Estimated Phase Shift Research Articles

Orthonormal pilot-based channel estimation with low complexity phase shift optimization and coverage enhancement for IRS-assisted B5G communication

Beyond fifth-generation (B5G) technology features millimeter wave (mmWave) to ensure low latency and high capacity while enabling multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) facilities. MMWave signals are attenuated over short distances, resulting in a smaller coverage area. The B5G network relies on Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) for reducing mmWave attenuation. IRS increases mmWave coverage and reduces obstruction risks by introducing phase shifts on incident beams. Complete channel state information (CSI) is required to estimate phase shifts in IRS and precoding. A novel orthonormal pilot matrix with a low-complexity channel estimation method is proposed in this context. The proposed channel estimation method achieved maximum accuracy with limited pilot sequences. A low-complexity phase shift optimization technique is also presented in this study using estimated channel information. On the other hand, the use of the desired number of reflective elements is highlighted to maximize coverage. On the basis of received signal strength and outage probability, two approaches are presented for determining the number of reflective elements. The derived closed-form expression of outage probability (OP) seems simple. It shows close agreement with the theoretical model. Results show that the proposed model provides better achievable rates than conventional IRS models.

Direction of Arrival Estimation and Phase-Correction for Noncoherent Subarrays: A Convex Optimization Approach

Estimating the direction of arrival (DOA) of sources is an important problem in aerospace and vehicular communication, localization, and radar. In this article, we consider a challenging multisource DOA estimation task, where the receiving antenna array is composed of noncoherent subarrays, i.e., subarrays that observe different unknown phase shifts at every snapshot (e.g., due to waiving the demanding synchronization of local oscillators across the entire array). We formulate this problem as the reconstruction of joint sparse and low-rank matrices and solve the problem’s convex relaxation. To scale the optimization complexity with the number of snapshots better than general-purpose solvers, we design an optimization scheme, based on integrating the alternating direction method of multipliers and the accelerated proximal gradient techniques, which exploits the structure of the problem. While the DOAs can be estimated from the solution of the aforementioned convex problem, we further show how an improvement is obtained if, instead, one estimates from this solution only the subarrays’ phase shifts. This is done using another, computationally light, convex relaxation that is practically tight. Using the estimated phase shifts, “phase-corrected” observations are created and a final plain (“coherent”) DOA estimation method can be applied. Numerical experiments show the performance advantages of the proposed strategies over existing methods.

Entanglement-enhanced sensor networks

A network of quantum sensors for estimating phase shifts is shown to operate with superior sensitivity when delocalized highly entangled states are employed.

Entanglement between Identical Particles Is a Useful and Consistent Resource

The existence of fundamentally identical particles represents a foundational distinction between classical and quantum mechanics. Due to their exchange symmetry, identical particles can appear to be entangled -- another uniquely quantum phenomenon with far-reaching practical implications. However, a long-standing debate has questioned whether identical particle entanglement is physical or merely a mathematical artefact. In this work, we provide such particle entanglement with a consistent theoretical description as a quantum resource in processes frequently encountered in optical and cold atomic systems. This leads to a plethora of applications of immediate practical impact. On one hand, we show that the metrological advantage for estimating phase shifts in systems of identical bosons amounts to a measure of their particle entanglement, with a clearcut operational meaning. On the other hand, we demonstrate in general terms that particle entanglement is the property resulting in directly usable mode entanglement when distributed to separated parties, with particle conservation laws in play. Application of our tools to an experimental implementation with Bose-Einstein condensates leads to the first quantitative estimation of identical particle entanglement. Further connections are revealed between particle entanglement and other resources such as optical nonclassicality and quantum coherence. Overall, this work marks a resolutive step in the ongoing debate by delivering a unifying conceptual and practical understanding of entanglement between identical particles.

Practical Security Analysis of Reference Pulses for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

By manipulating the reference pulses amplitude, a security vulnerability is caused by self-reference continuous-variable quantum key distribution. In this paper, we formalize an attack strategy for reference pulses, showing that the proposed attack can compromise the practical security of CVQKD protocol. In this scheme, before the beam splitter attack, Eve intercepts the reference pulses emitted by Alice, using Bayesian algorithm to estimate phase shifts. Subsequently, other reference pulses are re-prepared and resubmitted to Bob. In simulations, Bayesian algorithm effectively estimates the phase drifts and has the high robustness to noise. Therefore, the eavesdropper can bias the excess noise due to the intercept-resend attack and the beam splitter attack. And Alice and Bob believe that their excess noise is below the null key threshold and can still share a secret key. Consequently, the proposed attack shows that its practical security can be compromised by transmitting the reference pulses in the continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol.

