A method, a base station, and a system of configuring relay link resources are provided. The method of configuring relay link resources includes: receiving an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol number reported by a relay node RN, in which the OFDM symbol is used by a physical downlink control channel PDCCH of a multimedia multicast broadcast single frequency network MBSFN subframe where a relay link of the RN is located; and configuring relay link resources according to the OFDM symbol number, an offset, and a length of a PDCCH in an eNB subframe, in which the offset is an offset of an RN frame relative to the time when the RN frame is initially synchronized with an eNB frame, and is smaller than a sum of a length of the PDCCH of the MBSFN subframe where the relay link of the RN is located and a first idle time.

With the development of wireless communications technologies, there are higher requirements for communication rate and communication quality. After a relay node (RN, Relay Node) is introduced into the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP, 3rd Generation Partnership Project) Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced, Long Term Evolution Advanced) standard, the problem is effectively solved by using the RN to perform backhaul transmission, and the RN can expand cell coverage, improve cell capacity, and make cell throughput uniform.
When an RN is used as a network node to perform cell coverage, the RN communicates with a base station (eNB, Evolved Node Base station) and a user equipment (UE, User Equipment) under the coverage of the RN in a time division mode. To ensure that a UE in the 3GPP Release-8 (Release-8) standard is not affected when accessing a network, a subframe where a communication link between the RN and the eNB, that is, a relay link, is located is configured as a multimedia multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN, Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency Network) subframe, the first 1-2 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM) symbols of the MBSFN subframe are used for the RN to communicate with the UE under the coverage of the RN, while the remaining OFDM symbols may be used for the RN to communicate with the eNB.
However, while the eNB sends a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH, Physical Downlink Control Channel) (1-4 OFDM symbols) to the UE under the coverage of the eNB, the RN also sends a physical downlink control channel PDCCH (1-2 OFDM symbols) at the same time, so the RN cannot receive the PDCCH of the eNB, and the PDCCH of the RN and the PDCCH of the eNB may be of different lengths, which will affect the time when the eNB is capable of sending a PDCCH or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH, Physical Downlink Shared Channel) to the RN or the time when the RN is capable of receiving the PDCCH or the PDSCH, thereby affecting resources used on the relay link. In addition, since the RN needs to perform state conversion from a receiving state to a sending state or from a sending state to a receiving state when changing from communicating with the UE under the RN to communicating with the eNB, and the RN cannot receive or send downlink information within the state conversion time, the state conversion time is an idle time/guard time, and the existence of the state conversion time also affects the resources used on the relay link.
In the prior art, to enable the RN to share the PDCCH of the eNB with the UE under the coverage of the eNB, the RN generally offsets an RN frame forward relative to an eNB frame. As shown in FIG. 1, an offset of the RN frame relative to the eNB frame is: the length 1 of a PDCCH of the MBSFN subframe where the relay link of the RN is located+a first idle time 2, in which the idle time 2 includes the state conversion time of the RN. The RN frame will ignore the last several OFDM symbols (equivalent to the offset of the RN frame relative to the eNB frame) of the eNB frame.
The resources used on the relay link (a relay_physical downlink shared channel R_PDSCH) after the RN frame is offset relative to the eNB frame are: the total length of the subframe−the offset of the RN frame relative to the eNB frame−a relay_physical downlink control channel R_PDCCH−a second idle time 3. In this method, since the offset of the RN frame relative to the eNB frame is too large, the relay link resources are reduced. In addition, the eNB considers by default the length of the PDCCH of the MBSFN subframe where the relay link of the RN is located to be a maximum value (2 OFDM symbols), so that the offset of the RN frame relative to the eNB frame is further increased, and the relay link resources are further decreased, thereby wasting the resources.

Method, base station, and system of configuring relay link resources


A method of manufacturing patterns on the surfaces of grating elements of a torque transducer having a shaft comprising first and second rigid torque input members connected by a torsional coupling enabling relative angular deflection between the first and second input members, first and second grating elements respectively associated with the first and second input members, the surfaces of the grating elements being adjacent to each other and able to relatively displace as a function of torque in the shaft, the method comprising the steps of: forming an assembly by rotationally and axially fixing the input members and respective grating elements to the torsional coupling; mounting the assembly in a machine comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate regions of the surfaces of the grating elements while a relative angular displacement between the torque input members with respect to their zero torque alignment condition is maintained; and simultaneously irradiating regions of the surfaces of the grating elements while the angular displacement between the torque input members is maintained.

