Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide high bandwidth data communication with respect to a large coverage area using smart antenna and/or directional antenna techniques. Embodiments provide extended wireless local area network (WLAN) coverage areas using a directional antenna, with the cooperation of a cellular system or proprietary WLAN infrastructure to perform best antenna beam pattern estimation and signaling. Stations disposed beyond a WLAN coverage area may establish contact and exchange signaling information with an access point through a secondary control channel. Such a secondary control channel signaling may be relatively low bandwidth and may be utilized to identify the need to communicate data, to identify a “best” directional antenna beam through which to communicate data, etcetera. Payload data may then be transmitted at a high bit rate through one or more smart antenna beams targeted at the appropriate stations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which monitor a network environment, collect client information available online, and refine location determinations of individual clients based on observed information as well as online information. More particularly, the present invention is directed to systems and methods which monitor the wireless network, collect online receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) information observations from client users, without requiring knowledge of those clients' locations. The present invention is additionally directed to systems and methods to enhance the accuracy of the location determinations in a network, based on observed client information such as, for example, signal strength references.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to managing wireless communications associated with a plurality of mobile devices moving in the same direction. In one embodiment, an intelligent wireless switch (IWS) is used to manage communications. The IWS includes an internal access point for managing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for a plurality of wireless devices. The IWS includes a plurality of stations for communicating with a plurality of external access points. The IWS also includes a packet switch controller for directing data between the plurality of wireless devices and the plurality of stations. By switching between the plurality of stations in response to the signal strengths of the external access points, the plurality of wireless devices are able to continuously conduct data communications without interruptions associated with reaching the limits of a coverage area of an external access point.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a busy tone or signal for use in communication collision avoidance in a wireless network, such as a WLAN, a cellular network, or other point-to-multipoint wireless network. An intelligent busy tone generator, upon the proper conditions, transmits a busy tone or signal to one or more wireless device which may otherwise be hidden from particular communications. According to embodiments the busy tone mimics a carrier sequence of an actual transmission to facilitate the wireless devices recognizing the channel as busy. Because the original uplink packet may be interfered by transmission of a busy tone carrier-sense sequence, embodiments are provided with interference cancellation capability. Interference cancellation circuitry of embodiments may operate in a plurality of modes, including a training mode (including an online training mode, an offline training mode, and a hybrid or combined mode) and an operating mode.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus having an integrated toroidal plasma source is described. The material processing apparatus includes a plasma chamber that comprises a portion of an outer surface of a process chamber. A transformer having a magnetic core surrounds a portion of the plasma chamber. The transformer has a primary winding. A solid state AC switching power supply comprising one or more switching semiconductor devices is coupled to a voltage supply and has an output that is coupled to the primary winding. The solid state AC switching power supply drives an AC current in the primary winding that induces an AC potential inside the chamber that directly forms a toroidal plasma that completes a secondary circuit of the transformer and dissociates the gas.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plasma used for materials processing includes generating a power for forming an electronegative plasma, detecting a signal that is related to a parameter of the plasma, and modulating the power generated in response to the signal. Modulation of the power causes a reduction in an instability of the parameter of the plasma. An apparatus for controlling a materials processing electronegative plasma includes a signal detector for detecting a signal that is related to a parameter of the plasma, and a power modulator for causing a modulation of the power for forming the plasma in response to the signal.

Abstract: The invention features an RF plasma generator. The RF plasma generator includes a variable frequency RF generator, comprising an H-bridge and an RF output. The RF generator generates electromagnetic radiation having a power. The RF plasma generator further includes a matching network that includes at least one variable impedance component. The matching network also includes a first port that is electromagnetically coupled to the output of the RF generator and a second port. The RF plasma generator also includes a load that is electromagnetically coupled to the second port of the matching network, and a plasma chamber for containing a plasma having a power. The plasma chamber is electromagnetically coupled to the load and receives electromagnetic radiation having a power from the load. Adjusting at least one of the frequency of the RF generator and the variable impedance component in the matching network changes the power in the plasma.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which establish a referral gateway for facilitating multi-media content, or other rich content, exchange among users and user devices. Embodiments connect a WLAN, or any specific local area network, with a mobile cellular network for efficiently transmitting messages including rich content. In operation, a sending user does not need to download particular content to form a message, but instead sends a code to a referral gateway which compiles the message and arranges for delivery, such as over a fixed network, a cellular network, etcetera. Using such systems and methods neither the receiver nor the sender are limited by their respective network and/or user device capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a tapered conductor strip adapted for broadband wireless communication. Embodiments provide a conductor strip which is curved along its face, thereby providing an aperture taper. The conductor strip configured to provide an aperture taper may be placed over a planar ground plane to form a wideband tapered strip antenna element. Embodiments further provide a conductor strip which is curved along an edge or edges thereof, thereby providing an impedance taper. The dimensions of the impedance taper are preferably selected to provide a desired characteristic impedance with respect to an antenna element formed therefrom. Embodiments may further include a shorting pin or shorting plate configuration to generate an additional mode.

