Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a system that includes an autonomous vehicle (referred to herein as a drone) which is controlled by a self-organizing network (SON) to expand the capabilities of a cellular network in real time. In one embodiment, the SON monitors the cellular network and identifies congestion or capacity issues where the cell towers covering the geographic region may be unable to satisfy the large number of requests for data by the users in the region. Once a congestion or capacity issue is detected, the SON determines whether dispatching a drone access point (AP) may improve or resolve the issue. In one example, the drone AP is an autonomous vehicle that includes a radio that permits the drone to serve as a mobile cell site for the cellular network.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a system that includes an autonomous vehicle (referred to herein as a drone) which is controlled by a self-organizing network (SON) to expand the capabilities of a cellular network in real time. In one embodiment, the SON monitors the cellular network and identifies congestion or capacity issues where the cell towers covering the geographic region may be unable to satisfy the large number of requests for data by the users in the region. Once a congestion or capacity issue is detected, the SON determines whether dispatching a drone access point (AP) may improve or resolve the issue. In one example, the drone AP is an autonomous vehicle that includes a radio that permits the drone to serve as a mobile cell site for the cellular network.

Abstract: Embodiments herein use a real-time closed-loop system to optimize a wireless network. The system includes a drone controlled by a self-organizing network (SON) to retrieve RF data corresponding to the wireless network. In one embodiment, the SON provides the drone with a predetermined path through the coverage area of the wireless network. As the drone traverses the path, a RF scanner mounted on the drone collects RF data. The drone transmits this data to the SON which processes the RF data to identify problems in the wireless network (e.g., cell tower interference). The SON generates one or more actions for correcting the identified problem and transmits these actions to a wireless network controller. Once the wireless network controller performs the action, the SON instructs the drone to re-traverse the portion of the path to determine if the problem has been resolved.

Abstract: Embodiments herein use a real-time system to conduct a line of sight (LOS) survey between radio sites. The system includes a drone controlled by a UAV LOS System (ULS) server to gather information regarding the LOS path between the radio sites. In one embodiment, the ULS server instructs the UAV to travel a LOS path between a first location and a second location, and determine a Fresnel radius at one or more defined locations along the LOS path between the first location and the second location. The ULS server determines a Fresnel zone between the first location and second location based in part on the determined Fresnel radius for each of the defined locations along the LOS path. The ULS server evaluates the Fresnel zone to determine if the LOS path can support a LOS wireless communication link.

Abstract: A method for controlling a modular converter with a plurality of converter modules includes: selecting possible future switching sequences of the converter based on an actual converter switching state; predicting a future current trajectory for each switching sequence based on actual internal currents and on actual internal voltages; and determining candidate sequences from the switching sequences, wherein a candidate sequence is a switching sequence with a current trajectory that respects predefined bounds with respect to a reference current or, when a predefined bound is violated, moves the current closer to such a predefined bound. The method includes predicting future module voltages for each candidate sequence; evaluating a cost function for each candidate sequence; and selecting the next converter switching state as a first converter switching state of a candidate sequence with minimal costs.

Abstract: Embodiments herein use a real-time closed-loop system to optimize a wireless network. The system includes a drone controlled by a self-organizing network (SON) to retrieve RF data corresponding to the wireless network. In one embodiment, the SON provides the drone with a predetermined path through the coverage area of the wireless network. As the drone traverses the path, a RF scanner mounted on the drone collects RF data. The drone transmits this data to the SON which processes the RF data to identify problems in the wireless network (e.g., cell tower interference). The SON generates one or more actions for correcting the identified problem and transmits these actions to a wireless network controller. Once the wireless network controller performs the action, the SON instructs the drone to re-traverse the portion of the path to determine if the problem has been resolved.

Abstract: A dataset including boundary representations of shapes associated with an item being designed for manufacture is accessed by a semantic processing module. A semantic graph of each of the boundary representations of shapes is generated and a numerical processing module computes geometric attributes of each of the shapes. The semantic graph of a shape is updated based on any geometric attributes computed for the shape. The semantic graphs are then compared to a repository of semantic graphs of manufacturing features to identify instances of manufacturing features. Geometric attributes associated with each instance of a manufacturing feature are then computed. For each instance, the associated geometric attributes are compared against a repository of semantic manufacturing rules to determine whether the instance is in compliance with the rules. A user designing the item is alerted to the presence of any instances of manufacturing features that are not in compliance with the rules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a self-optimizing distributed antenna system are provided. In certain embodiments, a distributed antenna system comprises a host unit configured to control the operation of the distributed antenna system; and a plurality of remote units coupled to the host unit. In at least one embodiment, a remote unit in the plurality of remote antenna units comprises a scanning receiver configured to receive signals in a plurality of frequency bands; at least one transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals in a frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands; and a remote unit controller configured to control an uplink gain level of the at least one transceiver and tune the scanning receiver to a frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to Modular Multi-level Converters and has particular relevance to a circuit topology for a Modular Multi-level Converter which simplifies the control, reduces power losses and improves the performance in many aspects. There is provided a Modular Multi-level Converter (M2LC) comprising a top circuit arm connected to a bottom circuit arm across a DC supply rail, each arm comprising a number of switch modules having associated capacitances and switches arranged to switch respective voltages into the arm; and voltage correcting means (VCM) arranged to switch a correcting voltage into an arm dependent on a voltage difference between the top and bottom arms or a circulating current in the arms.