This invention relates to a method for manufacture of optical torque transducers. Such torque transducers are used for measuring the magnitude of torque in shafts, in particular rotating shafts such as found in electric power steering systems in vehicle applications.
Electric power steering systems conventionally incorporate an input shaft element, connected via a Hooke""s joint arrangement and intermediate shaft to the steering wheel. The input shaft therefore needs to rotate through an angle typically one to two revolutions either side of the on-centre steering position. It is a requirement of the electric power steering system to accurately measure the continuously varying torque in this rotating shaft. Conventionally torque applied to the shaft causes it to angularly deflect, such deflection causing one part of the shaft to angularly displace with respect to another part, and this displacement may be sensed to provide a measurement of this torque.
The sensing means needs to allow for rotation of the shaft, preferably employing non-contact signal transmission means for reliability or simplicity. Said sensing means includes aperture based and reflective optical devices and magnetic devices such as magnetostrictive or variable reluctance couplings.
To improve the accuracy of such sensing means the torque transducer may incorporate a shaft assembly which comprises two grating elements attached to or integral with two torque input members joined by a torsionally compliant coupling. When torque is applied between the two torque input members the torsionally compliant coupling deflects causing an increased relative angular displacement of the two grating elements that allows the use of less sensitive sensing means.
This method relates to the manufacture of torque transducers that use reflective or transmissive optical sensing means, which comprise grating patterns consisting of alternating regions of high and low reflectivity or transmissibility (respectively) for a given incident electromagnetic radiation (EMR). High and low reflectivity includes variations in direct, specular reflection and variations in diffuse reflection. The grating patterns are illuminated by a source of EMR, typically UV, visible or IR light, which are interrogated by one or more arrays of detectors sensitive to the EMR. Arrays include Charge Couple Devices (CCD), Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) vision chips and one or two-dimensional photodetector arrays. The output of the one or more arrays interrogating the patterns can be processed to produce a measure of the torque applied to the shaft.
The regions of high and low reflectivity or transmissibility can be arranged axially or radially about the axis of rotation of the shaft, and are of such a nature that allows a continuous output of the arrays regardless of the angular position of the shaft, as the array dimensions may not allow the complete circumference or radial face to be viewed by the arrays at any instant in time.
The prior art which is most closely related to that of the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,939 (Golker) entitled xe2x80x9cMethod for the Manufacture of a Code Disk for Optical Incremental Shaft Encoders and Absolute Shaft Encodersxe2x80x9d which shows the use of laser techniques for manufacturing of shaft encoder patterns.
The essence of the present method resides in the application of radiation, and particularly optical laser radiation, patterning techniques simultaneously to two mutually adjacent grating elements of a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is assembled prior to irradiation, and comprises the two grating elements attached to or integral with two torque input members that are connected by a torsionally compliant coupling. The simultaneous irradiation of the two grating elements of the shaft assembly provides very accurate control of the relative disposition of the two grating patterns thus generated for the zero torque alignment condition. Further, since the grating patterns are mutually adjacent, a single radiation source can be used for both patterns with further improvement of pattern disposition. This contrasts to the use of optical patterning methods as disclosed in the aforementioned prior art which, if employed, would require the independent xe2x80x9cprepatterningxe2x80x9d of two grating elements (referred to as xe2x80x9ccode disksxe2x80x9d) prior to assembly of the shaft, with subsequent introduction of inaccuracies in the relative disposition of the two grating patterns during the subsequent assembly operation.
Radiation in the present specification includes optical electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in vacuum between 40 nm and 1 mm, as defined by The International Society for Optical Engineering.
The advantages of a method according to the present invention to construct a xe2x80x9creflective gratingxe2x80x9d torque transducer (as disclosed in co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/AU98/00645) or a xe2x80x9ctransmissive gratingxe2x80x9d torque transducer (as disclosed in co-pending Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PP0984 filed Dec. 17, 1997 entitled xe2x80x9cTransmission Path Torque Transducerxe2x80x9d) accrue from the generation of the patterns after assembly of the shaft. This means that the relative dispositions of the two patterns are determined with great accuracy, which is not disturbed by subsequent assembly operations as would be the case if the patterns were generated prior to assembly of the shaft.
Firstly, calibration of the finished transducer is not required thus saving cost and time in manufacture.
Secondly, the shafts can be interchanged without recalibration or accurate assembly methods, and the arrays are likewise interchangeable without recalibration or accurate assembly methods.
Thirdly, the transducer can be disassembled and reassembled if required for maintenance or repair purposes without the need for special tools or accurate assembly methods.
Fourthly, the xe2x80x9clocked inxe2x80x9d nature of the relative pattern dispositions means that adjustment features such as screws and stops are not required, which therefore eliminates the possibility that the transducer can be inadvertently miscalibrated by the user or untrained repair personnel.
Fifthly, the use of irradiation allows patterns to be generated on the grating elements with great accuracy and speed.
Finally, the use of irradiation allows complex and angularly non-repetitive patterns, such as barcodes, to be flexibly generated, for example by manipulation of a laser. This allows the torque transducer shaft to be of simpler construction as xe2x80x9caliasingxe2x80x9d problems can be eliminated as the individual marks (or groups of regions of high and low reflectivity or transmissibility) have a unique, coded identity. Aliasing is defined in this application as the situation where sufficient angular deflection occurs between the two grating elements that the disposition of the respective patterns is identical to their disposition for a lesser magnitude of angular deflection, thereby yielding indeterminancy and potentially a false measurement of torque in the shaft. Barcodes provide an absolute indication of which mark is being viewed by the array hence eliminate indeterminacy caused by aliasing. Marks in the form of barcoded patterns also allow easy determination of absolute shaft angular position, providing additional functionality of the transducer, or elimination of the need for external angle encoders.
The present invention consists in a method of manufacturing grating patterns on the surfaces of grating elements of a torque transducer, the torque transducer comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis, the shaft comprising first and second substantially rigid torque input members which are connected by a torsionally compliant coupling, the coupling thereby enabling angular deflection of the first torque input member relative to the second torque input member as a function of the magnitude of the torque in the shaft, a first grating element attached to or integral with the first torque input member and a second grating element attached to or integral with the second torque input member, the surfaces of the two grating elements being adjacent and able to relatively displace as a function of torque in the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
a first step of forming an assembly by rotationally and axially fixing the first and second torque input members and respective grating elements to the torsionally compliant coupling; a second step of mounting the assembly in a machine comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate regions of the adjacent surfaces of the two grating elements whilst a predetermined relative angular displacement between the two torque input members with respect to their zero torque alignment condition is maintained; and a third step of simultaneously irradiating regions of the adjacent surfaces of the two grating elements whilst the predetermined angular displacement between the two torque input members is maintained; thereby generating grating patterns on the surfaces of the two grating elements of the assembly which are precisely mutually aligned for this zero torque alignment condition.
In a first embodiment it is preferred that the machine provides mounting for rotation of the assembly about the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the third step further comprises rotating the assembly and successively irradiating regions of the adjacent surfaces at predetermined angular rotational positions of the assembly.
It is preferred that the assembly rotates through substantially one revolution during the successive rotations.
It is preferred that the assembly is rotationally stationary during at least one of the successive irradiations.
Alternatively it is preferred that the assembly is rotating during at least one of the successive irradiations.
In a second embodiment it is preferred that the assembly is mounted stationary in the machine during the third step.
It is preferred that the surface of at least one of the first or second grating elements is substantially cylindrical, with its central axis collinear with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Alternatively it is preferred that the surface of at least one of the first or second grating elements is substantially planar and radially disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Still alternatively, it is preferred that the surface of at least one of the first or second grating elements is substantially conical, with its central axis collinear with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Still alternatively, it is preferred that the surface of at least one of the first or second grating elements is substantially axis-symmetric, with its central axis collinear with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
It is preferred that each grating pattern comprises alternating regions of high and low reflectivity or transmissibility for a given incident electromagnetic radiation.
It is preferred that a radiation-opaque mask is interposed between the radiation source and the surfaces of the grating elements and the geometry of the mask determines the shape and disposition of the patterns.
Alternatively the radiation source comprises a laser that irradiates the surfaces of the grating elements and the shape and disposition of the patterns are determined by controlling the laser beam focus and/or impingement position on the grating elements.
Alternatively the radiation source comprises a laser that irradiates the surfaces of the grating elements and the shape and disposition of the patterns are determined by controlling the relative positions of the grating elements and the laser.
It is preferred that the predetermined relative angular displacement maintained between the two torque input members is substantially zero.
It is preferred that the grating pattern on at least one of the grating elements is arranged in the form of a bar code or a succession of bar codes.
It is preferred that the irradiation removes material or changes the physical or chemical properties of regions of the adjacent surfaces of the grating elements, thereby increasing or decreasing the reflectivity or transmissibility of these regions.
Alternatively a layer of polymer such as polyimide is applied to the adjacent surfaces of the grating elements prior to irradiation, and the irradiation removes this layer from regions of the grating elements, thereby exposing the original surface of the grating elements, this being of increased or decreased reflectivity or transmissibility compared to the surface of the polymer layer.
Alternatively a layer of inorganic material such as alumina ceramic is applied to the adjacent surfaces of the grating elements prior to irradiation, and the irradiation removes this layer from regions of the grating elements, thereby exposing the original surface of the grating elements, this being of increased or decreased reflectivity or transmissibility compared to the surface of the inorganic layer.
Alternatively a layer of metallic material such as electroplated copper is applied to the adjacent surfaces of the grating elements prior to irradiation, and the irradiation removes this layer from regions of the grating elements, thereby exposing the original surface of the grating elements, this being of increased or decreased reflectivity or transmissibility compared to the surface of the metallic layer.
Alternatively the surfaces comprise a proportion of titanium dioxide and the change in chemical properties is effected by changing the titanium dioxide to titanium oxide.
Alternatively the surfaces comprise a proportion of aluminium oxide, and the change in chemical properties is effected by reduction of aluminium oxide to aluminium.
Alternatively the irradiation cures regions of a layer of uncured polymer applied to the adjacent surfaces of the grating elements prior to irradiation, the surfaces of these regions being of increased or decreased reflectivity or transmissibility compared to the original surface of the grating elements which are subsequently exposed by removal of the remaining uncured polymer after irradiation.
It is preferred that the assembly is subjected to turning, grinding, roller burnishing, honing or other processes to improve the relative cylindricity or concentricity of the surface of the at least one substantially cylindrical grating element or, alternatively, to improve the relative flatness or planarity of the surface of the at least one substantially planar and radially disposed grating element or, still alternatively, to improve the relative conicity or concentricity of the surface of the at least one substantially conical grating element, before the grating pattern is generated.

