Signal distribution and surge detection and protection module and method

The present invention contemplates systems and methods for distributing RF and DC signals and detecting, logging and suppressing surge energy associated with surge events such as lightning and power line surges. The detection and logging is provided in order to determine possible causes of a failure and who might be responsible for the repair. The suppression is provided in order to protect electrical equipment such as split mount wireless radio systems from catastrophic failure due to surge events.

Packaging for Low-Cost, High-Performance Microwave and Millimeter Wave Modules

Microwave or millimeter wave module packaging having a module with a baseplate, transition board and cover. The baseplate includes microwave or millimeter wave components attached thereto. The transition board includes a first connector attached to a first side thereof and operatively connected to the components, and a second connector attached to a second side thereof and operatively connected to the components through the board. The cover and baseplate form a cavity containing the board and components, and the second connector may be operatively connected to a third connector such as a printed circuit board disposed outside of the cavity and on a higher level assembly. The transition board may further include a fourth connector operatively connected to the components for providing a signal to an external component or device or receiving a signal from an external component or device. 1. A method for eliminating feed-throughs in an assembly comprising the steps of:providing a structure having an indentation for accepting a module, said indentation bounded on one side by a printed circuit board; a baseplate having a microwave or millimeter wave component attached thereto;', 'a substantially planar transition board having a first connector attached to a first side of said board and operatively connected to said component, and a second connector attached to a second side of said board and operatively connected to said component through said board, said connectors providing a direct connection without a wire or cable; and', 'a first cover wherein said first cover and said baseplate form a cavity containing said board and said component; and, 'operatively connecting a module to the printed circuit board, the module comprisingremovably attaching a second cover to the structure to enclose the module, wherein power and signal connectors to the module are not attached to either the baseplate or the cover.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component is selected from the ...

System and method for resilient wireless packet communications

Microphonics suppression in high-speed communication systems

Wide dynamic range power detection scheme

A power detection circuit is described that provides for a wide dynamic range power detection. The circuit incorporates a coupler to sample a transmitted or received power. Such sampled power is then directed to a detector diode configured to generate a voltage from its rectified current. Such voltage after optional filtering and buffering is directed to multiple amplifiers wherein each amplifier has a distinct associated gain. For improved noise immunity, a differential output amplifier may be used. For low power levels, the output of an amplifier with a large gain is directed to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog voltage is quantized into a digital value. As power is increased, the power of an amplifier stage with a small gain can then be directed to the ADC such that saturation of the ADC is avoided. Hysteresis is implemented so as to avoid undesirable and unnecessary rapid switching.

Quality of phase lock and loss of lock detector

A systems and methods for providing phase lock conditions detection, such as a quality of phase lock and loss of lock detection, are described herein. One exemplary method comprises detecting an output frequency, comparing the output frequency with a first reference signal, providing a first signal and a second signal as a function of the output frequency and first reference signal comparison, receiving a predetermined threshold from a second reference signal, monitoring a deviation of the first and second signals from the predetermined threshold, generating a third signal as a function of the deviation, comparing the third signal to a window threshold wherein the window threshold is set based on a predetermined loop variable, generating a fourth signal a function of the third signal and the window threshold comparison, and providing an alarm based on the fourth signal.

Distributed protection switching architecture for point-to-point microwave radio systems

A system and method for protecting a received data stream. Active receivers and standby receivers are provided, each adaptable to receive a data stream on a traffic channel. Plural data processing units are operatively in communication with the receivers. At least one of the plural DPUs provides a switching signal to the receivers to switch the state of the active receiver to standby and the state of the standby receiver to active as a function of a quality measurement of the received data stream via the traffic channel.

Directional power detection by quadrature sampling

Power measurement and control in transmission systems are affected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Stations and methods for verifying configuration or for reconfiguration of manufactured products

Compact dual receiver architecture for point to point radio

A radio frequency receiver comprising a receiver module, an intermediate frequency (IF) module, a synthesizer module and a controller module. The receiver module receives a radio frequency signal and provides a baseband in-phase signal and a baseband quadrature signal, eliminates a sideband of the in-phase and quadrature signals to create a first and a second signal, downconverts the first and second signal to a first and a second IF signal, and selects one of the first or second IF signals. The IF module receives the first or second IF signal, performs analog-to-digital conversion on the first or second IF signal, and demodulates the digitally converted IF signal. The synthesizer module receives a programmable reference signal, downconverts the reference signal to an IF feedback signal, downconverts the reference signal to a baseband feedback signal, provides the IF feedback signal to the IF module, and provides the baseband feedback signal to the receiver module. The controller module ...

