Abstract: A system comprising synchronization circuitry, a first interrogator, and a second interrogator. The first interrogator includes a transmit antenna; a first receive antenna, and circuitry configured to generate, using radio-frequency (RF) signal synthesis information received from the synchronization circuitry, a first RF signal for transmission by the transmit antenna, and generate, using the first RF signal and a second RF signal received from a target device by the first receive antenna, a first mixed RF signal indicative of a distance between the first interrogator and the target device. The second interrogator includes a second receive antenna, and circuitry configured to generate, using the RF signal synthesis information, a third RF signal; and generate, using the third RF signal and a fourth RF signal received from the target device by the second receive antenna, a second mixed RF signal indicative of a distance between the second interrogator and the target device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for automatic signal detection in an RF environment are disclosed. A sensor device in a nodal network comprises at least one RF receiver, a generator engine, and an analyzer engine. The at least one RF receiver measures power levels in the RF environment and generates FFT data based on power level data. The generator engine calculates a power distribution by frequency of the RF environment in real time or near real time, including a first derivative and a second derivative of the FFT data. The analyzer engine creates a baseline based on statistical calculations of the power levels measured in the RF environment for a predetermined period of time, and identifies at least one signal based on the first derivative and the second derivative of the FFT data in at least one conflict situation from comparing live power distribution to the baseline of the RF environment.

Abstract: A method for locating devices that transmit, backscatter or receive a wireless signal. The method comprising using each of one or more backscatter devices to modulate and backscatter a carrier signal transmitted by a transmitter. Modulating and backscattering the carrier signal generates a backscattered modulated signal comprising a sideband. The method further comprises receiving the one or more backscattered modulated signals with a receiver. At least one of the phase or amplitude of each sideband are used to determine at least one of: the distance between the transmitter and the backscatter device by which that sideband was generated, the distance between the receiver and the backscatter device by which that sideband was generated, and the sum thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and wireless device for fast scanning of a wireless communications medium are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes tuning a transceiver of the wireless node to a first frequency. The method further includes computing a first difference frequency, the first difference frequency being a difference between the first frequency and a second frequency. The method further includes generating a first control signal to configure a first backscattering device to switch between at least two states at a switching frequency equal to the first difference frequency.

Abstract: The disclosure relates in some aspects to enabling a user terminal (UT) to obtain information about nearby cells and any beams generated by nearby cells. For example, a network can send a neighbor cell list to UTs, where the list identifies the cells in that neighborhood and provides information about any beams generated by those cells. Thus, a UT can learn the neighboring beams/cells that the UT can reselect to if the current beam/cell becomes weak. In some aspects, the UE can learn the attitude (e.g., pitch, roll, yaw, or any combination thereof) profile of neighboring satellites as well as the pointing angles and the ON-OFF schedules of their beams. In some aspects, the UT can learn a start angle and a span for a satellite and use this information to identify a satellite the UT can reselect to if the current beam/cell becomes weak.

Abstract: Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed.

Abstract: An RFIC module is provided that includes a base material; an RFIC mounted on the base material; antenna-side terminal electrodes formed on the base material and constructed to be connected to or coupled to an antenna; and an insulating protective film that covers a first surface of the base material and the RFIC, with the protective film being made of a hot melt resin.

Abstract: A device for inserting a transponder into a slot of an object, the device being designed as an insert part which has approximately the length and width of the slot and which can be connected to the slot, and which has a receptacle for the transponder. The task of designing an appropriate device in such a manner that the transponder to be inserted can be reliably positioned at the correct location of the slot is achieved in that the receptacle is arranged on the end of the insert part facing an end of the slot, and has a resilient web for clamping the transponder, when inserted, between a base of the insert part 4 and the resilient web, wherein the space between the web and the base is undersized with respect to the thickness of the transponder.

