Suitability and Sustainability of Rainwater QualityMonitoring System in Cistern for Domestic Use

Rainwater harvesting(RWH)systems have been the source of domestic water for many years and still becoming essential in many communities of developing countries.However,due to various reasons,there are several sources of contamination in the rainwater cistern systems.Dissolved chemicals from the roofing,storage,and conveyance materials,together with the suspended particulate matter from the airborne,are examples of water contamination.In this work,the water quality monitoring system has been designed and implemented.Chemical and physical parameters of water samples were collected from three locations using a data acquisition(DAQ)system and rainwater quality was analyzed using Water Pollution Index(WPI).Results obtained from three locations have been presented.

Performance analysis and design of MIMO-OFDM system using concatenated forward error correction codes

This work investigates the performance of various forward error correction codes, by which the MIMO-OFDM system is deployed. To ensure fair investigation, the performance of four modulations, namely, binary phase shift keying(BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying(QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation(QAM)-16 and QAM-64 with four error correction codes(convolutional code(CC), Reed-Solomon code(RSC)+CC, low density parity check(LDPC)+CC, Turbo+CC) is studied under three channel models(additive white Guassian noise(AWGN), Rayleigh, Rician) and three different antenna configurations(2×2, 2×4, 4×4). The bit error rate(BER) and the peak signal to noise ratio(PSNR) are taken as the measures of performance. The binary data and the color image data are transmitted and the graphs are plotted for various modulations with different channels and error correction codes. Analysis on the performance measures confirm that the Turbo + CC code in 4×4 configurations exhibits better performance.

Modeling of OFDM Based Transceiver for Broadband Powerline Communication

In the recent past power line communication has emerged as an attractive choice for high speed data transfer and is looked upon as inexpensive and reliable media suitable for broadband internet access, home and office automation, in-vehicle data communication etc. In this paper we present an architecture for the physical layer of a PLC transceiver based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and the impact on multipath distortion for PLC transmission in terms of bit error rate. Since there is no standard PLC channel model available, a widely accepted multipath channel model is used for simulation purpose. Simulation results as well as FPGA synthesis verify the effectiveness of the proposed architecture for PLC modem design at 110 Mbps data rate.

Overlapped Subarray Architecture of an Wideband Phased Array Antenna with Interference Suppression Capability

This paper presents a novel architecture of combining the linear array of antenna elements, where each antenna element has digitally selectable true time-delays as weights. Use of time-delays for beam-formation inherently makes the phased array network a wideband system. In particular, this technique envisage a new method of sharing antenna elements, by fixed overlapped sub-array architecture, which is able to maintain permissible element spacing to avoid grating lobe in antenna pattern. Moreover, this scheme additionally offers an easier null steering capability to the subarray architecture. This method essentially eliminates the need for intensive computation of complex weight vectors attached to each antenna element.

Negative Lumped Element Matching Technique for Performance Enhancement of Ultra-Wideband LNA

The paper aims at designing of two stage cascaded ultra-wideband(UWB) low noise amplifier(LNA) by using negative image amplifier technique. The objective of this article is to show the performance improvement using negative image amplifier technique and realization of negative valued lumped elements into microstrip line geometry. The innovative technique to realize the negative lumped elements are carried out by using Richard's Transformation and transmission line calculation. The AWR microwave office tool is used to obtain characteristics of UWB LNA design with hybrid microwave integrated circuit(HMIC) technology. The 2-stage cascaded LNA design using negative image amplifier technique achieves average gain of 23 dB gain and low noise Figure of less than 2 dB with return loss less than-8 dB for UWB 3-10 GHz. The Proper bias circuit is extracted using DC characteristics of transistor at biasing point 2 V, 20 mA and discussed in detail with LNA layout. The negative image matching technique is applied for both input and output matching network. This work will be useful for all low power UWB wireless receiver applications.

