Evaluation Results of the Signal Decomposition Technique for OFDM Transmission which Achieves the Power‐Added Efficiency Improvement and the SNR Enhancement Using the Noise Elimination

The authors have proposed the signal decomposition technique as one of the powerful solution to mitigate the large peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) to be addressed in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmitters especially on mobile terminals. In order to enhance the receiver SNR, the simple noise elimination techniques working together with the signal decomposition technique have also been proposed that eliminates the noise added on the decomposed constant amplitude on‐off‐signals taking advantage of the knowledge of their constant amplitude at the receiver. In this paper, we discuss the parameter design issue of the proposed techniques and their optimization. Then, demonstrate the PAPR, the power‐added efficiency (PAE), and also the BER performances operating on the optimized parameters. It is confirmed that the proposed signal decomposition technique improves the PAPR by 4 dB and doubles the PAE at the complementary cumulative distribution function of 1%. It is also confirmed that the proposed noise elimination technique improves the receiver SNR by 3 dB at the BER of 10 to 3, which is nearly equal to that of conventional OFDM, under the conditions that the decomposed signals are transmitted over the independent additive white Gaussian noise channels. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the proposed techniques work properly when the decomposed signals are transmitted over 2 × 2 multi‐input multi‐output.     

Diagnosis Criterion of Abnormality of Transformer Winding by Frequency Response Analysis (FRA)

Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a powerful technique to detect internal abnormalities within power transformers. However, diagnosis criteria of power transformers by FRA have not been fully established yet. In this paper, a new evaluation method of degree of identification between two transfer functions is proposed. In the proposed method, a frequency window is employed and cross‐correlation factor is calculated with moving the window. Furthermore, the proposed method is applied to transfer functions of real transformers with or without some abnormalities. Based on this discussion, objective criteria for diagnosis of abnormalities of transformer windings by FRA are proposed. The proposed criteria are based on a few data of transformers with some abnormalities. Therefore, the proposed criteria are tentative and they would be improved by accumulation of further data.     

Consideration of Stretchable Dry Electrodes for Smart Shirts Aimed for Biological Signal Monitoring

Dry electrodes of a smart shirt for measuring biological signals were prepared by the additive printing method using a stretchable conductive paste with Ag fillers loading. Interfacial impedance between the electrode and skin depended on the contact pressure of electrode and the moisture of stratum corneum. When moisture of stratum corneum was more than 30%, ECG could be measured using the stretchable electrodes printed on a compression shirt. However, noise signal in the ECG signal increased when the moisture of stratum corneum was less than 30%. To solve this problem, we propose to use additional electrodes made of an electrically conductive kneaded rubber.     

A LRT Control Method Using Sensor Information in Distribution Systems with a Large Amount of PVs and EVs

It is of prime importance to maintain voltage profile within the proper range in distribution systems with a large amount of photovoltaics and electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, there is a possibility that line drop compensation (LDC) logic, which is utilized for the control of load ratio tap transformer (LRT) does not work properly when reverse power flow is included partially. Hence, in this paper, we have developed a new LRT control method based on the sensor information supposing that some section switchgears with sensors are introduced in the future distribution systems. Specifically, the extreme value of voltage profile is estimated by convergence calculation in the section between the section switchgear with sensor and LRT. Moreover, the voltage at the end node can be estimated by LDC method using sensor information of section switchgear. The proposed method was tested using a distribution system model and its effectiveness was shown.     

Effects of Bismuth Sesquioxide on the Characteristics of ZnO Varistors

The nonlinearity of ZnO varistors is significantly influenced by the Bi₂O₃ and Sb₂O₃ contents, as well as by the phase composition of the Bi₂O₃. Degradation of the current-voltage characteristics due to the applied voltage is not always lowered by the β—γ transition of the Bi₂O₃ phase. Lattice parameter determinations and stress analyses suggest that the Bi₂O₃-rich phase in multigrain junctions causes mechanical strain at the grain boundary which may play an important role in the current-voltage characteristics of ZnO varistors.     

Alpha-Helical Structure of Fish Actomyosin: Changes during Setting

Participation of the α-helix in setting was investigated using circular dichroism. The α-helicity of the actomyosin from eight species of fish decreased during incubation at 30°C or at 40°C. The extent and pattern of decrease differed among species. When rate of decrease was plotted vs rate of increase in strength of gel preincubated at 30°C or at 40°C, the two factors correlated closely. We propose that the unfolding of α-helix initiated setting.     

Quantitative Analysis of Monoclinic-Stabilized Cubic ZrO2 Systems by X-Ray Diffraction

An equation for a nonlinear calibration curve of volume fraction vs integrated intensity ratio is presented for monoclinic-stabilized cubic ZrO₂ systems containing YO_1.5, CaO, and MgO. A parameter in the equation was evaluated theoretically and is given for a range of cubic solid solution compositions.     

Reaction Kinetics in the Hydrothermal Oxidation of Hf

The hydrothermal oxidation of Hf was studied using metal powders and chips to change the surface-area effect. Fine monoclinic HfO₂ powders (32 to 34 nm) were formed through two parallel reaction paths, one the oxidation of Hf with H₂O and the other the consecutive reaction via formation of Hf hydride. Based on the experimental results at 500°C under 100 MPa, three reaction rate constants were determined for two kinds of starting materials. The relative widths of two paths were proved to be independent of the size of starting materials, and the pulverization and oxidation of both metal powders and chips could be explained by the same mechanism, where the formation of hydride was a driving force in pulverization.     

Effects of Antimony Oxide on the Characteristics of ZnO Varistors

The breakdown voltage, the upturn voltage, and the nonlinearity of the ZnO varistors are significantly influenced by the Sb₂O₃ and SiO₂ contents, as well as by the β→γ transition of the Bi₂O₃ phase. The lattice parameter of spinel is influenced by the coexisting Bi₂O₃ phase. Antimony oxide disperses into the powders of ZnO and other additives in the early stage of sintering, and finally gathers again as particles of spinel which may play an important role in the improvement of the nonlinearity by stressing the interfaces of two ZnO grains.