RF-Focus

Capturing RFID tags in the region of interest (ROI) is challenging. Many issues, such as multipath interference, frequency-dependent hardware characteristics and phase periodicity, make RF phase difficult to accurately indicate the tag-to-antenna distance for RFID tag localization. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive solution, called RF-Focus, which fuses RFID and computer vision (CV) techniques to recognize and locate moving RFID-tagged objects within ROI. Firstly, we build a multipath propagation model and propose a dual-antenna solution to minimize the impact of multipath interference on RF phase. Secondly, by extending the multipath model, we estimate phase shifts due to hardware characteristics at different operating frequencies. Thirdly, to minimize the tag position uncertainty due to RF phase periodicity, we leverage CV to extract image regions of being likely to contain ROI RFID-tagged objects, and then associate them with the processed RF phase after the removal of the phase shifts due to multipath interference and hardware characteristics for recognition and localization. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of multipath modelling and hardware-related phase shift estimation. When five RFID-tagged objects are moving in the ROI, RF-Focus achieves the average recognition accuracy of 91.67% and localization accuracy of 94.26% given a false positive rate of 10%.

Investigation of the refractive index decrement of 3D printing materials for manufacturing breast phantoms for phase contrast imaging

3D breast modelling for 2D and 3D breast x-ray imaging would benefit from the availability of digital and physical phantoms that reproduce accurately the complexity of the breast anatomy. While a number of groups have produced digital phantoms with increasing level of complexity, physical phantoms reproducing that software approach have been scarcely developed. One possibility is offered by 3D printing technology. This implies the assessment of the energy dependent absorption index β of 3D printing materials for absorption based imaging, as well as the assessment of the refractive index decrement, δ, of the printing material, for phase contrast imaging studies, at the energies of interest for breast imaging. In this work we set-up a procedure and performed a series of measurements (at 30, 45 and 60 keV, at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) for assessing the relative value of δ with respect to that of breast tissues, for twelve 3D printing materials. The method included propagation based phase contrast 2D imaging and retrieval of the estimated phase shift map, using the Paganin’s algorithm. Breast glandular, adipose and skin tissues were used as reference materials of known ratio δ/β. A percentage difference Δδ was introduced to assess the suitability of the printing materials as tissue substitutes. The accuracy of the method (about 4%) was assessed based on the properties of PMMA and Nylon, acting as gold standard. Results show that, for the above photon energies, ABS is a good substitute for adipose tissue, Hybrid as a substitute of the glandular tissue and PET-G for simulating the skin. We plan to realize a breast phantom manufactured by fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology using ABS, Hybrid and PET-G as substitutes of the glandular and skin tissue and a second phantom by stereolithography (SLA) technology with the resins Flex, Tough and Black.

Temporal dynamics of circadian phase shifting response to consecutive night shifts in healthcare workers: role of light-dark exposure.

Shift work is highly prevalent and is associated with significant adverse health impacts. There is substantial inter-individual variability in the way the circadian clock responds to changing shift cycles. The mechanisms underlying this variability are not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that light-dark exposure is a significant contributor to this variability; when combined with diurnal preference, the relative timing of light exposure accounted for 71% of individual variability in circadian phase response to night shift work. These results will drive development of personalised approaches to manage circadian disruption among shift workers and other vulnerable populations to potentially reduce the increased risk of disease in these populations. Night shift workers show highly variable rates of circadian adaptation. This study examined the relationship between light exposure patterns and the magnitude of circadian phase resetting in response to night shift work. In 21 participants (nursing and medical staff in an intensive care unit) circadian phase was measured using 6-sulphatoxymelatonin at baseline (day/evening shifts or days off) and after 3-4 consecutive night shifts. Daily light exposure was examined relative to individual circadian phase to quantify light intensity in the phase delay and phase advance portions of the light phase response curve (PRC). There was substantial inter-individual variability in the direction and magnitude of phase shift after three or four consecutive night shifts (mean phase delay -1:08±1:31h; range -3:43h delay to +3:07h phase advance). The relative difference in the distribution of light relative to the PRC combined with diurnal preference accounted for 71% of the variability in phase shift. Regression analysis incorporating these factors estimated phase shift to within ±60min in 85% of participants. No participants met criteria for partial adaptation to night work after three or four consecutive night shifts. Our findings provide evidence that the phase resetting that does occur is based on individual light exposure patterns relative to an individual's baseline circadian phase. Thus, a 'one size fits all' approach to promoting adaptation to shift work using light therapy, implemented without knowledge of circadian phase, may not be efficacious for all individuals.

