Abstract: A signal-of-interest is received by using a first and second planar electrically conductive disc to define an antenna. The antenna produces RF signal outputs at three output ports Ex, Ey and Ez, each having a different associated gain pattern and polarization response. At least one null is automatically asserted in a pattern defined by the antenna in a specified direction by selectively weighting a gain and a phase of the RF signals respectively produced from the three output ports and then combining the RF signals to produce a first receiver signal output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a fin structure. The fin structure may be employed in a heat exchanger. The fin structure comprises: a support structure; and a plurality of fins disposed on the support structure via additive manufacturing so as to facilitate a change in direction of a fluid flowing through the fin structure. The fins comprise first fins that have centers arranged in accordance with a phyllotaxis or Fibonacci pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating temperature regulation of an electronic module. The methods comprise: coupling first heat exchanger modules of a plurality of heat exchanger modules together to form a first set of heat exchanger modules and second heat exchanger modules of the plurality of heat exchanger modules together to form a second set of heat exchanger modules; using frame members to structurally support and maintain the first and second sets of heat exchanger modules in a spaced apart arrangement; and providing at least one slot between corresponding spaced apart modules of the first and second heat exchanger modules, the at least one slot being sized and shaped to receive the electronic module to facilitate the temperature regulation via the plurality of heat exchanger modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and/or using a hybrid laminate composite tube structure. The methods comprise: wrapping a plurality of lamina layers around a male cylindrical tool (e.g., mandrel); treating the lamina layers with heat/pressure to form the hybrid laminate composite tube structure; and assembling a structure by adhesively bonding the hybrid laminate composite tube structure to a metallic fitting. The lamina layers comprise: at least one first lamina layer formed of a first material having a first CTE; and at least one second lamina layer formed of a second material different from the first material and having a second CTE different than the first CTE. The hybrid laminate composite tube structure has at least one property that is different in the axial direction than the hoop direction. An axial CTE of the hybrid laminate composite tube structure is tailored to provide a net zero CTE for the assembled structure.

Abstract: An electronic assembly may include a chassis, and electronic modules mounted within the chassis. Each electronic module may include a printed circuit substrate, heat-generating electronic components mounted on the printed circuit substrate, and a heat sink body mounted to the printed circuit substrate and having a plurality of heat pipe receiving passageways extending between opposing side edges and overlying corresponding heat-generating components. A respective elongate, passive, heat pipe may extend within each heat pipe receiving passageway and be removably fastened to at least one end to the heat sink body for enhanced conductive heat transport.

Abstract: A spectrographic system includes a space-borne spectrometer in communication with a ground-based processor. The space-borne spectrometer may include an interferometer, a detector array downstream from the interferometer, and a spectrometer controller configured to cooperate with the detector array to collect Fourier Transform Spectral (FTS) data, generate Principle Component Analysis (PCA) scores from the collected FTS data, generate an approximate interferogram based upon the PCA scores and the collected FTS data, generate residuals based upon the approximate interferogram, and generate compressed FTS data based upon the PCA scores and residuals to be sent to the ground-based processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-domain consensus using an immutable ledger. The methods comprise: receiving, by a First Computing Device (“FCD”) of a Data Provider (“DP”), an information request for information from a Second Computing Device (“SCD”) of a Data User (“DU”) (the information request including a total number of data curations for certain data); communicating a curation request from FCD to a Third Computing Device (“TCD”) of a Data Curator (“DC”); receiving, by FCD, a curation result message that indicates whether DC determined that the certain data meets a level of accuracy and precision; determining, by FCD, whether a consensus exists between DP and/or DC(s) that the certain data meets a level of accuracy and precision based on contents of the curation result message(s); and creating a transaction block in the immutable ledger responsive to a determination that a consensus exists.

Abstract: An optical device may include at least one optical fiber, and a phase change material (PCM) layer on the at least one optical fiber. The PCM layer may include GexSey, where x is in a range of 20-40, and y is in a range of 60-80.

Abstract: A wireless communication system may include a mobile wireless communications device and a wireless accessory device to be paired with it. The wireless accessory device may have a wireless transceiver and an antenna coupled to the wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver and the antenna may be operable in an initial mode and an operational mode after successful pairing. The initial mode may have a shorter range than the operational mode. The mobile wireless communications device may exchange pairing tokens with the wireless accessory device using the initial mode, and communicate with the wireless accessory device using the operational mode after successful pairing.

