First Long-Term Application of Squeezed States of Light in a Gravitational-Wave Observatory

We report on the first long-term application of squeezed vacuum states of light to improve the shot-noise-limited sensitivity of a gravitational-wave observatory. In particular, squeezed vacuum was applied to the German/British detector GEO600 during a period of three months from June to August 2011, when GEO600 was performing an observational run together with the French/Italian Virgo detector. In a second period squeezing application continued for about 11 months from November 2011 to October 2012. During this time, squeezed vacuum was applied for 90.2% (205.2 days total) of the time that science-quality data was acquired with GEO600. Sensitivity increase from squeezed vacuum application was observed broad-band above 400Hz. The time average of gain in sensitivity was 26% (2.0dB), determined in the frequency band from 3.7kHz to 4.0kHz. This corresponds to a factor of two increase in observed volume of the universe, for sources in the kHz region (e.g. supernovae, magnetars). We introduce three new techniques to enable stable long-term application of squeezed light, and show that the glitch-rate of the detector did not increase from squeezing application. Squeezed vacuum states of light have arrived as a permanent application, capable of increasing the astrophysical reach of gravitational-wave detectors.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

A new cross-layer dynamic spectrum access architecture for TV White Space cognitive radio applications

As evermore applications and services are developed for wireless devices, the dramatic growth in user data traffic has led to the legacy channels becoming congested with the corresponding imperative of requiring more spectra. This has motivated both regulatory bodies and commercial companies to investigate strategies to increase the efficiency of the existing spectrum. With the emergence of cognitive radio technology, and the transference of TV channels from analogue to digital platforms, a unique opportunity to exploit spectrum by mobile digital service providers has emerged, commonly referred to as TV White Space (TVWS). One of the challenges in utilising TVWS spectrum is reliable primary user (PU) detection which is essential as any unlicensed secondary user has no knowledge of the PU and thereby can generate interference. This paper addresses the issue of PU detection by introducing a new dynamic spectrum access algorithm that exploits the unique properties of how digital TV (DTV) frequencies are deployed. A fuzzy logic inference model based on an enhanced detection algorithm (EDA) is used to resolve the inherent uncertain nature of DTV signals. Simulation results confirm EDA significantly improves the detection probability of a TVWS channel compared to existing PU detection techniques, while providing consistently low false positive detections. The paper also analyses the impact of the hidden node problem on EDA by modelling representative buildings and proposes a novel solution

Improving distributed video coding side information by intelligently combining macro-blocks from multiple algorithms

The performance of distributed video coding (DVC) greatly relies on the quality of Side information (SI). This paper investigates a novel way of producing SI by intelligently combining macroblocks (MB) produced by two SI generation algorithms, namely higher-order piecewise temporal trajectory interpolation (HOPTTI) and adaptive overlapped block motion compensation (AOBMC). The two algorithms address the problem differently. HOPTTI attempts to improve the motion estimation using higher order trajectory interpolation while AOMBC addresses the blocking and overlapping problem caused by inaccurate block matching. By judiciously selecting when to incorporate AOBMC with HOPTTI, it would give a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) improvement in SI quality. Two switching mechanisms, which exploit the spatial-temporal correlation at the macro-block level, have been investigated and the RST-based intelligent mode switching (IMS) algorithm is found to produce enhanced SI quality. Experimental results show that the basic mode switching algorithm gives a PSNR improvement of up to 1.8dB in SI quality compared to using only HOPTTI. The more intelligent RST-based switching provides a further PSNR enhancement of up to 1.1dB for certain test sequences

Thermal effects in the Input Optics of the Enhanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory interferometers

We present the design and performance of the LIGO Input Optics subsystem as implemented for the sixth science run of the LIGO interferometers. The Initial LIGO Input Optics experienced thermal side effects when operating with 7 W input power. We designed, built, and implemented improved versions of the Input Optics for Enhanced LIGO, an incremental upgrade to the Initial LIGO interferometers, designed to run with 30 W input power. At four times the power of Initial LIGO, the Enhanced LIGO Input Optics demonstrated improved performance including better optical isolation, less thermal drift, minimal thermal lensing, and higher optical efficiency. The success of the Input Optics design fosters confidence for its ability to perform well in Advanced LIGO

