Abstract: A probe card includes a structure stiffener unit including a base with a lower surface where central and peripheral supporting elements protrude out and a main circuit board is fixed, a space transformer and a probe head disposed thereunder, which are disposed to the supporting elements by bolts and defined with central and peripheral regions located correspondingly to the central and peripheral supporting elements respectively, and a metal supporting member fixed on the space transformer in a direct contact manner and located correspondingly to the central region. The supporting member has a lower surface coplanar with the lower end surface of the peripheral supporting element, which is abutted on the space transformer, and an upper surface against which the central supporting element is abutted. The space transformer has great structural strength, flatness and heat dissipation effect for satisfying the large-area requirement and great electrical property testing stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A probe head includes a probe seat having upper, middle and lower dies, an electrically conductive layer inside the probe seat, a first spring probe penetrating through the probe seat, and at least two shorter second spring probes penetrating through the lower die in a way that top ends of the second spring probes are located inside the probe seat and abutted against the electrically conductive layer. Another probe head includes the aforesaid probe seat, an electrically conductive layer partially inside the probe seat and partially outside the probe seat, a first spring probe penetrating through the probe seat, and a shorter second spring probe penetrating through the lower die in a way that a top end of the second spring probe is located inside the probe seat and abutted against the electrically conductive layer. As such, fine pitch requirement and different high frequency testing requirements are fulfilled.

Abstract: A method for assigning a percentage of a CSAT time cycle to each radio node (RN) in a plurality of RNs that belong to a small cell radio access network (RAN) having a central controller includes: (i) for each time cycle period during which the RNs share a channel with one or more nodes that employ a different radio access technology (RAT), assigning a default occupancy percentage of the time cycles to each of the RNs; (ii) determining if the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating one or more co-existence principles pre-established for the RAT employed by the RNs in the RAN and the different RAT; (iii) increasing the occupancy percentage of the first RN if it is determined that the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating the co-existence principles; and (iv) sequentially repeating (ii)-(iii) for each remaining RN in the RAN.

Abstract: An electrode material and a lithium-ion energy storage device are provided. The electrode material includes at least one material selected from the following structures: a Keplerate-type polyoxometalate containing molybdenum and iron; a Keplerate-type polyoxometalate containing molybdenum and vanadium; a bi-capped Keggin-type polyoxometalate containing vanadium; and a polyoxometalate containing vanadium and a transition metal, wherein the transition metal is nickel, cobalt, iron, or manganese. A lithium-ion energy storage device having the above electrode materials may still maintain higher capacity at higher current density, and may still maintain the original capacity after many cycles.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A lithium battery and an anode material thereof are provided. The anode material for a lithium battery includes a spinel-structured high entropy oxide represented by (NiaMnbFecM1dM2e)3O4, where M1 and M2 are independently selected from Co, Ti, Sn, Si, Al, Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca, Mo, Ru, Zr, or Nb, a+b+c+d+e=1, 0.01<a<0.35, 0.01<b<0.35, 0.01<c<0.35, 0.01<d<0.35, and 0.01<e<0.35.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A probe head includes a probe seat having upper, middle and lower dies, an electrically conductive layer inside the probe seat, a first spring probe penetrating through the probe seat, and at least two shorter second spring probes penetrating through the lower die in a way that top ends of the second spring probes are located inside the probe seat and abutted against the electrically conductive layer. Another probe head includes the aforesaid probe seat, an electrically conductive layer partially inside the probe seat and partially outside the probe seat, a first spring probe penetrating through the probe seat, and a shorter second spring probe penetrating through the lower die in a way that a top end of the second spring probe is located inside the probe seat and abutted against the electrically conductive layer. As such, fine pitch requirement and different high frequency testing requirements are fulfilled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically selecting energy detection thresholds (EDTs) in radio nodes deploying listen before talk within a coordinated network to improve throughput on shared spectrum are disclosed. The radio nodes are configured to coordinate to deploy mechanisms to avoid or reduce interference issues, including collisions, with use of shared spectrum (e.g., unlicensed spectrum). One such mechanism is Listen Before Talk (LBT), and a radio node deploying LBT sets an EDT at which the radio node hears traffic from neighboring radio nodes on the shared spectrum. In an exemplary aspect, the EDT of radio nodes in the coordinated network of radio nodes can be dynamically selected and/or adjusted to improve throughput of the individual radio nodes and/or of the network of radio nodes as a whole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically selecting and adjusting energy detection thresholds (EDTs) in uncoordinated radio nodes deploying Listen Before Talk to improve throughput on shared spectrum are disclosed. The uncoordinated radio nodes dynamically adjust an EDT to avoid harmful collisions with neighboring radio nodes or otherwise improve throughput over shared spectrum. A radio node can detect a collision or radio frequency (RF) interference from a neighboring radio node. Once the collision or RF interference is detected, the EDT of the radio node is dynamically adjusted. In some cases, the collision or RF interference can be avoided by calculating a throughput of the radio node while operating on each of a plurality of EDTs and selecting the EDT predicted to result in a higher throughput. In other cases, the EDT may be dynamically adjusted based on an iterative approach which incorporates measurements of the neighboring radio node.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing timing in phase and frequency of clocks associated with a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) having an access controller operatively coupled to each of the RNs. In accordance with the method, a donor list is generated for each given RN in the RAN. The donor list represents an ordered list of potential wireless access points that are able to serve as a source of a wireless sync signal for the given RN. The donor lists are distributed to the respective RNs. An access point is selected by each of the RNs from their respective donor lists to use as a sync signal source. Each of the RNs synchronize their respective clocks in phase and frequency using wireless sync signals received from the respective selected access points.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) includes aggregating, with a gateway, communications interfaces between a plurality of RANs and a packet core network through the gateway. A plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in each of the RANs is communicatively coupled to the gateway and to user equipment (UE) devices associated with the RNs in each of the RANs. The gateway also controls and coordinates mobility of the UE devices within and among the RANs.

