Enhanced Machine Learning Techniques for Early HARQ Feedback Prediction in 5G

We investigate Early Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (E-HARQ) feedback schemes enhanced by machine learning techniques as a path towards ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC). To this end, we propose machine learning methods to predict the outcome of the decoding process ahead of the end of the transmission. We discuss different input features and classification algorithms ranging from traditional methods to newly developed supervised autoencoders. These methods are evaluated based on their prospects of complying with the URLLC requirements of effective block error rates below $10^{-5}$ at small latency overheads. We provide realistic performance estimates in a system model incorporating scheduling effects to demonstrate the feasibility of E-HARQ across different signal-to-noise ratios, subcode lengths, channel conditions and system loads, and show the benefit over regular HARQ and existing E-HARQ schemes without machine learning.Comment: 14 pages, 15 figures; accepted versio

Multi-modal Data Analysis and Fusion for Classification in 2D/3D Sensing

This research would develop a method of more accurately detecting objects using machine learning. There is plenty of current research and algorithms to tackle this problem. Our approach would use a dataset gathered with 2-Dimensional Infrared Imagery as well as 3-Dimensional LiDAR Data. We would develop a deep learning network with the ability to “learn” using both of these datasets. This proposed fusion network will perform better than either of the individual networks

Effectiveness of time-lapse videos as a method to teach rates of surface geological processes

Understanding the wide range of rates at which geological processes operate can be challenging for introductory geology students, and yet is crucial to understanding how the Earth’s landscapes evolve over time. Research has shown that student misconceptions in this area are common. Time-lapse videos can capture processes that cannot be observed by students in the field and offer promise as a way to improves student understanding of rates of landscape evolution on certain timescales. This thesis explores the effectiveness of using time-lapse videos to teach intro geology students about the rates of surficial geological processes compared to before/after photo pairs depicting the same processes. The effect of interactivity on the effectiveness of time-lapse is also explored. One hundred and thirty students enrolled in introductory geology classes at Western Washington University during Winter and Spring quarter 2014 participated in the study. Subjects took a pre-test where they made qualitative and quantitative predictions about how various landscapes would change over time before completing a series of computer based activities containing before/after photos or time-lapse videos and then a post-test allowing them to revisit their predictions. The performance of three treatment groups, one using before/after photo pairs, one using pre-made time-lapse videos, and one where students made their own custom time-lapse videos using an interactive online program, was compared. All three groups exhibited large and statistically significant gains in understanding of geologic rates as measured by score gain from pre-test to post-test although differences in gains between groups were small and not significant. A number of steps were taken during study design and data analysis to ensure construct and internal validity. Lack of significant differences in the performance of the three treatment groups on the assessments suggests that there may be cognitive barriers to processing the complex and rapid landscape changes presented in a time-lapse video. This may limit how much students, in particular novice geology students, can learn from time-lapse videos, even though they inherently present more information and a more complete picture of a given geological process as compared to before/after photo pairs. The results of the study suggest various ways to improve the implementation and effectiveness of time-lapse videos in the geology classroom, including decreasing frame rates, more guidance on what to focus on when viewing time-lapse videos, inclusion of annotation and/or narration in the videos themselves, more time to look at the videos, and better integration of the videos and assessment questions. Extra care is also needed to ensure that videos explicitly address pre-existing misconceptions held by viewers in order for them to be effective with a wide range of students

A rate control algorithm for HEVC with hierarchical GOP structures

In this paper a buffer-constrained rate control (RC) algorithm for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) with hierarchical group of pictures structures is proposed. Specifically, a quantization parameter (QP) cascading approach, which the QP value is increased from one temporal layer to the next, is employed to achieve high coding efficiency while maintaining the buffer fullness at secure levels. When compared to the current state-of-the-art RC algorithm, the experimental results show that our proposal achieves a slightly better rate-distortion performance and a remarkably better buffer control with an acceptable increase in computational complexity

