Abstract: A helical antenna having a radiator portion formed on a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate with a center feed element electrically connected to the radiator portion. The flexible substrate is supported by a support assembly with the radiator portion spaced substantially equidistant from the center feed element. The support assembly includes a first non-conductive member mounted to one surface of the rigid substrate at a first location, a second non-conductive member mounted to a second surface at the first location, a third non-conductive member mounted to the one surface at a second location spaced from the first location, and a fourth non-conductive member mounted to the second surface at the second location. A tool for assembling the helical antenna is provided having a base member with a plurality of elongated members mounted thereon substantially equidistant from each other and extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A wireless device has a main housing and an antenna housing rotatably mounted on the main housing for rotation between a first, stored position alongside the main housing and at least one operative position. The antenna housing has a tubular extension projecting away from the first axis. A telescoping antenna element is slidably mounted in the tubular extension for telescoping movement between a retracted position and a deployed position extending out of the tubular extension as the antenna housing rotates between the first and operative positions. A flexible member secures the antenna to a rotatable actuator within the antenna housing for pushing the antenna element back and forth between its two positions as the antenna housing is rotated.

Abstract: A substrate antenna that includes one or more conductive traces supported on a dielectric substrate having a predetermined thickness. Appropriate dimensions are selected for the lengths and widths of traces, based on the wavelength of interest, connecting elements, and space allocated. The supporting substrate is mounted offset from and generally perpendicular to the ground plane associate with the device with which the antenna is being used. The trace is electrically connected to a conductive pad on one end. A signal feed for the antenna is coupled to the conductive pad. The substrate antenna employs a very thin and compact structure to which provides appropriate bandwidth. Antenna compactness and a greater variety of useful shapes allow the substrate antenna to be used very efficiently as an internal antenna for wireless devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for linearizing the response of a PIN diode attenuator. A plurality of Zener diodes form a diode array. Each Zener diode has the same Zener voltage value. The cathode of a first Zener diode is coupled to an input of the diode array. The cathode of a second Zener diode is coupled to the anode of the first Zener diode. The cathode of each subsequent Zener diode is coupled to the anode of the preceding Zener diode. The anode of each Zener diode is coupled to a respective impedance. The respective impedances are further coupled in common to an output of the diode array. An amplifier provides gain and offset. The diode array output is coupled to the amplifier input. A driver provides output drive. The amplifier output is coupled to the driver input. The driver output is used for linearizing the response of a PIN diode attenuator.

Abstract: A system and method for passively determining the position of a user terminal (for example, a mobile wireless telephone) in a low-Earth orbit satellite communications system. The system includes a user terminal, at least two satellites with known positions and known velocities, and a gateway (that is, a terrestrial base station) for communicating with the user terminal through the satellites. The method includes the steps of determining a range difference parameter and a range-rate difference parameter. A range difference parameter represents the difference between (1) the distance between a first one of the satellites and the user terminal and (2) the distance between a second one of the satellites and the user terminal. A range-rate difference parameter represents the difference between (a) a relative radial velocity between a first one of the satellites and the user terminal and (b) a relative radial velocity between a second one of the satellites and the user terminal.

Abstract: The mobile telephone system employs a fleet of satellites and a set of gateway ground stations arranged around the globe for handling communications to and from mobile communication units such as mobile telephones. Signals are transmitted between a subscriber unit and the nearest gateway via one or more of the satellites. The gateway system is configured to process telephone call connection requests from a mobile subscriber unit based upon the location of the subscriber unit. The system parses telephone numbers received from the subscriber unit based upon the parsing scheme of the locality in which the subscriber unit is located at the time the telephone call is placed. The system also identifies any emergency services numbers called, such as 911, and directs such calls to the nearest emergency services center to the current location of the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A compact, low cost antenna communicates with low and medium earth orbit satellites. The antenna includes a plurality of micro-strip elements arranged about an axis and positioned to illuminate upper elevation angles. The micro-strip elements are perpendicular to each other and are oriented toward the horizon at 90 degree increments. Furthermore, the micro-strip elements are tilted at a 50 degree angle. A quadrifilar helix is positioned at the center of the micro-strip elements and positioned to illuminate lower elevation angles. The micro-strip elements generate an omni-directional field pattern in the azimuth plane. The quadrifilar helix generates a high-gain, narrow beam-width field pattern that is also omni-directional in the azimuth plane. The antenna provides improved immunity to specular ground reflections by limiting reception of signals below a threshold elevation angle.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly acquiring timing of an access transmission that uses an access probe that is transmitted in stages. A first stage of the access probe is spread with a short pseudonoise (PN) code pair. A second stage of the access probe is spread with both the short PN code pair and a long PN code. Transmitting the access probe in stages reduces the number of hypotheses, and hence the time, required by a receiver attempting to acquire the access probe.

