Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving digital radio signals. Said device comprises a digital receiver with a tuner and a demodulator that is connected to the tuner, in addition to a first microcomputer. The demodulator and the first microcomputer are connected to an add-on module via a device interface of the digital receiver. Said module has second microcomputer and a signal processing unit that is controlled by the second microcomputer, the output of said unit being connected to the device interface. The inventive device further comprises a packet start detector, which prevents image, audio or data interference during the changeover of operating modes.

Abstract: An asymmetrical 10Base-T transceiver structure is proposed that allows for communication over extended length (greater than 100 meters) UTP cables. Using an extended range transceiver, the channel distortion effect experience with extended length cable communications is compensated for when communication is had with a standard compliant transceiver. This extended range transceiver includes a compensation filter bank whose transfer function is selectively tuned to suppress the adverse effects of channel distortion on either or both the transmit or receive side. Tuning of the filter bank transfer function is based on an estimate (manually or automatically obtained) of the cable length.

Abstract: A gigabit ethernet line driver includes a transmitter having both transmitter and active hybrid outputs. The transmitter consists of a plurality of transmitter clusters each connected to both the transmitter and active hybrid outputs. Each transmitter cluster includes a plurality of transmitter cells consisting of a driver cell and digital to analog converter connected to driver cell. A hybrid circuit connects between the transmitter outputs and receiver inputs for separating a receiver signal from the transmitter signal responsive to a tuning signal.

Abstract: An isolation system is provided that is suitable for use in telephony, medical instrumentation, industrial process control and other applications. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a capacitive isolation barrier across which a digital signal is communicated. The system provides a means of communication across the isolation barrier that is highly immune to amplitude and phase noise interference. Clock recovery circuitry may be employed on one side of the isolation barrier to extract timing information from the digital signal communicated across the barrier, and to filter the effects of phase noise introduced at the barrier. Delta-sigma converters may be disposed on both sides of the isolation barrier to convert signals between analog and digital domains. An isolated power supply may also be provided on the isolated side of the barrier, whereby direct current is generated in response to the digital data received across the isolation barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating soft bit information from Gray coded signals. By using Gray coding, soft bit information is generated for each bit by performing simple absolute value generation and substraction. Prior to the actual soft bit calculation, a complex received symbol Y (Y=S.H+N) is multiplied by a complex conjugate H* of a channel transfer function H to provide a received symbol (R=S./H/2+NH*) corrected for phase and weighted for the channel amplitude. Thereafter, the soft bit information (D(R,S)1) for the in-phase and quadrature components of an m-valued QAM signal is calculated.

Abstract: An input estimator is based on a combined MFDQ-DF and trellis for use in, for example, an ADSL environment. In particular, for an ADSL implementation, the system will have one feedback tap for the decision feedback. However, it should be appreciated that the idea and basic concept of using the structure of a trellis to aid in determining the feedback point can be extended to any system using a feedback equalizer to estimate input to a trellis decoder.

Abstract: A narrow band signal modulation method may include receiving digital data to be modulated, mapping the digital data to at least one of a plurality of different levels, and generating a carrier at a predetermined frequency. The method may further include generating a gating control signal every predetermined number of cycles of the carrier, outputting the at least one level for a predetermined portion of a carrier cycle responsive to the gating control signal, and outputting the carrier otherwise.

Abstract: A narrow band modem for communicating with a remote modem may include a narrow band demodulator for demodulating digital data from the remote modem and a narrow band modulator for modulating digital data for transmission to the remote modem. In particular, the narrow band modulator may include an input for receiving digital data to be modulated, a level mapper for mapping the digital data to at least one of a plurality of different levels, and a carrier generator for generating a carrier at a predetermined frequency. In addition, the narrow band modulator may also include a counter for generating a gating control signal every predetermined number of cycles of the carrier, and a gating device outputting the level from the level mapper for a predetermined portion of a carrier cycle responsive to the gating control signal, and for outputting the carrier otherwise.

