Shuo Fang Liu

FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation Mission: Preliminary Results

The Formosa Satellite-3 and Constellation Observing System for the Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC) radio occultation (RO) mission has been successfully launched on April 14, 2006. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission uses global positioning system (GPS) signals to study the atmosphere and the ionosphere with global coverage. Receivers that are installed onboard of the six small FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellites register the phase and the amplitude of radio waves at two GPS frequencies. We give a preliminary analysis of the first RO measurements that are provided by the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission. The geographical distribution of the first FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC RO experiments is shown. We demonstrate that the performance of the first measurements allows obtaining the vertical profiles of the refractivity, temperature, and pressure for the considered FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC RO events with expected accuracy, which is quite similar to the accuracy of the previous Challenging Mini-Satellite Payload and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment RO missions. New elements in the RO technology are suggested for further improving the accuracy and broadening the application range of the RO method. We emphasize new directions in applying the RO method to measure the vertical gradients of the refractivity in the atmosphere, to determine the temperature regime in the upper stratosphere, and to investigate the internal wave activity in the atmosphere. We find a significant correlation between the phase acceleration and the intensity variations in the RO signals that are emitted by GPS satellites and registered by the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellites. This correlation opens a way to locate the layered structures in the propagation medium based on simultaneous observations of the radio wave intensity and the phase variations in trans-ionospheric satellite-to-satellite links.

Effects of the ionosphere and solar activity on radio occultation signals: Application to CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload satellite observations

[1]xa0We analyze the ionospheric effect on the phase and amplitude of radio occultation (RO) signal. The introduced theoretical model predicts a correlation between the phase acceleration and intensity variations of RO signal and opens a way to locate layered structures in the propagation medium, in particular, in trans-ionospheric satellite-to-satellite links. For considered CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) RO events, the locations of the inclined plasma layers in the lower ionosphere are estimated, and the electron density distribution is retrieved. By analysis of the CHAMP RO data, we reveal the dependence of the intensity variations of RO signal on sharp changes in the DST index and on the local time. Maps of the seasonal, geographical, and temporal distributions of the CHAMP RO events with amplitude scintillations, having high S4 index values, and observed during the years 2001–2004 indicate dependence on solar activity. As follows from this analysis, the GPS signals in the trans-ionospheric links can be used for investigating the location and parameters of inclined plasma layers and monitoring the influence of solar activity on the ionosphere with global coverage.

A scale development of industrial designer ability index through quality function deployment and grey relational analysis methods

In recent years, the design and development capabilities, which provided products with vitality and value, had become one of the key factors in transforming and upgrading enterprises. Also, the industrial design ability had become a powerful weapon in enhancing business competitiveness. This study aimed at developing a self-assessment scale to evaluate the pre-service capabilities of industrial design students and it was found to be useful also in analyzing the ability levels of professional designer after the self-assessment scale was established. According to the literature review and interviews with experts, this study summarized the categories and indicators of professional abilities of industrial designers. Next, grey relational analysis was applied for analyzing these categories and indicators, then the weight between these indicators were determined through the method of quality function deployment, and finally, these indicators were further transferred into questions to become a pre-service self-assessment scale with 70 items, named industrial design ability index questionnaire. The industrial design ability index assessment scale was validated using 211 college students ranging from freshman to senior year. The industrial design ability index score shows a direct relationship between designer skills and years in school from freshman to senior year and verified that the industrial design ability index is able to assess the level of experiences of an industrial designer.

Application of GPS radio occultation method for observation of the internal waves in the atmosphere

Received 1 February 2005; revised 10 October 2005; accepted 20 December 2005; published 24 March 2006. [1] In this study, we show that the amplitude radio occultation (RO) method, which employs high-precision global positioning system (GPS) signals, allows one to determine the vertical gradients of refractivity and monitor wave structures in the atmosphere on a global scale at altitudes ranging from 10 to 40 km. We show that the sensitivity of the RO amplitude data to the wave structures in the atmosphere with vertical periods from 0.8 to 4 km exceeds one of the RO phase data by a factor of order 10. As an example of this approach, analytical results of the Challenging Minisatellite Payload’s (CHAMP) RO events are presented. Wave clusters were found in the amplitude variations of the RO signals with interior vertical periods from 0.8 to 4 km in the tropopause and lower stratosphere within the heights of 15–24 km (low latitudes) to 10–15 km (moderate latitudes). We demonstrate that the amplitude variations can be considered as a radioholographic image of the wave structures in the atmosphere. For internal gravity waves (GW), we show that the GW portrait, which consists of the altitude dependence of the GW phase, amplitude and vertical spatial frequency, can be retrieved from the amplitude variations of the RO signal. The GW dispersion and polarization relationships allow one to estimate the vertical profile of the horizontal wind perturbations, its gradient and the GW intrinsic phase speed. In general, when the origin and type of internal waves are not known, the height dependence of the vertical gradient of refractivity can be applied for monitoring the seasonal and geographical distributions of wave activities at different levels in the atmosphere.

A brief fatigue inventory of shoulder health developed by quality function deployment technique

BACKGROUNDnThe purpose of this study was to develop a diagnostic outcome instrument that has high reliability and low cost. The scale, called the Shoulder Fatigue Scale-30 Items (SFS-30) risk assessment, was used to determine the severity of patient neck and shoulder discomfort.nnnMETHODSnThe quality function deployment (QFD) technique was used in designing and developing a simple medical diagnostic scale with high degree of accuracy.nnnRESULTSnResearch data can be used to divide the common causes of neck and shoulder discomfort into 6 core categories: occupation, cumulative, psychologic, diseases, diet, and sleep quality. The SFS-30 was validated by using a group of individuals who had been previously diagnosed with different levels of neck and shoulder symptoms. The SFS-30 assessment determined that 78.57% of the participants experienced a neck and shoulder discomfort level above the SFS-30 risk curve and required immediate medical attention.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe QFD technique can improve the accuracy and reliability of an assessment outcome instrument. This is mainly because the QFD technique is effective in prioritizing and assigning weight to the items in the scale. This research successfully developed a reliable risk assessment scale to diagnose neck and shoulder symptoms using QFD technique. This scale was proven to have high accuracy and closely represents reality.

