Abstract: External power source, and system and method using such external power source, for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A primary coil is capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. A repositionable magnetic core associated with the primary coil is capable of being repositioned by a user of the external power source. An indicator is capable of providing the user with information relative to coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coil as a function of repositioning of the repositionable magnetic core.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. For example, a patient programmer may include both an internal antenna for RF telemetry with an implantable medical device and a display. The patient programmer may include a processor or other control circuitry that selectively disables. i.e., turns off, the display during RF telemetry with the internal antenna to promote more reliable communication. The processor or control circuitry also may disable electronics associated with the display during a telemetry session. In this manner, the programmer can be configured to reduce the impact of electrical and electromagnetic noise on telemetry performance.

Abstract: External power source, charger, system and method for transcutaneous energy transfer. An implantable medical device has a first housing having operational componentry for providing the therapeutic output. A secondary housing is mechanically coupled to the first housing having a secondary coil operatively coupled to the componentry, the secondary coil capable of receiving energy from the external source. A magnetically shielding material is positioned between the secondary coil and the first housing. An external power source has an external housing. A primary coil carried in the external housing, the primary coil being capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil when the housing is externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil with a first surface of the housing positioned closest to the secondary coil, the first surface of the housing being thermally conductive surface. An energy absorptive material carried within the external housing.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: A hybrid interface for handling different types of data streams is disclosed. Both OC192 and OC768 data streams can be transported between terrestrial and submarine systems using hybrid interfaces. Examples include processing branches that use common FEC units, multiplexers, demultiplexers, transmitters and receivers for both types of data streams. WDM channels are allocated in groups for OC768 data stream handling. Time misalignment between received channels within a group is identified and compensated.

Abstract: An IP router is integrated with an LRTR. A forward error correction (FEC) unit associated with the LRTR provides a frame structure, error detection and other functionality previously performed by SDH or SONET protocol devices. The FEC unit is clocked independently of the routing functionality and a processor coordinates the flow of IP data packets between the routing functionality and the LRTR functionality, e.g., by controlling buffer underflow and overflow conditions.

Abstract: A hybrid interface for handling different types of data streams is disclosed. Both OC192 and OC768 data streams can be transported between terrestrial and submarine systems using hybrid interfaces. Examples include processing branches that use common FEC units, multiplexers, demultiplexers, transmitters and receivers for both types of data streams. WDM channels are allocated in groups for OC768 data stream handling. Time misalignment between received channels within a group is identified and compensated.

Abstract: A system that partitions or divides the functions of a radio into channels and divides the functions of each channel into two major functions: 1) antenna interface and power amplification; and 2) hardwired mixing, modulation/demodulation and signal processing and further partitions the mixing through signal processing functions into the functions of a) programmable analog mixing and b) programmable digital modulation/demodulation and signal processing. Control and user interface functions, if needed for a particular application can also be functionally partitioned.

Abstract: A programmable digital radio is configured to perform navigation functions. A receiver in the programmable digital radio receives analog signals from a navigation unit and digitizes the analog signals to produce digital navigation signals. The digital navigation signals are processed digitally and valid navigation information is determined. Processing includes generation of baseband signals including in-phase signals and quadrature signals, AM demodulation, filtering, decimating, demultiplexing, discrete fourier transformation, and function processing according to a selected function. The selected functions may include Localizer, Marker Beacon and Glideslope.

Abstract: A common transmit module of a programmable digital radio has a digital submodule which receives a bit stream and produces a modulated IF signal, and an analog submodule which receives the modulated IF signal and converts the modulated IF signal to a frequency corresponding to a specific type of radio function. The digital submodule includes (a) a sequential/parallel instruction set processor for signal processing and control, (b) a reconfigurable format unit, and (c) a modulator which receives the output signals of the reconfigurable format unit and produces the modulated oscillation signal.

Abstract: A digital submodule is included in a software programmable common receive module for receiving IF signals and producing a serial bit stream. The digital submodule is programmable based on a selected application of a plurality of radio applications and, if present, a selected function of a plurality of functions of the selected radio application. The digital submodule may include an analog to digital converter for converting IF signals received from an analog submodule into digital signals. The digital signals are supplied to a programmable signal processing unit which is configured, according to the selected radio application and, if present, the selected function, to perform control functions, processing and analysis of the digital signals and generate output signals. The output signals are then formatted by a formatting unit producing formatted digital signals. The formatted digital signals are then supplied to a system bus.

Abstract: A FIR interpolator which uses a zero order hold to add samples in-between original samples of a digital input stream. The use of zero order hold with a FIR interpolator reduces output harmonics as compared to the use of conventional zero fill. Moreover, a computation method has been developed to greatly reduce the amount of computation needed by combining the zero order hold and the FIR filter. The output of the FIR interpolator can then be interpolated by a Spline interpolator to further interpolate the input stream. The combination of zero order hold FIR interpolation with Spline interpolation provides an efficient, cost effective technique of interpolating a digital input stream while producing relatively small output harmonics.

Abstract: A programmable digital radio is configured to perform transponder functions. A receiver in the programmable digital radio receives analog signals from an interrogator and digitizes the analog signals to produce digital interrogation signals. The digital interrogation signals are processed digitally and valid interrogations are detected. Processing includes detection of pulses, determination of each pulse's threshold, determination of intervals between pulses and whether the intervals meet mode criteria, and determination of priority of output of digital messages encoded in the pulses. At least one message is supplied to a transmit module in the programmable radio. The transmit module performs diversity processing on the received message to determine to which received signal to reply, produces reply data and modulates the reply data to produce intermediate frequency signals. The intermediate frequency signals are then converted to analog signals which are transmitted to the interrogator.

Abstract: A switch actuator includes a base and a plunger mounted for movement on the base. An electrical contact is mounted for relative movement on the base to establish an electrical connection. An actuator includes a head portion and a pair of spring arms. The spring arms extend into a bore in the plunger for frictionally grasping the plunger by spring biased forces against the interior walls of the bore. The actuator has a head portion exposed from an open end of the plunger bore for effecting movement of the electrical contact to alter the state of the electrical connection. The frictional engagement between the spring arms and the plunger provide overtravel or relative movement therebetween and the affect of the spring arms substantially eliminates any affect from wear between the plunger and the actuator.