Abstract: Methods and systems to extract a spectrum of a hyperspectral interferogram, with innovative treatment of off-axis spectral correction and other features, which may be efficiently performed on-board a satellite.

Abstract: UGV bridging system includes a first end of a first elongated span of a hinged bridge structure disposed on a deployment support bracket which is secured to a UGV. A second elongated span is hingedly supported at a second end of the first elongated span opposed from the first end. A tension element applies a tension force to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends. The tension force secures the first elongated span in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket. A retention element associated with the deployment support bracket prevents the second elongated span from rotating about the hinge axis in response to a spring bias force. Deployment involves pivoting the first elongated span and concurrently releasing the second elongated span from the retention element in response to the extending.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon resources from a subterranean formation may include heating the subterranean formation with at least one radio frequency (RF) antenna located in an upper well within the subterranean formation. The method may further include producing hydrocarbon resources from a lower well within the heated subterranean formation and vertically beneath the upper well to create a void within the subterranean formation, and injecting a solvent into the void within the heated subterranean formation from the lower well.

Abstract: A system is for mapping an interior of a building. The system may include a mobile device having a PDR circuit configured to generate PDR positions as a user moves within the interior of the building, and a ranging circuit configured to generate ranging mapping data of the interior of the building as the user moves within the interior of the building. The system also may include a server configured to map the interior of the building and generate a location of the mobile device within the interior of the building based upon the PDR positions and the ranging mapping data from the mobile device.

Abstract: Audio output of a radio frequency (RF) portable communication device is controlled. A first portable communication device (PCD) uses an audio transducer to generate one or more audio tones in response to a voice transmit operation initiated by a user of the first PCD. One or more characteristics of the tone or tones can be selectively controlled in accordance with a first talk group which is in use by the first PCD to facilitate the voice transmit operation. The one or more audio tones are received at one or more second PCDs different from the first PCD, where they are used to selectively control an audio output volume of the second PCD.

Abstract: Reflecting systems, such as reflector antenna systems, can include a first and a second reflector, and a sub-reflector positioning apparatus. The sub-reflector positioning apparatus has a tensioner attached to the second reflector and configured to exert a force on the second reflector. The force urges the second reflector away from the first reflector. The sub-reflector positioning apparatus also includes a plurality of restraints attached to the first and second reflectors. The restraints are configured to be tensioned in response to the force on the second reflector, and to restrain the second reflector at a pre-determined position in relation to the first reflector.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include an RF source, and an RF antenna assembly coupled to the RF source and within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, a dielectric isolator coupled between the first and second tubular conductors, an RF transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor extending within the first tubular conductor, the outer conductor being coupled to the first tubular conductor, and a feed structure coupled to the second tubular conductor. The inner conductor may have a distal end being slidable within the outer conductor and cooperating with the feed structure to define a latching arrangement having a latching threshold lower than an unlatching threshold.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include an RF source, and an RF antenna assembly coupled to the RF source and within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, a dielectric isolator, and first and second electrical contact sleeves respectively coupled between the first and second tubular conductors and the dielectric isolator so that the first and second tubular conductors define a dipole antenna. The RF antenna assembly may include a thermal expansion accommodation device configured to provide a sliding arrangement between the second tubular conductor and the second electrical contact sleeve when a compressive force therebetween exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Reflector antenna system includes a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly expandable between a collapsed condition where the link elements are substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis. The hoop assembly defines a plurality of N rectangular sides, each comprised of an X-member including first and a second link element in a crossed configuration. A plurality of tension elements extend around the periphery of the side and apply tension between opposing ends of the first and second link elements in directions aligned with the top, bottom and two opposing sides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a PWB. The methods comprise: forming a Core Substrate (“CS”) a First Via (“FV”) formed therethrough; disposing a First Trace (“FT”) on an exposed surface of CS that is in electrical contact with FV; laminating a first HDI substrate to CS such that FT electrically connects FV via with a Second Via (“SV”) formed through the first HDI substrate; disposing a Second Trace (“ST”) on an exposed surface of the first HDI substrate that is in electrical contact with SV; and laminating a second HDI substrate to the first HDI substrate such that ST electrically connects SV to a Third Via (“TV”) formed through the second HDI substrate. SV comprises a buried via with a central axis spatially offset from central axis of FV and SV. FV and SV have diameters which are smaller than TV's diameter.

