Space-time processing for wireless communications

Space-time processing can improve network capacity, coverage, and quality by reducing co-channel interference (CCI) while enhancing diversity and array gain. This article focuses largely on the receive (mobile-to-base station) time-division multiple access (TDMA) (nonspread modulation) application for high-mobility networks. We describe a large (macro) cell propagation channel and discuss different physical effects such as path loss, fading delay spread, angle spread, and Doppler spread. We also develop a signal model incorporating channel effects. Both forward-link (transmit) and reverse-link (receive) channels are considered and the relationship between the two is discussed. Single- and multiuser models are treated for four important space-time processing problems, and the underlying spatial and temporal structure are discussed as are different algorithmic approaches to reverse link space-time professing with blind and nonblind methods for single- and multiple-user cases. We cover forward-link space-time algorithms and we outline methods for estimation of multipath parameters. We also discuss applications of space-time processing to CDMA, applications of space-time techniques to current cellular systems, and industry trends     

Antenna selection for spatial multiplexing systems with linearreceivers

Future cellular systems will employ spatial multiplexing with multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to take advantage of large capacity gains. In such systems it will be desirable to select a subset of available transmit antennas for link initialization, maintenance or handoff. We present a criterion for selecting the optimal antenna subset when linear, coherent receivers are used over a slowly varying channel. We propose use of the post-processing SNRs (signal to noise ratios) of the multiplexed streams whereby the antenna subset that induces the largest minimum SNR is chosen. Simulations demonstrate that our selection algorithm also provides diversity advantage thus making linear receivers useful over fading channels     

Application of Artificial Neural Network Modelling for Optimization of Yb: YAG Laser Welding of Nitinol

This article presents the investigation of Ytterbium: Yttrium aluminium garnet (Yb: YAG) laser welding of NiTinol sheet of thickness 1 mm. Welding speed, shielding gas blown distance, focal position, laser power were selected as input parameters and depth of penetration, bead width, hardness, corrosion current density were measured as performance characteristics. Experiment was designed based on L9 Taguchi design with 4 factors and 3 levels in each factor. Modelling was done using artificial neural network in four learning algorithms namely batch back propagation, quick propagation, incremental back propagation and Legvenberg-Marquardt back propagation. A comparison was made between these learning algorithms and it was found that based on least error, Legvenberg-Marquardt model was the best learning algorithm. Genetic algorithm was implemented for predicting the optimised laser welding parameters in joining NiTinol and the confirmation test results were in good agreement with the predicted results.     

Optimization of Process Parameters to Improve Form and Orientation Tolerances in EDM of MoSi2-SiC Composites

In this research, an investigation and experimental work were carried out on electric discharge machining (EDM) of intermetallic base MoSi₂-SiC ceramic composite with copper electrode. It is extremely difficult to machine MoSi₂-SiC composite using conventional machining techniques. However, it can be easily machined by executing spark EDM parameters to induce the correct optimum result. These composites find their application in high-temperature environments, viz. fuel turbo pump rotors, inlet nozzles, combustion chambers, injectors, nozzle throats, and nozzle extensions. The sparking parameters, namely current (I), pulse on time (T_on), pulse off time (T_off), spark gap (SG), and dielectric pressure (DP), were investigated by L₁₈ orthogonal array. The optimal process parameters were determined by the grey relational grade (GRG) obtained through the grey relational analysis (GRA) for multiple performance characteristics, viz. material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), circularity (CIR), cylindricity (CYL), and perpendicularity (PER). The significant process parameters were obtained by analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on GRG, which showed current, pulse on time, and DP. The results were finally established using a confirmatory experiment, which showed the spark eroding process could effectively be improved.     

Nitrates-melt synthesized LiNi0·8Co0·2O2 and its performance as cathode in Li-ion cells

Layered LiNi_0·8Co_0·2O₂ crystallizing in R $\bar 3$ m space group is synthesized by decomposing the constituent metal-nitrate precursors. Oxidizing nature of metal nitrates stabilizes nickel in +3 oxidation state, enabling a high degree of cation ordering in the layered LiNi_0·8Co_0·2O₂. The powder sample characterized by XRD Rietveld refinement reveals < 2% Li-Ni site exchange in the layers. Scanning electron microscopic studies on the as-synthesized LiNi_0·8Co_0·2O₂ sample reflect well defined particles of cubic morphology with particle size ranging between 200 and 250 nm. Cyclic voltammograms suggest that LiNi_0·8Co_0·2O₂ undergoes phase transformation on first charge with resultant phase being completely reversible in subsequent cycles. The first-charge-cycle phase transition is further supported by impedance spectroscopy that shows substantial reduction in resistance during initial de-intercalation. Galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles reflect a first-discharge capacity of 184 mAh g^?1 which is stabilized at 170 mAh g^?1 over 50 cycles.     

