bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usage of the contactless vector network analysis with varying transmission line geometries
Authors: Zelder T. , Geck B. , Rolfes I. , Eul H.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The scattering parameters of embedded devices can be measured by means of contactless vector network analysis. To achieve accurate measurement results, the contactless measurement setup has to be calibrated. However, if the substrate material or the planar transmission lines on the substrate changes, a new calibration is necessary. In this paper a method will be examined, which reduces the number of calibration cycles by using a database. Analytical results show that by using this database method, errors occur which depend on the coupling coefficients and on the load impedances of the contactless probes. However, the measurement results show deviations smaller than 7% in comparison to the conventional vector network analysis, which is sufficient for the most pratical applications.
Synthese von analogen Filtern auf einer rekonfigurierbaren Hardware-Architektur mittels eines Genetischen Algorithmus
Authors: Trendelenburg S. , Becker J. , Henrici F. , Manoli Y.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Rekonfigurierbare Analog-Arrays (FPAAs) sind der Versuch, die Vorteile der aus der digitalen Welt bekannten FPGAs (Flexibilität, Entwurfsgeschwindigkeit) auch für analoge Anwendungen verfügbar zu machen. Aufgrund der Vielfalt der analogen Schaltungstechnik ist die Abbildung von vorgegebenen Schaltungskonzepten auf eine FPAA-Architektur nicht immer einfach lösbar. Diese Arbeit stellt einen neuen Ansatz für die Synthese von Filtern auf einer FPAA-Architektur für zeitkontinuierliche Analogfilter mittels eines Genetischen Algorithmus (GA) vor. Anhand eines Matlab-Modells des FPAA, das eine gute übereinstimmung mit Simulationen des FPAA auf Transistorebene aufweist, wurde gezeigt, dass eine große Vielzahl verschiedener Filterstrukturen auf dieser Architektur dargestellt werden kann. Daraufhin wurde ein Genetischer Algorithmus entwickelt, der es erlaubt, aus einer gegebenen Filterspezifikation Konfigurationsdatensätze zu synthetisieren, die den gewünschten Filter auf die FPAA-Architektur abbilden.
Fast evaluation of nonlinear functions using FPGAs
Authors: Lachowicz S. , Pfleiderer H.-J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The paper presents a novel method of evaluating the square root function in FPGA. The method uses a linear approximation subsystem with a reduced size of a look-up table. The reduction in the size of the lookup table is twofold. Firstly, a simple linear approximation subsystem uses the lookup table only for the node points. Secondly, a concept of a variable step look-up table is introduced, where the node points are not uniformly spaced, but the spacing is determined by how close to the linear function the approximated function is. The proposed method of evaluating nonlinear function and specifically the square root function is practical for word lengths of up to 24 bits. The evaluation is performed in one clock cycle.
ESD full chip simulation: HBM and CDM requirements and simulation approach
Authors: Franell E. , Drueen S. , Gossner H. , Schmitt-Landsiedel D.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Verification of ESD safety on full chip level is a major challenge for IC design. Especially phenomena with their origin in the overall product setup are posing a hurdle on the way to ESD safe products. For stress according to the Charged Device Model (CDM), a stumbling stone for a simulation based analysis is the complex current distribution among a huge number of internal nodes leading to hardly predictable voltage drops inside the circuits. This paper describes an methodology for Human Body Model (HBM) simulations with an improved ESD-failure coverage and a novel methodology to replace capacitive nodes within a resistive network by current sources for CDM simulation. This enables a highly efficient DC simulation clearly marking CDM relevant design weaknesses allowing for application of this software both during product development and for product verification.
Hardware Accelerators for Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Authors: Puttmann C. , Shokrollahi J. , Porrmann M. , Rückert U.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In this paper we explore different hardware accelerators for cryptography based on elliptic curves. Furthermore, we present a hierarchical multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) platform that can be used for fast integration and evaluation of novel hardware accelerators. In respect of two application scenarios the hardware accelerators are coupled at different hierarchy levels of the MPSoC platform. The whole system is implemented in a state of the art 65 nm standard cell technology. Moreover, an FPGA-based rapid prototyping system for fast system verification is presented. Finally, a metric to analyze the resource efficiency by means of chip area, execution time and energy consumption is introduced.
Electromagnetic field vulnerability of complex systems – an application of EM topology
Authors: Kanyou Nana R. , Dickmann S. , Sabath F.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In complex systems like ships or airplanes many tasks vital to the function of the system are executed by electronic equipment. Earlier research Camp (2004) – Nitsch (2005) has shown that there are frequency ranges in many of these systems, in which disturbances in the system will be observed if an external electromagnetic field exceeds a certain amplitude limit. On the basis of a simplified model in which the dominating coupling mechanisms in complex systems are shown, we will present a method which allows to analyze the vulnerability to electromagnetic fields. The method is based on the segmentation of the initial problem into subproblems with respect to the coupling mechanisms. Under the assumption that the obtained classes can be handled separately, the subproblems are solved and superposed to the overall solution. The Electromagnetic Topology Baum (1982) – Lee (1982) is used to solve the subproblems. This leads to a hybrid method combining different solution approaches. The subproblems are decomposed into smaller subproblems with respect to the shielding levels. This procedure allows us to determine the coupled disturbances into the system. Finally the solution is verified with respect to prescripted limits.
