Strengthening intellectual property rights for publicly financed research and development (R&D) ensures that research organizations maximize the full national value of the intellectual property that they generate, but potential negative spillover effects on the perceived value of a research alliance might deter an existing alliance partner from continued collaboration or a potential alliance partner from future collaboration. This study, performed in 2010 within the context of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, aimed to develop a structural equation modeling-based value-mediation governance decision-making model that will enable engineering managers at publicly financed R&D organizations to select optimal governance modes for the research alliances they are establishing to grow their organizations' R&D capabilities.

This paper considers strengths and weaknesses of the framework for Technology Forecasting using Structural Equation Modeling based context sensitive Data Fusion, which was first presented by Staphorst et al. in 2013. The framework is an exploratory Technology Forecasting technique that employs a Partial Least Squares based Structural Equation Modeling implementation of context sensitive Data Fusion in order to model complex multi-layered interrelationships between technology inputs, outputs and context related exogenous factors. Strengths and weaknesses considered for this framework, emanating from the extensive bodies of knowledge on Data Fusion and Structural Equation Modeling, include its ability to incorporate contextual information in its forecasting calculations and high sensitivity to structural model misspecification, respectively. An example model instantiation of the framework for the National Research and Education Network technology domain is used to quantitatively analyze the impact of these strengths and weaknesses. This example model instantiation, which is a significantly improved version of the one originally presented by Staphorst et al. in 2014, was constructed using knowledge gained through action research in the South African National Research Network, hypotheses from peer-reviewed literature and insights from the Trans-European Research and Education Network Association's annual compendiums for National Research and Education Network infrastructure and services trends.

Using inductive reasoning this paper develops a framework for the Structural Equation Modeling based context sensitive Data Fusion of technology indicators in order to produce Technology Forecasting output metrics. Data Fusion is a formal framework that defines tools, as well as the application of these tools, for the unification of data originating from diverse sources. Context sensitive Data Fusion techniques refine the generated knowledge using the characteristics of exogenous context related variables, which in the proposed framework entails non-technology related metrics. Structural Equation Modeling, which is a statistical technique capable of evaluating complex hierarchical dependencies between latent and observed constructs, has been shown to be effective in implementing context sensitive Data Fusion. For illustrative purposes an example model instantiation of the proposed framework is constructed for the case of the National Research and Education Network technology domain using knowledge gained through action research in the South African National Research Network, hypotheses from peer-reviewed literature and insights from the Trans-European Research and Education Network Association's annual compendiums for National Research and Education Network infrastructure and services trends. This example model instantiation hypothesizes that a National Research and Education Network's infrastructure and advanced services capabilities are positively related to one another, as well as to the contextual influence it experiences through government control. Also, positive relationships are hypothesized between a National Research and Education Network's infrastructure and advanced services capabilities and its usage, which is defined as the technology forecasting output metric of interest for this example. Data from the 2011 Trans-European Research and Education Network Association compendium is used in the Partial Least Square regression analysis of the example model instantiation, which confirms all hypothesized relationships, except the postulation that a National Research and Education Network's infrastructure and advanced services capabilities are positively related. This latter finding is explained by observing the prevalence of technology leapfrogging in the National Research and Education Network global community.

Technology Intelligence (TI) involves the process of capturing technology related data, converting this data into information by determining relational connections and refining information to produce knowledge that can guide strategic decision makers. Technology indicators are those sources of technology related data that allow for the direct characterisation and evaluation of technologies over their whole life cycle. Future-oriented Technology Analysis (FTA), which is a forward-looking approach in scrutinizing the information that has been distilled from a set of technology indicators, can potentially provide decision makers with useful Technology Forecasting (TF) knowledge. The paper postulates that TF can be viewed as an instance of Data Fusion (DF), which is a formal framework that defines tool, as well as the application of these tools, for the unification of data originating from different sources. Within the field of DF relational connections define context. Context sensitive DF techniques refine the generated knowledge based on the characteristics of exogenous context related variables. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), which is a statistical technique capable of evaluating complex hierarchical dependencies between latent and observed problem and context variables, has been shown to be effective in implementing context sensitive DF. In the paper a generic framework is introduced for SEM based DF of technology indicators in order to produce TF output metrics. The paper also provides the research methodology that will be used in a future study to evaluate the validity of the generic framework for the case of National Research and Education Networks (NRENs).

