Introduction. When calculating band-pass filters (BPF), the circuit elements can be determined by converting the parameters of prototype low-pass filters (LPF). In a number of cases, the synthesized BPF does not have a direct prototype in the low-frequency range. Such filters include, e.g., BPFs with nodes tied to zero potential and other types of filters. Filters can be calculated directly by equating the coefficients of the synthesized filter transfer function (TF) and the realized TF obtained from the low-pass filter TF by the frequency conversion followed by solving the corresponding system of equations.

Aim. To develop a methodology for direct calculation of band-pass filters with attenuation poles.

Materials and methods. The simplest scheme of BPF with attenuation poles can be formed by two sequentially connected Г-shaped half-links on parallel circuits. Such a filter is realized only at certain requirements upon attenuation characteristics. When switching to BPF schemes with an additional parallel circuit in the transverse branch and a sequential circuit in the longitudinal branch, these restrictions are removed. In this paper, we develop a method for calculating inverse and quasi-elliptical BPF of П-shaped and T-shaped type, which have no restrictions when selecting the minimum attenuation and unevenness of the amplitude-frequency response (AFR).

Results. The TF analytical expressions of the 6th and 10th order BPF were derived. Relations were obtained that allow the number of equations of the system for determining the filter parameters to be reduced. For П- and T-shaped 6th order BPFs, representations of circuit inductances through the central frequency and filter capacitances were obtained. This made it possible to express transfer functions through capacitances, at the same time as reducing the number of equations of the system. Examples of direct calculation of the 6th and 10th order PPFs were given.

Conclusion. When converting TF of LPF, the frequencies of the realized AFR at both sides of the central BPF frequency are connected by certain relations. This fact makes it possible to eliminate the equations of the system that equate the coefficients of transfer function numerators, thereby reducing the total number of equations. Parameters, whose number exceeds that of the equations of the system, are selected arbitrarily from a number of standardized values. As a result, the accuracy of reproducing the realized frequency response is significantly improved.

Introduction. There exists a technique for estimating the dependence of communication reliability in a shortwave radio-frequency transmission channel (SWRC) with a single discrete beam and diffuse wave scattering across small-scale ionospheric inhomogeneities on the selected operating frequency taking into account the given signal-to-noise ratio and ionospheric diffusivity. In this technique, the Nakagami m-distribution is used to describe interference fading of the received signal. However, in a single-beam SWRC, fading signal amplitudes are described by the Rician or generalized Rayleigh, rather than by Nakagami, distribution in 90 % of all cases. At the same time, the results obtained using the Nakagami distribution to approximate fading and to assess its effect on communication quality agrees well with those obtained by the Rician distribution only in two cases: the presence of Rayleigh distribution or the complete absence of fading.

Aim. To develop a methodology for estimating communication reliability in a single-beam SWRC with Rician fading and to compare its results with that under Nakagami fading.

Materials and methods. The effect of operating frequency and ionospheric diffusivity on fading distribution parameters in a single-beam SWRC was estimated by simulating transionospheric communication channels based on a radio-physical phase screen method. The effect of Rician fading parameters on communication reliability was simulated in the MatLab environment. The initial data on ionospheric parameters were obtained using the IRI-2016 model.

Results. A three-stage methodology for estimating communication reliability in a single-beam SWRC with Rician fading was developed; its results were compared with that under Nakagami fading. Dependencies were obtained to describe communication reliability in a single-beam SWRC during the day and at night on the selected operating frequency relative to the maximum applicable frequency and on the level of ionospheric diffusivity during Rician and Nakagami fading.

Conclusion. The conducted analysis showed that, at different levels of ionospheric diffusivity, communication reliability in a single-beam SWRC with Nakagami fading can be significantly overestimated (up to 12 %), compared to that under Rician fading.

Introduction. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging technology is widely used in laparoscopic surgery. Intraoperative fluorescence navigation is based on accurate segmentation of fluorescent regions in near-infrared images (NIR images), thus increasing the accuracy and safety of surgical intervention. Moreover, it is an important auxiliary technology for laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, the search for an automatic method that allows for accurate segmentation of fluorescent regions in NIR images can contribute to an improved efficiency of intraoperative navigation.

Aim. Development of a method for automatic segmentation of fluorescent images obtained in the near infrared range.