Abstract: Active bias circuits for integrated devices are described. In one example, an active bias circuit includes a voltage control element to establish a control voltage, an active bias device to provide a power bias responsive to the control voltage, and a compensation circuit connected to the active bias device. The compensation circuit can be configured to set output impedance and compensate for parasitic capacitance of the active bias device. In another embodiment, the voltage control element can be omitted, and a control voltage can be relied upon to directly control the power bias output provided by the active bias device. The active bias circuit can be used to power a driver of an integrated optical transmitter, in one example, among other possible applications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining an operational status of a vehicle including a radar antenna. The operational status is related to autonomous-driving operations of the vehicle in an environment. The method includes determining an expected amount of signaling resources associated with the radar antenna to be utilized by the vehicle while the vehicle performs the autonomous-driving operations, based at least on the operational status of the vehicle and the environment. The method includes determining to switch one or more of the signaling resources associated with the radar antenna from a first mode to a second mode based on the expected amount of signaling resources to be utilized by the radar antenna while the vehicle performs the autonomous-driving operations. The method includes causing the one or more of the signaling resources associated with the radar antenna to switch from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.

Abstract: Passive wireless sensors include an antenna. The antenna receives a combined signal. The combined signal includes a low frequency modulating signal modulated on a high frequency carrier wave. A demodulator receives the combined signal and extracts the modulating signal. A sensor receives the extracted modulating signal and produces an output signal with a time delay indicative of a property to be sensed. A modulator receives the output signal and the high frequency carrier wave and modulates the output signal onto the high frequency carrier wave to create a combined output signal broadcast by the antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a device that monitors for the presence of objects passing through or impinging on a virtual shell near the device, referred to herein as a “light curtain”, which is created by rapidly rotating a line sensor and a line laser in synchrony. The boundaries of the light curtain are defined by a sweeping line defined by the intersection of the sensing and illumination planes.

Abstract: A thermal increase system may include re-radiators disposed in a cavity for containing a load. Microwave energy may be generated by one or more microwave generation modules, and directed toward the cavity during operation of the thermal increase system, thereby creating an electromagnetic field in the cavity. A system controller may control switches coupled between the re-radiators and corresponding ground nodes to selectively activate and de-activate the re-radiators. The system controller may control a switch coupled between a pair of re-radiators to re-distribute the electromagnetic field in the cavity. A phase shifter may be disposed between a pair of re-radiators, which may provide a phase shift to energy passed between the re-radiators. The phase shifter may be a variable shifter that applies a variable phase shift to the energy according to commands received from the system controller.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication device is provided, comprising: a UWB communication unit being configured to establish and perform UWB radio communication with an external device, a radio frequency (RF) communication device being a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the RF communication device is configured to receive at least one command from an external reader and to initiate a wake-up or a power-up of the UWB communication unit in response to receiving said command. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication device is conceived.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that enables purchasers to purchase gas online for future delivery. The invention requires the purchaser prepay for online purchases or have been extended credit accepted by an oil company. The prepayments are credited to the purchaser's account. For each retail gas delivery, the oil company handles the online gas purchase transaction and reimburses the retail gas station owner for the online purchase. Specifically, the oil company reimburses the retail gas station owner for the taxes and profit on the gas delivered to the purchaser and also replaces the amount of gas delivered. In this way, the retail gas station owner is made whole for each delivery. Oil company also benefits with increased gas sales, increased profit and increased cash flow. Various embodiments of the invention are contemplated. The invention may require a purchaser to select a location of a retail gas station, a selected grade of gas or a combination of both.

Abstract: The disclosed radar system may include a radar mechanism comprising a transmitter and at least one receiver. The radar system may also include a signal generator that generates a frequency-modulated radar signal. In addition, the radar system may include a delay mechanism that (1) receives the frequency-modulated radar signal from the signal generator and (2) after a certain period of delay, passes the frequency-modulated radar signal to the transmitter to be transmitted to a transponder located on a wearable artificial reality device. The radar system may also include a processing device that (1) receives the frequency-modulated radar signal from the signal generator, (2) detects a signal returned to the receiver from the transponder, and (3) calculates a distance between the transponder and the receiver based at least in part on an analysis of the signal returned from the transponder and the frequency-modulated radar signal received from the signal generator.

