Generalized mixed-mode S-parameters

This paper presents an innovative approach to extend the S-parameter definition to multiport networks having conventional single-ended and differential ports, as is the case for operational amplifiers, transformers and baluns. To give maximum generality to this technique, for example, allowing for complex -parameter reference impedances, the mathematical derivation will be carried out with the most general definition of the -parameters. The presented approach gives the same results already published for circuits with differential ports only when the required simplifications are applied

Building in Historical Areas: Identity Values and Energy Performance of Innovative Massive Stone Envelopes with Reference to Traditional Building Solutions

The intrinsic nature of local rocks shaped the features of built heritage in historical centers. The resulting building culture is part of the cultural heritage itself, and must be considered when building in such areas, while it is essential to solve the issues related to traditional constructions’ weaknesses. Nonetheless, the potentialities of massive stone envelopes, particularly the importance of thermal inertia, have contributed to redefining the language of contemporary architectural culture. Nowadays, although the trend of employing thin stone cladding panels is prevalent, thick stone envelopes are gaining a renewed importance. Previous literature demonstrated that mixed building technologies or massive stone envelopes coupled with load-bearing framed structures are able to meet comfort and safety requirements and to guarantee the integration of new constructions in the consolidated urban landscape, avoiding historicist approaches. This research, through the analysis of case studies, aims to describe innovative building solutions developed by contemporary architectural culture, comparing them with traditional stone masonry walls. Moreover, thermal energy performance of such building solutions is assessed through dynamic yearly simulations. Results show that these solutions are technically and architecturally suitable to build in historical centers, because they can express urban cultural identity and guarantee good energy performance and users’ comfort

Saddle Points Stability in the Replica Approach Off Equilibrium

We study the replica free energy surface for a spin glass model near the glassy temperature. In this model the simplicity of the equilibrium solution hides non trivial metastable saddle points. By means of the stability analysis performed for one and two real replicas constrained, an interpretation for some of them is achieved.Comment: 10 pages and 3 figures upon request, Univerista` di Roma I preprint 94/100

Superfici e colori: il linguaggio della pietra

Il linguaggio della pietra si sviluppa mediante strutture sintattiche ricorrenti: la tessitura del paramento, la finitura superficiale e, soprattutto, gli effetti di colore. Quando si supera la suggestione del bianco, si perviene a scelte policrome, generate dal cromatismo di uno stesso materiale, come nel caso delle venature naturali, oppure dal disegno ottenuto accostando pietre di colore differente. Le opere del passato avevano colori molto forti, ottenuti con gli stessi materiali a vista o con la pittura. Il ritorno alla policromia, nella seconda metà del novecento, è supportato dalla rapida evoluzione degli strumenti informatici, che in breve tempo passano dall’interfaccia testuale a quella grafica e infine ai colori. Il colore costituisce, dunque, un ponte ideale tra le opere in pietra contemporanee e quelle del passato.The language of stone involves the expression of its meanings through recurring syntactic structures: the configuration of the stone surface, the superficial finish and - above all - the effects of colours. When the suggestion of the white is overcome, it is possible to get polychrome results, either using the natural veins of a same material, or organizing stones of different colours in a geometrical composition. The colour constitutes, therefore, an ideal bridge between contemporary stone architectures and the ones of the early centuries

A Microwave System for Relative Humidity Measurement

This paper deals with a microwave hygrometer that is based on the sensitivity of air permettivity to humidity. The hygrometer embeds a microwave generator which feeds two different channels. A channel is a holed waveguide, whose permettivity depends on the air humidity, while the other channel is insensitive to the air humidity. The output signals of the two channels are suitably combined in order to obtain the corresponding phase angle, which depends on the permettivity of the air inside the holed waveguide and therefore on the air humidity. Two possible implementations of the proposed principle are described which permit one to obtain an uncertainty of a few percentage of relative humidity in the humidity range of 10% RH to 90% RH and in the temperature range of 5 °C to 40 °C, but with different costs and complexities. The main characteristics of the proposed sensor are a fast response, a low sensitivity with respect to air pollution and the absence of hysteresis phenomena

Testing devices under different source impedances: a novel technique for on-line measurement of source and device reflection coefficients

This paper describes a new approach for fast and accurate determination of the source reflection coefficient in microwave source-pull measurements. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only technique that allows the simultaneous measurement of the source and the DUT gammas. A traditional vector network analyzer is used as a three-channel receiver. The calibration procedure is based on a new reflectometer model that extends the traditional error box concept. Experimental results are presented and compared to data obtained with traditional techniques

A Comprehensive Mixed-Mode Time-Domain Load- and Source-Pull Measurement System

We present a novel test set devised for nonlinear balanced device characterization using load-pull techniques. The system is capable of measuring the voltage and current waveforms at the calibration reference planes while independently tuning the device under test (DUT) source and load differential- and common-mode terminations. The test set is designed to address present and future large-signal multiport measurement needs, easing the characterization task while developing new multiport active device

Cool, translucent natural envelope. Thermal-optics characteristics experimental assessment and thermal-energy and day lighting analysis

Innovative construction elements are increasingly studied to improve the energy performance of new and existing buildings, to satisfy global regulations and societal needs. In this view, optimizing buildings energy efficiency and sustainability are crucial aspects, given their high energy saving potential with respect to the other sectors characterizing human activities. Natural materials are often preferred to artificial materials, thanks to their more sustainable production and to the reduced content of harmful substances. In particular, light, thin marbles have been recently analyzed as building envelope elements. Their cooling potential demonstrated how such envelopes have the threefold advantages of reducing solar heat gains into the building, accumulating and releasing less heat, reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and consequently mitigating global warming. However, an important feature that has not yet been analyzed in literature and that is considered in this research is light passage throughout the translucent envelope, permitting an additional energy saving due to the contribution to artificial lighting. In this work, this feature of the translucent envelope is considered, by experimentally measuring thin, white marble panels’ optic characteristics and implementing them in a thermal-energy dynamic simulation, to demonstrate the additional advantage of natural daylight to the overall building energy balance