Abstract: A network having at least one communication device having at least one sensor to process and manage sensor added information to adjust the state of the communication device or to adjust capacity limitations of the network. The sensor added information can be shared with other communication devices in the network to improve network capacity and add master devices to the network if needed to maximize the quality and efficiency of communications within the network.

Abstract: A method of remotely estimating the functionality of a preamplifier mounted adjacent an antenna at the top of a mast or tower and coupled to a base station via a transmission medium, such as a coaxial cable, includes taking noise and/or signal power measurements at the base station via the coaxial cable for the amplifier when both powered and unpowered. The ratio of the respective noise and/or signal powers, after the receiver noise figure at the base station and the cable loss (estimated or measured) including any connection device loss are accounted for, provides an estimate of the functionality of the amplifier.

Abstract: A method of identifying a signal type uses parameters of the signal as a basis for automatic identification. A signal of interest is selected from a display of a spectral waveform for a specified frequency. An occupied bandwidth for the signal of interest is estimated and, if the occupied bandwidth is common to more than one known signal type, a complementary cumulative distribution function of peak power for the signal of interest is estimated. The signal type may be identified as a function of these parameters. Additionally the frequency of the signal of interest may be compared with a database of spectral assignments for known signal types to provide further information about the signal of interest.

Abstract: A method of remotely estimating the functionality of a preamplifier mounted adjacent an antenna at the top of a mast or tower and coupled to a base station via a transmission medium, such as a coaxial cable, includes taking noise and/or signal power measurements at the base station via the coaxial cable for the amplifier when both powered and unpowered. The ratio of the respective noise and/or signal powers, after the receiver noise figure at the base station and the cable loss (estimated or measured) including any connection device loss are accounted for, provides an estimate of the functionality of the amplifier.

Abstract: An improved calibration method for a vector network analyzer stores sparse calibration data, interpolates system error data from the sparse calibration data for each measurement by the vector network analyzer, and creates calibrated measurement data from the system error data and uncorrected measurement data at each measurement frequency. The sparse calibration data may be generated by measuring every Nth frequency step over a calibration frequency range greater than a specified measurement frequency range, or by measuring every frequency step over the calibration frequency range and compressing the resulting measurement data. The interpolation may be achieved by using a curve-fit algorithm, such as a parametric polynomial curve fitting algorithm.

Abstract: An improved calibration method for a vector network analyzer stores sparse calibration data, interpolates system error data from the sparse calibration data for each measurement by the vector network analyzer, and creates calibrated measurement data from the system error data and uncorrected measurement data at each measurement frequency. The sparse calibration data may be generated by measuring every Nth frequency step over a calibration frequency range greater than a specified measurement frequency range, or by measuring every frequency step over the calibration frequency range and compressing the resulting measurement data. The interpolation may be achieved by using a curve-fit algorithm, such as a parametric polynomial curve fitting algorithm.

Abstract: A frequency domain measurement device multi-phase modulates an RF frequency signal with a broadband signal, such as a pseudo random number, to produce an RF spread spectrum signal that encompasses a frequency range of interest. The RF spread spectrum signal is transmitted to a device under test, and a corresponding reflected signal from the device under test is correlated with the RF spread spectrum signal to produce information from which location of and distance to a fault in the device under test may be determined. A FIR filter is used as part of the correlation process to determine magnitude and phase versus frequency over the frequency range of interest for the device under test as well as location of and distance to the fault.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and device for selecting a path for communications between a source device and a target device in an ad-hoc communications system. Operations performed include; determining a first layer of neighbor devices, each neighbor device within the first layer capable of communicating with the source device; successively determining additional layers of neighbor devices, each neighbor device within a particular layer capable of communicating with one or more neighbor device within a preceding layer, until the target device is identified as one of the neighbor devices; and selecting the path including intervening neighbor devices capable of communicating with each other to form the path for communications from the source device to the target device.