Analysis and Modeling of Propagation in Tunnel at 3.7 and 28 GHz

In present-day society,train tunnels are extensively used as a means of transportation.Therefore,to ensure safety,streamlined train operations,and uninterrupted internet access inside train tunnels,reliable wave propagation modeling is required.We have experimented and measured wave propagation models in a 1674 m long straight train tunnel in South Korea.The measured path loss and the received signal strength were modeled with the Close-In(CI),Floating intercept(FI),CI model with a frequency-weighted path loss exponent(CIF),and alpha-beta-gamma(ABG)models,where the model parameters were determined using minimum mean square error(MMSE)methods.The measured and the CI,FI,CIF,and ABG modelderived path loss was plotted in graphs,and the model closest to the measured path loss was identified through investigation.Based on the measured results,it was observed that every model had a comparatively lower(n<2)path loss exponent(PLE)inside the tunnel.We also determined the path loss component’s possible deviation(shadow factor)through a Gaussian distribution considering zero mean and standard deviation calculations of random error variables.The FI model outperformed all the examined models as it yielded a path loss closer to the measured datasets,as well as a minimum standard deviation of the shadow factor.

Influence of self-heating on the millimeter-wave and terahertz performance of MBE grown silicon IMPATT diodes

The influence of self-heating on the millimeter-wave(mm-wave)and terahertz(THz)performance of double-drift region(DDR)impact avalanche transit time(IMPATT)sources based on silicon(Si)has been investigated in this paper.The dependences of static and large-signal parameters on junction temperature are estimated using a non-sinusoidal voltage excited(NSVE)large-signal simulation technique developed by the authors,which is based on the quantum-corrected drift-diffusion(QCDD)model.Linear variations of static parameters and non-linear variations of large-signal parameters with temperature have been observed.Analytical expressions representing the temperature dependences of static and large-signal parameters of the diodes are developed using linear and 2nd degree polynomial curve fitting techniques,which will be highly useful for optimizing the thermal design of the oscillators.Finally,the simulated results are found to be in close agreement with the experimentally measured data.

Analysis of Wide-Bandgap Material OPFET UV Detectors for High Dynamic Range Imaging and Communication Applications

The ultraviolet (UV) photoresponses of Wurtzite GaN, ZnO, and 6H-SiC-based Optical Field Effect Transistor (OPFET) detectors are estimated with an in-depth analysis of the same considering the generalized model and the front-illuminated model for high resolution imaging and UV communication applications. The gate materials considered for the proposed study are gold (Au) and Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) for GaN, Au for SiC, and Au and silver dioxide (AgO2) for ZnO. The results indicate significant improvement in the Linear Dynamic Range (LDR) over the previously investigated GaN OPFET (buried-gate, front-illuminated and generalized) models with Au gate. The generalized model has superior dynamic range than the front-illuminated model. In terms of responsivity, all the models including buried-gate OPFET exhibit high and comparable photoresponses. Buried-gate devices on the whole, exhibit faster response than the surface gate models except in the AgO2-ZnO generalized OPFET model wherein the switching time is the lowest. The generalized model enables faster switching than the front-illuminated model. The switching times in all the cases are of the order of nanoseconds to picoseconds. The SiC generalized OPFET model shows the highest 3-dB bandwidths of 11.88 GHz, 36.2 GHz, and 364 GHz, and modest unity-gain cut-off frequencies of 4.62 GHz, 8.71 GHz, and 5.71 GHz at the optical power densities of 0.575 μW/cm2, 0.575 mW/cm2, and 0.575 W/cm2 respectively. These are in overall, the highest detection-cum-amplifi-cation bandwidths among all the investigated devices. The same device exhibits the highest LDR of 73.3 dB. The device performance is superior to most of the other existing detectors along with comparable LDR, thus, emerging as a high performance photodetector for imaging and communication applications. All the detectors show considerably high detectivities owing to the high responsivity values. The results have been analyzed by the photovoltaic and the photoconductive effects, and the series resistance effects and will aid in conducting further research. The results are in line with the experiments and the commercially available software simulations. The devices will greatly contribute towards single photon counting, high resolution imaging, and UV communication applications.

