MIMO Radar Target Localization and Performance Evaluation under SIRP Clutter

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar has become a thriving subject of research during the past decades. In the MIMO radar context, it is sometimes more accurate to model the radar clutter as a non-Gaussian process, more specifically, by using the spherically invariant random process (SIRP) model. In this paper, we focus on the estimation and performance analysis of the angular spacing between two targets for the MIMO radar under the SIRP clutter. First, we propose an iterative maximum likelihood as well as an iterative maximum a posteriori estimator, for the target's spacing parameter estimation in the SIRP clutter context. Then we derive and compare various Cram\'er-Rao-like bounds (CRLBs) for performance assessment. Finally, we address the problem of target resolvability by using the concept of angular resolution limit (ARL), and derive an analytical, closed-form expression of the ARL based on Smith's criterion, between two closely spaced targets in a MIMO radar context under SIRP clutter. For this aim we also obtain the non-matrix, closed-form expressions for each of the CRLBs. Finally, we provide numerical simulations to assess the performance of the proposed algorithms, the validity of the derived ARL expression, and to reveal the ARL's insightful properties.Comment: 34 pages, 12 figure

Angular resolution limit for deterministic correlated sources

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the angular resolution limit (ARL), an important performance measure in the directions-of-arrival estimation theory. The main fruit of our endeavor takes the form of an explicit, analytical expression of this resolution limit, w.r.t. the angular parameters of interest between two closely spaced point sources in the far-field region. As by-products, closed-form expressions of the Cram\'er-Rao bound have been derived. Finally, with the aid of numerical tools, we confirm the validity of our derivation and provide a detailed discussion on several enlightening properties of the ARL revealed by our expression, with an emphasis on the impact of the signal correlation

Bayesian Lower Bounds for Dense or Sparse (Outlier) Noise in the RMT Framework

Robust estimation is an important and timely research subject. In this paper, we investigate performance lower bounds on the mean-square-error (MSE) of any estimator for the Bayesian linear model, corrupted by a noise distributed according to an i.i.d. Student's t-distribution. This class of prior parametrized by its degree of freedom is relevant to modelize either dense or sparse (accounting for outliers) noise. Using the hierarchical Normal-Gamma representation of the Student's t-distribution, the Van Trees' Bayesian Cram\'er-Rao bound (BCRB) on the amplitude parameters is derived. Furthermore, the random matrix theory (RMT) framework is assumed, i.e., the number of measurements and the number of unknown parameters grow jointly to infinity with an asymptotic finite ratio. Using some powerful results from the RMT, closed-form expressions of the BCRB are derived and studied. Finally, we propose a framework to fairly compare two models corrupted by noises with different degrees of freedom for a fixed common target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In particular, we focus our effort on the comparison of the BCRBs associated with two models corrupted by a sparse noise promoting outliers and a dense (Gaussian) noise, respectively

Petroleum Source Rocks Characterization and Hydrocarbon Generation

This chapter is proposed to give the principal learning on the application of the formation of petroleum source rocks and hydrocarbon generation to exploration activities. The evaluation of petroleum source rocks and hydrocarbon generation is a very important skill for explorationists to define the location and type of petroleum prospects in a region. In this chapter, subsurface samples from case study (Sayun-Masilah basin) were used to determine the source rock characteristics and petroleum generative potentials of prospective source rocks. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the source rock in this basin was done by means of geochemical and geophysical approaches for four rock units. It is clear that Madbi Formation is considered the main source, in which the organic carbon content reached up to more than 5.2 wt%. The types of organic matter from rock-eval pyrolysis data indicated that type I kerogen is the main type, in association with type II, and a mixture of types II and III kerogens. The study of the different maturation parameters obtained from rock-eval pyrolysis, such as Tmax and vitrinite reflectance, reflects that the considered rock units are occurred in different maturation stages, ranging from immature to mature sources. One-dimensional basin modeling was performed to analyze the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion history of the source rocks in the study area based on the reconstruction of the burial and thermal maturity histories in order to improve our understanding of the hydrocarbon generation potential. Calibration of the model with measured vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) and borehole temperature (BHT) data indicates that the paleo-heat flow was high at Late Jurassic. The models also indicate that the early hydrocarbon generation in the Madbi source rock occurred during late Cretaceous and the main hydrocarbon generation has been reached approximately at Early Eocene. Therefore, the Madbi source rock can be considered as generative potentials of prospective source rock horizons in the Sayun-Masilah basin

Macroenvironmental Factors Affecting the Choices of Mobile Phone Subscribers: Evidence from Saudi Arabia and Yemen

