VCSEL-based, CWDM - PON systems using reflective technology for bi-directional multi-play service provision

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based on radio-overfiber schemes allows the direct use of multiple, native format wireless platforms. In combination with standard baseband provision such as Gigabit Ethernet, this provides access to a wide range of services without requiring specialized end-user equipment. However, such signals have a high laser power-bandwidth requirement which may not be a good fit to the domestic environment. Here we explore the use of low-power optical components in customer premises which interface with an intermediate optical network node. Two solutions in the context of SSMF over a CWDM optical network are described, based on either reflective or direct modulation. EVMs of better than 35 dB were achieved. ©2012 Optical Society of America

480Mbit/s UWB bi-directional radio over fiber CWDM PON using ultra-low cost and power VCSELs

Radio-over-fiber (RoF) schemes offer the possibility of permitting direct access to native format services for the domestic user. A low power requirement and cost effectiveness are crucial to both the service provider and the end user. Here, we present an ultra-low cost and power RoF scheme using direct modulation of commercially-available 1344 nm and 1547 nm VCSELs by band-group 1 UWB wireless signals (ECMA-368) at near broadcast power levels. As a result, greatly simplified electrical-optical-electrical conversion is accomplished. A successful demonstration over a transmission distance of 20.1 km is described using a SSMF, CWDM optical network. EVMs of better than-18.3 dB were achieved. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Dual-drive LiNbO_3 interferometric Mach-Zehnder architecture with extended linear regime for high peak-to-average OFDM-based communication systems

A dual-drive LiNbO3 architecture modulator with chirp management is proposed and developed offering SFDR > 25 dB in a 1.4 V bias excursion compared to only 0.5 V bias excursion in a conventional Mach-Zehnder electro-optical modulator (MZ-EOM). The architecture effectively extends the linear regime and enables the optical transmission of wireless systems employing orthogonal division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation such as ultra-wide band (UWB) which require high linearity over a broad frequency range due to their high peak-to-average power ratio (PARP). Radio-over-fiber UWB transmission in a passive optical network is experimentally demonstrated employing this technique, exhibiting an enhancement of 2.2 dB in EVM after 57 km SSMF when the dual-drive developed modulator is employed. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Service differentiated drop code unit for metro ring optical networks

The authors demonstrate using both simulation and experiment, a drop code unit for metro ring optical networks with service differentiation capability. This is achieved by means of a spectral amplitude coding technique whereby the code weight in a particular channel is varied to provide different signal quality levels. Transmission of three channels with different weights operating at 10 Gbps per channel was simulated over a 68 km unamplified and 185 km amplified links of dispersion compensated fibre. Services are perfectly dropped at bit error rates from 10−9 to 10−3, leaving the through service free from accumulated noise. The authors also present a 2.5 Gbps per channel proof-of-concept experiment over 40 km of single-mode fibre (SMF)

Do TETRA (Airwave) base station signals have a short-term impact on health and well-being? A randomized double-blind provocation study

Background: "Airwave" is the new communication system currently being rolled out across the United Kingdom for the police and emergency services, based on the Terrestrial Trunked Radio Telecommunications System (TETRA). Some police officers have complained about skin rashes, nausea, headaches, and depression as a consequence of using their Airwave handsets. In addition, a small subgroup in the population self-report being sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in general. Objectives: We conducted a randomized double-blind provocation study to establish whether short-term exposure to a TETRA base station signal has an impact on the health and well-being of individuals with self-reported "electrosensitivity" and of participants who served as controls.Methods: Fifty-one individuals with self-reported electrosensitivity and 132 age and sex-matched controls participated in an open provocation test; 48 sensitive and 132 control participants went on to complete double-blind tests in a fully screened semianechoic chamber. Heart rate, skin conductance, and blood pressure readings provided objective indices of short-term physiological response. Visual analog scales and symptom scales provided subjective indices of well-being.Results: We found no differences on any measure between TETRA and sham (no signal) under double-blind conditions for either controls or electrosensitive participants, and neither group could detect the presence of a TETRA signal at rates greater than chance (50%). When conditions were not double blind, however, the self-reported electrosensitive individuals did report feeling worse and experienced more severe symptoms during TETRA compared with sham.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the adverse symptoms experienced by electrosensitive individuals are due to the belief of harm from TETRA base stations rather than to the low-level EMF exposure itself

Analog Radio-over-Fiber Supported Increased RAU Spacing for 60GHz Distributed MIMO employing Spatial Diversity and Multiplexing

The improvements in coverage through spatial diversity and increased data rates through spatial multiplexing using a distributed Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system are important targets for future wireless communications. Here, the appropriate separation of Remote Antenna Units (RAUs) at several user locations in a millimeter-wave system is demonstrated. An analog Radio over Fiber (RoF) fronthaul is used to achieve flexible spacing of distributed RAUs and transports two Gb/s data streams over 2.2km of fiber and up to 8m of 60 GHz wireless transmission distance. A performance comparison is performed between Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) and MIMO operation using different antenna spacing and transmission distance. Results show that the wider RAU spacing enabled by the RoF distribution provides improved results at longer distances, for both spatial diversity and for spatial multiplexing. Verification of a method for measuring each channel coefficient individually and using subsequent MIMO processing on these coefficients, enables an extension to the results showing the feasibility of 30m indoor transmission

Demonstration of radio-over-fiber-supported 60 GHz MIMO using separate antenna-pair processing

Coverage at millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies is a constraining bottleneck. Spatial diversity and spatial multiplexing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) improve performance over a spread of user locations and these can benefit from wider antenna spacing. Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) transport provides flexibility in deploying a number of widely-spaced Remote Antenna Units (RAUs) connected to the same Central Unit (CU). Hence, mmW systems with an integrated analog RoF fronthaul are strong candidates for use in future 5G networks. An approach to measure channel coefficients individually for MIMO processing has been demonstrated in a RoF transported 2×2 MIMO system at 60 GHz. Experimental results verify this approach through real 2×2 experiments

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

EDP cost accounting/ Quinlan

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A Coaxial, 60-GHz, 15.3-dBi Slot Antenna Array

Short-range, high-data-rate wireless communication systems such as those outlined in IEEE 802.11ad have a requirement for antennas that can both support very wide bandwidths and at the same time deliver high-gain performance. Often, these would be considered mutually exclusive requirements, difficult to achieve within a single device. Shown here is a versatile, pluggable design that can be used as a high-gain standalone device or built in to array configurations to take advantage of increased gain or beam-steering capabilities. This slotted antenna array design operates over a frequency range between 57 and 64 GHz with a gain over this bandwidth varying from over 8.98 to 15.3 dBi. Using commercially available materials, this design draws on techniques developed for leaky feeder cable radiators to produce a versatile antenna array element. © 2002-2011 IEEE