Establishing a link to given radiated emission limits during extending the frequency range above 1 GHz
Authors: Garbe H. , Battermann S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Up to now most limits for radiated emission are given as values for the electrical field strength. Battermann, 2007 has shown that the frequency range extension for radiated emission measurements above 1 GHz generates a lot of problems while performing the test on a classical test site as depicted in Fig. 1. This paper will give a motivation to use an other measurand namely the total-radiated-power than electrical field strength by using alternative test sites like reverberation chambers, TEM-waveguides, Fully Anechoic Rooms (FAR) etc. Nevertheless most of the existing standards still specify electrical field strength limits. This paper will show how to set the parameters in the given algorithm to establish a link between measured total radiated power and equivalent electrical field values.
A torsional sensor for MEMS-based RMS voltage measurements
Authors: Dittmer J. , Judaschke R. , Büttgenbach S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. RF voltage measurement based on electrostatic RMS voltage-to-force conversion is an alternative method in comparison to the conventional thermal power dissipation method. It is based on a mechanical force induced by an RF voltage applied to a micro-mechanical system. For a theoretically adequate resolution and high precision measurements, the necessary geometrical dimensions of the sensor require the application of micro machining. In this contribution, the dependence between electrical and geometrical properties of different sensor designs is investigated. Based on these results, problems related to practical micro-machining and solutions with respect to possible sensor realizations are discussed. The evolution of different sensor generations is shown.
Influence of GSM900 electromagnetic fields on the metabolic rate in rodents
Authors: El Ouardi A. , Streckert J. , Lerchl A. , Schwarzpaul K. , Hansen V.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The development of exposure devices for investigating possible effects of mobile communication systems to non-restrained animals aims at a homogenous field distribution in the area the animals occupy. In the presented 900 MHz exposure device a quite good field homogeneity of 5% (including the standing wave contribution due to internal reflections) is reached in the cage region mainly by flattening the transverse field. For the standard waveguide (WR1150) without dielectric sheets this value reads 14%. The desired maximal whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg in the Djungarian hamster model is achieved at an input power of only 3.7 W.
Identification of the complex relative dielectric constant of porous polymers at different degrees of humidity
Authors: Haake K. , ter Haseborg J. L.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In order to investigate the complex relative dielectric constant of different materials over a frequency range of 50 MHz to 3 GHz a setup has been built that allows rf-measurements in a climate chamber. Within this chamber the temperature and humidity can be changed and be measured by accurate sensors. The construction of the rf-part of the setup has been made with an outer cylindrical shell that allows climate interactions through its large orifices. Methods for calculating the complex relative dielectric constant from the measured scattering parameters are presented and the changes of the relative constants due to different humidity conditions are shown.
Optimized tracking for cooperative sensor systems in multipath environments
Authors: Schwarz D. , Rasshofer R. H. , Biebl E. M.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In a cooperative sensor system for pedestrian protection, a pedestrian and other road users exchange data by means of radio frequency communication. In the proposed system, the pedestrian carries a transponder which is interrogated by a vehicle and sends an anonymous identification (ID) sequence. By decoding the ID, the interrogation unit in the vehicle detects the presence of the transponder. Evaluating the incident wave of the transponder's answer, a localisation is possible. In the proposed localization system, the measurement results can be distorted by multipath propagation. Multipath errors result if signals of the same transponder arrive simultaneously at the receiver unit from different directions. In this case, erroneous distances and angles are measured. Because the signals arriving from different directions contain the same transponder ID, they can be assigned to their origin. One of the challenges in post-processing for signal improvement is enhancing the selection of the correct position information by making assumptions about the pedestrian's movement and by knowing the vehicle's current driving parameters. Additionally, information contained in multipath signals is used to form a better estimate for the true position of the transponder. To overcome the problems related to multipath propagation effects, a method is proposed that estimates the origin of a multipath signal and maps the distorted position information back to the true position. A fusion of tracked direct positions and mapped multipath signals leads to an improvement in positioning accuracy.
