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Epilepsy is the most prevalent neurological disorder affecting both adults and children. Over two-and-one-half million individuals in the United States have epilepsy and 25% of them do not respond to drugs. A significant focus of current research efforts is the development of a fully implantable device for real-time seizure detection and automated warning and blockage of seizures. The purpose of this paper is to describe and demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating a novel tool, the percentile tracking filter into a successful, validated seizure detection algorithm to create an analog seizure detection device. We demonstrate, in a small-scale study, that the performance of this analog implementation is statistically similar to a digital implementation of a previously described and successfully validated seizure digital algorithm. This analog implementation can be realized into an application specific integrated circuit that is suitable for a fully implantable device for seizure monitoring, warning and treatment, which is likely to consume very little power, a feature of practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Navy is looking for methods to maximize the survivability of combat ships during battle conditions. A shipboard power distribution system is a stiff isolated power system that is vulnerable to voltage sags, which arise due to faults or pulsed loads, which can cause interruptions of critical loads. A series voltage injection type flywheel energy storage system (FESS) is used to mitigate voltage sags and maximize the survivability of the ship. The basic circuit consists of an energy storage system, power electronic interface, and a series injection transformer. In this case, the energy storage system consists of a flywheel coupled to an induction machine. The stored energy is used for sag correction for the critical load. Indirect field-oriented control (IDFOC) with space-vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) is used to control the induction machine. Sinusoidal PWM is used for controlling the power system side converter. This paper presents the modeling, simulation, and analysis of a FESS with a power converter interface using PSCADIEMTDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce new methods for increasing the performance of multiprogram digital audio broadcast systems, e.g., satellite digital audio broadcasting. Joint multiprogram encoding is an attractive possibility for parallel broadcasting of a large number of programs. Joint coding extended over multiple audio frames in time give further improvements. The benefits of this kind of statistical multiplexing yield improved audio quality and/or higher capacity in terms of number of programs. We describe the new Joint Multiple Program Encoding Technique in the context of the perceptual audio coding (PAC) type of algorithms. We also describe methods for multi-program transmission including Equal Error Protection (EEP) as well as Unequal Error Protection (UEP) and improved error concealment for multiple program transmission. Some of the techniques described in this paper, are currently being used in satellite digital audio broadcasting in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostatic adenocarcinoma is the most commonly occurring cancer among men in the United States, second only to skin cancer. Currently, the only definitive method to ascertain the presence of prostatic cancer is by trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) directed biopsy. Owing to the poor image quality of ultrasound, the accuracy of TRUS is only 20%-25%. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to have a higher accuracy of prostate cancer detection compared to ultrasound. Consequently, several researchers have been exploring the use of high resolution MRI in performing prostate biopsies. Visual detection of prostate cancer, however, continues to be difficult owing to its apparent lack of shape, and the fact that several malignant and benign structures have overlapping intensity and texture characteristics. In this paper, we present a fully automated computer-aided detection (CAD) system for detecting prostatic adenocarcinoma from 4 Tesla ex vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imagery of the prostate. After the acquired MR images have been corrected for background inhomogeneity and nonstandardness, novel three-dimensional (3-D) texture features are extracted from the 3-D MRI scene. A Bayesian classifier then assigns each image voxel a "likelihood" of malignancy for each feature independently. The "likelihood" images generated in this fashion are then combined using an optimally weighted feature combination scheme. Quantitative evaluation was performed by comparing the CAD results with the manually ascertained ground truth for the tumor on the MRI. The tumor labels on the MR slices were determined manually by an expert by visually registering the MR slices with the corresponding regions on the histology slices. We evaluated our CAD system on a total of 33 two-dimensional (2-D) MR slices from five different 3-D MR prostate studies. Five slices from two different glands were used for training. Our feature combination scheme was found to outperform the individual texture features, and also other popularly used feature combination methods, including AdaBoost, ensemble averaging, and majority voting. Further, in several instances our CAD system performed better than the experts in terms of accuracy, the expert segmentations being determined solely from visual inspection of the MRI data. In addition, the intrasystem variability (changes in CAD accuracy with changes in values of system