Performance analysis of OFDM system with transmit antenna selection using delayed feedback

We consider orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in a multiple input single output (MISO) system. In the presence of spatially uncorrelated time-varying frequency selective channel, we use subcarrier by subcarrier antenna selection using delayed feedback. We derive closed-form expressions for the pdf of the received SNR and BER for MQAM constellation. The expressions have been obtained as a function of the correlation (ρ) between perfect channel state information (CSI) and delayed CSI, where 0 ≤ ρ ≤ 1. We have verified our analytical expressions by comparing them with simulation results. We have also reduced the BER expression for some special cases and compared them with the results available in the literature. We conclude that the diversity gain of the considered system is reduced to one for ρ < 1, i.e. not having perfect antenna selection for each subcarrier. However, we get some coding gain compared to single input single output system, the coding gain reduces with decreasing the correlation.     

Chemical Ecology of the host searching behavior in an Egg Parasitoid: are Common Chemical Cues exploited to locate hosts in Taxonomically Distant Plant Species?

Parasitoids are known to exploit volatile cues emitted by plants after herbivore attack to locate their hosts. Feeding and oviposition of a polyphagous herbivore can induce the emission of odor blends that differ among distant plant species, and parasitoids have evolved an incredible ability to discriminate them and locate their hosts relying on olfactive cues. We evaluated the host searching behavior of the egg parasitoid Cosmocomoidea annulicornis (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in response to odors emitted by two taxonomically distant host plants, citrus and Johnson grass, after infestation by the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis. Olfactory response of female parasitoids toward plants with no herbivore damage and plants with feeding damage, oviposition damage, and parasitized eggs was tested in a Y-tube olfactometer. In addition, volatiles released by the two host plant species constitutively and under herbivore attack were characterized. Females of C. annulicornis were able to detect and significantly preferred plants with host eggs, irrespectively of plant species. However, wasps were unable to discriminate between plants with healthy eggs and those with eggs previously parasitized by conspecifics. Analysis of plant volatiles induced after sharpshooter attack showed only two common volatiles between the two plant species, indole and β-caryophyllene. Our results suggest that this parasitoid wasp uses common chemical cues released by many different plants after herbivory at long range and, once on the plant, other more specific chemical cues could trigger the final decision to oviposit.

     

REFLICS: Real-time flow imaging and classification system

An accurate analysis of a large dynamic system like our oceans requires spatially fine and temporally matched data collection methods. Current methods to estimate fish stock size from pelagic (marine) fish egg abundance by using ships to take point samples of fish eggs have large margins of error due to spatial and temporal undersampling. The real-time flow imaging and classification system (REFLICS) enhances fish egg sampling by obtaining continuous, accurate information on fish egg abundance as the ship cruises along in the area of interest. REFLICS images the dynamic flow with a progressive-scan area camera (60 frames/s) and a synchronized strobe in backlighting configuration. Digitization and processing occur on a dual-processor Pentium II PC and a pipeline-based image-processing board. REFLICS uses a segmentation algorithm to locate fish-egg-like objects in the image and then a classifier to determine fish egg, species, and development stage (age). We present an integrated system design of REFLICS and performance results. REFLICS can perform in real time (60 Hz), classify fish eggs with low false negative rates on real data collected from a cruise, and work in harsh conditions aboard ships at sea. REFLICS enables cost-effective, real-time assessment of pelagic fish eggs for research and management. Received: 12 April 2000 / Accepted: 6 July 2000     

Interface pattern formation in nonlinear dissipative systems

The problem of interface pattern selection in nonlinear dissipative systems is critical in many fields of science, occurring in physical, chemical and biological systems. One of the simplest pattern formations is the Saffman-Taylor finger pattern that forms when a viscous fluid is displaced by a less viscous fluid. Such finger-shaped patterns have been observed in distinctly different fields of science (hydrodynamics, combustion and crystal growth) and this has led to a search for a unified concept of pattern formation, as first proposed by the classic work of D'arcy Thomson. Two-dimensional finger-shaped patterns, observed in flame fronts and the ensembled average shape of the diffusion-limited aggregation pattern, have been shown to be similar to Saffman-Taylor finger shapes. Here we present experimental studies that establish that the cell shapes formed during directional solidification of alloys can be described by the form of the Saffman-Taylor finger shape equation when a second phase is present in the intercellular region.     

Generalized Multiple Baseline Stereo and Direct Virtual View Synthesis Using Range-Space Search, Match, and Render

A new range-space approach is described for synergistic resolution of both stereovision and reflectance (visual) modeling problems simultaneously. This synergistic approach can be applied to arbitrary camera arrangements with different intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, image types, image resolutions, and image number. These images are analyzed in a step-wise manner to extract 3-D range measurements and also to render a customized perspective view. The entire process is fully automatic. An extensive and detailed experimental validation phase supports the basic feasibility and generality of the Range-Space Approach.     

Effect of thermosolutal convection on microstructure formation in the Pb-Bi peritectic system

Experimental studies have been conducted in the two-phase region of the Pb-Bi peritectic system to investigate the effect of thermosolutal convection on the banded microstructure. A systematic study is carried out by varying convection effects through the use of thin cylindrical samples of different diameters. A strong oscillatory convection is found in a 6.0-mm-diameter sample that produces a large treelike primary phase in the center of the sample that is surrounded by the peritectic phase matrix. The length of the treelike structure is found to decrease as the diameter of a sample is reduced to 0.8 mm. When the sample diameter is further reduced to 0.4 mm, laminar flow is present that gives rise to discrete bands of the two phases. The banded microstructure, however, is found to be transient and only the peritectic phase forms after a few bands. Composition variations in the banded structure are measured to determine the nucleation undercoolings for both phases and to characterize the banding cycle. The banding cycle is determined by the nucleation undercoolings and is independent of convection in the melt, but the banding window closely depends on convection. The presence of the transient banding process is analyzed by using a boundary layer model, and the number of transient bands is found to agree with the model for samples of different compositions and lengths.     

An improved approach to application-specific power electronicseducation-switch characterization and modeling

An integrated power electronics curriculum has been implemented in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago. This paper describes the development of a set of hands-on laboratory experiments to accompany classroom lectures. Content is based on switching converter topologies and commercial power semiconductor devices. Unlike most experiments, which focus on circuit- or control-level characteristics, our approach emphasizes the circuit-device-load interactions. The concept presented is innovative in that it creates a 3×3 matrix of experiment variation-devices, circuits-control, and machines-loads-with one set of hardware. The lab development is ongoing with future experiments to address three-phase converters and motor control applications. Experiment content is described, as well as the means by which the material has been integrated within the course sequence. Lab station construction and safety issues are also addressed. The experiments require hands-on measurement and circuit connection and complement the established course elements of theory and computer-based circuit modeling. Laboratory experiments and computer simulations collectively provide quantitative evidence of mixed circuit and device optimization