Abstract: This disclosure describes designs for a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The DCO can overcome many of the shortcomings associated with conventional voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), and may improve wireless communication devices. The described DCO may improve the frequency synthesis process, reduce noise in a wireless communication device, and allow for simplification of various components of the device.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus that allow for accurate determination of network topology utilizing multicast groups are provided. A multicast group may be established that contains a set of VPN endpoints to be monitored. By sending ping packets from each provider edge endpoint to the multicast group, ping responses (with unicast addresses for responders) may be collected and analyzed to determine reachability of the endpoints.

Abstract: Techniques for accurate determination of service impact are provided by provisioning network deployed probes with actual business object information related to business entities, such as VPN sites. Such probes are capable of sending a network trap (or alarm) containing actual business information in response to detecting a loss of connectivity. As a result, service impact caused by the loss of connectivity may be determined accurately by simply parsing the contents of a network trap, thus avoiding the complication and inaccuracy of conventional impact analysis.

Abstract: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays, systems, methods and kits for the age determination of an individual from bloodstains or samples of unknown origin. The methodology is based on gene expression profiling analysis in which novel human newborn fetal specific genes are identified by detecting the presence of appropriate messenger RNA species.

Abstract: A signal processing method, applied in a wireless communications module having a receive path, prevents a nonlinear device in the receive path from using an amplitude modulated transmit or other bleed-over signal in the receive path to modulate a non-amplitude modulated jammer signal on the receive path (or to further modulate an already amplitude modulated jammer signal). The bleed-over signal is conditioned by adding one or more amplitude modulated dummy signal(s) having an envelope that complements an envelope of the bleed-over signal, forcing the nonlinear circuit to operate linearly with respect to the jammer signal. Output of the amplifier may be filtered to remove signals having bandwidths of the dummy signal(s), bleed-over signal, jammer signal, and any intermodulation products generated by introducing the dummy signal(s).

Abstract: A dual modulation transmitter apparatus (100) includes first (134), second (136), and third (132) signal paths. The first signal path includes a polar modulator (120) coupled to a data input (115). The second signal path includes a quadrature modulator (122) coupled to the data input. The third signal path is coupled to an antenna (142) and includes a switch (128) configured to couple the third signal path to the first signal path under a first condition and to couple the third signal path to the second signal path under a second condition. Thus, the transmitter apparatus enjoys the best of both worlds, since it utilizes quadrature or polar modulation in the most appropriate circumstances.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting a shopping cart used to bring items to a checkout location, and inspecting its bottom tray for the presence of items. The apparatus includes a cart-detector to detect the presence of the cart at a pre-determined location; and an item-detector to detect the presence of items placed on the lower tray of the cart. The cart detector includes an arrangement of three optical sensors and corresponding retro-reflective targets; and finite state-machine processing logic to discriminate a specific sequence of sensor responses.

Abstract: An amplitude modulated source signal (102) is received, where this signal has a source frequency bandwidth and a source envelope. A dummy envelope is computed that would yield a constant if the dummy envelope and source envelope were to be combined. An amplitude modulated dummy signal (105) is generated, where this dummy signal exhibits the computed, dummy signal envelope and has a prescribed frequency bandwidth different than the source frequency bandwidth. The source and dummy signals are added to form a combined signal (113), which is directed to an input (114a) of a nonlinear circuit (114), that is, one that exhibits amplitude dependent nonlinearity. Signals of the dummy frequency bandwidth and any intermodulation products are filtered from the output, thereby providing a linearized output (118) corresponding to the original, source signal.

Abstract: A signal processing method, applied in a wireless communications module having a receive path, prevents a nonlinear device in the receive path from using an amplitude modulated transmit or other bleed-over signal in the receive path to modulate a non-amplitude modulated jammer signal on the receive path (or to further modulate an already amplitude modulated jammer signal). The bleed-over signal is conditioned by adding one or more amplitude modulated dummy signal(s) having an envelope that complements an envelope of the bleed-over signal, forcing the nonlinear circuit to operate linearly with respect to the jammer signal. Output of the amplifier may be filtered to remove signals having bandwidths of the dummy signal(s), bleed-over signal, jammer signal, and any intermodulation products generated by introducing the dummy signal(s).