Method for manufacture of optical torque transducers


A CCD camera including a photographic lens assembly having a photographic lens for picking up an image, a steering element at one side, and a signal output circuit, an adjustment block coupled to the steering element of the photographic lens assembly and having a steering element, and a circuit box coupled to the steering element of the adjustment block and having a circuit board to which the signal output circuit of the photographic lens assembly is connected, wherein by means of the steering elements of the photographic lens assembly and the adjustment block, the adjustment block can be moved to adjust the position of the photographic lens assembly relative to the circuit box horizontally as well as vertically.

The present invention relates to CCD cameras, and more particularly to such a CCD camera which is compact, and convenient for use with a notebook computer.
CCD (charge coupled device) has been intensively used in telecommunication and video equipment, for example, video telephone and video conference systems. In a video (conference) telephone system, a CCD camera converts images (real-life situations) taken from a graphic lens into dot-by-dot images in a computer's memory. The digitized images are compressed, then transmitted to the opponent's computer through a telephone for showing on a display screen of the opponent's computer. Conventional CCD cameras commonly use universal joints for connection between the circuit box (camera body) and the photographic lens assembly. These CCD cameras are heavy, and not convenient for use with a notebook computer.


A method for identifying time of flight interference in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes detecting interference during a first uplink sub-frame at an interference destination base station, and transmitting a time of flight interference source detection request to a gateway, where the time of flight interference source detection request comprises a time of flight interference period. The method also includes determining one or more base stations in the vicinity of the interference destination base station, where the one or more base stations in the vicinity of the interference destination base station operate at a same frequency as the interference destination base station. The method further includes instructing the one or more base stations in the vicinity of the interference destination base station to re-transmit a preamble at least once in a downlink sub-frame, decoding a first preamble of a first interference source base station at the interference destination base station during a second uplink sub-frame, and identifying the first interference source base station based on the first preamble.

Wireless communication networks have become a popular choice for variety of communications needs. In response to these needs, companies have created large wireless communication networks including a large number of wireless base stations within these networks. Typically, these base stations are configured to operate synchronously. In other words, all of the base stations transmit data to wireless communication devices during a given period of time, and all of the base stations receive data from wireless communication devices during a different period of time. In an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 (WiMAX) network, base stations transmit data during a downlink sub-frame and receive data during an uplink sub-frame. These sub-frames are separated from each other by a pair of guards. The guards are periods of time where all of the base stations are idle, and allow for propagation of the uplink and downlink sub-frames to occur without interference. Together the uplink and downlink sub-frames and the guards constitute a WiMAX frame.
In order to provide smooth handoffs to a wireless communication device travelling through the network, the base stations are configured such that their areas of coverage overlap. This allows time for a smooth handoff between base stations while the wireless communication device is in the overlap area. Since all of the base stations are transmitting at the same time, if adjacent base stations were to transmit on the same frequency, their transmissions would interfere with each other in the coverage overlap area. In order to prevent this interference between the two base stations having overlapping coverage, typically the base stations are configured to operate at different frequencies, or are otherwise configured to avoid interference.
Due to the limited number of available frequencies, large wireless communication networks must re-use frequencies. Typically, these networks are designed such that base stations using common frequencies are separated from each other by large distances. Since transmitted radio waves rapidly loose power as they travel over a distance, in many cases simply spreading out the base stations sharing frequencies is sufficient to avoid interference. However, in certain cases, distant base stations sharing frequencies may still interfere with each other.

Method for reducing time of flight interference in a wireless communication network


An arrangement for controlling electrically controllable appliances, such as electric cookers, has at least one manually operable control element placed on an outside of a plate, e.g. a glass ceramic plate of an electric cooker, which is secured by a magnetic holding device in non-contacting magnetic manner on the plate. A sensor device determines the position and/or position change of the control element and an associated control device, in order to set different operating modes of the appliance. The control element is constructed as a sliding key automatically returning to a rest position and which is displaceable in at least one displacement direction along the plate. Such sliding keys can be operated in a particularly easy manner and are well adapted to an at least partial digital processing of the sensor signals to controlling signals.

