Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: Beamforming system and method which includes an inverse beamformer with first ports and second ports, a beamformer with beam ports and antenna ports, and antennas. The inverse beamformer may receive transmit signals provided to first ports, generates intermediate signals based on the transmit signals, and output the intermediate signals from the second ports. The beamformer's beam ports may couple to the second ports and the antenna ports, and may receive the intermediate signals at the beam ports, generate antenna signals based on the intermediate signals, and output the antenna signals at the antenna ports. The antennas may each receive an antenna signal from an antenna port, and transmit the antenna signal into space. The inverse beamformer may generate the intermediate signals in a manner that is mathematically inverse to the beamformer's generation of the antenna signals so that the antenna signals approximate the transmit signals up to respective phase shifts.

Abstract: A base station for use in a mobile telephony network includes an antenna arrangement coupled to a transceiver arrangement for producing a plurality of beams. A method of testing the base station comprises detecting at the transceiver arrangement the signal strengths of a test signal received via the beams; comparing and/or correlating the said signal strengths detected at the transceiver arrangement; and using the results of the comparisons and/or correlations to determine the configuration of the antenna arrangement and transceiver arrangement and/or to detect faults. The comparison of average signal strengths can be used to detect cabling faults, and beam errors. The correlation of un-averaged signal strengths can be used to determine which beams have the same polarization. Beam pointing directions and the allocation of antennas to sectors can be determined by monitoring handovers of mobiles moving between cells. Frequencies may be allocated to sectors according to a frequency re-use scheme.

Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: A beamformer is arranged to receive an input from a first antenna element and from at least one other antenna element and to generate at least a first and second output beam. The first and second output beams are combined at a connecting port such that signals received at the first antenna element are constructively combined at the connecting port and signals received at another antenna element or elements are destructively combined at the connecting port, so that a receiver connected to the connecting port may receive signals from the first antenna element and may not receive signals from the other antenna element or elements. The arrangement may also be used to transmit a signal which is fed into the connecting point from the first antenna element and not from the other antenna element or elements.

Abstract: A beamformer is arranged to receive an input from a first antenna element and from at least one other antenna element and to generate at least a first and second output beam. The first and second output beams are combined at a connecting port such that signals received at the first antenna element are constructively combined at the connecting port and signals received at another antenna element or elements are destructively combined at the connecting port, so that a receiver connected to the connecting port may receive signals from the first antenna element and may not receive signals from the other antenna element or elements. The arrangement may also be used to transmit a signal which is fed into the connecting point from the first antenna element and not from the other antenna element or elements.

Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: A base station for use in a mobile telephony network includes an antenna arrangement coupled to a transceiver arrangement for producing a plurality of beams. A method of testing the base station comprises detecting at the transceiver arrangement the signal strengths of a test signal received via the beams; comparing and/or correlating the said signal strengths detected at the transceiver arrangement; and using the results of the comparisons and/or correlations to determine the configuration of the antenna arrangement and transceiver arrangement and/or to detect faults. The comparison of average signal strengths can be used to detect cabling faults, and beam errors. The correlation of un-averaged signal strengths can be used to determine which beams have the same polarisation. Beam pointing directions and the allocation of antennas to sectors can be determined by monitoring handovers of mobiles moving between cells. Frequencies may be allocated to sectors according to a frequency re-use scheme.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with improvements to antenna systems, in particular beamforming antenna systems. Embodiments provide an improved beamformer arrangement for receiving and transmitting of signals by antenna elements. Embodiments are particularly well suited to use for transceiving of radio signals by base stations, such as are commonly found in cellular networks.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the stabilisation and disposal of elemental mercury, the method comprising treating the elemental mercury with a cementitious particulate filler material which additionally comprises an immobilisation treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the immobilisation treatment comprises an amalgamation treatment prior to the treatment with a cementitious particulate filler material. Preferably, the amalgamation is carried out using copper powder and dilute nitric acid and the cementitious particulate filler material comprises a mixture of Ordinary Portland Cement and Blast Furnace Slag. The method of the invention is carried out conveniently and rapidly, and the end product, after allowing to cure, is non-toxic, insoluble in water, easily handled, and immediately suitable for disposal. The method is particularly applicable to the safe disposal of elemental mercury which is contaminated with radioactive materials.

Abstract: A video format identification system includes a master clock circuit which provides timing and counting signals, a synchronization activity detector operatively coupled to the master clock circuit, and a synchronization width qualifier configured to filter out noise or reference burst signals from showing up as sync signals. The system also includes a synchronization detector which regulates the rate of the incoming sync signal, a color burst sampler providing a window for sampling a reference color burst after the sync signal has occurred, and a color burst detector which looks for at least three transitions from a burst signal before it qualifies the as an appropriate reference color burst. A format sample timer generates sample clock signals. A format sample counter produces “take format” signals which are utilized by a set of format counter. The system further includes a video format identifier which enables a particular video format to be directed to a respective video connector.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for toothpicks, gum massages and the like can be carried in a pocket, wallet or purse and has a flat body portion (11) housing the tips of individually sealed toothpicks (13) and a plurality of finger portions (12) housing the base of each toothpick (13) the finger portions (12) being individually openable to allow individual removal of a toothpick without contamination of the other toothpicks.