Abstract: An antenna can comprise a conductive reflecting surface (204) and a plurality of cells (202) disposed over the conductive reflecting surface. The plurality of cells can be formed from a solid dielectric material such as a low temperature cofired ceramic. Each cell can define a cavity for containing at least a fluid dielectric (406). One or more fluid processors (404, 424) independently vary a volume of the first fluid dielectric in the plurality of cells for producing a redirected RF beam at a selected angle relative to an incident RF signal impinging on the conductive reflecting surface.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of mobile units in a wireless cellular communication system having a plurality of repeater stations includes the step of receiving a signal on an uplink communication channel from a mobile transceiver unit at one of the repeaters. The method also measures at the repeater station a power level of the signal as received by the repeater station. The method further includes the step of transmitting a backhaul signal from the repeater station to the base transceiver station on a backhaul communication link, where the backhaul signal is transmitted at one of a plurality of discrete power levels providing an indication of the power level as measured by the repeater station.

Abstract: A distributed messaging method for publishing topical data messages in a communications network can include the steps of receiving in a first message router from a data consumer a request to subscribe to a message topic; responsive to receiving the subscription request, retrieving from a message topic server a location of a second message router communicatively linked to a data publisher able to provide data messages consonant with the requested message topic; establishing an interprocess communications connection between the first and second message routers; and, transmitting data messages from the data publisher over the established interprocess communications link to the data consumer.

Abstract: A durable coaxial connector (100) for providing a reliable signal connection to a printed circuit board (PCB) (118) while isolating the PCB from mechanical loads that are applied to the connector, and an electrical system incorporating the same. The connector can include a connector body (102) having a connector interface member (106), at least one flange (104), and a ground interface member (304) having a first portion (306) configured to be fixedly attached to the PCB and a second portion (308) configured to slideably mate to a ground interface receptacle defined in the connector body. A connector interface can be defined on an inner surface (410) of the connector interface member. A fastener (124) can couple the connector body to a heat sink (112). A thermally conductive boss (116) can be provided to mount the connector body (102) and transfer thermal energy from the connector body to the heat sink.

Abstract: A smartcard (1) has a memory (2) of a ROM portion (3) and an EEPROM portion (4). A first type of data will be required throughout the life of smartcard (1) is stored in ROM portion (3). A second type of program data which is to be used a predetermined number of times early on in the life of smartcard (1) is stored in EEPROM portion (4). Generally, the second type of data is stored in at least one lower memory address portion (8) of EEPROM (4). The second type of program data is moved from its lower memory address portion in EEPROM (4) to a higher memory address portion (9) for execution. The data is then deleted from higher memory address portion (9).

Abstract: An insulated wire for use in a communications cable, the wire comprising a conductor, at least one inner insulating layer surrounding the conductor, and an outer layer surrounding the insulating layers. At least one of the inner layers is a nano-composite comprising nano-sized platelets and a flame and smoke retardant additive package dispersed in a polyolefin matrix. The outer layer is substantially resistant to flame spread and smoke evolution, substantially impermeable to moisture and moisture absorption and has a dielectric constant lower than about 2.5 and a dissipation coefficient lower than about 0.001 at frequencies up to about 650 MegaHertz.

Abstract: A phase delay line (100). The phase delay line can include an RF transmission line (110) and a fluid channel (109) having a serpentine configuration. The transmission line can be coupled to a solid dielectric substrate material (102), for example a substrate formed from a low temperature co-fired ceramic material. The fluid channel can be coupled to the RF transmission line along at least a portion of a length of the transmission line. A phase delay of the RF transmission line can be selectively varied by adjusting a distribution of the fluidic dielectric (130) present within the fluid channel. Similarly, the phase delay of the RF transmission line also can be maintained constant as an operational frequency of the RF transmission line is varied.

Abstract: A radome (202) includes a dome wall (208) formed from a dielectric material wherein at least a portion of the dielectric material includes a plurality of magnetic particles (206). Radomes according to the invention can form dome walls of variable thickness, yet still have high radiation efficiency across a wide frequency band. Magnetic radomes utilize dielectrics including magnetic particles (206) to match the impedances between medium boundaries, such as an air to dome boundary.

Abstract: A convertible anchor capable of being converted between a first position usable on sandy bottom floors and a second position usable on debris laden bottom floors, such as reefs. The convertible anchor may include an elongated shank and one or more flukes rotatably coupled to the elongated shank. The convertible anchor may also include an engagement limiting device placing the convertible anchor in a first position in which the fluke is prevented from rotating relative to the elongated shank. The convertible anchor may also include a catch device so that the convertible anchor can grab a debris laden bottom when the convertible anchor is in the second position.

Abstract: A variable phase delay line (100). The variable phase delay line (100) can include an RF transmission line (102) and a fluid channel (130) having a serpentine configuration. The fluid channel (130) can be coupled to the RF transmission line (102) along at least a portion of a length of the transmission line (102). The variable phase delay line (100) also can include at least one fluid control system (150) for adding and removing the fluidic dielectric (132) to the fluid channel (130) in response to a phase delay control signal (122) to selectively vary a phase delay of the RF transmission line (102). The fluidic dielectric (132) can have a permeability and a permittivity selected for maintaining a constant characteristic impedance along an entire length of the RF transmission line (102).

Abstract: An RF system (100) can include one or more RF circuits (108) coupled to a fluid dielectric (106). The RF circuit can be disposed on a portion of a dielectric substrate (102) which also contains the fluid dielectric. A light source 302 is provided for transmitting optical radiation through a portion of the fluid dielectric in a transmitted direction. A sensor (304) measures at least one parameter indicative of a change of direction of the optical radiation relative to the transmitted direction. According to one aspect, the light source and/or the sensor can be disposed within the dielectric substrate of the RF system. An output of the sensor can be coupled to a processor (322, 422) for determining a condition of the fluid dielectric based on the measured parameter.

