COMPARISON OF SIGMA-DELTA MODULATOR FOR FRACTIONAL-N PLL FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER

This paper investigates the design of digital Sigma-Delta Modulator (SDM) for fractional-N frequency synthesizer. Characteristics of SDMs are compared through theory analysis and simulation. The curve of maximum-loop-bandwidth vs. maximum-phase-noise is suggested to be a new criterion to the performance of SDM,which greatly helps designers to select an appropriate SDM structure to meet their real application requirements and to reduce the cost as low as possible. A low-spur 3-order Mul-tistage Noise Shaping (MASH)-1-1-1 SDM using three 2-bit first-order cascaded modulators is proposed,which balances the requirements of tone-free and maximum operation frequency.

Chip Design of a Low-Voltage Wideband Continuous-Time Sigma-Delta Modulator with DWA Technology for WiMAX Applications

This paper presents the design and experimental results of a continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta (ΣΔ) modulator with data-weighted average (DWA) technology for WiMAX applications. The proposed modulator comprises a third-order active RC loop filter, internal quantizer operating at 160 MHz and three DAC circuits. A multi-bit quantizer is used to increase resolution and multi-bit non-return-to-zero (NRZ) DACs are adopted to reduce clock jitter sensitivity. The NRZ DAC circuits with quantizer excess loop delay compensation are set to be half the sampling period of the quantizer for increasing modulator stability. A dynamic element matching (DEM) technique is applied to multi-bit ΣΔ modulators to improve the nonlinearity of the internal DAC. This approach translates the harmonic distortion components of a nonideal DAC in the feedback loop of a ΣΔ modulator to high-frequency components. Capacitor tuning is utilized to overcome loop coefficient shifts due to process variations. The DWA technique is used for reducing DAC noise due to component mismatches. The prototype is implemented in TSMC 0.18 um CMOS process. Experimental results show that the ΣΔ modulator achieves 54-dB dynamic range, 51-dB SNR, and 48-dB SNDR over a 10-MHz signal bandwidth with an oversampling ratio (OSR) of 8, while dissipating 19.8 mW from a 1.2-V supply. Including pads, the chip area is 1.156 mm2.

A Novel Full Differential Feedforward Fourth-Order Bandpass Sigma-Delta Modulator

In this paper,in order to reduce power consumption and chip area,as well as to improve the performance of the bandpass sigma-delta modulator,a novel full differential feedforward fourth-order bandpass sigma-delta modulator was proposed. It used a resonator based on Salo architecture,which employed doublesampling and double-delay technique. The results show that the proposed modulator can achieve lower power consumption and a lower capacitive load than the conventional bandpass modulators on the platform of Simulink. The circuit is implemented with TSMC0. 18 μm CMOS process and operates at a sampling frequency of 20 MHz, 80 MHz effective sampling frequency. Furthermore,it consumes 21. 2 mW from a 1. 8 V supply. The simulated peak signal-to-noise ratio( SNR) is 85. 9 dB and the dynamic range( DR) is 91 dB with 200 kHz bandwidth.

Disturbance Observer Design with a Bode’s Ideal Filter for Sigma-Delta Modulators

It is usually difficult to design a high performance Sigma⁃Delta(ΣΔ)modulator due to system noises.In this paper,a disturbance observer(DOB)is utilized to estimate the system noises and eliminate their effects on ΣΔ modulators.The applied DOB is introduced with a Bode's ideal cut⁃off(BICO)filter used for the Q⁃filter.The proposed DOB with the BICO filter used in ΣΔ modulators can achieve better noise⁃shaping ability,resulting from the less phase loss of the BICO filter.Finally,the simulation results show that the proposed BICO filter scheme is a useful additional tool for improving the performance of ΣΔ modulators.

