Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a variable delay for an RF signal. The method can include the step of propagating the RF signal along an RF transmission line, coupling a fluidic dielectric to the RF transmission line, and dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to selectively vary its permittivity in response to a time delay control signal. The method can also include the step of dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to vary its permeability. The permittivity and the permeability can be varied concurrently in response to the time delay control signal. In a preferred embodiment the method can include selectively varying the permeability concurrently with the permittivity to maintain a characteristic impedance of the transmission line approximately constant.

Abstract: An article of luggage, such as a rolling duffel, includes a base, opposing ends connected to the base and opposing sides connected to the base and the opposing ends. A top including a lid is connectable to the opposing sides and the opposing ends. The sides and top are formed of a deformable material. A reinforcing member extends substantially along the length of the top, so that the article of luggage may be stood on one of the opposing ends such that the other end is at least partially supported by the reinforced top. The top may be formed completely by the lid, and the reinforcing member may be a frame extending around the periphery of the lid. The reinforcing member may be formed of a rigid plastic material.

Abstract: A phased array antenna (100) having a frequency selective surface comprises a substrate (125) and an array of antenna elements (140) thereon. Each antenna element comprises a medial feed portion (42) and a pair of legs (49) extending outwardly therefrom. Adjacent legs of adjacent antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions (51). The antenna further comprises at least one fluidic dielectric residing within at least one cavity (170) within the substrate and arranged between a plane where the array of dipole antenna elements reside and a ground plane (150), at least one composition processor (104) adapted for dynamically changing a composition of said fluidic dielectric, and a controller (102) for controlling the composition processor to selectively vary at least one of a permittivity and a permeability of the fluidic dielectric in at least one cavity in response to a control signal (105).

Abstract: A selectable sub-reflector antenna system (100) comprises a main reflector unit (101), a sub-reflector unit (111) disposed apart from the main reflector unit and having at least one cavity (116), and at least one fluidic dielectric having a permittivity and a permeability. The system further comprises at least one composition processor (104) adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to vary at least one among the permittivity and permeability in at least one cavity among a plurality of cavities and a controller (102) for controlling the composition processor to selectively vary at least one among permittivity and permeability in at least one cavity in response to a control signal (105).

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) volumetric geo-spatial querying system. The system can include a 3D GIS. The 3D GIS can include a database of geo-spatial data configured to store geo-spatial data using, not two-dimensional, but three-dimensional coordinates. The GIS further can include at least one database operation configured to process a database query against geo-spatial data stored in the database. Notably, the database operation can accept three-dimensional coordinates as part of the database query. Importantly, the 3D GIS can include a geo-spatial data encoder configured to encode the geo-spatial data prior to storing the geo-spatial data in the database. In particular, in one aspect of the present invention, the encoder can be a helical hyperspatial code encoder, or an oct-tree encoder.

Abstract: A compact multi-band ring-focus antenna system. The antenna system includes a first and a second main reflector 304, 306, each having a shaped surface of revolution about a common boresight axis (322) of the antenna. A first backfire type RF feed system (302, 312) is provided for feeding the first main reflector (304) on a first frequency band. A second RF feed (301) coaxial with the first RF feed (300) is provided for feeding the second main reflector (306) on a second frequency band spectrally offset from the first frequency band. Further a portion of the second RF feed passes through a first sub-reflectors (302) of the backfire feed. The second RF feed is terminated a distance from the first sub-reflector to illuminate a second sub-reflector (303).

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: The invention concerns a composite part, comprising an elongated foam core and a flow channel media attached to a first elongated side thereof. The flow channel media forms interstices for the passage of resin. At least one fabric layer is secured to the elongated foam core, and encloses a first elongated side of the foam core, including the flow channel media. In this way, a resin flow path is defined along the first elongated side. The fabric layer can further enclose at least a second and third elongated side of the foam core where, where each of the second and third elongated sides adjoin the first elongated side. Fabric tab portions can be provided extending from the second and third elongated sides for aiding in the installation of the composite part in a larger composite structure.

Abstract: Method for dynamically varying a frequency response of a frequency selective surface. The method can include controlling transmission of electromagnetic energy through a frequency selective surface by passing selected frequencies in a pass-band and blocking selected frequencies in a stop-band. The stop-band and the pass-band can be dynamically modified by controlling at least one of a position and a volume of a conductive fluid that forms a portion of the frequency selective surface. According to one aspect of the method, the conductive fluid can be selected to include gallium and indium alloyed with a material selected from the group consisting of tin, copper, zinc and bismuth.

Abstract: A reflector antenna (100) includes a reflector unit (191) having at least one cavity (192) disposed in the reflector unit, at least one fluidic dielectric (180) having a permittivity and a permeability, and at least one composition processor (101) adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to vary at least the permittivity or permeability in at least one cavity for the purpose of dynamically altering the illumination taper of the reflector antenna. The antenna further comprises a controller (136) for controlling the composition processor in response to a control signal (137).