Abstract: A method for producing a radiofrequency device having a first antenna circuit connected to a radiofrequency chip and a second antenna circuit associated with, or coupled to, the first circuit, the method including the following steps: formation of the first antenna circuit in the form of a conductive wire deposited in a guided manner on a first substrate; and formation of the second antenna circuit in the form of a conductive wire deposited on the same first substrate in a guided manner and at a calibrated distance from the first antenna circuit.

Abstract: Within a satellite communications system, a base station communicates with standard compliant user equipment (UE) via a satellite having a field of view. The base station has a processor that instructs the satellite to generate a wide beam signal covering a plurality of cells in the field of view, and detects an access request from a user equipment within the plurality of cells over the wide beam signal. The base station, comprising a processing device such as an eNodeB, then generates one or more network broadcast/access signals that is uplink to a satellite and broadcasted via one or more nominal beams generated by the satellite, covering all the inactive cells, one of the plurality of cells having the access request.

Abstract: A Van Atta antenna array comprising a number of antenna elements electrically connected to operate as a Van Atta antenna array and fabricated on and within a substrate. Each antenna element has a number of patch elements fabricated on the top surface of the substrate, with the patch elements being interconnected by substrate integrated waveguides. The antenna array provides a two-dimensional retro-reflective surface, which makes it especially suitable for InSAR monitoring of infrastructures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to transponder fabrication. In an embodiment, a plurality of antenna elements is applied to a first substrate at a first pitch. A plurality of fully functioning first transponders is positioned on to the first substrate in a manner to each be in electrical communication with an antenna element included in the plurality of antenna elements and thereby forms a plurality of fully functioning second transponders. The plurality of fully functioning first transponders are positioned on a second substrate at a second pitch. The plurality of fully functioning first transponders have a first read range. Second transponders have an increased read range relative to second transponders. The second pitch is greater than the first pitch.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are disclosed for communicating between a short range wireless (WLAN) user device, such as a wearable, phone, or tablet, with a base station. Traditional low power communication (e.g., WLAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular links, etc.) involve an inefficient amplification process of a signal from the WLAN user to the base station, whereby significant power must be expended in the WLAN user device making it unsuitable in many applications. A reflector link paradigm is disclosed in which the user device communicates by modulating the extent of signal reflected back to the base station. An enhanced reflector is also disclosed which overcomes adverse effects of ambient reflections.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an RF device includes a receiver and an antenna. The antenna is configured to receive a reflected radio-frequency signal containing a set of modulated signal segments. Each modulated signal segment has a unique modulation pattern that indicates a time-variant reflectivity characteristic of a respective signal reflecting tile of a radio-frequency signal reflector. The receiver can include a circuit to process the modulated signal segments and determine a spatial intensity distribution of the radio-frequency signal incident upon the radio-frequency signal reflector. The spatial intensity distribution can be used by the circuit to determine a spatial radiation characteristic of an RF signal that is transmitted by a transmitter in order to produce the reflected radio-frequency signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a module; a substrate; and electrolyte between the module and the substrate, wherein an electronic component is formed between the module and the substrate and wherein the electrolyte is configured to function as the electrolyte in the electronic component and also as the adhesive to attach the module to the substrate.

Abstract: A transponder communicates with a reader using active load modulation. The transponder includes a digital phase locked loop (DPLL), which, in operation, generates an active load modulation (ALM) carrier clock synchronized to carrier clock of the reader. Between transmission of data frames, the DPLL is placed in a lock mode of operation in which a feedback loop of the DPLL is closed. Within a transmitted data frame having a duration, the DPLL is placed, for the duration of the transmitted data frame, in a hold mode of operation in which the feedback loop is opened. A phase of the ALM carrier clock is adjusted at least once during the duration of the transmitted data frame.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) and a controller. The controller is configured to store in the NVM a state array, which includes multiple words. In each word, one or more bits are designated as lock-bits. The controller is further configured to set an operational state for the apparatus based on the lock-bits of the state array, by (i) deciding whether each word in the state array is locked or unlocked by comparing the lock-bits of that word to respective expected lock values, (ii) if all the words in the state array are found locked, setting the apparatus to a locked state, (iii) if all the words in the state array are found unlocked, setting the apparatus to an unlocked state, and (iv) if one or more of the words are found locked and one or more other words are found unlocked, setting the apparatus to an error state.