Abstract: A crossed slot fed microstrip antenna (100). The antenna (100) includes a conducting ground plane (125), which has at least one crossed slot (125), and at least two feed lines (105). The feed lines (105) have respective stub regions (115) that extend beyond the crossed slot (125) and transfer signal energy to or from the crossed slot (125). The antenna (100) also includes a first substrate (150) disposed between the ground plane (120) and the feed lines (105). The first substrate (150) includes a first region and at least a second region, the regions having different substrate properties. The first region is proximate to at least one of the feed lines (105).

Abstract: A circuit for processing radio frequency signals that includes an adjustable transmission line stub (104). The adjustable transmission line stub (104) has an input (106) at one end, an electrical length and a termination (112). The circuit also includes a signal return conductor (124) and at least one fluid conduit (114) extending from the transmission line stub (104) to the signal return conductor (124). A fluid control system (150) is provided for selectively moving a conductive fluid (126) from a first position to a second position. The fluid control system is responsive to a control signal (174) for selectively moving the conductive fluid (126) between the first and second position. The fluid control system (150) can include a pump (154, 158, 156) for moving the conductive fluid (126) between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A substrate (300) for an RF device includes a plurality of layers (102) of dielectric material cofired in a stack. The plurality of layers (102) is formed from a material having a permittivity. Selected ones of the layers (102) have a pattern of perforations (106) formed in at least one perforated area (104). The perforated areas (104) are generally aligned with one another in the stack to lower one or more of an effective value of a permittivity and a loss tangent in a least one spatially defined region (504) of the substrate (300).

Abstract: A method for making an embedded toroidal inductor (118) includes forming in a ceramic substrate (100) a first plurality of conductive vias (102) radially spaced a first distance from a central axis (101) so as to define an inner circumference. A second plurality of conductive vias (104) is formed radially spaced a second distance about the central axis so as to define an outer circumference. A first plurality of conductive traces (110) forming an electrical connection between substantially adjacent ones of the first and second plurality of conductive vias is formed on a first surface (106) of the ceramic substrate. Further, a second plurality of conductive traces (110) forming an electrical connection between circumferentially offset ones of the first and second plurality of conductive vias is formed on a second surface of the ceramic substrate opposed from the first surface to define a three dimensional toroidal coil.

Abstract: An antenna can include at least one antenna element (102) to which a fluid dielectric (114) is magnetically and electrically coupled. The antenna element (102) is preferably a conductive wire or patch disposed on a dielectric substrate (104), but it can also be a slot. A fluid control system (116, 118, 120) can be provided responsive to a control signal (124) for selectively varying a volume of the fluid dielectric (114) coupled to the antenna element (102). Consequently, efficient operation of the antenna element can be provided on a plurality of operating bands.

Abstract: An optically active composition (100) for optical applications has been identified. The optically active composition (100) can include at least one cyclic molecule having a nanocore (112) disposed within the cyclic molecule to form a filled ring (108). The composition (100) is optically transmissive for at least one photonic wavelength that would not otherwise be transmitted by the composition (100) if the nanocore were absent from the cyclic molecule. The cyclic molecule can be a carbon ring, an aromatic ring, or a heterocyclic ring. The filled ring (108) can be attached to a chiral molecule which is a repeat unit (102) in a polymeric backbone. A second filled ring (110) which causes the composition to be optically transmissive at a second wavelength also can be attached to the chiral molecule (102) as well. An electric field can be applied to the filled ring (108) to adjust the wavelength at which filled ring (108) is transmissive.

Abstract: A waveguide (100) including at least one outer surface (105, 110, 115, 120) defining a waveguide cavity (140) and at least one inner surface (130, 135) positioned within the waveguide cavity (140). The inner surface (130, 135) includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) having a plurality of FSS elements (145) coupled to at least one substrate. The substrate defines a first propagation medium such that an RF signal having a first wavelength in the first propagation medium can pass through the FSS (130, 135). The FSS (130, 135) is coupled to a second propagation medium such that in the second propagation medium the RF signal has a second wavelength which is at least twice as long as a physical distance between centers of adjacent FSS elements (145). The second wavelength can be different than the first wavelength.

Abstract: A continuously variable waveguide attenuator (100). The continuously variable waveguide attenuator includes at least one waveguide attenuator cavity (109) having at least one barrier. A fluid dielectric (108) having a loss tangent, a permittivity and a permeability is at least partially disposed within the waveguide attenuator cavity (109). At least one composition processor (101 ) is included and adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluid dielectric (108) to vary an electrical characteristic of the fluid dielectric. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor (101 ) to selectively vary the electrical characteristic in response to a waveguide attenuator control signal (137).

Abstract: An antenna feed system includes a plurality of RF horn antennas (201, 202) for operating on a plurality of RF frequency bands. A first one of the feed horns (202) can have a boresight axis and is configured for operating at a first one of the frequency bands. A second one of the feed horns (201) is positioned coaxially within the first one of the feed horns (202) and is configured for operating at least at a second one of the frequency bands. Further, the first one of the feed horns (202) is a corrugated horn that has a plurality of corrugations (204) formed on an interior surface defining a profile. The profile extends substantially from a throat (205) of the first feed horn and along a tapered portion of the first feed horn. The profile substantially minimizes an interaction of the corrugations with the second feed horn.