Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting redundancy and outage resolution in coaxial networks with ideal taps.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting redundancy and outage resolution in coaxial networks with ideal taps.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line (DSL) communication system that utilizes the high frequency band of a standard telephone line does not require the use of a plain old telephone service (POTS) splitter in the resident's home, which provided isolation between the POTS frequency band (0 to 4 kHz) and the DSL frequency band. A digital subscriber line modem utilizes either constant envelope modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation for outputting DSL signals upstream to a central office. When a telephone in the resident's home is detected as being off-hook, then the constant envelope modulation is used by the DSL modem in order to lessen the intermodulation product distortion that results in audible noise heard by a user of the telephone. When the telephone is on-hook, then another type of modulation, such as QAM, is used to maximize the upstream data rate capability in the DSL frequency band, since any noise generated by the QAM is not a problem due to the non-use of the POTS frequency band.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal is provided. The system includes a receiver that is operable to receive the signal, but which may also receive a noise signal. A duty cycle system is connected to the receiver. The duty cycle system can turn the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency. A signal strength system is also connected to the receiver, and is further connected to the duty cycle system. The signal strength system can determine the signal strength of the signal received by the receiver. If the signal strength indicates that the noise signal is not being received, the signal strength system generates control commands to the duty cycle system that cause the duty cycle system to cycle various components of the receiver that are used to suppress noise on and off, so as to conserve power.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the range of a base unit is disclosed. The system can include repeaters and/or network decoders, each of which is housed in a network module. The network module includes a first portion for insertion into a powered outlet. The first portion receives power from the powered outlet. The network module further includes a second portion for receiving a powered device, and an electronic housing that is coupled to the first and second portions. The electronic housing encloses an electronic unit for receiving power from the first portion and selectively providing power to the second portion. The electronic unit can also include a repeater for receiving commands and re-broadcasting the commands, and/or an active network device for receiving commands, decoding the commands, and controlling at least one device based on the command. The electronic unit can receive signals and transmit signals via a wired connection or a wireless link.

Abstract: A system for testing a microelectronic circuit includes a test bed for mounting a microelectronic circuit, and a signal source for applying a signal to a microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. The system additionally includes a test probe for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic response signals from the microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. In a preferred form, the electromagnetic response signals are radio-frequency signals. The test system additionally includes a computer connected to be test probe for analyzing the electromagnetic response signals. An integrated circuit for testing on the test system has a test circuit portion that emits electromagnetic radiation in response to a predetermined signal applied to the test circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive processing in a communication system receiver. The adaptive processing facilitates power savings and permits enhanced performance when necessary. This extends a receiver's operation time in receivers that operate on batteries, such as in cordless telephones or cellular telephones. A receiver adopting the principles of the present invention evaluates the characteristics and dynamics of an incoming signal, and based on the quality of the incoming signal, adjusts various aspects of the receiver such as the on-time correlators and analog to digital converters, the timing circuits, the despread equalizers, and the combiner. If the receiver comprises a receiver operation in accordance with GSM, the receiver may cycle the MLSE detection algorithms or cross correlation may be done over fewer data symbols.

Abstract: A system is provided for communicating location and other related information of a field unit to a remote base station. The field unit generates position signals based on signals received from communication with a plurality of GPS satellites. These position signals are transmitted to a remote base station, where they are processed and displayed. The field unit includes an environmental circuit having devices for determining an environmental condition and producing an environmental signal representative of the environmental condition. The environmental signal is also transmitted to the remote base station for processing and display. The field unit is also provided with a cellular link circuit for transmitting the position signals and the environmental signal to the remote base station via a cellular link.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the range of a base unit is disclosed. The system can include repeaters and/or network decoders, each of which is housed in a network module. The network module includes a first portion for insertion into a powered outlet. The first portion receives power from the powered outlet. The network module further includes a second portion for receiving a powered device, and an electronic housing that is coupled to the first and second portions. The electronic housing encloses an electronic unit for receiving power from the first portion and selectively providing power to the second portion. The electronic unit can also include a repeater for receiving commands and re-broadcasting the commands, and/or an active network device for receiving commands, decoding the commands, and controlling at least one device based on the command. The electronic unit can receive signals and transmit signals via a wired connection or a wireless link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing audio frequency-pressure modulation of the moisture content of the atmosphere caused by a moisture-laden audio source, such as a live human voice, is disclosed. A first light emitter is provided to generate a first light beam. An audio source that emits moisture, and the environment, modulate the first light beam to generate a first modulated light beam. A first detector is provided to detect and demodulate the first modulated light beam to recover an uncompensated audio signal. A second light emitter is provided to generate a second light beam. The second light beam is modulated by the environment and not by the audio source to produce a second modulated light beam. A second detector is provided to detect and demodulate the second modulated light beam to recover the signal component caused by environmental conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the range of a base unit is disclosed. The system can include repeaters and/or network decoders, each of which is housed in a network module. The network module includes a first portion for insertion into a powered outlet. The first portion receives power from the powered outlet. The network module further includes a second portion for receiving a powered device, and an electronic housing that is coupled to the first and second portions. The electronic housing encloses an electronic unit for receiving power from the first portion and selectively providing power to the second portion. The electronic unit can also include a repeater for receiving commands and re-broadcasting the commands, and/or an active network device for receiving commands, decoding the commands, and controlling at least one device based on the command. The electronic unit can receive signals and transmit signals via a wired connection or a wireless link.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal is provided. The system includes a receiver that is operable to receive the signal, but which may also receive a noise signal. A duty cycle system is connected to the receiver. The duty cycle system can turn the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency. A signal strength system is also connected to the receiver, and is further connected to the duty cycle system. The signal strength system can determine the signal strength of the signal received by the receiver. If the signal strength indicates that the noise signal is not being received, the signal strength system generates control commands to the duty cycle system that cause the duty cycle system to cycle various components of the receiver that are used to suppress noise on and off, so as to conserve power.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal is provided. The system includes a receiver that is operable to receive the signal, but which may also receive a noise signal. A duty cycle system is connected to the receiver. The duty cycle system can turn the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency. A signal strength system is also connected to the receiver, and is further connected to the duty cycle system. The signal strength system can determine the signal strength of the signal received by the receiver. If the signal strength indicates that the noise signal is not being received, the signal strength system generates control commands to the duty cycle system that cause the duty cycle system to cycle various components of the receiver that are used to suppress noise on and off, so as to conserve power.

