Abstract: An architecture for a spread-spectrum transmitter-receiver system in an advanced tactical data link that allows the receiver to readily acquire and synchronize to a desired LPD signal. Signal acquisition is performed with a cyclic range search that uses multiple redundant known sequences mapped to a known message sequence in a highly repeated manner. By employing the invariance of the speed of light, and synchronicity between transmitter and receiver, the architecture can significantly reduce the computational complexity of the receiver. Additionally, the architecture enables ad hoc channel access, controlled latency, distance estimation, and distance-directed transmissions.

Abstract: A method and a device for supporting communication between a cognitive communication device and a non-cognitive communication device is provided. The cognitive device can support multiple frequencies and/or can change transmission parameters/characteristics such as the multiple access scheme used. The method includes determining if a communication signal is received from a cognitive communication device. If the communication signal is received from a non-cognitive communication device, a transmission parameter of the communication signal is identified and used to support all communication with the non-cognitive communication device. If the communication signal is received from a non-cognitive communication device, the method may further include determining if the non-cognitive communication device supports communication using packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal acquisition with transmit blanking compensation compensates for collisions between a desired received signal and a transmitted signal. A blanking block blanks a received signal when the transmitted signal is transmitted and stops blanking when the transmitted signal stops to provide a received signal with blanking. A correlation block correlates the received signal with blanking with a known sequence of symbols corresponding to the desired received signal and outputs a correlation metric and a number of symbols blanked. Means for adjusting the correlation metric or a variable threshold using the number of symbols blanked are provided. A decision block compares the adjusted correlation metric to a fixed threshold or the correlation metric to the variable threshold. If the adjusted correlation metric exceeds the threshold or if the correlation metric exceeds the variable threshold, the decision block determines that the desired signal is detected.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a system for reconfiguring communication transmission characteristics in response to a changing communication environment is provided. An environment at a communication device is characterized to determine if a transmission parameter associated with processing of a communication signal at a physical layer or a network interface layer should change based on current conditions at the communication device. If a need is identified, a second transmission parameter is selected based on the environment monitoring. A request identifying the second transmission parameter is sent to a manager device using an existing communication link. A response from the manager device is received indicating acceptance or rejection of use of the second transmission parameter in communicating with a second communication device.

Abstract: A follower aircraft is guided to a lead aircraft using a datalink that determines range between the two. The lead aircraft has an antenna array and processing system for determining azimuth/elevation of the follower aircraft. The lead aircraft transmits a ranging message to the follower aircraft and stores a lead aircraft time of transmit (TOT) time. The ranging message is received at the follower aircraft and a follower aircraft time of reception (TOR) time is stored. A second ranging message is transmitted from the follower aircraft to the lead aircraft and a follower aircraft TOT time is stored. The second ranging message is received at the lead aircraft and a lead aircraft TOR is stored. A message is sent from the follower aircraft when follower aircraft TOT and TOR. The range and time offset is determined by the lead aircraft using follower aircraft TOT/TOR and stored lead aircraft TOT/TOR.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for estimating interference. Packet characteristics of relevant packets within the channel at a given point in time may be processed. For example, a power level, occupied frequency and corresponding time references may be accumulated and stored for each relevant packet within the channel at a given point in time. As each packet is processed for demodulation, the channel samples, at which interference occurred, may be appropriately weighted based on the packet characteristics. Advantageously, the nature of the interfering channel traffic may be measured to properly de-weight the interference in a computationally efficient manner.

Abstract: A method of correlating a signal to a synchronization pattern is disclosed. The signal has a waveform with frequency and phase angle components that may be varied, at each repeated signal pulse, to communicate a change in a bit pattern of the signal. A synchronization pattern is generated using knowledge of phase rotation direction due to two consecutive bits in a synchronization key. The signal is compared with the synchronization pattern. It is determined whether the comparison of the signal and the synchronization pattern indicate a correlation between the signal and the synchronization pattern.

Abstract: A method of minimizing detectability of an electronically communicated message is disclosed. A predetermined frequency modulation pattern about a nominal transmission frequency is defined. The predetermined frequency modulation pattern is suitable to vary the nominal transmission frequency during a dwell period. The dwell period is divided into a plurality of sub-dwell periods. Each sub-dwell period has a nominal sub-frequency assigned thereto according to the predetermined frequency modulation pattern. The plurality of sub-dwell periods and the respective assigned nominal sub-frequencies are randomly or pseudo-randomly ordered. The message is transmitted according to the random or pseudo-random ordering of the nominal sub-frequencies.

Abstract: A bottomless bag that provides a funnel-shaped receptacle designed to support the upper portion of a tapered container, such as a beverage cup or popcorn container, and allowing the bottom portion of the container to protrude through the open bottom of the bag. The bag design can include a compartment, located above the receptacle, to accommodate one or more additional items, such as a food item or other containers. The shape of the additional compartment, which is determined during manufacture, can take on a wide variety of shapes as required to accommodate the additional items or containers to be carried. A handle with handholds or fingerholds facilitates carrying the bottomless bag with one hand. The bag may also be draped over one's wrist or hooked on one's finger to free the hands to carry other items. The handles of multiple bags may be bunched together to allow one person to carry multiple bottomless bags.

Abstract: A safety adaptor for a male electrical connector housing having at least one male terminal is provided. A body member having a space therein of a configuration to receive the electrical connector housing while operatively supporting a cantilevering of the male terminal from the body member is utilized. A cover member can be flexibly linked to the body member for locking the safety adaptor to the electrical connector housing. A pair of parallel prongs can extend from the body member and can be positioned for limiting the size of a complementary female connector capable of operatively receiving the male terminal member.

Abstract: The invention contemplates expanded-plastic coated fabric wherein the exposed surface of the expanded plastic is characterized by a random distribution of torn cellular pockets and by a random distribution of projecting free ends of flock elements which are rooted to the plastic at their other ends. Various methods of making the fabric are described, with different "hand" or "feel" depending upon the method and upon the materials and their dimensions.