Abstract: A method of increasing the speed of a transmitter by storing in look-up tables, modulation, spread, over-sampled and filtered samples of modulated data bits having an I and Q. The bits I and Q are differentially modulated, and the tables are indexed based on the differential modulation.

Abstract: Data symbols in the training sequence are rotated at the transmitter end through a phase rotation factor which is specific for a given modulation type that is used. For blind modulation detection at the receiver end, the data symbols are derotated through different phase rotation factors, and a correlation function is formed between the sequences obtained in this way and the original training sequence. The type of modulation which is used is obtained from the phase rotation factor which produces a maximum for the correlation function.

Abstract: Clock and data recovery circuitry includes an interleaved sampler having multiple integrators, where at least one of the integrators integrates the input data for at least two unit intervals (UIs). One embodiment includes a four-way interleaved sampler, where each integrator in the sampler integrates the input data for two UIs, where each integrator is sampled at or near the middle of its two-UI integration cycle. In an exemplary 10-GHz system, the reset cycle of each integrator may begin many tens of picoseconds after the data is sampled. Since the signal is sampled near the center of the integration cycle and is not highly proximate to the time of the integrator reset, the latch signal has a window of uncertainty extending into the length of a data bit cell with little possibility of latching erroneous data. The sensitivity of the clock recovery circuitry may be optimized by centering the latch function over the time of highest signal level, thereby maximizing signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: In order to protect against adjacent channel interference and the effects of weak signal in AM signal processing, pre- and post-AM demodulation filters (36 and 38) may be used where the bandwidth of both is varied in the same manner by a single controlling mechanism (34). In one embodiment, two or more cascaded filters (20, 24 or 22, 26 or 30,32) may be used for the pre- and post-demodulation filters where each of the cascaded filters has a same predetermined order and uses the same set of coefficients. In one embodiment, all cascaded filters are first order IIR filters, which reduces computation complexity. The use of a same set of coefficient for all the cascaded filters results in a same bandwidth for all filters and further reduces computation complexity. In an alternate embodiment, cascaded filters may be used for only one of the pre- and post-demodulator filters.

Abstract: A reception device comprises an averaging unit configured to calculate at least one of an average value concerning in-phase components and quadrature phase components for a plurality of received data symbols, and an average value of reception power values for the plurality of received data symbols; and an amplitude estimator configured to estimate amplitudes of the plurality of data symbols based on the average value calculated by the averaging unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering a clock and/or data from a serial data stream. A multiplexer, a reference clock, and a snapshot register and decoder using ring decoding decodes an N-bit data sample extracting recovered clock phase to determine a clock phase for extracting data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a correlator unit that generates a set of correlator outputs and a codeword selector coupled to the set of correlator outputs to determine a received codeword therefrom. The correlator unit may have reference signals pre-compensated with intra-codeword interference.

Abstract: An automatic gain controller and the controlling method thereof are disclosed. The automatic gain controller includes a first multiplexer for receiving an input signal and a gain and generating a first output, a second multiplexer for receiving a signal time constant and a gain time constant and generating a second output, a filter electrically connected to the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer for generating one of a signal-energy and an actual gain in response to the first output and the second output, a signal-energy processing device electrically connected to the filter, the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer for generating the gain and the gain time constant in response to the signal-energy, and a multiplier electrically connected to the filter for multiplying the actual gain by the input signal to generate an output signal.

Abstract: A method for calculating frequency offset using arc tangent calculations according to real part and imaginary part input values received externally. The method includes converting arc tangent equations for determining frequency offset into equations to perform log calculations; calculating frequency offset using linear approximation and the converted log equations; and dividing the real part input value to bit values of a predetermined size to realize a size similar to that of the imaginary part input value if a range of the frequency offset value to be calculated is small. With the use of the method, hardware area and power consumption may be reduced, and precise frequency offset may be calculated.

