Abstract: A transmitter system is provided. In one embodiment, the transmitter system includes a data modulation unit, which generates a stream of data that is synchronized with a master clock. The transmitter system additionally includes a transmitter that transmits the stream of synchronized data by way of an attached antenna. In another embodiment the transmitter system includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer that includes a clock synchronization device, a frequency divider, a slot allocation unit, and a multiplexer/demultiplexer. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and a method for encoding and decoding ultra-wideband information are provided. An ultra-wideband transmission is encoded by positioning bipolar pulse pairs. The bipolar pulse pairs assist in detecting errors in the ultra-wideband transmission, before the entire transmission has been received. The transmission is analyzed for errors and an error rate is calculated. The calculated error rate is compared to one or more predefined acceptable error rate levels to determine whether the calculated error rate of the transmission is within at least one of the predefined acceptable error rate levels.

Abstract: A reliable Medium Access Control layer protocol and method employing centralized management of communication in a Time Division Multiple Access network architecture. The Medium Access Control layer protocol implements Quality of Service guaranties to the layers of the Open Systems Interconnection reference model above the Medium Access Control layer by providing guaranteed bandwidth links within the bandwidth range specified by those layers. The Medium Access Control layer protocol further provides variable data slot requisition, variable data slot allocation, dynamic data slot reallocation, and data slot deallocation.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping radio-frequency (RF) noise, and estimating channel quality in a multi-channel ultra-wideband communication system is provided. One method includes placing a plurality of time bins within a plurality of time frames and assigning a plurality of UWB communication channels comprising selected time bins. RF noise amplitude data is then sampled from selected time bins. The sampled RF noise amplitude data from the time bins is then averaged, thereby obtaining an average RF noise amplitude in each of the plurality of channels. The RF noise amplitude indicates the amount of RF noise present in a channel. The channels may then be ranked based on the characteristics of the RF noise.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a scanner or imager that employs a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitters that emit a multiplicity of UWB pulses, which are received by a plurality of receivers. An object or person positioned between the UWB transmitters and receivers can be scanned and subsequently imaged in extreme detail, due to the broad spectral content of the UWB pulses. The UWB scanner can be constructed as a stationary or portable device.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method of treating biological cells prior to subjecting the biological cells to cell fusion pulses which includes the step of treating the biological cells with pre-fusion electric field waveforms which change amplitude in a non-linear way with respect to time, such that the biological cells are first aligned with a relatively low amplitude, long duration pre-fusion electric field waveform and then compressed with a relatively high amplitude, short duration pre-fusion electric field waveform resulting in increased cell membrane contact prior to being subjected to cell fusion. The non-linear pre-fusion electric field waveforms can change in a stepped way, in a continuous way, in a sigmoidal way, with step-wise increasing waveforms in adjacent steps, with step-wise increasing waveforms in non-adjacent steps, and in accordance with non-linear algorithms.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. A non-conducting base member having a component recess and a set of specially shaped lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the conductors of the component are routed through the lead channels. A set of insertable lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the specially shaped lead channels, are received and captured within the lead channels, thereby forming an electrical connection between the lead terminals and the conductors of the electronic component(s). A method of fabricating the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention provides a dynamic channel re-assignment capability between mobile units, base stations and sectors within base station coverage areas. The wireless devices used in the present invention may include impulse radio communication devices such as, for example ultra-wideband radio (also known as digital pulse wireless) communication devices. Ultra-wideband bandwidth and channel allocation can be effectively managed, even though link quality generally deteriorates near the outer boundary of the base station. By maintaining dual communications with an adjoining base station, the present invention reduces the bit error rate and maintains signal strength (e.g., RF signal strength). This procedure is termed a “soft-handoff”.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: A system and method to generate an ultra-wideband pulse is provided. One method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that includes a first section representing a first data symbol, and a second section representing a second data symbol. A second method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin comprising a data symbol that represents a multiplicity of binary digits. Another method of the present invention includes generating an ultra-wideband pulse that comprises a plurality of time bins, with each time bin representing a first data symbol. The same ultra-wideband pulse also includes an amplitude that represents a second data symbol.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving and aligning a multiple electrode pair array and a multiple well plate used in electroporation. The apparatus includes a housing which includes a bottom housing portion and a pair of side housing portions which project upward from the bottom housing portion. A pair of board-reception structures are adjacent to the inner portions of the side housing portions. Multiple well plate engaging and disengaging means, supported by the housing, are provided for engaging a multiple well plate with a multiple electrode pair array and for disengaging a multiple well plate from a multiple electrode pair array. Preferably, the multiple well plate engaging and disengaging means include a multiple well plate lifting and lowering assembly. The multiple well plate lifting and lowering assembly can include lifting/lowering handles located outside the housing.

