This paper introduces a methodology for hardware-software co-implementation, designed to simplify the System-on-Chip (SoC) design process when attempting to time-multiplex hardware. The approach streamlines the transformation of complex algorithms into efficient SoC implementations by providing a recipe for seamless hardware-software partitioning. As a case study, the methodology is applied to the Extrapolated Single Propagation Particle Filter algorithm for geo-locating sources of radio frequency interference and results demonstrate a considerable speed-up when using a time-multiplexed implementation.

High-Level Synthesis (HLS) is a common approach for programming Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) across various applications. HLS tools enable novice hardware designers to synthesize Register Transfer Level (RTL) representations from high-level software programming languages. However, adhering to a specific coding style and understanding the performance disparities post-synthesis can challenge new HLS users. This work introduces an Instruction Block Diagram (IBD) framework using inputs from the Vitis HLS Schedule Viewer to enhance the understanding of HLS compiler interpretation for the user code and guide optimization to improve efficiency.

The difference in binaural benefit between bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users and normal hearing (NH) listeners has typically been attributed to CI sound coding strategies not encoding the acoustic fine structure (FS) interaural time differences (ITD). The Temporal Limits Encoder (TLE) strategy is proposed as a potential way of improving binaural hearing benefits for CI users in noisy situations. TLE works by downward-transposition of mid-frequency band-limited channel information and can theoretically provide FS-ITD cues. In this work, the effect of choice of lower limit of the modulator in TLE was examined by measuring performance on a word recognition task and computing the magnitude of binaural benefit in bilateral CI users. Performance listening with the TLE strategy was compared with the commonly used Advanced Combinational Encoder (ACE) CI sound coding strategy. Results showed that setting the lower limit to ≥200 Hz maintained word recognition performance comparable to that of ACE. While most CI listeners exhibited a large binaural benefit (≥6 dB) in at least one of the conditions tested, there was no systematic relationship between the lower limit of the modulator and performance. These results indicate that the TLE strategy has potential to improve binaural hearing abilities in CI users but further work is needed to understand how binaural benefit can be maximized.

Agile development approaches emphasize working software, customer collaboration, adaptation, and a strong commitment to achieving business results. In this article, we use the Human Capital Theory as the rationale for why IT professionals possessing agile skills garner salary benefits. We then employ a Human Capital Model to estimate the benefits. Further, we investigate two specific categories of IT job types: software application development professionals and IT professionals at the strategic level of organizations. Our Human Capital Model was fit using a data set from an online survey of IT professionals with 12,893 respondents. Our results confirm the Agile benefits with an overall salary premium of 22.6%. We also specifically discuss the various premiums across application development job titles as well as strategic positions. Based on our findings, we draw practical implications for both IT professionals and management.

We present a method for simulating a near-field sound source in virtual auditory space (VAS). The method scales individualised HRTFs, measured at a distance of 1m to arbitrary distances in the near-field. It uses a model of the acoustic scattering for a point-source on a rigid sphere to calculate a distance variation function (DVF) to apply to the HRTFs. A sound localisation experiment was conducted in VAS with three subjects to evaluate the acoustic spatial fidelity of this method. Results show that with the modified HRTFs directional localisation is generally maintained at different distances and there is reasonable correlation between the perceived distance and target distance for distances up to 50cm from the centre of the subject's head.