Abstract: A mobile TV broadcast system based on TD-SCDMA network is disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of an outer Forward Error Correcting (FEC) code for a mobile broadcast service based on TD-SCDMA network is disclosed.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting device includes a rotation axis to be mounted parallel to the earth's polar axis, a solar energy collector mounted for rotation around the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation speed, the solar energy collector defining a tilt angle with respect to the rotation axis, and a tilt angle adjustment mechanism for automatically and intermittently adjusting the tilt angle. Various configurations of the solar energy collector are possible, and the rotation speed may be one revolution per day or half a revolution per day depending on the solar energy collector configuration. Many drive modes are possible, including rotating continuously throughout a day or rotating during daylight hours and rotating backward or forward at night. The tilt angle adjustment mechanism includes a handle fixed to the solar energy collector and a tilt angle change guide.

Abstract: A method for processing a received signal at a mobile receiver of a wireless communications system is disclosed. The method comprises demodulating the received signal to obtain an analog base band signal and converting the analog base band signal into a digital base band signal. The signal strength of the digital base band signal is estimated and, using the estimation, the digital base band signal is scaled by a scaling factor. The digital base band signal is equalized into an equalized digital signal which is then rescaled by a resealing factor.

Abstract: Auto black expansion circuitry with a simplified digital control system. According to the system, a count of the number of pixels that fall below desired black level and mid-level ranges are maintained. The pixel counts are obtained by comparators that receive the adjusted signals at one input and the desired comparator signal levels at the other input. At the end of a field, when the pixel counts are complete, adjustment to the auto black expansion may be made for the following field. Once the pixel count at the end of a given field indicates that the auto black expansion has achieved the desired level, the automatic gain control may be adjusted for the following field. The method uses single comparators and single counters to obtain the pixel counts. The digital controller outputs an 8-bit control signal to adjust the analog auto black expansion and automatic gain control circuits to precise levels.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces simple methods and systems for personal encryption of messages and data, using a GSM handset. The proposed methods and systems furnish another layer of communication security instead of or in addition to that of the carrier. Users can generate and customize their own encrypted communication, independent of the carrier. In one embodiment the existing handset hardware can be used to implement the personal encryption, without the need for additional hardware. The present disclosure also provides methods and systems for generating different encryption keys and synchronization methods. In one exemplary system the encryption key is kept in the memory of the handset, while in another exemplary system the key is downloaded from an SMS (Short Message Service) station.

Abstract: An optical memory having an input port for receiving an input optical signal to be stored in the optical memory is disclosed. A portion of the optical signal is coupled to a storage loop for storing optical signals by a coupler that transfers a portion of the input optical signal to the storage loop. An optical signal stored in the storage loop is output by coupling a portion of that optical signal to a first external optical waveguide. The storage loop includes a semiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying the signals stored in the storage loop to compensate for losses incurred by those signals in traversing the storage loop. A plurality of such optical memories can be combined to form a larger memory that includes a reconditioning circuit that resets the amplitude of the optical signals to a value that depends on the amplitude of the optical signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides simple methods and systems for generating modified branch metrics for the Viterbi decoder so that the decoder can decode the uncorrelated incoming signals without the influence of either the signal power level or the noise variance. The proposed branch metrics noticeably improve the performance of the Viterbi algorithm in such cases. The present disclosure also provides methods and systems for reducing the length of the demodulated symbols for efficient computation. In an exemplary method, it is shown that the only requirement of the proposed modified branch metric, in addition to the traditional branch metric requirements, is the computation of the noise energy. In another exemplary system, an arrangement of circuit modules offers an implementation of one of the embodiments of the proposed method.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a power ring and an embedded low drop-off voltage regulator is disclosed herein. The regulator is located within an inner side of the power ring. An input of the regulator is coupled to the power ring. An output of the regulator is coupled to a circuit also included in the integrated circuit. The regulator is configured to fit within a bond pad frame.

Abstract: An optical switch that includes optical paths organized into a set of M input optical paths and a set of N output optical paths, where at least one of M and N is greater than unity. The optical switch additionally includes a faceted mirror corresponding to each of the M input optical paths and including N facets and a faceted mirror corresponding to each of the N output optical paths and including M facets. Finally, the optical switch includes a moving mechanism coupled to each faceted mirror to step the faceted mirror linearly in a direction orthogonal to the optical paths to selectively align one of the facets of the faceted mirror with the one of the optical paths with which the faceted mirror is associated. The facets of each of the faceted mirror corresponding to one of the sets of optical paths, i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for large scale noise decoupling in an integrated circuit is disclosed herein. A power decoupling mesh and a power distribution structure are included in the integrated circuit. The power decoupling mesh is configured in accordance with the power distribution structure. The power decoupling mesh comprises a plurality of decoupling capacitors, such as trench capacitors or MOSFETs.

