Abstract: A cluster management module will receive a transmission from a subscriber module and estimate a range for a subscriber module based on the received transmission. A receive power for the transmission will be obtained and a transmit power for the subscriber module will be determined based on the range of the subscriber module and the receive power of the transmission. Network access will be allowed or denied based on the transmit power of the subscriber module. In a second embodiment, an azimuth angle is additionally determined from the received transmission, and an approximate location of the subscriber module is determined. Network access is then allowed or denied based on the transmit power of the subscriber module and additionally based on the location of the subscriber module.

Abstract: A DTV signal detector detects DTV signals received by a receiver on a selected DTV channel in a Digital Television System. The DTV detector includes a first DTV signal detector that detects a first characteristic of the received DTV signals, and a second DTV signal detector that detects at least a second characteristic of the received DTV signals. A controller responds to the first DTV signal detector and the second DTV signal detector to control a selection of the DTV channel being selected by the receiver. The receiver can be synthesized to select from more than one DTV channel.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adapting the number of available channels in a first set of available channels for use by at least one signal source in a communications system. The method includes the steps of computing at least one received signal statistic; determining an adjustment to the number of available channels in the first set based on the at least one computed received signal statistic; and signaling to each active signal source in the system to cause the signal sources to use the adjusted number of available channels for transmitting signals.

Abstract: A technique for dynamic spectrum sharing includes identifying (705) a plurality of radio nodes (115, 120), measuring (710) a local signal value (SV) at each radio node (110, 200), and determining (715) a transmit decision. Each radio node can measure a local signal value (SV) of a protected transmission and the radio nodes are within a uniform SV region of the protected transmission. The transmit decision is determined for at least one of the plurality of radio nodes based on the SV of each radio node in the plurality of radio nodes and at least one threshold value that is related to statistical characteristics of the protected transmission at an interference boundary (105) of the protected transmission and a desired probability of non-interference with the protected transmission at the interference boundary.

Abstract: The presence of the non-television transmission within a channel is used to indicate that secondary non-licensed usage of the channel is permitted. Specifically, if secondary users incorporate the means to identify the unique modulation signature of the secondary user, decoding of a beacon signal may not be necessary. With the above in mind, a radio will be prevented from transmitting within a frequency band when no transmission within the licensed spectrum is currently taking place; the licensee is currently transmitting on the spectrum (e.g., television transmissions are taking place utilizing the spectrum, or the radio cannot sense the presence of a data channel (beacon).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing communication units to utilize non-licensed spectrum is provided herein. In particular, when a radio determines a need to transmit within non-licensed spectrum, the radio searches for a beacon being transmitted. The beacon identifies a priority of the current user of the non-licensed spectrum. If the radio's priority is higher than the current user of the non-licensed spectrum, or if no beacon is heard, the radio may begin transmitting within the non-licensed spectrum. As part of the radio's transmission, a beacon will be broadcast by the radio identifying the radio's priority.

Abstract: A communications method including the steps of: activating a plurality of signal sources, and transmitting a synchronization event to the plurality of signal sources to cause the plurality of signal sources to simultaneously transmit data in response to the synchronization event.

Abstract: A communications method including the steps of: receiving signals from at least one signal source during a first signal source transmission; estimating at least one signal source parameter based on the received signals during the first signal source transmission; receiving signals from at least one signal source during a second signal source transmission; and determining a difference between the first and second signal source transmissions using the at least one estimated signal source parameter.

Abstract: A multiple mode RF communication device (100), such as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, has a first RF communication resource (102, 122) that communicates by default using a first communication mode. A second RF communication resource (104, 124) communicates by default using a second communication mode. A system manager (110) deploys the first and second communication resources according to a set of deployment rules, wherein the deployment rules may be dependent upon a communication quality parameter, priorities, availability of the first and second communication resources as well as other parameters.

