Acceptable range of speech level in noisy sound fields for young adults and elderly persons

The acceptable range of speech level as a function of background noise level was investigated on the basis of word intelligibility scores and listening difficulty ratings. In the present study, the acceptable range is defined as the range that maximizes word intelligibility scores and simultaneously does not cause a significant increase in listening difficulty ratings from the minimum ratings. Listening tests with young adult and elderly listeners demonstrated the following. (1) The acceptable range of speech level for elderly listeners overlapped that for young listeners. (2) The lower limit of the acceptable speech level for both young and elderly listeners was 65 dB (A-weighted) for noise levels of 40 and 45 dB (A-weighted), a level with a speech-to-noise ratio of +15 dB for noise levels of 50 and 55 dB, and a level with a speech-to-noise ratio of +10 dB for noise levels from 60 to 70 dB. (3) The upper limit of the acceptable speech level for both young and elderly listeners was 80 dB for noise levels from 40 to 55 dB and 85 dB or above for noise levels from 55 to 70 dB.     

The noise exposure of infants in incubators

The noise exposure of infants in incubators due to both services noise and self-generated noise has been measured in an investigation involving 45 incubators and 69 infants. Incubator services noise levels were consistent with those reported in previous surveys but the noise produced by the infants has been found to increase levels by approximately 8 dB(A) on average. Statistical distribution analysis of the noise levels has shown that energy content of the infant generated noise has maximum values between 90 dB(A) and 100 dB(A) and peak levels of 107 dB(A) have been recorded. The possibility of the measured sound pressure levels inducing cochlear damage is discussed and an assessment is made of incubator services noise which suggest a design level of 45 dB(A) for new incubators and a limiting sound level of 55 dB(A) during normal usage.     

Effect of injection of C-band ASE on L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier

The effect of injecting conventional band (C-band) amplified spontaneous emission on the performance of long-wavelength band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (L-band EDFA) is demonstrated. It uses a circulator and broadband fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to route C-band ASE from a C-band EDFA. Injection of a small amount of ASE (attenuation of 20 dB or above) improves the small signal gain with a negligible noise figure penalty compared to that of an amplifier without the ASE injection. A maximum gain improvement of 3.5 dB is obtained at an attenuation of 20 dB. At very large amounts of ASE injection (attenuation of 0 dB), the gain of the amplifier is clamped at 15.2 dB from ?40 to ?10 dBm with a gain variation of less than 0.3 dB. The saturation power is also increased from ?8 dBm (for without ASE injection) to 2 dBm (VOA=0 dB) with a slight noise figure penalty. These results show that the ASE injection technique can be used either for gain improvement or for gain clamping in L-band EDFA.     

Hearing loss from interrupted, intermittent, and time varying Gaussian noise exposures: the applicability of the equal energy hypothesis

Eight groups of chinchillas (N=74) were exposed to various equivalent energy [100 or 106 dB(A) sound pressure level (SPL)] noise exposure paradigms. Six groups received an interrupted, intermittent, time varying (IITV) Gaussian noise exposure that lasted 8 h/d, 5 d/week for 3 weeks. The exposures modeled an idealized workweek. At each level, three different temporal patterns of Gaussian IITV noise were used. The 100 dB(A) IITV exposure had a dB range of 90-108 dB SPL while the range of the 106 dB(A) IITV exposure was 80-115 dB SPL. Two reference groups were exposed to a uniform 100 or 106 dB(A) SPL noise, 24 h/d for 5 days. Each reference group and the three corresponding IITV groups comprised a set of equivalent energy exposures. Evoked potentials were used to estimate hearing thresholds and surface preparation histology quantified sensory cell populations. All six groups exposed to the IITV noise showed threshold toughening effects of up to 40 dB. All IITV exposures produced hearing and sensory cell loss that was similar to their respective equivalent energy reference group. These results indicate that for Gaussian noise the equal energy hypothesis for noise-induced hearing loss is an acceptable unifying principle.     