Investigation on Lanthanum Fluoride as a Novel Cathode Buffer Material Layer for the Enhancement of Stability and Performance of Organic Solar Cell

This article presents the investigation on very thin Lanthanum Fluoride (LaF3) layer as a new cathode buffer layer (CBL) for organic solar cell (OSC). OSCs were fabricated with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) polymer blend at 1:1 ratio. Electron-beam evaporation at room temperature was used to deposit 3 and 5 nm thick LaF3 layer. A very smooth surface of LaF3 with an average roughness of 0.2 nm has been observed by the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) that is expected to prevent diffusion of cathode metal ion through it and thereby enhance the lifetime and stability of OSC. Huge enhancement of JSC and VOC was also observed for 3 nm-thick LaF3 CBL. Several excellent features of the LaF3 layer such as, transporting electron through tunneling, blocking of holes to the cathode, minimizing recombination, protecting the photoactive polymer from ambient oxygen, and reducing degradation/oxidation of any low work function layer at the cathode interface, might have contributed to the performance enhancement of OSC. The experimental findings indicate the promise of LaF3 to be an excellent CBL material for OSC.

Evaluation of Linear Precoding Schemes for Cooperative Multi-Cell MU MIMO in Future Mobile Communication Systems

In Mobile Communication Systems, inter-cell interference becomes one of the challenges that degrade the system’s performance, especially in the region with massive mobile users. The linear precoding schemes were proposed to mitigate interferences between the base stations (inter-cell). These schemes are categorized into linear and non-linear;this study focused on linear precoding schemes, which are grounded into three types, namely Zero Forcing (ZF), Block Diagonalization (BD), and Signal Leakage Noise Ratio (SLNR). The study included the Cooperative Multi-cell Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) System, whereby each Base Station serves more than one mobile station and all Base Stations on the system are assisted by each other by shared the Channel State Information (CSI). Based on the Multi-Cell Multiuser MIMO system, each Base Station on the cell is intended to maximize the data transmission rate by its mobile users by increasing the Signal Interference to Noise Ratio after the interference has been mitigated due to the usefully of linear precoding schemes on the transmitter. Moreover, these schemes used different approaches to mitigate interference. This study mainly concentrates on evaluating the performance of these schemes through the channel distribution models such as Ray-leigh and Rician included in the presence of noise errors. The results show that the SLNR scheme outperforms ZF and BD schemes overall scenario. This implied that when the value of SNR increased the performance of SLNR increased by 21.4% and 45.7% for ZF and BD respectively.

Gait Recognition by Cross Wavelet Transform and Graph Model

In this paper, a multi-view gait based human recognition system using the fusion of two kinds of features is proposed.We use cross wavelet transform to extract dynamic feature and bipartite graph model to extract static feature which are coefficients of quadrature mirror filter(QMF)-graph wavelet filter bank. Feature fusion is done after normalization. For normalization of features, min-max rule is used and mean-variance method is used to find weights for normalized features. Euclidean distance between each feature vector and center of the cluster which is obtained by k-means clustering is used as similarity measure in Bayesian framework. Experiments performed on widely used CASIA B gait database show that, the fusion of these two feature sets preserve discriminant information. We report 99.90 % average recognition rate.

Scaled Dilation of DropBlock Optimization in Convolutional Neural Network for Fungus Classification

Image classification always has open challenges for computer vision research.Nowadays,deep learning has promoted the development of this field,especially in Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs).This article proposes the development of efficiently scaled dilation of DropBlock optimization in CNNs for the fungus classification,which there are five species in this experiment.The proposed technique adjusts the convolution size at 35,45,and 60 with the max-polling size 2×2.The CNNs models are also designed in 12 models with the different BlockSizes and KeepProp.The proposed techniques provide maximum accuracy of 98.30%for the training set.Moreover,three accurate models,called Precision,Recall,and F1-score,are employed to measure the testing set.The experiment results expose that the proposed models achieve to classify the fungus and provide an excellent accuracy compared with the previous techniques.Furthermore,the proposed techniques can reduce the CNNs structure layer,directly affecting resource and time computation.

