On a Grouping Method for Constructing Mixed Orthogonal Arrays

Mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two and size smn are constructed by grouping points in the finite projective geometry PG(mn-1, s). PG(mn-1, s) can be partitioned into [(smn-1)/(sn-1)](n-1)-flats such that each (n-1)-flat is associated with a point in PG(m-1, sn). An orthogonal array Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) can be constructed by using (smn-1)/( sn-1) points in PG(m-1, sn). A set of (st-1)/(s-1) points in PG(m-1, sn) is called a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) if it is isomorphic to PG(t-1, s). If there exists a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn), then we can replace the corresponding [(st-1)/(s-1)] sn-level columns in Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) by (smn-1)/( sn-1) st -level columns and obtain a mixed orthogonal array. Many new mixed orthogonal arrays can be obtained by this procedure. In this paper, we study methods for finding disjoint (t-1)-flats over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn) in order to construct more mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two. In particular, if m and n are relatively prime then we can construct an Lsmn((sm)smn-1/sm-1-i(sn-1)/ (s-1)( sn) i(sm-1)/ s-1) for any 0i(smn-1)(s-1)/( sm-1)( sn-1) New orthogonal arrays of sizes 256, 512, and 1024 are obtained by using PG(7,2), PG(8,2), and PG(9,2) respectively.

Sparse antenna array design methodologies:A review

Designing a sparse array with reduced transmit/receive modules(TRMs)is vital for some applications where the antenna system’s size,weight,allowed operating space,and cost are limited.Sparse arrays exhibit distinct architectures,roughly classified into three categories:Thinned arrays,nonuniformly spaced arrays,and clustered arrays.While numerous advanced synthesis methods have been presented for the three types of sparse arrays in recent years,a comprehensive review of the latest development in sparse array synthesis is lacking.This work aims to fill this gap by thoroughly summarizing these techniques.The study includes synthesis examples to facilitate a comparative analysis of different techniques in terms of both accuracy and efficiency.Thus,this review is intended to assist researchers and engineers in related fields,offering a clear understanding of the development and distinctions among sparse array synthesis techniques.

New Antenna Array Beamforming Techniques Based on Hybrid Convolution/Genetic Algorithm for 5G and Beyond Communications

Side lobe level reduction(SLL)of antenna arrays significantly enhances the signal-to-interference ratio and improves the quality of service(QOS)in recent and future wireless communication systems starting from 5G up to 7G.Furthermore,it improves the array gain and directivity,increasing the detection range and angular resolution of radar systems.This study proposes two highly efficient SLL reduction techniques.These techniques are based on the hybridization between either the single convolution or the double convolution algorithms and the genetic algorithm(GA)to develop the Conv/GA andDConv/GA,respectively.The convolution process determines the element’s excitations while the GA optimizes the element spacing.For M elements linear antenna array(LAA),the convolution of the excitation coefficients vector by itself provides a new vector of excitations of length N=(2M−1).This new vector is divided into three different sets of excitations including the odd excitations,even excitations,and middle excitations of lengths M,M−1,andM,respectively.When the same element spacing as the original LAA is used,it is noticed that the odd and even excitations provide a much lower SLL than that of the LAA but with amuch wider half-power beamwidth(HPBW).While the middle excitations give the same HPBWas the original LAA with a relatively higher SLL.Tomitigate the increased HPBWof the odd and even excitations,the element spacing is optimized using the GA.Thereby,the synthesized arrays have the same HPBW as the original LAA with a two-fold reduction in the SLL.Furthermore,for extreme SLL reduction,the DConv/GA is introduced.In this technique,the same procedure of the aforementioned Conv/GA technique is performed on the resultant even and odd excitation vectors.It provides a relatively wider HPBWthan the original LAA with about quad-fold reduction in the SLL.

Six-Element Yagi Array Designs Using Central Force Optimization with Pseudo Random Negative Gravity

A six-element Yagi-Uda array is optimally designed using Central Force Optimization (CFO) with a small amount of pseudo randomly injected negative gravity. CFO is a simple, deterministic metaheuristic analogizing gravitational kinematics (motion of masses under the influence of gravity). It has been very effective in addressing a wide range of antenna and other problems and normally employs only positive gravity. With positive gravity the six element CFO-designed Yagi array described here exhibits excellent performance with respect to the objectives of impedance bandwidth and forward gain. This paper addresses the question of what happens when a small amount of negative gravity is injected into the CFO algorithm. Does doing so have any effect, beneficial, negative or neutral? In this particular case negative gravity improves CFO’s exploration and creates a region of optimality containing many designs that perform about as well as or better than the array discovered with only positive gravity. Without some negative gravity these array configurations are overlooked. This Yagi-Uda array design example suggests that antennas optimized or designed using deterministic CFO may well benefit by including a small amount of negative gravity, and that the negative gravity approach merits further study.

