topology.     

Optimized ITO-free tri-layer electrode for organic solar cells

The optical properties of ZnO/Ag/ZnO (ZAZ) multilayer structures were numerically modeled and calculated by a FDTD method. Such tri-layers were also manufactured using an ion beam sputtering plant. A good agreement is obtained between modelizations and realizations. The impact of the oxide thicknesses on the optical properties of the ZAZ structures were experimentally and numerically investigated, and allow us to adjust the spectral position of the transmission maximum. The transmission of these structures is optimized up to around 74%, on the whole absorption spectral range of the photoactive P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction. The best electrode design is glass/ZnO (30 nm)/Ag (14 nm)/ZnO (30 nm), which presents a sheet resistance of 7 Ω/□. The optimized ZAZ structure was successfully integrated in an organic solar cell as anode. A photovoltaic efficiency of 2.58% is obtained and is compared to an organic solar cell integrating a traditional ITO anode with an efficiency of 2.99%. Numerical calculations of the intrinsic absorption inside each layer of the organic solar cells are performed. Alternative ITO-free electrodes for organic solar cells are demonstrated.     

Novel Tight Closed-Form Bounds for the Symbol Error Rate of EGC and MRC Diversity Receivers Employing Linear Modulations Over \alpha -\mu Fading

In this paper, we propose novel lower and upper bounds on the average symbol error rate (SER) of the dual-branch maximal-ratio combining and equal-gain combining diversity receivers assuming independent branches. \(M\) -ary pulse amplitude modulation and \(M\) -ary phase shift keying schemes are employed and operation over the \(\alpha -\mu \) fading channel is assumed. The proposed bounds are given in closed form and are very simple to calculate as they are composed of a double finite summation of basic functions that are readily available in the commercial software packages. Furthermore, the proposed bounds are valid for any combination of the parameters \(\alpha \) and \(\mu \) as well as \(M\) . Numerical results presented show that the proposed bounds are very tight when compared to the exact SER obtained via performing the exact integrations numerically making them an attractive much simpler alternative for SER evaluation studies.     

5G meets satellite: Non-terrestrial network architecture and 3GPP

With 3GPP Release-17, global 5G standards now support non-terrestrial mobile networks comprising radio access network, terminals, and core network. This enables multi-vendor interoperability as well as interoperability with 3GPP-compliant 5G systems. This paper describes the key features enabling the NG-RAN architecture defined for 5G to support non-terrestrial networks. Starting from a general overview of NG-RAN and of the new paradigms of NTN, we introduce the NTN functionality in NG-RAN specifications with respect to feeder link switchover, cell handling, terminal registration, and OAM aspects. We also discuss different scenarios combining satellite access with 3GPP-defined core networks. We also describe some further enhancements expected to be seen in the next 3GPP release (Rel-18). We believe current and upcoming 3GPP work for NTN represents a solid basis on which 5G satellite networks can be built in the upcoming future.     

Inverse modeling and its application in the design of high electronmobility transistors

An inverse modeling technique is introduced to determine the structural and physical parameters of HEMT from the desired data for maximum transconductance. The technique is based on the availability of analytical expressions describing the electron carrier concentration, the current, the transconductance, the capacitances and the unity current gain frequency of a HEMT. Empirical formulae are obtained that relate the maximum transconductance to the doped AlGaAs thickness, spacer layer thickness, dopant density and aluminum mole fraction. The technique is applied to the design of a HEMT and shows good agreement with the experimental data     

Prediction of subharmonic oscillation in switching regulators: from a slope to a ripple standpoint

New exact critical conditions for predicting subharmonic instability in switching regulators are approximated by simple design-oriented expressions valid under practical conditions. These simplified expressions contain the ripple and slope information of the feedback control signal. Depending on the converter topology, the controller used and values of parasitic parameters, either the slope or the ripple can be dominant in predicting instability. A discussion on the validity of this interpretation is illustrated through six different examples of switching regulators using the concept of the spectral radius and the relative degree of the system loop. Using this approach, the boundary between the desired stable region and the subharmonic instability can be easily obtained. The theoretical results are validated by means of numerical simulations.     

Statistical analysis of achievable resolution limit in the near field source localization context

In this fast communication, we derive the statistical resolution limit (SRL), characterizing the minimal parameter separation, to resolve two closely spaced known near-field sources impinging on a linear array. Toward this goal, we conduct on the first-order Taylor expansion of the observation model a Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT) based on a Constrained Maximum Likelihood Estimator (CMLE) of the SRL. More precisely, the minimum separation between two near-field sources, that is detectable for a given probability of false alarm and a given probability of detection, is derived herein. Finally, numerical simulations are done to quantify the impact of the array geometry of the signal sources power distribution and of the array aperture on the statistical resolution limit.