Finite data performance of MUSIC and minimum norm methods

In the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation problem, we encounter both finite data and insufficient knowledge of array characterization. It is therefore important to study how subspace-based methods perform in such conditions. We analyze the finite data performance of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) and minimum norm (min. norm) methods in the presence of sensor gain and phase errors, and derive expressions for the mean square error (MSE) in the DOA estimates. These expressions are first derived assuming an arbitrary array and then simplified for the special case of an uniform linear array with isotropic sensors. When they are further simplified for the case of finite data only and sensor errors only, they reduce to the recent results given in [9-12]. Computer simulations are used to verify the closeness between the predicted and simulated values of the MSE.

LiSr1.65 square 0.35B1.3B ' O-1.7(9) (B = Ti, Zr; B ' = Nb, Ta): New lithium ion conductors based on the perovskite structure

We describe the design and synthesis of new lithium ion conductors with the formula, LiSr(1.65)rectangle(0.35)B(1.3)B'O-1.7(9) (rectangle = vacancy; B = Ti, Zr; B' = Nb, Ta), on the basis of a systematic consideration of the composition-structure-property correlations in the well-known lithium-ion conductor, La-(2/3-x)Li(3x)rectangle((1/3)-2x)TiO3 (I), as well as the perovskite oxides in Li-A-B,B'-O (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; B = Ti, Zr; B' = Nb, Ta) systems. A high lithium-ion conductivity of ca. 0.12 S/cm at 360 degrees C is exhibited by LiSr(1.65)rectangle(0.35)Ti(1.3)Ta(1.7)O(9) (III) and LiSr(1.65)rectangle(0.35)Zr(1.3)Ta(1.7)O(9) (IV), of which the latter containing stable Zr(IV) and Ta(V) oxidation states is likely to be a candidate electrolyte material for all-solid-state lithium battery application. More importantly, we believe the approach described here could be extended to synthesize newer, possibly better, lithium ion conductors.

New lithium-ion conductors based on the NASICON structure

Lithium-ion conduction in mixed-metal phosphates, (LiMMIII)-M-V(PO,), [M-V = Nb, Ta; M-III = Al, Cr, Fe], possessing the rhombohedral (R (3) over bar c) NASICON structure has been investigated. Among the phosphates investigated, LiTaAl(PO4)(3) exhibits the highest conductivity, sigma approximate to 1.0 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 350 degrees C (E-a = 0.47 eV), comparable to the conductivity of LiTi2(PO4)(3). Unlike LiTi2(PO4)(3) which contains lithium-reducible Ti-IV, LiTaAl(PO4)(3) contains stable Ta-V and Al-III oxidation states and hence deserves further attention towards tailoring new lithium-ion conductors for application as electrolytes in solid state lithium batteries.

Rational design of solid materials: A case study of lithium-ion conductors

In the absence of a reliable method for a priori prediction of structure and properties of inorganic solid materials, an experimental approach involving a systematic study of composition, structure and properties combined with chemical intuition based on previous experience is likely to be a viable alternative to the problem of rational design of inorganic materials. The approach is illustrated by taking perovskite lithium-ion conductors as an example.

High-pressure studies on lithium fast-ion conductors

The variation of resistivity of the lithium fast-ion conductor Li3+y Ge1−yO4 (y = 0.25, 0.6, 0.72) has been studied with hydrostatic pressure up to 70 kbar and compared with that of Li16−2x Znx (GeO4)4(x = 1, 2). Both types showed pronounced resistivity maxima between 20–30 kbar and marked decrease thereafter. Measurements as a function of temperature between 120–300 K permitted the determination of activation energies and prefactors that also showed corresponding maxima. The activation volumes (ΔV) of the first type of compound varied between 4.34 to −4.90 cm3/mol at 300 K and decreased monotonically with increasing temperature. For the second type ΔV was much smaller, varied with pressure between 0.58 and −0.24 cm3/mol, and went through a maximum with increasing temperature. High-pressure studies were also conducted on aged samples, and the results are discussed in conjunction with results of impedance measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. The principal effect of pressure appears to be variations of the sum of interatomic potentials and hence barrier height, which also causes significant changes in entropy.

Carnatic music analysis: Shadja, swara identification and rAga verification in AlApana using stochastic models

We analyze the AlApana of a Carnatic music piece without the prior knowledge of the singer or the rAga. AlApana is ameans to communicate to the audience, the flavor or the bhAva of the rAga through the permitted notes and its phrases. The input to our analysis is a recording of the vocal AlApana along with the accompanying instrument. The AdhAra shadja(base note) of the singer for that AlApana is estimated through a stochastic model of note frequencies. Based on the shadja, we identify the notes (swaras) used in the AlApana using a semi-continuous GMM. Using the probabilities of each note interval, we recognize swaras of the AlApana. For sampurNa rAgas, we can identify the possible rAga, based on the swaras. We have been able to achieve correct shadja identification, which is crucial to all further steps, in 88.8% of 55 AlApanas. Among them (48 AlApanas of 7 rAgas), we get 91.5% correct swara identification and 62.13% correct R (rAga) accuracy.

