Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an extended Harel Statechart for an automated interaction from a declarative interaction specification. The declarative interaction specification includes a model of interaction data and a set of controls. A set of states are generated in the extended Harel Statechart corresponding to the set of controls of the interaction specification and self-transitions, which include actions associated with the state, are generated for each state. A data model associated with the set of states is also generated in the extended Harel Statechart from the model of interaction data. Transitions between states are also generated to correspond to changes in control activation.

Abstract: A smart airport automation system gathers and reinterprets a wide variety of aircraft and airport related data and information around unattended or non-towered airports. Data is gathered from many different types of sources, and in otherwise incompatible data formats. The smart airport automation system then decodes, assembles, fuses, and broadcasts structured information, in real-time, to aircraft pilots. The fused information is also useful to remotely located air traffic controllers who monitor non-towered airport operations. The system includes a data fusion and distribution computer that imports aircraft position and velocity, weather, and airport specific data. The data inputs are used to compute safe takeoff and landing sequences, and other airport advisory information for participating aircraft.

Abstract: A Higher Order Command Dialog System (HOCS) 250 for enabling voice control to a user interface is provided. The HOCS can record (302) a sequence of action steps a user performs while navigating a menu system to perform a task, prompt (304) a user to create an HOC for the task, and associate (306) the sequence of actions steps with a Higher Order Command (HOC) for performing the task. The HOC can include multi-modal inputs (120/260) and prompt a user for non-specific additional information (124) required in performing the task. The HOCS can store the HOC as a voice tag or a user-input command.

Abstract: A Statechart is generated automatically from a set of goals for completion of a data model. A set of states is generated corresponding to completion states of the data model, an initial pseudo-state and a final state. Transitions are generated from the initial pseudo-state to an empty state of the set of states and between each state and its subset states. Outgoing transitions are generated from any state that satisfies at least one goal of the set of goals and a transition is generated from that state to the final state. The resulting Statechart may be used to manage an interactive dialog to complete a data model having a set of data fields.

Abstract: A Statechart for management of an interaction is generated automatically from a frame that describes the interaction by extracting a data model and a set of goals from frame and then generating a Statechart from the data model and the set of goals. The data model includes a set of data fields to be completed during the interaction Procedural logic is extracted from the frame and used to annotate the Statechart with, for example, initial and final rules, prompts and grammar. The Statechart may be stored for future use or editing, or used to manage a current interaction.

Abstract: A communication device (100) includes a communications manager (140) coupled to a contacts memory (155). The contacts memory (155) stores information associated with one or more communication contacts, including a contact identification (200), a contact applications history (210), and contact associated data (215). The contact applications history (210) includes one or more regularly updated applications or associated links historically utilized by a user of the communication device (100) when communicating with the contact. The communications manager (140) is adapted to: identify a communication contact; establish a communication connection with the communication contact; and launch one or more applications stored in the contact applications history (210) using the contact associated data (215) or links to such data for the communication contact in response to the communication connection.

Abstract: A smart airport automation system includes a subsystem that inputs weather and airport configuration data to determine an active runway in use and an airport state. Another subsystem inputs aircraft position and velocity data from available surveillance sources, known flight-intent information, and past aircraft trajectories to project future aircraft unconstrained trajectories. A third subsystem uses the projected trajectories and aircraft intent to determine desired landing and takeoff sequences, and desired adjacent aircraft spacing. A fourth subsystem uses such information to predict potential aircraft conflicts, such as a loss of acceptable separation between adjacent aircraft. A fifth subsystem packages the weather, airport configuration, aircraft state, desired landing/takeoff sequence, and potential conflict detection into a verbal advisory message that is broadcast on a local common radio frequency.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having improved isolation includes a first circuit section formed in a substrate and a second circuit section formed in the substrate, the second circuit section being spaced laterally from the first circuit section. The integrated circuit further includes an isolation buried layer formed under at least a portion of the first circuit section, and a conductive layer formed on a surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the buried layer and to a voltage reference, the conductive layer reducing an effective lateral resistance of the buried layer, whereby an isolation between the first and second circuit sections is increased. A second isolation buried layer can be formed under at least a portion of the second circuit section as well to provide further isolation between the first and second circuit sections.

Abstract: A balancing circuit and method of operation thereof for use with a circuit having first and second complementary drivers exhibiting different current gain characteristics. In one embodiment, the balancing circuit includes a sensing subcircuit that provides a correction signal indicating a first current gain characteristic of the first driver. The balancing circuit also includes a compensation subcircuit that generates a current gain compensation signal to the first driver to substantially match a second current gain characteristic of the second driver based on the correction signal.

Abstract: A balancing circuit and method of operation thereof for use with a circuit having first and second complementary drivers exhibiting different current gain characteristics. In one embodiment, the balancing circuit includes a sensing subcircuit that provides a correction signal indicating a first current gain characteristic of the first driver. The balancing circuit also includes a compensation subcircuit that generates a current gain compensation signal to the first driver to substantially match a second current gain characteristic of the second driver based on the correction signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having improved isolation includes a first circuit section formed in a substrate and a second circuit section formed in the substrate, the second circuit section being spaced laterally from the first circuit section. The integrated circuit further includes an isolation buried layer formed under at least a portion of the first circuit section, and a conductive layer formed on a surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the buried layer and to a voltage reference, the conductive layer reducing an effective lateral resistance of the buried layer, whereby an isolation between the first and second circuit sections is increased. A second isolation buried layer can be formed under at least a portion of the second circuit section as well to provide further isolation between the first and second circuit sections.

