Evaluating the IEEE 802.15.4a UWB physical layer for WSN applications

Wireless communications are becoming an integral part of our daily lives such as wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Since more and more devices are going wireless today, it is essential that future wireless technologies can coexist with each other. Ultra wideband (UWB) is a promising solution to this problem due to can coexist with other wireless devices, make it a good candidate for short to medium range wireless system such as WSNs. This research presents the analysis of the IEEE 802.15.4a UWB physical layer (PHY), a novel short range wireless communication technology, for wireless sensor network applications. We analysed and compared the performance of the UWB PHY using the MIXIM framework for a discrete event based simulator called OMNeT++. Among the objectives of our study is to compare the performances by evaluate the bit error rate (BER), throughput and impact of Reed Solomon (RS) coding. In this context, we simulated various types of channels – free space path loss, Ghassemzadeh statistical indoor channels and IEEE 802.15.4a channel models with a variety of configurations such as data rate, bandwidth and forward error correction. An analysis on BER over distances and throughput will be discussed to evaluate the channels performance. The simulation results can be explored for planning and deploying IEEE 802.15.4a based sensor networks with specific performance demands. Besides, specific protocol limitations in real time environment can be identified and solutions can be suggested

Pentadbiran awam dan proses-proses pengurusan: Satu kerangka konseptual

To some people, the scopes of administration and management are similar although in actual fact both concepts are actually different.This confusion emerges from the vagueness of the true meanings of both concepts.This leads to the situation where, in some particular cases, the terms administration and management have been used interchangeably.This paper attempts to clarify from the point of view of the original concept of both scopes so as to explain the confusion and offer an understanding of the situation and their relationships.By referring to the public administration as a subject of study, this paper proposes a conceptual framework to operationally explain the concepts of administration and management

Sistem pendidikan baru Malaysia: Suatu pendekatan holistik-komprehensif

Dasar Pendidikan Negara telah melahirkan Sistem Pendidikan Malaysia yang mengikut acuannya tersendiri.Sistem ini telah mencapai usia melebihi 40 tahun pada hari ini dengan melalui berbagai pindaan dan perubahan mengikut peredaran masa.Usia yang begitu lama bagaimanapun, tidak menjamin Sistem Pendidikan Malaysia muncul sebagai satu sistem yang terunggul.Pengaruh perubahan struktur politik, ekonomi dan sosial dalam dan luar negara telah menyebabkan sistem ini gagal memainkan peranan sebagai institusi yang melahirkan modal insan berkualiti di masa hadapan.Malahan kelemahan sistem pendidikan ini tidak dapat menghalang negara daripada dihinggapi oleh tiga penyakit, iaitu gejala sosial, buta huruf dan pengangguran, di samping wujudnya ketidakadilan sosial akibat pembuatan keputusan yang tidak tepat. Individu yang dihinggapi oleh penyakit-penyakit sosial ini boleh dianggap sebagai `individu-individu yang tidak berguna’ kepa da negara.Artikel ini cuba memperkenalkan satu alternatif sistem pendidikan baru yang lebih lengkap, menyeluruh dan berterusan untuk mengelakkan berlakunya tapisan keluar `individu-individu yang tidak berguna’ tadi. Artikel berkonsepkan pengajuan dasar (policy articulation) ini dihasilkan dengan menggunakan kaedah temu bual, kajian perpustakaan, semakan bahan-bahan terbitan beberapa agensi awam kerajaan, dan pernah dibincangkan dalam seminar peringkat kebangsaan untuk mendapat input-input berguna yang berkaitan bagi mengukuhkan penghujahan

Streambank erosion prediction using empirical model for natural river channels / Azlinda Saadon

Streambank erosion is commonly associated with river meandering initiation and development, through width adjustment and planform evolution. It consists of two types of erosion mechanism; basal erosion due to fluvial hydraulic force and bank failure under the influence of gravity. These processes require an intergration between soil-water interactions to properly understand the factors constitutes to streambank erosion and its impact to major scouring. A study was undertaken to explore the rates of streambank erosion and the factors of streambank erosion. Fieldwork investigation technique was conducted in the quantification of streambank erosion rates. Field data has been extracted from two streams which have been identified as the area susceptible to streambank erosion, namely, Sg. Bernam and Sg. Lui, both located in states of Selangor, Malaysia. Measurement of streambank erosion rates has been conducted using short-time scale field technique. Conventional erosion pin arrays, repeated cross-profiling and vertical streambank profiling were employed in order to obtain the streambank erosion rates. The fieldwork data obtained from fieldwork erosion monitoring served as a pilot inventory streambank erosion data for both site areas. Dimensional analysis is performed to establish the factors governing streambank erosion. Two functional relationships addressing streambank erosion rates incorporating factors of hydraulic characteristics, resistance to the soil, streambank gemotery, grain and sediment resistance were established using Buckingham PI theorem using two sets of repeating variables. Selection of the most significant parameters constitutes to streambank erosion rates is obtained from the analysis. Results from the analysis concluded eleven dimensionless parameters as factors governing streambank erosion rates. Further objective focused on the development of newly streambank erosion expression using empirical approach. A total of 318 data were used in the model development. Three methods have been employed in the model development, namely, (i) Statistical approach using multiple linear, nonlinear regressions, and logartithmic transformation function; (ii) Linear Least Squares (LLS) solution for Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) using QR factorization parameter estimator; and, (iii) Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method. The established models were validated to assess their performaces in predicting the rates of streambank erosion. 176 data were used in the model validation. The performance of the developed equations was assessed using three criteria, namely, (i) discrepancy ratio (ratio of predicted values to the measured values); (ii) statistical test analysis; and, (iii) graphical analysis. Validation of the developed equations confirmed that ANN model gave very good prediction where all data lie within the line of perfect agreement of the discrepancy ratio limit of 0.5 to 2.0, for both Model no. 1 and 2. Other models (statistical and NARX model) predicted equally good performance ranging from 70% - 90% accuracy. Further analysis is required to test the developed model specifically for different river characteristics. However, the availability of data is a hindrance and to draw these findings, further recommendations are summarized for the validity of the derived equations

LIFELONG EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: EREDICATING ILLITERACY OR SOCIAL SAFETY NETS?