深空探测用超导滤波器及滤波放大组件

研制了针对深空探测的超导滤波器和超导滤波放大组件,该超导滤波器在无需后期调谐的情况下,回波损耗大于25.16dB,驻波比小于1.12,插入损耗约0.04dB,阻带抑制达到了115dB以上;超导滤波放大组件的增益为30dB±0.2dB,回波损耗约为20dB;而组件的噪声温度仅为8K~9K。     

Onset, growth, and recovery of in-air temporary threshold shift in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was tested in a behavioral procedure to assess noise-induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) in air. Octave band fatiguing noise was varied in both duration (1.5-50 min) and level (94-133 dB re 20 muPa) to generate a variety of equal sound exposure level conditions. Hearing thresholds were measured at the center frequency of the noise (2500 Hz) before, immediately after, and 24 h following exposure. Threshold shifts generated from 192 exposures ranged up to 30 dB. Estimates of TTS onset [159 dB re (20 muPa)(2) s] and growth (2.5 dB of TTS per dB of noise increase) were determined using an exponential function. Recovery for threshold shifts greater than 20 dB followed an 8.8 dB per log(min) linear function. Repeated testing indicated possible permanent threshold shift at the test frequency, but a later audiogram revealed no shift at this frequency or higher. Sea lions appear to be equally susceptible to noise in air and in water, provided that the noise exposure levels are referenced to absolute sound detection thresholds in both media. These data provide a framework within which to consider effects arising from more intense and/or sustained exposures.     

Low noise gain-clamped L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier by utilizing fiber Bragg grating

A novel gain-clamped long wavelength band (L-band) erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is proposedand experimented by using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) at the input end of the amplifier. This designprovides a good gain clamping and decreases noise effectively. It uses two sections of erbium-doped fiber(EDF) pumped by a 1480-nm laser diode (LD) for higher efficiency and lower noise figure (NF). The gainis clamped at 23 dB with a variation of 0.5 dB from input signal power of -30 to -8 dBm for 1589 nm andNF below 5 dB is obtained. At the longer wavelength in L-band higher gain is also obtained and the gainis clamped at 16 dB for 1614 nm effectively. Because the FBG injects a portion of backward amplifiedspontaneous emission (ASE) back into the system, the gain enhances 5 dB with inputting small signal.     

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hearing: auditory brainstem response and behavioral audiograms.

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) audiograms were measured using behavioral responses and auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) from two trained adult females. The mean auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiogram to tones between 1 and 100 kHz was 12 dB (re 1 mu Pa) less sensitive than behavioral audiograms from the same individuals (+/- 8 dB). The ABR and behavioral audiogram curves had shapes that were generally consistent and had the best threshold agreement (5 dB) in the most sensitive range 18-42 kHz, and the least (22 dB) at higher frequencies 60-100 kHz. The most sensitive frequency in the mean Orcinus audiogram was 20 kHz (36 dB), a frequency lower than many other odontocetes, but one that matches peak spectral energy reported for wild killer whale echolocation clicks. A previously reported audiogram of a male Orcinus had greatest sensitivity in this range (15 kHz, approximately 35 dB). Both whales reliably responded to 100-kHz tones (95 dB), and one whale to a 120-kHz tone, a variation from an earlier reported high-frequency limit of 32 kHz for a male Orcinus. Despite smaller amplitude ABRs than smaller delphinids, the results demonstrated that ABR audiometry can provide a useful suprathreshold estimate of hearing range in toothed whales.     

Cancellation level and phase of the (f2-f1) distortion product

The cancellation level and phase were measured for the (f2-f1) distortion product in six normal-hearing ears as a function of input level (L1,L2) and the frequency separation of the two input signals (f1,f2, where f2 greater than f1). The effects of input level were examined for L1 and L2, varied together (L1 = L2) and separately. Typically, f1 was 1500 Hz while f2/f1 was either 1.16, 1.32, 1.44, or 1.68. For L1 = L2, the median data indicate that the (f2-f1) level grows at a rate of approximately 1.1 dB/dB when averaged across all stimulus conditions. This slope tended to be higher (approximately 1.6 dB/dB) for L1 = L2 greater than 80 dB. Slopes for some subjects also increase as f2/f1 increases. The cancellation phase increases slightly (50 degrees - 100 degrees) with an increase in L1 = L2. With L1 at 75 to 80 dB, L2 ranging from 65 to 95 dB, and f2/f1 = 1.16, (f2-f1) increases monotonically with L2 up to L1 = L2. As L2 increases further (L2 greater than L1), the slopes for the growth of (f2-f1) decrease. For f2/f1 = 1.44, on the other hand, (f2-f1) appears to grow monotonically at a rate of approximately 0.5 dB/dB throughout the range of L2 values. The cancellation phase increases with L2 (approximately 100 degrees) only for the wider frequency separation of the two input signals (f2/f1 = 1.44). There are, however, sizable individual differences in the behavior of the (f2 - f1) distortion product.     

