Abstract: A wireless distribution system (WDS) is configured for transmitting a downlink signal or for receiving an uplink signal. A computing device configured to serve as a client device to the WDS includes a memory; a multiple applications processor in communication with the memory and configured to execute one or more mobile applications; and a wireless service processor in communication with the multi applications processor for communicating via a corresponding wireless service with the WDS. The multi applications processor is configured to execute an instance of a data service to establish a connection with the WDS for a specified application process utilizing the wireless service to provide at least one datum on the WDS. In the method, an instance of a data service is executed to establish a connection with a WDS for a specified application process utilizing a wireless service to provide at least one datum on the WDS.

Abstract: Multiple application modules (MAMs) for monitoring of signals in components in wireless distribution systems (WDSs), including but not limited to distributed antenna systems (DASs) are disclosed. The MAMs are wireless telecommunication circuitry associated with wireless distribution components in a WDS, such as communications and power components as examples. By associating MAMs into components of a WDS, live signals in the WDS can be monitored and measured for monitoring the performance of components within the WDS. The MAMs include a multiple application software platform architecture that includes one or more application layer applications configured to receive and monitor signals in the WDS, and to provide application level information about such monitored signals to other systems or technicians. The application level information can be used by a technician or other system to diagnose or calibrate the WDS and/or the communications components provided therein.

Abstract: Simulating sector changes in an application module (AM) in a wireless communications system (WCS) to simulate site walks in the WCS. The AMs are wireless telecommunication circuitry wired or wirelessly associated with wireless communications system components in a WCS. In one embodiment, the AMs are configured to determine signal information (e.g., signal strength, power and/or quality) of live communications signals in a WCS. The measured signal strength values are then artificially changed to simulate a site walk in the WCS. For example, the signal strength of communication signals received by an AM from a particular sector can be artificially lowered so that the signal strength from a neighboring sector located further away from the AM appears to be stronger. In this manner, a site walk of the AM in the sectors in which communications signals are received by the AM in the WCS can be simulated.

Abstract: A chipless RFID tag system having a transmitter sending an input signal and a tag substrate. An ID generation circuit on the tag relies on microstrip transmission line patterns which are pre-designed to generate a unique code. The ID generating circuit may be designed based upon the transmission line properties, including signal delay, and/or reflection, and/or phase change. The tag may be formed on a flexible substrate having at least one microstrip and the microstrip having a first portion with a first impedance and a second portion with a second impedance different from the first impedance. The tag may further include a microstrip antenna for communication with the transmitter and a receiver system. The tag may also include sensors for detection of desired substances of interest. The system may further include a receiver detecting at least two reflections from an interface of first and second impedances and identifying relative time domain positions of the reflections to one another.

Abstract: A location tracking for mobile terminals is disclosed. Related components, systems, and methods are also disclosed herein. For example, the systems disclosed herein can provide location information to mobile terminals that may not be able to receive otherwise global positioning system (GPS) information from the GPS satellites, such as, for example, when the mobile terminal is not within line of sight of the GSP satellites. The location information may be provided through a service set identifier (SSID) signal. Providing location information may make location based services, such as emergency (E911) services, for example, possible based on the location information.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF)-enabled latches and related components, assemblies, systems, and methods are disclosed that affect control of mating and/or demating of components. In one embodiment, a component is provided that includes a body configured to be mated to a second component to establish a connection. A latch is disposed in the body and configured to either affect demating of the body from the second component or mating of the body to the second component, when the latch is not actuated. A transponder disposed in the body can be configured to actuate the latch to either affect demating of the body from the second component or mating of the body to the second component. The transponder can also be configured to actuate the latch based on the identification information of the second transponder received through the communication connection or lack of receiving identification information from a second transponder or reader.

Abstract: Components having one or more sensors adapted to provide sensor data relating to a condition(s) of the component are disclosed. The component is adapted to communicate with another mating component to associate sensor data with identity information of the mating component. The sensor and identity information can be communicated remotely including via radio-frequency communications employing RF identification devices (RFIDs). Location of the mating component can be determined using the identity information of the mating component. In this manner, the sensor data can be associated with the location of the mating component using the identity information in a “component-to-component” configuration to provide location-specific sensor data.

Abstract: A chipless RFID tag system having a transmitter sending an input signal and a tag substrate. The tag substrate has at least one microstrip and the microstrip has a first portion with a first impedance and a second portion with a second impedance different from the first impedance. The system further includes a receiver detecting at least two reflections from an interface of the first and second impedances and identifying relative time domain positions of the reflections to one another.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based configuration detection system for automatically detecting, directing, and/or configuring the physical configuration of a complex system constituted by a set of one or more types of mateable components. The RFID configuration detection system utilizes a set of mateable RFID tags arranged so that each mateable component includes at least one mateable RFID tag. Each RFID tag includes information about its associated component and is arranged so that when the components are mated, their associated RFID tags also are mated. The system uses at least one RFID reader to read RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. The RFID tag signals provide information about mating status of the component, as well as information about components themselves. An information processing system operably connected to the RFID reader receives and process information concerning the number and type of mated connections and thus the configuration.

