Abstract: An electronic component includes a substrate (110) and an airbridge (890) located over the substrate. The airbridge has at least a first layer and a second layer over the first layer. The airbridge is electrically conductive where the first layer of the airbridge is less resistive than the second layer of the airbridge.

Abstract: In a code division multiple access wireless communication system having at least one base transceiver station and at least one mobile station having a mobile station receiver assembly configured to receive a coded signal having an information-bearing signal portion and an associated interfering signal portion from the base transceiver station, a method and apparatus for automatic gain control compensation in the mobile station receiver assembly, is disclosed. The method includes causing a gain adjustment to the coded signal by an AGC circuit in the mobile station receiver assembly to produce a post-AGC signal having a post-AGC interfering signal portion with an associated post-AGC interfering signal power level, and an associated gain error value. The method further includes compensating for the gain adjustment to the coded signal if the number of receiver fingers assigned to demodulate the coded signal is less than or equal to a predetermined number.

Abstract: A teleconference system including a plurality of personal presence cells positioned at a local communication site and at a remote communication site. The plurality of personal presence cells are characterized as either sensor cells or display cells. The sensor cells include at least one video camera positioned to sense and transmit an image of the local participant, and an image screen positioned to reflect an image of the local participant toward the at least one video camera and for viewing of an image through the screen. The display cells each include at least one projection display positioned to display a multi-dimensional image of a remote participant on a display screen. A transmission link interfaces the plurality of personal presence cells positioned at the local communication site and the plurality of presence cells positioned at the remote communication site.

Abstract: A serial bus (106) communication protocol communicates data packets. When priority messages are identified, transmission of a data packet (302) being transmitted, if any, is interrupted. The priority message (402) is transmitted. Thereafter, transmission of an interrupted data packet is completed.

Abstract: A battery for use in various temperature environments includes a plurality of cells arranged in a close packing arrangement and a sleeve that is disposed around the cells. The sleeve is constructed from a material that acts as an insulator at relatively low temperatures and that acts as a conductor at relatively high temperatures.

Abstract: A method of creating a database of poor coverage areas (120) in a wireless communication system includes (100) determining if a signal quality metric (204) of a communication link (130) in a poor coverage area (120) is below a signal quality threshold (202) then incrementing a poor coverage area counter (210), if not, incrementing a good coverage area counter (212). Storing one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) traversed by wireless device (102) prior to entering the poor coverage area (120) and calculating a trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) based on one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) and poor coverage area (120). Subsequently, anticipating entry of the wireless device (102) into the poor coverage area (120) utilizing the trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) and alerting a user of wireless device (102).

Abstract: A wireless communication device facilitated by a network controller and corresponding methods select a list of requested groups for affiliation from a list of associated groups. The list of requested groups is sent to a network infrastructure where it is processed according to a set of rules. A final list of groups for affiliation is made and the network infrastructure is configured to support the affiliated groups. The list of affiliated groups may also be sent to the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A semiconductor component comprises a first semiconductor region (110, 310), a second semiconductor region (120, 320) above the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region (130, 330) above the second semiconductor region, a fourth semiconductor region (140, 340) above the third semiconductor region, a fifth semiconductor region (150, 350) above the second semiconductor region and at least partially contiguous with the fourth semiconductor region, a sixth semiconductor region (160, 360) above and electrically shorted to the fifth semiconductor region, and an electrically insulating layer (180, 380) above the fourth semiconductor region and the fifth semiconductor region. A junction (145, 345) between the fourth semiconductor region and the fifth semiconductor region forms a zener diode junction, which is located only underneath the electrically insulating layer. In one embodiment, a seventh semiconductor region (170) circumscribes the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A repeater unit (202,204) operates in a multi-channel wireless communication repeater system and maintains a priority state (216) for the repeater unit (202,204). The repeater unit (202,204) includes The prioritizer module (218) further controls the repeater unit (202,204) and in response to receiving a repeater priority code (116, 118) designating itself as a non-priority repeater unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method changes an assignment of a receiver channel element (302a-302n), such as a RAKE receiver finger based on transmit power control information (212), such as a power control bit or other suitable information, that is used as part of a closed loop transmit power control system between a transmitter and receiver. In one embodiment, a transmit power control information generator (204) produces the transmit power control information (212) on a per channel basis based on received symbol energy (210) of a received spread spectrum signal (202). A receiver channel element management module (206), analyzes the transmit power control information (212) and produces receiver channel element control information (214) to suitably change assignment of receiver channel elements, such as receiver fingers, based on the transmit power control information (212). The reassignment of fingers is rapid and provides close tracking of rapidly changing radio frequency environments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supplying power to a load at a plurality of different power levels. The method includes changing between high and low power outputs of the power amplifier when amplifying a signal having a common modulation format. A different bias is applied to the power amplifier at the low power output than the bias applied to the power amplifier at the high power output. The output of the power amplifier is loaded with a different impedance at the low power output than the impedance loaded at the output of the power amplifier output at the high power output. In at least one embodiment, the power amplifier changes between high and low power outputs at a different threshold level dependant upon whether the power amplifier is transitioning from the high power output to the low power output, or whether the power amplifier is transitioning from the low power output to the high power output.

