Abstract: Embodiments of switches (10) include first and second electrical conductors (34, 36) suspended within an electrically-conductive housing (28), and a contact element (16) having an electrically-conductive portion (53b) that establishes electrical contact between the first and second electrical conductors (34, 36) when the contact element (16) is in a closed position. The electrically-conductive portion (53b) is electrically isolated from a ground plane (27) of the switch (10) by adjacent electrically-insulative portions (53a, 53c) of the contact element (16).

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for acquiring data relating to an environment of interest. The methods comprise: receiving by a telescope (110) light scattered by an object within the environment; focusing a cone of light towards a spatial light modulator (112) which is placed a certain distance from the telescope on a telescope-focus surface; and deflecting a select amount of the cone of light by the spatial light modulator towards a photodiode array (114), whereby a sensitivity across the photodiode array is made uniform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operations of a computer network. The methods involve: receiving, by a first computing device (1404, 2200), User-Software Interactions (“USIs”) selecting (a) at least one mission objective from a mission library of a data store (1406, 2208) and (b) at least one criteria for a Cyber Behavior Model (“CBM”) stored in a behavior library of the data store; translating USIs to Programming Instructions (“PIs”) implementing a mission plan specifying which IDentity Parameters (“IDPs”) are to be transformed during specific time periods; and executing PIs by a node of the computer network to dynamically transform true values, which correctly represent IDPs, into false values which incorrectly represent IDPs.

Abstract: A shock absorbing disruptor mounting system for a robotic arm includes a rack comprised of a linear guide structure and a carriage which is configured to travel on the linear guide structure. The carriage is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position and includes a plurality of wheels along its length. Each of the wheels has a wheel axis of rotation which is transverse to the direction of the linear guide structure centerline to facilitate rotation of the wheels on at least a portion of the linear guide structure responsive to the travel.

Abstract: A seismic modeling system may include a seismic model data storage device, and a processor cooperating with the seismic model data storage device to transform a seismic model spatial domain data set associated with a given region into a seismic frequency domain data set, where the given region includes a suspect region, transform a seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region into a seismic frequency domain data subset, and perform inpainting of the seismic frequency domain data subset based upon the seismic frequency domain data set. The processor may further convert the inpainted seismic frequency domain data subset into an inpainted spatial domain data subset, and substitute the inpainted spatial domain data subset for the seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region in the seismic model spatial domain data set associated with the given region.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may be configured to obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS system data, receive social media data, and determine expected passenger lists for the marine vessels based upon the AIS data and social media data.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic device may include forming at least one circuit layer that includes solder pads on a substrate and forming at least one liquid crystal polymer (LCP) solder mask having mask openings therein. The method may also include forming at least one thin film resistor on the LCP solder mask and coupling the at least one LCP solder mask to the substrate so that the at least one thin film resistor is coupled to the at least one circuit layer and so that the solder pads are aligned with the mask openings.

Abstract: Method for passively identifying an entity responsible for causing a user equipment (UE) generated uplink communication in accordance with an LTE communication standard. The method includes capturing uplink traffic associated with an LTE communication network. A Demodulation Reference Signal (DRS) group sequence number is extracted from each of a plurality of data packets in a plurality of time slots associated with the uplink traffic. The DRS group sequence numbers which have been extracted are used to determine at least one Physical Cell Identity (PCI) of, or DRS group number used by, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) entity responsible for causing the uplink traffic.

Abstract: A phase change cell includes a housing enclosing a phase change chamber that holds a phase change material and a gas pocket. The housing includes a side wall extending between first and second end walls. A capillary is disposed in an interior surface of the side wall. In response to heating of the phase change cell, the capillary is configured to draw the phase change material in a liquid phase towards the periphery of the phase change chamber. A temperature sensor is coupled to the housing in a vicinity of the capillary to measure the phase change temperature. According to another aspect, the housing includes a moveable surface that bounds a portion of the phase change chamber. The phase change temperature of the phase change material changes based on the position of the moveable wall.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a discrete-dynode electron multiplier (DDEM) including the steps of mounting an insulator block to a conductor block, and forming a series of ion-optics geometrical structures in the conductor block, each ion-optics geometrical structure having a smallest dimension of less than 1 millimeter. The forming step may be performed by electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser cutting, and/or water jet cutting.

