Information on false paths in a circuit is useful for design and testing. The use of this information may contribute not only to reducing circuit area, the time required for logic synthesis, test generation and test application of the circuit, but also to alleviating over-testing. Since identification of the false paths at gate level is hard, several methods using high-level design information have been proposed. These methods are effective only if the correspondence between paths at register transfer level (RTL) and at gate level can be established. Until now, giving restriction on logic synthesis is the only way to establish the correspondence. However, it is not practical for industrial designs. In this paper, we propose a method for mapping RTL false paths to their corresponding gate level paths without such a specific logic synthesis; it guarantees that the corresponding gate level paths are false. Experimental results show that our path mapping method can establish the correspondences of RTL false paths and many gate level false paths.

A high directivity microstrip coupler suppressing leak coupling with a cancellation circuit of a Wilkinson divider is presented. The presented coupler utilizes a cancellation circuit between a coupling port and an isolation port of the conventional microstrip coupler to enhance the isolation. The cancellation circuit consists of the Wilkinson divider, the multistage attenuator, and the phase offset line. The frequency to enhance the isolation is controlled by the attenuators. As the directivity is improved without the modification of the conventional coupler, the cancellation circuit can be applied to the fabricated conventional couplers. The measured directivity of the presented 1/18 λ coupler is improved from 4.8 dB to 43.0 dB at 2.6 GHz, compared with the conventional 1/4 λ coupler with -20 dB coupling. Simultaneously, the 27.4% relative bandwidth with the 20 dB directivity is achieved.

In this paper, a novel CMA (constant modulus algorithm) algorithm employing fast convolution in the DFT (discrete Fourier transform) domain is proposed. We propose a non-linear adaptation algorithm that minimizes CMA cost function in the DFT domain. The proposed algorithm is completely new one as compared to the recently introduced similar DFT domain CMA algorithm in that, the original CMA cost function has not been changed to develop DFT domain algorithm, resulting improved convergence properties. Using the proposed approach, we can reduce the number of multiplications to O(Nlog2 N), whereas the conventional CMA has the computation order of O(N2). Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm provides a comparable performance to the conventional CMA.

This research addresses a high-speed computation method for the Kleene star of the weighted adjacency matrix in a max-plus algebraic system. We focus on systems whose precedence constraints are represented by a directed acyclic graph and implement it on a Cell Broadband EngineTM (CBE) processor. Since the resulting matrix gives the longest travel times between two adjacent nodes, it is often utilized in scheduling problem solvers for a class of discrete event systems. This research, in particular, attempts to achieve a speedup by using two approaches: parallelization and SIMDization (Single Instruction, Multiple Data), both of which can be accomplished by a CBE processor. The former refers to a parallel computation using multiple cores, while the latter is a method whereby multiple elements are computed by a single instruction. Using the implementation on a Sony PlayStation 3TM equipped with a CBE processor, we found that the SIMDization is effective regardless of the system's size and the number of processor cores used. We also found that the scalability of using multiple cores is remarkable especially for systems with a large number of nodes. In a numerical experiment where the number of nodes is 2000, we achieved a speedup of 20 times compared with the method without the above techniques.

10G-EPON systems have attracted a great deal of attention as a way of exceeding to realize over 10 Gb/s for optical subscriber networking. Rapid burst-mode transmitting/receiving techniques are the key technologies enabling the burst-mode upstream transmission of 10G-EPON systems. In this paper, we have developed a OLT burst-mode 3R receiver incorporating a burst-mode AGC optical receiver and an 82.5 GS/s over-sampling burst-mode CDR and a ONU burst-mode transmitter with high launch power DFB-LD of 1.27 µm wavelength to fully compliant with IEEE802.3av 10G-EPON PR30 standards. The transmitting characteristics of a fast LD turn-on/off time of less than 6ns and a high launch power of more than +8.0 dBm, and the receiving characteristics of receiver sensitivity of -30.1 dBm and the upstream power budget of 38.1 dB are successfully achieved.