The invention relates to an arrangement for the control of electrically controllable appliances, particularly electric cookers.
The preferred field of application for the invention is the control of electrically operated domestic appliances, particularly electric cookers, e.g. those having a glass ceramic cooking area and/or an electric oven. Such control arrangements have at least one manually operable control or control element placeable or placed on an outside of a plate of the appliance and which is held on or close to the plate by an associated holding device. There is also a sensor device intended to cooperate with a control device of the appliance for determining the position and/or position change of the control element. By appropriately moving the control element a desired switching state can be set.
A known and very frequently used construction of such control elements or controls is constituted by knobs. Knobs can be placed individually or in a group on a front panel of a cooker or the like below the normal working level. As a result of this arrangement the scales on such knobs are sometimes difficult to read. There is also a risk of the knobs being reached and operated by small children. Keeping clean can also constitute a problem. A large amount of space is generally required for the fitting of the knobs with corresponding mechanical holding devices.
These problems can be partly removed by the placing of the knobs on the top of the appliance. EP 797 227 shows for this purpose a construction particularly suitable for fitting to glass ceramic plates, in which the knobs are secured magnetically through the plate by means of a holding magnet placed on the underside of the glass ceramic plate. Knobs must have a certain minimum height, so that they can be easily turned and gripped by hand. Thus, they can interfere with the handling of cooking utensils in the cooking area. In addition, a free hand is necessary for their operation, so as to be able to securely hold and turn the knob.
Another known class of control elements is constituted by sliders, which are used for setting a desired operating state starting from a usually stop-limited, fixed neutral position can be slid over a clearly defined sliding or displacement path into an end position corresponding to the desired switching state. Examples of such sliders are described in European patent application EP 497 191 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,711,672 and 3,852,558. The precise setting of a desired end position can be problematical, because an energetic operator can slide it beyond the end position and a subsequent correction can be necessary. Moreover, both with the known knobs and also the sliders, on the way to the desired end position it is necessary to pass through all the intermediate positions and at least briefly switching states associated therewith may be assumed or activated.
The problem of the invention is to provide an arrangement for the control of electrically controllable appliances which, in the case of easy operation, permits a reliable setting of a desired switching state.
According to the invention this problem is solved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are given in the subclaims, whose wording is made by reference into part of the description.
An inventive control arrangement is characterized in that at least one control element is constructed as a slider automatically returning to an off or rest position and which is slidable along the plate in at least one sliding direction. Such a slider or sliding key creates the possibility of using a sliding process as such as a switching event, without it being a question of the precise maintaining of a sliding path corresponding to this state e.g. for setting a desired switching state. A self-resetting slider must, unlike in the case of conventional knobs or path sliders, not necessarily be gripped and moved by the fingers of a hand for its operation, but can instead be operated e.g. with the elbow, forearm or back of a hand. This facilitates operation, particularly if e.g. both hands are needed for holding a saucepan or the like. An inventive sliding key is also particularly advantageously adapted to a digital processing of sensor signals or control signals, because a controlling adjusting process with subsequent return to the rest position can be treated as an event e.g. detectable by a digital counter. There is no need to use analog/digital converters, which must be used with conventional knobs or sliders for generating digitally processable signals.
Certain advantages of the invention are usable with sliding keys controlling slidable in only one sliding direction. According to a preferred further development the control element can be slid in controlling manner in at least two different sliding directions, starting from the rest position, for generating at least two different control signals. Thus, the number of settings possible with a single control element is advantageously increased, because the sliding direction can now be used as a further input parameter for control purposes. Although the individual sliding directions can be oriented in random, optionally very small planar angles parallel to the plate surface, it is preferable if there are at least two antiparallel switching displacement directions, so that it is possible to implement a uniaxial, bidirectional sliding key. Multiaxial displaceable sliders are also possible. Thus, in an embodiment and starting from a common rest position, four controlling displacement directions oriented at right angles to one another are provided, so that a biaxial, bidirectional sliding key can be obtained. Sliding or displacement directions can also be arranged in a radial or fan-like manner and it is appropriately ensured that displacement directions in the plane are far enough apart in order to prevent an accidental setting by the user of an undesired switching state. A key displaceable in several, preferably coplanar displacement directions inter alia permits the selection of switching targets via the choice of the displacement direction. A direct switching e.g. between different operating modes of an oven is possible, without it being necessary on the switching path to also switch in at least briefly undesired modes. This protects both the heating-active components and also the control components and avoids in the case of switching processes for higher electric currents difficultly avoidable repercussions of the switching on the main supply.
The use of a sliding event for the control of the appliance can take place in different advantageous ways as a function of the particular circumstances. Thus, for reasons of operational safety and to avoid incorrect actuations, it is advantageous for the sensor device to be coupled or cooperate with the control device in such a way that a controlling displacement only occurs on exceeding a minimum displacement range in the particular displacement direction. This creates a lower threshold for a controlling displacement, so that in the case of an unintentional small movement of the actuating element and/or with a movement in a direction diverging from an intended displacement direction no control effect occurs. This ensures that only desired, targeted displacements give rise to a control effect.
According to a further development, the sensor device is so coupled with the control device that in the case of a controlling displacement on exceeding a minimum displacement range a single control signal is generated and preferably in certain limits independently of the displacement range achieved with maximum deflection from the rest position. Thus, an on/off information can be associated with the particular displacement direction which can be particularly easily digitally processed. Thus, e.g. with a particular displacement or sliding direction can be associated a specific oven function (hot air, grill, bottom heat, top heat, top and bottom heat, circulating air, etc.), which can in each case be associated by means of the keying or sliding process in the associated displacement direction. In a cooking area circuit it is e.g. possible to preselect a particular parboiling stage, e.g. with 60 or 80% of the rated power.
It is also possible for the coupling to be designed in such a way that with a controlling displacement a number of control signals is generated as a function of a holding time in the displaced or deflected state. Such a time-dependent control can e.g. be used for the stepwise passage through menu points of a presettable control menu or for the stepwise setting of temperature values or for operating mode selection in a preset sequence.
It is also possible to design the control in such a way that a control signal is generated as a function of the number of successive, controlling displacements in a preset displacement direction. Thus, by means of multiple displacements a user can set a desired control state and appropriately the number of displacements or keying processes is counted and a further keying process only increases the same if this takes place briefly within a presettable time limit following a preceding keying process.
The switching state reached can be rendered easily detectable for the user, e.g. by an optical display and/or acoustically.
Any suitable holding device can be used for maintaining the control element on the plate, particularly one having positively and/or nonpositively acting mechanical holders and/or guides. In order to avoid such elements, particularly on the outside of the plate, in a preferred embodiment the holding device is located on the inside of the plate opposite to the control element, so that it cannot cause interference on the operation side. Preferably the holding device is constructed as a device for producing a preferably magnetic field of force, which acts on the control element in non-contacting manner, particularly through the plate and maintains the same on or in the vicinity of the plate. Preferably a control element is held on the plate exclusively by the force of the field of force, so that no further holding devices are required. The control element can be held in an exclusively non-contact manner in the vicinity of the point where it is to be operated and for e.g. cleaning purposes and without the aid of tools can be removed from the plate. The plate, e.g. a glass ceramic plate, preferably has no openings, passages, depressions, mounting supports, etc., which could act as dirt traps or through which dirt could penetrate into the vicinity of the inside of the plate. The plate can be made from a material such that the force field lines pass in substantially unattenuated manner through it. The control element can e.g. engage on the outside, i.e. the top or front of the plate and a special design of the directly engaging part can contribute to a low-friction or friction-free movement. For this purpose e.g. a mounting on rolls and/or balls can be provided, which can e.g. be fitted to the underside of the actuating element. The term non-contacting mounting of the control element means that the latter can be held without any direct mechanical connection, but it can naturally contact the plate.
Although the restoring or resetting function according to the invention can also be achieved by mechanical means, such as e.g. return springs and the like, it is preferably also brought about in contactless manner. For this purpose the holding device can have at least one, preferably fixed holding magnet and the control element at least one equidirectionally polled magnet. Then e.g. a north pole of the holding magnet facing the plate and a south pole of the magnet facing the plate and the holding magnet can face one another on or in the control element and by means of the relative position with minimum possible, mutual spacing of the magnets define the rest position, in which opposite poles on the holding magnet and control element magnet face one another. The interplay of suitably polled magnets, particularly permanent magnets, on either side of the plate compared with an also possible arrangement with one magnet on one side of the plate and a magnetizable, e.g. ferromagnetic material on the other side, the advantage of a particularly sharp energy minimum of the magnetic field in the minimum spacing area, so that the rest position is particularly reliably and precisely set, even if e.g. frictional forces act against an exact setting.
A particularly secure and energetic holding of the control element and restoring to the rest position is achieved in a preferred development in that the holding device has an inner magnet arrangement with at least one plate-facing, inner magnetic pole and with radial, plate-parallel spacing thereto an outer magnet arrangement of opposite polarity. Through the location of the inner magnet arrangement it is possible to define the rest position of the control element, whilst the outer magnet arrangement substantially assist the guidance and restoring of the slider. Through the opposite polarity of inner and outer magnet arrangements it is possible to ensure that to an attraction towards the rest position brought about by the inner magnet arrangement is added a repulsion of the actuating element towards the rest position brought about by the outer magnet arrangement, so that particularly strong restoring forces are provided. For example, the outer magnet arrangement can be arranged in ring-like and/or rectangular manner around the inner magnet arrangement. A suitable magnetic guidance for the described uniaxial or biaxial, bidirectional slide arrangements can be obtained in that the holding device is constructed for producing a multifold, rotationally symmetrical field of force, particularly a magnetic field and preferably the field of force has a two or four-fold rotational symmetry with the rotation axis perpendicular to the plate.
According to a further development of the invention, the sensor device has at least one sensor on the inside of the plate and which responds to a change to a field, particularly a magnetic, electromagnetic or electric field brought about through an operation of the control element. A sensor can e.g. operate in capacitive, optical or inductive manner. Preferably the sensor device has at least one magnetic field, sensitive sensor, which is placed or is placeable in the working range of a magnet of the control element. It can be a reed contact or switch or a coil. Preferably use is made of Hall sensors, which due to the lack of movable parts operate permanently in a reliable manner and whose output signals in the form of d.c. voltages can be particularly easily and reliably processed. The sensor can be influenced by the same physical phenomenon used for securing the control element, particularly by a magnetic field. Then individual components, such as e.g. a magnet of the control element, can fulfil a double function both in the holding means and also in the sensor device. Embodiments are particularly cost-effective and well adapted to the character of a sliding key in which for each displacement or sliding direction a single sensor is provided, whose output signal indicates a controlling displacement.
According to a further development of the invention, the sensor device has at least two sensors constructed for emitting sensor signals and the control device has at least one logical interconnection unit for the logical interconnection of sensor signals or signals derived from the sensor signals. This makes it possible with relatively few, e.g. only two sensors to set a number of different switching states extending beyond the number of sensors and which result from the states of the individual sensors through logical interconnections, e.g. using the rules Boolean algebra. The sensor device can e.g. cooperate with the control device in such a way that on removing the control element from the plate the appliance is switched into a stable off-state. This creates a manually operable, electromechanical on-off switch, which in particular provides security against unauthorized use, particularly by playing children. The situation can also be such that the sensor device cooperates with the control device in such a way that when the control element is in the rest position the appliance is switched into a readiness state differing from the off state. This standby function can encourage a faster putting into operation should this be necessary, because in the standby function certain fundamental functions can be activated.
These and further features can be gathered from the claims, description and drawings and the individual features, both singly and in the form of subcombinations, can be implemented in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields and can represent advantageous, independently protectable constructions for which protection is hereby claimed.

