Showing papers by "Polytechnic University of Catalonia published in 2003"

Joint Tx-Rx beamforming design for multicarrier MIMO channels: a unified framework for convex optimization

Abstract: This paper addresses the joint design of transmit and receive beamforming or linear processing (commonly termed linear precoding at the transmitter and equalization at the receiver) for multicarrier multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels under a variety of design criteria. Instead of considering each design criterion in a separate way, we generalize the existing results by developing a unified framework based on considering two families of objective functions that embrace most reasonable criteria to design a communication system: Schur-concave and Schur-convex functions. Once the optimal structure of the transmit-receive processing is known, the design problem simplifies and can be formulated within the powerful framework of convex optimization theory, in which a great number of interesting design criteria can be easily accommodated and efficiently solved, even though closed-form expressions may not exist. From this perspective, we analyze a variety of design criteria, and in particular, we derive optimal beamvectors in the sense of having minimum average bit error rate (BER). Additional constraints on the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) or on the signal dynamic range are easily included in the design. We propose two multilevel water-filling practical solutions that perform very close to the optimal in terms of average BER with a low implementation complexity. If cooperation among the processing operating at different carriers is allowed, the performance improves significantly. Interestingly, with carrier cooperation, it turns out that the exact optimal solution in terms of average BER can be obtained in closed form.

Exact representation of antenna system diversity performance from input parameter description

Abstract: A simple formulation to compute the envelope correlation of an antenna diversity system is derived. It is shown how to compute the envelope correlation from the S-parameter description of the antenna system. This approach has the advantage that it does not require the computation nor the measurement of the radiation pattern of the antenna system. It also offers the advantage of providing a clear understanding of the effects of mutual coupling and input match on the diversity performance of the antenna system.

Absence of epidemic threshold in scale-free networks with degree correlations.

Abstract: Random scale-free networks have the peculiar property of being prone to the spreading of infections. Here we provide for the susceptible-infected-susceptible model an exact result showing that a scale-free degree distribution with diverging second moment is a sufficient condition to have null epidemic threshold in unstructured networks with either assortative or disassortative mixing. Degree correlations result therefore irrelevant for the epidemic spreading picture in these scale-free networks. The present result is related to the divergence of the average nearest neighbor's degree, enforced by the degree detailed balance condition.

Long-range transport of Saharan dust to northern Europe : The 11-16 October 2001 outbreak observed with EARLINET

Abstract: The spread of mineral particles over southwestern, western, and central Europe resulting from a strong Saharan dust outbreak in October 2001 was observed at 10 stations of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). For the first time, an optically dense desert dust plume over Europe was characterized coherently with high vertical resolution on a continental scale. The main layer was located above the boundary layer (above 1-km height above sea level (asl)) up to 3–5-km height, and traces of dust particles reached heights of 7–8 km. The particle optical depth typically ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 above 1-km height asl at the wavelength of 532 nm, and maximum values close to 0.8 were found over northern Germany. The lidar observations are in qualitative agreement with values of optical depth derived from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data. Ten-day backward trajectories clearly indicated the Sahara as the source region of the particles and revealed that the dust layer observed, e.g., over Belsk, Poland, crossed the EARLINET site Aberystwyth, UK, and southern Scandinavia 24–48 hours before. Lidar-derived particle depolarization ratios, backscatter- and extinction-related Angstrom exponents, and extinction-to-backscatter ratios mainly ranged from 15 to 25%, −0.5 to 0.5, and 40–80 sr, respectively, within the lofted dust plumes. A few atmospheric model calculations are presented showing the dust concentration over Europe. The simulations were found to be consistent with the network observations.

Class of correlated random networks with hidden variables.

Abstract: We study a class of models of correlated random networks in which vertices are characterized by hidden variables controlling the establishment of edges between pairs of vertices. We find analytical expressions for the main topological properties of these models as a function of the distribution of hidden variables and the probability of connecting vertices. The expressions obtained are checked by means of numerical simulations in a particular example. The general model is extended to describe a practical algorithm to generate random networks with an a priori specified correlation structure. We also present an extension of the class, to map nonequilibrium growing networks to networks with hidden variables that represent the time at which each vertex was introduced in the system.

Experimental benchmarks of the Monte Carlo code penelope

Abstract: The physical algorithms implemented in the latest release of the general-purpose Monte Carlo code penelope for the simulation of coupled electron–photon transport are briefly described. We discuss the mixed (class II) scheme used to transport intermediate- and high-energy electrons and positrons and, in particular, the approximations adopted to account for the energy dependence of the interaction cross-sections. The reliability of the simulation code, i.e. of the adopted interaction models and tracking algorithms, is analyzed by means of a comprehensive comparison of simulation results with experimental data available from the literature. The present analysis demonstrates that penelope yields a consistent description of electron transport processes in the energy range from a few keV up to about 1 GeV.