Abstract: In an EMI canceller, a control signal generation unit includes a counter, a second flip-flop, and a multiplexer. The counter outputs first and second output signals and includes first flip-flops in series. An output of the first flip-flop reverses at every cycle of the first and second output signals of a previous first flip-flop. An output of the second flip-flop reverses at every cycle of the first or second output signal of a final first flip-flop. The second flip-flop outputs third and fourth output signals. The multiplexer passes the first output signals of the first flip-flop as a control signal when the third output signal is a first level, and passes the second output signals as the control signal when it is a second level.

Abstract: A narrow band signal demodulation method may include receiving a modulated narrow band signal based upon a carrier frequency signal and a level periodically inserted over a predetermined portion of a carrier cycle and representing digital data. The method may further include converting the modulated narrow band signal into frequency domain components, and translating the frequency domain components into the digital data based upon levels at the carrier frequency component. By way of example, the predetermined portion of the carrier cycle may be one full carrier cycle. Thus, received digital data may have been mapped into a first corresponding level during a first half-cycle of the full carrier cycle, and into a second corresponding level during a second half-cycle of the full carrier cycle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes but is not limited to: a precoder having a precoder input and a precoder output; a spectral shaper, having a spectral-shaper transfer function and being operably coupled internal to said precoder; and a precoder filter, internal to the precoder, the precoder filter having a transfer function which provides substantially the inverse of the spectral-shaper transfer function.

Abstract: A reduced phase error derotator (100) includes a novel phase accumulator (12), which provides an output signal (38) having a value which approaches zero when the value of the phase accumulator input signal (34) is zero. This is particularly advantageous in situations wherein a sudden phase transient appears at the input of the phase accumulator (12) causing the phase accumulator input signal (34) to become nonzero, the phase accumulator (12) will quickly react to this transient, resulting in the value of the phase accumulator output signal (38) to be nonzero. When the transient at the input to the phase accumulator (12) disappears and the value of the phase accumulator input signal (34) returns to zero, the phase accumulator (12) will quickly react to this change resulting in the value of the phase accumulator output signal (38) becoming zero.

Abstract: A phase region detector receives in-phase signal I representing in-phase component and quadrature signal Q representing quadrature component of a first signal and second signal respectively, equally divides an angle range of 2 &pgr; into a plurality M of three or more of angle regions preliminarily, on virtual quadrature coordinates, sequentially assigns angle region numbers in each of the angle regions, detects the angle region corresponding to the variation of phase of the second signal starting from the phase of the first signal, and issues the angle region number assigned in this angle region. A phase displacement detector issues a signal expressing the time change of the variation of the phase from the change corresponding to the time of the angle region number. An out-of-bounds detector receives a signal issued from the phase displacement detector, and issues an out-of-bounds signal including the out-of-bounds direction every time the variation of the phase exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for a programmable diphase digital phase lock loop (PDDPLL). The PDDPLL has an input to receive a diphase input signal and an output to provide an output signal that is synchronized to the data edges of the diphase input signal. The system includes a configuration component coupled to the PDDPLL to program selected parameters of the PDDPLL output signal. The PDDPLL may locate two consecutive data edges of the diphase input signal that are a programmed bit time apart to determine the positions of the data edges of a continuous diphase input signal. The PDDPLL may locate a beginning of a packet transmission and cause the programmable diphase digital phase lock loop to output a signal that is synchronized to the data edges of the diphase input signal during the packet transmission and free runs at a programmed rate between packet transmissions.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor core is provided that includes a plurality of fuel assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, each fuel assembly includes a main coolant flow channel having an inlet. The plurality of fuel assemblies are arranged into at least three regions within the core. The flow channels are configured so that the flow of coolant through the main coolant flow channels of the fuel assemblies located in a particular region are substantially the same, and that the coolant flow through the fuel assemblies in each region is different from the coolant flow through the fuel assemblies in each other region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in an EBT scanner for generating an image from a data set collected from a subject beginning at an arbitrary time within a scanning time interval. A sequence of temporally separated, unfolded parallel view sinograms are generated corresponding to scans through the subject during the scanning time interval. Data from each of the sinograms are folded into each other such that loss of information and image artifacts, caused by temporal separation between temporally adjacent sinograms, are greatly reduced. An image is generated from a subset of data taken from the folded sinograms wherein the subset of data begins at an arbitrary time within the scanning time interval.