Abstract: Embedded capacitors and a method for manufacturing the embedded capacitors. The method can include the steps of forming at least one bore (115) in a dielectric substrate (100). The dielectric substrate can be mechanically punched or laser cut to form the bore. The bore can be filled with a conductive material (250) to form a first electrode (470). A conductor (360) can be formed on the dielectric substrate, the conductor not being electrically continuous with the first electrode. A depth and/or cross sectional area of the bore can be selected to provide a desired amount of capacitive coupling between the electrode and the conductor. At least a second bore can be formed in the dielectric substrate and filled with a conductive material to form a second electrode. The second electrode can be electrically connected to the first electrode.

Abstract: Method for controlling an input impedance of an antenna (100). The method can include the steps of coupling RF energy from an input RF transmission line (106) to an antenna radiating element (102) through an aperture (112) defined in a ground plane (110). For example, the aperture (112) can be a slot and the radiating element (102) can be a patch type element. The input impedance can thereafter be controlled by selectively varying a volume of a fluid dielectric (128) disposed in a predetermined region between the RF transmission line and the antenna radiating element. The volume of fluid dielectric (128) can be automatically varied in response to at least one control signal (121), which can include a feedback signal provided by a sensor (132).

Abstract: A feed structure (105) for a horn antenna (100). The feed structure can include a first waveguide (110) and a second waveguide (115) having a first portion at least partially disposed within the first waveguide. The second waveguide also can include a second portion intersecting a first wall (240) of the first waveguide. The first wall can include a first frequency selective surface (244) at an intersection (280) of the first wall and the second portion of the second waveguide. The first waveguide can be operatively coupled to a first horn section (130) and the second portion can be operatively coupled to a second horn section (135).

Abstract: Antenna system (100) with dynamically adjustable ground plane spacing. The system includes at least one antenna radiating element (106, 108) and a first conductive ground plane (110, 120) spaced from radiating element (106, 108). The first conductive ground plane is comprised of a dielectric structure (104) containing a conductive fluid (120).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable tuned transmission line stub (102). The transmission line stub (102) has an input (104) at one end, an electrical length, and a termination at an opposing end (122). A fluid dielectric (108) is electrically and magnetically coupled to the transmission line stub (102) in a first position to produce a first tuned response. The fluid dielectric (108) is electrically and magnetically decoupled from the transmission line stub (102) in a second position to produce a second tuned response which is distinct from the first tuned response.

Abstract: A circulator (100) is comprised of a transmission line three port Y junction (104). At least one cylindrical cavity structure (113, 115) is disposed adjacent to the Y junction and contains a ferromagnetic fluid (114). One or more magnets (112) are provided for applying a magnetic field (118) to the ferromagnetic fluid and the Y junction in a direction normal to a plane defined by said Y junction. A composition processor (301) is provided for dynamically changing a composition of the ferromagnetic fluid in response to a control signal to vary the permittivity and permeability of the ferromagnetic fluid.

Abstract: A continuously variable quarter-wave transformer (103) including a quarter-wave element (110). The quarter-wave transformer has a characteristic impedance and is at least partially coupled to a fluidic dielectric (108). A controller (136) is provided for controlling a composition processor (101) which is adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric (108) to vary the permittivity and permeability in response to a control signal (137). The permeability and permittivity can be varied together to maintain approximately constant impedance and length in wavelengths at different operating frequencies, or to vary impedance and maintain constant length at a given frequency. The quarter-wave transformer (103) can be coupled to a solid dielectric substrate material. A plurality of component parts can be dynamically mixed together in the composition processor (101) responsive to the control signal (137).

Abstract: A dielectric lens antenna (100) includes a dielectric lens unit (101) having a plurality of cavities (106) and at least one fluidic dielectric having a permittivity and a permeability. The antenna further includes at least one composition processor (104) adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to vary at least one of among the permittivity and the permeability in any of the plurality of cavities and a controller (102) for controlling the composition processor to selectively vary at least one of the permittivity and the permeability in at least one of the plurality of cavities in response to a control signal (105).

Abstract: An antenna (100) includes at least one antenna radiating element (108, 110) and a dielectric structure (102) defining a cavity containing a fluid dielectric (106). The dielectric structure (102) can be a dielectric circuit board substrate with a ground plane (116) provided opposed to the antenna radiating elements (108, 110). The fluid dielectric (106) is electrically and magnetically coupled to the antenna radiating element. Further, a composition processor (301) is provided for selectively varying a composition of the fluid dielectric (106) so as to dynamically change an electrical characteristic of the antenna radiating element (108) in response to a control signal.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an antenna beam. The system can include a slot array (100) having a plurality of slot elements (102) and a fluid control system (206, 207, 302) responsive to a control signal 301. The fluid control system can independently vary a selected volume of a fluid dielectric (300) coupled to each of the slot elements (102). In so doing, the system can steer and shape an electromagnetic field incident on the slot array. The slot array (100) can optionally comprise at least one conductive ground plane (308) for reflecting the incident electromagnetic field.