Reliability Assessment of a Storm Water Drain Network

Most of the cities in India are undergoing rapid development in recent decades, and many rural localities are undergoing transformation to urban hotspots. These developments have associated land use/land cover (LULC) change that effects runoff response from catchments, which is often evident in the form of increase in runoff peaks, volume and velocity in drain network. Often most of the existing storm water drains are in dilapidated stage owing to improper maintenance or inadequate design. The drains are conventionally designed using procedures that are based on some anticipated future conditions. Further, values of parameters/variables associated with design of the network are traditionally considered to be deterministic. However, in reality, the parameters/variables have uncertainty due to natural and/or inherent randomness. There is a need to consider the uncertainties for designing a storm water drain network that can effectively convey the discharge. The present study evaluates performance of an existing storm water drain network in Bangalore, India, through reliability analysis by Advance First Order Second Moment (AFOSM) method. In the reliability analysis, parameters that are considered to be random variables are roughness coefficient, slope and conduit dimensions. Performance of the existing network is evaluated considering three failure modes. The first failure mode occurs when runoff exceeds capacity of the storm water drain network, while the second failure mode occurs when the actual flow velocity in the storm water drain network exceeds the maximum allowable velocity for erosion control, whereas the third failure mode occurs when the minimum flow velocity is less than the minimum allowable velocity for deposition control. In the analysis, runoff generated from subcatchments of the study area and flow velocity in storm water drains are estimated using Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Results from the study are presented and discussed. The reliability values are low under the three failure modes, indicating a need to redesign several of the conduits to improve their reliability. This study finds use in devising plans for expansion of the Bangalore storm water drain system. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Field of view expansion for 3-D holographic display using a single spatial light modulator with scanning reconstruction light

Increasing the field of view of a holographic display while maintaining adequate image size is a difficult task. To address this problem, we designed a system that tessellates several sub-holograms into one large hologram at the output. The sub-holograms we generate is similar to a kinoform but without the paraxial approximation during computation. The sub-holograms are loaded onto a single spatial light modulator consecutively and relayed to the appropriate position at the output through a combination of optics and scanning reconstruction light. We will review the method of computer generated hologram and describe the working principles of our system. Results from our proof-of-concept system are shown to have an improved field of view and reconstructed image size. ©2009 IEEE.

Transmission matrices and lumped parameter models for continuous systems

The use of transmission matrices and lumped parameter models for describing continuous systems is the subject of this study. Non-uniform continuous systems which play important roles in practical vibration problems, e.g., torsional oscillations in bars, transverse bending vibrations of beams, etc., are of primary importance.

A new approach for deriving closed form transmission matrices is applied to several classes of non-uniform continuous segments of one dimensional and beam systems. A power series expansion method is presented for determining approximate transmission matrices of any order for segments of non-uniform systems whose solutions cannot be found in closed form. This direct series method is shown to give results comparable to those of the improved lumped parameter models for one dimensional systems.

Four types of lumped parameter models are evaluated on the basis of the uniform continuous one dimensional system by comparing the behavior of the frequency root errors. The lumped parameter models which are based upon a close fit to the low frequency approximation of the exact transmission matrix, at the segment level, are shown to be superior. On this basis an improved lumped parameter model is recommended for approximating non-uniform segments. This new model is compared to a uniform segment approximation and error curves are presented for systems whose areas very quadratically and linearly. The effect of varying segment lengths is investigated for one dimensional systems and results indicate very little improvement in comparison to the use of equal length segments. For purposes of completeness, a brief summary of various lumped parameter models and other techniques which have previously been used to approximate the uniform Bernoulli-Euler beam is a given.

Influence of vapor transport equilibration on the crystal quality and thermal-expansion coefficients of gamma-LiAlO2

gamma-LiAlO2 (LAO) single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. However, its quality was deteriorated due to lithium volatilization during the crystal growth. The full width at half maximum value drops from 116.9 to 44.2 arc sec after the LAO slice was treated by vapor transport equilibration at 1000, 1100, and 1200 degrees C/48 h in sequence. The treated slice shows higher optical transmission than the as-grown one in the measured wavelength range of 190-1900 nm, meanwhile, its absorption edge exhibits a blueshift. According to Raman spectra, the treated slice has homogeneous quality at different depths from surface to 0.01 mm. The expansion coefficient of the treated slice for a axis drops from 17.2398x10(-6)/degrees C to 16.5240x10(-6)/degrees C, and that for c axis drops from 10.7664x10(-6)/degrees C to 10.0786x10(-6)/degrees C.

