Multi-frequency Continuous Wave Research Articles

RFID-Based Vehicle Localization Using Virtual Wideband Multi-Frequency Continuous Wave

Vehicular location information plays a crucial role in intelligent transportation systems. A particular focus is on developing an internet of things (IoT)-based sensing system for smart roads to enable high-precision vehicle localization that does not rely on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and improve traffic safety and efficiency. As a passive low-power IoT technology, radio frequency identification (RFID) has been proposed as an alternative localization approach in GNSS-denied scenarios. However, limited by the licensed narrow bandwidth, the localization accuracy of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) RFID readers is quite low. To achieve the RFID-based high-precision localization, we develop an RFID localization reader on a universal software radio peripheral (USRP) platform, which realizes virtual broadband multi-frequency continuous-wave (MFCW) transmission and phase extraction of the received backscattered signals. The genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to choose the optimal frequency set to minimize the range difference estimating error. By calculating the phase difference of arrival (PDOA), the localization problem can be modeled as hyperbolic equations and solved. Experimental results validate that our developed RFID-based vehicle localization system could achieve an accuracy less than 5 cm.

Low-Power Radar System for Noncontact Human Respiration Sensor

The development of a radar system for human respiration noncontact sensor will contribute to the healthcare field, particularly in the monitoring of patients’ respiration for a long period with all the while providing more advantages, such as hygiene and comfort. The radar system must be able to detect the small displacement with millimeters or centimeters scale on the human body associated with the respiratory activity. The minimum power of electromagnetic wave radiation is also needed to avoid unsafe usability in patients’ respiration monitoring. To attain low power operation and efficient frequency spectrum usage, the multifrequency continuous-wave (MFCW) radar system is proposed in this article as a noncontact sensor for human respiration. The simulation study and laboratory experiment of the MFCW radar system in detecting human respiration were performed, and the comparison study with frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar was discussed in this article. The simulation shows that the effective isotropic radiation power (EIRP) of MFCW is 9 dBm lower than FMCW at a 2-m measurement distance. The result also demonstrates that the proposed MFCW performs well under amplitude and phase noise. The laboratory experiments were conducted by implementing the proposed system using the software-defined radio device. The experiment results also confirm that the proposed MFCW was able to reduce the EIRP and spectrum occupation compared to the FMCW. The MFCW system is then recommended as a radar system in developing a noncontact sensor for respiration monitoring in healthcare.

Phase Difference Compensation Method for Range Estimation in an MFCW–CW Radar

Multifrequency continuous-wave-continuous-wave (MFCW-CW) radars simultaneously transmit multifrequency continuous-wave (MFCW) signals sequentially at a constant time step and a continuous-wave (CW) signal constantly. As MFCW signals are transmitted sequentially, only one phase difference exists at each time. All phase differences between the MFCW and CW signals should be exploited to resolve ambiguous ranges. In this article, we propose a method to compensate the phase difference between the sequential MFCW signals and CW signal using the Doppler frequency of the CW signal. To verify the phase difference compensation result, we estimated the range of multiple targets. The simulation results showed that the proposed phase difference compensation method performed well regardless of compensation direction and target motion. Moreover, we proposed applying the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and reduced-complexity off-grid sparse Bayesian learning (RC-OGSBL) to estimate ranges and analyzed their performance. The range accuracy of the MLE using a 0.1- m grid search showed superior performance and the running time of the MLE using the simple method is the fastest among the simulated methods. The RC-OGSBL using a 5- m grid showed good results in terms of range accuracy and running time.

Spin-Dependent Charge-Carrier Recombination Processes in Tris (8-Hydroxyquinolinato) Aluminum

We have studied the nature and dynamics of spin-dependent charge carrier recombination in Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq$_3$) films in light emitting diodes at room temperature using continuous wave and pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectroscopy. We found that the EDMR signal is dominated by an electron-hole recombination process, and another, weaker EDMR signal whose fundamental nature was investigated. From the pulsed EDMR measurements we obtained a carrier spin relaxation time, $T_2 = 45\pm 25$ ns which is much shorter than $T_2$ in conjugated polymers, but relatively long for a molecule containing elements with high atomic number. Using multi-frequency continuous wave EDMR spectroscopy, we obtained the local hyperfine field distributions for electrons and holes, as well as their respective spin-orbit coupling induced g-factor and g-strain values.

