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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

The Effect Of Contact Length On Adhesion Between Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Dioxide, Robert C. Davis, Kaylee Mcelroy, Aaron R. Hopkins Dec 2007

The Effect Of Contact Length On Adhesion Between Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Dioxide, Robert C. Davis, Kaylee Mcelroy, Aaron R. Hopkins

Faculty Publications

The force of adhesion was measured for single walled carbon nanotubes grown over lithographically defined silicon dioxide trenches. We varied contact lengths between the nanotubes and silicon dioxide from 230 to 850 nm. Suspended nanotubes were pushed vertically into the trenches with an atomic force microscope tip, causing them to slip along the surface. Previous work done at shorter contact lengths found that tension was constant with contact length [J. D. Whittaker et al., Nano Lett. 6, 953 (2006)]. This study finds that when the nanotube contact length approaches 1 µm, the tension at which nanotubes slip begins to increase …


Polarization Rotation Correction In Radiometry: An Error Analysis, David G. Long, Derek Hudson, Jeffrey R. Piepmeier Nov 2007

Polarization Rotation Correction In Radiometry: An Error Analysis, David G. Long, Derek Hudson, Jeffrey R. Piepmeier

Faculty Publications

Yueh proposed a method of using the third Stokes parameter TU to correct brightness temperatures such as Tv and Th for polarization rotation. This paper presents an extended error analysis of the estimation of Tv , Th, and TQ equiv Tv - Th by Yueh's method. In order to carry out the analysis, we first develop a forward model of polarization rotation that accounts for the random nature of thermal radiation, receiver noise, and (to first order) calibration. Analytic formulas are then derived for the bias, standard deviation (STD), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of estimated TQ, Tv , and Th, …


Byu Wideband Mimo Channel Sounder Technical Reference Manual, Jon W. Wallace Oct 2007

Byu Wideband Mimo Channel Sounder Technical Reference Manual, Jon W. Wallace

Faculty Publications

This document serves as a technical reference manual for the wideband multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) wireless channel sounder developed at the Wireless Research Laboratory at Brigham Young University. The development of this system is considered an "open hardware project," which means that the details of the system may be freely used by others interested in designing and building similar systems. Also, it is hoped that the open hardware methodology will lead to fruitful cooperation in improving the system and sharing ideas.


Experiments In Cooperative Timing For Miniature Air Vehicles, Derek R. Nelson, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard Aug 2007

Experiments In Cooperative Timing For Miniature Air Vehicles, Derek R. Nelson, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard

Faculty Publications

This paper presents experimental results for two cooperative timing missions carried out using a team of three miniature air vehicles (MAVs). Using a cooperative timing algorithm based on coordination functions and coordination variables, the MAV team executed a series of simultaneous arrival and cooperative fly-by missions. In the presence of significant wind disturbances, the average time difference between the first and last vehicle in the simultaneous arrival experiments was 1.6 s. For the cooperative fly-by experiments, the average timing error between vehicle arrivals was 0.6 s. These results demonstrate the practical feasibility of the cooperative timing approach.


Information Consensus And Its Application In Multi-Vehicle Cooperative Control, Ella Atkins, Randal Beard, Wei Ren Jul 2007

Information Consensus And Its Application In Multi-Vehicle Cooperative Control, Ella Atkins, Randal Beard, Wei Ren

Faculty Publications

In the last two decades, advances in networking and distributed computing have facilitated a paradigm shift from large, monolithic mainframe computers to networks of less expensive, less powerful workstations. One motivation for multi-vehicle systems is to achieve the same gains for mechanically controlled systems as has been gained in distributed computation. Rather than having a single monolithic (and therefore expensive and complicated) machine do everything, the hope is that many inexpensive, simple machines, can achieve the same, or enhanced functionality, through coordination. In essence, the objective is to replace expensive complicated hardware with software and multiple copies of simple hardware. …


Time-Varying Mimo Channels: Parametric Statistical Modeling And Experimental Results, Michael A. Jensen, Shuangquan Wang, Ali Abdi, Jari Salo, Hassan M. El-Sallabi, Jon W. Wallace, Pertti Vainikainen Jul 2007

Time-Varying Mimo Channels: Parametric Statistical Modeling And Experimental Results, Michael A. Jensen, Shuangquan Wang, Ali Abdi, Jari Salo, Hassan M. El-Sallabi, Jon W. Wallace, Pertti Vainikainen

