Instantaneous frequency estimation of multi-component Chirp signals in noisy environments

A classical time-varying signal,the multi-component Chirp signal has been widely used and the ability to estimate its instantaneous frequency(IF) is very useful. But in noisy environments,it is hard to estimate the IF of a multi-component Chirp signal accurately. Wigner distribution maxima(WDM) are usually utilized for this estimation. But in practice,estimation bias increases when some points deviate from the true IF in high noise environments. This paper presents a new method of multi-component Chirp signal IF estimation named Wigner Viterbi fit(WVF) ,based on Wigner-Ville distribution(WVD) and the Viterbi algorithm. First,we transform the WVD of the Chirp signal into digital image,and apply the Viterbi algorithm to separate the components and estimate their IF. At last,we establish a linear model to fit the estimation results. Theoretical analysis and simulation results prove that this new method has high precision and better performance than WDM in high noise environments,and better suppression of interference and the edge effect. Compared with WDM,WVF can reduce the mean square error(MSE) by 50% when the signal to noise ration(SNR) is in the range of -15dB to -11dB. WVF is an effective and promising IF estimation method.     

Influence on the hydrodynamic performance of a variable vector propeller of different rules of pitch angle change

To design a more effective blade pitch adjustment mechanism,research was done on changes to the hydrodynamic characteristics of VVPs(Variable Vector Propeller) caused by different rules for changing pitch angle. A mathematical method for predicting the hydrodynamic characteristics of a VVP under unsteady conditions is presented based on the panel method. Mathematical models for evaluation based on potential flow theory and the Green theorem are also presented. The hydrodynamic characteristics are numerically predicted. To avoid gaps between panels,hyperboloidal quadrilateral panels were used. The pressure Kutta condition on the trailing edge of the VVP blade was satisfied by the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. The influence coefficients of the panels were calculated by Morino's analytical formulations to improve numerical calculation speed,and the method developed by Yanagizawa was used to eliminate the point singularity on derivation calculus while determining the velocities on propeller surfaces. The calculation results show that it's best for the hydrodynamic characteristics of the VVP that pitch angle changes follow the sine rule.     

Application of the optimal Latin hypercube design and radial basis function network to collaborative optimization

Improving the efficiency of ship optimization is crucial for modern ship design. Compared with traditional methods, multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) is a more promising approach. For this reason, Collaborative Optimization (CO) is discussed and analyzed in this paper. As one of the most frequently applied MDO methods, CO promotes autonomy of disciplines while providing a coordinating mechanism guaranteeing progress toward an optimum and maintaining interdisciplinary compatibility. However, there are some difficulties in applying the conventional CO method, such as difficulties in choosing an initial point and tremendous computational requirements. For the purpose of overcoming these problems, optimal Latin hypercube design and Radial basis function network were applied to CO. Optimal Latin hypercube design is a modified Latin Hypercube design. Radial basis function network approximates the optimization model, and is updated during the optimization process to improve accuracy. It is shown by examples that the computing efficiency and robustness of this CO method are higher than with the conventional CO method.     

Detection of cylinder pressure in diesel engines using cylinder head vibration and time series methods

This paper investigates the vibration characteristics of diesel engine cylinder heads by means of the time series method. With the concept of "Assumed System",the vibration transfer function of real cylinder head structures is established using the autoregressive-moving average models(ARMA models) of cylinder head surface vibration signals. Then this transfer function is successfully used to reconstruct the gas pressure trace inside the cylinder from measured cylinder head vibration signals. This offers an effective means for diesel engine cylinder pressure detection and condition monitoring.     

A comparison of Chinese,Japanese, and Korean shipyard production technology

This paper compares Chinese, Korean, and Japanese shipyard production technology. Development in the world shipbuilding over recent years has influenced focus areas related to shipyard manufacturing technologies and product performance. Software systems, information technology, production technology, and local challenges of shipyards are compared with shipbuilding outputs among these three countries. Various technologies developments, shipyard production and the problems in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean shipyards are discussed respectively. Finally, future areas of research are pointed out.     