Abstract: A communications receiver and a method for receiving and processing information transmitted on either a wide band carrier or a narrow band carrier having In-phase-Quadrature-phase (IQ) modulation, comprising, detecting a portion of the spectrum wide enough to encompass the wide band carrier (BW), converting the wide band carrier to baseband in I and Q components, each component having a bandwidth of BW/2, converting the I and Q components into further I and Q components to form components II, IQ, QI, and QQ of bandwidth equal to BW/4, where each of the sub-bands may contain a portion of the originally transmitted information. Operating in wideband mode, each of the components/is separately processed to extract portions of the originally transmitted information, and operating in a narrowband mode, each of the components containing information is separately processed within the narrow band transmitted carrier to extract portions of the originally transmitted information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-band, multi-mode RFID tag that uses a single antenna structure and integrated circuit to provide asset location information at any stage of a supply chain. The unified tag design operates at multiple frequencies (or bands) using the antenna structure, for example, 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz, and preferably operates electrostatically (at lower frequencies) and electromagnetically (ay higher frequencies). An on-chip frequency monitor in the integrated circuit automatically determines which frequency is present and derives a local clock for the tag's integrated circuit, which can vary in accordance with the frequency or which can be constant. Alternatively, a phase locked loop circuit can be used to derive a local clock signal modulated into the interrogation signal. On-chip matching and power extraction circuits derive power for the tag from the interrogation signal, which is preferably passive.

Abstract: A vertically-stacked filter employing a ground-aperture broadside-coupled resonator device that can advantageously be employed within various systems (e.g., communication systems). The filter comprises a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of dielectric layers arranged in a vertically-stacked topology. The plurality of metal layers form a resonator device having two or more resonators. At least one pair of resonators have opposing broadside surfaces that are coupled. One mechanism for broadside coupling the pair of resonators is a metal layer between the pair of resonators wherein the metal layer has an aperture between the broadside surfaces.

Abstract: A communications method including the steps of: activating a plurality of signal sources, and transmitting a synchronization event to the plurality of signal sources to cause the plurality of signal sources to simultaneously transmit data in response to the synchronization event.

Abstract: A communications method including the steps of: receiving signals from at least one signal source during a first signal source transmission; estimating at least one signal source parameter based on the received signals during the first signal source transmission; receiving signals from at least one signal source during a second signal source transmission; and determining a difference between the first and second signal source transmissions using the at least one estimated signal source parameter.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adapting the number of available channels in a first set of available channels for use by at least one signal source in a communications system. The method includes the steps of computing at least one received signal statistic; determining an adjustment to the number of available channels in the first set based on the at least one computed received signal statistic; and signaling to each active signal source in the system to cause the signal sources to use the adjusted number of available channels for transmitting signals.

Abstract: A vertically-stacked filter employing a ground-aperture broadside-coupled resonator device that can advantageously be employed within various systems (e.g., communication systems). The filter comprises a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of dielectric layers arranged in a vertically-stacked topology. The plurality of metal layers form a resonator device having two or more resonators. At least one pair of resonators have opposing broadside surfaces that are coupled. One mechanism for broadside coupling the pair of resonators is a metal layer between the pair of resonators wherein the metal layer has an aperture between the broadside surfaces.

Abstract: A multiple mode RF communication device (100), such as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, has a first RF communication resource (102, 122) that communicates by default using a first communication mode. A second RF communication resource (104, 124) communicates by default using a second communication mode. A system manager (110) deploys the first and second communication resources according to a set of deployment rules, wherein the deployment rules may be dependent upon a communication quality parameter, priorities, availability of the first and second communication resources as well as other parameters.

Abstract: A communications receiver and a method for receiving and processing information transmitted on either a wide band carrier or a narrow band carrier having In-phase-Quadrature-phase (IQ) modulation, comprising, detecting a portion of the spectrum wide enough to encompass the wide band carrier (BW), converting the wide band carrier to baseband in I and Q components, each component having a bandwidth of BW/2, converting the I and Q components into further I and Q components to form components II, IQ, QI, and QQ of bandwidth equal to BW/4, where each of the sub-bands may contain a portion of the originally transmitted information. Operating in wideband mode, each of the components /is separately processed to extract portions of the originally transmitted information, and operating in a narrowband mode, each of the components containing information is separately processed within the narrow band transmitted carrier to extract portions of the originally transmitted information.