Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: For determining a communication window is disclosed, a method generates a communication graph that includes backbone nodes, dummy nodes, data collection nodes, downlink nodes, crosslink send nodes, and crosslink receive nodes. The backbone nodes, the data collection nodes, the downlink nodes, the crosslink-transmit nodes, and the crosslink-receive nodes are connected by one of a homogenous edge between nodes of a same type and transition edges between nodes of a different type. The method determines access windows for downlink communications and crosslink communications using the communication graph. The method selects access windows based on a task graph generated from the communication graph. The method communicates from a given satellite within the selected access windows.

Abstract: A method for a dynamic inductive wireless power transmission includes providing an AC/DC power converter that receives three-phase power and provides regulated DC output current, connecting a trunk cable to the AC/DC power converter output and to multiple power transmitter modules. The trunk cable connects inputs of the power transmitter modules in series. The power transmitter modules transmit inductive wireless power over an air gap. The method includes providing a system controller that detects a vehicle containing a receiver coil and confirms if the vehicle should receive the inductive wireless power from the multiple power transmitter modules, and includes configuring the system controller to communicate with the AC/DC power converter to maintain the regulated DC output current at a constant value and transmit the inductive wireless power to the vehicle through the multiple power transmitter modules when the vehicle should receive the inductive wireless power.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a coherent light source and an array of electrically coupled light-sensitive pixel elements. The interferometer is configured to direct an internal optical path of the coherent light source and an external optical path of the coherent light source into a monolithic unit cell. In addition, the monolithic unit cell is configured to direct the internal optical path first through the monolithic unit cell and then onto the array and also configured to direct the external optical path back outside the monolithic unit cell through an external environment and then back into the monolithic unit cell and finally onto the array. In addition, interferometer is further configured to combine the internal optical path and the external optical path at the array and produce a first interferogram on the array, the interferogram characterizing an optical property of the external environment.

Abstract: A power converter includes an unfolder connected to a three-phase source and has an output connection with three output terminals. A three-input converter connected to the unfolder produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage across converter output terminals. Switches of the converter selectively connect each of the three output terminals across the converter output terminals. A pulse-width modulation controller controls a first duty ratio and a second duty ratio for the converter based on a phase angle of the source and a modulation index generated from an error signal related to a control variable. The duty ratios are time varying at a rate related to a fundamental frequency of the source. The modulation index relates to output voltage of the converter, peak voltage or current of the source and/or peak current at the output terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus for voltage sharing of series connected battery modules in a DC microgrid includes a battery management system and a battery module controller that generates, for an mth of N converters connected together to a DC microbus, a droop current ?d,m that includes a converter voltage error signal {tilde over (v)}err,m multiplied by a droop multiplier gd(i). Each converter is a DC/DC converter connected between a battery module, with one or more battery cells, and the DC microbus. The mth converter uses the droop current ?d,m, a common current reference ?all of a battery pack that includes the battery modules and an input current ?m to the mth converter to control switching of the mth converter. The common current reference ?all is from the battery management system. The voltage error signal {tilde over (v)}err,m is based on an output voltage {tilde over (v)}o,m of the mth converter and an average converter output voltage {tilde over (v)}avgeodcmastereodcmastereodcmaster.

Abstract: An apparatus for a transformer with an insulating divider includes a primary winding proximate to a primary magnetic core assembly and a secondary winding proximate to a secondary magnetic core assembly. The primary magnetic core assembly and the secondary magnetic core assembly are made of materials with a high magnetic permeability. The apparatus includes a divider placed between the primary and secondary magnetic core assemblies. The divider includes an electrically insulating material. The apparatus includes an electrically insulating potting material surrounding each of the magnetic core assemblies in a vicinity of the divider.

Abstract: In embodiments, a uniaxial optical multi-measurement sensor comprises a sensor housing having a center axis and a cylindrical surface and an array of electrically coupled light-sensitive pixel elements attached to the cylindrical surface. Each pixel element is positioned having its light-sensitive side facing towards the center axis. In this embodiment, a conical light redistribution optic is positioned along the center axis to direct or reimage uncollimated light entering the sensor housing onto the pixel elements. Also, in this embodiment, the pixel elements are positioned relative to the light redistribution optic to measure or image two or more properties of the uncollimated light entering the sensor housing of a single scene and from a single viewpoint.

Abstract: An aperture stop exploitation camera comprises an imaging lens column positioned along an optical axis and configured to transmit light from a scene from a single viewpoint and converge the light as it passes through the aperture stop. Also, the camera comprises a light redistribution optic (LRO) that is a thin V-shape having an apex. The LRO is centered along the optical axis with the apex pointing towards the imaging lens column. The LRO has two planar sides with each side angled 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis and each side configured to reflect and transmit the light transmitted from the imaging lens column into three independent, spatially separate images, each retaining all the spectral, polarimetric, and relative intensity information of the light from the scene. The camera comprises three image sensors, each image sensor positioned to receive one of the three independent, spatially separate images.

Abstract: A uniaxial optical multi-measurement imaging system includes an imaging lens column having an optical axis and configured to receive light from a scene from a single viewpoint. The imaging system also includes a light redistribution optic (LRO) in the shape of a thin pyramid shell with an apex. The LRO is centered along the optical axis with the apex pointing towards the imaging lens column. The LRO has planar sides with each side angled 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis and configured to reflect and transmit the light. The imaging system also includes a circumferential filter array (CFA) concentrically located around the LRO. The CFA is configured to filter the light reflected from or transmitted through the LRO. The imaging system includes multiple image sensors, each positioned to receive the light reflected from or transmitted through the LRO.