Developing Three-Dimensional Beamshaping Techniques on Volumetric Random Arrays to Suppress Array Sidelobes

This paper proposes a three-dimensional (3-D) amplitude tapering technique on volumetric random arrays to minimize array sidelobes and emulate phased array operations on mobile platforms. Our ultimate goal is to realize wireless phased array applications carried out by mobile platforms;in this paper, we focus on the development of collaborative beamforming algorithms. This beamshaping technique mitigates the discontinuity of the current distribution along the array aperture and lower array sidelobe level (SLL) by specially paying attention to the array element’s depth deviation. In this work, step by step amplitude tapering procedures are clearly illustrated. Further, a reconfigurable phased array with sixteen patch antennas is tested to verify the fidelity of the 3-D beamshaping algorithm. Measured and simulated radiation patterns are benchmarked to evaluate the sidelobe suppression results, and the best sidelobe suppressed region is around the array’s main beam.

Test system of the front-end readout for an application-specific integrated circuit for the water Cherenkov detector array at the large high-altitude air shower observatory

The water Cherenkov detector array(WCDA) is an important part of the large high-altitude air shower observatory(LHAASO),which is in a research and development phase.The central scientific goal of LHAASO is to explore the origin of high-energy cosmic rays of the universe and to push forward the frontier of new physics.To simplify the WCDA's readout electronics,a prototype of a front-end readout for an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC) is designed based on the timeover-threshold method to achieve charge-to-time conversion.High-precision time measurement and charge measurement are necessary over a full dynamic range[1-4000photoelectrons(P.E.)].To evaluate the performance of this ASIC,a test system is designed that includes the front-end ASIC test module,digitization module,and test software.The first module needs to be customized for different ASIC versions,whereas the digitization module and test software are tested for general-purpose use.In the digitization module,a field programmable gate array-based time-todigital converter is designed with a bin size of 333 ps,which also integrates an inter-integrated circuit to configure the ASIC test module,and a universal serial bus interface is designed to transfer data to the remote computer.Test results indicate that the time resolution is better than 0.5 ns,and the charge resolution is better than 30%root mean square(RMS) at 1 P.E.and 3%RMS at 4000 P.E.,which are beyond the application requirements.

Multiple Emitters Localization by UAV with Nested Linear Array:System Scheme and 2D-DOA Estimation Algorithm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV)equipped with uniform linear array has been applied to multiple emitters localization.Meanwhile,nested linear array enables to enhance localization resolution and achieve under-determined Direction of Arrival(DOA)estimation.In this paper,we propose a new system structure for emitters localization that combines the UAV with nested linear array,which is capable of significantly increasing the positioning accuracy of interested targets.Specifically,a localization scheme is designed to obtain the paired two-dimensional DOA(2D-DOA,i.e.azimuth and elevation angles)estimates of emitters by nested linear array with UAV.Furthermore,we propose an improved DOA estimation algorithm for emitters localization that utilizes Discrete Fourier Transform(DFT)method to obtain coarse DOA estimates,subsequently,achieve the fine DOA estimates by sparse representation.The proposed algorithm has lower computational complexity because the coarse DOA estimates enable to shrink the range of over-complete dictionary of sparse representation.In addition,compared to traditional uniform linear array,improved 2D-DOA estimation performance of emitters can be obtained with a nested linear array.Extensive simulation results testify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Central Force Optimization with Gravity <0, Elitism, and Dynamic Threshold Optimization: An Antenna Application, 6-Element Yagi-Uda Arrays

This paper investigates the effect of adding three extensions to Central Force Optimization when it is used as the Global Search and Optimization method for the design and optimization of 6-elementYagi-Uda arrays. Those extensions are Negative Gravity, Elitism, and Dynamic Threshold Optimization. The basic CFO heuristic does not include any of these, but adding them substantially improves the algorithm’s performance. This paper extends the work reported in a previous paper that considered only negative gravity and which showed a significant performance improvement over a range of optimized arrays. Still better results are obtained by adding to the mix Elitism and DTO. An overall improvement in best fitness of 19.16% is achieved by doing so. While the work reported here was limited to the design/optimization of 6- element Yagis, the reasonable inference based on these data is that any antenna design/optimization problem, indeed any Global Search and Optimization problem, antenna or not, utilizing Central Force Optimization as the Global Search and Optimization engine will benefit by including all three extensions, probably substantially.

Recent Advances in In-Memory Computing:Exploring Memristor and Memtransistor Arrays with 2D Materials

The conventional computing architecture faces substantial chal-lenges,including high latency and energy consumption between memory and processing units.In response,in-memory computing has emerged as a promising alternative architecture,enabling computing operations within memory arrays to overcome these limitations.Memristive devices have gained significant attention as key components for in-memory computing due to their high-density arrays,rapid response times,and ability to emulate biological synapses.Among these devices,two-dimensional(2D)material-based memristor and memtransistor arrays have emerged as particularly promising candidates for next-generation in-memory computing,thanks to their exceptional performance driven by the unique properties of 2D materials,such as layered structures,mechanical flexibility,and the capability to form heterojunctions.This review delves into the state-of-the-art research on 2D material-based memristive arrays,encompassing critical aspects such as material selection,device perfor-mance metrics,array structures,and potential applications.Furthermore,it provides a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and limitations associated with these arrays,along with potential solutions.The primary objective of this review is to serve as a significant milestone in realizing next-generation in-memory computing utilizing 2D materials and bridge the gap from single-device characterization to array-level and system-level implementations of neuromorphic computing,leveraging the potential of 2D material-based memristive devices.

Low-Complexity Reconstruction of Covariance Matrix in Hybrid Uniform Circular Array

Spatial covariance matrix(SCM) is essential in many multi-antenna systems such as massive multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO). For multi-antenna systems operating at millimeter-wave bands, hybrid analog-digital structure has been widely adopted to reduce the cost of radio frequency chains.In this situation, signals received at the antennas are unavailable to the digital receiver, and as a consequence, traditional sample average approach cannot be used for SCM reconstruction in hybrid multi-antenna systems. To address this issue, beam sweeping algorithm(BSA) which can reconstruct the SCM effectively for a hybrid uniform linear array, has been proposed in our previous works. However, direct extension of BSA to a hybrid uniform circular array(UCA)will result in a huge computational burden. To this end, a low-complexity approach is proposed in this paper. By exploiting the symmetry features of SCM for the UCA, the number of unknowns can be reduced significantly and thus the complexity of reconstruction can be saved accordingly. Furthermore, an insightful analysis is also presented in this paper, showing that the reduction of the number of unknowns can also improve the accuracy of the reconstructed SCM. Simulation results are also shown to demonstrate the proposed approach.

Design and construction of charged-particle telescope array for study of exotic nuclear clustering structure

The exploration of exotic shapes and properties of atomic nuclei,e.g.,αcluster and toroidal shape,is a fascinating field in nuclear physics.To study the decay of these nuclei,a novel detector aimed at detecting multipleα-particle events was designed and constructed.The detector comprises two layers of double-sided silicon strip detectors(DSSD)and a cesium iodide scintillator array coupled with silicon photomultipliers array as light sensors,which has the advantages of their small size,fast response,and large dynamic range.DSSDs coupled with cesium iodide crystal arrays are used to distinguish multipleαhits.The detector array has a compact and integrated design that can be adapted to different experimental conditions.The detector array was simulated using Geant4,and the excitation energy spectra of someα-clustering nuclei were reconstructed to demonstrate the performance.The simulation results show that the detector array has excellent angular and energy resolutions,enabling effective reconstruction of the nuclear excited state by multipleαparticle events.This detector offers a new and powerful tool for nuclear physics experiments and has the potential to discover interesting physical phenomena related to exotic nuclear structures and their decay mechanisms.

