Abstract: A round ride system includes a center wheel, a first drive system configured to drive rotation of the center wheel, and multiple spokes coupled to the center wheel. The round ride system also includes multiple ride vehicles, wherein each ride vehicle of the multiple ride vehicles is coupled to a respective spoke of the multiple spokes. The round ride system further includes a second drive system configured to independently drive each spoke of the multiple spokes in a circumferential direction relative to the center wheel to adjust respective angles defined between respective pairs of adjacent spokes of the multiple spokes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling activation of communications systems for operation within a beam of a satellite or other system. Activation of communications capability for one Air Interface can be based on exchanges of information via another Air Interface. In this way, the activation capability can enable a High Resource Usage Common Air Interface to remain dormant in a beam (as Ghost Beams) until services requiring the High Resource Usage Common Air Interface are requested thus reducing the usage of system resources such as power and bandwidth.

Abstract: The secure parcel delivery receptacle comprises a parcel receptacle, a locking cover, a scanner, and a camera. The parcel receptacle may accept a parcel for delivery. Access to the parcel receptacle may be via the locking cover which may be unlocked by the scanner. The camera may record one or more images as proof of delivery. The parcel receptacle may be a container into which the parcel may be placed. The parcel receptacle may have an access aperture through which the interior of the parcel receptacle may be accessed from the exterior of the parcel receptacle. In embodiments, the parcel receptacle may be a bag or a box.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to send and a receiver in the network infrastructure is configured to receive bursts containing pilot waveforms that include time spacing and/or phase changes between short sequences. The time spacing and/or phase changes can be selected to reduce out-of-phase autocorrelation and achieve robust performance.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, the energy used to transmit an acknowledgement message differs depending on whether the acknowledgement is an ACK or a NACK. The energy used to transmit an ACK is set to be significantly less than the energy used to transmit a NACK. Preferably, the energy used to transmit the acknowledgement message is negligible if the acknowledgement message is an ACK compared to if the acknowledgement message is a NACK. In one embodiment, the energy used to transmit an ACK is set near zero and the energy used to transmit a NACK is set approximately four times the energy of an acknowledgement message if the energy required to transmit a NACK and an ACK were equal.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to receive beam shape information from a satellite and use the beam shape information for calculating the terminal's initial transmit power based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine the terminal's location and calculate an achievable information data rate of transmitted bursts based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine an estimated terminal position based on correlating signal-to-noise ratio measurements on the camped beam and at least one neighbor beam neighboring the camped beam.

Abstract: The secure parcel delivery receptacle comprises a parcel receptacle, a locking cover, a scanner, and a camera. The parcel receptacle may be a container into which the parcel may be placed. Access to the parcel receptacle may be via the locking cover which may only be unlocked by the scanner. The scanner may scan the parcel using wireless technology, optical technology, or a combination thereof to determine parcel identification information from the parcel. The parcel identification information may comprise or may be associated with a one-time code that will unlock the locking cover one time only. The camera may record one or more images as proof of delivery. The scanner may transmit one or more wireless messages containing status information regarding attempts to access the secure parcel delivery receptacle to the purchaser, to the seller, or to both.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to send and a receiver in the network infrastructure is configured to receive bursts containing pilot waveforms that include time spacing and/or phase changes between short sequences. The time spacing and/or phase changes can be selected to reduce out-of-phase autocorrelation and achieve robust performance.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to communicate with a satellite and a terrestrial hub using the same communications architecture, such as an air interface. In embodiments of the invention, the terminal sends a burst comprising a message to network infrastructure at a pre-scheduled time such that the network infrastructure can derive a terminal identity for the terminal by the time of the burst without having to include terminal identity information in the message. The terminal can communicate with the network infrastructure either through the satellite or through the terrestrial hub.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to receive beam shape information from a satellite and use the beam shape information for calculating the terminal's initial transmit power based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine the terminal's location and calculate an achievable information data rate of transmitted bursts based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine an estimated terminal position based on correlating signal-to-noise ratio measurements on the camped beam and at least one neighbor beam neighboring the camped beam.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to communicate with a satellite and a terrestrial hub using the same communications architecture, such as an air interface. In embodiments of the invention, the terminal sends a burst comprising a message to network infrastructure at a pre-scheduled time such that the network infrastructure can derive a terminal identity for the terminal by the time of the burst without having to include terminal identity information in the message. The terminal can communicate with the network infrastructure either through the satellite or through the terrestrial hub.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system sends a burst comprising a message to network infrastructure in the system at a pre-scheduled time such that the network infrastructure can derive a terminal identity for the terminal by the time of the burst without having to include terminal identity information in the message. The bursts are intended to communicate a message without all of the overhead used in establishing and terminating a connection associated with convention communication systems. The bursts are sent in predetermined formats, at predetermined times so that the identity of the terminal can be easily determined eliminating the need for much of the overhead of a conventional MSS.

