Multimodal person discovery in broadcast TV: lessons learned from MediaEval 2015

Multimedia Tools and Applications - We describe the “Multimodal Person Discovery in Broadcast TV” task of MediaEval 2015 benchmarking initiative. Participants were asked to return the...     

Large strain rate-dependent response of elastomers at different strain rates: convolution integral vs. internal variable formulations

Two different viscoelastic frameworks adapted to large strain rate-dependent response of elastomers are compared; for each approach, a simple model is derived. Within the Finite Linear Viscoelasticity theory, a time convolution integral model based on an extension to solid of the K-BKZ model is proposed. Considering the multiplicative split of the deformation gradient into elastic and inelastic parts, an internal variable model based on a large strain version of the Standard Linear Solid model is considered. In both cases, the strain energy functions involved are chosen neo-Hookean, and then each model possesses three material parameters: two stiffnesses and a viscosity parameter. These parameters are set to ensure the equivalence of the model responses for uniaxial large strain quasi-static and infinitely fast loading conditions, and for uniaxial rate-dependent small strain loading conditions. Considering their responses for different Eulerian strain rates, their differences are investigated with respect to the strain rate; more specifically, both stiffness and dissipative properties are studied. The comparison reveals that these two models differ significantly for intermediate strain rates, and a closing discussion highlights some issues about their foundations and numerical considerations.     

Integrated Active Pulsed Reflector for an Indoor Local Positioning System

This paper presents an indoor localization system based on a frequency modulated continuous wave radar in the industrial–scientific–medical band at 5.8 GHz. An integrated active pulsed reflector behaves as a backscatter by regenerating the incoming phase with phase coherent startup at a constant frequency. The base station (BS) determines the distance to this reflector with a round-trip time-of-flight measurement. The active pulsed reflector is built around a switchable and tunable oscillator. The circuit has been fully integrated in a 0.18-$mu{hbox{m}}$ CMOS technology. Outdoor measurements revealed a positioning accuracy of 15 cm, while in a harsh multipath environment with omnidirectional antennas a positioning accuracy of 32.88 cm was measured. The localization system is capable of detecting multiple reflectors at the same time, and no synchronization between BSs is needed.      

A low supply voltage SiGe LNA for ultra-wideband frontends

A low-power low-noise amplifier (LNA) for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio systems is presented. The microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) has been fabricated using a commercial 0.25-/spl mu/m silicon-germanium (SiGe) bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS) technology. The amplifier uses peaking and feedback techniques to optimize its gain, bandwidth and impedance matching. It operates from 3.4 to 6.9GHz, which corresponds with the low end of the available UWB radio spectrum. The LNA has a peak gain of 10dB and a noise figure less than 5dB over the entire bandwidth. The circuit consumes only 3.5mW using a 1-V supply voltage. A figure of merit (FoM) for LNAs considering bandwidth, gain, noise, power consumption, and technology is proposed. The realized LNA circuit is compared with other recently published low-power LNA designs and shows the highest reported FoM.     

Reusable Cellulose‐Based Hydrogel Sticker Film Applied as Gate Dielectric in Paper Electrolyte‐Gated Transistors

A new concept for reusable eco‐friendly hydrogel electrolytes based on cellulose is introduced. The reported electrolytes are designed and engineered through a simple, fast, low‐cost, and eco‐friendly dissolution method of microcrystalline cellulose at low temperature using an aqueous LiOH/urea solvent system. The cellulose solution is combined with carboxymethyl cellulose, followed by the regeneration and simultaneous ion incorporation. The produced free standing cellulose‐based electrolyte films exhibit interesting properties for application in flexible electrochemical devices, such as biosensors or electrolyte‐gated transistors (EGTs), because of their high specific capacitances (4–5 µF cm^?2), transparency, and flexibility. Indium–gallium–zinc‐oxide EGTs on glass with laminated cellulose‐based hydrogel electrolytes (CHEs) as the gate dielectric are produced presenting a low working voltage (<2 V), showing an on–off current ratio (I _on/off) of 10⁶, a subthreshold swing lower than 0.2 V dec^?1, and saturation mobility (μ_Sat) reaching 26 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The flexible CHE‐gated transistors on paper are also demonstrated, which operate at switching frequencies up to 100 Hz. Combining the flexibility of the EGTs on paper with the reusability of the developed CHEs is a breakthrough toward biodegradable advanced functional materials allied with disposable/recyclable and low‐cost electronic devices.