Mechanistic basis of substrate–O2 coupling within a chitin-active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase: An integrated NMR/EPR study

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) have a unique ability to activate molecular oxygen for subsequent oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds. To provide insight into the mode of action of these industrially important enzymes, we have performed an integrated NMR/electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study into the detailed aspects of an AA10 LPMO-substrate interaction. Using NMR spectroscopy, we have elucidated the solution-phase structure of apo-BlLPMO10A from Bacillus licheniformis, along with solution-phase structural characterization of the Cu(I)-LPMO, showing that the presence of the metal has minimal effects on the overall protein structure. We have, moreover, used paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) to characterize Cu(II)-LPMO by NMR spectroscopy. In addition, a multifrequency continuous-wave (CW)-EPR and 15N-HYSCORE spectroscopy study on the uniformly isotope-labeled 63Cu(II)-bound 15N-BlLPMO10A along with its natural abundance isotopologue determined copper spin-Hamiltonian parameters for LPMOs to markedly improved accuracy. The data demonstrate that large changes in the Cu(II) spin-Hamiltonian parameters are induced upon binding of the substrate. These changes arise from a rearrangement of the copper coordination sphere from a five-coordinate distorted square pyramid to one which is four-coordinate near-square planar. There is also a small reduction in metal-ligand covalency and an attendant increase in the d(x2-y2) character/energy of the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO), which we propose from density functional theory (DFT) calculations predisposes the copper active site for the formation of a stable Cu-O2 intermediate. This switch in orbital character upon addition of chitin provides a basis for understanding the coupling of substrate binding with O2 activation in chitin-active AA10 LPMOs.

Small displacement detecting method based on multifrequency continuous wave radar system

A small displacement becomes important indicator in identifying a problem that may rises in several systems. Non-Contacting sensor is needed for small displacement detection in several field such as structure health monitoring, landslide monitoring and human vital sign detection. Radar system is potentially implemented as non-contacting sensor for previous mention problems. Detection of small displacement on a target using a radar system requires high accuracy and resolution which gives the consequence of a wide bandwidth requirement. The method of multi-frequency continuous wave radar is then investigated and proposed as a method for detection of small displacement with low bandwidth requirements. Cross correlation and IQ demodulation techniques are applied in post processing. Theoretical analysis and simulation were conducted to study the concept of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can determine the location and magnitude of small displacement.

The frequency choice of continuous-wave signal in low frequency active detection

In active sonar, continuous-wave (CW) pulses are used to evaluate the velocity of a target because of its high-resolution of velocity. Unfortunately, due to multipath interface in shallow water, the received CW signals are fluctuating. This phenomenon degrades the performance of velocity measurement. The interference structure of low frequency sound field in shallow water is relatively stable and the intensity striations are regular in range-frequency graph, which makes it possible to reduce the influence of amplitude fluctuations by reasonable frequency design. In this paper, we obtain the separations of striations caused by different modes interfering. According to the separations, appropriate frequencies of multi-frequency CW pulses were selected to compensate the fluctuations. The simulation and experimental results show that this method can mitigate the influence of frequency selective fading in shallow water channel.

Electron paramagnetic resonance of a copper doped [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] hybrid perovskite framework.

We report a continuous-wave (CW) and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as well as pulse electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) study of Cu2+ doped [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] hybrid perovskite which exhibits a structural phase transition. The multifrequency (X, Q and W-band) CW EPR measurements allow the temperature evolution of the Cu2+ ion local environment to be studied. The spectrum of the ordered (low-temperature) phase reveals an axially distorted octahedral Cu2+ site confirming the successful replacement of the Zn2+ ions and formation of the CuO6 octahedra. The CW EPR spectrum of the disordered (high-temperature) phase shows an additional broad line which gradually diminishes on cooling. The EPR linewidth of the axially symmetric Cu2+ ion site exhibits an anomaly at the phase transition point and Arrhenius-type behavior in the disordered phase. The temperature dependent Cu2+ spin Hamiltonian parameters change abruptly at the phase transition point indicating a strong first-order character of the transition. The X-band pulse ENDOR spectrum of the ordered phase reveals several protons in the vicinity of the Cu2+ center.

