This paper focuses on flow control in high-speed and large-scale networks. Each node in the network handles its local traffic flow only on the basis of the information it knows. It is preferable, however, that the decision making of each node leads to high performance of the whole network. To this end, the relationship between local decision making and global performance of flow control is the essential object. We propose phenomenological models of flow control of high-speed and large-scale networks, and investigate the stability of these models.

In this paper, we will present a study of the time-dependence effect in alumite perpendicular media at different thicknesses. Important parameters of the time-dependence effect such as magnetic viscosity and activation volume are investigated. Viscosity as a function of applied field (viscosity curve) exhibits a short plateau at a low field and then decreases monotonously with increasing field. After correcting for the demagnetizing field, the shape of the intrinsic viscosity curves changes to the well-known shape of the viscosity curve of in-plane media, i. e. , they have a peak near Hc. The intrinsic viscosity curves obtained from the experiments were fitted to an analytical model by Chantrell et al., from which, we found that the effective switching volumes obtained by fitting are much smaller than the column volumes, indicating that the reversal mechanism is incoherent.

Measurements of delay spread were performed at microwave frequencies of 3.35, 8.45 and 15.75 GHz along quasi line-of-sight streets in metropolitan Tokyo. It is found that the delay spreads increase with the measurement distance and reach around 600 ns up to 1 km. It is also confirmed that a cumulative probability of the delay spreads follows a log-normal distribution. The gradients of delay spreads against the distance are greater for a lower mobile antenna height hm = 1.6 m than for hm = 2.7 m in these measurements because of blocking effect by the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians on the road. When the mobile antenna height is 2.7 m, the delay spreads within the range before the break points are observed relatively small: 90 ns (3.35 GHz), 140 ns (8.45 GHz) and 150 ns (15.75 GHz) at the cumulative probability of 90%. The gradients of delay spreads against the distance are greater for wider streets in our measurements.

In this paper, we show two process allocation schemes to tolerate multiple faults when the primary-backup replication method is used. The first scheme, called multiple backup scheme, is running multiple backup processes for each process to tolerate multiple faults. The second scheme, called regenerative backup scheme, is running only one backup process for each process, but re-generates backup processes for processes that do not have a backup process after a fault occurrence to keep the primary-backup process pair available. In both schemes, we propose heuristic process allocation methods for balancing loads in spite of the occurrence of faults. Then we evaluate and compare the performance of the proposed heuristic process allocation methods using simulation. Next, we analyze the reliability of two schemes based on their fault-tolerance capability. For the analysis of fault-tolerance capability, we find the degree of fault tolerance for each scheme. Then we find the reliability of each scheme using Markov chains. The comparison results of two schemes indicate that the regenerative single backup process allocation scheme is more suitable than the multiple backup allocation scheme.

An efficient procedure is presented to determine the implicit exact solution of an arbitrary nonuniform transmission line (NTL), and its first order approximation (F. O. A. ) as an explicit expression. The method of the solution is based on the steplines approximation of the nonuniform transmission lines and quasi-TEM assumptions. Using steplines approximation the NTL is subdivided into a large number of uniform line segments (steps). Using time-domain approach and invoking the boundary conditions at the discontinuities of the adjacent steps, each step is modeled as continuous time domain linear filter characterized by a transfer function. The frequency domain transfer function of this filter is then obtained for linear termination networks. For very large number of steplines this transfer function approaches transfer function of the NTL. In the next step a F. O. A. , as an explicit expression of the exact response will be obtained. This F. O. A. is more suitable for very short transmission lines which is often the case in integrated circuits and some of printed circuit boards. Then, the F. O. A. of the ABCD matrix will be obtained.

This paper proposes a short delay, error-resilient video transmission scheme for mobile radio channels. Compressed video data are sensitive to channel error. Video coding schemes such as H. 263 use variable length coding so channel error can cause synchronization failure in the decoder and fatally degrade the reconstructed video sequence by triggering intra- and inter-frame error propagation. ARQ prevents all forms of error propagation but significantly increases the transmission delay of the video frame. We propose a new error control scheme to reduces the delay incurred by ARQ; the receiving buffer can transmits the video frame data to the video decoder even if not all ARQ frames containing the video frame are received. The encoder transmits additional information, the Macro Block (MB) size, in the video frame header. Upon receiving this information, the receiving buffer can determine MB length which allows MB de-synchronization to be prevented. For example, if an ARQ frame is lost, the decoder determines the position of the missing MB and replace this MB with the equivalent block in the previous video frame; this prevents intra-frame error propagation. When all ARQ frames are received and decoded correctly, the video frame in the reference video memory is replaced with the correctly decoded one. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can minimize the delay and the reduction in frame rate caused by retransmission control without intra- and inter-error propagation.

