Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to EMI shielding structures. A conductive composition is formed that includes a polymer and graphene present as a 3D-matrix therein. Rectangular EMI shielding panels are formed using the composition. Rectangular EMI shielding panels are affixed orthogonal to each other. The EMI shielding panels are successively overlapped to form a plurality of interconnected EMI shielding planes. The EMI shielding panels are affixed to each other to form a helical EMI shielding structure that folds and unfolds along its center axis. The EMI shielding planes are angularly offset from each other about the center axis to form a helical structure when in the unfolded state. The EMI shielding panels include an encapsulating layer and/or metallic layer. The EMI shielding planes rotate about the center axis when the HES structure transitions between the folded and unfolded states.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding structures. Rectangular EMI shielding panels are formed that include a first and second ends. A pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are affixed orthogonal to each other at their first ends. The pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are successively overlapped with each other to thereby form a plurality of interconnected EMI shielding planes. The pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are affixed to each other at their second ends to form a helical EMI shielding structure that unfolds to an unfolded state and folds to a folded state along its center axis. Here, the plurality of interconnected EMI shielding planes are each angularly offset from each other about the center axis to form a helical structure when in the unfolded state. The EMI shielding panels include an encapsulating layer and/or metallic layer.

Abstract: Wearable antenna systems in the form of suspenders are disclosed. Such communications suspenders may employ antenna elements having a reduced visual signature while maintaining the load bearing functionality of traditional suspenders. The antenna system can establish mesh networking communications and communicatively couple to portable radios via a communications device. Some of the antenna elements may be within the communications suspenders. A plurality of straps are pivotably coupled to an intermediate portion at one end and a demountable fastener at the other end that couples to the user's garment item (e.g., trousers, shorts, skirts, and similar articles). The straps may include RF shielding material positioned to reflect RF radiation that emanates from the antenna elements away from the user. The antenna elements may be formed using a conductive composition that includes fully exfoliated graphene sheets present as a percolated network in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus includes an antenna affixed to a surface of the apparatus. A device is in electrical communication with the antenna. A control circuit is in electrical communication with the device and a communications device. The antenna includes a composition that includes a polymer and carbonaceous material made up of individual graphene sheets that are present in the polymer in a three-dimensional percolated network. A mobile device is communicatively coupled to a cellular RF source via a first wireless signal. The control circuit is configured to communicate, using the communications device, with the mobile device via a third RF signal; communicate, using the device, with the RF source via a second RF signal; and cause the mobile device to communicate with the RF source via the third RF signal when the second RF signal is greater than the first RF signal.

Abstract: A communications node includes an apparel item in the form of a backpack attachment that includes a panel, first and second arms extending therefrom. An antenna element and A/V hub may be affixed to an arm. The attachment may include a communications device and battery. A control circuit may be communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery. The A/V hub may demountably and communicatively couple to an audio/video source. The control circuit may establish a mesh network with computing devices. The antenna element may include a graphene polymer conductive composition. The graphene may form a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer matrix. The apparel item may include a multilayered material that reflect RF radiation generated by the antenna element away from the apparel item. The layer may include a conductive material. The layer may include a foam.

Abstract: A chaff electronic countermeasure device that includes an antenna element positioned on a substrate and in electrical communication with an integrated circuit. The conductive antenna element includes a conductive composition of a conductive polymer and graphene sheets. The device absorbs from a radar source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. In response to absorbing the first radio frequency, the device reradiates at least a portion of a second radio frequency having a second amplitude toward the radar source, which results in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source. The second amplitude is higher than the first amplitude. The device is configured to be dispersed from a mobile platform.

