Abstract: An apparatus and method provides channel phase compensation for a digital radio frequency RF channel, by analyzing a demodulated signal (24) communicated over the digital RF channel and generates data representing an estimate of a channel phase (28), based on channel symbol reliability data (242) generated for at least one channel symbol received over the RF channel. The apparatus and method iteratively generates channel symbol reliability data (242) for a same symbol until a frame containing the symbol is determined to either pass a frame error threshold or until a predetermined number of iterations of channel phase estimates for a symbol is detected.

Abstract: An electronic module (20) includes a first circuit substrate (40) and a second circuit substrate (44). The first circuit substrate (40) has a post surface (50) and a post (52) protruding from the post surface (50). The second circuit substrate (44) has an upper surface (46) opposed to a lower surface (48). The second circuit substrate (44) forms an opening (56). The first circuit substrate (40) may be manufactured using a Molded Interconnect Device substrate. The second circuit substrate (44) may be manufactured using a High Density Interconnect substrate. The second circuit substrate (44) is placed on top of the first circuit substrate (40) so that the post (52) of the first circuit substrate (40) is mated with the opening (56) of the second circuit substrate (44).

Abstract: A communication device employs a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving information in a time slot. When transmitting, the communication device generates user information symbols and positions the symbols in a first portion of the time slot. The first portion of the time slot occupies less time than the time slot. The communication device then transmits the user information symbols during the first portion of the time slot only. When receiving, a communication device decodes and then encodes a received time slot, presuming the received time slot is not a truncated time slot. The communication device determines an error metric for the encoded time slot and, based on the error metric, determines whether the encoded time slot is a truncated time slot. When the encoded time slot is a truncated time slot, the communication device processes the user information symbols in the received time slot.

Abstract: A pump and motor unit 100 and method for pumping fluids is provided. The pump and motor unit 100 comprises a pair of rotors 102 and 104 encased by a stator casing 106. Fluid is pumped into and out of the pump and motor unit 100 as the rotors 102 and 104 are rotated. The stator casing 106 seals the fluid around the rotors 102 and 104 and further generates a revolving magnetic field which rotates the rotors 102 and 104. The magnetic field may be generated by single phase current or by multiphase current. Both, or one, of the rotors 102 and 104 may be driven by the magnetic field. Rotors which are being driven are preferably fabricated from an iron-based material. Rotors which are not being driven are preferably fabricated from a non-magnetic material, such as carbon-nylon. Alternatively, the rotors 102 and 104 may comprise, at least in part, a permanent magnet material with brushless direct current motor technology being used to rotate the rotors.

Abstract: An electronic control module 100 is provided wherein a power device 102 is secured to a rigidizer, or heat spreader, 110 such that a thermally conductive path is created for a conduction of heat from the power device to the rigidizer. A thermally conductive and electrically insulated interface 208, preferably anodized aluminum, is disposed between device 102 and rigidizer 110 and is solder bonded to each of the device and the rigidizer, facilitating the creation of a thermal path from the device to the rigidizer. In order to solder bond the device to the interface and the interface to the rigidizer, solderable coatings 206, 210, 214 are respectively applied to the surfaces 207 and 209 of the interface and surface 215 of the rigidizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that amplitude modulates a modulated radio frequency (RF) signal (411) by modulating the supply voltage of a power amplifier (410). The method and apparatus further provides an impedance modulator (412) that reduces output signal (415) errors in response to an error signal generated by a feedback circuit (416) that includes a quadrature modulator (506), a limiter (520), a comparator (502), and a quadrature downconverter (510). Intermodulation distortion generated in the feedback circuit (416) by delay mismatches between amplitude and phase feedback paths, and non-linear effects of AM/PM conversion in a limiter (520), are suppressed by placing limiter (520) and quadrature downconverter (510) in a forward path of the overall amplifier loop.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and controlling severe echo. The system includes an echo canceller having an adaptive filter responsive to a set of coefficients, a first memory storing a software program operative to evaluate these coefficients to determine the severity of echo existing in the system, and a second memory accessible by the echo canceller and the first memory which stores the coefficients. Upon evaluating the coefficients, the system and method enables the proper mode of echo cancellation in the echo canceller.

