sgen1: A generator of small but difficult satisfiability benchmarks

The satisfiability problem is known to be NP-Complete; therefore, there should be relatively small problem instances that take a very long time to solve. However, most of the smaller benchmarks that were once thought challenging, especially the satisfiable ones, can be processed quickly by modern SAT-solvers. We describe and make available a generator that produces both unsatisfiable and, more significantly, satisfiable formulae that take longer to solve than any others known. At the two most recent international SAT Competitions, the smallest unsolved benchmarks were created by this generator. We analyze the results of all solvers in the most recent competition when applied to these benchmarks and also present our own more focused experiments.

Synchrophasor Broadcast over Internet Protocol for Distributed Generator Synchronization

Synchronous islanded operation involves continuously holding an islanded power network in virtual synchronism with the main power system to aid paralleling and avoid potentially damaging out-of-synchronism reclosure. This requires phase control of the generators in the island and the transmission of a reference signal from a secure location on the main power system. Global positioning system (GPS) time-synchronized phasor measurements transmitted via an Internet protocol (IP) are used for the reference signal. However, while offering low cost and a readily available solution for distribution networks, IP communications have variable latency and are susceptible to packet loss, which can make time-critical control applications difficult. This paper investigates the ability of the phase-control system to tolerate communications latency. Phasor measurement conditioning algorithms that can tolerate latency are used in the phase-control loop of a 50-kVA diesel generator. © 2010 IEEE.

Methods and code for 'classical' age-modelling of radiocarbon sequences.

Age–depth models form the backbone of most palaeoenvironmental studies. However, procedures for constructing chronologies vary between studies, they are usually not explained sufficiently, and some are inadequate for handling calibrated radiocarbon dates. An alternative method based on importance sampling through calibrated dates is proposed. Dedicated R code is presented which works with calibrated radiocarbon as well as other dates, and provides a simple, systematic, transparent, documented and customizable alternative. The code automatically produces age–depth models, enabling exploration of the impacts of different assumptions (e.g., model type, hiatuses, age offsets, outliers, and extrapolation).

Decoupled-DFIG fault ride-through strategy for enhanced stability performance during grid faults

This paper proposes a decoupled fault ride-through strategy for a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) to enhance network stability during grid disturbances. The decoupled operation proposes that a DFIG operates as an induction generator (IG) with the converter unit acting as a reactive power source during a fault condition. The transition power characteristics of the DFIG have been analyzed to derive the capability of the proposed strategy under various system conditions. The optimal crowbar resistance is obtained to exploit the maximum power capability from the DFIG during decoupled operation. The methods have been established to ensure proper coordination between the IG mode and reactive power compensation from the grid-side converter during decoupled operation. The viability and benefits of the proposed strategy are demonstrated using different test network structures and different wind penetration levels. Control performance has been benchmarked against existing grid code standards and commercial wind generator systems, based on the optimal network support required (i.e., voltage or frequency) by the system operator from a wind farm installed at a particular location.

Relativistic plasma surfaces as an efficient second harmonic generator

We report on the characterization of the specular reflection of 50 fs laser pulses in the intensity range 10(17)-10(21)Wcm(-2) obliquely incident with p-polarization onto solid density plasmas. These measurements show that the absorbed energy fraction remains approximately constant and that second harmonic generation (SHG) achieves efficiencies of 22 +/- 8% for intensities approaching 10(21)Wcm(-2). A simple model based on the relativistic oscillating mirror concept reproduces the observed intensity scaling, indicating that this is the dominant process involved for these conditions. This method may prove to be superior to SHG by sum frequency mixing in crystals as it is free from dispersion and retains high spatial coherence at high intensity.

Adaptive Code Allocation for Interference Management on the Downlink of DS-CDMA Systems

A new technique based on adaptive code-to-user allocation for interference management on the downlink of BPSK based TDD DS-CDMA systems is presented. The principle of the proposed technique is to exploit the dependency of multiple access interference on the instantaneous symbol values of the active users. The objective is to adaptively allocate the available spreading sequences to users on a symbol-by-symbol basis to optimize the decision variables at the downlink receivers. The presented simulations show an overall system BER performance improvement of more than an order of a magnitude with the proposed technique while the adaptation overhead is kept less than 10% of the available bandwidth.

Two-Stage Transmitter Precoding Based on Data-Driven Code Hopping and Partial Zero Forcing Beamforming for MC-DCMA Communications

This paper proposes a hybrid transmission technique based on adaptive code-to-user allocation and linear precoding for the downlink of phase shift keying (PSK) based multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems. The proposed scheme is based on the separation of the instantaneous multiple access interference (MAI) into constructive and destructive components taking into account the dependency on both the channel variation and the instantaneous symbol values of the active users. The first stage of the proposed technique is to adaptively distribute the available spreading sequences to the users on a symbol-by-symbol basis in the form of codehopping with the objective to steer the users' instantaneous crosscorrelations to yield a favourable constructive to destructive MAI ratio. The second stage is to employ a partial transmitter based zero forcing (ZF) scheme specifically designed for the exploitation of constructive MAI. The partial ZF processing decorrelates destructive interferers, while users that interfere constructively remain correlated. This results in a signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) enhancement without the need for additional power-per-user investment. It will be shown in the results section that significant bit error rate (BER) performance benefits can be achieved with this technique.

Validation of fixed speed induction generator models for inertial response using wind farm measurements

This paper outlines the use of phasor measurement unit (PMU) records to validate models of fixed speed induction generator (FSIG)-based wind farms during frequency transients. Wind turbine manufacturers usually create their own proprietary models which they can supply to power system utilities for stability studies, subject to confidentiality agreements. However, it is desirable to confirm the accuracy of supplied models with measurements from the particular installation, in order to assess their validity under real field conditions. This is prudent due to possible changes in control algorithms and design retrofits, not accurately reflected or omitted in the supplied model. One important aspect of such models, especially for smaller power systems with limited inertia, is their accuracy during system frequency transients. This paper, therefore, assesses the accuracy of FSIG models with regard to frequency stability, and hence validates a subset of the model dynamics. Such models can then be used with confidence to assess wider system stability implications. The measured and simulated response of a wind farm using doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) technology is also assessed.