Abstract: A laser array chip includes: a plurality of emission sections emitting laser lights; and a weak section formed in a portion in the thickness direction of at least a portion of the areas between the emission sections, whose strength is weaker than the strength of areas in which the emission sections are formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (2) with a functional element (3) mounted on a light out-coupling side of the LED or laser diode (2) wherein the functional element (3) comprises a provision (5) that allows for electrically contacting the LED or laser diode (2) on the light out-coupling side.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming a plurality of ultraviolet-wavelength laser beams, and a laser machining apparatus, in which the machining efficiency can be improved due to easy maintenance and inspection while deterioration of wavelength conversion means can be prevented to reduce the running cost. A laser beam with a near infrared wavelength output from a laser oscillator is branched into a plurality of laser beams by a laser distribution unit. Each branched laser beam is partially converted into a laser beam whose wavelength is ½ of the near infrared wavelength by a wavelength converter.

Abstract: A transmitter unit is described for an open path gas detector. The unit comprises: an enclosure having a window; and a coherent radiation transmitter, e.g. a tuneable laser diode transmitter, located within the enclosure and configured to direct a beam of radiation through the window. The window is slanted with respect to the axis of the beam emitted by the transmitter such that no radiation from the transmitter that is directly incident on the window is reflected by the window directly onto the transmitter. Thereby interference fringes within the emitted radiation are reduced. Alternatively, the window may be replaced by a lens followed by an aperture such that the beam emitted by the transmitter is focused onto the aperture, thereby forming a beam of radiation passing out of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for preparing material comprising the steps of providing a transport vehicle including a horizontal ejector and a basin that defines an opening, wherein the horizontal ejector is coupled to the material within the basin; loading a first material into the basin proximate the horizontal ejector; loading a second material into the basin proximate the opening; actuating the horizontal ejector for movement from a retracted position toward a deployed position; and horizontally ejecting the second material through the opening and then subsequently horizontally ejecting the first material through the opening. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hearth plate (30) includes a flat rectangular plate (32) having a top surface (34), a bottom surface (36), and a plurality of through openings (38) between the top surface (34) and bottom surface (36), four support walls (40) having top edges connected around the periphery of the bottom surface (36) and bottom edges and a bottom wall (42) connected to the bottom edges of the support walls (40). A preheater structure (46) is mounted in the space (44) defined by the four support walls (40), flat rectangular plate (32) and bottom wall (42), and a rectangular enclosure comprising four interconnected graphite walls (54, 56, 58) is mounted around the peripheral edge of the top surface (34) to define a processing volume for receiving objects (50) to be processed. A graphite lid (72) is removably supported by the rectangular enclosure.

Abstract: A method for calibrating distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems is disclosed. The method includes: receiving temperature data associated with one or more locations along a length of an optical fiber; calculating a set of unique calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length; and applying the set of calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length to the temperature data for calibrated correction thereof. Also disclosed is a system for calibrating DTS data and a wellbore for providing calibrated DTS data.

Abstract: Time-temperature integrators (TTIs) are useful for providing a means to monitor safety of fresh foods, particularly foods packaged in reduced-oxygen environments. TTIs of the present invention utilize Arrhenius-type curves to offer safety margins that satisfy regulator and shelf-life requirements. One method of using TTIs of the present invention involves using duel TTIs, one as a reference and one as a safety.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive label may be affixed to a temperature sensitive item. The temperature sensitive label conveys when the item has reached a tripping temperature. The tripping temperature may be a temperature at which the item is compromised. To convey this, the label changes properties and functions with a message to convey that the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. For example, the label may reveal, block, or alter a message that conveys whether the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. The message may be part of the label or separate from the label.

