A Multi-Mode Sigma-Delta ADC for GSM/WCDMA/ WLAN Applications

The demand for new telecommunication services requiring higher capacities, data rates and different operating modes have motivated the development of new generation multi-standard wireless transceivers. In multistandard design, sigma-delta based ADC is one of the most popular choices. To this end, in this paper we present cascaded 2-2-2 reconfigurable sigma-delta modulator that can handle GSM, WCDMA and WLAN standards. The modulator makes use of a low-distortion swing suppression topology which is highly suitable for wide band applications. In GSM mode, only the first stage (2nd order Σ-Δ ADC) is used to achieve a peak SNDR of 88dB with oversampling ratio of 160 for a bandwidth of 200KHz and for WCDMA mode a 2-2 cascaded structure (4th order) is turned on with 1-bit in the first stage and 2-bit in the second stage to achieve 74 dB peak SNDR with over-sampling ratio of 16 for a bandwidth of 2MHz. Finally, a 2-2-2 cascaded MASH architecture with 4-bit in the last stage is proposed to achieve a peak SNDR of 58dB for WLAN for a bandwidth of 20MHz. The novelty lies in the fact that unused blocks of second and third stages can be made inactive to achieve low power consumption. The modulator is designed in TSMC 0.18um CMOS technology and operates at 1.8 supply voltage

A Triple-mode Sigma-delta Modulator Design for Wireless Standards

This work presents a triple-mode sigma-delta modulator for three wireless standards namely GSM/WCDMA and Bluetooth. A reconfigurable ADC has been used to meet the wide bandwidth and high dynamic range requirements of the multi-standard receivers with less power consumption. A highly linear sigma-delta ADC which has reduced sensitivity to circuit imperfections has been chosen in our design. This is particularly suitable for wide band applications where the oversampling ratio is low. Simulation results indicate that the modulator achieves a peak SNDR of 84/68/68 dB over a bandwidth of 0.2/3.84/1.5 MHz with an oversampling ratio 128/8/8 in GSM/WCDMA/Bluetooth modes respectively

A Triple-Mode Feed-Forward Sigma-Delta Modulator Design For Gsm / Wcdma / Wlan Applications

This paper presents a cascaded 2-2-2 reconfigurable sigma-delta modulator that can handle GSM, WCDMA and WLAN standards. The modulator makes use of a low-distortion swing suppression topology which is highly suitable for wide band applications. In GSM mode, only the first stage (2nd order Σ-Δ ADC) is turned on to achieve 88dB dynamic range with oversampling ratio of 160 for a bandwidth of 200KHz; in WCDMA mode a 2-2 cascaded structure (4th order) is turned on with 1-bit in the first stage and 2-bit in the second stage to achieve 74 dB dynamic range with oversampling ratio of 16 for a bandwidth of 2MHz and a 2-2-2 cascaded MASH architecture with a 4-bit in the last stage to achieve a dynamic range of 58dB for a bandwidth of 20MHz. The novelty lies in the fact that unused blocks of second and third stages can be switched off taking into considerations like power consumption. The modulator is designed in TSMC 0.18um CMOS technology and operates at 1.8 supply voltage.

Learning Resource Coursework - Team Sigma

We have created a slideshow on Open Source, and have created a reference list and poster for it.

Two new mu-(1,3-azido)-bridged polymers: alternating single and double bridges in a 1D nickel(II) complex and uniform bridge in a 2D copper(II) complex: Syntheses, single-crystal structures and magnetic studies

Two polymeric azido bridged complexes [Ni2L2(N-3)(3)](n)(ClO4). (1) and [Cu(bpdS)(2)(N-3)],(ClO4),(H2O)(2.5n) (2) [L = Schiff base, obtained from the condensation of pyridine-2-aldehyde with N,N,2,2-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine; bpds = 4,4'-bipyridyl disulfide] have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined. Complex 1, C26H42ClN15Ni2O4, crystallizes in a triclinic system, space group P1 with a 8.089(13), b = 9.392(14), c = 12.267(18) angstrom, a = 107.28(l), b 95.95(1), gamma = 96.92(1)degrees and Z = 2; complex 2, C20H21ClCuN7O6.5S4, crystallizes in an orthorhombic system, space group Pnna with a = 10.839(14), b = 13.208(17), c = 19.75(2) angstrom and Z = 4. The crystal structure of I consists of 1D polymers of nickel(L) units, alternatively connected by single and double bridging mu-(1,3-N-3) ligand with isolated perchlorate anions. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data of the complex have been measured and the fitting,of magnetic data was carried out applying the Borris-Almenar formula for such types of alternating one-dimensional S = 1 systems, based on the Hamiltonian H = -J Sigma(S2iS2i-1 + aS(2i)S(2i+1)). The best-fit parameters obtained are J = -106.7 +/- 2 cm(-1); a = 0.82 +/- 0.02; g = 2.21 +/- 0.02. Complex 2 is a 2D network of 4,4 topology with the nodes occupied by the Cu-II ions, and the edges formed by single azide and double bpds connectors. The perchlorate anions are located between pairs of bpds. The magnetic data have been fitted considering the complex as a pseudo-one-dimensional system, with all copper((II)) atoms linked by [mu(1,3-azido) bridging ligands at axial positions (long Cu...N-3 distances) since the coupling through long bpds is almost nil. The best-fit parameters obtained with this model are J = -1.21 +/- 0.2 cm(-1), g 2.14 +/- 0.02. (c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005).

