Run-time adaptation of a reconfigurable mobile UMTS receiver

UMTS receivers are mobile devices, which should have a low energy consumption and operates in a frequently changing environment. The idea of this paper is to adapt the amount of signal processing for the reception within an UMTS mobile to this changing environment. In this way the amount of signal processing can be decreased for a good channel to decrease the energy consumption and for a bad channel the signal processing can be increased to guarantee a minimum Quality of Service for the signal. Due to space limitation, this paper only describes the approach. For full details see [1]

Run-time Mapping of Applications to a Heterogeneous SoC

This paper presents an iterative hierarchical approach to map an application to a parallel heterogeneous SoC architecture at run-time. The application is modeled as a set of communicating processes. The optimization objective is to minimize the energy consumption of the SoC, while still providing the required Quality of Service. This approach is flexible, scalable and the performance looks promisin

BER estimation for wireless links using BPSK/QPSK modulation

This paper introduces a method that computes an estimation of the bit error rate (BER) based on the RAKE receiver soft output only. For this method no knowledge is needed about the channel characteristics nor the precise external conditions. Simulations show that the mean error of the estimation is below 2%, with only a small variance. Also an estimation of the BER for a different spreading factor or a different number of RAKE finger can be made. Implementation issues for a practical use of the method are discussed

Energy-efficient wireless communication for mobile multimedia terminals

This paper presents a control system that adapts a WCDMA receiver at run-time to minimize the energy consumption while providing an adequate Quality of Service (QoS). The adaptation is done at run-time, because of the dynamic environment of a mobile receiver. Simulations show that run-time adaptation to the environment decreases the energy consumption of a receiver and also improves other QoS parameters, such as a higher throughput and a lower frame error rate

Using heat demand prediction to optimise Virtual Power Plant production capacity

In the coming decade a strong trend towards distributed electricity generation (microgeneration) is expected. Micro-generators are small appliances that generate electricity (and heat) at the kilowatt level, which allows them to be installed in households. By combining a group of micro-generators, a Virtual Power Plant can be formed. The electricity market/network requires a VPP control system to be fast, scalable and reliable. It should be able to adjust the production quickly, handle in the order of millions of micro-generators and it should ensure the required production is really produced by the fleet of microgenerators. When using micro Combined Heat and Power microgenerators, the electricity production is determined by heat demand. In this paper we propose a VPP control system design using learning systems to maximise the economical benefits of the microCHP appliances. Furthermore, ways to test our design are\ud described

Algorithms for balancing demand-side load and micro-generation in Islanded Operation

Micro-generators are devices installed in houses pro-\ud ducing electricity at kilowatt level. These appliances can\ud increase energy efficiency significantly, especially when\ud their runtime is optimized. During power outages micro-\ud generators can supply critical systems and decrease dis-\ud comfort.\ud In this paper a model of the domestic electricity infras-\ud tructure of a house is derived and first versions of algo-\ud rithms for load/generation balancing during a power cut\ud are developed. In this context a microCHP device, produc-\ud ing heat and electricity at the same time with a high effi-\ud ciency, is used as micro-generator.\ud The model and the algorithms are incorporated in a sim-\ud ulator, which is used to study the effect of the algorithms for\ud load/generation balancing. The results show that with some\ud extra hardware all appliances in a house can be supplied,\ud however not always at the preferred time.\u

Islanded house operation using a micro CHP

The µCHP is expected as the successor of\ud the conventional high-efficiency boiler producing next to\ud heat also electricity with a comparable overall efficiency.\ud A µCHP appliance saves money and reduces greenhouse\ud gas emission.\ud An additional functionality of the µCHP is using the\ud appliance as a backupgenerator in case of a power outage.\ud The µCHPcould supply the essential loads, the heating and\ud reduce the discomfort up to a certain level. This requires\ud modifications on the µCHP appliance itself as well as on\ud the domestic electricity infrastructure. Furthermore some\ud extra hardware and a control algorithm for load balancing\ud are necessary.\ud Our load balancing algorithm is supposed to start and\ud stop the µCHP and switch off loads if necessary. The first\ud simulation results show that most of the electricity usage\ud is under the maximum generation line, but to reduce the\ud discomfort an electricity buffer is required.\u

Prosperity ethics

The paradigm-shift from modernism to post-modernism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution pose enormous challenges to universal moral codes and human life today. The thesis of this manuscript is that human prosperity, in the broad sense of human flourishing in this new environment, could be enhanced by re-defining and applying universal moral codes and practising related habits to guide people to prosper and flourish as dignified human beings. In a relevant and vigorous discourse, the book engages with issues regarding morality in an age of high technology. It explores ways in which moral agents can contribute to leading post-modernist people into an environment where humans can prosper and enjoy life in a changing world where many old moral directives are not feasible anymore. This scholarly book contributes to the specific scientific discourse on studies regarding the relevant discipline and offers a new pattern of reasoning in the field of social ethics about moral agency, aiming purposefully to address particular virtues and applicable habits beneficial for human prosperity and dignified life in a changing social environment. From the perspective of applied methodology, the book is the result of a comparative literary study done from the perspective of universal moral codes, which flows from in-created natural law. Recent research results of empirical studies about the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution were consulted and applied to raise awareness of the deep-rooted changes and challenges in society today

Soft output bit error rate estimation for WCDMA

This paper introduces a method that computes an estimation of the bit error rate (BER) based on the RAKE receiver soft output only. For this method no knowledge is needed about the channel characteristics nor the precise external conditions. Simulations show that the mean error of the estimation is below 2%, with only a small variance. Implementation issues for a practical use of the method are discussed