Other

Aircell LLC

Communications Technology Corp.

Industrial Innovations L.l.c.

Gar-bar Corporation

Texas Aim, Inc.

Jimmy C Ray

Christopher J Hall

Clay S Turner

Robert L George

H Wayne Mathews

Daniel B Mckenna

Stephen Michael Hladik

Charles McDonald Puckette, Iv

Richard Charles Gaus, Jr

Ronny L Barnes

Stephen S Jones

Geoffrey A Hoppe

Howard L Lester

Richard L Frey

Richard C Levine

Dan McKenna

The time difference of arrival for a signal received at two or more receiving sites as transmitted from a wireless communications device, is determined by a frequency domain technique. The constituent frequencies of the signals received at the two or more receiving sites are determined, including the phase, or a value representative of the phase, of each frequency component. The phase values for the same frequency are subtracted to yield a phase difference values as a function of frequency. The slope of the function represents the time difference of arrival for the wireless communications device signal as received at the two receiving sites. To determine the mobile location based on the determined time difference of arrival values, a seed or initial location is first assumed for the wireless communications device and the distance difference of arrival (the time difference of arrival multiplied by the speed of light) is calculated. The calculated time difference of arrival is then used to adjust the distance difference of arrival by continuously iterating the position of the wireless communications device until the calculated distance of arrival and the calculated time difference of arrival (as multiplied by the speed of light) are within a predetermined margin.

Method and apparatus for geolocating a wireless communications device

A method for automatically testing cellular telephone equipment includes a method for determining a geographic location of a mobile unit. The system includes monitoring sites located, e.g., at high elevations, so that each monitoring site electronically covers a geographical area including several cellular telephone base stations. Locations of mobile cellular stations, especially of such stations placing emergency 911 calls, are determined by comparing signal time-of-reception and other observable signal parameters at a combination of three cell sites and/or monitoring sites. Testing functions include transmitting gradually increasing power levels on a frequency assigned to a particular base station to determine the power level required to acquire service from that base station. Periodic repetitions are monitored over time to indicate any changes or degradation in performance. A scanner scans a designated group of control-channel frequencies, selecting active channels for measurement of transmission parameters and detection of anomalous transmission characteristics on any particular channel.

Automated testing for cellular telephone system including emergency positioning

A communications system for aircraft includes an on-board network using optical frequencies for communications within the aircraft; the network includes personal communications devices and/or other devices such as personal computers communicating via optical ports at infrared or other optical frequencies. Capability of such devices to emit radio-frequency radiation is automatically blocked on sensing the infrared system. The various optical ports are connected to each other and to a controller which includes an interface between the on-board infrared portion of the system and radio-frequency transceivers; the transceivers connect to RF antennas for communication with stations outside the aircraft.

Optical-frequency communications system for aircraft

A slotted wave-guide antenna is attached low on a cellular phone tower. Horizontally polarize radiation in a toroidal pattern from the wave-guide antenna is used to communicate with aircraft. The wave-guide antenna radiation pattern is about 6.degree. thick. An antenna on top of the tower transmits vertically polarized radiation to communicate with automobiles and pedestrians.

Mobile communications

Electromagnetic radiation from lightning is detected at a ground station which is part of a cellular network of stations; a computer determines a position of a thunderstorm associated with the lightning, then compiles and stores the storm location data. A user aircraft transmits, via cellular telephone equipment or direct radio link, a request for information together with a user identification number. After validation of the user number weather data is transmitted to the aircraft where a microcomputer processes the weather data to correct for the aircraft's position and heading, then displays storm locations relative to the aircraft. The display may incorporate radar data and satellite photographs of cloud formations. In-flight weather notices are transmitted in addition to the storm location data.

Cellular weather information system for aircraft

Aircraft communications are established on a cellular system by having the transmission to aircraft directed above ground level so as not to interfere with ground cellular systems and having the transmissions from the aircraft at extreme low power levels so as not to interfere with transmissions from ground vehicles. The location of mobile stations either aircraft or ground vehicles for one embodiment is determined by Loran reception or other radio navigation system in the mobile station and transmitted to a mobile switching center to be used in transferring control from cell to cell by use of the determined location of the mobile station. For another embodiment the antennae for aircraft (both base station and mobile) are horizontally oriented while ground vehicle antennae (both base station and mobile) are vertical as in present commercial practice.

