Abstract: An analog/digital gain control device avoid some of the requirements associated with the nature of a closed-loop AGC circuits and which meets the remaining requirements without much difficulty uses an analog to digital conversion method that increases the number of effective ADC bits by compressing the baseband input analog signal using a logarithmic circuit. After the compressed analog signal is converted into a digital signal, a digital anti-log process or look-up table (LUT) is used to expand the digital signal back to the original linear scale. The word size of the output of the anti-log process is larger than the input word size due to the nature of the anti-log function. To reduce the word size of the digital signal an open loop normalization technique can be applied.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ultra-wideband communication are provided. In one ultra-wideband communication system, a portion of a plurality of non-overlapping communication sub-channels are assigned to a first ultra-wideband communication device by a base station. Communication interference information is obtained by the first device, and then transmitted to and received by the base station. The base station then reduces the portion of non-overlapping sub-channels assigned to the first ultra-wideband communication device in response to the interference information, thereby creating a group of available non-overlapping sub-channels, which are assigned to a second ultra-wideband communication device. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein.

Abstract: A decoder may include a constellation mapper arranged to receive a symbol and to determine two constellation points that are proximate the received symbol. An index mapper may determine a constellation index corresponding to the received symbol based on the received symbol and the two constellation points that are proximate the received symbol. A coset selector may receive successive constellation indices from the index mapper and may determine a number of nearest cosets to the successive constellation indices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively determining weights for transmission antennas according to a channel condition in a closed-loop transmit diversity system using a plurality of transmission antennas. The antenna weights are determined using variation of channel characteristics based on time and space, to thereby improve bit error rate performance. Parameters for fixing average transmission power per symbol according to the statistical channel characteristics for symbol energy and additive white Gaussian nose energy are previously determined to estimate channel characteristics. The antenna weights are determined using the parameters and channel gains estimated upon reception of data symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for communicating digital information using diversity signaling with a constrained amount of transmission energy per bit available. The method may optimize the number of diversity channels used, optimize the energy allocation emitted per bit on each diversity channel, and apply weighting factors to each diversity channel at the receiver. One method includes initializing one or more channels J from Jm channels, calculating a Chernoff bound B(J) for the one or more channels J, determining whether J+1 channels may be energetically allowed, and transmitting digital information m using the one or more channels J if the J+1 channels are not allowed or if the J+1 number of channels may be selected but the Chernoff bound B(J) is minimized.

Abstract: A new bound on communications capacity, a modulation QLM to derive this bound, and QLM to support communications with performance close to this bound. The QLM modulation and demodulation algorithms offer a method for communications links to support a substantially higher data rate than allowed by the Shannon bound for wired, wireless, optical, and the plurality of communications links. The invention compares QLM modulation performance with phase-shift-keying PSK and quadrature amplitude modulation QAM, describes how it can be used with PSK and QAM, and with gaussian minimum shift keying GMSK, orthogonal frequency division multiple access OFDMA, code division multiple access CDMA, and compares QLM modulation performance with the Shannon bound and the new bound derived in this invention. Additional applications for QLM signal processing and bound include the plurality of information theorectic applications with examples being radar, imaging, and processing.

Abstract: A method of transmit power adjustment in multitone communication systems is performed by changing a power spectral density for each subchannel k the power spectral density to the minimum of the power spectral density and a miximum of the power spectral density REFPSD(k)=min(NOMPSD(k), NOMPSD?PCB) where REFPSD(k) is the transmitted PSD at tone k, NOMPSD(k) is the maximum transmit PSD allowed at each tone k, NOMPSD is the maximum value of NOMPSD(k) over all k and PCB is a power cutback level.

Abstract: The operational state transitions and events of an RF transmitter having a plurality of operational states are monitored and recorded. A plurality of ports are provided that each receive an indication of an occurrence of an event that can cause a transition from one state to another of the plurality of states. A transition status memory stores transition status data representing the status of each associated state. A micro-controller is programmed so that it determines, for each state, from the indications whether a state transition has occurred and, if so, it causes an appropriate change in the associated transition state data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a signal delay between a transmission signal which is to be processed in a predetermined communication device of a mobile communication system, and a feedback signal. Each of the transmission and feedback signals is sampled for a predetermined length, and signal power magnitude values are computed in a sample unit and are stored in first and second memory blocks. Mean squared error (MSE) values are computed from a plurality of samples, while a start sample position of one block is shifted on a basis of a start sample position of the other block. A sample delay value is estimated from a start sample position of the one block with a smallest MSE value such that a sample delay between a transmission signal and a feedback signal is closely estimated regardless of a frequency allocation (FA) value.

