Abstract: A payload subsystem of a satellite includes a plurality of transmit antenna feeds, a plurality of frequency filters, and a power amplification arrangement including a plurality of power amplifiers. The power amplification arrangement has at least one multiport amplifier, the multiport amplifier including a plurality of output ports, each output port coupled with a respective one of the plurality of transmit antenna feeds by way of a respective one of the plurality of frequency filters.

Abstract: A fluidic filter for filtering a fluid includes a filter housing having an inlet part, an outlet part and a housing part, and a filter element having an inlet side and an outlet side. The filter element is housed inside the housing part of the filter housing and includes a first flow passage that extends along a longitudinal direction of the filter element and is connected to the outlet part, and a plurality of ridges extending along the longitudinal direction. A plurality of second flow passages respectively are formed between ridges and an inner surface of the housing part, allowing the fluid to flow from the inlet side of the filter element along the longitudinal direction. At least a portion of the plurality of ridges facing the second flow passages is permeable to the fluid so as to allow passage of the fluid from the second flow passages to the first flow passage.

Abstract: Beamforming channels of a satellite are calibrated using a low power, spread spectrum calibration signal. The power of the calibration signal is below the noise level of a user signal in an active channel, allowing channels to be calibrated while active. When calibrating the transmit side circuitry, a two-stage calibration can be used, first calibrating the output hybrid matrix, then calibrating the whole of the transmit side. To improve performance, the dwell time spend calibrating a channel can be based on the power of the user signal in the channel. A transmit probe can be used to inject a calibration signal into the receive antennae and a receive probe can be used to extract the calibration signal from the transmit antennae. To reduce frequency of calibrations, the calibrations can be based on path-to-path differences.

Abstract: Beamforming channels of a satellite are calibrated using a low power, spread spectrum calibration signal. The power of the calibration signal is below the noise level of a user signal in an active channel, allowing channels to be calibrated while active. When calibrating the transmit side circuitry, a two-stage calibration can be used, first calibrating the output hybrid matrix, then calibrating the whole of the transmit side. To improve performance, the dwell time spend calibrating a channel can be based on the power of the user signal in the channel. A transmit probe can be used to inject a calibration signal into the receive antennae and a receive probe can be used to extract the calibration signal from the transmit antennae. To reduce frequency of calibrations, the calibrations can be based on path-to-path differences. These techniques are also applied to multiport amplifiers (MPAs).

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of a semiconductor body. A topmost pn-junction of a plurality of pn-junctions stacked on top of each other adjoins to the first main surface. A cell edge of the semiconductor body defines a shape of the first and the second main surfaces. An encapsulant on the first main surface provides an environmental protection of the semiconductor body. A mesa groove is provided on the first main surface and penetrates at least the topmost pn-junction. The mesa groove is located adjacent to the cell edge and is created around the circumference of the semiconductor body for providing an inner cell area and a mesa wall, the mesa wall being created between the mesa groove and the cell edge. The mesa groove is filled with the encapsulant.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes a payload subsystem including a plurality of transmit antenna feeds, a digital channelizer, and a power amplification arrangement including a plurality of power amplifiers. The power amplification arrangement has at least one input communicatively coupled with an output of the digital channelizer and at least one output communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of transmit antenna feeds. A processor is configured to control the digital channelizer, and to adjust a saturated output power of at least one power amplifier of the plurality of power amplifiers in the power amplification arrangement.

Abstract: A thermo-acoustic engine and/or cooler is provided and includes an elongated tubular body, multiple regenerators disposed within the body, multiple heat exchangers disposed within the body, where at least one heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to each of the multiple regenerators, multiple transducers axially disposed at each end of the body, and an acoustic wave source generating acoustic waves. At least one of the acoustic waves is amplified by one of the regenerators and at least another acoustic wave is amplified by a second one of regenerators.

Abstract: An object is to enable to search genetic information in an encrypted state. An encryption apparatus (200) encrypts a target gene which is genetic information to be stored in a storage apparatus and generates an encrypted gene, as well compares a reference gene which is predefined genetic information with the target gene to generate differential information, and generates an encrypted tag which is encrypted by embedding the generated differential information. A data center (400) stores the encrypted gene with related to the encrypted tag in the storage apparatus. A search apparatus (300) generates a search query which is encrypted by embedding the differential information as a search keyword, and sends the generated search query to a data center (400). The data center (400) specifies the encrypted tag including the differential information specified in the search query, extracts the related encrypted gene, and sends the encrypted gene to the search apparatus (300).

Abstract: Methods of collecting in-situ materials on a celestial body for return to Earth or another location and associated devices are described. These devices and methods facilitate collection of samples and creation of portions of the return spacecraft via an additive manufacturing device contained within the lander craft. The additive manufacturing device is configured to produce portions of the return spacecraft (e.g., sample return container, spacecraft structure, heat shield) and may also be configured to place samples within the spacecraft for return and analysis.

Abstract: A hybrid processor system for use on board a telecommunications multi-beam satellite is provided that is controllable by a network control center via one or more control channels. The system links to ground terminals by: providing uplink and downlink traffic channels on several satellite beams; routing atomic switched information blocks from the uplink traffic channels to the downlink traffic channels; and exchanging signaling data with the ground terminals on one or more uplink signaling channels and one or more downlink signaling channels. The atomic switched information blocks have the same given time duration and the same given baseband bandwidth.

