Abstract
We report the first experimental observation of optical spatial shock-wave pairs. The shock waves consist of two coupled kink and antikink beams that remain locked to each other throughout propagation in a nonlinear diffusion-driven photorefractive crystal. These coupled shock-wave pairs move undistorted at angles that fall outside their original angular sector of propagation.

Abstract
In this work several numerical methods, usually used to obtain the reflectivity spectrum of Bragg gratings, are studied and general conditions required for each method are analyzed and evidenced. The results are validated by comparison with a closed form analytical solution. For gratings where the solution is not evident, Rouard's method was used as the reference solution. © 2003 IEEE.

Abstract
In this work several numerical methods, usually used to obtain the reflectivity spectrum of Bragg gratings, are studied and general conditions required for each method are analyzed and evidenced. The results are validated by comparison with a closed form analytical solution. For gratings where the solution is not evident, Rouard's method was used as the reference solution.

Abstract
The main purpose of this research was to create a portable equipment capable of measuring colour and turbidity during production of port wine. Actually, human, chemical and colour analysis are performed in key production stages for quality control. Several wine transformation processes are done without any kind of control. By using a fibre optic illuminator with a tungsten/halogen light source and a small spectrometer with fibre optic input, it was possible to perform angular measurements in wine samples. We have adapted these optical devices with a specially designed mechanical equipment which allows the passage of the wine during production. The spectral measurements were acquired in four different angular positions in a bypass of the mechanical support. This way we could determine colour coordinates and spectral transmittance and turbidity for three stages of a Ruby production. The entire equipment assembly had been previously calibrated in terms of colour and turbidity determination. The obtained results are in agreement with wine transformations between measurements, showing a small variation in colour and a high diminishing in spectral turbidity when filtration was performed. Transmittance has also increased after filtration turning the wine more limpid as it should be for human appreciation.

Abstract
A method for the in-circuit functional testing of SigmaDelta modulators is described which can be built in large integrated circuits or systems-on-chip. It allows for measuring gain and phase, as well as total harmonic distortion and signal to noise and harmonic distortion ratio parameters. This method can be built in-circuit using existing computational resources, such as digital signal processors or (re)configurable logic, which can therefore be used to implement both mission and test operations. Both simulation and experimental results were obtained which are in close agreement with those expected from the theory.

Abstract
The paper presents an end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) architecture suitable for IP communications scenarios that include UMTS access networks. The rationale for the architecture is justified and its main features are described, notably the QoS management functions on the terminal equipment, the mapping between IP and UMTS QoS parameters and the negotiation of these parameters.