Abstract: A receiver for demodulating wireless signal using multiple receive antennas includes multiple signal detection modules, with each module implementing a non-interference rejection combining signal detection technique. The receiver makes a decision about whether or not to use an interference rejection combining technique, and which signal detection module to use based on the operating conditions of the received signals. When the decision is made to use an interference rejection combining technique, a single whitening filter is used to whiten the received signal prior to sending the whitened signal for processing by the signal detection module. The whitening filter may be calculated as a Cholesky decomposition of an impairment covariance matrix generated from the signals received at the multiple antennas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of obtaining better detection performance by improving matrix condition for an M×N over-determined MIMO system are disclosed. The condition of a matrix to be inverted for solving various detection problems is improved by reordering equations of the original MIMO system, resulting in a reordered channel matrix and reordered received signal vector so that the top N×N sub-matrix has the largest determinant among all N×N sub-matrices of the reordered channel matrix. The disclosed method may be used to obtain a more accurate estimate of the transmit data bits.

Abstract: Techniques to adaptively apply interference rejection combining (IRC) for signal demodulation, include estimating an impairment covariance matrix, computing an interference correlation metric based on the determinant of the estimated impairment covariance matrix, selecting an interference correlation threshold, comparing the interference correlation metric with the threshold to determine if IRC should be used for demodulation, estimating a desired signal covariance matrix, computing a desired signal correlation metric based on the determinant of the desired signal covariance matrix, selecting desired signal correlation threshold, comparing the desired signal correlation metric with the desired signal correlation threshold to select one of the supported detection algorithms, filtering the received signal and associated channel matrix, and passing the whitened signal and channel matrix to the selected detection algorithm to generate estimates of code bits, if IRC is enabled.

Abstract: A method includes estimating spatial signatures of the signal and interference data streams, forming a composite channel matrix comprising all or a subset of estimated spatial signatures, performing QR decomposition (QRD) of channel matrix with different spatial orderings, selecting the stream with the largest post-detection signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) based on the elements of the R matrices from different QRD processes, pre-processing received signal using the Q matrix corresponding to the spatial ordering with the largest SINR, demodulating the strongest stream using single-stream sliced maximum likelihood (SSS-ML) method, cancelling the strongest stream and demodulating the remaining weaker streams using low-complexity MMSE method.

Abstract: Techniques to adaptively apply interference rejection combining (IRC) for signal demodulation, include estimating an impairment covariance matrix, computing an interference correlation metric based on the determinant of the estimated impairment covariance matrix, selecting an interference correlation threshold, comparing the interference correlation metric with the threshold to determine if IRC should be used for demodulation, estimating a desired signal covariance matrix, computing a desired signal correlation metric based on the determinant of the desired signal covariance matrix, selecting desired signal correlation threshold, comparing the desired signal correlation metric with the desired signal correlation threshold to select one of the supported detection algorithms, filtering the received signal and associated channel matrix, and passing the whitened signal and channel matrix to the selected detection algorithm to generate estimates of code bits, if IRC is enabled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display unit and a controller in communication with the display unit. The controller is configured to receive a selection of a function to be executed among a plurality of functions executable with respect to image data, generate a display to be displayed on the display unit, the display including a plurality of selectable items, each corresponding to an image data, receive a selection of one of the selectable items, and control execution of the selected function with respect to the selected image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency offset estimation are provided. A channel impulse response and multi-user signal parameter are jointly estimated. Based on the multi-user signal parameter, a determination is made as to whether the signal contains a single-user signal or a multi-user signal. Then, frequency offset estimation is performed based on this determination. For example, noiseless sample estimates are generated depending on whether the signal is a single-user signal or a multi-user signal.

Abstract: Strain-gated logic devices are important for the development of advanced flexible electronics. Using a dual-monolayer-promoted film-transfer technique, a flexible multilayer structure capable of undergoing large compressive deformation was prepared. Formation of a crease in the gap between electrodes at a geometrically tunable strain leads to formation of an electrical connection in a reversible and reproducible fashion. A strain-gated electrical switch includes at least two conductive electrodes disposed on a surface of an elastomer substrate, the at least two conductive electrodes forming a gap between the at least two electrodes in an off-state of the strain-gated electrical switch, the gap diminishing under compressive strain to form a crease, the compressive strain pressing the at least two electrodes into contact with each other in an on-state of the strain-gated electrical switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency offset estimation are provided. A channel impulse response and multi-user signal parameter are jointly estimated. Based on the multi-user signal parameter, a determination is made as to whether the signal contains a single-user signal or a multi-user signal. Then, frequency offset estimation is performed based on this determination. For example, noiseless sample estimates are generated depending on whether the signal is a single-user signal or a multi-user signal.

Abstract: A demodulator is provided that functions as a reduced-state equalizer and produces reliable soft bit values. According to an embodiment, soft bit values are generated for a sequence of transmitted symbols using a demodulator by updating an M-state trellis managed by the demodulator responsive to a transition from symbol time n?1 to symbol time n, where M is a function of the number of bits per symbol in the sequence of transmitted symbols. Survivor metrics associated with the M states of the trellis are saved each symbol time so that the demodulator can calculate soft bit values with regard to transitions from symbol time n+D?1 to symbol time n+D. The trellis is traced back through to calculate soft bit values for a symbol detected at symbol time n?D based on survivor metrics saved for the M states at symbol time n?D.

