Abstract: The power of a complete picture of energy-weather information can be used for novel energy saving algorithms in home-climate systems. Exploiting the human biological clock, we recently proposed to optimize climate systems by allowing for a correlation between inside and outside temperatures, while preserving maximal comfort. Following our earlier disclosure on a Gas Energy Observatory, we here disclose a detailed description of a battery-free wireless weather station for reliable, long-term and maintenance-free measurements. It is solar powered. Combined with energy storage in high-voltage capacitors using recently introduced low-cost step-up and step-down DC-DC converters, a versatile energy burst-source is created. Energies of a few J per day suffice for measurement, data-collection and wireless data transmission in bursts to a central data-processing device inside a nearby home.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a digital signal is described, wherein the digital signal is to be transmitted by a plurality of antennas and a 2-domain pre-transformation is carried out, i.e., in course of a pre-transformation modulation symbols assigned to subcarriers having different frequencies and assigned to subcarriers sent by different antennas are linearly combined.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate switching between various combinations of MIMO, SIMO, SISO and OFDM, LFDM and IFDM. According to various aspects, a method for a wireless communication network is provided that includes: receiving a first set of data information, wherein the first set of information comprising a first value, determining if the first value is above a threshold and transmitting an indication to switch to using a first transmission technique if determined that the first value is above the threshold.

Abstract: A baseband signal predistortion processing device and method. Said device includes: a predistorter, for preserving and updating nonlinear filter parameter, carrying out power statistic of input signals, selecting corresponding nonlinear filter parameter according to the power statistical result and predistortion-processing baseband digital signals by use of said corresponding nonlinear filter parameter, and outputting the predistortion processed baseband digital signals; an adaptive parameter calculating unit, for calculating nonlinear filter parameter according to received feedback signals of radio-frequency channel and sampled signals of baseband digital signals, and transmitting the calculating result to the predistorter. Said method can not only solve the nonlinear problem of power amplifier, but also can select different non-linearity inverse model according to different input signal and power amplifier characteristic, and increase whole efficiency of base station transmitter.

Abstract: A linearizer and method. In a most general embodiment, the inventive linearizer includes a characterizer coupled to an input to and an output from said circuit for generating a set of coefficients and a predistortion engine responsive to said coefficients for predistorting a signal input to said circuit such that said circuit generates a linearized output in response thereto. In a specific application, the circuit is a power amplifier into which a series of pulses are sent during an linearizer initialization mode of operation. In a specific implementation, the characterizer analyzes finite impulse responses of the amplifier in-response to the initialization pulses and calculates the coefficients for the feedback compensation filter in response thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the impulse responses are averaged with respect to a threshold to provide combined responses. In the illustrative embodiment, the combined responses are Fast Fourier Transformed, reciprocated and then inverse transformed.

Abstract: An adaptive controller for linearization of transmitters using predistortion of the input signal has reduced sensitivity to impairments such as gain variation, phase noise or modulation/demodulation frequency instability by linearizing an adaptively normalized gain provided through a separate estimation and cancellation of linear gain variations. Values of a nonlinear and a linear gain blocks, cascaded with the linearized transmitter and called respectively a predistortion block and a gain regulation block, are independently adjusted by two different adaptive controllers. In one embodiment, four banks of real gain elements compose the predistortion block and realize an arbitrary step-wise approximation of a generalized 2×2 transmit gain matrix of nonlinear functions. In a further embodiment cancellation of a DC level bias multi-channel impairment is provided by an adaptively adjusted signal adder inserted in the transmit chain between the predistortion block and the linearized transmitter.