Abstract: A method for assigning a percentage of a CSAT time cycle to each radio node (RN) in a plurality of RNs that belong to a small cell radio access network (RAN) having a central controller includes: (i) for each time cycle period during which the RNs share a channel with one or more nodes that employ a different radio access technology (RAT), assigning a default occupancy percentage of the time cycles to each of the RNs; (ii) determining if the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating one or more co-existence principles pre-established for the RAT employed by the RNs in the RAN and the different RAT; (iii) increasing the occupancy percentage of the first RN if it is determined that the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating the co-existence principles; and (iv) sequentially repeating (ii)-(iii) for each remaining RN in the RAN.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed detect significant changes in the RN topology after an E-RAN system has been installed and provisioned. If a significant change is detected, the operator is notified through an alarm, and the operator can take action to correct it. For example, an RN whose location was moved may be disabled. Alternatively, the movement operation may be approved and the alarm cleared so long as the operation falls within certain approved guidelines or categories, e.g., is appropriately reported and a new location noted.

Abstract: A method for assigning a percentage of a CSAT time cycle to each radio node (RN) in a plurality of RNs that belong to a small cell radio access network (RAN) having a central controller includes: (i) for each time cycle period during which the RNs share a channel with one or more nodes that employ a different radio access technology (RAT), assigning a default occupancy percentage of the time cycles to each of the RNs; (ii) determining if the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating one or more co-existence principles pre-established for the RAT employed by the RNs in the RAN and the different RAT; (iii) increasing the occupancy percentage of the first RN if it is determined that the default occupancy percentage is able to be increased without violating the co-existence principles; and (iv) sequentially repeating (ii)-(iii) for each remaining RN in the RAN.

Abstract: A probe seat of a vertical probe device includes a lower die, a middle die fixed on the lower die, at least one upper die fixed on the middle die, and at least one reinforcing die fixedly disposed in at least one through trough of the middle die. The lower die has lower probe holes located below the through trough, such that probes are be inserted through the lower probe holes respectively and inserted through the through trough. The at least one upper die has upper probe holes located above the through trough for the probes to be inserted therethrough. The at least one reinforcing die has middle probe holes for the probes to be inserted therethrough. As a result, the probe seat has improved rigidity to avoid bending.

Abstract: A method is shown for allocating a plurality of channels to a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a radio access network (RAN). In accordance with the method, an initial RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A first of the plurality of channels is assigned to the initial RN. The first channel is selected such that external interference experienced by the initial RN from sources other than the RAN on the first channel is minimized. A second RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A second of the plurality of channels is assigned to the second RN. The second channel is selected such that a metric reflective of an information carrying capacity of the RNs that have already been assigned one of the plurality of channels is maximized. The assigned channels are allocated to the respective RNs to which they have been assigned.