Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member having a housing that encloses a power source and a controller, a second member coupled to the first member that is seeded with a target product, and a sensing module coupled to the first member to allow power from the power source to be transmitted to the sensing module and sensor data from the sensing module to be transmitted to the controller. The sensing module including a sensor oriented toward at least a portion of the second member. The sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one characteristic of the target product.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for providing Digital Selective Calling (“DSC”) based services. The methods involve: using Space-Born Maritime (“SBM”) receivers of satellites (104) deployed in space as a satellite constellation to collect and process DSC emergency messages transmitted from DSC transmitters of terrestrial radios; using the satellites to position validate the DSC emergency messages; determining first positions of the DSC transmitters in transit based on geolocation data and time location data respectively assigned by the satellites to the DSC emergency messages; and validating the first positions to more precise second positions based on results of cross-correlations of the geolocation data and time location data with Automatic Identification Systems (“AIS”) data obtained for the DSC transmitters.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for co-channel separation of communication signals. The methods involve: simultaneously receiving a plurality of communication signals transmitted at disparate relative Doppler frequencies from different locations within a multi-access system; performing matched filtering operations to pre-process each of the plurality of communication signals so as to generate pre-processed digitized samples using a priori information contained in pre-ambles (302, 304) of messages present within the plurality of communication signals; using estimated signal parameters to detect the plurality of communication signals from the pre-processed digitized samples; and demodulating the plurality of communication signals without using a Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for space-based geolocation. The methods involve receiving by at least two first satellites a maritime signal transmitted from a vessel on or near Earth. The first satellites are deployed in space so as to have overlapping coverage areas. The maritime signal (received at the at least two first satellites) is then used to determine a geographic location of the vessel on Earth using at least one of a Time Difference of Arrival (“TDOA”) and a Frequency Difference of Arrival (“FDOA”).

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for providing Digital Selective Calling (“DSC”) based services. The methods involve: using Space-Born Maritime (“SBM”) receivers of satellites (104) deployed in space as a satellite constellation to collect and process DSC emergency messages transmitted from DSC transmitters of terrestrial radios; using the satellites to position validate the DSC emergency messages; determining first positions of the DSC transmitters in transit based on geolocation data and time location data respectively assigned by the satellites to the DSC emergency messages; and validating the first positions to more precise second positions based on results of cross-correlations of the geolocation data and time location data with Automatic Identification Systems (“AIS”) data obtained for the DSC transmitters.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for co-channel separation of communication signals. The methods involve: simultaneously receiving a plurality of communication signals transmitted at disparate relative Doppler frequencies from different locations within a multi-access system; performing matched filtering operations to pre-process each of the plurality of communication signals so as to generate pre-processed digitized samples using a priori information contained in pre-ambles (302, 304) of messages present within the plurality of communication signals; using estimated signal parameters to detect the plurality of communication signals from the pre-processed digitized samples; and demodulating the plurality of communication signals without using a Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for providing Digital Selective Calling (“DSC”) based services. The methods involve: receiving, by a satellite (104) deployed in space, a DSC emergency message transmitted from a vessel (102) located in a body of water on Earth; and performing operations by the satellite to deliver the DSC emergency message to an appropriate authority located on Earth.

Abstract: A Serially Concatenated Convolutional Code (SCCC) decoding system includes an outer decoder module (208), permutation module (104), and data store (114). The outer decoder module is configured to generate a first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] for n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N?1. The permutation module is configured to permute the first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] to generate a second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n]. The first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] is generated by the outer decoder module in accordance with a mapping v[n]. The second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n] is generated for communication to an inner decoder module (204). The data store contains a mapping v[n]. The mapping v[n] satisfies a mathematical equation v[k+m·(N/M)] modulo (N/M)=v[k] modulo (N/M) for m=0, . . . , M?1 and k=0, . . . , (N/M?1). (NM) is an integer.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a MAP probability decoding of a sequence R(n) including N bits of encoded data. The method includes the steps of: (a) generating a sequence rn of sot-values by processing the sequence R(n); (b) performing a forward recursion by computing alpha values ?S,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; (c) performing a backward recursion by computing beta values ?S,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; and (d) performing an extrinsic computation by computing probability values p?k. The alpha values ?S,SG are relative log-likelihoods of an encoding process arriving at various states. The beta values ?S,SG are relative log-likelihoods of the encoding process arriving at various states. The probability values p?k represent a set of probabilities indicating that each data bit of an input sequence dK had a value equal to zero or one. The sequence R(n) represents an encoded form of the input sequence dK.

