Abstract: A system for providing remote locations with processed data relating to weather conditions or the like. A transmitter adapted to receive complex, real-time radar data, including azimuth, range and elevation from the National Weather Bureau (NWB) radar network is used to process the data into a four-range radar image and to append geographic overlay information for transmission over voice grade phone lines to remote receivers. In the receivers, the data from the phone lines is converted by a demodulator into digital data and stored into predetermined memory locations corresponding to the four-range categories from which the radar data had originally been acquired. Once stored, any one of the ranges can be individually and instantaneously selected for display in a six-color format representing six predetermined precipitation intensity levels established by the NWB.

Abstract: In an installation for transmitting alarms, preferably in connection with attacks on persons, and for locating the alarm sender, there is at least one portable alarm sender 2 sending an alarm to a central alarm receiver (3) by radio. The senders each contain a memory (24) for a code unique to their position in the installation. The code is automatically set by fixed transmitters (1) having a small range, which transmit it electromagnetically, especially inductively, to the sender (2), the code being unique to the location of a transmitter and stored in the sender memory. When fixed transmitters (1) are arranged so close together that their unique codes are difficult to separate in the sender (2), a dummy transmitter (56) is arranged to prevent alteration of a code already stored in the memory (24) of the alarm sender, as long as the sender (2) is close to the dummy transmitter (56).

Abstract: Apparatus for deriving a parameter indicative of the quality of parts of, or the whole of, a television system from an insertion test signal repeated at regular intervals during field blanking periods of a transmitted signal includes a sampling means for providing a digital signal representing the amplitude at a sampling position of the test signal, means for actuating the sampling means, and a computer. The computer is programmed to caculate the quality parameter from a number of the amplitude representative digital signals taken at different sampling positions by the sampling means, to provide the calculated parameter as an output, and to respond to timing origins included in the television signal to thereby control the actuating means. The actuating times are so related to the timing origins that the digital amplitude signals are provided at an average rate which is low compared with the rate at which the signals occur during a single test signal.

Abstract: An adaptive transmitter power control for use in satellite communications systems wherein at least two ground stations communicate serial streams of binary data via a satellite transponder whose power-output is functionally dependent upon received signal strength. At least one of the ground stations includes a quality monitor which makes a real-time determination of the quality of the received signal, and generates signal quality indications in accordance with this determination. These signal quality indications are continuously communicated back to the corresponding transmitting station along with the serial stream of binary data. An encoder multiplexes the normal binary data and the signal quality indications into single, combined signal for transmission over only a single communications channel. The normal binary data and the signal quality indications are reconstructed at the transmitting station, where the signal quality indications are used to control the power level of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A power failure alarm circuit for a transmission line communications system such as a telephone system having means for transmitting and receiving carrier signals connected to a trunk line at an end central office. The alarm circuit monitors the power level of a selected number of the different frequency carriers received on the trunk line and generates an alarm condition signal when the combined power levels fall below a predetermined magnitude. The carrier signal receiving means responds to the alarm condition signal to release the subscribers. After a predetermined delay, the alarm circuit generates an alarm busy signal and the receiving means responds by forcing the trunk lines busy to prevent seizure by new callers. The alarm circuit also monitors the level of power being sent to signal repeaters connected to the trunk line and generates an enable signal when said power is lost.