Abstract: A system (170) and method (300) for ray launching is provided. The system can include a transmitter (110) for successively launching a plurality of rays, and a receiver (120) for receiving transmission rays and reflection rays. A controller (141) can be included for selectively adjusting an angular spacing and eliminating rays in successive launches to focus an energy on the receiver. A method (430) of terminating rays for reducing computational complexity is provided. A method (340) for ray weighting for increasing a computational speed of ray propagation is provided. In one aspect, a quality of service (108) can be determined at the receiver based on ray propagation.

Abstract: A technique is used in a wideband wireless communication system (100). In some embodiments available channels are determined (310) and one is selected (315) for assignment to each of a set of communication units based on a relative frequency path loss for each available channel. In some embodiments a communication unit is assigned (505) a channel selected from among available channels and a relative signal loss parameter of the communication unit, such as transmit power, is adjusted (510), based on a relative frequency path loss determined from the channel frequency of the assigned channel. In other embodiments, transmit information is split (705) into a plurality of data streams, each characterized by an associated relative signaling sensitivity, and each data stream is assigned (715) to one of a plurality of the transmit channels, wherein data streams are assigned channels of decreasing channel frequencies in order of decreasing associated relative signaling sensitivities of the data streams.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a most likely material composition of an object. At least one respective stored radiation polarization transformation is stored for at least one material composition at a plurality of wavelengths. A transmitted electromagnetic signal with at least one wavelength within the plurality of wavelengths and that has a predetermined transmitted polarization profile is transmitted. The transmitted signal encounters an object and is received as at least one received signal. Processing determines a respective received polarization for each of the at least one wavelength of the received signal, determines a respective calculated polarization transformation between the transmitted polarization profile and the received polarization of the respective wavelength, for each of the at least one wavelength.

Abstract: Communication systems include a transmitter that modulates a radio signal transmitted from two differently polarized antennas during a state time in which a wave state of the radio signal conveys information and is based on one or more polarization states selected from a constellation of polarization states comprising at least three polarization states. The communication system includes a receiver that intercepts the radio signal by two differently polarized antennas during the state time, and demodulates the signal. The polarization states may identify user devices or may quantify a portion of the information intended for a user device.

Abstract: An antenna system (205) includes an antenna structure (215), a receiver (220), and an antenna system controller (225). The antenna structure includes an arrangement of antennas (237), a signal combiner (240), and a switching matrix (235). The arrangement of antennas is designed to have a set of antenna element separations that are optimized to provide lowest correlation coefficients of intercepted radio signals for a corresponding set of electromagnetic environment types that vary from a very low density scattering environment to a maximum density scattering environment. The antennas (230), (231), (232), (233), (234) in the antenna arrangement each include at least one element that has a common polarization. There is at least one antenna that is a dual polarized antenna. The antenna system selects an antenna element pair that corresponds to the environment type which it is operating and thereby receives a best combined signal.

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a most likely material composition of an object (102). At least one respective stored radiation polarization transformation (500) is stored for at least one material composition at a plurality of wavelengths. A transmitted electromagnetic signal (112) with at least one wavelength within the plurality of wavelengths and that has a predetermined transmitted polarization profile is transmitted. The transmitted signal (112) encounters an object (102) and is received as at least one received signal (116, 118). Processing determines a respective received polarization for each of the at least one wavelength of the received signal (116, 118), determines a respective calculated polarization transformation between the transmitted polarization profile and the received polarization of the respective wavelength, for each of the at least one wavelength,.

Abstract: A method for sending messages from a particular device to one or more other devices communicants (300) uses the relative geographic location of the targeted devices as addressing criteria. The particular device forms or joins a network of potential communicants, and exchanges information to determine their relative geographic location with respect to that of the particular device (310, 320). The relative geographic location is preferably defined by a directional component and a range component. The communication device then selects for communication those devices that meet specific criteria, such as a specific direction and range, and transmits a message to the selected devices (330, 332, 334, 336).

Abstract: A combined polarimetric and coherent processing receiver (2300) can include at least one antenna (730 and 740), at least one receiver front end (700 and 704), a multipath processor (702, 706, and 714), a polarimetric signal processor (708), and a coherent processor (712). The multipath processor can be a plurality of correlators (702 and 706) coupled to the receiver front end(s) and can process the desired signal arriving from multiple paths coupled to the receiver. The polarimetric signal processor which can include a plurality of adaptive polarimetric filters (710) can be coupled to the multipath processor and can polarimetrically filter signals that are distinguishable from the desired signal. The coherent processor can be coupled to the polarimetric signal processor and can coherently combine the polarimetric filtered signal. The coherent processor can include time varying complex coefficients (714) and a signal combiner (716).

Abstract: A method for sending messages from a particular device to one or more other devices communicants (300) uses the relative geographic location of the targeted devices as addressing criteria. The particular device forms or joins a network of potential communicants, and exchanges information to determine their relative geographic location with respect to that of the particular device (310, 320). The relative geographic location is preferably defined by a directional component and a range component. The communication device then selects for communication those devices that meet specific criteria, such as a specific direction and range, and transmits a message to the selected devices (330, 332, 334, 336).

