Abstract: A novel and useful safety functionality assurance mechanism incorporating an RF built in self-test (RFBIST) system in a radar system having a plurality of transmitter devices and receiver devices. The RFBIST functions to verify, inter alia, that the transmitted signal is operating correctly and that all channels transmit a proper, valid or ‘legal’ signal and that the receiver devices are also operating correctly. A higher level of safety assurance is achieved by comparing safety data between the receiver devices. In one embodiment, the signal received from the various transmitter devices is compared. The RFBIST circuit block eliminates the physical transmit antenna position properties to compare the transmitted signal properties after signal path elimination. Thus, the present invention is capable of (1) validating multiple transmitter devices with a single receiver device and (2) validating multiple receiver devices with a single transmitter device.

Abstract: A novel and useful system and method for eliminating settling time delays in a radar system. In one embodiment, a plurality of oscillators is provided with a single transmitter. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of transmitters is provided, each with its own oscillator. In either case, more than a single oscillator is used, whereby startup or turn on transients associated with one oscillator are allowed to settle out while another oscillator is being used. The two or more oscillators switch off and/or alternate or rotate such that oscillator settling time between chirp transmissions from the radar is substantially or completely eliminated. In a radar system having two transmitters, when the chirp propagation time window for the first transmitter is complete, the first transmitter is disconnected from the receive channel and the second transmitter is connected to the antenna and receive channel without having to wait for the second transmitter to settle since it was allowed to settle beforehand.

Abstract: A novel and useful radome suitable for use in an automotive radar system that employs patch antenna arrays. In one embodiment, the radome is a ‘U’ shaped half cylinder for patch antenna arrays such as on a printed circuit board (PCB). The patch antennas may or may not be situated in the same plane. Each array has its own half cylinder associated with it. Each array may have a different antenna pattern with different gain and side lobes. In this case, each patch antenna array has its own radome configured appropriately. Alternatively, the radome comprises a half sphere shape (or bubble shape) whereby each antenna port has its own individual half sphere shaped radome. This functions to improve the performance of the radome by increasing the number of curved dimensions from one to two.

Abstract: A novel and useful system and method for eliminating settling time delays in a radar system. In one embodiment, a plurality of oscillators is provided with a single transmitter. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of transmitters is provided, each with its own oscillator. In either case, more than a single oscillator is used, whereby startup or turn on transients associated with one oscillator are allowed to settle out while another oscillator is being used. The two or more oscillators switch off and/or alternate or rotate such that oscillator settling time between chirp transmissions from the radar is substantially or completely eliminated. In a radar system having two transmitters, when the chirp propagation time window for the first transmitter is complete, the first transmitter is disconnected from the receive channel and the second transmitter is connected to the antenna and receive channel without having to wait for the second transmitter to settle since it was allowed to settle beforehand.

Abstract: A novel and useful safety functionality assurance mechanism incorporating an RF built in self-test (RFBIST) system in a radar system having a plurality of transmitter devices and receiver devices. The RFBIST functions to verify, inter alia, that the transmitted signal is operating correctly and that all channels transmit a proper, valid or ‘legal’ signal and that the receiver devices are also operating correctly. A higher level of safety assurance is achieved by comparing safety data between the receiver devices. In one embodiment, the signal received from the various transmitter devices is compared. The RFBIST circuit block eliminates the physical transmit antenna position properties to compare the transmitted signal properties after signal path elimination. Thus, the present invention is capable of (1) validating multiple transmitter devices with a single receiver device and (2) validating multiple receiver devices with a single transmitter device.

Abstract: A novel and useful radome suitable for use in an automotive radar system that employs patch antenna arrays. In one embodiment, the radome is a ‘U’ shaped half cylinder for patch antenna arrays such as on a printed circuit board (PCB). The patch antennas may or may not be situated in the same plane. Each array has its own half cylinder associated with it. Each array may have a different antenna pattern with different gain and side lobes. In this case, each patch antenna array has its own radome configured appropriately. Alternatively, the radome comprises a half sphere shape (or bubble shape) whereby each antenna port has its own individual half sphere shaped radome. This functions to improve the performance of the radome by increasing the number of curved dimensions from one to two.

Abstract: A novel and useful hybrid fast charging system for electric vehicles incorporating an efficient hydraulic storage and regeneration system (ESRS) that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to charge an accumulator array with high pressurized oil. Subsequently, energy is released rapidly in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, to power one or more fast charge circuits. The output mechanical power supplied is used to supply electricity to one or more EV charging stations. The rapid discharge of the accumulators is sufficient to generate electricity at a high enough power to charge one or more electric vehicles relatively quickly with either ac or dc current, e.g., 350 kW for 10 minutes at 400 VDC or higher.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc. as well as various types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, etc.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator assembly whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc. as well as various types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, etc.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor.

Abstract: An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc.

Abstract: A novel and useful configurable radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) and related front end module (FEM) circuit that enables manipulation of the operating point of the power amplifier resulting in configurability, multimode and multiband operating capability. The configurable PA also provides high linearity and power efficiency and meets the requirements of modern wireless communication standards such as 802.11 WLAN, 3G and 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The configurable power amplifier is made up of one or more configurable sub-amplifiers having each constructed to have several orders of freedom (i.e. biasing points). Each sub-amplifier and its combiner path include active and passive elements. Manipulating one or more biasing points of each sub-amplifier, and therefore of the aggregate power amplifier as well, achieves multimode and multiband operation. Biasing points include, for example, the gain and saturation point, frequency response, linearity level and EVM.

Abstract: An energy storage system that converts irregular power to controlled power by a hydraulic power converter that utilizes the irregular power to pump hydraulic fluid, stores at least a part of the pumped hydraulic fluid in a pressurized accumulator cluster, and provides controlled power by a hydraulic motor operated by pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator cluster, according to a specified power demand. The operation of the hydraulic power converter may be controlled electrically and mechanically, and the hydraulic power converter may be integrated in a vehicle, to maintain an optimal operation range of the engine, or in an energy production device, for generating controlled power from the irregular output of the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.