Abstract: A high power switching circuit suitable for injection of high currents, typically several tens of Amperes, at high drive voltages of up to 5-10 kV, is provided using a combination of electromechanical and semiconductor switching elements that, while providing switchable polarity, substantially bypasses semiconductor switching element(s) during a substantial portion of current injection duty cycles. In this way, thermal heating of switching elements can be reduced/managed in a way that improves long term reliability of geophysical survey equipment. In addition, circuit protections can be provided to address backflow currents generated upon collapse of electromagnetic fields in inductive loads, such as is typical in geophysical surveys.

Abstract: A high power switching circuit suitable for injection of high currents, typically several tens of Amperes, at high drive voltages of up to 5-10 kV, is provided using a combination of electromechanical and semiconductor switching elements that, while providing switchable polarity, substantially bypasses semiconductor switching element(s) during a substantial portion of current injection duty cycles. In this way, thermal heating of switching elements can be reduced/managed in a way that improves long term reliability of geophysical survey equipment. In addition, circuit protections can be provided to address backflow currents generated upon collapse of electromagnetic fields in inductive loads, such as is typical in geophysical surveys.

Abstract: A high power switching circuit suitable for injection of high currents, typically several tens of Amperes, at high drive voltages of up to 5-10 kV, is provided using a combination of electromechanical and semiconductor switching elements that, while providing switchable polarity, substantially bypasses semiconductor switching element(s) during a substantial portion of current injection duty cycles. In this way, thermal heating of switching elements can be reduced/managed in a way that improves long term reliability of geophysical survey equipment. In addition, circuit protections can be provided to address backflow currents generated upon collapse of electromagnetic fields in inductive loads, such as is typical in geophysical surveys.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus (200) for feeding an antenna array (207) comprising at least first and second antenna elements (2071, 2072). The apparatus comprises a first transmitting element (2011) configured to receive a first base band signal (202-i) and to feed a first feed signal (2041) to a first antenna element (2071), the first transmitting element (2011) comprising a first power amplifier (2031). The apparatus also comprises a second transmitting element (2012) configured to receive a second base band signal (2022) and to feed a second feed signal (2042) to a second antenna element (2072), the second transmitting element (2012) comprising a second power amplifier (2032). A tapering control unit (205) is adapted to provide a tapering function between the first feed signal to the first antenna element and the second feed signal to the second antenna element.

Abstract: A radio communication receiver apparatus is configured to process multiple radio frequency bands in a telecommunication system. The apparatus includes a plurality of digital receiver chains wherein each digital receiver chain is coupled to receive a digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, including a particular radio frequency band for processing by the respective digital receiver chain. Each digital receiver chain includes a digital receiver that is programmable to select a particular radio frequency band from the digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, and configured to down convert the selected radio frequency band into a digital baseband signal associated with the particular radio frequency band. Built in calibration is provided by operation of direct radio frequency technology.

Abstract: A radio communication transmitter apparatus 20 is operable to transmit multiple radio frequency bands in a telecommunication system. The apparatus comprises a plurality of digital transmitter chains 211 to 21N, wherein each digital transmitter chain is coupled to receive a digital representation 271 to 27N of a respective base band signal for processing by a respective digital transmitter chain. Each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N comprises a digital transmitter 251 to 25N that is adapted to convert a respective digital base band signal directly into a digital representation of a radio frequency signal 231 to 23N. A digital combining unit 25 is coupled to receive the output of each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N, and adapted to combine the digital representation of a radio frequency signal 231 to 23N received from each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N into a digital representation of a radio frequency signal 26 comprising multiple radio frequency bands.

Abstract: A high power switching circuit suitable for injection of high currents, typically several tens of Amperes, at high drive voltages of up to 5-10 kV, is provided using a combination of electromechanical and semiconductor switching elements that, while providing switchable polarity, substantially bypasses semiconductor switching element(s) during a substantial portion of current injection duty cycles. In this way, thermal heating of switching elements can be reduced/managed in a way that improves long term reliability of geophysical survey equipment. In addition, circuit protections can be provided to address backflow currents generated upon collapse of electromagnetic fields in inductive loads, such as is typical in geophysical surveys.

Abstract: A filter arrangement comprises a first terminal that handles duplex radio antenna feeder signals for at least two transceiver modules, a second terminal that handles at least duplex signals for a first transceiver module, a third terminal that outputs a first multi carrier power amplifier system input signal, the input signal representing a transmit signal from the first transceiver module, and a fourth terminal that receives a multi carrier power amplifier system output signal. The output signal includes an amplified representation of the transmit signals from the two transceiver modules. The first and second terminals are connected via first a single filter, the second and third terminals are connected via a second single filter, and the fourth and first terminals are connected via a third single filter.