Abstract: Various wearable communications pouches (“WCP”) having modular and static antenna elements of reduced visual signature are provided. The WCP demountably couples to the shoulder straps of articles, garments, and baggage items. The WCP includes a front panel and shoulder strap(s) pivotably coupled to opposite sides of a back panel. The back panel includes a communications hub that has antenna ports that are each conductively coupled to an antenna element or antenna attachment site. Each antenna attachment site receives a demountable antenna element. The antenna element and demountable antenna element include a conductive composition that includes a polymer and graphene sheets present as a percolated network therein. The back panel includes a fastener positioned proximate to the hub that receives and secures a portable radio. The front panel, back panel, and shoulder strap each include a RF shielding material to shield the user from RF radiation that emanates from the WCP.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a communications node that includes an interfacing plate assembly; an antenna assembly; a board mounting assembly; a housing; and an enclosure. The housing includes the antenna assembly and the board mounting assembly. The enclosure is a rigid, open ended, sleeve structure that selectively receives the housing and thereby encloses the antenna assembly and the board mounting assembly therein. An interfacing plate assembly is positioned at a second end. The interfacing plate includes an input device coupled to the control circuit that receives user operational input. The antenna assembly includes an antenna frame that includes the antenna elements and orients the antenna elements in each nodal cardinal direction. The board mounting assembly includes the communication device and the control circuit that are positioned proximate to a plate. The plate is coupled to the first end opposite the interfacing plate and thermally coupled to the control circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sensor node communication system that determines the presence of an object. The system includes man-portable nodes that communicate via a self-organizing LAN. Each node includes a control circuit that has multiple cores, multithreading, and/or parallel processing. The control circuit establishes the LAN, captures an image, determines a presence of a predetermined object in the image using a machine learning algorithm, generates a first notification when presence of the predetermined object is determined, and generates a second notification when the presence is not determined. The control circuit detects an electromagnetic environment, determines unused frequency bands, and adapts a radio working parameter to broadcast in the unused frequency band. Determining the unused frequency bands includes the use of a spectrum sensing method.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a wearable communications node (WCN) with mesh networking capabilities. The WCN, which is worn on the user's torso, includes an enclosure and shoulder strap(s) as well as communications device, antenna element(s), and battery conductively coupled to a control circuit. The enclosure includes a top area and an oppositely positioned bottom area. The shoulder strap is pivotably attached proximate to the top area and the bottom area. The communications device is rigidly affixed within the enclosure. The antenna element is conductively coupled to the communications device as well as rigidly affixed to the enclosure or flexibly affixed the shoulder strap. The control circuit is configured to establish, via the communications device, a self-organizing wide area network with a plurality of computing devices that each connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN. The antenna element includes a conductive composition that includes graphene dispersed in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to communications tarpaulins. In one embodiment, the communications tarpaulins include a textile layer, a plurality of antenna elements, and a communications hub. The communications hub includes a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) connectors. The communications hub is affixed to the textile layer. The RF connectors are each conductively coupled to one of the antenna elements. The RF connectors each demountably receive a communications device. The antenna elements are each affixed to the textile layer and includes a conductive composition. The antenna elements each include a conductive composition. The conductive composition includes a polymer and fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene that are present as a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer. The textile layer includes a first textile layer and a second textile layer that are coterminous and physically coupled together and thereby form a multilayered structure.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a RF localization system that determines the position of a RF source of interest (RFSOI) relative to the RFLS. The RFLS includes man-portable nodes that communicate via a self-organizing WAN. Each node includes a communications device conductively coupled to antenna elements oriented in each nodal cardinal direction and battery each communicatively coupled to a control circuit(s). The control circuit is configured to: establish the WAN; capture RSSI values for each antenna element; determine the position of the RFSOI relative to the node; when not functioning as a primary node, transmit the determined position to a primary node or a computing device that's external to the WAN for processing; and when functioning as a primary node, determine the relative position of the RFSOI relative to the plurality of nodes using the received determined position. The primary node determines the position of the RFSOI relative to the nodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding structures. Rectangular EMI shielding panels are formed that include a first and second ends. A pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are affixed orthogonal to each other at their first ends. The pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are successively overlapped with each other to thereby form a plurality of interconnected EMI shielding planes. The pair of rectangular EMI shielding panels are affixed to each other at their second ends to form a helical EMI shielding structure that unfolds to an unfolded state and folds to a folded state along its center axis. Here, the plurality of interconnected EMI shielding planes are each angularly offset from each other about the center axis to form a helical structure when in the unfolded state. The EMI shielding panels include an encapsulating layer and/or metallic layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present instant disclosure relate to a puncture resistant sole for a footwear article. The puncture resistant sole includes an insole and outsole. The outsole includes a formation of cleat protrusions and first polymer composition. The cleat protrusions includes a second polymer composition and are removable. The first polymer composition and the second polymer composition each includes graphene sheets dispersed therein. The graphene sheets includes an X-ray diffraction pattern displaying no signature corresponding to graphite or graphite oxide. The insole includes a third polymer composition that includes the graphene sheets dispersed therein. The graphene sheets include an oxygen-containing functional group. The first polymer composition, second polymer composition, and/or third polymer composition includes a tensile strength of 50 lbs. per square inch or greater.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a chaff electronic countermeasure device. The device comprises an antenna that is in communication with a substrate. An integrated circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive antenna element. The conductive antenna element includes a conductive composition. The conductive composition includes a conductive polymer and graphene sheets. The device is configured to absorb from a radar source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. The device is configured to absorb from a radar source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. In response to absorbing the first radio frequency, the device is configured to reradiate at least a portion of a second radio frequency having a second amplitude toward the radar source, which results in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source. The second amplitude is higher than the first amplitude.