Abstract: Plasma ignition and cooling apparatus and methods for plasma systems are described. An apparatus can include a vessel and at least one ignition electrode adjacent to the vessel. A total length of a dimension of the at least one ignition electrode is greater than 10% of a length of the vessel's channel. The apparatus can include a dielectric toroidal vessel, a heat sink having multiple segments urged toward the vessel by a spring-loaded mechanism, and a thermal interface between the vessel and the heat sink. A method can include providing a gas having a flow rate and a pressure and directing a portion of the flow rate of the gas into a vessel channel. The gas is ignited in the channel while the remaining portion of the flow rate is directed away from the channel.

Abstract: The invention features RF plasma generation systems, methods for operating the systems, methods for calibrating the systems, and calibration apparatus. One RF plasma generation system includes an impedance matching network having an input port to receive an RF signal from an RF generator, and an output port to deliver the RF signal to an input port of a plasma vessel associated with a load. The system includes an RF signal probe in electromagnetic communication with the input port of the impedance matching network to detect at least one RF signal parameter associated with the RF signal at the input port of the impedance matching network. The system can include a calibration storage unit that stores calibration data. The calibration data includes an association of values of the RF signal parameter with values of at least one characteristic of the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for cleaning semiconductor elements accommodated in a tank which uses ozonized, deionized (DI) ultrapure water. According to the invention, ozone is generated in an ozone generator (3) according to the principal of silent electric discharge while admitting highly pure oxygen. Said ozone is fed to a contactor (7) through which DI water flows. The ozone is then dissolved in the DI water. While optionally admitting additional chemicals, the ozonized DI water is conducted through the tank (12) holding the semiconductor elements in order to clean the same, and the used DI water is carried away (15). In order to stabilize the ozone concentration, CO2 is added to the ozone/oxygen mixture generated by the ozone generator (7).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention uses an MSM photodetector that is coupled to a relatively large core optical waveguide, e.g. an HCS fiber or a plastic optical fiber (POF). The MSM photodetector with its low capacitance enables high speed data transmission using large core optical waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for location positioning in wireless networks using techniques which are adapted to provide reliable location determinations even in complex topological environments. Embodiments utilize multiple antenna patterns, such as may be provided using phased array antennas, and implement location positioning techniques which do not require alteration of remote stations in providing location positioning. Various techniques for determining location may be implemented, including a channel model independent approach, a channel model based approach, or combinations thereof. A channel model independent approach used in providing location positioning may compare receive signal strength differences to an antenna gain difference table to determine an angle in the azimuth that a remote station is located.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and a method for supplying ozonated water to more than one process tool. Ozonated water of a first concentration received from an ozonated water generator and water received from a source are mixed to produce ozonated water of a second concentration. The ozonated water of a second concentration is supplied to a first process tool. Ozonated water from the ozonated water generator is supplied to a second process tool while supplying the ozonated water of the second concentration to the first process tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for dissociating gases includes a plasma chamber comprising a gas. A first transformer having a first magnetic core surrounds a first portion of the plasma chamber and has a first primary winding. A second transformer having a second magnetic core surrounds a second portion of the plasma chamber and has a second primary winding. A first solid state AC switching power supply including one or more switching semiconductor devices is coupled to a first voltage supply and has a first output that is coupled to the first primary winding. A second solid state AC switching power supply including one or more switching semiconductor devices is coupled to a second voltage supply and has a second output that is coupled to the second primary winding. The first solid state AC switching power supply drives a first AC current in the first primary winding. The second solid state AC switching power supply drives a second AC current in the second primary winding.

Abstract: Plasma ignition and cooling apparatus and methods for plasma systems are described. An apparatus can include a vessel and at least one ignition electrode adjacent to the vessel. A total length of a dimension of the at least one ignition electrode is greater than 10% of a length of the vessel's channel. The apparatus can include a dielectric toroidal vessel, a heat sink having multiple segments urged toward the vessel by a spring-loaded mechanism, and a thermal interface between the vessel and the heat sink. A method can include providing a gas having a flow rate and a pressure and directing a portion of the flow rate of the gas into a vessel channel. The gas is ignited in the channel while the remaining portion of the flow rate is directed away from the channel.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and a method for supplying ozonated water to more than one process tool. Ozonated water of a first concentration received from an ozonated water generator and water received from a source are mixed to produce ozonated water of a second concentration. The ozonated water of a second concentration is supplied to a first process tool. Ozonated water from the ozonated water generator is supplied to a second process tool while supplying the ozonated water of the second concentration to the first process tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences which encode human autoantibodies and antiidiotypic antibodies against blood platelet membrane proteins, to novel amino acid sequences of human antibodies, and to their use for the diagnosis and therapy of diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences which encode human autoantibodies and antiidiotypic antibodies against blood platelet membrane proteins, to novel amino acid sequences of human antibodies, and to their use for the diagnosis and therapy of diseases.