Abstract: The voltage-controlled current source receives a control voltage from an operational amplifier which itself receives a reference voltage at one input from a bias circuit. The voltage-controlled current source applies current to the base of the amplifier's main transistor. The base of the transistor is also coupled to the input node of the amplifier through a DC-blocking capacitor and through a feedback loop to the other input of the operational amplifier. The voltage-controlled current source operates to maintain the voltage at the base of the transistor relatively constant for a wide range of input signal levels. As a result, the amplifier is able to operate at relatively low power supply voltages (e.g., as low as 2V) without suffering from premature gain compression at relatively high input signal levels (e.g., as high as 0.4V).

Abstract: In low-voltage circuits, there is often insufficient voltage to use a current source to bias a transconductance amplifier stage. This is particularly true in mixers where a switching circuit must be stacked on top of the transconductance input stage. One way around this problem is to get "double-duty" out of the input differential pair, using it both for gain stage and for DC bias. This is done by AC coupling in a high-frequency input signal, while using a low-frequency, DC-coupled circuit to establish the proper bias level. One common technique is to use a simple current mirror scheme to establish the DC level. Proper biasing using this technique requires good matching of resistance. In some implementations of transconductance amplifiers, particularly those that use inductors as degeneration elements, series resistance of the inductor and interconnect resistance can cause significant errors in the bias current.

Abstract: A compensation scheme for differential- or single-input transconductance amplifiers relies on an active feedback path with a resistive pole-splitting compensation circuit. The resistive compensation circuit causes pole-splitting of the two dominant poles, moving one pole to a slightly lower frequency and the other to a much higher frequency compared to the dominant poles of the uncompensated amplifier. A DC-blocking capacitor may also be placed in series with the resistor of the compensation circuit to allow for proper biasing of the circuit. By selecting appropriate values for the passive elements in the compensation circuit, the compensation scheme of the present invention can cause the amplifier to operate in a stable, linear manner over the same or even a larger bandwidth than an equivalent amplifier without compensation. The present invention does not suffer the problems of standard narrowbanding compensation schemes associated with high frequency cut-off.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting single sideband suppressed carrier modulation suitable for small, hand-held, high-frequency cellular radio transmitters such as those used at 900 mHz. A local oscillator generates a signal at 0.8 the frequency of the desired carrier. The generated frequency is counted down to produce an IF that is 0.2 the frequency of the desired carrier and the IF is mixed with the baseband signal to produce a modulated IF. The modulated IF is then mixed with the first generated signal to generate the modulated carrier signal. Advantageously, all of the foregoing components can be provided on the same integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: An amplifier with variable gain which maintains high Q when saturated. A resonant circuit is connected between collector outputs of a differential pair of transistors and RF chokes couple DC supply current to the transistors. The chokes have a high impedance at the desired frequency. The emitters of the differential pair of transistors couple together to form a common output which is connected to a current source. The amount of current from the current source substantially controls the gain of the amplifier. Because the resonant circuit is not shunted with a low impedance even when one of the transistors saturates, the Q of the resonant circuit is maintained.

Abstract: A clock recovery and data retiming circuit is disclosed which utilizes a SAW filter to form the recovered clock signal. The phase shift of the received data signal associated with various attenuation and distortion effects of the communication channel is compensated for and removed from the retimed data signal by adjusting the phase of the SAW filter.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog signal converter (1000) provides an analog output signal by subtracting bit currents reflecting a digital input signal from a constant current source (1004, 1018-1022) at a current summer (1003), with the difference current being applied to a constant load. The subtracting of the current, rather than switching the current, avoids the modulation of an associated power source since the total current demand remains the same. In that low power operation is possible, the converter is particularly suited for use in an arrangement where only a low level of operating current is available from a power source.

Abstract: In a multifrequency generator providing tone signaling for a telephone, the common switching functions are performed by solid state switching circuitry (1200). Improved signal transfer between the telephone line and transmit and receive transducer of the telephone is provided by arranging the solid-state transmit and receive switches (1201, 1401) in a gain configuration to increase the level of the speech signal. The tone signals are digitally synthesized and use an integrated R-C oscillator (600) as a reference. Button down and button up debouncing of a contact closure signal from a single contact per button keypad is provided.

Abstract: Differential amplifier having multiple stages, each stage having the gain thereof set by digital control. The gain of each stage is individually controlled, thereby allowing wide dynamic range and gain. Each stage has a differential pair with multiple sets of gain-setting resistors in the emitters of the pair. By selecting which resistor set, or combination of resistor sets, is used, the gain of the stage is controlled. The result is a 4 stage, 0-45 dB gain amplifier for RF or IF applications, with the gain adjustable in 3 dB increments.