Abstract: One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacture of products is configuration. More particularly, this relates to verification of an existing configuration and to reconfiguration of a product following manufacturing. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station capable of configuration verification and reconfiguration and of preventing shipment of a product if an undesirable configuration is detected. A preferred approach also includes guiding the operator to take possible remedial action. The preferred approach further includes storing various types of data needed for the verification and reconfiguration in a server, thereby making such data substantially instantly accessible for verification and reconfiguration purposes. Such data preferably includes software capable of adapting the functions of the station itself, i.e., the tasks to be performed at the configuration verification and reconfiguration station.

Abstract: One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacturing products that include technology in skilled areas is configuring a production station for use by an operator without specialised skills. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station configurable to perform one or more of incoming inspection, assembly, testing, and branding. A preferred approach includes verifying data associated with units prior to accepting them for incorporation, preventing incorporation of an incorrect unit, and guiding an operator in possible remedial action. This approach includes storing data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible to production stations once written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure the production station such that the operator need not have specialized skills. A production station designed using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of an outdoor unit of a split-mount microwave radio system.

Abstract: One aspect related to design of systems and methods for product manufacturing is portability, i.e., allowing for manufacture at multiple locations independent of the skill set of the contract manufacturer. Another aspect includes making data needed and generated during the manufacturing process readily accessible to various elements of the system infrastructure. The present invention contemplates design of manufacturing systems for products that incorporate technology in skilled areas. A preferred approach includes design of the product itself, data exchange between infrastructure elements, and making data accessible also for post-manufacturing functions. This includes storing manufacturing related data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible once the data is written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure production stations in a production portion of the system.

Abstract: One design aspect in electronic systems, such as communication systems, is noise suppression. More particularly, this relates to microphonics suppression in high-speed communication systems, such as microwave wireless radio systems. The present invention contemplates system design for substantially eliminating microphonic behavior created by mechanical stimulus such as vibrations and the drum effect. A preferred approach includes isolating the motherboard from its mounting harnesses (mechanical interconnection) and adding an echo damping and shock absorption pad to the underside of the enclosure cover to stiffen the enclosure cover while maintaining its light weight. Preferably also, this approach isolates the entire motherboard rather than a particular component. A design using this approach is particularly useful in an outdoor unit (ODU) of a split-mount microwave radio system.

Abstract: A radio-antenna interface is disclosed for coupling of an antenna to one or more radio receivers. The radio-antenna interface includes a hub and a feed-boom. The hub includes an aperture adapted to receive the feed-boom. The hub is also fitted with latches adapted to detachably couple the radio to the hub in a manner which is substantially independent of a configuration type of the radio. The hub is adapted to be detachably coupled to the antenna in a manner which substantially avoids reconfiguration of the antenna. The feed-boom communicates signals received by the antenna to the radio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing adaptive control of the output of a radio frequency coupler. A plurality of input signals is provided to a multi-prong divider/combiner, the divider/combiner having a first and a second input terminals communicating a first and a second input signals with a first and a second prong of the divider/combiner, the divider/combiner dividing/combining said signals into at least one output signal. A first auxiliary signal is provided to a receiving terminal of a first transmission line, the first transmission line electromagnetically manipulating signal transmission in the first prong such that a first manipulated signal is substantially different in magnitude than the first input signal and dividing/combining the manipulated signal and the second input signal to provide a controlled output signal.

Abstract: An adjustable low pass filter and directional coupler used in microwave communication are combined to reduce the size of the microwave circuit. The low pass filter portion and coupling portion are made independently tunable with a plurality of varactors and variable reactance circuits connected to ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing adaptive control of the output of a radio frequency coupler. Adaptive control may include providing a transmission line having a plurality of branches extending therefrom and terminating, correspondingly, with a plurality of terminals and terminating, at its opposite end, with a single terminal, as well as, providing one or more proximate transmission lines inductively coupled with the transmission line and each having an input terminal at one end.

Abstract: Rapid failure detection and recovery in wireless communication networks is needed in order to meet, among other things, carrier class Ethernet transport channel standards. Thus, resilient wireless packet communications is provided using a hardware-assisted rapid transport channel failure detection algorithm and a Gigabit Ethernet data access card with an engine configured accordingly. In networks with various topologies, this is provided in combination with their existing protocols, such as rapid spanning tree and link aggregation protocols, respectively.

