Abstract: Information is transmitted across a wireless data network, comprising a wireless link (100) from a software application module on a computer hardware device (112) to a computer hardware device (110) associated with a destination node in the network. The application requests (114) the status of the route across the network, such information being optionally provided by a decision engine (104) which has access to network status parameters, such as bandwidth, latency and link quality. The application receives (118) the status information and then, and preferably only then, transmits (120) the data in a format chosen from a plurality of different formats (of differing richness of information represented by the date in each such format) in dependence on the indication of the status so received.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft is provided that includes a turbine engine, a first electric machine assembly connected to the turbine engine, a second electric machine assembly driven by the first electric machine assembly, and multiple third electric machine assemblies driven by the first electric machine assembly, wherein the multiple third electric machines provide a thrust output to propel the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing large area graphene for graphene-based photonics devices such as bolometric graphene detectors, or for use as a saturable absorber in ultra-high bandwidth detectors for producing ultrafast laser pulses. The method includes: growing a first graphene layer on one side of a metal substrate, and a second graphene layer on another side of the metal substrate; coating the first graphene layer with a plurality of resist layers including a low molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate, and a high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate; removing the second graphene layer and the metal substrate to reveal the first graphene layer; disposing the first graphene layer on an optical substrate; and removing the plurality of resist layers from the first graphene layer to reveal a final graphene layer, which can be used as the basis to manufacture a multilayer graphene structure for graphene detectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lightweight, customizable antenna with improved performance and mechanical properties are disclosed. In some aspects, aerogels can be used, for example, as a substrate for antenna fabrication. The reduced weight and expense, as well as the increased ability to adapt antenna designs, permits a systems to mitigate a variety of burdens associated with antennas while providing added benefits.

Abstract: A satellite includes: at least one optical photography instrument including a main lens having an optical axis and the optical instrument having a field of view; at least one launcher interface system, intended for being removably secured to a satellite interface system of a launcher of the satellite; a linking device between the launcher interface and the optical instrument extending substantially parallel to the optical axis of the main lens between an upper end and a lower end; the launcher interface system is connected to the linking device by the lower end and the optical axis of the optical instrument is directed from the upper end towards the lower end of the linking device, the launcher interface system being outside the field of view of the instrument.

Abstract: A method of operating an electromechanical actuator (EMA) system includes determining a command time remaining for an actuator to attain a commanded position and determining a stop time required to stop movement of the actuator. The command time is compared to the stop time, and an electric motor driving the actuator is decelerated if the stop time is equal to or greater than the command time. An electromechanical actuator system includes an actuator and an electric motor operably connected to the actuator, the electric motor configured to drive movement of the actuator. A controller is operably connected to the electric motor to control operation of the actuator. The controller is configured to determine a command time remaining, determine a stop time, compare the command time to the stop time, and decelerate the electric motor if the stop time is equal to or greater than the command time.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte-based sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive polymer electrolyte film including water-retaining components. The water-retaining components facilitate operational conductivity of the conductive polymer electrolyte film in lower humidity environments than would be possible without the water-retaining components.

Abstract: In order to maintain a surface region of an aircraft free of ice in a particularly energy-efficient manner, a device for deicing and/or for preventing ice formation is provided on an aircraft. The device includes a heat emitting device for emitting heat at a surface region of the aircraft, the heat emitting device is designed to dissipate heat along a line in order to produce a predetermined breaking point or a predetermined breaking line or parting line in ice accumulating on the surface region.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes at least one deployable propulsion module, the propulsion module including at least one thruster fixedly disposed with respect to the propulsion module, a first arrangement for coupling the propulsion module to a first portion of the spacecraft in a first configuration and a second arrangement for coupling the propulsion module to a second portion of the spacecraft in a second configuration. The spacecraft is reconfigurable, on-orbit, from the first configuration to the second configuration. In the first configuration, the deployable propulsion module is detached from the second arrangement and the at least one thruster is oriented to produce thrust in a first direction. In the second configuration, the deployable propulsion module is detached from the first arrangement and the at least one thruster is oriented to produce thrust in a second direction, the second direction being substantially different from the first direction.

