Abstract: A spacecraft (102) can include a communications receiver (210) for receiving a selected list of targets (114, 116) for which desired information is to be acquired by the spacecraft (102). In addition to location data concerning the targets, the list can also include a predetermined priority value assigned to each target on the list. The list can include data acquisition targets that collectively comprise more data than can be stored on the spacecraft's onboard solid state recorder (204). One or more computer processors (206) can be also be provided onboard the spacecraft. The processor (206) can process the acquired data onboard the spacecraft to determine whether the data contains at least a predetermined portion of the desired information and can overwrite lesser priority data (316) when the solid state recorder (204) is otherwise full.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip antenna (100) provides improved efficiency through enhanced coupling of electromagnetic energy between the feed line (117) and the slot (106). The dielectric layer (105) between the feed line (117) and the slot (106) includes magnetic particles (114), the magnetic particles (114) preferably included in the dielectric junction region (113) between the microstrip feed line (117) and the slot (106). A high dielectric region is preferably also provided in the junction constant to further enhance the field concentration effect. The slot antenna (100) can be embodied as a microstrip patch antenna (200).

Abstract: In a graphics processing system utilizing a graphics interface that defines each color fragment using at least one color fragment characteristic component, a method and system for more efficient display of a graphic overlay. The method can comprise for each color fragment in a map scene, defining the color fragment characteristic component value based on a location characteristic associated with a location on the map, setting a test value, and comparing the color fragment characteristic component value for each color fragment in the map scene to the test value to determine whether the color fragment should be displayed in an overlay color.

Abstract: Method for constructing a radome (110). The method can include the steps of providing a radome structure, wherein the radome structure can include at least one of a radome wall (115) and a radome frame (120). The radome structure can be impedance matched to an operational environment. The impedance match can be independent of the thickness and geometry of the radome structure.

Abstract: A variable waveguide system (100). The variable waveguide system (100) includes a waveguide (102), a dielectric structure (116) including at least one cavity disposed within the waveguide, and a conductive fluid (126). The cavity is filled with the conductive fluid (126) in a first operational state, and the cavity is purged of the conductive fluid (126) in a second operational state. A fluid control system (150) can be provided for transferring the conductive fluid (126) in and out of the cavity in response to a control signal (174). The waveguide (102) can have a first cutoff frequency in the first operational state and a second cutoff frequency in the second operational state. Further, the waveguide (102) can have a first electrical length in the first operational state and a second electrical length in the second operational state.

Abstract: A continuously variable waveguide filter (100). The variable waveguide filter can include at least one waveguide filter cavity (154, 156, 158) and a fluid dielectric (108) having a permittivity and a permeability at least partially disposed within the waveguide filter cavity (154, 156, 158). At least one composition processor (101) is included and adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluid dielectric (108) to vary at least one electrical characteristic. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor (101) in response to a waveguide filter control signal (137).

Abstract: An electromagnetic horn antenna (100). The antenna can include a horn housing having a throat portion (102), a tapered portion (106, 104) and an aperture 108. At least one cavity structure (142, 144, 138) can be provided within the horn housing. The cavity structure can include at least one wall (138) formed of a dielectric material. A conductive fluid (136) and a fluid control system (103) can be provided. The fluid control system can control a volume and a position of the conductive fluid contained within the cavity structures for dynamically modifying at least one electrical characteristic of the electromagnetic horn antenna.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating signal processing resources in a wireless multichannel broadband base station (BBS) for a cellular communications network including determining a number of available channel processor (CP) resources which are unused in a BBS. In response to notification of a subscriber call to be processed by a cell of the BBS, a determination is made as to whether the number of available CP resources is at least one. If so, then the call is assigned to any available CP resource in the BBS. Each of the CPs in the BBS process any of a plurality of traffic channels contained on any frequency channel assigned to the BBS. In addition, an apparatus for practicing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable resonant system (100) and a method for a varying the resonant characteristics of a resonant cavity (102). The resonant cavity is enclosed by a conductive material that has at least one aperture (104) for coupling the resonant cavity to an RF signal propagating in a circuit device (160). A conductive fluid (108) having a permeability is at least partially disposed within the resonant cavity (102) or a plurality of subcavities (250, 252) within the resonant cavity (202). A dielectric barrier (105) can be provided within the aperture to prevent the conductive fluid from escaping the resonant cavity. A composition processor (101) is adapted for dynamically changing a composition or volume of the conductive fluid to vary or maintain constant a center frequency, a bandwidth, a quality factor (Q) or an impedance of the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A handle system for removable attachment to an existing handle of a rolling luggage case. The system includes a grasping bar that has a gripping area ergonomically formed for grasping, and a releasable securement structure coupled to the grasping bar. The releasable securement structure is configured for releasably securing the grasping bar to the existing handle of the rolling luggage case at an end thereof distal from the luggage case. A locking mechanism is provided that is operatively associated with the releasable securement structure for locking the grasping bar in two or more pivot positions relative to the existing handle of the rolling luggage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for processing radio frequency signals. The resonant circuit includes a substrate. The substrate can be a meta material and can incorporate at least one substrate layer. A resonant line and at least one ground can be coupled to the substrate. An end of the resonant line can electrically shorted to the ground or electrically open with respect to ground. The substrate layer can include a first region with a first set of substrate properties and at least a second region with a second set of substrate properties. At least a portion of the resonant line can be coupled to the second region. The first and/or second set of substrate properties can be differentially modified to vary a permittivity and/or a permeability over a selected region. A third region can be provided with a third set of substrate properties as well.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus (100) includes a waveguide attenuator portion (102) having at least one waveguide cavity (109) and a conductive fluid (108) at least partially disposed within a waveguide cavity (104). At least one composition processor (101) is included and adapted for at least one among an electrical characteristic and a physical characteristic of the mode controlled waveguide by manipulating the conductive fluid to vary at least one among a volume, shape and a composition. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor in response to a waveguide mode control signal (137).

