Sunday, January 26, 2020
Frequency Swept Source using Xilinx DDS Compiler
Frequency Swept Source using Xilinx DDS Compiler Abstract This paper presents a module which basically is a frequency swept source (chirp signal), which sweeps from 1MHz to 10 MHz in 10 microseconds. The module was designed by using the DDS IP core in Xilinx. It is designed to be run on the ZedBoard Zynq Evaluation and Development Kit (xc7z020clg484-1). Keywords-frequency swept source; chirp signal ; DDS Compiler; This module was designed as a part of the coursework assignment of ECE 580B4 FPGA Signal Proc/Software Defined Radio. The purpose of this assignment was to design a frequency swept source which will be extensively used in testing the Digital FIR filters that are to be designed and implemented as a part of the future coursework. A. DDS IP Core Compiler The Xilinx DDS core compiler implements high performance phase generation and phase to sinusoid circuits with AXI-4 stream compliant features. The core sources sinusoidal waveforms for use in many applications. This module comes with an inbuilt sine and cosine Look up table and a phase generator. For the purposes of this assignment, the DDS compiler was configured to receive a streaming phase input and the phase width resolution is set to 8 bits to make the design more space efficient and to make the simulations run faster. B. Frequency swept Source Design The Frequency Swept source is coded as a synthesizable Verilog module. In this Verilog Module, The DDS Compiler was instantiated and appropriate phase data is streamed by feeding the data into the s_axis_phase_tdata. s_axis_phase_tvalid is always set to 1 for the purposes of this assignment. The frequency swept source is expected to sweep from 1Mhz to 10 Mhz in 10 micro-seconds. This basically translates to an increment of 1Mhz in every microsecond. So, initially the increment has been calculated to generate a 1Mhz signal and then the increment is ramped up linearly to generate the desired chirp signal. The following expression has been used to derive the phase increment value. Fout = fclk* (dt)/ (2^(B)); Here, fout is the output frequency, fclk is the clock frequency, dt is the phase increment and B refers to the phase width. The above equation, for an 8bit phase width, 100 Mhz source to generate a 1Mhz output signal basically expects a phase increment of 2.56. But in this design this has been rounded off to 3. So, a phase increment of 3 refers to an output of 1Mz signal and a phase increment of 6 refers to an output of 2Mhz signal etc. The value of phase increment should realistically increment upto 25.6, so this number will be rounded off to 25. Now, is basically comes down to generating 22 different values for phase increment in a matter of 10 microseconds. In out design, the timescale has been set to 1ns. Now to figure out the delay to increase the value of phase increment in steps of 1, we need to impart a suitable amount of delay. This delay is calculated as shown below Delay = [10u/(22)] * 10^3 nano seconds. [Assuming a delay of one unit refers to one nano second]. The value of delay comes out to be 454.54 cycles. So, basically, we increase the value of phase-increment in steps of 1 from a starting value of 3 after every 455 clock cycles. This makes sure we are getting appropriate ramping up of the phase increment value to generate the desired sweep.       module freq_sweep(    input clk,                           output reg [7:0] sin,                           output reg [7:0] cos                          );                        reg[7:0] phase_data;                          wire phase_valid;                          wire [15:0] nco_data;                          wire nco_valid;                          integer i;                       assign phase_valid =1;        initial begin        phase_data = 3;        end        dds_compiler_0 DUT(  .aclk(clk),                              .m_axis_data_tdata(nco_data),                              .m_axis_phase_tvalid(nco_valid),                              .s_axis_phase_tvalid (phase_valid),                              .s_axis_phase_tdata (phase_data)                              );                   always @(posedge clk) begin            if (phase_valid == 1) begin              sin = nco_data [15:8];              cos = nco_data [7:0];              end            end            always begin                   for (i=3; i
Saturday, January 18, 2020
The Aging Workforce
When searching through the help wanted ads there seems to be thousand and thousands of available jobs; this number increases daily as companies have employees leave the organization. More and more employees are retiring or are nearing retirement age; once these employees leave so does all the years of experience acquired during their tenure with the company. This is going on in many industries and one industry that I am personally familiar with is corrections. The corrections industry has a vast number of older, seasoned employees retiring and with each year more are leaving the workforce. Added value of aging workforce when recruitingThe population is aging and as people get older more are leaving the workforce. As those known as baby boomers age and begin to leave the labor force their will be fewer workers available to fill those positions. The majority of specialized jobs, professionals such as educators and managers, and government workers are older workers. With the changing wo rk environment, such as the utilization of technology the HR recognizes the need of older workers in particular to acquire or refresh their skills. New technologies may intimidate older workers that are reluctant to learn the skill; which lack of the skill may limit advancement opportunities.However, more employees are working past the age of 65. This may be for several reasons. Some older people work longer because of a desire to feel â€Å"alive†and needed. Others work because of insufficient retirement plans or financial distress. Whatever the reason is there are many workers passed retirement age still active in the work force. At the state prison where I am employed the majority of managers and supervisory staff are over fifty. There was little room for advancement for new employees because the older workers were not retiring, but working after thirty even forty years of service. Challenges/Issues HR faces from aging workforceOne major issue that employers face with an aging workforce is retaining older employees. Compared with the past, older the number of older workers can be expected to grow disproportionately in the years to come. Organizations losing experienced