On the correlation and ergodic properties of the squared envelope of SOC Rayleigh fading channel simulators

In this paper, we investigate the correlation and ergodic properties of the squared envelope of a class of autocorrelation-ergodic (AE) sum-of-cisoids (SOC) simulation models for mobile Rayleigh fading channels. Novel closed-form expressions are presented for both the ensemble and the time autocorrelation functions (ACFs) of the SOC simulation model’s squared envelope. These expressions have been derived by assuming that the SOC model’s inphase and quadrature (IQ) components have arbitrary autocorrelation and cross-correlation properties. This consideration makes the results herein presented more general than those given previously in other papers, where it is assumed that the IQ components of the simulation model are strictly uncorrelated. We show that under certain conditions, the squared envelope of the SOC model is an AE random process. In addition, we evaluate the performance of three fundamental methods for the computation of the model parameters—namely the generalized method of equal areas, the L p -norm method, and the Riemann sum method—regarding their accuracy for emulating the squared envelope ACF of a reference narrowband Rayleigh fading channel model. The obtained results are important to design efficient simulators for the performance analysis of systems and algorithms sensitive to the correlation properties of the channel’s squared envelope, such as speed estimators and handover mechanisms

Channel simulation models for mobile broadband communication systems

Mobile broadband wireless communication systems (MBWCS) are emerging as a solution to provide broadband services to users on the move. These systems are expected to operate in a wide variety of propagation scenarios, at different mobile speeds, and at various frequency bands. Under such a variety of requirements, flexible and efficient channel simulation models will prove fundamental for the laboratory analysis of MBWCS. Currently, most of the existing channel simulation models are either too complex as to allow for an efficient performance investigation of MBWCS, or they cannot be applied to the simulation of some relevant classes of mobile fading channels. To overcome these limitations, we present in this doctoral a flexible and efficient methodology for the design of channel simulation models for MBWCS. Such a methodology is based on the sum-of-cisoids (SOC) approach, an approach that is closely in line with the electromagnetic plane-wave propagation model. We build our channel simulators upon a class of ergodic SOC simulation models. For the computation of the SOC model parameters, we introduce two simple methods that enable the design of simulation models for mobile fading channels characterized by any type of Doppler power spectral densities (DPSDs). The proposed methods are well-suited for the simulation of both single-input single-output (SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels. We evaluate the methods’ performance with respect to their accuracy for emulating important statistical functions of the channel, such as the autocorrelation function (ACF), the envelope probability density function (PDF), and the ACF of the squared envelope. In the case of MIMO channels, we evaluate the methods’ performance in terms of the approximation of the channel temporal ACF and spatial cross-correlation function (SCCF). The obtained results demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed methods. This dissertation is also intended to provide a comprehensive treatise of the theory behind the design of SOC simulation models for mobile fading channels. In this respect, the statistical properties of SOC channel simulators are thoroughly analyzed. Important contribution are given concerning the correlation properties of the square envelope of SOC simulators. Such contributions include the derivation of closed-form expressions for the squared envelope ACF of the SOC simulation model, and the analysis of the ergodicity properties of the SOC model’s squared envelope. We also revisit here the concept of the symbol-spaced tapped line model (SSTDL) for WSSUS channels. In this regard, we present a discussion on the problems of SSTDL models, and we propose a simple solution to avoid them. The usefulness of such a solution is exemplary demonstrated by analyzing the bit error probability of a multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system

Distant emitters in ultrastrong waveguide QED: Ground-state properties and non-Markovian dynamics

Starting from the paradigmatic spin-boson model (SBM), we investigate the static and dynamical properties of a system of two distant two-level emitters coupled to a one-dimensional Ohmic waveguide beyond the rotating wave approximation. Employing static and dynamical polaron Ansätze we study the effects of finite separation distance on the behavior of the photon-mediated Ising-like interaction, qubit frequency renormalization, ground-state magnetization, and entanglement entropy of the two-qubit system. Based on previous works we derive an effective approximate Hamiltonian for the two-impurity SBM that preserves the excitation-number and thus facilitates the analytical treatment. In particular, it allows us to introduce non-Markovianity arising from delay-feedback effects in two distant emitters in the so-called ultrastrong coupling (USC) regime. We test our results with numerical simulations performed over a discretized circuit-QED model, finding perfect agreement with previous results, and showing interesting dynamical effects arising in ultrastrong waveguide QED with distant emitters. In particular, we revisit the Fermi two-atom problem showing that, in the USC regime, initial correlations yield two different evolutions for symmetric and antisymmetric states even before the emitters become causally connected. Finally, we demonstrate that the collective dynamics, e.g., superradiance or subradiance, are affected not only by the distance between emitters, but also by the coupling, due to significant frequency renormalization. This constitutes another dynamical consequence of the USC regime