Abstract: A communications system (100) includes a segmenter (204) for dividing a plurality of bits into a first segment and a second segment and a symbol mapper (208) for generating a plurality of symbols based on the first segment. The system also includes a co-set selector (214) for selecting a plurality of co-set waveforms from a plurality of orthogonal waveforms based on a co-set address defined by the second segment, a number (K) of the plurality of co-set waveforms being less than a number (N) of the plurality of orthogonal waveforms. The system further includes a modulator (210) for modulating the plurality of symbols based on the plurality of co-set waveforms.

Abstract: A serial concatenated convolutional code (SCCC) decoder is provided. The SCCC decoder includes an input buffer memory one or more processing loop modules, and an output buffer memory. Each processing loop module includes a permutation module, inner decoding engines, a depermutation module, and outer decoding engines. The depermutation module includes a concatenating device and two or more depermutation buffer memories. The concatenating device is configured for writing a codeword segment containing a plurality of soft-decision bits to each of the depermutation buffer memories in a single write operation. The permutation module also includes a concatenating device and two or more permutation buffer memories. The concatenating device is configured for writing a codeword segment containing a plurality of soft-decision bits to each of the depermutation buffer memories in a single write operation.

Abstract: A communications system (100) includes a segmenter (204) for dividing a plurality of bits into a first segment and a second segment and a symbol mapper (208) for generating a plurality of symbols based on the first segment. The system also includes a co-set selector (214) for selecting a plurality of co-set waveforms from a plurality of orthogonal waveforms based on a co-set address defined by the second segment, a number (K) of the plurality of co-set waveforms being less than a number (N) of the plurality of orthogonal waveforms. The system further includes a modulator (210) for modulating the plurality of symbols based on the plurality of co-set waveforms.

Abstract: A decoding system (100) is provided. The decoding system is comprised of two or more serial concatenated convolutional code (SCCC) decoders (1021-102N) operating in parallel. The SCCC decoders are configured to concurrently decode codeblocks which have been encoded using a convolutational code. The decoding system is also comprised of a single common address generator (108) and data store (114). The address generator is responsive to requests for data needed by two or more of the SCCC decoders for permutation and depermutation. The data store is comprised of two or more memory blocks (1161-116K). The SCCC decoders concurrently generate requests for two or more different data types. Selected ones of the different data types are exclusively stored in different ones of the memory blocks. Selected ones of the different data types are comprised of data which is requested at the same time by a particular one of the SCCC decoders.

Abstract: A serial concatenated convolutional code (SCCC) decoder is provided. The SCCC decoder is comprised of an input buffer memory (102), one or more processing loop modules (120), and an output buffer memory (112). Each processing loop module is comprised of a permutation module (110), an inner decoder module (104), a depermutation module (106), and an outer decoder module (108). The inner decoder module is subdivided into two (2) or more inner decoding engines (2021-202N) configured for concurrently performing a decoding operation based on an inner convolutional code. The outer decoder module is subdivided into two (2) or more outer decoding engines (4021-402N) configured for concurrently performing a decoding operation based on an outer convolutional code. The inner convolutional code and the outer convolutional code are designed in accordance with a maximum aposteriori probability based decoding algorithm.