Abstract: A thermocouple shield for use in radio frequency fields. In some embodiments the shield includes an electrically conductive tube that houses a standard thermocouple having a thermocouple junction. The electrically conductive tube protects the thermocouple from damage by an RF (including microwave) field and mitigates erroneous temperature readings due to the microwave or RF field. The thermocouple may be surrounded by a ceramic sheath to further protect the thermocouple. The ceramic sheath is generally formed from a material that is transparent to the wavelength of the microwave or RF energy. The microwave transparency property precludes heating of the ceramic sheath due to microwave coupling, which could affect the accuracy of temperature measurements. The ceramic sheath material is typically an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulative properties of the ceramic sheath help avert electrical arcing, which could damage the thermocouple junction.

Abstract: The invention describes and claims an apparatus and method of maintaining cleanliness of the thermometer storage case. The apparatus is an improved elongated end-loading storage case for thermometers. The improvement comprises two or more elongated sections of the case. Each section comprises a connection edge, an insertion tip, and a distal tip. The elongated sections of the case are detachably connected to each other to form a thermometer storage case that opens up to reveal the inner surface of the case for easy inspection and cleaning. The case comprises a fastener for fixating the case in the assembled case body position. The method of cleaning the thermometer storage case comprises the steps of unfastening and opening the case, inspecting and sanitizing the inside surface of the case, and then reconnecting and fixating the elongated sections to form the thermometer storage case.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit includes a memory module that stores a plurality of operational instructions for implementing a plurality of protocol layers of a wireless protocol, a processing module that executes the plurality of operational instructions, and a first interface module. The second integrated circuit includes a second interface module that couples data to and from the first interface module, an RF transceiver that modulates a first baseband signal to produce a transmitted RF signal, and that demodulates a received RF signal to produce a second baseband signal, and a baseband module that generates the first baseband signal based on data received from the first interface module via the second interface module, and that generates data based on the second baseband signal to send to the first interface module via the second interface module.

Abstract: An in-vehicle LF transmitter transmits a synchronization signal to an in-vehicle RF receiver and transmits LF data (response request) including a synchronization signal to a portable device. The portable device performs RF data output and DSSS process and transmits RF data (response) subjected to spread process. The in-vehicle RF receiver receives the RF data and performs despread process. Both of the spread process of the portable device and the despread process of the in-vehicle RF receiver are performed by the use of a spread code the period of which is adjusted based on the synchronization signal transmitted from the in-vehicle LF transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the instant invention, a non-coherent transmission method for uplink control signals is provided. The transmission methodology uses a constant amplitude zero-autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence for relatively short control signal lengths. The methodology includes creating a CAZAC sequence, truncating the CAZAC sequence into a plurality of segments; and transmitting each of the segments within a predetermined window of time.

Abstract: A system and method for data transmission on wireless discontinuous channels including a control/safety information (CSI) channel having a duty cycle, and a plurality of service channels. The system and method include: evaluating channel utilization of one or more of the channels; calculating an optimal CSI channel duty cycle responsive to the channel utilizations; adjusting the duty cycle of the CSI channel to the calculated optimal CSI channel duty cycle; broadcasting the optimal CSI channel duty cycle; and transmitting data during the optimal CSI channel duty cycle.

Abstract: A direct-sequence spread-spectrum communications method of de-spreading and decoding received data transmitted through an acoustic channel. A first code match filter is applied to received data to output a first code impulse response comprising a channel impulse response modulated by a pseudo-random number bit. A second code match filter is applied to the received data to output a second code impulse response comprising the channel impulse response modulated by a message symbol bit. The first code impulse response is correlated with the second code impulse response to output the message symbol bit modulated by the pseudo-random number bit. The pseudo-random number bit is eliminated to identify the message symbol bit, thereby decoding the message symbol bit from the received data.

