Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact, dual-mode ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) reader antenna systems and methods capable of supporting both long range and short range applications. The present invention includes a dual-mode antenna design, a dual-mode RFID reader utilizing the dual-mode antenna design, and an associated usage method. The dual-mode antenna design may include a patch operating mode for long range applications and a slot operating mode for short range applications. Additionally, the dual-mode antenna design may include mechanisms to improve the patch operating mode bandwidth, circular polarization in the patch operating mode, and dual polarization in the slot operation mode.

Abstract: A method and device enables programming inter-subsystem interface (ISSI) identity data, which identifies at least one of units or groups operating in a communication network, into at least one unit associated with a first radio frequency subsystem. The method includes receiving the ISSI identity data at the first radio frequency subsystem from an ISSI communication node, wherein the ISSI identity data identifies at least one of unit information or group information associated with a second radio frequency subsystem operating in the communication network. At least a portion of the ISSI identity data is then programmed into the at least one unit associated with the first radio frequency subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling scheduled data messages to be transmitted within a communication system on a controlled access packet data channel. When a scheduled data message is to be transmitted, a mobile device generates the data message, appends a predetermined type of header to the data message, and passes the data message to a communication unit. The header comprises an hour field, a minute field, and a slot field indicative of a specific time when the data message is to be transmitted on the controlled access packet data channel. After receiving a data message from the mobile device, the communication unit parses the received data message to determine whether the received data message should be processed as a scheduled data message on the controlled access packet data channel, and transmits the data message to a fixed network at a specific time based on the hour, minute, and slot fields in the header.

Abstract: In operation, a transmitting device selects a synchronization pattern associated with the desired timeslot that is at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with other timeslots on the same frequency in the system. Once selected, the transmitting device transmits a burst embedding the synchronization pattern that was selected, where appropriate. If the receiving device detects the synchronization pattern, it immediately synchronizes with the timeslot with confidence that it is synchronizing to the desired timeslot by using sets of synchronization patterns associated with the desired timeslot that are at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with the other timeslots on the same frequency.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a combined and compact monopole and slot antenna providing circular polarization for various applications, such as ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID). The antenna of the present invention combines a slot antenna with a monopole antenna using a single feed to drive both, effectively resulting in a circular polarized antenna. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna may be integrated internally to a mobile device and printed on a flex or a printed circuit board (PCB), made from sheet metal, etc. Advantageously, the design of the antenna provides performance similar to circular polarized patch antennas while avoiding the size, weight, and cost.

Abstract: A system and method for pausing communications from a transmitting radio for a certain period of time in order to allow transmission of other messages. When a first radio determines that a message needs to be transmitted either to a second radio or the transmitting radio, the first radio determines whether there are any available forward channels to transmit the call. If no forward channel is available, the first radio determines a period of time required to transmit the message and sends, on a reverse channel, a “request to pause” signal to the transmitting radio identifying that period of time. Upon receiving the “request to pause” signal, the transmitting radio ceases transmission on the forward channel for the specified period of time, during which time the first radio transmits the message.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: A mobile station for use in a cellular communication system includes a transceiver and a processor operable to apply a cell re-selection procedure which includes determining whether the mobile station should change its serving base station, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive via its serving base station a signal from an infrastructure processor advising or instructing the mobile station to select a particular base station in its cell re-selection procedure, and the processor of the mobile station is operable to apply a cell re-selection procedure to determine whether the mobile station should change its serving base station to the particular selected base station, wherein the particular selected base station has been selected and specified by the infrastructure processor based upon the location of members of a group of mobile stations with which the mobile station is to communicate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a device is suitable for operating at an incidence location enables effective deployment of devices in a wireless communication network. The method includes identifying a location of the device in the wireless communication network. Next, a state of charge of a battery of the device is identified based on data received from the device. A preference value of the device is then determined relative to an incidence location in the wireless communication network. The preference value is a function of the state of charge of the device and a distance between the location of the device and the incidence location. Finally, using the preference value, it is determined whether the device is suitable for operating at the incidence location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for RFID tags, RFID readers, communications algorithms, and RFID-related applications are described herein. In an aspect of the invention, an RFID tag is capable of storing data, receiving a signal from a reader, determining a response taking into account the tag mode and the data, and transmitting a response to the reader. The data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The tag mode may be set by a current or a prior command by the reader. Depending on the tag mode, the response may be complete, or the second plurality of bits may be truncated, compressed, or encrypted. In an aspect of the invention, the response includes an implicit indication of whether the response is complete, truncated, encrypted, or compressed. In another aspect of the invention, a command from the reader indicates how many bits should be truncated, compressed, or encrypted.