Abstract: A method for synchronization of user terminal (UT) uplink data transmissions to a satellite in a satellite communications system is provided. The UT tracks frame timing and frequency of downlink data transmissions received by the UT from the satellite. The UT estimates a respective timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions based on the tracked frame timing and frequency of the downlink data transmissions. The UT receives satellite ephemeris data broadcast by the satellite. The UT synchronizes uplink data transmissions to the satellite based on the estimated timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions, the received satellite ephemeris data, and knowledge of a UT position and velocity vectors associated with any movement of the UT.

Abstract: A method for synchronization of user terminal (UT) uplink data transmissions to a satellite in a satellite communications system is provided. The UT tracks frame timing and frequency of downlink data transmissions received by the UT from the satellite. The UT estimates a respective timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions based on the tracked frame timing and frequency of the downlink data transmissions. The UT receives satellite ephemeris data broadcast by the satellite. The UT synchronizes uplink data transmissions to the satellite based on the estimated timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions, the received satellite ephemeris data, and knowledge of a UT position and velocity vectors associated with any movement of the UT.

Abstract: A synchronization approach is provided that compensates for the large Doppler offset of the satellites in a LEO satellite system by exploiting the predictable and deterministic nature of the Doppler component, and thereby simplifies the delay and the Doppler domain uncertainty ranges that the physical layer receivers have to resolve. The compensation is based on the known ephemeris information of the LEO satellite and the known positions of the gateway (GW) and the user terminal (UT) on the ground. Utilizing the deterministic component of the LEO Doppler, the synchronization process continually tracks and compensates for the time-varying offsets between the GW and UT frame timing, frame numbering (FN), symbol timings, and Doppler-induced scaling of center frequency and the signal bandwidth.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with a satellite and a receiver having a local oscillator. The satellite is traveling in a vector and transmits a signal having an expected frequency. The receiver receives a received signal having a received signal frequency. The device includes: a Doppler shift measuring portion measuring a Doppler shift Dm; a predetermined Doppler shift storage portion storing a predetermined received Doppler shift Dp; a received signal Doppler shift error calculating portion calculating a received signal Doppler shift error De; a predetermined receiver position storage portion storing a predetermined position Pp of the receiver; and a receiver position estimating portion calculating an estimated receiver position Pe based on the predetermined position Pp of the receiver and the received signal Doppler shift error De.

Abstract: A synchronization approach is provided that compensates for the large Doppler offset of the satellites in a LEO satellite system by exploiting the predictable and deterministic nature of the Doppler component, and thereby simplifies the delay and the Doppler domain uncertainty ranges that the physical layer receivers have to resolve. The compensation is based on the known ephemeris information of the LEO satellite and the known positions of the gateway (GW) and the user terminal (UT) on the ground. Utilizing the deterministic component of the LEO Doppler, the synchronization process continually tracks and compensates for the time-varying offsets between the GW and UT frame timing, frame numbering (FN), symbol timings, and Doppler-induced scaling of center frequency and the signal bandwidth.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with a satellite and a receiver having a local oscillator. The satellite is traveling in a vector and transmits a signal having an expected frequency. The receiver receives a received signal having a received signal frequency. The device includes: a Doppler shift measuring portion measuring a Doppler shift Dm; a predetermined Doppler shift storage portion storing a predetermined received Doppler shift Dp; a received signal Doppler shift error calculating portion calculating a received signal Doppler shift error De; a predetermined receiver position storage portion storing a predetermined position Pp of the receiver; and a receiver position estimating portion calculating an estimated receiver position Pc based on the predetermined position Pp of the receiver and the received signal Doppler shift error De.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the delivery of nucleic acids into a host by administering a nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic nucleic acid along with an agent that modulates Kupffer cell function in the host.

Abstract: A method for enabling synchronization of a communications terminal in a wireless communication system, and a corresponding acquisition system of the communications terminal, wherein the method consists of the steps of: receiving a burst at a receiver of the communications terminal, the burst containing a composite waveform including two or more component waveforms, wherein each of the two or more waveforms has a known frequency variation throughout the burst; detecting the presence of the composite waveform; and estimating a frequency offset and a timing offset of the composite waveform as received into the receiver, whereby synchronization is achieved.