Faculty Publications

Accurate characterization of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) fading channels is an important prerequisite for the design of multiantenna wireless-communication systems. In this paper, a single-bounce two-ring statistical model for the time-varying MIMO flat fading channels is proposed. In the model, both the base and mobile stations are surrounded by their own ring of scatterers. For the proposed model, a closed-form expression for the spatio-temporal cross-correlational function between any two subchannels is derived, assuming single-bounce scattering. The new analytical expression includes several key physical parameters of interest such as the mean angle-of-departure, the mean angle-of-arrival, the associated angle spreads, and the Doppler …


Optimization Of Nano-Magneto-Optic Sensitivity Using Dual Dielectric Layer Enhancement, Aaron R. Hawkins, J. D. Maas, S. Wang, A. Barman, Holger Schmidt, S. Kwon, B. Harteneck, S. Cabrini, J. Bokor Jun 2007

Optimization Of Nano-Magneto-Optic Sensitivity Using Dual Dielectric Layer Enhancement, Aaron R. Hawkins, J. D. Maas, S. Wang, A. Barman, Holger Schmidt, S. Kwon, B. Harteneck, S. Cabrini, J. Bokor

Faculty Publications

We discuss maximization of the sensitivity of magneto-optical detection of single nanomagnets. We show that a combination of optimized dielectric coating on the magnets with an antireflection coated substrate can increase the areal magneto-optic sensitivity by about three orders of magnitude in the deep nanometer range. A dual layer nanofabrication process is developed to implement this approach, and magnetization switching of single nickel nanomagnets with 50 nm diameter is demonstrated.


Optimal Noise Matching For Mutually-Coupled Arrays, Michael A. Jensen, Karl F. Warnick Jun 2007

Optimal Noise Matching For Mutually-Coupled Arrays, Michael A. Jensen, Karl F. Warnick

Faculty Publications

From classical two-port noise theory, the noise figure of an amplifier is minimized when a source is matched to a particular optimal reflection coefficient at the amplifier input. In this paper, we show that this result extends in a natural way to the multiport case, with a coupled N-port source network such as an array antenna connected by a multiport matching network to the inputs of N low-noise amplifiers. For optimal noise performance, the matching network must decouple the array and present isolated, individually noise-matched ports to the amplifier inputs.


Band Discontinuity Measurements Of The Wafer Bonded Ingaas/Si Heterojunction, Aaron R. Hawkins, Kyle S. Mckay, Felix P. Lu, Jungsang Kim, Changhyun Yi, April S. Brown May 2007

Band Discontinuity Measurements Of The Wafer Bonded Ingaas/Si Heterojunction, Aaron R. Hawkins, Kyle S. Mckay, Felix P. Lu, Jungsang Kim, Changhyun Yi, April S. Brown

Faculty Publications

p-type InGaAs/Si heterojunctions were fabricated through a wafer fusion bonding process. The relative band alignment between the two materials at the heterointerface was determined using current-voltage (I-V) measurements and applying thermionic emission-diffusion theory. The valence and conduction band discontinuities for the InGaAs/Si interface were determined to be 0.48 and 0.1 eV, respectively, indicating a type-II band alignment.


On-Chip Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection Using Integrated Liquid-Core Waveguides, Aaron R. Hawkins, Evan J. Lunt, Phillip Measor, Leo Seballos, Dongliang Yin, Jin Z. Zhang, Holger Schmidt May 2007

On-Chip Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection Using Integrated Liquid-Core Waveguides, Aaron R. Hawkins, Evan J. Lunt, Phillip Measor, Leo Seballos, Dongliang Yin, Jin Z. Zhang, Holger Schmidt

Faculty Publications

The authors demonstrate surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection on an optofluidic chip. Interconnected solid- and liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs) form a planar beam geometry that allows for high mode intensities along microfluidic channels containing molecules optimized for SERS. The excitation power and concentration dependence of SERS from rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules adsorbed to silver nanoparticles were systematically studied. The data can be described by a model that takes into account the microphotonic structure. Detection sensitivity to a minimum concentration of 30 nM is found, demonstrating the suitability of ARROW-based optofluidic chips for high sensitivity detection with molecular specificity


