Delay tolerant networks (DTNs) are a subset of mobile ad hoc networks where connections are sparse and intermittent. This often results in a network graph which is rarely connected which introduces a challenge in message forwarding because of a lack of end-to-end connectivity towards the destination. Recently, social-based forwarding algorithms are gaining popularity because of the social nature displayed by the node movements in a DTN, especially in application areas like the pocket switched networks. The social-based metrics like community, similarity, centrality etc. are used to determine the carrier to which a node has to forward its message. Composite methods are used to improve the performance of Bubble Rap social-based forwarding algorithm. In the proposed mechanism, a new social metric termed ‘friendship’ has been introduced along with a time-to-live (TTL)-based ‘threshold’ and acknowledgement (ACK) IDs. Real trace data and working day movement models are used for simulations in the opportunistic network environment simulator to demonstrate that the proposed algorithm gives better delivery ratio than the original Bubble Rap algorithm.

This paper proposes a semi-automatic parking slot marking-based target position designation method for parking assist systems in cases where the parking slot markings are of a rectangular type, and its efficient implementation for real-time operation. After the driver observes a rearview image captured by a rearward camera installed at the rear of the vehicle through a touchscreen-based human machine interface, a target parking position is designated by touching the inside of a parking slot. To ensure the proposed method operates in real-time in an embedded environment, access of the bird's-eye view image is made efficient: image-wise batch transformation is replaced with pixel-wise instantaneous transformation. The proposed method showed a 95.5% recognition rate in 378 test cases with 63 test images. Additionally, experiments confirmed that the pixel-wise instantaneous transformation reduced execution time by 92%.

Closed form expressions for approximate symbol error rate are obtained using moment generating function for a two branch cooperative communication system over generalised κ−μ and η−μ i.i.d. fading channels for BPSK and QAM modulation schemes. Selective decode and forward protocol is used at the relay transmitter. At the destination maximal-ratio combining is used. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to verify the analytical results.

A new improved memorised improved proportionate affine projection algorithm (IMIPAPA) is proposed to improve the convergence performance of sparse system identification, which incorporates l ₀-norm as a measure of sparseness into a recently proposed MIPAPA algorithm. In addition, a simplified implementation of the IMIPAPA (SIMIPAPA) with low-computational burden is presented while maintaining the consistent convergence performance. The simulation results demonstrate that the IMIPAPA and SIMIPAPA algorithms outperform the MIPAPA algorithm for sparse system identification.

A theoretical expression for mobile service satisfaction assessment has been proposed. Mobile networks users’ satisfaction is a major concern for the operators and regulators. Therefore a certain level of network qualification is required to be offered to consumers by operators thanks to the decisions initiated by the regulation authority. For the assessment of the level of satisfaction, several methodologies and tools (measuring and monitoring) have emerged. Ranking in two broad categories, namely the objective and subjective methods, both have advantages as well as disadvantages. This Letter has proposed a unified approach to evaluate more objectively users’ level of satisfaction of a service based on the most common network key performance indicators (KPIs) rate following the different methods. This approach's main advantage is that it has taken advantages of the different positive aspects of the existing methods and outperformed their limitations thanks to the introduced concept of global KPI. In addition, the size of samples according to each method has been considered. A mean service satisfaction theoretical expression has been proposed to regulation authority, consumers association and operators as common base of service satisfaction assessment.

A simple and very compact planar monopole ultra-wideband antenna with a 3.5 GHz band rejection is proposed in this Letter. The compact antenna is etched on an FR4 substrate with the size of 14 × 16 × 1 mm³, consists of a tree-shaped radiation patch with modified ground structure. To reject certain frequency band, a pair of parallel strip patch, acting as a parasitic element is used. Prototype of the proposed antenna was constructed and measured. The measured impedance bandwidth of the realised antenna with optimal parameters is from 2.6 to 12 GHz (128%) for voltage standing wave ratio <2 with an unwanted band notched from 3.3 to 4 GHz. Moreover, the antenna has good omnidirectional radiation patterns in the H-plane.

A circuit which accepts input dc voltage V _I and produce an output voltage V _O = √V _I V _T by using double dual slope principle is described in this Letter. V _T is a constant voltage which is fixed by two resistors and a power supply voltage. By using precision resistors and a stable constant power supply, an acceptable level of accuracy can be obtained.

The Letter proposes an online tuned adaptive inverse position control algorithm for a micro-hand. First, the configuration of the micro-hand is discussed. Next, a kinematic analysis of the micro-hand is investigated and then the relationship between the rotor position of micro-permanent magnet synchronous motor and the tip of the micro-finger is derived. After that, an online tuned adaptive inverse control algorithm, which includes an adaptive inverse model and an adaptive inverse control, is designed. The online tuned adaptive inverse control algorithm has better performance than the proportional–integral control algorithm does. In addition, to avoid damaging the object during the grasping process, an online force control algorithm is proposed here as well. An embedded micro-computer, cRIO-9024, is used to realise the whole position control algorithm and the force control algorithm by using software. As a result, the hardware circuit is very simple. Experimental results show that the proposed system can provide fast transient responses, good load disturbance responses, good tracking responses and satisfactory grasping responses.

This Letter proposes a least significant bit-down switching scheme in the capacitive digital-to-analogue converters (CDACs) of successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Under the same unit capacitor, the chip area and the switching energy are halved without increasing the complexity of logic circuits. Compared with conventional CDAC, when it is applied to one of the most efficient switching schemes, V _cm-based structure, it achieves 93% less switching energy and 75% less chip area with the same differential non linearity (DNL)/integral non linearity (INL) performance.