Abstract: An equipment cabinet (2) includes a front wall (4), a side wall (6,8), and an equipment rack (20) having a width (28) and a front face plane (32). The front wall includes a front opening (16) having a width (18). The width of the rack is approximately equal to or larger than the width of the front opening. A space (14) is disposed between the rack and the side wall, and between the rack and the front wall. A mounting bracket (40) includes a plate (42) and a protrusion (44), wherein the plate is coupled to one of the rack, the front wall and the side wall. The protrusion is disposed in the space, and includes a substantially planar surface (45) that is neither parallel to, nor in the same plane as, the front face plane. A patch panel (50), an adapter module (54), RFID components (60), or an RFID reader and/or reader antenna (64), may be coupled to the protrusion.

Abstract: Antenna systems for passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The antenna systems have a very small form factor with good power harvesting and good performance in proximity to other antennas. The antenna system includes at least one, and preferably two, parallel serpentine antenna elements formed on, or otherwise supported by, an antenna substrate so that a RFID-tag integrated circuit (IC) can be electrically contacted to the antenna system at one end of the antenna substrate. A conducting wire that runs in the same direction as the at least one serpentine antenna element is used to match impedance and enhance antenna performance and power flow between the antenna and the IC. An impedance-matching circuit may be employed in place of the conducting wire to facilitate impedance matching between the antenna and the IC.

Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system adapted to form an array of substantially non-overlapping individual picocells by operating adjacent picocells at different frequencies is operated to form one or more combined picocells. The combined picocells are formed from two or more neighboring picocells by the central head-end station operating neighboring picocells at a common frequency. Communication between the central head-end station and a client device residing within a combined picocell is enhanced by the availability of two or more transponder antenna systems. Thus, enhanced communication techniques such as antenna diversity, phased-array antenna networks and multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) methods can be implemented to provide the system with enhanced performance capability. These techniques are preferably implemented at the central head-end station to avoid having to make substantial changes to the wireless picocellular system infrastructure.

Abstract: Components having one or more sensors adapted to provide sensor data relating to a condition(s) of the component are disclosed. The component is adapted to communicate with another mating component to associate sensor data with identity information of the mating component. The sensor and identity information can be communicated remotely including via radio-frequency communications employing RF identification devices (RFIDs). Location of the mating component can be determined using the identity information of the mating component. In this manner, the sensor data can be associated with the location of the mating component using the identity information in a “component-to-component” configuration to provide location-specific sensor data.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based configuration detection system for automatically detecting, directing, and/or configuring the physical configuration of a complex system constituted by a set of one or more types of mateable components. The RFID configuration detection system utilizes a set of mateable RFID tags arranged so that each mateable component includes at least one mateable RFID tag. Each RFID tag includes information about its associated component and is arranged so that when the components are mated, their associated RFID tags also are mated. The system uses at least one RFID reader to read RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. The RFID tag signals provide information about mating status of the component, as well as information about components themselves. An information processing system operably connected to the RFID reader receives and process information concerning the number and type of mated connections and thus the configuration.

Abstract: Antenna systems for passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The antenna systems have a very small form factor with good power harvesting and good performance in proximity to other antennas. The antenna system includes at least one, and preferably two, parallel serpentine antenna elements formed on, or otherwise supported by, an antenna substrate so that a RFID-tag integrated circuit (IC) can be electrically contacted to the antenna system at one end of the antenna substrate. A conducting wire that runs in the same direction as the at least one serpentine antenna element is used to match impedance and enhance antenna performance and power flow between the antenna and the IC. An impedance-matching circuit may be employed in place of the conducting wire to facilitate impedance matching between the antenna and the IC.

Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system adapted to form an array of substantially non-overlapping individual picocells by operating adjacent picocells at different frequencies is operated to form one or more combined picocells. The combined picocells are formed from two or more neighboring picocells by the central head-end station operating neighboring picocells at a common frequency. Communication between the central head-end station and a client device residing within a combined picocell is enhanced by the availability of two or more transponder antenna systems. Thus, enhanced communication techniques such as antenna diversity, phased-array antenna networks and multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) methods can be implemented to provide the system with enhanced performance capability. These techniques are preferably implemented at the central head-end station to avoid having to make substantial changes to the wireless picocellular system infrastructure.