Size Dependent Damping In Picosecond Dynamics Of Single Nanomagnets, Aaron R. Hawkins, J. D. Maas, S. Wang, A. Barman, Holger Schmidt, Liddle A. Kwon, J. Bokor May 2007

Size Dependent Damping In Picosecond Dynamics Of Single Nanomagnets, Aaron R. Hawkins, J. D. Maas, S. Wang, A. Barman, Holger Schmidt, Liddle A. Kwon, J. Bokor

Faculty Publications

The authors use time-resolved cavity-enhanced magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy to study the damping of magnetization precession in individual cylindrical nickel nanomagnets. A wide range of shapes (diameters of 5 µm–125 nm and aspect ratio: 0.03–1.2) is investigated. They observe a pronounced difference in damping between the micro- and nanomagnets. Microscale magnets show large damping at low bias fields, whereas nanomagnets exhibit bias field-independent damping. This behavior is explained by the interaction of in-plane and out-of-plane precession modes in microscale magnets that results in additional dissipative channels. The small and robust damping values on the nanoscale are promising for implementation of controlled …


Spatial And Temporal Behavior Of Microwave Backscatter Directional Modulation Over The Saharan Ergs, David G. Long, Haroon Stephen May 2007

Spatial And Temporal Behavior Of Microwave Backscatter Directional Modulation Over The Saharan Ergs, David G. Long, Haroon Stephen

Faculty Publications

Radar backscatter (σ˚) from ergs is modulated with view direction [incidence (θ) and azimuth (φ) angles], where the modulation characteristics reflect the surface geometry. σ˚ also varies spatially and reflects the spatial inhomogeneity of the sand surface. We use σ˚ measurements at different θ and φ angles from the NASA, European Remote Sensing satellite, and SeaWinds scatterometers to understand the relationship between wind and erg bedforms. A model incorporating the σ˚ φ-modulation and spatial inhomogeneity is proposed. Surface slope variations are related to the σ˚ spatial inhomogeneity. We compare the backscatter model results with numerically predicted wind direction data provided …


An Overview Of Mav Research At Brigham Young University, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard, D. Blake Barber, Nathan B. Knoebel May 2007

An Overview Of Mav Research At Brigham Young University, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard, D. Blake Barber, Nathan B. Knoebel

Faculty Publications

This paper summarizes research efforts at Brigham Young University related to the control of miniature aerial vehicles (MAVs). Recent results in the areas of vector field path following, precision landing and target prosecution, target localization, obstacle detection and avoidance, tailsitter aircraft control, and cooperative control are presented.


The Relationship Between Antenna Loss And Superdirectivity In Mimo Systems, Michael A. Jensen, Nicolas W. Bikhazi May 2007

The Relationship Between Antenna Loss And Superdirectivity In Mimo Systems, Michael A. Jensen, Nicolas W. Bikhazi

Faculty Publications

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems can theoretically use array superdirectivity to optimally exploit the propagation channel. This superdirectivity leads to very large capacity bounds, particularly when the antennas are closely spaced. However, because superdirective behavior is difficult to achieve in practice, new capacity bounds have been formulated for the case where the level of array superdirectivity is constrained. Existing capacity analyses limit the superdirectivity in a suboptimal way. In this paper, the impact of superdirectivity in the capacity solution is limited by introducing finite ohmic loss in the transmit and receive antenna elements. Computational results reveal that even a small …


Experimental Characterization Of The Outdoor Mimo Wireless Channel Temporal Variation, Michael A. Jensen, Karl F. Warnick, Jon W. Wallace, Ajay Gummalla, Harry B. Lee May 2007

Experimental Characterization Of The Outdoor Mimo Wireless Channel Temporal Variation, Michael A. Jensen, Karl F. Warnick, Jon W. Wallace, Ajay Gummalla, Harry B. Lee

Faculty Publications

Time-variant multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels are measured in an outdoor campus environment at 2.45 GHz with directional patch arrays and omnidirectional monopole arrays. A number of useful metrics are proposed for quantifying time variation in MIMO channels: eigenvalue level crossing rate, eigenvector angular deviation, and capacity loss for delayed transmit and receive channel state information (CSI). Measurements in four different environments confirm the strong correlation between angular spread of multipath and MIMO channel time variability. The rate of time variation is also strongly influenced by the type of array, indicating that directional elements may be advantageous for highly mobile environments. …