Influence of substrate effect on near-field radiative modulator based on biaxial hyperbolic materials

Relative rotation between the emitter and receiver could effectively modulate the near-field radiative heat transfer(NFRHT)in anisotropic media.Due to the strong in-plane anisotropy,natural hyperbolic materials can be used to construct near-field radiative modulators with excellent modulation effects.However,in practical applications,natural hyperbolic materials need to be deposited on the substrate,and the influence of substrate on modulation effect has not been studied yet.In this work,we investigate the influence of substrate effect on near-field radiative modulator based onα-MoO_(3).The results show that compared to the situation without a substrate,the presence of both lossless and lossy substrate will reduce the modulation contrast(MC)for different film thicknesses.When the real or imaginary component of the substrate permittivity increases,the mismatch of hyperbolic phonon polaritons(HPPs)weakens,resulting in a reduction in MC.By reducing the real and imaginary components of substrate permittivity,the MC can be significantly improved,reaching 4.64 forε_(s)=3 at t=10 nm.This work indicates that choosing a substrate with a smaller permittivity helps to achieve a better modulation effect,and provides guidance for the application of natural hyperbolic materials in the near-field radiative modulator.

Calcium-sensitive protein MLC1 as a possible modulator of the astrocyte functional state

Astrocytes,the main population of glial cells in the central nervous system(CNS),exert essential tasks for the control of brain tissue homeostasis,supporting neuron and other glial cell activity from the developmental stage to adult life.To maintain the optimal functionality of the brain,astroglial cells are particularly committed to reacting to every change in tissue homeostatic conditions,from mild modifications of the physiological environment,a process called astrocyte activation,to the more severe alterations occurring in pathological situations causing astrocyte reactivity or reactive astrogliosis(Escartin et al.,2021).During these reactive states,astrocytes mount an active,progressive response encompassing morphological,molecular,and interactional remodeling,leading to the acquisition of new functions and the loss of others,whose intensity,duration,and reversibility are dependent on the nature of the stimulus and regulated in a context-specific manner.

Neuropeptide cholecystokinin:a key neuromodulator for hippocampal functions

Spatial memory is crucial for survival within external surroundings and wild environments.The hippocampus,a critical hub for spatial learning and memory formation,has received extensive investigations on how neuromodulators shape its functions(Teixeira et al.,2018;Zhang et al.,2024).However,the landscape of neuromodulations in the hippocampal system remains poorly understood because most studies focus on classical monoamine neuromodulators,such as acetylcholine,serotonin,dopamine,and noradrenaline.The neuropeptides,comprising the most abundant neuromodulators in the central nervous system,play a pivotal role in neural information processing in the hippocampal system.Cholecystokinin(CCK),one of the most abundant neuropeptides,has been implicated in regulating various physiological and neurobiological statuses(Chen et al.,2019).CCK-A receptor(CCK-AR)and CCK-B receptors(CCK-BR)are two key receptors mediating the biological functions of CCK,both of which belong to class-A sevenfold transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors(Nishimura et al.,2015).CCK-AR preferentially reacts to sulfated CCK,whereas CCK-BR binds both CCK and gastrin with similar affinities(Ding et al.,2022).The expression patterns of CCK-AR and CCK-BR are distinct,implying that CCK has various functions in target regions.For instance,CCK-AR is widely expressed in the GI and brain subregions and is hence implicated in the control of digestive function and satiety regulation.Conversely,CCK-BR is abundantly and widely distributed in the central nervous system,which majorly regulates anxiety,learning,and memory(Ding et al.,2022).However,the roles of endogenous CCK and CCK receptors in regulating hippocampal function at electrophysiological and behavioral levels have received less attention.

Exploring the modulatory role of bovine lactoferrin on the microbiome and the immune response in healthy and Shiga toxin‑producing E.coli challenged weaned piglets

