A reconfigurable H-shape antenna for wireless applications

The official published version of this article can be obtained from the link below - Copyright @ EuCAP2010This paper presents a novel H-Shaped reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna fed by a Grounded Coplanar Waveguide (GCPW) for wireless applications. The uniqueness in the presented antenna design relies in the ability to select the number of operating frequencies electronically by using a varactor diode. The antenna structure consists of coplanar waveguide (CPW) input with an H-shape printed on a PCB and a varactor diode for reconfigurability. By electronically varying the value of the diode capacitance, the antenna can operate in a single band mode to cover Global Position System (GPS), a dual band mode to cover GPS and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM1900) or a three-band mode to cover GPS, GSM1900 and Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)

Widely tunable multiband reconfigurable patch antenna for wireless applications

The official published version can be obtained from the link below - Copyright @ EuCAP 2010A design of a low profile reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna is presented. The antenna consists of four suppatches connected to one feed line, each sub-patch generates a single band. By placing a variable capacitor at the input of the sub-patches, the impedance matching frequency of the antenna can be tuned over a wide range starting from 0.92 GHz to 2.98 GHz with total tunability rang of 2060 MHz. The proposed antenna designed to operate in the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM900, 880-960 MHz)/ Digital Communication System (DCS1800, 1710-1880 MHz)/ Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 1920-2170 MHz)/ Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN, 2400-2483.5 MHz)/ and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX, 2495-2700 MHz). The total size of the proposed antenna is 50 x 50 mm2 which is suitable for small wireless devices

Design and Measurements of a Five Independent Band Patch Antenna for Different Wireless Applications

This paper presents the design of a compact microstrip patch antenna with the ability of controlling the number of bands and the operating frequencies independently. Numerical equations are derived using a curve fitting technique to obtain the centre frequency of each band. The antenna comprises a main patch and four sub-patches fed by a 50 microstrip line. It is designed to generate up to five separate modes to cover the frequency range from 900MHz to 3GHz for the operation of wireless devices supporting multiple standards including Global System for Mobile communication (GSM900, 880-960 MHz), Digital Communication System (DCS1800, 1710-1880 MHz), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 1920-2170 MHz), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN, 2400-2483.5 MHz) and low band Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX, 2.5 to 2.8 GHz).NPL SMART chamber were supported by the Measurements for Innovators (MFI) program and the National Measurement Office, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill

Degradation of human kininogens with the release of kinin peptides by extracellular proteinases of Candida spp.

The secretion of proteolytic enzymes by pathogenic microorganisms is one of the most successful strategies used by pathogens to colonize and infect the host organism. The extracellular microbial proteinases can seriously deregulate the homeostatic proteolytic cascades of the host, including the kinin-forming system, repeatedly reported to he activated during bacterial infection. The current study assigns a kinin-releasing activity to secreted proteinases of Candida spp. yeasts, the major fungal pathogens of humans. Of several Candida species studied, C. parapsilosis and C. albicans in their invasive filamentous forms are shown to produce proteinases which most effectively degrade proteinaceous kinin precursors, the kininogens. These enzymes, classified as aspartyl proteinases, have the highest kininogen-degrading activity at low pH (approx. 3.5), but the associated production of bradykinin-related peptides from a small fraction of kininogen molecules is optimal at neutral pH (6.5). The peptides effectively interact with cellular B2-type kinin receptors. Moreover, kinin-related peptides capable of interacting with inflammation-induced B1-type receptors are also formed, but with a reversed pH dependence. The presented variability of the potential extracellular kinin production by secreted aspartyl proteinases of Candida spp. is consistent with the known adaptability of these opportunistic pathogens to different niches in the host organism

A reconfigurable CPW antenna for GPS, GSM and WLAN applications

Copyright @ 2011 IEEEMultiband reconfigurable antennas are receiving increasing importance in modern wireless communication systems supporting multiservice applications. The main advantage is the reduction in the size of wireless devices and allowing more space for other electronic components to be fitted. A widely tunable antenna using PIN switches was presented in [1]. Reconfigurable multiband antennas for wireless systems including satellite and terrestrial applications were reported in [2, 3]. This paper presents a new technique to electrically control the resonant frequencies by using a varactor diode. The antenna has an H-shape structure fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW). It can generate and control up to three resonant frequencies to be used in GPS, GSM and Bluetooth/WLAN applications

A frequency reconfigurable multiband patch antenna for wireless applications

Copyright @ 2011 IEE

Measurements, processing functions and laboratory test-bed experiments for evaluating diversity in broadcast network

This paper presents a test-bed development and measurement plan for evaluating transmit diversity and on-channel repeaters in the Digital Video Broadcasting Network. Transmit diversity reduces the complexity and improves the power consumption of the personal receiving devices by enhancing the transmission of signals in NLOS cluttered environments. It is more practical than receive diversity due to the difficulty of locating two receive antennas far enough apart in a small mobile device. The on-channel repeater is to extend the coverage of the DVB-T/H network in areas where services are inaccessible by receiving the DVB-T/H signals off air, amplifying and then retransmitting it on the same frequency as received. Test service scenarios were developed to illustrate the benefits of such technologies so that effectiveness can be researched in a variety of service and terrain scenarios using purpose built test systems.The work presented in this paper was supported by the European Commission IST project PLUTO

Population's perspectives toward biobanks in scientific research: a study from Jordan.

BackgroundBiobanks (biorepositories) were established to compile collected bio-specimens for future research and usage. The collection/storage of bio-specimens triggers several social, legal, and ethical implications where public attitudes can represent the core measurement/parameter in defining the most acceptable practices and ethical approaches when dealing with biobanks.AimThe aim of this study was to explore and understand population's perspectives, expectations, and concerns toward biobanks in Jordan.MethodsA cross-sectional survey that included closed-ended questions was distributed among Jordanians. A total of 500 participants who are representative of the Jordanian population were included in this study.ResultsThere was overwhelming support (>85%) for the establishment of biobanks in Jordan, and most of the participants agreed on the importance of biobanks and samples' donation for promoting medical research. Enthusiasm in biobanking participation was associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of participants including age, educational level, and previous knowledge of biobanks. Moreover, considering sample donation as a religiously good deed appeared to have the strongest positive correlation with willingness to donate bio-specimens for future research. Also, participants' trust in medical and research services, especially the protection of their privacy and confidentiality, was the most critical concern when they decided to participate in biobanks.ConclusionPopulation's attitude toward biobanks in Jordan was positive and promising, and can encourage the future establishment of different biobanks. It is also necessary to take into consideration certain sociodemographic characteristics when discussing specific information with potential biobanks' donors