This paper describes a narrow pass-band optical filter utilizing a wavelength-sensitive power-transfer characteristic in the directional coupler composed of the K-and Ag-ion exchange waveguides which have greatly different dispersion relations caused by the large mismatch in the index profile of the waveguide cross-section. A narrow pass-band width of about 7 nm is measured in the filter fabricated in the soda-lime glass substrate. The fabrication technique with two-step ion-exchange of the K-and Ag-ions, is also presented together with a quick design method.

Process-related variation of optimal noise figures (Fo) in pulse-doped GaAs MESFET's is discussed in this paper. Fluctuation in gate length of the proposed devices is shown to be a dominant source of variation in noise parameters. The statistical distribution of the optimal noise figure is modeled by using the gaussian approximation of the distribution in gate length; the probability density function of Fo is derived. A comparison between the calculated results by the derived probability density function and the measured distribution of Fo showed good agreement.

A method is presented for detecting impulsive noises in chaotic time series, based on a new nonlinear prediction algorithm. A multi-dimensional trajectory is reconstructed from a time series using delay coordinates. The future value of a point on the trajectory is predicted using a local approximation technique revised by adding the Biweight estimation method and then the prediction error is calculated. Impulsive noises are detected by examining the prediction errors for all points on the trajectory. The proposed method is applied to the time series of the pupil area and the refractive power of the lens in the human eye. The Lyapunov exponent analysis for thses time series is conducted. As a result, it is shown that the proposed method is effective in detecting impulsive noises caused by blinking in these time series.

Various applications of cellular neural network (CNN) are reported such as a feature extraction of the patterns, an extraction of the edges or corners of a figure, noise exclusion, searching in maze and so forth. In this paper, we propose a cellular neural network whose each cell has more than two output levels. By using the output function which has several saturated levels, each cell turns to have several output states. The multiple-valued CNN enhances its associative memory function so as to express various kinds of aspects. We report an application of the enhanced asscociative memory function to a diagnosis of the liver troubles.

In this paper, we discuss problems in design and fault masking of multiple-valued cellular arrays where basic cells having simple switch functions are arranged iteratively. The stuck-at faults of switch cells are assumed to be fault models. First, we introduce a universal single-level array and derive the ratio of the number of single faults whose influence can be masked to the total number of single faults. Next, we propose a universal two-level array that outputs correct values even if single faults occur in it and derive the ratio of the number of double faults whose influence can be masked compared to the total number of double faults. By evaluating the universal single-level array and the universal two-level array from the viewpoints of design and fault masking, we show that the latter is superior to the former. Finally, we compare our universal two-level array with formerly presented arrays in order to demonstrate the advantages of our universal two-level array.

In order to apply formal design verification, it is necessary to describe formally and correctly the specification of the circuit under verification. Especially when we apply conventional OBDD-based logic comparison method for verifying combinational circuits, another correct" logic circuits or Boolean formulae must be given as the specification. It is desired to develop an efficient automatic design verification method which interprets specification that can be described easier. This paper provides a new verification method which is useful for combinational circuits such as arithmetic circuits. The proposed method efficiently verifies whether a designed circuit satisfies a specification given by recurrence equations. This enables us to describe easily an error-free specification for arithmetic circuits. To perform verification efficiently using an ordinary OBDD package, an efficient truth-value rotation algorithm is developed. The truthvalue rotation algorithm efficiently generates an OBDD representing f(x + 1 (mod 2n)) from a given OBDD representing f(x). By experiments on SPARC station 10 model 51, it takes 180 secs to generate an OBDD for designed circuit of 23-bit square function, and additional 60 secs is sufficient to finish verifying that it satisfies the specification given by recurrence equations.

This paper introduces signal-controlled time-series modeling based on arbitrarily chosen buliding blocks. Such modeling is used in the design of a nested-form transver-sal structure based on Almost-Symmetrical ARMA (AS-ARMA) building blocks. This structure can operate in the transient mode, in contrast to the commonly used linear line-enhancers based on an conventional ARMA, leading to practically sound processing of short-duration signals. It is shown that the proposed time-series modeling can be effectively applied towards the separation of superimposed signals of heavily overlapping spectra.