parameters) was significantly lower than the corresponding intraobserver and interobserver variability. CAD performance was found to be very similar for different training sets. Future work will focus on extending the methodology to guide high-resolution MRI-assisted in vivo prostate biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial distribution systems have been designed in the USA, considering prevalent standards, i.e., American National Standards Institute (ANSI), IEEE, National Electrical Code (NEC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc., and arc flash was not a consideration for designing electrical power systems in the industry. Functionality and economics were the important factors, and will always be so. However, the arc flash analysis and limiting the incident energy will usher a new parameter in system design. It can be demonstrated that in many current installations and new installations designed without considerations of limiting the arc flash energy, the hazard risk category exceeds the highest Class 4 personal protective equipment (PPE), i.e., an arc thermal performance exposure value (ATPV) of 40 cal/cm². This paper discusses typical industrial distribution systems at low-voltage and medium-voltage levels and demonstrates the impact of system design decisions and protection on the incident energy and arc flash hazard reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for decomposing process-control systems. This decomposition method is automated, meaning that a series of principles that can be evolved to support automated tools are given to help a designer decompose complex systems into a collection of simpler components. Each component resulting from the decomposition process can be designed and implemented independently of the other components. Also, these components can be tested or verified by the end-user independently of each other. Moreover, the system properties, such as safety, stability, and reliability, can be mathematically inferred from the properties of the individual components. These components are referred to as IDEAL (lndependently Developable End-user Assessable Logical) components. This decomposition method is applied to a case study specified by the High-Integrity Systems group at Sandia National Labs, which involves the control of a future version of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article assesses the collateral damage suffered by the United States on the wake of war on terrorism. The article reports that in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 2001, the United States government undertook a rushed effort to increase security. In addition to new legislation such as the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the government dramatically ramped up enforcement of laws. In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has already passed three major new laws in 2002. Another major change after these attacks are that the U.S. scientists and engineers now account for less than one-third of the world's scientific papers.

NASA conducts and funds research to advance the state of the art in aeronautics, including improvements in aircraft design leading to enhanced performance in areas such as noise, emissions, and safety. A particular initiative involves development of an all-electric aircraft requiring significant improvements in certain technologies. NASA has started a new project with one of the objectives being the development of enabling technologies for an all-electric aircraft. Electrical aeropropulsion requires the design of more compact and efficient electrical motors. In order to me crease the power density, the weight/size must be minimized and the air gap flux density must increase significantly the use of superconducting materials is an obvious choice. Existing HTS motors are proof-of-principle demonstrators and exhibit power densities lower than 1 HP/lb, which is too low to be considered in mobile systems. This paper deals with a preliminary electromagnetic design of a 200 HP high temperature superconducting motor optimized in terms of power density. The presented configuration is a synchronous motor with a nonconventional topology enhanced by HTS bulk material. The design targets the Cessna 172 propulsion requirements that are 200 HP at 2700 RPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into transmission pricing and congestion management in interconnected power systems, such as those found in USA and Europe, requires an appropriate benchmark system to test different methodologies. Creation of a realistic benchmark system is difficult as utilities are often unwilling to disclose details of their own systems because of commercial sensitivity and security reasons. This paper presents development of an approximate model of a European interconnected system which could be used to study the effects of cross-border trades. In creating the load-flow model, only publicly available information was used. Comparison of simulation results conducted on the test system with the published cross-border flows and power transfer distribution factors showed a very good correlation, exceeding 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Jet Propulsion Laboratory(JPL) CloudSat Extended Interaction Klystron requirements, design, performance, and development of a long life model for the European Space Agency (ESA)/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency EarthCARE program plus Ka-band Extended Interaction Klystrons for the NASAIJPL Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter and ESA European Global Precipitation Measurement Missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio-frequency interference (RFI) is an increasingly serious problem for passive and active microwave sensing of the Earth. To satisfy their measurement objectives, many spaceborne passive sensors must operate in unprotected bands, and future sensors may also need to operate in unprotected bands. Data from these sensors are likely to be increasingly contaminated by RFI as the spectrum becomes more crowded. In a previous paper we reported on a preliminary investigation of RFI observed over the United States in the 6.9-GHz channels of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) on the Earth Observing System Aqua satellite. Here, we extend the analysis to an investigation of RFI in the 6.9- and 10.7-GHz AMSR-E channels over the global land domain and for a one-year observation period. