Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating and apparatus for employing code families having desirable correlation properties. Regardless of code length, maximum autocorrelation of the codes is 4 for any nonzero offset and maximum cross-correlation of any two codes from a code family is 4 for any offset. The codes can be used in impulse radio systems and non-impulse radio systems including CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDM and various other frequency hopping and direct sequence systems. The codes can be used to specify various impulse radio and non-impulse radio signal characteristics including pulse position in time, amplitude, width, type, phase, phase difference, frequency, spreading code, etc. The codes have the unique property that they can specify as many as two components in which a signal is not present. A method of code compression is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques, which utilizes the position information and communication abilities inherent in impulse radio technology to correlate position information of an entrant into a predetermined area with information about the entrant to accomplish a multitude of functionalities and assimilate information.

Abstract: An ultra wideband system employing a threshold to detect signal quality during acquisition wherein the threshold is adjusted based on signal characteristics such as packet traffic rate, packet loss rate, and packet loss fraction. In one embodiment, the threshold is adjusted by adjusting the gain of a variable gain stage ahead of the threshold. In another embodiment, gain and threshold are adjusted in a coordinated manner wherein gain is adjusted for low signal levels and threshold is adjusted for high signal levels. In one embodiment, packet traffic rate is evaluated over an interval based on maximum packet length, number of monitor packets, and inter-packet delay. In a further embodiment, multiple ramp builders are operated in parallel at multiple code offset values to generate signal statistics to compare with the threshold. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the thresholds are adaptively adjusted based on signal performance characteristics or the multipath environment.

Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: An impulse radio communications system using one or more subcarriers to communicate information from an impulse radio transmitter to an impulse radio receiver. The impulse radio communication system is an ultrawide-band time domain system. The use of subcarriers provides impulse radio transmissions added channelization, smoothing and fidelity. Subcarriers of different frequencies or waveforms can be used to add channelization of impulse radio signals. Thus, an impulse radio link can communicate many independent channels simultaneously by employing different subcarriers for each channel. The impulse radio uses modulated subcarrier(s) for time positioning a periodic timing signal or a coded timing signal. Alternatively, the coded timing signal can be summed or mixed with the modulated subcarrier(s) and the resultant signal is used to time modulate the periodic timing signal. Direct digital modulation of data is another form of subcarrier modulation for impulse radio signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium or free space adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system includes: (a) an energy guiding means for guiding the electromagnetic energy; the energy guiding means is connected with the host device; (b) an electromagnetic energy channeling structure effecting the transferring and including a plurality of gap interfaces; and (c) a transition means for coupling the energy guiding means with at least one gap interface of the plurality of gap interfaces. The transition means conveys the electromagnetic energy intermediate the energy guiding means and the at least one gap interface. The at least one gap interface intersects the transition means in a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting the gap interface and the transition means.

Abstract: An impulse radio communications system using one or more subcarriers to communicate information from an impulse radio transmitter to an impulse radio receiver. The impulse radio communication system is an ultrawide-band time domain system. The use of subcarriers provides impulse radio transmissions added channelization, smoothing and fidelity. Subcarriers of different frequencies or waveforms can be used to add channelization of impulse radio signals. Thus, an impulse radio link can communicate many independent channels simultaneously by employing different subcarriers for each channel. The impulse radio uses modulated subcarrier(s) for time positioning a periodic timing signal or a coded timing signal. Alternatively, the coded timing signal can be summed or mixed with the modulated subcarrier(s) and the resultant signal is used to time modulate the periodic timing signal. Direct digital modulation of data is another form of subcarrier modulation for impulse radio signals.

Abstract: A method and system for receiving time spaced signals transmitted in accordance with a time layout is provided. The time spaced signals may be pulses or bursts. The time spaced signals convey at least one intelligence signal. The time spaced signals are received at an antenna. Once received, the time spaced signals may be coherently detected. Coherent detection may be accomplished by correlating the received signals with a template signal. The detection process can also include integration of the received signals. The coherently detected signals are then contributed to a plurality of intermediate signals based on an interleaving order, which may be predetermined or specified by an interleaving code. Each of the plurality of intermediate signals can then be separately integrated, for example, to produce bits of data. The bits of data are ordered to produce the at least one intelligence signal based on a bit order, which may be predetermined or specified by a bit ordering code.

Abstract: A method for specifying pulse characteristics applies codes having pre-defined characteristics to a layout. The layout can be sequentially subdivided into at least first and second components that have the same or different sizes. The method applies a first code having first pre-defined properties to the first component and a second code having second pre-defined properties to the second component. The pre-defined properties may relate to the auto-correlation property, the cross-correlation property, and spectral properties, as examples. The codes can be used to specify subcomponents within a frame, and characteristic values (range-based, or discrete) within the subcomponents.

Abstract: A system and method for shaping the energy spectrum of a pulse train used by a pulse transmission system. The initial temporal and non-temporal characteristics of pulses comprising the pulse train are established using a designed code or a pseudorandom code and the spectral properties of the pulse train are determined. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse of the plurality of pulses that make up the pulse train are modified or at least one pulse is added or deleted to the pulse train and the spectral properties of the modified pulse train are determined. Whether or not the modification to the pulse train improved the energy spectrum relative to acceptance criteria is determined. The pulse train having the most desirable energy spectrum is selected. The optimization process can also iterate and may employ a variety of search algorithms.

Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna apparatus exhibits a generally continuous signal response between a first frequency and a second frequency, and further exhibits a deviation from the signal response in a frequency region centered substantially at a selected frequency between the first frequency and the second frequency. The apparatus includes: (a) an antenna transceiving element; (b) a feed structure coupled with the antenna receiving element for communicating transceiving signals with the antenna transceiving element; and (c) a discontinuity structure in the antenna transceiving element coupled with the feed structure. The discontinuity structure is configured for effecting return of selected transceiving signals to the feed structure as return signals. The return signals effect the deviation.

Abstract: A system and a method for position determination by impulse radio using a first transceiver having a first clock providing a first reference signal and a second transceiver placed spaced from the first transceiver. The system determines the position of the second transceiver. The second transceiver has a second clock that provides a second reference signal. A first sequence of pulses are transmitted from the first transceiver. The first sequence of pulses are then received at the second transceiver and the second transceiver is then synchronized with the first sequence of pulses. A second sequence of pulses are transmitted from the second transceiver. The first transceiver receives the second sequence of pulses and the first transceiver is synchronized with the second sequence of pulses. A delayed first reference signal is generated in response to the synchronization with the second sequence of pulses.

Abstract: A system and a method for distance measurement utilizes a radio system. The distance is measured by determining the time it takes a pulse train to travel from a first radio transceiver to a second radio transceiver and then from the second radio transceiver back to the first radio transceiver. The actual measurement is a two step process. In the first step, the distance is measured in coarse resolution, and in the second step, the distance is measured in fine resolution. A first pulse train is transmitted using a transmit time base from the first radio transceiver. The first pulse train is received at a second radio transceiver. The second radio transceiver synchronizes its time base with the first pulse train before transmitting a second pulse train back to the first radio transceiver, which then synchronizes a receive time base with the second pulse train. The time delay between the transmit time base and the receive time base can then be determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system that emulates a desired waveform by producing a time profile of the desired waveform, which is characterized by a plurality of sample values, and generating a plurality of RF waveforms, each RF waveform of the plurality of RF waveforms having a polarity and scaled energy based on a corresponding one of the plurality of sample values, to produce an aggregate RF energy having spectral characteristics that approximate the spectral characteristics of the desired waveform.

Abstract: First-arriving-pulse detector (FAP) circuitry includes a correlator circuitry and a threshold circuitry. The correlator circuitry correlates a received signal with a template signal to provide an output signal. The threshold circuitry provides a first-arriving-pulse signal depending on the relative values of the output signal of the correlator circuitry and a threshold signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating information using an ultra wideband impulse radio transmitter and receiver is disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating and transmitting a series of time-modulated pulses, each pulse delayed by one of four predetermined time delay periods and representative of at least two data bits of information, and receiving and demodulating the series of time-modulated pulses to estimate the data bits associated with each pulse. The apparatus includes an impulse radio transmitter and an impulse radio receiver. The transmitter transmits the series of time-modulated pulses and includes a transmitter time base, a time delay modulator, a code time modulator, an output stage, and a transmitting antenna. The receiver receives and demodulates the series of time-modulated pulses using a receiver time base and two correlators, one correlator designed to operate after a pre-determined delay with respect to the other correlator.

Abstract: A railroad collision avoidance system and method are disclosed that utilize impulse radio technology to effectively warn a person when there is a locomotive in their vicinity. In one embodiment, the railroad collision avoidance system includes a transmitting impulse radio unit coupled to a locomotive and a receiving impulse radio unit coupled to a vehicle. The transmitting impulse radio unit operates to transmit an impulse radio signal towards the vehicle when the locomotive is a predetermined distance from a railroad crossing. Upon receiving the impulse radio signal, the receiving impulse radio unit makes sure the person operating the vehicle is informed about the potentially dangerous situation. Several embodiments of the railroad collision avoidance system and method are disclosed all of which operate to warn a person when there is a locomotive in their vicinity.

Abstract: A system for managing luggage handling includes: (a) a central information management appliance; (b) a plurality of portable impulse radio communication devices; and (c) at least one impulse radio transceiving instrument. The at least one impulse radio transceiving instrument, the plurality of communication devices and the central information management appliance are in communication. Selected portable impulse radio communication devices of the plurality of portable impulse radio communication devices are coded communication devices. Respective coded communication devices are attached with respective luggage items and communicate indication of at least one item relating to the respective luggage item.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting synchrony with a received transmitted signal in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The transmitted signal is encoded according to a predetermined coding scheme and arranged in a plurality of first frames in a first succession having a first period. The apparatus comprises: (a) a timing circuit for generating a trigger signal for effecting periodic sampling of the transmitted signal at a sampling node; the trigger signal and the transmitted signal cooperate at the sampling node to generate a detection indication signal; (b) a reference signal source for generating a reference signal for the timing circuit in a plurality of second frames in a second succession having a second period; an amount by which the first period and the second period differ establishes a base offset; (c) an offset generator device; the offset generator device is coupled with the sampling node and with the timing circuit; the offset generator device receives the detection indication signal.