Final Report: Shf Channel Modeling Over Sea-Based Test Ranges, Qiang Lei, Michael D. Rice Apr 2007

Final Report: Shf Channel Modeling Over Sea-Based Test Ranges, Qiang Lei, Michael D. Rice

Faculty Publications

This work was supported by the Science & Technology Test & Evaluation Spectrum Efficient Technologies Program sponsored by the US Air Force under contract F04611-02-C-0020. Channel sounding data collected from an airborne transmitter over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Pt. Mugu, Naval Air Station, was analyzed and used to model multipath propagation over the ocean. The experiments showed that at 8.000 GHz, over the water multipath propagation is well modeled by a three-ray propagation model. The first ray (or propagation path) is the line-of-sight propagation path. The second ray is a strong specular reflection determined by the geometry …


Compact Optical Fiber Sensor Smart Node, Seth W. Lloyd, Jason A. Newman, Daniel R. Wilding, Richard H. Selfridge, Stephen M. Schultz Mar 2007

Compact Optical Fiber Sensor Smart Node, Seth W. Lloyd, Jason A. Newman, Daniel R. Wilding, Richard H. Selfridge, Stephen M. Schultz

Faculty Publications

We present a new optical fiber sensor interrogator specifically designed for an embedded instrumentation system. The proposed system consists of a super luminescent diode as a broadband source, a high speed tunable micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) filter, photodetector, and an integrated microprocessor for data aggregation, processing, and communication. The entire system is integrated together in a compact package to create a fiber "smart" sensor. The system is capable of interrogating a variety of multiplexed fiber sensors, processing the data, and communicating the results digitally. As an example, the system has been calibrated with an array of fiber Bragg grating sensors


Analysis Of Stacked Rotated Gratings, Gregory P. Nordin, P. C. Deguzman, J. Jiang Mar 2007

Analysis Of Stacked Rotated Gratings, Gregory P. Nordin, P. C. Deguzman, J. Jiang

Faculty Publications

We study the rigorous design and analysis of stacked rotated gratings (SRGs) for novel photonic devices. A concept of sampling frequency is proposed to systematically design SRGs. With the help of a rectangular sampling lattice, we extend the standard 3D rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) algorithm to the analysis of SRGs. The resultant SRG-RCWA algorithm can be used to exactly analyze SRGs that have grating parameters that match the Fourier expansion represented by the sampling lattice. SRGs that do not fall in this category can often still be closely approximated with our approach. The SRG-RCWA algorithm has been successfully applied to …


Frequency Response Of Solid-State Impact Ionization Multipliers, Joshua Beutler, Carlton S. Clauss, Michael S. Johnson, Aaron R. Hawkins, Mike D. Jack, George R. Chapman, Ken Kosai Jan 2007

Frequency Response Of Solid-State Impact Ionization Multipliers, Joshua Beutler, Carlton S. Clauss, Michael S. Johnson, Aaron R. Hawkins, Mike D. Jack, George R. Chapman, Ken Kosai

Faculty Publications

A study of the frequency response of solid-state impact ionization multipliers (SIMs) is presented that emphasizes the role of resistive and capacitive elements of the device to establish response limitations. SIMs are designed to amplify input currents from an external source through the impact ionization mechanism. An equivalent circuit model for the SIM is developed based on its current versus voltage characteristics, which is used to derive a frequency response model. Theoretical frequency response matches very closely to measured responses for first generation SIM devices constructed on p-type silicon epitaxial layers with nickel silicide Schottky contact injection points. Devices were …


Aeronautical Telemetry Using Multiple-Antenna Transmitters, Michael A. Jensen, Michael D. Rice, Adam L. Anderson Jan 2007

Aeronautical Telemetry Using Multiple-Antenna Transmitters, Michael A. Jensen, Michael D. Rice, Adam L. Anderson

Faculty Publications

The placement of multiple antennas on an air vehicle is one possible practice for overcoming signal obstruction created by vehicle maneuvering during air-to-ground transmission. Unfortunately, for vehicle attitudes where more than one of these antennas has a clear path to the receiving station, this practice also leads to self-interference nulls, resulting in dramatic degradation in the average signal integrity. This paper discusses application of unitary space-time codes such as the Alamouti transmit diversity scheme and unitary differential space-time codes to overcome the self-interference effect observed in such systems. The mathematical foundations of these techniques within the context of this application …