Relay-assisted cooperative communications are promising solutions for error-performance improvement and cell coverage extension. In this thesis, we propose several efficient cooperative relay communication schemes. First, an efficient space-time coded cooperative relay communications scheme that employs linear precoding and transmission-pattern selection is proposed. This is built upon an existing block linear...
This thesis studies cooperative techniques that rely on femtocell user diversity to improve the downlink communication quality of macrocell users. We analytically analyze and evaluate the achievable performance of these techniques in the downlink of Rayleigh fading channels. We provide an approximation of both the bit-error rate (BER) and the...
This research explores the viability and effectiveness of using an inertial navigation system (INS) to control a beamforming array of microstrip patch antennas with the aim of reducing users' exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The system reduces radiated power directed toward a cellular phone user to below 10% of the total...
Fortuitous dosimeters are radiosensitive objects carried by an individual who was exposed to radiation. These objects can be analyzed some time after exposure and the results can be used to aid in calculating radiation fields and doses received by individuals. Items that make good fortuitous dosimeters are those that are...
Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. (sub-alpine fir) trees of comparable
vigor growing in eastern British Columbia were studied in
order to determine the effects of cork bark disease on phellogen and
vascular cambium activity.
Diseased trees form hard deeply fissured rhytidome several
inches thick over large areas of the bole when...
A modem Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC) usually consists of several Distributed Control Systems (DCS). Modeling and evaluating a manufacturing integrated system and then translating the models to operational programs are important steps in implementing a FMC. Monitoring and enhancing a FMC's manufacturing process quality is another critical issue. An embedded...
Direct red Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Turbine hybrid plants have the potential to dramatically increase power plant efficiency, decrease emissions, and provide fast response to transient loads. The US Department of Energy's (DOE) Hybrid Performance Project is an experimental hybrid SOFC plant, built at the National
Energy Technology Laboratory...