Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include copper and a rare earth metal. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include zinc, lithium, germanium, indium, tin, aluminum, and silicon. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: A programmable linear receiver which provides the requisite level of system performance at reduced power consumption. The receiver minimizes power consumption based on measurement of the non-linearity in the output signal from the receiver. The amount of non-linearity can be measured by the RSSI slope or energy-per-chip-to-noise-ratio (Ec/Io) measurement. The RSSI slope is the ratio of the change in the output signal plus intermodulation to the change in the input signal. The input signal level is periodically increased by a predetermined level and the output signal from the receiver is measured. The output signal comprises the desired signal and intermodulation products from non-linearity within the receiver. When the receiver is operating linearly, the output signal level increases dB per dB with the input signal level. However, as the receiver transitions into non-linear region, intermodulation products due to non-linearity increase faster than the desired signal.

Abstract: A method and system for operation of a personal base station where the forward link of a personal base station is on the same frequency assignment as a first forward link data signal transmitted by a macro base station belonging to a cellular communication system. A first subscriber station communicates with the macro base station. The personal base station generates a second forward link data signal and communicates with a second subscriber station. The personal base station receives the first forward link data signal and combines it with its own second forward link data signal to form a combined forward link data signal. The personal base station then transmits the combined forward link data signal. The first subscriber station is able to receive and diversity combine the combined forward link data signal, improving the signal to noise ratio that would otherwise occur in the vicinity of the personal base station.

Abstract: An interface circuit for converting a digital signal to an analog signal. The interface circuit includes a time response adjustment circuit, a modulator, and a filter. The time response adjustment circuit receives the digital signal and generates an adjusted signal. The modulator couples to the time response adjustment circuit, receives the adjusted signal, and generates a modulator signal. The filter couples to the modulator, receives the modulator signal, and generates the analog signal. The analog signal has a time response that is modified by the time response adjustment circuit. In an embodiment, the time response adjustment circuit includes a gain element, a delay element, and a summer. The gain element receives and scales the digital signal by a scaling factor. The delay element receives and delays the digital signal by a time delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively correcting D.C. offset errors imposed upon signals in a communication device. The present invention includes a feedback loop correction circuit and method for measuring and reducing D.C. offset errors imposed upon analog transmission signals by transmit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and associated analog reconstruction filters. A digital feedback loop is used to remove the D.C. offset errors from the analog transmission signals prior to transmission. In the preferred embodiment, the digital feedback loop includes a pair of analog-to-digital converters, a digital D.C. offset correction circuit, and a pair of adders. The transmission signals are digitized, filtered, and digitally processed by the correction circuit to generate offset correction signals that are equal to the undesired D.C. offset error present in the transmission signals. The correction signals are added to the digital input baseband signals thereby removing the undesirable D.C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating and storing a counter value. In response to each of a plurality of N counter update signals, a binary memory cell is selected from a plurality of binary memory cells and the state of the selected binary memory cell is inverted. After the N counter update signals are received, a register that is separate from the plurality of binary memory cells is incremented, and the process is then repeated in response to further counter update signals. Each of the plurality of binary memory cells is inverted on average an equal number of times during each repetition of the process. The states of the plurality of binary memory cells and the value in the register represent the counter value at any given time.

Abstract: A novel and improved digital FM audio processor for use in a dual-mode communication system selectively operative in either FM or code division multiple access (CDMA) modes. Analog voice or voice-band data is input to a speech encoder/decoder (CODEC) which converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The digital FM signal is read from the CODEC, filtered, compressed, up-sampled and combined with a transponded SAT signal and then modulated for RF transmission. On the receive side, the FM analog signal is received, demodulated, down-sampled, expanded, and filtered before being converted to the proper format (&mgr;-law, a-law, or linear) for the speech CODEC. The CODEC then converts the digital FM audio signal into an analog waveform for conversion to sound. By performing the FM audio processing digitally, the same digital signal processing (DSP) firmware may integrated on the same application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is capable of performing audio processing of both FM and CDMA audio signals.

Abstract: A novel and improved method for performing paging is described. In one embodiment of the invention a searcher is used to detect spread spectrum signals. Samples received RF signals are stored in a sample buffer. During standby mode, the samples are gathered during paging slots assigned to the mobile. A set of searches are performed on the samples, and if pilot signals are detected additional demodulation is performed to detect paging messages. The resulting set of demodulation data may be combined to increase detection. After a page message has been detected, additional demodulation resources may be activated to processes more complete page messages, or other information channels. In one embodiment of the invention, the searcher includes a demodulator to perform quick page detection without the use of finger elements to reduce idle mode power consumption.

Abstract: In order to time track an incoming signal, a receiver demodulates a first instance of a signal to produce a first set of energy values corresponding to a set of possible data values of the signal. The receiver also demodulates a second instance of the signal to produce a second set of energy values corresponding to the set of possible data values. The receiver combines the first and the second sets of energy values to determine a combined set of energy values. The receiver determines a first estimate of a most likely transmitted data value based upon the combined set of energy values. The receiver decovers an early set of despread samples of the first instance using a symbol corresponding to the first estimate to produce a first early energy value. The receiver decovers a late set of despread samples of the first instance using the symbol corresponding to the first estimate to produce a first late energy value.