Abstract: A method of making a microelectronic package. The advanced microelectronic component package incorporates a specially shaped base element which holds and electrically separates the individual conductors associated with the microelectronic component(s) so that the individual conductors may be bonded to external package leads and other conductors within the package. In a first embodiment, jacketed, insulated wire is used as one winding of a toroidal transformer, while unjacketed insulated wire is used as another winding. The jacketing is stripped from the first winding and the exposed conductors are routed into channels along the sides of the base element. The unjacketed conductors are also routed into the same channels, where both conductors are bonded to the external package leads. Raised elements along the sides of the base provide the required electrical separation between the conductors during both manufacture and operation. A method of manufacturing the improved microelectronic package is also disclosed.

Abstract: An advanced multi-connector electronic assembly incorporating a variety of different noise shield elements which reduce noise interference and increase performance. In one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of connectors with associated electronic components arranged in two parallel rows, one disposed atop the other such that modular plug recesses of all connectors are accessible by the user. The assembly utilizes a substrate shield which mitigates noise transmission through the bottom surface of the assembly, as well as an external “wrap-around shield to mitigate noise transmission through the remaining external surfaces.

Abstract: A system for treating a fluid comprising a treatment chamber; a light source for emitting light, such that at least a portion of the light travels within the treatment chamber; and a treatment area within the treatment chamber; wherein a flow profile of the fluid in the treatment area matches the fluence profile of the light that travels within the treatment area. An apparatus for providing a substantially uniform light treatment of a flowing fluid by providing a light source or sources and establishing (or controlling) the flow such that the combination of light intensity and flow velocity provides substantially uniform treatment (i.e. the faster moving fluid streams are treated at higher intensity and the slower moving fluid streams are treated at lower intensity).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing thermo-mechanical damage to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed. The method and apparatus of the invention focus on preventing ESD protection circuit failure due to elastic waves within the materials of an integrated circuit. The elastic waves are specifically caused by very fast ESD discharge events. Disclosed are ESD protection circuits incorporating materials with superior thermo-mechanical properties, in particular, material damping, melting temperature, material stiffness, elastic modulus, tensile strength and fracture toughness. Also disclosed is the use of thermo-mechanical energy absorber material that is designed to protect ESD devices from failure due to slower ESD events.

Abstract: An advanced shielded modular plug connector assembly incorporating a removable insert assembly disposed in the connector housing, the insert assembly adapted to optionally receive one or more electronic components. In one exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a single port connector with integral shielded housing and dual-substrate insert assembly. The housing is advantageously formed using a metal casting process which inherently shields the connector (and exterior environment) from EMI and other noise while allowing for a reduced housing profile. In another embodiment, a plurality of light sources are disposed within (and shielded by) the metallic housing. In yet another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a multi-port “1×N” device. In yet another embodiment, a bail mechanism is provided to permit easy insertion/removal of the connector assembly from an external structure such as a rack or enclosure. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a pulsed modulation system and method that employs a set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method of the present invention enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. The present invention may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. A set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates are employed to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. This method may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to guickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A kettle (10) is provided with LEDs (30) in the base (19) of the kettle that project through holes (18) or groups of holes (36) directly on to a power supply stand (16) to provide an indication that the kettle is switched on and yield a pleasing aesthetic effect.

Abstract: A method to increase the available bandwidth across a wired network is provided. The method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband signal across the wired network. One embodiment of the present invention may transmit a multiplicity of ultra-wideband signals through a community access television network. The present invention may transmit an ultra-wideband signal across an optical network, a cable television network, a community antenna television network, a community access television network, a hybrid fiber-coax network, an Internet service provider network, and a PSTN network.