Abstract: A low-cost, multi-function tracking system with a form factor that unobtrusively integrates the components needed to implement a combination of different localization techniques and also is able to perform a useful ancillary function that otherwise would have to be performed with the attendant need for additional materials, labor, and expense. An example tracking system is implemented as an adhesive product that integrates tracking components within a flexible adhesive structure in a way that not only provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting, optimizing, and protecting the components of the tracking system but also maintains the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive product that can be deployed seamlessly and unobtrusively into various tracking applications and workflows, including person and object tracking applications, and asset management workflows such as manufacturing, storage, shipping, delivery, and other logistics associated with moving products and other physical objects.

Abstract: An example media processing device includes a coupler configured to transmit wireless signals to an encoding area, the coupler to transmit the wireless signals via a plurality of radiating elements; a controller to control which set of the radiating elements is to transmit the wireless signals; and a processor to adapt the coupler to a transponder configuration by: encoding a first transponder of the transponder configuration using the first set of the radiating elements to transmit the wireless signals; executing a first encoding evaluation on the encoded first transponder; encoding a second transponder of the transponder configuration using the second set of the radiating elements to transmit the wireless signals; executing a second encoding evaluation on the encoded second transponder; and selecting, based on the first and second encoding evaluations, the first set or the second set as a preferred radiating set for the transponder configuration.

Abstract: Measures for controlling uplink antenna selection in a user equipment comprising at least two antennas. At the user equipment, at least two radio wave signals are received, fading conditions in relation to the received at least two radio wave signals are detected and uplink antenna selection in the user equipment is controlled at least on the basis of the detected fading conditions.

Abstract: A near field communications apparatus comprising a signal source, a transmit antenna and means for detecting a change in the input impedance of the transmit antenna to detect the presence of a device which is compatible with the apparatus.

Abstract: Communication signals using a first and a second frequency band in a wireless network is described herein. The first frequency band may be associated with a first beamwidth while the second frequency band may be associated with a second beamwidth. An apparatus may include receiver circuitry arranged to receive first signals in a first frequency band associated with a first beamwidth and second signals in a second frequency band associated with a second beamwidth, the first signals comprising a frame synchronization parameter and the second signals comprising frame alignment signals. The apparatus may further include processor circuitry coupled to the receiver circuitry, the processor circuitry arranged to activate or deactivate the receiver circuitry to receive the frame alignment signals based on the frame synchronization parameter. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a voltage regulator for generating piece-wise linear regulated supply voltage. The voltage regulator includes a first clamp circuit that receives a reference voltage and an analog supply voltage. A second clamp circuit receives the reference voltage. A voltage divider circuit is coupled to the first clamp circuit and the second clamp circuit. The voltage divider circuit receives a peripheral supply voltage and generates a regulated supply voltage.

Abstract: A radio IC device includes an electromagnetic coupling module includes a radio IC chip arranged to process transmitted and received signals and a feed circuit board including an inductance element. The feed circuit board includes an external electrode electromagnetically coupled to the feed circuit, and the external electrode is electrically connected to a shielding case or a wiring cable. The shielding case or the wiring cable functions as a radiation plate. The radio IC chip is operated by a signal received by the shielding case or the wiring, and the answer signal from the radio IC chip is radiated from the shielding case or the wiring cable to the outside. A metal component functions as the radiation plate, and the metal component may be a ground electrode disposed on the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A radar system is provided. The system includes a radar transceiving device equipped in a movable body and for transmitting an electromagnetic wave at a first frequency, and a transponder device arranged in a beacon and for transmitting a response wave upon receiving the electromagnetic wave. The transponder device includes a response wave transmitting module for transmitting, when a radar classification of the radar transceiving device is a solid-state radar, a response wave at a second frequency different from the first frequency in response to receiving the transmitted electromagnetic wave. The radar transceiving device includes a transmitting module for transmitting the electromagnetic wave, a receiving module for receiving a radar echo at the first frequency and the response wave at the second frequency, and a display controlling module for displaying, on a predetermined radar display unit, locations of the beacon and another movable body existing around the movable body.