Variation of diffusivity with the cation radii in molten salts of superionic conductors containing iodine anion: A molecular dynamics study

A molecular dynamics study of the dependence of diffusivity of the cation on ionic radii in molten AgI is reported. We have employed modified Parinello-Rahman-Vashistha interionic pair potential proposed by Shimojo and Kobayashi.(1) Our results suggest that the diffusivity of the cation exhibits an increase followed by a decrease as the ionic radius is increased. Several structural and dynamical properties are reported.

On the Influence of Neighboring Conducting Objects on the Induced Currents in Simple Down Conductors Due to Nearby Lightning Strike

A lightning strike in the neighborhood can induce significant currents in tall down conductors. Though the magnitude of induced current in this case is much smaller than that encountered during a direct strike, the probability of occurrence and the frequency content is higher. In view of this, appropriate knowledge on the characteristics of such induced currents is relevant for the scrutiny of the recorded currents and in the evaluation of interference to the electrical and electronic system in the vicinity. Previously, a study was carried out on characteristics of induced currents assuming ideal conditions, that there were no influencing objects in the vicinity of the down conductor and channel. However, some influencing conducting bodies will always be present, such as trees, electricity and communication towers, buildings, and other elevated objects that can affect the induced currents in a down conductor. The present work is carried out to understand the influence of nearby conducting objects on the characteristics of induced currents due to a strike to ground in the vicinity of a tall down conductor. For the study, an electromagnetic model is employed to model the down conductor, channel, and neighboring conducting objects, and Numerical Electromagnetic Code-2 is used for numerical field computations. Neighboring objects of different heights, of different shapes, and at different locations are considered. It is found that the neighboring objects have significant influence on the magnitude and nature of induced currents in a down conductor when the height of the nearby conducting object is comparable to that of the down conductor.

Time-Temperature Scaling of Conductivity Spectra of Organic Plastic Crystalline Conductors

Organic plastic crystalline soft matter ion conductors are interesting alternatives to liquid electrolytes in electrochemical storage devices such as Lithium-ion batteries. The solvent dynamics plays a major role in determining the ion transport in plastic crystalline ion conductors. We present here an analysis of the frequency-dependent ionic conductivity of succinonitrile-based plastic crystalline ion conductors at varying salt composition (0.005 to 1 M) and temperature (-20 to 60 degrees C) using time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP). The main motivation of the work has been to establish comprehensive insight into the ion transport mechanism from a single method viz, impedance spectroscopy rather than employing cluster of different characterization methods probing various length and time scales. The TTSP remarkably aids in explicit identification of the extent of the roles of solvent dynamics and ion-ion interactions on the effective conductivity of the orientationally disordered plastic crystalline ion conductors.

Compressive sensing for music signals: comparison of transforms with coherent dictionaries

Compressive Sensing (CS) is a new sensing paradigm which permits sampling of a signal at its intrinsic information rate which could be much lower than Nyquist rate, while guaranteeing good quality reconstruction for signals sparse in a linear transform domain. We explore the application of CS formulation to music signals. Since music signals comprise of both tonal and transient nature, we examine several transforms such as discrete cosine transform (DCT), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), Fourier basis and also non-orthogonal warped transforms to explore the effectiveness of CS theory and the reconstruction algorithms. We show that for a given sparsity level, DCT, overcomplete, and warped Fourier dictionaries result in better reconstruction, and warped Fourier dictionary gives perceptually better reconstruction. “MUSHRA” test results show that a moderate quality reconstruction is possible with about half the Nyquist sampling.

Basic features of current induced/shared by cables mounted on down conductors/towers during stroke interception

The telecommunication, broadcasting and other instrumented towers carry power and/or signal cables from their ground end to their upper regions. During a direct hit to the tower, significant induction can occur to these mounted cables. In order to provide adequate protection to the equipments connected to them, protection schemes have been evolved in the literature. Development of more effective protection schemes requires a quantitative knowledge on various parameters. However, such quantitative knowledge is difficult to find at present. Amongst several of these aspects, the present work aims to investigate on the two important aspects: (i) what would be the nature of the induced currents and (ii) what will be the current sharing if as per the practice, the sheath of the cable is connected to the down conductor/tower. These aspects will be useful in design of protection schemes and also in analyzing the field structure around instrumented towers.