Abstract: A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. Antenna elements are coupled to the landing pads; include a non-metallic conductive composition and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and coupled to each landing pad. Communications devices are demountably affixed to the surface; coupled to the hub; and each include a unique operational frequency. The hub couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements. The system achieves an omnidirectional RF radiation pattern when utilizing the plurality of antenna elements and an altered RF radiation pattern when utilizing a subset of the plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to portable radio mounting apparatus (PRMA). The PRMA includes a main body, landing pad, antenna element(s), RF connector conductively coupled to the antenna element, retaining element and has “open” and “closed” states. Landing pad laterally extends from the main body and includes the antenna element(s) and a first end pivotably coupled to main body. RF connector is conductively coupled to the antenna element. In the open state, the landing pad is pivoted away from the main body and thereby exposes the retaining element; the retaining element receives a portable radio and thereby demountably secures the portable radio to the main body; and the RF connector demountably and conductively couples to the portable radio. In the close state, landing pad is pivoted towards the main body and wrapped around the portable; and is demountably coupled to the main body.

Abstract: A communications node includes an apparel item in the form of a harness that includes a primary portion. A halo element extends from the primary portion and is configured to be worn about the neck. A fastener that demountably couples the primary portion to the halo element. An antenna element positioned within the apparel item. An A/V hub is affixed to the halo portion and configured to receive audio/video input. The apparel item also includes a communications device and battery. A control circuit is communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery. The A/V hub demountably and communicatively couples to an audio/video source. The control circuit is configured to establish a self-organizing WAN with computing devices that connect directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN. The antenna elements include a graphene polymer conductive composition. The apparel item is multilayered and reflects RF radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to transmission lines and specifically to textile transmission line assemblies. The textile transmission line assemblies are capable of lateral bending, axial rotation, and stretching without suffering from a statistically significant loss of its performance characteristics. Antenna elements are incorporated with the textile transmission line assemblies (hereinafter “combination assemblies”). The textile transmission line assemblies can be incorporated in to garments, apparel items, bags, tents, or other textile-based objects. The textile transmission line assemblies are configured to be flexibly affixed to textile items. The textile transmission line assemblies are impact resistant. Wearable communications systems that incorporate at least one textile transmission line assembly and/or combination assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wearable antenna systems in the form of suspenders are disclosed. Such communications suspenders employ antenna elements having a reduced visual signature while maintaining the load bearing functionality of traditional suspenders. The antenna system communicatively couples to portable radios that operate on different RF frequencies via a communications hub. Some of the antennas elements are dynamically positionable (i.e., swappable, switchable, etc.) on the communications suspenders. A plurality of straps are pivotably coupled to an intermediate portion at one end and a demountable fastener at the other end. The demountable fasteners couple to the user's garment item (e.g., trousers, shorts, skirts, and similar articles). The straps include RF shielding material positioned to reflect RF radiation that emanates from the antenna elements away from the user. The antenna elements are formed using a conductive composition of fully exfoliated graphene sheets present as a percolated network in a polymer matrix.