Abstract: Methods of estimating vehicle location in a roadway using an automatic vehicle identification system are described. The methods involve receiving a set of response signals from a vehicle-mounted transponder at points in time and determining a range rate of the transponder relative to the antenna at each point in time; identifying a minima in the magnitude of the range rate; estimating a first position of the transponder at a first time corresponding to the occurrence of the minima; estimating a velocity of the vehicle based upon one or more of the determined range rates; and estimating a second position of the transponder based upon the first position and the velocity.

Abstract: A method for identifying and ranging a wireless device, comprising: transmitting an original radar signal from a detecting system; in response to the original radar signal, receiving a modulated radar signal at the detecting system, the modulated radar signal being backscattered from an antenna of the wireless device and containing information pertaining to the wireless device, and the modulated radar signal being a frequency offset version of the original radar signal; and, using a processor at the detecting system, determining an identity and a range of the wireless device from the modulated radar signal.

Abstract: A wearable radar reflector includes a retroreflector configured to reflect radiation received from a vehicle, and incorporated into a garment worn by a pedestrian.

Abstract: An RFD reader includes a transceiver configured to receive a first radio frequency signal reflected off at least one surface to provide baseline signal information and a second radio frequency signal reflected off the at least one surface and an object to provide further signal information. A comparator is configured to compare the baseline signal information and the further signal information to provide a signal comparison. A processor is configured to detect the presence of the object in accordance with the signal comparison. A determination is made whether the object is in motion in accordance with the signal comparison. The determination whether the object is in motion is made in accordance with a continuous fluctuation of the second radio frequency signal. A determination whether the object is no longer in motion is made in accordance with an ending of the continuous fluctuation of the second radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A distance separation tracking process is provided that includes the transmission of a periodic radio frequency original signal from a beacon transceiver. The original periodic signal from the beacon transceiver is received at a remote target transceiver as a target received periodic signal. The target retransmits the received periodic signal to the beacon transceiver as a return periodic signal. Data points of the return periodic signal are sampled and used to calculate a phase differential between the original periodic signal and the return periodic signal that correlates to the distance separation range between the beacon transceiver and the target transceiver.

Abstract: A transponder, able to equip a cooperative target facing a Doppler radar, includes at least one receiving antenna able to receive a signal transmitted by said radar and a transmitting antenna able to retransmit a signal. The signal received by the receiving antenna is amplitude-modulated before being retransmitted by the transmitting antenna to produce a variation of the radar cross-section of the target, the variation triggering a frequency shift between the signal transmitted and the signal received by the radar comparable to a Doppler echo. The transponder applies notably to the field of radars, more particularly for collaborative systems also operating at low velocity or nil velocity. It applies for example to assisted take-off, landing and deck-landing of drones, in particular rotary-wing drones, as well as manned helicopters.

Abstract: The wireless detection beacon is for use with a Radio Frequency (RF) interrogator transmitting at a first frequency and receiving at a second frequency. The wireless detection beacon includes a substrate, a power supply carried by the substrate, an antenna assembly carried by the substrate, and a local oscillator (LO) carried by the substrate and configured to be powered by the power supply to provide an LO signal at a third frequency. A mixer is carried by the substrate and coupled to the antenna assembly and the LO. The mixer is configured to generate an outgoing beacon signal to the antenna assembly at the second frequency based upon mixing an incoming signal from the RF interrogator at the first frequency with the LO signal at the third frequency.