Abstract: A method of mammography imaging includes exposing a patient to a peak voltage greater than 29 kVp using X-radiation generating equipment comprising rhodium or tungsten anodes. The film used in this method comprises a cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer on one side of the support and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the other side. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer comprises a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption on the cubic silver halide grains of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine, the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer also includes a mixture of gelatin or a gelatin derivative and a second hydrophilic binder other than gelatin or a gelatin derivative.

Abstract: X- and y-axis moving mechanisms are provided for positioning a sample table in the x-axis and the y-axis directions. A yT-axis moving mechanism for moving those moving mechanisms in a direction along a tilting direction of a X-ray camera is provided separately from the x- and y-axes moving mechanisms. When the X-ray camera is tilted, the sample table is moved by the yt axis moving mechanism and a z-axis moving mechanism, whereby a viewpoint of the sample and a fluoroscopic magnification factor set before the X-ray camera is tilted are left unchanged. The coordinates on the sample table by the moving mechanisms before the X-ray camera is tilted can be used as they are even after the camera is tilted.

Abstract: A nonintrusive inspection apparatus is described of the kind having a base frame, an elongated shield on the base frame, a conveyor belt passing through the shield which is used for transporting closed containers, and a rotating CT scanner subsystem which is used for scanning the container on the conveyor belt. The CT scanner subsystem is mounted through the shield to the base frame. The shield provides sufficient rigidity for the CT scanner subsystem. A cover is positioned over the CT scanner subsystem, but only over a portion of the shield, thereby allowing for a person on one side of the shield to see a person on an opposite side of the shield.

Abstract: A medical imaging device and apparatus (4) having an x-ray detector (10) formed of a plurality of semiconductor pixel detectors (12), each having an associated electric circuit (15) and counter (68, FIG. 5B). In use, a subject disposed between an x-ray generator (2, FIG. 1) and the x-ray detector (10), and is irradiated and the x-rays incident upon the pixel detectors (12) are directly converted into a corresponding electrical signal which is digitised by the electric circuit (15) and counted by the counter (68). These digitised electrical signals represent the energy and incidence position of the absorbed x-rays and can be manipulated to provide an image representative of the x-rayed subject. The image may be such that visual analysis may be performed in real time.

Abstract: An X-ray detector for drive timing setting is provided outside an image taking region of a sensor unit. Thus, an X-ray image taking device is constructed such that a case structure is simple and a preferable image which is not affected by back-scattering can be captured.

Abstract: A radiation apparatus (10) includes a beam source (12) generating radiation beam toward a target (11). A projection detector (17) detects the images of the target (11) formed by the radiation beam. In a radiation treatment session using the apparatus (10), the beam source (12) first generates a low intensity beam. The projection detector (17) generates image signals of a patient under the treatment. A control module (18) in the apparatus (10) develops a treatment plan in accordance with a treatment prescription and the image signals. Subsequently, the beam source (12) generates a treatment beam according to the treatment plan. The projection detector (17) can generate further image signals formed by the treatment beam to verify the treatment process.

