Abstract: The system includes a reconfigurable GNSS antenna subsystem that dynamically reconfigures one or more antenna parameters to change one or more operating characteristics of an antenna based on environmental conditions and/or the presence of interfering signals to improve the quality of GNSS satellite signal reception. The system analyzes the received signals to determine if the GNSS satellite signals are sufficiently above received noise, if interfering signals are present, and/or if multipath signals are adversely impacting position calculations. Based on the analysis, the reconfigurable antenna subsystem selectively and dynamically reconfigures one or more parameters to change one or more operating characteristics of the antenna. As the conditions change, the reconfigurable antenna subsystem may dynamically reconfigure one or more of the antenna parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional antenna and a floating fence secondary radiator is provided. The three-dimensional antenna comprises of a plurality of floating curvatures separated by capacitive coupling slots. The floating fence comprises a plurality of metallic elements organized around the primary antenna and configured to serve as a secondary radiator to provide beam shaping.

Abstract: The system includes a reconfigurable GNSS antenna subsystem that dynamically reconfigures one or more antenna parameters to change one or more operating characteristics of an antenna based on environmental conditions and/or the presence of interfering signals to improve the quality of GNSS satellite signal reception. The system analyses the received signals to determine if the GNSS satellite signals are sufficiently above received noise, if interfering signals are present, and/or if multipath signals are adversely impacting position calculations. Based on the analysis, the reconfigurable antenna subsystem selectively and dynamically reconfigures one or more parameters to change one or more operating characteristics of the antenna. As the conditions change, the reconfigurable antenna subsystem may dynamically reconfigure one or more of the antenna parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A directional slot antenna comprises a radiating component coupled to a reflector. A reflector spacing gap or cavity between the radiating component and the reflector has a height which is less than a predetermined height of a free-space reflector spacing cavity associated with desired gains for frequencies of interest. A dielectric material insert is positioned within the reflector spacing cavity and fills or partially fills the cavity. The reduced-height cavity including the dielectric material insert provides an increased electrical separation between the radiating component and the reflector that corresponds to the predetermined height of the free-space reflector spacing cavity.

Abstract: A system for preventing ingress of liquid into an opening in a computer casing may include a door rotatably connected to the computer casing, a layer of material adhered to the door and having a chamfered edge, a bar movably connected to the computer casing and operable for travel in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction and a spring having a first end connected to the bar and a second end connected to the computer casing for biasing the bar in the first direction of travel. Closing the door causes the layer of material to contact a recessed surface of the opening and deflect the chamfered edge to form a seal in the recessed opening. Moving the bar in the first direction retains the door relative to the computer to maintain the seal formed by the layer of material.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for effective cooling of electronic devices are presented herein. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention comprise one or more heat pipes thermally coupled to electronic components and to a first heat sink and a second heat sink. The heat pipes are constructed to transfer heat generated at the one or more electronic components to the first heat sink and to the second heat sink. The first heat sink is operable to transfer heat energy to the ambient air using dissipation or advection. The second heat sink is able to transfer heat energy to the ambient air using dissipation. A controller is operable to switch between a passive mode of operation and an active mode of operation.

Abstract: A directional slot antenna comprises a radiating component coupled to a reflector. A reflector spacing gap or cavity between the radiating component and the reflector has a height which is less than a predetermined height of a free-space reflector spacing cavity associated with desired gains for frequencies of interest. A dielectric material insert is positioned within the reflector spacing cavity and fills or partially fills the cavity. The reduced-height cavity including the dielectric material insert provides an increased electrical separation between the radiating component and the reflector that corresponds to the predetermined height of the free-space reflector spacing cavity.

Abstract: A computer casing may have an opening that requires sealing against water ingress. A system for preventing ingress of liquid into the opening may include a door rotatably connected to the computer casing, a layer of material adhered to the door and having a chamfered edge, a bar movably connected to the computer casing and operable for travel in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction and a spring having a first end connected to the bar and a second end connected to the computer casing for biasing the bar in the first direction of travel. Closing the door causes the layer of material to contact a recessed surface of the opening and deflect the chamfered edge to form a seal in the recessed opening. Moving the bar in the first direction retains the door relative to the computer to maintain the seal formed by the layer of material.

Abstract: A system to improve safety of workers who are in proximity to mobile machines includes a machine mountable radio-frequency identification reader that wirelessly monitors radio-frequency identification tags worn by workers moving relative to and in proximity to a mobile machine when the reader is mounted on the machine. The reader includes a processor and an antenna front-end which is switchable between an omni-directional antenna or at least one directional antenna. The omni-directional antenna is mountable so as to monitor a machine circumference completely around the mobile machine. Each directional antenna is mountable so as to monitor only either a front or a back of the mobile machine relative to the machine's direction of motion.