An introduction to experimental phasing of macromolecules illustrated by SHELX; new autotracing features.

For the purpose of this article, experimental phasing is understood to mean the determination of macromolecular structures by exploiting small intensity differences of Friedel opposites and possibly of reflections measured at different wavelengths or for heavy-atom derivatives, without the use of specific structural models. The SHELX programs provide a robust and efficient route for routine structure solution by the SAD, MAD and related methods, but involve a number of simplifying assumptions that may limit their applicability in borderline cases. The substructure atoms (i.e. those with significant anomalous scattering) are first located by direct methods, and the experimental data are then used to estimate phase shifts that are added to the substructure phases to obtain starting phases for the native reflections. These are then improved by density modification and, if the resolution of the data and the type of structure permit, polyalanine tracing. A number of extensions to the tracing algorithm are discussed; these are designed to improve its performance at low resolution. Given native data to 2.5 Å resolution or better, a correlation coefficient greater than 25% between the structure factors calculated from such a trace and the native data is usually a good indication that the structure has been solved.

Single waveguide silicon-organic hybrid modulator

Abstract. We present a novel silicon-organic hybrid modulator based on an integrated dual-mode interferometer. The modulator offers a compact, simplified design and enhanced robustness to on-chip fluctuations of temperature compared to conventional Mach-Zehnder based systems. A prototype modulator showing a voltage dependent transmission spectrum is obtained by cladding a dual-mode waveguide in a 250 nm silicon-on-insulator technology with a customized organic electro-optic layer. Estimated phase shifts and corresponding figures of merit are discussed in this contribution. The used organic layer is based on the guest-host approach with customized donor-π-acceptor chromophore embedded and poled in a poly(methylmethacrylate) matrix. The presented prototype is to the best of the authors' knowledge the first integrated single waveguide silicon-organic hybrid modulator.

Estimating phase shifts from three fringe patterns by use of cross spectrum.

In phase-shifting technique, using self-calibrating algorithms allows us to determine phases and phase shifts simultaneously, thus eliminating the errors caused by miscalibrations of phase shifters. However, it is difficult to estimate phase shifts when only three fringe patterns are available, because in this case the problem becomes underdetermined. In this paper, we analyze the effects of phase-shift errors on the calculated phases, and find that the phase-shift errors introduce correlations between different frequency components of the calculated phases. We measure these correlations by calculating the cross spectrum of cis functions between the calculated phases and their trebles, and further define a single-valued objective function. A gradient-guided search strategy is used for minimizing this objective function, so that the phase shifts are estimated from three fringe patterns. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the newly proposed algorithm, in comparison with the existing correlation-based algorithms, has several advantages, such as being insensitive to the nonuniformities of the background intensities and the modulations, having a high stability, and offering improved computational efficiency.

AMPLITUDES OF DISJUNCTIVE DISLOCATIONS IN THE KNIPOVICH RIDGE FLANKS (NORTHERN ATLANTIC) AS AN INDICATOR OF MODERN REGIONAL GEODYNAMICS

This article presents the first map showing the vertical amplitudes of modern disjunctive dislocations inNorthern Atlantic, based on the estimated phase shifts of reflected waves recorded by high-frequency seismic acoustic surveys. The amplitude distribution pattern is mosaic with alternating areas of compression and extension in the flanks of the Knipovich rift system. The modern structure of the Knipovich Ridge, including two strike-slip faults, represents a local rift in the pull-apart setting. The asymmetry of stresses and the presence of compression in the ridge flanks is evidenced by the distribution of the focal mechanisms of strong earthquakes related to reverse faults. In the southeastern Knipovich Ridge, tectonic activity is marked by the asymmetric pattern of the epicenters of small earthquakes.

Temperature- and energy-dependent phase shifts of resonant multiple-beam X-ray diffraction in germanium crystals.