Arrangement for the control of electrically controllable appliances, particularly electric cookers


An assembly, and associated method for constructing such, for connecting an electrical circuit to an electrical cable, such as an antenna connector pin, or, alternately, to a coaxial transmission line. An antenna circuit board includes a circular aperture extending therethrough for receiving a socket member to be supported thereat. Angled, segmental-slots are formed about the circular aperture and receive projecting prong-members of a clip member. The socket member receives the electrical cable, such as the antenna connector pin, or a coaxial conductor pin therein. The clip member engages with a coaxial tube of the coaxial transmission line. The assembly permits alternate connection thereto of either the electrical cable or the coaxial transmission line thereat.

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, but without way of limitation, to an electrical connector assembly for connecting electrical circuitry of a radio transceiver alternately to an electrical cable or to a coaxial transmission line.
Advancements in the field of radio electronics have permitted the introduction and commercialization of an ever-increasing array of radio communication apparatus. Advancements in electronic circuitry design have also permitted increased miniaturization of the electronic circuitry comprising such radio communication apparatus. As a result, an ever-increasing array of radio communication apparatus comprised of ever-smaller electronic circuitry has permitted the radio communication apparatus to be utilized more conveniently in an increased number of applications.
A radio transceiver, such as a radiotelephone utilized in a cellular, communication system, is one example of radio communication apparatus which has been miniaturized to be utilized conveniently in an increased number of applications. A radio transceiver includes transmitter and receiver circuitry which permits both transmission and reception of radio frequency signals.
Additional efforts to miniaturize further the electronic circuitry of similar such radio transceivers, as well as other radio communication apparatus, are being made. Such further miniaturization of the radio transceivers will further increase the convenience of utilization of such apparatus, and will permit such apparatus to be utilized in further increased numbers of applications.
Pursuant to such efforts to miniaturize further the electronic circuitry of such radio transceivers (as well as other radio communication apparatus), size minimization of the electronic circuitry is a critical design goal during design of such circuitry.
Housing structures which house the electronic circuitry of such radio transceivers have been correspondingly reduced in size. Conventional, housing structures used to house such electronic circuitry are typically comprised of a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. And, in most instances, electronic circuitry is disposed upon a circuit board (or several circuit boards). Such circuit board shall hereinafter be referred to as the "primary" circuit board.
Electromagnetic shields are also oftentimes placed over, and beyond the sides of, the electronic circuitry disposed upon the circuit board. Such shields prevent the emanation of spurious, electromagnetic waves generated by the electronic circuitry during circuit operation. In a portable radiotelephone, such shields oftentimes include a metal plate forming a second circuit board. Such second circuit board, much smaller in dimensions than that of the primary circuit board, is positioned within the housing structure such that a first face surface thereof may be positioned in abutment against the edge surface of the primary circuit board. In some instances, a circuit path disposed upon the second circuit board may be formed to connect with a corresponding circuit path disposed upon the primary circuit board when the two circuit boards are in the abutting engagement.
The circuit board upon which the electronic circuitry is disposed, is mounted, or otherwise affixed, to one of the housing portions of the housing structure. Once the circuit board has been affixed in position, the housing portions are tandemly positioned in a manner to enclose thereby the circuit board in supportive engagement therewithin. Once the two housing portions are positioned in such tandem relationship, a fastening mechanism is utilized to fasten the front and rear housing portions theretogether.
Most conventional, radio transceivers, include an antenna for receiving signals transmitted to the receiver circuitry of the transceiver and also to transmit signals generated by the transmitter circuitry of the transceiver. Such antennas typically protrude beyond a top end of the housing. In some constructions of radio transceivers, all of part of the antenna may be retracted into the housing structure when the transceiver is not in use.
Typically, the circuit board is elongated in a lengthwise dimension, and the face surfaces of the circuit board face corresponding face surfaces of the housing portions of the housing structure. Only an end side surface of the circuit board faces the top end of the housing from which the antenna extends. Because the face surface of the circuit board does not face the top end of the housing, connection between the antenna and the circuitry disposed upon the circuit board can only be effected with some difficulty.
To facilitate connection of the antenna to the circuitry disposed upon the primary circuit board, the metal plate forming the second circuit board may be advantageously put to additional use. While the first face surface of the second circuit board abuts against the edge surface of the primary circuit board, a second face surface of the second circuit board is positioned to face the top end of the housing. Such second face surface may be utilized to facilitate connection of the antenna as a connector may be disposed upon the second circuit board to connect with the antenna. By electrically connecting the connector disposed upon the second circuit board to the primary circuit board, the antenna may thereby be connected to the circuitry disposed upon the primary circuit board.
As most of the circuitry of the transceiver is disposed upon the primary circuit board, such circuit board shall hereafter be referred to as the transceiver, or receiver, circuit board, and the second circuit board shall be referred to as the antenna circuit board.
A connector which connects the antenna to the antenna circuit board should be of a design permitting assembly thereof in an assembly line-like operation.
During, and after, assembly of the circuit components of the electronic circuitry of the radio transceiver (or radio receiver), the receiver circuitry of the transceiver (or of the receiver) is tested to ensure that the circuitry is functioning properly. Such tests typically involve the application of a known signal to the circuitry. A determination of proper functioning, or malfunctioning, of the receiver circuitry may then be made by analysis of the signal generated by the receiver circuitry in response to reception of such known signal.
Commercially-available signal generators are available for such testing, but such generators generate the signal upon a coaxial transmission line having a coaxial conductor pin surrounded by a coaxial tube. Such coaxial transmission lines and signal generators are together of a particular impedance, such as fifty ohms. It is further noted that, during troubleshooting and repair operations, such generators are also used.
Construction of the connector to permit use of the same connector which connects the antenna to the transceiver circuitry alternately to permit connection of the coaxial transmission line would aid in the minimization of the physical dimensions of the transceiver. (As noted above, minimization of the physical dimensions of the radio communication apparatus is an ongoing design goal.) Accordingly, the connector which connects the antenna pin of an antenna to the radio receiver circuitry should further permit alternate connection thereto of a coaxial transmission line.
What is needed, therefore, is a connector for connecting alternately, an antenna pin or a coaxial transmission line to an electrical circuit.

Electrical connector assembly and method therefor


The present invention relates to the technical field of microbes, in particular to a Lactobacillus plantarum which can significantly inhibit the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and its use thereof. The Lactobacillus plantarum strain CCFM164 has a deposit number CGMCC No. 14520, which has a good tolerance to gastric acid and bile salts, significantly alleviate the level of colorectal inflammation in colorectal cancer model mice, and can reduce the number of tumors in the colon and rectum of the model mice by regulating the Notch1, Notch2 signaling pathway and the expression of VEGFR2 molecule in colorectal tissue. In addition, the Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM164 can also improve the intestinal flora population and short-chain fatty acid levels in the intestine. The Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM164 is used to prepare a fermented food for the inhibition of the occurrence of colorectal cancer with wild applications.

