Asymmetric-spectra methods for Adaptive FM synthesis

This article provides an overview of further methods for producing hybrid natural-synthetic spectra with adaptive frequency modulation (AdFM). It focuses on three different techniques for the generation of asymmetric spectra based on single-sideband FM, asymmetric FM and Split-sideband synthesis. The first two techniques are applied to the variable delay line implementation of AdFM, whereas the third is based on an extension of the heterodyne method. The article discusses the principles involved in each synthesis technique in good detail, providing one reference implementation for each. A number of examples are discussed, demonstrating the possibilities for a variety of digital audio effects applications

A stochastic approach to synthesizing response spectrum compatible seismic accelerograms

Regulatory agencies require the use of artificial accelerograms satisfying specific criteria of compatibility with a given design spectrum, as input for certain types of analyses for the aseismic design of critical facilities. Most of the numerical methods for simulating seismic motions compatible with a specified design (target) spectrum proposed by various researchers require that a number of real recorded seismic accelerograms of appropriate frequency content is available. To by-pass this requirement, a previously established in the literature probabilistic approach to yield simulated earthquake records whose response spectrum achieves on average a certain level of agreement with a target spectrum is employed in the present paper. At the core of the above method lies the adoption of an appropriate parametric power spectrum model capable of accounting for various site-specific soil conditions. In this regard, the potential of two different, commonly, used spectral forms is evaluated for this purpose in context with the design spectrum defined by the European Code provisions. Next, an iterative wavelet-based matching procedure is applied to the thus acquired records to enhance, individually, the agreement of the corresponding response spectra with the targeted one. Special attention is paid to ensure that the velocity and the displacement time histories associated with the finally obtained artificial accelerograms are physically sound by means of appropriate baseline correction techniques

Theory and Practice of Modified Frequency Modulation Synthesis

The theory and applications of a variant of the well-known synthesis method of frequency modulation, modified frequency modulation (ModFM), is discussed. The technique addresses some of the shortcomings of classic FM and provides a more smoothly evolving spectrum with respect to variations in the modulation index. A complete description of the method is provided, discussing its characteristics and practical considerations of instrument design. A phase synchronous version of ModFM is presented and its applications on resonant and formant synthesis are explored. Extensions to the technique are introduced, providing means of changing spectral envelope symmetry. Finally its applications as an adaptive effect are discussed. Sound examples for the various applications of the technique are offered online

SOWAT: Speckle Observations With Alleviated Turbulence

Adaptive optics (AO) systems and image reconstruction algorithms are indispensable tools when it comes to high-precision astrometry. In this paper, we analyze the potential of combining both techniques, i.e. by applying image reconstruction on partially AO corrected short exposures. Therefore we simulate speckle clouds with and without AO corrections and create synthetic observations. We apply holographic image reconstruction to the obtained observations and find that (i) the residual wavefronts decorrelate slowlier and to a lower limit when AO systems are used, (ii) the same reference stars yield a better reconstruction, and (iii) using fainter reference stars we achieve a similar image quality. These results suggest that holographic imaging of speckle observations is feasible with 2-3 times longer integration times and 3mag fainter reference stars, to obtain diffraction-limited imaging from low-order AO systems that are less restricted in sky-coverage than typical high-order AO systems.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, and 3 table

Wavelet-based response spectrum compatible synthesis of accelerograms-Eurocode application (EC8)

An integrated approach for addressing the problem of synthesizing artificial seismic accelerograms compatible with a given displacement design/target spectrum is presented in conjunction with aseismic design applications. Initially, a stochastic dynamics solution is used to obtain a family of simulated non-stationary earthquake records whose response spectrum is on the average in good agreement with the target spectrum. The degree of the agreement depends significantly on the adoption of an appropriate parametric evolutionary power spectral form, which is related to the target spectrum in an approximate manner. The performance of two commonly used spectral forms along with a newly proposed one is assessed with respect to the elastic displacement design spectrum defined by the European code regulations (EC8). Subsequently, the computational versatility of the family of harmonic wavelets is employed to modify iteratively the simulated records to satisfy the compatibility criteria for artificial accelerograms prescribed by EC8. In the process, baseline correction steps, ordinarily taken to ensure that the obtained accelerograms are characterized by physically meaningful velocity and displacement traces, are elucidated. Obviously, the presented approach can be used not only in the case of the EC8, for which extensive numerical results/examples are included, but also for any code provisions mandated by regulatory agencies. In any case, the presented numerical results can be quite useful in any aseismic design process dominated by the EC8 specifications

Roadmap on semiconductor-cell biointerfaces.

This roadmap outlines the role semiconductor-based materials play in understanding the complex biophysical dynamics at multiple length scales, as well as the design and implementation of next-generation electronic, optoelectronic, and mechanical devices for biointerfaces. The roadmap emphasizes the advantages of semiconductor building blocks in interfacing, monitoring, and manipulating the activity of biological components, and discusses the possibility of using active semiconductor-cell interfaces for discovering new signaling processes in the biological world