Optimizing Energy Utilization in Unequally Spaced Linear Array for Smart Antenna

Radiation in the form of unwanted patterns, energy wastage and reduction is caused by high side lobe levels in a radiation pattern. This, in turn, affects the overall performance of the antenna. The purpose of this work is to improve the performance of a smart antenna by optimizing the radiation pattern using the genetic algorithm. Optimal antenna parameters that would minimize side lobe level were obtained using genetic algorithm. Simulations were carried out to determine the impact of the increase in inter-element spacing on array factor and beamwidth using the optimal antenna parameters. The optimal arrangement of inter-element spacing and number of elements in unequally spaced antenna elements were then considered. The array factor model for a uniform linear array of elements was used to obtain the optimum weights that would give the desired radiation pattern with reduced side lobe level. Results for the unequally spaced linear arrays revealed that non-tapered arrangement among all the possible configurations gave the best improvement in the side lobe level. The outcome of this improvement is an optimized radiation pattern which is expected to aid the reduction of radiated power wasted in the side lobes of linear arrays in antenna systems

Development of Adaptive Sensing Algorithm for Minimizing Energy and Bandwidth Consumption in Cooperative Spectrum Sensing Technology

Optimized consumption of energy and bandwidth is crucial for efficient utilization of the limited electromagnetic spectrum for telecommunication purposes. Cognitive radio is one of the dynamic spectrum management applications with numerous benefits related to the management of available spectrum. But it has the challenge of high energy and bandwidth usage when the cooperative scheme of spectrum sensing is applied for accurate sensing. In this paper, an adaptive spectrum sensing algorithm was developed to minimize energy and bandwidth consumption in cognitive radio spectrum sensing while ensuring accurate spectrum sensing. The adaptive algorithm was developed based on the signal-to-noise ratio conditions of the channel. Results reveal that the energy and bandwidth usage by the cooperative spectrum sensing can be significantly reduced without negatively affecting the performance and detection of the cognitive radio in varying noisy condition

Analytical determination of load resistance value for MQ-series gas sensors: MQ-6 as case study

The MQ-series gas sensors are attractive candidates in the area of gas concentration sensing due to their high sensitivity and low cost. Even though the sensor circuit sensitivity and sensor power dissipation level both depend on load resistance, the process of the load resistance selection has not been well researched, hence the need for this study. The derivation of model equations for determining the sensor circuit sensitivity and sensor power dissipation is presented. The derived equations were used to investigate a typical scenario of MQ-6 gas sensor under the influence of liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The variation of sensitivity with load resistance and that of power dissipation with sensor resistance were parametrically investigated. The load resistance that yields maximum sensor circuit sensitivity with the maximum sensor power dissipation less than the set threshold is the candidate resistance for the sensor circuit. The 20 kΩ load resistance recommended for MQ-6 in the datasheet was authenticated in this study, yielding the maximum possible sensor circuit sensitivity and tolerable sensor power dissipation of 0.195 mV/ppm and 3.125×10−4 W, respectively

Development of a Computer-aided Learning System for Graphical Analysis of Continuous-Time Control Systems

We present the development and deployment process of a computer-aided learning tool which serves as a training aid for undergraduate control engineering courses. We show the process of algorithm construction and implementation of the software which is also aimed at teaching software development at undergraduate level. The scope of this project is limited to graphical analysis of continuous-time control systems