Optimization of friction welding parameters using evolutionary computational techniques

The purpose of this study is to propose a method to decide near optimal settings of the welding process parameters in friction welding of stainless steel (AISI 304) by using non conventional techniques and artificial neural network (ANN). The methods suggested in this study were used to determine the welding process parameters by which the desired tensile strength and minimized metal loss were obtained in friction welding. This study describes how to obtain near optimal welding conditions over a wide search space by conducting relatively a smaller number of experiments. The optimized values obtained through these evolutionary computational techniques were compared with experimental results. The strength and microstructural aspects of the processed joints were also analyzed to validate the optimization.     

On the capacity of OFDM-based spatial multiplexing systems

This paper deals with the capacity behavior of wireless orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based spatial multiplexing systems in broad-band fading environments for the case where the channel is unknown at the transmitter and perfectly known at the receiver. Introducing a physically motivated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broad-band fading channel model, we study the influence of physical parameters such as the amount of delay spread, cluster angle spread, and total angle spread, and system parameters such as the number of antennas and antenna spacing on ergodic capacity and outage capacity. We find that, in the MIMO case, unlike the single-input single-output (SISO) case, delay spread channels may provide advantages over flat fading channels not only in terms of outage capacity but also in terms of ergodic capacity. Therefore, MIMO delay spread channels will in general provide both higher diversity gain and higher multiplexing gain than MIMO flat fading channels     

Role of Leu-beta 88 in the hydrophobic acceptor pocket for Val-beta 6 during hemoglobin S polymerization

X-ray crystallographic studies indicate that the hydrophobic acceptor pocket made by E and F helices involving Leu-beta 88 and Phe-beta 85 is critical for the formation of stable hydrophobic interactions with Val-beta 6 on an adjacent deoxy-hemoglobin (Hb) S tetramer. Ala and Phe substitutions at the beta 88 position in Hb S were made using a yeast expression system in an effort to clarify the role of Leu-beta 88 in creating a suitable acceptor site for Val-beta 6 during polymerization of Hb S. Both Ala- and Phe-beta 88 substitutions in Hb S inhibited polymerization compared with Hb S. Critical concentrations for polymerization of alpha 2 beta 2 Val-6,Ala-88 and alpha 2 beta 2Val-6,Phe-88 were 6- and 10-fold higher, respectively, than that of Hb S (alpha 2 beta 2Val-6,Leu-88). Deoxy-Hb S containing Phe-beta 88 polymerized without a delay time like Trp-beta 6- and Phe-beta 6-substituted hemoglobins (Adachi, K., Konitzer, P., Kim, J., Welch, N., and Surrey, S. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21650-21656). In contrast, oversaturated deoxy-Hb S containing Ala-beta 88 also polymerized without a delay time; however, with decreasing hemoglobin concentrations, the kinetics of polymerization were biphasic. At lower hemoglobin concentrations, closer to the critical concentration for polymerization, deoxy-Hb S containing Ala-beta 88 polymerized after a distinct delay time. These results suggest that bulky beta 88 hydrophobic replacements like Phe may sterically inhibit insertion of Val-beta 6 into the acceptor pocket. In contrast, smaller sized, less hydrophobic amino acids like Ala compared with Leu-beta 88 may allow insertion of Val-beta 6 into the acceptor pocket but may not promote stable protein-protein interactions with an adjacent Hb molecule. Stereospecificity and hydrophobicity of the Val-beta 6 hydrophobic acceptor pocket as well as the beta 6 amino acid are, therefore, critical for polymerization of deoxy-Hb S.     

MIMO antenna subset selection with space-time coding

This paper treats multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna subset selection employing space-time coding. We consider two cases differentiated based on the type of channel knowledge used in the selection process. We address both the selection algorithms and the performance analysis. We first consider the case when the antenna subsets are selected based on exact channel knowledge (ECK). Our results assume the transmission of orthogonal space-time block codes (with emphasis on the Alamouti (see IEEE J. Select. Areas Commun., vol.16, p.1451-68, Oct. 1998) code). Next, we treat the case of antenna subset selection when statistical channel knowledge (SCK) is employed by the selection algorithm. This analysis is applicable to general space-time coding schemes. When ECK is available, we show that the selection algorithm chooses the antenna set that maximizes the channel Frobenius norm leading to both coding and diversity gain. When SCK is available, the selection algorithm chooses the antenna set that maximizes the determinant of the covariance of the vectorized channel leading mostly to a coding gain. In case of ECK-based selection, we provide analytical expressions for average SNR and outage probability improvement. For the case when SCK-based selection is used, we derive expressions for coding gain. We also present extensive simulation studies, validating our results.