This paper presents an adaptive transform coefficient scan method that effectively improves intra coding efficiency of H.264. Instead of applying one zig-zag scan to all transform blocks, the proposed method applies a field scan to a horizontally predicted block, a horizontal scan to a vertically predicted block, and a zig-zag scan to blocks predicted in other prediction modes. Experiments based on JM9.6 were performed using only intra coding. Results of the experiments show that the proposed method yields an average PSNR enhancement of 0.16 dB and a maximum PSNR enhancement of 0.31 dB over the current H.264 using zig-zag scan.

Using the finite-difference time-domain method, we evaluated the performance of apertured near-field fiber probes with a double-tapered structure, which have exhibited, in recent experiments, a much higher collection efficiency of localized light in comparison with single-tapered probes. We clarified that this high collection efficiency could be attributed to the shortening of the cutoff region, and the efficient coupling to the guiding mode of the optical fiber. By reproducing the experimental results in terms of the spatial resolution and the collection efficiency as a function of the aperture diameter, our calculation was confirmed to be valid and useful for the design of probes in a variety of applications.

Recently several dosimetric assessment procedures have been proposed to demonstrate the compliance of handheld mobile telecommuications equipment (MTE) with safety limits. However, for none of these procedures has an estimation of the overall uncertainty in assessing the maximum exposure been provided for a reasonable cross-section of potential users. This paper presents a setup and procedure based on a high-precision dosimetric scanner combined with a new phantom derived from an anatomical study. This allows the assessment of the maximum spatial peak SAR values occurring in approximately 90% of all MTE users, including children, with a precision of better than 25%. This setup and procedure therefore satisfies the requirements of the FCC, as well as those drafted by a CENELEC working group mandated by the European Union.