Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of transmitting state information using free-space optical communication. The method includes using one or more processors of a first communication device to collect state information of the first communication device. A supervisor signal that carries the state information is transmitted from the first communication device along with a beacon beam in a first solid angle. The supervisor signal is a frequency different from the one or more frequencies of the beacon beam. When a communication link is established between the first communication device and a second communication device, a plurality of data packets is transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device in a second solid angle smaller than the first solid angle. A subset of the plurality of data packets that do not carry client data carries the state information of the first communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of aligning a tracking system of a communication device. The method includes receiving an optical beam at the communication device. A first beam portion is received at the tracking system, and a second beam portion is received at an optical fiber of the communication device. Using one or more processors, an first signal and an second signal is received from the tracking system. The one or more processors are also used to determine a phase difference related to the first signal and a second phase difference related to the second signal. An offset for the first signal and an offset for the second signal are determined based on the respective phase difference. The one or more processors then track the optical beam using the tracking system and the determined offsets.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of transmitting state information using free-space optical communication. The method includes using one or more processors of a first communication device to collect state information of the first communication device. A supervisor signal that carries the state information is transmitted from the first communication device along with a beacon beam in a first solid angle. The supervisor signal is a frequency different from the one or more frequencies of the beacon beam. When a communication link is established between the first communication device and a second communication device, a plurality of data packets is transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device in a second solid angle smaller than the first solid angle. A subset of the plurality of data packets that do not carry client data carries the state information of the first communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of transmitting state information using free-space optical communication. The method includes using one or more processors of a first communication device to collect state information of the first communication device. A supervisor signal that carries the state information is transmitted from the first communication device along with a beacon beam in a first solid angle. The supervisor signal is a frequency different from the one or more frequencies of the beacon beam. When a communication link is established between the first communication device and a second communication device, a plurality of data packets is transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device in a second solid angle smaller than the first solid angle. A subset of the plurality of data packets that do not carry client data carries the state information of the first communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of aligning a tracking system of a communication device. The method includes receiving an optical beam at the communication device. A first beam portion is received at the tracking system, and a second beam portion is received at an optical fiber of the communication device. Using one or more processors, an first signal and an second signal is received from the tracking system. The one or more processors are also used to determine a phase difference related to the first signal and a second phase difference related to the second signal. An offset for the first signal and an offset for the second signal are determined based on the respective phase difference. The one or more processors then track the optical beam using the tracking system and the determined offsets.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of transmitting state information using free-space optical communication. The method includes using one or more processors of a first communication device to collect state information of the first communication device. A supervisor signal that carries the state information is transmitted from the first communication device along with a beacon beam in a first solid angle. The supervisor signal is a frequency different from the one or more frequencies of the beacon beam. When a communication link is established between the first communication device and a second communication device, a plurality of data packets is transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device in a second solid angle smaller than the first solid angle. A subset of the plurality of data packets that do not carry client data carries the state information of the first communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of aligning a tracking system of a communication device. The method includes receiving an optical beam at the communication device. A first beam portion is received at the tracking system, and a second beam portion is received at an optical fiber of the communication device. Using one or more processors, an first signal and an second signal is received from the tracking system. The one or more processors are also used to determine a phase difference related to the first signal and a second phase difference related to the second signal. An offset for the first signal and an offset for the second signal are determined based on the respective phase difference. The one or more processors then track the optical beam using the tracking system and the determined offsets.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of transmitting state information using free-space optical communication. The method includes using one or more processors of a first communication device to collect state information of the first communication device. A supervisor signal that carries the state information is transmitted from the first communication device along with a beacon beam in a first solid angle. The supervisor signal is a frequency different from the one or more frequencies of the beacon beam. When a communication link is established between the first communication device and a second communication device, a plurality of data packets is transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device in a second solid angle smaller than the first solid angle. A subset of the plurality of data packets that do not carry client data carries the state information of the first communication device.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, a structural coupler is disclosed for coupling together structural members, such as trusses. The structural coupler is dimensioned such that it can be installed at an end and within an inner channel of the structural member. The structural member includes a gusset member, a face member and a reinforcing member. The face member is connected to the gusset member and the reinforcing member is connected to both the gusset member and the face member. To couple structural members together, the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a first structural member is mated with the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a second structural member. The structural couplers are then joined together using a coupling mechanism.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, a structural coupler is disclosed for coupling together structural members, such as trusses. The structural coupler is dimensioned such that it can be installed at an end and within an inner channel of the structural member. The structural member includes a gusset member, a face member and a reinforcing member. The face member is connected to the gusset member and the reinforcing member is connected to both the gusset member and the face member. To couple structural members together, the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a first structural member is mated with the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a second structural member. The structural couplers are then joined together using a coupling mechanism.

Abstract: An improved process for the concurrent, low temperature cleaning and sanitation of solid surfaces is provided. This process involves introducing a cryogen and an antimicrobial liquid into a vessel, thereby creating an immersion bath. A sterilant is then introduced into this immersion bath. An object to be cleaned and sanitized is then immersed in this immersion bath for a first period of time. Mechanical energy may be introduced into this vessel for a second period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for decoding a stream of binary digits encoded according to a convolutional code. The apparatus includes a bus, a N-bit counter coupled to the bus, and a trellis code generator coupled to the bit counter. The bit counter is adapted to generate a sequence of N binary bits. The trellis code generator includes a first logical gate and a second logical gate. The trellis code generator is adapted to specify a first set of binary digits from the sequence of N binary bits and to pass the first set of binary digits through the first logical gate to produce a first binary value. The trellis code generator is also adapted to specify a second set of binary digits from the sequence of N bits and to pass the second set of binary digits through the second logical gate to produce a second binary value.

Abstract: A method and system of initializing state metrics for traffic, paging, and sync channels to enhance Viterbi decoder performance. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a common circuit adapted for initializing state metric data of a traffic channel, a paging channel, and a sync channel within a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system without compromising performance of any channel. The common circuit comprises a multiplexer stage coupled to receive a first signal and a second signal. Furthermore, the common circuit comprises a logic stage coupled to receive a plurality of signals. Additionally, the logic stage is also coupled to the multiplexer stage. As such, the multiplexer stage and the logic stage are adapted to initialize state metric data of any one of a traffic channel, a paging channel, and a sync channel within a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for storing and retrieving information in a Viterbi decoder. The apparatus includes a bus and a branch metric generator unit coupled to the bus. The branch metric generator unit generates metrics by measuring a difference between an encoded data bit and an expected data bit calculated using a convolutional code. A memory unit is also coupled to the bus. The memory unit includes a first register and a second register for storing the metrics. A parity bit is used to indicate a register for storing the metrics. In a first stage of the Viterbi decoder, a metric for a first state is stored at a first address in the first register and a metric for a second state is stored at a second address in the second register. The first state and the second state each branch to a third state and a fourth state in a trellis code of the Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: A repairable compact ultrasound probe which is easy to assemble and disassemble, and which has cable load transfer and heat dissipation capabilities. The transducer assembly of the probe has a heat-conductive backing board which is fastened to a yoke incorporated in the cable assembly. The cable assembly further has a strain relief element which is secured in a separate operation following attachment of the yoke to the backing board. When the strain relief element is secured, the probe handle is compressed between the strain relief and a headshell of the transducer assembly, thereby forming a housing. To disassemble the probe, the strain relief is turned counterclockwise with respect to the transducer, thereby releasing the handle and allowing access to the probe interior.