Abstract: An object selection apparatus (100) has a geo-location processor (108) that determines the location of a device (120) at the time of an input by a user. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a bearing determination processor (104) that determines a bearing from the device (120) at the time of the user input. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a geo-content retrieval system (118) that retries information that relates to a set of objects that correspond to the location and bearing of the device (120) that was determined at the time of the input.

Abstract: A method of locating a billing area associated with a cell phone call initiated in an airborne cellular communications system enables service providers to more accurately identify system user locations within the system's area of coverage. In operation, propagation delay and beam number location of an initiated call are identified to determine a current handset radial beam location. The propagation delay is then mapped to a stored closest corresponding radial geographic billing location, and the call is then associated with the closest corresponding radial geographic billing location. Additional system accuracy may be provided by determining azimuthal position within a beam footprint by determining a handoff location of a signal from a first beam to a second beam, and then mapping handoff information to a closest corresponding azimuthal geographic billing location. Both the closest corresponding radial and azimuthal geographic billing locations are then used to identify a current handset location.

Abstract: A fluidic pump (108) comprises an electrolyte cavity (110) and a pump outlet (115) fluidically coupled to the electrolyte cavity that are within at least a portion of a fluid guiding structure (105), two electrodes (112, 113) extending from the fluid guiding structure into the electrolyte cavity; and a vapor permeable membrane (120) that prevents an electrolyte (125) in the electrolyte cavity from passing through the pump outlet while allowing gas to flow through the pump outlet.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a charging device (900) is capable of receiving a first device (102) coupled to a second device (100). The first device has a first battery associated therewith and the second device has a second battery associated therewith. The charging device is capable of charging the first battery and the second battery in one of the following manners: charging the first and second batteries in a serial manner, charging the first and second batteries in a parallel manner, and charging the second battery from the energy stored in the first battery.

Abstract: A delay locked loop circuit 300 consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a delay line 304 with coarse adjustment 322 and fine adjustment 360 inputs. The coarse adjustment input 322 provides an overall adjustment of all of the delay line's delay elements while the fine adjustment inputs 360 permit adjusting the individual delay value of each delay element. A first multiplexer 330 receives the delay tap outputs and produces a first selected output while a second multiplexer 334 also receives the delay tap outputs and produces a second selected output. A measurement circuit 344 measures a difference between the first and second output as a measurement of a selected delay element's delay value. An error calculator 346 receives the output of the measurement circuit and calculates fine adjustment voltages for each of the selected delay elements. A tuning circuit 350 applies the fine adjustment voltages to the fine adjustment inputs of the delay line 304.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device (10) including a shorting bar (40) having a first portion (42) electrically coupled to a first input/output signal line (34) and a second portion (43) electrically uncoupled to a second input/output signal line (36). Shorting bar (40) is coupled to a moveable end (49) of a cantilever structure (44). Thus, preferably only the second portion (43) of shorting bar (40) needs to be actuated to be electrically coupled to the second input/output signal line (36).