 Materials and methods. The proposed method consists of two stages. At the first stage, a preliminary segmentation of the image is performed based on the adaptive threshold found by Otsu’s method. At the second stage, the segmented area is refined using Otsu’s weighted method. The main advantage of the proposed method consists in the automatic determination of parameter α, which determines the performance of Otsu’s weighted method. Experiments were carried out using 276 actual laparoscopic images. The metric misclassification error (ME) was used to assess the quality of segmentation.

Results. The average ME of the proposed method was found to be 10.4 %, compared to that obtained by the conventional Otsu’s method of 27.1 %.

Conclusion. In comparison with Otsu’s method, the developed method shows an increased efficiency and accuracy of fluorescent image segmentation. This allows for a higher diagnostic accuracy and a more efficient navigation during laparoscopic surgery.

Introduction. The onboard antennas of the returned hypersonic aircraft are weakly directional, which is achieved by radiation from the open end of the waveguide. When passing through dense layers of the atmosphere, they are exposed to aerodynamic heating, for protection from which a heat-resistant radio-transparent thermal protection is used. The case of uniform thermal protection of the antenna can be interpreted as the absence of heating or heating uniform in the thickness of the thermal protection.

Aim. The problem of obtaining an analytical description of the radiation characteristics of a circular waveguide closed by a flat homogeneous dielectric plate is solved. Since in such a formulation it is necessary to consider the resonant domain, a strict solution of Maxwell's equations is required.

Materials and methods. Of the known analytical methods of solution, it is possible to use the method of integral transformations and the method of eigen functions. Both of these methods are used in the work. In this case, the assumption is used that the electrical parameters of the dielectric plate (thermal protection) and the geometric dimensions do not depend on time.

Results. The relations describing the directional pattern of a circular waveguide with dielectric thermal protection and taking into account the electrical parameters of thermal protection and its thickness are obtained. Expressions are also obtained for the fields of lateral, surface and outflow waves, from which it is possible to calculate the power output by these fields. Relations for the separation of singular points of integrand expressions into poles corresponding to surface, outflow and lateral waves are obtained. Surface, outflow and lateral waves can have a certain effect on the radiation pattern. To determine this conclusion, analytical relations are obtained for determining the poles of integrand expressions that fully describe surface, outflow and side waves. All the analytical results obtained correspond to Numerical calculations were carried out on some of the obtained ratios.

Conclusion. The results showed that the power of the side waves is zero. It also follows from the calculations carried out that there is no radiation field of surface and outgoing waves, i.e. there is no contribution of them to the radiation pattern.

Introduction. An array of memristive elements can be used in prospective neural computing systems as a programmable resistance (analog multiplication factor) when performing operations of analog vector multiplication, discrete in time. To form the required resistance, the memristor should be subjected to a programming procedure. This article discusses conventional programming schemes and proposes a new versatile programming scheme for memristor elements.

Aim. To identify or develop an optimal programming scheme for memristors by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods.

Materials and methods. The programming procedure can be carried out using either SET or RESET, depending on a different direction of movement according to the volt-ampere characteristic of the memory and its transfer to a particular state. The programming process is controlled in the LTspice circuit modeling program.

Results. Typical programming schemes of memristors were analyzed; advantages and disadvantages of existing methods were revealed. A new versatile circuit based on a variable resistor was proposed. The circuit was simulated both under a fixed resistance of the variable resistor and when varying the memristor resistance values within their permissible range.

Conclusion. In comparison with the RESET mode, the SET programming mode provides for a greater linearity of variations in the memristor resistance. The use of a circuit based on a variable resistor and a bipolar voltage source allows programming of any type and eliminates the need for recommutation of the memristor. The simulation results confirm the feasibility of the proposed method. The proposed circuit can be complemented not only with a comparator, but also with an ADC. This will provide the possibility of selecting various means for measuring the memristor resistance both during programming and for the purpose of monitoring the memristor resistance at the end of the procedure.

Introduction. Adequate modeling of semiconductor devices with a p–n-junction in reverse bias represents a relevant research problem. The existing quasistatic and non-quasistatic models fail to provide a satisfactory description for the dependence of nonequilibrium charge carrier lifetime on current density. This leads to significant simulation errors (tens of percent) at pulsed broadband signals. Simulation errors arise, because the existing models regard the lifetime as a constant value.

Aim. To propose and investigate an equivalent circuit of a p–n-junction considering the dependence of the lifetime of nonequilibrium charge carriers on direct current, with the possibility of its simple integration into CAD.

Materials and methods. The study was carried out on the example of a fast recovery silicon diode BAS16J with a p–n-junction manufactured by Nexperia. A modified diode model is proposed in the form of an equivalent circuit that considers the dependence of the lifetime of nonequilibrium charge carriers on the direct current of the p–njunction at high injection levels.

