A practical approach is proposed for detecting packet-based OFDM signals in the presence of phase noise. A frequency-domain joint phase noise and channel estimator is first derived. This joint estimation is performed during the full-pilot (preamble) OFDM symbol and is used in subsequent OFDM data symbols. Since the phase noise process changes during OFDM data symbol transmission, the phase noise is estimated for each subsequent data OFDM symbol. We propose a novel algorithm that exploits the scattered pilots in the comb-type OFDM data symbol to non-iteratively estimate and mitigate the phase noise. A significant improvement in the signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) is achieved using our algorithm, especially for systems suffering from high phase noise. BACK

We tackle the problem of keyword extraction in the meeting domain, using both supervised approach and a Web-based bigram expansion module. Results are promising on both human transcripts and ASR output of the ICSI meeting corpus. BACK

We design and implement a DRP-based, DQPSK-P-25 transceiver using an FPGA platform. A novel time synchronization method to achieve synchronization is presented. Performance of the links is established experimentally in terms of the overall BER. BACK

We propose a novel data stream classification technique using semi-supervised clustering, for which only a fraction (5%) of training data needs to be labeled. It outperforms previous stream classification approaches that require 100% labeled training data. BACK

We design relaying protocols that provide reliability without sacrificing the spectral efficiency in a wireless network. Excellent results are enabled by a relay selection framework with a very limited amount of information exchange between the nodes. BACK

Our RBF neural network-based fault localization method uses test coverage and execution results to prioritize suspicious code based on its likelihood of containing bugs. This helps programmers locate bugs effectively by examining less code. BACK

We will present a virtual coach framework for golf and baseball training that is composed of distributed wearable and wireless sensor units. Furthermore, we will present a design technique that enables efficient deployment of the aforementioned framework by managing buffers on the nodes and optimizing inter-node wireless communications. BACK

We investigate hydrogen incorporation into nano-porous MOF materials using infrared spectroscopy at high pressures and combined DFT-based methods to determine the location and interaction energies of hydrogen and provide guidance for MOF synthesis. BACK

We investigate the relationship between the size and fault detection effectiveness of a test suite. This allows testers and managers to estimate the optimum size of the test suite, which is essential during test planning. BACK

The project focuses on developing algorithms to reduce acoustic noise inside an MRI cavity through active noise control methods. The goal is designing active noise canceling headphones for the patient inside the MRI cavity. BACK

We present algorithms and software for 3D volume matching: Given a 3D object, we match it against a library of model objects such that the overlap volume is maximized. The problem has multiple applications in bio-medical computing. BACK

Face-detection algorithms based on the Viola-Jones object detection approach is widely adopted in digital camera products. Due to the computational complexity of these algorithms, often a hardware co-processor is used to allow their real-time deployment. This paper discusses how to achieve real-time software-based implementation of these algorithms on mobile platforms that have relatively limited processing and memory capabilities as compared to PC platforms. A live demo of an actual implementation on a mobile platform will be presented during the poster session.  BACK

GaAs(001)B2(2x4) surface oxidation and passivation were studied by DFT. Our results show that oxidation surface could lead to the fermi energy pinning. To unpin the surface states, H, Cl, F, GaO and Ga2O are proposed to be the passivation candidates. BACK

Many text message users complain about poor text prediction and inadequate dictionary management techniques on their mobile phones. We have made improvements using a dynamic bigram language model created from our own text message corpus. BACK

Future active safety systems have to be aware of the driver status to predict and avoid accidents. A cost-effective, non-intrusive method has been proposed, personalizing the route recognition and distraction detection systems for individual drivers. BACK

Optimal design is of paramount importance for today’s telecommunication networks. Many different constraints must be included, e.g., routing, protection, QoS, etc. This tool provides a holistic solution to the MPLS-TE network design. BACK

The future of both the biomedical and semiconductor industries depends in part on the ability to tailor plasma-surface interactions, producing well-defined and optimized film and feature characteristics. An experimental surface model permits an understanding of the complex interactions of radical and ion fluxes, ion energy, surface temperature and surface materials. BACK

Ontology alignment is a form of information integration that is crucial to the success of the Semantic Web. By leveraging the content and structure of each ontology, an accurate semantic mapping between them is generated. BACK

A method of harvesting low excitation vibrational energy using a buck-boost DC-DC converter to power active RFID tags is presented. Using the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), the impedance of the converter is designed to match that of the piezoelectric transducer, thereby allowing maximum power transfer. It is shown that using multiple transducers in a parallel configuration is the optimum method for harvesting energy by increasing the available power and reducing the transducer’s effective impedance. BACK

The selective reduction of native III-V oxides by the atomic layer deposition of aluminum oxide is observed by interupting the deposition process following each precursor pulse for in-situ monochromatic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. BACK

