Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-band array antenna system may be used in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system reader and sensory networks. The antenna array may include array elements with an integrated low noise amplifier. The system may employ digital beam forming techniques for transmission and steering of a beam to a specific sensor tag or group of tags in a cell. The receive beam forming network is optimized for detecting signals from each sensor tag. Narrow and wideband interferences may be excised by an interference nulling algorithm. Space division multiplexing may be used by the antenna system to enhance system processing capacity.

Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-band array antenna system may be used in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system reader and sensory networks. The antenna array may include array elements with an integrated low noise amplifier. The system may employ digital beam forming techniques for transmission and steering of a beam to a specific sensor tag or group of tags in an cell. The receive beam forming network is optimized for detecting signals from each sensor tag. Narrow and wideband interferences may be excised by an interference nulling algorithm. Space division multiplexing may be used by the antenna system to enhance system processing capacity.

Abstract: RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations do not change the determined probabilities.

Abstract: Systems for encoding and reading RFID tags on a collection of items are shown. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of items, where each item possesses an item identifier string, and a plurality of RFID tags, where an RFID tag is affixed to each of the items and each RFID tag is encoded with a code word element generated using at least all of the item identifier strings. In many embodiments, the collection is a plurality of goods contained within a case, pallet, container or storage area.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating a satellite payload terminal's (payload terminal) resources in response to a plurality of flow requests received by the payload terminal from one or more ground terminals is provided. The method includes, prioritizing the plurality of flow requests received at the payload terminal for a given epoch time based upon one or more attributes of said flow requests; and allocating resources of payload terminal to each said flow requests during said epoch time based on priority of flow requests. The attributes of said flow requests includes one or more of Quality of Service (QOS), rate request, and file size. The system includes one or more payload terminals having a processing unit capable of executing an optimization processes to allocate resources payload terminal resources in response to a plurality of flow request from one or more ground terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.

Abstract: RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations don't change the determined probabilities.

Abstract: RFID systems are disclosed that include at least one RFID receiver system and a distributed exciter architecture. The exciters can be connected via wired and/or wireless connections to the RFID receiver system and the RFID receiver system can control the activation of the exciters to detect the presence of RFID tags within interrogation spaces defined by the exciter topology. In several embodiments, the RFID receiver system performs location estimation to determine the interrogation space in which a specific RFID tag or collection of RFID tags is located. One embodiment of the invention includes an RFID receiver system configured to detect information from RFID tags within a receive coverage area, and a plurality of exciters defining a plurality of interrogation spaces within the receive coverage area of the RFID receiver system.

Abstract: Systems for encoding and reading RFID tags on a collection of items are shown. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of items, where each item possesses an item identifier string, and a plurality of RFID tags, where an RFID tag is affixed to each of the items and each RFID tag is encoded with a code word element generated using at least all of the item identifier strings. In many embodiments, the collection is a plurality of goods contained within a case, pallet, container or storage area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding data transmitted by RFID tags are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes an analyzer and equalizer configured to filter an input signal, an estimation block configured to obtain a baseband representation of the modulated data signal by mixing the filtered input signal with the carrier wave, and a coherent detector configured to perform phase and timing recovery on the modulated data signal in the presence of noise and to determine a sequence of data symbols.

Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-band array antenna system may be used in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system reader and sensory networks. The antenna array may include array elements with an integrated low noise amplifier. The system may employ digital beam forming techniques for transmission and steering of a beam to a specific sensor tag or group of tags in an cell. The receive beam forming network is optimized for detecting signals from each sensor tag. Narrow and wideband interferences may be excised by an interference nulling algorithm. Space division multiplexing may be used by the antenna system to enhance system processing capacity.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating a satellite payload terminal's (payload terminal) resources in response to a plurality of flow requests received by the payload terminal from one or more ground terminals is provided. The method includes, prioritizing the plurality of flow requests received at the payload terminal for a given epoch time based upon one or more attributes of said flow requests; and allocating resources of payload terminal to each said flow requests during said epoch time based on priority of flow requests. The attributes of said flow requests includes one or more of Quality of Service (QOS), rate request, and file size. The system includes one or more payload terminals having a processing unit capable of executing an optimization processes to allocate resources payload terminal resources in response to a plurality of flow request from one or more ground terminals.

Abstract: RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations don't change the determined probabilities.

Abstract: In a digital device having an input thereto comprising a digital sample stream at a frequency F, a method for employing a component therein designed to work at a frequency less than F. The method in general comprises the steps of, dividing the digital sample stream into odd and even digital sample streams each at a frequency of F/2; passing one of the digital sample streams through the component designed to work at a frequency less than F wherein said component responds only to the odd or even digital samples in the one of the digital sample streams; delaying the other of the digital sample streams for the time it takes the one of the digital sample streams to pass through the component; and, adding the one of the digital sample streams after passing through the component with the delayed other of the digital sample streams.