Overcoming the Limits of Cross-Sensitivity:Pattern Recognition Methods for Chemiresistive Gas Sensor Array

As information acquisition terminals for artificial olfaction,chemiresistive gas sensors are often troubled by their cross-sensitivity,and reducing their cross-response to ambient gases has always been a difficult and important point in the gas sensing area.Pattern recognition based on sensor array is the most conspicuous way to overcome the cross-sensitivity of gas sensors.It is crucial to choose an appropriate pattern recognition method for enhancing data analysis,reducing errors and improving system reliability,obtaining better classification or gas concentration prediction results.In this review,we analyze the sensing mechanism of crosssensitivity for chemiresistive gas sensors.We further examine the types,working principles,characteristics,and applicable gas detection range of pattern recognition algorithms utilized in gas-sensing arrays.Additionally,we report,summarize,and evaluate the outstanding and novel advancements in pattern recognition methods for gas identification.At the same time,this work showcases the recent advancements in utilizing these methods for gas identification,particularly within three crucial domains:ensuring food safety,monitoring the environment,and aiding in medical diagnosis.In conclusion,this study anticipates future research prospects by considering the existing landscape and challenges.It is hoped that this work will make a positive contribution towards mitigating cross-sensitivity in gas-sensitive devices and offer valuable insights for algorithm selection in gas recognition applications.

Microarrow sensor array with enhanced skin adhesion for transdermal continuous monitoring of glucose and reactive oxygen species

Conventional blood sampling for glucose detection is prone to cause pain and fails to continuously record glucose fluctuations in vivo.Continuous glucose monitoring based on implantable electrodes could induce pain and potential tissue inflammation,and the presence of reactive oxygen species(ROS)due to inflammationmay affect glucose detection.Microneedle technology is less invasive,yet microneedle adhesion with skin tissue is limited.In this work,we developed a microarrow sensor array(MASA),which provided enhanced skin surface adhesion and enabled simultaneous detection of glucose and H_(2)O_(2)(representative of ROS)in interstitial fluid in vivo.The microarrows fabricated via laser micromachining were modified with functional coating and integrated into a patch of a three-dimensional(3D)microneedle array.Due to the arrow tip mechanically interlocking with the tissue,the microarrow array could better adhere to the skin surface after penetration into skin.The MASA was demonstrated to provide continuous in vivo monitoring of glucose and H_(2)O_(2) concentrations,with the detection of H_(2)O_(2) providing a valuable reference for assessing the inflammation state.Finally,the MASA was integrated into a monitoring system using custom circuitry.This work provides a promising tool for the stable and reliable monitoring of blood glucose in diabetic patients.

A 27 GHz,simple 2-bit 1×8 phased array

This study demonstrates a simple 2-bit phased array operating at 27 GHz that supports one-dimensional beam scanning with left-handed circular polarization(LHCP).The antenna is constructed using a compact four-layer printed circuit board(PCB)structure,consisting of a 90°phase shifter layer with microstrip structures,a ground(GND)layer,a direct current(DC)control layer,and a circularly polarized annular radiation patch layer with 1-bit phase shifting.Based on the proposed unit structure,a 1×8 array with half-wavelength inter-element spacing was designed and validated.Experimental results show that the array achieves a peak gain of 10.23 dBi and is capable of beam scanning within±50°.

10 × 10 Ga_(2)O_(3)-based solar-blind UV detector array and imaging characteristic

A 10 × 10 solar-blind ultraviolet(UV) imaging array with double-layer wire structure was prepared based on Ga_(2)O_(3) film grown by atomic layer deposition. These single detection units in the array exhibit excellent performance at 3 V: photo-todark current ratio(PDCR) of 5.5 × 10^(5), responsivity(R) of 4.28 A/W, external quantum efficiency(EQE) of 2.1 × 10^(3)%, detectivity(D*) of 1.5 × 10^(14) Jones, and fast response time. The photodetector array shows high uniformity under different light intensity and low operating bias. The array also has good temperature stability. Under 300 ℃, it still presents clear imaging and keeps high R of 34.4 and 6.45 A/W at 5 and 1 V, respectively. This work provides a new insight for the large-scale array of Ga_(2)O_(3) solarblind UV detectors.

Fixed-Time Sliding Mode Control With Varying Exponent Coefficient for Modular Reconfigurable Flight Arrays

The modular system can change its physical structure by self-assembly and self-disassembly between modules to dynamically adapt to task and environmental requirements. Recognizing the adaptive capability of modular systems, we introduce a modular reconfigurable flight array(MRFA) to pursue a multifunction aircraft fitting for diverse tasks and requirements,and investigate the attitude control and the control allocation problem by using the modular reconfigurable flight array as a platform. First, considering the variable and irregular topological configuration of the modular array, a center-of-mass-independent flight array dynamics model is proposed to allow control allocation under over-actuated situations. Secondly, in order to meet the stable, fast and accurate attitude tracking performance of the MRFA, a fixed-time convergent sliding mode controller with state-dependent variable exponent coefficients is proposed to ensure fast convergence rate both away from and near the system equilibrium point without encountering the singularity. It is shown that the controller also has fixed-time convergent characteristics even in the presence of external disturbances. Finally,simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling and control strategies.