Abstract: A discrete cosine transform (DCT)-based orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system is provided with a zero-padding guard interval and MMSE reception. The performance of the DCT-OFDM system with the zero-padding guard interval scheme and the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) receiver over time-varying multipath Rayleigh fading channels is investigated. The results show that employing the proposed DCT-OFDM system rather than the conventional DFT-OFDM system can provide better bit error rate performance in practical systems, by as much as 6 dB in signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for choice of a steering matrix (Q) for sounding in antenna selection are presented. Aspects of the system may include a transmitting station that enables determination of values for a plurality of matrix elements, which are represented in a steering matrix (Q). The contents of the steering matrix may be determined based on the contents of a plurality of protocol data units (PDU). Each of the PDUs may comprise a sounding frame. One or more space-time signals may be generated based on the plurality of PDUs. One or more transmit chain signals may be generated by multiplying a vector representation, which comprises the one or more space-time signals, by the steering matrix. One or more transmit chain signals may be transmitted via transmitting antennas selected from a plurality of transmitting antennas.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for digital tracking in direct and polar modulation are presented. Aspects of the system may include at least one circuit within a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit that enables adaptive and digital control of an analog fractional N (Frac N) PLL during direct modulation of a signal or polar modulation of the signal.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a frame configuration determiner that determines a modulation system, from among a plurality of modulation systems, based on a communication situation. A first symbol generator modulates a digital transmission signal, according to the modulation system determined by the frame configuration determiner and generates a first symbol, the first symbol comprising a first quadrature baseband signal. A second symbol generator modulates a known digital transmission signal between a transmitting side and a receiving side and generates a second symbol, the second symbol comprising a second quadrature baseband signal.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the frequency response of a frequency translation device over a wide IF bandwidth is based on a two-dimensional model to generate calibration data for a device at run-time. The model is a function of a center frequency and frequency offset for a plurality of center frequencies over a wide system bandwidth to produce a frequency response at each center frequency. The frequency responses at each center frequency are scaled and normalized relative to a reference frequency and stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing of spread spectrum signals, where a continuous signal of a comparatively high frequency is received. This signal is sampled at a basic sampling rate whereby a resulting sequence of time discrete signal samples is produced, which are in turn quantised into a corresponding level-discrete sample value. A plurality of data words are formed, which each includes one or more consecutive sample values. Information obtained from these data words is correlated with at least one representation of a signal source specific code sequence, which has been pre-generated in the form of a code vector. The correlation step specifically involves correlating at least each vector in a sub-group of the code vectors with at least one vector that has been derived from the data word. Thereby resulting data is produced.

Abstract: A method of processing received radio signals in a receiver operating according to the DRM standard, in which the signals are converted to the receiver's baseband frequency, sampled and then subject to Fourier transformation to resolve QAM constellation points, wherein the sample rate of the signal on which the Fourier transform is performed is an integral multiple of the desired frequency spacing in the transform output and the Fourier transformation is a Fast Fourier Transformation.

Abstract: A method for carrier frequency tracking of a received signal having a burst structure includes dividing each burst into a number of segments. The carrier frequency offset of a first segment within a burst is measured to obtain a first segment carrier frequency offset measurement value. The carrier frequency offset of a second segment within the burst is corrected by a second segment carrier frequency offset correction value based on the first segment carrier frequency offset measurement value.

Abstract: Channel estimation for high mobility OFDM channels is achieved by identifying a set of channel path delays from an OFDM symbol stream including carrier data, inter-channel interference noise and channel noise; determining the average channel impulse response for the identified set of channel path delays in each symbol; storing the average channel impulse responses for the identified channel path delays; generating a path delay curvature for each channel path delay in each symbol based on stored average channel impulse responses for the identified channel path delays; estimating the carrier data in the symbols in the OFDM symbol stream in the presence of inter-channel interference noise and channel noise from the OFDM symbol steam and the average impulse responses for the identified channel path delays; reconstructing the inter-channel interference noise in response to the path delay curvature, the identified set of channel path delays and estimated carrier data; and subtracting the reconstructed inter-channel

Abstract: A method and device to arithmetically decode scalable bit sliced arithmetic coding (BSAC) audio data are provided. The arithmetic decoding method includes checking whether all side information of a last layer of the BSAC audio data is to be decoded, and performing BSAC smart decoding and terminating the decoding when all the side information of the last layer is not decoded, and terminating decoding of the last layer when all the side information of the last layer is decoded. The BSAC smart decoding includes checking whether a symbol to be decoded is determined regardless of data read after the truncated bitstream, continuing the decoding when decoding can be performed regardless of data read after the truncated bitstream, and determining that ambiguity occurs and terminating the decoding, when the symbol to be decoded is determined dependent on the data read after the truncated bitstream. Accordingly, byte level scalability can be provided in a MPEG-4 BSAC decoder.