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the RFI are examined by the use of spectral indices. The observed RI?! at 6.9 GHz is most densely concentrated in the United States, Japan, and the Middle East, and is sparser in Europe, while at 10.7 GHz the RFI is concentrated mostly in England, Italy, and Japan. Classification of RFI using means and standard deviations of the spectral indices is effective in identifying strong RFI. In many cases, however, it is difficult, using these indices, to distinguish weak RFI from natural geophysical variability. Geophysical retrievals using RFI-filtered data may therefore contain residual errors due to weak RFI. More robust radiometer designs and continued efforts to protect spectrum allocations will be needed in future to ensure the viability of spaceborne passive microwave sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies an uneven two-class unsupervised classification problem of satellite imagery, i.e., the mapping of U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Conservation Reserve Pro- gram (CRP) tracts. CRP is a nationwide program that encourages farmers to plant long-term, resource conserving coven to improve soil, water, and wildlife resources. With recent payments of nearly US $1.6 billion for new enrollments (2002 signup), it is imperative to obtain accurate digital CRP maps for management and evaluation purposes. CRP mapping is a complex classification problem where both CRP and non-CRP areas are composed of various cover types. Two nonparametric machine learning approaches, i.e., decision tree classifier (DTC) and support vector machine (SVM5) are implemented in this work. Specifically, considering the importance of CRP classification sensitivity, a new DTC pruning method is proposed to increase recall. We also study two SVM relaxation approaches to increase recall. Moreover, a localized and parallel framework is suggested in order to efficiently deal with the large-scale CRP mapping need. Simulation results validate the applicability of the suggested framework and proposed techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology for the 14- and 35-GHz Second-Generation Precipitation Radar (PR-2) is currently being developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory to support the development of future spaceborne radar missions. PR-2 will rely on high-performance onboard processing techniques in order to improve the observation capabilities (swath width, spatial resolution, and precision) of a low-earth orbiting rainfall radar. Using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), we have developed a prototype spaceborne processor and controller module that will support advanced capabilities in the PR-2 such as autotargeting of rain and compression of rainfall science data. In this paper, we describe the new technology components designed for the onboard processor, including an FPGA-based 40 × 109 op/s pulse-compression receiver/filter with a range sidelobe performance of -72 dB, and an adaptive scanning controller which yields a six-fold increase in the number of radar looks over areas of precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the steps of the gas industry, the traditional paradigm of the vertically integrated electrical utility structure has begun to change. In the United States, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued several rules and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking to set the road map for the utility deregulation. The crisis in California has drawn great attention and sparked intense discussion within the utility industry. One general conclusion is to rejuvenate the idea of integrated resource planning and promote the distributed generation via traditional or renewable generation facilities for the deregulated utility systems. Fuel cell and photo- voltaic are the most promising renewable generation technologies for the residential and small commercial users. It is desirable for these facilities to be interconnected with the utility grid to perform peak shaving, demand reduction, and to serve as emergency and standby power supply. However, the mismatch between the utility tie protection and the equipment protection makes it impossible for the fuel cell and/or photovoltaic to serve as emergency and standby power supply when the utility supply is lost due to nearby external faults. To overcome this issue, this paper discusses the development of an integrated high-speed Intelligent utility tie monitoring, control, and protection system to replace the traditional tie breakers for those residential and small commercial facilities with disbursed/renewable generation facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Television (DTV) service has begun in all the major urban areas within the United States but has yet to significantly reach the rural areas. Often, translators are the only means of providing free, over-the-air television service to people living in these areas. One challenge