Matrix-Vector Based Fast Fourier Transformations on SDR Architectures
Authors: He Y. , Hueske K. , Götze J. , Coersmeier E.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Today Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFTs) are applied in various radio standards based on OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex). It is important to gain a fast computational speed for the DFT, which is usually achieved by using specialized Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) engines. However, in face of the Software Defined Radio (SDR) development, more general (parallel) processor architectures are often desirable, which are not tailored to FFT computations. Therefore, alternative approaches are required to reduce the complexity of the DFT. Starting from a matrix-vector based description of the FFT idea, we will present different factorizations of the DFT matrix, which allow a reduction of the complexity that lies between the original DFT and the minimum FFT complexity. The computational complexities of these factorizations and their suitability for implementation on different processor architectures are investigated.
Compact mode-matched excitation structures for radar distance measurements in overmoded circular waveguides
Authors: Armbrecht G. , Denicke E. , Rolfes I. , Pohl N. , Musch T. , Schiek B.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. This contribution deals with guided radar level measurements of liquid materials in large metal tubes, so-called stilling wells, bypass or still pipes. In the RF domain these tubes function as overmoded circular waveguides and mode-matched excitation structures like waveguide tapers are needed to avoid higher order waveguide modes. Especially for high-precision radar measurements the multimode propagation effects need to be minimized to achieve submillimeter accuracy. Therefore, a still pipe simulator is introduced with the purpose to fundamentally analyze the modal effects. Furthermore, a generalized design criterion is derived for the spurious mode suppression of compact circular waveguide transitions under the constraint of specified accuracy levels. According to the obtained results, a promising waveguide taper concept will finally be presented.
Analysis of communications and implementation performance of FFT based carrier synchronization of BPSK/QPSK bursts
Authors: Wasenmüller U. , Brack T. , Wehn N.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Carrier synchronization is a vital part of every inner receiver in wireless communications. Frequency offset and phase offset of the received burst must be estimated and the received samples must be corrected according to the estimation. An approximation of the maximum likelihood estimation of frequency offset is given by the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The accuracy of the estimation as well as the hardware complexity and throughput depend on the number of FFT points. We demonstrate three techniques to improve the accuracy of the FFT based frequency offset estimation respectively to reduce the number of needed FFT points. These three techniques as well as the reference algorithm without improvements combine phase offset estimation with frequency offset estimation. We present the communications and FPGA implementation performance of these techniques.
Quantitative comparison of performance analysis techniques for modular and generic network-on-chip
Authors: Neuenhahn M. C. , Schleifer J. , Blume H. , Noll T. G.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. NoC-specific parameters feature a huge impact on performance and implementation costs of NoC. Hence, performance and cost evaluation of these parameter-dependent NoC is crucial in different design-stages but the requirements on performance analysis differ from stage to stage. In an early design-stage an analysis technique featuring reduced complexity and limited accuracy can be applied, whereas in subsequent design-stages more accurate techniques are required. In this work several performance analysis techniques at different levels of abstraction are presented and quantitatively compared. These techniques include a static performance analysis using timing-models, a Colored Petri Net-based approach, VHDL- and SystemC-based simulators and an FPGA-based emulator. Conducting NoC-experiments with NoC-sizes from 9 to 36 functional units and various traffic patterns, characteristics of these experiments concerning accuracy, complexity and effort are derived. The performance analysis techniques discussed here are quantitatively evaluated and finally assigned to the appropriate design-stages in an automated NoC-design-flow.
Comparison of methods for broadband electromagnetic characterization of Molded Interconnect Device materials
Authors: Orlob C. , Kornek D. , Preihs S. , Rolfes I.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Combining the Molded Interconnect Device technology with the Laser Direct Structuring technology exhibits the potential of designing electrical and mechanical components on three-dimensional surfaces to increase functionality, level of integration and to reduce costs. When taking advantage of this technology especially in the design of RF devices, a precise knowledge of the electromagnetic parameters of the MID material is required, as the complex permeability and permittivity strongly influence the device performance. At present time, these materials are not electromagnetically characterized in the RF frequency range. In this paper different methods are therefore presented and compared with respect to their potentials for broadband electromagnetic characterization of Molded Interconnect Device materials.
Bifurkationsanalyse eines LC Tank VCOs unter Berücksichtigung der variablen Kapazität
Authors: Bremer J.-K. , Zorn C. , Mathis W.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In dieser Arbeit präsentieren wir einen neuartigen Ansatz für den systematischen Entwurf von integrierten LC Tank VCO-Schaltungen basierend auf dem Andronov Hopf Theorem und der Störungstheorie. Der Ansatz ermöglicht es, eine Abschätzung des resultierenden Abstimmbereichs, eine Stabilitätsanalyse und eine Berechnung der Amplitude des VCOs im Vorfeld des eigentlichen Entwurfs durchzuführen. Des Weiteren erlaubt die vorgestellte Methode eine Optimierung des VCOs hinsichtlich der in den Spezifikationen geforderte Amplitude und eine Minimierung der höheren Harmonischen. Mit Hilfe eines ladungsbasierten MOS-Modells ist es möglich die spannungsabhängige Kapazität der Varaktortransistoren durch einen analytischen Ausdruck zu beschreiben. Auf Basis dieses analytischen Ausdrucks wird die amplitudenabhängige Großsignalkapazität des VCOs in Abhängigkeit von Designparametern und der Tuningspannung modelliert. Die Gültigkeit der vorgestellte Entwurfsmethode wird anhand eines Beispielentwurfes eines 2.4 GHz VCO unter Verwendung einer 0.25 μm HF-CMOS Technologie verifiziert.