Abstract: An amplitude modulated source signal (102) is received, where this signal has a source frequency bandwidth and a source envelope. A dummy envelope is computed that would yield a constant if the dummy envelope and source envelope were to be combined. An amplitude modulated dummy signal (105) is generated, where this dummy signal exhibits the computed, dummy signal envelope and has a prescribed frequency bandwidth different than the source frequency bandwidth. The source and dummy signals are added to form a combined signal (113), which is directed to an input (114a) of a nonlinear circuit (114), that is, one that exhibits amplitude dependent nonlinearity. Signals of the dummy frequency bandwidth and any intermodulation products are filtered from the output, thereby providing a linearized output (118) corresponding to the original, source signal.

Abstract: A dual modulation transmitter apparatus (100) includes first (134), second (136), and third (132) signal paths. The first signal path includes a polar modulator (120) coupled to a data input (115). The second signal path includes a quadrature modulator (122) coupled to the data input. The third signal path is coupled to an antenna (142) and includes a switch (128) configured to couple the third signal path to the first signal path under a first condition and to couple the third signal path to the second signal path under a second condition. Thus, the transmitter apparatus enjoys the best of both worlds, since it utilizes quadrature or polar modulation in the most appropriate circumstances.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting a shopping cart used to bring items to a checkout location, and inspecting its bottom tray for the presence of items. The apparatus includes a cart-detector to detect the presence of the cart at a predetermined location; and an item-detector to detect the presence of items placed on the lower tray of the cart. The cart detector includes an arrangement of three optical sensors and corresponding retro-reflective targets; and finite state-machine processing logic to discriminate a specific sequence of sensor responses.

Abstract: An extendible wrist mechanism comprises a base and a spaced end plate to which an end effector or other tool holder may be mounted. Three linear actuators are disposed about the central axis directed from the base to the end plate. Each actuator is joined to the base by a joint permitting pivoting toward and away from the central axis and pivoting tangentially of a circle centered about the central axis. Each linear actuator is mounted to the end plate by a joint permitting pitch, yaw, and roll of the end member with respect to the linear actuator. A tube extends from the base and telescopingly receives a member which is attached to the end plate at the central axis by a U-joint permitting pitch and yaw of the end plate. The base mounted tube is keyed to the end plate mounted member so that the end plate is held against rotation with respect to the base.

Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus that uses proximity devices coupled to reference rings on input and output shafts that have periodically undulating circumferential boundaries. The regular changes in the proximity of the circumferential surfaces to their proximity sensors is used to determine torque.

Abstract: A reaction rail assembly, for forming a secondary of linear induction motor, includes an elongate conductive member of uniform cross-section, and core formed from a plurality of elongate bars. The bars extend parallel to the conductive member, and adjacent bars are insulated from one another, so as to reduce eddy current losses. The bars have corresponding width and height, and can be square. The core is located adjacent the conductive member, so as, in use, to complete a magnet circuit between a primary and secondary of a linear induction motor.

Abstract: In a transportation system involving a track-side linear induction motor (LIM) primary and a vehicle carrying a LIM secondary, slip power in the secondary is recovered and used to power the on-board electrical system of the vehicle. The LIM secondary has a three-phase secondary winding rather than a conventional reaction plate. The winding is connected to a rectifier which converts slip current in the windings into electrical power for the on-board electrical system. This eliminates the necessity for any sliding contacts for power transfer, while simultaneously enabling at least part of the slip power, which is normally dissipated as heat in the secondary, to be recovered.

Abstract: A method of operating a rolling mill in a manner that avoids the occurrence of alligatoring in a slab of metal as it is reduced in thickness in the mill. The slab is subject to a schedule of repeated passes through the mill to effect a predetermined amount of reduction in thickness of the slab in each pass. The method comprises the steps of analyzing the pass schedule of such a slab, and noting any pass in the schedule that has a combination of entry gauge and reduction draft that may subject the slab to alligatoring. An untapered nose of the slab is next presented to the bite of the mill, and if the combination of entry gauge and reduction draft is one that is not subject to alligatoring, the slab is passed through the mill to reduce its thickness as scheduled.