Parameter estimation using a sensor array in a Ricean fading channel

The estimation of the Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) and the variance of the angular spread, using an array of sensors in the case of a Ricean channel is considered, using the Maximum-Likelihood, Least-Squares and Weighted Least Squares criteria. The Cramér-Rao bound is also obtained for the problem of interest. Simplification of the cost functions to reduce the dimension of the problem has been carried out and the performance of the methods has been studied based on numerical experiments. A major part of the work was carried out when K V S Hari was visiting the Department of Signals, Sensors and Systems during Jul–Sep 1995, on leave from the Indian Institute of Science     

Interaction in polymer blends via dilute solution light-scattering under optical θ-conditions

Summary It is demonstrated that dilute solution light —scattering experiments under ‘optical θconditions’ offer rapid and reliable judgement of the interaction parameters in polymer blends. This has been verified with miscible blends of polystyrene with poly(vinylmethylether) and with the immiscible pair polystyrene —poly(vinylisobutylether). The capabilities of the optical θ-approach in order to derive the influence of polymerpolymer interaction on chain dimensions are discussed shortly. Herrn Dr. B. Sedlacec zu seinem 60. Geburtstag herzlichst gewidmet     

Impacts of green roofs and rain water use on the water balance and groundwater levels in urban areas

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Impacts of green roofs and rain water use on the water balance and groundwater levels in urban areas

     

Heat transfer and pressure drop in a new type of corrugated channels

An experimental investigation of heat transfer and pressure drop from a new type of corrugated channels is presented. The investigation has been carried out for Reynolds numbers in the range of $\text{800 <}\text{Re}\text{< 5000}$ for one corrugated and one smooth channel. It is found that the heat transfer from the corrugated channel is up to 3.5 times higher than for the smooth one. The pressure drop is however large (5 – 6 times the value of a smooth channel) and it is suggested that the corrugation height and length should be altered in order to balance the increases in heat transfer and pressure drop.     

An Extended Replication of an Experiment for Assessing Methods for Software Requirements Inspections

We have performed an extended replication of the Porter-Votta-Basili experiment comparing the Scenario method and the Checklist method for inspecting requirements specifications using identical instruments. The experiment has been conducted in our educational context represented by a more general definition of a defect compared to the original defect list. Our study involving 24 undergraduate students manipulated three independent variables: detection method, requirements specification, and the order of the inspections. The dependent variable measured is the defect detection rate. We found the requirements specification inspected and not the detection method to be the most probable explanation for the variance in defect detection rate. This suggests that it is important to gather knowledge of how a requirements specification can convey an understandable view of the product and to adapt inspection methods accordingly. Contrary to the original experiment, we can not significantly support the superiority of the Scenario method. This is in accordance with a replication conducted by Fusaro, Lanubile and Visaggio, and might be explained by the lack of individual defect detection skill of our less experienced subjects.     

On growth and dispersal of populations

In his unpublished MA thesis of 1921, the young Hotelling invented an ingenious model of population growth and diffusion. The contribution remained widely unknown until Waldo Tobler and Alan Wilson edited it as an article in 1978. Not even then did it trigger off any outburst of contributions. Meanwhile, in 1951, Skellam invented exactly the same model for non-human populations. Unlike in economics, it was a great success in ecology. In a recent contribution Skellam is named Father of Ecological Diffusion and more than a thousand articles on the subject are listed. There were many attempts at solving the equation, but none were quite successful. The Hotelling and Skellam models both assumed a given saturation population that nature could support. In 1985 the present author suggested that an explicit production function be introduced in the Hotelling model, as man produces his own means of subsistence. Moreover it was proposed that diffusion be related to spatial differences in per capita productivity, rather than to those in population density. The present contribution is a rejoinder. It is shown that the stationary solutions to the original Hotelling model are periodic and dip into negative populations, whereas this is avoided by the modified model suggested. It can thus be used to show how agglomerative structures may evolve.     

The influence of process parameters and starting composition on the carbothermal production of sialon

The-sialons (Si_6-z Al _z O _z N_8-z ) can be produced by carbothermal reduction of kaolin. The reaction mechanism of the sialon formation has been studied by several methods. Firstly, the composition of the reaction product is determined by XRD as function of the reaction time at 1400 and 1 500 C. The influence of additives, pellet size, nitrogen flow and clay type on the reaction is studied. Secondly, the carbon monoxide leaving the furnace is monitored. By studying the changes in carbon monoxide output as a function of the above-mentioned parameters a better understanding of the reaction mechanism has been obtained.     

Investigation of GaAs Schottky barrier diodes in the THz range

The properties of GaAs Schottky barrier diodes as video detectors and mixing elements were investigated in the frequency range from 0.8–2.5 THz. For the most sensitive diode, the video responsivity and system noise temperature were measured as a function of incident laser power. The highest video responsivity was 2,000 V/W at 214μm and 60 V/W at 118μm. For five diodes differing in doping, capacitance, series resistance and anode diameter, the system noise temperature was measured at 214μm and 118μm. The best single sideband (SSB) values are 12,300 K and 24,200 K at 214μm and 118μm, respectively. The system noise temperature versus frequency is given over the range from 0.5–3 THz for two specific diodes demonstrating that the sharpness of the I–V characteristics is only of secondary importance for mixer perfomance at such high frequencies.     

Pressureless sintering of Y2O3-CeO2-doped sialons

Various sialon materials have been prepared by pressureless sintering at 1775 and 1825 °C using Y₂O₃ and/or Ce0₂ as sintering aids. Constant molar amounts of the oxide mixtures were added in the ratios Y₂O₃/CeO₂: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100 corresponding to 6.0 and 9.25 wt% for the pure Y₂O₃ and pure CeO₂, respectively. Only one of the compositional series reached full density at 1775 °C with cerium replacing yttrium, whereas at 1825 °C all compositional series except one became dense. The samples sintered showed that yttrium but not cerium stabilizes the sialon phase in these ceramics. The dense cerium-sialon ceramics sintered at 1825 °C have as good hardness and indentation fracture toughness as the corresponding yttrium-sialon ceramics, or even higher for the sialon type of materials. For the mixed - sialon materials the hardness decreased as the amount of a sialon phase decreased by increasing cerium-doping.