Abstract: A directional center-fed half wave dipole antenna is constructed from a multilayer substrate (100) having dipole antenna elements (112, 142) disposed on opposite surfaces (113, 141) of the multilayer substrate (100). An energy reflector (160) is disposed on at least one side of the substrate (100) and positioned adjacent to the dipole antenna elements (112, 142). The dipole antenna elements (112, 142) are fed by a center feed member (122). Center feed member (122) has a tapered width so as to provide the necessary impedance matching. A ground plane is disposed within the multilayer substrate, the elements of which (114, 134) are positioned on both sides of the center feed element (122).

Abstract: A wide beamwidth antenna system (100) having a number of monopole antenna elements (102-108) disposed on at least one surface (111,113) of a single, flexible dielectric substrate (101), a number of antenna feed members (110-116), disposed on the first surface (111) of the dielectric substrate (101), each antenna feed member (110-116) being respectively coupled to one of the monopole antenna elements (102-108), a system feed member (118), disposed on the first surface (111) of the dielectric substrate (101), a first power splitter (120), disposed on the first surface (111) of the dielectric substrate (101) and coupled between the system feed member (118) and the first one of the monopole antennae (102) and a first phase shifter (130), disposed on the first surface (111) of the dielectric substrate (101) and coupled between the first (102) and the second (104) monopole antennae. A ground plane (140) is disposed on a portion of the second surface (113) of the dielectric substrate (101).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tuning the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (110) of a Phase Locked Loop (100) by comparing the VCO (110) voltage control line (116) to reference voltage (V.sub.1). With feedback, the voltage control line (116) is driven to the reference voltage level (V.sub.1).

Abstract: A data compression system (200) employs an encoder (210) optimized to decorrelate and make independent from the original signal (202), the quantization noise produced during signal compression by a quantizer (214). Because the quantization noise produced during signal compression is made independent from and orthogonal (i.e., uncorrelated) to the original signal (202), filtering is achievable by filter (223) which is an adaptive oriented uncorrelated Weiner (AOW). The filter (223) adaptively selects a filter mask from a plurality of available filter masks. Mask selection is based, in part, upon either filter orientation or generation of a minimum variance output. Image component processing is performed on a local (e.g., pixel-by-pixel or 2-by-2) basis as opposed to a global basis (e.g., across the entire image).

Abstract: A fast attack Automatic Gain Control (AGC) loop (100) having a first feedback loop with selectable responses shapes and a second feedback loop with selectable responses shapes. Response shape selection is based, in part, upon fast pull-down, overshoot recovery, and normal mode loop operation.

Abstract: A method for acquiring rapid automatic gain control (AGC) response in a narrow band receiver teaches opening the AGC loop (100), setting the gain control signal (106) amplitude of the AGC amplifier stage (104) to a known value, altering the gain control signal (106) amplitude over time, and monitoring the narrow band receiver for an output signal (112). Upon output signal (112) detection, halting alteration of the gain control signal (106) amplitude, closing the AGC loop (100) and commencing normal operation. A particular facet of this approach suggests detecting the output (112) with a varying gain detector (116,132) after the loop (100) is closed and before normal operations are commenced.

Abstract: An assembly for electrically interconnecting a printed circuit board (106) to a flexible circuit carrier (104) includes a retention clip (102) for mechanically pressing the printed circuit board (106) against the flexible circuit carrier (104). The printed circuit board (106) includes a set of locating features (110) which match with locating features (116) located on the flexible circuit (104). A set of retention features (114) match up with side locks (122) located on the retention clip) and maintain the clip (102) engaged to the printed circuit board (106) in a mechanically biased state. The clip (102) also includes alignment apertures (118) for receiving the locating features (110) on the printed circuit board to aid in alignment of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved network interface architecture for a packet switch provides for the combination of both voice and data in a single switch using a common packet structure. It allows for the dynamic allocation of bandwidth based on system loading. This includes not only bandwidth within the voice or data areas of the frame, but also between the voice and data portions. The network interface (NI) provides a mechanism (the NI-Bus) of passing all packets through the Network Interface or allowing the packet devices to directly transfer packets between one another. The bandwidth allocation can easily be changed because the control and data memories are synchronized to one another. The network interface architecture, according to the invention, allows for the data packets and the control of bandwidth allocation to be controlled by a single switching device. It synchronizes the transfer of the data and the allocation of bus bandwidth.

Abstract: In a wireless TDMA network a control module (CM) sends a time stamp relative to the beginning of its frame in a synchronization packet allowing each of a plurality of user modules (UM) to maintain synchronization relative to the CM. The CM uses a plurality of directional antennas and transmits the synchronization packets over each antenna over a predetermined number of frames. The UMs use a receive time stamp to identify the beginning of a received synchronization packet. The difference between the time stamps combined with a delay constant is used by the UMs to adjust time synchronization to the CM frame.