Abstract: A thin, compliant, electrically and thermally conductive aluminum shim for providing minimum distance circuit path from a power amplifier (or transistor) to the underside of the circuit board (ground). The aluminum shim creates an interference fit between the underside of the circuit board and chassis, which guarantees an electrical connection with the bottom of amplifier and underside of the circuit board. Additionally, with the present invention, post-machining of the chassis during assembly of components is not required since the aluminum shim is sufficiently compliant to conform to both the bottom surface of the amplifier and the existent flatness and surface finish on the chassis produced from the initial machining step. This ensures superior electrical and thermal contact to the chassis regardless of slight imperfections in chassis flatness and surface finish at the seat location, thereby improving reliability and decreasing cost of manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: A substrate antenna that includes conductive shielding positioned adjacent to and covering at least two, preferably opposing, sides of a conductive trace or antenna structure formed by the trace or traces, supported on a substrate. The conductive enclosure is realized by using a tubular material or planar conductive layers positioned adjacent to the trace. Preferably, shielding layers are disposed on at least two opposing sides of the trace. In one embodiment, a layer of dielectric material is formed over the antenna trace, and one shielding layer is formed on a surface of the substrate opposite that of the trace, and a second shielding layer is formed on the non-conductive material, effectively sandwiching the trace and substrate between them. In further embodiments, a conductive surface is formed between and joining together the two shielding layers, along either one or two sides of the trace or substrate.

Abstract: A mobile user terminal 402 accesses a packet data network 450 through one or more of several network access points 404-412. One or more control points 432-440 determines which network access point or points the user terminal is to access. Control may be retained in the current control point, or transferred to another control point, whenever it is convenient. There are preferably several routers, each having an associated home agent 418-420 which determines which foreign agents need to be accessed on behalf of each user terminal. There are several foreign agents 422-430, which forward packets received from a user terminal's home agent to the control point currently controlling communications with the user terminal.

Abstract: A technique to switch between upper and lowercase alphabetic characters in a wireless communication device measures the period of time in which a numeric key is held in the depressed position by the user. If a numeric key is pressed by the user for a period of time less than a predetermined threshold time, the selected alphabetic character is displayed in a default character case. If the selected numeric key is held in the depressed position for a period of time exceeding the predetermined threshold period, the character case is altered and the altered alphabetic character is displayed for the user. The user selects the desired alphabetic character by activating a selected numeric key one or more times corresponding to the desired alphabetic letter. If the selected numeric key is held in the depressed position for a period of time exceeding the threshold period during any of the button depressions, the system automatically changes to the altered alphabetic character case.

Abstract: An environmental simulator for use in the testing of wireless devices comprises a base station simulator, a signal manipulator, a switch and an antenna array. The environmental simulator is configured to couple wireless signals to and from a device under test in order to test the performance of the device over a variety of real world operating conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved method and apparatus for performing position location in wireless communications system. One embodiment comprises a method for performing position location in a wireless communication system using a set of signals transmitted from a set of satellites including the steps of receiving signal samples, rotating an acquisition code by a first rotation amount yielding a rotated acquisition code, despreading said signal samples using rotated acquisition code yielding despread data, accumulating said despread data over a first duration yielding partially accumulated data, rotating said partially accumulated data by a second rotation amount yielding rotated data and accumulating said rotated data.

Abstract: A multiple band voltage controlled oscillator capable of generating multiple operating frequencies, and a method of generating multiple operating frequencies, includes a tank circuit having a diode element and an impedance element with a radio frequency impedance in parallel with the diode element, a PIN diode connected across a portion of the inductance of the impedance element which selectively shorts the portion of the inductance of the impedance element when activated, a switch connected to selectively enable the PIN diode and correspondingly partially short the inductance of the impedance element, thereby scaling the radio frequency impedance of the tank circuit, and an oscillator circuit responsively connected to the PIN diode for varying the output of the voltage controlled oscillator based on the radio-frequency impedance present.

Abstract: A dual strip antenna that includes first and second conductive strips, each made from a conductive material. The first and second strips are separated by a dielectric substrate having a predetermined thickness. The first strip is electrically connected to the second strip at one end. A coaxial signal feed is coupled to the dual strip antenna. The dual strip antenna provides an increase in bandwidth over conventional microstrip patch antennas, which is made possible by operating the dual strip antenna as an open-ended parallel plate waveguide having asymmetrical conductor terminations. The operation of the dual strip antenna as an open-ended parallel plate waveguide is achieved by selecting appropriate dimensions for the lengths and widths of the first and second strips. Antenna compactness and a greater variety of useful shapes allow the dual strip antenna to be used as an internal wireless device antenna.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved AGC circuit which is generically configurable to accommodate a variety of AGC amplifier configurations to enhance IP3 performance and reduce required amplifier current, while providing a received power estimate which remains valid regardless of how the gain or attenuation is distributed among the various amplifiers. A generic control circuit maintains this power estimate in a single overall gain amplification value by distributing gain to at least two amplifier stages in response to that value. By programming or hard coding a few key parameters, a generic control circuit can control a wide variety of amplifier configurations. Among the configurations supported are switched LNA, switched variable gain LNA, variable gain, and a decoupled IF and UHF variable gain LNA configuration. The invention is extendable to include multi-stage amplifier configurations.

Abstract: A short Personal Identification Number (PIN) is used to transfer a subscription for wireless service to a new wireless terminal 104, thereby providing enhanced personal mobility to the subscriber. The transfer is rendered secure by the exchange of Diffie-Hellman Encrypted Key Exchange (DH-EKE) messages 110, 114.