A DSP-based mixed-signal waveform generator

As it currently stands, waveform generators are being employed in many diverse areas, such as radar applications, communication systems, simulation, and testing. There is considerable interest in exploring the beacon of opportunity posed by using digital signal processor (DSP)-based systems to replace costly and inadequate conventional waveform generators. The availability of high performance DSPs allows for the design of highly flexible equipment capable of real-time processing. The arbitrary waveform generator introduced in this paper consists of a DSP, a FIFO memory, a video palette, and a PC interface. A program running on the PC creates a digital representation of a waveform according to user parameters and sends it to the DSP's RAM. The DSP algorithmically converts the digital representation to a point-by-point representation of the desired analog signal. The data points are sent to the FIFO buffer, which latches the data to a video palette that serves a three-channel digital-to-analog converter. The system employs a high-speed serial port interface to communicate with a PC, to allow for readily programmed signals. In addition to the production of traditional signals, such as sinusoids and squarewaves, a mathematical tool known as splines is employed to aid in the development of customized arbitrary waveforms. Finally, a picture of our new device is presented in the paper.     

Magnetic properties of biosynthesized magnetite nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles, which are unique because of both structural and functional elements, have various novel applications. The popularity and practicality of nanoparticle materials create a need for a synthesis method that produces quality particles in sizable quantities. This paper describes such a method, one that uses bacterial synthesis to create nanoparticles of magnetite. The thermophilic bacterial strain Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus TOR-39 was incubated under anaerobic conditions at 65/spl deg/C for two weeks in aqueous solution containing Fe ions from a magnetite precursor (akaganeite). Magnetite particles formed outside of bacterial cells. We verified particle size and morphology by using dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Average crystallite size was 45 nm. We characterized the magnetic properties by using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer; a saturation magnetization of 77 emu/g was observed at 5 K. These results are comparable to those for chemically synthesized magnetite nanoparticles.     

Crystallite sizes and lattice parameters of nano-biomagnetite particles

Average crystallite sizes of microbially synthesized pure, metal-, and lanthanide-substituted magnetite (bio-magnetite) were determined for a variety of incubation times and temperatures, substitutional elements and amounts, bacterial species, and precursor types. The intriguing difference between nanoparticle bio-magnetite and chemically synthesized magnetite (chem-magnetite) was that powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed that the bio-magnetite exhibited slightly smaller lattice parameters, however, Raman Spectroscopy exhibited no difference in Fe-O bonding. These results indicate that bio-magnetite likely exhibits a more compact crystal structure with less uncoordinated iron on the surface suppressing negative pressure effects. The bio-magnetite with decreased lattice parameters could have potential technological advantages over current commercial chemically synthesized magnetites.     

DSP-based hierarchical neural network modulation signal classification

This paper discusses a real-time digital signal processor (DSP)-based hierarchical neural network classifier capable of classifying both analog and digital modulation signals. A high-performance DSP processor, namely the TMS320C6701, is utilized to implement different kinds of classifiers including a hierarchical neural network classifier. A total of 31 statistical signal features are extracted and used to classify 11 modulation signals plus white noise. The modulation signals include CW, AM, FM, SSB, FSK2, FSK4, PSK2, PSK4, OOK, QAM16, and QAM32. A classification hierarchy is introduced and the genetic algorithm is employed to obtain the most effective set of features at each level of the hierarchy. The classification results and the number of operations on the DSP processor indicate the effectiveness of the introduced hierarchical neural network classifier in terms of both classification rate and processing time.     

Interaction of bilirubin and indocyanine green with the binding and conjugation of sulfobromophthalein by rat liver cytosol proteins

The interaction of bilirubin and indocyanine green with sulfobromophthalein (BSP) binding and conjugation by rat liver cytosol proteins was studied. BSP bound to cytosol proteins X, ligandin and Z and the BSP-glutathione conjugate were isolated by sephadex gel chromatography. Neither bilirubin nor indocyanine green affected the binding of BSP to ligandin and Z protein. However, indocyanine green did significantly reduce BSP conjugation in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Diethyl maleate significantly reduced liver glutathione levels and BSP conjugation. It is suggested that indocyanine gree competitively binds at the ligandin catalytic site whereas the primary binding site for bilirubin is probably a noncatalytic site.     

Modeling and analysis of soft-test/repair for CCD-based digital X-ray systems

Modern X-ray imaging systems evolve toward digitization for reduced cost, faster time-to-diagnosis, and improved diagnostic confidence. For the digital X-ray systems, charge coupled device (CCD) technology is commonly used to detect and digitize optical X-ray image. This paper presents a novel soft-test/repair approach to overcome the defective pixel problem in CCD-based digital X-ray systems through theoretical modeling and analysis of the test/repair process. There are two possible solutions to cope with the defective pixel problem in CCDs: one is the hard-repair approach and another is the proposed soft-test/repair approach. Hard-repair approach employs a high-yield, expensive reparable CCD to minimize the impact of hard defects on the CCD, which occur in the form of noise propagated through A/D converter to the frame memory. Therefore, less work is needed to filter and correct the image at the end-user level while it maybe exceedingly expensive to practice. On the other hand, the proposed soft-test/repair approach is to detect and tolerate defective pixels at the digitized image level; thereby, it is inexpensive to practice and on-line repair can be done for noninterrupted service. It tests the images to detect the detective pixels and filter noise at the frame memory level and caches them in a flash memory in the controller for future repair. The controller cache keeps accumulating all the noise coordinates and preprocesses the incoming image data from the A/D converter by repairing them. The proposed soft-test/repair approach is particularly devised to facilitate hardware level implementation ultimately for real-time telediagnosis. Parametric simulation results demonstrate the speed and virtual yield enhancement by using the proposed approach; thereby highly reliable, yet inexpensive, soft-test/repair of CCD-based digital X-ray systems can be ultimately realized.     

Development of a low cost fuel cell inverter system with DSP control

In this paper, the development of a low cost fuel cell inverter system is detailed. The approach consists of a three-terminal push-pull dc-dc converter to boost the fuel cell voltage (48V) to /spl plusmn/200 VDC. A four switch [insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)] inverter is employed to produce 120-V/240-V, 60-Hz ac outputs. High performance, easy manufacturability, lower component count, safety and cost are addressed. Protection and diagnostic features form an important part of the design. Another highlight of the proposed design is the control strategy, which allows the inverter to adapt to the requirements of the load as well as the power source (fuel cell). A unique aspect of the design is the use of the TMS320LF2407 DSP to control the inverter. Two sets of lead-acid batteries are provided on the high voltage dc bus to supply sudden load demands. Efficient and smooth control of the power drawn from the fuel cell and the high voltage battery is achieved by controlling the front end dc-dc converter in current mode. The paper details extensive experimental results of the proposed design on Department of Energy (DoE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) fuel cell.