Trust Evaluation Based on Node’s Characteristics and Neighbouring Nodes’ Recommendations for WSN

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), the traditional cryptographic mechanisms for security require higher consumption of resources such as large memory, high processing speed and communication bandwidth. Also, they cannot detect faulty, malicious and selfish nodes which lead to the breakdown of network during packet routing. Hence, cryptographic security mechanisms are not sufficient to select appropriate nodes among many neighbouring nodes for secure packet routing from source to sink. Alternatively, trust management schemes are tools to evaluate the trust of a node and thereby choosing a node for routing, and also detecting their unexpected node behaviour (either faulty or malicious). In this paper, we propose TENCR: a new Trust Evaluation method based on the Node’s QoS Characteristics (trust metrics) and neighbouring nodes' Recommendations. The proposed new technique detects the malicious and selfish nodes very efficiently than the arithmetic mean based methods, and allows trustworthy nodes in routing, thereby eliminating malicious/selfish nodes. Our proposed trust evaluation method is adaptive and energy efficient that separates the trustworthy nodes and qualify them to take the participation in routing, and disqualify the other nodes as malicious/selfish. Hence, trustworthy nodes only be allowed in routing, and malicious/selfish nodes will be eliminated automatically.

A highly sustainable multi-band orthogonal wavelet code division multiplexing UWB communication system for underground mine channel

The underground mine channel is highly hostile for communication.A sustainable communication system is required to be integrated as a multipurpose system capable of transferring all types of information such as data, voice and video on identical infrastructure.With its large bandwidth,the Ultra Wide Band (UWB)provides a promising solution to satisfy these requirements.The Multi-Band Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MBOFDM)UWB system provides high resilience to Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI)caused by multipath fading channels.This study compares the performance of various existing multi-band UWB systems in the IEEE UWB channel and underground mine channel:MBOFDM,Multi-Band Orthogonal Frequency Code Division Multiplexing (MBOFCDM)and Multi-Band orthogonal Wavelet Division Multiplexing (MBOWI)M).Further,the application of 2D spreading to the MBOWI)M UWB system is attempted,and as a result,the Multi-Band Orthogonal Wavelet Code Division Multiplexing (MBOWCDM)UWB system is proposed.The performance of the MBOWCDM system in the IEEE UWB channel and underground mine channel is investigated.The performance of the MBOWCDM UWB system is observed to be superior to those of other multi-band UWB systems.Moreover,the MBOWCDM UWB system supports a higher data rate with low complexity and lower overheads.

A BCH code assisted modified NCO based LSPF-DPLL topology for Nakagami-m, Rayleigh and Rician fading channels

In spite of the rapid developments in communication technologies over the past few decades, which include attractive features offered by the presently used 3G/4G systems,让 continues to be a challenge to render adequate services with the exponential rise in the number of users and applications. However, efficient alternatives, including 5G methods, are being explored to mitigate this problem. Such systems also aspire to render sustained coverage with lesser constraints on power and Quality of Service (QoS). Today, versatile Digital Phase Locked Loop (DPLL) based packages find place as communication receivers. Of late, a Least Square Polynomial Fitting DPLL (LSPF-DPLL) with Modified Phase Resolving Numerically Controlled Oscillator (MPR-NCO), which demonstrates excellent time performance and maintains satisfactory error rates, was proposed. A Bose, Chaudhuri, and Hocquenghem (BCH) channel code assisted version of the MPR-NCO based LSPF-DPLL system is presented here. The proposed system exhibits better B让 Error Rate (BER), throughput, and baud rate levels over the previously proposed uncoded version.

Multi-Objective High-Fidelity Optimization Using NSGA-III and MO-RPSOLC

Optimizing the performance of composite structures is a real-world application with significant benefits.In this paper,a high-fidelity finite element method(FEM)is combined with the iterative improvement capability of metaheuristic optimization algorithms to obtain optimized composite plates.The FEM module comprises of ninenode isoparametric plate bending element in conjunction with the first-order shear deformation theory(FSDT).A recently proposed memetic version of particle swarm optimization called RPSOLC is modified in the current research to carry out multi-objective Pareto optimization.The performance of the MO-RPSOLC is found to be comparable with the NSGA-III.This work successfully highlights the use of FEM-MO-RPSOLC in obtaining highfidelity Pareto solutions considering simultaneous maximization of the fundamental frequency and frequency separation in laminated composites by optimizing the stacking sequence.