A novel technique for CAD-optimization of analog circuits with bipolar transistors
Authors: Dimov B. , Boos V. , Reich T. , Lang Ch. , Hennig E. , Sommer R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In this paper, a novel approach for robust automatic optimization of analog circuits with bipolar transistors is presented. It includes additional formal parameters into the device model cards, which sweep the model parameters smoothly between the different device types. In this way, not only the sizing, but also the choice of the device type is committed to the optimization tool, thus improving the efficiency of the design process significantly.
Concept for accelerated ray-based monostatic RCS simulations using bistatic approximations
Authors: Buddendick H. , Eibert T. F.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. An approach enabling accelerated shooting and bouncing rays (SBR) simulations to determine the backscattering properties of electrically large and complex objects is presented. Instead of performing independent simulations for all required aspect angles, the concept is based on the idea of additionally exploiting bistatic information for some neighboring aspect angles. Therefore the results of the geometrical ray tracing, which consumes a large part of the computational resources in case of complex shaped objects can be reused multiple times with only low additional computational resources. This method works well for objects with a sufficiently smooth shape and if a large number of aspect angles is to be simulated. A simple generic simulation example is used to show the general applicability of the method and to examine the degradation of the results depending on the applied bistatic angle. Furthermore, the acceleration that can be expected by the presented approach is determined and verified with the simulation example.
STAT-IMM, a statistical approach to determine local and background contributions to PM10 levels
Authors: Enke W. , Kreienkamp F. , Spekat A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. When studying concentrations of particulate matter with a size of 10 µm or below (PM10), measured locally, it becomes evident that two main portions need to be quantified: The concentration produced by sources in the vicinity of the station and the long range transports. The traditional approaches include analyses of the components of PM10, comparisons upwind and downwind of a station, investigation of trajectories and complex chemical transport modelling. The development of an independent strategy which makes use of statistical methods, including regression and correlation analysis is a reasonable alternative. This method, presented here, does not apply the concept of PM10 sources, but, rather, analyzes the relations between times series of PM10 measurements and atmospheric properties. It is applied to identify the shares of the local portion and the large-scale background plus a stochastic portion that cannot be attributed to either of the two. Using regression analysis, a set of objectively chosen meteorological parameters is used to reconstruct the local PM10 measurement series, defining the local portion. This weather-dependent part of the series is then removed and the residuum, which contains the large-scale PM10 background and a stochastic portion is analyzed further with correlations. Results are shown for a three-year set of data which includes well over 250 PM10 stations across Germany. The data is analyzed according to different stratifications, such as the PM10 load and the wind direction as well as for the data set as a whole. In a further development of the method, a study of PM10 transports across several border sections is shown.
Setup of tools and dataset selection for MBL investigation over a coastal Mediterranean site – preliminary results
Authors: Velea L. , Liberti G. L. , Sempreviva A. M. , Transerici C.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We propose the height zi of the inversion in the vertical profile of potential temperature, on the top of a mixed layer or of a residual layer as a relevant parameter for retrieving information related to water vapour in the lower layers of the atmosphere, from currently available operational satellites information. We estimated zi using an algorithm where a set of threshold values in the vertical gradients of potential temperature are used to analyse the available profiles in order to find relevant inversions. Thresholds are derived from the subjective analysis of a set of high vertical resolution soundings from the coastal site of the Italian Meteorological Service of Pratica di Mare (WMO #16245, lat. 41.66° N, lon. 12.45° E). The sensitivity of the method to vertical sampling is tested comparing results obtained by applying the method to two sets of about 6500 raw and sampled radiosoundings during the period 2002–2008. Differences in average seasonal and six-hourly values of zi from the two datasets are found within the range 5–10%. The method was then applied to a larger set of soundings from coastal and continental Mediterranean sites collected in a standard archive. It was found that mean summer values of zi at coastal sites are lower than in winter, conversely to continental sites. Furthermore, values of zi found using the proposed algorithm show a systematically higher inversion if compared to height found using the Richardson Number method, although there are cases when both identify the inversion at the same height.
The role of surface fluxes in the development of a tropical-like cyclone in southern Italy
Authors: Miglietta M. M. , Davolio S. , Moscatello A. , Pacifico F. , Rotunno R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Numerical simulations of a tropical-like cyclone in southern Italy have been performed with two different modelling systems (BOLAM-MOLOCH and WRF) with the aim of discussing the role of the surface fluxes in the development of the vortex and evaluating their intensity during the mature stage of the cyclone. Although significant differences emerge in their intensity, both the modelling systems agree in showing that the surface fluxes are more important than the latent heat release associated with convection in the initial phase of the vortex lifecycle, while they are less relevant (although more intense) when the minimum assumes the characteristic of a tropical cyclone.