is that while specific rules for operation and spectrum allocation have existed for quite some time for full-service stations in urban areas, rules for DTV translator stations in rural areas have just been created (September 2004). Another challenge is overcoming the scarcity of spectrum that exists under the old analog taboo interference rules. A key component in overcoming these challenges is to determine interference parameters in the form of desired-to-undesired (D/U) field strength ratios that will allow as many DTV and NTSC signals to co-exist as possible. Also, co-sited analog and digital translator sites utilizing low radiated power can be used for adjacent/taboo channel operation (NTSC next to DTV or DTV next to DTV) if careful engineering and planning are employed. Even first adjacent channel operation can be accomplished if proper effective radiated power (ERP) ratios are selected. This paper shows that a relative 10-dB NTSC-to-DTV power ratio and a relative 0-dB DTV-to-DTV power ratio is acceptable at a co-sited repeater site in order to avoid receiver interference among the co-sited signals. The choice of absolute radiated power levels depends on the desired coverage area, the surrounding terrain, and the required interference avoidance of potential weak signals from distant stations (if present). Co-siting repeaters and sharing as many of the common transmission elements as possible such as combiners, feedlines, broadband antennas, test equipment, etc. allow many low-power DTV and NTSC signals to be transmitted together under well-controlled conditions, thereby providing the most efficient use of scarce spectrum. Further independent Laboratory testing with current consumer DTV receivers is also vital for improved channel allocation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following in the steps of the gas industry, the traditional paradigm of the vertically integrated electric utility structure has begun to change. In the United States, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued several rules and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking to set the road map for the deregulated utility industry. The crisis in California has drawn great attention and sparked intense discussion within the utility industry. One general conclusion is to rejuvenate the idea of integrated resource planning and promote the distributed generation via traditional or renewable generation facilities for the deregulated utility systems. Wind generation is one of the most mature and cost-effective resources among different renewable energy technologies. Recently, several large-scale wind generation projects have been implemented in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Similar to other new generation facilities, the impacts of a large-scale wind generation on the system operation, voltage profile, and system security have to be investigated and studied. Remedies for possible operation issues have to be evaluated and implemented. This paper discusses the impact study of connecting a 120-MW wind farm into the transmission system of a utility company within the Southwest Power Pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization voltages used on longwall equipment operating in coal mines in the United States have increased steadily over the past 15 years from 1000 up to 4160 V. This voltage in- crease has directly influenced the 200% gain in overall longwall productivity from 1987 to the present. The transition from medium voltage (661-1000 V) to high voltage (greater than 1000 V) has permitted significant increases in mining face widths and equipment sizes. Longwall systems with total connected loads of over 5000 hp are now common, and all longwalls in the United States now use high-voltage equipment, with the majority utilizing 4160 V. Shielded cables, which have significantly more capacitance than unshielded cables, are required for high-voltage applications in the mining industry. This capacitance can have detrimental influences on system overvoltages and relay selectivity during ground-fault conditions if the values for the neutral grounding resistor and the ground-fault-relay pickup settings are improperly chosen. These issues are addressed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulse radio (IR) and especially time-hopping IR (TH-IR) systems have attracted considerable attention since their introduction in the context of ultra wideband (UWB) systems in the early 1990s. Recently, with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission actions allowing for the wide-spread use of UWB radio systems, the interest in these systems has grown further. These systems promise to deliver high data rates in multiple access communication channels with very simple transmitter and receiver designs. The importance of multiuser detection for achieving high data rates with these systems has already been established in several studies. This paper studies several low-complexity multiuser detectors specifically designed for TH-IR radio systems. It is demonstrated that many multiuser detectors developed primarily for direct-sequence code division multiple access (DSCDMA) systems can be used essentially without any change in TH-IR receivers. Further, several novel, low-complexity multiuser detectors that exploit the special signal structure used for transmission by TH-LR systems are developed. These novel detectors are analyzed both theoretically and via simulations. It is shown that a very simple iterative multiuser detector yields performance that is similar to that of a single-user system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several information systems' and computer-mediated communication studies in the literature