Abstract: A snap-fit sensing apparatus (20) for use in automotive applications including a housing (22) having a pair of flexible arms (30), a top portion (24), and a bottom portion (26), the flexible arms (30) extending from the top portion (24) to the bottom portion (26), at least one of the flexible arms (30) comprises a locking flange (32). The sensing apparatus (20) also includes a retaining mechanism (40) fixedly connected with the top portion (24), the retaining mechanism (40) securing the sensing apparatus (20) in place. In one preferred embodiment, the sensing apparatus (20) further comprises a sensor (50) located within the housing (22) for sensing one of temperature and pressure. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible arms (30) are connected with the top portion (24) and the bottom portion (26).

Abstract: A transmitter uses adaptive array weights to modify a gain and a phase of a communication signal to produce a plurality of element communication signals coupled to antenna elements in an adaptive array antenna. The communication signal is transmitted along with an element pilot signal that is coupled to one of the elements in the adaptive array antenna. In a receiver, the communication signal is received, and the element pilot signal is received. Thereafter, the adaptive array weights used at the transmitter are estimated in response to comparing characteristics of the received element pilot signal to characteristics of the received communication signal.

Abstract: The remote unit (113) maintains a count of inserted blank scan lines generated by the remote unit (113) and uses this to maintain a fixed number of scan lines per page during facsimile transmission. More particularly, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the remote unit (113) maintains a fixed number of lines per page by deleting scan lines comprising a predetermined set of characters from the actual facsimile transmitted, until the number of scan lines deleted from the facsimile is equal to the number of blank scan lines generated by the remote unit (113).

Abstract: A reliable sensor provides a user-friendly semiconductor sensing device and transducer which accurately detects the characteristics of a fluid, such as pressure and strain, at high temperature operating conditions. The high performance sensor is particularly useful for use with diesel engines and internal combustion engines in vehicles. The sensor can comprise a single die with a transverse strain gauge or a group of strain gauges which are located at a position on the die to help minimize electric effects of thermal stress on the gauges during pressure detection and operation of the vehicle. The die can be glass fused, such as by glass frit, to a diaphragm, such as a stainless steel diaphragm, so as not to readily corrode in the fluid.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol telephone system and method uses a telephone (26) to place and receive voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based telephone calls and public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based telephone calls. An off-hook condition with the telephone (26) is detected and a sequence of signals generated by the telephone (26) is received. At least a first signal generated by the telephone (26) is buffered while the system attempts to detect a predetermined signal that signifies a VoIP-based call. Upon detection of the predetermined signal, the system intercepts subsequent signals in the sequence, absent the at least first signal that was buffered, and places the VoIP-based call via an internet (12). Otherwise, the system places the PSTN-based call via a PSTN (16).

Abstract: Electronic devices (38) are added to the electrical system (10) of a motor vehicle and utilize controls (20-26) and indicators (14) existing within the vehicle. The add-on electronic devices (34-38) interact with a gateway (30), and the gateway (30) is coupled to the electrical system (10). The function of the controls (20-26) and indicators (14) within the vehicle are context controlled relative to the operating context of the existing vehicle electronic systems and the add-on electronic devices (34-38).

Abstract: An electronic control unit (20) comprising a cooling module (36) having at least one fluid channel (32) therein, a substrate (50) configured to define an interior region (52) and having an electronic component (54) mounted thereto, such that the electronic component (54) faces the interior region (52), and a cooling fluid (34) within the fluid channel (32), the cooling fluid (34) having a temperature below an operating temperature of the electronic component (54), wherein the cooling module (36) is positioned within the interior region (52), such that the heat generated by the electronic component (54) is convectively transferred to the cooling module (36). By integrating the cooling module (36) with the substrate (50) and by positioning the cooling module (36) in the interior region (52), the cooling module (36) is able to convectively cool the substrate (50).