Abstract: A method and system for simulcasting are provided. The method includes modulating a simulcast signal using 8-level modulation, increasing a spacing between signal pulses of the simulcast signal and spreading in time the signal pulses of the simulcast signal. The method further includes communicating a stretched modulated simulcast signal formed by increasing the time interval spacing and spreading in time the signal pulses.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for controlling a transmission signal power level of a transmitter is disclosed. The method includes receiving a root-mean-squared target power level. A duty cycle of a transmission signal is determined that indicates power on and power off periods over a predetermined sensing interval. A transmission signal power level is sensed. The transmission signal power level is adjusted to be approximately equal to the target power level divided by the duty cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmit diversity method of a mobile communication system and a base station transmitting apparatus using the same. A first code and a second code that is diversity-encoded from the first code are generated, and transmit symbols are spread with the first code and the second code. A first transmit symbol spread with the first code and a second transmit symbol spread with the second code are mapped to symbols in frequency and time domains in a frame and transmitted through antennas. Therefore, various diversity techniques can be provided to the mobile communication system, and the diversity technique is not restricted to symbols transmitted to the same mobile station and can also be applied to a 1-bit channel.

Abstract: A 2D Rake receiver is proposed, comprising: a control module, for generating, according to a reference signal and the radio signals received by a plurality of antenna elements, the multipath information about the radio signals; a weight factor calculating unit, for calculating the corresponding weight factors of the received radio signals corresponding to different antenna elements according to the multipath information; a plurality of 1 D Rake receivers, each of which is for receiving radio signals from the corresponding antenna element and weighting the radio signals received by the Rake receiver with the corresponding weight factor; a combining unit, for combing the weighted radio signals outputted from the plurality of 1 D Rake receivers, to output a combined signal.

Abstract: Adaptive equalizers for a communication channel and corresponding methods of equalizing are described. The adaptive equalizer includes: a fixed pre-filter configured to be coupled to a received signal and provide a pre-filter signal; an adaptive filter coupled to and configured to compensate the pre-filter signal for changes in phase and amplitude; and an interference remover coupled to the adaptive filter and configured to reduce interference in the received signal.

Abstract: A system for mitigating impairment in a communication system includes a delay block, a signal level block, a moving average window block, an impulse noise detection block, and a combiner. The delay block receives and delays each chip of a plurality of chips in a spreading interval. The signal level block determines a signal level of each chip of the plurality of chips in the spreading interval. The moving average window block determines a composite signal level for a chip window corresponding to the chip. The impulse noise detection block receives the signal level, receives the composite signal level, and produces an erasure indication for each chip of the plurality of chips of the corresponding chip window. The combiner erases chips of the plurality of chips of the spreading interval based upon the erasure indication.

Abstract: An acquisition unit of a GNSS receiver base band circuit comprises a correlator (40) with a correlator shift register (43) to which a correlation sequence derived from a basic sequence characteristic for a satellite is fed by a code generator (41). Each of the N=32 or more memory cells of the correlator shift register (43) is connected to two correlator cells (44a, 44b) for multiplying digital values of the correlator sequence from the memory cell with data values of a data sequence, adding up the products and storing the sum in a register as a correlation value pertaining to one of N relative phase positions of the correlation sequence relative to the data sequence during a correlation phase.

Abstract: A method of processing a signal received at a node in a network, comprising the steps of; receiving the signal at the node; determining characteristics of a first part of the signal; determining characteristics of a second part of the signal that is subsequent to the first part of the signal; quantifying an effect on the signal caused by applying an action to the first part of the signal, based on characteristics of the first part of the signal; quantifying an effect on the signal caused by not applying the action on the first part of the signal, based on characteristics of the second part of the signal; applying the action to the first part of the signal if it is determined that the effect on the signal caused by applying the action to the first part of the signal is less detrimental to at least one measure of the signal quality than the effect on the signal caused by not applying the action to the first part of the signal.

Abstract: A signal generating apparatus for generating a synthesized signal according to an input signal is provided. The signal generating apparatus includes a phase-locked loop device and a control unit. The phase-locked loop device has a phase/frequency detector for generating a detected signal according to a reference oscillating signal and a feedback signal, a control signal generator for generating a control signal according to the detected signal, a voltage controlled oscillator for generating the synthesized signal according to the control signal, and a divider for dividing the synthesized signal according to a dividing factor to generate the feedback signal. The control unit is for controlling the control signal generator to adjust the control signal in a calibration mode to thereby adjust a frequency of the synthesized signal. The phase/frequency detector does not output the detected signal to the control signal generator in the calibration mode.

