Abstract: A radar apparatus is calibrated while operating in a configuration such that the receiver obtains substantially no reflection from the transmitter. The resultant received signal is written into the compensation signal memory for use during normal operation. The calibration environment is achieved by operating the radar apparatus in a quiet environment or by operating a quieting switch within the radar apparatus to quiet the reflected radar signal.

Abstract: A bracket holds a limited field of view presence sensor module in a fixed, angled position for optimum sensing coverage area and enables the sensor module to be partially recessed in a surface orifice with respect to a mounting surface. The bracket can be installed from the outside to hold at least one radar sensor on the side of a long vehicle such as a truck, bus, recreational vehicle or the like for blind spot monitoring.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A quiet switch quiets the reflected radar signal and determines the previously stored compensation signal, during calibration of the radar apparatus, and the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory. Switched loads can be used to quiet the reflected radar signal. For field calibration, the compensated signal can be adjusted but not necessarily written back into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object even in a near field. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A frequency transformation circuit transforms the compensated received signal to produce a frequency spectrum signal. A peak detector measures the characteristic of the object based on a peak of the frequency spectrum signal. When operating in a calibration mode and the reflected radar signal is quieted, the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a first wireless communication circuit coupled to the processor. The first wireless communication circuit is configured to receive, from an operations center remotely located with respect to a vehicle, a message comprising an alert concerning a payment event. The system also includes a second wireless communication circuit, distinct from the first wireless communication circuit, coupled to the processor. The second wireless communication circuit is configured to relay the alert to a wireless device.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A quiet switch quiets the reflected radar signal and determines the previously stored compensation signal, during calibration of the radar apparatus, and the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory. Switched loads can be used to quiet the reflected radar signal. For field calibration, the compensated signal can be adjusted but not necessarily written back into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object even in a near field. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A frequency transformation circuit transforms the compensated received signal to produce a frequency spectrum signal. A peak detector measures the characteristic of the object based on a peak of the frequency spectrum signal. When operating in a calibration mode and the reflected radar signal is quieted, the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: An onboard starter-interrupt device uses a Personal Area Network (PAN) to facilitate communication between a wireless device (such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA)) and the onboard device (also referred to interchangeably as a vehicle control device or a payment enforcement device) installed on a vehicle. The PAN can be implemented using, for example, the well-known Bluetooth protocol. The use of a PAN avoids the need for a visible keypad or other input device installed in the vehicle. The interface with the PAN also facilitates direct communication (including voice communication) using an existing cell phone. The interface with the PAN further allows a user or administrator to configure the operation of the onboard device using input/output components of the wireless device.

Abstract: An onboard starter-interrupt device uses a Personal Area Network (PAN) to facilitate communication between a wireless device (such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA)) and the onboard device (also referred to interchangeably as a vehicle control device or a payment enforcement device) installed on a vehicle. The PAN can be implemented using, for example, the well-known Bluetooth protocol. The use of a PAN avoids the need for a visible keypad or other input device installed in the vehicle. The interface with the PAN also facilitates direct communication (including voice communication) using an existing cell phone. The interface with the PAN further allows a user or administrator to configure the operation of the onboard device using input/output components of the wireless device.

Abstract: A base site (104) generates a pseudo-random signal based on at least one system parameter known to both the base site and a communication unit (112). The base site (104) then transmits the pseudo-random signal to the communication unit via an idle communication resource (102). Upon receiving the pseudo-random signal, the communication unit (112) determines at least one characteristic of the idle communication resource (102) using the pseudo-random signal.

Abstract: Signals comprising time of transmission indications relative to a common time base (302) are transmitted by at least two fixed transceivers (110-116). When the signals are received by a mobile unit (160), a time of reception indication relative to the common time base is calculated for each signal. Pseudo-ranges are calculated based on the time of transmission and time of reception indications, and a WLS solution location estimate is calculated based on the pseudo-ranges. Essentially the same procedure may be performed on signals transmitted by the mobile unit. Given the common time base between the fixed transceivers and the mobile unit, only two or more signals are required to determine the location estimate. Where GPS receivers are used to supply the common time base, location determinations can still be made when a GPS solution is unavailable.

Abstract: Signals exchanged between a fixed infrastructure (110-116) and a mobile unit (160) give rise to M channel quality metrics. The channel quality metrics are mapped, via predetermined relationships (501-503), in to M corresponding time of arrival variances, which in turn are used to derive M-1 time of arrival differential variances. A time of arrival differential weighting matrix including, in part, the time of arrival differential variances, is used to calculate a WLS solution, which solution is an estimate of a location of the mobile unit. This procedure may be implemented using an infrastructure-based location processor (130) operating in conjunction with the mobile unit, or may be performed by either the location processor or mobile unit alone.