Abstract: A self-aligning wireless interface system (1) couples a wide variety of equipment (12, 18, 20, 40, FIG. 1; 84, 90, FIG. 2) to one or more of a wide variety of communications, entertainment, Internet, security, control, and/or other wireless services. The system (1) can also provide a wireless interconnection among such equipment. The system (1) can include an antenna system (4), geo-location module (8), communications module (10), orientation module (22), solar cell array (24), and rechargeable battery (26). The system (1) provides a wireless link to satellite (30), airborne (36), and/or terrestrial (38) transceivers, and optionally a wireless link connecting user equipment. To facilitate installation, the system (1) can be deployed by a person possessing minimal or no technical qualifications, and it can power itself up into a fully operational state. The system (1) optionally comprises a self-contained power system, which can include a solar cell array (24).

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a communication link, wherein the system includes a communications unit (60, FIG. 3) having a vocoder (62) for providing user-specific voice data in the form of a unique set of speech characteristic model parameters for each authorized user. The method (200, FIG. 8) includes the steps of providing user-specific voice data via a connection training method (FIGS. 5, 6, or 7), collecting a sample of speech characteristics from a user desiring to access the communication unit (206, FIG. 8), comparing the sample with the user-specific voice data (212), granting the user access to the communication unit to establish a communication link with another communication unit if the sample is comparable with the user-specific voice data (215), and denying the user access to the communication unit if the sample is incomparable with the user-specific voice data (220).

Abstract: An array antenna (10) having a plurality of antenna elements (12) keeps only a subset of elements active during normal antenna operation. When a failure of one of the active elements in the array (10) is detected, one of the previously inactive elements (46) is activated to operate as a replacement for the failed element (50). The number of elements that are active during normal operation is selected to achieve a level of antenna performance required by an underlying antenna application. Thus, a desired level of antenna performance is maintained during the life of the array antenna (10) without the consumption of excess power by spare elements in the antenna. Redistributions of inactive element locations are periodically performed during the life of the array antenna (10) to enhance antenna performance in light of failed element locations.

Abstract: A packet switching communication network (10) includes a number of switching nodes (16). The switching nodes include a switch (18) and at least one data processor (20). When selected packets (34), as identified by routing codes (40), arrive at one of the switching nodes (16), they are passed (58) to the data processor (20). The data processor (20) is configured to perform a network processing function, such as packet broadcasting (74) or error correction (60). In performing these functions, user data (38) conveyed by the selected packets (34) are processed to generate processed packets. The processed packets are re-introduced to the switch (18) and routed onto their destinations.

Abstract: An improved crossbar switch in which internal buffering is performed for input signals across the chip and in which an extra input for each output channel of the crossbar switch element is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which holds a vacuum packaged product and applies a stress on the package to determine the quality of the package by measuring package deflection resulting from the stress.