Background Post-weaned piglets suffer from F18+Escherichia coli(E.coli)infections resulting in post-weaning diar-rhoea or oedema disease.Frequently used management strategies,including colistin and zinc oxide,have contrib-uted to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.Novel antimicrobials capable of directly interacting with pathogens and modulating the host immune responses are being investigated.Lactoferrin has shown promising results against porcine enterotoxigenic E.coli strains,both in vitro and in vivo.Results We investigated the influence of bovine lactoferrin(bLF)on the microbiome of healthy and infected weaned piglets.Additionally,we assessed whether bLF influenced the immune responses upon Shiga toxin-producing E.coli(STEC)infection.Therefore,2 in vivo trials were conducted:a microbiome trial and a challenge infection trial,using an F18+STEC strain.BLF did not affect theα-andβ-diversity.However,bLF groups showed a higher relative abundance(RA)for the Actinobacteria phylum and the Bifidobacterium genus in the ileal mucosa.When analysing the immune response upon infection,the STEC group exhibited a significant increase in F18-specific IgG serum levels,whereas this response was absent in the bLF group.Conclusion Taken together,the oral administration of bLF did not have a notable impact on theα-andβ-diversity of the gut microbiome in weaned piglets.Nevertheless,it did increase the RA of the Actinobacteria phylum and Bifi-dobacterium genus,which have previously been shown to play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis.Furthermore,bLF administration during STEC infection resulted in the absence of F18-specific serum IgG responses.

Light-field modulation and optimization near metal nanostructures utilizing spatial light modulators

Plasmonic modes within metal nanostructures play a pivotal role in various nanophotonic applications.However,a significant challenge arises from the fixed shapes of nanostructures post-fabrication,resulting in limited modes under ordinary illumination.A promising solution lies in far-field control facilitated by spatial light modulators(SLMs),which enable on-site,real-time,and non-destructive manipulation of plasmon excitation.Through the robust modulation of the incident light using SLMs,this approach enables the generation,optimization,and dynamic control of surface plasmon polariton(SPP)and localized surface plasmon(LSP)modes.The versatility of this technique introduces a rich array of tunable degrees of freedom to plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy,offering novel approaches for signal optimization and functional expansion in this field.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the generation and modulation of SPP and LSP modes through far-field control with SLMs and highlights the diverse applications of this optical technology in plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy.

Identification of FDA-Approved Drugs as Modulators of Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) Expression Levels in MRP2-Overexpressing Cells: Preliminary Data

Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 (MRP2) is an ATP-dependent transmembrane protein that plays a pivotal role in the efflux of a wide variety of physiological substrates across the plasma membrane. Several studies have shown that MRP2 can significantly affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles of many therapeutic drugs and chemicals found in the environment and diet. This transporter can also efflux newly developed anticancer agents that target specific signaling pathways and are major clinical markers associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) of several types of cancers. MDR remains a major limitation to the advancement of the combinatorial chemotherapy regimen in cancer treatment. In addition to anticancer agents, MRP2 reduces the efficacy of various drug classes such as antivirals, antimalarials, and antibiotics. The unique role of MRP2 and its contribution to MDR makes it essential to profile drug-transporter interactions for all new and promising drugs. Thus, this current research seeks to identify modulators of MRP2 protein expression levels using cell-based assays. A unique recently approved FDA library (372 drugs) was screened using a high-throughput In-Cell ELISA assay to determine the effect of these therapeutic agents on protein expression levels of MRP2. A total of 49 FDA drugs altered MRP2 protein expression levels by more than 50% representing 13.17% of the compounds screened. Among the identified hits, thirty-nine (39) drugs increased protein expression levels whereas 10 drugs lowered protein expression levels of MRP2 after drug treatment. Our findings from this initial drug screening showed that modulators of MRP2 peregrinate multiple drug families and signify the importance of profiling drug interactions with this transporter. Data from this study provides essential information to improve combinatorial drug therapy and precision medicine as well as reduce the drug toxicity of various cancer chemotherapies.

A high-contrast imaging coronagraph for segmented-mirror large aperture telescopes using a spatial light modulator

The primary mirrors of current and future large telescopes always employ a segmented mirror configuration.The small but non-negligible gaps between neighboring segments cause additional diffraction,which restricts the performance of high-contrast coronagraph.To solve this problem,we propose a coronagraph system based on a single liquid crystal spatial light modulator(SLM).This spatial light modulator is used for amplitude apodization,and its feasibility and potential performance are demonstrated using a laboratory setup using the stochastic parallel gradient descent(SPGD)algorithm to control the spatial light modulator,which is based on point spread function(PSF)sensing and evaluation and optimized for maximum contrast in the discovery working area as a merit function.The system delivers a contrast in the order of 10−6,and shows excellent potential to be used in current and future large aperture telescopes,both on the ground and in space.