Abstract: A reflector (5) for X-ray radiation (2, 3, 10, 11) which is curved in a non-circular arc shape, along a first cross-section (13) in a plane (XZ) which contains a x-direction, wherein the reflector (5) is also curved along a second cross-section (14) in a plane (YZ) which is perpendicular to the x-direction, is characterized in that the reflector (5) has a curvature along the second cross-section (14) which also differs from the shape of a circular arc. This makes the design of X-ray mirrors and the beam profile of reflected X-ray radiation more flexible, facilitates production of X-ray mirrors and at the same time provides high reflection capacity and good focusing properties for X-ray mirrors.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray generation means for emitting X-rays, and an X-ray detector on which a grid selected from a plurality of different types of grids is removably mountable. The X-ray detector receives the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation means, and obtains an X-ray image. The X-ray detector includes an automatic exposure control (AEC) detector for detecting the quantity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation means and for outputting a signal based on the detected quantity. The X-ray imaging apparatus also includes a control means for controlling the X-ray generation means and the AEC detector, where the control means controls the X-ray generation means based on the signal output from the AEC detector, and where the control means controls the AEC detector using correction data to correct an exposure detection element forming a part of the AEC detector.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for a retained image includes employing bimodal readout of alternating light and dark images. The bimodal readout technique results from reading either light or dark frames more rapidly, allowing additional time to be allocated to the X-ray exposures occurring prior to the light frames or to the other reading operation. The bimodal readout may be accomplished by a binning procedure by which scan lines are binned and read, typically during dark frame readout. The images acquired from reading the dark frames may then be used to compensate for a retained image artifacts present in the image derived from light frames.

Abstract: An HV connector for high power X-ray device consists of thermally conductive epoxy, cable terminal, faraday cup, spring-loaded contact, and lead lined housing. The thermally conductive epoxy includes fillers. The epoxy can also be loaded with gravels of similar materials. A Faraday cup is included in the center area to offer electric field relief. Spring-loaded contacts are included for the easiness of pin alignment and robustness of handling. An efficient thermal management solution is accomplished through proper selection of thermal conductivities of gasket and epoxy.

Abstract: A radiotherapeutic apparatus employs a collimator (52) set below a radiation source (50) and is adapted to move along an arc (54) substantially centred on the radiation source (50). As it sweeps the arc, the collimator (52) is adjusted so as to define the appropriate shape of radiation beam. A continuous sweep over the patient avoids edge artefacts and localised accumulation of leakage.

Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film comprises a cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer on one side of the support and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the other side. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer comprises a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption on the cubic silver halide grains of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine, the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer also includes a mixture of gelatin or a gelatin derivative and a second hydrophilic binder other than gelatin or a gelatin derivative at a weight ratio of first to second hydrophilic binder of from about 2:1 to about 5:1. The cubic silver halide grains comprise from about 1 to about 20 mol % chloride and from about 0.25 to about 1.

Abstract: In the holder set for digital sensors for dentistry, the holders for each kind of radiograph such as periapical radiographs of front teeth (anterior teeth) and lateral teeth (posterior teeth), on one hand, and bitewing radiographs, on the other hand, can be used for all sensor formats, the sensors being seized in the respective holders in a self-centered manner by two arms independently of their format.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to determine the position of at least one subscriber terminal (MP1) of a radio communications system (MCS). To this end, the invention provides that during and/or after a change in responsibility from a first radio network control unit (RNC1) to a second radio network control unit (RNC2), at least one interrogation signal (ME1), which had been originally directed toward the first radio network control unit (RNC1) in order to determine the position of the respective subscriber terminal (MP1) to be located, is relayed to the second radio network control unit (RNC2).

Abstract: A system and method for emergency telephone call notification. The system includes an AIN capable switch, a service control point (SCP) having a database of designated contact numbers associated with a service subscriber telephone number, and an intelligent peripheral (IP) in communication with the SCP for contacting the designated contact numbers. The method includes the steps of recognizing an N11 trigger and the SCP initiating telephone calls, via the IP, to each of the contact numbers corresponding to the telephone number of the subscriber making the emergency telephone call.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using an information assistance service to send a message to a desired destination, e.g., an e-mail address, or other addresses associated with wireless telephones, pagers, SMSs, PDAs, PIM systems, etc. The message may include multimedia information, e.g., audio, video and/or text information. The information assistance service provider obtains “message overhead” data, as opposed to message content or body, from the caller or from external or internal databases such as the caller's contacts folders (also known as private directories) and user profiles. Such message overhead data may include “envelope” information such as the destination address (e.g., e-mail address) to which the message is to be delivered, destination name, sender's name and return address (e.g., return e-mail address).

