Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices and integrated circuits for instrumentation amplifiers. In one example, an instrumentation amplifier device uses two non-inverted outputs of a first multiple-output transconductance amplifier, and a non-inverted output and an inverted output of a second multiple-output transconductance amplifier. Both multiple-output transconductance amplifiers have a non-inverted output connected to an inverting input, and a non-inverting input connected to a respective input voltage terminal. A first resistor is connected between the inverting inputs of both multiple-output transconductance amplifiers. The outputs of both multiple-output transconductance amplifiers are connected together, connected through a second resistor to ground, and connected to an output voltage terminal. In other examples, two pairs of outputs from triple-output transconductance amplifiers are connected to provide two voltage output terminals, and may also be connected to buffers or a differential amplifier.

Abstract: A method of operating a system (e.g., an industrial pant) that runs a physical process involving a console operator and a plurality of field operators including a first field operator. The first field operator sends a wireless message that reaches the console operator. Responsive to receiving the wireless message, selected information is read from a system database including information for equipment in the system and process event data obtained from or relating to the equipment. The selected information includes the equipment which is proximate to a current location of the first field operator (proximate equipment) and process related data from the proximate equipment. The selected information is displayed on the display device viewable by the console operator. To complete a collaboration, the console operator can provide information relevant to the current location to the first field operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for inertial sensing is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one atomic inertial sensor, and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the atomic inertial sensor. The atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop.

Abstract: Articles, methods of validating the articles, and validating systems are provided herein. In an embodiment, an article includes a substrate and a security feature on the substrate. The security feature includes a first region that has a first ink composition and a second region that has a second ink composition. The first ink composition includes a first luminescent phosphor and the second ink composition includes a second luminescent phosphor that is different from the first luminescent phosphor. The first luminescent phosphor and the second luminescent phosphor have indistinguishable excitation energy wavelengths, indistinguishable emission wavelengths, and distinguishable temporal decay properties.

Abstract: A mass separation method utilizing a turbomolecular pump includes providing a gas, having analytes and ambient molecules, to an inlet chamber for allowing flow of gas into the pump, pulling gas into a pump chamber via motion of at least one of a rotor and a stator, positioning the rotor and stator such that the gas flows around an outer surface of one of the rotor or stator, and then inward toward a central axis and then toward a gas outlet, and wherein one or more target molecular or atomic species that are heavier than the ambient molecules in the gas at the inlet are passed through the chamber via the rotor and stator and a partial pressure of analytes in a gas at the outlet is increased by a larger factor than the ambient molecules at the outlet, resulting in an increase in the number analytes versus ambient molecules.

Abstract: A dual band imager includes a lens to receive short wavelength and medium or long wavelength radiation from a scene to be imaged, a beam splitter positioned to receive the radiation from the lens, a medium or long wavelength to short wavelength image converter positioned to receive long wavelength radiation reflected via the beam splitter and to transmit the image information via short wavelength radiation, and a detector to receive the short wavelength radiation containing the image information through the beam splitter or from the scene and from the image converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring engine oil temperatures to detect higher than normal oil temperatures are provided. The system comprises a plurality of sensors for obtaining input signals from the operating engine for a predetermined set of engine conditions. At least one of the plurality of sensors includes an oil temperature sensor for measuring an engine oil temperature. The system also includes an engine control unit (ECU) where a plurality of predetermined limit values corresponding to at least one predetermined set of engine operating conditions is stored. The engine control unit is configured to select a predetermined limit value corresponding to a measured set of engine operating conditions, to calculate a maintenance limit value using the selected predetermined limit value, and to compare the measured oil temperature with the maintenance limit value. An output unit outputs a predetermined output depending on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A suppression circuit may be added to a motor driver circuit, which suppresses offset voltage and ringing in the output signal. The suppression circuit may include an RC circuit filter connected to a pin of a microchip providing a gating reference signal and a junction between high and low side MOSFETS connected to the microchip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a flight recorder are provided. In certain embodiments, a crash survivable memory unit, comprises a memory device that records flight data; a flexible insulation layer that inhibits thermal energy from conducting from an external side of the flexible insulation layer to an internal side of the flexible insulation layer, wherein the internal side faces the memory device; a microlattice layer abutting the internal side and enclosing the memory device, the microlattice layer configured to distribute thermal energy that passes through the flexible insulation layer substantially throughout the microlattice layer; and a heat absorbing material that impregnates the microlattice layer, the heat absorbing material configured to absorb the thermal energy in the microlattice layer; and an impact resistant layer encircling the flexible insulation layer, wherein the impact resistant layer absorbs shocks that result from other objects contacting the impact resistant layer.

Abstract: A system receives an iris image and segments the iris region. The segmented iris region is mapped to a unit disk and partitioned into local iris regions (or sectors) as a function of the radius and angle The system calculates localized Zernike moments for a plurality of regions of the unit disk. The localized Zernike moment includes a projection of the local iris region into a space of Zernike polynomial orthogonal basis functions. The system generates an iris feature set from the localized Zernike moments for each partitioned region, excluding the regions which are comprised by occlusion. The iris features are weighted based on the conditions of blur, gaze and occlusion of the iris region. A probe iris image is then matched to a plurality of iris images in a database based on the distance of its feature set to the corresponding plurality of iris feature sets.

