Equalization with oversampling in multiuser CDMA systems

Some of the major challenges in the design of new-generation wireless mobile systems are the suppression of multiuser interference (MUI) and inter-symbol interference (ISI) within a single user created by the multipath propagation. Both of these problems were addressed successfully in a recent design of A Mutually Orthogonal Usercode-Receiver (AMOUR) for asynchronous or quasisynchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. AMOUR converts a multiuser CDMA system into parallel single-user systems regardless of the multipath and guarantees ISI mitigation, irrespective of the channel locations. However, the noise amplification at the receiver can be significant in some multipath channels. In this paper, we propose to oversample the received signal as a way of improving the performance of AMOUR systems. We design Fractionally Spaced AMOUR (FSAMOUR) receivers with integral and rational amounts of oversampling and compare their performance with the conventional method. An important point that is often overlooked in the design of zero-forcing channel equalizers is that sometimes, they are not unique. This becomes especially significant in multiuser applications where, as we will show, the nonuniqueness is practically guaranteed. We exploit this flexibility in the design of AMOUR and FSAMOUR receivers and achieve noticeable improvements in performance.     

Effect of temperature on crack initiation in gas formed structures

In the gas forming process, the work piece is formed by applying gas pressure. However, the gas pressure and the accompanying gas temperature can result in crack initiation and unstable crack growth. Thus, it is vital to determine the critical values of applied gas pressure and temperature to avoid crack and fracture failure. We studied the mechanism of fracture using an experimental approach and finite element simulations of a perfect aluminum sheet containing no inclusions and voids. The definition of crack was based on ductile damage mechanics. For inspection of initiation of crack and rupture in gas-metal forming, the ABAQUS/EXPLICIT simulation was used. In gas forming, the applied load is the pressure applied rather than the punching force. The results obtained from both the experimental approach and finite element simulations were compared. The effects of various parameters, such as temperature and gas pressure value on crack initiation, were taken into account.     

On using Legendre polynomials and amended spline transformations in the SFSM for buckling and free vibrations of plates and thin-walled beams

This paper presents two modifications to the spline finite strip method (SFSM) for plate and thin-walled beam buckling and free vibrations; these being augmenting of the flexural buckling displacements with Legendre polynomials which represent additional bubble modes, and a modification of the dedicated amended splines that are conventionally needed to handle boundary conditions. A simple matrix technique to remove the need for amended splines is described, and the efficacy of the method is demonstrated in which it is shown that inclusion of the Legendre polynomials enhances the performance of the SFSM significantly when benchmarked against other techniques.     

Biorthogonal partners and applications

Two digital filters H(z) and F(z) are said to be biorthogonal partners of each other if their cascade H(z)F(z) satisfies the Nyquist or zero-crossing property. Biorthogonal partners arise in many different contexts such as filterbank theory, exact and least squares digital interpolation, and multiresolution theory. They also play a central role in the theory of equalization, especially, fractionally spaced equalizers in digital communications. We first develop several theoretical properties of biorthogonal partners. We also develop conditions for the existence of biorthogonal partners and FIR biorthogonal pairs and establish the connections to the Riesz basis property. We then explain how these results play a role in many of the above-mentioned applications     

MIMO biorthogonal partners and applications

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) biorthogonal partners arise in many different contexts, one of them being multiwavelet theory. They also play a central role in the theory of MIMO channel equalization, especially with fractionally spaced equalizers. In this paper, we first derive some theoretical properties of MIMO biorthogonal partners. We develop conditions for the existence of MIMO biorthogonal partners and conditions under which FIR solutions are possible. In the process of constructing FIR MIMO biorthogonal partners, we exploit the nonuniqueness of the solution. This will lead to the design of flexible fractionally spaced MIMO zero-forcing equalizers. The additional flexibility in design makes these equalizers more robust to channel noise. Finally, other situations where MIMO biorthogonal partners occur are also considered, such as prefiltering in multiwavelet theory and deriving the vector version of the least squares signal projection problem     

Fractional biorthogonal partners in channel equalization and signal interpolation

The concept of biorthogonal partners has been introduced recently by the authors. The work presented here is an extension of some of these results to the case where the upsampling and downsampling ratios are not integers but rational numbers, hence, the name fractional biorthogonal partners. The conditions for the existence of stable and of finite impulse response (FIR) fractional biorthogonal partners are derived. It is also shown that the FIR solutions (when they exist) are not unique. This property is further explored in one of the applications of fractional biorthogonal partners, namely, the fractionally spaced equalization in digital communications. The goal is to construct zero-forcing equalizers (ZFEs) that also combat the channel noise. The performance of these equalizers is assessed through computer simulations. Another application considered is the all-FIR interpolation technique with the minimum amount of oversampling required in the input signal. We also consider the extension of the least squares approximation problem to the setting of fractional biorthogonal partners.     