Highly excited vibrational states of HCN around 30 000 cm(-1)

This article describes the analysis and interpretation of rovibrational spectra involving highly excited vibrational states in the molecule of HCN. The spectra were obtained by means of the vibrationally mediated photodissociation technique. Analysis of the spectra revealed four bands with Sigma-Sigma structures that, once fitted, provided the energies and rotational constants of four new, highly excited vibrational states in the region of the potential energy surface near and above 30 000 cm(-1). All the states could be identified with the help of a state-of-the-art variational calculation. Together with the states already observed in previous works, eight highly excited states have so far been identified in this region. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Low-lying excited states and primary photoproducts of [Os-3(CO)(10)-(s-cis-L)] (L = cyclohexa-1,3-diene, buta-1,3-diene)] clusters studied by picosecond time-resolved UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy and by density functional theory

Combined picosecond transient absorption and time-resolved infrared studies were performed, aimed at characterising low-lying excited states of the cluster [Os-3(CO)(10)(s-cis-L)] (L= cyclohexa-1,3-diene, 1) and monitoring the formation of its photoproducts. Theoretical (DFT and TD-DFT) calculations on the closely related cluster with L=buta-1,3-diene (2') have revealed that the low-lying electronic transitions of these [Os-3(CO)(10)(s-cis-1,3-diene)] clusters have a predominant sigma(core)pi*(CO) character. From the lowest sigmapi* excited state, cluster 1 undergoes fast Os-Os(1,3-diene) bond cleavage (tau=3.3 ps) resulting in the formation of a coordinatively unsaturated primary photoproduct (1a) with a single CO bridge. A new insight into the structure of the transient has been obtained by DFT calculations. The cleaved Os-Os(1,3-diene) bond is bridged by the donor 1,3-diene ligand, compensating for the electron deficiency at the neighbouring Os centre. Because of the unequal distribution of the electron density in transient la, a second CO bridge is formed in 20 ps in the photoproduct [Os-3(CO)(8)(mu-CO)(2)- (cyclohexa-1,3-diene)] (1b). The latter compound, absorbing strongly around 630 nm, mainly regenerates the parent cluster with a lifetime of about 100 ns in hexane. Its structure, as suggested by the DFT calculations, again contains the 1,3-diene ligand coordinated in a bridging fashion. Photoproduct 1b can therefore be assigned as a high-energy coordination isomer of the parent cluster with all Os-Os bonds bridged.

Identification of components of the Sigma B Regulon in Listeria monocytogenes that contribute to acid and salt tolerance

Sigma B (σB) is an alternative sigma factor that controls the transcriptional response to stress in Listeria monocytogenes and is also known to play a role in the virulence of this human pathogen. In the present study we investigated the impact of a sigB deletion on the proteome of L. monocytogenes grown in a chemically defined medium both in the presence and in the absence of osmotic stress (0.5 M NaCl). Two new phenotypes associated with the sigB deletion were identified using this medium. (i) Unexpectedly, the strain with the ΔsigB deletion was found to grow faster than the parent strain in the growth medium, but only when 0.5 M NaCl was present. This phenomenon was independent of the carbon source provided in the medium. (ii) The ΔsigB mutant was found to have unusual Gram staining properties compared to the parent, suggesting that σB contributes to the maintenance of an intact cell wall. A proteomic analysis was performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, using cells growing in the exponential and stationary phases. Overall, 11 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the wild type and the ΔsigB mutant; 10 of these proteins were expressed at lower levels in the mutant, and 1 was overexpressed in the mutant. All 11 proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry, and putative functions were assigned based on homology to proteins from other bacteria. Five proteins had putative functions related to carbon utilization (Lmo0539, Lmo0783, Lmo0913, Lmo1830, and Lmo2696), while three proteins were similar to proteins whose functions are unknown but that are known to be stress inducible (Lmo0796, Lmo2391, and Lmo2748). To gain further insight into the role of σB in L. monocytogenes, we deleted the genes encoding four of the proteins, lmo0796, lmo0913, lmo2391, and lmo2748. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants revealed that Lmo2748 plays a role in osmotolerance, while Lmo0796, Lmo0913, and Lmo2391 were all implicated in acid stress tolerance to various degrees. Invasion assays performed with Caco-2 cells indicated that none of the four genes was required for mammalian cell invasion. Microscopic analysis suggested that loss of Lmo2748 might contribute to the cell wall defect observed in the ΔsigB mutant. Overall, this study highlighted two new phenotypes associated with the loss of σB. It also demonstrated clear roles for σB in both osmotic and low-pH stress tolerance and identified specific components of the σB regulon that contribute to the responses observed.

