Abstract: A connectionless, wireless network (20) includes any number of subscriber units (24) and gateways (22). The subscriber units (24) and gateways (22) are configured to engage in wireless communications with preferably more than one other node. The gateways (22) provide portals through which communications may flow to and from the PSTN (26). A repeating subscriber unit (24) includes a router (34) to aid in routing data conveyances to various communication links (25). A routing table (76) provides intelligence which is independent of other routing tables (76) in other subscriber units (24) and gateways (22) and which indicates a variety of routes for data conveyances. Each repeating subscriber unit (24) makes its own decisions about where to route data conveyances based upon the destinations of the data conveyances and feedback received from neighbors of the repeating subscriber unit (24). Communication links (25) previously selected for routing data conveyances may be altered when conditions warrant.

Abstract: A fully ceiling-suspended system and apparatus for storing different shapes/types of elongated objects. The system includes a minimum of only two separate brackets that are ceiling-mounted to form a storage apparatus that is capable of supporting elongated items of different lengths provided that the length of each item to be stored is at least the length of the distance that the two ceiling-suspended brackets are separated. Further, each of the brackets may include different pockets of storage space that may be used for holding/storing elongated items of different shapes or cross-sectional configurations.

Abstract: A novel resizing die (100/300) for a cartridge case has been provided for efficiently and quickly resizing a cartridge case during a reloading operation. The novel die includes a precise measuring system (122, 124, 108/122, 306, 108) for being able to accurately and precisely adjust the position of the resizing die when already threaded into an internal bore of a reloading press so that after a first resizing process is performed, the resizing die of the present invention may be precisely adjusted by the length that the cartridge's headspace distance is too long or too short so that the next resizing process will yield a cartridge headspace distance that is in substantial accordance with a predetermined length.

Abstract: A multiple access and data channel scheme is presented for reducing network communication collisions and susceptibility to jamming signals in a distributed network to increase network connectivity and communication throughput. An order wire channel (202) is used to gain access to a data channel (204). To gain access to the data channel (204), a source radio sends a transmit probe (TXP) over the order wire channel (202) to the target radio. The target radio senses its environment and responds with a receive probe (RXP) which comprises data channel transmission parameters including the data channel frequency, transmit power, spread code, and transit timing to be used for the data transmission. Source radio moves to the data channel using the data channel transmission parameters specified by the receive probe (RXP) to communicate with the target radio. If a collision occurs of the order wire channel (202), the source radio retransmits the transmit probe after a random time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides two approaches for eliminating a keyhole problem associated with an azimuth-elevation gimbal antenna which is a problem that occurs when the antennae is tracking a satellite vehicle that is substantially directly overhead, i.e., the satellite vehicle is near the zenith position. At such a point, the azimuth motor of the gimbal antenna must turn very rapidly when the satellite passes through such near zenith position. A first approach involves tilting up one of the elevation axis joints when the antenna points at or near its zenith position such that the pointing angle may be altered by a predetermined angle, for example around 0.5° to 1°, from the zenith position. A second approach involves tilting the secondary reflector of the cassegrain antenna such that the pointing direction of the antenna may be altered by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Calibration of a differential scale factor associated with left and right wheels of a vehicle having a terrestrial navigation system. The terrestrial navigation system includes a GPS receiver integrated with a dead reckoning system. The dead reckoning system has wheel sensors coupled to the left and right wheels. The calibration of the differential scale factor includes: determining a heading change with the dead reckoning system, using the determined heading change to determine an open loop heading, determining an error in the differential scale factor based on the open loop heading and an alternate heading, and using the error in the differential scale factor to adjust an initial value of the differential scale factor.

Abstract: Voice call group functionality is provided in a satellite based air traffic control system to allow air traffic controllers and pilots of one or more aircraft to establish and maintain voice communication over a group call. A pilot of an aircraft may maintain voice communication with the same air traffic controller the entire duration of the flight over the entire globe. Voice communication between the pilot of an aircraft may be handed off from one air traffic controller to another by switching voice call groups. The voice call group functionality allows an air traffic controller to communicate simultaneously with pilots of different aircraft, and also allows pilots of different aircraft to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A radio is disclosed in which different waveforms may be utilized. The radio includes a memory (801) in which software (802, 805, 806) for specific waveforms is stored. The radio further includes one or more processors (807, 809, 811) which extract waveform specific software to process information for transmission or reception. All processing of the information between reception or reproduction of speech and transmission and reception of radio frequency signals, respectively, is performed in software.

Abstract: Interoperability between terrestrial cellular systems and satellite based cellular systems allows handoffs between different cellular systems. A call in progress by a subscriber unit (101) over a terrestrial based cellular system (100) which includes a mobile switching center (MSC) (105a) and a plurality of base stations (103a-d) is handed off to a satellite based cellular system (1000) comprising a satellite network (100a, 1001b), a regional gateway (1007) and an interface gateway (1005). A call in progress by subscriber unit (101) over satellite based cellular system (1000) is also handed off to terrestrial based cellular system (100). A dual mode subscriber unit (400) provides switching functionality (409) to switch between transmit modes.

Abstract: A satellite based broadcast data communications service for a satellite communications system is presented which allows a data information service provider (40) to send large blocks of data information to mobile subscriber units (50). A satellite gateway (30) is coupled to a service provider (40) via a ground link (42) and to a satellite communications network (10) via a gateway link (36). A mobile subscriber unit (50) is coupled to the satellite communications network (10) via both a message link (56) and a high-speed high-bandwidth downlink (58). The mobile subscriber unit sends a data request for requested data information to service provider (40) via message link (56), satellite communications network (10), gateway link (36), gateway (30), and ground link (42).

