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 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.

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 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 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: 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: Received echo data are transferred from an ultrasound probe to the signal processing circuitry of an ultrasound imaging system by use of a reduced number of multiple coaxial cables. The system operates by frequency division multiplexing of the analog output signals produced by multiple individual array elements in the probe onto a single coaxial cable, which connects the probe to the central host computer or console for conventional signal processing and imaging.

Abstract: An image detector monitoring system includes a detector framing node and a host computer having at least one host processor and a host memory. The detector framing node acquires image data, buffers the acquired image data, and outputs the image data to the host memory according to a predetermined communication protocol. The host computer executes operations according to a non-real time operating system, and a host memory stores the image data received from the detector framing node. The detector framing node is controlled by executing a plurality of event instructions, which are stored in an event queue. Some event instructions control a radiation generation system, while others control communication with an image detection system or control the detector framing node itself. Each event instruction executed by the detector framing node includes a bit flag indicating whether the event is to be traced by the detector framing node. Traced events are stored as entries in a response log in host memory.

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 data acquisition system includes a personal computer and a detector framing node cooperating to control generation of radiation and control radiographic detection. Data is acquired by a detector framing node and communicated independently of a non-real time operating system running on a host computer. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received radioscopic data to a host memory. Data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The data is received as single frames or continuous frames before communication to the host memory.

Abstract: An image detector monitoring system includes a detector framing node and a host computer having at least one host processor and a host memory. The detector framing node acquires image data, buffers the acquired image data, and outputs the image data to the host memory according to a predetermined communication protocol. The host computer executes operations according to a non-real time operating system, and a host memory stores the image data received from the detector framing node. The detector framing node is controlled by executing a plurality of event instructions, which are stored in an event queue. Some event instructions control a radiation generation system, while others control communication with an image detection system or control the detector framing node itself. Each event instruction executed by the detector framing node includes a bit flag indicating whether the event is to be traced by the detector framing node. Traced events are stored as entries in a response log in host memory.

Abstract: A time-domain communication system in an ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic array with ultrasonic array outputs and a time-domain multiplexer with an input connected to each of the ultrasonic array outputs and also having a multiplexer output. The time-domain multiplexer continually cycles through each of the ultrasonic array outputs at a predetermined frequency connecting each of the ultrasonic array outputs to the multiplexer output for a predetermined amount of time. An ultrasonic data processing unit is provided and includes a de-multiplexer connected to the multiplexer output. The de-multiplexer has de-multiplexer outputs and continually cycles through each of the de-multiplexer outputs at the predetermined frequency connecting each of the de-multiplexer outputs to the multiplexer output for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A real time data acquisition system includes a personal computer and a detector framing node cooperating to control generation of radiation and control radiographic detection. Data is acquired by a detector framing node and communicated independently of a non-real time operating system running on a host computer. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received radioscopic data to a host memory. Data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The data is received as single frames or continuous frames before communication to the host memory.

Abstract: A method for decoding (voice)data where the data is encoded by a finite-state data encoder (216) for transmission over a data channel (18), includes the step of procuring a table of joint statistics representing the probability of occurrence, in a frame of source data of each of the bits of the frame. The joint statistics may be determined ahead of time. The method includes the step of calculating intermediate gamma signals in response to the decoded data of the preceding frame and the joint statistics. The joint statistics source distribution signals represent the likelihood that, for a given logic level of the preceding bit, the “current” bit takes on a particular state; for uncorrelated bits, this value is 0.5. State probability signals and transition probability signals are generated from the gamma signals.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring operating parameters relating to vehicle usage and using the operating parameter information to derive warranty statistical data. In one embodiment, an operating parameter monitoring unit includes a microprocessor and a sensor interface mounted within a housing. The sensor interface includes a number of leads for receiving sensor input signals from sensors that monitor various vehicle operating parameters. The microprocessor receives parameter information via the sensor interface that is indicative of various input sensor signals and stores corresponding parameter information in memory. The stored parameter information can be accessed via a data interface such as a data port or a RF interface.

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 wide-band overlay sequence generator adds an overlay signal to a television signal which is transmitted through a channel. At a receiver, a replica of the transmitted overlay sequence is generated and synchronized to the overlay signal in the received signal. An adaptive equalizer filter effectively adjusts the received television signal so that the channel perturbations are removed from the signal.

Abstract: A high-speed turbo decoder utilizes a MAP decoding algorithm and includes a streamlined construction of functional units, or blocks, amenable to ASIC implementation. A gamma block provides symbol-by-symbol a posteriori state transition probability estimates. Two gamma probability function values are provided via selection switches to the alpha and beta blocks for calculating the alpha and beta probability function values, i.e., performing the alpha and beta recursions, respectively, in parallel, thus significantly increasing decoding speed. A scaling circuit monitors the values of the alpha and beta probability functions and prescribes a scale factor such that all such values at a trellis level remain within the precision limits of the system. A sigma block determines the a posteriori state transition probabilities (sigma values) and uses the sigma values to provide soft-decision outputs of the turbo decoder.

Abstract: A feedback control for a turbo decoder controls the feedback between component decoders of the turbo decoder by substituting either a neutral value or a weighted value for the channel transition probabilities utilized by each component decoder during the iterative decoding process. A control switch selects either estimated channel transition probabilities, modifications of these values, or neutral values as the channel transition probabilities utilized by the next component decoder in the subsequent decoding iteration.

Abstract: A feedback control for a turbo decoder controls the feedback between component decoders by modifying updated a priori probabilities calculated by one component decoder and used as inputs to another component decoder during the decoding process, resulting in a significant performance advantage. A feedback control switch selects either previously estimated a posteriori probabilities, modifications of these values, or neutral values as a priori probabilities utilized by the next component decoder.