In current IEEE 802.11 standards, whenever a wireless station wants to leave the network it sends a deauthentication or disassociation frame to the access point. These two frames are sent unencrypted and are not authenticated by the access point. Therefore an attacker can launch a denial of service (DoS) attack by spoofing these messages and thus disabling the communication between a wireless device and its access point. We propose an efficient solution based on a one-way hard function to verify that a deauthentication/disassociation frame is from a legitimate station. We implement our solution on 802.11 devices, and the results show that our protocol is highly effective against this DoS attack. BACK

This work proposes a novel vertical-handover algorithm for handheld devices running voice applications over a cellular/WLAN environment. A performance analysis framework is also proposed to compare the packet-error-based algorithm to the generic RSS-based one.  BACK

Considering security or subscripting issues for IPTV program delivery in optical backbone networks, we propose multi-class IP flow aggregation to guarantee that the secure programs are only received by edge nodes that subscribe to them. BACK

COBRA-MAC, an opportunistic cooperative wireless data link protocol, has unique characteristics to improve the performance of multi-hop networking. Cooperation in wireless ad hoc networks are envisioned for 4G wireless networks, and COBRA-MAC can find direct application there. BACK

This presentation describes our participation in the 2008 TREC blog track. Our system applies information retrieval and machine learning techniques to track down related and opinionated blogs to given topics. BACK

Significant enhancement in MOSFET transport characteristics is achieved with In0.53Ga0.47As channel material using ex-situ PECVD amorphous-Si layer. A mobility of ~3500 cm2/V-s were extracted from the devices, which is at least 8X improvement over Si devices. BACK

We propose use of a large setup of coaxial cables, attenuators and power dividers to create a wireless testbed that a) eliminates the effect of background noise, b) can be used to create dynamic environments, e.g., mobility of UUT, and c) enables use of actual hardware instead of coded simulations. BACK

We have successfully fabricated a white organic light-emitting diode using a combination of a novel phosphorescent organometallic complex and a blue fluorescent organic molecule. The device fabrication, design and performance will be discussed. BACK

P25 is a public safety wireless standard that aims to solve the interoperability problem between different public safety agencies in emergency situations. Our work exploits the flexibility of Texas Instruments DRP technology and proves the possibility of performing P25 communications using DRP GSM/EDGE radio. BACK

The IEEE 802.11 protocol was designed for devices with light load connecting to a wireless access point. With the success of 802.11, the density of access points has increased significantly. The emergence of new services has increased the load on the access points and requires a more efficient wireless MAC. We developed an adaptive, distributed and contention-free protocol that can meet the requirements of services that demand high data rates. The protocol is analyzed mathematically and optimized for performance. The simulation of Wi-Fi shows our approach is several times superior under heavy load conditions. BACK

A 7:1 unequal Wilkinson power divider was fabricated using a novel “etched ground” grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) transmission line. A 6.9-dB power division ratio was measured with 25-dB of return loss and isolation. BACK

The effect of end group modification to the poly (3-hexylthiophene) polymer is being studied in terms of how the solar cell device performance parameters and thin-film morphology are impacted. BACK

Given aviation safety incident reports, we identify the causes of the incidents by searching for relevant keywords automatically learned in an NLP-based weakly supervised bootstrapped method. Our performance is better than traditional text classifiers. BACK

We focus on algorithms for embedded systems to segment and annotate transitory and periodic human movements for data collected from body sensor networks. These techniques allow us to identify and categorize human movements in real time. BACK

A low-power and low-data-rate wireless-based body area network and personal-area network has been designed for remote patient monitoring and lifestyle management. Our work presents collection, transmission and recording of biometric data using wireless sensor networks. By using an array of our built-in-house wireless sensor nodes called “BioTE,” this information is transmitted to an online database, Microsoft's Health Vault. To increase the ease of use and the utility of our wireless node, we are also building a wearable, flexible, wireless smart body patch. BACK

We present thin film deposition by injecting liquid droplets into low pressure plasmas. It allows just about anything to be a precursor. Organic films were made and can contain things like nano-particles, proteins, medicines, etc. BACK

A hyperchannel, also known as a light-trail, is an optical bus using one wavelength that is used as a building block of a DWDM network. To avoid packet collision, either a centralized scheduler or a packet collision detection/ retransmission mechanism must be used. We present a new type of hyperchannel called opportunistic hyperchannel for which fully distributed, collision-free, QoS-assuring MAC protocols can be easily implemented. BACK

In air traffic management, aircraft flight plans are given as polygonal paths. We present an efficient theoretical solution and its implementation to find optimal flight plans under real-life constraints (maximum turn angle, minimum segment length). BACK

This study focuses on detecting whisper-island from neutral speech within audio streams using a proposed new entropy-based feature. Overall, the detection accuracy of 97% (for male) and 96.7% (for female) indicate effective performance in whisper-island detection.  BACK