Abstract: An apparatus for determining characteristics of a radio within a communications network includes a radio, RF signal sensor, and analyzer. The radio transmits RF signals and has transmission operating parameters with respective predetermined values defined by a regulatory agency, a manufacturer, a user and a provider, the values having respective thresholds, a unique identifier; and an over-the-air operating mode in which the signals comprise the identifier. The sensor receives the signals from the radio having characteristics correlating with the transmission operating parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for bandwidth management for a Host Network Operator (HNO) is disclosed.

Abstract: Obstruction detection and management systems and methods are performed through an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The obstruction detection and management method includes receiving UAV data from a plurality of UAVs, wherein the UAV data includes operational data for the plurality of UAVs and obstruction data from one or more UAVs; updating an obstruction database based on the obstruction data; monitoring a flight plan for the plurality of UAVs based on the operational data; and transmitting obstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based on analyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons includes a first conveyor for conveying cartons along a carton stream, a second conveyor for conveying first article groups adjacent to the carton stream, a third conveyor for conveying divider pads adjacent to the carton stream, and a fourth conveyor for conveying second article groups adjacent to the carton stream. A first lateral transfer mechanism transfers the first article groups transversely into cartons within the carton stream. A second lateral transfer mechanism transfers the divider pads transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto said first article groups contained therein. A third lateral transfer mechanism transfers the second article groups transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto the divider pads contained therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modular fuel storage and transportation are provided. In an embodiment, a fuel storage system includes one or more fuel containers each supported by a fuel container support assembly. The fuel storage system may be mounted to a transportation device such as a vehicle or used in a stand-alone fashion. Each support assembly may include a plurality of detachable end support members such as end support members configured to support the end portions of the fuel container and side support members configured to support the body portion of the fuel container. Some of the end support members may include neck grooves such that when the end support members are coupled, the neck grooves form an enclosure around the neck portion of the fuel container. In an embodiment, the support assembly is configured to facilitate release of excess pressure in the fuel container.

Abstract: Data employed in computations is processed so that during computations more of the data can be fit into or maintained in a smaller but higher speed memory than an original source of the data. More specifically, a sensitivity value is determined for various items of the data which reflect the number of bits in the data items that are not garbage bits, and only information in the data items that are indicated by the sensitivity value to not be garbage bits are necessarily effectively retained. At least the information that is not garbage bits and the corresponding associated sensitivity are packed together. The results of computations that are performed using the data items as at least one of the operands for the computation are associated with a sensitivity that is derived from the individual sensitivities of the operands used in the computation.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating calibration parameters and locating a Calibration Earth Station (CES) is described. The method may be performed offline. The method includes: providing LxM pilot signal measurements in a matrix R from L CESs and the M feed elements, wherein the matrix R comprises a set of channel coefficients c={c1, c2, . . . , cM}, and k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} perturbations; linking a subset of channel coefficients {c1, c2, . . . , cM} using each of the L CESs; and estimating a relative estimate of the k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} pertubations across the L CESs by using each of the L CESs as a bridging element. In the method, the bridging element provides a strong pilot signal for at least two of the L CESs. A set of criteria for determining locations of CESs have been described. A set of desirable properties for the solution set of L CESs have been disclosed. A combination of inner loop and outer loop methods for determining the final set of optimal locations have been described.

Abstract: A portable electric fence kit for the erection of a temporary electric fence comprising: a primary fence section which is portable and non-electrified having two or more poles, a secondary fence section having two or more insulated poles secured to the poles of the primary fence section and having the ability to be electrified using a plurality of wires spanning the distance between the insulated poles, a plurality of wires spanning the distance between the insulated poles, system controls operationally associated with the fence sections, a power source operationally associated with the fence sections and the system controls, the power source providing electricity to the secondary fence sections and a coupling means which allows for one section of the fence kit and its wires to be coupled to another section of the fence kit and its wires.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing financial transactions using smart chip technology are disclosed. The present invention provides for payments to be made to multiple payees with a single transaction performed via a single insertion or dip of a smart chip card into a smart chip terminal or a single tap of the smart chip card within a predetermined proximity of a smart chip terminal. Specific applications include transactions which include principal payment amounts paid to a first party with convenience fees and/or surcharges paid to a second party for the principal transaction.