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals suffer nonlinear distortion within the transmitter, in the high-power amplifiers in particular. This paper proposes a nonlinear distortion compensation technique for OFDM signals, which incorporates a baseband predistortion with a constant peak-power OFDM (CP-OFDM). CP-OFDM fixes the envelope-peak amplitude to a constant value while maintaining the linearity of the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) outputs; consequently, the baseband predistorter entirely compensates the nonlinear distortion. Simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed technique significantly reduces out-of-band power emission and adjacent channel interference (ACI) more than 10 dB respectively.

In this paper, we describe an implementation of analog neural network system with on-line learning capability. A learning rule using the simultaneous perturbation is adopted. Compared with usage of the ordinary back-propagation method, we can easily implement the simultaneous perturbation learning rule. The neural system can monitor weight values and an error value. The exclusive OR problem and a simple function problem are shown.

In this paper, the Linear Exponential Quadratic Gaussian with Loop Transfer Recovery (LEQG/LTR) methodology is employed for the design of high performance induction motor servo systems. In addition, we design a speed sensorless induction motor vector controlled driver with both the extended Kalman filter and the LEQG/LTR algorithm. The experimental realization of an induction servo system is given. Compared with the traditional PI and LQG/LTR methods, it can be seen that the system output sensitivity for parameter variations and the rising time for larger command input of the proposed method can be significantly reduced.

A standard of Advanced Storage Magneto Optical (AS-MO) having a 6 Gbyte capacity in a 120 mm-diameter single side disk was established by using a magnetically induced superresolution readout method. Transition from in-plane to perpendicular magnetization for exchange-coupled readout layer (GdFeCo) and in-plane magnetization mask layer (GdFe) of the AS-MO disk has been investigated using the noncontinuous model. The readout resolution was sensitive to the thickness of the readout layer. To evaluate readout characteristics of AS-MO disks, the simulation using micro magnetics model was performed and the readout layers were designed. The readout characteristics of the AS-MO disk is improved by making the readout layer thinner.

An integrated slider-suspension system was designed and prototyped. The structure of this system has a full flying air-bearing surface in the leading part with a contamination-resistant feature, and it accommodates a slider with a 5-15 nm head-disk spacing at the trailing part. Performance analysis and simulation were conducted to validate the high performances of the design. Two key issues, the rigid motions (vibrations) and the elastic motions of the slider, were investigated systematically. For the rigid motions, it was found that the natural frequencies of the slider system are dependent on the disk contact stiffness and that the slider vibrations under excitation exhibit various nonlinear resonance. For the elastic motions, the average elastic response of the slider body under the random interaction of the interface was derived and characterized.

A method of evaluating the gas viscous friction force acting on head/disk interface has been developed. In the past, the effect of the gas viscous friction force has been almost negligible, due to its small value compared with the contact friction force. Recently the gas viscous friction force has tended to increase with the decrease in spacing and the increase in relative speed between the slider and the disk, therefore it is becoming necessary to consider its effect on motor load or slider posture. Few experimental studies of the gas viscous friction force, however, have been performed. In this study, the measurement of the gas viscous friction force has been realized by developing a sensitive friction force sensor. Furthermore a method of evaluating the gas viscous and contact friction forces separately has been also established.

The effect of surface roughness is crucial for contact recording and proximity recording. In this paper a probability model is developed for investigation of the influence of surface roughness on flying performance and the contact force of the slider. Simulations are conducted for both the contact recording slider and the proximity recording slider, and the results are well coordinated with the reported experimental results and the self-conducted experimental results. Studies are further extended to the characterization of the roughness of the air bearing surface and the disk surface that may support head/disk spacing between 5 nm and 15 nm.

A head-disk spacing tester that includes the effect of lubricant will be necessary if the slider-disk interaction is to be considered. The interaction and interaction induced spacing variation can be quantitatively characterized by optical method and by replacing the functional disk media with a glass disk covered with a carbon layer and a lubricant layer of the same materials and the same layer thickness as the functional disk media. This paper reports a tester configuration based on that concept. Experimental investigations into the nanometer spaced head-disk interface with such a setup are presented also. Results indicate that the lubricant plays an important role in slider-disk interaction and the vibration of the slider-disk interface. Two types of interface vibration were noticed: contact vibration and bouncing vibration. For the bouncing case, the natural frequency of air-bearing and its fold frequencies will be excited and air-bearing plays more important role in the determination of the slider vibration, comparing with the contact-vibration case.

