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Radio broadcasting has entered the digital era, where services are delivered from the studio to the listener entirely in the digital domain. The Satellite Digital Audio Receiver Systems (SDARS) being developed provides the means to receive high-quality digital radio services. The SDARS receiver will be a peripheral component to the existing audio system in the vehicle for the first generation. Subsequent generations of the product will examine the opportunity for up-integrating the SDARS receiver into the modules of existing entertainment system. This paper will outline a set of common operating characteristics that may be used in peripheral SDAR applications. If adhered to, this will allow the XM Satellite Radio service and Sirius Satellite Radio service to co-habitat on the same audio system or be interchangeable at a receiver module level. Many of the points discussed in this paper are not specific to or under the control of the SDARs service providers.

During 2001, vehicle owners will subscribe to new services provided by Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. and XM Radio, Inc., who offer coast to coast, digital quality radio programming via satellite. Vehicles will be equipped with a unique reception system (receiver and antenna), initially dealer installed or purchased in the retail aftermarket, but shortly available as original equipment from vehicle manufacturers. The introduction and application of this new technology in a relatively short timeframe poses special challenges to service providers, vehicle manufacturers and system suppliers in terms of measuring, evaluating and validating the quality of broadcasts and the performance of system components under various critical conditions. This paper presents an innovative method for simultaneously recording satellite reception characteristics under those conditions and for evaluating reception quality in a repeatable and documented manner

In the 1999 Supplemental Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) for Advanced Airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sought comments on the maximum speed at which the high-speed, unbelted occupant test suite will be conducted, i.e., 48 kph vs. 40 kph. To help address this question, an analysis of constraints was performed via extensive mathematical modeling of a theoretical restraint system. First, math models (correlated with several existing physical tests) were used to predict the occupant responses associated with 336 different theoretical dual-stage driver airbag designs subjected to six specific Regulated and non-Regulated tests.

In October of 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted two national satellite radio licenses. The FCC allocated 25 MHz of the electromagnetic spectrum (2.3 GHz frequency band) for satellite digital broadcasting to two companies: 12.5 MHz to XM Satellite Radio and 12.5 MHz to Sirius Satellite Radio. This paper is an overview of the XM Satellite Radio technology. Four major components of the overall Network are described: a) The ground segment; b) The space segment; c) The terrestrial repeater segment and the d) The technology segment. Mobile antenna design challenges are also being addressed and optimum antenna configurations are presented.

Since 1980, the Cessna Aircraft Company has explored new piston engine and related fuels technologies for future general aviation products, with extensive studies and supportive research activities. This paper describes the development of a piston engine multi-fuel hybrid combustion system, capable of burning all types of transportation fuels at specific power outputs typical of current aircraft engines, specific fuel consumptions lower than current aviation engines, optimum medium compression ratios capable of limiting peak combustion pressures and associated engine structural weights, altitude performance comparable to current turbocharged engines, starting characteristics virtually insensitive to ambient or fuel temperatures, and particulates or smoke emissions in tune with current ground transportation engines. This paper also reflects on the factors and conditions that prompted the Cessna Advanced Piston Powerplants Program.