Virtual teamwork in very large undergraduate classes

Collaborative work is an important part of tertiary education but it is very difficult to arrange and supervise for extremely large classes of students in their first year. The possibility that computer-mediated communication can be used to facilitate this type of learning is appealing from a pragmatic organisational point of view. This paper explains in detail what a ‘virtual team’ is in the educational context. It reports on an interpretive field study where students taking an introductory course were allowed to choose where and when they did the required collaborative work. The paper discusses the factors that should be taken into account when offering students the option of working as a virtual team. These include factors that influence the students’ choice. The project cannot be considered to have been successful but indicates reasons for the lack of success and suggests contexts in which it would be valuable to repeat the project. The importance of extensive preparation in terms of teaching the students necessary social and technological skills cannot be over emphasised.     

Using mechatronics to teach mechanical design and technical communication

It is commonly accepted that hands-on experiences increase both learning and enjoyment during coursework. Mechatronics projects provide both interesting and relevant hands-on experiences for a wide range of topics including design processes, basic mechatronics concepts, technical communication, and working in a group environment. ME2110: Creative Decisions and Design at Georgia Tech integrates mechatronics and technical communication into a sophomore level mechanical design class. This paper describes the course in detail, highlighting the course goals and layout, tools provided to the students, industry involvement, and the main challenges of administering such a course.     

A genetic‐based neuro‐fuzzy controller for blind equalization of time‐varying channels

This paper presents a neuro‐fuzzy network (NFN) where all its parameters can be tuned simultaneously using genetic algorithms (GAs). The approach combines the merits of fuzzy logic theory, neural networks and GAs. The proposed NFN does not require a priori knowledge about the system and eliminates the need for complicated design steps such as manual tuning of input–output membership functions, and selection of fuzzy rule base. Although, only conventional GAs have been used, convergence results are very encouraging. A well‐known numerical example derived from literature is used to evaluate and compare the performance of the network with other equalizing approaches. Simulation results show that the proposed neuro‐fuzzy controller, all parameters of which have been tuned simultaneously using GAs, offers advantages over existing equalizers and has improved performance. From the perspective of application and implementation, this paper is very interesting as it provides a new method for performing blind equalization. The main contribution of this paper is the use of learning algorithms to train a feed‐forward neural network for M‐ary QAM and PSK signals. This paper also provides a platform for researchers of the area for further development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance analysis of IEEE 802.11 ad hoc networks in the presence of exposed terminals

The paper evaluates the performance effects of exposed terminals in IEEE 802.11 ad hoc networks in finite load conditions. It derives analytical models for the estimation of channel utilization and media access delay for IEEE 802.11 ad hoc networks in finite load conditions with and without exposed terminals. The simulation results show that the analytical estimated channel utilization and media access delay metrics are fairly accurate.     

Determining stress intensity factors of composites using crack opening displacement

The main purpose of this paper is to find the mixed-mode stress intensity factors of composite materials using the crack opening displacement (COD). First, a series solution of the composite material with a crack was used to evaluate COD values. Then, the least-squares method was used to calculate mixed-mode stress intensity factors. This algorithm can be applied to any method that generates or measures COD values. The major advantage of this method is that COD values very near the crack tip are not necessary. Both finite element simulations and laboratory experiments were applied to validate this least-squares method with acceptable accuracy if the even terms of the series solution are removed.     

回转窑窑体变形的一种实时监测与报警系统

针对回转窑在运行过程中窑体变形的情况开发了一种监测与报警系统。完成了系统的前向通道设计、单片机与PC机的串行通讯设计和报警显示。     

利用手机模块实现无线公话的方法研究

本文论述了无线公话技术的实现原理，详细介绍了利用MCS8051系列单片机控制手机模块实现无线公话的方法，并给出了该类设备硬件各模块的功能描述以及关键部分软件的实现方法。     

一种分布式的洋葱路由新机制

洋葱路由技术在公网上提供双向、实时的匿名通信，其面向连接和严格的源路由方式导致效率低、扩展性差。利用分布式的概念，采用分段连接技术思想提出了一种安全、高效的分布式洋葱路由机制(DORS)，给出了DORS路由实现算法，并从方案实现效率、安全性方面对DORS进行了分析。分析结果表明DORS具有良好的扩展性、鲁棒性、简单性和有效性。     

中国光纤通信技术的研究、应用和发展

主要从光纤光缆、光器件与组件、光传输设备与系统、光网络建设等方面论述光纤通信技术在我国的研究、应用发展历程，并对我国光纤通信技术的未来发展进行展望。     

在ad hoc网络中一种新的节能路由切换模型

提出了一种基于能量消耗的路由切换模型(ERHM),它在路由维护中利用切换技术来使路由的能量消耗最小.仿真结果表明采用切换技术的ERHM模型的能量节省量要比不采用切换技术节约1.5～7.5倍,且节点的移动性越大,能量节约越多.