H.264/AVC encoder employs rate control to adaptively adjust quantization parameter (QP) to enable coded video to be transmitted over a constant bit-rate (CBR) channel. In this topic, bit allocation is crucial since it is directly related with actual bit generation and the coding quality. Meanwhile, the rate-distortion-optimization (RDO) based mode-decision technique also affects performance a lot for the strong relation among mode, bits, and quality. This paper presents a multi-stage rate control scheme for R-D optimized H.264/AVC encoders under CBR video transmission. To enhance the precision of the complexity estimation and bit allocation, a frequency-domain parameter named mean-absolute-transform-difference (MATD) is adopted to represent frame and macroblock (MB) residual complexity. Second, the MATD ratio is utilized to enhance the accuracy of frame layer bit prediction. Then, by considering the bit usage status of whole sequence, a measurement combining forward and backward bit analysis is proposed to adjust the Lagrange multiplier λMODE on frame layer to optimize the mode decision for all MBs within the current frame. On the next stage, bits are allocated on MB layer by proposed remaining complexity analysis. Computed QP is further adjusted according to predicted MB texture bits. Simulation results show the PSNR improvement is up to 1.13 dB by using our algorithm, and the stress of output buffer control is also largely released compared with the recommended rate control in H.264/AVC reference software JM13.2.

The quantity and state of fishery resources must be known so that they can be sustained. The fish culture industry is also planning to investigate resources. The results of investigations are used to estimate the catch size, times fish are caught, and future stocks. We have developed a method for extracting scallop areas from gravel seabed images to assess fish resources and also developed an automatic system that measures their quantities, sizes, and states. Japanese scallop farms for fisheries are found on gravel and sand seabeds. The seabed images are used for fishery investigations, which are absolutely necessary to visually estimate, and help us avoid using the acoustic survey. However, there is no automatic technology to measure the quantities, sizes, and states of resources, and so the current investigation technique is the manual measurement by experts. There are varied problems in automating technique. The photography environments have a high degree of noise, including large differences in lighting. Gravel, sand, clay, and debris are also included in the images. In the gravel field, we can see scallop features, such as colors, striped patterns, and fan-like shapes. This paper describes the features of our image extracting method, presents the results, and evaluates its effectiveness.

We investigate connected proper interval graphs without vertex labels. We first give the number of connected proper interval graphs of n vertices. Using this result, a simple algorithm that generates a connected proper interval graph uniformly at random up to isomorphism is presented. Finally an enumeration algorithm of connected proper interval graphs is proposed. The algorithm is based on reverse search, and it outputs each connected proper interval graph in (O)1 time.

Passive optical network topology has been widely adopted in access networks due to its low-cost and yet flexible network structure. To further promote the passive optical networks, the cost reduction of optical modules is critical. Relatively expensive combination of a conventional index-coupled distributed feedback laser diode (IC-DFB-LD) and an optical isolator is commonly used for passive optical networks with transmission distance more than 30 km. Although gain-coupled DFB-LDs (GC-DFB-LD) have been widely investigated in the hope of eliminating the isolator in optical modules, their limited output power keeps them from practical use in passive optical networks. In this paper, we describe the development of 1.31 µm and 1.49 µm GC-DFB-LDs with high output power and optical feed back tolerance for isolator-free optical modules in access networks. The relative intensity noise (RIN) degradation was well suppressed below -120 dB/Hz at -8 dB optical feedback in the temperatures range from 0 to 85 from both 1.31 µm and 1.49 µm GC-DFB-LDs. Optical feedback tolerance of 1.31 µm and 1.49 µm GC-DFB-LDs were improved by more than 6 dB and 4 dB as compared with conventional IC-DFB-LDs. Dispersion power penalty after over 30 km transmission at 1.25 Gbps were achieved less than 0.3 dB and 0.7 dB under -15 dB optical feedback conditions. The proposed 1.31 µm GC-DFB-LD prototypes experimentally demonstrated 14 mW output power with over 5,000-hour operation at 85. Our devices are found to fully complying IEEE 802.3ah standard and seem to be promising for the low-cost optical modules in long-reach access network applications. The details of the device structure as well as transmission experiments are also reported.

Multi-cell resource allocation under minimum rate request for each user in OFDMA networks is addressed in this paper. Based on Lagrange dual decomposition theory, the joint multi-cell resource allocation problem is decomposed and modeled as a limited-cooperative game, and a distributed multi-cell resource allocation algorithm is thus proposed. Analysis and simulation results show that, compared with non-cooperative iterative water-filling algorithm, the proposed algorithm can remarkably reduce the ICI level and improve overall system performances.