In forthcoming multimedia environments, continuous-media data, such as video and audio data, will be used by a variety of multimedia applications. Multimedia applications require efficient and flexible support from real-time operating systems. This is because the changes in system and network loads require dynamic management of real-time thread behavior. If threads are implemented at the user level, operations on threads can be processed at the user level, and the efficient management of threads becomes possible by avoiding kernel interventions. Thus, we can provide an effective platform for multimedia applications. The goal of our work is to realize high-performance user-level real-time threads which satisfy the above requirements of multimedia systems. In this paper we describe the design and implementation of a user-level real-time threads package, called RTC-Threads, which is being developed on the RT-Mach microkernel. The results of performance evaluations show that our user-level real-time threads outperform real-time kernel-provided threads, which are implemented in the microkernel, in terms of efficiency and accuracy.

In this article, a new analogic CNN algorithm to extract features of postage stamps in gray-scale images Is introduced. The Gradient Controlled Diffusion method plays an important role in the approach. In our algorithm, it is used for smoothing and separating Arabic figures drawn with a color which is similar to the background color. We extract Arabic figures in postage stamps by combining Gradient Controlled Diffusion with nearest neighbor linear CNN template and logic operations. Applying the feature extraction algorithm to different test images it has been verified that it is also effective in complex segmentation problems

This paper presents a new timing-driven global routing method for standard cell layout. The proposed method can explicitly consider the timing constraint between two registers and minimize the channel density under the given timing constraint. In the proposed method, first, we determine the initial global routes. Next, we improve the global routes to satisfy the timing constraint between two registers as well as to minimize the channel density. Finally, for each cell row, the nets incident to terminals on the cell row are assigned to channels to minimize the channel density using 0-1 integer linear programming. We also show the experimental results of the proposed method implemented on an engineering workstation. Experimental results show that the proposed method is quite promising.

A mathematical model based on an optimization formulation is presented for perceptual clustering of dot patterns. The features in the present model are its nonlinearity enabling the model to reveal hysteresis phenomena and its scale invariance. The clustering of dots is given by the mutual linking of dots by virtual lines. Every dot is assumed to be perceived at locations displaced from their original places. It is exemplified with simulations that the model can produce a hierarchical clustering of dots by variation in thresholds for the wiring of virtual lines and also the model can additionally reproduce some geometrical illusions semiquantitatively. This model is further extended for perceptual grouping in line segment patterns and geometrical illusions obsrved in those patterns are reproduced by the extended model.

This paper deals with the scattering of a plane wave from a two-dimensional random thin film. For a Gaussian random disorder, a first order solution is derived explicitly by a probabilistic method. It is then found that ripples appear in angular distributions of the incoherent scattering. Furthermore, the incoherent scattering is enhanced in the directions of backscattering and specular reflection. Physical processes that yield such an enhanced scattering are discussed. Numerical examples of the coherent and incoherent scattering are illustrated in figures.

Chaos shift keying (CSK) is a modulation method in digital communication systems using chaotically modulated signals. This paper proposes novel CSK which utilizes two types of chaotic synchronization called in-phase and anti-phase chaotic synchronization. In this method, binary signals are mapped into two phases of chaotic synchronization, and a transmitter generates a two-phase-shift-keyed chaotic signal. So it will be called chaotic phase shift keying (CPSK) in this paper. This method is simpler than that based on two pairs of different chaotic systems. We also discuss an effect of noise in transmission lines.

We propose a theory of general frame multiresolution analysis (GFMRA) which generalizes both the theory of multiresolution analysis based on an affine orthonormal basis and the theory of frame multiresolution analysis based on an affine frame to a general frame. We also discuss the problem of perfectly representing a function by using a wavelet frame which is not limited to being of affine type. We call it a "generalized affine wavelet frame." We then characterize the GFMRA and provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a generalized affine wavelet frame.