measure user's perceptions of email. The user's perceptions of email were used to develop and validate the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). While a user's perceptions of email play an important role in literature, very few studies have focused solely on developing a construct for measuring these perceptions. In this paper, we develop a construct to measure an individual's perceptions of email as a medium for electronic communication in organizations. Using a survey of management and non management employees in Northeastern US, we empirically test our theoretical construct. The results of our research indicate that an individual's perceptions of email are a multidimensional construct with two dimensions: the individual level dimension and the organizational level. At an individual level, a person's perceptions may be impacted by email's role in improving productivity, supporting team work, and providing global reach. At an organizational level a person's perceptions may be impacted by email's role in making an organization vulnerable to viruses, exposing proprietary information, and/or encouraging unprofessional and illegal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant banter to improving, the power quality at industrial facilities is the lack of contemporaneous and historical power quality and reliability data. A new Web-enabled near-real-time power quality and reliability monitoring system, termed 1-Grid, has been developed to provide such information on a nationwide basis. The ultralow-cost sensors record power events and send event data via the Internet to the system database servers using an internal modem. Data display, e-mail event notification, site administration, and summary reporting of the data are achieved via a Web browser. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Electric Power Research Institute, and leading utilities and manufacturers, the deployment of these sensors has begun, with a target deployment of 50 000 monitors across the U.S. and Canada over the next 2-4 years. This paper discusses the implementation of this grid information resource, and discusses data captured by the network since early monitors were deployed in 2001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the identification of a common mold (i.e., fungus) growing on nonceramic insulators (NCIs) in service, and analyzes its impact on the electrical performance. The insulators evaluated were line posts removed from a 138-kV transmission line serving the interior (away from the coast) regions in Florida. The insulators had housings made from different types of silicone rubber (SR) and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) polymer families. Electrical tests performed include surface resistance measurements and determination of contamination withstand capability (CWC) using the clean-fog procedure. Changes in the CWC were correlated to material changes by using micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and surface resistance measurements. It was concluded that the mold growth is dependent on material formulation and outdoor environment. On SR insulators that exhibited mold growth, there was a reduction in the CWC when compared to the same insulator without the mold; however, even the reduced level of CWC was superior to that obtained on similarly rated EPR and porcelain insulators without any visible mold growth. Lastly, simple methods to remove the mold from the insulators are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) was developed and provided to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's EOS Aqua satellite by the National Space Development Agency of Japan, as one of the indispensable instruments for Aqua's mission. AMSR-E is a modified version of AMSR that was launched December 2002 aboard the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II). It is a six-frequency dual-polarized total-power passive microwave radiometer that observes water-related geophysical parameters supporting global change science and monitoring efforts. The hardware improvements over existing spaceborne microwave radiometers for earth imaging include the largest main reflector of its kind and addition of 6.925-GHz channels. These improvements provide finer spatial resolution and the capability to retrieve sea surface temperature and soil moisture information on a global basis. This paper provides an overview of the instrument characteristics, mission objectives, and data products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IBOC DAB (In-Band On-Channel Digital Audio Broadcasting) requires the simultaneous broadcast of an analog and a digital signal within one channel of the FM band. Because broadcasters are adding IBOC to their existing systems, it is vital that they achieve maximum power efficiency while working within their existing space and power limitations. There are currently three different strategies proposed for accomplishing this goal, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. One strategy is to establish a separate, second antenna for the digital service. The other two strategies involve combining the analog and digital signals, either in a single hybrid transmitter or at the output of separate analog and digital transmitters. This paper discusses the equipment required for accomplishing this last strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the technical program presented at the 2001 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Microwave Theory and Techniques Society International Microwave Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. Coverage of the technical program; Record on the number of paper submission; Citations on the topics in the symposium.