Broadband optical access services are spreading throughout the world, and the number of fiber to the home (FTTH) subscribers is increasing rapidly. Telecom operators are constructing passive optical networks (PONs) to provide optical access services. Externally installed optical splitters for PONs are very important passive devices in optical access networks, and they must provide satisfactory performance as outdoor plant over long periods. Therefore, we calculate the failure rate of optical access networks and assign a failure rate to the optical splitters in optical access networks. The maximum cumulative failure rate of 18 optical splitters was calculated as 0.025 for an optical access fiber length of 2.1 km and a 20-year operating lifetime. We examined planar lightwave circuit (PLC) type optical splitters for use as outside plant in terms of their optical characteristics and environmental reliability. We confirmed that PLC type optical splitters have sufficient optical performance for a PON splitter and sufficient reliability as outside plant in accordance with ITU-T standard values. We estimated the lifetimes of three kinds of PLC type optical splitters by using accelerated aging tests. The estimated failure rate of these splitters installed in optical access networks was below the target value for the cumulative failure rate, and we confirmed that they have sufficient reliability to maintain the quality of the network service. We developed 18 optical splitter modules with plug and socket type optical connectors and optical fiber cords for optical aerial closures designed for use as outside plant. These technologies make it easy to install optical splitters in an aerial optical closure. The optical splitter modules have sufficient optical performance levels for PONs because the insertion loss at the commercially used wavelengths of 1.31 and 1.55 µm is less than the criterion established by ITU-T Recommendation G.671 for optical splitters. We performed a temperature cycling test, and a low temperature storage and damp heat test to confirm the long-term reliability of these modules. They exhibited sufficient reliability as regards heat and moisture because the maximum loss change was less than 0.3 dB.

We detail a self synchronous field programmable gate array (SSFPGA) with dual-pipeline (DP) architecture to conceal pre-charge time for dynamic logic, and its throughput optimization by using pipeline alignment implemented on benchmark circuits. A self synchronous LUT (SSLUT) consists of a three input tree-type structure with 8 bits of SRAM for programming. A self synchronous switch box (SSSB) consists of both pass transistors and buffers to route signals, with 12 bits of SRAM. One common block with one SSLUT and one SSSB occupies 2.2 Mλ2 area with 35 bits of SRAM, and the prototype SSFPGA with 3430 (1020) blocks is designed and fabricated using 65 nm CMOS. Measured results show at 1.2 V 430 MHz and 647 MHz operation for a 3 bit ripple carry adder, without and with throughput optimization, respectively. We find that using the proposed pipeline alignment techniques we can perform at maximum throughput of 647 MHz in various benchmarks on the SSFPGA. We demonstrate up to 56.1 times throughput improvement with our pipeline alignment techniques. The pipeline alignment is carried out within the number of logic elements in the array and pipeline buffers in the switching matrix.

Newly developed multi-layer inductors on GaAs three-dimensional MMICs are presented. We analyzed single-, double-, triple-, and quadruple-layer stacked-type inductors in what may be the first report on inductors on a GaAs MMIC with three or more layers. The performance of single- and multi-layer inductors was measured and calculated by electromagnetic field simulation. The multi-layer inductors produce 2-11 times higher inductance than that of conventional inductors on 2D-MMICs although they are the same size. This means that the proposed multi-layer inductors have smaller areas with the same inductances than those of conventional inductors. We also conducted the first-ever investigation of how performance factors such as parasitic capacitance, Q-factor, and self-resonant frequency are degraded in multi-layer inductors vis-a-vis those of conventional inductors. A microwave amplifier using multi-layer inductors was demonstrated and found to reduce circuit size by 20%.

This letter addresses the edge effect on a windowed discrete Fourier transform (WDFT)-based channel estimator for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems with virtual carriers in non-sample spaced channels and derives a sufficient condition to reduce the edge effect. Moreover, a modified WDFT-based channel estimator with multi-step linear prediction as an edge effect reduction technique is proposed. Simulation results show that it offers around 5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain over the conventional WDFT-based channel estimator at bit error rate (BER) of 10-3.

