Abstract
In this paper we address the accurate estimation of the frequency of sinusoids of natural signals such as singing, voice or music. These signals are intrinsicly harmonic and are normally contaminated by noise. Taking the Cramér-Rao Lower Bound for unbiased frequency estimators as a reference, we compare the performance of several DFT-based frequency estimators that are non-iterative and that use the rectangular window or the Hanning window. Tests conditions simulate harmonic interference and two new ArcTan-based frequency estimators are also included in the tests. Conclusions are presented on the relative performance of the different frequency estimators as a function of the SNR. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
The accurate estimation of the frequency of sinusoids is a frequent problem in many signal processing problems including the real-time analysis of the singing voice. In this paper we rely on a single DFT magnitude spectrum in order to perform frequency estimation in a non-iterative way. Two new frequency estimation methods are derived that are matched to the time analysis window and that reduce the maximum absolute estimation error to about 0.1% of the bin width of the DFT. The performance of these methods is evaluated including the parabolic method as a reference, and considering the influence of noise. A combined model is proposed that offers higher noise robustness than that of a single model. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
Technological evolution is leading telecommunications to all-IP networks where multiple services are transported as IP packets. Among these are the group communications services with confidentiality requirements. Secure IP multicast may be used to secure the broadcast of video channels. However, in scenarios such as cable TV where the concept of video channel and bundle are present, groups are very large, and users switch very rapidly between channels (zapping), a sort of problems still need to be addressed. The solution proposed in this paper addresses these problems. For that purpose, a centralized form of secure group communications is proposed also used to transmit, not data, but group cryptographic material. Threes types of cryptographic keys are used. End systems use this material to decrypt the data sent by the content providers.

Abstract
Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs), which feature infrastructureless broadband network configurations, are attracting attention as an elemental technology when it comes to the extension of current WLAN infrastructures. State of the art solutions addressing WMNs usually assume the use of omnidirectional antennas. In this paper we evaluate the performance improvements obtained when using directional antennas. By using simulations, we analyze the gains in terms of throughput, delay and fairness, considering a grid network topology used to extend an infrastructure network. Simulation results show that by changing the type of antenna in use from omnidirectional to directional, the average throughput of a WMN can increase about 56% and the average network delay can be reduced by approximately 40%, without compromising fairness. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
P2P Video Streaming has become a reliable and efficient solution for distributing video on the Internet. Similarly to regular P2P file-sharing, all the participating nodes exchange information. Wireless Mesh Networks, in turn, can be seen as a cost-effective solution to extend Internet access networks. In this paper we propose improvements to P2P Video Streaming. These improvements can provide gains in scenarios where the service is deployed over Wireless Mesh Networks and the nodes are simultaneously peers and packet forwarders. By using cross-layer interactions between application and network layers, we show that the proposed improvements reduce substantially the amount of traffic in the network. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper addresses Wireless Networks for Metropolitan Transports (WNMT), a class of moving or vehicle-to-infrastructure networks that may be used by public transportation systems to provide broadband access to their vehicles, stops, and passengers. We propose the WiMetroNet, a WNMT that is auto-configurable and scalable. It is based on a new Ad hoc routing protocol, the Wireless Metropolitan Routing Protocol (WMRP), which, coupled with data plane optimizations, was designed to be scalable to thousands of nodes. © 2010 IEEE.