Abstract: A projectile for deploying one or more sensors into an area is provided. The projectile includes a sensor platform disposed in the projectile. The sensor platform having: a sensor for detection of a condition within or proximate to the area; a processor and communication device operatively connected to the one or more sensors and to one or more of a remote station and at least one other sensor; and a power source for supplying power to at least the one or more sensors. Methods and apparatus for deploying the one or more sensors into the area are also provided.

Abstract: A roadway upon which a wheeled vehicle travels is provided. The roadway including a movable surface extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel and a potential energy transfer arrangement operatively connected to the movable surface for transferring a stored potential energy associated with the movable surface into kinetic energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby propelling the vehicle. A method for accelerating a vehicle upon a roadway is also provided.

Abstract: A sensor unit including: two or more individual sensors; and alignment mechanism for aligning at least one of the two or more individual sensors with another sensor or a source to maximize a transmitted signal therebetween. Also provided is a method for maximizing a transmitted signal between sensors and/or sources in a sensor network. The method including: arranging two or more of the sensors in a package; and aligning at least one of the two or more sensors in the package with at least another sensor or a source.

Abstract: A projectile for deploying one or more sensors into an area is provided. The projectile includes a sensor platform disposed in the projectile. The sensor platform having: a sensor for detection of a condition within or proximate to the area; a processor and communication device operatively connected to the one or more sensors and to one or more of a remote station and at least one other sensor; and a power source for supplying power to at least the one or more sensors. Methods and apparatus for deploying the one or more sensors into the area are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor unit including: two or more individual sensors; and alignment mechanism for aligning at least one of the two or more individual sensors with another sensor or a source to maximize a transmitted signal therebetween. Also provided is a method for maximizing a transmitted signal between sensors and/or sources in a sensor network. The method including: arranging two or more of the sensors in a package; and aligning at least one of the two or more sensors in the package with at least another sensor or a source.

Abstract: A roadway upon which a vehicle travels is provided in which the vehicle is decelerated. The roadway includes: a movable surface extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy storage mechanism operatively connected to the movable surface for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby slowing the vehicle. Also provided is a roadway upon which a wheeled vehicle travels in which the vehicle is accelerated. The roadway includes: a movable surface extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy transfer mechanism operatively connected to the movable surface for transferring a stored potential energy associated with the movable surface into kinetic energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby propelling the vehicle.

Abstract: A roadway upon which a vehicle travels is provided in which the vehicle is decelerated. The roadway includes: a movable surface extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy storage mechanism operatively connected to the movable surface for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby slowing the vehicle. Also provided is a roadway upon which a Wheeled vehicle travels in which the vehicle is accelerated. The roadway includes: a movable surface extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy transfer mechanism operatively connected to the movable surface for transferring a stored potential energy associated with the movable surface into kinetic energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby propelling the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for using a special class of low-harmonic Bezier curves to plan and generate trajectory patterns for computer-controlled machinery in which desired motion information is input into a first processor. A low-harmonic trajectory is then generated from the desired motion information according to the low-harmonic Bezier curves and output into a second processor where points along the low-harmonic trajectory are computed. Each point on the trajectory is then output, amplified, and input into an actuator for performing a desired motion, but which results in an actual motion. The actual motion is then compared to the desired motion in a comparing means which computes an error. A feedback control signal is then generated to correct the error. Lastly, the method is repeated for all points on the trajectory until the trajectory is complete or the operation is terminated. Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention.