Showing papers by "Samsung published in 2000"

Low bit-rate scalable video coding with 3-D set partitioning in hierarchical trees (3-D SPIHT)

Abstract: We propose a low bit-rate embedded video coding scheme that utilizes a 3-D extension of the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) algorithm which has proved so successful in still image coding. Three-dimensional spatio-temporal orientation trees coupled with powerful SPIHT sorting and refinement renders 3-D SPIHT video coder so efficient that it provides comparable performance to H.263 objectively and subjectively when operated at the bit rates of 30 to 60 kbits/s with minimal system complexity. Extension to color-embedded video coding is accomplished without explicit bit allocation, and can be used for any color plane representation. In addition to being rate scalable, the proposed video coder allows multiresolutional scalability in encoding and decoding in both time and space from one bit stream. This added functionality along with many desirable attributes, such as full embeddedness for progressive transmission, precise rate control for constant bit-rate traffic, and low complexity for possible software-only video applications, makes the proposed video coder an attractive candidate for multimedia applications.

Method of forming metal layer using atomic layer deposition and semiconductor device having the metal layer as barrier metal layer or upper or lower electrode of capacitor

Abstract: A method of forming a metal layer having excellent thermal and oxidation resistant characteristics using atomic layer deposition is provided. The metal layer includes a reactive metal (A), an element (B) for the amorphous combination between the reactive metal (A) and nitrogen (N), and nitrogen (N). The reactive metal (A) may be titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), molybdenum (Mo) or niobium (Nb). The amorphous combination element (B) may be aluminum (Al), silicon (Si) or boron (B). The metal layer is formed by alternately injecting pulsed source gases for the elements (A, B and N) into a chamber according to atomic layer deposition to thereby alternately stack atomic layers. Accordingly, the composition ratio of a nitrogen compound (A—B—N) of the metal layer can be desirably adjusted just by appropriately determining the number of injection pulses of each source gas. According to the composition ratio, a desirable electrical conductivity and resistance of the metal layer can be accurately obtained. The atomic layers are individually deposited, thereby realizing excellent step coverage even in a complex and compact region. A metal layer formed by atomic layer deposition can be employed as a barrier metal layer, a lower electrode or an upper electrode in a semiconductor device.

High-speed manipulation by using parallel wire-driven robots

Abstract: A new type of a parallel wire-driven robot is proposed in order to reach ultra-high speed. The driving principle of parallel wire systems is described. Since wires can only pull and not push on an object, at least np1 wires are needed in order to move the object in a n-dimensional space. In this paper, taking account of the effect of such redundancy on actuation, the motion stability in wire length coordinates is analyzed by using a Lyapunov function. Using “Vector Closure”, it is proven that the hand position and orientation converge to the corresponding desired values and the internal force also converges to the desired one. Moreover, by making good use of non-linear elasticity of parallel wire driven robots, it is claimed that the internal force arising from redundant actuation can effectively reduce vibration when the high-speed robot stops at desired points. As a result, ultra-high speed with more than 40 g(g:gravitational acceleration) can be attained by using relatively small actuators.

Thermal transfer element and process for forming organic electroluminescent devices

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal transfer elements and processes for patterning solvent-coated layers and solvent-susceptible layers onto the same receptor substrate. These donor elements and methods are particularly suited for making organic electroluminescent devices and displays. The donor elements can include a substrate, an optional light-to-heat conversion layer, and a single or multicomponent transfer layer that can be imagewise transferred to a receptor to form an organic electroluminescent device, portions thereof, or components therefor. The methods offer advantages over conventional patterning techniques such as photolithography, and make it possible to fabricate new organic electroluminescent device constructions.

Location privacy feature for wireless mobile stations and method of operation

Abstract: In a wireless mobile station of the type having a position locating system capable of determining the location of the wireless mobile station, there is disclosed control circuitry capable of being selectively set to disable the transmission of information concerning the location of the wireless mobile station. The control circuitry also comprises a directory of telephone numbers of locations authorized to receive information concerning the location of the wireless mobile station. Also disclosed is control circuitry capable of receiving a code that causes the wireless mobile station to transmit information concerning the location of the wireless mobile station. Also disclosed are methods for selectively disabling the transmission of information concerning the location of the wireless mobile station.