A study of innovative product marketing strategies for technological SMEs

Abstract New technologies and product developments are the core for small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to maintain their long-term competitiveness. A framework which links enterprise management to product technological developments is provided via longterm product and technology plans. The goal is to plan products which satisfy customer requirements and to ensure technologies and products are developed timely and it is also an important topic to fit in with the market trend. This study began with research references related to resources, core technological values, innovative product benefits, and marketing strategies for SMEs. The analyses include the establishment of new business, development of core technical capability and cross-platform products, and a successful business model of brand marketing strategy. The concept of technology diamond model (TDM) was proposed to technological SMEs along with the technology, product and marketing strategy (TPM). The way of introducing this strategy into actual practices during the transformation process of SMEs was also investigated. The purpose is to provide a systematic process so as to proceed with plans of product and technology developments against basic market and customer requirements. It is thus necessary to develop a set of marketing strategies which meet enterprises’ requirements so as to contribute to enterprises’ sustainable development and keep their competitiveness.

A case study on FMEA-based quality improvement of packaging designs in the TFT-LCD industry

Nowadays enterprises are encountering diversified customer requirements, and using market information well is critical to product development. It is extremely important to conduct risk planning, prevent potential failures, and reduce uncertain factors by transforming customer requirements into exact development targets. This study is based on the method of quality function deployment (QFD) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). The package design for semi-finished products of thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) modules in the photoelectricity industry was selected as a case study. First, customers conducted a questionnaire survey which helped determine the items they demanded. Second, QFD has been combined with FMEA to serve as the standard of evaluating the importance of customer requirements. Through mutual assessments and investigations by QFD and design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA), the key factors of a product design can be determined. The results of design of experiments verified that this method indeed effectively reduced defective products and customer complaints. The average number of customer complaints per year has been reduced from 9.5 to just only one after the introduction of the proposed method, which has been verified to assist in rapidly developing new products during the early design stage. This approach also reduces possible losses and enhances competitiveness.

Developing New Gesture Design Mode in Smartphone Use for Elders

This article is aimed to design new hand gesture mode of smartphone for better used by the elderly. The method first use focus grouping to find out the most difficult use hand gestures for the elderly. Secondly, we develop new gesture mode with one-finger gesture. Finally, we compare the traditional gesture with new design gesture mode. Results show that 1 use two fingers as gesture are the most difficult for the elderly; 2 new design mode are better than traditional mode statistically significant in usability evaluation. Accordingly, we suggest the new design gesture mode may be as one solution to substitute the traditional gesture mode for the elderly.

A Simple and Reliable Health Monitoring System For Shoulder Health: Proposal

Background The current health care system is complex and inefficient. A simple and reliable health monitoring system that can help patients perform medical self-diagnosis is seldom readily available. Because the medical system is vast and complex, it has hampered or delayed patients in seeking medical advice or treatment in a timely manner, which may potentially affect the patient’s chances of recovery, especially those with severe sicknesses such as cancer, and heart disease. Objective The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology in designing a simple, low cost, Internet-based health-screening platform. Methods This health-screening platform will enable patients to perform medical self-diagnosis over the Internet. Historical data has shown the importance of early detection to ensure patients receive proper treatment and speedy recovery. Results The platform is designed with special emphasis on the user interface. Standard Web-based user-interface design is adopted so the user feels ease to operate in a familiar Web environment. In addition, graphics such as charts and graphs are used generously to help users visualize and understand the result of the diagnostic. The system is developed using hypertext preprocessor (PHP) programming language. One important feature of this system platform is that it is built to be a stand-alone platform, which tends to have better user privacy security. The prototype system platform was developed by the National Cheng Kung University Ergonomic and Design Laboratory. Conclusions The completed prototype of this system platform was submitted to the Taiwan Medical Institute for evaluation. The evaluation of 120 participants showed that this platform system is a highly effective tool in health-screening applications, and has great potential for improving the medical care quality for the general public.

A Study of the Factors Affecting the Usability of Smart Phone Screen Protectors for the Elderly

The issues arising from ageing societies have received worldwide attention. Many studies have pointed out that mobile technology can positively assist the elderly with smartphones being the most prevalent. The low sensitivity of finger touch and the slow response of a smartphone’s interface may affect the finger coordination and stability of the elderly on the touch screen interface. A large number of studies suggest that the sense of touch can provide smartphone users to experience richer interaction than audio visual communications alone. Therefore, the reason for using the four different smartphone screen protector materials (Anti-Smudge (AS), Anti-Smudge and Glare (ASG), Blue Light Cut (BLC), and Tempered Glass (TG)) for this experiment on smartphone users aged 50 and above. Each material is scored with a usability evaluation method in order to obtain the superior screen protector in regards to usability for the elderly. The results from the experiments found that TG was the most suitable for elderly, followed by ASG, and then AS. It also showed that the thickness of the smartphone screen protectors do not affect elderly users when manipulating the screen surface. However, smooth surfaced, matte touch material with a translucent visual exterior seems to be the most suitable for elderly smartphone users.