Abstract: A wireless communication method using wireless signals including a preamble, the method comprising: acquiring a first symbol of the preamble by searching a common waveform; progressively acquiring subsequent symbols of the preamble using information from previous symbols including the first symbol; and acquiring critical system configuration information embedded in the preamble using the first symbol and the subsequent symbols.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining multipath correlations among a search range of input data, and a method thereof. The multipath searcher comprises a pseudo noise (PN) code generator, a correlator, and a data combiner. The PN code generator generates a first PN code corresponding to a first multipath component of the input data, postpones a first period based on the search range, then generates a second PN code corresponding to a second multipath component of the input data. The correlator is coupled to the PN code generator, and correlates the input data with the first PN code and the second PN code to produce a first correlation and a second correlation. The data combiner is coupled to the correlator, receives the first and the second correlations to determine a primary multipath component with a higher correlation thereto.

Abstract: A subset of modeled impairment correlation terms are selected for use in received signal processing. According to one embodiment, a subset of modeled impairment correlation terms is selected and a composite impairment correlation term is determined based on the subset of modeled impairment correlation terms. The composite impairment correlation term may be determined by scaling the modeled impairment correlation terms included in the subset by respective model fitting parameters. The scaled modeled impairment correlation terms are then combined to form the composite impairment correlation term. The subset of modeled impairment correlation terms may be selected based on their respective model fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the modeled impairment terms having a model fitting parameter that satisfy a threshold are included in the subset while those that do not are excluded. The composite impairment correlation term may be used for received signal processing, e.g.

Abstract: Object: Even in the case where a receiving signal including a long delayed path having an equivalent power are received, deterioration of the receiving characteristics caused by inter symbol interference is reduced by reducing the variation of the maximum correlation time location and stabilizing the FFT time synchronization. Solution: By correlation calculation method of the correaltor 20, the receiving signal S19 is inputted, three correlation values having different time locations from each other are calculated by the delay circuits 21-2-21-5, the multiplying circuits 22-1-22-3, and the integration circuit 23-1-23-3, the three correlation values thereof are added by the adding circuit 24, and the above adding result is outputted as one correlation value.

Abstract: In a wireless MIMO system with interference cancellation, compensate for decision errors in the cancelled symbols by adjustments to the scaling of the soft estimates with additive interference-proportional to estimates of the decision error probability.

Abstract: For data transmission with spatial spreading, a transmitting entity (1) encodes and modulates each data packet to obtain a corresponding data symbol block, (2) multiplexes data symbol blocks onto NS data symbol streams for transmission on NS transmission channels of a MIMO channel, (3) spatially spreads the NS data symbol streams with steering matrices, and (4) spatially processes NS spread symbol streams for full-CSI transmission on NS eigenmodes or partial-CSI transmission on NS spatial channels of the MIMO channel. A receiving entity (1) obtains NR received symbol streams via NR receive antennas, (2) performs receiver spatial processing for full-CSI or partial-CSI transmission to obtain NS detected symbol streams, (3) spatially despreads the NS detected symbol streams with the same steering matrices used by the transmitting entity to obtain NS recovered symbol streams, and (4) demodulates and decodes each recovered symbol block to obtain a corresponding decoded data packet.

Abstract: Techniques are described that can be used to reduce noise attributable to jitter in a received signal. Multiple filters may be available. The number of available filters may correlate to a period of channel-related jitter in terms of clock cycles. One of the filters may be activated for a particular clock cycle. The activated filter may provide a noise reducing signal based on a reference signal and error identified in a received signal. A filter may be used to provide a signal to reduce noise attributable to error signals from interleaved jittered channels.