Abstract: An optical switch and method of switching provide 1×N optical switching. The optical switch comprises a plurality of optical ports arranged in an annular pattern visible to and aligned with a movable mirror. The mirror is equidistant from each port of the plurality. The optical switch having a 1-dimensional (1D) annular array of ports comprises the mirror located at a center of a circle and the 1D array disposed on a portion of a circumference of the circle. The optical switch having a 2-dimensional (2D) annular array of ports comprises the mirror located at a center of a sphere and the 2D array disposed on a portion of a surface of the sphere. The mirror is movable about one or more axes to direct an optical signal from any port to any other port of the plurality.

Abstract: An optical memory having an input port for receiving an input optical signal to be stored in the optical memory is disclosed. A portion of the optical signal is coupled to a storage loop for storing optical signals by a coupler that transfers a portion of the input optical signal to the storage loop. An optical signal stored in the storage loop is output by coupling a portion of that optical signal to a first external optical waveguide. The storage loop includes a semiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying the signals stored in the storage loop to compensate for losses incurred by those signals in traversing the storage loop. A plurality of such optical memories can be combined to form a larger memory that includes a reconditioning circuit that resets the amplitude of the optical signals to a value that depends on the amplitude of the optical signals.

Abstract: Bubble stability within an optical switch is enhanced by controlling the expansion or movement of a bubble from a liquid-containing trench into available adjacent spacing. Typically, the adjacent spacing is formed between an optical waveguide substrate and a heater substrate, where the heater substrate includes a microheater for forming the bubble. The bubble enhancement is provided by intentionally altering surface features along at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a power ring and an embedded low drop-off voltage regulator is disclosed herein. The regulator is located within an inner side of the power ring. An input of the regulator is coupled to the power ring. An output of the regulator is coupled to a circuit also included in the integrated circuit. The regulator is configured to fit within a bond pad frame.

Abstract: Methods for propagating data are provided. A representative method includes: receiving an optical signal at a first location associated with a first node; determining, at the first location, whether data of the optical signal is to be provided to a destination corresponding to the first node; and diverting the optical signal away from the first node and to a second node if the data of the optical signal is not to be provided to a destination corresponding to the first node. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: An improved active pixel sensor soft reset circuit for reducing image lag while maintaining low reset kTC noise. The circuit pulls down the sensor potential to a sufficiently low level before the soft reset function is completed. The level to which the sensor potential is pulled is set between 0 and the critical potential at which the reset transistor will be on when the soft reset function begins. The timing of the pull down function is such that the sensor is stabilized at the low potential before the soft reset function completes. In one embodiment, the sensor potential is pulled down using a pull-down circuit, which may consist of a CMOS type inverter. In another embodiment, the sensor potential is pulled down by the bit line. Two ways in which the bit line may be pulled down are natural discharge, or by increasing the bias on the loading transistor. Two ways in which the bias on the loading transistor may be increased are a biasing circuit, or by using a pull-down transistor.

Abstract: An improved active pixel sensor soft reset circuit for reducing image lag while maintaining low reset kTC noise. The circuit pulls down the sensor potential to a sufficiently low level before the soft reset function is completed. The level to which the sensor potential is pulled is set between 0 and the critical potential at which the reset transistor will be on when the soft reset function begins. The timing of the pull down function is such that the sensor is stabilized at the low potential before the soft reset function completes. In one embodiment, the sensor potential is pulled down using a pull-down circuit, which may consist of a CMOS type inverter. In another embodiment, the sensor potential is pulled down by the bit line. Two ways in which the bit line may be pulled down are natural discharge, or by increasing the bias on the loading transistor. Two ways in which the bias on the loading transistor may be increased are a biasing circuit, or by using a pull-down transistor.

Abstract: A method for processing a received signal at a mobile receiver of a wireless communications system is disclosed. The method comprises demodulating the received signal to obtain an analog base band signal and converting the analog base band signal into a digital base band signal. The signal strength of the digital base band signal is estimated and, using the estimation, the digital base band signal is scaled by a scaling factor. The digital base band signal is equalized into an equalized digital signal which is then rescaled by a resealing factor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analog delay line for a color CMOS image sensor which is compatible with MOS fabrication technology. The invention allows for the simultaneous reading of pixel signals from two rows of pixels so that combinations of signals from pixels in different rows may be obtained. The delay line includes a set of storage capacitors on which the pixel signals are stored, and a means for writing the signals from the pixels onto the capacitors in sequence. The stored analog pixel signals may then be read out from the delay line at the appropriate time so that they may be combined with pixel signals from adjacent pixels in different rows. In one embodiment, two delay lines are used, so that pixel signals from a current row can be written into one delay line, while the pixel signals from a previous row are being read out from the other delay line. In another embodiment, a single delay line is used in combination with a single pixel delay circuit.