Colorectal cancer is a malignant gastrointestinal tumor. With the continuous rise of incidence rate and mortality rate of colorectal cancer in China, the threat to the health of nationals is gradually increasing. At present, the main treatment methods for colorectal cancer in clinical practice have serious side effects, which greatly affects the quality of life of patients. As a safe and edible food, probiotics have been gradually proved to be effective in relieving and treating various disease, such as promoting digestion and absorption, enhancing immunity, preventing infections in reproductive system, relieving allergic reactions, preventing and inhibiting tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurological diseases, etc.
The intestine is not only the direct disease area of colorectal cancer, but also the main place where probiotics exert their probiotic effects. The research on the effects of probiotics for colorectal cancer is gradually increasing. Some studies have shown that probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria, have the effect of antagonizing colon cancer cells or inhibiting colon cancer. They can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells or induce the apoptosis of colon cancer cells at different levels. In addition, the antagonistic effect of probiotics on colorectal cancer is shown in the following aspects: combining or metabolizing carcinogens, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, improving immunity, inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of cancer cells, protecting the intestine, and maintaining intestinal flora balance, etc., while the regulation of probiotics on the intestinal flora will eventually affect the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine, further affecting the occurrence of tumors.
Some studies have shown that despite the higher concentration of butyrate in the colon, colon cancer can still develop and grow, and the butyrate-rich microenvironment can select the tumor cells which can metabolize butyrate. Probiotics may also inhibit tumorigenesis by regulating tumor-related signaling pathways. There are many signaling pathways involved in colorectal cancer, including AKT signaling pathway, GPCR signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, JAK signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, ESC signaling pathway, apoptosis signaling pathway, CCC signaling pathway and angiogenesis signaling pathway, etc. At present, many studies focused on the relationship between Wnt and NF-κB signaling pathways and colorectal cancer. However, Notch signaling pathway, as a signaling pathway related to epithelial cell differentiation, is also closely related to the colorectal cancer. For the colorectal cancer, the Notch signaling pathway plays a role in inducing and promoting tumors to increase drug resistance. Many clinical studies have also shown that the Notch signaling pathway in colon tumor tissue is over activated compared with that in adjacent or normal tissues.
In addition to the Notch signaling pathway, numerous studies have also shown that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) is highly expressed in most tumors. Most of the main physiological functions of VEGF on endothelial cells are achieved by activating VEGFR2, including stimulating endothelial cell proliferation, increasing vascular permeability, and inducing the chemotaxis of endothelial cells. Researchers have observed that in a variety of endothelial cells, the combination of VEGF and VEGFR2 activates the MAPK signal transduction pathway. VEGFR2 not only promotes the division and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, but also induces tumor angiogenesis and promotes the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. A large number of reports also show that VEGFR2 is also highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Therefore, VEGFR2 can be used as a target for the treatment and diagnosis of tumorigenesis.
Probiotics may also regulate the Notch signaling pathway and the levels of VEGFR2, so as to alleviate the occurrence of colorectal cancer or inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells. Lactobacillus plantarum is a kind of lactic acid bacteria, which is widely present on the surface of fruits and vegetables, as well as in pickles and other traditional fermented foods. There are lots of research reports regarding the physiological functions of Lactobacillus plantarum, but there are still few functional studies and patents for the inhibition of colorectal cancer by Lactobacillus plantarum. The research on the inhibition of colorectal cancer by Lactobacillus plantarum is of great value to the fields such as food science, preventive medicine and microbiology. Screening an excellent Lactobacillus plantarum with the safety and the function for inhibition of the colorectal cancer is of great significance for the development of functional foods and drugs.
In the published literatures and patents or patent applications, there are a few number of patents regarding probiotics, probiotic composition and fermentation products to suppress tumors, but there is no clear probiotic strain with the function of colon cancer inhibition. For example, CN105535650A discloses a probiotic composition with anti-tumor (subcutaneous transplantation of liver cancer cell line) function. The composition relates to a variety of probiotics and traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, but the tumor inhibition function of each ingredient is not clear, and all probiotics strains have not been identified. Since there are significant functional differences between different strains of the same probiotics, therefore the composition do not have general and universal effect; Meanwhile, the strains of probiotics in CN104686657A and CN101711775A have not been identified, and the function of the ingredients in the fermentation products is not clear.
CN104523761A disclosed a genetically engineered Lactococcus lactis that can induce the expression of Interleukin-12 to inhibit the growth of intestinal tumors. However such bacteria are not obtained from nature and can only be applied to medicines but not for food. CN105441357A discloses a strain SKT109 of Lactobacillus plantarum, which can produce extracellular polysaccharides to inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells HT-29 in vitro and inhibit the growth of tumors in tumor-bearing nude mice (colon cancer cells inoculated under the arm); CN103445068A and CN103468600A disclosed a strain DY-1 of Lactobacillus plantarum, which can inhibit the in vitro growth of human colon cancer cells HT-29, gastric cancer cells SGC-7901 and growth of tumor in tumor-bearing nude mice (subcutaneously inoculation of colon cancer cells in abdomen). The above three patented strains are definite and have clear functions, but the concerned animal models with subcutaneous colon cancer cell lines is quite different from the tumor environment in the intestine, and it has no clear role in the regulation of tumor-related signaling pathways. Therefore, there is a need to screen edible probiotics with clear inhibition mechanism from nature to inhibit the growth of colorectal tumors.


A foot-powered energy generation device includes a step plate that moves between an upper position and a lower position in response to the step action of a user. The device also includes an electrical generator, and a gear train that will cause a rotor of the generator to rotate in response to movement of the step plate up and down. A carriage is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train to cause the rotation of the gear train in response to the step plate motion.

This document relates to wearable systems for generating power for use in charging batteries and portable electronic devices.
As portable electronics like smartphones, GPS systems, wearable electronic devices, fitness electronics and other electronic devices have become ubiquitous; the need to charge such devices has become extremely important. Many people around the world have access to cheap, portable electronics but lack a suitable means to charge them.
To date, the most common portable charging solutions are backup battery and solar powered solutions. However, those solutions require users to carry additional equipment, and even those solutions only provide charges for a limited period of time. Backup batteries must themselves be recharged, and solar powered solutions are only useful during daylight hours or when artificial light sources are available.
This document describes methods and systems that are directed to solving at least some of the problems described above.


A reference signal transmission method in a downlink MIMO system is disclosed. The downlink MIMO system supports a first UE supporting N transmission antennas among a total of M transmission antennas (where M>N) and a second UE supporting the M transmission antennas. The method includes transmitting, by a base station (BS), subframe-associated information which designates a first subframe in which data for the first UE and the second UE is transmitted and a second subframe in which data only for the second UE can be transmitted within a radio frame having a plurality of subframes, and transmitting the first subframe and the second subframe. Reference signals corresponding to antenna ports ‘0’ to ‘N−1’ of the N antennas are mapped to the first subframe, and reference signals corresponding to antenna ports ‘0’ to ‘M−1’ of the M antennas are mapped to the second subframe.