Cognitive Radio and TV White Space (TVWS) Applications

As more user applications emerge for wireless devices, the corresponding amount of traffic is rapidly expanding, with the corollary that ever-greater spectrum capacity is required. Service providers are experiencing deployment blockages due to insufficient bandwidth being available to accommodate such devices. TV White Space (TVWS) represents an opportunity to supplement existing licensed spectrum by exploiting unlicensed resources. TVWS spectrum has materialised from the unused TV channels in the switchover from analogue to digital platforms. The main obstacles to TVWS adoption are reliable detection of primary users (PU) i.e., TV operators and consumers, allied with specifically, the hidden node problem. This chapter presents a new Generalised Enhanced Detection Algorithm (GEDA) that exploits the unique way Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) channels are deployed in different geographical areas. GEDA effectively transforms an energy detector into a feature sensor to achieve significant improvements in detection probability of a DTT PU. Furthermore, by framing a novel margin strategy utilising a keep out contour, the hidden node issue is resolved, and a viable secondary user sensing solution formulated. Experimental results for a cognitive radio TVWS model have formalised both the bandwidth and throughput gains secured by TVWS users with this new paradigm

Disocclusion Hole-Filling in DIBR-Synthesized Images using Multi-Scale Template Matching

Transmitting texture and depth images of captured camera view(s) of a 3D scene enables a receiver to synthesize novel virtual viewpoint images via Depth-Image-Based Rendering (DIBR). However, a DIBR-synthesized image often contains disocclusion holes, which are spatial regions in the virtual view image that were occluded by foreground objects in the captured camera view(s). In this paper, we propose to complete these disocclusion holes by exploiting the self-similarity characteristic of natural images via nonlocal template-matching (TM). Specifically, we first define self-similarity as nonlocal recurrences of pixel patches within the same image across different scales--one characterization of self-similarity in a given image is the scale range in which these patch recurrences take place. Then, at encoder we segment an image into multiple depth layers using available per-pixel depth values, and characterize self-similarity in each layer with a scale range; scale ranges for all layers are transmitted as side information to the decoder. At decoder, disocclusion holes are completed via TM on a per-layer basis by searching for similar patches within the designated scale range. Experimental results show that our method improves the quality of rendered images over previous disocclusion hole-filling algorithms by up to 3.9dB in PSNR

Cost-benefit analysis for commissioning decisions in GEO600

Gravitational wave interferometers are complex instruments, requiring years of commissioning to achieve the required sensitivities for the detection of gravitational waves, of order 10^-21 in dimensionless detector strain, in the tens of Hz to several kHz frequency band. Investigations carried out by the GEO600 detector characterisation group have shown that detector characterisation techniques are useful when planning for commissioning work. At the time of writing, GEO600 is the only large scale laser interferometer currently in operation running with a high duty factor, 70%, limited chiefly by the time spent commissioning the detector. The number of observable gravitational wave sources scales as the product of the volume of space to which the detector is sensitive and the observation time, so the goal of commissioning is to improve the detector sensitivity with the least possible detector down time. We demonstrate a method for increasing the number of sources observable by such a detector, by assessing the severity of non-astrophysical noise contaminations to efficiently guide commissioning. This method will be particularly useful in the early stages and during the initial science runs of the aLIGO and adVirgo detectors, as they are brought up to design performance.Comment: 17 pages, 17 figures, 2 table

High-motion table tennis ball tracking for umpiring applications

Table-tennis umpiring presents many challenges where technology can be judiciously applied to enhance decision-making, especially in the service facet of the game. This paper presents a system to automatically detect and track the ball during table-tennis services to enable precise judgment over their legitimacy. The system comprises a suite of algorithms that adaptively exploit spatial and temporal information from real match videos, which are generally characterized by high object motion, allied with object blurring and occlusion. Experimental results on various table-tennis test videos corroborate the system performance in facilitating accurate and efficient decision-making over the validity of a service

Improving the Robustness of the Advanced LIGO Detectors to Earthquakes

Teleseismic, or distant, earthquakes regularly disrupt the operation of ground–based gravitational wave detectors such as Advanced LIGO. Here, we present EQ mode, a new global control scheme, consisting of an automated sequence of optimized control filters that reduces and coordinates the motion of the seismic isolation platforms during earthquakes. This, in turn, suppresses the differential motion of the interferometer arms with respect to one another, resulting in a reduction of DARM signal at frequencies below 100 mHz. Our method greatly improved the interferometers\u27 capability to remain operational during earthquakes, with ground velocities up to 3.9 μm s−1 rms in the beam direction, setting a new record for both detectors. This sets a milestone in seismic controls of the Advanced LIGO detectors\u27 ability to manage high ground motion induced by earthquakes, opening a path for further robust operation in other extreme environmental conditions