Harnessing immunity:Immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19

An overly exuberant immune response,characterized by a cytokine storm and uncontrolled inflammation,has been identified as a significant driver of severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases.Consequently,deciphering the intricacies of immune dysregulation in COVID-19 is imperative to identify specific targets for intervention and modulation.With these delicate dynamics in mind,immunomodulatory therapies have emerged as a promising avenue for miti-gating the challenges posed by COVID-19.Precision in manipulating immune pathways presents an opportunity to alter the host response,optimizing antiviral defenses while curbing deleterious inflammation.This review article compre-hensively analyzes immunomodulatory interventions in managing COVID-19.We explore diverse approaches to mitigating the hyperactive immune response and its impact,from corticosteroids and non-steroidal drugs to targeted biologics,including anti-viral drugs,cytokine inhibitors,JAK inhibitors,convalescent plasma,monoclonal antibodies(mAbs)to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,cell-based therapies(i.e.,CAR T,etc.).By summarizing the current evidence,we aim to provide a clear roadmap for clinicians and researchers navigating the complex landscape of immunomodulation in COVID-19 treatment.CS Glucocorticoids are among the most widely prescribed drugs with their immune-suppressive and anti-inflammatory effect[84].The current guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 recommend against the use of dexamethasone or other systemic CS in non-hospitalized patients in the absence of another indication[70].The RECOVERY trial demonstrates the reduced 28-d mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 using dexamethasone compared to the usual standard of care,along with other investigators,such as Ahmed and Hassan[85].The benefit of dexamethasone was seen only among participants receiving either oxygen alone or invasive mechanical ventilation at randomization but not among those receiving no respiratory support at enrollment[85].In a systematic review and meta-analysis,Albuquerque et al[86]showed that in comparison to tocilizumab,baricitinib,and sarilumab are associated with high probabilities of similar mortality reductions among hospitalized COVID-19 concurrently treated with CS.As a result of the absence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antiviral medications,the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatments is reduced.Several COVID-19 therapies are now under investigation.However,the majority of them lack specificity,efficacy,and safety[87].Immunotherapy is a ground-breaking medical treatment that manipulates the immune system to fight diseases.Translational research is rapidly progressing,recognized as a significant breakthrough in 2013[88].Among the immunotherapeutic options for treating COVID-19 are Immunoglobulin,CP,antibodies,mAbs(mAbs),NK cells,T cells,TLR,cytokine therapies and immune modulators.

A 3V 5.88mW 13b 400kHz Sigma-Delta Modulator with 84dB Dynamic Range

This paper introduces a high-revolution,200kHz signal bandwidth EA modulator for low-IF GSM receivers that adopts a 2-1 cascaded single-bit structure to achieve high linearity and stability. Our design is realized in a standard 0.18μm CMOS process with art active area of 0.5mm× 1.1mm.The EA modulator is driven by a single 19.2MHz clock signal and dissipates 5.88mW from 3V power supply. The experimental results show that,with an oversampling ratio of 48, the modulator achieves a 84.4dB dynamic range,73.8dB peak SNDR, and 80dB peak SNR in the signal bandwidth of 200kHz.

High-Consistency Behavior Modeling of a Switched-Capacitor Sigma-Delta Modulator in SIMULINK

To improve the simulation accuracy of SIMULINK, a novel inclusive behavior model of an integrator is proposed that introduces the effects of different circuit nonidealities of a switched-capacitor sigma-delta modulator into SIMULIK simulation. The nonlinear DC gain and nonlinear settling process are introduced into the op-amp module. The signaldependent charge injection and nonlinear resistance are introduced into the switch module. In addition, the noise source including flicker and thermal noise is introduced into system as an independent module. The novel model is verified by SIMULINK behavioral simulations. The results are compared with results from circuit level simulation in Cadence SPICE using TSMC 0.35μm mixed signal technology. It shows that the novel model succeeds in introducing the influences of the nonidealities into behavior simulation to more realistically describe the circuit performances and increase the accuracy of SIMULINK simulation.