Micro-gap electrostatic discharge (ESD) events due to a human with charge voltages below 1000 V cause serious malfunctions in high-tech information devices. For clarifying such a mechanism, it is indispensable to grasp the spark process of such micro-gap ESDs. For this purpose, two types of spark-resistance laws proposed by Rompe-Weizel and Toepler have often been used, which were derived from the hypotheses that spark conductivity be proportional to the internal energies and charges injected into a spark channel, respectively. However, their validity has not well been verified. To examine which spark-resistance formula could be applied for micro-gap ESDs, with a 12-GHz digital oscilloscope, we previously measured the discharge currents through the hand-held metal piece from a charged human with respect to charged voltages of 200 V and 2000 V, and thereby derived the conductance of a spark gap to reveal that both of their hypotheses are roughly valid in the initial stage of sparks. In this study, to further verify the above spark hypotheses, we derived the discharge voltages in closed forms across a spark gap based on the above spark-resistance formulae, and investigated which spark-resistance formula could be applied for micro-gap ESDs in comparison of spark gaps estimated from the measured discharge currents. As a result, we found that Rompe-Weizel's formula could well explain spark properties for micro-gap ESDs than Toepler's one regardless of charge voltages and approach speeds.

Beam steering of leaky wave radiation from a nonreciprocal composite right/left handed transmission line with a ferrite substrate is proposed. The nonreciprocal phase constants of the line were tuned by changing the applied DC magnetic field normal to the ferrite substrate. In the numerical simulation and the experiment, the nonreciprocal phase characteristics and leaky wave radiation are investigated for the ferrite substrate with the magnetization not only in the saturated region, but also in the unsaturated region. The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the measurement. It is confirmed that the beam directions of the obliquely unidirectional leaky wave radiation for two different power directions are continuously tunable.

Multilayered volumetric composite right/left handed metamaterial structures are investigated. The present structure is composed of conducting mesh plates and dielectric layers including dielectric resonators. The 2-D composite right/left handed metamaterial structure is designed for the in-plane propagation. Propagation mode analysis was made for the volumetric structure under the periodic boundary condition along the normal to the layers as well as for finite number of layered type for comparison. The negative-refractive-index planar lenses were designed and fabricated for the demonstration. It is found from the numerical simulation that the beam focusing through the planar lens with large number of layers is clearly confirmed in both magnitude and phase distribution of the fields. On the other hand, for small number of layers, the beam spot is not found in the magnitude distribution due to the effect of discontinuities between air and designed structure at the top and bottom surfaces, but is still found in the phase distribution. The effect of number of stacked layers on the propagation characteristics is discussed by comparing the numerical simulation results with the measurement.

A novel broad-band ring-slot array antenna for simultaneous use of orthogonal polarizations is presented in this paper. In this antenna, the broad-band performance is obtained by integrating a 22 ring-slot array antenna and a broad-band π/2 hybrid circuit. The simultaneous use of the right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and the left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) is achieved using orthogonal feed circuits on three layers. The both-sided MIC technology is effectively employed in forming this type of slot array antenna. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna has good circular polarization characteristics for both the LHCP and the RHCP. The measured impedance-bandwidth of return loss better than -10 dB are about 47% both for the LHCP and the RHCP. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidths are 25% (RHCP) and 29% (LHCP). The isolation between the two input ports is better than -35 dB at center frequency of 7.5 GHz.

Generalized selection combining (GSC) was recently proposed as a low-complexity diversity combining technique for diversity-rich environments. This letter proposes a multi-hop Decode-and-Forward Relaying (MDFR) scheme in conjunction with GSC and describes its performance in terms of average bit error probability. We have shown that the proposed protocol offers a remarkable diversity advantage over direct transmission as well as the conventional decode-and-forward relaying (CDFR) scheme. Simulation results are also given to verify the analytical results.

A post-wall center-feed waveguide consisting of T-junctions is proposed for reducing the slot-free area of a parallel plate slot array antenna. The width of the slot-free area is reduced from 2.6 λ0 to 2.1 λ0. A sidelobe level in the E-plane is expected to be suppressed lower than that of the conventional center-feed antenna using cross-junctions. The method of moments with solid-wall replacement designs initially the T-junctions and HFSS including the post surfaces modifies only the reflection cancelling post. We have designed and fabricated a 61.25 GHz model antenna with uniform aperture illumination. The sidelobe level in the E-plane is suppressed to -9.5 dB while that of a conventional cross-junction type is -7.8 dB. Also, we suppress it to -13.8 dB by introducing a -8.3 dB amplitude tapered distribution in the array of the radiation slot pairs.