The traditional least mean square (LMS) algorithm has the performance of good adaptivity to noise, but there are several disadvantages in the traditional LMS algorithm, such as the defect in desired value of pending pixels, undetermined original coefficients, which result in slow convergence speed and long convergence period. Method to solve the desired value of pending pixel has improved based on these problems, also, the correction gain and offset coefficients worked out by the method of two-point temperature non-uniformity correction (NUC) as the original coefficients, which has improved the convergence speed. The simulation with real infrared images has proved that the new LMS algorithm has the advantages of better correction effect. Finally, the algorithm is implemented on the hardware structure of FPGA+DSP.
Dongjun Zhan, Qun Wang, Chensheng Wang, Huawang Chen, "The algorithm analysis on non-uniformity correction based on LMS adaptive filtering," Proc. SPIE 7854, Infrared, Millimeter Wave, and Terahertz Technologies, 78541N (4 November 2010);
Tankless water heaters have become all the rage, but believe it or not, they can also be a “source” of rage.
A few times every year, customers call us with tales of tankless woe. The luster of the new technology they were so excited about has been tarnished by problems from day one. And they’re so fed up, that instead of asking for a fix, they simply want to revert back to the standard storage water heater. Sadly enough, in most cases the culprit was simply an unqualified installer and/or an inferior product.
Tankless water heaters for residential or commercial use actually work very well when the proper unit is installed correctly. But when corners are cut the unit can short cycle, soot up, provide inadequate heat, or simply not heat at all. If you are ready to go “tankless”, our very first recommendation is to have a licensed Plumber or HVAC technician perform the installation.
The advantages of going tankless are often discussed… but could there be a downside upgrading to this newer technology? Hopefully this penny’s worth of information will make you a pound wiser.
PROS: The most obvious benefits to a tankless water heater are energy efficiency and compactness. In addition:
Replacement is usually less labor intensive than the initial installation, so replacement cost becomes much more affordable.
Most brands are designed to heat only when water is running through the unit, saving energy and money.
There is no longer a tank limiting the quantity of hot water, and short showers become a thing of the past.
Several units can be plumbed together to increase the amount of hot water required (typically beneficial for commercial installations where high volume of hot water is necessary).
CONS: In order to be an “informed” buyer, here are a few of the realities of tankless water heaters that should be considered before making a purchase:
They usually cannot use the same vent pipe or gas pipe as the conventional water heater and will typically need to be upgraded.
Since water is heated as it passes through the unit, there are limitations to how many faucets can be in operation at once.
Most companies will give free estimates to install a tankless water heater. Since a tankless water heater is typically a more significant job than simply replacing a conventional storage water heater with the identical tank, it is best to plan this installation instead of waiting for your current water heater to leak.
Planning your tankless water heater purchase will allow time for thorough and proper installation, and help you to take advantage of all the options. It’s a much better scenario than upgrading while you’re trying to manage the emergency of getting your hot water back in service.
When comparing products and installers, be wary of the cheapest bids. This is one installation that you don’t want to cut corners on. It could ultimately cost you more money in repairs, shorten the lifetime of the unit, and/or keep the water heater from living up to its promises.
Tankless water heaters are used all over the world and can be an efficient and comfortable source of hot water. Are they worth it? We’ll leave that for you to decide.
My right eye itches. There is nothing wrong with it, but my Icelandic horse Jark has something dreadfully wrong with his left eye. Arizona summers are really hard for him. He is susceptible to flies; they invade every moist region given the slightest opportunity. Last year it was his sheath. I have learned to put SWAT repellent on it daily. This year they got his eyes. I put a fancy new fly mask on him, one with pink ears, and it was a little too big. Jark shook it off. I put it back on. He took it off. After a few days of this game I went back to the old mask that was secure, but it was too late. The fly larvae were breeding deep in the pocket of his eye. At the time of this writing he is in surgery getting them removed before they cause permanent damage.
This explains why my eye is blurry and itchy. Jark and I get symbiotic symptoms. When he was a youngster he stepped on a nail. I was at work in town, but my foot cramped up and started stinging. When I got home I found out why - it was nasty. As he healed so did my foot. Fortunately the coincidence isn't consistent. When the flies got his sheath last summer I personally was fine!
I am not taking on Jark's troubles. We simply live in the same energetic field. We are connected, and when he hurts my field senses it and sometimes my body mirrors it. I hurt because he hurts, but he is not "doing" anything to me, nor am I trying to help him by taking his suffering from him.
I think this is a really important thing to understand. Many people ask me if their personal problems are making their animals sick. They often feel guilty, which only makes the situation worse. People also ask if their animal is trying to help them when the animal mirrors a person's pain. "Are they trying to take the pain away from me?". There is no absolute answer to this, as some animals are martyrs. But most are not. Most animals mirror our pain because we are so close that we share energy, just like intermingling branches of trees.
First: Get the animal to the best Vet you know, and give the animal every bit of allopathic, shamanic and energetic medicinal support you can.
Second: Do whatever you can to avoid "projecting" your own stuff. Ask the helping spirits to put a protective shield between you and the animal, so that any pain you may be experiencing is neutralized before it reaches them. Ask the animal's spirit allies to protect them as well.
Third: Do whatever you can to heal yourself. The mirror works both ways. Your healing helps the animal heal. His healing helps you heal.
And finally: If the animal is indeed playing martyr, let them know that it isn't really helping you, and that it is in fact making everything worse because now both of you are unhappy! If they are well it will help you get well too. See step three!