Abstract: Evaluation of the impact of impulse noise on a communication system can be utilized to determine how the system should be configured to adapt to impulse noise events. Moreover, the system allows for information regarding impulse noise events, such as length of the event, repetition period of the event and timing of the event, to be collected and forwarded to a destination. The adaptation can be performed during one or more of Showtime and initialization, and can be initiated and determined at either one or more of a transmitter and a receiver.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a data processor having a processor engine composed of a plurality of processor cells, each cell including a local instruction memory and an instruction sequencer and being configured for selective connection with at least one adjacent cell enabling communication between cells. The processor engine is configured to be interposed between a radio frequency section and a baseband section to process data output from the baseband section prior to inputting the processed data to the radio frequency section, and to process signals output from the radio frequency section prior to inputting processed data to the baseband section. A plurality of communication-related functions are mapped into a corresponding plurality of regions of cells, and local instruction memory is configured to store program instructions for implementing all or a part of the associated function. As examples, one function may be a CORDIC function and another function may be a FIR filter function.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for matching an integrated FM system to an antenna utilizing on-chip measurement of reflected signals are provided. In this regard a portion of a signal output by an integrated FM radio transmit block and reflected by an antenna may be routed to an on-chip signal analyzer. Accordingly, measurements of the reflected signals may be utilized to configure a matching network in order to provide a best impedance match between the FM radio and the antenna. In this regard, a best impedance match may maximize radiation efficiency and/or radiated power. Additionally, the configuration of the matching network may incorporate a correction algorithm/offset experimentally determined via a calibration utilizing external components.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for calibration in an FM transceiver system may include: in an integrated FM system comprising an FM radio transmitter, an FM radio receiver and a common local oscillator, generating via the common local oscillator, one or more RF carrier signals and corresponding phase-shifted versions of the generated one or more RF carrier signals. The FM radio transmitter and/or the FM radio receiver may be calibrated based on an RF calibration signal generated from the one or more RF carrier signals and/or the corresponding phase-shifted versions of the generated one or more RF carrier signals. A phase between the one or more RF carrier signals and the corresponding phase-shifted versions of the generated one or more RF carrier signals may be adjusted based on the generated RF calibration signal. An in-phase baseband signal component associated with the generated RF calibration signal may be zeroed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing an FM transmitter and FM receiver in a single chip FM transmitter and receiver are disclosed and may include receiving an FM signal from each of multiple selected antenna configurations. The received signal strength obtained for each configuration may be measured and stored in a memory, and FM signals may be transmitted and/or received utilizing a configuration that generates a received signal strength above a desired threshold from the measurement. The FM transmitter and receiver may be integrated on-chip, and may be impedance matched to the antennas utilizing selectable capacitors integrated on-chip and/or off-chip and selectable inductors located off-chip. The multiple antennas may comprise antennas that are internal and antennas that are external to the wireless device, each of which may be tuned for one or more wireless protocols. One or more of the antennas may comprise metal components within the wireless device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting control information by transmitting a reference signal from a first transceiver to a second transceiver, in response to the reception of the reference signal, determining at the second transceiver a plurality of control channel elements based upon the received reference signal, jointly encoding the plurality of control channel elements at the second transceiver to generate a control signal, and transmitting the control signal from the second transceiver to the first transceiver.

Abstract: In frequency equalization, a received signals goes through frequency transform, the transformed signal is divided by a frequency transform of a channel response a method for equalization. The method comprises the step of: adjusting a quotient of the division by a weight function, wherein the function varies under a set of conditions; whereby for a frequency selective channel, deep fades are adjusted, and noise or interference are reduced.

Abstract: A method for channel equalization is provided. The method comprises the steps of: subdividing a received symbol portion into segments wherein each segment is associated with a known, segmented channel characteristic among a set of segmented, known channel characteristics spanning the received symbol.