Modeling at farm level: Positive Multi-Attribute Utility Programming

This article proposes a new mathematical programming model for the simulation of farmers’ decision-making. We have developed a model based on a multi-attribute utility approach that takes into consideration the most relevant attributes of farmers within a positive framework. This approach overcomes the limitations found in some mathematical models used in the literature to simulate farmers’ behavior. A five-step procedure is presented in order to elicit the utility function that reproduces farmers’ current decision-making. We illustrate this positive multi-attribute approach using a sample of farmers in an irrigated area in southern Spain, where our simulations demonstrate the accurateness of the model in reproducing actual farmers’ decision-making. We also find evidence that the model is able to explain the heterogeneous behavior of farmers within a homogeneous agricultural syste

Desarrollo de una herramienta de análisis de movimiento para brazo humano

Este artículo presenta una metodología de evaluación de la funcionalidad del movimiento del brazo humano. La metodología incluye la definición de un modelo físico del brazo, la adquisición del movimiento, análisis cinemáticos, cinéticos y de activación muscular. Estas herramientas pueden ser utilizadas en el diagnóstico de patologías del miembro superior, como apoyo para estudios ergonómicos y en el análisis de gestos deportivos

A comparison of robust Kalman filtering methods for artifact correction in heart rate variability analysis

La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (HRV) ha recibido una atención considerable por mucho años, ya que esta proporciona un valor cuantitativo para examinar el ritmo sinusal modulado para el sistema nervioso autónomo (SNA). El SNA juega un papel importante en campos clínicos y fisiológicos. El análisis de la HRV se puede realizar calculando varias medidas tanto en el domino del tiempo como en la frecuencia. Sin embargo, el cálculo de estas medidas se puede ver afectado por la presencia de artefactos o latidos ectópicos en registros de electrocardiogramas (ECG). Esto es particularmente cierto para registros ECG desde un monitor Holter. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el rendimiento de varios filtros de Kalman robustos para la corrección de artefactos. Para nuestros experimentos, se usaron dos bases de datos reales: el primer conjunto de datos incluye 10 series de tiempo de intervalos RR a partir de un generador de series de tiempo de intervalos RR realista. La segunda base de datos contiene 10 conjuntos de series de intervalos RR de cinco pacientes sanos y cinco pacientes que sufren una insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva. Se calculó la desviación estándar de los intervalos RR a partir de las señales filtradas. Los resultados se compararon con un reconocido software de procesamiento, mostrando comportamientos y valores similares. Adicionalmente, los métodos propuestos ofrecen resultados satisfactorios en comparación con el filtro de Kalman estándar.Heart rate variability (HRV) has received considerable attention for many years, since it provides a quantitative marker for examining the sinus rhythm modulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS plays an important role in clinical and physiological fields. HRV analysis can be performed by computing several time and frequency domain measurements. However, the computation of such measurements can be affected by the presence of artifacts or ectopic beats in the electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. This is particularly true for ECG recordings from Holter monitors. The aim of this work was to study the performance of several robust Kalman filters for artifact correction in Inter-beat (RR) interval time series. For our experiments, two data sets were used: the first data set included 10 RR interval time series from a realistic RR interval time series generator. The second database contains 10 sets of RR interval series from five healthy patients and five patients suffering from congestive heart failure. The standard deviation of the RR interval was computed over the filtered signals. Results were compared with a state of the art processing software, showing similar values and behavior. In addition, the proposed methods offer satisfactory results in contrast to standard Kalman filtering

Classes of sum-of-cisoids processes and their statistics for the modeling and simulation of mobile fading channels