Analysis of aerosol optical depth evaluation in polar regions and associated uncertainties
Authors: Ortiz de Galisteo P. , Toledano C. , Cachorro V. , Rodríguez E. , de Frutos A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Some available processing algorithms used to calculate the aerosol optical depth from radiometric measurements were tested. The aim was to evaluate the associated uncertainties in polar regions due to the data processing, in order to adjust the methodology of the calculation and illustrate the importance of these error sources. The measurements were obtained during a sun photometer campaign in Ny-Ålesund within the framework of the POLAR-AOD project.
Selected results of a model validation exercise
Authors: Piringer M. , Baumann-Stanzer K.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The concentration fields calculated with three Gaussian models and one Lagrangian dispersion model are validated against a set of SF6 concentration data provided by the German environmental programme BWPLUS. The source was a pig fattening unit in fairly flat terrain. The results reveal that, in flat terrain with steady undisturbed flow, the use of Gauss models is still justified, whereas Lagrangian models should be used whenever the flow is modified by obstacles or topography.
Tornado funnel-shaped cloud as convection in a cloudy layer
Authors: Zavolgenskiy M. V. , Rutkevich P. B.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Analytical model of convection in a thick horizontal cloud layer with free upper and lower boundaries is constructed. The cloud layer is supposed to be subjected to the Coriolis force due to the cloud rotation, which is a typical condition for tornado formation. It is obtained that convection in such system can look as just one rotating cell in contrast to the usual many-cells Benard convection. The tornado-type vortex is different from spatially periodic convective cells because their amplitudes vanish with distance from the vortex axis. The lower boundary at this convection can substantially move out of the initially horizontal cloud layer forming a single vertical vortex with intense upward and downward flows. The results are also applicable to convection in water layer with negative temperature gradient.
Data quality control and homogenization of air temperature and precipitation series in the area of the Czech Republic in the period 1961–2007
Authors: Štěpánek P. , Zahradníček P. , Skalák P.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Quality control and homogenization has to be undertaken prior to any data analysis in order to eliminate any erroneous values and non climatic biases in time series. In this work we describe and then apply our own approach to data quality control, combining several methods: (i) by applying limits derived from interquartile ranges (ii) by analyzing difference series between candidate and neighbouring stations and (iii) by comparing the series values tested with "expected'' values – technical series created by means of statistical methods for spatial data (e.g. IDW, kriging). Because of the presence of noise in series, statistical homogeneity tests render results with some degree of uncertainty. In this work, the use of various statistical tests and reference series made it possible to increase considerably the number of homogeneity test results for each series and thus to assess homogeneity more reliably. Inhomogeneities were corrected on a daily scale. These methodological approaches are demonstrated by use of the daily data of air temperature and precipitation measured in the area of the Czech Republic. Series were processed by means of developed ProClimDB and AnClim software (http://www.climahom.eu).
Probabilistic forecasts of winter thunderstorms around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Authors: Slangen A. B. A. , Schmeits M. J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The development and verification of a probabilistic forecast system for winter thunderstorms around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is described. We have used Model Output Statistics (MOS) to develop the probabilistic forecast equations. The MOS system consists of 32 logistic regression equations, i.e. for two forecast periods (0–6 h and 6–12 h), four 90×80 km2 regions around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and four 6-h time periods. For the predictand quality-controlled Surveillance et Alerte Foudre par Interférométrie Radioélectrique (SAFIR) total lightning data were used. The potential predictors were calculated from postprocessed output of two numerical weather prediction (NWP) models – i.e. the High-Resolution Limited-Area Model (HIRLAM) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model – and from an ensemble of advected lightning and radar data (0–6 h projections only). The predictors that are selected most often are the HIRLAM Boyden index, the square root of the ECMWF 3-h and 6-h convective precipitation sum, the HIRLAM convective available potential energy (CAPE) and two radar advection predictors. An objective verification was done, from which it can be concluded that the MOS system is skilful. The forecast system runs at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) on an experimental basis, with the primary objective to warn aircraft pilots for potential aircraft induced lightning (AIL) risk during winter.
Spatial and temporal variability of ozone deposition
Authors: Czender Cs. , Komjáthy E. , Mészáros R. , Lagzi I.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Soil moisture and ozone deposition velocity under continental climate conditions were estimated using a newly developed algorithm. The relationship between soil moisture and deposition velocity was investigated and analysed. These results emphasize the importance of a sophisticated parameterization of soil moisture in surface-atmosphere interaction processes.