Abstract: A battery pack having a battery pack controller that combines the functions of a battery pack protection circuit, battery charger, current and voltage regulator, and a data monitor circuit. In one embodiment, the battery pack controller is implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC). In another embodiment, two external field effect transistors (FETs) are used along with a single IC battery controller. This combination of functions within one IC allows battery pack manufacturers to construct inexpensive and safe battery pack systems that do not require an external charger or a carefully regulated DC power supply to charge the battery pack. In one embodiment a voltage regulator includes a pulse charging circuit for pulse charging the batteries within the battery pack. Advantageously, the battery pack controller further includes a current regulator that regulates a charge current flowing into the first battery cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately determining the operating characteristics or impact of nonlinear effects on devices or communication systems transferring orthogonally coded spread-spectrum communication signals. A Walsh Power Ratio, is used to more accurately determine system response. This information can be used by power control loops in controlling or adjusting the operation of nonlinear elements or stages such as high power amplifiers in orthogonal CDMA communication systems to provide improved system response. The information can also be employed in assigning channels to systems users, and to proceed with physical changes to system hardware. The measurements used to formulate the WPR can be made to individual components or to entire systems by injecting communication signals in multiple channels containing data, and leaving at least one empty channel. The received power per channel on the output side of the system or device is then measured.

Abstract: A folded quarter-wave patch antenna which includes a conductor plate having first and second arms spaced apart. A ground plane is separated from the conductor plate by a dielectric substrate and is approximately parallel to the conductor plate. The ground plane is electrically connected to the first arm at one end. A signal unit is electrically coupled to the first arm. The signal unit transmits and/or receives signals having a selected frequency band. The folded quarter-wave patch antenna can also act as a dual frequency band antenna. In dual frequency band operation, the signal unit provides the antenna with a first signal of a first frequency band and a second signal of a second frequency band.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting and combining satellite communication signals from multiple antennas. The system includes at least two signal paths, each coupled to a separate antenna, and a combiner for combining signals from the two paths for processing by a signal processor. At least one of the two paths includes a signal delay unit. The signal processor can distinguish a signal received from a source on one of the antennas from that signal received from the source on the other antenna based on a signal delay produced by the signal delay unit. Each signal path includes a variable attenuator for selectively coupling each signal path to the signal processor. The signal processor determines the quality of the signals received along the signal paths, and provides data regarding signal quality to a control processor, which manipulates the attenuators to couple the signal path having the highest quality signal to the signal processor.

Abstract: A variable rate transmission system wherein a packet of variable rate data generated by a variable rate data source is modulated on traffic channel by traffic channel modulator if the capacity of the traffic channel is capable of transmitting the packet. And where the packet of variable rate data is modulated onto traffic channel by traffic channel modulator and at least one overflow channel by traffic channel modulator, if the capacity of the traffic channel is less than required to transmit the packet. A receiving system for receiving variable rate data transmitted in accordance with the above.

Abstract: A multiple frequency coupler establishes a low noise communication path, through the windshield of a vehicle, from a multiple frequency wireless telephone or multiple single frequency telephones, each operating at a different frequency, in the vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle. The coupler includes two preferably like-shaped internal and external elements that are oriented face to face with each other, with the windshield sandwiched between them. Each element is tapered, and the elements are juxtaposed with each other such that the wider end of one element is generally opposite the narrower end of the other. Also, a multiple frequency radiator is attached to the external element. The radiator includes plural radiating elements that are separated from each other and that are attached to a common base, with each radiating element being configured for radiating a respective frequency.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a plurality of inclined plates (22) arranged in an array around a central axis includes a top support bracket (25) for supporting the upper edges (40) of the plates (22) and a plurality of base brackets (26) for supporting the lower edges (62) of the respective plates (22). The top support bracket (25) has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the array, and a plurality of side edges (28). Each side edge (28) has a downwardly inclined rim (32) at a predetermined angle corresponding to the desired plate orientation and a downwardly facing groove (42) for receiving the upper edge (40) of the respective plate (22).

Abstract: A coupled multi-segment helical antenna is provided having a length that is shorter than otherwise obtainable for a conventional half-wavelength antenna. The coupled multi-segment helical antenna includes radiator portion having a plurality of helically wound radiators extending from one end of the radiator portion to the other end of the radiator portion. Each radiator is made up of a set of two or more segments. A first segment extends in a helical fashion from the first end of the radiator portion toward the second end of the radiator portion. The second segment extends in a helical fashion from the second end of the radiator portion toward the first end of the radiator portion, wherein a portion of the first radiator segment is in proximity with a portion of the second radiator segment such that the first and second radiator segments are electromagnetically coupled to one another.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing diversity in spread spectrum type communication systems by creating pseudo-multipath conditions or links for certain communication signals. The invention provides alternative or additional signal paths, for signals being transferred between gateways and communication system users through one or more a satellite repeaters. These additional paths are used to establish and maintain adequate signal diversity as well as certain signal links by remote subscribers in heavy urban areas. In further aspects of the invention, diversity enhancers can employ high gain parabolic antennas and tracking mechanisms, or passive reflective surfaces. Signals can be relayed to subscriber units in canyon type blocked areas or within structures.