Strategies for Power Line Communications Smart Metering Network Deployment

Smart Grids are becoming a reality all over the world. Nowadays, the research efforts for the introduction and deployment of these grids are mainly focused on the development of the field of Smart Metering. This emerging application requires the use of technologies to access the significant number of points of supply (PoS) existing in the grid, covering the Low Voltage (LV) segment with the lowest possible costs. Power Line Communications (PLC) have been extensively used in electricity grids for a variety of purposes and, of late, have been the focus of renewed interest. PLC are really well suited for quick and inexpensive pervasive deployments. However, no LV grid is the same in any electricity company (utility), and the particularities of each grid evolution, architecture, circumstances and materials, makes it a challenge to deploy Smart Metering networks with PLC technologies, with the Smart Grid as an ultimate goal. This paper covers the evolution of Smart Metering networks, together with the evolution of PLC technologies until both worlds have converged to project PLC-enabled Smart Metering networks towards Smart Grid. This paper develops guidelines over a set of strategic aspects of PLC Smart Metering network deployment based on the knowledge gathered on real field; and introduces the future challenges of these networks in their evolution towards the Smart Grid.

Repositórios de recursos educacionais livres : desafios para implantação em instituições públicas de ensino superior (IPES) a partir da perspectiva de professores conteudistas em EaD

A arquitetura distributiva da Internet amplia as possibilidades de produção e transmissão de recursos educacionais livres (REL). Assim, a pesquisa focaliza a implantação de repositórios de recursos educacionais livres (RREL) em instituições públicas de ensino superior, de maneira a garantir a integridade, a qualidade e a disponibilidade desses recursos no ciberespaço. Nesta perspectiva, identificam-se os fatores intervenientes para consecução desse objetivo, a partir da perspectiva de professores conteudistas na modalidade EaD. Para tanto, adota-se a pesquisa qualitativa e como técnica de coleta de dados, a entrevista. Com base no conjunto de respostas dos professores investigados, a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo, são elaboradas recomendações para implantação e expansão de RREL no ensino superior. Os resultados apontam que na dimensão governamental se deve:a) incentivar a adoção de licenças abertas para a elaboração de REL, b) fomentar investimentos públicos para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas nessa área c) alocar recursos financeiros de forma constante e crescente na implantação de infraestrutura tecnológica de ponta em nível nacional; na dimensão institucional é necessário: a)promover amplo debate,de modo a elaborar diretrizes para formulação de política com o objetivo de implantar RREL e b) desenvolver programas de incentivos e benefícios para progressão acadêmica do docente; na dimensão informacional a) incentivar o trabalho colaborativo com a constituição de equipe multidisciplinar e b) estimular a participação das bibliotecas universitárias na gestão dos conteúdos. Busca-se, assim, expandir os RREL de maneira compartilhada com vistas à inovação e ao aprimoramento da educação superior no país

Linking energy policy, electricity generation and transmission using strong sustainability and co-optimization

The design of a sustainable electricity generation and transmission system is based on the established science of anthropogenic climate change and the realization that depending on imported fossil-fuels is becoming a measure of energy insecurity of supply. A model is proposed which integrates generation fuel mix composition, assignment of plants and optimized power flow, using Portugal as a case study. The result of this co-optimized approach is an overall set of generator types/fuels which increases the diversity of Portuguese electricity supply, lowers its dependency on imported fuels by 14.62% and moves the country towards meeting its regional and international obligations of 31% energy from renewables by 2020 and a 27% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, respectively. The quantity and composition of power generation at each bus is specified, with particular focus on quantifying the amount of distributed generation. Based on other works, the resultant, overall distributed capacity penetration of 19.02% of total installed generation is expected to yield positive network benefits. Thus, the model demonstrates that national energy policy and technical deployment can be linked through sustainability and, moreover, that the respective goals may be mutually achieved via holistic, integrated design. ©2009 IEEE.

Wavelength reused bidirectional transmission of adaptively modulated optical OFDM signals in WDM-PONs incorporating SOA and RSOA intensity modulators.