Customization of FeNi alloy nanosheet arrays inserted with biomass-derived carbon templates for boosted electromagnetic wave absorption

Electromagnetic wave(EMW)-absorbing materials have considerable capacity in the military field and the prevention of EMW radiation from harming human health.However,obtaining lightweight,high-performance,and broadband EMW-absorbing material remains an overwhelming challenge.Creating dielectric/magnetic composites with customized structures is a strategy with great promise for the development of high-performance EMW-absorbing materials.Using layered double hydroxides as the precursors of bimetallic alloys and combining them with porous biomass-derived carbon materials is a potential way for constructing multi-interface heterostructures as efficient EMW-absorbing materials because they have synergistic losses,low costs,abundant resources,and light weights.Here,FeNi alloy nanosheet array/Lycopodium spore-derived carbon(FeNi/LSC)was prepared through a simple hydrothermal and carbonization method.FeNi/LSC presents ideal EMW-absorbing performance by benefiting from the FeNi alloy nanosheet array,sponge-like structure,capability for impedance matching,and improved dielectric/magnetic losses.As expected,FeNi/LSC exhibited the minimum reflection loss of-58.3 dB at 1.5 mm with 20wt%filler content and a widely effective absorption bandwidth of 4.92 GHz.FeNi/LSC composites with effective EMW-absorbing performance provide new insights into the customization of biomass-derived composites as high-performance and lightweight broadband EMW-absorbing materials.

Effective approach for conformal subarray design based on maximum entropy of planar mappings

In this paper,an effective algorithm for optimizing the subarray of conformal arrays is proposed.The method first divides theconformal array into several first-level subarrays.It uses the X algorithm to solve the feasible solution of first-level subarray tiling and employs the particle swarm algorithm to optimize the conformal array subarray tiling scheme with the maximum entropy of the planar mapping as the fitness function.Subsequently,convex optimization is applied to optimize the subarray amplitude phase.Data results verify that the method can effectively find the optimal conformal array tiling scheme.

A Combined Antenna Array Deployment with High Positioning Accuracy and Low Angular Measurement Error

In this paper,an antenna array composed of circular array and orthogonal linear array is proposed by using the design of long and short baseline“orthogonal linear array”and the circular array ambiguity resolution design of multi-group baseline clustering.The effectiveness of the antenna array in this paper is verified by sufficient simulation and experiment.After the system deviation correction work,it is found that in the L/S/C/X frequency bands,the ambiguity resolution probability is high,and the phase difference system error between each channel is basically the same.The angle measurement error is less than 0.5°,and the positioning error is less than 2.5 km.Notably,as the center frequency increases,calibration consistency improves,and the calibration frequency points become applicable over a wider frequency range.At a center frequency of 11.5 GHz,the calibration frequency point bandwidth extends to 1200 MHz.This combined antenna array deployment holds significant promise for a wide range of applications in contemporary wireless communication systems.

Design,preparation,application of advanced array structured materials and their action mechanism analyses for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur battery(LSB)has brought much attention and concern because of high theoretical specific capacity and energy density as one of main competitors for next-generation energy storage systems.The widely commercial application and development of LSB is mainly hindered by serious“shuttle effect”of lithium polysulfides(Li PSs),slow reaction kinetics,notorious lithium dendrites,etc.In various structures of LSB materials,array structured materials,possessing the composition of ordered micro units with the same or similar characteristics of each unit,present excellent application potential for various secondary cells due to some merits such as immobilization of active substances,high specific surface area,appropriate pore sizes,easy modification of functional material surface,accommodated huge volume change,enough facilitated transportation for electrons/lithium ions,and special functional groups strongly adsorbing Li PSs.Thus many novel array structured materials are applied to battery for tackling thorny problems mentioned above.In this review,recent progresses and developments on array structured materials applied in LSBs including preparation ways,collaborative structural designs based on array structures,and action mechanism analyses in improving electrochemical performance and safety are summarized.Meanwhile,we also have detailed discussion for array structured materials in LSBs and constructed the structure-function relationships between array structured materials and battery performances.Lastly,some directions and prospects about preparation ways,functional modifications,and practical applications of array structured materials in LSBs are generalized.We hope the review can attract more researchers'attention and bring more studying on array structured materials for other secondary batteries including LSB.