Abstract: A video apparatus for receiving broadcast direct-to-home audiovisual program data is provided with a position generator disposed at a position which generates a position signal corresponding to the position, an antenna for receiving broadcast audiovisual program data, the antenna being positionable in a plurality of different orientations including an initial orientation, a decoder coupled to the antenna for decoding the program data and being adapted to be connected to e.g. a home video display for display of programming corresponding to the program data, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the antenna for automatically adjusting the initial orientation of the antenna based upon the position signal generated by the position generator. The antenna may be, for example, a satellite dish that is adapted to receive broadcast carriers from a broadcasting satellite. The adjustment mechanism may automatically orient the antenna based upon the relative qualities (e.g.

Abstract: In a broadcast system for transmitting a communication signal to a plurality of receiver units, each receiver unit having associated therewith respective authorization information identifying subsets of the communication signal the receiver unit is authorized to process, a method for controlling access to the communication signal includes the step of receiving a conditional instruction. The conditional instruction specifies a modification of the authorization information conditioned upon whether the receiver unit belongs to a receiver unit category. The method further includes the step of executing the conditional instruction to modify the authorization information conditioned upon whether the receiver unit belongs to the receiver unit category.

Abstract: An actuator that uses electrothermal energy to switch between a first latching position and a second latching position. The actuator contains a leaf spring capable of latching into two distinct positions and two shape-memory wires. The shape-memory wires contract when heated and direct the leaf spring toward the two latching states. Once positioned in a latching state, the leaf spring will remain latched in that position until directed toward a different latching state by one of the shape-memory wires.

Abstract: A method of compressing data involves receiving a symbol, and a subsequent symbol; determining in a compression dictionary whether the symbol has a valid extension pointer; using, in the event the symbol does have a valid extension pointer, the valid extension pointer to access string extension symbols; determining, in the event the symbol does have a valid extension pointer, whether the string extension symbols equal the at least one subsequent symbol; determining in the compression dictionary, in the event the string extension symbols do not equal the at least one subsequent symbol, whether the symbol has a valid parallel extension; repeating, in the event the symbol has a valid parallel extension, the using step; repeating, in the event the string extension symbols do not equal the at least one subsequent symbol, the determining of whether the symbol has a valid extension pointer; inserting, in the event the symbol does not have a valid extension pointer or in the event the symbol does not have a valid par

Abstract: A method and system for alerting a mobile terminal in a high-attenuation propagation environment within a mobile satellite communication network are disclosed herein. The method comprises receiving an incoming call directed to the mobile terminal, generating a paging signal in response to the incoming call, determining whether the mobile terminal has failed to receive the paging signal, and generating an alerting signal in response to the determination that the mobile terminal has failed to receive the paging signal.

Abstract: A gimballed camera (34) is attached to a moving body (20) so that it can remain pointed at a desired target (28) as the body (20) moves. A gyroscope (38) is attached to the camera (34) so that it may move independently from the camera (34), so that the gyroscope (38) continuously points in one direction while the camera (34) moves relative to the gyroscope (38). Measurement devices determine the positions of the moving body (20) and gyroscope (38) relative to the camera (34). The sum of these measures yields the position of the target relative to the gyroscope (38), which translates to a command to point the gyroscope (38) at the target. The camera (34) is then moved independently to a specified alignment relative to the gyroscope (38).

Abstract: A system for redistributing a broadband audio-visual-data signal to a multiplicity of receiver units within a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) includes a main receiving antenna that receives a broadband video/audio/data signal having a number of individual program multiplex signals therein and a transmodulator device that transmodulates the individual program multiplex signals associated with the broadband signal from a first modulation scheme to a second modulation scheme to reduce the bandwidth of the broadband signal. The transmodulated signals are broadcast over a cable network, along with terrestrial signals, to individual receiver units at the MDU. The receiver units demodulate the transmodulated and/or terrestrial signals and provide user-specified channels to television sets for display.