Probing the coordinative unsaturation and local environment of Ti³⁺ sites in an activated high-yield Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

The typical activation of a fourth generation Ziegler-Natta catalyst TiCl4/MgCl2/phthalate with triethyl aluminum generates Ti(3+) centers that are investigated by multi-frequency continuous wave and pulse EPR methods. Two families of isolated, molecule-like Ti(3+) species have been identified. A comparison of the experimentally derived g tensors and (35,37)Cl hyperfine and nuclear-quadrupole tensors with DFT-computed values suggests that the dominant EPR-active Ti(3+) species is located on MgCl2(110) surfaces (or equivalent MgCl2 terminations with tetra-coordinated Mg). O2 reactivity tests show that a fraction of these Ti sites is chemically accessible, an important result in view of the search for the true catalyst active site in olefin polymerization.

Electronic Structure of the Positive Radical of 13C-Labeled Poly(3-Octylthienylene Vinylene) Polymer

Poly(3-octylthienylene vinylene) (O-PTV) has a great potential as low-bandgap p-type semiconductor for photovoltaic applications. Here, the positive radical state (positive polaron) is induced chemically in the O-PTV polymer in which the vinylene sites are selectively 13C-labeled. Using multi-frequency continuous wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance, the g tensor and maximum 1H and 13C hyperfine couplings are determined. A comparative density functional theory (DFT) analysis of PTV-like oligomers is performed. The experimental parameters suggest a larger localization of the positive polaron than follows from the DFT analysis. The counter anion may play a crucial role in localizing the polaron.

Accurate Indoor Ranging by Broadband Harmonic Generation in Passive NLTL Backscatter Tags

Millimeter-precision meter-distance real-time indoor ranging capability is challenging due to multipath reflections in a rich scattering environment. Traditional continuous wave (CW) phase-based ranging methods, although simple and flexible, are vulnerable to phase offsets and interferences. We improve the previous CW approach by passive broadband harmonic nonlinear-transmission-line (NLTL) tags. Since phase information is now contained within the second harmonic rather than the fundamental frequency, interferences and phase errors caused by direct reflections of the interrogating signal are greatly reduced. By the broadband property of NLTL, a heuristic multi-frequency CW method is formulated to resolve the phase integer ambiguity and to further improve ranging accuracy and robustness even under large phase errors. We present theoretical and simulation analyses, followed by experimental verification.

Magnetic defects in chemically converted graphene nanoribbons: electron spin resonance investigation

Electronic spin transport properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are influenced by the presence of adatoms, adsorbates and edge functionalization. To improve the understanding of the factors that influence the spin properties of GNRs, local (element) spin-sensitive techniques such as electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy are important for spintronics applications. Here, we present results of multi-frequency continuous wave (CW), pulse and hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) ESR spectroscopy measurements performed on oxidatively unzipped graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), which were subsequently chemically converted (CCGNRs) with hydrazine. ESR spectra at 336 GHz reveal an isotropic ESR signal from the CCGNRs, of which the temperature dependence of its line width indicates the presence of localized unpaired electronic states. Upon functionalization of CCGNRs with 4-nitrobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate, the ESR signal is found to be 2 times narrower than that of pristine ribbons. NH3 adsorption/desorption on CCGNRs is shown to narrow the signal, while retaining the signal intensity and g value. The electron spin-spin relaxation process at 10 K is found to be characterized by slow (163 ns) and fast (39 ns) components. HYSCORE ESR data demonstrate the explicit presence of protons and 13C atoms. With the provided identification of intrinsic point magnetic defects such as proton and 13C has been reported, which are roadblocks to spin travel in graphene-based materials, this work could help in advancing the present fundamental understanding on the edge-spin (or magnetic)-based transport properties of CCGNRs.

The world as viewed by and with unpaired electrons

Recent advances in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) include capabilities for applications to areas as diverse as archeology, beer shelf life, biological structure, dosimetry, in vivo imaging, molecular magnets, and quantum computing. Enabling technologies include multifrequency continuous wave, pulsed, and rapid scan EPR. Interpretation is enhanced by increasingly powerful computational models.