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic contact and manufacturing a product having an electronic component 101 and a printed circuit board 100 (PCB) includes dispensing a slurry solder paste mixture 104 including a metallic powder 105 and an acidic fluid 106, placing electronic component 101 over solder paste dispensed over a surface area of PCB 100, and applying pressure on at least a section of electronic component 101 such that at least a portion of slurry solder paste mixture 104 dispensed on the surface area and in contact with the section of electronic component 101 consolidates into at least one of an inter-metallic compound of hardened solder and a hardened alloy of solder forming the metallic contact between electronic component 101 and said PCB 100.

Abstract: A method and system for checking continuity of a motor 104, motor drive, motor relay 110, dc relay 108 and interconnections 122a-c thereof for a power steering system 204. The method and system of the invention produce minimal torque on a motor shaft 426 of the power steering system 204. The position of the motor shaft 426 is located using a Hall effect current sensor 114, a resolver and the like, depending on the type of motor. Thereafter, it is determined which switches 106a-f of an inverter circuitry 100 to switch to produce a minimal torque on the motor shaft 426. The inverter circuit 100 converts dc voltage from a power source 102 to ac voltage required by the motor 104. Thereafter, the switches 106a-f that produce the minimal torque on the motor shaft 426 are switched and current flow is checked to determine the continuity of the circuitry. To produce minimal torque on the motor shaft 426, the complementary pair of switches 106a-f to the first pair is then switched.

Abstract: A user-friendly controller provides a special dynamic interconnect which reliably connects terminals of electronic device, such as solenoids, to a circuit board to enhance vehicle performance and help obtain a smoother more comfortable ride. The special interconnect comprises a coil spring contact. The coiled spring contact can have an enlarged head which can be soldered to a contact on the circuit board. The central portion of the spring contact provides a terminal-receiving opening to slidably receive the terminal of the electronic device. The smaller end portion of the spring contact can compressively engage and dynamically contact the terminal of the electronic device. A cover can be provided to environmentally protect and cover the circuitry and circuit board. The cover can have chambers for receiving and engaging the spring contacts.

Abstract: A communication system (100) having packet and circuit switched networks (102 and 101) provides connection between at least a first and a second end users by establishing a call connection via a radio access network (105), establishing a control channel associated the call connection between radio access network (105) and packet switched network (102) through a first packet switched connection, selecting one of packet and circuit switched networks (101 and 102) for establishing a traffic channel associated with the call connection, and routing the traffic channel through said selected network while maintaining the control channel through packet switched network (102).

Abstract: In a method in a transceiver for selecting a communication parameter for communicating with a concentrated subscriber unit, wherein the concentrated subscriber unit includes a plurality of subscriber terminals, a subscriber terminal identification number of one of the subscriber terminals is determined. Next, N number of selected digits in the subscriber terminal identification number are set equal to predetermined values to produce a modified subscriber terminal identification number. the modified subscriber terminal identification number is then hashed using a hashing function to produce a communication parameter indicator. Finally the communication parameter is selected in response to the communication parameter indicator, wherein groups of subscriber terminal identification numbers having non-selected digits with the same value are hashed to produce the same communication parameter indicator. The communication parameter selected may be a carrier frequency used by the communications system.

Abstract: A method and system (102) for providing criterion based adaptive power allocation with selective determination of modulation and coding is provided. A method is presented which consists of providing adaptive power allocation with a target signal quality for each link based on a system criterion, and a modulation/coding rate for each link based on a signal quality associated with the transmit power of each link. A further method is provided which may alternatively, or additionally, consist of APA in which the transmit power for each link is assigned in an attempt to obtain a signal quality for each link within a range between or equal to a minimum and maximum. An additional method is disclosed consisting of APA in which the transmit power for each link is assigned in an attempt to obtain a signal quality for each link as close as possible to a common signal quality, when the power allocation method has a limited dynamic range.