Abstract: A method of avoiding collisions among a plurality of transmitters that communicate asynchronously in relation to each other with a single receiver. The transmission scheme utilizes a randomization process to minimize the probability of collision among transmitted signals from different non synchronized transmitters, thus achieving improved overall link quality for each transmitter and improved system performance. The method has applications to many types of communications systems including frequency hopping spread spectrum communications systems. Transmitters send data in a burst of data packets, each sent during a time slot within the burst. Each time slot is divided into two or more sub time slots. During each time slot, one of the sub time slots is randomly chosen and the data packet is transmitted during that particular sub time slot. The larger the number of sub time slots used results in lower probability of complete transmission loss.

Abstract: A single voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) running at a closed loop controlled fundamental frequency whereby the harmonic products generated by the VCO are used for both transmission and reception. The use of a single VCO and associated supporting circuitry for both transmit and receive portions of the circuit serves to reduce the cost of the transceiver. The radio transceiver comprises a single synthesized oscillator having high harmonic content. The frequency conversions in the receiver make use of the harmonic frequency components of the same oscillator used in performing modulation during transmission.

Abstract: A novel inductor termed a suspended printed inductor (SPI) and an LC-type printed filter constructed using the suspended printed inductor is disclosed. The LC-type suspended printed filter is formed over any suitable substrate material, such as a dielectric substrate, with greatly reduced effects on filter performance due to the characteristics of the material. SPIs are characterized by the absence of a ground plane. A ground plane may physically still exist but it is located at a sufficient distance form the printed circuit board such that the distance can be considered virtual infinity from an RF circuit perspective. A number of different types of inductors can be fashioned as a suspended printed type inductor, including serpentine line inductors or transmission line inductors. The suspended printed inductor can be utilized to construct numerous types of filters such as low pass, high pass, band pass, band stop or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A novel RF antenna and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. With this novel antenna the energy radiates in all directions including both left hand and right hand polarizations. In one embodiment of the invention, the antenna consists of two equal size rectangularly shaped conductive sheets positioned in parallel with each other. The side dimensions are nearly a half wavelength of the center frequency. The rectangle is nearly a square with one dimension slightly larger than the other. The feed point is at any of the corners. The difference in side dimensions cause the antenna to resonate at two adjacent frequencies, one slightly above the working frequency and the other slightly below. This creates a phase difference between the orthogonal modes of operation at the working frequency. A 90 degree phase difference generates circular polarization.