Abstract: An RF frequency converter with equalization may include a first E/O modulator configured to modulate an optical carrier signal based upon an RF input signal having a first frequency, and a SBS medium coupled to the first E/O modulator. The RF frequency converter may have a second E/O modulator configured to modulate the optical carrier signal based upon an equalizing function waveform, and a third E/O modulator coupled between the first E/O modulator and the SBS medium. The third E/O modulator may be configured to modulate the optical carrier signal with a reference signal. The RF frequency converter may include an optical circulator coupled to the SBS medium and the second E/O modulator, and a photodetector coupled to the optical circulator and configured to generate an equalized RF output signal having a replica of the RF input signal at a second frequency based upon the reference signal.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (2400) for operating a submersible switch positioned below a body of water's surface. The methods comprise: deflecting a semi-rigid top wall of the submersible switch's cap towards a center of the switch when hydrostatic pressure is applied thereto; directly applying a pushing force by the submersible switch's cap onto an actuator of an internal switch disposed in a body of the submersible switch; and causing an operational state change of the submersible switch in response to the pushing force being applied directly to the actuator of the internal switch.

Abstract: A method is for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The method may include positioning an RF antenna assembly within a wellbore in a subterranean formation, the RF antenna assembly having first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator defining a dipole antenna, and a dielectric coating surrounding the dielectric isolator and extending along a predetermined portion of the first and second tubular conductors. The method may include operating an RF source coupled to the RF antenna assembly during a start-up phase to desiccate water adjacent the RF antenna assembly, and operating the RF source coupled to the RF antenna assembly during a sustainment phase to recover hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide a continuum measure of visibility from a single image without prior knowledge of the camera system or the cameras in the system. This may be, for example, a score on the weather visibility quality of the image, ranging from good to poor, or a numeric score representing the weather visibility quality of the terrain in the image. This may be done without prior knowledge of the camera system, the camera that took the image, or the environment. It is also done with the single image without using multiple images, or reference images. The system derives a real-time continuum measure of visibility from a single daytime image, with unknown camera quality, system configuration, and environmental conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention automatically subdivide an area having an arbitrary shape into multiple sub-regions that have approximately equal area under a threshold, with compact shapes having minimal perimeter length. These systems input an arbitrarily shaped zone and recursively bisect it until all of the new sub-zones are smaller than a particular threshold. A data processing system subdivides a two-dimensional region, such as a digital image of a landmass. The data processing system loads the region into memory, determines a minor axis of the region, and splits the region along the minor axis into a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The sub-regions are evaluated to determine if they are under the threshold area. The steps of the process are repeated until all resulting sub-regions are under the threshold area. Consistently compact sub-regions with minimal perimeter are achieved by splitting along the minor axis.

Abstract: Automated talkgroup assignment system includes a work group assignment panel. Interactive display sections are provided in the panel to removably receive placards for display. The placards each include a short range communication (SRC) tag and have textual information on a display face thereof to identify a member of a work group. The interactive display sections each have one or more SRC enabled devices which obtain tag identifying data (TID) from the SRC tag when a placard associated with that SRC tag is disposed proximate to the SRC enabled device in the interactive display section. A control processor receives the TID values and generates one or more data messages based on the TID received. The data message(s) indicate which of the plurality of placards are displayed respectively in each of the interactive display sections to facilitate setting of a talkgroup channel.

Abstract: Folded optics reflector system includes a hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration to define a circumferential hoop. A mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern. The system also includes a mast assembly comprised of an extendible boom. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to a top and bottom portion of the boom, whereby upon extension of the boom to a deployed condition, the hoop assembly is supported by the boom. A subreflector is disposed at the top portion of the boom.

Abstract: Cooperative multi-node MIMO communications involves a second wireless communication device (WCD) or more generally a self-selection of devices which selectively assists a first WCD with respect to communication of a first message to a third WCD. This assistance involves transmitting the first message using the second wireless communication device. More particularly, transmission of the first message by the second wireless communication devices is performed synchronously with at least one retransmission of the first message by the first wireless communication device. This retransmission is performed at a predetermined re-transmission time known to both the first and second wireless communication devices.

Abstract: An optical device may include a monolithic body of optical material including an optical signal port, an optical coupler/splitter portion including a plurality of optical couplers/splitters arranged in a planar configuration and coupled to the optical signal port, and a phase modulation portion including a plurality of phase shifters arranged in a planar configuration and coupled to respective ones of the plurality of optical couplers/splitters. The monolithic body may also include a fanning-array portion including a plurality of optical waveguides extending from the phase modulation portion in a planar configuration and fanning to a two-dimensional array on an edge of the monolithic body.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (MCD) in a network uses a land mobile radio (LMR) transceiver to facilitate voice communications through an LMR network to a dispatch center. A broadband cellular network (BCN) wireless modem in communication with the MCD implements a BCN wireless communication protocol for broadband data communications between the MCD and a remote dispatch center. When a BCN access interruption occurs, the MCD will automatically communicate to the remote dispatch center a notification of the BCN access interruption, by using the LMR network, and data otherwise communicated through the BCN is automatically communicated through the LMR network.