employees that have skills and knowledge critical to the success of the organization make efforts to convince aging employees to remain with the organization, if only on a part-time basis. When an organization loses experienced workers the HR managers anticipate a loss of knowledge and talent and also offer benefits and flexible scheduling in order to retain employees.Currently, my organization is facing the exact dilemma. In the Records department there are ten employees, six which have been employed over twenty five years and are eligible to retire. Of these six eligible employees, there are four employees that are retiring this year; two of which are the office supervisors. Since HR has learned of their intention it has offered bonuses, salary increases, promotions, and flex schedu les to convince them to stay. None of them have taken the offers and did not consider the option. Another issue is numerous job vacancies in the near future.The recruitment process will be draining on resources such as time, staff, and compensation because of the dwindling pool of younger workers. Moreover, it may be difficult to find new workers with the appropriate skills required to perform job duties effectively. Another issue is health issues such as chronic conditions which may lead to excessive leave time taken by aging employees. However, the implementation of better wellness programs and similar initiatives offers possible ways of avoiding excessive time off for illness. Another issue with the aging workforce will be age discrimination.With older Americans still in the workforce, an increasing number of lawsuits regarding age can be anticipated in the future. â€Å"Thriving†employer brand An employer brand is the image of that an organization. It is a positive way t o promote the organization either among employees or stakeholders. It is that employer brand that attracts potential employees and stakeholders. It is what makes someone want to invest capital and be connected to the organization in some way. According to Minchington and Estis there are six steps to an employer brand.These six steps are determine how branding is viewed within the organization, define the employer brand and project scope, relation between HR, marketing, and communications, discovering the employer brand, CEO and senior management involvement, and communications planning (2009). In my organization the â€Å"thriving†brand is public safety, public service, social responsibility, and striving for excellence. The organization has received a lot of recognition for its efficiency and its stellar performance in keeping the community safe and giving back to the community.The name of the organization alone is a brand in itself and several of our compliance officers tr avel throughout the United States to assist other agencies with becoming a â€Å"thriving†brand as well. There are always new people looking to become employees or those that are writing stories or articles on the organization. Qualitative and quantitative data HR may gather to show value added by aging workforce Qualitative data is characterized attributes and characteristics; quantitative data is measured numerically.HR can use some quantitative data to measure employee productivity. Some of examples would be number of units produced, number of days missed, number of errors, and number of disciplinary action. This information can be tracked monthly, quarterly, or yearly. This can help HR determine if the employee is an average, poor, or great employee. Personally, I think this information can be leading because it does not take contributing factors into account such as illness. An employee could have had no absences for years and then may become ill and had to miss many da ys.If the data collected only shows attendance for the past month it looks as if the employee has poor attendance; which is not true but merely a recent and isolated incident (www. smallbusinesschron. com). Qualitative data is what is gathered through human observations. These observations can include observing workers work habits, attitude, behavior, or any factor that may affect his/her ability to perform their job effectively (www. smallbusinesschron. com). This is reliable information to a point because everyone works differently. What seems counterproductive to one may be effective for another.One also has to consider the observer may not be objective and may see things through tinted glasses. Using both methods can add value to an aging workforce but it can also devalue it as well. Conclusion The aging workforce is definitely a concern for HR because once these people leave the organization there will be many vacancies to fill and a small pool of qualified workers to fill thos e vacancies. Although workers are working longer the future of many organizations are definitely are in jeopardy. As the baby boomers retire and begin to enjoy their golden years there will be no one left in the workforce to replace them.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Prescription Addiction Essay
Addiction by Prescription In this essay, I’m going to explore the abuse of prescription drugs, provide information on the most commonly abused substances, and on the current treatment options available for users. Because of the rise of prescription pill addiction, it is important that people are made aware of the very dangerous effects that these drugs can have on them. The negative effects can result in jail time, illness, and even death. Painkillers, Depressants and Stimulants, are currently the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Years of research has shown that addiction to any drug (illicit or prescribed) causes a brain disease that can be treated effectively. Successful treatment may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, and sometimes the use of addiction medications. Behavioral and pharmacological treatments are both necessary for the recovery of individuals with addictions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is estimated that 48 mi llion people (aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in their lifetime. That’s approximately 20% of the U.S. population. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in prescription drug misuse or abuse. This increase has led to a corresponding increase in ER visits because of accidental overdoses as well as admissions to drug treatment programs for drug addictions. It’s thought that prescription drug addiction is on the rise because there are more drugs available to more people and the opportunity for abuse is greatly increased. Doctor’s are reporting writing more prescriptions for patients than ever before. In addition, you only have to go on the Internet to find high numbers of online pharmacies selling these addictive drugs. People become addicted to prescription drugs for various reasons. One may have an injury or any type of pain and begin to take the drug, and soon become dependent. Some take the drug longer than necessary and take more than the prescribed dosage. Other people have genetically addictive personalities. It just takes one prescription and the drug can quickly b ecome addicting. Prescription drugs can still get you high, just like street drugs. People often don’t realize the impact these medications can have on them because they were prescribed by a doctor so they tend to think they are safe. Some people might abuse prescription drugs because they are more readily accessible than street drugs. It is, unfortunately, very easy to â€Å"doctor shop†and get all of the pills that you want. â€Å"Doctor shopping†is moving from provider to provider in an effort to obtain multiple prescriptions for the drugs an abuser is using.†¨ Vicodin, Oxycodone, OxyContin and Percocet are common painkillers that are abused. Painkillers often contain opioids which are highly addictive and can have a serious effect on the brain. They can cause a â€Å"physical dependence,†meaning the body becomes accustomed. There are also very severe withdrawal symptoms. Depressants, such as Valium and Xanax are drugs that slow brain function. They include sedatives (used to make a person calm and drowsy) and tranquilizers (intended to reduce tension or anxiety). These can cause depression, confusion, exhaustion and irritability and can dangerously diminish heartbeat and respiration. This is especially true when depressants are combined with alcohol and over the counter (OTC) medications. It’s a combination that can even lead to death. Stimulants are a class of drugs intende d to increase energy and alertness. These drugs can increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. Stimulants affect the brain through a slow and steady release of two neurotransmitters; dopamine and norepinephrine. They are used for treating conditions including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and, occasionally, depression. Excessive vomiting, tremors, sweating and anxiety are just some of the risks of abusing stimulants. †¨ Breaking free from prescription drug abuse takes much more than willpower. Fortunately, medications and counseling can improve the chances of success. New treatments like Suboxone, and traditional therapies like methadone and 12-step programs, are helping thousands of people stay on the road to recovery. There are various options such as; Drug Rehab Programs Available from Support Systems Homes, Detoxification, Residential Treatment (Residential Drug Rehab), Outpatient Treatment, and Community-Based Self-Help Groups. Now we have explored the depths and effects of addiction and dependency on prescription drugs. There are many causes for addiction and almost any substance can be dangerous if used improperly. As long as there are new drugs there will always be new developments in the way to treat them. In summation, there are many ways and substances to become addicted too and anyone can be at risk. If the dangers are known it is much easier to combat the problem of substance abuse. Work Cited  ·DRUG FACTS.†Drug Facts. National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, 1 June 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·The Truth About Prescription Drugs. Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Aug. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Ã¢â‚¬ Prescription Drug Abuse Rates Increase in the Western United States, Northwest Now Leading Area of Epidemic.†Yahoo News. Passages Malibu, 3 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Ã¢â‚¬ Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction.†Drug Abuse. National Institue On Drug Abuse, Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Ã¢â‚¬ Prescription Drug Abuse: Addiction, Types, and Treatment.†WebMD. WebMD, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Ã¢â‚¬ Prescription Drug Addiction: Information and Treatment.†Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction. Support Systems Homes Inc, Nov. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .
Thursday, January 2, 2020
The Women s Place At Texas s Children s Hospital
The Women’s Place at Texas’s Children’s Hospital, Pavilion for Women is dedicated to women’s reproductive health. Hormonal changes throughout pregnancy as well as post-pregnancy may affect the woman both emotional and physically. The Women’s Place serves as a program to treat the woman and her family at any point during the reproductive cycle. There are many disorders, issues, planning and management that The Women’s Place can assist with, including; Premenstrual dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), pre-pregnancy planning, infertility issues, fetal center and genetic counseling, prenatal care, psychiatric medication management, postpartum care, assistance during reproductive loss and grief and perimenopause and menopause. Although infection and†¦show more content†¦(2013). However, if the depression symptoms last longer than two weeks, it is important to ask for help. â€Å"Research has revealed that 10% to 20% of new mothers experience more serious postpartum symptoms†(The Women’s Place, 2014). The Women’s Place is a wonderful outlet for new mothers to confide in. If a mother is questioning whether she has postpartum blues or if she has significant postpartum depression, she can first go on The Women’s Place website and take the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Screening Tool. This tool is a 10 question preliminary screening test for depression symptoms that states things such as â€Å"I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things†and asks the new mother to rate how she feels from 0-3, â€Å"As much as I always could†to â€Å"Not at all.†This community resource utilizes nurses in several different methods in order to help women with postpartum. In this program, nurses are members of the profession because they assess and evaluate the patient needs and communicate with the medical team the care needed to be implemented in order to provide the patient with the proper resources, to promote a successful and positive postpartum experience. As well as working with members of the health care profession to assist the patient for an optimal outcome for the mother and baby.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)