An improved single-loop sigma-delta modulator for GSM applications

Traditional feedforward structures suffer from performance constraints caused by the complex adder before quantizer.This paper presents an improved 4th-order 1 -bit sigma-delta modulator which has a simple adder and delayed input feedforward to relax timing constraints and implement low-distortion.The modulator was fabricated in a 0.35μm CMOS process,and it achieved 92.8 dB SNDR and 101 dB DR with a signal bandwidth of 100 kHz dissipating 8.6 mW power from a 3.3-V supply.The performance satisfies the requirements of a GSM system.

A 100-MHz bandpass sigma-delta modulator with a 75-dB dynamic range for IF receivers

A fourth-order switched-capacitor bandpass ∑△ modulator is presented for digital intermediatefrequency （IF） receivers. The circuit operates at a sampling frequency of 100 MHz. The transfer function of the resonator considering nonidealities of the operational amplifier is proposed so as to optimize the performance of resonators. The modulator is implemented in a 0.13-μm standard CMOS process. The measurement shows that the signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio and dynamic range achieve 68 dB and 75 dB, respectively, over a bandwidth of 200 kHz centered at 25 MHz, and the power dissipation is 8.2 mW at a 1.2 V supply.

Broadband all-fiber optical phase modulator based on photo-thermal effect in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber

We report broadband all-fiber optical phase modulation based on the photo-thermal effect in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber.The phase modulation dynamics are studied by multi-physics simulation.A phase modulator is fabricated using a 5.6-cm-long anti-resonant hollow-core fiber with pure acetylene filling.It has a half-wave optical power of 289 mW at 100 kHz and an average insertion loss 0.6 dB over a broad wavelength range from 1450 to 1650 nm.The rise and fall time constants are 3.5 and 3.7μs,respectively,2–3 orders of magnitude better than the previously reported microfiber-based photo-thermal phase modulators.The gas-filled hollow-core waveguide configuration is promising for optical phase modulation from ultraviolet to mid-infrared which is challenging to achieve with solid optical fibers.

A review of liquid crystal spatial light modulators:devices and applications

Spatial light modulators,as dynamic flat-panel optical devices,have witnessed rapid development over the past two decades,concomitant with the advancements in micro-and opto-electronic integration technology.In particular,liquid-crystal spatial light modulator(LC-SLM)technologies have been regarded as versatile tools for generating arbitrary optical fields and tailoring all degrees of freedom beyond just phase and amplitude.These devices have gained significant interest in the nascent field of structured light in space and time,facilitated by their ease of use and real-time light manipulation,fueling both fundamental research and practical applications.Here we provide an overview of the key working principles of LC-SLMs and review the significant progress made to date in their deployment for various applications,covering topics as diverse as beam shaping and steering,holography,optical trapping and tweezers,measurement,wavefront coding,optical vortex,and quantum optics.Finally,we conclude with an outlook on the potential opportunities and technical challenges in this rapidly developing field.

A 1-V 60-μW 85-dB dynamic range continuous-time third-order sigma-delta modulator

A 1-V third order one-bit continuous-time（CT） EA modulator is presented. Designed in the SMIC mixedsignal 0.13-μm CMOS process, the modulator utilizes active RC integrators to implement the loop filter. An efficient circuit design methodology for the CT ZA modulator is proposed and verified. Low power dissipation is achieved through the use of two-stage class A/AB amplifiers. The presented modulator achieves 81.4-dB SNDR and 85-dB dynamic range in a 20-kHz bandwidth with an over sampling ratio of 128. The total power consumption of the modulator is only 60 μW from a 1-V power supply and the prototype occupies an active area of 0.12 mm^2.

一种高精度音频Sigma-Delta DAC的设计

设计了一种应用于音频Codec的高精度Sigma-Delta DAC,针对数字插值滤波器占用面积大的问题,提出了乘法器复用的方法,减少数字电路的硬件消耗。为解决Sigma-Delta调制器多比特量化引起的非线性问题,引入DWA(Data Weight Average)算法,提高系统的精度。此外,DCT(Direct Charge Transfer)电路用于实现数字域到模拟域的高精度转换。电路采用0.18μm CMOS工艺,整体DAC的信噪比为105.7dB@1150Hz,有效位数达到17.26bit。