Reduced-Complexity Maximum-Likelihood Detection in Downlink SDMA Systems

The literature of up-link SDMA systems is rich, but at the time of writing there is a paucity of information on the employment of SDMA techniques in the down-link. Hence, in this paper a Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) down-link (DL) multi-user communication system invoking a novel low-complexity Maximum Likelihood (ML) space-time detection technique is proposed, which can be regarded as an advanced extension of the Complex Sphere Decoder (CSD). We demonstrate that as opposed to the previously published variants of the CSD, the proposed technique may be employed for obtaining a high effective throughput in the so-called “over-loaded” scenario, where the number of transmit antennas exceeds that of the receive antennas. The proposed method achieves the optimum performance of the ML detector even in heavily over-loaded scenarios, while the associated computational complexity is only moderately increased. As an illustrative example, the required Eb/N0 increased from 2 dB to 9 dB, when increasing the normalized system load from unity, representing the fully loaded system, to a normalized load of 1.556

Nucleon-Meson Coupling Constants and Form Factors in the Quark Model

We demonstrate the calculation of the coupling constants and form factors required by effective hadron lagrangians using the quark model. These relations follow from equating expressions for strong transition amplitudes in the two approaches. As examples we derive the NNm nucleon-meson coupling constants and form factors for m = pi, eta, eta', sigma, a_0, omega and rho, using harmonic oscillator quark model meson and baryon wavefunctions and the 3P0 decay model; this is a first step towards deriving a quark-based model of the NN force at all separations. This technique should be useful in the application of effective lagrangians to processes in which the lack of data precludes the direct determination of coupling constants and form factors from experiment.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

HD 179949b - a close orbiting extrasolar giant planet with a stratosphere?

The original article can be found at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com Copyright Blackwell Publishing. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13831.xWe have carried out a search for the 2.14-μm spectroscopic signature of the close orbiting extrasolar giant planet, HD179949b. High-cadence time-series spectra were obtained with the Cryogenic high-resolution InfraRed ´ Echelle Spectrograph at Very Large Telescope, Unit 1 on two closely separated nights. Deconvolution yielded spectroscopic profiles with mean signal-to-noise ratios of several thousand, enabling the near-infrared contrast ratios predicted for the HD179949 system to be achieved. Recent models have predicted that the hottest planets may exhibit spectral signatures in emission due to the presence of TiO and VO which may be responsible for a temperature inversion high in the atmosphere.We have used our phase-dependent orbital model and tomographic techniques to search for the planetary signature under the assumption of an absorption line dominated atmospheric spectrum, where T and V are depleted from the atmospheric model, and an emission line dominated spectrum, where TiO and VO are present. We do not detect a planet in either case, but the 2.120–2.174-μm wavelength region covered by our observations enables the deepest near-infrared limits yet to be placed on the planet/star contrast ratio of any close orbiting extrasolar giant planet system. We are able to rule out the presence of an atmosphere dominated by absorption opacities in the case of HD179949b at a contrast ratio of Fp/F∗ ∼ 1/3350, with 99 per cent confidence.Peer reviewe

Evidence of a massive planet candidate orbiting the young active K5V star BD+20 1790

Original article can be found at: http://www.aanda.org/ Copyright The European Southern Observatory (ESO). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/200811000Context. BD+20 1790 is a young active, metal-rich, late-type K5Ve star. We have undertaken a study of stellar activity and kinematics for this star over the past few years. Previous results show a high level of stellar activity, with the presence of prominence-like structures, spots on the surface, and strong flare events, despite the moderate rotational velocity of the star. In addition, radial velocity variations with a semi-amplitude of up to 1 km s-1 were detected. Aims. We investigate the nature of these radial velocity variations, in order to determine whether they are due to stellar activity or the reflex motion of the star induced by a companion. Methods. We have analysed high-resolution echelle spectra by measuring stellar activity indicators and computing radial velocity (RV) and bisector velocity spans. Two-band photometry was also obtained to produce the light curve and determine the photometric period. Results. Based upon the analysis of the bisector velocity span, as well as spectroscopic indices of chromospheric indicators, Ca ii H & K, Hα, and taking the photometric analysis into account, we report that the best explanation for the RV variation is the presence of a substellar companion. The Keplerian fit of the RV data yields a solution for a close-in massive planet with an orbital period of 7.78 days. The presence of the close-in massive planet could also be an interpretation for the high level of stellar activity detected. Since the RV data are not part of a planet search programme, we can consider our results as a serendipitous evidence of a planetary companion. To date, this is the youngest main sequence star for which a planetary candidate has been reported.Peer reviewe

