Abstract: A combination includes an AC power system and a system for improving power factor in the AC power system by continuously variable, analog control of level of reactive current introduced into a power conveying line of the AC power system. A power factor-improving circuit includes at least one channel that comprises a channel-level AC electron tube circuit and at least one associated reactive impedance element interconnected in series manner. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit is responsive to a control system for continuously variable, analog control of the level of reactive current in the at least one associated reactive impedance element so that the foregoing level of reactive current changes, as necessary, in a continuously variable, analog manner to improve power factor in the power conveying line. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit comprises at least one cold-cathode field-emission electron tube.

Abstract: A signage system and a method of using the same. The system includes a base plate with front and rear surfaces; one or more signs engageable with the base plate; each sign having a rear surface positionable adjacent the front surface of the base plate; a boss extending outwardly from the rear surface of the sign or a front surface of the base plate; and an aperture defined in the other of the rear surface of the sign or the front surface of the base plate; wherein the boss is received in the aperture; and wherein the sign is moveable relative to the base plate between an unlatched position and a latched position; and when in the latched position the boss is not removable from the aperture. A locking member is engageable with the base plate to selectively prevent relative movement between the signs and the base plate.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus for improved write performance is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a base printed circuit board (PCB) having an edge connector for plugging into a host server system; a card level power source to provide card level power during a power failure; a memory controller coupled to the card level power source and having one or more memory channels; and one or more non-volatile memory devices (NVMDs) coupled to the card level power source and organized to respectively couple to the memory channels controlled by the memory controller. Each memory controller provides queuing and scheduling of memory operations on a channel for each NVMD in the memory channels. Responsive to power failure, the memory controller receives card level power and changes the scheduling of memory operations to the NVMDs in each memory channel.

Abstract: A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.

Abstract: Metadata that corresponds to application data is distributed across different disruption regions of an asymmetric memory component such that metadata is written in the same disruption region as the application data to which it corresponds. A first block of application data is written to a first disruption region and a second block of application data is written to a second disruption region. A first block of metadata corresponding to the first block of application data and a second block of metadata corresponding to the second block of application data both are generated. The first block of metadata is written to the first disruption region and the second block of metadata is written to the second disruption region such that the first and second blocks of metadata are written to the same disruption regions as the blocks of application data to which they correspond.

Abstract: A system that utilizes an amplified signal is disclosed that includes a plurality of first switches coupled to a plurality of first impedances. A plurality of second switches coupled to a plurality of second impedances. An amplifier having a first input coupled to the plurality of first switches and a second input coupled to the plurality of second switches. A leakage current offset source coupled to the first input of the amplifier, wherein the leakage current offset source cancels a leakage current component of a first current provided from the plurality of first switches to the first input.

Abstract: Systems and processes for flexible and/or low volume product manufacture, including cost effective ways to manufacture low volume system level devices. In one aspect, this disclosure enables the manufacture of a plurality of System in Package (SiP) devices. In one aspect, the devices include one or more of an optical and electrical identifier, corresponding to substrates and/or product designs. The identifiers can be used in the assembly of the devices.

Abstract: A flood barrier system includes vertical elements and panels extending between such vertical elements, the foregoing components having various features for inhibiting passage of flood water therethrough. One or more vertical elements may have a multi-layer base plate which forms a watertight seal with vertical gaskets disposed on the vertical elements. One of the vertical elements of the system may comprise a stanchion post which may be formed of extruded aluminum. Another vertical element which may find potential use in certain applications may be secured to a store front mullion. The panels in such system may include specially adapted gaskets to reduce instances of leakage. The vertical elements and panels allow the present flood barrier system to be flexible and readily deployable as a barrier to flood or flood risk.

Abstract: A circuit that measures isolation resistance in a battery pack that is associated with a load includes four resistors. Two resistors are connected between terminals of the battery pack and another two resistors are connected in the load in parallel to the resistors in the battery pack. A controller operates two contactors to disconnect the battery from the load and measure first and second voltages in the battery pack and one of the two resistors. The controller operates the two contactors to connect the battery to the load and measures third and fourth voltages in the battery pack and one of the two resistors. The controller identifies the isolation resistance with reference to resistance values of the four resistors and the first, second, third, and fourth measured voltages.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide the effectiveness decay rate of actual police enforcement by allowing the user to chart the speeds in a particular location and overlay times when an officer was present and providing on-site enforcement. The system can monitor the speed in the location and when the speeds creep back up to a set speed or multiple of the speed after the enforcement period, the officer can be notified to provide enforcement again and reduce the speeds. For example, once the police car goes away, some locations may take longer for the average speed to creep back up to normal and others may have the average speed increase more quickly. A visual display of the situation provides a systematic method for determining enforcement locations and timing in place of conventional “seat-of-the-pants” enforcement planning.

