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Mismatched training and testing conditions for speaker identification exist when speech is subjected to a different channel for the two cases. This results in diminished speaker identification performance. Finding features that show little variability to the filtering effect of different channels will make speaker identification systems more robust thereby achieving a better performance. It has been shown that subtracting the mean of the pole filtered linear predictive (LP) cepstrum from the actual LP cepstrum results in a robust feature. This feature is known as the pole filtered mean removed LP cepstrum. Another robust feature is the adaptive component weighted (ACW) cepstrum particularly with mean removal. In this paper, we combine the ACW cepstrum with the pole filtering concept to configure a more robust new feature, namely, the pole filtered mean removed ACW cepstrum. This new method is fast and shows a higher performance then the pole filtered mean removed LP cepstrum and the mean removed ACW cepstrum. Experimental results are given for the TIMIT database involving a variety of mismatched conditions.

The authors are developing a new electrical and computer engineering program at Rowan University (USA) with the first graduates expected in 2000. Its features include a continuous engineering clinic sequence, a mixture of two, three and four credit courses, and technology focus electives. Project-based instruction is employed as a tool for motivating students and to demonstrate the relevancy of material. Multidisciplinary courses provide the opportunity for students in different disciplines to work together.

A hybrid adaptive fuzzy controller comprises a weighted combination of a direct and an indirect adaptive fuzzy controllers, with a continuously-switched supervisory controller. The direct and indirect adaptive fuzzy controllers allow fuzzy control rules and fuzzy descriptions to be incorporated respectively, to achieve better adaptation speed. The choice of the weights depends on the relative importance and reliability of the available fuzzy control rules and fuzzy descriptions. Theoretical results and simulation studies on a two-link manipulator show that the proposed hybrid adaptive fuzzy controller is robust and stable. It also outperforms previous direct and indirect adaptive fuzzy controllers in terms of tracking accuracy and magnitude of control torque required.

Synchronisation is a crucial implementation issue in photonic networks being developed to keep pace with the massive increases in demand for transmission capacity in communication networks. A general introduction to the structure of optical packet switches is given and the role of synchronisation in an extensive optical packet-switched broadband telecommunications layer is obtained. A comparison of the optical performance of a conventional logarithmic delay line and a base-m arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) synchronisation scheme was undertaken through computer simulation. Results show that the base-m AWG architecture has the advantage of low loss and high efficiency with respect to attainable resolution.

The paper describes an enhanced fingerprint recognition system consisting of image preprocessing, feature extraction and matching that runs accurately and effectively on a personal computer platform. The image preprocessing includes histogram equalisation, modification of directional codes, dynamic thresholding and ridgeline thinning which are sufficient to enhance the image to a state ready for feature extraction. Only features extracted are stored in a file for fingerprint matching. The matching algorithm presented is a modification and improvement of the structural approach. Experimental results acquired for matching are accurate, reliable and fast for implementation using a PC and a fingerprint scanner. The proposed fingerprint recognition scheme can provide an efficient way of automated identification and can be extended to numerous other security or administration applications.