Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified fiber product and a method of producing same. According to the method, the cellulosic raw material is formed into a fiber suspension, into which components modifying the properties of the fibers are added, subsequent to which the fibrous material is dried in connection with, for example, web forming. According to the invention, alkyl derivative of cellulose is mixed into the fiber suspension in alkaline conditions, the derivative being at least partly dissolved in water, and the derivative is allowed to be sorbed into the fibrous material prior to drying such that the sorbed cellulose derivative can not be washed off with water. The strength properties or the water retention of paper and paperboard products can be improved by using the invention.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop has a phase detector that generates a phase difference signal, a circuit that generates a phase-locked loop output signal having a frequency that is a function of the phase difference signal, a frequency divider that receives the phase-locked loop output signal and generates therefrom a divided frequency signal. To substantially reduce variation in the duty cycle of the divided frequency signal, a comparison signal having one half the frequency of the divided frequency signal is generated. This may be performed by configuring a latch to toggle its output state once for every cycle of the divided frequency signal. To compensate for the additional division by two in the feedback path, the phase detector may use a dual-edge triggered latch to generate the phase difference signal so that it represents a phase difference between the reference signal and a signal having twice the frequency of the comparison signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for output impedance matching in multi-band power amplification are provided, wherein an output matching configuration comprising one or more output matching sections, a multi-band diplexer and a switch are connected to an active device.

Abstract: A distributed Internet Protocol (IP) voting system and method for use in Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems having a central send-and-receive site and one or more receive-only sites. In the distributed voting system, receive-only sites are directly linked to the control point using a network and associated packet transmission protocol. This may be a high-speed asynchronous data link such as a standard IP network link. Each remote site receiving digital data, calculates a bit error for that data. This error calculation is incorporated into the data header information. The data header information and data are placed in an IP packet and transmitted as a User Data Protocol (UDP) message to the control point. The control point selects the lowest bit rate data message, or the first control message, and retransmits it using a standard radio air interface protocol, such as the APCO Project 25 air interface protocol.

Abstract: A microphone unit comprising a voice input for receiving a voice input signal, an analog to digital converter for creating a digital signal from voice signal, a voice coding device for creating a voice coded signal output from the digital signal, encryption means for encrypting the voice coded signal, and a modulator for generating a transmittable signal that can be supplied to a radio via the microphone input. Additionally, the microphone unit is capable of performing the steps in reverse upon receiving an encrypted signal. The received signal output from the radio is demodulated, un-encrypted, voice decoded, converted from a digital voice signal to an analog voice signal, and output via a speaker which is preferably built into the microphone unit.

Abstract: An incendiary composition (14) for a fin-stabilized kinetic energy projectile (1) which can be arranged in the tail region of the projectile (1) and, upon impact with a target (13), penetrates the target (13) as a separate unit behind the penetrator (2) of the kinetic energy projectile (1). To reach the objective of a high destructive effect caused by the incendiary composition (14) within a target (13), despite a small volume and a low mass, and to ensure that the incendiary composition is ignited securely by the shock waves generated upon impact, according to the invention, a titanium sponge is used as the incendiary composition (14), with an epoxide resin or a polyester resin used as a binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crinkling device comprising a slide rod (16), to which a second crinkling element (15) is fastened. The slide rod is guided in a frame (2) so as to be movable in a substantially vertical direction between a lower position (L), in which the second crinkling element (15) is out of contact with the lower edge (4) of a foil web (1), and an upper position (U), in which the second crinkling element (15) deflects the lower edge (4) of the foil web (1) upwards so as to crinkle it. The slide rod returns to the lower position (L) when not exposed to a force acting in the upward direction. The device further comprises first coupling means (171, 181) for forming a releasable coupling between the slide rod (16) and a first drive element portion (8) when the drive element (7) is running in a first direction (11) to move the second crinkling element (15) to the upper position (U).

Abstract: A portable multi-band communication device has a power amplifier, a battery for supplying power to the power amplifier, and a controller, which controls an output power level of the communication device by generating a digital control signal for the power amplifier. The controller monitors the digital control signal and in response determines a consumption of electric energy from the battery.

Abstract: A path through a data network is calculated that accounts for priority levels of already-established paths. Potential new paths are determined taking into account priority level information associated with data network links. Of the determined paths, the path selected is preferably one having the least pre-emptive effect on lower priority traffic. The bandwidth reservation information for each data network link is determined along with the maximum bandwidth of each link and the available bandwidth at each priority level. Links with insufficient resources are eliminated from consideration. For the remaining candidate paths, determination for each link are make: which lower priority levels will be affected by the setup of the new path, how much reserved bandwidth will be pre-empted at each priority level, and how much free bandwidth is available at the lowers priority level. A path is selected that reduces or preferably minimizes some aspect of pre-emption.