New frame rate up-conversion using bi-directional motion estimation

Abstract: We propose a new frame rate up-conversion algorithm for high quality video. In the proposed scheme, bi-directional motion estimation (ME) is performed to construct the motion vector (MV) field for the frame to be interpolated. Unlike conventional motion-compensated interpolation (MCI) algorithms, the proposed technique does not produce any overlapped pixel and hole region in the interpolated frame, and thus can utilize the overlapped block motion compensation technique to reduce the blocking artifacts. The proposed algorithm is very simple to implement on consumer products when compared to conventional MCI methods. Computer simulation shows a high visual performance of the proposed frame rate up-conversion algorithm.

A test of the technology acceptance model: the case of cellular telephone adoption

Abstract: This paper examines patterns of cellular phone adoption and usage in an urban setting. One hundred and seventy-six cellular telephone users were surveyed about their patterns of usage, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, perceptions about the technology, and their motivations to use cellular services. The results of this study confirm that users' perceptions are significantly associated with their motivation to use cellular phones. Specifically, perceived ease of use was found to have significant effects on users' extrinsic and intrinsic motivations; apprehensiveness about cellular technology had a negative effect on intrinsic motivations. Implications of these findings for practice and research are examined.

The KSTAR project: An advanced steady state superconducting tokamak experiment

Abstract: The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) project is the major effort of the national fusion programme of the Republic of Korea. Its aim is to develop a steady state capable advanced superconducting tokamak to establish a scientific and technological basis for an attractive fusion reactor. The major parameters of the tokamak are: major radius 1.8 m, minor radius 0.5 m, toroidal field 3.5 T and plasma current 2 MA, with a strongly shaped plasma cross-section and double null divertor. The initial pulse length provided by the poloidal magnet system is 20 s, but the pulse length can be increased to 300 s through non-inductive current drive. The plasma heating and current drive system consists of neutral beams, ion cyclotron waves, lower hybrid waves and electron cyclotron waves for flexible profile control in advanced tokamak operating modes. A comprehensive set of diagnostics is planned for plasma control, performance evaluation and physics understanding. The project has completed its conceptual design and moved to the engineering design and construction phase. The target date for the first plasma is 2002.

A new PWM strategy for common mode voltage reduction in neutral-point clamped inverter-fed AC motor drives

Abstract: In this paper, the relationship between common-mode voltage and switching states in a neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter is clarified, and a new pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) strategy for reducing the common-mode voltage in an NPC inverter-fed AC motor drives is proposed. Among a total of 27 switching states in the NPC inverter, the proposed PWM uses only 19 switching states that generate common-mode voltage of which the magnitude is the same or less than one-sixth of DC-bus voltage. Moreover, the proposed PWM strategy satisfied the constraint that the output voltage vector should be changed by only one switching action. Not requiring extra hardware, the NPC inverter with the proposed PWM results in a remarkable reduction in peak-to-peak of common-mode voltage, compared to a two-level inverter and an NPC inverter controlled by conventional PWM. The proposed PWM strategy can be easily implemented in software without degradation of control performance in AC motor drives.

Electrochemical properties and thermal stability of LiaNi1-xCoxO2 cathode materials

Abstract: Conductive and electrochemical properties as well as thermal stability of Li{sub a}Ni{sub 1{minus}x}Co{sub x}O{sub 2} where x = 0--0.3 and a = 1.0--0.4 have been studied using impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical cycling, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The electronic conductivity of partially charged material (a {le} 0.8) increases substantially when the cobalt content is increased to x = 0.3 from 0.2. The mobility, chemical diffusion coefficient, and Li{sup +} ion diffusion coefficient in the partially charged material are in the neighborhood of 10{sup {minus}6}cm{sup {minus}2}/V x, 10{sup {minus}8}cm{sup 2}/s, and 5 x 10{sup {minus}10}cm{sup 2}/s, respectively, and are rather insensitive to the values of a and x. Results of electrochemical and DSC studies show that LiNi{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}O{sub 2} is the best cathode material for a Li cell of all materials studied here in view of the best cycle stability, the smallest irreversible capacity, and the greatest thermal stability with minimal reduction of specific capacity from that of LiNiO{sub 2}.

Quasi-orthogonal sequences for code-division multiple-access systems

Abstract: The notion of quasi-orthogonal sequence (QOS) as a means of increasing the number of channels in synchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems that employ Walsh sequences for spreading information signals and separating channels is introduced. It is shown that a QOS sequence may be regarded as a class of Bent (almost Bent) functions possessing, in addition, a certain window property. Such sequences while increasing the system capacity, minimize interference to the existing set of Walsh sequences. The window property gives the system the ability to handle variable data rates. A general procedure of constructing QOSs from well-known families of binary sequences with good correlation, including the Kasami and Gold (1967) sequence families, as well as from the binary Kerdock code is provided. Examples of QOSs are presented for small lengths. Some examples of quaternary QOSs drawn from Family A are also included.

Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery and method of preparing same

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The negative active material includes a core and a carbon shell formed around the core. The core includes a crystalline carbon, an amorphous carbon or a mixture thereof, and the carbon shell includes an amorphous carbon with a metal selected from a transition metal, a semi-metal, an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal.

Flash memory having data blocks, spare blocks, a map block and a header block and a method for controlling the same

Abstract: A flash memory and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The flash memory has units, each of which includes a plurality of data blocks for writing data; a plurality of spare blocks emptied for writing updated data of the data blocks; a map block for designating an actual location in which data is written; and a header block for recording flash memory information and unit information. The method, in the case of updating data of a data block, first writes update data into an empty spare block in the same unit, updates mapping information of the map block, and updates state information of a previous block, so that a user can have access to data by using the same address and there is no need of deleting a unit every time the block is updated. Therefore, the present invention enhances an efficiency of writing and updating data while reducing the number of delete times.

Free-Standing GaN Substrates by Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy

Abstract: Thick gallium nitride films 250–350 µm in thickness were grown on 2-inch-diameter (0001) sapphire wafers by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. The size of the free-standing GaN substrates without cracks separated from the sapphire substrates by laser processing was equal to that of the initial sapphire substrates. The origin of bowing and the broad photoluminescence (PL) spectra of GaN films was considered the difference in the residual strain between the front and bottom surfaces caused by threading dislocations.

A new linearization technique for MOSFET RF amplifier using multiple gated transistors

Abstract: A simple linearization technique using multiple gated common source transistors is proposed where gate width and gate drive (V/sub gs/-V/sub th/) of each transistor are chosen to compensate for the nonlinear characteristics of the main transistor. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, a prototype double-gated RF amplifier using two MOSFETs is implemented and its RF characteristics are compared with those of a single one. The results show that, compared with a conventional single-gate transistor amplifier, the third order intermodulation (IMD/sub 3/) is improved by 6 dB with similar gain, fundamental output power, and DC power consumption. Because the auxiliary transistor is smaller than the main one and biased at subthreshold, adding this does not affect amplifier characteristics appreciably other than the nonlinearity. With further optimization using multiple gated transistors, much better nonlinear performance per power consumption would be expected.

Apparatus and method for exchanging variable-length data according to radio link protocol in mobile communication system

Abstract: An information frame of a new format transmitted according to a radio link protocol (RLP), and a device and method for transmitting and receiving the information frame in a mobile communication system. The information frame is comprised of a plurality of consecutive multiplex frames each having a given length. The multiplex frames each are comprised of a header and a succeeding RLP frame, and the RLP frame includes transmission data. At least one of the multiplex frames is comprised of a plurality of sub-multiplex frames, and each sub-multiplex frame is comprised of a header including an RLP service identifier field and a length indication field for indicating a length of the transmission data, and a data block associated to the succeeding RLP frame.

Portable computer and method using an auxilliary LCD panel having a touch screen as a pointing device

Abstract: A portable computer includes a main LCD panel hingedly coupled to a system body, and an auxiliary LCD panel mounted upon the system body. A video image is identically displayed on both the main LCD panel and the auxiliary LCD panel. Alternatively, a definition of the auxiliary LCD panel is lower than that of the main LCD panel. Although a user cannot look at a screen of the main LCD panel, the user can confirm a position of a pointer through a screen of the auxiliary LCD panel. Therefore, the user can precisely control the pointer using a touch screen.

Method of forming thin film using atomic layer deposition method

Abstract: In a method of forming a thin film using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, a thin film is formed on a substrate in cycles. Each cycle includes injecting a first reactant including an atom that forms the thin film and a ligand into a reaction chamber that includes the substrate, purging the first reactant, injecting a second reactant into the reaction chamber, and purging the second reactant. The thin film is formed by a chemical reaction between the atom that forms the thin film and a second reactant whose binding energy with respect to the atom that forms the thin film is larger than the binding energy of the ligand with respect to the atom that forms the thin film and the generation of by-products is prevented. The generation of a hydroxide by-product in the thin film is suppressed by using a material that does not include a hydroxide as the second reactant, purging the second reactant, and reacting the second reactant with a third reactant that includes hydroxide. After purging the second reactant, the third reactant for removing impurities and improving the stoichiometry of the thin film is injected and purged. In this way, it is possible to obtain a thin film that does not include impurities and whose stoichiometry is excellent.