Abstract: An expandable antenna includes: a plurality of ribs arranged with a regulated angular pitch at an outer circumferential portion of a hub; and a metal mesh installed between the plurality of adjacent ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs is formed in a horizontally elongated thin flat plate shape with elasticity, and a segment to which the metal mesh is attached is formed in a parabolic shape. A flat plane of each of the plurality of ribs is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to a central axis of the hub. The object of the present invention is to provide the expandable antenna which can be easily expanded in outer space with a simple structure and can realize a desired shape after expansion.

Abstract: An imaging array fed reflector for a spacecraft is included in a spacecraft payload subsystem. The payload subsystem includes a multi-beam antenna including a reflector, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of radiating feed elements, the feed elements configured as a phased array, illuminating the reflector, operable at a frequency having a characteristic wavelength (?), and configured to produce, in a far field at the reflector, a set of contiguous abutting beams. The amplifiers are disposed proximate to the plurality of radiating feed elements. Each radiating feed element has a respective coupling with at least one respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers. Each radiating feed element, together with the at least one respective amplifier, is disposed in a closely packed triangular lattice such that separation between adjacent radiating feed elements is not greater than 1.5?.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) architecture and process, in which priority aircraft and ADS-B IN and radar traffic information are included in the transmission of data through the telemetry communications to a remote ground control station. The present invention further proposes methods for displaying general aviation traffic information in three and/or four dimension trajectories using an industry standard Earth browser for increased situation awareness and enhanced visual acquisition of traffic for conflict detection. The present invention enable the applications of enhanced visual acquisition of traffic, traffic alerts, and en-route and terminal surveillance used to augment pilot situational awareness through ADS-B IN display and information in three or four dimensions for self-separation awareness.

Abstract: A Vehicle Based Independent Range System (VBIRS) (10) comprised of individual stacked chambered modules that function as a single integrated system that provides a self-contained space based range capability, and is comprised of a power module (12), an artificial intelligence/autonomous engagement/flight termination system module (20), a satellite data modem module system (30) and a navigation, communications and control module system (40), all of which interface with a VBIRS test and checkout system (52) and a weather data system (116). The artificial intelligence/autonomous engagement/flight termination system module (20) is comprised of an inherent artificial intelligence capability that envelopes and interchanges data with an autonomous engagement controller (22) that contains all missile/rocket autonomous cooperative engagement, destruct decision software and range safety algorithm parameters required for optimum mission planning.

Abstract: A communication platform such as a spacecraft, airborne platform, or terrestrial line of site wireless platform is provided with adaptive digital beamforming. The satellite digitizes a full spectrum allocation for digital channelization. A channelization engine can determine a particular user or user group associated with an uplink signal. In this manner, the communication platform can apply different processing based on the user or group associated with a signal. For example, the communication platform receives uplink signals associated with a first user group and a second user group in one embodiment. The platform dynamically generates one or more spot beams for the first user group and the second group. The platform discriminates the uplink signals to apply frequency hopping for the downlink frequency channel assignments to the second user group while the downlink frequency channel assignments for the first user group remain fixed.

Abstract: A dual band infrared imaging system self-contained to fit within a small spacecraft is provided. The imaging system uses a detector array cooled by a mini cryocooler, and includes telescope optics and two bandpass filters for fire detection and thermal and evapotranspiration Earth science.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of wirelessly powering an aerospace vehicle while the vehicle is on the ground is provided to solve a problem of supplying electric power for aircraft while idling on taxiways. Present systems typically require fuel-driven auxiliary power units (APU's) to generate electricity. Running APU's to power aircraft while idling requires over 443 million gallons of jet fuel annually at a cost of $1.3 billion dollars. This results in an estimated 4.7 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. At the gate, shore power is provided via hardline connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic article (3) from a metal or metal matrix composite preform (1) provided by 3D-printing or by 3D-weaving. The preform (1) is placed in a heating chamber (2), and a predetermined time-temperature profile is applied in order to controllably react the preform (1) with a gas introduced into the heating chamber (2). The metal, the gas and the time-temperature profile are chosen so as to induce a metal-gas reaction resulting in at least a part of the preform (1) transforming into a ceramic. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a first oxidation stage involving a metal-gas reaction in order to form a supporting oxide layer (5) at the surface of the metal, followed by a second stage in which the heating chamber (2) is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to increase the kinetics of the chemical reaction. The invention also relates to a number of advantageous uses of a ceramic article manufactured as described.

Abstract: A microsensor and its method of manufacture are disclosed based on templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures. The microsensor includes an electrode that in one embodiment may be configured as a first sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of first peaks and first valleys and a second electrode that by be configured as a second sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of second peaks and second valleys where the second peaks generally align with the first peaks of the first electrode. A plurality of templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures connect on one side to the first electrode and on another side to the second electrode, where an electrical property of the microsensor changes in response to exposure to an environment to be monitored.

Abstract: An anti-rattling restraint device and system for pallets in the cargo hold of an aircraft comprising a frame body with an upper side, lateral sides, a first and a second slot sets positioned on said lateral sides, a first and a second shaft, configured to slide along the first and second slot sets respectively, a threaded stud, a lever, comprising a first end, a second end and a lever slot substantially positioned on the second end of the lever, and lock positioned on the upper side of the frame body, wherein the threaded stud is connected to the second shaft, and further connected to the frame body by the lock, and the lever is connected to the frame body by the first and second shafts, and further connected to the threaded stud by the second shaft.