Design of variable loop gains of dual-loop DPLL

An approach to the derivation of variable loop gain sequences of dual-loop digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) is developed based on some modifications of the Kalman filtering formulation. It is shown that optimal loop gain sequences which are independent of measurement noise statistics can be obtained under a deterministic source model. Computer simulation results demonstrate that the adaptive dual-loop DPLL designed by using the proposed method is more robust to noise variations than the adaptive DPLL of Driessen (see ibid., vol.47, p.673-75, 1994)     

A novel simplified process for fabricating a very high densityp-channel trench gate power MOSFET

A novel simplified fabrication method of a very high density p-channel trench gate power MOSFET using four mask layers and nitride/TEOS sidewall spacers is realized. The proposed process showed improved on-resistance characteristics of the device with increasing cell density and the cost-effective production capability due to the lesser number of processing steps. By using this process technique, a remarkably increased high density (100 Mcell/inch²) trench gate power MOSFET with a cell pitch of 2.5 μm could be effectively realized. The fabricated device had a low specific on-resistance of 1.1 mΩ-cm² with a breakdown voltage of -36 V     

Equalization digital on-channel repeater in the single frequency networks

Digital On-Channel Repeater (DOCR) can be used for Single Frequency Networks (SFN's). It is much simple and low cost compared to Distributed Transmitter which needs Studio to Transmitter Link (STL). However, traditional DOCR has one of those defects such as a power limit, a long time system processing delay or a poor output signal quality. In order to overcome all of those defects, we introduce Equalization DOCR (EDOCR) which regenerates the original 8-VSB output signal with relatively short time system processing delay. Lab. and Field test results show that the EDOCR can eliminate the loop-back signal up to 5.5 dB with 5.5 /spl mu/s system processing delay. By using EDOCR, we can save spectrum resources and extend coverage areas.     

A Colorimetric Hydrocarbon Sensor Employing a Swelling‐Induced Mechanochromic Polydiacetylene

Exceptional challenges have confronted the rational design of colorimetric sensors for saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons (SAHCs). The main reasons for this difficulty are the extremely nonpolar nature of these targets and their lack of functional groups that can interact with probes. By taking advantage of a mechanochromic conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) and the hydrocarbon‐induced swelling properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a sensor film that enables simple, colorimetric differentiation between a variety of C5 to C14 aliphatic hydrocarbons is fabricated. The unprecedented PDA–PDMS composite sensor undergoes a blue‐to‐red colorimetric transition on a timescale that is dependent on the chain length of the hydrocarbon target. In addition, the development of the red color is directly proportional to the swelling ratio of the film. This straightforward approach enables naked‐eye differentiation between n‐pentane and n‐heptane. The versatility of the sensor system is demonstrated by using it for the colorimetric determination of kerosene in adulterated diesel oil. Finally, the observation that a PDA microcrystal in the film undergoes significant expansion and tearing in concert with a blue‐to‐red colorimetric transition during the swelling process provides direct evidence for the mechanism for the mechanochromic behavior of the PDA.     

Cross-phase-modulation-induced nonlinear phase noise in WDM direct-detection DPSK systems

In direct-detection differential-phase-shift-keying (DPSK) systems, the signal-spontaneous emission beat noise introduces phase noise due to Kerr nonlinearity. In wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) systems, this nonlinear phase noise comes not only from the channel itself through self-phase modulation (SPM) but also from the other channels through cross-phase modulation (XPM). In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally investigate XPM-induced nonlinear phase noise. We calculate the performance degradation of DPSK systems caused by XPM-induced nonlinear phase noise in addition to SPM-induced phase noise and experimentally verify it using a 600-km nonzero-dispersion-shifted-fiber link.     

Power adaptation for BPSK signaling with average and peak power constraints in Rayleigh fading channels

We consider power adaptation strategies for binary phase-shift keying signals in Rayleigh fading channels under the assumption that channel state information is provided at both the transmitter and the receiver. We first derive a closed-form expression for the optimal power adaptation that minimizes average bit-error rate (BER) subject to average and peak transmission power constraints. Then, we analyze the average BER for channel inversion power adaptation with the same constraints. Our results show that the performance difference between the optimal power adaptation and the channel inversion becomes negligibly small as available average transmission power increases and/or peak-to-average power ratio decreases. We also find that an optimal peak-to-average power ratio exists that minimizes the average BER in the channel inversion scheme.     

Surface Chemistry of Vitamin: Pyridoxal 5′‐Phosphate (Vitamin B6) as a Multifunctional Compound for Surface Functionalization

Vitamins are non‐toxic compounds that perform a variety of biological functions and also available in a large quantity. Other than the usage as food supplements, few attempts have been made to use them as functional materials. In this study, we report that vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP), is a multi‐functional molecule for oxide surface chemistry. PLP‐immobilized surfaces exhibit superhydrophilicity and even hemophilicity, enhancing proliferation, migration, and differentiation of mammalian cells. Unlike existing molecules used so far in surface modification, PLP has an intrinsic chemical reactivity toward biomacromolecules due to the presence of the aldehyde group. In fact, RGD peptide is covalently tethered onto PLP surfaces directly in one step without any chemical activation. Furthermore, PLP‐functionalized implant device showed rapid bone healing. As vitamin B6 is a FDA approved molecule for human usage, the surface chemistry of vitamin B6 potentially allows a fast route for surface functionalized medical devices into clinic.     

Security flaw of authentication scheme with anonymity for wireless communications

Recently, Wu et al. discussed some security flaws of enhanced authentication scheme with anonymity for wireless environments proposed by Lee et al. and showed how to overcome the problems regarding anonymity and backward secrecy. However, in the paper, we will show that Wu et al.?s improved scheme still did not provide user anonymity as they claimed.     

A 9‐Bit 80‐MS/s CMOS Pipelined Folding A/D Converter with an Offset Canceling Technique

A 9‐bit 80‐MS/s CMOS pipelined folding analog‐to‐digital converter employing offset‐canceled preamplifiers and a subranging scheme is proposed to extend the resolution of a folding architecture. A fully differential dc‐decoupled structure achieves high linearity in circuit design. The measured differential nonlinearity and integral nonlinearity of the prototype are ×0.6 LSB and ×1.6 LSB, respectively.     

Self‐Healing Reduced Graphene Oxide Films by Supersonic Kinetic Spraying

The industrial scale application of graphene and other functional materials in the field of electronics has been limited by inherent defects, and the lack of simple deposition methods. A simple spray deposition method is developed that uses a supersonic air jet for a commercially available reduced graphene oxide (r‐GO) suspension. The r‐GO flakes are used as received, which are pre‐annealed and pre‐hydrazine‐treated, and do not undergo any post‐treatment. A part of the considerable kinetic energy of the r‐GO flakes entrained by the supersonic jet is used in stretching the flakes upon impact with the substrate. The resulting “frozen elastic strains” heal the defects (topological defects, namely Stone‐Wales defect and C₂ vacancies) in the r‐GO flakes, which is reflected in the reduced ratio of the intensities of the D and G bands in the deposited film. The defects can also be regenerated by annealing.