Abstract: Presented is a method and associated system for suppression of linear and nonlinear echo. The method includes dividing an input signal into several frequency bands in each of a several of time frames. The input signal may include an echo signal. The method further includes multiplying the input signal in each of the several frequency bands by a corresponding echo suppression signal. Calculating the corresponding echo suppression signal may include estimating a power of the echo signal in a particular frequency band as a sum of several component echo powers, each of the several component echo powers due to an excitation from a far-end signal in a corresponding one of the several frequency bands. Calculating the corresponding echo suppression signal may further include subtracting the power of the echo signal in the particular frequency band from a power of the input signal in the particular frequency band.

Abstract: An approach for improved security protocols in a mobile satellite system is provided. A remote terminal performs a key establishment function, including determination of a first encryption key for encrypting data for transmission over the satellite communications channels, and determination of an authentication key for authenticating entities communicating over the communications channels. The remote terminal receives a security mode command including a key indicator, and determines a second encryption key for enhanced session data security over communications channels. The second encryption key is determined based on the key indicator and a key generation algorithm. The remote terminal further determines a key indicator response and transmits a security mode complete command including the key indicator response to a satellite base station subsystem (SBSS).

Abstract: Virtually-integrated wire harness design and automated production systems and methods that achieve completely integrated data management by automatically producing scripts to dynamically propagate production commands and data to various subsystems for handling assembling necessary circuits and wire harness layout boards to produce corresponding batches of wire harnesses while script-based methods control configuring, testing, and using wire harness layout boards, and assembling, testing, reworking, and delivering wire harnesses. As derived from CAD-created specifications, the production system uses a programmable, automated wire C&C center prepares individual wire circuits.

Abstract: Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include obtaining first data capture for above ground components including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which includes both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

Abstract: A training system has sensors that monitor at least one biological parameter. During training, a stress level is determined/calculated based upon data from the sensors and, if the stress level is out of bounds, the training is modified and/or personnel are notified. For example, if the stress level is too high, the training is slowed or stopped and a trainer is notified.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use with streaming blocks of data, each of the streaming blocks of data including a number bits of data. The system includes a first compressor and a second compressor. The first compressor can receive and store a number n blocks of the streaming blocks of data, can receive and store a block of data to be compressed of the streaming blocks of data, can compress consecutive bits within the block of data to be compressed based on the n blocks of the streaming blocks of data, can output a match descriptor and a literal segment. The match descriptor is based on the compressed consecutive bits. The literal segment is based on a remainder of the number of bits of the data to be compressed not including the consecutive bits. The second compressor can compress the literal segment and can output a compressed data block including the match descriptor and a compressed string of data based on the compressed literal segment.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for efficient bandwidth allocation for real-time service traffic flows, providing for assured QoS and efficient spectrum utilization. A terminal of a wireless communications network receives data from one or more associated interface devices. A snooper captures a session request message from one of the interface devices for initiation of a setup process to establish a communications session over the communications network, and parses the session request message to obtain associated session parameters. Inroute bandwidth requirements for the communications session are determined based on the session parameters. A bandwidth reservation process is initiated to obtain bandwidth allocations to satisfy the inroute bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A skid-mounted pipe stand includes a circular-shaped top plate that has least one pair of arcuate-shaped through-slots arranged to each receive a leg of a U-bolt, a threaded stud connected to a bottom side of the top plate, and a vertical support having at its upper end a nut welded to the upper end and sized to receive the threaded stud. A rotation of the top plate moves the top plate between a first vertical position and a second different vertical position. Once the U-bolt is tightened about the component being supported by the stand, vertical movement of the stand is prevented. Any lateral movement is limited to the clearance between the threads of the threaded stud and the nut.

Abstract: An apparatus for satellite selection within a multi-satellite communication system, comprising an antenna, receiver, and transmitter, and a processing module configured to calculate a normalized distance metric for the plurality of user spot beams of a first and second satellite, select the user spot beam with the lowest normalized distance metric, and determine which of the at least first or second satellite is transmitting the selected user spot beam. Further, a method for increasing the aggregate capacity of a satellite communications network, comprising identifying high traffic regions within a coverage area of a first satellite, determining which user spot beams of the first satellite are available to each of the identified regions, determining a normalized distance metric for each user spot beam identified, and plotting a second beam pattern of a second satellite to produce at least one user spot beam with a lower normalized distance metric.

Abstract: An approach for increasing transmission throughput of a non-linear wireless channel, and efficient decoding of the transmitted signal via a simplified receiver, is provided. A signal reflects a source signal, and includes linear inter-symbol interference based on a faster-than-Nyquist signaling rate and a tight frequency roll-off, and non-linear interference based on high-power amplification for transmission over the wireless channel. The signal is received over a non-linear wireless channel, and is processed via a plurality of decoding iterations. A set of soft information of a current decoding iteration is generated based on a current estimate of the source signal and a final set of soft information from a previous decoding iteration. The current estimate of the source signal is based on an estimate of the linear ISI and the non-linear interference, which is based on the final set of soft information from the previous decoding iteration.