Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a modem of a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) includes a pair of modems communicatively coupled to each other by way of a communications path that includes a first DSL communication medium connected to one modem, a second DSL communication medium connected to the other modem, which is part of the DSLAM, and an Ethernet medium connected between the first and second DSL modems. DSL signals can be dispatched from the first (or second) modem via the first (or second) DSL communication medium for receipt by the second (or first) DSL modem via the second (or first) DSL communication medium, whereupon, DSL signals passing from the first DSL communication medium to the second DSL communication medium, or vice versa, are converted into Ethernet packets for transmission over the Ethernet medium and then back into DSL signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively.

Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system includes a number of power line mounted monitors. Each monitor can acquire data regarding the delivery of electrical power in the power line, wirelessly transmit and receive messages, and electromagnetically acquire and store operating electrical power from electrical current flowing in the power line. The system also includes an aggregator that can wirelessly transmit and receive messages and wirelessly output beacon messages. In response to beacon signals wirelessly output by the aggregator, each monitor co-acts with the aggregator to dynamically build a wireless communication network for the wireless communication of the data acquired by the monitor regarding the delivery of electrical power in the power line to the aggregator.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a modem of a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) includes a pair of modems communicatively coupled to each other by way of a communications path that includes a first DSL communication medium connected to one modem, a second DSL communication medium connected to the other modem, which is part of the DSLAM, and an Ethernet medium connected between the first and second DSL modems. DSL signals can be dispatched from the first (or second) modem via the first (or second) DSL communication medium for receipt by the second (or first) DSL modem via the second (or first) DSL communication medium, whereupon, DSL signals passing from the first DSL communication medium to the second DSL communication medium, or vice versa, are converted into Ethernet packets for transmission over the Ethernet medium and then back into DSL signals.

Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system includes a number of power line mounted monitors. Each monitor can acquire data regarding the delivery of electrical power in the power line, wirelessly transmit and receive messages, and electromagnetically acquire and store operating electrical power from electrical current flowing in the power line. The system also includes an aggregator that can wirelessly transmit and receive messages and wirelessly output beacon messages. In response to beacon signals wirelessly output by the aggregator, each monitor co-acts with the aggregator to dynamically build a wireless communication network for the wireless communication of the data acquired by the monitor regarding the delivery of electrical power in the power line to the aggregator.

Abstract: A laser ice etching system (7) includes a laser (11) for producing a laser beam, a laser aiming system (13) adapted to aim and direct a laser beam produced by the laser (11) onto forming ice cubes and a controller (9) operatively coupled to the laser (11) and the laser aiming system (13). The controller (9) provides commands to the laser (11) to produce the laser beam and commands to the laser aiming system (13) to aim and direct the laser beam onto the forming ice cubes. The laser ice etching system (7) is positioned adjacent to a vertical cold plate (3) of an ice making machine (1) and forms an image in the center of an ice cube by aiming and directing the laser beam in a predetermined pattern over a portion of the ice cube.

Abstract: One or more pieces of equipment of a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network has a frequency agile transponder connected thereto. Each frequency agile transponder includes a transmitter (T) and a receiver (R) which are connectable to a coaxial line of the HFC network. Bidirectional communications can occur between a controller and each frequency agile transponder via the HFC network. The frequency agile transponder has analog inputs/outputs connectable to test points of the one or more pieces of equipment of the HFC network. The frequency agile transponder can test the test points and supply to the controller the results of the test. The transmit and receive center frequencies of the transmitter and receiver of the frequency agile transponder can be selectively and remotely adjusted by the controller to avoid signals at carrier frequencies utilized to transmit program material, data signals and/or telephony signals.