Abstract: A rotary nest fixture includes a fixture that has a pivot that defines an axis. The fixture includes a periphery that circumscribes the axis. The periphery includes a plurality of work faces that are each oriented toward an exclusive radial direction with respect to the axis. Nests are each removably mounted on respective ones of the work faces. The fixture is rotatable about the axis such that the nests can be selectively moved between an active position and an inactive position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a modular converter with a plurality of converter modules includes: selecting possible future switching sequences of the converter based on an actual converter switching state; predicting a future current trajectory for each switching sequence based on actual internal currents and on actual internal voltages; and determining candidate sequences from the switching sequences, wherein a candidate sequence is a switching sequence with a current trajectory that respects predefined bounds with respect to a reference current or, when a predefined bound is violated, moves the current closer to such a predefined bound. The method includes predicting future module voltages for each candidate sequence; evaluating a cost function for each candidate sequence; and selecting the next converter switching state as a first converter switching state of a candidate sequence with minimal costs.

Abstract: A remote antenna unit includes an uplink integrated circuit (IC) and a downlink IC. The uplink IC includes an uplink synthesizer that provides an uplink oscillating signal; an uplink mixer stage that mixes an uplink radio frequency signal with the uplink oscillating signal to produce an uplink intermediate frequency signal; and an uplink control interface that receives uplink commands that control the frequency of the uplink oscillating signal. The downlink IC includes a downlink synthesizer that provides a downlink oscillating signal; a downlink mixer stage that mixes the downlink intermediate frequency signal with a downlink oscillating signal to produce a down link radio frequency signal; a downlink control interface that receives downlink commands that control the frequency of the downlink oscillating signal. The antenna unit also includes a clock that provides a reference frequency to the uplink and downlink synthesizers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a self-optimizing distributed antenna system are provided. In certain embodiments, a distributed antenna system comprises a host unit configured to control the operation of the distributed antenna system; and a plurality of remote units coupled to the host unit. In at least one embodiment, a remote unit in the plurality of remote antenna units comprises a scanning receiver configured to receive signals in a plurality of frequency bands; at least one transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals in a frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands; and a remote unit controller configured to control an uplink gain level of the at least one transceiver and tune the scanning receiver to a frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of switching a communication device between an uplink communication path and a downlink communication path is provided. The method measures a power level of signals on at least one radio frequency for one of the uplink communication path and the downlink communication path. The measured power level is compared with a threshold power level. Switching between an uplink circuit and a downlink circuit is based on the comparison between the measured power level and the threshold power level.

Abstract: A remote antenna unit includes an uplink integrated circuit (IC) and a downlink IC. The uplink IC includes an uplink synthesizer that provides an uplink oscillating signal; an uplink mixer stage that mixes an uplink radio frequency signal with the uplink oscillating signal to produce an uplink intermediate frequency signal; and an uplink control interface that receives uplink commands that control the frequency of the uplink oscillating signal. The downlink IC includes a downlink synthesizer that provides a downlink oscillating signal; a downlink mixer stage that mixes the downlink intermediate frequency signal with a downlink oscillating signal to produce a down link radio frequency signal; a downlink control interface that receives downlink commands that control the frequency of the downlink oscillating signal. The antenna unit also includes a clock that provides a reference frequency to the uplink and downlink synthesizers.

Abstract: A system comprises a first unit and a second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit. The first unit is operable to receive a first original radio frequency signal and the second unit is operable to receive a second original radio frequency signal. The first and second original radio frequency signals are originally transmitted on a radio frequency channel using time division duplexing. The first unit communicates a control signal to the second unit, the first unit generating the control signal based at least in part on detecting when the first original radio frequency signal is being received at the first unit. The second unit uses the control signal to determine when to output a first reproduced radio frequency signal in accordance with the time division duplexing used to originally transmit the first and second original radio frequency signals on the radio frequency channel. The first reproduced radio frequency signal is derived from the first original radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a first unit; and a second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit. The first unit is operable to receive a first original radio frequency signal via a first interface and the second unit is operable to receive a second original radio frequency signal via a second interface. The second unit is operable to output a first reproduced radio frequency signal via the second interface, the first reproduced radio frequency signal being derived from the first original radio frequency signal. The first unit is operable to output a second reproduced radio frequency signal via one of the first interface and a third interface, the second reproduced radio frequency signal being derived from the second original radio frequency signal. The first interface is operable as a simplex interface when the second reproduced radio frequency signal is output via the third interface and as a duplex interface when the second reproduced radio frequency signal is output via the first interface.

Abstract: An adaptor provides functionality in a second version of a software to a first version by determining at least one functionality available in the second version but not available in the first version; determining a reuse or adaptation of an adaptor framework in the first version; mapping the functionality of the second version to the first version; importing code in the second version to the first version; and deploying the adaptor framework in the first version.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a first unit; and a second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit. The first unit is operable to receive a first original radio frequency signal via a first interface and the second unit is operable to receive a second original radio frequency signal via a second interface. The second unit is operable to output a first reproduced radio frequency signal via the second interface, the first reproduced radio frequency signal being derived from the first original radio frequency signal. The first unit is operable to output a second reproduced radio frequency signal via one of the first interface and a third interface, the second reproduced radio frequency signal being derived from the second original radio frequency signal. The first interface is operable as a simplex interface when the second reproduced radio frequency signal is output via the third interface and as a duplex interface when the second reproduced radio frequency signal is output via the first interface.

Abstract: A system comprises a first unit and a second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit. The first unit is operable to receive a first original radio frequency signal and the second unit is operable to receive a second original radio frequency signal. The first and second original radio frequency signals are originally transmitted on a radio frequency channel using time division duplexing. The first unit communicates a control signal to the second unit, the first unit generating the control signal based at least in part on detecting when the first original radio frequency signal is being received at the first unit. The second unit uses the control signal to determine when to output a first reproduced radio frequency signal in accordance with the time division duplexing used to originally transmit the first and second original radio frequency signals on the radio frequency channel. The first reproduced radio frequency signal is derived from the first original radio frequency signal.