Patents Assigned to Northern Microdesign Inc.
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Patent number: 9391669Abstract: A method of communication over a composite cable having a plurality of conductors, the method including placing an inductive coupler around the composite cable, coupling the composite cable to a signal input or output using the inductive coupler around the composite cable to communicate a signal to or from the composite cable, wherein the signal is communicated across the composite cable from a first location to a second location, wherein the inductive coupler is at one of the first location and the second location.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Patent number: 8989243Abstract: A power line carrier modem is configured for coupling to AC power lines. The power line carrier modem includes a processor, an output from the processor, a plurality of inputs to the processor, and a directional coupler operatively connected to the output, the plurality of inputs, and the AC power lines. The power line carrier modem may further include a digital-to-analog-converter operatively connected to the output from the processor. The output from the processor may be an output bus. The power line carrier modem further includes an analog-to-digital-converter operatively connected to the plurality of inputs to the processor. The power line carrier modem may be configured to perform Vector Network Analysis functions. The power line carrier modem may be configured to indicate PLC modem transmit frequencies being reflected from the AC power lines or the line coupler. The transmitter functions may be implemented in software by the processor to provide a transmit output on the output line.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Patent number: 8489086Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Patent number: 8488654Abstract: A method for spread-spectrum communication includes forming a complex valued chipping sequence and then using the complex valued chipping sequence to spread or despread data. According to another method, a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio performs the steps of receiving a radio-frequency signal and then identifying frequencies within the radio-frequency signal which are associated with noise sources. The DSSS radio then self-adjusts to reduce effects of the noise sources or to reduce interference created by the radio upon other communication channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Patent number: 8483656Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Publication number: 20120320998Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: NORTHERN MICRODESIGN, INC.Inventor: William C. Black
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Publication number: 20120106656Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: NORTHERN MICRODESIGN, INC.Inventor: William C. Black
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Patent number: 8116714Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventor: William C. Black
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Publication number: 20100150215Abstract: Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: NORTHERN MICRODESIGN, INC.Inventor: WILLIAM C. BLACK
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Publication number: 20050248022Abstract: An electronic circuit component mounting system for mounting electronic circuit components on a substrate for an electronic circuit component having an electrically conductive bonding pad on an interconnection surface thereof and a substrate having a trace supporting surface with an electrically conductive trace thereon. The interconnections between the traces and pads are formed so that they differ in shape or position, or both, along the lengths thereof as positioned over a conductive layer, but adjacent pairs used to carry differential signals may not be positioned over such a layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Applicant: Northern Microdesign, Inc.Inventors: Nader Badr, William Black
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Patent number: 4864274Abstract: An information transmission system using a pair of transmission interconnections to supply power from a collection station to an operating station, and to transmit information back based on the collection station providing a changing voltage on the two interconnections and the operating station modulating the amount of current drawn about a reference current to represent information.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignee: Northern Microdesign Inc.Inventor: William C. Black