A basic principle to any education system is to allow people access to education, at least to make them able to read and write to fulfill various needs of daily lives. Normally, a government introduces an education system as a mechanism to achieve one development standard, which is measured by literacy rates amongst the population. Meanwhile, there are also some needs of the people to get education as far as they want, anytime and anywhere, in order to help nation achieves its rapid development. This paper attempts to explain the aim of lifelong education provided in Malaysia, whether it is just as to ensure every citizen is able to read and write, in order to achieve the standard of nation’s development, or aimed at preparing future work force who can survive in the wave of nation’s development in the future. Results of analysis revealed some findings, which is mostly in supportive of the idea about the needs for education systems, including lifelong education, is merely as Social Safety Nets to each individual to survive in the ever competitive environment in the future

LIFELONG EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: EREDICATING ILLITERACY OR SOCIAL SAFETY NETS?

A basic principle to any education system is to allow people access to education, at least to make them able to read and write to fulfill various needs of daily lives. Normally, a government introduces an education system as a mechanism to achieve one development standard, which is measured by literacy rates amongst the population. Meanwhile, there are also some needs of the people to get education as far as they want, anytime and anywhere, in order to help nation achieves its rapid development. This paper attempts to explain the aim of lifelong education provided in Malaysia, whether it is just as to ensure every citizen is able to read and write, in order to achieve the standard of nation’s development, or aimed at preparing future work force who can survive in the wave of nation’s development in the future. Results of analysis revealed some findings, which is mostly in supportive of the idea about the needs for education systems, including lifelong education, is merely as Social Safety Nets to each individual to survive in the ever competitive environment in the future

Bus4U: Mobile Application for Bus Ticket Reservation Comparison

In today’s ever more technology-centric world, most of the business are now using online system. Online ticketing system is being used by many business and sectors. In this final year project, developing an integrated online bus ticketing system that integrates all bus operators in one mobile apps. The objectives of the project is to solve problems in current online ticketing system where all bus operators operates individually and create an apps that combine all bus operators in one system. Using this particular system, the apps can compare all bus operators in terms of time, date, price, availability and routes. The users will be given various alternatives and make the best choices before buy bus tickets. This system will reduce the time and increase efficiency of existing online bus ticketing system. This system can provides an easy, fast and smart reservation procedure to overcome existing systems. Users can perform online ticket reservation anytime and anywhere with less time consuming and energy. They can check availability of the ticket with their mobile phones rather than website. Bus Ticket Comparison apps aims to assist passengers such as tourist and student with their travelling by allowing them to search ticket easily with simple procedures rather than browsing from one website to another

Construction of Driving Seat Frame and 2-Dof Motion Simulator

Driving simulators are increasingly being used as a didactic tool in car racing games because it offers virtual driving experience to users. However, existing driving simulators are found in market at high cost. This paper proposes the design and development of a low cost 2-DOF driving motion simulator with the interface from SimTools. The driving simulator comprises a steering wheel, a pedal and simulator software. When the steering wheel is turned in the racing simulator Live for Speed, it controls the angle of the driver’s seat upraising. The input data from the steering wheel is derived using SimTools, which extracts the motion data from the racing simulator. Potentiometer is used as the feedback sensor that manipulates the data from SimTools to control the angle of the dc motor driver rotation. The motion is created using the rotation of two dc motors that actuate the car seat frame. Moto Monster motor driver which supports 30A of current is used to control both of the dc motors using Arduino microcontroller. The angle control of the driver’s seat is proportional to the input data from steering wheel. This paper contributes the basic idea on building a low cost motion simulator

Wave Transmission and Reflection of the Alternatively Submerged Geotube Breakwater

This paper conducted the experiment on investigating the effect of wave on transmission and reflection of the alternatively submerged geotextile tubes breakwater when subjected to regular waves. Hydraulic characteristics of modular of alternatively submerged geotube such as wave steepness Hi/L, relative wave height Hi/d, and relative submergence, d’/Hi are being determined in order to achieve the aim at the end of the process. From the research gap of other research, the project study about designing and the application of geotextile tube structure in providing a natural barrier at coastal areas

Students purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury fashion products / Nur Faziana Saadon

This research was conducted to carry out a study entitled “Students Purchase Intentions Towards Counterfeit Luxury Fashion Products”. The purpose of this study is to investigate the key factors which lead to the purchase intentions among undergraduates. The four independent variables are information susceptibility, normative susceptibility, price consciousness and novelty seeking. The sample size used for this study was 168 respondents. Data was obtained by using simple random sampling. The study seeks to identify the most important factors that influence purchase intentions of counterfeit luxury fashion products among students, to examine the relationship between independent variables (information susceptibility, normative susceptibility, price consciousness and novelty seeking) and dependent variable (student purchase intentions) Finding shows that, only one out of four independent variable (price consciousness) that have negative relationship with dependent variable (students purchase intentions), others independent variables (information susceptibility, normative susceptibility and novelty seeking) show significant and positive relationship with the dependent variable (students purchase intentions). The most significant predictor variable on purchase intentions of counterfeit luxury fashion products among students is information susceptibility at 0.757 (75.7%). Overall, researchers achieved to answer all objectives in the study