Abstract: An inductive load driver having an inductive load and a bridge circuit connected in parallel with the inductive load, wherein the bridge circuit generates a current to the inductive load that rapidly rises.

Abstract: In a data transmitter having a data encoder, an encoder mode is detected. Thereafter, an excluded codeword output by the encoder operating in the encoder mode is identified. Next, a selected bit in the excluded codeword caused to have a predetermined value to produce a non-excluded codeword. Finally, the excluded codeword is substituted with the non-excluded codeword, wherein the non-excluded codeword is selected to mitigate effects of a decoding error in a receiver associated with the excluded codeword.

Abstract: A radio communication system assigns use of a radio frequency communication resource comprising multiple communication channels in a way that minimizes the likelihood that a weakly received signal will be interfered with by a strongly received signal in an adjacent communication channel. The communication system determines a signal strength of a signal received from a user of the communication resource and, based on the signal strength determination, assigns the user one or more of the communication channels that are then available.

Abstract: A cellular system (100) includes network equipment (102, 104) and user equipment (106). The network equipment can operate to inspect incoming messages from user equipment to identify service applications and direct incoming messages using the domain specified by the user equipment. User equipment can operate to construct messages for communication to a base station, which messages specify one of the circuit switch service domain (206) and the packet switch service domain (204) for the service and transmitting the constructed message to the base. According to one aspect of the system, the network equipment can transmit application and service information to the user equipment, responsive to which the user equipment can select the preferred domain for a message or session.

Abstract: A handoff method in a cellular network for switching from an old base transceiver station (BTS) to a target BTS in an uninterrupted manner is provided according to the invention. The method includes the steps of determining the target BTS, establishing communication between the mobile station and the target BTS, wherein the mobile station receives communications continuously from both the old BTS and the target BTS, and terminating the transmission to the old BTS. The terminating step does not occur until after establishing communication between the mobile station and the target BTS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether to wake up a mobile station. The mobile station includes first configuration parameters relating to a base station. The method includes the steps of receiving a configuration change indicator at the mobile station. The configuration change indicator is indicative that the first configuration parameters relating to the base station are different than second configuration parameters that currently relate to the base station. The method further includes waking up the mobile station to receive the second configuration parameters.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) includes a flexible circuit substrate having a first partition interconnected to a third partition by a second, flexible partition. The electronic control unit further includes a rigidizer having a first partition interconnected to a third partition by a second partition. When the ECU is twice folded, the second, flexible partition of the circuit substrate assumes an approximate ‘U’-shape, resulting in a reduced cracking and splitting rate than the prior art. In various embodiments of the present invention, the assumption of a ‘U’-shaped fold in the second, flexible partition of the circuit substrate is facilitated by multiple apertures in a second rigidizer partition, by a depression in a second rigidizer partition, or by non-slidably affixing a first circuit substrate partition to a first rigidizer partition via a first adhesive and non-slidably affixing a third circuit substrate partition to a third rigidizer partition via a second adhesive.

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).