1961–1990 high-resolution Northern and Central Italy monthly precipitation climatologies
Authors: Brunetti M. , Lentini G. , Maugeri M. , Nanni T. , Simolo C. , Spinoni J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Monthly Northern and Central Italy precipitation climatologies, obtained by means of a procedure aiming at capturing the local dependence of precipitation on elevation, are presented. The procedure consists in considering each cell of a high-resolution grid and in making use of the closest 15 stations in order to perform a weighted linear regression of precipitation versus elevation: the weights are determined by the distances of the stations from the grid point and by the level of similarity between the stations' cells and the considered grid cell in terms of elevation, slope steepness, slope orientation and distance from the sea. The study is based on a dataset of about 3200 1961–1990 monthly precipitation normals. The performance of the procedure is evaluated by reconstructing the monthly precipitation normals of each station and by comparing them with the corresponding observed values. Such comparisons are performed by means of five error estimators: the mean absolute error and the mean error, both evaluated in absolute and relative form, and the root mean squared error. The mean absolute error is slightly more than 10 mm for the monthly precipitation, which turns out to be between 10% and 14% of the monthly precipitation.
Assessment of dispersion parameterizations through wind data measured by three sonic anemometers in a urban canopy
Authors: Mortarini L. , Ferrero E. , Richiardone R. , Falabino S. , Anfossi D. , Trini Castelli S. , Carretto E.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. One year of continuous wind and turbulence measurements at three levels (5, 9 and 25 m) on a mast located in the suburb of the city of Turin were collected. Those recorded during April 2007 are analyzed and their main characteristics are presented and discussed. The analysis includes, at each level, mean, standard deviation, Skewness, Kurtosis for the 3-D wind components and sonic temperature. The integral time scales for the 3-D wind components are also computed and friction velocity and Monin-Obukhov length are determined as well. In particular, the wind standard deviation profiles as a function of stability are compared to the literature predictions for flat undisturbed terrain. It is found that, while the vertical component agrees reasonably well, the horizontal components deviate from the prescribed values, as expected considering the buildings and other obstacles effects and the high percentage of low-wind conditions. Also the integral time scales, estimated by the autocorrelation functions, are compared to the literature predictions, finding significant differences, again attributed to the low-wind speed occurrences.
Coastal upwelling fluxes of O2, N2O, and CO2 assessed from continuous atmospheric observations at Trinidad, California
Authors: Lueker T. J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Continuous atmospheric records of O2/N2, CO2 and N2O obtained at Trinidad, California document the effects of air-sea exchange during coastal upwelling and plankton bloom events. The atmospheric records provide continuous observations of air-sea fluxes related to synoptic scale upwelling events over several upwelling seasons. Combined with satellite, buoy and local meteorology data, calculated anomalies in O2/N2 and N2O were utilized in a simple atmospheric transport model to compute air-sea fluxes during coastal upwelling. CO2 fluxes were linked to the oceanic component of the O2 fluxes through local hydrographic data and estimated as a function of upwelling intensity (surface ocean temperature and wind speed). Regional air-sea fluxes of O2/N2, N2O, and CO2 during coastal upwelling were estimated with the aid of satellite wind and SST data. Upwelling CO2 fluxes were found to represent ~10% of export production along the northwest coast of North America. Synoptic scale upwelling events impact the net exchange of atmospheric CO2 along the coastal margin, and will vary in response to the frequency and duration of alongshore winds that are subject to climate change.
Past and present of sediment and carbon biogeochemical cycling models
Authors: Mackenzie F. T. , Lerman A. , Andersson A. J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The global carbon cycle is part of the much more extensive sedimentary cycle that involves large masses of carbon in the Earth's inner and outer spheres. Studies of the carbon cycle generally followed a progression in knowledge of the natural biological, then chemical, and finally geological processes involved, culminating in a more or less integrated picture of the biogeochemical carbon cycle by the 1920s. However, knowledge of the ocean's carbon cycle behavior has only within the last few decades progressed to a stage where meaningful discussion of carbon processes on an annual to millennial time scale can take place. In geologically older and pre-industrial time, the ocean was generally a net source of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere owing to the mineralization of land-derived organic matter in addition to that produced in situ and to the process of CaCO3 precipitation. Due to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations because of fossil fuel combustion and land use changes, the direction of the air-sea CO2 flux has reversed, leading to the ocean as a whole being a net sink of anthropogenic CO2. The present thickness of the surface ocean layer, where part of the anthropogenic CO2 emissions are stored, is estimated as of the order of a few hundred meters. The oceanic coastal zone net air-sea CO2 exchange flux has also probably changed during industrial time. Model projections indicate that in pre-industrial times, the coastal zone may have been net heterotrophic, releasing CO2 to the atmosphere from the imbalance between gross photosynthesis and total respiration. This, coupled with extensive CaCO3 precipitation in coastal zone environments, led to a net flux of CO2 out of the system. During industrial time the coastal zone ocean has tended to reverse its trophic status toward a non-steady state situation of net autotrophy, resulting in net uptake of anthropogenic CO2 and storage of carbon in the coastal ocean, despite the significant calcification that still occurs in this region. Furthermore, evidence from the inorganic carbon cycle indicates that deposition and net storage of CaCO3 in sediments exceed inflow of inorganic carbon from land and produce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. In the shallow-water coastal zone, increase in atmospheric CO2 during the last 300 years of industrial time may have reduced the rate of calcification, and continuation of this trend is an issue of serious environmental concern in the global carbon balance.
