Optimization of Excitation in FDTD Method and Corresponding Source Modeling

Source and excitation modeling in FDTD formulation has a significant impact on the method performance and the required simulation time. Since the abrupt source introduction yields intensive numerical variations in whole computational domain, a generally accepted solution is to slowly introduce the source, using appropriate shaping functions in time. The main goal of the optimization presented in this paper is to find balance between two opposite demands: minimal required computation time and acceptable degradation of simulation performance. Reducing the time necessary for source activation and deactivation is an important issue, especially in design of microwave structures, when the simulation is intensively repeated in the process of device parameter optimization. Here proposed optimized source models are realized and tested within an own developed FDTD simulation environment

Performance Improvement of QPSK Signal Predetection EGC Diversity Receiver

This paper proposes a modification of quadrature phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal diversity reception with predetection equal gain combiner (EGC). The EGC combining is realized by using the constant modulus algorithm (CMA). Carrier synchronization is performed by the phase locked loop (PLL). Comparative analysis of the modified and ordinary diversity receiver in the presence of carrier frequency offset in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, as well as in Rician fading channel is shown. The proposed diversity receiver allows significant frequency offset compared to the diversity receiver that uses only PLL, and the error probability of the proposed receiver is very close to the error probability of the receiver with only PLL and zero frequency offset. The functionality of the proposed diversity receiver, as well as its properties is experimentally verified on a system based on universal software radio peripheral (USRP) hardware. The performed comparison confirms the expected behavior of the system

Stark Broadening of in III Lines in Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasma

Besides the need of Stark broadening parameters for a number of problems in physics, and plasma technology, in hot star atmospheres the conditions exist where Stark widths are comparable and even larger than the thermal Doppler widths. Using the semiclassical perturbation method we investigated here the influence of collisions with charged particles for In III spectral lines. We determined a number of Stark broadening parameters important for the investigation of plasmas in the atmospheres of A-type stars and white dwarfs. Also, we have compared the obtained results with existing experimental data. The results will be included in the STARK-B database, the Virtual Atomic and Molecular Data Center and the Serbian Virtual Observatory

A Novel Diversity Receiver Structure for Severe Fading and Frequency Offset Conditions

This paper presents a novel diversity receiver of MPSK signal in fading channel in the presence of the carrier frequency offset. As a part of this receiver, a new algorithm for the estimation of the combining coefficients (ECC algorithm) is introduced. Having in mind that the QPSK modulation is one of the most used modulation formats in many wireless communication standards (LTE, WiFi, WiMax), the performance of the proposed receiver is analyzed in more detail for the QPSK modulation. In the presence of Rayleigh fading, representing the most severe fading condition, this algorithm shows significantly better performance comparing to the same receiver structure that uses conventional constant modulus algorithm (CMA1 or CMA2). The proposed diversity receiver structure with ECC algorithm operates within a wide carrier frequency offset range with a very small variation of the performance. For this reason, it can be applied in 4G mobile communication systems

A Method for Gradient Enhancement of Continuum Damage Models

A method for the regularization of continuum damage material models based on gradient-type enhancement of the free-energy functional is presented. Direct introduction of the gradient of the damage variable would require C1 interpolation of the displacements, which is a complicated task to achieve with quadrilateral elements. Therefore a new variable field is introduced, which makes the model non-local in nature, while preserving C0 interpolation order of the variables at the same time. The strategy is formulated as a pure minimization problem, therefore the LBB-condition does not apply in this case. However, we still take the interpolation of the displacement field one order higher than the interpolation of the field of additional (non-local) variables. That leads to increased accuracy and removes the post-processing step necessary to obtain consistent results in the case of equal interpolation order. Several numerical examples which show the performance of the proposed gradient enhancement are presented. The pathological mesh dependence of the damage model is efficiently removed, together with the difficulties of numerical calculations in the softening range. Calculations predict a development of the damage variable which is mesh-objective for fixed internal material length

Sustainable reuse of modern movement heritage buildings : problems and solutions in Scotland and Italy

Many buildings which were built in the 20th century, and due to their exceptional architectural value included in the lists of built heritage, are sometimes standing vacant for different reasons. This paper investigates the problems that need to be resolved to enable a sustainable reuse of various types of modern heritage buildings. The investigation is undertaken through case studies of some modern heritage buildings in Scotland and Italy in order to identify common problems and regional differences in enabling the reuse of those buildings. In addition, some examples of the reuse of modern built heritage are presented to highlight what has contributed to the reuse, and whether and how that meets the current environmental requirements, and the local social and economic needs. The research indicates how public and private organisations have contributed to the successful reuse of modern built heritage and what problems they encounter in the efforts to provide new uses for the remaining vacant buildings. The investigation examines how economic, social, environmental, functional, structural and design aspects impact on defining new uses for modern heritage buildings. The analysis of the above requirements through the selected case studies leads to the recommendations on the key issues, strategies and tactics that should be considered to enable an appropriate and timely reuse of the 20th century built heritage

UWB System Performance Improvement Using Smart Interference Rejection Filter

In this paper we proposed a smart interference rejection filter in TH-PPM UWB system, which improves the system\'s error probability for an order of magnitude in case of high power OFDM interference. The smart filter is based on an adaptive transversal filter. Based on the fulfillment of certain conditions, the filter activates or deactivates some parts of it

On the Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric of nonlocal de Sitter gravity

Earlier constructed a simple nonlocal de Sitter gravity model has a cosmological solution in a very good agreement with astronomical observations. In this paper, we continue the investigation of the nonlocal de Sitter model of gravity, focusing on finding an appropriate solution for the Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric. We succeeded to solve the equations of motion in a certain approximation. The obtained approximate solution is of particular interest for examining the possible role of non-local de Sitter gravity in describing the effects in galactic dynamics that are usually attributed to dark matter.Comment: 10 page