LCD monitor stand

Abstract: A stand fixing structure of a LCD monitor is disclosed. The stand structure of the LCD monitor according to the present invention includes a rear cover, a VESA cover engaged to a back surface of the rear cover, a rotation plate rotatably engaged at a bottom of a circular groove grooved on a back surface of the VESA cover and having a certain diameter, a rotatable stand having both ends hinged to the rotation plate, and a pair of opposite hooks protruded from both corner portions of a back surface of the VESA cover, whereby the stand is rotated and fixed at the hooks, and when the LCD monitor is hanged on a wall, the stand is supported by the hooks for thereby preventing the LCD monitor from being inclined in a certain direction.

Device discovery and configuration in a home network

Abstract: A method and system for generating a user interface in a plurality of multiple devices connected to the network system for controlling devices that are currently connected to a network. A network system includes: a physical layer, wherein the physical layer provides a communication medium than can be used by devices to communicate with each other; one or more devices connected to the physical layer, each device storing information including device information; a discovery agent in each of one more devices adapted for discovering devices currently connected to the network; a configuration agent in each of one or more devices adapted for configuring devices addresses of the discovered devices connected to the network; and a user interface agent in each of one or more devices, adapted for: obtaining information from discovered devices currently connected to the network, the information including device information, and generating a user interface description in one or more of the devices based at least on the obtained information, the user interface description in each device including at least one reference associated with the device information of each of the devices currently connected to the network.

Method for simultaneously programming plural flash memories having invalid blocks

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for programming flash memories, each of which has a memory cell array divided into plural blocks Each of the blocks is associated with block status information indicating whether it is valid According to the programming method of the present invention, first, a parallel-programming process is performed for valid blocks of all of the flash memories Then, a serial-programming process is performed for flash memories having invalid blocks This enables the time required for programming flash memories with one or more invalid blocks to be reduced

Method for forming metal layer of semiconductor device using metal halide gas

Abstract: A method for forming a metal layer located over a metal underlayer of a semiconductor device, using a metal halogen gas The method involves supplying a predetermined reaction gas into a reaction chamber for a predetermined period of time prior to deposition of the metal layer The reaction gas has a higher reactivity with an active halogen element of a metal halogen gas supplied to form the metal layer, compared to a metal element of the metal halogen gas As the metal halogen gas is supplied into the reaction chamber, the reaction gas reacts with the halogen radicals of the metal halogen gas, so that the metal underlayer is protected from being contaminated by impurities containing the halogen radicals

System and method for performing diagnostics on a mobile station using over-the-air transfer of interpreted byte-code program

Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile station diagnostic testing system for use in a wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations. The mobile station diagnostic testing system tests the operation of a first mobile station. The mobile station diagnostic testing system comprises: 1) a database for storing a mobile station diagnostic testing file comprising a mobile station diagnostic testing program in interpreted byte-code format; and 2) a diagnostics controller coupled to the database for receiving a notification indicating that a fault has occurred in the first mobile station. In response to receipt of the notification, the mobile diagnostics testing system retrieves the mobile station diagnostic testing file from the database and transmits it to the first mobile station. Receipt of the mobile station diagnostic testing file causes the mobile station to execute the mobile station diagnostic testing program.

Channel assignment apparatus and method for common packet channel in a WCDMA mobile communication system

Abstract: A common packet channel assignment method in a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communication system is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting an access preamble signal having channel information which is used to access a base station; receiving an access preamble acquisition indicator signal received from the base station in response to the access preamble signal; transmitting a collision detection preamble for detecting a collision in response to the received access preamble acquisition indicator signal; receiving a first signal indicating acquisition of the collision detection preamble and a second signal indicating channel assignment, that the base station has transmitted in response to the collision acquisition signal; and upon receipt of the first signal, allocating a common packet channel according to information designated by the second signal.

System and method for automatically creating and updating a mobile station configuration database in a wireless network

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a wireless network comprising a group of base stations that communicate with a group of mobile stations, an apparatus for automatically gathering configuration data associated with the mobile stations. The apparatus comprises: 1) a database for storing a plurality of mobile station configuration records, wherein each of the mobile station configuration records stores configuration data gathered from a selected one of the mobile stations; and 2) an update controller for transmitting to a first mobile station a mobile station configuration request message and for receiving from the first mobile station first configuration data transmitted by the first mobile station in response to receipt of the mobile station configuration request message. The update controller stores the first configuration data in a first configuration record.