Abstract: A peak factor reduction unit that never allow peak factor reproduction even when interpolation is done in a succeeding stage. The unit detects a local maximum value of amplitude components from an input complex signal and supplies a complex signal that passes a band limiting baseband filter and an interpolation filter to a correction signal generation unit for generating a correction signal used for peak factor reduction and reduces a peak factor of the input complex signal with use of the correction signal generated from an interpolated complex signal.

Abstract: Synchronizing multiple-phase data converters by exchanging terminal count pulses via a bidirectional link. Multiple-phase data converters such as analog to digital converters (ADCs) or digital to analog converters (DACs) are synchronized to operate at the same phase by exchanging terminal count (TC) pulses and capturing counter state, representing a time offset from TC. Time offset and the symmetrical delay introduced by the link are used to solve for the delay introduced by the link and the off-set between devices. The offset information is used to align the devices. The process may be repeated to correct for drift.

Abstract: System for determining a time delay between a first and second different transmission path, whereby the first transmission path can be the path of a video signal and the second transmission path can be the path of a corresponding audio signal, the system comprising a sender and a receiver wherein said sender comprises the following functionalities: -a transmit function to transmit over a first transmission path a predetermined first signal, and a start function to start a timer at a first moment substantially simultaneously with the transmit function; -a wait function to wait for an acknowledgement of a reception of said second signal by said receiver, said acknowledgement being sent along a return transmission path that shows substantially no delay when compared to said time delay, -a stop function to stop upon reception of said acknowledgement, said timer at a second moment, -a calculation function to calculate said time delay as being a difference between said second moment and said first moment, -a storag

Abstract: There is provided a mobile station device capable of reducing processing of cell search. In this device, an FFT timing detection unit (603) detects a symbol timing and a frame timing detection unit (606) detects a frame timing by using the frame timing detection symbol. After a frame timing is detected, a code group detection unit (608) detects a code group and a scrambling code identification unit (610) identifies a scrambling code. That is, the frame timing detection process is separated from the code group detection process and after detecting the frame timing, a symbol timing multiplied by the code group sequence is identified so that the code group is detected only at the symbol timing.

Abstract: A method for the synchronization of a radio receiver, comprising an estimation of the moment when a pulse (11, 17) is received (11, 17), performed from the moment when a previous pulse was received. The estimated moment is compared with the real moment when the pulse (21, 27) is received in order to validate an association of pulses with values of a code recorded in the receiver (31, 37). A moment for the beginning of transmission of a symbol is thus deduced, enabling the receiver to be synchronized in relation to the transmitted radio pulse sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides an FFT window spread generating method used in the modulation of an OFDM system. When OFDM-modulated received signals each having a time length greater than or equal to an effective symbol length are demodulated by FFT processing using a spread FFT window, the spread FFT window makes use of received signals each having the time length greater than or equal to the effective symbol length. Spreading windows spread before and/or after the effective symbol length are provided. Received signals lying within the spreading windows are added to their corresponding received signals lying within the effective symbol length and different in time position by the effective symbol length, and the amplitudes of the added received signals are reduced to half respectively, thereby generating the spread FFT window.

Abstract: A method of identifying the modulation format of a received radio frequency (RF) signal from a plurality of modulation formats is described. The method comprises: (a) sampling the RF signal to generate sampled input data (520); (b) analysing at least first samples of the sampled input data to generate characteristic data (530); (c) comparing the characteristic data with stored information representing each of modulation formats to identify a most probable modulation format (550); and (d) outputting data representing the most probable modulation format (560). The modulation format can therefore be identified without requiring a sequential search until a match is found. In effect all of the modulation formats are being searched concurrently. This reduces the time required to identify the modulation format.

