Abstract: A dual packet configuration for wireless communications including a first portion that is modulated according to a serial modulation and a second portion that is modulated according to a parallel modulation. The serial modulation may be DSSS whereas the parallel modulation may be OFDM. The first portion may include a header, which may further include an OFDM mode bit and a length field indicating the duration the second portion. The first portion may be in accordance with 802.11b to enable dual mode devices to coexist and communicate in the same area as standard 802.11b devices. The dual mode devices can communicate at different or higher data rates without interruption from the 802.11b devices. The packet configuration may include an OFDM signal symbol which further includes a data rate section and a data count section. In this manner, data rates the same as or similar to the 802.11a data rates may be specified between dual mode devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine at multi-dimensional coordinates of an object based on propagation delay differences of multiple signals received from the object by each of a plurality of sensors. The signals may include optical signals in a human visible spectrum, which may be amplitude modulated with corresponding frequency tones. An envelope may be detected with respect to each of the sensors, and signals within each envelope may be separated. A phase difference of arrival may be determined for each of the signals, based on a difference in propagation delay times of the signal with respect to multiple sensors. The phase differences of arrival may be converted to corresponding distance differences between a corresponding transmitter and the corresponding sensors. A linear distance and a perpendicular offset distance may be determined from a combination the distance differences, a distance between the corresponding transmitters, and a distance between the corresponding sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of wireless antenna array systems to achieve three-dimensional beam coverage are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Device, system, and method of phased-array calibration. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless communication device may include an array of antenna elements; a calibration element located at a predefined location relative to the antenna elements; and an antenna controller capable of calibrating at least one beam forming weight of at least one antenna element of the array of antenna elements based on a detected phase of a calibration signal transmitted via one of the calibration element and the antenna element and received via another of the calibration element and the antenna element. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating includes a transmitter that transmits a communication signal having a plurality of successive frames, with each frame formed with alternatively arranged N known data symbols and M unknown data symbols such that the N known data symbols as training symbols. The communications signals are received within a receiver. The N known data symbols are synchronized at the receiver by correlating and time averaging the N known data symbols.

Abstract: A method is provided for receiving a data frame in an ultrawide bandwidth network. In this method, a device receives an ultrawide bandwidth signal containing a data frame. The device then performs an acquisition operation during a first preamble in the data frame, and identifies a marker after the first preamble that indicates that the first preamble has ended. After this, the device performs a signal processing operation during a second preamble in the data frame. After the training, the device then receives a header in the data frame, and then receives a payload in the data frame. By having a marker between the two preambles, this method provides a receiving device with critical information regarding the timing of the preamble section of a frame.

Abstract: A ultra wideband (UWB) wireless network may include a plurality of UWB wireless devices communicating over a plurality of UWB frequency bins extending over a UWB frequency range. At least one of the UWB wireless devices may be for determining a respective actual signal level associated with each UWB frequency bin, and generating a do-not-use UWB frequency bin list by comparing each actual signal level with at least one interference threshold. Thus, the UWB wireless devices can avoid using frequency bins experiencing excessive interference to thereby provide more reliable UWB communications.

Abstract: Embodiments of millimeter-wave communication stations with directional antennas and methods for fast link recovery are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a transmitting station retransmits a packet in an adjacent direction when an acknowledgement is not received from a receiving station after a number of retransmission attempts. In other embodiments, a receiving station changes its reception to an adjacent direction when a packet is not received from a transmitting station after a number of missed reservations.

Abstract: Embodiments of wireless antenna array systems to achieve three-dimensional beam coverage are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a phased array antenna may utilize Multilateration in order to implement beam steering with a phased antenna array. During a training phase, Multilateration equations may be utilized to determine a coordinate location of an antenna of a target device. The time difference of arrival of the training signal may be determined at selected antenna elements of the antenna array. The location of the antenna of the target device may then be calculated from which the propagation time may be determined. The propagation time may then be converted to relative phase shift values for each antenna element in the array with respect to a reference antenna element. A beam may then be directed toward the antenna of the target device by setting the elements of the antenna array with the calculated phase shifts.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying inspection data collected from a furnace is disclosed. The system comprises a storage device for storing the inspection data. The system also comprises a computer programmed to partition the inspection data at a plurality of data markers so as to correlate the inspection data to the physical geometry of the furnace. Each of the data markers identifies the location of a physical feature of the furnace (such as a bend, an external raised surface, cross-over piping, a thermal well, a weld, a flange, a schedule change and/or a diameter change). Preferably, the computer is also programmed to generate a display of the partitioned inspection data, wherein the display is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of the tube segments of the furnace. This display may then be used to visually detect problem areas within the furnace. Various exemplary embodiments of the system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: Device, system and method of phased-array calibration. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless communication device may include an array of antenna elements; a calibration element located at a predefined location relative to the antenna elements; and an antenna controller capable of calibrating at least one beam forming weight of at least one antenna element of the array of antenna elements based on a detected phase of a calibration signal transmitted via one of the calibration element and the antenna element and received via another of the calibration element and the antenna element.

