Co-RAM: combinational logic synthesis applied to softwarepartitions for mapping to a novel memory device

We introduce the application of current techniques for hardware synthesis of combinational logic blocks to large-scale software partitions for eventual implementation of these partitions in a novel memory device called "Co-RAM." The novelty of our approach is based upon the observation that a wide variety of largescale software functionality can be considered "stateless" by conventional hardware synthesis tools and so may be realized as combinational logic. By limiting the functions placed in memory to combinational functions, we eliminate conventional synchronization overhead associated with coprocessors. A significant aspect of Co-RAM is that it is a system design concept that inherently merges hardware and software design styles at the system level, impacting programming styles, system build approaches, and the programmer's view of the underlying machine. A direct consequence of viewing the functionality as combinational is that the system state is not partitioned with the tasks. By Considering Co-RAM functionality to be stateless with respect to system state, Co-RAM functionality is inlined around the advancement of effectively unpartitioned system state. The rules for procedural combinational logic synthesis are shown to apply to a wide variety of software partitions. Results of our investigation project speedups of 8× to 1000× for a range of algorithms of varying problem size and for projected devices ranging from conventional field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to highly specific combinational logic devices     

The E3 architecture: enabling future cellular networks with cognitive and self‐x capabilities

Future mobile networks are expected to be complex heterogeneous systems. On the one hand this will enable users to take advantage of a number of different access technologies. On the other hand it will seriously affect network management procedures since more extensive operations and decisions will have to be dealt with. To tackle these challenges a number of new dynamic mechanisms need to be designed. It is imperative that certain network management tasks have to be performed without human intervention to reduce the OPEX costs and achieve faster responses in different events. To achieve this goal, the introduction of self‐x functionalities, combined with cognitive mechanisms and the ability to reconfigure network entities and terminals, is required. Moreover, the introduction of a new pilot channel needs to be considered to assist the terminals in selecting the most suitable radio access technology according to their requirements. We present the functional architecture of an evolved network that was designed in the context of the EU‐funded IP project ‘E³: End‐to‐End Efficiency’. This architecture aims to enhance existing procedures usually performed in traditional operation and maintenance systems (e.g. spectrum management, network planning, configuration actions). We explain the rationale of our design and provide specific examples to illustrate the role of the different functional entities and their interfaces. A considerable part of this architecture has recently been approved as a feasibility study by the ETSI Committee Reconfigurable Radio System. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Remote‐Controlled Hydrogel Depots for Time‐Scheduled Vaccination

Remote‐controlled drug depots represent a highly valuable tool for the timely controlled administration of pharmaceuticals in a patient compliant manner. Here, the first pharmacologically controlled material that allows for the scheduled induction of a medical response in mice is described. To this aim, a novel, humanized biohybrid material that releases its cargo in response to a small‐molecule stimulus licensed for human use is developed. The functionality of the material in mice is demonstrated by the remote‐controlled delivery of a vaccine against the oncogenic human papillomavirus type 16. It is shown that the biohybrid depot‐mediated immunoprotection is equivalent to the classical multi‐injection‐based vaccination. These results indicate that this material can be used as a universal remote‐controlled vehicle for the patient‐compliant delivery of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.     

Time-domain modeling of semiconductor optical amplifiers for OTDMapplications

An advanced time-domain dynamical model for the investigation of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) is presented. The model accounts for the ultrafast gain dynamics, the gain saturation and the gain spectral profile. It is also suitable for analyzing the amplifier in a system environment. As an example the model is used to investigate the gain dynamics of an SOA as well as the characteristics of an interferometer switch semiconductor laser amplifier in a loop mirror (SLALOM). Good agreement between modeling and experiment is shown. The model can be applied to the investigation of other optically time-division multiplexed (OTDM) applications, too     

Modeling of diode-pumped actively Q-switched lasers

The intracavity photon density and initial population inversion density in the diode-pumped actively Q-switched laser rate equations are assumed to be Gaussian distributions. These space-dependent rate equations are solved numerically and a group of general curves are generated. By using these curves and the related formulas, the pulse parameters of an arbitrary actively Q-switched laser can be easily estimated and an optimally coupled Q-switched laser can be designed. A sample calculation for a Q-switched Nd³⁺:YVO₄ laser is presented to demonstrate the use of the curves and the related formulas     

Tunable ferroelectric impedance matching networks and their impact on digital modulation system performance

In this paper the bit error rate performance and error vector magnitude of a tunable impedance matching network is analyzed assuming QPSK, 16-QAM and 64-QAM digital modulation schemes. The characterized tunable impedance matching network is based on barium–strontium–titanate ferroelectric thick-film varactors. Inherent dispersive behavior is subsumed into the forward transmission of the passive device. Due to this nonlinear phase response, in general to maximize the overall system performance, an agile tuning of the varactor values is demonstrated, taking into account the phase and group delay of s₂₁ parameter. Detailed signal simulation results based on measured data of a testbed are presented. The influence of varying matched impedances on the tuning behavior with different modulation bandwidths is discussed at a center frequency of 1.9 GHz.     

High-temperature oxidation of Pt-45Pd-10Rh

The surfaces of Pt-45Pd-10Rh foils oxidized over the range 875–1075 K in a 20% O₂-Ar mixture at atmospheric pressure were examined by Auger electron, X-ray photoelectron, and Raman spectroscopy. The composition of the oxide formed on the surface was found to vary with temperature from predominantly PdO at 875 K to PdRhO₂ at 1075 K. Only a few atomic percent Pt was observed, present in both the metallic and (apparently) +1 oxidation states at 875 K and in the metallic state at 1075 K. The formation of PdRhO₂ (and no Rh₂O₃) at 1075 K was found to persist upon reoxidation following a low-temperature reduction cycle in which the increased Rh concentration on the surface was retained. An oxidation-induced Rh enrichment of the surface of the alloy foil beyond 50 at. % does not appear likely within the temperature/pressure regime investigated.