Orthogonal space–time block codes for free-space IM/DD optical links

Use of orthogonal space-time block codes (STBCs) with multiple transmitters and receivers can improve signal quality. However, in optical intensity modulated signals, output of the transmitter is non-negative and hence standard orthogonal STBC schemes need to be modified. A generalised framework for applying orthogonal STBCs for free-space IM/DD optical links is presented.

Robust non-orthogonal space-time block codes over highly correlated channels: a generalisation

Little has so far been reported on the robustness of non-orthogonal space-time block codes (NO-STBCs) over highly correlated channels (HCC). Some of the existing NO-STBCs are indeed weak in robustness against HCC. With a view to overcoming such a limitation, a generalisation of the existing robust NO-STBCs based on a 'matrix Alamouti (MA)' structure is presented.

Signal detection for orthogonal space-time block coding over time-selective fading channels: a PIC approach for the Gi Systems

One major assumption in all orthogonal space-time block coding (O-STBC) schemes is that the channel remains static over the entire length of the codeword. However, time selective fading channels do exist, and in such case the conventional O-STBC detectors can suffer from a large error floor in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cases. This paper addresses such an issue by introducing a parallel interference cancellation (PIC) based detector for the Gi coded systems (i=3 and 4).

Orthogonal space-time block coding over time-selective fading channels: a PIC detector for the Gi systems

All the orthogonal space-time block coding (O-STBC) schemes are based on the following assumption: the channel remains static over the entire length of the codeword. However, time selective fading channels do exist, and in many cases the conventional O-STBC detectors can suffer from a large error floor in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cases. This paper addresses such an issue by introducing a parallel interference cancellation (PIC) based detector for the Gi coded systems (i=3 and 4).

A robust non-orthogonal space-time block code for four transmit antennas

Several non-orthogonal space-time block coding (NO-STBC) schemes have recently been proposed to achieve full rate transmission. Some of these schemes, however, suffer from weak robustness: their channel matrices will become ill conditioned in the case of highly correlated channels (HCC). To address this issue, this paper derives a family of robust NO-STBC schemes for four Tx antennas based on the worst case of HCC. These codes turned out to be a superset of Jafarkhani's quasi-orthogonal STBC codes. A computationally affordable linear decoder is also proposed. Although these codes achieve a similar performance to the non-robust schemes under normal channel conditions, they offer a strong robustness against HCC (although possibly yielding a poorer performance). Finally, computer simulations are presented to verify the algorithm design.

Space-time block coding for four transmit antennas over time-selective fading channels: orthogonal or non-orthogonal design?

The paper deals with an issue in space time block coding (STBC) design. It considers whether, over a time-selective channel, orthogonal STBC (O-STBC) or non-orthogonal STBC (NO-STBC) performs better. It is shown that, under time-selectiveness, once vehicle speed has risen above a certain value, NO-STBC always outperforms O-STBC across the whole SNR range. Also, considering that all existing NO-STBC schemes have been investigated under quasi-static channels only, a new simple receiver is derived for the NO-STBC system under time-selective channels.

A simplified mathematical model for urban microclimate simulation

Techniques for modelling urban microclimates and urban block surfaces temperatures are desired by urban planners and architects for strategic urban designs at the early design stages. This paper introduces a simplified mathematical model for urban simulations (UMsim) including urban surfaces temperatures and microclimates. The nodal network model has been developed by integrating coupled thermal and airflow model. Direct solar radiation, diffuse radiation, reflected radiation, long-wave radiation, heat convection in air and heat transfer in the exterior walls and ground within the complex have been taken into account. The relevant equations have been solved using the finite difference method under the Matlab platform. Comparisons have been conducted between the data produced from the simulation and that from an urban experimental study carried out in a real architectural complex on the campus of Chongqing University, China in July 2005 and January 2006. The results show a satisfactory agreement between the two sets of data. The UMsim can be used to simulate the microclimates, in particular the surface temperatures of urban blocks, therefore it can be used to assess the impact of urban surfaces properties on urban microclimates. The UMsim will be able to produce robust data and images of urban environments for sustainable urban design.