Abstract: Power detection system and method provide for a wide dynamic range power detection. The system may incorporate a coupler to sample a transmitted or received power. Such sampled power is then directed to a detector configured to generate a voltage from its rectified current. Such voltage after optional filtering and buffering is directed to multiple amplifiers wherein each amplifier has a distinct associated gain. For improved noise immunity, a differential output amplifier may be used. For low power levels, the output of an amplifier with a large gain is directed to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog voltage is quantized into a digital value. As power is increased, the output of an amplifier stage with a smaller gain can then be directed to the ADC such that saturation of the ADC is avoided. Hysteresis is implemented so to avoid undesirable and unnecessary rapid switching.

Abstract: Power measurement and control in transmission systems are affected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Abstract: Power measurement and control in transmission systems are affected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a first modulation at an arbitrary frequency and a second modulation at another arbitrary frequency. To achieve this, the present invention demodulates the first modulation using the same reference oscillator signal that was used in the first modulation. Because modulation and demodulation are achieved using the same reference oscillator signal, a close approximation of the original signals is achieved. With this close approximation, a subsequent re-modulation can be readily achieved at a second arbitrary frequency and can further be achieved using low-cost synthesizer and modulation components. In effect, a first modulation is achieved at a first frequency; the first modulation is then demodulation to zero frequency; and, in turn, a second modulation (i.e., re-modulation) is achieved at a second frequency.

Abstract: A method of coupling together first and second waveguide connectors. The method including the steps of a) moving the connectors together to a first axial position in which part of the first connector engages a first axial stop on the second connector; b) causing relative movement between the first connector and the first axial stop; and c) moving the interface assemblies together axially after step b) to a second axial position in which part of the first connector engages a second axial stop on the second connector. Each waveguide connector includes a waveguide aperture; and one or more screw assemblies including a screw and captive nut. The waveguide connectors include a plug and socket connection with an elliptical profile. One of the connectors has a curved slot with two or more counterbores formed around the slot, and a securing member received in a first one of the counterbores.

Abstract: A power detection circuit is described that provides for a wide dynamic range power detection. The circuit incorporates a coupler to sample a transmitted or received power. Such sampled power is then directed to a detector diode configured to generate a voltage from its rectified current. Such voltage after optional filtering and buffering is directed to multiple amplifiers wherein each amplifier has a distinct associated gain. For improved noise immunity, a differential output amplifier may be used. For low power levels, the output of an amplifier with a large gain is directed to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog voltage is quantized into a digital value. As power is increased, the power of an amplifier stage with a small gain can then be directed to the ADC such that saturation of the ADC is avoided. Hysteresis is implemented so as to avoid undesirable and unnecessary rapid switching.

Abstract: An adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver for wireless digital communications improves performance of a wireless digital communications system. The improved performance of the system includes improved linear AM-AM and AM-PM responses approaching saturation. Indeed, the proposed adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver has an effect on attributes such as bit error rate and transmitter power efficiency and, in turn, on modulation and bandwidth. The adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver is configured with an adaptively controlled IF post-distorter located at the IF stage of the receiver. The placement of the distortion canceling function in the IF section of the receiver lends itself to broadband applications. The post-distorter is configured to cancels the distortion produced by the transmitter and receiver as it is adaptively controlled using bit error rate calculations. The distortion canceling utilizes bit error rate information that is otherwise available in the receiver.

Abstract: A detector module is described wherein the detector module includes a housing with a conductive waveguide, a detector, a temperature sensor, and detector circuitry. The waveguide is made of a conductive material and of an appropriate size for a signal of a particular frequency. The detector, which can be a detector diode, protrudes a distance into the waveguide so as to produce a detector signal. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal responsive to a temperature. The detector circuitry is contained within the housing. Moreover, the detector circuitry is configured to receive and condition the detector signal into a detector module signal. The detector module signal and temperature signal are then associated with a previously calibrated power level. With calibrated power level information, an input signal to a transmitter can be attenuated or amplified to control its output power.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a first modulation at an arbitrary frequency and a second modulation at another arbitrary frequency. To achieve this, the present invention demodulates the first modulation using the same reference oscillator signal that was used in the first modulation. Because modulation and demodulation are achieved using the same reference oscillator signal, a close approximation of the original signals is achieved. With this close approximation, a subsequent re-modulation can be readily achieved at a second arbitrary frequency and can further be achieved using low-cost synthesizer and modulation components. In effect, a first modulation is achieved at a first frequency; the first modulation is then demodulation to zero frequency; and, in turn, a second modulation (i.e., re-modulation) is achieved at a second frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining synchronization and loss of synchronization in a high speed multiplexed data system. The system also includes a plurality of justification control bits and a backwards compatibility flag that allows the system to operate with older systems that have fewer justification control bits.