A power-driven multiplication instruction-set design method for ASIPs

This paper presents a novel power-driven multiplication instruction-set design method for application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs). Based on a dual-and-configurable-multiplier structure, our proposed method devises a multiplication instruction set for low-power ASIPs. Our method exploits the execution sequences of multiplication instructions and effective bit widths of variables to reduce power consumed by redundant multiplication bits while minimizing the multiplication execution time. Experimental results on a set of DSP programs demonstrate that our proposed method achieves significant power reduction (up to 18.53%) and execution time improvement (up to 10.43%) with 18% area overhead.     

On Faster I DDQ Measurements

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new I _DDQ measurement technique based on active successive approximations, called ASA-I _DDQ. This technique has unique features facilitating a speed-up in I _DDQ measurement. Experimental results suggest that a significant speed-up factor (up to 4) can be obtained over the QuiC-Mon technique. Such a speed-up is a key element in the replacement of single-threshold I _DDQ testing since it amplifies the effectiveness of post-processing techniques.     

On-demand learning for a wireless campus

The current Internet and wireless networks are harsh environments for transporting high-bandwidth multimedia data. We examine the technical issues involved, and describe an end-to-end solution to support a Web-based learn-on-demand system that operates in a wireless campus environment.     

The extended quadratic residue code is the only (48,24,12) self-dual doubly-even code

An extremal self-dual doubly-even binary (n,k,d) code has a minimum weight d=4/spl lfloor/n/24/spl rfloor/+4. Of such codes with length divisible by 24, the Golay code is the only (24,12,8) code, the extended quadratic residue code is the only known (48,24,12) code, and there is no known (72,36,16) code. One may partition the search for a (48,24,12) self-dual doubly-even code into three cases. A previous search assuming one of the cases found only the extended quadratic residue code. We examine the remaining two cases. Separate searches assuming each of the remaining cases found no codes and thus the extended quadratic residue code is the only doubly-even self-dual (48,24,12) code.     

Switched-Current Filters Revisited: Square-Root Domain Sampled-Data Filters

In this brief, the well-known switched-current (SI) filtering technique is revisited using the concept of the square-root domain (SRD) filtering. It is proved that SI filters are a subclass of the SRD filters, where sampled-data signal processing is performed. This is achieved by considering typical lossless and lossy SRD sampled-data integrator configurations, using a set of complementary SRD operators which are based on the quadratic I-V relationship of MOS transistor operated in the saturation. Circuit examples are given, where linear-domain integrator and third-order filter configurations were derived using appropriate SRD sampled-data building blocks     

Parametric effects on the transient Voltage performance of a DC superconducting cable

The objective of this work was to determine the significant parameters of a 3-GW 200-kV dc superconducting cable system which influence the transient voltage distribution in the various parts of the cable. The cable system consists of four coaxial metallic cylinders. It was found that the dielectric constant and the electrical resistivity of the soil significantly affect the severity of the transient voltages; lower dielectric constant and higher resistivity of the soil will increase the magnitudes of the transient voltages by increasing the earth-return impedance. It was also found that the effect of the conductor internal impedances of the cable is insignificant. Shorting the coaxial cylinders of the cryogen flow and the cryostat will lessen the severity of the transient voltages. Grounding the second, third, and fourth cylinders at regular intervals with low-impedance grounding impedance will also improve the transient performance of the cable. More research is needed to evaluate these procedures.     

Protecting local access telecommunications networks: Toward a minimum-cost solution

The problem of designing fibre-optic networks for local-access telecommunications generates (at least) three non-trivial subproblems. In the first of these subproblems one must determine how many fibre-optic cables (fibres) are required at either end of a street. In the next subproblem a minimum-cost network must be designed to support the fibres. The network must also provide distinct paths from either end of the street to the central exchange(s). Finally, the fibre-optic cables must be placed in protective covers. These covers are available in a number of different sizes, allowing some flexibility when covering each section of the network. In this paper we describe a dynamic programming (DP) formulation for finding a minimum-cost (protective) covering for the network (the third of the subproblems). This problem is a generalised set covering problem with side constraints and is further complicated by the introduction of fixed and variable welding costs. The DP formulation selects covers along each arc (in the network), but cannot exactly model the fixed costs and so does not guarantee optimality. We also describe an integer programming (IP) formulation for assessing the quality of the DP solutions. The cost of the networks constructed by the IP model is less than those designed using the DP model, but the saving is not significant for the problems examined (less than 0.1%). This indicates that the DP model will generally give very good solutions. Furthermore, as the problem dimensions grow, DP gives significantly better solution times than IP.     

Personal telecommunication radiation safety and the precautionary principle

The approach to risk management for RF and microwave radiation has been to establish guidelines for maximum permissible levels of exposure. These guidelines are based on evaluations of the relevant scientific literature and, with safety margins to account for uncertainties and gaps in scientific knowledge, offer a significant level of protection against established hazards of RF and microwave radiation for short-term exposures. One can argue, on this basis, that the precautionary principle - specifically, safety factors -have been used to guide the making and promulgation of existing permissible-exposure standards for RF and microwave radiation. Therefore, discussions on the appropriateness of the precautionary principle for RF radiation may be "much ado about nothing". Clearly, this approach to "pre caution" neither has stifled technological development, nor has it helped to enforce the acceptance of zero risk, but it provided a basis for action when science was unable to give a clear answer.