At least N+1 finite transmission zeros using frequency-variant negative source-load coupling

A second-order cross-coupled combline filter which has three finite transmission zeros is presented. The problem of the frequency-invariant coupling in a real circuit is introduced. To make extra transmission zeros, a top metalized dielectric block is used.     

A transmit MIMO scheme with frequency domain pre-equalization for wireless frequency selective channels

In this paper, we introduce a transmit multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scheme with frequency domain pre-equalization for a multipath or frequency selective channel. In this scheme, MIMO processing in the frequency domain is performed at the transmitter or base station so that the receiver or mobile station only requires limited processing. This scheme provides high data rates and also inherits from the frequency domain equalization the property of relatively low complexity in severe multipath environments. The MIMO transmit processing is derived by minimizing the minimum mean square errors (MMSE), and expressions for the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio and error probability based on the Gaussian approximation of the interference term are provided. Some important associated issues, such as channel errors and computational complexity, are also investigated. Numerical simulations are also provided and these demonstrate the improved performance of our proposed scheme compared to other transmit MIMO schemes. In particular, they show that the proposed system can attain multipath or frequency diversity of the channel.     

Influence of the model for random birefringence on the differential group delay of periodically spun fibers

We consider the two Wai-Menyuk models of birefringence in periodically spun fibers, and we show that the differential group delay differs significantly for the two models when the spin period approaches or exceeds the fiber beat length. When the fiber correlation length is large, we explain this difference quantitatively, and we explain it qualitatively for any fiber correlation length.     

Calculation of imaging errors of AWG

This paper reports on the modeling of arrayed-waveguide gratings (AWGs) by means of Fourier optics where the coupling between the grating waveguides and defocus of the star couplers is taken into account as well. Special interest is drawn to the geometrical modeling of AWGs. The paraxial approximation for the free-space propagation within the star couplers, the exact calculation of the coupling coefficients for the star couplers by an orthonormal basis (ONB) expansion, and the drawbacks due to the nonunitary transfer matrix provided by the Green's functions approach for the coupling between the grating waveguides, as well as possible improvements thereof, are identified as crucial points. An efficient orthonormalization procedure by means of an eigenvector decomposition is presented. A unitary approximation of the transfer matrix, which is in itself approximate but in general not unitary, introduced within the impulse response method, is obtained. The presented simulation technique allows for ab initio simulations, which do not fall back on any experimental input, for the spectral response of AWGs, which are found in good agreement with experimental results.     

RED gateway congestion control using median queue size estimates

This paper focuses on the queue size estimation problem in random early detection (RED) gateways. Queue size estimation plays a fundamental role in the congestion control dynamics of RED, as it determines gateways' awareness of network congestion, which in turn determines the packet dropping/marking decision. Conventional RED gateways use exponentially weighted moving averages (EWMA) to estimate the queue size. These infinite impulse response (IIR) filters require very small EWMA weights in order to effectively avoid nonlinear instabilities in RED and to filter out bursty increases in the queue size. While small EWMA weights enable gateways to accommodate transient congestion, they also lead to gateways' failure to closely track rapid queue size depletion and thus causes link under utilization. We investigate the use of simple nonlinear queue size estimators. In particular, we study the congestion control dynamics of a network where adaptive weighted median filters are used for queue size estimation by the gateways. Analytical results for the expected queue size in the steady state are derived. Under this new queue size estimation framework, design guidelines for the remaining RED parameters are provided. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm provides greater network power, better prevention of global synchronization, and a fairer treatment to bursty traffic than the RED algorithm does.     

The Gilbert-Holland FDTD thin slot model revisited: an alternative expression for the in-cell capacitance

This paper proposes an alternative expression for the in-cell capacitance of a photoelectrical cell (PEC)-mounted slot, which is the conceptual cornerstone of the Gilbert-Holland subcell finite difference time domain (FDTD) model. By treating a slightly modified electrostatic problem, the extraneous charge singularity on the PEC edges touching the cell, which is characteristic of the originally proposed model, is removed. The latter offers better physical grounds for a new expression of the capacitance and the effective permittivity used in the update equations. High resolution standard FDTD simulation results are presented in support of the new expression.     

A fast algorithm and practical considerations for passive macromodeling of measured/simulated data

Passive macromodeling of high-speed package and interconnect modules characterized by measured/simulated data has generated immense interest during the recent years. This paper presents an efficient algorithm for transient simulation of interconnect networks characterized by measured/simulated data in the presence of other linear and nonlinear devices. A new set of linear constraints are proposed, which help in preserving the passivity of resulting macromodels. Examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.     

A biomorphic digital image sensor

An arbitrated address-event imager has been designed and fabricated in a 0.6-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The imager is composed of 80 /spl times/ 60 pixels of 32 /spl times/ 30 /spl mu/m. The value of the light intensity collected by each photosensitive element is inversely proportional to the pixel's interspike time interval. The readout of each spike is initiated by the individual pixel; therefore, the available output bandwidth is allocated according to pixel output demand. This encoding of light intensities favors brighter pixels, equalizes the number of integrated photons across light intensity, and minimizes power consumption. Tests conducted on the imager showed a large output dynamic range of 180 dB (under bright local illumination) for an individual pixel. The array, on the other hand, produced a dynamic range of 120 dB (under uniform bright illumination and when no lower bound was placed on the update rate per pixel). The dynamic range is 48.9 dB value at 30-pixel updates/s. Power consumption is 3.4 mW in uniform indoor light and a mean event rate of 200 kHz, which updates each pixel 41.6 times per second. The imager is capable of updating each pixel 8.3K times per second (under bright local illumination).     

Bias-temperature instabilities of polysilicon gate HfO/sub 2/ MOSFETs

Bias-temperature instabilities (BTI) of HfO/sub 2/ metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) have been systematically studied for the first time. NMOS positive BTI (PBTI) exhibited a more significant V/sub t/ instability than that of PMOS negative BTI (NBTI), and limited the lifetime of HfO/sub 2/ MOSFETs. Although high-temperature forming gas annealing (HT-FGA) improved the interface quality by passivating the interfacial states with hydrogen, BTI behaviors were not strongly affected by the technique. Charge pumping measurements were extensively used to investigate the nature of the BTI degradation, and it was found that V/sub t/ degradation of NMOS PBTI was primarily caused by charge trapping in bulk HfO/sub 2/ rather than interfacial degradation. Deuterium (D/sub 2/) annealing was found to be an excellent technique to improve BTI immunity as well as to enhance the mobility of HfO/sub 2/ MOSFETs.