Abstract: Filter taps for filters are specified by filter coefficient parameters. The filter taps are greater in number than the coefficient parameters from which the filter taps are calculated. For example, two coefficient parameters are used to specify a four-tap filter. Filter information can be signaled in a bitstream, such as by signaling one or more family parameters for a filter family and, for each filter in a family, signaling one or more filter tap parameters from which filter taps can be derived. Family parameters can include a number of filters parameter, a resolution parameter, a scaling bits parameter, and/or a full integer position filter present parameter that indicates whether or not the filters include an integer position filter. Filter parameters can be signaled and used to determine coefficient parameters from which filter taps are calculated.

Abstract: A method of operating an equalizer includes combining a Least Mean Squares (LMS) algorithm and a Least Squares (LS) algorithm to determine a set of equalizer tap values to be used in processing a signal. A channel impulse response (CIR) is computed, and an equalizer taps interval is then determined based on the CIR. The LS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer major taps based on the interval, and the LMS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer minor taps based on the interval.

Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) architecture uses feedback samples that are over-sampled with respect to the symbol rate. On-baud feedback samples are quantized with a slicer, while off-baud samples are linear, IIR samples. Both forward and feedback filters are fractionally-spaced, but adapted only at the baud instances.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a sphere decoder for maximum likelihood receiver intended to receive M-PPM-M?-PAM symbols at M modulation positions and at M? amplitude levels from a plurality P of sources. The sphere decoder uses a Schnorr-Euchner type enumeration adapted to classify the points of a multidimensional PPM-PAM modulation.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus holds predetermined encoding conditions (sets of a sampling frequency and a bit rate) associated with predetermined ranges having consecutive possible amounts of free space in the storage 20. A set of a sampling frequency and a bit rate associated with a range corresponding to a current free capacity is selected, and sound data included in a music file generated from an original digital signal data is encoded under the encoding condition by using a predetermined encoding software. By comparing sound data restored from the encoded data and sound data included in a music file, evaluation value is calculated with an evaluation method such as PEAQ, and it is determined whether the evaluation value exceeds a threshold value. The encoded data is stored in the storage when the evaluation value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: Data compression and decompression methods for compressing and decompressing data based on an actual or expected throughput (bandwidth) of a system. In one embodiment, a controller tracks and monitors the throughput (data storage and retrieval) of a data compression system and generates control signals to enable/disable different compression algorithms when, e.g., a bottleneck occurs so as to increase the throughput and eliminate the bottleneck.

Abstract: A system and method for video encoding using noise level estimates from vertical blanking interval lines. A video signal may be received by an encoding system. Information may be extracted from the video signal and may be analyzed. The extracted information may be vertical blanking intervals. The extracted and analyzed information may be utilized to estimate a noise level of the video signal. The estimated noise level may then be utilized in encoding the video signal by being inserted into the video signal or used to change parameters used in video encoding.

Abstract: Picture level rate control systems, apparatuses and methods are described which indirectly control bit rate through peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), thereby providing a stable PSNR while maintaining a given target average bit rate. In a preferred implementation, encoding is performed in conjunction with macroblock QP modulation. In this way, the picture level rate control provides stable temporal quality and the macroblock QP modulation provides stable spatial quality. By way of example, the number of bits generated in a group of pictures (GOP) is controlled by modulating the target bit allocation for a group of pictures (GOP) based on coded picture buffer (CPB) fullness. Macroblocks are encoded for each picture based on a rate-distortion model, which is modified in response to the relative fluctuation of PSNR of pictures within a group of pictures.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a video decoder including a first write port to write uncompressed video data to a first buffer in a first format adapted based on a format required by the video decoder. The video decoder also includes a second write port to write uncompressed video data to a second buffer in a second format adapted to provide the uncompressed video data for subsequent processing external to the video decoder.

