Fifty Years of Noise Modeling and Mitigation in Power-Line Communications.

Building on the ubiquity of electric power infrastructure, power line communications (PLC) has been successfully used in diverse application scenarios, including the smart grid and in-home broadband communications systems as well as industrial and home automation. However, the power line channel exhibits deleterious properties, one of which is its hostile noise environment. This article aims for providing a review of noise modeling and mitigation techniques in PLC. Specifically, a comprehensive review of representative noise models developed over the past fifty years is presented, including both the empirical models based on measurement campaigns and simplified mathematical models. Following this, we provide an extensive survey of the suite of noise mitigation schemes, categorizing them into mitigation at the transmitter as well as parametric and non-parametric techniques employed at the receiver. Furthermore, since the accuracy of channel estimation in PLC is affected by noise, we review the literature of joint noise mitigation and channel estimation solutions. Finally, a number of directions are outlined for future research on both noise modeling and mitigation in PLC

Uncertainty Quantification of the Responses of Transient Electromagnetic Disturbance Coupling to Transmission Lines Based on Stochastic Models

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

A non-linear approach to modelling and control of electrically stimulated skeletal muscle

This thesis is concerned with the development and analysis of a non-linear approach to modelling and control of the contraction of electrically stimulated skeletal muscle. For muscle which has lost nervous control, artificial electrical stimulation can be used as a technique aimed at providing muscular contraction and producing a functionally useful movement. This is generally referred to as Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and is used in different application areas such as the rehabilitation of paralysed patient and in cardiac assistance where skeletal muscle can be used to support a failing heart. For both these FES applications a model of the muscle is essential to develop algorithms for the controlled stimulation. For the identification of muscle models, real data are available from experiments with rabbit muscle. Data for contraction with constant muscle length were collected from two muscle with very different characteristics. An empirical modelling approach is developed which is suitable for both muscles. The approach is based on a decomposition of the operating space into smaller sub-regions which are then described by local models of simple, possibly linear structure. The local models are blended together by a scheduler, and the resulting non-linear model is called a Local Model Network (LMN). It is shown how a priori knowledge about the system can be used directly when identifying Local Model Networks. Aspects of the structure selection are discussed and algorithms for the identification of the model parameters are presented. Tools of the analysis of Local Model Networks have been developed and are used to validate the models. The problem of designing a controller based on the LMN structure is discussed. The structure of Local Controller Networks is introduced. These can be derived directly from Local Model Networks. Design techniques for input-output and for state feedback controllers, based on pole placement, are presented. Aspects of the generation of optimal stimulation patterns (which are defined as stimulation patterns which deliver the smallest number of pulses to obtain a desired contraction) are discussed, and various techniques to generate them are presented. In particular, it is shown how a control structure can be used to generate optimal stimulation patterns. A Local Controller Network is used as the controller with a design based on a non-linear LMN model of muscle. Experimental data from a non-linear heat transfer process have been collected and are used to demonstrate the basic modelling and control principles throughout the first part of the thesis

Do horizontal propulsive forces influence the nonlinear structure of locomotion?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several investigations have suggested that changes in the nonlinear gait dynamics are related to the neural control of locomotion. However, no investigations have provided insight on how neural control of the locomotive pattern may be directly reflected in changes in the nonlinear gait dynamics. Our simulations with a passive dynamic walking model predicted that toe-off impulses that assist the forward motion of the center of mass influence the nonlinear gait dynamics. Here we tested this prediction in humans as they walked on the treadmill while the forward progression of the center of mass was assisted by a custom built mechanical horizontal actuator.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nineteen participants walked for two minutes on a motorized treadmill as a horizontal actuator assisted the forward translation of the center of mass during the stance phase. All subjects walked at a self-select speed that had a medium-high velocity. The actuator provided assistive forces equal to 0, 3, 6 and 9 percent of the participant's body weight. The largest Lyapunov exponent, which measures the nonlinear structure, was calculated for the hip, knee and ankle joint time series. A repeated measures one-way analysis of variance with a t-test post hoc was used to determine significant differences in the nonlinear gait dynamics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The magnitude of the largest Lyapunov exponent systematically increased as the percent assistance provided by the mechanical actuator was increased.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support our model's prediction that control of the forward progression of the center of mass influences the nonlinear gait dynamics. The inability to control the forward progression of the center of mass during the stance phase may be the reason the nonlinear gait dynamics are altered in pathological populations. However, these conclusions need to be further explored at a range of walking speeds.</p

The hardware implementation of an artificial neural network using stochastic pulse rate encoding principles

In this thesis the development of a hardware artificial neuron device and artificial neural network using stochastic pulse rate encoding principles is considered. After a review of neural network architectures and algorithmic approaches suitable for hardware implementation, a critical review of hardware techniques which have been considered in analogue and digital systems is presented. New results are presented demonstrating the potential of two learning schemes which adapt by the use of a single reinforcement signal. The techniques for computation using stochastic pulse rate encoding are presented and extended with new novel circuits relevant to the hardware implementation of an artificial neural network. The generation of random numbers is the key to the encoding of data into the stochastic pulse rate domain. The formation of random numbers and multiple random bit sequences from a single PRBS generator have been investigated. Two techniques, Simulated Annealing and Genetic Algorithms, have been applied successfully to the problem of optimising the configuration of a PRBS random number generator for the formation of multiple random bit sequences and hence random numbers. A complete hardware design for an artificial neuron using stochastic pulse rate encoded signals has been described, designed, simulated, fabricated and tested before configuration of the device into a network to perform simple test problems. The implementation has shown that the processing elements of the artificial neuron are small and simple, but that there can be a significant overhead for the encoding of information into the stochastic pulse rate domain. The stochastic artificial neuron has the capability of on-line weight adaption. The implementation of reinforcement schemes using the stochastic neuron as a basic element are discussed