Second-order cyclostationarity-based detection and classification of LTE SC-FDMA signals for cognitive radio

Cognitive radio (CR) was developed for utilizing the spectrum bands efficiently. Spectrum sensing and awareness represent main tasks of a CR, providing the possibility of exploiting the unused bands. In this thesis, we investigate the detection and classification of Long Term Evolution (LTE) single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) signals, which are used in uplink LTE, with applications to cognitive radio. We explore the second-order cyclostationarity of the LTE SC-FDMA signals, and apply results obtained for the cyclic autocorrelation function to signal detection and classification (in other words, to spectrum sensing and awareness). The proposed detection and classification algorithms provide a very good performance under various channel conditions, with a short observation time and at low signal-to-noise ratios, with reduced complexity. The validity of the proposed algorithms is verified using signals generated and acquired by laboratory instrumentation, and the experimental results show a good match with computer simulation results.

Scope & nature of young sudden cardiac death in Newfoundland & Labrador

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people (ages 2-40) is a tragedy for families and communities alike. It has multiple causes, one of which is an underlying genetic arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. A study from Ontario (ON) using a 2008 cohort assessed the incidence of SCD in persons aged 2-40 years to be 2.64/100,000 person-years. We hypothesized that Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) may have a higher incidence of early SCD in ages 2-40 due to possible underlying genetic causes given the historical genetic isolation of the population and the founder mutations already identified (ex. PKP2, RYR2, TMEM43). Methods: We ascertained cases of sudden death from the comprehensive Medical Examiners’ provincial database for the years 2008 and 1997; 2008 as a direct comparison to ON, and 1997 as it represented a time when the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was not available in NL. Each case of sudden death was individually analyzed to determine likelihood of SCD. Results: There were 119 cases in 2008 and 157 cases in 1997. The incidence of SCD for ages 2-40 in 2008 was 7.32/100,000 persons. This was significantly higher than the incidence in Ontario. The incidence of SCD was not significantly higher in 1997 than 2008. Coronary artery disease was a major cause of death in all cohorts, similar to Ontario (non-significant difference). Conclusion: In general, there was a trend of more arrhythmogenic deaths in the young and more structural cardiac deaths as age increased. This reflects the cause of SCD in the young is often genetic in nature, while older deaths are often due to coronary artery disease, a disease heavily influenced by environment. To conclude, SCD in NL occurs at a higher incidence than ON, further research is needed on the topic.