Abstract: An SCCC decoding system is provided. The system is comprised of an outer decoder module (208), permutation module (104), and data store (114). The outer decoder module is configured to generate a first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] for n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N?1. The permutation module is configured to permute the first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] to generate a second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n]. The first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] is generated by the outer decoder module in accordance with a mapping v[n]. The second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n] is generated for communication to an inner decoder module (204). The data store contains a mapping v[n]. The mapping v[n] satisfies a mathematical equation v[k+m·(N/M)] modulo (N/M)=v[k] modulo (N/M) for m=0, . . . , M?1 and k=0, . . . , (N/M?1), (N/M) is an integer.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a MAP probability decoding of a sequence R(n) including N bits of encoded data. The method includes the steps of: (a) generating a sequence rn of sot-values by processing the sequence R(n); (b) performing a forward recursion by computing alpha values ?S,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; (c) performing a backward recursion by computing beta values ?S,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; and (d) performing an extrinsic computation by computing probability values p?k. The alpha values ?S,SG are relative log-likelihoods of an encoding process arriving at various states. The beta values ?S,SG are relative log-likelihoods of the encoding process arriving at various states. The probability values p?k represent a set of probabilities indicating that each data bit of an input sequence dK had a value equal to zero or one. The sequence R(n) represents an encoded form of the input sequence dK.

Abstract: A decoding system (100) is provided. The decoding system is comprised of two or more serial concatenated convolution code (SCCC) decoders (1021-102N) operating in parallel. The SCCC decoders are configured to concurrently decode codebocks which have been encoded using a convolutional code. The decoding system is also comprised of a single common address generator (108) and data store (114). The address generator is responsive to requests for data needed by two or more of the SCCC decoders for permutation and depermutation. The data store is comprised of two or more memory blocks (1161-116K). The SCCC decoders concurrently generate requests for two or more different data types. Selected ones of the different data types are exclusively stored in different ones of the memory blocks. Selected ones of the different data types are comprised of data which is requested at the same time by a particular one of the SCCC decoders.

Abstract: A serial concatenated convolutional code (SCCC) decoder is provided. The SCCC decoder is comprised of an input buffer memory (102), one or more processing loop modules (120), and an output buffer memory (112). Each processing loop module is comprised of a permutation module (110), inner decoding engines (2021-202N); a depermutation module (106), and outer decoding engines (4021-402N). The depermutation module is comprised of a concatenating device (304) and two or more depermutation buffer memories (3061-306N). The concatenating device is configured for writing a codeword segment containing a plurality of soft-decision bits to each of the depermutation buffer memories in a single write operation. The permutation module is also comprised of a concatenating device (504) and two or more permutation buffer memories (5061-506N). The concatenating device is configured for writing a codeword segment containing a plurality of soft-decision bits to each of the depermutation buffer memories in a single write operation.

Abstract: A serial concatenated convolutional code (SCCC) decoder is provided. The SCCC decoder is comprised of an input buffer memory (102), one or more processing loop modules (120), and an output buffer memory (112). Each processing loop module is comprised of a permutation module (110), an inner decoder module (104), a depermutation module (106), and an outer decoder module (108), The inner decoder module is subdivided into two (2) or more inner decoding engines (2021-202N) configured for concurrently performing a decoding operation based on an inner convolutional code. The outer decoder module is subdivided into two (2) or more outer decoding engines (4021-402n) configured for concurrently performing a decoding operation based on an outer convolutional code. The inner convolutional code and the outer convolutional code are designed in accordance with a maximum aposteriori probability based decoding algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for multiplexing DARC encoded source channels using an FM subcarrier, wherein the system includes a plurality of channels. Each channel within the plurality of channels is coupled to its own DARC encoded source channel. Within each channel of the system, the DARC encoded source channel is block encoded to produce parity and data bytes. The parity bytes and data bytes are separately trellis code modulated to form a first and second set of complex signals, respectively. A first digital modulator modulates a first set of orthogonal signals using the first set of complex signals. A second digital modulates a second set of orthogonal signals using the second set of complex signals.