Abstract: A vertical take-off aircraft with a propulsion drive for generating a driving force being effective in a horizontal direction and with a lift drive for generating a lifting force being effective in a vertical direction includes a motor for providing mechanical energy for the propulsion drive and a first generator for providing electrical energy for the lift drive. Moreover, the aircraft includes an exhaust gas turbocharger for the motor with a first turbine being driven by an exhaust gas flow of the motor, wherein the first turbine is configured to provide mechanical energy for the propulsion drive.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for depositing reinforcing fiber tapes and detecting laying errors. Automatic depositing of reinforcing fiber tapes on a support can occur by a laying head and at least one roller assigned to the laying head. At least one radiation source and/or at least one sensor is integrated into the at least one roller for the detection of laying errors, and this roller is transmissive at least by region for a radiation emitted by the radiation source.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fiber composite component. The apparatus includes a shaping tool and a plurality of laying units which are mechanically independent of one another and are each configured to lay a fiber material on the shaping tool, wherein the laying units each include a control device which is configured to actuate each laying unit to automatically interact with at least one other laying unit to lay a predetermined fiber arrangement together.

Abstract: Techniques for two-axis articulation of a deployed spacecraft solar array are disclosed. In one aspect, an arrangement mechanically coupling a solar array with a sidewall of a body of a spacecraft includes a proximal appendage, a distal appendage rotatably coupled with the proximal appendage by way of a hinge, and a closed cable loop (CCL) system coupled with the proximal appendage and the distal appendage. In an on-orbit configuration, a long axis of the proximal appendage defines an ? axis that is substantially orthogonal to the sidewall. The hinge includes CCL disengagement mechanism configured to de-couple the CCL system from the proximal appendage and the distal appendage and a rotation driving mechanism configured to cause the distal appendage to rotate about a ? axis when the proximal appendage is in the on-orbit configuration, the ? axis being not aligned with the ? axis.

Abstract: A network interface of a network user having at least one physical interface for connecting the network interface to a network interface of a different network user, at least one data selector, which is connected to the physical interface and which is suitable for receiving data from the physical interface and sending data to the physical interface, and at least one data switch, which is connected to the data selector and which is suitable for receiving data from the data selector and sending data to the data selector.

Abstract: An additively manufactured non-uniform porous material in-situ with dense material for the in situ additive manufacturing of both porous and dense material in the same part so that no secondary process is required. The additively manufactured non-uniform porous material in-situ with dense material generally includes additively manufactured porous material which can be tuned for porosity and density, has the ability to be built in situ with dense material, and can also be tuned for response to pressure waves. Also included are computer program products, methods and components and systems manufactured using the methods.

Abstract: A blasting medium for blasting a component, wherein the component comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, to a method of blasting a component, wherein the component comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, and a method of producing a blasting medium are described herein.

Abstract: A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a ground based gateway subsystem configured to transmit an RF feeder uplink beam to a satellite, and a space based subsystem of the satellite configured to receive the RF feeder uplink beam and produce in dependence thereon an optical ISL beam that is transmitted to another satellite. The ground based gateway subsystem can include a ground based beamformer used to produce the RF feeder uplink beam. The optical ISL beam, produced by the space based subsystem and transmitted to the other satellite, can comprise a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal having RF frequencies within a same specified RF frequency range within which the other satellite is configured to transmit a plurality of RF service downlink beams, thereby eliminating any need for the other satellite to perform any frequency conversions when producing the plurality of RF service downlink beams in dependence on the optical ISL beam.

Abstract: Noise distribution shaping for signals, particularly for the application in receivers for CDMA signals. An embodiment provides a method for noise distribution shaping for signals comprising the acts of generating a blanking control signal by comparing a received signal comprising transitions with at least one blanking threshold, determining transitions of the received signal and zones around the determined transitions, and generating a transitions control signal comprising the determined transitions and zones, adapting the at least one blanking threshold or the received signal according to an offset value depending on the amplitude of the received signal and on the transitions control signal, and modifying the noise distribution of the received signal by applying blanking of the received signal under control of the blanking control signal.