Abstract: A dual transceiver enhanced bridge is provided for wirelessly radio frequency (RF) broadcasting messages received on a telephone network. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge includes a telephone subscriber loop (TSL) modem connected to the telephone network. The TSL modem is connected to a memory unit. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge also comprises an RF modem connected to the memory unit. A controller is connected to the TSL modem, the RF modem, and the memory unit to control transmission of messages from the connected devices.

Abstract: A dual transceiver enhanced bridge is provided for wirelessly radio frequency (RF) broadcasting messages received on a power line communication system. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge includes a power line carrier (PLC) modem connected to the power line by a connecting plug. The PLC modem is connected to a memory unit. The dual transceiver enhanced bridge also comprises an RF modem connected to the memory unit. A controller is connected to the PLC modem, the RF modem, and the memory unit to control transmission of messages from the connected devices.

Abstract: A method is described for convolutionally encoding and decoding data (voice coded data), organized into (35-bit, 20 msec) frames, where the data is encoded by a finite-state data encoder (RSC coder 216) for transmission over a data channel (18). The RSC encoder avoids the need for termination bits associated with each N-bit frame of data, so that the number of bits associated with each encoded frame is reduced, and the throughput of the channel can be increased. The method according to the invention includes storing the first M bits of each frame. Once they are stored, they are loaded in parallel into the M stages of the encoder, thereby deleting residual states from the preceding frame. The remaining (N−M) bits are then applied to the encoder, causing it to produce the convolutional code. After the last of the (N−M) bits are encoded, the M stored bits are summed with feedback from the encoder, and reapplied to the encoder. The ending state of the encoder is thus equal to the starting state.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a scanning device for reading a tag disposed upon a cooking item, which tag includes cooking instructions, and a network connection for receiving updated information relative to a respective cooking item. Circuitry is coupled to the scanning device and to the network connection for updated and implementing the cooking instructions.

Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system that is operable to provide user-selectable data transfer rates comprises a user station for generating an access request and a gateway server for receiving the access request. The gateway server includes a rate unit for comparing a requested rate to assigned rates, a selector for selecting an available user channel and an available signaling alphabet, and an allocation unit for assigning the carrier, user channel, and alphabet to the access request. One of several offered transfer rates is assigned to the available user channel. Each offered rate corresponds to a set of signaling alphabets with low cross-correlation for data transfer.

Abstract: A turbo decoder control comprises an address generator for addressing systematic data, parity data, and systematic likelihood ratios according to a pre-determined memory mapping. The systematic data samples are accessed in the order required by the MAP decoding algorithm such that interleaving and de-interleaving functions in the MAP decoding algorithm are performed in real-time, i.e., without delay. Such memory-mapping in combination with data handling functions (e.g., multiplexing and combinatorial logic) minimizes memory requirements for the turbo decoder and allows for use of programmable interleavers, variable block lengths, and multiple code rates.

Abstract: A time-domain communication system in an ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic array with ultrasonic array outputs and a time-domain multiplexer with an input connected to each of the ultrasonic array outputs and also having a multiplexer output. The time-domain multiplexer continually cycles through each of the ultrasonic array outputs at a predetermined frequency connecting each of the ultrasonic array outputs to the multiplexer output for a predetermined amount of time. An ultrasonic data processing unit is provided and includes a de-multiplexer connected to the multiplexer output. The de-multiplexer has de-multiplexer outputs and continually cycles through each of the de-multiplexer outputs at the predetermined frequency connecting each of the de-multiplexer outputs to the multiplexer output for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: Turbo coding is employed with space-time spreading (STS) transmission to improve transmission error performance and efficiency in addressing multipath fading. Different subsets of parity data are transmitted via each antenna/channel, with either subset alone sufficient for error recovery. In general, however, both channels will be received with some fidelity, and the parity data from the two channels is combined and decoded as a lower code rate transmission. Systematic data may be transmitted on both channels, with or without interleaving on an alternate channel. Time diversity may also be introduced by transmitting only part of the parity data within the two parity data subsets, then transmitting the remainder if the receiver could not produce the correct decoding from the original transmission.

Abstract: A system for directing a receiving lobe of an adaptive antenna array toward an aircraft in flight includes an aircraft position vector calculator and an antenna weight vector generator. The aircraft position vector calculator receives aircraft position information from an aircraft tracking service and calculates, based upon the aircraft position information it receives, an aircraft position vector g. An antenna weight vector generator receives the aircraft position vector g from the aircraft position vector calculator and generates, based upon the aircraft position vector g, an antenna element weight vector w. The antenna weight vector w is applied to the elements of an adaptive antenna array to direct a receiving lobe of the array towards an aircraft in flight.