This paper documents an application of the finite state model checker SPIN to formally analyze a multithreaded plan execution module. the plan execution module is one component of NASA's New Millennium Remote Agent, an artificial intelligence-based space-craft control system architecture which launched in October of 1998 as part of the DEEP SPACE 1 mission. the bottom layer of the plan execution module architecture is a domain specific language, named ESL (Executive Support Language), implemented as an extension to multithreaded COMMON LISP. ESL supports the construction of reactive control mechanisms for autonomous robots and space-craft. For this case study, we translated the ESL services for managing interacting parallel, goal-and-event driven processes into the PROMELA input language of SPIN. A total of five previously undiscovered concurrency errors were identified within the implementation of ESL. According to the Remote Agent programming team, the effort has had a major impact, locating errors that would not have been located otherwise and, in one case, identifying a major design flaw. In fact, in a different part of the system, a concurrency bug identical to one discovered by this escaped testing and caused a deadlock during an in-flight experiment 96 million kilometers from earth. The work additionally motivated the introduction of procedural abstraction in terms of inline procedures into SPIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the computer vision research for undergraduates in the United States. Ability of students to prepare and present papers in conferences; Accomplishments of students in journal publications; Continuance of students on graduate studies at various institutions.

This special collection of papers had its genesis at the IEEE Computer Society Workshop on Software Testing and Test Documentation held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during December 18-20, 1978. This collection is devoted to selected papers on program testing that were presented at the Workshop. The thrust is towards approaches that can support the heuristic components of testing. There is increasing recognition that it is unlikely there will be a grand theory of testing which will lead to fully automated testing systems. Instead the tester will be called upon to use his intuition and problem-dependent knowledge in a discipline manner to test for a variety of specified error types. But it is crucial that this less ambitious, heuristic activity be nevertheless firmly embedded in an underlying framework which is logical, rigorous and well-understood.

Highlights the activities and topics discussed at the International Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTTS) International Microwave Symposium held from June 13 to 19, 1999 in Anaheim, California. Guest speakers; Presentation of the IEEE Electromagnetics Award and the IEEE MTT-S 1999 IEEE Fellows; Scientific paper competition.

This paper describes methods for automatically analyzing formal, state-based requirements specifications for some aspects of completeness and consistency. The approach uses a low-level functional formalism, simplifying the analysis process. State-space explosion problems are eliminated by applying the analysis at a high level of abstraction; i.e., instead of generating a reachability graph for analysis, the analysis is performed directly on the model. The method scales up to large systems by decomposing the specification into smaller, analyzable parts and then using functional composition rules to ensure that verified properties hold for the entire specification. The analysis algorithms and tools have been validated on TCAS II, a complex, airborne, collision-avoidance system required on all commercial aircraft with more than 30 passengers that fly in U.S. airspace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for estimating software development effort in the early phases of a large software-intensive project and a "front-end" process incorporating the method. We describe the application of this methodology to the domestic U.S. 5ESS Switch project—a very large multiyear continuing effort, with new features incorporated into yearly releases. For each feature to be estimated, a "feature team" generates a detailed feature definition with high-level functionality requirements and a high-level design proposal. These are used in the estimeeting, a formal working meeting of estimators from affected parts of the project. The meeting produces a development estimate for use in deciding which features to include in the next release. The benefits of this methodology include well-defined milestones (high-level feature requirements, high-level designs, and estimates), and less tangible benefits like better working relationships between parts of the project, interorganizational synergy, and increased confidence in the front-end process. Further, once development begins, the estimates are sufficient to begin staffing and budgeting. However, market conditions may change during the project implementation; this could require changing some feature definitions, and even adding and deleting large features. Therefore it may be difficult to reconcile the original estimates with resources required as the product approaches delivery. At this writing the methodology has been used for three releases for the 5ESS Switch, and preliminary indications of the accuracy of its estimates are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SDD-1, A System for Distributed Databases, is a distributed database system being developed by Computer Corporation of America (CCA), Cambridge, MA. SDD-1 permits data to be stored redundantly at several database sites in order to enhance the reliability and responsiveness of the system and to facilitate upward scaling of system capacity. This paper describes the method used by SDD-1 for updating data that are stored redundantly. Redundant updating can be costly because it may potentially involve extensive intercomputer communication overhead in order to lock all copies of data being updated. The method described here avoids this overhead by identifying cases in which it is not necessary to perform this