Power versus Bandwidth Efficiency in Wireless Communications: from Economic Sustainability to Green Radio

The continuous investment in research and development, aimed at improving the utility and the efficiency of wireless communications networks, brings about a wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical engineering solutions. Remarkably. however,a widely accepted choice of a criterion characterizing the overall efficiency of a wireless network remains an open problem

Smart Antenna-Aided Multicarrier Transceivers for Mobile Communications

In spite of an immense interest from both the academic and the industrial communities, a practical multipleinput multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver architecture, capable of approaching channel capacity boundaries in realistic channel conditions remains largely an open problem. Consequently, in this treatise I derive an advanced iterative, so called turbo multi-antenna-multi-carrier (MAMC) receiver architecture. Following the philosophy of turbo processing, our turbo spacial division multiplexed (SDM)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) receiver comprises a succession of soft-input-soft-output detection modules, which iteratively exchange soft bit-related information and thus facilitate a substantial improvement of the overall system performance. In this treatise, I explore two major aspects of the turbo wireless mobile receiver design. Firstly, I consider the problem of soft-decision-feedback aided acquisition of the propagation conditions experienced by the transmitted signal and secondly, I explore the issue of the soft-input-soft-output detection of the spatially-multiplexed information-carrying signals

MAV-based real-time localisation of terrestrial targets with cm-level accuracy: Feasibility study

We carry out a comprehensive feasibility study for a real-time cm-level localisation of a predefined terrestrial target from a MAV-based autonomous platform. Specifically, we conduct an error propagation analysis which quantifies all potential error sources, and accounts for their respective contribution to the final result. Furthermore, we provide a description of a practical MAV system using the available technology and of-the-shelf components. We demonstrate that, indeed, the desired localisation precision of a few centimetres may be realistically achieved under a set of necessary constraints

Collaborative Web-GIS platform for systematic exploration of Lake Geneva

We have developed and deployed a Web-based GIS data management framework, which facilitates an effective and highly structured search, retrieval and visualisation of multi-modal scientific data, as well as its subsequent dissemination in multiple and standardised forms beneficial for both the research partners involved in the project and the general public. In the context of the long term objectives of the Élémo project, the developed methodology may be utilised for automated and systematic collection of the multifaceted scientific data and with the goal of assembling a comprehensive database encompassing all aspects of currently planned and future scientific investigations

Detection of crop properties by means of hyperspectral remote sensing from a micro UAV

Aerial hyperspectral remote sensing technologies provide effective methods for the exploration and study of plant and crop properties. In this study a custom made hexacopter was equipped with a small scale hyperspectral imaging (HSI) camera capable of measuring 16 bands in the visible range of the light. From single HSI images geo-rectified and registered maps were calculated and a selection of spectral indices (SI’s) calculated from the provided data. The SI´s were correlated to crop traits such as leaf nitrogen (Nconc), chlorophyll (CHLtot)and total pigment concentration (Pigmtot), canopy cover (CC) and leaf area index (LAI), measured in the field. The relationships to Nconc and CHLtot are discussed in detail with respect to measurement constraints, such as the interrelationships to LAI and application for precision farming or breeding experiments

Hyperspectral remote sensing of crop properties with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

We present a case study conducted over the Field Phenotyping Platform (FIP) at the ETH Zürich research station for plant sciences at Eschikon, Lindau, as collaboration between EPFL TOPO laboratory, Gamaya company and the ETHZ Crop Science Laboratory. The aim of this case study was the determination of crop properties and phenotypes as related to spectral characteristics by using a novel Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) snapshot camera developed by Gamaya

Morphology of pillow-hollow and quilted-cover bedforms in Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Extensive areas of the bottom of Lake Geneva are covered with bedforms that have been referred to as pillow-hollows and quilted-cover pattern by prior observers, as well as with sediment waves and trenches. These structures are decimeter to meter scale. A large dataset of video recording and stereographic camera imagery of the lake bottom was recently acquired during a campaign with the Russian MIR submersibles. We present a classification of the different types of sediment structures with a focus on distinctive morphological characters. The variations in the observed lake-bottom structures reveal a continuous range of morphologies between the aforementioned bedforms. Although the role of the bottom-dwelling Burbot fish in at least maintaining the bottom landscape has been suggested in previous studies, the origin of the observed bedforms is unclear. On the basis of our preliminary observations, other candidate mechanisms are briefly mentioned, including bottom currents generated by internal waves. Understanding the formation and evolution of lake-bottom morphology is important since the transport pathways of lake sediment condition to a large extent the fluxes and cycle of pollutants

Spatial extent and ecotoxicological risk assessment of a micropollutant-contaminated wastewater plume in Lake Geneva

In this study, the spatial extent of a wastewater-influenced water mass (plume) originating from a wastewater treatment plant outlet in Vidy Bay (Lake Geneva) was monitored by two manned submersibles from June to August 2011. The main goal was to assess whether micropollutants in the wastewater mass cause an ecotoxicological risk to the aquatic environment, and to determine how far the zone of risk extends beyond the wastewater outlet. Real-time measurements of elevated electrical conductivity were used as a proxy to indicate the presence of wastewater-influenced water. Conductivity was highest in immediate proximity to the wastewater outlet, though if all measurements obtained over the duration of the sampling campaign were integrated, elevated conductivity extended over an area of at least 1km2 surrounding the outlet. Additionally, water samples were collected within and outside Vidy Bay, and were analyzed for 39 micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and corrosion inhibitors). Micropollutant concentrations were generally in the low ng/L range, though for some substances >100ng/L was measured. The concentrations of most pharmaceuticals, which are primarily wastewater-derived, decreased with decreasing conductivity and with increasing distance from the wastewater outlet. Pesticide concentrations, in contrast, were homogeneous throughout Vidy Bay and the lake. An ecotoxicological risk assessment based on the cumulative risk exerted by all measured substances indicated that the wastewater caused a zone of potential ecotoxicological risk that extended well into the deep lake and in the direction of a downstream drinking water intake

Morphological analysis of the upper reaches of the Kukuy Canyon derived from shallow bathymetry

We present preliminary results on the morphology of the upper reaches of the Kukuy Canyon and Selenga shelf in front of Proval Bay (Lake Baikal), derived from newly acquired, high-resolution bathymetry. Numerous and varied erosional and transport features provide an interpretation framework for source to sink transfer and gravity flow processes in this shallow and active tectonic environment, suggesting on-going gravity instabilities and sediment-laden flows. Scarps in the canyon head are likely signatures of retrogressive incision of the western tributary and eastward lateral migration of the western tributary, the latter coming within about 1 km of the shoreline. Immature gullies incising the upper-slope feedings of the Kukuy Canyon indicate gravity flows with low erosional power. Large arcuate scarps on the break of the narrow shelf east of Proval Bay reveal gravity instabilities. The morphological connection between the Selenga Delta and the Kukuy Canyon suggests a direct pathway for fluvial sediment focused through breaches in the Sakhalin sand shoal, with likely occurrence of hyperpycnal flows into canyons heads during high sediment discharges. The neotectonic activity affects both the accommodation space around the prograding delta via earthquake-induced subsidence of coastal areas, and the location of incisions through slope instability triggering. Subsequent surveys allowing diachronic analysis would help determining the influence of tectonic and climatic factors controlling sediment transfer across the land-lake continuum and interpreting the morphological signature of the associated gravity processes shaping the delta and surrounding shelf and canyons