title: A fast Maximum Likelihood method for improving AMCW lidar precision using waveform shape

authors: Godbaz, John Peter

subjects: Maximum Likelihood method

abstract: Amplitude Modulated Continuous Wave imaging lidar systems use the time-of-flight principle to determine the range to objects in a scene. Typical systems use modulated illumination of a scene and a modulated sensor or image intensifier. By changing the relative phase of the two modulation signals it is possible to measure the phase shift induced in the illumination signal, thus the range to the scene. In practical systems, the resultant correlation waveform contains harmonics that typically result in a non-linear range response. Nevertheless, these harmonics can be used to improve range precision. We model a waveform continuously variable in phase and intensity as a linear interpolation. By approximating the problem as a Maximum Likelihood problem, an analytic solution for the problem is derived that enables an entire range image to be processed in a few seconds. A substantial improvement in overall RMS error and precision over the standard Fourier phase analysis approach results.

text: A fast Maximum Likelihood method for improving AMCW lidar precision using waveform shape Amplitude Modulated Continuous Wave imaging lidar systems use the time-of-flight principle to determine the range to objects in a scene. Typical systems use modulated illumination of a scene and a modulated sensor or image intensifier. By changing the relative phase of the two modulation signals it is possible to measure the phase shift induced in the illumination signal, thus the range to the scene. In practical systems, the resultant correlation waveform contains harmonics that typically result in a non-linear range response. Nevertheless, these harmonics can be used to improve range precision. We model a waveform continuously variable in phase and intensity as a linear interpolation. By approximating the problem as a Maximum Likelihood problem, an analytic solution for the problem is derived that enables an entire range image to be processed in a few seconds. A substantial improvement in overall RMS error and precision over the standard Fourier phase analysis approach results.

year: 2009

title: Location-independence?  Exploring the digital geographies of work, mobilities and place

authors: Methorst, Joke Jalina

subjects: digital nomads

abstract: This thesis focuses on the phenomenon of location-independence and its implications for place, work and mobilities in the digital age. The dynamic mechanisms of location-independence are examined in connection with two interrelated-yet-distinct vantage points: digital nomads (a group of location-independent workers from predominantly affluent countries working in locations with lower living costs), and coworking spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand (shared workspaces that provide socio-material and technological infrastructure for mobile workers to work from). 
Critical social theories – feminist, postcolonial, new mobilities, and embodied geography perspectives – provide a framework for analysing the concept of location-independence and uneven relations of power and subjectivities such as gender, ethnicity, class, and age. These perspectives not only emphasise Indigenous geographies that give voice to non-dominant epistemologies of knowledge but also bring attention to the body and highlight how work, place, and mobility are experienced differently.
The research employs feminist methodologies for conducting qualitative research, including 12 online interviews with digital nomads globally, and 11 in-person semi-structured interviews with managers of coworking spaces or of the coworking community within these spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand. Reflexive thematic analysis is applied to interview transcripts, texts and images from websites promoting digital nomad visa schemes that surround the concept of location-independence. 
This thesis demonstrates that location-independence is constituted through relational geographies of subjectivities, mobilities, materials, and organisations. The findings are organised around three themes: digital nomads; coworking spaces; and, COVID-19. Focusing on the first theme – digital nomads – provides an opportunity for foregrounding how location-independence can be partly understood as an imagined and desired geography. Digital nomads experience both flexibility and freedom afforded by location-independence, but also challenges related to social isolation, precarious work conditions, and balancing work and personal life. Focusing on the second theme – coworking spaces – allows for an understanding of how these places are curated to be inclusive yet are also subject to gendered, raced, and classed power relations. The third theme – COVID-19 – is used to examine the ways in which location-independence was disrupted and repaired. The disruption of many infrastructures that facilitate location-independence has not only accelerated the shift towards the normalisation of remote work, but also highlights the need for emergent infrastructures of repair, shedding light on the importance of place, mobilities, materiality, and embodiment in the constitution of location-independence digital geographies.