(1) Definition of MIMO Technology
A conventional MIMO technology will hereinafter be described in detail.
In brief, MIMO technology is an abbreviation for Multi-Input Multi-Output technology. MIMO technology uses multiple transmission (Tx) antennas and multiple reception (Rx) antennas to improve the efficiency of Tx/Rx data, whereas a conventional art has generally used one transmission (Tx) antenna and one reception (Rx) antenna. In other words, MIMO technology allows a transmission end or reception end of a wireless communication system to use multiple antennas (hereinafter referred to as a multi-antenna), so that the capacity or performance can be improved. For convenience of description, the term "MIMO" can also be considered to be a multi-antenna technology.
In more detail, MIMO technology is not dependent on one antenna path to receive one total message, collects a plurality of data pieces received via several antennas, and completes total data. As a result, MIMO technology can increase a data transfer rate within a specific range, or can increase a system range at a specific data transfer rate. Under this situation, MIMO technology is a next-generation mobile communication technology capable of being widely applied to mobile communication terminals or repeaters. MIMO technology can extend the range of data communication, so that it can overcome the limited amount of transmission (Tx) data of mobile communication systems reaching a critical situation.
(2) System Modeling in MIMO
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general MIMO communication system.
Referring to FIG. 1, if the number of transmission (Tx) antennas increases to Nt, and at the same time the number of reception (Rx) antennas increases to NR, a theoretical channel transmission capacity of the MIMO communication system increases in proportion to the number of antennas, differently from the above-mentioned case in which only a transmitter or receiver uses several antennas, so that a transfer rate and a frequency efficiency can be greatly increased. In this case, the transfer rate acquired by the increasing channel transmission capacity can theoretically increase by a predetermined amount that corresponds to multiplication of a maximum transfer rate (Ro) acquired when one antenna is used and a rate of increase (Ri). The rate of increase (Ri) can be represented by the following equation 1.Ri=min(NT,NR)  [Equation 1]
For example, provided that a MIMO system uses four transmission (Tx) antennas and four reception (Rx) antennas, the MIMO system can theoretically acquire a high transfer rate which is four times higher than that of a one antenna system. After the above-mentioned theoretical capacity increase of the MIMO system was demonstrated in the mid-1990s, many developers began to conduct intensive research into a variety of technologies which can substantially increase a data transfer rate using the theoretical capacity increase. Some of the above technologies have been reflected in a variety of wireless communication standards, for example, a third-generation mobile communication or a next-generation wireless LAN, etc.
A variety of MIMO-associated technologies have been intensively researched by many companies or developers, for example, research into an information theory associated with a MIMO communication capacity calculation under various channel environments or multiple access environments, research into a radio frequency (RF) channel measurement and modeling of the MIMO system, and research into a space-time signal processing technology. A mathematical modeling of a communication method for use in the above-mentioned MIMO system will hereinafter be described in detail.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, it is assumed that there are NT transmission (Tx) antennas and NR reception (Rx) antennas. In the case of a transmission (Tx) signal, a maximum number of transmission information pieces is NT under the condition that NT transmission (Tx) antennas are used, so that the transmission (Tx) information can be represented by a specific vector shown in the following equation 2.s=└s1, s2, . . . , sNT┘T  [Equation 2]
In the meantime, individual transmission (Tx) information pieces (s1, s2, . . . , sNT) may have different transmission powers. In this case, if the individual transmission powers are denoted by (P1, P2, . . . , PNT), transmission (Tx) information having an adjusted transmission power can be represented by a specific vector shown in the following equation 3.ŝ=[ŝ1, ŝ2, . . . , ŝNT]T=[P1s1, P2s2, . . . , PNTsNT]T  [Equation 3]
In Equation 3, ŝ is a transmission vector, and can be represented by the following equation 4 using a diagonal matrix P of a transmission (Tx) power.
                              s          ^                =                                            [                                                                                P                      1                                                                                0                                                                                P                      2                                                                                ⋱                                                                                0                                                                                P                                              N                        T                                                                                ]                                                  [                                                                                s                      1                                                                                s                      2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                s                                              N                        T                                                                                ]                                =          Ps                                    [                  Equation                                                              4                ]
In the meantime, the information vector ŝ having an adjusted transmission power is applied to a weight matrix (W), so that NT transmission (Tx) signals (x1, x2, . . . , xNT) to be actually transmitted are configured. In this case, the weight matrix (W) is adapted to properly distribute transmission (Tx) information to individual antennas according to transmission channel situations. The above-mentioned transmission (Tx) signals (x1, x2, . . . , xNT) can be represented by the following equation 5 using the vector (X).
                    x        =                              [                                                                                x                    1                                                                                x                    2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                x                    i                                                                                ⋮                                                                                x                                          N                      T                                                                                ]                    =                                                    [                                                                                w                        11                                                                                w                        12                                                                                …                                                                                w                                                  1                                                                                N                            T                                                                                w                        21                                                                                w                        22                                                                                …                                                                                w                                                  2                                                                                N                            T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                w                                                  i                                                                                1                                                                                w                                                  i                                                                                2                                                                                …                                                                                w                                                  iN                          T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                w                                                                              N                            T                                                                              1                                                                                w                                                                              N                            T                                                                              2                                                                                …                                                                                w                                                                              N                            T                                                                                N                            T                                                                                ]                                                          [                                                                                s                          ^                                                1                                                                                s                          ^                                                2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                s                          ^                                                j                                                                                ⋮                                                                                s                          ^                                                                          N                          T                                                                                ]                                      =                                          W                                                  s                  ^                                            =              WPs                                                          [                  Equation                                                              5                ]
Next, if NR reception (Rx) antennas are used, reception (Rx) signals (y1, y2, . . . , yNR) of individual antennas can be represented by a specific vector (y) shown in the following equation 6.y=[y1, y2, . . . , yNR]T  [Equation 6]
In the meantime, if a channel modeling is executed in the MIMO communication system, individual channels can be distinguished from each other according to transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) antenna indexes. A specific channel passing the range from a transmission (Tx) antenna (j) to a reception (Rx) antenna (i) is denoted by hij. In this case, it should be noted that the index order of the channel hij is located before a reception (Rx) antenna index and is located after a transmission (Tx) antenna index.
Several channels are tied up, so that they are displayed in the form of a vector or matrix. An exemplary vector is as follows. FIG. 2 shows channels from NT transmission (Tx) antennas to a reception (Rx) antenna (i).
Referring to FIG. 2, the channels passing the range from the NT transmission (Tx) antennas to the reception (Rx) antenna (i) can be represented by the following equation 7.hiT=└hi1, hi2, . . . , hiNT┘  [Equation 7]
If all channels passing the range from the NT transmission (Tx) antennas to NR reception (Rx) antennas are denoted by the matrix shown in Equation 7, the following equation 8 is acquired.
                    H        =                              [                                                                                h                    1                    T                                                                                h                    2                    T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                h                    i                    T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                h                                          N                      R                                        T                                                                        ]                    =                      [                                                                                h                    11                                                                                h                    12                                                                    …                                                                      h                                          1                                                                    N                        T                                                                                h                    21                                                                                h                    22                                                                    …                                                                      h                                          2                                                                    N                        T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                h                                          i                                                                                1                                                                                h                                          i                                                                                2                                                                                …                                                                      h                                          iN                      T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                h                                                                  N                        R                                                                  1                                                                                h                                                                  N                        R                                                                  2                                                                                …                                                                      h                                                                  N                        R                                                                                N                        T                                                                                ]                                              [                  Equation                                                              8                ]
Additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) is added to an actual channel which has passed the channel matrix (H) shown in Equation 8. The AWGN (n1, n2, . . . , nNR) added to each of NR reception (Rx) antennas can be represented by a specific vector shown in the following equation 9.n=[n1, n2, . . . , nNR]T  [Equation 9]
A reception signal calculated by the above-mentioned equations can be represented by the following equation 10.
                    y        =                              [                                                                                y                    1                                                                                y                    2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                y                    i                                                                                ⋮                                                                                y                                          N                      R                                                                                ]                    =                                                                      [                                                                                h                          11                                                                                h                          12                                                                                …                                                                                h                                                      1                                                                                N                              T                                                                                h                          21                                                                                h                          22                                                                                …                                                                                h                                                      2                                                                                N                              T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                h                                                      i                                                                                1                                                                                h                                                      i                                                                                2                                                                                …                                                                                h                                                      iN                            T                                                                                ⋮                                                                                ⋱                                                                                h                                                                                N                              R                                                                                1                                                                                h                                                                                N                              R                                                                                2                                                                                …                                                                                h                                                                                N                              R                                                                                N                              T                                                                                ]                                [                                                                                x                        1                                                                                x                        2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                x                        f                                                                                ⋮                                                                                x                                                  N                          T                                                                                ]                            +                              [                                                                                n                        1                                                                                n                        2                                                                                ⋮                                                                                n                        i                                                                                ⋮                                                                                n                                                  N                          R                                                                                ]                                      =                          Hx              +              n                                                          [                  Equation                                                              10                ]
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) supports a type 1 radio frame structure applicable to frequency division duplex (FDD), and a type 2 radio frame structure applicable to time division duplex (TDD).
The structure of a type 1 radio frame is shown in FIG. 3. The type 1 radio frame includes ten subframes, each of which consists of two slots.
The structure of a type 2 radio frame is shown in FIG. 4. The type 2 radio frame includes two half-frames, each of which is made up of five subframes, a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS), a guard period (GP), and an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS), in which one subframe consists of two slots. That is, one subframe is composed of two slots irrespective of the radio frame type. DwPTS is used to perform an initial cell search, synchronization, or channel estimation. UpPTS is used to perform channel estimation of a base station and uplink transmission synchronization of a user equipment (UE). The guard interval (GP) is located between an uplink and a downlink so as to remove an interference generated in the uplink due to a multi-path delay of a downlink signal. That is, one subframe is composed of two slots irrespective of the radio frame type.
FIG. 5 is a slot structure of a long term evolution (LTE) downlink. As shown in FIG. 5, a signal transmitted from each slot can be described by a resource grid including NRBDL NSCRB subcarriers and NsymbDL orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. In this case, NRBDL represents the number of resource blocks (RBs) in a downlink, NSCRB represents the number of subcarriers constituting one RB, and NsymbDL represents the number of OFDM symbols in one downlink slot.
FIG. 6 is a slot structure of a long term evolution (LTE) uplink. As shown in FIG. 6, a signal transmitted from each slot can be described by a resource grid including NRBUL NSCRB subcarriers and NsymbUL OFDM symbols. In this case, NRBUL represents the number of resource blocks (RBs) in an uplink, NSCRB represents the number of subcarriers constituting one RB, and NsymbUL symb represents the number of OFDM symbols in one uplink slot.
A resource element (RE) is a resource unit defined by an index (a, b) within the uplink slot and the downlink slot, and represents one subcarrier and one OFDM symbol. In this case, a is an index on a frequency axis, and b is an index on a time axis.
4) Definition of Reference Signal
When a mobile communication system transmits a packet, this transmission packet is transmitted over a radio frequency (RF) channel. As a result, an unexpected distortion may occur in a transmission (Tx) signal. In order to correctly receive the distorted signal described above at a reception end, channel information must be recognized, and the distortion of the transmission (Tx) signal must be corrected by an amount of the channel information. In order to recognize channel information, signals known to both a transmission end and a reception end are transmitted, the degree of distortion of the known signals is detected when the known signals are received over a channel, and finally channel information is recognized on the basis of the detected distortion.
Here, the above signals known to both the transmission end and the reception end are referred to as pilot signals or reference signals.
In recent times, most mobile communication systems use a method for improving Tx/Rx data efficiency using multiple transmission (Tx) antennas and multiple reception (Rx) antennas to transmit a packet, instead of a conventional method of using one transmission (Tx) antenna and one reception (Rx) antenna to transmit a packet. When a transmission end or a reception end of a mobile communication system transmits or receives data using multiple antennas so as to increase capacity or improve a performance or throughput, additional reference signals are present in individual transmission (Tx) antennas, respectively. Signal reception can be correctly carried out under the condition that a channel condition between each Tx antenna and each Rx antenna is recognized.
Provided that M (where M>N) transmission (Tx) antennas can be added to a conventional system including N antennas, a user equipment (hereinafter referred to as a UE) capable of recognizing up to N transmission (Tx) antennas and another UE capable of recognizing up to M transmission (Tx) antennas exist at the same time.
In this case, not only reference signals for supporting N antennas but also M−N additional reference signals must be transmitted. Here, there is a need to effectively transmit data and reference signals under an environment in which a new UE for recognizing M antennas is additionally used without performing additional signaling with an old UE for recognizing only N antennas.