Noise control for rapid transit cars on elevated structures

Noise control treatments for the propulsion motor noise of rapid transit cars on concrete elevated structures and the noise reduction from barrier walls were investigated by using acoustical scale models and supplemented by field measurements of noise from trains operated by the Port Authority Transportation Corporation (PATCO) in New Jersey. The results show that vehicle skirts and undercar sound absorption can provide substantial cost-effective reductions in propulsion noise at the wayside of transit systems with concrete elevated guideways. The acoustical scale model noise reductions applied to PATCO vehicles on concrete elevated structures show reductions in the A-weighted noise levels of 5 dB for undercar sound absorption, 5 dB for vehicle skirts, and 10 dB for combined undercar absorption and vehicle skirts. Acoustical scale model results for sound barrier walls lined with absorptive treatment showed reductions from 7 dB to 12 dB of noise from vehicles in the far track, depending on the height of the wall, and reductions from 12 dB to 20 dB of noise from vehicles on the near track. Transit vehicles at high speeds where propulsion system noise dominates are 7 dB(A) noisier at 50 ft on concrete elevated structures than on at-grade on tie and ballast. Of this amount, 3 dB is due to loss of ground effect, and 4 dB is due to the absence of undercar absorption provided by ballast.     

Low Noise-figure Miniature Erbium-doped Fibre Amplifier using Uncooled Pump Laser

A miniature-size erbium doped fibre amplifier (MS-EDFA) is constructed with a saturation power of 17.0 dBm and low noise figure of 5.2 dB using an uncooled pump laser. The MS-EDFA has achieved low polarization dependent gain, large signal gain and small signal gain of 0.05 dB, 15 dB (at Pin = +2 dBm) and 42 dB (at Pin = −30 dBm), respectively, with negligible temperature dependent gain. The dimension of MS-EDFA is only twice than a typical credit card.     

Mode selective directional couplers for overmoded waveguide systems

Two types of directional couplers for transverse electric (TE) modes are described: short and multihole couplers, respectively. They selectively pick one mode out of a mode mixture in an overmoded circular waveguide system. Unwanted modes are either statistically kept at low level or are suppressed by destructive interference in the coupling waveguide. Mode selectivity and directivity in multihole couplers oscillate up and down with an increasing number of holes, finally reaching a minimum of approximately 20 dB, unless there are competing modes with rational fractions of the beat wavelength. A multihole coupler for the TE₀₂ mode (28 GHz, 63.4 mm waveguide diameter, 41 holes) and a length of 1.6 m shows a calculated directivity of 68 dB and suppresses the unwanted modes TE₀₁ with 34 dB (24 dB), TE₂₂ with 37 dB (45 dB), and further modes TE_m (<5, m<6) with 17 dB to 34 dB in forward direction (figures in parentheses are for unwanted modes propagating in backward direction).A short directional coupler for the TE₀₁ mode (28 GHz, 63.4 mm waveguide diameter) with 16 holes and a length of 230 mm shows a directivity of 55 to 100 dB between 27.9 and 28.1 GHz, suppressing the TE₀₂ mode with 35 to 80 dB, the TE₀₃ mode with 30 to 65 dB, and the TE₂₂ mode with 30 to 70 dB.     

光纤光栅和环形器组成的光分插复用器同频串扰特性研究

对三种不同结构的光纤光栅和环形器组成的光分插复用器的同频串扰进行了实验研究。实验表明，与常规的I型结构光分插复用器相比，Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型结构中由上载端泄漏到下载端的同频串扰分别减少了24．4dB和39．3dB，由下载端泄漏到上载端的同频串扰分别减少了23．6dB和24．6dB。     

高频语抗噪声通讯系统的语言可懂度实验研究

通过对高频语抗噪声通讯系统的研究，并经实验证明该系统的高频语通讯具有很强的抗环境噪声功能，较好地解决了噪声环境中的传递语音，高频语生成的数学表达。高频语通讯装置的研究设计；采用该装置在实验室内分别用语音声级85、90，95dB(A)在高于该声级的噪声环境下作或懂度实验研究；高频语声级90dB（A)在舰船主机舱室105dB(A)环境下载与不载耳塞的可懂度试验，该系统的形成，在语音，环境噪声比为－10至－15dB时语言可懂度可达90％以上，从理论上升到研制装置成功，突破了传统的语言传递遵循部位机理的信噪比必须为＋5dB的论点。     