Both frequency- and time-domain analyses of glide signals from a PZT glide-slider flying over a laser zone-textured (LZT) thin film disk medium were used to determine the slider vibration at a small disk-slider clearance. Slider vibration was found to be particularly dependent on the uniformly placed laser bump and the effects due to the air-bearing stiffness over the LZT medium. We found that a high density of small, pointed laser bumps (10X) has a more distinct impact on airflow than large, jagged-rim craterlike laser bumps (1X) on the slider. We therefore investigated the effect of laser bump density on the slider vibration, and found that marginally higher laser bump density (3X versus 2X) results in higher slider vibration. While resonant vibration has been a major glide problem, the effects of laser bump density have also recently become important in the face of ultralow glide height, 0.5 µ" (12 nm). Its influence can be clearly observed when the disk-slider clearance becomes very small. At such an ultrasmall disk-slider clearance, even minimal slider vibration can be detrimental to the head-disk interface. Taking into account the various contributions of slider vibration and considering possible damage to the head-disk interface, it is clear that the optimization of laser bump design should go beyond just the glide height and coefficient of stiction. It should take into account the effects of laser bump height, density and spatial distribution on vibration-induced flying height variation while maintaining a low glide height and coefficient of stiction. An ideal LZT medium should therefore have low bump height to enable low glide height, i. e. , 0.5 µ" (12 nm), but specific bump shapes and sufficient density to achieve low stiction. Laser bump density should, however, be controlled to moderate its effect on slider vibration and possibly disk-slider collision (297 words).

Thermal stability of anisotropic and isotropic Co alloy thin-film media is investigated. The orientation ratio of CoCrTa(Pt)/Cr media was controlled by the mechanical texture of the NiP/Al substrates. Bulk magnetic properties, delta M curves and time decay of magnetization in the circumferential and radial directions were measured. The maximum magnetic viscosity coefficient calculated from the time decay of magnetization in the circumferential direction was higher than that in the radial direction for a mechanically textured sample, while it was similar in both directions for a non-textured sample. The magnetic viscosity coefficient in the circumferential direction is smaller than that in the radial direction when the reverse field is in the range of the demagnetization field for thin-film recording media. This implies that an anisotropic sample (namely, a sample with a high orientation ratio) will be more thermally stable when it is not exposed to a large external magnetic field.

This paper describes the design and implementation of a multi-threaded Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) system, called Cohesion, which provides high programming flexibility and latency masking, and supports load balancing. Cohesion offers a parallel programming environment which is very similar to that on a multiprocessors system. Threads could be created recursively in this environment, and users are not required to handle the locations of the threads. Instead of supporting a shared variable model, Cohesion provides a global shared address space among all nodes in the system. The space is further divided into three regions, i. e. , release, conventional, and object-based memory, each is applied with different consistency protocol. In this paper, the design issues in an ordinary thread system, such as thread management, load balancing, and synchronization, have been reconsidered with the memory management provided by the DSM system. Several real applications have been used to evaluate the performance of the system. The results show that multi-threading usually has better performance than single-threading because the network latency can be masked by overlapping communication and computation. However, the gain depends on program behavior and the number of threads executed on each node in the system.

Generating conditions of the optical feedback noise in self-pulsing lasers were experimentally examined. The noise charcteristics were determined by changing the operating power, the feedback distance and the feedback ratio for several types of self-pulsing lasers. The idea of the effective modulation index was introduced to evaluate the generating conditions in an uniform manner based on the mode competition theory. Validity of the idea was experimentally confirmed for generation of noise.

This paper introduces an acoustic echo canceller system materialized with a 16-bit fixed point processing type DSP (Analog Devices, ADSP-2181). This experimental system uses the tri-quantized-x individually normalized least mean square (INLMS) algorithm little degrading the convergence property under the fixed point processing. The experimental system also applies a small step gain to the algorithm to prevent the double-talk from increasing the estimation error. Such a small step gain naturally reduces the convergence speed. The experimental system compensates the reduction by applying the block length adjustment technique to the algorithm. This technique enables to ceaselessly update the coefficients of the adaptive filter even when the reference signal power is low. The experimental system thus keeps the echo return loss enhancement (ERLE) high against the double-talk.

In this paper, a type of multi-carrier direct sequence code division multiple access (MC-DS-CDMA) system which uses frequency spread coding is proposed and investigated for the down-link. An MC-DS-CDMA system is a combined system of CDMA and multi-carrier modulation. This system is often categorized as a "serial to parallel (S/P) type" system because serial to parallel converted data symbols are transmitted. They use different sub-carriers which are narrow-band DS waveforms. In this system, benefits of path or frequency diversity can not be obtained because of the narrow-band transmission of each data symbol. In order to benefit from the diversity, we propose to adopt frequency spread coding in an MC-DS-CDMA system. The proposed system exploits frequency diversity without additional redundancy, i. e. , no frequency or time redundancy is required to improve the performance. Computer simulation is carried out in a frequency selective fading channel and the results show its effectiveness in terms of average bit error rate (BER). Furthermore, the proposed system is compared with a multi-carrier (MC-) CDMA system which is often categorized as a "copy type" system and a single-carrier (SC-) DS-CDMA system using a RAKE receiver.