Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received radioscopic image data to host memory through a computer communication bus. Image data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: A detector framing node controls generation of radiation and radioscopic image detection Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and receives the image data by way of an image detection interface into a memory unit. The image data is output from the memory unit to host memory of the host computer through a computer communication interface and under the control of a control unit. The detector framing node selects a flat panel detector from a plurality of different flat panel detectors and the image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one parameter related to a train traversing on a railway track is provided.

Abstract: A geometric harmonic modulation (GHM) communication system communicates GHM signals on a power line of a reconfigurable network. The GHM communication system includes a master controller connected to the power line for transmitting GHM signals on the power line. A boundary component is also connected to the power line. A GHM addressable device is connected to the power line between the master controller and the boundary component. The GHM addressable device defines a boundary of a network region based on the GHM signals transmitted over the power line.

Abstract: A real time imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated by the detector framing node independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates the received radioscopic image data to host memory through a computer communication bus. The image data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The detector framing node is programmable by way of a pair of JTAG loops. The JTAG loops receive programming instructions from the host computer and from a pair of JTAG ports.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired by the detector framing node and communicated to a host memory of a host computer independently of a host computer operating system. Image data is received from a flat panel detector and is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to the host memory. The detector framing node includes an image detection interface to receive the image data and a control unit to select a predetermined portion of the image data for storage into a detector memory unit before communication to the host memory.

Abstract: A system to monitor the integrity of a railway track is provided. The system comprises a mechanical signal source and a correlation detector. The mechanical signal source coupled to the railway track and is configured for generating a mechanical signal pulse train over the railway track. The correlation detector monitors the integrity of the railway track by observing the pulse trains transmitted by the mechanical signal sources. If the railway track is intact, then the pulse train will travel to the correlation detector and afford the opportunity for repeatable detection.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one parameter related to a train traversing on a railway track is provided.

Abstract: A system to monitor the integrity of a railway track is provided. The system comprises a mechanical signal source and a correlation detector. The mechanical signal source coupled to the railway track and is configured for generating a mechanical signal pulse train over the railway track. The correlation detector monitors the integrity of the railway track by observing the pulse trains transmitted by the mechanical signal sources. If the railway track is intact, then the pulse train will travel to the correlation detector and afford the opportunity for repeatable detection.

Abstract: An imaging system and method includes a detector framing node (DFN) being programmable to receive image data from a panel detector, and to store the image data for later transfer of the image data by way of a direct memory access (DMA) transfer. The imaging system and method also includes a DFN control unit configured to control operation of the DFN and to output at least one DMA instruction to the DFN, the at least one DMA instruction corresponding to a dummy DMA instruction that disables a start of a DMA transfer corresponding to execution of the at least one DMA instruction. The imaging system and method further includes an auxiliary image interface being programmable to detect the dummy DMA instruction, to issue a DMA request to the DFN in accordance with the dummy DMA instruction, and to convert data received from the DFN into a different format, to output to a host unit that is capable of processing the data received in the different format.

Abstract: An imaging system shares control of host memory between a detector framing node and a host processor. The detector framing node is programmable to control generation and reception of image data. Image data is acquired and communicated to host memory independently from control by a host operating system. The detector framing node controls events according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received image data to the host memory through a computer communication bus. Image data is received by the detector framing node from a flat panel detector. Host memory has a first section managed by the host operating system and a second section not managed by the host operating system. Image data is communicated from the detector framing node into the second section of host memory. Event instruction sequences are communicated from the first section of host memory to the detector framing node to control the generation and reception of image data.

Abstract: A method establishes a phase reference signal for trellis demodulating CPM modulated received signals by using phase reference signals and symbol timing estimates. Branch metrics signals representing the highest-probability path through the trellis are calculated to produce beat estimates of the modulation data. The branch metrics signals are phase shifted to produce phase shifted branch metrics (PSBM) for each path. At each symbol interval, the highest probability PSEM (HPPSBM) signal for the path is selected. The selected phase shifted branch metric adjusts the value of the phase reference signals. Another method estimates the transmitted signal from at least the estimated data and the phase reference signal. The estimated transmitted signal is phase shifted to produce phase shifted estimated transmitted signals, which are correlated with the received data signals to produce phase error signals, which are smoothed and correct the phase reference signal.

Abstract: A turbo decoder system utilizing a MAP decoding algorithm has a predetermined number of turbo decoder modules for decoding segments of a turbo code component code word in parallel, thereby expanding the block-length and data rate capability of the turbo decoder. Upon completion of any half iteration of the MAP decoding algorithm, the a posteriori bit probability estimates are provided to an interleave/de-interleave-and-convert-data function block wherein they are re-ordered, segmented, used to modify the original received data samples, and provided back to the respective turbo decoder modules as input data samples for the systematic bits. Decoding continues in this manner until a predetermined number of half iterations is performed, and data decisions are made on the final a posteriori estimates.