Abstract: A separator for separating liquids in a fluid stream generated by blow-by gases produced in a crankcase of an internal combustion engine wherein the fluid stream includes both gasses and liquids. The separator including an inlet in fluid connection with the engine for receiving the fluid stream and an outlet in fluid connection with the engine to return a gas stream to the engine. The separator further including a fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet to the outlet and a containment vessel in fluid connection with the fluid path. The separator having a fluid stream accelerator in the fluid path and the accelerator accelerating the fluid stream to at least partially separate the gasses from the liquids in the fluid stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of millimeter-wave communication stations with directional antennas and methods for fast link recovery are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a transmitting station retransmits a packet in an adjacent direction when an acknowledgement is not received from a receiving station after a number of retransmission attempts. In other embodiments, a receiving station changes its reception to an adjacent direction when a packet is not received from a transmitting station after a number of missed reservations.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating includes a transmitter that transmits a communication signal having a plurality of successive frames, with each frame formed with alternatively arranged N known data symbols and M unknown data symbols such that the N known data symbols as training symbols. The communications signals are received within a receiver. The N known data symbols are synchronized at the receiver by correlating and time averaging the N known data symbols.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a clear channel assessment in a local device. The local device receives signal energy in a wireless channel and splits the received signal energy into a real portion and an imaginary portion. It determines a real portion of a squared signal energy by subtracting a squared imaginary portion of the signal energy from a squared real portion of the signal energy, and determines an imaginary portion of the squared signal energy by calculating twice the product of the real and imaginary portions of the signal energy. It can perform a signal detection function on the real and imaginary portions of the squared signal energy to produce a clear channel assessment signal that indicates whether a set signal type is present in the wireless channel. This clear channel assessment signal can be used to determine whether the local device should remain in a low-power mode.

Abstract: A multiple step process is performed at a local wireless network to limit interference between the local wireless network and a remote wireless network. Initially, a set of code words is chosen for the local wireless network to encode data with that have good cross correlation properties. If these initial code words are not adequate to prevent interference, then the local wireless network will adjust its transmission parameters by either shifting the transmission phase of its signals or by changing the code words it uses. If altering the transmission parameters does not alleviate the interference problem, then the local wireless network attempts to locate the interfering remote network and merge with it. If the merger is not possible or is unsuccessful, then the interference limiting process fails.

Abstract: A wireless ranging system includes a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit spaced therefrom. The first wireless unit may include a time-of-arrival (TOA) wireless transmitter, and a near-field electromagnetic (NFE) wireless transmitter having a settable operating frequency. The second wireless unit may include a TOA wireless receiver cooperating with the TOA wireless transmitter, a NFE wireless receiver cooperating with the NFE wireless transmitter, and a ranging processor cooperating with the TOA wireless receiver. The ranging processor may generate a range estimate between the first and second wireless units, and generate an estimated operating frequency for the NFE wireless transmitter based upon the range estimate. The ranging processor may also generate a range window for the TOA wireless receiver via the ranging processor cooperating with the NFE wireless receiver, and use the range window with the TOA wireless receiver to generate a range estimate between the first and second wireless units.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for authenticating a new device in a wireless network using an authentication device. First, the new device estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a first distance measurement, and sends the first distance measurement to the authentication device. The authentication device then estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a second distance measurement. The authentication device then evaluates the first and second distance measurements to determine if they meet authentication criteria and sends authentication data to the new device only if the first and second distance measurements meet the authentication criteria. These criteria can be that they do not differ by more than a set error value or that they both are below a set maximum value.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a clear channel assessment in a wireless network. The method involves first listening for channel energy on a wireless channel. Whatever channel energy is heard over the wireless channel is demodulated into non-synchronized in-phase and non-synchronized quadrature phase components. Each of the non-synchronized in-phase and non-synchronized quadrature phase components are squared, and then the non-synchronized in-phase component is multiplied by the non-synchronized quadrature phase component to produce an I?Q product. The sum of the squared non-synchronized in-phase component, the inverse of the squared non-synchronized quadrature component, and double the I?Q product is determined as a clear channel assessment input value. A carrier signal detection function is then performed on the clear channel assessment input value to produce a clear channel assessment output value, which is used to determine whether a signal is present in the wireless channel.