Optical frequency comb generation based on three parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators with recirculating frequency shifting loop

We theoretically and numerically study an approach for optical frequency comb (OFC) generation, by utilizing recirculating frequency shifting (RFS) loop based on three parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs). Our results show that three parallel MZMs can generate a single-side-band (SSB) signal with 36 dB optical carrier suppression (OCS) ratio. Furthermore, the 60-tone OFC signal with 30 dB side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) and 4 dB maximum power fluctuation is achieved, and 20 of the OFC signal possess the power fluctuation of less than 1 dB. Our approach provides a novel way of generating OFC with excellent SMSR and good power fluctuation.     

Dynamic-performance characterization of C-band EDFA using ASE-power peak-selective feedback gain-clamping

We propose and demonstrate a C-band Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) using amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) power peaking-selective and feedback to achieve highly stabilized and wide dynamic range gain clamping performances. The gain of 16.20 ± 0.13 dB is obtained with the input signal power dynamic range of 30 dB and the maximum noise figure (NF) was 6.6 dB with the input signal power from −35 to −10 dBm. To investigate the gain variation for the probe signals, we applied a saturation tone signal to simulate 16-channel DWDM signals as it is added (dropped) into (from) EDFA. The gain variation of the proposed scheme at a appropriate ring-cavity loss (VOA = 5 dB) is less than 0.13 dB for the input signal power from −35 to −5 dBm and wavelength from 1530 to 1564 nm.     

Fabrication of Variable Optica l Attenuator With Low Inse rtion Loss

Avoltage -controlled variabl optical attenuator (VOA) based on silica-b a sed planar ligh t wa ve circu its (P LC) was fabricated by flame hydrolysis deposition (FHD). The variable attenuator with Cr heater achieves 20dB attenuation with 318mW electrical power at 1550 nm. The insertion loss and the polarization dependent loss (PDL) at 0 attenuation are 1dB and 0.23dB, respectively.     

Ku波段微波单片集成电路6位数字衰减器设计

基于GaAs 0.25 μm增强/耗尽型（E/D）赝配高电子迁移率晶体管（pHEMT）工艺,研制了一款Ku波段6位数字衰减器微波单片集成电路（MMIC）。该6位数字衰减器由6个基本衰减位级联组成,可实现最大衰减量为31.5 dB、步进为0.5 dB的衰减量控制。采用简化的T型衰减结构,实现了0.5 dB和1 dB的衰减位。16 dB衰减位采用开关型衰减拓扑,在提高衰减平坦度的同时,有效降低其附加相移。测试结果表明,在12～18 GHz的频率内,数字衰减器衰减64态均方根误差（RMS）小于0.25 dB,附加相移为?0.5°～＋9.5°,插入损耗小于4.9 dB,输入输出驻波比均小于1.5∶1。芯片尺寸为3.00 mm×0.75 mm。该芯片电路具有宽频带、高衰减精度、小尺寸的特点,主要用于微波相控阵收发组件、无线通讯等领域。     

Ring-resonator filters in silicon oxynitride technology for dense wavelength-division multiplexing systems

The design and characterization of ring-resonator-based filters with free spectral ranges of 100 and 50 GHz by use of SiO(x)N(y) technology is presented. Fiber-to-fiber insertion losses of 4.4 dB on the drop port and 2.1 dB on the through port have been achieved for a single-ring filter. An interleaver filter for a 25-GHz spaced dense wavelength-division multiplexing system with two cascaded rings is demonstrated. The filter has a 7.4-GHz bandwidth at -1 dB and an extinction ratio of 15 dB and is polarization independent.     

可调光衰减器的光衰减量线性补偿

设计制成一种数字化电磁驱动微机械MOEMS可调光衰减器.与传统可调光衰减器相比,该器件不仅可实现光衰减量数字化电控调节,并且可通过器件结构的优化设计,对光衰减量的非线性进行补偿,最终得到线性衰减.器件性能测试表明,插入损耗IL＜0.3 dB,偏振相关损耗PDL＜0.1 dB,波长相关损耗WDL＜0.2 dB,衰减范围0～40 dB,回波损耗RL＞50 dB.