Abstract: A transmitter is set to time division multiple access (TDMA) mode and allocated a first TDMA channel. In the TDMA mode, the additional TDMA channels are allocated to and deallocated from the transmitter, according a traffic demand at the transmitter, until all TDMA channels are assigned and the traffic demand reaches a threshold, whereupon the transmitter is switched to a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) mode, and assigned an FDMA channel. In response to traffic levels, the transmitter is switched to larger bandwidth FDMA channels and, optionally, to a concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode having a large bandwidth FDMA channel in addition to a number of TDMA channels. Optionally, switching the transmitter among TDMA mode, FDMA mode, and concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode is based, at least in part, on QoS, or time of day, or user statistics, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system to maximize efficiency as a mobile terminal receives data signals transmitted through multiple satellite spot beams. The multiple spot beams can be broadcast via a single satellite or multiple satellites. As a mobile terminal travels throughout a region, the system determines which spot beam would delivers data in the most efficient manner possible. This system takes into account multiple factors, including but not limited to velocity of the mobile terminal, traffic within a spot beam, business affiliations, etc. Once the system takes into account the various factors, an embodiment of the present invention generates a relative weighted factor that is subsequently associated with various available spot beams. Based on rankings of the weighted factors associated with each spot beam, the system may choose to receive data from a different spot beam.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system to maximize efficiency as a mobile terminal receives data signals transmitted through multiple satellite spot beams. The multiple spot beams can be broadcast via a single satellite or multiple satellites. As a mobile terminal travels throughout a region, the system determines which spot beam would delivers data in the most efficient manner possible. This system takes into account multiple factors, including but not limited to velocity of the mobile terminal, traffic within a spot beam, business affiliations, etc. Once the system takes into account the various factors, an embodiment of the present invention generates a relative weighted factor that is subsequently associated with various available spot beams. Based on rankings of the weighted factors associated with each spot beam, the system may choose to receive data from a different spot beam.

Abstract: A transmitter is set to time division multiple access (TDMA) mode and allocated a first TDMA channel. In the TDMA mode, the additional TDMA channels are allocated to and deallocated from the transmitter, according a traffic demand at the transmitter, until all TDMA channels are assigned and the traffic demand reaches a threshold, whereupon the transmitter is switched to a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) mode, and assigned an FDMA channel. In response to traffic levels, the transmitter is switched to larger bandwidth FDMA channels and, optionally, to a concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode having a large bandwidth FDMA channel in addition to a number of TDMA channels. Optionally, switching the transmitter among TDMA mode, FDMA mode, and concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode is based, at least in part, on QoS, or time of day, or user statistics, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Silver alloys containing copper and germanium e.g. about 1 wt % Ge and of very low copper content e.g. about 0.8 wt % Cu can be precipitation hardened to 65 HV or above, whereas alloys of similar copper content and not containing germanium remain soft. In an embodiment, a silver alloy comprises 92.5-97 wt % Ag, 1-4.5 wt % Cu, 0.4-4 wt % Zn, 0.8-1.5 wt % Ge, 0 to 0.2 wt % Si, In or Sn and 0-0.2 wt % Mn, the balance being boron as grain refiner, incidental ingredients and impurities. The said alloy preferably comprises boron as grain refiner added as a boron hydride, e.g. sodium borohydride. A further group of alloys comprises a ternary alloy of silver, copper and germanium containing from more than 93.5 wt % to 95.5 wt % Ag, from 0.5 to 3 wt % Ge and the remainder, apart from incidental ingredients (if any), impurities and grain refiner, copper, the grain refiner being sodium borohydride or another boron hydride. Silicon-containing casting grain that gives rise to bright as-cast products is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed for use in treating a metal, e.g., an alloy of silver as aforesaid, is a water-based composition comprising a treatment agent selected from an alkanethiol, alkyl thioglycollate, dialkyl sulfide or dialkyl disulfide and at least one of an amphoteric, nonionic or cationic surfactant in a concentration that is effective to solubilise the treatment agent. Preferably the composition comprises at least a non-ionic relatively hydrophobic surfactant e.g. cocamide DEA. The composition is particularly suitable for the treatment of Ag—Cu—Ge alloys.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a finished or semi-finished article of silver alloy, said process comprising steps of: providing a silver alloy containing silver in an amount of at least 77 wt %, copper and an amount of germanium that is at least 0.5 wt % and is effective to reduce tarnishing and/or firestain; making or processing the finished or semi-finished article of the alloy by heating at least to an annealing temperature; and gradually air cooling the article from the temperature at which it is made or processed to develop a Vickers hardness of more than 70.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silver solder or brazing alloys and to their use in making soldered joints in various grades of silver, particularly silversmithing grades. They alloys are of the Ag—Cu—Zn family containing at least 55 wt % Ag and from 0.5 to 3 wt % Ge. Additional alloys are silver solders or brazing alloys of the Ag—Cu—Zn family containing more than 70 wt % Ag and from 0.5 to 3 wt % Ge. They can exhibit an advantageous combination of colour, flowability and corrosion resistance. A method is also provided of making a joint in Sterling silver which includes using a silver solder or brazing alloy of the Ag—Cu—Zn family containing 10-30 wt % Cu, 8-15 wt % Zn, from 0.5-3 wt % Ge, optionally 0.05-0.4 wt % Si, optionally 1-3 wt % Sn, optionally 1 ppm-0.3 wt % B, the balance being 55-77 wt %, Ag, said solder being a colour match for said Sterling silver.

Abstract: A method for silver chain manufacture comprises forming lengths of silver wire into successive chain links whose ends abut using an automatic chain forming machine, and closing the links by brazing or welding abutting ends thereof, by means or a laser. The wire comprises at least 92.5 wt % Ag and about 0.5aboul 3 wt % Gc and speeds of 100-250 links per minute can be achieved. The invention also relates to a silver chain.

Abstract: An alkanethiol, alkyl thioglycollate, dialkyl sulfide or dialkyl disulfide may be used to surface treat of an alloy of silver containing an amount of germanium that is effective to reduce firestain and/or tarnishing. The treatment has been found to further reduce tarnishing of the alloy such that a sample can be supported close above a 20% solution of ammonium polysulphide for at least 30 minutes while retaining a generally untarnished appearance. The treatment may be carried out at the end of manufacturing a shaped article to give rise to an article that will preserve its untarnished appearance both during transit to a point of sale but during subsequent display for an extended period.

Abstract: A firestain and tarnish-resistant ternary alloy of silver, copper and germanium contains from more than 93.5 wt % to 95.5 wt % Ag, from 0.5 to 3 wt % Ge and the remainder, apart from incidental ingredients (if any), impurities and grain refiner, copper. In order to further protect an article made from the alloy, it may be surface treated with an alkanethiol, alkyl thioglycollate, dialkyl sulphide or dialkyl disulphide.

Abstract: A method to grain refine and deoxidize a precious metal alloy or a master alloy includes the steps of (a) forming a precursor melt consisting essentially of constituents of the precious metal alloy or master alloy and inevitable impurities; (b) dispersing a compound selected from the group consisting of boron containing metal hydrides, boron containing metal fluorides and mixtures thereof throughout the precursor melt; and (c) solidifying the boron containing precious melt alloy or master alloy. One suitable compound is solid sodium borohydride (sodium tetrahydroborate). To minimize evaporation of the boron on contact with the precursor alloy melt, the sodium borohydride may be wrapped in a metal foil formed from constituents of the precious metal alloy or master alloy. The cast precious metal alloy or master alloy has been found to have a reduced number of hard spots and reduced silicon contamination when compared to conventional casting methods.