Volume 1 Issue 3
Authors: Ayman M. Hassan
Abstract: Communication channel capacity for the residential power lines within multiple-dwelling units (MDU’s) is evaluated to check for the potential use of power grid in shared broadband access. Several measurements of noise and attenuation in the HomePlug band (2 MHz-30 MHz) on actual MDU power grids are measured. Two different grid topologies are considered: Star and bus. They are the foremost grid topologies of buildings in urban, suburban and rural areas. Both in-phase and across-phase performances are measured. The individual effect of electricity meters inherently present across flat-to-flat path is also evaluated. MDU emulator has been built using meters only to measure the end-to-end frequency response of different meter types without cables. Finally, the obtained results are used to calculate the theoretical channel capacity for the different configurations of MDU grid with and without the effect of meters. The capacity of power line at all test locations selected is found far above the targeted data rates for broadband distribution and sharing. Capacity in the range of 300 - 400 Mbps is common in MDU’s with 2-3 floors span between transmitting and receiving nodes, which implies a total span of 5-6 floors when selecting the position of internet gateway carefully. It has also proved that the decrease in link capacity due to the existence of 2 electricity meters in between sender and receiver has an average value of 14 %, while the effect of normal cable distance within home could reduce link capacity by more than 35%.
Keywords: Power Line Carrier; Shared Broadband Access;Channel Capacityt; HomePlug Applications
Authors: Chad Richards; Rasha Morsi
Abstract: This work focuses on the design and implementation of an educational game for deployment on the Xbox 360 commercial game console. Video games can be extremely powerful and effective learning tools when deployed with methodical precision. Currently, no learning tools are available for commercial consoles that focus on teaching core concepts in Engineering. This work presents an overall design for an educational game to address Number Systems in the scope of the Electrical and Computer Engineering curricula. BINX is an educational adventure game designed to address Number Systems and their arithmetic operations in Digital Logic Design, a core course is Electrical and Computer Engineering programs. Object Oriented Design Principles were used in the development of this game. This work presents one sublevel implemented using the XNA framework – a Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK).The BINX gameplay takes place inside a computer where a malicious virus is threatening the computer’s operability. The player has to find the virus and eradicate it by disconnecting the terminals of the graphics processor. The player has the opportunity to practice before taking on the Boss Challenge. In the practice phase, the player practices number conversions without fear of penalties. In the Challenge phase, the player is timed and has to perform the number conversions before the allotted time expires. The combination of practice and challenge provides players with the ability to practice number conversions and, when ready, to take on the challenge task where assessment is conducted to provide the player with the knowledge of how well he/she has performed on the challenge. The number conversion level of BINX was implemented and formally evaluated showing improvement in student scores after using BINX.
Keywords: Modeling and Simulation; Game Design and Development; Xbox 360; Educational Gaming; Assessment and Evaluations
Authors: Oleg A. Gorbachev; Gregory D. Gefan; Vsevolod B. Ivanov
Abstract: A global empirical model of the total electron content of ionosphere (GEMTEC) is presented. It is based on experimental TEC values expanded in the natural orthogonal functions. The GEMTEC model considerably compensates ionospheric delay of GNSS radio signals and increases position accuracy of single-frequency equipment. We give an assessment of the GEMTEC model efficiency as compared to the Klobuchar model recommended by the GPS Interface Control Document [1] and other techniques. The efficiency was assessed by solving a navigation problem with real data from a number of IGS stations over a long observation period. The navigation problem was solved by comparing four variants: no ionospheric error correction, applying Klobuchar model error correction, applying the GEMTEC model for ionospheric error correction, and using double-frequency observations of ionospheric error correction. The data used were supplied by seven IGS stations situated in different regions for the years 2002-1010. It is shown that the ionospheric delay correction by the GEMTEC model considerably decreases an average position error, and the model can be recommended for use instead of the standard Klobuchar model.
Keywords: Satellite Radio Navigation; Navigation Error; Ionosphere; Total Electron Content; Ionospheric Correction