Abstract: A controller that communicates with a first set of devices and a second set of devices is disclosed. The controller includes a transmitter for transmitting commands to remotely control the first set of devices, and for communicating input/output (I/O) data with the second set of devices. A microphone, speaker, display and cellular and cordless phone circuitry are integrated into the controller to provide the controller with phone and paging capabilities. Systems for determining the spatial location of a target object are also disclosed. The spatial location of the target object is determined with reference to a predetermined spatial reference point based on measured elapsed times, which represent the difference between a time reference and the time of receipt of a location signal from the target object at the known locations.

Abstract: A system for testing a microelectronic circuit includes a test bed for mounting a microelectronic circuit, and a signal source for applying a signal to a microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. The system additionally includes a test probe for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic response signals from the microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. In a preferred form, the electromagnetic response signals are radio-frequency signals. The test system additionally includes a computer connected to be test probe for analyzing the electromagnetic response signals. An integrated circuit for testing on the test system has a test circuit portion that emits electromagnetic radiation in response to a predetermined signal applied to the test circuit.

Abstract: A system for testing a microelectronic circuit includes a test bed for mounting a microelectronic circuit, and a signal source for applying a signal to a microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. The system additionally includes a test probe for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic response signals from the microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. In a preferred form, the electromagnetic response signals are radio-frequency signals. The test system additionally includes a computer connected to be test probe for analyzing the electromagnetic response signals. An integrated circuit for testing on the test system has a test circuit portion that emits electromagnetic radiation in response to a predetermined signal applied to the test circuit.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line (DSL) communication system that utilizes the high frequency band of a standard telephone line does not require the use of a plain old telephone service (POTS) splitter in the resident's home, which provided isolation between the POTS frequency band (0 to 4 kHz) and the DSL frequency band. Digital signal processing techniques are utilized to adapt to varying subscriber line conditions due to POTS telephone equipment. The digital signal processing techniques eliminate the need for a splitter by reducing susceptibility to distortion due to varying subscriber line characteristics. The digital subscriber line modem utilizes constant envelope modulated signals and frequency division multiplexing, where the constant envelope modulations lessens the intermodulation distortion products due to DSL signals that are transmitted by the modem and which may result in audible noise at the POTS telephone equipment due to non-linearities of the POTS telephone equipment.

Abstract: A system and method for a directional microphone system is disclosed. The directional microphone system can adaptively track and detect sources of sound information, and can reduce background noise. A first monolithic detection unit for detecting sound information and performing local signal processing on the detected sound information is provided. In the detection unit, an integrated transducer is provided for receiving acoustic waves and for generating sound information representative of the waves. A processor is coupled to the transducer for receiving the sound information and for performing local digital signal processing on the sound information to generate locally processed sound information. A base unit is coupled to the first monolithic detection unit and includes a global processor which receives the locally processed sound information and performs global digital signal processing on the locally processed sound information to generate globally processed sound information.

Abstract: The described method and apparatus wirelessly test individual integrated circuit die on a wafer containing multiple die. The method incorporates activating a selected die on the wafer by wirelessly impacting the die with at least two beams of electromagnetic radiation so that the die receives radiation energy having at least a first energy level, thereby activating the die by causing a current to flow in the die. Each beam of electromagnetic energy individually has less than the first energy level required to activate the die. The beams of electromagnetic energy are directed so that they at least partially overlap on the selected die. In the region of overlap, the two beams together impact the die with an energy level at least equal to the first energy level required to activate the die. The method may additionally include detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the die in response to the electromagnetic energy received from the beams of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A unique system for efficiently implementing filtered, phase shifted channels is disclosed. Instead of using separate transmit shaping filters for each channel, and modulating the filtered signals with phase-shifted carrier and one might suppose, the system phase rotates the signals for each channel and modulates such phase rotated signals with a single carrier. In addition, the system decomposes the phase rotations into 90° pre-filter portions and a post-filter portion of, for example, 45°. In an 8 channel system, such as proposed in the IS-95B standard, the channels are divided into two groups and the 90° phase rotations for each group are done at the input of the transmit shaping filters. A 45° phase rotation is then done for one of the groups at the output of the transmit shaping filter. Significantly, no multiplication is required.