Kinetics of Biomass Pyrolysis: a Reformulated Three-Parallel-Reactions Model

Abstract: The thermal decompositions of sugarcane bagasse and waste-wood samples are studied using thermogravimetric analysis. Assuming the addition of three independent parallel decompositions, these corresponding to three pseudocomponents linked to the hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, the weight loss associated with the pyrolysis process is simulated. First, an irreversible first-order reaction model is assumed for each pseudocomponent. Results show that the model-simulated curves do not fit well to the experimental data. Consequently, a further kinetic study is carried out for the pure lignin (Kraft alkali lignin), which demonstrates that the pyrolysis of lignin is better described by a third-order reaction rate law. The reformulation of the lignin kinetic model, and its subsequent implementation in the summative model (for the third pseudocomponent), has allowed one to reach a good agreement between simulated and experimental data.

The meshless finite element method

Abstract: Fil: Idelsohn, Sergio Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnologico para la Industria Quimica. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnologico para la Industria Quimica; Argentina

Transport behavior of a passive solute in continuous time random walks and multirate mass transfer

Abstract: [1] We consider the transport behavior of a passive solute in a heterogeneous medium, modeled by continuous time random walks (CTRW) and linear multirate mass transfer (MRMT). Within the CTRW framework, we formulate a transport model which is formally equivalent to MRMT. In both approaches the total concentration is divided into mobile and immobile parts. The immobile concentration is given by the convolution in time of the mobile concentration and a memory function. The memory function is a functional of the distribution of transition and trapping times for the CTRW and the MRMT approach, respectively, and determines the transport behavior of the solute. Based on different expressions for the memory function in the two frameworks, we derive conditions for which both approaches describe the same transport behavior. We focus on anomalous transport behavior that can arise if the transition and trapping time distributions behave algebraically in a given time regime. Using an expansion of the Laplace transform of the memory function, we develop explicit expressions for the time behavior of the flux concentration as well as for the center of mass velocity and the (macro) dispersion coefficients of the solute distribution. We observe (anomalous) power law as well as (normal) Fickian transport behavior, depending on the exponents that dominate the trapping and transition time distributions, respectively. The results show that the character of the anomalous transport does not depend on the details of the transport model but only on the exponents dominating the transition or trapping time distributions. The unified transport framework presented here comprising CTRW and MRMT shows new aspects and opens new perspectives for the modeling of transport in heterogeneous media.

The European IST project DAVID: a viable approach toward optical packet switching

Abstract: In this paper, promising technologies and a network architecture are presented for future optical packet switched networks. The overall network concept is presented and the major choices are highlighted and compared with alternative solutions. Both long and shorter term approaches are considered, as well as both the wide-area network and multiple-area networks parts of the network. The results presented in this paper were developed in the frame of the research project DAVID (Data And Voice Integration over DWDM) project, funded by the European Commission through the IST-framework.

Epidemic spreading in complex networks with degree correlations

Abstract: We review the behavior of epidemic spreading on complex networks in which there are explicit correlations among the degrees of connected vertices.

Quantum spiral bandwidth of entangled two-photon states

Abstract: We put forward the concept of quantum spiral bandwidth of the spatial mode function of the two-photon entangled state generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion. We obtain the bandwidth using the eigenstates of the orbital angular momentum of the biphoton states, and reveal its dependence with the length of the down-converting crystals and waist of the pump beam. The connection between the quantum spiral bandwidth and the entropy of entanglement of the quantum state is discussed.

Epidemic spreading in complex networks with degree correlations

Abstract: We review the behavior of epidemic spreading on complex networks in which there are explicit correlations among the degrees of connected vertices.

A fixed-frequency quasi-sliding control algorithm: application to power inverters design by means of FPGA implementation

Abstract: In this paper, a fixed-frequency quasi-sliding control algorithm based on switching surface zero averaged dynamics (ZAD) is reported. This algorithm is applied to the design of a buck-based inverter, and implemented in a laboratory prototype by means of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), taking into account processing speed versus computational complexity trade-off. Three control laws, namely sliding control (SC), fixed-frequency quasi-sliding ZAD and PWM-based control have been experimentally tested to highlight the features of the proposed algorithm. According to the experimental results presented in the paper, the ZAD algorithm fulfills the requirement of fixed switching frequency and exhibits similar robustness properties in the presence of perturbations to those of sliding control mode.

A GIS-Based Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Shallow Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in La Pobla de Lillet Area (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain)

Abstract: This paper presents a GIS-aided procedure for shallow landslide susceptibility mapping at a regional scale. Most of the input data for the susceptibility assessment have been captured automatically. A total of 13 parameters, related to the slope geometry, have been derived from the digital elevation model (DEM) while vegetation cover and thickness of superficial formations have been obtained from photointerpretation and field work. The susceptibility assessment is based on multivariate statistical techniques (discriminant analysis), which has been tested in a pilot area in La Pobla de Lillet (Eastern Pyreenes, Spain). The results obtained using a random sample show that 82% of all the cells, and 90% of cells including slope failures, have been properly classified. A susceptibility map based on the discriminant function has given consistent results. The susceptibility assessment is very sensitive to the parameters selected. Compared to the traditional methods, the main advantage of the GIS-aided procedure is the rapidity provided by the automatic capture of parameters. It also has the capability of covering large areas, and the objectivity and reproducibility of the results. The main drawback is that, at present, not all regions have DEM accurate enough to cope with small landslides.