Abstract: A method for sending messages from a particular device to one or more other devices communicants (300) uses the relative geographic location of the targeted devices as addressing criteria. The particular device forms or joins a network of potential communicants, and exchanges information to determine their relative geographic location with respect to that of the particular device (310, 320). The relative geographic location is preferably defined by a directional component and a range component. The communication device then selects for communication those devices that meet specific criteria, such as a specific direction and range, and transmits a message to the selected devices (330, 332, 334, 336).

Abstract: A technique is used in a wideband wireless communication system (100). In some embodiments available channels are determined (310) and one is selected (315) for assignment to each of a set of communication units based on a relative frequency path loss for each available channel. In some embodiments a communication unit is assigned (505) a channel selected from among available channels and a relative signal loss parameter of the communication unit, such as transmit power, is adjusted (510), based on a relative frequency path loss determined from the channel frequency of the assigned channel. In other embodiments, transmit information is split (705) into a plurality of data streams, each characterized by an associated relative signaling sensitivity, and each data stream is assigned (715) to one of a plurality of the transmit channels, wherein data streams are assigned channels of decreasing channel frequencies in order of decreasing associated relative signaling sensitivities of the data streams.

Abstract: A subscriber device (10) includes one or more sensors (102) for measuring a object electromagnetic characteristic, such as conductivity, permittivity or permeability. A controller (104) stores the object electromagnetic parameter in memory (106) and, operating in accordance with a performance enhancement routine stored in the memory (106), enhances operation of the subscriber device (10) in accordance with the electromagnetic parameter. The controller (104) may do this by adjusting the power of an amplifier (112), the frequency of a synthesizer (114) or the impedance of an antenna (110). A software program controlling the subscriber device and a corresponding method are described.

Abstract: An antenna system (205) includes an antenna structure (215), a receiver (220), and an antenna system controller (225). The antenna structure includes an arrangement of antennas (237), a signal combiner (240), and a switching matrix (235). The arrangement of antennas is designed to have a set of antenna element separations that are optimized to provide lowest correlation coefficients of intercepted radio signals for a corresponding set of electromagnetic environment types that vary from a very low density scattering environment to a maximum density scattering environment. The antennas (230), (231), (232), (233), (234) in the antenna arrangement each include at least one element that has a common polarization. There is at least one antenna that is a dual polarized antenna. The antenna system selects an antenna element pair that corresponds to the environment type which it is operating and thereby receives a best combined signal.

Abstract: An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmitter method, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention arranges OFDM data symbols representing data bits for transmission in a packet. A prescribed pattern of OFDM data symbols are removed (212) and replaced (216) with pilot symbols. The packet is then transmitted (220) to an OFDM receiver that receives the packet (224) and determines a channel correction factor from the pilot pattern. The receiver then estimates a plurality of channel correction factors, one for each of the plurality of OFDM symbols representing data (228) and uses these correction factors to correct the OFDM symbols representing data (232). Arbitrary data are then inserted in place of the pilot symbols (236). The OFDM symbols representing data along with the arbitrary data are then decoded using an error correction decoder that corrects the errors induced by substitution of the pilot symbols for data symbols (240).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixed-media call formatting. A preferred format for a call can be determined from different mixed media communication formats. The mixed media communication formats can include a text format and an audible speech format. A media format mode signal can be sent or received. The media format mode signal can indicate a preferred format for a call. The call can be connected in the preferred format.

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (100) having portable communication devices (102, 104, and 106) capable of establishing direct terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (108 and 110) and indirect terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) through another terminal (106) without having a fixed base station. A portable communication device (106) used as a terminal is capable functioning as a router for communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) between other portable devices (102 and 104) in the system. While functioning as a router, the portable device (106) is capable establishing and maintaining a separate direct communication (302 and 304) with another portable communication device (306). A wireless communication system(600) utilizing predetermined cell- and location-specific communication parameters (808) and non-repeating propagation patterns (1200) for portables communication devices in the system for establishing communications.

Abstract: Communication systems include a transmitter that modulates a radio signal transmitted from two differently polarized antennas during a state time in which a wave state of the radio signal conveys information and is based on one or more polarization states selected from a constellation of polarization states comprising at least three polarization states. The communication system includes a receiver that intercepts the radio signal by two differently polarized antennas during the state time, and demodulates the signal. The polarization states may identify user devices or may quantify a portion of the information intended for a user device.

Abstract: A system (10) for dynamic process assignment among a plurality of devices (40) includes an initial coordinator (38), a requesting device (60), and a resource device (62). The initial coordinator (38) includes a list of available resources (56) for each device of the plurality of devices (40). The requesting device (60) requests the use of a desired resource. In response to the request from the requesting device (60), the initial coordinator (38) identifies an available resource associated with one of the plurality of devices (40) for use by the requesting device (60) as the desired resource.