2,183 research outputs found
Non-recursive max* operator with reduced implementation complexity for turbo decoding
No full textIn this study, the authors deal with the problem of how to effectively approximate the max?? operator when having n > 2 input values, with the aim of reducing implementation complexity of conventional Log-MAP turbo decoders. They show that, contrary to previous approaches, it is not necessary to apply the max?? operator recursively over pairs of values. Instead, a simple, yet effective, solution for the max?? operator is revealed having the advantage of being in non-recursive form and thus, requiring less computational effort. Hardware synthesis results for practical turbo decoders have shown implementation savings for the proposed method against the most recent published efficient turbo decoding algorithms by providing near optimal bit error rate (BER) performance
Turbo NOC: a framework for the design of Network-on-Chip-basedturbo decoder architectures
No full textThis paper proposes a general framework for the design and simulation of network-on-chip-based turbo decoder architectures. Several parameters in the design space are investigated, namely, network topology, parallelism degree, the rate at which messages are sent by processing nodes over the network, and routing strategy. The main results of this analysis are as follows: 1) the most suited topologies to achieve high throughput with a limited complexity overhead are generalized de Bruijn and generalized Kautz topologies and 2) depending on the throughput requirements, different parallelism degrees, message injection rates, and routing algorithms can be used to minimize the network area overhead
The Rocinha Favela as a Paradigmatic Case Study of Informal Settlements in Large Cities: Current Situation and Past Slum-Upgrading Programmes
No full textLocated between two of the wealthiest neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro, on a surface of less than 2 km2, the Rocinha favela is considered the largest single slum in Brazil, with an unofficial population between 150,000 and 200,000 inhabitants. Its privileged position, dimension and characteristics, compared to the other circa 1000 favelas of Rio, make Rocinha a paradigmatic case of the socio-economic and environmental contradictions of the Brazilian mega-city, but a significant case study for any slum-upgrading programme. The Brazilian experience with slums upgrading is globally recognized, but it is still fragmented and needs to be improved. An overview of the main slum-upgrading policies and programmes carried out in Rio shows that the lack of appropriate participatory programmes and systemic approaches can hinder successful solutions
VLSI implementation of a multi-mode turbo/LDPC decoder architecture
No full textFlexible and reconfigurable architectures have gained wide popularity in the communications field. In particular, reconfigurable architectures for the physical layer are an attractive solution not only to switch among different coding modes but also to achieve interoperability. This work concentrates on the design of a reconfigurable architecture for both turbo and LDPC codes decoding. The novel contributions of this paper are: i) tackling the reconfiguration issue introducing a formal and systematic treatment that, to the best of our knowledge, was not previously addressed; ii) proposing a reconfigurable NoCbased turbo/LDPC decoder architecture and showing that wide flexibility can be achieved with a small complexity overhead. Obtained results show that dynamic switching between most of considered communication standards is possible without pausing the decoding activity. Moreover, post-layout results show that tailoring the proposed architecture to the WiMAX standard leads to an area occupation of 2.75 mm2 and a power consumption of 101.5 mW in the worst case
Torre Piloti Genova, Genoa, Italy - A slender harbour control tower assembled from lightweight components
No full textRISK ASSESSMENT OF MALICIOUS ATTACKS AGAINST POWER SYSTEMS
No full textThe new scenarios of malicious attack prompt for their deeper consideration and mainly when critical systems are at stake. In this framework, infrastructural systems, including power systems, represent a possible target due to the huge impact they can have on society. Malicious attacks are different in their nature from other more traditional cause of threats to power system, since they embed a strategic interaction between the attacker and the defender (characteristics that cannot be found in natural events or systemic failures). This difference has not been systematically analyzed by the existent literature. In this respect, new approaches and tools are needed. This paper presents a mixed-strategy game-theory model able to capture the strategic interactions between malicious agents that may be willing to attack power systems and the system operators, with its related bodies, that are in charge of defending them. At the game equilibrium, the different strategies of the two players, in terms of attacking/protecting the critical elements of the systems, can be obtained. The information about the attack probability to various elements can be used to assess the risk associated with each of them, and the efficiency of defense resource allocation is evidenced in terms of the corresponding risk. Reference defense plans related to the online defense action and the defense action with a time delay can be obtained according to their respective various time constraints. Moreover, risk sensitivity to the defense/attack-resource variation is also analyzed. The model is applied to a standard IEEE RTS-96 test system for illustrative purpose and, on the basis of that system, some peculiar aspects of the malicious attacks are pointed ou
Il controllo della sostenibilità ambientale: i regolamenti 3E per l’efficienza energetica degli edifici
No full textThe issues of sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings are slowly entering the construction sector also in Italy, where they have been lagging be- hind if compared to other European countries. The introduction of national and local regulations implemented Directive 2002/91/CE on energy efficiency of buildings, with specific differences due to the local character of the legislation.
In this field, Regione Lombardia (Lombardy) is one of the most active re- gions in Italy, being the second one (after the province of Bolzano) to define the rules for energy certification. A law that is specific to Lombardia allows cities and towns to increase building ratios if the building has characteristics of sus- tainability behind standard requirements. The performance requirements allow- ing the increase in building ratios need to be defined by the local authorities, who thanks to these incentives are able to drive the “business as usual” con- struction market towards better quality buildings.
This paper discusses the experience of the author, together with a variable research team, in drafting local energy efficiency and sustainability standards. Different works will be presented, ranging from regulations for small towns to integrations to the building code of Milan, each with its own specific issues to be tackled
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