Abstract: A method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation may include applying radio frequency (RF) power to the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource to have a lowered viscosity. The method may further include producing the upgraded hydrocarbon resource from the subterranean formation to a wellhead, and, at the wellhead, adding a diluent to the upgraded hydrocarbon resource sufficient to meet a pipeline transport viscosity threshold. The method may also include supplying the diluted upgraded hydrocarbon resource to a pipeline for transportation therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide an RF spectrum analyzer on a computer chip, such as an integrated circuit. They may provide RF spectrum analyzer functions on a much smaller scale, which is easier to implement, transport and install in other equipment. They present a single chip solution that is smaller, lighter and more compact than conventional systems. Additionally, they may be put in hand held (or smaller) devices.

Abstract: A seismic modeling system may include a seismic model data storage device, and a processor cooperating with the seismic model data storage device to transform a seismic model spatial domain data set associated with a given region into a seismic frequency domain data set, where the given region includes a suspect region, transform a seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region into a seismic frequency domain data subset, and perform inpainting of the seismic frequency domain data subset based upon the seismic frequency domain data set. The processor may further convert the inpainted seismic frequency domain data subset into an inpainted spatial domain data subset, and substitute the inpainted spatial domain data subset for the seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region in the seismic model spatial domain data set associated with the given region.

Abstract: Antenna system includes an elongated antenna feed tower structure having a tower base at one end which includes a plurality of feet arranged to align with a plurality of predetermined structural mounting points associated with a space vehicle bus. The antenna system also includes a deployable reflector assembly comprising a hub ring. The hub ring includes a reflector deployment mechanism around which a plurality of reflector ribs are disposed. The hub ring is advantageously arranged to engirdle the feed tower assembly. As such, the central aperture is configured to receive the feed tower assembly therein after the feed tower has already been mounted to the space vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission line segment coupler is for coupling together first and second coaxial transmission line segments each including an inner tubular conductor and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the inner tubular conductor and a dielectric therebetween. The coupler apparatus includes an outer tubular bearing body to be positioned within adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments, and an inner tubular bearing body configured to slidably move within the outer tubular bearing body to define a linear bearing therewith. The inner tubular bearing body is configured to define a fluid passageway in communication with the adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a mirror includes preparing a mirror core by successively depositing a plurality of layers of a core material to form a core structure; and bonding, using a bonding material, the mirror core to a front polishable faceplate and a back faceplate. A mirror includes a mirror core including a plurality of layers of a core material; a front polished faceplate; and a back faceplate. The front polished faceplate and the back faceplate are bonded to the mirror core with a bonding material.

Abstract: A communications device may include a local device, a remote device, and a multi-mode optical fiber coupled between the local device and the remote device. The local device may include a local spatial optical mux/demux coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber and having first and second local optical outputs and first and second local optical inputs, and a local electro-optic E/O modulator coupled to the second local optical input. The remote device may include a remote spatial optical mux/demux coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber, and a remote E/O modulator configured to generate a modulated signal onto a first remote optical output based upon modulating the first optical carrier signal from a first remote optical input responsive to a radio frequency (RF) electrical input signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optocoupler including a light source having a body and electrical leads, a light detector having a diode stack a metal end cap and electrical leads, and an optical cavity including optically transparent material at least partially covering the body of the light source and the diode stack of the light detector. Also included is a reflective layer including optically reflective material surrounding the optical cavity. The electrical leads of the light source, the metal end cap and the electrical leads of the light detector protrude from the optical cavity and the reflective layer.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1000) for dynamic data storage within a network. The method comprising: receiving at least one first data file (202) comprising first data (302-320); segmenting the first data so as to form a plurality of first data segments (208); processing each of the first data segments to transform at least one first attribute of a plurality of attributes thereof so as to form a second data segment (210); storing the second data segments respectively in a plurality of different data stores (116-120); and dynamically changing physical locations where the second data segments are stored in response to an occurrence of a first trigger event. In some scenarios, the method steps may be iteratively repeated in response to one or more second trigger events (which may be the same as or different than the first trigger event).

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1900) for configuring a computer network (“CN”). The methods comprise: receiving Access Control Information (“ACI”) input to a first network node (101-103, 105-107) by a user assigned to a mission; verifying that the user has a right to have access to the CN (100) based on the ACI; granting the user access to CN in response to the verifying; and obtaining Mission Related Information (“MRI”) by the first network node. The MRI is associated with the user and at least identifies a first mission plan (120) specifying a manner in which an assigned value for at least one first identity parameter is to be dynamically modified by at least one node (105-107, 113, 114) of CN. Thereafter, the first network node or a second network node (105-107, 113, 114) of CN is configured to operate in accordance with the first mission plan.