Abstract: An inexpensive energy monitoring device and method for measuring energy usage and power costs in real time. The invention can include an external type digital battery powered camera that can be mounted away from and adjacent to the outdoor utility meter on a rotatable arm, which can send data signals to remote locations indoors using wireless such as an RF signal to a detector/display inside the residence. The indoor unit can be programmed to display desirable energy status information to a home owner on power usage and power costs on a daily bases, monthly bases, and yearly bases so that the home owner can budget energy usage and energy costs as needed. A shield can also be used with device and method for shielding power meters from adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing applications that include non-deterministic behavior. The presently disclosed method generates test code for testing deterministic behavior of an application. When instances of non-deterministic behavior of the application being tested are encountered, the method provides acceptable alternate behaviors, such that the non-deterministic behavior can be effectively tested. The method may be implemented as a software test tool that utilizes a graphical programming interface to make the test generation simple and easy to use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radio frequency transmit power levels produced by a power amplifier of a wireless device is described. In one exemplary apparatus implementation, the apparatus includes a power amplifier, an antenna switch and a power amplifier detector. The power amplifier is configured to amplify a transmit signal at a desired power level. An antenna switch, is located between the power amplifier and an antenna, and is configured to switch the antenna from a receive mode to a transmit mode and vice versa. A power amplifier detector is connected to the antenna switch. The power amplifier detector is configured to receive a leakage signal from the antenna switch as a basis to detect the power level of the transmit signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radio frequency transmit power levels produced by a power amplifier of a wireless device is described. In one exemplary apparatus implementation, the apparatus includes a power amplifier, an antenna switch and a power amplifier detector. The power amplifier is configured to amplify a transmit signal at a desired power level. An antenna switch, is located between the power amplifier and an antenna, and is configured to switch the antenna from a receive mode to a transmit mode and vice versa. A power amplifier detector is connected to the antenna switch. The power amplifier detector is configured to receive a leakage signal from the antenna switch as a basis to detect the power level of the transmit signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biasing a power amplifier circuit operating as a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) are described. The bias circuit comprises a first transistor with a reference voltage coupled to its base terminal, a second transistor coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor at its collector terminal, and a third transistor with its base terminal coupled to the first and second transistors, and to an input signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing flexible thermoplastic compositions that may be used separately or combined with up to fifty percent thermoplastic scrap. One embodiment of the invention comprises creating a melt-blend of blending composition, up to 50% by weight thermoplastic scrap and up to 15% by weight poly(ethyl-co-vinyl) acetate wherein the blending composition comprises an impact polypropylene, impact modifier and plasticizer. The polypropylene, impact modifier and plasticizer are selected to meet requirements of flexible thermoplastic compositions useful in vehicle interiors. In another embodiment of the invention a random polypropylene is used.

Abstract: An antenna unit formed in the shape of a hollow box comprising (a) a substrate forming the front side of the antenna unit, (b) a first microstrip antenna array formed on the substrate, (c) a second microstrip antenna array formed on the substrate, (d) a ground plane forming the rear side of the antenna unit, and (e) a plurality of periodic filters formed on the ground plane. The periodic filters are formed by etching a series of circular patterns, or holes, through the ground plane. The periodic stop band filters provide for improved isolation between the microstrip antenna arrays, without the need for adding additional costly or space consuming components.

Abstract: A method of estimating the pitch of a speech signal comprises the steps of sampling the speech signal to obtain a series of samples, dividing the series of samples into segments, each segment having a fixed number of consecutive samples, calculating for each segment a conformity function, and detecting peaks in the conformity function. The method provides also an intermediate signal derived from the speech signal, which is set to logical “1” where the intermediate signals exceeds a pre-selected threshold and to logical “0” where the intermediate signal does not exceed the pre-selected threshold, calculating the autocorrelation of the binary signal, and using the distance between peaks in the autocorrelation of the binary signal as an estimate of the pitch. Elaborate operations needed in prior art algorithms is thus avoided. A device conforming to the method is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant triple helical proteins or collagen-like proteins comprising a prokaryotic protein or one or more domains of a prokaryotic protein comprising a collagen-like peptide sequence of repeated Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets and, optionally, one or more domains from a mammalian collagen. Also provided are expression vectors and host cells containing the expression vectors to produce these recombinant proteins and methods of production for the same. Additionally, antibodies are provided that are directed against a recombinant collagen-like protein that, preferably, binds an integrin. Furthermore, a method of screening for potential therapeutic compounds that inhibit the integrin-binding or -interacting activities of recombinant collagen-like proteins.