Abstract: A quantum communications system may include a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node. The transmitter node may include a pulse transmitter, a pulse divider downstream from the pulse transmitter, and at least one first waveplate upstream from the pulse divider and configured to alter a polarization state of pulses travelling therethrough. The receiver node may include at least one second waveplate being a conjugate of the at least one first waveplate, a pulse recombiner upstream from the at least one second waveplate, and a pulse receiver downstream from the at least one second waveplate.

Abstract: A system may include a laser source, an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled to the laser source, an atom trap, and at least one optical medium coupled between the AOM and the atom trap. Furthermore, at least one piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to the at least one optical medium, and a beam polarization controller may be coupled to the at least one piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An underwater communications network may include spaced apart nodes on a bottom of a body of water. The underwater communications network may also include fiber optic cabling connecting the spaced apart nodes. Each node may include a frame, a node short-range navigation device carried by the frame, and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) carried by the frame after delivering a fiber optic cable along a navigation path from an adjacent node. The UUV may be configured to cooperate with the node short-range navigation device during an end portion of the navigation path adjacent the frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making an antenna reflector. The methods comprise: obtaining a Carbon Nano-Tube (“CNT”) material; cutting the CNT material into a plurality of wedge shaped pieces; and bonding together the wedge shaped pieces using a resin film adhesive to form the antenna reflector with a three dimensional contoured surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna with a tension cord network coupled to a plurality of anchor points of a perimeter hoop structure. The methods comprise: using the tension cord network to support a flexible antenna reflector surface such that a given shape of the flexible antenna reflector surface is provided; and allowing locations of the anchor points to change relative to the tension cord network while the antenna is in use. The flexible antenna reflector surface is held taut when the locations of the anchor points change relative to the tension cord network.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a chassis having electronic module mounting positions. The electronic assembly also includes a respective electronic module received in each electronic module mounting position and having a module cooling gas passageway. Each electronic module has a module glide surface. The electronic assembly includes a respective sealing retainer coupled between the chassis and each electronic module. The sealing retainer has a cooling gas passageway aligned with a chassis cooling gas passageway and the module cooling gas passageway. The sealing retainer includes a retainer body having a retainer glide surface, and a gas sealing gasket carried by the retainer body. The module glide surface and the retainer glide surface have respective cooperating features so that the respective electronic module is maintained in spaced relation from the sealing gasket as the respective electronic module is slidably inserted into a seated position.

Abstract: A quantum communications system includes a communications system that operates with a quantum key distribution (QKD) system, which includes a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node. The transmitter node may be configured to transmit to the receiver node a bit stream of optical pulses, and switch between first and second QKD protocols based upon at least one channel condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods. The methods comprise: causing bellows to transition from expanded states to collapsed states by removing a first fluid therefrom (the bellows being coupled to opposing sidewalls of a chassis configured to structurally support at least one circuit card); receiving the at least one circuit card in a cavity of the chassis; causing the bellows to transition from the collapsed states to at least partially expanded states by allowing the first fluid to enter the bellows; applying a pushing force by each said bellow to an intermediary structure disposed between the bellow and the circuit card; and creating a seal between the intermediary structure and the circuit card when the bellow is in the at least partially expanded state.

Abstract: Deployable reflector system includes a support structure and a reflector surface secured to the support structure. The support structure transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface. The reflector surface is comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. The sheet is intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state. This predetermined folding pattern is configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from a compact folded state to a fully unfolded state. The unfolding operation occurs when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the CNT sheet. In some scenarios, the support structure can comprise a circumferential hoop.

Abstract: A communications system may include end-user devices (EUDs), a communications network, and a message processor. A message parser determines, from a received message, a message originator EUD having an associated originator message channel format, and at least one intended message recipient EUD with an associated recipient message channel format. A message channel database includes respective different message channel formats for different EUDs. A message recaster cooperates with the message parser and message channel database and transmits at least one recast message based upon the received message, which may include a corresponding recipient message channel format with a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address for the at least one intended recipient EUD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an electronic cooling apparatus comprising a chassis having an internal space that is sized/shaped to receive/structurally support circuit card(s). The internal space defined by sidewalls with a channel formed therein in which a coolant is disposed. The coolant is in thermal communication with the circuit card(s) via the sidewall(s) when the circuit card(s) is(are) disposed in the chassis. A refrigerant-based cooling system is disposed in the chassis and comprises an evaporator having inlet/outlet ports coupled to the channel of the chassis to define a first closed-loop channel for the coolant within the chassis. The evaporator facilitates heat transfer from the coolant to a refrigerant flowing through a second closed-loop channel of the chassis at least partially defined by the evaporator. A pump is disposed in the chassis and configured to cause the coolant to flow through the first closed-loop channel.