Abstract: A system and method of providing a broadband patch antenna includes a main patch having a first strip and a second strip positioned about a ground strip extending from a ground plane, wherein at least a portion of the first strip of the main patch is disposed above the ground strip and forms a first radiating edge with the ground strip, and at least a portion of the second strip of the main patch is disposed below the ground strip and forms a second radiating edge with the ground plane. A parasitic patch is coupled to the main patch along at least a portion of a non-radiating edge of the main patch, and the parasitic patch includes a first strip and a second strip, wherein at least a portion of the first strip of the parasitic patch is disposed above the ground strip and at least a portion of the second strip of the parasitic patch is disposed below the ground strip.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a broadband patch antenna includes a main patch having a first strip and a second strip positioned about a ground strip extending from a ground plane, wherein at least a portion of the first strip of the main patch is disposed above the ground strip and forms a first radiating edge with the ground strip, and at least a portion of the second strip of the main patch is disposed below the ground strip and forms a second radiating edge with the ground plane. A parasitic patch is coupled to the main patch along at least a portion of a non-radiating edge of the main patch, and the parasitic patch includes a first strip and a second strip, wherein at least a portion of the first strip of the parasitic patch is disposed above the ground strip and at least a portion of the second strip of the parasitic patch is disposed below the ground strip.

Abstract: A geometrically shaped acoustic polymer ribbon with shape memory, high conductivity, high toughness. A method of manufacturing the ribbon comprises: forming a sized, elongated, coated or coatable polymeric substrate film between a pair of opposed, geometrically shaped dies, pinching the dies about the polymeric substrate film to form an assembly, heating the dies and the pinched die and polymeric film assembly to a temperature of at about 300 degrees F. for a period of about 15 minutes to set the elongated film into a predetermined geometric pattern, cooling the assembly, removing the film from the dies; and if not already coated, coating the geometrically formed, set, elongated film with a conductive coating.

Abstract: A communications system, e.g., a wireless microphone, incorporates a quadrature modulator system to reduce power consumption with respect to traditional approaches and is general in nature to support any two-dimensional digital technique. The quadrature modulator system comprises different subsystems, including a digital-analog transformation circuit, a baseband filter, and a quadrature modulator. The digital-analog transformation circuit converts discrete time samples to a continuous time signal, and further includes an oversampling noise-shaping modulator such as a sigma-delta modulator. The baseband filter then removes out-of-band energy including sampling images and quantization noise. Some of the circuit components may comprise discrete devices that may result in a reduction of power consumption for the quadrature modulator system. Alternatively, some or all of the circuit components may be incorporated in a single electronic device.

Abstract: A RF distribution system determines its configuration and verifies the consistency of the determined configuration. Based on a device identifier, the RF distribution system may individually instruct each RF component to provide a generated signal. Consequently, a first RF component may modulate a signal on a first port. If a second RF component detects a modulated signal on a second port, then the RF distribution system deems that the two RF components are connected together. The procedure may be repeated for the remaining RF components so that the RF configuration of the RF distribution system may be determined. The determined RF configuration may be further verified for operational consistency. The RF distribution system may also scan a RF spectrum, determine a set of frequencies that provides RF compatibility with the RF distribution system based on the scanning, and configure the RF components in accordance with the set of frequencies.

Abstract: A composite membrane acoustic transducer structure comprising a magnet assembly is arranged adjacent the composite membrane material. The magnet assembly is arranged to produce a flux field. A first layer of thin, elongate composite membrane material is held under tension. A second conductive layer is attached to the first layer of composite membrane material wherein the first and second layers of membrane material are arranged adjacent, generally parallel and offset from the magnet assembly. The assembly is arranged to produce the flux field through at least part of the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A ribbonned microphone assembly, for adjustable sound receiving capabilities, including a transducer having a surrounding flux frame for positioning at least two magnets adjacent a suspended ribbon between the magnets. An array of receiving apertures is arranged in the flux frame. At least one curved return ring positioned in the receiving apertures to create a return path for magnetic flux in the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus that improve processing of acoustic signals by reducing acoustic feedback in an acoustic system. An aspect of the invention is a multi-channel digital feedback reducer (DFR) system that comprises a plurality of channel elements. Each channel element comprises a notch filter configuration having an adaptive notch filter and an operative notch filter. The operative notch filter processes a signal received from an acoustic input device and provides the processed signal to an acoustic output device, in which acoustic feedback between the acoustic input device and the acoustic output device is ameliorated. If acoustic feedback is detected by a channel element, the channel element informs other channel elements of the multi-channel DFR system about the detected feedback to ensure that all channel elements may incorporate the same notch filters. During the notification, the other channel elements may continue searching for feedback on the associated channels.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising a housing, the housing including an upper lip, a silicon backplate having a top portion, a bottom portion, an annular side portion, a silicon spacer integrally formed with the backplate and comprising at least one protrusion extending from and integral to the top portion of the silicon backplate, the spacer further comprising an insulating layer, such as silicon dioxide or a fluoropolymer. A plurality of openings extend from the top portion of the backplate to the bottom portion of the backplate. A single diaphragm, comprised of metallized polymer film, acts as both a protective environmental barrier and a sensing electrode of a capacitive electroacoustic sensing transducer. A metal ring is positioned against the upper lip of the metal housing. The diaphragm is adhesively affixed to the ring, and the ring, in cooperation with the upper lip and a spring, secure the diaphragm against the insulating layer of the spacer.