Mobile telecommunications for aircraft and land based vehicles

At a restricted-access facility such as a toll booth, queries are transmitted through an antenna having a restricted zone of transmission and reception. Cellular telephone stations aboard vehicles within this zone of reception respond to the query by transmitting an electronic identification number, which is received by the same or another antenna. The identification number is then encoded in binary format and transmitted by a transceiver connected to the antenna to a computer controller, where the identification number is compared to a list of valid user identification numbers. If the received identification number is found to be valid, the computer controller transmits a 'Go' command to the traffic control equipment of the restricted-access facility.

Vehicle detection and identification system

Directional antennae on aircraft and on cellular telephone base stations, having a polarity opposite that of potentially interfering ground system signals, minimize signal strength of air cellular signals received by ground cellular stations. Aircraft directional antennae comprise patch antennae or vertical arrays of loop elements or vertical arrays of virtual loop elements. Additionally, air cellular signals are switched to channels not currently in use by ground cellular systems.

Method and apparatus for reducing interference among cellular telephone

A sensor used to sense a path in a cultivated field is attached to a tractor. The sensor is stabilized to prevent the sensor from bouncing. The stabilizer may take the form of a coulter. In other cases the sensor and the stabilizer may be combined in the form of a heavy, massive sensor. The preferred form of the stabilizer is a flexible drag strip behind the sensor. A roller chain forms a suitable drag strip.

Row follower

A cable analyzer is capable of having a group of 25 pairs of wire from a telephone cable connected by a module to the analyzer. By a central processing unit or computer in the analyzer, a series of relays connect any one of the pair of wires to a routing board. At the routing board, a plurality of analog tests may be directed to be conducted upon the pair of wires and ground, or the wires may be routed within the analyzer for other purposes. The results of the analog tests are converted to binary digital format so that they may be analyzed by the central processing unit. The results are visually displayed or printed. The central processing unit has the capabilities, through different programs, to conduct a plurality of tests upon each pair, and upon the completion of the plurality of tests, proceed to a subsequent pair for a plurality of tests. Furthermore, the central processing unit has means whereby the results of tests may be transmitted on standard RS232C; or the analyzer may be controlled from a remote location by RS232C transmission to the analyzer.

Cable analyzer with D. C. functions

A cable analyzer is capable of having a group of 25 pairs of wire from a telephone cable connected by a module to the analyzer. By a central processing unit or computer in the analyzer, a series of relays connect any one of the pair of wires to a routing board. At the routing board, a plurality of analog tests may be directed to be conducted upon the pair of wires and ground, or the wires may be routed for other purposes. The results of the analog tests are converted to binary digital format so that they may be analyzed by the central processing unit. The results are visually displayed or printed. The central processing unit has the capabilities through different programs to conduct a plurality of tests upon each pair and upon the completion of the plurality of tests, proceed to a subsequent pair for a plurality of tests. Also, changes in central office equipment to which the cable is connected results in the capability of the analyzer requesting the telephone number of the line routed by the analyzer to the central office. The analyzer prints the telephone number along with the line identification. Furthermore, the central processing unit of the analyzer has a modem thereon whereby the telephone number and the results of tests may be transmitted on standard RS232C; or the analyzer may be controlled from a remote location by RS232C transmission to the analyzer.

Verification via cable analyzer

A cable analyzer is capable of having at least 3 pairs of wire from telephone cables connected to the analyzer. By a central processing unit or computer in the analyzer, a series of relays connect any one of the pair of wires to a routing board. At the routing board, a plurality of analog tests may be directed to be conducted upon the pair of wires and ground, or the wires may be routed within the analyzer for other purposes. The results of the analog tests are converted to binary digital format so that they may be analyzed by the central processing unit. The results are visually displayed. The central processing unit has the capabilities, through different programs, to cause the analyzer to conduct a plurality of procedures upon each pair and to connect the pairs. Two analyzers, physically separated, are connected as master and slave so that the master analyzer controls the slave analyzer. One important procedure possible by the master/slave connection is the transfer of a communications circuit from an old section of a pair of wires in an old cable to a new section of a pair of wires in a new cable in less than 1 millisecond.

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Denison, TX, United States of America

Jimmy C Ray