This paper presents the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of an upwards-expandable spectral and power efficient quasi-synchronous multi-layer-modulated (MLM) four-dimensional super-orthogonal wideband code-division multiple access (QS-4D-SO-WCDMA) modem, suitable for application in next generation WLAN and wireless cellular systems. The unique combination of the 4D-WCDMA modem configuration and super-orthogonal families of root-of-unity filtered (RUF) constant-envelope generalized-chirp-like complex spreading sequences (SO-CE-GCL-CSS), renders a spectrally and power efficient output signal with data throughput rates equivalent to that of a 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulated (16-QAM) WCDMA modulation scheme, but with the BER performance equivalent to that of BPSK/QPSK in both AWGN and fading multipath channel scenarios.

This paper details the implementation of an adaptive channel coding system on a DSP. Two DSP's communicate directly over an AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channel. Multiple FEC (forward error correction) codes are then implemented directly onto the DSP's to provide data integrity over the channel. Taking into account the current BER (bit error rate), the system chooses an appropriate FEC code to satisfy the user specified maximum BER. Three different coding algorithms were used, namely Hamming (7,4), Reed-Solomon (7,5,3) and 1/2 rate convolution coding. The BER vs. E b /N o transfer curves obtained experimentally allowed adaptive channel coding to be achieved.

Studies have shown that adaptive forward error correction (FEC) coding schemes enable a communication system to take advantage of varying channel conditions by switching to less powerful and/or less redundant FEC channel codes when conditions are good, thus enabling an increase in system throughput. The focus of this study is the simulation performance of a complete simulated multi-dimensional (MD) direct-sequence spread spectrum multiple access (DS/SSMA) communication system that employs an advanced adaptive channel coding scheme. The system is simulated and evaluated over a fully user-definable software-based multi-user (MU) multipath fading channel simulator (MFCS). Channel conditions are varied and the switching and adaptation performance of the system is monitored and evaluated. Sensing for adaptation is made possible by a sophisticated quality-of-service monitoring unit (QoSMU) that uses a sophisticated pseudo-error-rate (PER) extrapolation technique to estimate the system's true probability-of-error in real-time, without the need for known transmitted data. The system attempts to keep the estimated bit-error-rate (BER) performance within a predetermined range by switching between different FEC codes as conditions change. This paper commences with a short overview of each of the functional units of the system. Lastly, the simulation results for the coded and uncoded BER performances, as well as the real-time adaptation performance of the system are presented and discussed. This paper conclusively proves that adaptive coded systems have large throughput utilization advantages over that of fixed coded systems

In recent years, the Viterbi Algorithm (VA) has been shown to be an efficient trellis decoder for binary and non-binary linear blocks. In this simulation study the performance of VA decoded non-binary Reed-Solomon (RS) block codes, employed in a wideband Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, operating in multipath fading channel conditions, is considered. The RAKE receiver-based Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Multiple Access (DS/SSMA) Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) system employed in this study uses Complex Spreading Sequence (CSS), such as Zadoff-Chu (ZC), Double Sideband (DSB) Constant Envelope Linearly Interpolated Root-of-Unity (CE-LI-RU) filtered General Chirp-like (GCL), Analytical Bandlimited Complex (ABC) and Quadriphase (QPH) sequences. This paper firstly describes the notion of VA decoding of linear block codes. Background information is then given on the filtered and unfiltered CSS families employed in the simulation study. Next, the complex Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Multiple Access (DS/SSMA) Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) transmitter and RAKE receiver simulator structures, as well as a novel complex multipath fading channel simulator structure are presented. This is then followed by a description of this study's versatile multi-user multipath fading performance evaluation platform, which is constructed using the complex RAKE receiver-based DS/SSMA QPSK communication system and complex multipath fading channel simulator structures. Lastly, simulated Bit Error Rate (BER) performances are presented for uncoded wideband systems and wideband systems employing VA decoded non-binary RS block codes in realistic multi-user multipath fading channel conditions. The effect of Multi-User Interference (MUI), as well as that of Channel State Information (CSI) on the decoding performance of the VA are also considered.

