Abstract: An optical communication system which is tunable and polarization insensitive is provided herein. The optical communication system may comprise an optical bench coupling an optical transmit pathway and an optical receiving pathway to an external pathway. The optical bench includes a polarization insensitive optical circulator. The system may further include a tunable component positioned along the optical receiving pathway, and a controller coupled to the tunable component.

Abstract: A communication system has a plurality of LEO satellites in a specified orbital plane and a plurality of trunk satellites in a medium earth orbit. Each LEO satellite acquires satellite-specific data and includes inter-satellite links with adjacent LEO satellites. Each trunk satellite includes inter-satellite links adjacent trunk satellites. One of the trunk satellites operates as a relay trunk satellite in position to maintain optical communication with a specified ground station on the Earth. Each LEO satellite has a limited field of regard to establish optical communication with any trunk satellite. A relay LEO satellite is configured to establish optical communication with a corresponding trunk satellite. The plurality of LEO satellites relay aggregated data to the relay LEO satellite. The relay LEO satellite relays the aggregated data to the corresponding trunk satellite. The relay trunk satellite relays the received aggregated data to the corresponding ground station.

Abstract: A method for isolating an electrical fault in a floating High Voltage direct current (DC) system is provided. The method includes receiving a measurement of an output voltage of a High Voltage DC bus and receiving a measurement of a load current for each of a plurality of channels coupled to the High Voltage DC bus. The method also includes, when the output voltage is determined to be out of balance, comparing the measurement of the load current of each of the plurality of channels in the frequency domain, and, flagging one channel of the plurality of channels as a faulty channel based on the comparing the measurement of the load currents in the frequency domain.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed herein with generally relate to an optical communication system using a photonic lantern. In at least one embodiment, the optical system comprises: an optical transmitter coupled to a signal transmitting path; an optical receiver coupled to a signal receiving path; a photonic lantern, the photonic lantern extending between a first open end and a second open end, the first end comprising an opening to a single multi-mode fiber, and the second end comprising a plurality of single mode fibers that are adiabatically coupled to the multi-mode fiber, the plurality of single-mode fibers includes a single-mode fiber adapted to carry a fundamental optical mode and the remaining single-mode fibers adapted to carry higher-order optical modes, wherein, the single-mode fiber is coupled to the optical transmitting path, the remaining single-mode fibers are coupled to the optical receiving path.

Abstract: In some examples, a high-energy-density battery pack device includes a circuit board and at least two casing structures mounted on the circuit board. In some examples, the high-energy-density battery pack device also includes at least two cells electrically connected in series or in parallel through the circuit board. In some examples, each cell of the at least two cells is positioned in a casing structure of the at least two casing structures. In some examples, the respective casing structure surrounds the respective cell with an opening on one end of the cell.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for quantum key distribution includes a plurality of spatially separated light sources configured to emit a light signal with the same wavelength. Each light source emits a light signal with a unique encoding. A beam combiner receives the light signals from the plurality of light sources and combines the received light signals into a combined light signal. A spatial filter is optically coupled to the beam combiner and includes an aperture that receives the combined light signal and emits a filtered light signal. The aperture has an aperture diameter less than or equal to the specified wavelength. A collimator is optically coupled to the spatial filter and receives the filtered light signal and emits a collimated light signal. An output aperture receives the collimated light signal and outputs the collimated light signal as an output light signal towards an optical receiver.

Abstract: A mode of a rectifier may be changed between at least fully passive and fully synchronous based upon direct current (DC) output by the rectifier and/or direct current voltage output by the rectifier. This extends the range of direct current output by the rectifier for a given range of DC voltage output by the rectifier.

Abstract: An accurate and stable displacement sensor that reads through coated metal substrates achieves better than one micron accuracy includes: an electromagnetic coil positioned in a first enclosure; (ii) means for generating a magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil; (iii) a second enclosure which is spaced apart from the first enclosure, wherein the second enclosure includes dual magnetic sensors, such as fluxgate sensors, that are configured to measure the magnetic field; and (iv) means for calculating the separation between the operative surfaces of the enclosures from magnetic field measurements. A permanent magnet can be used instead of the electromagnetic coil and associated driving energy source. A precise displacement measurement is given by a mathematical function (such as the ratio or difference) of the two magnetic sensors demodulated signals. The displacement sensor can be mounted on a maneuverable C-frame to monitor the caliper of anodes and cathodes produced for lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and non-transitory machine-readable medium provide for 360° assistance for a QCS scanner with mixed reality (MR) and machine learning technology. The apparatus includes an optical sensor, a display, a Chatbot, cloud service, and a processor operably connected to the optical sensor and the display. The processor receives diagnostic information from a server related to a field device in an industrial process control and automation system; identifies an issue of the field device based on the diagnostic information; detects, using the optical sensor, the field device corresponding to the identified issue; guides, using the display, a user to a location and a scanner part of the field device that is related to the issue; provides, using the display, necessary steps or actions to resolve the issue; and connects, using a cloud server, a user to get modules of installation, commissioning, annual maintenance (AMC) and training for a quality control system (QCS) as per the selected persona.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining operating data associated with operation of a cross-directional industrial process controlled by at least one model-based process controller. The method also includes, during a training period, performing closed-loop model identification with a first portion of the operating data to identify multiple sets of first spatial and temporal models. The method further includes identifying clusters associated with parameter values of the first spatial and temporal models. The method also includes, during a testing period, performing closed-loop model identification with a second portion of the operating data to identify second spatial and temporal models. The method further includes determining whether at least one parameter value of at least one of the second spatial and temporal models falls outside at least one of the clusters.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal and an optical signal. One system may include a communication terminal comprising a primary concave reflector providing a first focal length to a focal point, and a secondary concave reflector providing a second focal length to the focal point. The communication terminal may further comprise an optical transceiver facing the secondary concave reflector, and one or more RF transceivers facing the primary concave reflector. The optical transceiver may be configured to transmit and receive the optical signal via the primary and secondary concave reflectors through the focal point, and the one or more RF transceivers may be configured to transmit and receive the RF signal via the primary concave reflector. The one or more RF transceivers may be positioned adjacent to the focal point and offset from a path of the optical signal.

Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of internal apertures, a plurality of external optical assemblies and a telescope assembly positioned between the plurality of internal apertures and the plurality of external optical assemblies. Each internal aperture is operable to receive a corresponding aperture-specific optical signal. Each external optical assembly corresponds to one of the internal apertures, and each external optical assembly is operable to direct the aperture-specific optical signal of the corresponding internal aperture in a corresponding external direction. The external direction for each external optical assembly is independently controllable and the telescope assembly defines a shared optical train arranged to direct the aperture-specific optical signals between each internal aperture and the corresponding external optical assembly.

Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of internal apertures, a plurality of external optical assemblies and a telescope assembly positioned between the plurality of internal apertures and the plurality of external optical assemblies. Each internal aperture is operable to receive a corresponding aperture-specific optical signal. Each external optical assembly corresponds to one of the internal apertures, and each external optical assembly is operable to direct the aperture-specific optical signal of the corresponding internal aperture in a corresponding external direction. The external direction for each external optical assembly is independently controllable and the telescope assembly defines a shared optical train arranged to direct the aperture-specific optical signals between each internal aperture and the corresponding external optical assembly.

Abstract: A secondary power distribution box (SPDB), solid state power controller (SSPC) line replacement module or printed board assembly (LRM/PBA), integrated power distribution and avionics system, and method of power distribution are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving electrical power from a power source at a power feeder network, communicating with at least one load of a plurality of loads at least in part over the power feeder network, and coupling the electrical power to the at least one load of the plurality of loads in response to the communicating.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring process data collected in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes reducing a dimension space of the process data by combining two or more parameters of the process data or examining a frequency response of the process data. The method further includes determining a change in a process based on a change in the process data in the reduced dimension space. The method also includes outputting a result based on the determined change in the process.

Abstract: A controller reference trajectory design technique to enable high-performing automatic grade change performed by a model predictive control (MPC). Techniques include: (1) automatic determination of appropriate process output reference trajectory delays to enable optimum coordination of process input movements; (2) providing the entire planning process output reference trajectory ramp at the start of the grade change instead of just incrementally as the grade change progresses, again enabling movement of the process inputs to drive process outputs along the planned future path instead of just towards the current target; and (3) use of the process input forced ramping to allow linear ramping of process inputs with optimal coordination of other process input movements to keep all process outputs following the desired trajectories. The technical benefits are faster and higher performing grade changes.

Abstract: Time-of-flight measurements calculate the absolute caliper of a moving film independent of the film's index of refraction. A reflective fiber coupled terahertz gauge is mounted co-axially with a temperature stabilized Z-sensor positioned within a scanner head. The terahertz gauge monitors four reflections: (1) the reflection from a sensor window, (2, 3) the reflections from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet product being measured, and (4) the reflection from a reflector that is placed behind the sheet. The Z-sensor monitors the distance between the reflector and the sensor window. The terahertz reflection delays together with the Z distance measurements allow extraction of the caliper. Since the time delay due to the sheet is a function of thickness and index of refraction, the basis weight of the sheet can be determined by using a calibration of the sensor relating basis weight of the product to time delay.

Abstract: A method includes repeatedly identifying one or more values for one or more model parameters of at least one model associated with a process. The one or more values for the one or more model parameters are identified using data associated with the process. The method also includes clustering the values of the one or more model parameters into one or more clusters. The method further includes identifying one or more additional values for the one or more model parameters using additional data associated with the process. In addition, the method includes detecting a mismatch between the at least one model and the process in response to determining that at least some of the one or more additional values fall outside of the one or more clusters. The values could be clustered using a support vector machine.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining closed-loop data associated with operation of an industrial process controller, where the industrial process controller is configured to control at least part of an industrial process using at least one model. The method also includes generating at least one noise model associated with the industrial process controller using at least some of the closed-loop data. The method further includes filtering the closed-loop data based on the at least one noise model. In addition, the method includes generating one or more model parameters for the industrial process controller using the filtered closed-loop data.

Abstract: A secondary power distribution box (SPDB), solid state power controller (SSPC) line replacement module or printed board assembly (LRM/PBA), integrated power distribution and avionics system, and method of power distribution are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving electrical power from a power source at a power feeder network, communicating with at least one load of a plurality of loads at least in part over the power feeder network, and coupling the electrical power to the at least one load of the plurality of loads in response to the communicating.