Showing papers on "Fundamental frequency published in 2014"

PEFAC - A Pitch Estimation Algorithm Robust to High Levels of Noise

Abstract: We present PEFAC, a fundamental frequency estimation algorithm for speech that is able to identify voiced frames and estimate pitch reliably even at negative signal-to-noise ratios. The algorithm combines a normalization stage, to remove channel dependency and to attenuate strong noise components, with a harmonic summing filter applied in the log-frequency power spectral domain, the impulse response of which is chosen to sum the energy of the fundamental frequency harmonics while attenuating smoothly-varying noise components. Temporal continuity constraints are applied to the selected pitch candidates and a voiced speech probability is computed from the likelihood ratio of two classifiers, one for voiced speech and one for unvoiced speech/silence. We compare the performance of our algorithm with that of other widely used algorithms and demonstrate that it performs well in both high and low levels of additive noise.

Low-Order Dominant Harmonic Estimation Using Adaptive Wavelet Neural Network

Abstract: In recent years, harmonic pollution has worried the power engineers considerably due to the increased penetration of power-electronics-based devices in the utility grid. Monitoring of certain low-order harmonics in the power supply is more important than monitoring of the entire spectrum because, usually, these are the most significant ones. In this paper, a technique based on an adaptive wavelet neural network that is the most suitable for dominant low-order harmonic estimation is presented. The proposed method works with only half-cycle data point inputs, compared to the requirement of at least one-complete-cycle data for other estimation techniques. A simple, fast converging, and reliable learning algorithm based on back propagation is used for training of the network parameters. The proposed method is examined with a number of simulated and experimental signals. The test results confirm that the proposed method accurately estimates the dominant low-order harmonics in pragmatic situations of fundamental frequency deviation, presence of interharmonics, low signal-to-noise ratio, etc.

Symmetric interactions and interference between pitch and timbre

Abstract: Variations in the spectral shape of harmonic tone complexes are perceived as timbre changes and can lead to poorer fundamental frequency (F0) or pitch discrimination. Less is known about the effects of F0 variations on spectral shape discrimination. The aims of the study were to determine whether the interactions between pitch and timbre are symmetric, and to test whether musical training affects listeners' ability to ignore variations in irrelevant perceptual dimensions. Difference limens (DLs) for F0 were measured with and without random, concurrent, variations in spectral centroid, and vice versa. Additionally, sensitivity was measured as the target parameter and the interfering parameter varied by the same amount, in terms of individual DLs. Results showed significant and similar interference between pitch (F0) and timbre (spectral centroid) dimensions, with upward spectral motion often confused for upward F0 motion, and vice versa. Musicians had better F0DLs than non-musicians on average, but similar spectral centroid DLs. Both groups showed similar interference effects, in terms of decreased sensitivity, in both dimensions. Results reveal symmetry in the interference effects between pitch and timbre, once differences in sensitivity between dimensions and subjects are controlled. Musical training does not reliably help to overcome these effects.

Closed-form solutions for axially functionally graded Timoshenko beams having uniform cross-section and fixed-fixed boundary condition

Abstract: In this paper, we study the free vibration of axially functionally graded (AFG) Timoshenko beams, with uniform cross-section and having fixed-fixed boundary condition. For certain polynomial variations of the material mass density, elastic modulus and shear modulus, along the length of the beam, there exists a fundamental closed form solution to the coupled second order governing differential equations with variable coefficients. It is found that there are an infinite number of non-homogeneous Timoshenko beams, with various material mass density, elastic modulus and shear modulus distributions having simple polynomial variations, which share the same fundamental frequency. The derived results can be used as benchmark solutions for testing approximate or numerical methods used for the vibration analysis of non-homogeneous Timoshenko beams. They can also be useful for designing fixed-fixed non-homogeneous Timoshenko beams which may be required to vibrate with a particular frequency. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) flight tones: Frequency, harmonicity, spherical spreading, and phase relationships

Abstract: Mosquito flight produces a tone as a side effect of wing movement; this tone is also a communication signal that is frequency-modulated during courtship. Recordings of tones produced by tethered flying male and female Aedes aegypti were undertaken using pairs of pressure-gradient microphones above and below, ahead and behind, and to the left and right over a range of distances. Fundamental frequencies were close to those previously reported, although amplitudes were lower. The male fundamental frequency was higher than that of the female and males modulated it over a wider range. Analysis of harmonics shows that the first six partials were nearly always within 1 Hz of integer multiples of the fundamental, even when the fundamental was being modulated. Along the front-back axis, amplitude attenuated as a function of distance raised to the power 2.3. Front and back recordings were out of phase, as were above and below, while left and right were in phase. Recordings from ahead and behind showed quadratic phase coupling, while others did not. Finally, two methods are presented for separating simultaneous flight tones in a single recording and enhancing their frequency resolution. Implications for mosquito behavior are discussed.