Abstract: A demodulation circuit generates information related to the frequency of error correction, and feeds the information to a CPU. The CPU acquires noise intensity data on the basis of the information related to the frequency of error correction from the demodulation circuit in view of noise intensity data corresponding to the frequency of error correction stored in a memory. The CPU feeds the acquired noise intensity data to a D/A converter. The D/A converter feeds a noise control voltage to a voltage controlled amplifier. Noises produced in a noise source are overlaid on a signal in an adder after the intensity thereof is adjusted in the voltage controlled amplifier.

Abstract: A high-speed serial link receiver includes variable offset comparators with centrally controlled offset cancellation. The receiver includes a comparator stage to receive a high-speed differential input signal. Comparator elements of the comparator stage have first and second current sources to provide current to corresponding differential amplifier half-circuits. An offset cancellation controller provides an offset cancellation signal for setting current provided by one of the current sources to at least partially offset an output offset between the differential amplifier half-circuits. A receiver system may be comprised of a plurality of receiver units for receiving a corresponding plurality of channels over high-speed serial links. A state machine may sequentially determine an offset cancellation code for the comparator elements of the receiver units.

Abstract: A comparator circuit having reduced pulse width distortion includes a differential amplifier operative to receive at least first and second signals and to amplify a difference between the first and second signals. The differential amplifier generates a difference signal at an output thereof which is a function of the difference between the first and second signals. An output stage is included in the comparator circuit for receiving the difference signal and for generating an output signal of the comparator circuit, the output signal being representative of the difference signal, the output stage having a switching point associated therewith. The comparator circuit further includes a voltage source coupled to the output of the differential amplifier. The voltage source is operative to generate a reference signal for establishing a common-mode voltage of the difference signal generated by the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A method of decoding is provided comprising processing iterations. In each processing iteration, there is a first Max-Log-MAP decoding operation giving rise to a systematic error due to the Max-Log approximation, and a first weighting operation to weight extrinsic information from the first decoding operation to be applied as a priori information to the second Max-Log-MAP decoding operation. This is followed by a second Max-Log-MAP decoding operation, also giving rise to a systematic error due to the Max-Log approximation, and a second weighting operation to weight extrinsic information from the second decoding to be applied as a priori information to the first Max-Log-MAP decoding of the next iteration. The weights are applied to compensate for the systematic error due to the Max-Log approximation made in the last Max-Log-MAP decoding operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of providing an estimate of a transmit sequence from a receive sequence. The transmit sequence includes transmit sequence values. The transmit sequence value is transmittable by one of a group of transmitting points through a communication channel of a plurality of communication channels to a receiving point. The communication channel extends from a transmitting point to a receiving point. The receive sequence includes an interference of transmit sequence values.

Abstract: A symbol boundary detection device and a method thereof for use in a receiver of a multi-channel communication system. The device utilizes a threshold to make an auxiliary judgement so as to select a proper symbol boundary reference point within an early range. The threshold may be flexibly set in response to different characteristics of the systems. In addition, a pilot symbol guard interval matched filter is further utilized to determine whether a pilot symbol guard interval is received.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a frequency dependent gain circuit is coupled to an output of an amplifier. The gain circuit provides at least two ranges of frequency dependent gain characteristics in response to the output of the amplifier. A control circuit provides one of the at feast two gain values as an output. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A receiver of digital data bursts is provided comprising an antenna array, a first space time filter having filter coefficients initialized by estimation over just training data in a received burst and providing symbol estimates and a second space time filter having filter coefficients initialized by estimation over the received burst and providing symbol estimates. In use at least one pass to determine a symbol estimate in the received burst is undertaken by each space time filter and a selector operates to determine which of the first and second filters provides the symbol estimate closer to an expected value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for Transmit Diversity mode transition in a mobile communication system for use with transmit diversity is disclosed. In a mobile communication system including a Node B comprising one or more antennas and a Mobile Station (MS) for transmitting Transmit Diversity information to the Node B to enable the plurality of antennas to implement the maximum Transmit Diversity. The apparatus and method for assigning weights to transmission data of the antennas to enable the Node B to implement the maximum Transmit Diversity when the mode transition occurs in the Transmit Diversity modes comprise determining whether the mode transition occurs using the Transmit Diversity information; and assigning a weight generated considering the relationship between a current weight and a previous weight used before the mode transition time to the data transmitted over the antennas if it is determined that the mode transition occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide channel bonding in multiple antenna communication systems are provided. In one embodiment, a method for signal transmission over a plurality of antennas of a transmitter may include, for example, one or more of the following: demultiplexing an input signal into a plurality of signal components; assigning each of the signal components to one of a plurality of logical channels; weighting each of the signal components with transmit baseband weight values; combining ones of the resultant weighted signal components to form a plurality of transmit weighted signals, each of the plurality of transmit weighted signals being assigned to one of the plurality of logical channels; and combining groups of the plurality of transmit weighted signals to form a plurality of output signals capable of being used to generate a plurality RF output signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a channel estimator adopting masking. In a channel estimator using a CIR (channel impulse response) estimating value, the present invention includes a CIR masking unit removing a noise included in the CIR estimating value. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of filtering noises resulting from finiteness of the PN sequence used in finding the cross correlator, thereby enabling to enhance accuracy for the CIR estimating value. And, the enhanced accuracy for the CIR estimating value enables to improve tracking performance to the time variable channel of the frequency domain equalizer using the channel estimator.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and receiving data is provided. The data is encoded as a pulse amplitude modulated signal such that the amplitude signals do not transition from the highest signal level to the lowest signal level and do not transition from the lowest signal level to the highest signal level. The encoding and decoding is performed in some embodiments via a lookup table, and in further embodiments is designed to minimize the step between sequential pulse amplitude modulated symbols.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that optimizes synchronization between monitored signals in a computer system. During operation, the system receives a number of monitored signals. The system then forms a number of signal pairs by grouping each signal with every other signal. Next, the system optimizes synchronization between the signals by iteratively perturbing the timing of each signal in an attempt to increase the value of an objective function which reflects the overall synchronization between all the signals.