Detailed numerical investigations are undertaken of wavelength reused bidirectional transmission of adaptively modulated optical OFDM (AMOOFDM) signals over a single SMF in a colorless WDM-PON incorporating a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) intensity modulator and a reflective SOA (RSOA) intensity modulator in the optical line termination and optical network unit, respectively. A comprehensive theoretical model describing the performance of such network scenarios is, for the first time, developed, taking into account dynamic optical characteristics of SOA and RSOA intensity modulators as well as the effects of Rayleigh backscattering (RB) and residual downstream signal-induced crosstalk. The developed model is rigorously verified experimentally in RSOA-based real-time end-to-end OOFDM systems at 7.5 Gb/s. It is shown that the RB noise and crosstalk effects are dominant factors limiting the maximum achievable downstream and upstream transmission performance. Under optimum SOA and RSOA operating conditions as well as practical downstream and upstream optical launch powers, 10 Gb/s downstream and 6 Gb/s upstream over 40 km SMF transmissions of conventional double sideband AMOOFDM signals are feasible without utilizing in-line optical amplification and chromatic dispersion compensation. In particular, the aforementioned transmission performance can be improved to 23 Gb/s downstream and 8 Gb/s upstream over 40 km SMFs when single sideband subcarrier modulation is adopted in the downstream systems.

Wavelength reused bidirectional transmission of adaptively modulated optical OFDM signals in SOA/RSOA intensity modulator-based WDM-PONs

Detailed numerical investigations are undertaken of wavelength reused bidirectional transmission of adaptively modulated optical OFDM (AMOOFDM) signals over a single SMF in a WDM-PON incorporating a SOA intensity modulator and a RSOA intensity modulator in the OLT and ONU, respectively. A comprehensive theoretical model describing the performance of such network scenarios is, for the first time, developed, taking into account dynamic optical characteristics of SOA and RSOA intensity modulators as well as the effects of Rayleigh backscattering (RB) and residual downstream signal-induced crosstalk. The developed model is rigorously verified experimentally in RSOA-based real-time end-to-end OOFDM systems at 7.5Gb/s. It is shown that the RB noise and crosstalk effects are the dominant factors limiting the maximum achievable downstream and upstream transmission performance. Under optimum SOA and RSOA operating conditions as well as practical downstream and upstream optical launch powers, 10Gb/s downstream and 6Gb/s upstream over 40km SMF transmissions of conventional double sideband AMOOFDM signals are feasible without utilizing inline optical amplification and chromatic dispersion compensation. In particular, the transmission performance can be improved to 23Gb/s downstream and 8Gb/s upstream over 40 km SMFs when single sideband subcarrier modulation is adopted in the downstream systems. Copyright © 2010 The authors.

16 chip, 18 Gchips/s walsh-code implementation of an ECDMA access network using two time-shifted FIR filters

We demonstrate for the first time an electronically processed Walsh Code with 16 chips at 18Gchip/s. An auto-cross correlation ratio of 18.1dB is achieved between two orthogonal codes after transmission over 10km of SMF. © 2009 OSA.

Compact Reconfigurable Binary-Decision-Diagram Logic Circuit on a GaAs Nanowire Network

We describe a reconfigurable binary-decision-diagram logic circuit based on Shannon's expansion of Boolean logic function and its graphical representation on a semiconductor nanowire network. The circuit is reconfigured by using programmable switches that electrically connect and disconnect a small number of branches. This circuit has a compact structure with a small number of devices compared with the conventional look-up table architecture. A variable Boolean logic circuit was fabricated on an etched GaAs nanowire network having hexagonal topology with Schottky wrap gates and SiN-based programmable switches, and its correct logic operation together with dynamic reconfiguration was demonstrated.

Injection locked Fabry-Perot laser diodes for WDM passive optical network spare function

In this paper, a protection scheme for transmitters in wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) has been proposed and demonstrated. If any downstream transmitter encounters problems at the central office (CO), the interrupted communication can be restored immediately by injecting a Fabry-Perot laser diode (FP-LD) with the upstream lightwave corresponding to the failure transmitter. Compared with the conventional methods, this proposed architecture provides a cost-effective and reliable protection scheme employing a common FP-LD. In the experiment, a 1 36 protection capability was implemented with a 2.5 Gbit/s downstream transmission capability. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of a reciprocal four-port transmission line structure using the 16-term error model

A new method to measure reciprocal four-port structures, using a 16-term error model, is presented. The measurement is based on 5 two-port calibration standards connected to two of the ports, while the network analyzer is connected to the two remaining ports. Least-squares-fit data reduction techniques are used to lower error sensitivity. The effect of connectors is deembedded using closed-form equations. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Two-dimensional network of dislocations and nanocavities in hydrogen-implanted and two-step annealed silicon

Conventional transmission electron microscopy and energy-filtering were used to study the dislocations and nanocavities in proton-implanted [001] silicon. A two-dimensional network of dislocations and nanocavities was found after a two-step annealing, while only isolated cavities were present in single-step annealed Si. In addition, two-step annealing increased materially the size and density of the nanocavities. The Burgers vector of the dislocations was mainly the 1/2[110] type. The gettering of oxygen at the nanocavities was demonstrated. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(98)00620-2].