Hybrid Metamodel—NSGA-III—EDAS Based Optimal Design of Thin Film Coatings

In this work,diamond-like carbon(DLC)thin film coatings are deposited on silicon substrates by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition(PECVD)technique.By varying the hydrogen(H2)flow rate,CH4−Argon(Ar)flow rate and deposition temperature(Td)as per a Box-Behnken experimental design(BBD),15 DLC deposition experiments are carried out.The Young’s modulus(E)and the coefficient of friction(COF)for the DLCs are measured.By using a second-order polynomial regression approach,two metamodels are built for E and COF,that establish them as functions of H2 flow rate,CH4-Ar flow rate and Td.A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm(NSGA-III)is used to obtain a set of Pareto solutions for the multi-objective optimization of E maximization and COF minimization.According to various practical scenarios,evaluation based on distance from average solution(EDAS)approach is used to identify the most feasible solutions out of the Pareto solution set.Confirmation experiments are conducted which shows the efficacy of the polynomial regression—NSGA-III—EDAS hybrid approach.The surface morphology of the DLCs deposited as per the optimal predictions is also studied by using atomic force microscopy.

Iterative Soft Decoding of Multiple Description Image over Wireless Channel

Motivated by recent results in multiple description image coding over wireless networks, we propose a scheme for transmission of multiple descriptions through hybrid packet loss and additive white Gaussian noise channel. Each description is coded into multiple bitstreams by applying SPIHT coding on wavelet trees along spatial orientations and each stream is further compressed using arithmetic code. Use of error resilient entropy coding (EREC) is proposed in literature for synchronization requirement of variable length codes, but EREC is not compatible with iterative soft-in soft-out decoding of arithmetic code at the receiver. We propose the application of EREC assisted by state and tail bits (ERECST) in conjunction with iterative decoding of arithmetic code at receiver for reconstructing the multiple description coded image over packet loss and Gaussian noise channel. Experimental results demonstrate that an additional gain of 7 dB in PSNR is obtained over existing scheme.

Automated Heuristic Optimization of Prostate VMAT Treatment Planning

Purpose: To investigate a genetic algorithm approach to automatic treatment planning. Methods: A Python script based on genetic algorithm (GA) was implemented for VMAT treatment planning of prostate tumor. The script was implemented in RayStation treatment planning system using Python code. Two different clinical prescriptions were considered: 78 Gy prescribed to planning target volume in 39 fractions (GROUP 1) and simultaneous integrated boost (70.2 Gy to prostate bed and 61.1 Gy to seminal vesicles) in 26 fractions (GROUP 2). The script automatically optimizes doses to PTV and OARs according to GA. A comparison with corresponding plans created with Monaco TPS (M) and Auto-Planning module of Pinnacle3 (AP) was carried out. The plans were evaluated with a total score (TS) of PlanIQ software in terms of target coverage and sparing of OARs as well as clinical score (CS) performed by a Radiation Oncologist. Results: In GROUP 1, mean value of TS were 150.6 ± 30.7, 146.3 ± 36.1 and 137.4 ± 35.7 for AP, GA and M respectively. For GROUP 2, mean value for TS were 163.5 ± 16.8, 163.4 ± 24.7 and 162.9 ± 16.6 for AP, GA and M respectively with no significance differences. In terms of CS, the highest value has been attributed to GA in four patients out of five for both GROUP 1 and 2. Conclusions: Genetic approach is practicable for prostate VMAT plan generation and studies are underway in other anatomical sites such as Head and Neck and Rectum.

Wireless Body Area Network: An Overview and Various Applications

Over the past years a booming interest is comprehended in the field of wireless communication for the development of a monitoring system to observe human vital organs activities remotely. Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is such network that provides a continuous monitoring over or inside human body for a long period and can support transmission of real time traffic such as data, voice, video to observe the status of vital organs functionalities. In this paper an overview of WBAN technology and its requirements has been narrated. The aim of this paper was to offer a suitable and appropriate wireless technology for deploying WBAN. Several suitable short range wireless communication technologies that can be adopted in WBAN have also been discussed. Finally numerous applications in the field of medical and non-medical sectors using WBAN technology have been outlined.