Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for transmitting and receiving one-of-many positions modulated impulse radio signals. An impulse radio receiver for demodulating a received impulse radio signal that is modulated according to a one-of-N positions modulation scheme, where N is the number of different possible positions where an impulse can be located within each time frame of the impulse radio signal, comprises a timing generator, one or more samplers and a data detector. The timing generator generates N timing signal, wherein each of the N timing signals is separated in time by more than ½ the width of impulses of the received impulse radio signal. The one or more samplers are triggered to sample the received impulse radio signal in accordance with the N timing signal and to provide a first to Nth sampler outputs. The data detector produces a demodulation decisions based on the first to Nth sampler outputs.

Abstract: A frame reference signal is produced as a function of a clock signal. A first timing generator generates a coarse timing signal having a nominal period and a transition occurring at a precise temporal position with respect to the nominal period. The nominal period is a function of the frame reference signal. The temporal position is a function of a first input timing command and the clock signal. A second timing generator generates at least one fine timing transition as a function of a second input timing command and the clock signal. A combiner circuit uses the coarse timing signal to select one of the at least one fine timing transitions to output a precise timing signal, wherein the precise timing signal has a high temporal precision with respect to the frame reference signal.

Abstract: A precision timing generator includes a combiner that provides a timing signal by combining a coarse timing signal and a fine timing signal derived from a phase-shifted sinusoidal signal that has a desired phase shift. The coarse timing generator generates the coarse timing signal from a clock signal and a timing command input. The fine timing generator includes a sinusoidal-signal generator that receives the clock signal and generates a sinusoidal signal. The fine timing generator also includes a phase shifter that receives the sinusoidal signal and the timing command input and shifts the phase of the sinusoidal signal based on the timing input to generate the phase shifted sinusoidal signal.

Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radars. Two or more TM-UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around the perimeter of a building. Each TM-UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the building and the surrounding area. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the inside of the building and the surrounding area. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the building and the surrounding area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.

Abstract: Potential interference is reduced in an impulse radio. A signal including an impulse signal and potential interference is received by the impulse radio. The impulse signal includes a sequence of impulses. The sequence of impulses of the received signal is sampled at a sequence of data sample times to produce a sequence of data samples. The received signal is also sampled at a plurality of time offsets from each of the data sample times to produce a plurality of nulling samples corresponding to each of the data samples. Each of the data samples is then separately combined with the corresponding plurality of nulling samples to produce a sequence of adjusted samples.

Abstract: Potential interference is reduced in an impulse radio. A signal including an impulse signal and potential interference is received by the impulse radio. The impulse signal includes a sequence of impulses. The sequence of impulses of the received signal is sampled at a sequence of data sample times to produce a sequence of data samples. The received signal is also sampled at a plurality of time offsets from each of the data sample times to produce a plurality of nulling samples corresponding to each of the data samples. A separate sequence of nulling samples for each of the time offsets is thereby produced. Each of the data samples is then separately combined with a corresponding nulling sample from each of the separate sequences of nulling samples to produce a separate sequence of adjusted samples corresponding to each of the time offsets. A separate quality metric, representative of a signal-to-interference level, is then determined for each of the separate sequences of adjusted samples.

Abstract: An asset, object, person or animal monitoring system and associated method for monitoring assets, objects, people or animals utilizing impulse radio techniques. The asset, object, person or animal monitoring system of the present invention can vary the duty cycles of the impulse radio transmitters, by both manual and automatic means, to adapt to varied requirements.

Abstract: An asset, object, person or animal monitoring system and associated method for monitoring assets, objects, people or animals utilizing impulse radio techniques. The asset, object, person or animal monitoring system of the present invention can vary the duty cycles of the impulse radio transmitters, by both manual and automatic means, to adapt to varied requirements.

Abstract: A mounting for a sheet that has a bead about its periphery includes frame members forming a rectangle with each frame member including mutually parallel multiple engagement surfaces defined on ribs. An elongate retainer includes an elongate flange with an interlocking surface which can selectively interlock with any one of the engagement surfaces on the frame. The frame also has a frame rail having a rail surface that faces away from a retainer rail surface on a rail of the retainer. A tool including pinch rollers squeeze the rail surfaces toward one another to place the sheet material held by the retainer in tension while the interlocking surface is engaged with the appropriate engagement surface.

Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radars. Two or more TM-UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around the perimeter of a building. Each TM-UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the building and the surrounding area. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the inside of the building and the surrounding area. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the building and the surrounding area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.

Abstract: A system and a method for medium wide band communications using impulse radio techniques. The method of transmitting medium wide band signals includes the steps of producing a sinusoidal signal and a train of preferably Gaussian shaped pulses. The method also includes the steps of multiplying the sinusoidal signal by the train of pulses to produce a train of sinusoidal bursts, and transmitting the train of sinusoidal bursts. The center frequency of the transmitted signal consisting of the train of sinusoidal bursts can be controlled by selecting an appropriate frequency of the sinusoidal signal. The bandwidth of the transmitted signal can be controlled by selecting an appropriate width of the pulses in the train of pulses. Information and/or coding modulation can be accomplished by adjusting the time position and/or phase of the sinusoidal bursts.