Shrinkage effects on the flexural stiffness of composite beams with solid concrete slabs: An experimental study

This paper describes the testing of three full-scale simply-supported composite steel-concrete beams. The specimens were representative of a typical secondary beam used in composite flooring systems and were designed in accordance with Australian guidelines with a degree of shear connection equal to 0.5. Two beams were cast unpropped while the third was prepared under propped conditions. The beams were loaded to failure 18 months from concrete casting by a point load applied at mid-span. During this period the specimens were monitored to collect information on their time-dependent behaviour. Extensive data was measured during the ultimate tests, i.e. deflection at quarter points, slip and strain readings. Standard coupon and cylinder tests provided the instantaneous material properties of the materials. Push-out tests were performed to obtain information on the response of the shear connectors. The measured ultimate strengths of the beams were greater than those calculated based on rigid-plastic analysis using the actual properties obtained from standard material tests. Although this information is very useful for the calibration of theoretical models and design recommendations, the main contribution of this paper is the recognition of the detrimental effects at service conditions of shrinkage in composite members incorporating a solid slab. This shrinkage was observed to cause the composite flexural stiffness to degenerate to the value calculated with no shear interaction for a certain range of loading.     

Full-scale long-term experiments of simply supported composite beams with solid slabs

This paper presents an experimental study aimed at the evaluation of the long-term behaviour of composite steel-concrete beams designed with partial shear connection formed by a steel joist and a solid concrete slab. Three full-scale simply supported beams with identical spans and cross-sections were prepared and tested. These specimens were designed as secondary beams of a typical composite flooring system based on Australian guidelines with the lowest permitted level of degree of shear connection of 0.5. They were cast simultaneously to enable comparisons with respect to pouring and loading conditions. One beam was cast un-propped and was kept unloaded for the whole duration of the long-term tests to measure shrinkage effects. The remaining two beams, cast under un-propped and propped conditions, respectively, were subjected to a sustained uniformly distributed load. Standard short-term and long-term tests were carried out to obtain the relevant material properties of both the steel and the concrete. Short-term and long-term push-out tests were carried out to obtain information on the response of the shear connectors. The experimental results were modelled by means of the finite element method. The time-dependent behaviour was depicted using a step-by-step procedure, while the steel joist and reinforcement were assumed to remain linear elastic. Two constitutive relationships were adopted for the shear connection, i.e., a linear-elastic one, and a new time-dependent one, to account for the long-term effects produced in the complex stress state of the concrete surrounding the shear connectors. The latter representation is intended to fall within the framework of simplified approaches suitable for design applications. Considerations of the accuracy of the numerical predictions are presented based on the two shear connection models.     

Full-scale long-term and ultimate experiments of simply-supported composite beams with steel deck

This paper presents the details of an experimental study carried out on two full-scale simply-supported composite steel-concrete beams to investigate their long-term behaviour and how this affects their ultimate response. The specimens were formed by a steel joist and a concrete slab with steel deck, and possessed identical spans and cross-sections. The ribs of the steel deck were orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the steel joist, representing a secondary beam of a typical composite building flooring system. The beams were designed based on Australian guidelines with a degree of shear connection equal to 0.79. The samples were cast using unpropped construction. One specimen was kept unloaded for the entire duration of the tests. The second one was subjected to a sustained uniformly distributed load for about four months, after which it was loaded to failure. Particular attention was placed in this study on the occurrence of non-uniform shrinkage through the concrete thickness due to the presence of the profiled sheeting which prevented moisture egress to occur from the underside of the slab. Short- and long-term push-out tests were carried out to measure the response of the shear connectors over time. An analytical model was recommended to predict the long-term behaviour of composite beams with steel deck and its adequacy was validated against the reported experiments. For its simplicity, the proposed approach lends itself for design applications.     

Evaluation of dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress using the scaled boundary finite-element method

A technique to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress is developed by extending the scaled boundary finite-element method. Only the boundary of the problem domain is discretized. The inertial effect at high frequencies is modeled by a continued fraction solution of the dynamic stiffness matrix without introducing an internal mesh. Standard time-stepping scheme is applied to perform response history analyses directly in the time domain. The internal displacement field is obtained by numerical integration after removing the stress singularity. The dynamic stress intensity factors and the T-stress are evaluated directly based on their definitions. No asymptotic solution around the singular point is required. Numerical examples of cracks in homogeneous and bi-material plates demonstrate the simplicity and accuracy of this technique.