An analysis of bicycle route choice preferences in Texas,US

In the US, the rise in motorized vehicle travel has contributed to serious societal, environmental, economic, and public health problems. These problems have increased the interest in encouraging non-motorized modes of travel (walking and bicycling). The current study contributes toward this objective by identifying and evaluating the importance of attributes influencing bicyclists’ route choice preferences. Specifically, the paper examines a comprehensive set of attributes that influence bicycle route choice, including: (1) bicyclists’ characteristics, (2) on-street parking, (3) bicycle facility type and amenities, (4) roadway physical characteristics, (5) roadway functional characteristics, and (6) roadway operational characteristics. The data used in the analysis is drawn from a web-based stated preference survey of Texas bicyclists. The results of the study emphasize the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of both route-related attributes and bicyclists’ demographics in bicycle route choice decisions. The empirical results indicate that travel time (for commuters) and motorized traffic volume are the most important attributes in bicycle route choice. Other route attributes with a high impact include number of stop signs, red light, and cross-streets, speed limits, on-street parking characteristics, and whether there exists a continuous bicycle facility on the route.

A traffic analysis zone definition: a new methodology and algorithm

This paper develops a comprehensive approach to the definition of transportation analysis zones (TAZ), and therein, presents a new methodology and algorithm for the definition of TAZ embedded in geographic information systems software, improves the base algorithm with several local algorithms, and comprehensively analyses the obtained results. The results obtained are then compared to these presently used in the transportation analysis process of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The proposed algorithm presents a new methodology for TAZ design based on a smoothed density surface of geocoded travel demand data. The algorithm aims to minimise the loss of information when moving from a continuous representation of the origin and destination of each trip to their discrete representations through zones, and focuses on the trade-off between the statistical precision, geographical error, and the percentage of intra-zonal trips of the resulting OD matrix. The results for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area case study suggest a significant improvement in OD matrix estimates compared to current transportation analysis practises based on administrative units.

A copula-based joint multinomial discrete–continuous model of vehicle type choice and miles of travel

In this paper, a joint model of vehicle type choice and utilization is formulated and estimated on a data set of vehicles drawn from the 2000 San Francisco Bay Area Travel Survey. The joint discrete–continuous model system formulated in this study explicitly accounts for common unobserved factors that may affect the choice and utilization of a certain vehicle type (i.e., self-selection effects). A new copula-based methodology is adopted to facilitate model estimation without imposing restrictive distribution assumptions on the dependency structures between the errors in the discrete and continuous choice components. The copula-based methodology is found to provide statistically superior goodness-of-fit when compared with previous estimation approaches for joint discrete–continuous model systems. The model system, when applied to simulate the impacts of a doubling in fuel price, shows that individuals are more likely to shift vehicle type choices than vehicle usage patterns.

Traveled distance,stock and fuel efficiency of private vehicles in Canada: price elasticities and rebound effect

This paper presents estimates of the rebound effect and other elasticities for the Canadian light-duty vehicle fleet using panel data at the provincial level from 1990 to 2004. We estimate a simultaneous three-equation model of aggregate demand for vehicle kilometers traveled, vehicle stock and fuel efficiency. Price and income elasticities obtained are broadly consistent with those reported in the literature. Among other results, an increase in the fuel price of 10% would reduce driving by ~2% in the long term and by 1% the average fuel consumption rate. Estimates of the short- and long-term rebound effects are ~8 and 20%, respectively. We also find that an increase in the gross domestic product per capita of 10% would cause an increase in driving distance of 2–3% and an increase of up to 4% in vehicle stock per adult. In terms of policy implications, our results suggest that: (1) the effectiveness of new fuel efficiency standards will be somewhat mitigated by the rebound effect and (2) fuel price increases have limited impacts on gasoline demand.