Abstract: A repeater receives an indication that a subscriber unit is initiating a call session on a channel, and indicates that the channel is busy. The repeater repeats a transmission from the subscriber unit and sets a timer for a first time upon determination that the transmission has ended. The timer is set for a second time if a new transmission is not received from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel prior to the expiration of the first time; otherwise, the repeater accepts a new transmission from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel if the new transmission is received prior to an expiration of the second time. Upon receipt of each new transmission received prior to the expiration of the second time, the repeater clears the timer, repeats the transmission on the channel, and resets the timer for the first time upon determination that the transmission has ended.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a transmitting communication unit in a communication system. When a call is first initiated, the call is assigned to a communication channel and broadcast from a base site using the assigned communication channel. If it is determined that a transmitting communication unit should be interrupted, a zone controller signals a base site to generate an interrupt message. The base site generates an interrupt message containing an identification code for the transmitting communication unit and broadcasts the interrupt message on an outbound link of the communication channel. The transmitting communication unit, while transmitting on an inbound link of the communication channel, continuously monitors the outbound link. If the transmitting communication unit receives, on the outbound link, an interrupt message containing an identification code matching its own identification code, the transmitting communication unit stops transmitting.

Abstract: A subscriber unit monitors a first channel currently serving as a rest channel for the system, wherein the channel currently serving as the rest channel for the system is monitored by subscribers that are idle in the system. The subscriber unit determines that a first call is being initiated on the first channel. If the first call is not of interest, the subscriber unit ceases to monitor the first channel, and monitors a second channel that will serve as the rest channel for the system when the first call starts on the first channel. If the first call is of interest, the subscriber unit participates in the first call on the first channel, and before or after the first call ends, participates in a second call on a third channel or monitors a channel currently serving as the rest channel for the system when the subscriber unit becomes idle.

Abstract: An electronic assembly and electronic device used for radio frequency communications are presented. The electronic device has a housing and an antenna feed point at least partially enclosed in the housing. There is at least one circuit board enclosed in the housing. An antenna counterpoise is coupled to the feed point. The counterpoise is enclosed in the housing and the counterpoise includes a foldable metallic patch that is folded around the circuit board such that the circuit board is sandwiched between opposite facing portions of the foldable metallic patch.

Abstract: Low noise phase quadrature signals are generated after receiving a clock signal and adjusting the clock signal in response to a feedback signal to generate a phase adjusted clock signal. The clock signal and the phase adjusted clock signal are exclusive-ored to generate a frequency doubled signal. An in-phase local oscillator signal and a quadrature local oscillator signal are generated from the frequency doubled signal such that the in-phase local oscillator and the quadrature local oscillator signal are out-of-phase with each other. In addition, a phase relationship between the in-phase local oscillator signal and the quadrature local oscillator signal are detected, and the feedback signal is generated based upon the phase relationship between the in-phase local oscillator signal and the quadrature local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A mobile station (105, 200) operable in a wireless communication system (100), the mobile station including means (218, 202 of 105) for reporting to a location server (104) of the system a current location of the mobile station and a controller (201 of 105) for controlling the means for reporting to report to the location server a current location of a second mobile station (107) detected to be near to the mobile station. A wireless communication system (100) in which the mobile station is operable and a method (500) operable in the system are also described.

Abstract: Temporarily selecting a TDMA timeslot by a radio communication device to thereby allow the radio communication device to communicate, through at least one repeater station, with a talkgroup of other radio communication devices is disclosed. The radio communication device has an assigned default timeslot for communicating with the talkgroup. The radio communication device determines if the default timeslot is available for the radio communication device to communicate with the talkgroup and searches for an available timeslot, when the default timeslot is unavailable. The radio communication device temporarily selects the available timeslot as a temporary selected group timeslot for the talkgroup.

Abstract: A first communication channel is used by a communication unit for communicating with a base site. The first communication channel has an inbound link and an outbound link. The communication unit determines that congestion is present on the communication channel. The communication unit determines its transmission requirements and whether the first communication channel is capable of supporting its transmission requirements. If the first communication channel is not capable of supporting the transmission requirements of the communication unit, the communication unit locates a second communication channel capable of supporting its transmission requirements, and switches to the second communication channel to communicate with the base site.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving data and control messages comprised of a series of data units is provided. The data units comprising each message are structured to follow a particular sequence, such as zero or more data units of a first type followed by one or more data units of a second type, which may then followed by data units of one or more other predetermined types. Upon receiving a data unit of a first or second type, a number of “units to follow” is determined from information provided in the received data unit. A number of subsequently received data units are then forced to be processed as one of the first type, the second type, or other predetermined type in accordance with the known structure of the message. The number of subsequently received data units that are forced to be processed as one of these types is based on the determined number of units to follow.

Abstract: System and method for efficiently managing communication channel assignments within talkgroups having dual mode communication units capable of operating on a first communication channel type and on a second communication channel type, and single mode communication units capable of operating only on the second communication channel type. If, at a base site, each of the communication units associated with a talkgroup is a dual mode communication unit, a call for that talkgroup is assigned to be broadcast using a channel of the first communication channel type. If, at least one of the communication units associated with the talkgroup at the base site is a single mode communication unit, the call for that talkgroup is assigned to a channel of the second communication channel type. As communication units roam between sites, channel assignments are continuously updated based on the types of communication units at each base site at any one time.