In this paper, we present a fundamental study on the stationarity and ergodicity of eight classes of sum-of-cisoids (SOC) processes for the modeling and simulation of frequency-nonselective mobile Rayleigh fading channels. The purpose of this study is to determine which classes of SOC models enable the design of channel simulators that accurately reproduce the channel’s statistical properties without demanding information on the time origin or the time-consuming computation of an ensemble average. We investigate the wide-sense stationarity, first-order stationarity of the envelope, mean ergodicity, and autocorrelation ergodicity of the underlying random processes characterizing the different classes of stochastic SOC simulators. The obtained results demonstrate that only the class of SOC models comprising cisoids with constant gains, constant frequencies, and random phases is defined by a set of stationary and ergodic random processes. The analysis presented here can easily be extended with respect to the modeling and simulation of frequency-selective single-input single-output (SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output channels. For the case of frequency-selective SISO channels, we investigate the stationarity and ergodicity in both time and frequency of 16 different classes of SOC simulation models. The findings presented in this paper can be used in the laboratory as guidelines to design efficient simulation platforms for the performance evaluation of modern mobile communication systems

Priority Water Rights for Irrigation at the River Basin Level. Do They Improve Economic Efficiency During Drought Periods?

This paper assesses the potential efficiency gains of reforming the water rights regime in the Spanish agricultural sector by replacing current allocation procedures based on the proportional rule with a priority allocation procedure based on two tiers of security-differentiated water rights. This assessment is useful for evaluating whether said change in water rights can be considered a suitable policy instrument to improve water management during droughts events. For this purpose, a mathematical programming model is built to simulate the performance of the proposed reform. The empirical analysis is implemented at the basin scale, where water rights holders are highly heterogeneous, considering different climate scenarios accounting for changes in water supply reliability. The Guadalquivir River Basin (GRB) in southern Spain is used as a case study. The results obtained show that this change in the water allocation regime would yield only modest economic efficiency gains under the current climate scenario. However, it is also evidenced that this policy instrument could play a more relevant role as an efficiency enhancer in a climate change scenario, given that more frequent and intense drought episodes are expected. Moreover, priority rights represent an interesting risk management instrument for farmers, allowing the most vulnerable farmers to reduce income volatility. These findings suggest that the combined implementation of the proposed shift in the allocation regime with spot or allocation water markets would lead to successful outcomes, significantly improving drought management in the irrigation sector

Priority water rights. Are they useful for improving water-use efficiency at the irrigation district level?

This paper examines the effectiveness of reforming water rights regimes in the agricultural sector by replacing allocation procedures based on the proportional rule with the implementation of a priority rule that establishes security-differentiated water rights. The main objective is to assess whether this change improves the economic efficiency of water allocation at the irrigation district level, particularly during cyclical scarcity events. To this end, a Positive Mathematical Programming model is built to simulate the performance of the proposed reform in an irrigation district in southern Spain. The results show that the efficiency gains brought about by this change are very small, which casts doubt on its ability to improve water-use efficiency in the agricultural sector at the local level (i.e., irrigation district) under current local climate and water availability conditions. In any case, further research is needed to assess the suitability of this change in allocations rules at basin scale with greater farm heterogeneity, especially given the likelihood of more frequent, more intense droughts due to climate change

Morphometric relations for body size and mouth dimensions for four fish species in the Strait of Gibraltar

Background. The deep-water longline fishery of the blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo, is an economically important fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a very complex transition ecosystem between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean with an extreme spatial and temporal variability. This paper presents a series of morphometric relations for the four most important species in this fishery. Some ecological considerations about the results are also discussed. Materials and methods. The data were collected during a gear selectivity study, using different sizes of hooks baited with sardine. Relations for weight–length, length–length, and mouth dimensions for blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768); Atlantic pomfret, Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788); blackbelly rosefish, Helicolenus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809); and Mediterranean horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) were estimated and compared with the ones reported for the same species from other areas. Results. The sample size varied from 89 for T. mediterraneus to 2180 for P. bogaraveo. The fitted L–W relations explained more than 81% of the variance. For P. bogaraveo and T. mediterraneus, the estimated allometric coefficient was higher than those reported for other areas, showing a faster increase in weight, in contrast to H. dactylopterus and B. brama that showed a slower increase in weight. Moreover, linear and highly significant relations between mouth size and fish length were found for P. bogaraveo, H. dactylopterus, and T. mediterraneus. Conclusion. In this study, the first record for total length–standard length relation for H. dactylopterus is reported based on real measurements. There has been no previous studies on the relation between the different mouth size dimensions for the studied species as well as for mouth size and body length relations for P. bogaraveo and H. dactylopterus. The difference between estimated and reported coefficients might be attributed to different environmental adaptations and to the size ranges used due to the gear-size selectivity