Abstract: A method and system for improved backhaul efficiency dynamically assigns packet based backhaul channels in a cellular communications system which includes at least one wireless repeater and a base station. The method and system can perform packet based backhaul communications regardless of the translating repeater to mobile communications format used. The method and system can also use a single backhaul channel to transmit packets between multiple repeaters and the base station.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus (100) and method (300) of mode control can include a waveguide structure (102) defining at least one cavity (116) disposed within the waveguide apparatus. The waveguide apparatus has at least a first operational state in which at least one cavity is filled with a conductive fluid (126) and at least a second operational state in which at least one cavity is purged of the conductive fluid. The waveguide apparatus can further include at least one composition processor (150) adapted for changing at least one among an electrical characteristic and a physical characteristic of the waveguide apparatus by manipulating a volume of the conductive fluid and a controller (172) for controlling the composition processor in response to a transmission line mode control signal (174).

Abstract: A method of frequency hopping is supported by a basestation having a broadband transceiver. The method permits changing physical channels upon which mobile subscribers communicate with the basestation, wherein the broadband transceiver is operated using static transceiver frequencies, the method exclusive of switching communication signals between transceivers. In one embodiment, the method maps baseband output signals from a digital channelizer which represent physical channels to ones of digital signal processors representing logical channels and baseband input signals of a digital combiner to ones of logical outputs of digital signal processors according to a mapping signal.

Abstract: A waveguide attenuator apparatus (100) includes a variable waveguide attenuator (102) having at least one waveguide attenuator cavity (109) and a fluidic dielectric (108) having a loss tangent, a permittivity and a permeability at least partially disposed within the waveguide attenuator cavity. At least one composition processor (101) is included and adapted for dynamically changing a composition or volume of the fluidic dielectric to vary the loss tangent, the permittivity and/or the permeability. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor to selectively vary the loss tangent, the permittivity and/or the permeability in response to a waveguide attenuator control signal (137). In one arrangement, the permittivity and permeability can be varied concurrently.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip patch antenna (300) includes a conducting ground plane (308), the conducting ground plane (308) including at least one slot (306). A dielectric material is disposed between the ground plane (308) and at least one feed line (317), wherein at least a portion of the dielectric layer (313) includes magnetic particles (324). The dielectric layer between the feed line (317) and the ground plane (308) provides regions having high relative permittivity (313) and low relative permittivity (312). At least a portion of the stub (318) is disposed on the high relative permittivity region (313).

Abstract: A multi-band ring focus antenna system includes a main reflector (408) that is operable at a plurality spectrally offset frequency bands. A first feed (301, 403) includes a first feed horn (301) and a first sub-reflector (403), which are positioned spaced apart from each other at respective locations along a boresight axis of the main reflector. The locations are selected so that the first feed horn and the first sub-reflector share a commonly located first phase center (401). A second feed (302, 404) designed for operation on a second RF frequency band includes a second feed horn (302) and a second sub-reflector (404), each positioned at a location along the boresight axis of the main reflector so that they share a commonly located second phase center.

Abstract: A tunable resonant system comprising a resonant cavity apparatus including at least one cavity wall (150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155) made of a conductive material and arranged to form a resonant cavity (102), and a method for varying the resonant characteristics of the tuned resonant cavity (102). The conductive material can be steel, brass, copper, ferrite and/or Iron-nickel alloy. At least one slot (104) can be provided in a wall (150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155) of the resonant cavity for coupling energy in and out of the resonant cavity. A fluidic dielectric (108) is disposed within the resonant cavity (102). A fluid control system (101) can be provided for selectively varying a composition of the fluidic dielectric (108) to dynamically modify a frequency response of the resonant cavity (102).

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