Blind and training-assisted subspace code-timing estimation for CDMA with bandlimited chip waveforms

In this paper, we present a group of subspace code-timing estimation algorithms for asynchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems with bandlimited chip waveforms. The proposed schemes are frequency-domain based techniques that exploit a unique structure of the received signal in the frequency domain. They can be implemented either blindly or in a training-assisted manner. The proposed blind code-timing estimators require only the spreading code of the desired user, whereas the training-assisted schemes assume the additional knowledge of the transmitted symbols of the desired user. Through a design parameter of user choice, the proposed schemes offer flexible tradeoffs between performance, user capacity, and complexity. They can deal with both time- and frequency-selective fading channels. Numerical simulations show that the proposed schemes are near-far resistant, and compare favorably to an earlier subspace code-timing estimation scheme that is implemented in the time domain.     

Inference for step-stress plan with Khamis-Higgins model under type-II censored Weibull data

The accelerated life testing (ALT) is frequently used in examining the component reliability and acceptance testing. The ALT is carried out by exposing the unit to higher stress levels in order to observe data faster than those are producing under the normal conditions. The simple step-stress model based on type-II censoring Weibull lifetimes is studied here. In addition, the lifetimes satisfy Khamis-Higgins model assumption. In this paper, Bayesian approaches are developed for estimating the model parameters and predicting times to failure of future censored of the simple step-stress model from Weibull distribution using Khamis-Higgins model. The main goal of this work consists of two parts. First, the Bayesian estimation of the unknown parameters involved in the model is considered by adopting Devroye method to generate log-concave densities within sampling-based algorithm under different loss functions. The Bayes and highest posterior density credible intervals are then established. Second, the estimation of the posterior predictive density of the future lifetimes are discussed to obtain the point and prediction intervals with a given coverage probability. Monte Carlo simulation is performed to check the efficiency of the developed procedures and analyze a real data set for illustrative purposes.     

Live-borns from XX but not XY oocytes in the chimeric mouse ovary composed of B6.Y(TIR) and XX cells

When the Y chromosome of some Mus musculus domesticus subspecies is placed onto a C57BL/6J mouse background, the XY (B6.Y(TIR)) progeny develop only ovaries or ovotestes during fetal life. The XY sex-reversed female is infertile mainly because of death of embryos during preimplantation development. In the present study, we constructed female mouse chimera composed of B6.Y(TIR) and XX BALB/c cells to determine whether developmental incompetence of XY oocytes can be attributed to defects in the oocytes themselves or in the surrounding XY somatic cells. Distribution of XY cells in chimeric ovaries was examined by in situ hybridization. Of nine XX <--> XY chimeric females born, eight were composed of B6.Y(TIR) and XX BALB/c cells with a wide range of XY contribution (16-95%), whereas one had 12% XY components of the BALB/c strain. All these females produced progeny exclusively derived from XX oocytes. By comparison, most XX <--> XX chimeric females produced progeny derived from oocytes of either strain. Two XY <--> XY males also produced progeny of both strains. In conclusion, the XY chromosomal composition in the oocyte appears to be responsible for programming its incompetence for postfertilization development. On the other hand, the presence of XY somatic cells in the chimeric ovary allows development of fertile XX oocytes.     

Corrosion Response of a Decommissioned Deteriorated Bridge Deck

This paper summarizes the results of field tests on the decommissioned Montreal Dickson Bridge, undertaken over a grid of 0.25 by 0.25?m on four randomly selected 5 by 6?m deck patches, and the associated laboratory tests as part of a detailed research program aimed at determining why the bridge deteriorated so rapidly. The basic cause of deterioration was determined to be the lack of quality control (concrete mix composition, placing, compaction, and curing) and the resulting higher permeability of the concrete cover and the associated chloride ion ingress. As a consequence, the resistivity of the concrete was low and reflected in a high steel bar mass loss due to corrosion at several locations on the bridge after a period of only 35 years.     

Joint estimation of carrier offset and code timing for DS-CDMA with performance analysis

This paper considers the problem of joint carrier offset and code timing estimation for code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. In contrast to existing schemes that require nonlinear iterative searches over the multidimensional parameter space, this paper proposes a blind estimator that provides an algebraic solution to the joint parameter estimation problem. By exploiting the subspace structure of the observed signal, the multiuser estimation is first decoupled into a series of single-user estimation problems, and then analytical tools of polynomial matrices are invoked for joint carrier and code timing estimation of a single user. The proposed estimator is near-far resistant. It can deal with frequency-selective and time-varying channels. The performance of the proposed scheme is examined analytically by a first-order perturbation analysis. The authors also derive an unconditional Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bound (CRB) that is conditioned neither on fading coefficients nor information symbols; as such, the CRB is considered a suitable lower bound for blind methods. Numerical examples are presented to evaluate and compare the proposed and a multidimensional search (MD-search)-based scheme.     

Blind code-timing estimation for CDMA systems with bandlimited chip waveforms in multipath fading channels

In this paper, we present a blind code-timing estimator for asynchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems that use bandlimited chip waveforms. The proposed estimator first converts the received signal to the frequency domain, followed by a frequency deconvolution to remove the convolving chip waveform, and then calculates the code-timing estimate from the output of a narrowband filter with a sweeping center frequency, which is designed to suppress the overall interference in the frequency domain. The proposed estimator is near-far resistant, and can deal with time- and frequency-selective channel fading. It uses only the spreading code of the desired user, and can be adaptively implemented for both code acquisition and tracking. We also derive an unconditional Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bound (CRB) that is not conditioned on the fading coefficients or the information symbols. It is a more suitable lower bound than a conditional CRB for blind code-timing estimators which do not assume knowledge of the channel or information symbols. We present numerical examples to evaluate and compare the proposed and several other code-timing estimators for bandlimited CDMA systems.