Abstract: A shapeable communication device is provided. The communication device comprises a communication module and a shapeable material. A system incorporating the device and methods for using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A frequency domain measurement device multi-phase modulates an RF frequency signal with a broadband signal, such as a pseudo random number, to produce an RF spread spectrum signal that encompasses a frequency range of interest. The RF spread spectrum signal is transmitted to a device under test, and a corresponding reflected signal from the device under test is correlated with the RF spread spectrum signal to produce information from which location of and distance to a fault in the device under test may be determined. A FIR filter is used as part of the correlation process to determine magnitude and phase versus frequency over the frequency range of interest for the device under test as well as location of and distance to the fault.

Abstract: A pet enclosure (10) for use with a door (100) equipped with a pet portal (101) wherein the pet enclosure member (10) includes an enclosure member (20) provided with a plurality of panels (21) (22) (23) etc., wherein one of the panels (25) is disposed adjacent to the door (100) and provided with an access opening (28) that is dimensioned to slidably receive an access tunnel unit (12) that is pivotally disposed within the enclosure member (20) and adapted to engage the pet portal (101) when the door (100) is closed and be retracted within the enclosure member (20) when the door (100) is fully open.

Abstract: Transmitters (18) in a two-way radio communication system (10) transmit location inquiries to subscribing pagers (14), each transmission occurring at a given power output level. Each pager (14) is capable of responding with an acknowledgment signal identifying a particular transmitter whose signal was captured. Messages are sent to those pagers which respond with proper acknowledgments. To locate a pager which failed to acknowledge receipt of a signal from a particular transmitter, the power output level of at least one transmitter, and preferably a group of transmitters, is changed, and the transmitters re-transmit the location inquiry at the changed power output levels. A similar power-shifting technique is provided for transmitters in a one-way communication system.

Abstract: An appliance is provided with trim about at least a portion of the periphery of its door as well as a cabinet forming a compartment which the door encloses. The trim on the door provides a flush appearance for the appliance while providing adjustability of the door with respect to the cabinet to satisfy gasket spacing requirements therebetween. The door, therefore, may be adjusted without affecting the flush appearance of the appliance created by the trim of the door.

Abstract: A radio paging system includes one or more transmitters (12) for sending radio signals to pagers (14) within a paging service area (10). Receivers (22) are located within the service area to receive low power transmissions from the pagers. These receivers are coupled to omnidirectional antennas (24, 26) that are disposed in pairs to form a two branch diversity antenna system. Each pair of antennas is located in a cell that forms part of a four cell cluster (66), and each pair of antennas is located on an axis (42) running through its cell. The axes are selected to provide a high and uniform level of diversity gain throughout the cluster.

Abstract: A fountain toothbrush has in its handle a toothpaste reservoir constantly pressurized by a charge of actuator gas acting through a cup-like piston disposed at the upstream end of the reservoir. The gas pressure pushes the piston and toothpaste downstream while resiliently urging the piston sidewall against the reservoir boundary wall to forwardly extrude toothpaste adjacent the boundary wall. A valve for selectively passing toothpaste from the reservoir to the brush head includes an apertured gate and a structurally separate actuator for translating the gate in a valve chamber in opposition to a bias spring. Separating the gate from the actuator permits the gate to be positively sealed against the chamber outlet by the toothpaste in the closed valve position. A lengthwise segment of the gate has a reduced thickness dimension so as not to fill the upstream side of the valve chamber, thereby avoiding the creation of a partial vacuum that would otherwise hold the gate in its open position.

Abstract: A differential amplifier is provided with means to control the collector-to-emitter voltage thereof proportionately with quiescent current therethrough to dynamically maintain thermal balance therebetween when the gain setting is changed.

Abstract: A phase lock circuit including a phase/frequency detector, a plurality of selectable filters, and a plurality of variable frequency signal generators connected in a loop to lock an output signal to an input signal. An out-of-frequency-range condition detector is provided to facilitate automatic selection of an appropriate in-range combination of filter and signal generator to cause lock to occur.