text: Location-independence?  Exploring the digital geographies of work, mobilities and place This thesis focuses on the phenomenon of location-independence and its implications for place, work and mobilities in the digital age. The dynamic mechanisms of location-independence are examined in connection with two interrelated-yet-distinct vantage points: digital nomads (a group of location-independent workers from predominantly affluent countries working in locations with lower living costs), and coworking spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand (shared workspaces that provide socio-material and technological infrastructure for mobile workers to work from). 
Critical social theories – feminist, postcolonial, new mobilities, and embodied geography perspectives – provide a framework for analysing the concept of location-independence and uneven relations of power and subjectivities such as gender, ethnicity, class, and age. These perspectives not only emphasise Indigenous geographies that give voice to non-dominant epistemologies of knowledge but also bring attention to the body and highlight how work, place, and mobility are experienced differently.
The research employs feminist methodologies for conducting qualitative research, including 12 online interviews with digital nomads globally, and 11 in-person semi-structured interviews with managers of coworking spaces or of the coworking community within these spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand. Reflexive thematic analysis is applied to interview transcripts, texts and images from websites promoting digital nomad visa schemes that surround the concept of location-independence. 
This thesis demonstrates that location-independence is constituted through relational geographies of subjectivities, mobilities, materials, and organisations. The findings are organised around three themes: digital nomads; coworking spaces; and, COVID-19. Focusing on the first theme – digital nomads – provides an opportunity for foregrounding how location-independence can be partly understood as an imagined and desired geography. Digital nomads experience both flexibility and freedom afforded by location-independence, but also challenges related to social isolation, precarious work conditions, and balancing work and personal life. Focusing on the second theme – coworking spaces – allows for an understanding of how these places are curated to be inclusive yet are also subject to gendered, raced, and classed power relations. The third theme – COVID-19 – is used to examine the ways in which location-independence was disrupted and repaired. The disruption of many infrastructures that facilitate location-independence has not only accelerated the shift towards the normalisation of remote work, but also highlights the need for emergent infrastructures of repair, shedding light on the importance of place, mobilities, materiality, and embodiment in the constitution of location-independence digital geographies.

year: 2024

title: Huri whakatau: The call for Māori software requirements elicitation

authors: Brown, Tamahau

abstract: It is essential to consider specifications and design when examining the requirements for new software for stakeholders and software engineers. The Huri Whakatau project investigates current relevant requirements and design techniques to understand the Māori (Indigenous people of Aotearoa) demographic to identify any relevant gaps for examining requirements.

The process has been tested by investigating existing internationally accepted groups and their methodologies to attempt to adapt a new methodology for Māori groups. In the context of the research, an accepted group is defined as a group which is not from a developing country or Indigenous group. The research was able to identify three untested methodologies; this involved conducting an empirical study as a part of the experiment. The decision was to transform the internationally accepted soft systems methodology (SSM) with groups in a user study. Comparing previously recorded satisfaction using the technique and the use of Māori techniques determined that SSM would be the strongest candidate. When testing SSM with participants, overall, there was a higher level of satisfaction with Māori participants using the new proposed adapted Māori approach as opposed to the internationally accepted groups.

text: Huri whakatau: The call for Māori software requirements elicitation It is essential to consider specifications and design when examining the requirements for new software for stakeholders and software engineers. The Huri Whakatau project investigates current relevant requirements and design techniques to understand the Māori (Indigenous people of Aotearoa) demographic to identify any relevant gaps for examining requirements.

The process has been tested by investigating existing internationally accepted groups and their methodologies to attempt to adapt a new methodology for Māori groups. In the context of the research, an accepted group is defined as a group which is not from a developing country or Indigenous group. The research was able to identify three untested methodologies; this involved conducting an empirical study as a part of the experiment. The decision was to transform the internationally accepted soft systems methodology (SSM) with groups in a user study. Comparing previously recorded satisfaction using the technique and the use of Māori techniques determined that SSM would be the strongest candidate. When testing SSM with participants, overall, there was a higher level of satisfaction with Māori participants using the new proposed adapted Māori approach as opposed to the internationally accepted groups.

year: 2023