Abstract: A multi-decoder includes a plurality of decoders for different types of coding, an output buffer which stores and outputs the decoded output signal output from the decoders, an output switcher which selectively outputs the decoded output signal of the output buffer, and a controller which determines a coding scheme of the stream based on data of the header area of a stream inputted to each of the decoders, and outputs the stream to the corresponding decoder based on the determination result, and controls the output switcher to switch a decoded output signal of a sender to another decoded output signal, when inputting a stream switching signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for encoding/decoding a video stream including a plurality of images (A, B, C) in a video processing apparatus having a processing unit (11) coupled to a first memory (12), further comprising a second memory (13), comprising the steps: providing a subset of image data stored in the second memory (13) in the first memory (12), —simultaneous encoding/decoding of more than one image (B, C) of the video stream, by accessing said subset, wherein the simultaneously encoding/decoding is performed by access sharing to at least one image (A).

Abstract: There are provided video encoders and corresponding methods for encoding video data for an image that is divisible into macroblocks. A video encoder includes an encoder for performing inta mode selection when encoding a current macroblock by testing a first subset of intra modes to compute a rate distortion cost, and utilizing the rate distortion cost to determine whether to terminate the intra mode selection and which additional intra modes, if any, are to be examined with respect to the current macroblock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transcoder having a MPEG decoder and a MPEG encoder, for changing a GOP structure and the bit rate of an encoded bitstream obtained as a result of an encoding process. The MPEG encoder receives a past encoding parameters generated at a past encoding process as a history information, and performs a present encoding process by using the past encoding parameters selectively so that the present encoding process is optimized. Furthermore, the encoder describe the past encoding parameters into the encoded bitstream as the history information so as to reuse the history information in advance encoding process. The picture quality of the video data does not deteriorate even if decoding and encoding processes are carried out repeatedly by the transcoder.

Abstract: A system and method for coding moving pictures according to MPEG-4/AVC is described which performs rapid quantization of the transformed residue signal is described. The system and method may employ a number of techniques, which may be considered separately or in combination, including: extreme macroblock (MB) analysis, pre-execution table generation, conditional skipping, and picture level scaling. For example, MBs are detected wherein the quantization scale is adapted prior to quantization processing. The quantization process can be skipped for DCT coefficients which do not meet a threshold criterion. Weighted quantization can be readily performed in response to generating sets of scaled quantization tables in the beginning of encoding each picture, wherein the quantization scale of the DCT coefficients need not be scaled in response to position.

Abstract: A method for determining an order of values for an encoding parameter of a hybrid encoding scheme for each frame of a frame sequence for use for encoding the frame sequence by means of the hybrid encoding scheme is described. Using the hybrid encoding scheme, resulting distortions and compression rates for the frames of the frame sequence are established for the case of the complete encoding of the frame sequence, and for the case of the incomplete encoding of a real partial sequence of the frame sequence. Thereupon, establishing of estimated distortions and compression rates for frames of the frame sequence takes place, followed by determining the order of values for the encoding parameter of the hybrid encoding scheme based on the established resulting and estimated distortions and compression rates.

Abstract: There is provided an image decoding method for decoding a picture to be decoded by referencing an appropriate picture even when random access reproduction is performed. The method includes: a first storage step (S100-S104) for successively decoding respective pictures contained in a stream and storing the pictures used for reference in a picture memory (103), thereby performing management; a judgment step (S106) for judging whether a random access reproduction has been specified; a state modification step (S108) used when it is judged that the random access reproduction has been specified, for modifying the management state for managing the pictures in the picture memory (103); and a storage step (S100-S104) for successively decoding the respective pictures from the random access reproduction destination assuming that the modified management state is the initial state and storing the pictures used for reference in the picture memory (103), thereby performing management.

Abstract: A video encoder, determining a Group of Picture (GOP) structure and a method thereof. The video encoder comprises an input frame buffer, an I-frame module and a P-frame module. The input frame buffer receives and stores input frames. The I-frame module coupled to the input frame buffer identifies an I-frame based on a correlation between two consecutive input frames to obtain the GOP size. The P-frame module coupled to the input frame buffer and the I-frame module, determines P-frames in the GOP having the GOP size based on the GOP rate.