Dynamic portrait of the planetary 2/1 mean-motion resonance - I. Systems with a more massive outer planet

We analyse the global structure of the phase space of the planar planetary 2/1 mean-motion resonance in cases where the outer planet is more massive than its inner companion. Inside the resonant domain, we show the existence of two families of periodic orbits, one associated to the librational motion of resonant angle (sigma-family) and the other related to the circulatory motion of the difference in longitudes of pericentre (Delta pi-family). The well-known apsidal corotation resonances (ACR) appear as intersections between both families. A complex web of secondary resonances is also detected for low eccentricities, whose strengths and positions are dependent on the individual masses and spatial scale of the system. The construction of dynamical maps for various values of the total angular momentum shows the evolution of the families of stable motion with the eccentricities, identifying possible configurations suitable for exoplanetary systems. For low-moderate eccentricities, several different stable modes exist outside the ACR. For larger eccentricities, however, all stable solutions are associated to oscillations around the stationary solutions. Finally, we present a possible link between these stable families and the process of resonance capture, identifying the most probable routes from the secular region to the resonant domain, and discussing how the final resonant configuration may be affected by the extension of the chaotic layer around the resonance region.

Alkaline phosphatase as a reporter of sigma(S) levels and rpoS polymorphisms in different E-coli strains

sigma(S) is responsible for the transcriptional regulation of genes related to protection against stresses and bacterial survival and it accumulates in the cell under conditions of stress, such as nutrient limitation. An increase in the levels of sigma(S) causes a reduction in the expression of genes that are transcribed by RNA polymerase associated with the principal sigma factor, sigma(70). phoA, that encodes alkaline phosphatase (AP) is expressed under phosphate shortage conditions, and is also repressed by sigma(S). Here we show that in a Pi-limited chemostat, accumulation of rpoS mutations is proportional to the intrinsic level of sigma(S) in the cells. Acquisition of mutations in rpoS relieves repression of the PHO genes. We also devised a non-destructive method based on the rpoS effect on AP that differentiates between rpo(S+) and rpoS mutants, as well as between high and low-sigma(S) producers. Using this method, we provide evidence that sigma(S) contributes to the repression of AP under conditions of Pi excess and that AP variation among different strains is at least partly due to intrinsic variation in sigma(S) levels. Consequently, a simple and non-destructive AP assay can be employed to differentiate between strains expressing different levels of sigma(S) on agar plates.

C(k)-solvability near the characteristic set for a class of planar complex vector fields of infinite type

This paper deals with semi-global C(k)-solvability of complex vector fields of the form L = partial derivative/partial derivative t + x(r) (a(x) + ib(x))partial derivative/partial derivative x, r >= 1, defined on Omega(epsilon) = (-epsilon, epsilon) x S(1), epsilon > 0, where a and b are C(infinity) real-valued functions in (-epsilon, epsilon). It is shown that the interplay between the order of vanishing of the functions a and b at x = 0 influences the C(k)-solvability at Sigma = {0} x S(1). When r = 1, it is permitted that the functions a and b of L depend on the x and t variables, that is, L = partial derivative/partial derivative t + x(a(x, t) + ib(x, t))partial derivative/partial derivative x, where (x, t) is an element of Omega(epsilon).

Absolute normalization for uncorrelated background with the event mixing technique

We present a method to determine the magnitude of the uncorrelated background distribution obtained with the event mixing technique, through the simultaneous observation of the projectile elastic scattering in different detectors, which correspond to random coincidences. The procedure is tested with alpha-d angular correlation data from the (6)Li + (59)Co reaction at E(lab) = 29.6 MeV. We also show that the method can be applied using the product of singles events, when singles measurements are available. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Normalization procedure for relaxation studies in NMR quantum information processing

NMR quantum information processing studies rely on the reconstruction of the density matrix representing the so-called pseudo-pure states (PPS). An initially pure part of a PPS state undergoes unitary and non-unitary (relaxation) transformations during a computation process, causing a ""loss of purity"" until the equilibrium is reached. Besides, upon relaxation, the nuclear polarization varies in time, a fact which must be taken into account when comparing density matrices at different instants. Attempting to use time-fixed normalization procedures when relaxation is present, leads to various anomalies on matrices populations. On this paper we propose a method which takes into account the time-dependence of the normalization factor. From a generic form for the deviation density matrix an expression for the relaxing initial pure state is deduced. The method is exemplified with an experiment of relaxation of the concurrence of a pseudo-entangled state, which exhibits the phenomenon of sudden death, and the relaxation of the Wigner function of a pseudo-cat state.

SIGMA THEORY AND TWISTED CONJUGACY CLASSES

Using Sigma theory we show that for large classes of groups G there is a subgroup H of finite index in Aut(G) such that for phi is an element of H the Reidemeister number R(phi) is infinite. This includes all finitely generated nonpolycyclic groups G that fall into one of the following classes: nilpotent-by-abelian groups of type FP(infinity); groups G/G `` of finite Prufer rank; groups G of type FP(2) without free nonabelian subgroups and with nonpolycyclic maximal metabelian quotient; some direct products of groups; or the pure symmetric automorphism group. Using a different argument we show that the result also holds for 1-ended nonabelian nonsurface limit groups. In some cases, such as with the generalized Thompson`s groups F(n,0) and their finite direct products, H = Aut(G).