Distributed Remote Vector Gaussian Source Coding for Wireless Acoustic Sensor Networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of remote vector Gaussian source coding for a wireless acoustic sensor network. Each node receives messages from multiple nodes in the network and decodes these messages using its own measurement of the sound field as side information. The node's measurement and the estimates of the source resulting from decoding the received messages are then jointly encoded and transmitted to a neighboring node in the network. We show that for this distributed source coding scenario, one can encode a so-called conditional sufficient statistic of the sources instead of jointly encoding multiple sources. We focus on the case where node measurements are in form of noisy linearly mixed combinations of the sources and the acoustic channel mixing matrices are invertible. For this problem, we derive the rate-distortion function for vector Gaussian sources and under covariance distortion constraints.Comment: 10 pages, to be presented at the IEEE DCC'1

Distributed Remote Vector Gaussian Source Coding with Covariance Distortion Constraints

In this paper, we consider a distributed remote source coding problem, where a sequence of observations of source vectors is available at the encoder. The problem is to specify the optimal rate for encoding the observations subject to a covariance matrix distortion constraint and in the presence of side information at the decoder. For this problem, we derive lower and upper bounds on the rate-distortion function (RDF) for the Gaussian case, which in general do not coincide. We then provide some cases, where the RDF can be derived exactly. We also show that previous results on specific instances of this problem can be generalized using our results. We finally show that if the distortion measure is the mean squared error, or if it is replaced by a certain mutual information constraint, the optimal rate can be derived from our main result.Comment: This is the final version accepted at ISIT'1

Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: Descriptive Report on Participating Schools 2010–11

This report is the fifth in a series of annual reports produced by the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) that will provide descriptive information about the schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP)

A quantum-mechanical perspective on linear response theory within polarizable embedding

The derivation of linear response theory within polarizable embedding is carried out from a rigorous quantum-mechanical treatment of a composite system. Two different subsystem decompositions (symmetric and nonsymmetric) of the linear response function are presented, and the pole structures as well as residues of the individual terms are analyzed and discussed. This theoretical analysis clarifies which form of the response function to use in polarizable embedding, and we highlight complications in separating out subsystem contributions to molecular properties. For example, based on the nonsymmetric decomposition of the complex linear response function, we derive conservation laws for integrated absorption cross sections, providing a solid basis for proper calculations of the intersubsystem intensity borrowing inherent to coupled subsystems and how that can lead to negative subsystem intensities. We finally identify steps and approximations required to achieve the transition from a quantum-mechanical description of the composite system to polarizable embedding with a classical treatment of the environment, thus providing a thorough justification for the descriptions used in polarizable embedding models

Source Coding in Networks with Covariance Distortion Constraints

We consider a source coding problem with a network scenario in mind, and formulate it as a remote vector Gaussian Wyner-Ziv problem under covariance matrix distortions. We define a notion of minimum for two positive-definite matrices based on which we derive an explicit formula for the rate-distortion function (RDF). We then study the special cases and applications of this result. We show that two well-studied source coding problems, i.e. remote vector Gaussian Wyner-Ziv problems with mean-squared error and mutual information constraints are in fact special cases of our results. Finally, we apply our results to a joint source coding and denoising problem. We consider a network with a centralized topology and a given weighted sum-rate constraint, where the received signals at the center are to be fused to maximize the output SNR while enforcing no linear distortion. We show that one can design the distortion matrices at the nodes in order to maximize the output SNR at the fusion center. We thereby bridge between denoising and source coding within this setup

An analytically linearized helicopter model with improved modeling accuracy

An analytically linearized model for helicopter flight response including rotor blade dynamics and dynamic inflow, that was recently developed, was studied with the objective of increasing the understanding, the ease of use, and the accuracy of the model. The mathematical model is described along with a description of the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter and flight test used to validate the model. To aid in utilization of the model for sensitivity analysis, a new, faster, and more efficient implementation of the model was developed. It is shown that several errors in the mathematical modeling of the system caused a reduction in accuracy. These errors in rotor force resolution, trim force and moment calculation, and rotor inertia terms were corrected along with improvements to the programming style and documentation. Use of a trim input file to drive the model is examined. Trim file errors in blade twist, control input phase angle, coning and lag angles, main and tail rotor pitch, and uniform induced velocity, were corrected. Finally, through direct comparison of the original and corrected model responses to flight test data, the effect of the corrections on overall model output is shown

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: Descriptive Report on Participating Schools

This report is the second in a series of annual reports produced by the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) that will provide descriptive information about the private schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), the oldest and largest urban school voucher program in the U. S. The MPCP was launched in the fall of 1990 with seven participating schools enrolling 341 students

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: Descriptive Report on Participating Schools 2009 – 2010

This report is the fourth in a series of annual reports produced by the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) that will provide descriptive information about the schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP)

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: Descriptive Report on Participating Schools 2008 – 2009

This report is the third in a series of annual reports produced by the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) that will provide descriptive information about the schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). This year’s report contains a new section that examines schools from both the public and private sectors that are no longer receiving public funds