Abstract: A system and method for clock data recovery for programming direct digital synthesizers is disclosed. A counter is used to calculate a coarse measurement of the clock frequency of a received digital signal, and a tap delay line is used to calculate a fine measurement of the clock frequency of the received digital signal. The coarse and fine measurements are used to calculate a value for programming a direct digital synthesizer to produce a clock signal that is an approximate replica of the clock frequency of the received digital signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for clock phase alignment between active and standby clock cards. The apparatus includes: a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) adapted for adjusting a clock phase of a clock card; a phase detection module adapted for detecting a phase difference between a clock of the clock card and that of a counterpart clock card; and a CPU adapted for calculating a value for the phase register within the DDS according to the detected phase difference. The method includes: if the clock card is in standby state, detecting a phase difference between a clock of the clock card and that of the counterpart clock card; and adjusting, by the DDS, a phase of the clock of the clock card to be aligned to that of the counterpart clock card, according to the detected phase difference. A clock card is further disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma-ring generator is provided where a multitude of capacitors discharge across arc-points arranged ina circular or other configuration to cause a plasma-ring or plasma-structure with a circulating electric current to be formed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a combined-cycle power system are provided. The method includes operating the steam turbine, the combustion turbine, and the steam source at steady state operating conditions. Upon sensing a grid frequency deviation away from the standardized grid frequency value, determining a current thermal energy capacity of the steam source, determining a rate of frequency recovery available using the current thermal energy capacity of the steam source and a predetermined rate of change of the at least one steam turbine control valve, if the determined rate of frequency recovery available is greater than the grid frequency deviation, mitigating the frequency deviation using the current thermal energy capacity, if the determined rate of frequency recovery available is less than the grid frequency deviation then mitigating the frequency deviation using the current thermal energy capacity substantially simultaneously with a power level increase of the combustion turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear fuel storage unit (10) which includes a vessel (12) and at least one tubular member (22) which extends through the vessel (12), opposite ends thereof opening out of the vessel (12) at spaced apart positions, to define an internal coolant flow path and such that a fuel receiving cavity (24) is defined between an outer surface of the at least one tubular member (22) and an inner surface of the vessel (12). The configuration of the fuel receiving cavity (24) is such that the packing density and geometry of fuel received in the fuel receiving cavity (24) is such that the fuel remains sub-critical. The storage unit (10) includes also at least one fuel loading passage (26) leading into the fuel receiving cavity (24) whereby fuel to be stored can be introduced into the fuel receiving cavity (24).

Abstract: A fuel channel for housing a fuel rod bundle in a boiling water nuclear reactor includes an expanded section to create an increased flow area at a top of the fuel channel and thereby reduce a pressure drop through the fuel channel. The expanded section eliminates a need for channel spacers and a fastener guard.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shift register that is adaptive for preventing malfunction and damage, and a driving method thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting objects utilizes a fan beam or flood beam to illuminate the inspected region of the object. A modulator, which may take the form of a movable mask, dynamically encodes the beam so that each segment of the inspected region receives varying amounts of radiation according to a predetermined temporal sequence. The resultant signal produced by a backscatter detector or optional transmission detector receiving radiation from the object is decoded to recover spatial information so that an image of the inspected region may be constructed.

Abstract: Image quality is an important feature for CT scanning, in particular for helical cone-beam CT scanning. By using projection data acquired at two different positions of the focal spot of the radiation beam and rebinning that projection data from a first geometry to a second geometry the two sub-sets of projection data are combined to one rebinned projection data set, thereby improving the radial resolution of the data set. Advantageously, according to an aspect of the present invention, a further rebinning may be performed, from the second geometry back to the first geometry, therefore resulting in a projection data set in the initial geometry with a higher radial resolution.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing an acquired image signal in parallel to generate a reconstructed image signal. In one embodiment, a processing component is provided comprising one or more field-programmable gate arrays configured as co-processors. Other aspects of the present technique provide a pipelined processor configured to forward- and back-project image data using the same data path and arithmetic units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography method with a circular relative movement between the beam source and an iterative reconstruction method suitable therefor. The reconstruction method is substantially improved by deriving the first approximation image from a CT image, which is obtained from a prior acquisition during helical relative movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for beam hardening correction in medical image. Beam hardening within the context of medical imaging projection image profiles are split up into a basic profile which is assigned to a homogeneous object area and into a detailed profile which is assigned to an inhomogeneous object area. On the basis of the basic profile and of the difference profile the mass occupancy of the different components in the object to be examined can be approximately determined. On the basis of the approximately determined mass occupancy the correction of the beam hardening can then be performed directly on the projection data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an examination apparatus for the evaluation of X-ray projections (31-33, 41-43) that were generated with a rotational X-ray device (10) from different directions and with an energy level varying periodically from projection to projection. Said variation may for example be achieved by a continuously modulated tube voltage (V). Two different 3D-images (35, 45) may be reconstructed from the X-ray projections (31-33, 41-43) which belong to the different energy levels, and said 3D-images may then be compared voxel by voxel in order to segment structures (50) of interest due to contrast differences.