Carbon isotope anomaly in the major plant C1 pool and its global biogeochemical implications
Authors: Keppler F. , Kalin R. M. , Harper D. B. , McRoberts W. C. , Hamilton J. T. G.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We report that the most abundant C1 units of terrestrial plants, the methoxyl groups of pectin and lignin, have a unique carbon isotope signature exceptionally depleted in 13C. Plant-derived C1 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also anomalously depleted in 13C compared with Cn+1 VOCs. The results confirm that the plant methoxyl pool is the predominant source of biospheric C1 compounds of plant origin such as methanol, chloromethane and bromomethane. Furthermore this pool, comprising ca 2.5% of carbon in plant biomass, could be an important substrate for methanogenesis and thus be envisaged as a possible source of isotopically light methane entering the atmosphere. Our findings have significant implications for the use of carbon isotope ratios in elucidation of global carbon cycling. Moreover methoxyl groups could act as markers for biological activity in organic matter of terrestrial and extraterrestrial origin.
Net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide and water of far eastern Siberian Larch (Larix cajanderii) on permafrost
Authors: Dolman A. J. , Maximov T. C. , Moors E. J. , Maximov A. P. , Elbers J. A. , Kononov A. V. , Waterloo M. J. , van der Molen M. K.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Observations of the net ecosystem exchange of water and CO2 were made during two seasons in 2000 and 2001 above a Larch forest in Far East Siberia (Yakutsk). The measurements were obtained by eddy correlation. There is a very sharply pronounced growing season of 100 days when the forest is leaved. Maximum half hourly uptake rates are 18 µmol m-2 s-1; maximum respiration rates are 5 µmol m-2 s-1. Net annual sequestration of carbon was estimated at 160 gCm-2 in 2001. Applying no correction for low friction velocities added 60 g C m-2. The net carbon exchange of the forest was extremely sensitive to small changes in weather that may switch the forest easily from a sink to a source, even in summer. June was the month with highest uptake in 2001. The average evaporation rate of the forest approached 1.46 mm day-1 during the growing season, with peak values of 3 mm day-1 with an estimated annual evaporation of 213 mm, closely approaching the average annual rainfall amount. 2001 was a drier year than 2000 and this is reflected in lower evaporation rates in 2001 than in 2000. The surface conductance of the forest shows a marked response to increasing atmospheric humidity deficits. This affects the CO2 uptake and evaporation in a different manner, with the CO2 uptake being more affected. There appears to be no change in the relation between surface conductance and net ecosystem uptake normalized by the atmospheric humidity deficit at the monthly time scale. The response to atmospheric humidity deficit is an efficient mechanism to prevent severe water loss during the short intense growing season. The associated cost to the sequestration of carbon may be another explanation for the slow growth of these forests in this environment.
Natural isotopic composition of nitrogen in suspended particulate matter in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Kumar S. , Ramesh R. , Bhosle N. B. , Sardesai S. , Sheshshayee M. S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We present the first measurement of nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the surface Bay of Bengal (BOB) at 24 different locations during pre- (April–May 2003) and post- (September–October 2002) monsoon seasons. The δ15N of particulate organic nitrogen (PON) in surface suspended matter of coastal as well as northern open BOB shows signatures of a two end-member mixing between continental inputs and marine sources. Dilution by the organic and detrital continental material brought in by rivers leads to consistently lower δ15N, evident from the relationship between surface salinity and δ15N. δ15N of surface PON of open ocean locations during both seasons, and also at coastal locations during pre-monsoon suggest the nitrate from deeper waters as a predominant source of nutrient for planktons. The depth profiles of δ15N of SPM during pre-monsoon season at nine different locations are also presented. These indicate an increase in δ15N by a maximum of 2.8‰ between euphotic depth and 300 m, which is lower than that observed in the eastern Indian Ocean, indicating the role of higher sinking rates of particles ballasted by aggregates of organic and mineral matter in BOB.