Abstract: A frame reference signal is produced as a function of a clock signal. A first timing generator generates a coarse timing signal having a nominal period and a transition occurring at a precise temporal position with respect to the nominal period. The nominal period is a function of the frame reference signal. The temporal position is a function of a first input timing command and the clock signal. A second timing generator generates at least one fine timing transition as a function of a second input timing command and the clock signal. A combiner circuit uses the coarse timing signal to select one of the at least one fine timing transitions to output a precise timing signal, wherein the precise timing signal has a high temporal precision with respect to the frame reference signal.

Abstract: A System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio, comprising a plurality of reference impulse radios; an object or person to be tracked having a mobile impulse radio associated therewith; an architecture with an associated positioning algorithm associated with said plurality of impulse radio reference radios and said mobile impulse radio; and display means for displaying the position of the person or object whose position is to be determined.

Abstract: A system and a method for position determination by impulse radio using a first transceiver having a first clock providing a first reference signal and a second transceiver placed spaced from the first transceiver. The system determines the position of the second transceiver. The second transceiver has a second clock that provides a second reference signal. A first sequence of pulses are transmitted from the first transceiver. The first sequence of pulses are then received at the second transceiver and the second transceiver is then synchronized with the first sequence of pulses. A second sequence of pulses are transmitted from the second transceiver. The first transceiver receives the second sequence of pulses and the first transceiver is synchronized with the second sequence of pulses. A delayed first reference signal is generated in response to the synchronization with the second sequence of pulses.

Abstract: A system and a method for distance measurement utilizes a radio system. The distance is measured by determining the time it takes a pulse train to travel from a first radio transceiver to a second radio transceiver and then from the second radio transceiver back to the first radio transceiver. The actual measurement is a two step process. In the first step, the distance is measured in coarse resolution, and in the second step, the distance is measured in fine resolution. A first pulse train is transmitted using a transmit time base from the first radio transceiver. The first pulse train is received at a second radio transceiver. The second radio transceiver synchronizes its time base with the first pulse train before transmitting a second pulse train back to the first radio transceiver, which then synchronizes a receive time base with the second pulse train. The time delay between the transmit time base and the receive time base can then be determined.

Abstract: A mounting for a sheet that has a bead about its periphery includes frame members forming a rectangle with each frame member including mutually parallel multiple engagement surfaces defined on ribs. An elongate retainer includes an elongate flange with an interlocking surface which can selectively interlock with any one of the engagement surfaces on the frame. The frame also has a frame rail having a rail surface that faces away from a retainer rail surface on a rail of the retainer. A tool including pinch rollers squeeze the rail surfaces toward one another to place the sheet material held by the retainer in tension while the interlocking surface is engaged with the appropriate engagement surface.

Abstract: A gear pump mechanism shown in a variety of applications to control rotational output. Control of the output from the gear pump and feed to the gear pump of hydraulic fluid or oil can be controlled to establish conditions from free wheeling to fully locked. The gear pump includes a sun gear and planetary gears. The sun gear is attached to an output shaft while the planetary gears are rotatably mounted to the pump housing. Through rotation of the housing and control of the flow through the gear pump, relative rotation of the output shaft can be determined. Applications of rotational output control systems using the gear pump mechanism provide adjustable torque limiters, variable rate clutches, differentials, brakes, CVT transmissions, four wheel drive systems and forward and reverse variable rate clutches with no gear backlash.

Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radars. Two or more TM-UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around the perimeter of a building. Each TM-UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the building and the surrounding area. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the inside of the building and the surrounding area. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the building and the surrounding area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.

Abstract: A system and a method for position determination by impulse radio using a first transceiver having a first clock providing a first reference signal and a second transceiver placed spaced from the first transceiver. The system determines the position of the second transceiver. The second transceiver has a second clock that provides a second reference signal. A first sequence of pulses are transmitted from the first transceiver. The first sequence of pulses are then received at the second transceiver and the second transceiver is then synchronized with the first sequence of pulses. A second sequence of pulses are transmitted from the second transceiver. The first transceiver receives the second sequence of pulses and the first transceiver is synchronized with the second sequence of pulses. A delayed first reference signal is generated in response to the synchronization with the second sequence of pulses.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of load sensors, together with an input network, a multiplexer, a reference, an analog to digital converter, and a processor, wherein the input network includes an analog summing network and direct sensor connections to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is arranged to permit measurement of the sum signal, a reference signal, and each direct load sensor signal in a prescribed sequence. The multiplexed signals are converted to digital and processed to derive a weight estimate based on the multiplexed measurements and a system error model. The prescribed measurement sequence permits measurement of the sum signal more frequently than each of the direct signals. A method is described for deriving correction factors for the error model comprising the placing of calibration weights primarily on each weight sensor and solving the system of simultaneous equations for the resulting correction factors.