Abstract: A switch conversion apparatus including an interface device, a mounting plate configured to mount to a toggle switch and including at least one aperture for receiving a toggle arm of a toggle switch, and an actuator plate configured to slidably engage the mounting plate and including at least one aperture for receiving and engaging a toggle arm of a toggle switch when engaged by the interface device so as to transition the state of the switch. Other embodiments of a switch conversion apparatus include one or more mechanical, electrical, and/or pneumatic timers.

Abstract: A data switch for a packet data switch includes switching nodes connected to each other in an interconnecting matrix, providing a multiplicity of data paths between an incoming data or telecom port and an outgoing data or telecom port of the data switch. The interconnecting switching nodes can achieve high capacity data switching by providing a partial switching solution at each node, distributing the switching load. A switching protocol for interconnecting switching nodes allows data packets to be selectively passed from any incoming port on an interconnecting switch node to any interconnecting switching node or outgoing port connected to it. In at least one example, the switching protocol has mechanisms in it to provide for the duplicating of the contents of the data packet and pass them to multiple interconnecting switching nodes or outgoing ports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using an apparatus for refacing a tubular connection is provided. In one example, the apparatus has a mandrel connectable to a threaded portion of a tubular connection and two face plates bearing cutters for refacing surfaces of the tubular connection. In this example, the cutting is controlled by an engaging nut moving along a threaded portion of a drive shaft, and the two face plates may be spaced apart at a fixed distance to maintain the distance between the torque-stop surface and the primary surface after refacing. Also, the apparatus uses a locking pin to assist in tightening or loosening the mandrel into place using the remainder of the apparatus. An air-oil system is provided to supply air and oil to the cutting surfaces as the apparatus refaces the shoulders of the connection. An exemplary pin refacer and an exemplary box refacer are both disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering code blocks to maintain high throughput thru a Forward Error Correcting (FEC) decoder is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for an incoming link; selecting a rank table including a rank, Modulation and Coding Rate (MODCOD), and a minimum SNR; determining a threshold MODCOD range from the rank table based on the SNR; demodulating an incoming frame; identifying, in the incoming frame, the code blocks and an associated MODCOD for each of the code blocks; selecting a code block from the code blocks when the respective MODCOD for the code block is in the rank table and within the threshold MODCOD range; and decoding the selected code block with the associated MODCOD.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a prismatic cell housing and an electrode assembly disposed in the cell housing. The cell housing is six-sided and includes a first end, a second end, and a sidewall that extends between the first and second ends. The sidewall includes a pair of major sides joined by a pair of minor sides, where each side of the pair of major sides is larger in area than each side of the pair of minor sides. The electrode assembly includes positive electrode plates alternating with negative electrode plates and separated by at least one separator to form an electrode stack. The electrode stack is oriented within the cell housing such that a stack axis that extends parallel to a stacking direction of the positive and negative electrode plates is normal to, and passes through, each side of the pair of minor sides.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing virtual beams for initial timing synchronization in a satellite communication network. The system and method perform operations of estimating, by a controller, a maximum satellite position error associated with an estimated position of a satellite of the satellite communication network within a satellite location space, and estimating, by a controller, a maximum remote unit position error associated with estimated position of a remote unit that is configured to communicate with the satellite of the satellite communication network. The system and method thus establish, by a controller, a size of the virtual beam based on the maximum satellite position error and the maximum remote unit position error.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a printed circuit board with a plurality of printed circuit board traces, a memory controller mounted on the printed circuit board coupled to one or more of the plurality of printed circuit board traces, a plurality of non-volatile type of memory integrated circuits coupled to the printed circuit board, and a plurality of support integrated circuits coupled between the memory controller and the plurality of non-volatile type of memory integrated circuits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to obtain photos and/or video include preparing the UAV for flight and programming an autonomous flight path about a cell tower at the cell site, wherein the autonomous flight path comprises a substantially circular flight path about the cell tower with one or more cameras on the UAV facing the cell tower; flying the UAV around the cell tower in a plurality of orbits comprising at least four orbits each with a different set of characteristics of altitude, radius, and camera angle, wherein the flying comprises of at least four orbits for a monopole cell tower and at least five orbits for a self-support/guyed cell tower; obtaining photos and/or video of the cell tower, the cell site, and cell site components during each of the plurality of orbits; and using the photos and/or video to develop the point cloud three-dimensional (3D) model of the cell site.

Abstract: The TRAVELING WAVE PROPELLER, PUMP AND GENERATOR APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. In a fluid medium, the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move and/or creating thrust.