Abstract: A demodulator is provided that functions as a reduced-state equalizer and produces reliable soft bit values. According to an embodiment, soft bit values are generated for a sequence of transmitted symbols using a demodulator by updating an M-state trellis managed by the demodulator responsive to a transition from symbol time n?1 to symbol time n, where M is a function of the number of bits per symbol in the sequence of transmitted symbols. Survivor metrics associated with the M states of the trellis are saved each symbol time so that the demodulator can calculate soft bit values with regard to transitions from symbol time n+D?1 to symbol time n+D. The trellis is traced back through to calculate soft bit values for a symbol detected at symbol time n?D based on survivor metrics saved for the M states at symbol time n?D.

Abstract: A demodulator is provided that functions as a reduced-state equalizer and produces reliable soft bit values. According to an embodiment, soft bit values are generated for a sequence of transmitted symbols using a demodulator by updating an M-state trellis managed by the demodulator responsive to a transition from symbol time n?1 to symbol time n, where M is a function of the number of bits per symbol in the sequence of transmitted symbols. Survivor metrics associated with the M states of the trellis are saved each symbol time so that the demodulator can calculate soft bit values with regard to transitions from symbol time n+D?1 to symbol time n+D. The survivor metrics indicate the probability that each respective state represents the transmitted symbol associated with symbol time n+D?1. The trellis is traced back through to calculate soft bit values for a symbol detected at symbol time n?D based on survivor metrics saved for the M states at symbol time n?D.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a base station for jointly controlling sub-channel transmission power and assigned codec modes for a first and second mobile station utilizing Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channel on One Slot (VAMOS). The base station receives signal quality information reports from the mobile stations every 480 ms using the Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH), and receives codec mode requests from the mobile stations every 40 ms using Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) in-band signaling. The base station associates the requested codec modes with estimated levels of speech quality currently being experienced by the first and second mobile stations. The base station then allocates sub-channel transmission power and assigns codec modes to the first and second mobile stations based on the estimated levels of speech quality associated with the requested codec modes and the signal quality reports.

Abstract: According to a method and apparatus taught herein, a network node includes a receiver circuit that determines soft values for received packets corresponding to the information bit groups associated with network coding operations, where the soft values are determined for each information bit group based on joint probabilities of the information bits within the information bit group. For example, first soft values are determined for the information bit groups in a first (received) constituent packet and second soft values are likewise determined for the information bit groups in a network-coded (received) packet that depends on the first constituent packet and a second constituent packet. Third soft values are generated for the information bit groups of the second constituent packet based on jointly evaluating the first and second soft values.

Abstract: A hybrid channel estimator for a wireless communication system receiver includes both correlation based and least squares based channel estimators. The correlation estimator is used when signal quality is low or noise is colored. The least squares estimator is used when signal quality is high or noise is white. An interference suppression filter improves signal quality by suppressing interference in a received signal. Generally, correlation channel estimation is performed initially, when signal quality is low and noise is colored, and interference suppression filtering is performed to increase signal quality by removing certain portion of interference and whitening the overall impairment spectrum. These may be done iteratively. When the signal quality improves, least squares channel estimation is performed, which may also be iterative.

Abstract: A method and apparatus blindly detects a received signal's modulation type characterizing an impairment component of the received signal for each postulated modulation type by determining spatial correlations between In-phase and Quadrature components of the received signal. The blind detection circuit then detects the modulation type based on the characterized impairment component. A metric generator generates a postulation metric for each postulated modulation type based on the characterized impairment component. After evaluating the postulation metrics, an evaluation circuit identifies the postulated modulation type having the best postulation metric as the modulation type of the received signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, the blind detection circuit determines a whitened noise estimate for each postulated modulation type and generates the postulation metrics based on the whitened noise estimate to reduce interference effects in the postulation metrics.

Abstract: In a wireless communication network using point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communications, this disclosure teaches the use of combined packets for retransmission and corresponding soft value processing at a receiver, wherein combined packets are formed as the logical combination of two or more previously transmitted packets and allow the receiver to use a single combined packet to correct one or more failed packets. For example, with the combined packet retransmission and corresponding soft value receiver processing as taught herein, a given receiver can use a given combined packet to correct bit errors in all (failed) packets comprising the combined packet as long as the bit errors in a failed packet do not overlap (or align) with bit errors in the other failed packets comprising the combined packet.

Abstract: A hybrid channel estimator for a wireless communication system receiver includes both correlation based and least squares based channel estimators. The correlation estimator is used when signal quality is low or noise is colored. The least squares estimator is used when signal quality is high or noise is white. An interference suppression filter improves signal quality by suppressing interference in a received signal. Generally, correlation channel estimation is performed initially, when signal quality is low and noise is colored, and interference suppression filtering is performed to increase signal quality by removing certain portion of interference and whitening the overall impairment spectrum. These may be done iteratively. When the signal quality improves, least squares channel estimation is performed, which may also be iterative.

Abstract: An image forming device including a printer having a plurality of operation modes sets beforehand the number of pages printed by the printer to be counted in a division counter or a division undefined counter for each operation mode of the printer. The image forming device counts, in the division counter corresponding to the division to which the user belongs who has requested the printing, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division counter, and counts, in the division undefined counter, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division undefined counter.

Abstract: An image forming device including a printer having a plurality of operation modes sets beforehand the number of pages printed by the printer to be counted in a division counter or a division undefined counter for each operation mode of the printer. The image forming device counts, in the division counter corresponding to the division to which the user belongs who has requested the printing, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division counter, and counts, in the division undefined counter, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division undefined counter.