Abstract:
A matrix transform method and circuit provides for MAP decoding of turbo codes. The method begins by initializing a forward recursion probability function vector &agr;0, and a backward recursion probability function vector &bgr;N. Then, transition probability matrices &Ggr;(Rk) and &Ggr;i(Rk) are determined according to each received symbol of the sequence R1N. And then, values of &agr;k, corresponding to the received Rk are determined according to &Ggr;(Rk). At the same time of determining &agr;k, a plurality of multiplacation on &Ggr;(Rk) and &Ggr;i(Rk) are accomplished in parallel. By making use of the results of the matrix multiplications, after receiving the complete symbol sequence R1N, values of all of the backward recursion probability vector &bgr;k, where k=1, 2, . . . , N−1, are determined in parallel, and the log likelihood ratio for every decoded bit dk, k=1, 2, . . . , N, are also determined in parallel. The circuit performs successive decoding procedures in parallel using a set of regular matrix operations. These operations substantially accelerate the decoding speed and reduce the computational complexity, and are particularly suited for implementation in special-purpose parallel processing VLSI hardware architectures. Using shift registers, the VLSI implementation effectively reduces memory requirements and simplifies complicated data accesses and transfers.
Abstract:
A process for melting an aluminum charge into molten aluminum and simultaneously refining the molten aluminum to produce a refined molten aluminum having a low hydrogen content in a direct fired furnace (10) is provided.
Abstract:
An oxygen selective ion transport membrane is integrated with a boiler furnace to generate steam and, optionally, high purity oxygen and nitrogen. The heat required to drive the system is obtained by the combustion of an oxygen transported through the oxygen selective ion transport membrane with a high BTU fuel such as methane or natural gas. NOx compound formation is minimized either by utilizing a combustion products diluted air/fuel mixture for combustion in the boiler furnace or by limiting combustion to a mixture of oxygen and a fuel.
Abstract:
A method and system to separate oxygen from air for producing oxygen to support combustion of a fuel, thereby to produce heat in a heat consuming device. In accordance with the method and system a heated and compressed air stream is introduced into a ceramic membrane system having one or more oxygen-selective, ion conducting membranes to produce an oxygen permeate stream which is used to support combustion of the fuel. The compressed air stream is heated within the heat consuming device itself which can be, for instance, a furnace or a boiler, through indirect heat exchange with flue gases or by radiant heat within a radiant heat exchange zone thereof. An oxygen lean retentate stream, produced through separation of oxygen from the compressed and heated air stream, can be expanded with the performance of work to produce an expanded air stream. The work of expansion can be applied to the compression of the incoming air stream. The expanded air stream can be used to preheat the compressed and heated air stream.
Abstract:
A method for reducing the NOx content of combustion gases from combustion in a commercial furnace wherein hot oxygen and carbonaceous fuel such as pulverized coal react to form a fuel-rich gas phase mixture which is then used to reduce NOx to nitrogen gas.
Abstract:
A DPSK communication system employs an optical signal which comprises plural, coherent, optical frequencies, each optical frequency positioned within a range of frequencies (i.e., a "frequency slot"). The optical signal comprises plural frequency slots, with the wavefront in each time segment of each frequency slot being phase modulated in accordance with data signals. Plural frequency slots are transmitted "in parallel", in each of a plurality of succeeding time segments. A demodulator includes first and second optical paths, the first component of the optical signal directed onto the first optical path and a second component directed onto the second optical path. A modulator is positioned in at least one of the optical paths and is responsive, during a time segment, to a first applied control signal, to alter the phase, and thus the frequency, of the first component by approximately one frequency slot. At the output of the first and second optical paths, an optical coupler interferes the first component and the second component so as to enable constructive and destructive interference therebetween in accordance with respective phase modulations thereof.
Abstract:
A method for improving the energy efficiency of oxygen-fired glass melting furnaces wherein heat from hot flue gases from the melting furnace is used to heat all or part of the combustion oxidant and thereafter to preheat at least a portion of the glass forming materials to be melted.
Abstract:
A glassmelting method wherein fuel and oxidant combust in a combustion zone in the upper level of a furnace and shield oxygen is passed over the molten glass surface at a low velocity to form a shield layer between the combustion zone and the molten glass, to counteract the reaction of water vapor, resulting from the combustion, with species within the molten glass, to reduce volatilization of alkali species from the molten glass, and to make the molten glass more oxidizing. Reducing gas may be used in place of shield oxygen to make the molten glass more reducing. Both shield oxygen and reducing gas may be used sequentially in a multi-zone furnace.
Abstract:
A method of producing grain oriented silicon steel sheets each having a low watt loss, at an inexpensive cost and a high operational efficiency, wherein surfaces of each silicon steel sheet are given a mirror surface is disclosed. After completion of a finish annealing, forsterite films on the surface of each grain oriented silicon steel sheet are removed therefrom, and thereafter, the silicon steel sheet is annealed within the temperature range of 1000.degree. C. or higher in an atmosphere composed of a mixture gas comprising 20 to 80% by volume of hydrogen gas and 0 to 80% by volume of an inert gas, whereby surfaces of the silicon steel sheet are given a mirror surface. Subsequently, tensile stress additive films are formed on the surfaces of the silicon steel sheet, and consequently, the resultant silicon steel sheet exhibits a remarkably reduced watt loss.
Abstract:
A combustion method wherein separate oxidant mixing zones and fuel reaction zones are established in a combustion zone to dilute oxidant and combust fuel under conditions which dampen NO.sub.x formation.