Abstract: An architecture for a computer system that has lower complexity than prior computer system architectures. In one embodiment the functionality that in prior computer system architectures resides in a central processing unit (CPU) is split between a CPU and a program control unit. This allows the CPU to have lower complexity and can permit the computer system to have greater flexibility and lower cost. In another embodiment the computer system contains a memory mapping unit. The memory mapping unit enables the computer system to use one of a plurality of peripherals without changing the instruction codes of the CPU thus increasing the flexibility of the computer system.

Abstract: A Packet Network for use in association with a wireless communication system employs packet distribution and call set-up methods optimized to select from a plurality of network routing devices, a single node (i.e., Rendezvous Point (VP) or.multicast core) as a function of attributes exhibited by the communication devices involved in the call or as a function of various communication system performance and/or quality of service (QOS) attributes, including but not limited to, bandwidth requirements, resource availability, network processing capacity, network response time, network traffic data, information technology and other knowledge and know-how regarding system equipment, system software, system integration, installation and/or deployment, bit error rate (BER), received signal strength indication (RSSI), quality of service (QOS) metrics, and any other measure of system performance or call quality.

Abstract: A packet delivery method employs redundant path definitions to improve reliability in a packet delivery system.

Abstract: A module (10) for use with a smart card (50) is disclosed. The module (10) includes a substrate (14) having a first side (16) and a second side (18). The first and second sides each have deposited thereon a metallic layer (19, 21), with the substrate (14) having a thickness of about 125 microns. A die (22) is mounted adjacent the substrate first side (16), with the die (22) being coupled to the substrate first side (16) by a plurality of wire leads (24). A protective coating (26) covers the die (22), with the module having a total thickness of about 525 microns.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored information. The tag includes an antenna element (28) and a common electrode (26), the common electrode being coupled to ground (70). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (30) from a proximately-located exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (32) based on the stored information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored information. Both energy and data are capacitively coupled by virtue of the unbalanced nature of the network, thus resulting in decreased coupled impedance.

Abstract: A display-based terminal (101) employs a method and apparatus for allowing a user of the terminal to communicate with communication units (105-113) in a communication system (100). The terminal displays a map (300, 400) to the user indicating locations of communication units in at least a portion of the communication system. The terminal then receives a selection from the map of at least one communication unit (105, 108, 109, 113) and an indication (309, 311) of the user's desire to communicate with the selected communication unit. The indication of the user's desire to communicate may be contemporaneous with the user's selection of the communication unit, for example, when the user has, prior to such selection, indicated a desired type (302-305, 401-404) of communication and/or a desired transmission mode (406) for subsequent communications with the communication units.