Abstract: A building automation and control network (BACnet) master-slave/token-passing (MS/TP) automatic media access control (MAC) addressing system having a BACnet MS/TP network, a MAC assigner on the network, and one or more MAC assignees on the network. Each assignee may have a global unique identity (GUID) and the assigner may have a pre-defined address. The assigner may gather virtually all GUIDs of the MAC assignees on the network and gather virtually all unused MAC addresses on the network. The assigner may map GUIDs to the unused MAC addresses and send a resulting map to the MAC assignees for assignment of a MAC address to each assignee. Each assignee may be assigned a MAC address according to its GUID, and the assignment of a MAC address to each assignee may occur automatically without manual intervention. In other words, the system may provide auto MAC addressing.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for assessing risk associated with a domain are described herein. One method includes determining an inherent risk associated with a number of boundaries associated with a domain, determining a threat potential associated with a number of disturbances associated with the domain, determining an actual threat associated with a number of control mechanisms associated with the domain, and determining an overall risk associated with the domain based on the inherent risk, the threat potential, and the actual threat.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments generally relate to non-destructive evaluation methods. In an embodiment, a method for non-destructive evaluation of a machine-riveted bearing includes positioning a first plurality of sensors in the region of interest, the first plurality of acoustic sensors being provided in a phased array, positioning a second plurality of sensors in the region of interest, the second plurality of sensors being provided in a phased array, inducing a vibration in the region of interest using the first plurality of sensors and receiving a resonance frequency spectra using the second plurality of sensors, and comparing the received resonance frequency spectra against a reference spectra to determine the presence of an anomaly in the region of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying a corrective maintenance plan for a system includes supplying diagnostic data to a processor. The diagnostic data are representative of a set of two or more potential independent faults within the system, and each of the potential independent faults in the set has a unique corrective maintenance plan associated therewith. The diagnostic data are processed, in the processor, to select only one of the corrective maintenance plans. Maintenance plan data representative of the selected corrective maintenance plan are generated in the processor. For identical sets of two or more potential independent faults, the selected maintenance plan is not always the same.

Abstract: A method for navigation comprises constructing a current map that includes two-dimensional or three dimensional representations of an area, detecting one or more edge features on the current map, and generating a first fine-edge map based on the edge features. The method further comprises retrieving a historical map that includes two-dimensional or three dimensional representations of the area, detecting one or more edge features on the historical map, and generating a second fine-edge map based on the edge features. Thereafter, a coarse version of the current map is generated from the first fine-edge map, and a coarse version of the historical map is generated from the second fine-edge map. The coarse versions of the current and historical maps are then correlated to determine a first position and orientation. The first fine-edge map is then correlated with the second fine-edge map to determine a second, more accurate, position and orientation.

Abstract: Optimal charting patterns for charting of raw rolls/sheets from flat sheet industry are produced with a processing system and includes the steps of: (a) receiving user selected business objectives; (b) receiving user selected business preferences; (c) setting targets for user selected business preferences; (d) establishing charting constraint sets; (e) generating charting patterns based on user selected business objectives and targets for user selected business preferences; and (f) selecting charting patterns based on targets for user selected business preference using an objective function, wherein the objective function includes terms related to the user selected business objectives. Target driven charting assists users in knowing the bounds (upper and/or lower) of the values for various business objectives for an individual charting run.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a contactless RF coupling device that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The RF coupling device may provide a broadband, low loss electrical connection without mechanical contact as would a conventional mechanical connector. The first substrate includes a first ground plane on one side and a first transmission line on an opposing side. The first transmission line includes an enlarged first coupling member at an end of the first transmission line. The second substrate includes a second ground plane on one side and a second transmission line on an opposing side. The second transmission line includes an enlarged second coupling member at an end of the second transmission line. The first ground plane may not extend under the first coupling member and the second ground plane may include an opening that is aligned with the second coupling member.

Abstract: A damper control system having energy efficient mechanisms. The system may use a heat-to-electric power converter such as a thermopile. Heat may come from a pilot light used for igniting a flame for an appliance. The system may store electric energy in a storage module which could be a sufficiently large capacitor. The system may monitor the position of a damper in a vent or the like and provide start and stop movements of the damper using minimal energy. One way that the system may control electrical energy to a damper motor or another electrical mover of the damper is to use pulse width modulated signals.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly may include a valve having a mounting adapter and an actuator housing configured to releasably and non-rotatably attach to the mounting adapter without tools. The actuator housing may be attached at any one of a plurality of discrete radial orientations. In some instances, the actuator housing may include a spring retainer clip configured to engage the mounting adapter, and a button element configured to engage the spring retainer clip to release the spring retainer clip from the mounting adapter.

Abstract: A plurality of mini radars that make the radar system conformable to a structure that it is attached or built into. A radar system includes a clock, a plurality of frequency modulated/continuous wave (FM/CW) radar units in signal communication with the clock and a processor in signal communication with the plurality of FM/CW radar units. Each of the plurality of FM/CW radar units includes a row of antenna elements.