Structural Characterization of a High Affinity Mononuclear Site in the Copper(II)-α-Synuclein Complex

Human α-Synuclein (aS), a 140 amino acid protein, is the main constituent of Lewy bodies, the cytoplasmatic deposits found in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients, where it is present in an aggregated, fibrillar form. Recent studies have shown that aS is a metal binding protein. Moreover, heavy metal ions, in particular divalent copper, accelerate the aggregation process of the protein. In this work, we investigated the high affinity binding mode of truncated aS (1-99) (aS99) with Cu(II), in a stoichiometric ratio, to elucidate the residues involved in the binding site and the role of copper ions in the protein oligomerization. We used Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy on the Cu(II)-aS99 complex at pH 6.5, performing both multifrequency continuous wave experiments and pulsed experiments at X-band. The comparison of 9.5 and 95 GHz data showed that at this pH only one binding mode is present. To identify the nature of the ligands, we performed Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation, Hyperfine Sublevel Correlation Spectroscopy, and pulsed Davies Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance (Davies-ENDOR) experiments. We determined that the EPR parameters are typical of a type-II copper complex, in a slightly distorted square planar geometry. Combining the results from the different pulsed techniques, we obtained that the equatorial coordination is {N(Im), N(-), H(2)O, O}, where N(im) is the imino nitrogen of His50, N(-) a deprotonated amido backbone nitrogen that we attribute to His50, H(2)O an exchangeable water molecule, and O an unidentified oxygen ligand. Moreover, we propose that the free amino terminus (Met1) participates in the complex as an axial ligand. The MXAN analysis of the XAS k-edge absorption data allowed us to independently validate the structural features proposed on the basis of the magnetic parameters of the Cu(II)-aS99 complex and then to further refine the quality of the proposed structural model.

A Low-cost Ultrasonic 3D Measurement Device for Calibration for Cartesian and Non-Cartesian Machines

The major obstacles to the widespread adoption of 3D measurement systems are accuracy, speed of process and the cost. At present, high accuracy for measuring 3D position has been achieved, and there have been real advances in reducing measurement time, but the cost of such systems remains high. A high-accuracy and high-resolution ultrasonic distance measurement system has been achieved in this project by creating multi-frequency continuous wave frequency modulation (MFCWFM) system. The low-cost system measures dynamic distance (displacements of an ultrasound transmitter) and fixed distance (distances between receivers). The instantaneous distance between the transmitter and each receiver can be precisely determined. New geometric algorithms for transmitter 3D position and receiver positing have also been developed in the current research to improve the measurement system‟s practicability. These algorithms allow the ultrasound receivers to be arbitrarily placed and located by self-calibration following a simple procedure. After the development and testing of the new 3D measurement system, further studies have also been carried out on the system, considering the two major external disturbances: air temperature drifting and ultrasound echo interference. Novel methods have been successfully developed and tested to minimize measurement errors and evaluation of speed of sound. All the enabling research described in the thesis means that it is now possible to build and implement a measurement system at reasonable cost for industrial exploitation. This will have the necessary performance to provide ultrasonic 3D position measurements in real time for monitoring position.

Multifrequency continuous wave terahertz spectroscopy for absolute thickness determination

We present a tunable multifrequency continuous wave terahertz spectrometer based on two laser diodes, photoconductive antennas, and a coherent detection scheme. The system is employed to determine the absolute thickness of samples utilizing a proposed synthetic difference frequency method to circumvent the 2π uncertainty known from conventional photomixing systems while preserving a high spatial resolution.

Alteration of the Axial Met Ligand to Electron Acceptor A0 in Photosystem I: An Investigation of Electron Transfer at Different Temperatures by Multifrequency Time-Resolved and CW EPR