This paper reports temperature- and energy-dependent phase shifts of resonant multiple-beam X-ray diffraction in germanium crystals, involving forbidden (002) and weak (222) reflections. Phase determination based on multiple-beam diffraction is employed to estimate phase shifts from (002)-based {(002)(375)(373̅)} four-beam cases and (222)-based { (222)(5̅33̅)} three-beam cases in the vicinity of the Ge K edge for temperatures from 20 K up to 300 K. The forbidden/weak reflections enhance the sensitivity of measuring phases at resonance. At room temperature, the resonance triplet phases reach a maximum of 8° for the four-beam cases and -19° for the three-beam cases. It is found that the peak intensities and triplet phases obtained from the (002) four-beam diffraction are related to thermal motion induced anisotropy and anomalous dispersion, while the (222) three-beam diffraction depends on the aspherical covalent electron distribution and anomalous dispersion. However, the electron-phonon interaction usually affects the forbidden reflections with increasing temperatures and seems to have less effect on the resonance triplet phase shifts measured from the (002) four-beam diffraction. The resonance triplet phase shifts of the (222) three-beam diffraction versus temperature are also small.

Diurnal Preference Predicts Phase Differences in Expression of Human Peripheral Circadian Clock Genes.

Background: Circadian rhythms play an integral role in human behavior, physiology and health. Individual differences in daily rhythms (chronotypes) can affect individual sleep-wake cycles, activity patterns and behavioral choices. Diurnal preference, the tendency towards morningness or eveningness among individuals, has been associated with interpersonal variation in circadian clock-related output measures, including body temperature, melatonin levels and clock gene mRNA in blood, oral mucosa, and dermal fibroblast cell cultures.Methods: Here we report gene expression data from two principal clock genes sampled from hair follicle cells, a peripheral circadian clock. Hair follicle cells from fourteen individuals of extreme morning or evening chronotype were sampled at three time points. RNA was extracted and quantitative PCR assays were used to measure mRNA expression patterns of two clock genes, Per3 and Nr1d2.Results: We found significant differences in clock gene expression over time between chronotype groups, independent of gender or age of participants. Extreme evening chronotypes have a delay in phase of circadian clock gene oscillation relative to extreme morning types. Variation in the molecular clockwork of chronotype groups represents nearly three-hour phase differences (Per3: 2.61 hours; Nr1d2: 3.08 hours, both: 2.86) in circadian oscillations of these clock genes.Conclusions: The measurement of gene expression from hair follicles at three time points allows for a direct, efficient method of estimating phase shifts of a peripheral circadian clock in real-life conditions. The robust phase differences in temporal expression of clock genes associated with diurnal preferences provide the framework for further studies of the molecular mechanisms and gene-by-environment interactions underlying chronotype-specific behavioral phenomena, including social jetlag.

Quantum metrology for simultaneously estimating the linear and nonlinear phase shifts

Quantum metrology allows the enhanced precision on estimating phase shifts in an optical interferometer to reach the $\ensuremath{\propto}1/N$ scaling of precision ($N$ is the mean photon number of the light field). But when $N$ is very large, the nonlinear optical effects may be nonnegligible. Here we investigate theoretically the quantum uncertainty bounds for simultaneously detecting the linear and nonlinear phase shifts. Focusing our attentions only on the linear and the nonlinear Kerr phase shifts, we find the NOON states can not be used to measure the two phase parameters. Using the entangled coherent states, the estimation precision is limited by the $1/{N}^{1/2}$ ($1/{N}^{3/2}$) scaling for the linear (nonlinear) phase. To increase the precisions and beat the standard quantum limit, we show that the entangled Schr\"odinger-cat states can be used to reach the $1/N$ scaling for the linear phase and $1/{N}^{2}$ scaling for the nonlinear phase.

Phase shift estimation from variances of fringe pattern differences

This paper presents a simple algorithm for estimating phase shifts from only three interferograms. In it, the fringe pattern differences are computed first in order to remove the background component, and then the variances and further the standard deviations (SDs) of fringe pattern differences are calculated. The phase shifts are estimated, by using the law of cosines, from a triangle whose lengths of sides are the SDs just calculated. This algorithm offers several advantages over others, e.g., being efficient, easy to implement, accurate, and less sensitive to noise. Numerical simulations and an experiment are performed to demonstrate its validity.