Abstract: For generating a points-of-interest plan, a method generates communication graph nodes for at least one satellite. The method calculates communication graph edges from the communication graph nodes, wherein the communication graph nodes and the communication graph edges comprise a communication graph. The method solves the communication graph to yield a communication plan. The method generates a points-of-interest plan from the communication plan.

Abstract: An apparatus monitoring system stability of a DC power system includes a switching power converter with a control loop. The converter is connected to a DC bus of the system. A monitoring loop injected into the control loop includes a sensor circuit monitoring voltage and current of the DC bus and a small signal injector producing a periodic signal with variable amplitude and frequency and injects the periodic signal on a reference signal of the control loop. The monitoring loop includes a stability measurement circuit that varies a frequency input to the small signal injector until the periodic signal has a frequency equal to a system minor loop gain crossover frequency of an impedance ratio of a converter closed loop output impedance and an impedance of the DC power system. The monitoring loop includes a measurement output circuit that outputs a DC power system stability margin at the crossover frequency.

Abstract: A power converter includes a primary H-bridge with switches and an LCL-T section with a first inductor with a first end connected to a first terminal of the primary H-bridge, a capacitor connected between a second end of the first inductor and a second terminal of the primary H-bridge, and a second inductor with a first end connected to the second end of the first inductor. The converter includes a transformer with a primary connected between a second end of the second inductor and the second terminal of the primary H-bridge, a secondary H-bridge with switches with an input connected to a secondary side of the transformer, and an output capacitor connected across output terminals of the secondary H-bridge. The primary H-bridge is fed by a DC constant current source and the output terminals of the secondary H-bridge have a regulated DC output voltage are connected to a load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro or in vivo process for producing a glucuronide comprising a glucuronic acid moiety bound to a phenolic hydroxyl group or a phenolic carboxyl group. Also provided are expression vectors, nucleic acids, polypeptides, and recombinant microbial cells useful in carrying out the process and prodrugs produced by the process.

Abstract: An power converter includes an unfolder connected to a three-phase source and has an output connection with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal. The unfolder creates two unipolar piece-wise sinusoidal DC voltage waveforms offset by a half of a period. A three-input converter connected to the unfolder produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage across output terminals. Switches of the converter selectively connect the positive, negative and neutral inputs across the output terminals. A PWM controller controls a first duty ratio and a second duty ratio for the converter based on a phase angle of the source and a modulation index generated from an error signal related to a control variable. The duty ratios are time varying with a fundamental frequency of the source. The modulation index relates to output voltage of the converter, peak voltage or current of the source and/or peak current at the output terminals.

Abstract: A power converter includes an unfolder connected to a three-phase source and has an output connection with three output terminals. A three-input converter connected to the unfolder produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage across converter output terminals. Switches of the converter selectively connect each of the three output terminals across the converter output terminals. A pulse-width modulation controller controls a first duty ratio and a second duty ratio for the converter based on a phase angle of the source and a modulation index generated from an error signal related to a control variable. The duty ratios are time varying at a rate related to a fundamental frequency of the source. The modulation index relates to output voltage of the converter, peak voltage or current of the source and/or peak current at the output terminals.

Abstract: An power converter includes an unfolder connected to a three-phase source and has an output connection with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal. The unfolder creates two unipolar piece-wise sinusoidal DC voltage waveforms offset by a half of a period. A three-input converter connected to the unfolder produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage across output terminals. Switches of the converter selectively connect the positive, negative and neutral inputs across the output terminals. A PWM controller controls a first duty ratio and a second duty ratio for the converter based on a phase angle of the source and a modulation index generated from an error signal related to a control variable. The duty ratios are time varying with a fundamental frequency of the source. The modulation index relates to output voltage of the converter, peak voltage or current of the source and/or peak current at the output terminals.

Abstract: A system and methods for optically detecting a target atmospheric gas are disclosed and described. An imaging system can include a narrow-band optical interference filter with a center wavelength that corresponds to a feature in an absorption spectrum of a target gas at a normal angle of incidence. An optical component can receive incoming light from the target gas that has passed through the narrow-band optical interference filter, wherein the narrow-band optical interference filter is tilted relative to the optical component, which tilt shifts the wavelength of light from each target point that is able to pass through the narrow-band optical interference filter. A camera can receive the incoming light that has been focused by the optical component. Multiple image frames are collected for different orientations of the system with respect to the target and analyzed to perform hyperspectral characterization of target gas absorption.

Abstract: A counter-swarm firework includes a shell casing, multiple streamers positioned in the shell casing, a burst charge positioned in the shell casing and configured to disperse the multiple streamers from the shell casing when discharged, a pusher plate positioned in the shell casing between the burst charge and the multiple streamers, a fire suppressant layer positioned between the burst charge and the pusher plate, and a kick charge configured to launch the shell casing and its contents prior to discharging the burst charge. The fire suppression layer may be configured to suppress heat generated by the discharge of the burst charge.

Abstract: A dynamic wireless power transfer base pad can include a housing, a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor. The first conductor can be disposed within the housing substantially along a circumference and can be configured to conduct a first current to produce a first magnetic field. The second conductor can be disposed at a first end within the housing and can be configured to conduct a second current to produce a second magnetic field. A magnetic field at the first end can include a constructive superimposition of the first magnetic field with the second magnetic field. The third conductor can be disposed at a second end within the housing and can be configured to conduct a third current to produce a third magnetic field. A magnetic field at the second end can include a constructive superimposition of the first magnetic field with the third magnetic field.