Bifurcation Phenomena observed in a circuit containing two Josephson junctions coupled by a resistor are investigated. This circuit model has a mechanical analogue: Two damped pendula linked by a clutch exchanging kinetic energy of each pendulum. In this paper, firstly we study equilibria of the system. Bifurcations and topological properties of the equilibria are clarified. Secondly we analyze periodic solutions in the system by using suitable Poincare mapping and obtain a bifurcation diagram. There are two types of limit cycles distinguished by whether the motion is in S1R3 or T2R2, since at most two cyclic coordinates are included in the state space. There ia a typical structure of tangent bifurcation for 2-periodic solutions with a cusp point. We found chaotic orbits via the period-doubling cascade, and a long-period stepwise orbit.

In this paper, scattering problem of the grating coupler is analyzed by the mode-matching method in the sense of least squares for the gaussian light beam incidence. This coupler has a periodic groove structure of finite extent, which is formed on the surface of the core layer of the symmetric thin-film waveguide. In the present method, the approximate scattered fields of each region of the grating coupler are described by the superpositions of the plane waves with band-limited spectra, respectively. These approximate wave functions are determined by the minimization of the mean-square boundary residual. This method results in the simultaneous Fredholm type integral equations of the second kind for these spectra. The first and second order approximate solutions of the integral equations are derived analytically and the coupling efficiency and scattered fields are analyzed on the basis of those solutions. A qualitative and physical consideration for the scattering problem of the grating coupler is presented with the fundamental data derived from approximate solutions in this paper.

In the present communication we propose the application of unsupervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to solve general ill-posed problems and particularly we apply them to the the estimation of the direction of arrival (DOA) of VLF/ELF radio waves. We use the wave distribution method which consists in the reconstruction of the energy distribution of magnetospheric VLF/ELF waves at the ionospheric base from observations of the wave's electromagnetic field on the ground. The present application is similar to a number of computerized tomography and image enhancement problems and the proposed algorithm can be straightforwardly extended to other applications in which observations are linearly related to unknowns. Then, we have proven the applicability and also we indicate the superiority of the ANN to the conventional methods to handle this kind of problems.

This study clarifies the effects of network complexity and network map transformation on the ability of network managers to use graphic network displays. Maps of Japan and the United States with outlines of their respective prefectures or states were displayed on a CRT. Each map displayed a fictitious network of nodes and their interconnections. These networks were two-level hierarchical and non-meshed, meaning that each low-level node was connected to a single high-level node, but not all high-level nodes were linked together. The subjects, task was to identify a path between two low-level nodes. In each trial, two low-level nodes were highlighted, and the subject attempted to find the shortest path between these nodes. This was done by using a mouse to select intermediate nodes. Completing a path required a minimum of 4 node traversals. Three variables were manipulated. First, the number of nodes was defined as the total number of low-level nodes in a network (70, 150, or 200). The second variable was the level of transformation. Very densely populated areas of the maps were systematically transformed to reduce congestion. There were three levels of transformation. The final variable was the country map used, that is, the map of Japan and the map of the United States. Several behavioral measures were used. The most informativ. appeared to be the time required to complete a path (the response time), and how often subjects returned to previous portions of a path (back-ups). For both of these measures, the data pattern was essentially the same. Increasing the number of nodes hurts performance. This was particularly pronounced when the map of Japan was tested. However, as the level of transformation increased, this effect was substantially reduced or completely eliminated. The results are discussed in terms of engineering rules and guidelines for designing graphical network representations.

An efficient algorithm is proposed for finding all solutions of piecewise-linear resistive circuits The algorithm is based on the idea of "contraction" of the solution domain using a sign test. The proposed algorithm is efficient because many large super-regions containing no solution are eliminated in early steps.

In order to improve the sensitivity of micromachined sensors applied with electrostatic fields and increase their actuated force of electrostatic micromachined actuators, "electrets," which are dielectrics carrying non equilibrium permanent space charges of polarization distribution, are very important. In this paper, positively corona charged silicon dioxide electrets, which are deposited by Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD) and thermally oxidized, are investigated. Physical studies will be described, in which the charge stability is correlated to Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) measurements and to Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) analysis. Some intrinsic differences have been observed between materials. The electrets with superior long-term charge stability contain 10,000 times as much E' center (Si3 as the ones with inferior long-term charge stability. Finally, some investigations on the long-term charge storage mechanism of the positively charged silicon dioxide electret will be described.