225 research outputs found
Blind adaptive equalizer for broadband MIMO time reversal STBC based on PDF fitting
In this paper, we propose a new blind adaptive technique used for the equalisation of space-time block coded (STBC) signals transmitted over a dispersive MIMO channel. The proposed approach is based on minimising the difference between the probability density function (PDF) of the equalizer output — estimated via the Parzen window method — and a desired PDF based on the source symbols. The cost function combines this PDF fitting with an orthogonality criterion derived from the STBC structure of the transmitted data in order to discourage the extraction of identical signals. This cost function motivates an effective and low-cost stochastic gradient descent algorithm for adapting the equaliser. The performance is demonstrated in a number of simulations and benchmarked against other blind schemes for the equalisation of STBC over broadband MIMO channels
Doping Dependence of Thermal Oxidation on n-type 4H-SiC
The doping dependence of dry thermal oxidation rates in n-type 4H-SiC was
investigated. The oxidation was performed in the temperature range 1000C to
1200C for samples with nitrogen doping in the range of 6.5e15/cm3 to
9.3e18/cm3, showing a clear doping dependence. Samples with higher doping
concentrations displayed higher oxidation rates. The results were interpreted
using a modified Deal-Grove model. Linear and parabolic rate constants and
activation energies were extracted. Increasing nitrogen led to an increase in
linear rate constant pre-exponential factor from 10-6m/s to 10-2m/s and the
parabolic rate constant pre-exponential factor from 10e9m2/s to 10e6m2/s. The
increase in linear rate constant was attributed to defects from doping-induced
lattice mismatch, which tend to be more reactive than bulk crystal regions. The
increase in the diffusion-limited parabolic rate constant was attributed to
degradation in oxide quality originating from the doping-induced lattice
mismatch. This degradation was confirmed by the observation of a decrease in
optical density of the grown oxide films from 1.4 to 1.24. The linear
activation energy varied from 1.6eV to 2.8eV, while the parabolic activation
energy varied from 2.7eV to 3.3eV, increasing with doping concentration. These
increased activation energies were attributed to higher nitrogen content,
leading to an increase in effective bond energy stemming from the difference in
C-Si (2.82eV) and Si-N (4.26eV) binding energies. This work provides crucial
information in the engineering of SiO2 dielectrics for SiC MOS structures,
which typically involve regions of very different doping concentrations, and
suggests that thermal oxidation at high doping concentrations in SiC may be
defect mediated.Comment: 13 pages. 9 figures, accepted as a transiction in IEEE electron
device. TED MS#8035
Communication Lower Bounds and Optimal Algorithms for Multiple Tensor-Times-Matrix Computation
Cell wall arabinan is essential for guard cell function
Stomatal guard cells play a key role in the ability of plants to survive on dry land, because their movements regulate the exchange of gases and water vapor between the external environment and the interior of the plant. The walls of these cells are exceptionally strong and must undergo large and reversible deformation during stomatal opening and closing. The molecular basis of the unique strength and flexibility of guard cell walls is unknown. We show that degradation of cell wall arabinan prevents either stomatal opening or closing. This locking of guard cell wall movements can be reversed if homogalacturonan is subsequently removed from the wall. We suggest that arabinans maintain flexibility in the cell wall by preventing homogalacturonan polymers from forming tight associations
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