Abstract: A radio communication transmitter apparatus 20 is operable to transmit multiple radio frequency bands in a telecommunication system. The apparatus comprises a plurality of digital transmitter chains 211 to 21N, wherein each digital transmitter chain is coupled to receive a digital representation 271 to 27N of a respective base band signal for processing by a respective digital transmitter chain. Each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N comprises a digital transmitter 251 to 25N that is adapted to convert a respective digital base band signal directly into a digital representation of a radio frequency signal 231 to 23N. A digital combining unit 25 is coupled to receive the output of each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N, and adapted to combine the digital representation of a radio frequency signal 231 to 23N received from each digital transmitter chain 211 to 21N into a digital representation of a radio frequency signal 26 comprising multiple radio frequency bands.

Abstract: A radio communication receiver apparatus is configured to process multiple radio frequency bands in a telecommunication system. The apparatus includes a plurality of digital receiver chains wherein each digital receiver chain is coupled to receive a digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, including a particular radio frequency band for processing by the respective digital receiver chain. Each digital receiver chain includes a digital receiver that is programmable to select a particular radio frequency band from the digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, and configured to down convert the selected radio frequency band into a digital baseband signal associated with the particular radio frequency band. Built in calibration is provided by operation of direct radio frequency technology.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that cars perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes aid determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: A digital radio module comprises a modular architecture for use in a multi-band multi-standard radio communication apparatus. The digital radio module comprises one or more digital transmitter sub modules, each digital transmitter sub module comprising a plurality of digital transmitter chains, and one or more digital receiver sub modules, each digital receiver sub module comprising a plurality of digital receiver chains. Each of the digital transmitter sub modules and digital receiver sub modules comprises a respective control unit for individually configuring each digital transmitter sub module and digital receiver sub module such that the digital radio module is operable to transmit and/or receive multiple different carrier frequency signals in one or more different modes of operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus (200) for feeding an antenna array (207) comprising at least first and second antenna elements (2071, 2072). The apparatus comprises a first transmitting element (2011) configured to receive a first base band signal (202-i) and to feed a first feed signal (2041) to a first antenna element (2071), the first transmitting element (2011) comprising a first power amplifier (2031). The apparatus also comprises a second transmitting element (2012) configured to receive a second base band signal (2022) and to feed a second feed signal (2042) to a second antenna element (2072), the second transmitting element (2012) comprising a second power amplifier (2032). A tapering control unit (205) is adapted to provide a tapering function between the first feed signal to the first antenna element and the second feed signal to the second antenna element.

Abstract: A digital radio module (100) comprises a modular architecture for use in a multi-band multi-standard radio communication apparatus. The digital radio module (100) comprises one or more digital transmitter sub modules (1011 to 101X), each digital transmitter sub module comprising a plurality of digital transmitter chains (1031 to 103N), and one or more digital receiver sub modules (1051 to 105Y), each digital receiver sub module comprising a plurality of digital receiver chains (1071 to 107M). Each of the digital transmitter sub modules (1011 to 101X) and digital receiver sub modules (1051 to 105Y) comprises a respective control unit (109) for individually configuring each digital transmitter sub module and digital receiver sub module such that the digital radio module (100) is operable to transmit and/or receive multiple different carrier frequency signals in one or more different modes of operation.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that cars perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes aid determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to; (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. In some embodiments, survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. In some embodiments, survey probes can be configured to: (a) inject current into the surface or (b) provide a return path therefor. Relative positions of survey probes, including those configured to introduce current into a surface as stimulus for geophysical measurements can be automatically determined. Sensor-type survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: In some embodiments herein a method in a first communication device (10) for determining a power mode for a base station to enter is disclosed. The first communication device (10) determines cell load indicating user equipment activity within a first local cell A of the base station. Furthermore, the first communication device (10) receives cell load information from a second communication device (20) comprising an indication of user equipment activity within a second cell B associated to the second communication device (20), and determines the power mode for the base station to enter based on—the received cell load information and the determined load in the first local cell (A).

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that can perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that can perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: A filter arrangement (EFM) comprises a first terminal (T1) arranged for handling duplex radio antenna feeder signals for at least two transceiver modules (10, 20), a second terminal (T2) arranged for handling at least duplex signals for a first transceiver module (10), a third terminal (T3) arranged for outputting a first multi carrier power amplifier system input signal, said input signal representing a transmit signal from said first transceiver module (10), a fourth terminal (T4) arranged for receiving a multi carrier power amplifier system output signal, said output signal comprising an amplified representation of the transmit signals from said at least two transceiver modules, and wherein said first and said second terminal (T1, T2) are connected via first single filter means (RX), said second and said third terminal (T2, T3) are connected via second single filter means (TX1), said fourth and said first terminal (T4, T1) are connected via third single filter means (TX2).