Discrete Rotor Flux and Speed Estimators for High-Speed Shaft-Sensorless IM Drives

Abstract: In numerous motor drive applications, high rotor speed is the key factor for system cost, performance, and overall energy efficiency. As a result of energy crises and global market competition, the specified rotor speed and fundamental frequency of the induction motor (IM) in many drive applications noticeably go up. For the same cost and efficiency reasons, that increase of inverter fundamental output frequency cannot be followed with the increase of pulsewidth modulation (PWM) frequency. Therefore, a very low ratio between the PWM and motor fundamental frequencies is to be expected in the near future. In this paper, the shaft-sensorless drive performance is investigated at high speeds, with a very low sampling to fundamental frequency ratio. As a result, two main problems with rotor flux estimators were discovered: the integration problem in the current-based rotor flux model and the phase error in the voltage-based rotor flux model. Both problems were addressed, and a proper joint solution is suggested. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is tested in a model-reference-adaptive-system-based high-speed shaft-sensorless IM drive. The experimental results collected from the digitally controlled IM drive with a low frequency ratio validate the proposed solution.

Second harmonic generation from metamaterials strongly coupled to intersubband transitions in quantum wells.

Abstract: We theoretically analyze the second harmonic generation capacity of two-dimensional periodic metamaterials comprising sub-wavelength resonators strongly coupled to intersubband transitions in quantum wells (QWs) at mid-infrared frequencies. The metamaterial is designed to support a fundamental resonance at ∼30 THz and an orthogonally polarized resonance at the second harmonic frequency (∼60 THz), while the asymmetric quantum well structure is designed to provide a large second order susceptibility. Upon continuous wave illumination at the fundamental frequency we observe second harmonic signals in both the forward and backward directions, with the forward efficiency being larger. We calculate the overall second harmonic conversion efficiency of the forward wave to be ∼1.3 × 10−2 W/W2—a remarkably large value, given the deep sub-wavelength dimensions of the QW structure (about 1/15th of the free space wavelength of 10 μm). The results shown in this Letter provide a strategy for designing easily fabricated sources across the entire infrared spectrum through proper choice of QW and resonator designs.

The Artificial Bee Colony algorithm in layer optimization for the maximum fundamental frequency of symmetrical laminated composite plates

Abstract: In this study the layer optimization was carried out for maximizing the lowest (first) fundamental frequency of symmetrical laminated composite plates subjected to any combination of the three classical boundary conditions, and the applicability of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm to the layer optimization was investigated. The finite element method was used for calculating the first natural frequencies of the laminated composite plates with various stacking sequences. The ABC algorithm maximizes the first natural frequency of the laminated composite plate defined as an objective function. The optimal stacking sequences were determined for two layer numbers, twenty boundary conditions and two plate length/width ratios. The outer layers of the composite plate had a stiffness increasing effect, and as the number of clamped plate edges was increased both he stiffness and natural frequency of the plate increased. The optimal stacking sequences were in good agreement with those determined by the Ritz-...

Terahertz oscillations in an In0.53Ga0.47As submicron planar Gunn diode

Abstract: The length of the transit region of a Gunn diode determines the natural frequency at which it operates in fundamental mode—the shorter the device, the higher the frequency of operation. The long-held view on Gunn diode design is that for a functioning device the minimum length of the transit region is about 1.5 μm, limiting the devices to fundamental mode operation at frequencies of roughly 60 GHz. Study of these devices by more advanced Monte Carlo techniques that simulate the ballistic transport and electron-phonon interactions that govern device behaviour, offers a new lower bound of 0.5 μm, which is already being approached by the experimental evidence that has shown planar and vertical devices exhibiting Gunn operation at 600 nm and 700 nm, respectively. The paper presents results of the first ever THz submicron planar Gunn diode fabricated in In0.53Ga0.47As on an InP substrate, operating at a fundamental frequency above 300 GHz. Experimentally measured rf power of 28 μW was obtained from a 600 nm long × 120 μm wide device. At this new length, operation in fundamental mode at much higher frequencies becomes possible—the Monte Carlo model used predicts power output at frequencies over 300 GHz.