System and method for a radio/antenna interface

An apparatus is disclosed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an antenna to one or more radio receivers. The apparatus includes a hub that may be attached to an antenna by one or more fasteners. The hub is also fitted with latches that can receive a radio. Finally, the hub includes an aperture for receiving a feed-boom. The feed-boom communicates signals received by the antenna to the radio.

Wide dynamic range power detection in a communication system

Power detection system and method provide for a wide dynamic range power detection. The system may incorporate a coupler to sample a transmitted or received power. Such sampled power is then directed to a detector configured to generate a voltage from its rectified current. Such voltage after optional filtering and buffering is directed to multiple amplifiers wherein each amplifier has a distinct associated gain. For improved noise immunity, a differential output amplifier may be used. For low power levels, the output of an amplifier with a large gain is directed to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog voltage is quantized into a digital value. As power is increased, the output of an amplifier stage with a smaller gain can then be directed to the ADC such that saturation of the ADC is avoided. Hysteresis is implemented so to avoid undesirable and unnecessary rapid switching.

Dynamic load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation

System and method for compensation of phase hits

Distributed protection switching architecture for point-to-point microwave radio systems

A system and method for protecting a received data stream. Active receivers and standby receivers are provided, each adaptable to receive a data stream on a traffic channel. Plural data processing units are operatively in communication with the receivers. At least one of the plural DPUs provides a switching signal to the receivers to switch the state of the active receiver to standby and the state of the standby receiver to active as a function of a quality measurement of the received data stream via the traffic channel.

Manufacturing system

Intelligent production station and production method

One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacturing products that include technology in skilled areas is configuring a production station for use by an operator without specialized skills. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station configurable to perform one or more of incoming inspection, assembly, testing, and branding. A preferred approach includes verifying data associated with units prior to accepting them for incorporation, preventing incorporation of an incorrect unit, and guiding an operator in possible remedial action. This approach includes storing data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible to production stations once written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure the production station such that the operator need not have specialized skills. A production station designed using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of an outdoor unit of a split-mount microwave ...

Directional power detection by quadrature sampling

Power measurement and control in transmission systems are affected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Quality of phase lock and loss of lock detector

A system, apparatus and method for providing phase lock conditions detection such as a quality of phase lock and loss of lock detection. A phase locked loop (PLL) circuit may comprise an oscillator for providing an output frequency, as well as a detector for detecting the output frequency of the oscillator, comparing the output frequency with a reference signal and outputting a first and second signals as a function of the comparison. The PLL circuit may further include an amplifying circuit for receiving the first and second signals, monitoring a deviation of the first and second signals from a predetermined threshold, and generating a third signal as a function of the deviation. The PLL circuit may further comprise a comparison circuit for receiving the third signal, comparing the third signal to a window threshold, and generating a fourth signal as a function of the comparison. The window threshold may be a function of apriori knowledge of at least one loop variable, wherein the window ...

Dynamic load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation

Load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation involves initial assignment of link aggregation keys (LAGKs) and reassignment of LAGKs when a load imbalance condition that merits action is discovered. Load conditions change dynamically and for this reason load balancing tends to also be dynamic. Load balancing is preferably performed when it is necessary. Thus an imbalance condition that triggers load balancing is preferably limited to conditions such as when there is frame drop, loss of synchronization or physical link capacity exceeded.

Signal distribution and surge detection and protection module and method

The present invention contemplates systems and methods for distributing RF and DC signals and detecting, logging and suppressing surge energy associated with surge events such as lightning and power line surges. The detection and logging is provided in order to determine possible causes of a failure and who might be responsible for the repair. The suppression is provided in order to protect electrical equipment such as split mount wireless radio systems from catastrophic failure due to surge events.