In-line phase shift tomosynthesis

The purpose of this work is to (1) demonstrate laboratory measurements of phase shift images derived from in-line phase-contrast radiographs using the attenuation-partition based algorithm (APBA) of Yan et al. [Opt. Express 18(15), 16074-16089 (2010)], (2) verify that the APBA reconstructed images obey the linearity principle, and (3) reconstruct tomosynthesis phase shift images from a collection of angularly sampled planar phase shift images. An unmodified, commercially available cabinet x-ray system (Faxitron LX-60) was used in this experiment. This system contains a tungsten anode x-ray tube with a nominal focal spot size of 10 μm. The digital detector uses CsI∕CMOS with a pixel size of 50×50 μm. The phantoms used consisted of one acrylic plate, two polystyrene plates, and a habanero pepper. Tomosynthesis images were reconstructed from 51 images acquired over a ±25° arc. All phase shift images were reconstructed using the APBA. Image contrast derived from the planar phase shift image of an acrylic plate of uniform thickness exceeded the contrast of the traditional attenuation image by an approximate factor of two. Comparison of the planar phase shift images from a single, uniform thickness polystyrene plate with two polystyrene plates demonstrated an approximate linearity of the estimated phase shift with plate thickness (-1600 rad vs -2970 rad). Tomographic phase shift images of the habanero pepper exhibited acceptable spatial resolution and contrast comparable to the corresponding attenuation image. This work demonstrated the feasibility of laboratory-based phase shift tomosynthesis and suggests that phase shift imaging could potentially provide a new imaging biomarker. Further investigation will be needed to determine if phase shift contrast will be able to provide new tissue contrast information or improved clinical performance.

Lateral superresolution using a posteriori phase shift estimation for a moving object: experimental results

Structured illumination imaging uses multiple images of an object having different phase shifts in the sinusoidally patterned illumination to obtain lateral superresolution in stationary specimens in microscopy. In our recent work we have discussed a method to estimate these phase shifts a posteriori, allowing us to apply this technique to non-stationary objects such as in vivo tissue. Here we show experimental verification of our earlier simulations for phase shift estimation a posteriori. We estimated phase shifts in fluorescence microscopy images for an object having unknown, random translational motion and used them to obtain an artifact-free reconstruction having the expected superresolution.

Nonlinear phase interaction between nonstationary signals: a comparison study of methods based on Hilbert-Huang and Fourier transforms.

Phase interactions among signals of physical and physiological systems can provide useful information about the underlying control mechanisms of the systems. Physical and biological recordings are often noisy and exhibit nonstationarities that can affect the estimation of phase interactions. We systematically studied effects of nonstationarities on two phase analyses including (i) the widely used transfer function analysis (TFA) that is based on Fourier decomposition and (ii) the recently proposed multimodal pressure flow (MMPF) analysis that is based on Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT)-an advanced nonlinear decomposition algorithm. We considered three types of nonstationarities that are often presented in physical and physiological signals: (i) missing segments of data, (ii) linear and step-function trends embedded in data, and (iii) multiple chaotic oscillatory components at different frequencies in data. By generating two coupled oscillatory signals with an assigned phase shift, we quantify the change in the estimated phase shift after imposing artificial nonstationarities into the oscillatory signals. We found that all three types of nonstationarities affect the performances of the Fourier-based and the HHT-based phase analyses, introducing bias and random errors in the estimation of the phase shift between two oscillatory signals. We also provided examples of nonstationarities in real physiological data (cerebral blood flow and blood pressure) and showed how nonstationarities can complicate result interpretation. Furthermore, we propose certain strategies that can be implemented in the TFA and the MMPF methods to reduce the effects of nonstationarities, thus improving the performances of the two methods.

Half-quadratic cost function for computing arbitrary phase shifts and phase: Adaptive out of step phase shifting

We present a phase shifting robust method for irregular and unknown phase steps. The method is formulated as the minimization of a half-quadratic (robust) regularized cost function for simultaneously computing phase maps and arbitrary phase shifts. The convergence to, at least, a local minimum is guaranteed. The algorithm can be understood as a phase refinement strategy that uses as initial guess a coarsely computed phase and coarsely estimated phase shifts. Such a coarse phase is assumed to be corrupted with artifacts produced by the use of a phase shifting algorithm but with imprecise phase steps. The refinement is achieved by iterating alternated minimization of the cost function for computing the phase map correction, an outliers rejection map and the phase shifts correction, respectively. The method performance is demonstrated by comparison with standard filtering and arbitrary phase steps detecting algorithms.