Abstract: A system and method involve determining the location of objects within an area of interest using wireless signals. The system includes at least three base stations communicating with a central processor and a plurality of mobile devices. Further, at least one fixed beacon transmitter of known location may be provided. The mobile devices transmit a wireless signal to the base stations, which then determine a location of the mobile devices based on time difference of arrival information between the mobile devices measured at all the base stations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a design tool and method which creates a VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) board model that can be used by digital engineers to verify their ASIC and FPGA designs. (VHSIC is an acronym for Very High Speed Integrated Circuits.) The board model is used as part of the test bench that tests the functionality of the board. Any models of the component parts can be instantiated in the board model using a “configuration” statement in the VHDL. Any inconsistencies between the board requirements and the ASIC and FPGA specifications can be identified.

Abstract: A method allows determination of the presence of, the frequency of, and or the timing of a coded signal distributed in time, as for example a direct-sequence spread-spectrum signal or a signal having a coded header. According to the method, the received signal is correlated (16, 216, 316) with small sections of the spreading or header code, to produce partial correlations, as for example a 1024-chip spreading code is correlated in eight- or sixteen-chip portions. The result of each partial correlation is delayed (32, 232, 332/350) by an amount which results in temporal congruence or simultaneous occurrence of the partial correlations at a Doppler processor. The processor processes the simultaneous partial correlations, to produce signals which recur in the appropriate frequency bin at the recurrence rate of the spreading code. The frequency bin identifies the frequency of the received signals, and the time of the appearance of the signals at the bins is indicative of the time.

Abstract: A turbo decoder system utilizing a MAP decoding algorithm has a predetermined number of turbo decoder modules for decoding segments of a turbo code component code word in parallel, thereby expanding the block-length and data-rate capability of the turbo decoder system. Input data samples are provided to an interleaver/de-interleaver module wherein they are divided into segments of predetermined size, each segment being provided to a respective turbo decoder module. The outputs of each turbo decoder module are a posteriori probabilities which are re-ordered in the interleaver/de-interleaver module, segmented, and provided back to the turbo decoders as a priori information-bit probabilities. For the case of a turbo code comprising two component codes, the a posteriori information-bit probabilities are re-ordered according to the interleaver definition at the end of odd-numbered half iterations, while at the end of even-numbered half iterations, they are re-ordered according to the de-interleaver definition.

Abstract: A turbo decoder control comprises an address generator for addressing systematic data, parity data, and systematic likelihood ratios according to a pre-determined memory mapping. The systematic data samples are accessed in the order required by the MAP decoding algorithm such that interleaving and de-interleaving functions in the MAP decoding algorithm are performed in real-time, i.e., without delay. Such memory-mapping in combination with data handling functions (e.g., multiplexing and combinatorial logic) minimizes memory requirements for the turbo decoder and allows for use of programmable interleavers, variable block lengths, and multiple code rates.

Abstract: A method is described for convolutionally encoding and decoding data (voice coded data), organized into (35-bit, 20 msec) frames, where the data is encoded by a finite-state data encoder (RSC coder 216) for transmission over a data channel (18). The RSC encoder avoids the need for termination bits associated with each N-bit frame of data, so that the number of bits associated with each encoded frame is reduced, and the throughput of the channel can be increased. The method according to the invention includes storing the first M bits of each frame. Once they are stored, they are loaded in parallel into the M stages of the encoder, thereby deleting residual states from the preceding frame. The remaining (N−M) bits are then applied to the encoder, causing it to produce the convolutional code. After the last of the (N−M) bits are encoded, the M stored bits are summed with feedback from the encoder, and reapplied to the encoder. The ending state of the encoder is thus equal to the starting state.

Abstract: A system and method involve tracking the location of objects within an area of interest using transmitted-reference ultra-wideband (TR-UWB) signals. The system includes at least three base stations communicating with a central processor, at least one mobile device and at least one fixed beacon transmitter of known location. The mobile device is equipped with a transmitter for transmitting a TR-UWB signal to a base station, which then determines a location of the mobile device based on time difference of arrival information between the beacon transmitters and mobile devices measured at all the base stations. Preferably, the area of interest includes a plurality of mobile devices each transmitting a delay-hopped TR-UWB signal according to a code-division multiple access scheme. The mobile devices may be attached to a patient and/or a medical asset within the hospital for tracking purposes.