Abstract: A computer casing may have an opening that requires sealing against water ingress. A system for preventing ingress of liquid into the opening may include a door rotatably connected to the computer casing, a layer of material adhered to the door and having a chamfered edge, a bar movably connected to the door and operable for travel in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction and a spring having a first end connected to the bar and a second end connected to the door for biasing the bar in the first direction of travel. Closing the door causes the layer of material to contact a recessed surface of the opening and deflect the chamfered edge to form a seal in the recessed opening. Moving the bar in the first direction retains the door relative to the computer to maintain the seal formed by the layer of material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storage devices are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment a storage device may comprise have an enclosure comprising an interface which may be coupled to an I/O bus of a computing system with which it is being utilized. Commands may be received through the interface and, invisibly to the computing system which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate the received command in conjunction with one or more storage media coupled to the interface, where this set of commands may also be configured to implement additional functionality such as RAID or data encryption in conjunction with the storage media.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for interfacing a single bus with multiple buses invisibly to devices using the single bus are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment an I/O bus may be interfaced with multiple other I/O buses of the same or different formats. Commands may be received on the first I/O bus and invisibly to a computing device or processor which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate a received command in conjunction with storage media coupled to the other I/O buses. This set of commands may also be configured to implement additional functionality in conjunction with the storage media such as RAID or data encryption.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an electronic device (for example, a ruggedized laptop computer) which includes a housing, a battery compartment, and a battery cover. The cover can have a thickness sufficient to protect the battery from damage. The cover can include a body, a conductive heat transfer device (for instance a conductive pad), and a convective heat transfer device (for instance, a plurality of fins). The conductive device can be on the inside of the cover and can abut the battery. Together, the conductive heat transfer device, the body of the battery cover, and the convective heat transfer device can form a heat transfer path from the battery to the environment which has a low overall heat transfer coefficient. The convective device can be a plurality of fins recessed into the exterior of the cover. A gusset can be on the interior of the cover and can correspond with the recess.

Abstract: An asset tracking system includes one or more RFID readers and one or more RFID tags cooperating with the readers, and at least one garment, wherein the readers each include an RF wideband transceiver and a linearly polarized antenna. Each reader polls periodically a corresponding one or more RFID tag to determine a distance of a particular tag from each reader. Each reader computes the tag's distance in real-time and updates a corresponding database in real-time for an on-demand reaction as determined by a processor in each reader. Each tag includes a wideband transceiver and an antenna array. The antenna array is implanted on each garment and ensures a spherical coverage around each tag. The antenna array includes two or more patch antenna distributed around each garment so as to provide full 360 degree and spherical coverage around each garment, and wherein each patch antenna is provided on a dielectric.

Abstract: A computer chassis has overmolded dampeners for absorbing shock and vibration. Electronic components are hard mounted to points inside the computer chassis. Overmolded dampeners are affixed to corners, surfaces and sides of the laptop such that shock and vibration are absorbed by the dampeners before the shock or vibration can damage the electronic components. Affixing dampeners to portions of the chassis may provide shock and vibration protection with minimal weight.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for interfacing a single bus with multiple buses invisibly to devices using the single bus are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment an I/O bus may be interfaced with multiple other I/O buses of the same or different formats. Commands may be received on one I/O bus and invisibly to a computing device or processor which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate a received command in conjunction with storage media coupled to the other I/O buses. These storage media may comprise different types of storage media such that data designated as critical may be stored on an appropriate storage media.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storage devices are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment a storage device may comprise an enclosure comprising an interface which may be coupled to an I/O bus of a computing system with which it is being utilized. Commands may be received through the interface and, invisibly to the computing system which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate the received command in conjunction with one or more storage media coupled to the interface. These storage media may comprise different types of storage media such that data designated as critical may be stored on an appropriate storage media.

Abstract: A system to improve safety of workers who are in proximity to mobile machines includes a machine mountable radio-frequency identification reader that wirelessly monitors radio-frequency identification tags worn by workers moving relative to and in proximity to a mobile machine when the reader is mounted on the machine. The reader includes a processor and an antenna front-end which is switchable between an omni-directional antenna or at least one directional antenna. The omni-directional antenna is mountable so as to monitor a machine circumference completely around the mobile machine. Each directional antenna is mountable so as to monitor only either a front or a back of the mobile machine relative to the machines direction of motion.