Abstract: A first communication device (18-22) provides a request for the establishment of a group communication to a communication infrastructure (12-14). The request includes a subject matter identifier and may further include a limitation identifier. Based on the subject matter identifier, and the limitation identifier, the communication infrastructure identifies at least one communication device. Having identified the at least one communication device, the communication infrastructure provides a response to the first communication device. The response identifies the at least one communication device and requests feedback as to whether the first communication device desires to establish the group communication with the identified at least one communication device. The first communication device then provides feedback to the communication infrastructure indicating how the group communication should be processed. Based on this feedback, the communication infrastructure processes the group communication.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (100) in accordance with the present invention includes a first antenna element (112), a second antenna element (114) and a radio frequency identification circuit (116). The first antenna element (112) is electrically isolated from the second antenna element (114). The radio frequency identification circuit has a first pad (230) and a second pad (232). The first and second pads of the radio frequency identification circuit are coupled, respectively, to the first and second antenna elements. The radio frequency identification circuit includes a load modulation circuit (222) coupled to at least one of the first or second pads to produce a load modulated signal on at least one of the first or second pads that varies from a first amplitude to a second amplitude. The load modulation circuit has a modulation impedance and a predetermined voltage threshold that an input signal must exceed before the modulated signal is produced.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (14) utilizes an antenna (22) formed in association with, and thus integral to, an article, package, package container, label and/or identification badge (10). In a preferred embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip assembly (12) is secured to the article (10) and is electrically coupled to the antenna (22) formed on the article (10). Printing a conductive pattern on the article using conductive ink forms a preferred antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (100) includes a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip (112) bonded to a substrate (114). Additional circuit components (140) are also bonded to the substrate. The substrate is formed to include a number of conductive traces (18, 20), and the radio frequency identification tag and circuit components are electrically coupled to the traces via selective application of a printable conductive medium (130, 132).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored tag information. The tag includes an antenna element (30) and a common electrode (28). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (34) from a proximately-located electrostatic exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (36) based on the stored tag information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored tag information. In addition, exactly one of the tag common electrode and the tag antenna element is arranged to magnetically store tag state information. The tag state information represents exactly one state of two possible states and is read by a proximately-located magnetic reader (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag (14) includes a radio frequency identification tag circuit chip (12) coupled to an antenna (10) including a conductive pattern (22) printed onto a substrate (16). The substrate may form a portion of an article, a package, a package container, a ticket, a waybill, a label and/or an identification badge. The conductive pattern includes a first coupling region (28) and a second coupling region (30) arranged for coupling to the radio frequency identification tag circuit chip. The first coupling region and the second coupling region are precisely located and isolated from one another via an aperture (31) formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A data communication system employs a method (400) for transmitting packetized data (100) using a combination of well known transmission techniques, such as TCP/IP and a novel compression process. A message type identifier (300) for the packet to be transmitted is first identified, which identifier comprises a packet type identifier (113) and a protocol identifier (114). The packet type identifier (113) distinguishes between control information and user information in the data packet. The packet is then selectively encoded (407, 411) using either a first or a second header compression technique, depending on the packet type identifier (113) and the protocol identifier (114). In this manner, an improved packet transmission scheme is envisaged, which gives a reliable solution for data transmission in a noisy RF environment and/or a bandwidth-limited environment.

Abstract: A data compression system 200, method, and apparatus 214 employs an encoder 210 optimized to decorrelate and make independent from the original signal 202, the quantization noise produced during signal compression. The proposed system 200, method, and apparatus 214 supports high degrees of signal compression, which in turn leads to lower computational complexity and improved performance. Because the quantization noise produced during signal compression is made independent from and non-orthogonal (i.e., uncorrelated) to the original signal 202, enhanced filtering is achievable, which in turn leads to improvements in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the decoder 220.

Abstract: A frequency multiplier (120) having a tunable resonant circuit (122), is anticipated for use with a frequency synthesizer (100) having a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (110). The VCO control line (116) voltage establishes the VCO (110) fundamental frequency (.function..sub.o) as well as the resonant circuit (122) center frequency, such that the resonant circuit (122) frequency response will track a desired harmonic component within the multiplier output (130) even as the VCO control line (116) voltage and the fundamental frequency (.function..sub.o) change in response to control line variation.

Abstract: A receiver (300) includes input (I.sub.in), output (V.sub.out), forward path with filter (104, and 108), and feedback path with error amplifier (112) coupled into the forward path. Coupled to the feedback path is an error signal storage device (408, 508). A control circuit (320) responsive to input signal amplitude couples to the storage device (408, 508) and retrieves stored error signal information for use by the feedback path. During calibration, a forward path stage is stimulated with a plurality of signals of known amplitude to generate outputs (V.sub.out). The outputs are compared to a reference to generate error signals. Error signal values are stored in memory as a function of input signal amplitude. A plurality of error signal values are stored. During operation, stage input signals are detected and compared with the plurality of signals of known amplitude.

Abstract: A high efficiency power amplifier 600 consists of a non-linear radio frequency (RF) Doherty power amplifier (67) and a linearization circuit, such as, for example, a Cartesian Feedback circuit (33), an RF feedback circuit (38), an IF feedback circuit (48), or a feedforward circuit (55). The Doherty amplification stage (67) may be implemented with a BJTs, FETs, HBTs, H-FETs, PHEMTs, or any other type power transistor technology or device.