The ambient temperature and low-temperature electron transfer properties of Photosystem I (PS I) from the M688NPsaA and M668NPsaB mutant strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 are studied using transient electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and continuous-wave (CW) EPR. The two mutations are expected to alter the midpoint potentials of, and the reorganization energies around, the primary electron chlorophyll acceptors A0A and A0B, which should lead to a change in the yield and/or rate of electron transfer to the phylloquinone acceptors A1A and A1B, respectively. At ambient temperature it is known that both quinone acceptors are active in electron transfer. At low temperature there are at least two fractions that undergo either reversible or irreversible electron transfer. The EPR data of the two PS I variants are used to investigate the relationship between these low-temperature fractions and the ambient temperature electron transfer pathway. The results show that mutation in the PsaA-branch increases the rate of \( {\text{A}}_{{1{\text{A}}}}^{. - } \) to FX electron transfer at ambient temperature, while the corresponding mutation in the PsaB-branch has no effect on the electron transfer rate observable by transient EPR. An analysis of the complete time/field datasets from both variants suggests that the yield of electron transfer in the branch carrying the mutation is reduced. The mutations have no effect on the low-temperature CW EPR spectra of the iron–sulfur clusters if the samples are frozen under illumination but they both cause a decrease in the yield of reduced FA and FB if the samples are frozen in the dark and then illuminated. The PsaA-branch mutation greatly reduces the intensity and changes the polarization pattern of the radical pair \( {\text{P}}_{700}^{ + } {\text{A}}_{1}^{. - } \). Possible causes of the changes in the polarization pattern are discussed and it is suggested that the mutations introduce structural heterogeneity in the vicinity of the A0 binding site. No clear correlation between the yield of electron transfer in a particular branch and the yield of stable charge separation is found.

Multifrequency Continuous-Wave Radar Approach to Ranging in Passive UHF RFID

In this paper, we present the extension of a recently published two-frequency continuous-wave (CW) ultra-high-frequency RF identification ranging technique to multiple carriers. The proposed system concept relies on exact phase information; hence, the passive tag cannot be accurately modeled as a frequency-flat linear device. A linearized model of the tag's reflection coefficient is devised to bridge the gap between the nonlinear reality and the linear CW radar theory. Estimation error bounds are derived and effects caused by noise and multipath propagation are analyzed in detail. It has been found that systematic errors introduced by the tag's reflection characteristic cannot be compensated by using multiple carriers due to large variations caused by detuning. Nonetheless the system, while being vulnerable to multipath propagation effects, still performs well under line-of-sight conditions; mean average errors below 15% of the true distance are possible in typical fading environments..

Multifrequency EPR study of the mobility of nitroxides in solid-state calixarene nanocapsules

Multifrequency continuous wave (cw) and echo-detected (ED) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was employed to study the mobility of nitroxides confined in nanocapsules. The complexes p-hexanoyl calix[4]arene with 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (MT) and N-(2-methylpropyl)-N-(1-diethylphosphono-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-aminoxyl (DEPN) were studied by X-, W-band and 360 GHz cw EPR at temperatures between 90 and 370 K. Thereby we were able to extract the canonical values of the hyperfine and g-tensors of the encapsulated radicals as well as information on restricted orientational dynamics of the caged spin probes. Comparing cw and ED-EPR data obtained on MT@C6OH we found that between 90 and 200 K the caged nitroxide undergoes isotropic small-angle fluctuations (librations), whereas at higher temperatures restricted rotations of the radical with correlation times of 0.75 x 10(-10) s and 1.2 x 10(-10) s dominate at 325 and 300 K, respectively. The activation energy of the rotational motion of encapsulated MT radicals was evaluated as E(a) = 1.0 kcal mol(-1), which is comparable to the magnitude of van der Waals interactions. Compared to MT, the reorientational motion of DEPN was found to be slower and more isotropic.

High accuracy ultrasonic air temperature measurement using multi-frequency continuous wave

This article describes a highly accurate and instant-response ultrasonic system for measuring air temperature using multi-frequency continuous waves (MFCW). The proposed system uses a method heretofore applied only to radio frequency distance measurement but not to air-based ultrasonic systems. The method presented here is based upon the comparative phase shifts generated by three continuous ultrasonic waves of different but closely spaced frequencies. It uses the ultrasonic measurement of the changes in the speed of sound in the air to determine the temperature of bulk air. The changes in the speed of sound are calculated from phase shift of multi-frequency continuous wave. In our experiment, in a temperature-controlled chamber, we placed two 40 kHz ultrasonic transducers face to face with a constant distance in between. We use MFCW of 40/41.8/42 kHz. A single-chip microprocessor-based signal generator and phase detector are used to record and calculate phase shift and temperature. In a proof-of-concept experiment, it is accurate to ±0.4 °C from 0 to 80 °C with 0.05% resolution and temperature changes are instantly reflected within 100 ms.