Pulse-code modulation

Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog signals. It is the standard form of digital audio in computers, compact discs, digital telephony and other digital audio applications. In a PCM stream, the amplitude of the analog signal is sampled at uniform intervals, and each sample is quantized to the nearest value within a range of digital steps. Linear pulse-code modulation (LPCM) is a specific type of PCM in which the quantization levels are linearly uniform. This is in contrast to PCM encodings in which quantization levels vary as a function of amplitude (as with the A-law algorithm or the μ-law algorithm). Though PCM is a more general term, it is often used to describe data encoded as LPCM. A PCM stream has two basic properties that determine the stream's fidelity to the original analog signal: the sampling rate, which is the number of times per second that samples are taken; and the bit depth, which determines the numbe

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Related publications (43)

Related publications

Related people (2)

Related people

Related units (3)

Related units

Related concepts (61)

Related concepts

Related courses (10)

Related courses

Related lectures (17)

Related lectures

Thermally reconfigurable metalens

Anna Archetti, Fateme Kiani Shahvandi, Ren-Jie Lin, Nathanaël Restori, Giulia Tagliabue, Theodoros Tsoulos

Reconfigurable metalenses are compact optical components composed by arrays of meta-atoms that offer unique opportunities for advanced optical systems, from microscopy to augmented reality platforms. Although poorly explored in the context of reconfigurable metalenses, thermo-optical effects in resonant silicon nanoresonators have recently emerged as a viable strategy to realize tunable meta-atoms. In this work, we report the proof-of-concept design of an ultrathin (300 nm thick) and thermo-optically reconfigurable silicon metalens operating at a fixed, visible wavelength (632 nm). Importantly, we demonstrate continuous, linear modulation of the focal-length up to 21% (from 165 mu m at 20 degrees C to 135 mu m at 260 degrees C). Operating under right-circularly polarized light, our metalens exhibits an average conversion efficiency of 26%, close to mechanically modulated devices, and has a diffraction-limited performance. Overall, we envision that, combined with machine-learning algorithms for further optimization of the meta-atoms, thermally reconfigurable metalenses with improved performance will be possible. Also, the generality of this approach could offer inspiration for the realization of active metasurfaces with other emerging materials within field of thermo-nanophotonics.

WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH2022

Analysis of energy requirements versus comfort levels for the integration of phase change materials in buildings

François Maréchal, Martin Vautherot

This paper investigates the importance of the design parameters when looking at possible energy savings and comfort enhancement in a building using Phase Change Materials (PCMs). Computer based simulations are performed using a simulation software for modelling a house and its thermal behaviour over a year. It is found that by varying the heating set point and the phase change (melting) temperature range of the PCM, significant changes can be observed. Some poor scenarios show that the integration of PCM can increase both the discomfort (up to 6% more discomfort hours) and the energy requirements (up to 25% more energy needed). On the other hand, appropriate scenarios bring significant energy savings (up to 33% less energy needed) and comfort enhancement (up to 31% less discomfort hours). This highlights the strong need for a clever design when integrating PCM into buildings. The goal is to find a trade-off between energy savings and comfort enhancement. The PCM with a phase change temperature range between 21 °C and 26 °C shows the best results. The study is based on climate conditions for Auckland City in New Zealand but most of the conclusions drawn can be applied to any climate. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

2015

Lentivirus-mediated transduction of connexin cDNAs shows level- and isoform-specific alterations in insulin secretion of primary pancreatic beta-cells

Alessandra Calabrese, Didier Trono, Romain Zufferey

We have generated novel lentiviral vectors to integrate various connexin cDNAs into primary, non-dividing cells. We have used these vectors to test whether proper control of insulin secretion depends on a specific connexin isoform and/or on its level of expression. We have observed that transduced connexin32, connexin36 and connexin43 were expressed by primary adult beta-cells at membrane interfaces, were packed into typical gap junction plaques and formed functional channels that allowed a variable coupling, depending on the type and level of connexin expressed. The infected cells spontaneously reaggregated into three-dimensional pseudo-islet organs that could be maintained in culture. We have found that pseudo-islets made by cells transduced with either GFP- or connexin43-expressing lentivirus released insulin in response to various secretagogues similarly to controls. By contrast, pseudo-islets made by cells expressing connexin32, a connexin exogenous to pancreatic islets, or over-expressing connexin36, the endogenous islet connexin, featured a marked decrease in the secretory response to glucose. The data show: (1) that lentiviral vectors allow stable modulation of various connexin in primary, non-proliferating cells; (2) that specific connexin isoforms affect insulin secretion differently; and (3) that adequate levels of coupling via connexin36 channels are required for proper beta-cell function.

2003

Sampling (signal processing)

In signal processing, sampling is the reduction of a continuous-time signal to a discrete-time signal. A common example is the conversion of a sound wave to a sequence of "samples". A sample is a val

Data compression

In information theory, data compression, source coding, or bit-rate reduction is the process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation.

Digital audio

Digital audio is a representation of sound recorded in, or converted into, digital form. In digital audio, the sound wave of the audio signal is typically encoded as numerical samples in a continuou

MICRO-461: Low-power radio design for IoT

The basic function of an IoT node is to collect data and send it through a wireless channel to the cloud. Since the power consumption of an IoT node is largely dominated by the wireless communication, it is therefore key to understand the trade-offs faced when designing the radio.

EE-543: Advanced wireless receivers

Students extend their knowledge on wireless communication systems to spread-spectrum communication and to multi-antenna systems. They also learn about the basic information theoretic concepts, about channel coding, and bit-interleaved coded modulation.

EE-442: Wireless receivers: algorithms and architectures

The students will learn about the basic principles of wireless communication systems, including transmission and modulation schemes as well as the basic components and algorithms of a wireless receiver. They develop an understanding for the wireless channel and system performance and limitations.