Reference signal transmission method for downlink multiple input multiple output system


Radiation is irradiated by an irradiation device at a pre-set angle of incidence with respect to the surface onto the surface to be investigated, and the radiation scattered and/or reflected by this surface arrives at a radiation detector device arranged at a pre-set detection angle with respect to the surface and having an image-recording unit which records black-and-white images, wherein this radiation detector device permits a spatially resolved detection of the radiation reaching it. The irradiation device directs radiation in a first wavelength range onto the surface and the image-recording unit records a first spatially resolved image of this radiation scattered and/or reflected from the surface and the irradiation device directs radiation in a second wavelength range onto the surface and the image-recording unit records a second spatially resolved image of this radiation scattered and/or reflected from the surface.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of investigating surfaces, and in particular coatings. The invention is described with reference to so-called effect coatings, i.e. those coatings which have so-called effect pigments. Effect pigments of this type cause the coating in question to shine or sparkle or to assume a specific colour under specified conditions, for example with a light arriving at a specified angle.
In this case the most widely varying effect pigments and also the most widely varying optical properties thereof are known from the prior art. In this way, these effect pigments can have for example the most widely varying changes of colour.
Measurement instruments or apparatus are known from the prior art which are also used for the colour detection or optical detection of coatings of this type. In this case these apparatus usually have a plurality of light sources which direct specified light, for example standardized white light at different angles onto the respective surface provided with the coating. The radiation reflected by this surface is recorded by a camera, such as for example a CCD colour camera and the images are evaluated accordingly.
In this case, however, on account of the system there are limits to the accuracy of measurements of this type. Colour-image cameras of this type usually have an array with a plurality of photo detectors, in which case those detectors which are used to detect red light components, the detectors which are used to detect green light components and the detectors which are used to detect blue light components in each case are additionally arranged in any case at slightly different positions.
If coatings of this type with effect pigments are now recorded by a suitable appliance it is possible, in the event that an effect pigment reflects light in the red colour range for example, for this light to be reflected under specified measurements to those photocells which are intended to record blue or green light. In this case the corresponding photocells will display relatively low values or intensities and, in this way, the result is falsified.
In addition, in the case of illumination with a plurality of radiation sources of different spectral composition the separate illumination sources can be supplied with current individually. As a result, the brightness of this illumination can be adapted to the sample or the sensor characteristic for example in an optimum manner, and so a maximum measurement dynamic is achieved for each illumination.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus and a method which will permit a more accurate recording, or a less falsified recording, in particular of coatings with effect pigments.

Apparatus and method of investigating coatings with effect pigments