Abstract: The present invention provides an assessment, in real-time, of the integrity of the positioning solution and navigation sensors used to support an Emergency Calling System (ECS) that integrates positioning and cellular phone technology. This integrity information is used, via a warning light displayed to the driver, to indicate when the system will not support Emergency Calling to the accuracies required. The present invention discusses that at least two types of warnings may be generated and provided to the user. The first being an indication that the positioning accuracy will no longer support Emergency Calling. The second being an indication that a sensor or subsystem of the Emergency Call positioning system is malfunctioning and should be serviced as soon as possible whereby such a malfunction may lead to eventual failure of the system.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (101) includes a SIM card reader (107) for receiving a SIM card (105). The subscriber unit (101) is serialized and has stored therein an alphanumeric signature value which is associated with the specific serialized subscriber unit (101). The subscriber unit (101) is fully operable only with a SIM card (105) having stored therein the specific signature value corresponding to the serialized subscriber unit (101). A user having a SIM card (105) containing the specific signature value for that subscriber unit can select a mode of user operation which will permit multiple selected SIM card holding users to use the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A radio frequency EER-type power amplifier is described in which pulse width modulation is utilized. Input rf signals are split into phase and amplitude paths by a delay line (210). The phase path is coupled to a power amplifier (260). The amplitude path includes an envelope detector (220) coupled to a class S amplifier (270). The class S amplifier is coupled to the power amplifier (260) via a transmission line implemented low pass filter (290). The low pass filter uses strip line transmission lines (410, 510) which may utilize magnetic material (520, 720) to enhance the operation of the low pass filter. The class S amplifier and a transmission line filter provide an amplified, high fidelity replica of the input rf signal.

Abstract: The testing and verification of CDMA cellular base stations requires a number of parameters to be measured. Many of these parameters are measured in the code domain where individual waveforms are extracted from a composite waveform through the use of orthogonal codes. A method and apparatus is described for measuring many code domain parameters using a modified code domain power measurement technique. The apparatus is comprised of a chip timing recovery circuit (46), a reference generator (78), a multiplier (60), various summers and absolute value operations, a memory (76), and a processor (90). In addition, a reference generator (78) for generating an improved reference waveform is described. Reference generator (78) is comprised of a Walsh code generator (200), an I channel PN sequence generator (202), a Q channel PN sequence generator (204), an XOR gate (206), and an XOR gate (208).

Abstract: A local traffic signal controller (3) is interfaced to a satellite subscriber unit (10) to provide for centralized control of the traffic signals (1) controlled by the local controller (3). A central controller (7) provides central control and can download program control information to local controller (3). Dial-up access to local controller (3) is provided to central controller (7) with the subscriber unit (10). The resultant communication path may be utilized to provide for accessing information from the local traffic signal controller (3). Such information may include indications of lamp failures, traffic pattern information and other status or traffic related information.

Abstract: Classifiers (110) and a comparator (112) perform an identification method (400) to identify a class as one of a predetermined set of classes. The identification method is based on determining the observation costs associated with the unidentified class. The identification method includes combining models representing the predetermined set of classes and the unidentified vectors representing the class. The predetermined class associated with the largest observation cost is identified as the class. Additionally, a unique, low-complexity training method (300) includes creating the models which represent the predetermined set of classes.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (101) includes a SIM card reader (107) for receiving a SIM card (105). The subscriber unit (101) is serialized and has stored therein an alphanumeric signature value which is associated with the specific serialized subscriber unit (101). The subscriber unit (101) is fully operable only with a SIM card (105) having stored therein the specific signature value corresponding to the serialized subscriber unit (101). A user having a SIM card (105) containing the specific signature value for that subscriber unit can select a mode of user operation which will permit multiple selected SIM card holding users to use the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A technique and method that efficiently and simultaneously transfers both voice and data information over a single communications link (11). The technique and method utilizes a multi-rate vocoder (12) for providing voice information at a plurality of different rates. Accordingly, the vocoder may be dynamically adjusted during transfer of information to meet channel bandwidth requirements. The technique and method also utilizes a bit-control protocol for inserting voice information within a stream of data information by the use of inserting flags having predetermined bitstreams. Accordingly, voice information is dynamically inserted into an existing bitstream of data information such that voice information is transferred only upon demand and when needed. This prevents the transfer of useless information, such as voice information when a speaker is silent and, thus, allows for very efficient utilization of system bandwidth.

Abstract: This invention extends GPS coverage in an automotive environment without requiring direct interfaces to the vehicle's sensors in a unique and cost effective way. Since it removes all required vehicle interfaces (except power), it produces a virtually portable navigation system with no installation requirements beyond that of the GPS receiver itself. It also removes the necessary "customization" of the navigation system to each particular vehicle. Fundamentally, the position of a vehicle is obtained by GPS receiver data augmented with a low cost gyro whereby the gyro accurately tracks the heading changes of the vehicle (in the absence of sufficient GPS information), and the GPS receiver includes an innovative algorithm for deriving speed information from Doppler measurements from just one or two GPS satellites.

Abstract: A hybrid satellite-based data broadcast system reliably broadcasts data from a ground-based high earth orbit, HEO, server (105) to a plurality of customer provided equipment, CPE, receivers (113) via a HEO satellite constellation satellite (109). When errors in received broadcast data are detected by the CPE (113), error information is communicated via a low earth orbit, LEO, satellite constellation (121, 125) to a LEO gateway (103) which in turn obtains the correct data and transmits the correct data back to the CPE receiver via the LEO satellite constellation (121, 125).