Results. The discrepancy between the experimental and simulated curves did not exceed ±9 % under pulsed diode operation. The extraction of parameters in the proposed model is carried out conventionally, from the current-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics of the diode.

Conclusion. The proposed non-quasistatic equivalent diode circuit can be used when designing radio electronic devices operated at short-pulse broadband signals. The proposed diode model can be easily implemented in modern CAD systems at the user level.

Introduction. Optical backscatter reflectometry is one of the most promising methods used to examine characteristic parameters relevant to the design of microring resonators. This method paves the way for experimental determination of the coupling coefficient and propagation loss. However, experimental verification of this technique by comparing the transmission characteristics obtained by reflectometry and those directly measured by an optical vector analyzer has not been carried out.

Aim. To determine the parameters of microring resonators by optical reflectometry and to calculate on their basis the transmission characteristics of microring resonators. To compare the calculated transmission characteristics with those obtained experimentally using a high-resolution vector analyzer.

Materials and methods. The characteristic parameters of silicon-on-insulator microring resonators were investigated using an ultra-high resolution reflectometer. An original algorithm was employed to derive the characteristic parameters of microring resonators from reflectograms. An optical vector analyzer was used to study the transmission characteristics of microring resonators. Numerical modeling of transmission characteristics considering the obtained parameters was carried out according an analytical approach based on partial wave analysis.

Results. The obtained values of the power coupling coefficient κ = 0.167 and propagation losses α = 3.25 dB/cm were used for numerical simulation of the transmission characteristics of a microring resonator. These characteristics were found to agree well with those obtained experimentally. The free spectral range of 88.8 GHz and Q-factor of 45 000 were determined.

Conclusion. An experimental study of the characteristic parameters of silicon-on-insulator microring resonators was conducted using an optical backscatter reflectometer. The performed comparison of the experimental and theoretical transmission characteristics showed good agreement, which indicates the high accuracy of the determined resonator parameters and, as a result, the relevance of the described method.

Introduction. Road transportation is increasingly becoming the main source of air pollution in cities. The problem of assessing air quality and modeling the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere requires improved models and methods. In particular, modern literature justifies the need to estimate the presence of particulate matter in the atmosphere along with the components of exhaust gases. Air pollution in residential zones should be comprehensively assessed using algorithmic and software support, taking the main factors of pollution into account.

Aim. Development of an algorithm and its software implementation for calculating pollutant mass emissions released by traffic flows. The developed algorithm can be used for modeling the level of urban pollution.

Materials and methods. The approaches of measurement theory, systems theory, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling were applied.

Results. The methods currently used for assessing the impact of urban road network characteristics on air pollution levels were analyzed. The existing approaches to road classification were considered. Significant characteristics affecting pollutant emissions were identified, including those related to road construction, traffic flows, and urban environment. An algorithm and a software module for calculating pollutant mass emissions released by traffic flows were developed.

Conclusion. The developed module for calculating pollutant mass emissions released by traffic flows comprises an integral part of a system for modeling atmospheric air pollution in urban residential areas. The developed software can be used in environmental monitoring, assessment, and forecasting of air pollution to identify areas of concern and implement effective managerial solutions.

Introduction. Efficient operation of a system for measuring rail surface short-wavelength irregularities depends on evaluation of the signal length with respect to travelled distances, i.e., the standard maximum defect length and the distance between the wheels of a car bogie. When recording an accelerometer signal with respect to time due to the effect of velocity, the signal length corresponding to these spatially constant distances will vary.

Aim. Development of an algorithm for determining rail running surface defects using the data obtained by accelerometers mounted on the axle boxes of a car bogie under their not equidistant spatial record.

Materials and methods. The data obtained when passing a laboratory car equipped with a system for measuring short-wavelength irregularities was used. The search and determination of irregularity parameters was carried out by an inertial method. The methods of normalization and correlation analysis were used.

Results. An algorithm for determining rail running surface defects based on an inertial method was developed, considering the spatial non-equidistance of the signal. The implemented correlation analysis allows compensation of high-velocity errors when determining the defects. In the considered example, the relative error equaled 0.4 %. Compensation of velocity errors reduces the probability of type I errors in defect determination.

Conclusion. The developed algorithm considers velocity errors associated with the application of inertial methods for detecting short-wavelength irregularities. The implementation of correlation analysis reduces the probability of type I errors when determining rail running surface defects.