Uniform power allocation in mimo channels: a came-theoretic approach

Abstract: When transmitting over multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channels, there are additional degrees of freedom with respect to single-input-single-output (SISO) channels: the distribution of the available power over the transmit dimensions. If channel state information (CSI) is available, the optimum solution is well known and is based on diagonalizing the channel matrix and then distributing the power over the channel eigenmodes in a "water-filling" fashion. When CSI is not available at the transmitter, but the channel statistics are a priori known, an optimal fixed power allocation can be precomputed. This paper considers the case in which not even the channel statistics are available, obtaining a robust solution under channel uncertainty by formulating the problem within a game-theoretic framework. The payoff function of the game is the mutual information and the players are the transmitter and a malicious nature. The problem turns out to be the characterization of the capacity of a compound channel which is mathematically formulated as a maximin problem. The uniform power allocation is obtained as a robust solution (under a mild isotropy condition). The loss incurred by the uniform distribution is assessed using the duality gap concept from convex optimization theory. Interestingly, the robustness of the uniform power allocation also holds for the more general case of the multiple-access channel.

Finite element formulation and algorithms for unsaturated soils. Part I: theory

Abstract: This paper presents a complete finite-element treatment for unsaturated soil problems A new formulation of general constitutive equations for unsaturated soils is first presented In the incremental stress–strain equations, the suction or the pore water pressure is treated as a strain variable instead of a stress variable The global governing equations are derived in terms of displacement and pore water pressure The discretized governing equations are then solved using an adaptive time-stepping scheme which automatically adjusts the time-step size so that the integration error in the displacements and pore pressures lies close to a specified tolerance The non-linearity caused by suction-dependent plastic yielding, suction-dependent degree of saturation, and saturation-dependent permeability is treated in a similar way to the elastoplasticity An explicit stress integration scheme is used to solve the constitutive stress–strain equations at the Gauss point level The elastoplastic stiffness matrix in the Euler solution is evaluated using the suction as well as the stresses and hardening parameters at the start of the subincrement, while the elastoplastic matrix in the modified Euler solution is evaluated using the suction at the end of the subincrement In addition, when applying subincrementation, the same rate is applied to all strain components including the suction Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Dominating sets in planar graphs: branch-width and exponential speed-up

Abstract: Graph minors theory, developed by Robertson & Seymour, provides a list of powerful theoretical results and tools. However, the wide spread opinion in Graph Algorithms community about this theory is that it is mainly of theoretical importance. The main purpose of this paper is to show how very deep min-max and duality theorems from Graph Minors can be used to obtain essential speed-up to many known algorithms on different domination problems.

Weighted voting, abstention and multiple levels of approval

Abstract: In this paper we introduce the class of simple games with several ordered levels of approval in the input and in the output – the ( j,k) simple games – and propose a definition for weighted games in this context. Abstention is treated as a level of input approval intermediate to votes of y e s and n o. Our main theorem provides a combinatorial characterization, in terms of what we call grade trade robustness, of weighted ( j,k) games within the class of all ( j,k) simple games. We also introduce other subclasses of ( j,k) simple games and classify several examples. For example, we show the existence of a weighted representation for the UNSC, seen as a voting system in which abstention is permitted.

Forking Lemmas for Ring Signature Schemes

Abstract: Pointcheval and Stern introduced in 1996 some forking lemmas useful to prove the security of a family of digital signature schemes. This family includes, for example, Schnorr’s scheme and a modification of ElGamal signature scheme.

Thermal X-ray emission from shocked ejecta in Type Ia supernova remnants: Prospects for explosion mechanism identification

Abstract: The explosion mechanism behind Type Ia supernovae is a matter of continuing debate. The diverse attempts to identify or at least constrain the physical processes involved in the explosion have been only partially successful so far. In this paper we propose to use the thermal X-ray emission from young supernova remnants originated in Type Ia events to extract relevant information concerning the explosions themselves. We have produced a grid of thermonuclear supernova models representative of the paradigms currently under debate: pure deflagrations, delayed detonations, pulsating delayed detonations and sub-Chandrasekhar explosions, using their density and chemical composition profiles to simulate the interaction with the surrounding ambient medium and the ensuing plasma heating, non-equilibrium ionization and thermal X-ray emission of the ejecta. Key observational parameters such as electron temperatures, emission measures and ionization time scales are presented and discussed. We find that not only is it possible to identify the explosion mechanism from the spectra of young Type Ia Supernova Remnants, it is in fact necessary to take the detailed ejecta structure into account if such spectra are to be modeled in a self-consistent way. Neither element line flux ratios nor element emission measures are good estimates of the true ratios of ejected masses, with differences of as much as two or three orders of magnitude for a given model. Comparison with observations of the Tycho SNR suggests a delayed detonation as the most probable explosion mechanism. Line strengths, line ratios, and the centroid of the Fe Kalpha line are reasonably well reproduced by a model of this kind.