Abstract: In coherent scatter computed tomography, the scatter angle from object points (31, 32, 33, 34, 35), which are located on a line (36) perpendicular to the central beam (45) in the plane of rotation, varies as a non-linear function of the fan-angle of the detector row (37). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a single-line energy-resolved detector for CSCT data acquisition is used, which measures scattered photons originating from object points on a circular arc under the same scatter angle. This automatically leads to a Cartesian q-sampling on a parallel-rebinned detector. Advantageously, this may avoid q-interpolation prior to parallel-rebinned filtered back-projection reconstruction.

Abstract: A computer tomography apparatus (100) for examination of an object of interest (107), the computer tomography apparatus (100) comprising detecting elements (123) adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation coherently scattered from an object of interest (107) in an energy-resolving manner, and a determination unit (118) adapted to determine structural information concerning the object of interest (107) based on a statistical analysis of detecting signals received from the detecting elements (123).

Abstract: A user interface is provided for manipulation of image data. In some embodiments, the interface includes a display region spanning only a locus of interdependent variable values that is exclusive of invalid pairs of parameter values.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a rotating mechanism unit which continuously rotates the X-ray tube around a subject to be examined, together with the X-ray detector, a data storage unit which stores projection data corresponding to an output from the X-ray detector in association with the angles of the X-ray tube at the time of data acquisition, a reconstruction processing unit which reconstructs a plurality of images on the basis of a plurality of projection data sets stored in the data storage unit, the plurality of projection data sets corresponding to the same range from a first view angle to a second view angle, and a display unit which displays the plurality of reconstructed images.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for obtaining stereoscopic x-ray images. The method includes taking two digital x-ray views of the same object from differing positions. The included angle between the axes of the x-rays for each position generally coincides with that formed by a pair of eyes viewing the object, though larger angles can be used. The x-rays can be taken by two x-ray generators within a single housing or within separate but attached housings. The generators are spaced apart and aimed at the object to form the appropriate angle. Care is taken not to move the object. Preferably, the x-ray generators have dual collimators to take the views. In this case, the time between taking the two x-rays need only be as long as the image capture time of the sensor being used, which lessens the chance of the object moving.

Abstract: An X-ray source (101) is configured to controllably irradiate a sample (105) with incident X-rays through a sample window (104) that has a two-dimensional area. A detector (102) is configured to detect fluorescent radiation coming from the irradiated sample. A carrier (301, 401, 402, 501, 601) is essentially transparent to X-rays and disposed to spatially coincide with a substantial part of the two-dimensional area of the sample window (104). Marker material (303, 403, 602), which is responsive to X-rays by emitting fluorescent radiation, is mechanically supported by said carrier and essentially evenly distributed across at least that part of the carrier that spatially coincides with said two-dimensional area of the sample window.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying foreign objection (FOD) in items such as aircraft are disclosed. The item may be imaged using x-ray backscatter before and after work is performed thereon. The image taken before work may be subtracted from the image taken after the work to provide a resultant image. The resultant image may indicate the presence of any FOD. Potential FOD in the resultant image may be checked against a database of known FOD to determine the identity thereof. By finding FOD, the occurrence of catastrophes such as aircraft crashes may be mitigated.