The PANOPTIC Camera: A Plenoptic Sensor with Real-Time Omnidirectional Capability

A new biologically-inspired vision sensor made of one hundred “eyes” is presented, which is suitable for real-time acquisition and processing of 3-D image sequences. This device, named the Panoptic camera, consists of a layered arrangement of approximately 100 classical CMOS imagers, distributed over a hemisphere of 13 cm in diameter. The Panoptic camera is a polydioptric system where all imagers have their own vision of the world, each with a distinct focal point, which is a specific feature of the Panoptic system. This enables 3-D information recording such as omnidirectional stereoscopy or depth estimation, applying specific signal processing. The algorithms dictating the image reconstruction of an omnidirectional observer located at any point inside the hemisphere are presented. A hardware architecture which has the capability of handling these algorithms, and the flexibility to support additional image processing in real time, has been developed as a two-layer system based on FPGAs. The detail of the hardware architecture, its internal blocks, the mapping of the algorithms onto the latter elements, and the device calibration procedure are presented, along with imaging results.     

RSA-OAEP Is Secure under the RSA Assumption

Recently Victor Shoup noted that there is a gap in the widely believed security result of OAEP against adaptive chosen-ciphertext attacks. Moreover, he showed that, presumably, OAEP cannot be proven secure from the one-wayness of the underlying trapdoor permutation. This paper establishes another result on the security of OAEP. It proves that OAEP offers semantic security against adaptive chosen-ciphertext attacks, in the random oracle model, under the partial-domain one-wayness of the underlying permutation. Therefore, this uses a formally stronger assumption. Nevertheless, since partial-domain one-wayness of the RSA function is equivalent to its (full-domain) onewayness, it follows that the security of RSA-OAEP can actually be proven under the sole RSA assumption, although the reduction is not tight.     

Effets d’un trou métallisé sur les caractéristiques de rayonnement d’une antenne plaque microruban alimentée par une ligne coaxiale à travers le plan de masse

Effects of the via-hole implementation on radiation characteristics of a microstrip patch antenna are computed on an EM resolver based upon integral equations and numerically solved by moment method. Coaxial feed and via-holes are considered as integral parts of the antenna so that after an accurate modeling of the incident field, induced effects of the holes are naturally accounted for. Results show that for some locations, the via-hole effects on the radiation characteristics are negligeable. Such predictions suggest solutions for various problems of practical interest in industrial applications of this new technology.     

Size effects on the DC characteristics and low frequency noise of double polysilicon NPN bipolar transistors

DC and low frequency noise measurements have been carried out for double polysilicon NPN bipolar transistors. Our experiments have highlighted unexpected geometrical dependencies for the base saturation current density and low frequency noise. A model, taking into account a variation of the interfacial oxide thickness at the periphery of the emitter has been proposed and it has been successfully applied to the experimental results.     

Energy harvesting with pairs of variable capacitors without control circuits

This work describes several electronic electrostatic generators that can be built using two pairs of complementary variable capacitors, in a way that dispenses control circuits for their operation. In all cases, a basic unstable generator based on an electrostatic charge multiplier is used to bias variable capacitors, and the current generated by these capacitors is then rectified and sent to the load. Experimental versions of the proposed generators were built using variable capacitors made with 3D-printing techniques, moved in a back-and-forth way by a small motor. As these generators operate at high impedance level, always with small currents, they are insensitive to the resistivity of the conductive plastic used to make the variable capacitors. Several new structures are presented, and their properties are evaluated theoretically and experimentally.     

Enhanced Vertical Charge Transport in a Semiconducting P3HT Thin Film on Single Layer Graphene

The crystallization and electrical characterization of the semiconducting polymer poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) on a single layer graphene sheet is reported. Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction revealed that P3HT crystallizes with a mixture of face‐on and edge‐on lamellar orientations on graphene compared to mainly edge‐on on a silicon substrate. Moreover, whereas ultrathin (10 nm) P3HT films form well oriented face‐on and edge‐on lamellae, thicker (50 nm) films form a mosaic of lamellae oriented at different angles from the graphene substrate. This mosaic of crystallites with π–π stacking oriented homogeneously at various angles inside the film favors the creation of a continuous pathway of interconnected crystallites, and results in a strong enhancement in vertical charge transport and charge carrier mobility in the thicker P3HT film. These results provide a better understanding of polythiophene crystallization on graphene, and should help the design of more efficient graphene based organic devices by control of the crystallinity of the semiconducting film.     

Self‐Assembly of Atomically Thin Chiral Copper Heterostructures Templated by Black Phosphorus

The fabrication of 2D systems for electronic devices is not straightforward, with top‐down low‐yield methods often employed leading to irregular nanostructures and lower quality devices. Here, a simple and reproducible method to trigger self‐assembly of arrays of high aspect‐ratio chiral copper heterostructures templated by the structural anisotropy in black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets is presented. Using quantitative atomic resolution aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging, in situ heating transmission electron microscopy and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy arrays of heterostructures forming at speeds exceeding 100 nm s^?1 and displaying long‐range order over micrometers are observed. The controlled instigation of the self‐assembly of the Cu heterostructures embedded in BP is achieved using conventional electron beam lithography combined with site specific placement of Cu nanoparticles. Density functional theory calculations are used to investigate the atomic structure and suggest a metallic nature of the Cu heterostructures grown in BP. The findings of this new hybrid material with unique dimensionality, chirality, and metallic nature and its triggered self‐assembly open new and exciting opportunities for next generation, self‐assembling devices.     

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.