Inner forearc sequence architecture in response to climatic and tectonic forcing since 150 ka : Hawhe's Bay, New Zealand

International audienceThe influence of eustasy, tectonic deformation, and sediment flux as controlling parameters on basin stratigraphy and depositional sequence development are largely accepted. Eustasy is usually considered as the dominant mechanism of sequence generation, especially for Pleistocene successions. In active subduction-margin settings, the high rates of tectonic deformation are expected to have a stronger influence on basin-fill architecture, while sediment flux is generally less well constrained, and therefore less frequently considered. The active Hikurangi subduction margin in New Zealand offers the opportunity to quantitatively assess the relative roles of tectonic, climatic, and eustatic drivers. We present a quantitative source-to-sink-like study of the late Pleistocene succession from the Hawke's Bay sector of the inner forearc domain (c. 150 ka to present). The interpretation of a grid of high-resolution marine seismic data, onland and offshore core and well descriptions, and the integration of geomorphic studies enabled identification of system tracts. In turn these comprise two sea-level-cycle depositional sequences (LPS1 and LPS2), including one complete 100 ka sequence (LPS1). Isopach maps of both sequences reveal changes in sediment distribution and preservation that reflect the relative roles of tectonic deformation and eustasy. Eustasy dominates development of sequence architecture at relatively short time scales (i.e., 100 kyrs). Four long-lasting depocenters are identified over the inner forearc domain and located in four subsiding basins (Kidnappers, Mahia, Lachlan, and Motu-o-Kura basins). Significant shifts of the depocenter location in the basins are correlated with eustatic sea-level changes. Estimates of sediment volumes and masses from isopach maps indicate higher mass accumulation rates during climato-eustatic extremes, which we correlated to the onland erosional response. Sediment distribution and landscape evolution are strongly influenced by the interaction of the structural deformation and sediment flux. We present paleogeographic reconstructions for the inner forearc domain coincident with two paleoclimatic extremes (Last Glacial Maximum and Holocene Optimum). These illustrate the importance of eustatic changes, structural deformation, and sediment flux on the pattern of sediment distribution, accumulation, and sequence architecture

Red Optical Planet Survey : A radial velocity search for low mass M dwarf planets

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedWe present radial velocity results from our Red Optical Planet Survey (ROPS), aimed at detecting low-mass planets orbiting mid-late M dwarfs. The similar to 10 ms(-1) precision achieved over 2 consecutive nights with the MIKE spectrograph at Magellan Clay is also found on week long timescales with UVES at VLT. Since we find that UVES is expected to attain photon limited precision of order 2 ms-1 using our novel deconvolution technique, we are limited only by the

Integrated electrical and mechanical modelling of integrated-full-electric-propulsion systems

Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) systems are the subject of much interest at present. Current research is focused on analysing and improving aspects of subsystem and system performance. However, there is a great need to look more widely at the `multi-physics' problem of characterising the dynamic interactions between the electrical and mechanical systems. This paper will discuss the changing nature of modelling and simulation to aid research into IFEP systems, outlining the alternative angle taken by the Advanced Marine Electrical Propulsion Systems (AMEPS) project to characterise and investigate electrical-mechanical system interactions. The paper will describe this approach and highlight the unique challenges associated with the problem, discussing the suitable methods that will be adopted to address these challenges. Finally, an overview of the present and future research opportunities facilitated via the AMEPS project will be presented

Possible liquid immiscibility textures in high-magnesia basalts from the Ventersdorp Supergroup, South Africa

The lowermost succession of lavas in the Proterozoic Ventersdorp Supergroup contains light weathering ocelli up to 15 cm in diameter which occur in layers of a darker weathering volcanic material. Some ocelli appear to merge, and discrete light weathering layers may be the ultimate end-stage of this coalescence. Alternatively, coexisting magmas in the neck of the volcano may have been erupted in varying proportions, and turbulence during flow caused spalling of large drops of the lighter weathering material into the other. Several lines of field evidence suggest that two distinct liquids coexisted and were rapidly quenched after eruption. Chemical data for ocelli and matrix are consistent with the hypothesis of liquid immiscibility. The differences in compositions between the coexisting pairs of liquids are small and it is suggested that the original magmas must have been close to the consulute composition

Periodic variability of spotted M dwarfs in WTS

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.We present an analysis of the photometric variability of M dwarfs in the WFCAM Transit Survey, selected from spectral types inferred by their WTS and SDSS colours, with periods detected using a Lomb-Scargle Periodogram Analisys. We estimate population membership of these objects from their tangential velocities and photometric parralaxes. Examples of M dwarfs with variable light curve morphologuies are found. We discuss possible causes for this and make use of models of spotted stars in our interpretation of the results