For pt.I see ibid., p.329-34. In recent years, the Viterbi algorithm (VA) has been shown to be an efficient trellis decoder for binary and non-binary linear blocks. In our simulation study, the performance of VA decoded non-binary Reed-Solomon (RS) block codes, employed in a wideband code division multiple access (CDMA) system, operating in multipath fading channel conditions, was considered. A RAKE receiver-based direct sequence spread spectrum multiple access (DS/SSMA) quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) system is employed. It uses complex spreading sequence (CSS), such as Frank-Zadoff-Chu (FZC), double sideband (DSB) constant envelope linearly interpolated root-of-unity (CE-LI-RU) filtered general chirp-like (GCL), analytical bandlimited complex (ABC) and quadriphase (QPH) sequences. The paper first describes a novel complex multipath fading channel simulator model. Next, the realistic multiuser multipath fading performance evaluation platform is described. Lastly, simulated bit error rate (BER) performances are presented for uncoded systems and systems employing VA decoded non-binary RS block codes under realistic multipath fading channel conditions. The effects of multiuser interference (MUI) and of channel state information (CSI) on the decoding performance of the VA are also considered

In recent years, the joint decoding of combined source and channel coding have shown the capability of delivering performances exceeding that of separately decoded schemes. In this paper, a well-known joint source/channel coding scheme is investigated for possible use in future 4th Generation (4G) direct sequence spread spectrum multiple access (DS/SSMA) code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems. Due to the availability of potentially large sets of sequences with good correlation characteristics, the DS/SSMA CDMA system considered in this paper employs complex spreading sequences (CSS). A multiuser CSS-based DS/SSMA CDMA communication system was implemented as test platform for the joint source/channel coding scheme. Several families of CSSs, including Zadoff-Chu (ZC), double sideband constant envelope linearly interpolated root-of-unity filtered general chirp-like (DSB CE-LI-RU Filtered GCL), analytical bandlimited complex (ABC) and quadriphase (QPH) sequences are investigated on this platform. Simulated bit error rate (BER) performances are presented for uncoded, separate source and channel coded and joint source/channel coded systems under realistic multipath fading channel conditions.

Much attention has been given to the decoding of linear block codes by means of trellis decoding algorithms, such as the BCJR and Viterbi algorithms. Not only do these algorithms support soft input decoding, but also the application of channel state information for improved decoding performance in fading channel environments. This paper presents a performance evaluation, based on an extensive simulation study, of Viterbi decoded Reed-Solomon block codes under additive white Gaussian noise and flat fading channel conditions. Special attention is given to the influence of channel state information on the bit error rate performance of Viterbi decoded Reed-Solomon block codes in flat fading channels with varying Doppler frequencies and line-of-sight signal strengths.

In recent years, much attention has been given to the decoding of linear block codes by means of trellis decoding algorithms, such as the Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) and Viterbi algorithms. Not only do these algorithms support soft in. put decoding, but also the application of channel state information for improved decoding performances in fading channel environments. This paper presents a performance evaluation, based on an extensive simulation study, of Viterbi decoded binary Hamming and non-binary Reed-Solomon block codes under flat fading channel conditions with varying Doppler frequencies and line-of-sight signal strengths. Special attention is given to the influence of channel state information on the bit error rate performance.

Due to the availability of potentially large sets of sequences with good correlation characteristics, the interest in the implementation of complex spreading sequences (CSS) in code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, has increased dramatically. In this paper, the simulated bit error rate (BER) performance of a synchronous balanced quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) CDMA system, employing different classes of CSS, is presented for Gaussian and multipath fading channel conditions.

Due to the availability of potentially large sets of sequences with good correlation characteristics, the interest in the implementation of complex spreading sequences (CSS) in code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, has increased dramatically. In this paper, the bit error rate (BER) performance of a synchronous balanced quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) CDMA system employing different classes of CSS, is presented

The purpose of this paper is the investigation of trellis decoding of linear block codes. The intersymbol relationship of convolutional codes makes the Viterbi algorithm ideally suited as a decoding strategy. By representing linear block codes in trellis form, the Viterbi algorithm can also be used to decode linear block codes. A distinct advantage of the Viterbi algorithm above traditional block decoders, is the existence of efficient soft decision algorithms employing channel measurement information. This paper will investigate a method of constructing trellises for block codes as well as the Viterbi decoding of block codes using these trellises. The proposed block trellis decoding technique will be supported with simulation results, comparing its performance with traditional methods such as syndrome decoding