Abstract: A communication system transmitting messages includes two-way ranging by communicating between a target vehicle and a traffic controller station through a plurality of satellites. A set of the plurality of satellites may be used simultaneously or sequentially to transmit and receive signals from the ground station to a target vehicle, preferably an aircraft in the preferred embodiment. Each aircraft includes a particular ranging code combined with a message signal to selectively process the ranging data supplied to each vehicle. The ranging determination may be used in conjunction with alternative ranging devices, such as a global positioning system, in order to improve the accuracy of the estimations provided by the ranging processing. Nevertheless, the method and apparatus of the present invention provide relatively accurate state vectors without the need for precisely accurate timing synchronization at each of the stations connected by communication links.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for mesh integration and tension control, mesh retention, and mesh management of mesh-type deployable reflectors. The mesh members are comprised of a plurality of wedge-shaped gore members, each of which are pre-tensioned initially utilizing double-sided tape in a temporary manner prior to final stitching. String-like chord catenary members are positioned in pockets formed on the outer end of the gore members. The mesh member is attached to a ribbed reflector frame structure through a plurality of nodal assembly mechanisms. The nodal assemblies have spring biasing members for tensioning radial and transverse chord members along the reflector surface. A plurality of string-like members positioned in washers on the mesh member are used to maintain a tension field in the mesh member when the reflector is in its collapsed and stowed condition.

Abstract: A requesting terminal includes an interface that allows a user to select whether data downloaded from a network (such as the Internet) is transmitted to the requesting terminal via a high-speed link, such as a satellite link, or a lower speed link, such as a terrestrial link. Preferably, the terrestrial link (which may comprise a conventional dial-up Internet connection) is a two-way link, wherein the requesting terminal transmits data requests to the network via the terrestrial link. The data requests generated by the requesting terminal are modified to designate whether the requested data should be downloaded from the network via the terrestrial link or the satellite link. The terrestrial link may also be automatically selected for certain applications.

Abstract: A speech mode based multi-stage vector quantizer is disclosed which quantizes and encodes line spectral frequency (LSF) vectors that were obtained by transforming the short-term predictor filter coefficients in a speech codec that utilizes linear predictive techniques. The quantizer includes a mode classifier that classifies each speech frame of a speech signal as being associated with one of a voiced, spectrally stationary (Mode A) speech frame, a voiced, spectrally non-stationary (Mode B) speech frame and an unvoiced (Mode C) speech frame. A converter converts each speech frame of the speech signal into an LSF vector and an LSF vector quantizer includes a 12-bit, two-stage, backward predictive vector encoder that encodes the Mode A speech frames and a 22 bit, four-stage backward predictive vector encoder that encodes the Mode 13 and the Mode C speech frames.

Abstract: An antenna having dual reflectors connected by a moving mechanism for moving the reflectors between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position the reflectors overlap and are positioned close to each other. In the deployed position the reflectors are spaced apart.

Abstract: A traveling wave tube having an electron gun and a collector assembly is provided. The assemblies include a sleeve placed around an isolator. The sleeve is either heat shrunk or heat deformed around the isolator. Heat shrinking is performed when the sleeve radius is initially larger than the isolator radius. During heat shrinking, the sleeve is heated to cause the sleeve radius to increase and be larger than the isolator radius. The sleeve is then placed around the isolator and cooled causing the sleeve to contract upon the isolator. Heat deformation is performed when the sleeve radius is initially smaller than the isolator radius. During heat deformation, the isolator is inserted into the sleeve. The isolator and the sleeve are then heated so that the sleeve expands to a constrained amount of expansion and then deforms. The sleeve and the isolator are then cooled causing the sleeve to contract upon the isolator.

