Equalization in hard disk drive read channels

This paper presents a comprehensive non-exhaustive comparative study of hard disk drive read-channel equalization techniques used in the readback process of magnetically stored information. The main read channel architectures: partial-response maximum likelihood (PRML) and decision feedback equalization (DFE) based systems, are compared in power consumption, layout area, data signalling rate and data density. This work focuses on the key component of the read channel, presenting a continuous-time analog solution for the pulse-slimming equalizer capable of reducing power consumption and die area by a factor of ten, whilst showing equivalent response to a FIR filter implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Design and implementation of an IoT gateway to create smart environments

The paper presents a proposal of a practical implementation for an IoT gateway dedicated to real-time monitoring and remote control of a swimming pool. Based on a Raspberry Pi, the gateway allows bidirectional communication and data exchange between the user and the sensor network implemented on the environment using an Arduino.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Iterative receiver combining IB-DFE with MRC for massive MIMO schemes

Once we are moving to the 5G system it is imperative to reduce the complexity of massive MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple Output) receivers. This paper considers the uplink transmission using massive MIMO combined with SC-FDE (Single-Carrier with Frequency-Domain Equalization). We propose an iterative frequency-domain receiver merging IB-DFE (Iterative Block Decision-Feedback Equalizer) with MRC (Maximal Ratio Combining). We propose a novel approach to reduce the complexity of the receiver by avoiding matrix inversions while maintaining a level of performance very close to the Matched Filter Bound (MFB), which makes it an excellent option for 5G systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Physiological and behavior monitoring systems for smart healthcare environments: a review

Healthcare optimization has become increasingly important in the current era, where numerous challenges are posed by population ageing phenomena and the demand for higher quality of the healthcare services. The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) in the healthcare ecosystem has been one of the best solutions to address these challenges and therefore to prevent and diagnose possible health impairments in people. The remote monitoring of environmental parameters and how they can cause or mediate any disease, and the monitoring of human daily activities and physiological parameters are among the vast applications of IoT in healthcare, which has brought extensive attention of academia and industry. Assisted and smart tailored environments are possible with the implementation of such technologies that bring personal healthcare to any individual, while living in their preferred environments. In this paper we address several requirements for the development of such environments, namely the deployment of physiological signs monitoring systems, daily activity recognition techniques, as well as indoor air quality monitoring solutions. The machine learning methods that are most used in the literature for activity recognition and body motion analysis are also referred. Furthermore, the importance of physical and cognitive training of the elderly population through the implementation of exergames and immersive environments is also addressedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Low-complexity channel codes for reliable molecular communication via diffusion

It is envisioned that healthcare systems of the future will be revolutionized with the development and integration of body-centric networks into future generations of communication systems, giving rise to the so-called “Internet of Bio-nano things”. Molecular communications (MC) emerge as the most promising way of transmitting information for in-body communications. One of the biggest challenges is how to minimize the effects of environmental noise and reduce the inter-symbol interference (ISI) which in an MC via diffusion scenario can be very high. To address this problem, channel coding is one of the most promising techniques. In this paper, we study the effects of different channel codes integrated into MC systems. We provide a study of Tomlinson, Cercas, Hughes (TCH) codes as a new attractive approach for the MC environment due to the codeword properties which enable simplified detection. Simulation results show that TCH codes are more effective for these scenarios when compared to other existing alternatives, without introducing too much complexity or processing power into the system. Furthermore, an experimental proof-of-concept macroscale test bed is described, which uses pH as the information carrier, and which demonstrates that the proposed TCH codes can improve the reliability in this type of communication channel.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analytical BER Performance Evaluation in SISO and MIMO Environments with SC-FDE Modulations and IB-DFE Receivers

This paper preseThis paper presents the analysis of the obtainment of the theoretical bit error rate (BER) performance in single-input-single-output and multiple-input-multiple-output systems with single-carrier with frequency-domain equalization modulations and iterative receivers based on the iterative block decision feedback equalization concept. Through the consideration of a Gaussian-based approach to obtain the BER performance, we present a simple and accurate model to improve such method by compensating the difference between the theoretical performance results and the ones obtained by simulation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

An FFT-based acquisition scheme for DS-CDMA systems

This paper introduces an efficient acquisition/correlation technique for DS-CDMA systems using a frequency-domain approach employing TCH-based training blocks (Tomlison, Cercas and Hughes). The classical time-domain active acquisition technique is compared with the proposed passive matched-filter type frequency domain technique. Moreover using the fact that an N-point discrete Fourier transform (DFT) can be partitioned into M smaller DFTs, we present a procedure for simultaneous decoding/despreading and synchronization that switch between 16 bit-length and 256 bit-length cyclic codes thus providing code rate variability.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Iterative partial-cancelling MMSE algorithms for W-CDMA MIMO-BLAST systems

This paper focuses on the usage of an enhanced equalization-based receiver for WCDMA (Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access) MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) BLAST (Bell Labs Layered Space Time)-type systems. The receiver is based on the MMSE (Minimum Mean Square Error) algorithm coupled with an IPC (Iterative Partial Cancellation) scheme. The scheme is tested in both an uncoded and coded setting, using the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) standard as a basis, and the reference UMTS environments.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Efficient channel estimation using TCH codes

In this paper, we consider the use of TCH codes to perform channel estimation in an OFDM system, using either data multiplexed pilots or superimposed pilots over the data. TCH codes possess several properties that allow us to use them efficiently in various applications which includes channel estimation, as we address in this paper. With this objective, several performance results were obtained through simulations which allowed the evaluation of the impact of different pilot power levels and modulations, as well as the comparison of TCH against other conventional pilots. In order to cope with the interference between pilots and data, an iterative receiver with interference suppression was employed for the superimposed pilots method.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

IoT-based systems for soil nutrients assessment in horticulture

Soil nutrients assessment has great importance in horticulture. Implementation of an information system for horticulture faces many challenges: (i) great spatial variability within farms (e.g., hilly topography); (ii) different soil properties (e.g., different water holding capacity, different content in sand, sit, clay, and soil organic matter, different pH, and different permeability) for different cultivated plants; (iii) different soil nutrient uptake by different cultivated plants; (iv) small size of monoculture; and (v) great variety of farm components, agroecological zone, and socio-economic factors. Advances in information and communication technologies enable creation of low cost, efficient information systems that would improve resources management and increase productivity and sustainability of horticultural farms. We present an information system based on different sensing capability, Internet of Things, and mobile application for horticultural farms. An overview on different techniques and technologies for soil fertility evaluation is also presented. The results obtained in a botanical garden that simulates the diversity of environment and plant diversity of a horticultural farm are discussed considering the challenges identified in the literature and field research. The study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of technologies that enable horticultural farmers to improve resources management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio