Abstract: The multiple polarization loop antenna includes a circularly polarized loop antenna, which may utilize a loop electrical conductor and two signal feedpoints along the loop electrical conductor separated by one quarter of the length of the loop circumference for a signal feedpoint phase angle input difference of 90 degrees. Each of the signal feedpoints may include a loop discontinuity, so that at least one signal source coupled thereto provides circular polarization from the loop electrical conductor. The circularly polarized loop antenna provides an increase in gain and decrease in size relative to the dipole turnstile. It can provide two orthogonal polarizations from two isolated ports, and the polarizations may be dual linear or dual circular.

Abstract: A ground-based antenna system includes a first phased array antenna to generate a first directional antenna beam at a first polarization, and a second phased array antenna to generate a second directional antenna beam at a second polarization. The first and second phased array antennas each include a lower antenna element row, an upper antenna element row, and medial antenna element rows therebetween. The ground-based antenna system further includes first and second antenna beam controllers cooperating with the first and second phased array antennas to generate a more steeply sloped phase taper associated with the lower antenna element row, a less steeply sloped phase taper associated with the medial antenna element rows, and a more steeply sloped phase taper associated with the upper antenna element row.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit (IC) secure hashing device may include a memory, and a processor integrated with the memory. The processor may be configured to receive a message, and to process the message using a given secure hash algorithm (SHA) variant from among different SHA variants. The different SHA variants may be based upon corresponding different block sizes of bits.

Abstract: A managed access system for mobile wireless devices (MWDs) in a facility that is geographically within a wireless communications network includes a plurality of antennas at the facility. Radio equipment is coupled to the antennas. A management access controller cooperates with the radio equipment to communicate with a given MWD within the facility, block outside communications via the wireless communications network when the given MWD is an unauthorized MWD, and provide outside communications when the given MWD is an authorized MWD. The management access controller registers a candidate MWD as an authorized MWD and provides selective communications with both authorized and unauthorized MWD's within the facility.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic device includes forming an electrically conductive pattern on a substrate, forming a cover layer on the substrate and the electrically conductive pattern, and forming openings in the cover layer and being aligned with the electrically conductive pattern. The method also includes positioning an IC on the cover layer so that bond pads of the IC are aligned with the openings, and heating under pressure the cover layer to both mechanically secure and electrically interconnect the IC.

Abstract: A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power.

Abstract: A photonic frequency converting transceiver may include a laser, and a downconverter receiver branch including a first optical modulator optically coupled to the laser and configured to modulate laser light based upon an RF input signal and a first optical bandpass filter. An upconverter transmitter branch may include a second optical modulator optically coupled to the laser and configured to modulate laser light based upon an intermediate frequency input signal, and a second optical bandpass filter. A shared local oscillator branch may include a third optical modulator optically coupled to the laser and configured to modulate laser light based upon a local oscillator signal, and a third optical bandpass filter. The transceiver may further include photodetectors optically coupled to the optical bandpass filters to generate a downconverted intermediate frequency output signal and an upconverted RF output signal.

Abstract: Microclip appliance formed from a single conductive planar metal sheet includes portions defined along an elongated length including a pin receiver, a solder paddle and a bridge. The pin receiver includes first and second planar rings, and a spring bar extending from a periphery of the first ring to a periphery of the second ring. The solder paddle is comprised of a portion of the conductive metal sheet distal from the pin receiver and the bridge extends from a peripheral portion of the solder paddle to the second ring. Lateral bends are disposed along a length of the conductive planar metal sheet to facilitate the various portions of the microclip.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a transmission with a multi-beam satellite system receives, at a dynamic pricer, a request parameter that is associated with a request to transmit data via a multi-beam satellite system. The method determines a plurality of transmission solutions that satisfy the request parameter. The plurality of transmission solutions are transmitted, from the dynamic pricer, to a transmission requesting device. An indication is received, at the dynamic pricer, as to which particular transmission solution is selected by the transmission requesting device. The multi-beam satellite system is scheduled to transmit a payload in accordance with the selected particular transmission solution. A system is provided that operates the method.

Abstract: An optical filter device may include an optical fiber having a core and a cladding surrounding the core, the optical fiber having a tapered portion. The optical filter device may include an index selectable material surrounding the tapered portion and having an index of refraction being selectable based upon a physical characteristic. The optical filter device may include a device configured to change the index selectable material to select the index of refraction to selectively filter out a mode within the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayer circuit board from circuit board layers, each including a dielectric layer and conductive traces thereon including a first metal. The method includes forming a through-via in a first circuit board layer, plating the through-via with the first metal, and coating a second metal onto the first metal of the first circuit board layer, the plated through-via, and the first metal. The method also includes aligning the first and second circuit board layers together so that the plated through-via of the first circuit board layer is adjacent a feature on the second circuit board layer, and heating and pressing the aligned first and second circuit board layers so as to laminate the dielectric layers together and form an intermetallic compound of the first and second metals bonding adjacent metal portions.

Abstract: Fault detection optimized electronic circuit includes a circuit substrate on which components of the electronic circuit are respectively disposed. Each of the components has a component body which includes at least a first and second contacts. A component trace formed of conductive material is disposed on a first exterior surface of each component body facing the substrate. The component trace is electrically insulated from the first and second contact. Each of the components contains a network consisting of at least two capacitors connected in series between the first and second contact. A test point is formed of conductive material disposed on a second exterior surface of each body. The test point is electrically isolated from the first and second contacts and electrically connected to at least the component trace.

Abstract: A method (100) for matching characteristics of two or more transducer systems (202, 208). The method involving: receiving input signals from a set of said transducer systems; determining if the input signals contain a pre-defined portion of a common signal which is the same at all of said transducer systems; and balancing the characteristics of the transducer systems when it is determined that the input signals contain the pre-determined portion of the common signal.

Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: Balun with tunable bandpass filter characteristic includes first, second and third coupling elements disposed on a substrate. The first and second coupling elements are arranged on the substrate relative to the third coupling element to couple two identical but out of phase signals to form a corresponding unbalanced signal in the third coupling element. A plurality of tunable resonator elements are distributed within an area of the substrate defined on one side by the first and second coupling elements and on an opposing side by the third coupling element. The tunable resonator elements are configured to selectively produce a bandpass filter response.

Abstract: A satellite system controller for a satellite system can comprise a receiving module, an interval selector, an epoch selector, and a scheduler. The receiving module can receive, from a transmission originator device, a set interval request message requesting the satellite system controller set a transmission interval and an epoch time for a satellite receiver, the transmission interval being an amount of time the satellite receiver is to remain in a sleep mode between expected transmissions and the epoch time being an instant at which the satellite receiver is to expect a satellite transmission. The interval selector can determine, based on the transmission interval, a sleep mode cycle for the satellite receiver. The epoch selector can select the epoch time according to the sleep mode cycle and the scheduler can schedule the satellite transmission with the satellite system at approximately the epoch time and according to the sleep mode cycle.

Abstract: Miniaturized devices such as MEMS switches (10) have encapsulating enclosures (100). The enclosure (100) and the remainder of the switch (10) are fabricated on a concurrent basis by depositing layers of an electrically-conductive material, such as copper, on a substrate (26).

Abstract: A reflector system includes a hoop assembly, a collapsible mesh reflector surface and an extendible mast assembly. The hoop assembly includes a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge members and the hoop assembly is moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the link members extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop. The reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly and collapses and extends therewith. The hoop is secured by cords relative to top and bottom portions of a mast that maintains the hoop substantially in a plane. The mast is stored on a spool and extends to release the hoop, pull the mesh reflector surface into a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern, and tension the cords that locate the hoop.

Abstract: A severe weather detection and warning method may include collecting atmospheric sounding data from at least one satellite atmospheric sounding device corresponding to a grid of localized regions, with the atmospheric sounding data including geospatial location and elevation components. The method may further include collecting weather radar data for the grid of localized regions from at least one radar station, determining a location and direction of travel of at least one moisture system based upon the weather radar data, and determining respective atmospheric instability levels for the localized regions based upon the atmospheric sounding data. The method may also include determining when the direction of travel of the at least one moisture system is approaching a given localized region having an atmospheric instability level above an instability threshold, and generating a severe weather warning indication based thereon.