Abstract: A system and method transmits data received at varying frequencies at a fixed data rate. The frequency dependent data and associated data clock signal are received and the frequency dependent data is converted to frequency independent data. A ratio of a number of data clock cycles to a number of reference clock cycles is determined and transmitted. The frequency independent data and header data are transmitted, at a fixed rate, to a receiver, the fixed rate being a frequency greater than the frequency of the associated data clock signal. The received the frequency independent data is converted to frequency dependent data based upon the received determined ratio. The communication channel may include an optical fiber and a tension member wherein control data is transmitted along the tension member and graphic data is transmitted along the optical fiber.

Abstract: A Newton's method-based timing recovery circuit is provided for to solving a polynomial accurately. The timing recovery circuit can generate an interpolation signal, whose timing errors are confined within a predetermined timing error range, which corresponds to a demodulating capability of a demodulator. Therefore, the demodulator can demodulate the interpolation signal accurately.

Abstract: A phase lock loop comprising a plurality of voltage controlled oscillators is presented herein. The phase lock loop can provide a wide range of output frequencies with low jitter. Additionally, the phase lock loop can be incorporated into a clock multiplier unit and a clock and data recovery unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a phase locked loop comprising: a phase frequency detector for receiving as a first input a reference signal and for generating a control signal; a voltage controlled oscillator for receiving the control signal and for generating a signal defining an output frequency, a feedback path connecting the output signal to a second input of the phase frequency detector; and a digital accumulator for generating the reference signal under the control of an accumulator reference clock.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) circuit (1) comprising a loop input (11); a phase detector section (2) for detecting a phase difference between an input signal and a reference signal. The phase detector section (2) has a detector input connected to the loop input, a reference input and a detector output for outputting a signal related to the phase difference. A controlled oscillator (4) is connected with an input to the detector output and an oscillator output is connected to a loop output (12). The PLL has a feedback circuit which connects the oscillator output to the reference input, wherein the feedback circuit includes a device (7;71-74) having a transfer function with at least one zero.

Abstract: A plurality of voltage controlled oscillators and a plurality of dividers are provided corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands, respectively, and a phase comparator, a charge pump, and a low pass filter are used in common for the plurality of frequency bands. A switch which selects any one of the plurality of voltage controlled oscillators, and a switch which selects any one of the plurality of dividers are provided. A controller which performs a gain control of a frequency synthesizer loop is further provided so that a gain characteristic of the frequency synthesizer loop comprised of a selected voltage controlled oscillator, selected divider, phase comparator, charge pump, and low pass filter becomes constant regardless of a selection change of the plurality of voltage controlled oscillators and the plurality of dividers.

Abstract: Clock signal generation circuitry includes input circuitry for receiving a frequency control input signal and a clock signal and generating a memory address therefrom, a memory for storing digital data indexed by the memory address and representing real and imaginary parts of a complex digital waveform, and digital to analog conversion circuitry. The digital to analog conversion circuitry includes real-part digital to analog conversion circuitry for converting digital data retrieved from the memory and representing the real part of the complex waveform into a real-part analog signal and imaginary-part digital to analog conversion circuitry for converting digital data retrieved from the memory and representing the imaginary part of the complex waveform into an imaginary-part analog signal.