Abstract: The invention provides a microphone for the simultaneous pickup of both ambient background noise and speech in vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft, and marine vessels. The apparatus provides a plurality of cartridges that simultaneously exhibit frequency and polar response characteristics tailored to noise and speech, respectively. In an embodiment of the invention, a single housing contains both a directional microphone and an omni-directional microphone for use in an automobile. In an alternative embodiment, a microphone array having both directional and omni-directional outputs are derived from microphones contained in a single enclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for a helical antenna assembly that are constructed by placing a metallic tape strip diagonally onto non-metallic tape. The tape assembly is then rolled on a dielectric core. The metallic tape strip is coupled to an electrical connector and a center conductor that is located through the center of the dielectric core. The tape assembly may include one or two tabs that are bent over the ends the dielectric core to prevent the tape assembly from separating from the dielectric core. The tabs may be pinned by eyelets that are affixed to the center conductor. The pitch of the conductive portion of the tape assembly is determined to provide desired electrical characteristics when the tape assembly is wrapped around the dielectric core. The conductive portion of the tape assembly may be trimmed to obtain desired electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A low-cost diversity antenna switching system and method is realized by controlling bias voltages on PIN diodes. By increasing the reverse bias voltage impressed upon a PIN diode, an RF signal impressed upon the diode is increasingly attenuated. As the PIN diode is forward biased to conduct in the forward direction, RF attenuation decreases. Two or more PIN diodes are used to increasingly attenuate signals from one antenna as attenuation of signals from another antenna is gradually decreased. The progression of the bias voltages is accomplished using a microprocessor that monitors a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal from a radio receiver. The RSSI is used to control which of two antennas are coupled into the receiver by predicting a signal fade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications headset. The headset comprises a housing that includes a speaker driver. The headset further comprises a nozzle for insertion into an ear canal. The nozzle is coupled to the housing. The headset additionally comprises an acoustically isolating ear piece coupled to the nozzle, the ear piece and the housing providing of acoustic isolation from ambient sound over the range of audible frequencies. The headset further comprises a microphone.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising a housing, the housing including an upper lip, a silicon backplate having a top portion, a bottom portion, an annular side portion, a silicon spacer integrally formed with the backplate and comprising at least one protrusion extending from and integral to the top portion of the silicon backplate, the spacer further comprising an insulating layer, such as silicon dioxide or a fluoropolymer. A plurality of openings extend from the top portion of the backplate to the bottom portion of the backplate. A single diaphragm, comprised of metallized polymer film, acts as both a protective environmental barrier and a sensing electrode of a capacitive electroacoustic sensing transducer. A metal ring is positioned against the upper lip of the metal housing. The diaphragm is adhesively affixed to the ring, and the ring, in cooperation with the upper lip and a spring, secure the diaphragm against the insulating layer of the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus that improve processing of acoustic signals by reducing acoustic feedback in an acoustic system. An aspect of the invention is a multi-channel digital feedback reducer (DFR) system that comprises a plurality of channel elements. Each channel element comprises a notch filter configuration having an adaptive notch filter and an operative notch filter. The operative notch filter processes a signal received from an acoustic input device and provides the processed signal to an acoustic output device, in which acoustic feedback between the acoustic input device and the acoustic output device is ameliorated. If acoustic feedback is detected by a channel element, the channel element informs other channel elements of the multi-channel DFR system about the detected feedback to ensure that all channel elements may incorporate the same notch filters. During the notification, the other channel elements may continue searching for feedback on the associated channels.