Abstract: The invention is a new device that will improve the radio link quality for low power wireless devices. An example application is for low power, miniaturized wireless sensor nodes that are statically deployed in a slowly varying environment or that have limited mobility. The device is a reconfigurable antenna that is novel in that it operates with very low (zero-order) energy in contrast to existing system that required both significant computational and DC power.

Abstract: A hybrid wireless network system is disclosed. The hybrid wireless network system includes an antenna array, an analog subsystem, and a digital subsystem. The antenna array at least includes two antenna elements. In the case of using multiple antenna elements to extend link range and coverage, a coarse-fine method is included for antenna elements selection. The analog subsystem calculates a difference signal and a sum signal based on the two RF signals. The analog subsystem includes step leveling devices. The digital subsystem estimates a direction-of-arrival (DOA) based on the sum signal and the difference signal. The step-leveling devices receive weights from the digital subsystem, in form of a feedback control, to apply the weights on the two RF signals respectively. The digital subsystem repetitively calculates new weights to update a beam pattern formed by the two RF signals until the DOA approaches null.

Abstract: The present invention is a trailer for the repair and construction of fences used for example, to enclose farmland or livestock on a ranch. The trailer is a fully self-contained fencing apparatus which can be conveyed by various vehicles capable of traversing the terrain to be fenced. The trailer of the present invention is particularly useful for conserving expensive, heavy-duty conveyance vehicles such as 4-wheel drive pick-up trucks since it is a fully self-contained fencing apparatus and can easily be conveyed by smaller, less expensive vehicles such as ATVs (all-terrain vehicles). The trailer includes carriers such as tool boxes, mounting posts and mounting cylinders for carrying and storing fencing tools and materials. Discs for carrying and spooling out fence wire are mounted on the trailer and can be extended outward from the trailer such that numerous lines of fence wire can be spooled out simultaneously without the lines interfering with each other.

Abstract: The stopping of a load suspended from a crane requires a swing control or, respectively, a swing damping. Upon employment of microwave measuring units, spacings between a carrying cable suspension and a load suspension point are determined on the basis of transit time measurements. The position of the load suspension point can be determined from the transit time measurements quickly and with high precision. Swinging motions are avoided by controlled opposing control of the carrying cable suspension.

Abstract: An omni directional coverage multibeam antenna relief on a ground surface having simple conical shapes to provide beam steering is disclosed. One advantage of such a system is that the projected area is always constant and broadside to the intended direction resulting in limited scan loss effects. In the case of a cylinder as the conical shape, z-axis symmetry provides a constant antenna aperture projection in any azimuthal direction. Using this geometry, high level, side lobes are reduced considerably because of the natural aperture tapering from dispersion effects. Coverage area and power can be controlled by changing the ground surface angle and by selectively activating different antenna beam positions around the circumference of the ground surface, and by selectively changing the phase relationship between a given set of antenna beams. Likewise, beam down-tilt may be electrically realized by providing a phase differentiated signal to different antenna sections associated with an antenna beam.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube (CRT)/deflection coil assembly is provided which includes a signature resistor for indicating the deflection sensitivity of the deflection coil. An amplifier circuit with an adjustable gain supplies current to the deflection coil. A gain adjustment circuit measures the value of the signature resistor and provides a signal to the amplifier which varies the gain of the amplifier to compensate for variations in the deflection sensitivity of different deflection coils.