Abstract: A method for adjusting noise in an imaging system is described. The method includes adjusting, by a processor, a noise within an image based on a patient size.

Abstract: A method for determining a correction for beam hardening in CT images includes obtaining air scans at a plurality of kVp's, determining detection efficiencies for detector elements of the CT imaging apparatus, and estimating projection values through a combination of at least two different materials of different thicknesses. The method further includes determining a transfer function that translates the estimated projection values into ideal projection values for at least two of the different materials and storing the transfer function as the beam hardening correction for images of the CT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A guard-ring electrode can be used at a suitable position for each of a plurality of imaging regions. Improvement in image quality and reduction in unnecessary radiation exposure, such as reduction in artifacts or noise, improvement in SNR, and expansion in dynamic range, are realized by reducing the cross-talk or the inflow of electrical charges from ineffective regions. Based on a radiation detector having a plurality of pixel electrodes 117 and a common electrode that sandwich a photoelectric conversion layer, an interelement guard-ring electrode 111 is adjacently disposed between the pixel electrodes 117 of the radiation detecting element, and the interelement guard-ring electrode 111 is switched between an electrically open-circuit state and a ground-potential connection state, so as to change the area in which the radiation detecting element detects radiation.

Abstract: A method and an X-ray apparatus for imaging anatomical parts of the human anatomy, in particular for imaging the human spine. In order to improve the quality and the diagnostic value of projection images of the anatomical parts the invention acquires at least one initial projection image of at least the region of interest of the anatomy, to determine the positions and/or orientations of the anatomical parts in the region of interest from the at least one initial projection image and/or from other sources of information, to determine the optimum imaging parameters for the anatomical parts from their positions and/or orientations, and to acquire images of the anatomical parts while using the optimum imaging parameters. The complexity of the scene and the mixture of over-projecting structures limiting the diagnostic reliability of the projection images are thus taken into account.

Abstract: System and method for dividing radiological images. The method can include sending a first request to an image acquisition system to perform a first examination, sending a second request to the image acquisition system to perform a second examination, and combining the first examination and the second examination into a single acquisition procedure. The method can also include acquiring images during the single acquisition procedure, tagging each one of the images with a protocol tag, and automatically dividing the images based on the protocol tag.

Abstract: In a method for quickly taking and evaluating X-ray pictures of an examination object imaged on a digital X-ray detector, the first step is for a partial imaging surface required for X-ray examination of the respective examination object to be automatically selected with reference to size and position from the entire imaging surface of the X-ray detector. After this, only the imaging data of the partial imaging surface that are compiled per examination are used as a basis for evaluation and/or display.

Abstract: A target structure for an electron linear accelerator converts energy in an electron beam to x-rays and provides for the monitoring and control of the effective energy of the electron beam by collecting and processing a residual current in the target structure.

Abstract: An x-ray source that can produce high-brilliance x-rays at a low cost and from a small footprint includes a radiofrequency (RF) photoinjector, an accelerator module (such as a linear superconducting accelerator moducle), a high-power optical laser apparatus, and a passive enhancement cavity. A stream of photons generated by the laser apparatus is accumulated in the enhancement cavity, and an electron stream from the photoinjector are then directed through the enhancement cavity to collide with the photons and generate high-brilliance x-rays via inverse-Compton scattering.

Abstract: Metallic solutions at room temperature used a laser point source target droplets. Using the target metallic solutions results in damage free use to surrounding optical components since no debris are formed. The metallic solutions can produce plasma emissions in the X-rays, XUV, and EUV(extreme ultra violet) spectral ranges of approximately 11.7 nm and 13 nm. The metallic solutions can include molecular liquids or mixtures of elemental and molecular liquids, such as metallic chloride solutions, metallic bromide solutions, metallic sulphate solutions, metallic nitrate solutions, and organo-metallic solutions. The metallic solutions do not need to be heated since they are in a solution form at room temperatures.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a rotation-anode type X-ray tube which is configured such that a rotatable anode target and a cathode that is disposed to be opposed to the anode target are accommodated within a vacuum envelope, a stator which generates an induction electromagnetic field for rotating the anode target, a housing which accommodates and holds at least the rotation-anode type X-ray tube, a circulation path which is provided near at least a part of the rotation-anode type X-ray tube, and through which a water-based coolant is circulated, and a cooling unit including a circulation pump, which is provided at a position along the circulation path and forcibly feeds the water-based coolant, and a radiator which radiates heat of the water-based coolant, wherein at least a part of a surface of a metallic component is coated with a coating member to prevent contacting with the water-based coolant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a call directed to a telephony network-based voice messaging service (VMS) implemented using packet-switched data network telephone conferencing resources, such as an IP-based voice-over-IP conferencing system. The systems and methods use one or more media gateway systems providing an interface between a conventional telephony domain and packet-switched data domain. When a call is to be redirected to the VMS system, the telephony network routes the call via the packet-switched data network using the media gateway. An application server in the packet-switched data network maintains registration information associated with the subscriber. If the subscriber is logged onto the packet-switched data network, the conferencing resources are used to establish a conference call between the caller, the VMS and the subscriber.