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of macroenvironmental marketing factors on the choices of subscribers to both Zain of Saudi Arabia and SabaFon of Yemen. A descriptive study was therefore conducted in order to examine the influence of macroenvironmental marketing factors on subscribers' choices. This found that the macroenvironment affects the choices of customers of both the above-mentioned companies. The results reveal that for Zains subscribers, the most influential macroenvironmental factors were  technological, social, and cultural ones. For SabaFons subscribers, meanwhile, the dominant factors influencing their choices were  economic, demographic, and technological factors. The sample period used was from March 2015 to January 2016. Keywords: Mobile marketing,, customers choice , macroenvironmental factors. JEL Classification :M 3

A robust super twisting fractional-order sliding mode-based control of vehicle longitudinal dynamic subjected to a constant actuator fault

This paper deals with the design and analysis of a super twisting fractional-order sliding mode controller (ST-FOSMC) to adjust the vehicle longitudinal dynamic when braking. While vehicle loading, road types, and modeling uncertainties are time-varying parameters, the control law must be robust against these disturbances. Also, the aging of the brake plate may introduce a difference between the control output and the actuator response that should be considered. The proposed control strategy has been used to enable the anti-lock braking system (ABS) to track the desired wheel slip value despite the presence of disturbances and constant actuator fault. The design of this controller is presented and the system stability is guaranteed by applying the Lyapunov theory. We carried out a simulation example that makes a comparison between our controller and the one based on the fractional-order sliding mode control to investigate which one of them outperforms the other. The results exhibit the superiority of the super twisting fractional order controller over the traditional fractional-order sliding mode controller during the braking phase

ensor fault detection and isolation for smart irrigation wireless sensor network based on parity space

In the recent years, wireless sensor network technology (WSN) has been widelyadopted in precision agriculture for determining the needs of the soil in termof water by monitoring some environmental parameters. To do this, WSN isconstructed using several sensor nodes; these small sensing devices are prone tofailure and may produce erroneous measurements. To ensure good managementof freshwater, the network service quality is necessary. To avoid the degradationof service, the detection of the faulty sensor in WSN is required. In this paper,a fault detection and isolation (FDI) algorithm derived from a parity space approachand based on direct redundancy is proposed toward detecting and isolatingsensor fault in WSN. In laboratory experiments, the proposed FDI algorithmproved its effectiveness

IoT-based smart irrigation management system using real-time data

An adequate water supply is essential for the growth and development of crops. When rainfall is insufficient, irrigation is necessary to meet crop water needs. It is a crucial and strategic aspect of economic and social development. To combat climate change, there is a need to adopt irrigation management techniques that increase and stabilize agricultural production while saving water, using intelligent agricultural water technologies. Internet of things (IoT) based technologies can achieve optimal use of water resources. This article introduces a smart realtime irrigation management system based on the internet of things. It provides optimal management of irrigation decisions using real-time weather and soil moisture data, as well as data from precipitation forecasts. The proposed algorithm is developed in real-time based on the IoT, enabling us to guide irrigation and control the amount of water in agricultural applications. The system uses real-time data analysis of climate, soil, and crop data to provide flexible planning of the irrigation system’s use. A case study from the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco is presented to demonstrate the proposed system’s effectivenes

Bruns Syndrome: a deadly sign

Bruns syndrome was first described in 1902, as a sudden onset of severe headaches and vomiting associated to a vestibular syndrome provoked by abrupt change in head position. It is related to an episodic obstructive hydrocephalous caused by an intraventricular mass that acts like a ball-valve mechanism. A 52 years old man was admitted to the intensive care unit for a sudden onset coma. His Glasgow Coma Scale was 4/15 with fixed dilated pupils. He has been experiencing paroxystic episodes of headaches, vomiting and vertigo for 6 months that went undiagnosed.Diagnoses include acute hydrocephalous, syncopes, and stroke. The CT scan showed a globally iso-dense rounded mass of the anterior roof of the third ventricle, with hyperdense areas suggestive of hemorrhage, obstructing both foramen of Monro and causing acute hydrocephalous. The patient underwent an urgent placement of an external ventricular drainage; the intracranial pressure was above 25mmHg, and the CSF gin-clear.Unfortunately, the patient did not survive this episode and died 24hours later. Colloid cysts are rare, benign, and curable lesions located at the anterior part of the roof of the third ventricle, and contain colloid material. Their clinical presentation varies from incidentally found cysts to sudden death.Rapid deterioration may also be caused by an intrinsic hemorrhage. Such condition has only been reported in the literature in 16 publications. Through this observation we would like to bring attention concerning this syndrome that may be preceding fulminant and lethal deterioration from a benign and surgically curable lesion.Pan African Medical Journal 2015; 2