A clocking technique with power savings in virtex-based pipelined designs

This paper presents the evaluation in power consumption of a clocking technique for pipelined designs. The technique shows a dynamic power consumption saving of around 30% over a conventional global clocking mechanism. The results were obtained from a series of experiments of a systolic circuit implemented in Virtex-II devices. The conversion from a global-clocked pipelined design to the proposed technique is straightforward, preserving the original datapath design. The savings can be used immediately either as a power reduction benefit or to increase the frequency of operation of a design for the same power consumption.

Improving mW/MHz ratio in FPGAs pipelined designs

This paper presents a simple clocking technique to migrate classical synchronous pipelined designs to a synchronous functional-equivalent alternative system in the context of FPGAs. When the new pipelined design runs at the same throughput of the original design, around 30% better mW/MHz ratio was observed in Virtex-based FPGA circuits. The evaluation is done using a simple but representative and practical systolic design as an example. The technique in essence is a simple replacement of the clocking mechanism for the pipe-storage elements; however no extra design effort is needed. The results show that the proposed technique allows immediate power and area-time savings of existing designs rather than exploring potential benefits by a new logic design to the problem using the classic pipeline clocking mechanism.

Phase separation in thin films of end-grafted block copolymers

An atomic force microscopy investigation was carried out on various thick (30–120 nm) polymethyl methacrylate-bpolystyrene and poly(2-(dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene films prepared via a grafting-from method. The structure of the films was examined with both topographic and phase imaging. Several different morphologies were observed including a perforated lamellar phase with irregular perforations. In addition, complementary small-angle X-ray scattering and reflectometry results measurements on a non-grafted polymer are presented.

Crystallization and stereocomplexation behavior of poly(D- and L-lactide)-b-poly(N,N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl methacrylate) block copolymers

The thermal properties, crystallization, and morphology of amphiphilic poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(N,N-dimethylamino- 2-ethyl methacrylate) (PDLA-b-PDMAEMA) and poly (L-lactide)-b-poly(N,N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl methacrylate) (PLLA-b-PDMAEMA) copolymers were studied and compared to those of the corresponding poly(lactide) homopolymers. Additionally, stereocomplexation of these copolymers was studied. The crystallization kinetics of the PLA blocks was retarded by the presence of the PDMAEMA block. The studied copolymers were found to be miscible in the melt and the glassy state. The Avrami theory was able to predict the entire crystallization range of the PLA isothermal overall crystallization. The melting points of PLDA/PLLA and PLA/PLA-b-PDMAEMA stereocomplexes were higher than those formed by copolymer mixtures. This indicates that the PDMAEMA block is influencing the stability of the stereocomplex structures. For the low molecular weight samples, the stereocomplexes particles exhibited a conventional disk-shape structure and, for high molecular weight samples, the particles displayed unusual star-like shape morphology.

Thromboxane A2 inhibition of SKCa after NO synthase block in rat middle cerebral artery

NO/prostanoid independent, EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization and dilation in rat middle cerebral arteries is mediated solely by endothelial cell IK(Ca). However, when the NO-pathway is also active, both SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) contribute to EDHF responses. As the SK(Ca) component can be inhibited by stimulation of thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)) TP receptors and NO has the potential ability to inhibit thromboxane synthesis, we investigated whether TxA(2) might explain loss of functional input from SK(Ca) during NOS inhibition in cerebral arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rat middle cerebral arteries were mounted in a wire myograph. Endothelium-dependent responses to the PAR2 agonist, SLIGRL were assessed as simultaneous changes in smooth muscle membrane potential and tension. KEY RESULTS: Responses were obtained in the presence of L-NAME as appropriate. Inhibition of TP receptors with either ICI 192,605 or SQ 29,548, did not affect EDHF mediated hyperpolarization and relaxation, but in their presence neither TRAM-34 nor apamin (to block IK(Ca) and SK(Ca) respectively) individually affected the EDHF response. However, in combination they virtually abolished it. Similar effects were obtained in the presence of the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, furegrelate, which additionally revealed an iberiotoxin-sensitive residual EDHF hyperpolarization and relaxation in the combined presence of TRAM-34 and apamin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In the rat middle cerebral artery, inhibition of NOS leads to a loss of the SK(Ca) component of EDHF responses. Either antagonism of TP receptors or block of thromboxane synthase restores an input through SK(Ca). These data indicate that NO normally enables SK(Ca) activity in rat middle cerebral arteries.