Abstract: A quick startup procedure for a modem system utilizes known characteristics of a previously established communication channel to reduce the initialization period associated with subsequent connections over the same channel. In response to the establishment of a call, the modem devices determine whether the quick connect protocol is supported. If so, then the called modem transmits a modified answer tone to the calling modem. The calling modem analyzes the signal received in response to the modified answer tone to determine whether characteristics of the current channel are similar to stored characteristics associated with a previous connection over the same channel. If a channel “match” is found, then the modem devices carry out a quick initialization routine that eliminates, abbreviates, or modifies a number of procedures or protocols that are carried out in conventional modem startup processes.

Abstract: A conventional computer is coupled to an analog telephone transmission link by means of an analog/digital conversion interface adapter. Modem transmission is accomplished by performing the modulation and demodulation functions digitally in the computer's existing processor which executes programs which transfer data between the computer's memory and the interface adapter. Using the same interface adapter and existing processor, the arrangement may be used to send and receive images in the form of standard V.29 format facsimile data, to send and receive data operating as a synchronous IBM 3270 compatible terminal device, or to record and play back conventional voice transmissions rather than data to implement a telephone answering, voice message handling, and telemarketing systems.

Abstract: A call screening system and method. The method can include receiving an inbound telephone call destined for a called party. Associated caller identification data can be identified from the inbound telephone call. The associated caller identification data can be compared to a filter list of caller identification data. Finally, based upon the comparison, call management rules can be applied to the inbound call to manage the inbound call by either deferring the inbound call to voice mail, or automatically answering the inbound call without requiring pro-active intervention by the called party. Significantly, each of the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps is performed in a telephone tranceiving device. Alternatively, the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps can be performed centrally in a call processing switch.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automated system for retrieving, delivering and modifying subscriber line settings through requests from a maintenance technician to a telephone service provider's (“telco's”) systems. The system and method disclosed utilizes standard AIN queries, call setup messages and information delivery services thereby avoiding the need to use a terminal interface into the telco's systems. The technician enters data in response to prompts from a service node communicating with the technician via a telephone call. The service node sends the technician's request to a service control point which forwards the call to the switch serving the subscriber's line to be analyzed or modified. The switch responds to instructions provided by the service control point to effectuate the technician's request and sends the results to a telephone line designated by the technician.

Abstract: Existing switch markings for telephone numbers are mechanically manipulated via the Recent Change channel to provide an appropriate treatment. In case a call to a vacant pooled-in number cannot be completed, a terminating switch, instead of generating a REL message with a Cause Code 26 and tearing down the call, connects the call to an Operations Support System that provides a predetermined announcement to a calling party. Calls directed toward numbers that are ported-out are placed on a Machine Intercept, which results in sending a cause code 26 to an originating switch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing signaling messages among multiple processors for stateful processing and/or sequenced processing of the messages on a per sequence basis are disclosed. A signaling message is received and it is determined whether the signaling message requires stateful and/or sequenced processing. If the signaling message requires stateful and/or sequenced processing, a sequence identifier is computed for the signaling message. The sequence identifier is unique on a per sequence basis. The sequence identifier is then used to distribute the signaling message to an application processor for stateful and/or sequenced processing.

Abstract: The accent of a party to a call is determined and the call is sent for servicing to a call-center agent who has skill in the determined accent, and preferably to an agent who speaks both the determined language and the language of the accent.

Abstract: A remote power controller and a method of controlling the same, which can distinguish between a telephone call to speak with a person and a telephone call to enable an electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating between a central office and a plurality of subscriber sites. Subscriber sites are separated into frequency groups. Each group spans a distance along the cable such that no more than a predetermined amount of attenuation is required to equalize the signal power of signals sent from a site in the group. Frequency groups closer to the central office are assigned higher frequency bands than frequency groups farther away from the central office. The central office includes a plurality of filters, each of which has a passband for passing the frequency band of a group and a stop band that substantially attenuates the frequencies of the other groups. The frequency group nearest the central office has no filter. The passband of a filter may also provide any needed attenuation to assure that signals arriving at the central office have approximately the same power levels.