Object-oriented H.263 compatible video coding platform forconferencing applications

This paper describes a prototype video coding platform meant for the conception and testing of multimedia products such as next-generation videophones. The platform is largely based on ITU-T Recommendation H.263, with a number of additional object-oriented quality enhancement features which make it especially well suited for very low bit-rate coding of “head-and-shoulders” video material typical of real-time multimedia applications, video teleconferencing, and video telephony. These features consist of: (1) segmentation into objects of interest, (2) segmentation-based prefiltering, (3) model-assisted rate control, (4) adaptive vector quantization, and finally (5) segmentation-based postfiltering. In the spirit of Recommendation H.263, these enhancements are modular and can be selectively turned on or off, thereby enabling a wide variety of coding modes     

On the sensitivity of coupled resonator filters without some direct couplings

This paper presents an analysis of the sensitivity of coupled resonator filters in which some direct couplings are missing. The effect of changes in the coupling coefficients and resonant frequencies of the resonators is investigated by directly computing the gradient of the scattering parameters. It is shown that structures that are modular in the input-to-output direction are much less sensitive than those with modularity in the orthogonal direction for the same frequency response.     

A Novel Band-Reject Element for Pseudoelliptic Bandstop Filters

A novel band-reject element for the design of inline waveguide pseudoelliptic band-reject filters is introduced. The element consists of an offset partial-height post in a rectangular waveguide in which the dominant TE₁₀ mode is propagating. The location of the attenuation pole is primarily determined by the height of the post that generates it. The element allows the implementation of weak, as well as strong coupling coefficients that are encountered in asymmetric band-reject responses with broad stopbands. The coupling strength is controlled by the offset of the post with respect to the center of the main waveguide. The posts are separated by uniform sections of the main waveguide. An equivalent low-pass circuit based on the extracted pole technique is first used in a preliminary design. An improved equivalent low-pass circuit that includes a more accurate equivalent circuit of the band-reject element is then introduced. A synthesis method of the enhanced network is also presented. Filters based on the introduced element are designed, fabricated, and tested. Good agreement between measured and simulated results is achieved     

Conception of a CATV-based MAN

The objective of this paper is to propose an architecture for aCAble TeleVision (CATV) network, capable of supporting two-way transmission. This evolution is necessary for the survival of the CATV industry in an era of deregulation and of the development of the B-ISDN by the telecommunications companies. A communication transactional service is then considered and performance analysis is done under realistic assumptions.     

Neutron activation analysis of semiconductor materials

Two examples of the use of neutron activation analysis for the characterization of semiconductor materials are given. 23 elements were determined in ASTM silicon intercomparison samples. Most elements are below the detection limits, which vary between 0.009–300 ng/g. CdS/CdTe thin films have been characterized by determining the Cd, Te, Cl, I and In concentrations of dissolved films. Parallel determinations in different samples of films prepared under identical conditions agreed within 0–53% (average deviation 21%) for Cl, Cd, In and I in CdS and 1.6–22% (average 8.7%) for Cd and Te in CdS/CdTe, respectively. It was determined both by NAA and resonance ionization spectrometry (RIS). The order of magnitude of the results was 1 ng/g and they agree within the range 7–64% (average difference 25%). The analytical procedures are described and discussed.     

Improving accuracy in routine instrumental activation analysis

An INAA procedure for routine analysis of rock samples is described. Samples are irradiated using a rotating sample holder. Measurement of the induced gamma activity is performed using an automatic gamma spectrometer and the elemental concentrations are calculated by a computer. The analytical error is discussed and the precision and accuracy evaluated experimentally. An average error of ±3–5% without considering counting statistics is obtained. Results for 19 elements in 8 international standard rocks are reported. A short discussion of the cost of the analysis is included.     

Simulated X-ray spectra from ionized wind-blown nebulae around massive stars

Using an ionization gas dynamics code, we simulate a model of the wind-blown bubble around a 40 M_⊙ star. We use this to compute the X-ray spectra from the bubble, which can be directly compared to observations. We outline our methods and techniques for these computations, and contrast them with previous calculations. Our simulated X-ray spectra compare reasonably well with observed spectra of Wolf–Rayet bubbles. They suggest that X-ray nebulae around massive stars may not be easily detectable, consistent with observations.     

Infinite-variate wide-sense Markov processes and functional analysis for bounded operator-forming vectors

Let p, q be arbitrary parameter sets, and let $\text{H}$ be a Hilbert space. We say that x = (xⁱ)_i?q, xⁱ ? $\text{H}$, is a bounded operator-forming vector (?$\text{H}$_F^q) if the Gram matrix 〈x, x〉 = [(xⁱ, x^j)]_i?q,j?q is the matrix of a bounded (necessarily ≥ 0) operator on $\text{l}{}_{\mathrm{q}}{}^2$, the Hilbert space of square-summable complex-valued functions on q. Let A be p × q, i.e., let A be a linear operator from $\text{l}{}_{\mathrm{q}}{}^2$ to $\text{l}{}_{\mathrm{p}}{}^2$. Then exists a linear operator ǎ from (the Banach space) $\text{H}$_F^q to $\text{H}$_F^p on $\text{D}$(A) = {x:x ? $\text{H}$_F^q, $\text{A〈x, x〉}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ is p × q bounded on $\text{l}{}_{\mathrm{q}}{}^2$} such that y = ǎx satisfies y^j?σ(x) = {space spanned by the xⁱ}, 〈y, x〉 = A〈x, x〉 and $\text{〈y, y〉 = A〈x, x〉}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{(A〈x, x〉}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^1$. This is a generalization of our earlier [J. Multivariate Anal.4 (1974), 166–209; 6 (1976), 538–571] results for the case of a spectral measure concentrated on one point. We apply these tools to investigate q-variate wide-sense Markov processes.