Comprehensive steady state analysis of bidirectional dual active bridge DC/DC converter using triple phase shift control

Abstract: Several papers have been published recently on TPS control of dual active bridge (DAB) converter, however, no complete study of the converter operation behaviour exists, that takes into account all switching modes in both charging and discharging (bidirectional) power transfer. In this paper, six switching modes and their complements with opposite power transfer direction are defined with their operational constraints. Exact expressions for power transferred are derived with no fundamental frequency assumptions and range of power transfer for each mode is also defined to characterize mode limitations. Detailed constraints for zero voltage switching (ZVS) are also obtained. A new definition for converter reactive power consumption is introduced. This is based on calculation of inductor apparent power which avoids fundamental frequency approximations as well as the vague negative (back flowing) power definitions in recent papers. All known DAB phase shift modulation techniques including conventional, dual and extended phase shift, represent special cases from triple phase shift, therefore the presented analysis provides a generalised theory for all phase shift based modulation techniques.

Quasi-periodic harmonic balance method for rubbing self-induced vibrations in rotor–stator dynamics

Abstract: A quasi-periodic harmonic balance method (HBM) coupled with a pseudo arc-length continuation algorithm is developed and used for the prediction of the steady-state dynamic behaviour of rotor–stator contact problems. Quasi-periodic phenomena generally involve two incommensurable fundamental frequencies, and at present, the HBM has been adapted to deal with cases where those frequencies are known. The problem here is to improve the procedure in order to be able to deal with cases where one of the two fundamental frequencies is a priori unknown, in order to be able to reproduce self-excited phenomena such as the so-called quasi-periodic partial rub. Considering the proposed developments, the unknown fundamental frequency is automatically determined during calculation and an automatic harmonic selection procedure gives both accuracy and performance improvements. The application is based on a Jeffcott rotor model, and results obtained are compared with traditional time-marching solutions. The modified quasi-periodic HBM appears one order of magnitude faster than transient simulations while providing very accurate results.

Exact solution for thermo-mechanical vibration of orthotropic mono-layer graphene sheet embedded in an elastic medium

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of the temperature change on the vibration frequency of mono-layer graphene sheet embedded in an elastic medium are studied. Using the nonlocal elasticity theory, the governing equations are derived for single-layered graphene sheets. Using Levy and Navier solutions, analytical frequency equations for single-layered graphene sheets are obtained. Using Levy solution, the frequency equation and mode shapes of orthotropic rectangular nanoplate are considered for three cases of boundary conditions. The obtained results are subsequently compared with valid result reported in the literature. The effects of the small scale, temperature change, different boundary conditions, Winkler and Pasternak foundations, material properties and aspect ratios on natural frequencies are investigated. It has been shown that the non-dimensional frequency decreases with increasing temperature change. The present analysis results can be used for the design of the next generation of nanodevices that make use of the thermal vibration properties of the nanoplates.

A Fast, robust algorithm for power line interference cancellation in neural recording

Abstract: Power line interference may severely corrupt neural recordings at 50/60 Hz and harmonic frequencies. In this paper, we present a robust and computationally efficient algorithm for removing power line interference from neural recordings. The algorithm includes four steps. First, an adaptive notch filter is used to estimate the fundamental frequency of the interference. Subsequently, based on the estimated frequency, harmonics are generated by using discrete-time oscillators, and then the amplitude and phase of each harmonic are estimated through using a modified recursive least squares algorithm. Finally, the estimated interference is subtracted from the recorded data. The algorithm does not require any reference signal, and can track the frequency, phase, and amplitude of each harmonic. When benchmarked with other popular approaches, our algorithm performs better in terms of noise immunity, convergence speed, and output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). While minimally affecting the signal bands of interest, the algorithm consistently yields fast convergence and substantial interference rejection in different conditions of interference strengths (input SNR from -30 dB to 30 dB), power line frequencies (45-65 Hz), and phase and amplitude drifts. In addition, the algorithm features a straightforward parameter adjustment since the parameters are independent of the input SNR, input signal power, and the sampling rate. The proposed algorithm features a highly robust operation, fast adaptation to interference variations, significant SNR improvement, low computational complexity and memory requirement, and straightforward parameter adjustment. These features render the algorithm suitable for wearable and implantable sensor applications, where reliable and real-time cancellation of the interference is desired.