Abstract: An umbrella-like antenna reflector assembly for use on an orbiting spacecraft. The reflector has a main rib and a plurality of secondary ribs each connected to a hub assembly by a respective hinge mechanism such that activation of the hub assembly causes the reflector to move between collapsed and opened configurations. The reflector further has a mesh member attached to the ribs. A deployment boom connects the main rib of the reflector to the spacecraft. The deployment boom is operable with the main rib and the spacecraft to move the reflector between a collapsed and stowed configuration proximate the spacecraft and an open and deployed configuration outside the spacecraft. The storage profile is sufficiently slim to permit launching of a 6-25 meter diameter reflector attached to a full-sized spacecraft on one or more commercially available launch vehicles without the need for mid-rib hinges. A feed assembly is connected to the spacecraft.

Abstract: A method of compressing data involves receiving a symbol, and a subsequent symbol; determining in a compression dictionary whether the symbol has a valid extension pointer; using, in the event the symbol does have a valid extension pointer, the valid extension pointer to access string extension symbols; determining, in the event the symbol does have a valid extension pointer, whether the string extension symbols equal the at least one subsequent symbol; determining in the compression dictionary, in the event the string extension symbols do not equal the at least one subsequent symbol, whether the symbol has a valid parallel extension; repeating, in the event the symbol has a valid parallel extension, the using step; repeating, in the event the string extension symbols do not equal the at least one subsequent symbol, the determining of whether the symbol has a valid extension pointer; inserting, in the event the symbol does not have a valid extension pointer or in the event the symbol does not have a valid par

Abstract: A cable retaining apparatus for retaining and routing lengths of cable on an assembly structure is provided. The cable retaining apparatus includes two or more adjacent retaining members extending from a surface of an assembly structure. The retaining members each have at least one retaining surface oriented such that each retaining surface faces the retaining surface of an adjacent retaining member forming a cable channel therebetween. The retaining members also include one or more protrusions extending from each of the oppositely facing retaining surfaces into the cable channel in a staggered or offset orientation. This configuration allows one or more cables to be routed within the cable channels and retained therein by the lateral retaining forces applied to the cable from the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A coaxial "M" switch having three coaxial input connectors (A, B, C) spaced evenly from each other, and three coaxial output connectors (1, 2, 3) identically arranged. In a cylindrical barrel embodiment (10) the input and output connectors are located at opposite ends of a cylindrical configuration. In one planar embodiment (30), the input and output connectors alternate with each other and define a hexagonal configuration (40). In another planar embodiment, the input connectors (A, B, C) define an inner triangular configuration (70) that is surrounded by the output connectors (1, 2, 3) defining an outer triangular configuration. In each embodiment, reeds are actuated in predetermined configurations to define three switch positions.

Abstract: A collector for collecting an electron beam in a traveling wave tube is disclosed. The collector includes at least one collector stage provided with two annularly arranged stage segments. The stage segments include overlapping end portions to prevent impingement of electrons of the electron beam against an isolator surrounding the collector stage. The stage segments facilitate the realization of transverse electric field distributions from one stage segment to the other stage segment within the collector by application of selected voltages to the stage segments.

Abstract: A reworkable circuit board assembly including a flip chip adapted for removal in the event of a failure and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The reworkable circuit board assembly includes a heat sink having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the flip chip. It also includes a deformable circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is secured to a side of the heat sink in thermal communication therewith. The flip chip is bonded to the second side of the deformable circuit board without underfill or with weak bond strength underfill to facilitate removal of the flip chip in the event of a rework.

Abstract: An improved fixed wired system and method of originating a call in a fixed wired system in which a remote station (10), which is wired to a communication terminal (15), such as a standard telephone, detects an off-hook state of the communication terminal (15), transmits a call origination request signal to a base station (20,25) via a radio link in response to the off-hook state detection, and delivers a dial tone to the communication terminal (15) upon receiving an acknowledgment from the base station (20,25). After a dial tone is delivered to the communication terminal (15) and the user begins dialing a directory number, the remote station (10) collects the dialed digits and forwards the dialed digits separately or in groups, to the base station (20,25) where the digits are analyzed to determine whether a complete directory number has been dialed.