Abstract: A charging station for mobile devices that acts as an intermediary device to facilitate communication between mobile devices and other proximate devices. The charging station may receive data with a mobile device via a first communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) or in a first data format and may transmit the received data to a proximate device via a second communication protocol (e.g., WiFi) or in a second data format. The charging station may then receive responsive data from the proximate device via the second communication protocol (e.g., WiFi) or second data format and transmit the responsive data the mobile device via the first communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) or first data format. In some embodiments, the charging station may communicate status data about a mobile device to other proximate devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique of operating a call control node controlling at least one section of a call path. The call path includes between two opposite edge nodes a multi-section harmonization path along which codec selection is to be harmonized. A method embodiment of the technique, wherein the call control node is a transfer node in the harmonization path between the edge nodes, comprises the steps of determining if the call control node is a transfer node of the harmonization path; determining if a codec used for the at least one section controlled by the call control node fulfills a predefined harmonization criterion; and providing, in case the used codec does not fulfill the harmonization criterion, a harmonization trigger indication to at least one of the edge nodes of the harmonization path for initiating harmonization.

Abstract: In a radio location system for vehicles moving along a guideway, a transmitter for energizes a transponder beside the guideway. A first detector for detects a response signal from the energized transponder to determine the transponder identification. A second detector detects a positional signal received from the transponder that is decoupled from the first signal and contains precise positional information. In one embodiment, the second detector picks up a crossover signal from a crossover antenna.

Abstract: An improved system and method for monitoring objects, people, animals, or places uses a passive Modulating Reflector (MR) tag where a characteristic of an antenna is modified according to a time-varying pattern by a modulating network thereby causing the reflective characteristics of the antenna to vary in accordance with the time-varying pattern. When an interrogator transmits an RF waveform that impinges on the antenna, the return signal reflecting off the antenna is modulated in accordance with the time-varying pattern allowing a remote receiver to demodulate information from the modulated return signal. The antenna is embedded in a dielectric material. The MR tag can be used with a wide variety of tag-interrogator configurations employing monostatic and/or bistatic radar techniques to allow monitoring, locating, and/or tracking of objects, people, animals, or place with which MR tags are associated.

Abstract: A radar system is provided. The system includes a radar transceiving device equipped in a movable body and for transmitting an electromagnetic wave at a first frequency, and a transponder device arranged in a beacon and for transmitting a response wave upon receiving the electromagnetic wave. The transponder device includes a response wave transmitting module for transmitting, when a radar classification of the radar transceiving device is a solid-state radar, a response wave at a second frequency different from the first frequency in response to receiving the transmitted electromagnetic wave. The radar transceiving device includes a transmitting module for transmitting the electromagnetic wave, a receiving module for receiving a radar echo at the first frequency and the response wave at the second frequency, and a display controlling module for displaying, on a predetermined radar display unit, locations of the beacon and another movable body existing around the movable body.

Abstract: A system for response to a signal transmitted by a radar includes: a passive antenna capable of receiving and then backscattering a signal transmitted by said radar; a microwave switch connected to said antenna; at least two microwave lines each having a distinct impedance and being connected to the microwave switch; and a generator capable of generating a parametrizable control signal and sending it to the microwave switch so that it switches onto one or other of the microwave lines, so as to modulate the signal backscattered by said antenna.

Abstract: A secure communication topology can be used for communications between a locator and one or more transponders to determine the location of the transponders. An example system may include a locator that is configured to transmit an interrogation signal that is encoded for receipt by one or more of the transponders. When a transponder receives and correlates the interrogation signal with an internally stored reference sequence, the transponder can transmit one or more reply transmissions at precisely determined time delay intervals. The time delay intervals are secretly known by both the locator and the transponder. The reply transmissions can each correspond to previously sampled noise signals that are also secretly known by both the transponder and the locator.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and tracking the position of a subject comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a transponder configured for being co-located with the subject and a means for enabling communication between the transponder and a remote GPS-enabled receiver, such as a cell phone or the like, for selectively triangulating the position of the transponder. In the exemplary embodiment, the means for enabling such communication is software that is installed in and executed by the receiver. The software allows the receiver to triangulate the geographic position of the transponder by fixing a first reference point based on the location of the GPS-enabled receiver, fixing a second reference point based on the location of a network broadcast site through which the receiver and transponder communicate, and calculating the location of the transponder based on the angular position of the transponder relative to the network broadcast site.

Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.