Event-based method for instantaneous fundamental frequency estimation from voiced speech based on eigenvalue decomposition of the Hankel matrix

Abstract: We propose a robust event-based method for estimation of the instantaneous fundamental frequency of a voiced speech signal. The amplitude and frequency modulated (AM-FM) signal model of voiced speech in the low frequency range (LFR) indicates the presence of energy only around its instantaneous fundamental frequency (F0) and its few harmonics. The time-varying F0 component of a voiced speech signal is extracted by a robust algorithm which iteratively performs eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) of the Hankel matrix, initially constructed from samples of the LFR filtered voiced speech signal. The negative cycles of the extracted time-varying F0 component provide a reliable coarse estimate of intervals where glottal closure instants (GCIs) may be present. The negative cycles of the LFR filtered voiced speech signal occurring within these intervals are isolated. There is a sudden decrease in the glottal impedance at GCIs resulting in high signal strength. Therefore, GCIs are detected as local minima in the derivative of the falling edges of the isolated negative cycles of the LFR filtered voiced speech signal, followed by a selection criterion to discard false GCI candidates. The instantaneous F0 is estimated as the inverse of the time interval between two consecutive GCIs. Experiments were performed on the Keele and CSTR speech databases in white and babble noise environments at various levels of degradation to assess the performance of the proposed method. The proposed method substantially reduces the gross F0 estimation errors in comparison to some state of the art methods.

Power System Frequency Estimation by Reduction of Noise Using Three Digital Filters

Abstract: Accurate estimation of power system frequency is essential for monitoring and operation of the smart grid. Traditionally, this has been done using discrete Fourier transform (DFT) coefficients of the positive fundamental frequency. Such DFT-based frequency estimation has been used successfully in phasor measurement units and frequency disturbance recorders in North America. Frequency errors in DFT-based algorithms for single-phase signals arise mainly due to noise and the leakage effect of the negative fundamental frequency. In this paper, a DFT-based frequency estimation algorithm is proposed to introduce three digital filters for reduction of estimate error due to noise and the leakage effect. This algorithm calculates the frequency estimate from the magnitude ratios of DFT coefficients to avoid the leakage effect. It compensates the estimate error, which is induced from the DFT magnitude ratios of three filtered outputs. The enhancement of signal-to-noise ratios is verified through simulations.

A real time measurement of junction temperature variation in high power IGBT modules for wind power converter application

Abstract: paper presents a real time measurement of on-state forward voltage and estimating the junction temperature for a high power IGBT module during a power converter operation. The power converter is realized as it can be used for a wind turbine system. The peak of the junction temperature is decreased at higher fundamental frequency due to change in on-state time from the change in output frequency. The junction temperature is estimated using the on-state collector- emitter voltage of the IGBT module. Lower output frequency is thermally a higher stressing zone for wind power con- verters, hence the low frequency range is considered from 6Hz to 20Hz; the corresponding on-state collector-emitter voltage and junction temperature are presented. The estimation of junction temperature is compared with finite element based thermal simulations. The peak temperatures at different frequencies are compared between measurement and si- mulation results. The measurement technique desinged to be implementable for field application.

A fast, robust algorithm for power line interference cancellation in neural recording

