Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a vertical spark gap device includes a substrate having a horizontal main surface and a plurality of pairs of conductive layers over the horizontal main surface. Different ones of the pairs are separated by different vertical distances such that each pair serves as an arcing electrode pair and different ones of the arcing electrode pairs are configured to arc discharge at different voltages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a switched beam directional antenna in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a serving cell, a neighbor cell and a WTRU. The WTRU is configured to generate and steer a directional beam in a plurality of directions. Once the WTRU registers with the wireless communication system, the WTRU receives messages transmitted by the serving cell. The WTRU measures signal quality of messages received in each of a plurality of predetermined directions while steering the directional beam antenna. The WTRU selects a particular one of the directions having the best signal quality. As the WTRU constantly moves, the WTRU monitors signal quality in the selected direction, and switches to another direction when the signal quality in a current direction drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless communication method and antenna system for determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of received signals in azimuth and elevation, (i.e., in three dimensions), to form a beam for transmitting and receiving signals. The system includes two antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements, two first stage multi-mode-port matrices, at least one second stage multi-mode-port matrix, an azimuth phase detector, an elevation amplitude detector, a plurality of phase shifters and a transceiver. The antenna arrays and the first stage multi-mode-port matrices form a plurality of orthogonal omni-directional modes. Each of the modes has a characteristic phase set. Two of the modes' phases are used to determine DOA in azimuth. The second stage multi-mode-port matrix forms a sum-mode and a difference-mode used to determine the DOA of the received signals in elevation. A beam is formed in the direction of the received signals by adjusting the phase shifters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a switched beam directional antenna in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a serving cell, a neighbor cell and a WTRU. The WTRU is configured to generate and steer a directional beam in a plurality of directions. Once the WTRU registers with the wireless communication system, the WTRU receives messages transmitted by the serving cell. The WTRU measures signal quality of messages received in each of a plurality of predetermined directions while steering the directional beam antenna. The WTRU selects a particular one of the directions having the best signal quality. As the WTRU constantly moves, the WTRU monitors signal quality in the selected direction, and switches to another direction when the signal quality in a current direction drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless communication method and antenna system for determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of received signals in azimuth and elevation, (i.e., in three dimensions), to form a beam for transmitting and receiving signals. The system includes two antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements, two first stage multi-mode-port matrices, at least one second stage multi-mode-port matrix, an azimuth phase detector, an elevation amplitude detector, a plurality of phase shifters and a transceiver. The antenna arrays and the first stage multi-mode-port matrices form a plurality of orthogonal omni-directional modes. Each of the modes has a characteristic phase set. Two of the modes' phases are used to determine DOA in azimuth. The second stage multi-mode-port matrix forms a sum-mode and a difference-mode used to determine the DOA of the received signals in elevation. A beam is formed in the direction of the received signals by adjusting the phase shifters.

Abstract: An antenna for controlling a beam direction both in azimuth and elevation is disclosed. An antenna comprises a ground plane, at least one active element, and a plurality of passive elements. Both an upper half and a lower half of the passive elements are connected to the ground plane with variable reactive loads, whereby elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by adjusting the variable reactive loads. Alternatively, an antenna may comprise a radio frequency (RF) choke coupled to the ground plane, whereby an elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by controlling the RF choke. Alternatively, an antenna comprises a variable lens for changing a wave front of a radio wave which is passing through the variable lens, whereby the beam width and direction are controlled by the variable lens.

Abstract: An antenna includes a ground plane and an active antenna element adjacent the ground plane. Passive antenna elements are adjacent the ground plane, and are spaced apart from the active antenna element. First parasitic gratings are adjacent the ground plane and are spaced apart from the active antenna element. Each first parasitic grating is between two adjacent passive antenna elements. A controller selectably controls the passive antenna elements for operating in a reflective mode or a directive mode. The controller includes for each respective passive antenna element at least one impedance element connected to the ground plane, and a switch adjacent the ground plane for connecting the at least one impedance element to the passive antenna element so that the passive antenna element operates in the reflective or directive mode.

Abstract: A wireless communication method and antenna system for determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of received signals in azimuth and elevation, (i.e., in three dimensions), to form a beam for transmitting and receiving signals. The system includes two antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements, two first stage multi-mode-port matrices, at least one second stage multi-mode-port matrix, an azimuth phase detector, an elevation amplitude detector, a plurality of phase shifters and a transceiver. The antenna arrays and the first stage multi-mode-port matrices form a plurality of orthogonal omni-directional modes. Each of the modes has a characteristic phase set. Two of the modes' phases are used to determine DOA in azimuth. The second stage multi-mode-port matrix forms a sum-mode and a difference-mode used to determine the DOA of the received signals in elevation. A beam is formed in the direction of the received signals by adjusting the phase shifters.

Abstract: An antenna having a central active element and a plurality of passive dipoles surrounding the active element is disclosed. The passive dipoles increase the antenna gain by increasing the radiated energy in the azimuth direction. In another embodiment a plurality of parasitic directing elements extend radially outward from the passive dipoles.

Abstract: An antenna having a central active element and a plurality of passive dipoles surrounding the active element is disclosed. The passive dipoles increase the antenna gain by increasing the radiated energy in the azimuth direction. In another embodiment a plurality of parasitic directing elements extend radially outward from the passive dipoles.

Abstract: Method of stabilizing valve lift-off movement in an automotive hydraulic shock absorber having compression and expansion chambers filled with a hydraulic shock-absorber fluid is diclosed. The chamber are divided by a valve body which has one or more orifices that have fluid flow therethrough controlled by a spring biased valve that lifts off from the valve body when the fluid pressure differential between chambers is above a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A watertight and airtight seal is useful for use between two structures having relative movement therebetween. The seal apparatus includes a first adhesive bead (38) disposed on a first structural member (12) and a second adhesive bead (44) disposed on a second structural member (22). An elastomeric member (30) includes a first flange (34) portion bonded to the first adhesive bead and a second flange portion (36) bonded to the second adhesive bead (44). The elastomeric member also includes a flexible portion disposed between the first and second flange portions, this flexible portion being operative to freely flex during relative motion between the first and second structural members. This flexibility substantially reduces stress otherwise imparted on the first and second adhesive beads during such movements in the absence of the flexible portion, thereby improving the durability of the seal.

Abstract: A locking device for a pair of telescoping tubular poles. An engagement member fits to one end of first pole and is slidingly engaged within second pole. A groove of the engagement member engages with a rib in the second pole so the first pole cannot rotate relative to the second pole. First pole also slidingly engages through a clamp which is mounted to the end of the second pole. A cover fits over the clamp. A cam located between the inside wall over engages with a clamping element of the clamp. A lever extends from cam through an opening in the cover. By manipulating the lever the cam can cause the clamping element to clampingly lock the first pole against sliding movement in the second pole.