Capacity approaching codes for non-coherent orthogonal modulation

This paper describes a curve-fitting approach for the design of capacity approaching coded modulation for orthogonal signal sets with non-coherent detection. In particular, bit-interleaved coded modulation with iterative decoding is considered. Decoder metrics are developed that do not require knowledge of the signal-to-noise ratio, yet still offer very good performance. © 2007 IEEE.

Comparison of constructions of irregular Gallager codes

The low-density parity check codes whose performance is closest to the Shannon limit are `Gallager codes' based on irregular graphs. We compare alternative methods for constructing these graphs and present two results. First, we find a `super-Poisson' construction which gives a small improvement in empirical performance over a random construction. Second, whereas Gallager codes normally take N2 time to encode, we investigate constructions of regular and irregular Gallager codes that allow more rapid encoding and have smaller memory requirements in the encoder. We find that these `fast encoding' Gallager codes have equally good performance.

Weaknesses of Margulis and Ramanujan-Margulis low-density parity-check codes

We report weaknesses in two algebraic constructions of low-density parity-check codes based on expander graphs. The Margulis construction gives a code with near-codewords, which cause problems for the sum-product decoder; The Ramanujan-Margulis construction gives a code with low-weight codewords, which produce an error-floor. © 2004 Elsevier B.V.

Performance of low density parity check codes as a function of actual and assumed noise levels

We investigate how sensitive Gallager's codes are, when decoded by the sum-product algorithm, to the assumed noise level. We have found a remarkably simple function that fits the empirical results as a function of the actual noise level at both high and low noise levels. © 2004 Elsevier B.V.

Performance of low density parity check codes as a function of actual and assumed noise levels

We investigate how sensitive Gallager's codes are, when decoded by the sum-product algorithm, to the assumed noise level. We have found a remarkably simple function that fits the empirical results as a function of the actual noise level at both high and low noise levels. ©2003 Published by Elsevier Science B. V.

Weaknesses of margulis and ramanujan-margulis low-density parity-check codes

We report weaknesses in two algebraic constructions of low-density parity-check codes based on expander graphs. The Margulis construction gives a code with near-codewords, which cause problems for the sum-product decoder; The Ramanujan-Margulis construction gives a code with low-weight codewords, which produce an error-floor. ©2003 Published by Elsevier Science B. V.

Transmission Electron Microscopy Characterization of Laser Welding Cast Ni-Based Superalloy K418 Turbo Disk And Alloy Steel 42Crmo Shaft

Microstructure characterization is important for controlling the quality of laser welding. In the present work, a detailed microstructure characterization by transmission electron microscopy was carried out on the laser welding cast Ni-based superalloy K418 turbo disk and alloy steel 42CrMo shaft and an unambiguous identification of phases in the weldment was accomplished. It was found that there are gamma-FeCrNiC austenite solid solution dendrites as the matrix, (Nb, Ti) C type MC carbides, fine and dispersed Ni-3 Al gamma' phase as well as Laves particles in the interdendritic region of the seam zone. A brief discussion was given for their existence based on both kinetic and thermodynamic principles. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Research on laser welding of cast Ni-based superalloy K418 turbo disk and alloy steel 42CrMo shaft

Exploratory experiments of laser welding cast Ni-based superalloy K418 turbo disk and alloy steel 42CrMo shaft were conducted. Microstructure of the welded seam was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Mechanical properties of the welded seam were evaluated by microhardness and tensile strength testing. The corresponding mechanisms were discussed in detail. Results showed that the laser-welded seam had non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of FeCr0.29Ni0.16C0.06 austenite solid solution dendrites as the dominant and some fine and dispersed Ni3Al gamma' phase and Laves particles as well as little amount of MC short stick or particle-like carbides distributed in the interdendritic regions. The average microhardness of the welded seam was relatively uniform and lower than that of the base metal due to partial dissolution and suppression of the strengthening phase gamma' to some extent. About 88.5% tensile strength of the base metal was achieved in the welded joint because of a non-full penetration welding and the fracture mechanism was a mixture of ductility and brittleness. The existence of some Laves particles in the welded seam also facilitated the initiation and propagation of the microcracks and microvoids and hence, the detrimental effects of the tensile strength of the welded joint. The present results stimulate further investigation on this field. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.