Abstract: A method for decoding (voice)data where the data is encoded by a finite-state data encoder (216) for transmission over a data channel (18), includes the step of procuring a table of joint statistics representing the probability of occurrence, in a frame of source data of each of the bits of the frame. The joint statistics may be determined ahead of time. The method includes the step of calculating intermediate gamma signals in response to the decoded data of the preceding frame and the joint statistics. The joint statistics source distribution signals represent the likelihood that, for a given logic level of the preceding bit, the “current” bit takes on a particular state; for uncorrelated bits, this value is 0.5. State probability signals and transition probability signals are generated from the gamma signals.

Abstract: A wide-band overlay sequence generator adds an overlay signal to a television signal which is transmitted through a channel. At a receiver, a replica of the transmitted overlay sequence is generated and synchronized to the overlay signal in the received signal. An adaptive equalizer filter effectively adjusts the received television signal so that the channel perturbations are removed from the signal.

Abstract: A high-speed turbo decoder utilizes a MAP decoding algorithm and includes a streamlined construction of functional units, or blocks, amenable to ASIC implementation. A gamma block provides symbol-by-symbol a posteriori state transition probability estimates. Two gamma probability function values are provided via selection switches to the alpha and beta blocks for calculating the alpha and beta probability function values, i.e., performing the alpha and beta recursions, respectively, in parallel, thus significantly increasing decoding speed. A scaling circuit monitors the values of the alpha and beta probability functions and prescribes a scale factor such that all such values at a trellis level remain within the precision limits of the system. A sigma block determines the a posteriori state transition probabilities (sigma values) and uses the sigma values to provide soft-decision outputs of the turbo decoder.

Abstract: A system for directing a receiving lobe of an adaptive antenna array toward an aircraft in flight includes an aircraft position vector calculator and an antenna weight vector generator. The aircraft position vector calculator receives aircraft position information from an aircraft tracking service and calculates, based upon the aircraft position information it receives, an aircraft position vector g. An antenna weight vector generator receives the aircraft position vector g from the aircraft position vector calculator and generates, based upon the aircraft position vector g, an antenna element weight vector w. The antenna weight vector w is applied to the elements of an adaptive antenna array to direct a receiving lobe of the array towards an aircraft in flight.

Abstract: A feedback control for a turbo decoder controls the feedback between component decoders of the turbo decoder by substituting either a neutral value or a weighted value for the channel transition probabilities utilized by each component decoder during the iterative decoding process. A control switch selects either estimated channel transition probabilities, modifications of these values, or neutral values as the channel transition probabilities utilized by the next component decoder in the subsequent decoding iteration.

Abstract: A telemeter for telemetry of diagnostic messages from a mobile asset to a remote station comprises a processor coupled to the output of one or more condition sensors. The processor converts the output of the condition sensors to a diagnostic message, and provides the diagnostic message at a processor output. A transmitter is coupled to the processor output. The transmitter is adapted to transmit the diagnostic messages in the Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) frequency band. An exemplary embodiment of a telemetry system of the invention comprises a telemeter adapted to transmit diagnostic messages in the ISM frequency band, and a remote station including a receiver for receiving the diagnostic messages in the ISM band.

Abstract: A feedback control for a turbo decoder controls the feedback between component decoders by modifying updated a priori probabilities calculated by one component decoder and used as inputs to another component decoder during the decoding process, resulting in a significant performance advantage. A feedback control switch selects either previously estimated a posteriori probabilities, modifications of these values, or neutral values as a priori probabilities utilized by the next component decoder.

Abstract: In a communications system, a trellis code word is segmented by both the encoder and a segmented MAP decoder. The segmented MAP decoder operates on code word segments as if they were individual code words and takes advantage of knowing the state of the encoder at specified times to reduce decoding latency and required memory. In a turbo coding system, for example, coding gain is maintained by interleaving the information bits across the segments of a component code word.

Abstract: The present invention provides for satellite-based remote monitoring of equipment under test to perform predictive assessment from a central diagnostic site which houses a central diagnostic station. The satellite-based remote diagnostic system monitors several machines at various geographically remote locations. Information gathered enables the user to assess the health of the equipment under test. The user may also utilize the present invention to conduct specialized tests on the equipment under test to aid in predictive maintenance.

Abstract: A method of coding and compressing telemetry data makes use of the fact that the telemetry frames are typically highly correlated at a distance, .delta., corresponding to commutation or data periodicities. The existence of such periodicity is used to render a portion of each frame to zeros. The next steps are to search for and remove correlations between the bits in a set of frames, denoted {F.sub.i *}. The compression algorithm implementing the method according to the invention has four sub-steps; Data preconditioning, Compression and coding of first frame, F.sub.1, Compression and coding of frames 2-.delta., F.sub.1 -F.sub..delta., and Compression and coding of F.sub..delta.+1 and on, the steady-state mode.

Abstract: Forward and backward recursive calculations in a maximum a posteriori decoding process are performed in parallel processes, rather than sequentially, allowing the a posteriori transition probabilities to be calculated in the same time interval as the recursions, thereby reducing decoding latency and required memory.