Application of fractional delay filters to tune the centre frequency location of single-band sigma-delta modulators

This paper presents a novel technique for the design of narrow-band sigma-delta modulators with an embedded tunable centre frequency mechanism. This method demonstrates that the use of sum filters combined with a fractional delayer provide the flexibility of tuning the noise shaping band for any desired variable centre frequency input signal.

Increasing the variability of centre frequency locations in multiple-band sigma-delta modulators via the use of fractional delay filters

This paper presents the design analysis of novel tunable narrow-band bandpass sigma-delta modulators, that can achieve concurrent multiple noise-shaping for multi-tone input signals. This approach utilises conventional comb filters in conjunction with FIR, or allpass IIR fractional delay filters, to deliver the desired nulls for the quantisation noise transfer function. Detailed simulation results show that FIR fractional delay comb filter based sigma-delta modulators tune accurately to most centre frequencies, but suffer from degraded resolution at frequencies close to Nyquist. However, superior accuracies are obtained from their allpass IIR fractional delay counterpart at the expense of a slight shift in noise-shaping bands at very high frequencies.

The challenge of managing airline delay costs

Estimates of airline delay costs as a function of delay magnitude are combined with fuel and (future) emissions charges to make cost-benefit trade-offs in the pre-departure and airborne phases. Hypothetical scenarios for the distribution of flow management slots are explored in terms of their cost and target-setting implications. The general superiority of passenger-centric metrics is of significance for delay measurement, although flight delays are still the only commonly-reported type of metric in both the US and Europe. There is a particular need for further research into reactionary (network) effects, especially with regard to passenger metrics and flow management delay.

Modelling the airline costs of delay propagation

Reactionary delays constitute nearly half of all delay minutes in Europe. A capped, multi-component model is presented for estimating reactionary delay costs, as a non-linear function of primary delay duration. Maximum Take-Off Weights, historically established as a charging mechanism, may be used to model delay costs. Current industry reporting on delay is flight-centric. Passenger-centric metrics are needed to better understand delay propagation. In ATM, it is important to take account of contrasting flight- and passenger-centric effects, caused by cancellations, for example. Costs to airlines and passenger disutility will both continue to be driven by delay relative to the original schedule.

Digital evidence as a means of proof before the International Court of Justice

This article discusses the use of digital evidence as a means of proof before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The absence of specific Court rules and procedures for digital evidence (with the exception of Practice Direction IX bis) is not necessarily an obstacle to its production and evaluation before the ICJ, as the general evidentiary rules can also be applied to digital evidence. The article first looks at the rules on the production of documentary evidence and then examines the specific issues related to audiovisual evidence. Finally, it examines the admissibility of digital evidence unlawfully obtained by a litigant through unilateral transborder access to data. The article concludes that, even if specific regulation may be needed as to the specific way in which authenticity and accuracy of digital evidence are to be established, the particular facts of the case and the grounds of challenge can vary widely, and it is doubtful that any regulation could be sufficiently flexible to deal with this in advance.