Dynamic load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation

Load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation involves initial assignment of link aggregation keys (LAGKs) and reassignment of LAGKs when a load imbalance condition that merits action is discovered. Load conditions change dynamically and for this reason load balancing tends to also be dynamic. Load balancing is preferably performed when it is necessary. Thus an imbalance condition that triggers load balancing is preferably limited to conditions such as when there is frame drop, loss of synchronization or physical link capacity exceeded.

Transceiver power detection architecture

A detector module is described wherein the detector module includes a housing with a conductive waveguide, a detector, a temperature sensor, and detector circuitry. The waveguide is made of a conductive material and of an appropriate size for a signal of a particular frequency. The detector, which can be a detector diode, protrudes a distance into the waveguide so as to produce a detector signal. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal responsive to a temperature. The detector circuitry is contained within the housing. Moreover, the detector circuitry is configured to receive and condition the detector signal into a detector module signal. The detector module signal and temperature signal are then associated with a previously calibrated power level. With calibrated power level information, an input signal to a transmitter can be attenuated or amplified to control its output power.

A rack system and a method for processing manufactured products

Intelligent production station and production method

Waveguide interface having a choke flange facing a shielding flange

Waveguide flanges for joining waveguide sections or components are designed to achieve mechanical strength and exhibit desired electrical properties such as relatively low insertion loss and high return loss. The present invention contemplates waveguide interfaces with a new choke flange designed to engage with a shield flange and provide a joint with improved electrical properties. The new choke designs produce a virtual continuity through the waveguide joints and minimize electrical energy leakage. The electrical and mechanical properties of the joint in the waveguide interfaces are robust and able to tolerate lower levels of parts precision, imperfect mating of the flanges without metal-to-metal contact and gaps up to 0.06'' or more between the mating flange surfaces.

Microphonics suppression in high-speed communications systems

One design aspect in electronic systems, such as communication systems, is noise suppression. More particularly, this relates to microphonics suppression in high-speed communication systems, such as microwave wireless radio systems. The present invention contemplates system design for substantially eliminating microphonic behavior created by mechanical stimulus such as vibrations and the drum effect. A preferred approach includes isolating the motherboard from its mounting harnesses (mechanical interconnection) and adding an echo damping and shock absorption pad to the underside of the enclosure cover to stiffen the enclosure cover while maintaining its light weight. Preferably also, this approach isolates the entire motherboard rather than a particular component. A design using this approach is particularly useful in an outdoor unit (ODU) of a split-mount microwave radio system.

Transceiver power detection and control architecture

A detector module is described wherein the detector module includes a housing with a conductive waveguide, a detector, a temperature sensor, and detector circuitry. The waveguide is made of a conductive material and of an appropriate size for a signal of a particular frequency. The detector, which can be a detector diode, protrudes a distance into the waveguide so as to produce a detector signal. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal responsive to a temperature. The detector circuitry is contained within the housing. Moreover, the detector circuitry is configured to receive and condition the detector signal into a detector module signal. The detector module signal and temperature signal are then associated with a previously calibrated power level. With calibrated power level information, an input signal to a transmitter can be attenuated or amplified to control its output power.

Compact wide dynamic range transmitter for point to point radio

A radio frequency transmitter comprising a modem which receives one or more input data signals and an adaptive predistortion signal and provides a baseband in-phase signal and a baseband quadrature signal. The transmitter may comprise a power amplifier module which receives the in-phase and quadrature phase signals and provides a radio frequency output signal. A predistortion module receives the radio frequency signal, downconverts the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and downconverts the intermediate frequency signal to a baseband feedback signal. The transmitter samples the feedback signal and provides an adaptive predistortion signal to the modem.

Systems and methods for controlling a transmitter

A power detection circuit is described that provides for a wide dynamic range power detection. In one embodiment, a system comprises a transmitter, a diplexer, an antenna, a detector module, a signal converter and a microprocessor. The transmitter may be configured to transmit an output signal. The diplexer electrically may be coupled to the transmitter and may be configured to provide the output signal. The antenna may be electrically coupled to the diplexer and may be configured to transmit the output signal from the diplexer. The detector module may be electrically coupled to the diplexer and the antenna. The detector module may be configured to detect a power level of the output signal. The signal converter may be electrically coupled to the detector module. The signal converter may be configured to convert the output signal to a digital signal. The microprocessor may be electrically coupled to the signal converter. The microprocessor may be configured to control an input into the transmitter ...

Adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver for digital radio communication system

An adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver for wireless digital communications improves performance of a wireless digital communications system. The improved performance of the system includes improved linear AM-AM and AM-PM responses approaching saturation. Indeed, the proposed adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver has an effect on attributes such as bit error rate and transmitter power efficiency and, in turn, on modulation and bandwidth. The adaptive broadband post-distortion receiver is configured with an adaptively controlled IF post-distorter located at the IF stage of the receiver. The placement of the distortion canceling function in the IF section of the receiver lends itself to broadband applications. The post-distorter is configured to cancels the distortion produced by the transmitter and receiver as it is adaptively controlled using bit error rate calculations. The distortion canceling utilizes bit error rate information that is otherwise available in the receiver ...

Systems and methods for distributing signals and f

Manufacturing system and method

One aspect related to design of systems and methods for product manufacturing is portability, i.e., allowing for manufacture at multiple locations independent of the skill set of the contract manufacturer. Another aspect includes making data needed and generated during the manufacturing process readily accessible to various elements of the system infrastructure. The present invention contemplates design of manufacturing systems for products that incorporate technology in skilled areas. A preferred approach includes design of the product itself, data exchange between infrastructure elements, and making data accessible also for post-manufacturing functions. This includes storing manufacturing related data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible once the data is written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure production stations in a production portion of the system. A system design using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture ...

Packaging for low-cost, high-performance microwave and millimeter wave modules

Microwave or millimeter wave system packaging having a system with a baseplate, transition board and cover. The baseplate includes microwave or millimeter wave components attached thereto. The transition board includes a first connector attached to a first side thereof and operatively connected to the components, and a second connector attached to a second side thereof and operatively connected to the components through the board. The cover and baseplate form a cavity containing the board and components, and the second connector may be operatively connected to a third connector such as a printed circuit board disposed outside of the cavity and on a higher level assembly. The transition board may further include a fourth connector operatively connected to the components for providing a signal to an external component or device or receiving a signal from an external component or device.

Signal distribution and surge detection and protection module and method

The present invention contemplates systems and methods for distributing RK and DC signals and detecting, logging and suppressing surge energy associated with surge events such as lightning and power line surges. The detection and logging is provided in order to determine possible causes of'a failure and who might be responsible for the repair. The suppression is provided in order to protect electrical equipment such as split mount wireless radio systems from catastrophic f ailure due to surge events.

Systems and methods for distributed data routing in a wireless network

In various embodiments, the data plane may be abstracted from a control plane in a wireless network such as WiMax, WiFi, LTE or the like. In some embodiments, a routing device comprises a control module, a service module, and a router module. The control module may be configured to receive communication instructions from a control server. The service module may be configured to process the communication instructions and provide data path instructions based on the communication instructions. The router module may be configured to receive data from a source device and route the processed data to a target device based on the data path instructions. The control server may comprise a WiMax server such as an ASN server or a CSN server.

Waveguide interface

Waveguide flanges for joining waveguide sections or components are designed to achieve mechanical strength and exhibit desired electrical properties such as relatively low insertion loss and high return loss. The present invention contemplates waveguide interfaces with a new choke flange designed to engage with a shield flange and provide a joint with improved. electrical properties. The new choke designs produce a virtual continuity through the waveguide joints and minimize electrical energy leakage. The electrical and mechanical properties of the joint in the waveguide interfaces are robust and able to tolerate lower levels of parts precision, imperfect mating of the flanges without metal-to-metal contact and gaps up to 0.06' or more between the mating flange surfaces.

Directional power detection by quadrature sampling

Power measurement and control in transmission systems are effected by changes in load conditions. A method and system are provided for detecting and controlling power levels independent of such load conditions.

Distributed protection switching architecture for point-to-point microwave radio system

A system and method for protecting a received data stream. Active receivers and standby receivers are provided, each adaptable to receive a data stream on a traffic channel. Plural data processing units are operatively in communication with the receivers. At least one of the plural DPUs provides a switching signal to the receivers to switch the state of the active receiver to standby and the state of the standby receiver to active as a function of a quality measurement of the received data stream via the traffic channel.