Abstract:
The invention provides a method and apparatus for a adaptively predistorted filter which has a transfer function that satisfies performance criteria specified for at (east one property of the filter. The transfer function is obtained by adaptively predistorting the transfer function poles to meet the performance criteria such that at least one of the poles is shifted by a unique amount.
Abstract:
A two, three or four channel multiplexer can be operated in the TE.sub.01.delta. or HE.sub.11.delta. modes, each channel of the multiplexer has one bandpass filter, with each filter usually having a plurality of cavities. One cavity of each filter is a common cavity with all of the other filters of the multiplexer. The common cavity contains one independent dielectric quarter-cut or half-cut image resonator for each filter representing a channel of the multiplexer. Each resonator is mounted on a suitable support the common cavity provides a common junction and contains a loop coupling to couple electromagnetic energy between the various channels. The multiplexer has at least one input and at least one output. Previous microwave multiplexers have a plurality of bandpass filters arranged on a coaxial manifold. With the multiplexer of the present invention, the manifold can be eliminated. Further, at the S-band or L-band, substantial weight and volume savings can be achieved using the multiplexer of the present invention without sacrificing performance. This can be very important for space applications.
Abstract:
An odd order bandpass filter has at least one cavity resonating at its resonant frequency in three independent orthogonal modes. The filter has at least one feedback coupling that is made to resonate and change sign at a center frequency. When the filter has two cavities, one being a triple cavity and the other being a dual mode cavity, the filter can be operated to achieve an elliptic function response. Also, the filter of the present invention can achieve a weight and volume reduction when compared to six-pole dual mode filters.
Abstract:
An ETC system that uses lane-based phased array antennas to create both wide zone coverage areas upstream of the toll location and narrow zone coverage areas to complete transaction processing and vehicle location functions at the toll location. The phased array antennas are partly directed upstream with respect to the direction of travel in the roadway and they are each positioned to create a series of coverage areas generally parallel to the direction of travel and generally centered within a laneway.
Abstract:
A system and method to facilitate drive-through ordering in which two or more options are presented to a customer and an in-vehicle transponder includes an input device to receive customer selection of one of the two or more options. The user selection received via the input device is relayed to the vendor through RF communications between the transponder and a reader.
Abstract:
A method of operating an RFID system and an RFID system in a power-saving mode are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one reader and at least one tag. The at least one reader may transmit a wake-up signal to the at least one tag when turning on, and the at least one tag stays alternatively in a sniff mode and a sleep mode at an alternative period before receiving the wake-up signal. The method may comprise modulating the wake-up signal by using N time markers.
Abstract:
A transponder formed on a circuit substrate having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. An antenna is disposed on one side of a transverse axis, extending in a longitudinal direction, and the remaining circuit components are disposed on the other side of the transverse axis. The remaining circuit components may include a controller, an RF transceiver, and a battery. A ground plane defines an antenna space within which the antenna is disposed.
Abstract:
A method and system for communicating state information from a transponder to a reader. The transponder outputs linearly polarized RF signals having either a first polarization, such as horizontal, or a second polarization, such as vertical. The polarization is selected so as to indicate a first state or a second state. The reader detects whether received RF signals have the first polarization or the second polarization, and thereby determines the state of the transponder. In some embodiments, the reader may include two linearly polarized antennas, one with the first polarization and one with the second polarization, for receiving the RF signals from the transponder and determining the polarization of the received RF signals. The system may be implemented within an electronic toll collection system, wherein the transponders are affixed to the interior of vehicle windshields using a rotatable mounting mechanism having two selectable positions.
Abstract:
An improved electronic toll collection system having two lane-based antennas per laneway. The antennas include an overhead antenna and a side mount antenna. The side mount antenna is disposed so as to communicate especially with license plate transponders. The two antennas are coupled to a transaction processing system for conducting toll transaction communications with a vehicle-mounted transponder through one of the two antennas.
Abstract:
A transponder for use in a vehicular RF communications system, such as an electronic toll collection system or the like. The transponder includes an electromechanical generator for converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electrical energy for powering the control electronics and/or RF transceiver electronics of the transponder. The electromechanical generator may charge an energy storage element, such as capacitor or a battery, which is then used as a power source by the transponder electronics. The electromechanical generator may be implemented using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology. In one embodiment, the MEMS generator is an inductive microelectromechanical generator including a permanent magnet, a spring, and an electrical coil. In another embodiment, the MEMS generator is a capacitive microelectromechanical generator including a mechanical variable capacitor, switches and control electronics.