Major role of marine vegetation on the oceanic carbon cycle
Authors: Duarte C. M. , Middelburg J. J. , Caraco N.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The carbon burial in vegetated sediments, ignored in past assessments of carbon burial in the ocean, was evaluated using a bottom-up approach derived from upscaling a compilation of published individual estimates of carbon burial in vegetated habitats (seagrass meadows, salt marshes and mangrove forests) to the global level and a top-down approach derived from considerations of global sediment balance and a compilation of the organic carbon content of vegeatated sediments. Up-scaling of individual burial estimates values yielded a total carbon burial in vegetated habitats of 111 Tmol C y-1. The total burial in unvegetated sediments was estimated to be 126 Tg C y-1, resulting in a bottom-up estimate of total burial in the ocean of about 244 Tg C y-1, two-fold higher than estimates of oceanic carbon burial that presently enter global carbon budgets. The organic carbon concentrations in vegetated marine sediments exceeds by 2 to 10-fold those in shelf/deltaic sediments. Top-down recalculation of ocean sediment budgets to account for these, previously neglected, organic-rich sediments, yields a top-down carbon burial estimate of 216 Tg C y-1, with vegetated coastal habitats contributing about 50%. Even though vegetated carbon burial contributes about half of the total carbon burial in the ocean, burial represents a small fraction of the net production of these ecosystems, estimated at about 3388 Tg C y-1, suggesting that bulk of the benthic net ecosystem production must support excess respiration in other compartments, such as unvegetated sediments and the coastal pelagic compartment. The total excess organic carbon available to be exported to the ocean is estimated at between 1126 to 3534 Tg C y-1, the bulk of which must be respired in the open ocean. Widespread loss of vegetated coastal habitats must have reduced carbon burial in the ocean by about 30 Tg C y-1, identifying the destruction of these ecosystems as an important loss of CO2 sink capacity in the biosphere.
Greenhouse gas emissions from Indian rice fields: calibration and upscaling using the DNDC model
Authors: Pathak H. , Li C. , Wassmann R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The Denitrification and Decomposition (DNDC) model was evaluated for its ability to simulate methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Indian rice fields with various management practices. The model was calibrated and validated for field experiments in New Delhi, India. The observed yield, N uptake and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were in good agreement with the values predicted by the model. The model was then applied for estimation of GHG emissions from rice fields in India using a newly compiled soil/climate/land use database. Continuous flooding of rice fields (42.25 million ha) resulted in annual net emissions of 1.07-1.10, 0.04-0.05 and 21.16-60.96 Tg of CH4-C, N2O-N and CO2-C, respectively, with a cumulated global warming potential (GWP) of 130.93-272.83 Tg CO2 equivalent. Intermittent flooding of rice fields reduced annual net emissions to 0.12-0.13 Tg CH4-C and 16.66-48.80 Tg CO2-C while N2O emission increased to 0.05-0.06 Tg N2O-N. The GWP, however, reduced to 91.73-211.80 Tg CO2 equivalent. The study suggested that the model could be applied for estimating the GHG emissions and the influences of agronomic management, soil and climatic parameters on the GHG emissions from rice fields in India.
Nitrous oxide fluxes and nitrogen cycling along a pasture chronosequence in Central Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Wick B. , Veldkamp E. , de Mello W. Z. , Keller M. , Crill P.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We studied nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes and soil nitrogen (N) cycling following forest conversion to pasture in the central Amazon near Santarém, Pará, Brazil. Two undisturbed forest sites and 27 pasture sites of 0.5 to 60 years were sampled once each during wet and dry seasons. In addition to soil-atmosphere fluxes of N2O we measured 27 soil chemical, soil microbiological and soil physical variables. Soil N2O fluxes were higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Fluxes of N2O from forest soils always exceeded fluxes from pasture soils and showed no consistent trend with pasture age. At our forest sites, nitrate was the dominant form of inorganic N both during wet and dry season. At our pasture sites nitrate generally dominated the inorganic N pools during the wet season and ammonium dominated during the dry season. Net mineralization and nitrification rates displayed large variations. During the dry season net immobilization of N was observed in some pastures. Compared to forest sites, young pasture sites (≤2 years) had low microbial biomass N and protease activities. Protease activity and microbial biomass N peaked in pastures of intermediate age (4 to 8 years) followed by consistently lower values in older pasture (10 to 60 years). The C/N ratio of litter was low at the forest sites (~25) and rapidly increased with pasture age reaching values of 60-70 at pastures of 15 years and older. Nitrous oxide emissions at our sites were controlled by C and N availability and soil aeration. Fluxes of N2O were negatively correlated to leaf litter C/N ratio, NH4+-N and the ratio of NO3--N to the sum of NO3--N + NH4+-N (indicators of N availability), and methane fluxes and bulk density (indicators of soil aeration status) during the wet season. During the dry season fluxes of N2O were positively correlated to microbial biomass N, β-glucosidase activity, total inorganic N stocks and NH4+-N. In our study region, pastures of all age emitted less N2O than old-growth forests, because of a progressive decline in N availability with pasture age combined with strongly anaerobic conditions in some pastures during the wet season.