Abstract: Objective. Power line interference may severely corrupt neural recordings at 50/60 Hz and harmonic frequencies. The interference is usually non-stationary and can vary in frequency, amplitude and phase. To retrieve the gamma-band oscillations at the contaminated frequencies, it is desired to remove the interference without compromising the actual neural signals at the interference frequency bands. In this paper, we present a robust and computationally efficient algorithm for removing power line interference from neural recordings. Approach. The algorithm includes four steps. First, an adaptive notch filter is used to estimate the fundamental frequency of the interference. Subsequently, based on the estimated frequency, harmonics are generated by using discrete-time oscillators, and then the amplitude and phase of each harmonic are estimated by using a modified recursive least squares algorithm. Finally, the estimated interference is subtracted from the recorded data. Main results. The algorithm does not require any reference signal, and can track the frequency, phase and amplitude of each harmonic. When benchmarked with other popular approaches, our algorithm performs better in terms of noise immunity, convergence speed and output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). While minimally affecting the signal bands of interest, the algorithm consistently yields fast convergence ( 30 dB) in different conditions of interference strengths (input SNR from −30 to 30 dB), power line frequencies (45–65 Hz) and phase and amplitude drifts. In addition, the algorithm features a straightforward parameter adjustment since the parameters are independent of the input SNR, input signal power and the sampling rate. A hardware prototype was fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS process and tested. Software implementation of the algorithm has been made available for open access at https://github.com/mrezak/removePLI. Significance. The proposed algorithm features a highly robust operation, fast adaptation to interference variations, significant SNR improvement, low computational complexity and memory requirement and straightforward parameter adjustment. These features render the algorithm suitable for wearable and implantable sensor applications, where reliable and real-time cancellation of the interference is desired.

Periodic radio variabilities of the blazar 1156+295: harmonic oscillations

Abstract: (Quasi)-periodic oscillations of the radio luminosity of a typical blazar 1156+295 were analysed to investigate the dynamic processes associated with the central engine of the active galactic nucleus. Three numerical techniques, the Lomb-Scargle periodogram, the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform and the improved Phase Dispersion Minimization, were used to search for candidate periodicities in the radio light curves of 1156+295 at 14.5, 8.0 and 4.8 GHz. The results of these methods are consistent with the detection of four periodic components with characteristic periods of similar to 1.7 (P-4), similar to 2.4 (P-3), similar to 3.4 (P-2) and similar to 7.5 yr (P-1), which suggest a harmonic relationship in frequency of 4: 3: 2: 1 with f(1) as the fundamental frequency. Except for the fact that P-1 persistently shows in the whole time span, the three others appear intermittent and are only prominent during certain time ranges. The second harmonic mode (P-2) is most powerful at all three observing frequency bands. The multiplicity and harmonic relation of the periodicities in 1156+295 reconfirms that global p-mode oscillations of the accretion disc are coupled to the jet. The oscillation of the disc is likely driven by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in the inner edge of the accretion disc.

Generation of triangular waveforms based on a microwave photonic filter with negative coefficient

Abstract: We report a novel approach to generating full-duty-cycle triangular waveforms based on a microwave photonic filter (MPF) with negative coefficient. It is known that the Fourier series expansion of a triangular waveform has only odd-order harmonics. In this work, the undesired even-order harmonics are suppressed by the MPF that has a periodic transmission response. A triangular waveform at fundamental frequency can be generated by setting the bias of a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) at quadrature point. However, it is found that a broadband 90° microwave phase shifter has to be used after photodetection to adjust the phases of odd-order harmonics. Alternatively, a frequency doubling triangular waveform can be generated by setting the bias of the MZM at maximum or minimum transmission point. This approach is more promising because the broadband microwave phase shifter is no longer required in this case but it is more power consuming. The proposed approach is theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified.

Control and optimization of the slope asymmetry effect in tailored voltage waveforms for capacitively coupled plasmas

Abstract: Through the use of particle-in-cell simulations, we study the ion flux asymmetry in an argon discharge that is induced by a ‘sawtooth-like’ excitation voltage waveform. In a previous article we have shown that, due to their differing rising and falling slopes, these waveforms can create a plasma with a significantly higher ion flux to one electrode in a geometrically symmetric reactor. Furthermore, they have the unique property of providing a lower ion energy at the electrode with a higher ion flux. In the present work, we show that a refined waveform allows the ion flux asymmetry to be increased for a given number of harmonics by reducing the ionization rate in front of the low-flux electrode. The flux asymmetry is found to disappear at low pressure due to the increased electron energy transport, which causes a transition from sheath edge ionization to bulk ionization. Changing the fundamental frequency is shown to have two counterbalancing effects: reducing the ionization on the low ion-flux electrode and shifting the maximum ionization to the center of the discharge. Under the representative conditions that we have studied, a maximum asymmetry is found for a base frequency of 3.4 MHz. Finally, it is shown that, by adjusting the rise- to fall-time ratio of the refined waveforms, the ion-flux asymmetry can be continuously shifted from one electrode to the other.