global database locking. The identification of transactions that do not require global locking is based on a predefinition of transaction classes performed by the database administrator using an analysis technique described herein. The classes defined are used at run time to decide what level of synchronization is needed for a given transaction. It is important to note that this predefinition activity in no way limits the transactions that the system can accept; it merely permits more efficient execution of those types of transactions that were anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Transactions’ Mini-Special Issue includes a selection of papers presented last year at the 2018 IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) Symposium held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA, USA, during June 10–12, 2018. The 2018 RFIC Symposium focused on the major themes of millimeter-wave 5G and autonomous vehicles in the plenary sessions. The first plenary talk was delivered by Zachary J. Lemnios, the Vice President of IBM Research, and discussed silicon-based mm-wave systems for 5G and beyond. The second plenary talk was presented by Lars Reger, CTO of NXP Semiconductors’ Automotive Business Unit, and focused on RF systems in the automotive industry, including the technical aspects related to future self-driving cars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common practice for the Ex Post LMP calculation at a number of U.S. ISOs uses a small constant range, typically from -2.0 to +0.1 MW, as each generator's lower and upper bounds. This paper shows that this is an unjustified practice as the marginal units and LMP may change if the bounds are changed. A simple yet effective improvement is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides various announcement related to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Inc. Management Society, provides an overview on various issues published within the issue. Starting January 2008, the society will change its name into IEEE Technology Management Council. Names of the recipient for the 2006, volume 53 best paper award are presented. The issue of the journal presents various reports including one by D. Libaers on the role and contribution of foreign-born scientist in the U.S.

Focuses on the 2002 International Electrical & Electronic Engineering Microwave Theory and Techniques Society International Microwave Symposium held in Seattle, Washington. Introduction of a database-oriented paper submission system; Presentation of workshops and tutorials; Reason for the success of the Technical Program.

Editorial. Reports on developments in the Wireless Information Technology and Networks initiative announced by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research in wireless communication systems in the U.S. in 1999. Number of proposals received by the NSF; Information on the Wireless Grantees Workshop at the National Academy of Science in Washington D.C.; Organization of papers in the May 2002 issue of the periodical 'IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.'

Provides a preview of the Globecom 2001 telecommunication conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas on November 25-29, 2001. Description of San Antonio; Topics to be discussed in the conference; Overview of the technical papers submitted for the conference.

In The paper above , published in the April 2019 issue of the IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, the following change is noted. The affiliations of the authors were listed incorrectly due to a production error. The affiliations should be listed as follows: The authors were with the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, while performing their research for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These instructions give guidelines for preparing papers for this publication. Presents information for authors publishing in this journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) 2003 held in Portland, Oregon. The article discusses three papers that were selected for representing the best of ICSE 2003. The first paper "Scaling Step Wise Refinement," by D. Batory, J.N. Sarvela and A. Rauschmayer, is about development of computer software. The second paper is "Fragment Class Analysis for Testing of Polymorphism in Java Software" by A. Rountev, A. Milanova and B.C. Ryder, and the third paper is "Modular Verification of Software Components in C," by S. Chaki, F. Clarke, A. Groce, S. Jha and H. Veith. These two papers concern validation of software. The article also names some persons who devoted their time and energy in organizing ICSE 2003. The author suggests that managing the complexity of modern software systems is a grand challenge. Throughout the conference, there were exhibits, posters and informal research demonstrations as well as an onsite newsletter describing memorable moments, humor and fascinating facts.

Software pervades the growing web of computers and communications systems providing diverse services, personal, commercial, financial, public, and entertainment services. Providing timely, cost-effective, high-quality software for these diverse services requires the best possible technology and practice that the software engineering community can provide. The 1999 International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) was held in Los Angeles, California. Following the lead of previous ICSE conferences, the aim of ICSE held in the year 1999 was to bring together software engineering practitioners and researchers to present and discuss the most promising approaches for meeting the software challenges of the next century. The February 2001, issue of the journal IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering presents a special section with some of the best papers of the conference held in the year 1999. These papers were selected through an additional review process conducted after the conference. The ICSE '99 program committee selected a number of the best quality papers. The authors of these papers were invited to submit extended versions of their papers for consideration for journal publication.