Abstract: The invention is intended to create a online charging method for an end user session comprising at least one first charging session and at least one second charging session. The invention is based on using a combination pricing plan as response to a number of different charging requests, and determining the charging by said combination pricing plan, by using during the end user session different proxy components to identify service requests according to different service identification request rules, each proxy component using individual service identification rules.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for processing data to complete a collect telephone call to a called-party that has prepaid an account to pay for the collect call. Data is received regarding a collect call from a caller to the called-party. Next it is determining whether the called party is associated with a prepaid account and the rate to be applied to the collect call. The rate to be applied to the call is increased by a tax rate and the data is sent regarding the call rate to be applied to the collect call so that the call can be completed between the called party and caller.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding Caller ID data on demand when retrieving messages from an answering device using an endpoint telecommunications device and an associated call control system (such as the central office of the calling phone, a PBX, ToL Gatekeeper, wireless carrier switch, etc.), to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender. The invention permits the caller retrieving messages to quickly and easily return calls with little or no manual intervention, without having to create a trombone connection. The invention operates with calling endpoint telecommunication devices that are “intelligent” enough to receive, store and/or utilize Caller ID data forwarded from an answering device; as well as with not so intelligent telecommunications devices (such as many pay phones) that may lack the ability to receive, store and/or utilize forwarded Caller ID data.

Abstract: A system and method for routing voice communication to an end user across multiple telephony networks are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, when a caller dials a voice identity number of a user, a policy processor checks a database for information on that number. Depending on whether or not that voice identity number has an associated mapping policy attached to it, the policy processor will determine how and where the call should be routed. If there is no mapping policy associated with the number dialed, the call will be routed to that same number dialed, however, if a mapping policy does exist, the policy processor will determine to which target number the call should be routed based on a mapping of possible numbers and rules based on date and time.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting message to a customer when the customer is busy on a previous call and receives a current call. The call waiting message preferably includes a call waiting indicator and an audible representation of information associated with a current calling party. The call waiting message alerts the customer that a current call is waiting and provides the customer with information that assists the customer in deciding whether or not to take the current call. The call waiting indicator and the information associated with a current calling party are automatically transmitted to the customer without any customer commands.

Abstract: A method for providing a message-based communications infrastructure for automated call center operation is described. A call from a telephony interface is accepted. The accepted call includes an incoming stream of verbal speech. The incoming stream of verbal speech is converted into incoming text from a caller into a call center. The call is automatically assigned at a session manager to a session and to a live agent. The incoming text is progressively processed through an agent application during the session through a customer support scenario interactively monitored and controlled by the live agent. The live agent sends outgoing text messages that are converted into an outgoing stream of synthesized speech to the caller.

Abstract: A keypad in which output keystrokes are determined both from individual switch activation and from the combined activation of adjacent switches. The keypad has a substrate carrying an array of sense elements arranged to change state in response to keypad operation, a flexible cover disposed above the substrate and having an exposed surface defining an array of independent key regions, with combination key regions defined in interstices between adjacent independent key regions. Snap elements provide tactile feedback. Some versions have a touch-sensitive grid rather than a switch matrix.

Abstract: Communication unit comprising a house in which at least one transducer is placed, and on which a microphone arm is suspended. The housing also has an ear hook for fastening the communication unit to the head of a user. The microphone arm is pivotally connected to the housing by a hinge link at an outer area of the housing, and so that the microphone arm can be moved between a position in which it lies up against the housing, and a position in which it extends away from the housing. The microphone arm has a length, which in the main is less than or of the same order as the greatest extent of the housing, so that in the folded-in state the microphone arm does not project out over the circumference of the housing. The communication unit can be used on both the right and the left side of the head, in that the ear hook can be suspended in two different positions.

Abstract: A headset assembly includes a moisture-proof and temperature resistant headset module. The headset module is sealed against moisture and is constructed from materials that are durable and can withstand constant use, physical abuse, and rapid swings in temperature and other environmental conditions. Furthermore, the headset module is interchangeable with a variety of headset frames so as to provide comfort during prolonged use and in high ambient noise environments.