Theoretical Models for Video on Demand Services on Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-peer networks (P2Ps) are becoming more and more popular in video content delivery services, such as TV broadcast and Video on Demand (VoD), thanks to their scalability feature. Such characteristic allows for higher numbers of simultaneous users at a given server load and bandwidth with respect to alternative solutions. However, great efforts are still required to study and design reliable and QoS-guaranteed solutions. In this paper, within the scenario of P2P-based VoD services, we study the phenomenon of peer churns and propose four models of the peer behaviour to evaluate its impact on the system performance, which are based on the Gilbert-Elliot chain, the fluidic representation of the user behavior, and a queuing analysis of the system. The models are compared by computing the resources the system has to add on top of the P2P network to satisfy all the download requests. Simulations show important relationships between playback buffer length, peer request rate, peer average lifetime, and server upload rate

Monedas del litoral marítimo. Un tesoro Emiral compuesto por monedas de plata procedente de un asentamiento portuario del Cerro da Vila (Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal)

Cerro da Vila was founded as a Roman production and harbour settlement (“agglomeracion secundaire”) at the end of the Republican Age. It developed into a small seaside settlement (“aldeia do mar”), largely based on the exploitation of maritime resources, although it is unlikely that this exploitation exceededsubsistence level. The abandonment of the settlement probably resulted from violent attack and destruction at the end of the 11th / beginning of the 12th century AD. A hoard of 239 silver coins and fragments were discovered at the bottom of an Islamic storage pit dug into the ground in an area of the former Roman site, where several remains of buildings and layers confirm settlement activity in the Visigothic and Islamic period. The latest coin is dated 270/883-4, but the hoard might have been buried some years later. It is likely that the hoard represents a small random sample of the coin circulation in Gharb al-Andalus. Most of the coins are fragmented. As it is typical for that period, a number are slotted and slashed coins; some of them are plugged with tiny pieces of silver. With the exception of two Carolingian deniers all the identifiable coins are from Cordoba, proving a tight control of the circulation of coins in al-Andalus. The hoard belongs to a horizon of similar hoards from southern and south-western al-Andalus which were buried in the 260s/870s and 270s/880s. Their composition is discussed in the article. They all belong to the period of the uprising of the muwallad landowner ʿUmar ibn Ḥafṣūn between 267/880-1 and 303/915- 6, against the Emirate of Cordoba.El Cerro da Vila se fundó como asentamiento romano de producción y puerto (“aglomeración secundaria”) al final de la época republicana. Con el tiempo, se convirtió en un pequeño asentamiento costero (“aldeia do mar”), con una actividad basada en gran medida en la explotación de los recursos marítimos, aunque es poco probable que su explotación excediera el nivel de subsistencia. El abandono del asentamiento fue probablemente resultado de un ataque violento y destrucción a finales del siglo XI / comienzos del siglo XII. Un tesoro de 239 monedas de plata y fragmentos fue descubierto en el fondo de un silo de almacenamiento de época islámica, excavado en el suelo en una zona del antiguo emplazamiento romano, donde los restos de edificios y la estratigrafía confirman la actividad de asentamiento en los periodos visigodo e islámico. la cronología de la última moneda encontrada data de 270/883-4, pero el tesoro podría haber sido enterrado algunos años después. Es probable que el tesoro represente una pequeña muestra aleatoria de la circulación de monedas en Garb al-Andalus. la mayoría de las monedas están fragmentadas. Como es típico de este período, un gran número de las monedas están cortadas y ranuradas; y algunas de éstas están conectadas con pequeñas piezas de plata. Con la excepción de dos denarios carolingios, todas las monedas identificables proceden de Córdoba, lo que demuestra un estricto control de la circulación de monedas en al-Andalus. El tesoro pertenece a una zona del sur y el sudoeste de al-Andalus en la que se han encontrado tesoros similares que fueron enterrados en los años 260, 270, 870 y 880. Este artículo discute la composición de las monedas. Estas pertenecen al período de la sublevación del terrateniente muwallad ‘Umar Ibn Ḥafṣūn entre los años 267/880-1 y 303/915-6, contra el Emirato de Córdoba