Rate Scheduling for HSDPA in UMTS

The introduction of a new technology High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) in the Release 5 of the 3GPP specifications raises the question about its performance capabilities. HSDPA is a promising technology which gives theoretical rates up to 14.4 Mbits. The main objective of this thesis is to discuss the system level performance of HSDPAMainly the thesis exploration focuses on the Packet Scheduler because it is the central entity of the HSDPA design. Due to its function, the Packet Scheduler has a direct impact on the HSDPA system performance. Similarly, it also determines the end user performance, and more specifically the relative performance between the users in the cell.The thesis analyzes several Packet Scheduling algorithms that can optimize the trade-off between system capacity and end user performance for the traffic classes targeted in this thesis.The performance evaluation of the algorithms in the HSDPA system are carried out under computer aided simulations that are assessed under realistic conditions to predict the results as precise on the algorithms efficiency. The simulation of the HSDPA system and the algorithms are coded in C/C++ language

Gamers preferenser för användargränssnitt på en spelrelaterad webbplats

Användargränssnittsdesign är en stor del av en webbsidas intryck och förändras snabbt i takt med teknologins utveckling och trender. Men det gäller även att locka rätt användare. Hur lockar en webbsida till sig rätt målgrupp? Målet med rapporten var att analysera målgruppen gamers utifrån hur de upplever det grafiska användargränssnittet på en spelrelaterad webbsida. Rapporten behandlar även översiktitligt om aktuella trender för webbdesign tilltalar gamers. Undersökningen utfördes i två delar. I den första delen undersöktes 20 av de största spelrelaterade webbsidornas användargränssnitt. Under del två genomfördes en enkät och intervjuer med målgruppen gamers. I både enkäten och intervjuerna fick respondenterna ta ställning till olika mockups av en fiktiv webbsida. Det var stor skillnad på vad gamers ansåg vara tilltalande jämfört med hur de analyserade webbsidorna såg ut. Exempelvis var endast 25 % av de analyserade webbsidorna mörka medan 71,9 % av respondenterna föredrog en mörk layout.

E-learning opens the door to the global community. Novice users experiences of e-learning in a Somali University

E-learning has become one of the primary ways of delivering education around the globe. In Somalia, which is a country torn within and from the global community by a prolonged civil war, University of Hargeisa has in collaboration with Dalarna University in Sweden adopted, for the first time, e-learning. This study explores barriers and facilitators to e-learning usage, experienced by students in Somalia’s higher education, using the University of Hargeisa as case study. Interviews were conducted with students to explore how University of Hargeisa’s novice users perceived elearning, and what factors positively and negatively affected their e-learning experiences. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used as a framework for interpreting the results. The findings show that, in general, the students have a very positive attitude towards e-learning, and they perceived that e-learning enhanced their educational experience. The communication aspect was found to be especially important for Somali students, as it facilitated a feeling of belonging to the global community of students and scholars and alleviated the war-torn country’s isolation. However, some socio-cultural aspects of students’ communities negatively affected their e-learning experience. This study ends with recommendations based on the empirical findings to promote the use and enhance the experience of e-learning in post conflict Somali educational institutions

Implementation of Video Monitoring In Aluminium Industry

The aim was to evaluate results and experiences from development of new technology, a training program and implementation of strategies for the use of a video exposure monitoring method, PIMEX. Starting point of this study is an increased incidence of asthma among workers in the aluminium industry. Exposure peaks of fumes are supposed to play an important role. PIMEX makes it possible to link used work practice, use of control technology, and so forth to peaks. Nine companies participated in the project, which was divided into three parts, development of PIMEX technology, production of training material, and training in use of equipment and related strategies. The use of the video exposure monitoring method PIMEX offers prerequisites supporting workers participation in safety activities. The experiences from the project reveal the importance of good timing of primary training, technology development, technical support, and follow up training. In spite of a delay of delivery of the new technology, representatives from the participating companies declared that the experiences showed that PIMEX gave an important contribution for effective control of hazards in the companies. Eight out of nine smelters used the PIMEX method as a part of a strategy for control of workers exposure to fumes in potrooms. Possibilities to conduct effective control measures were identified. This article describes experiences from implementation of a, for this branch, new method supporting workers participation for workplace improvements.