Abstract: A spacecraft includes a power train that includes a solar array, an electric propulsion subsystem, and a power conversion module. The power conversion module receives power from the solar array at a voltage, Vi; and delivers power to the electric propulsion subsystem at a voltage, Vo. The spacecraft is configured to operate at a varying distance, D, from the sun within the range of Dmin to Dmax, Dmax being at least 1.3×Dmin. The solar array is configured to deliver power to the power conversion module at a voltage approximately equal to Vo when the spacecraft is proximate to Dmax.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for optimizing allocation of dynamic resources are provided. A user service request resource instance is received at an allocator. The user service request resource instance is based on a dynamic resource protocol that supports generating and communicating resource instances between components in a resource allocation platform. The dynamic resource protocol also defines a set of rules for translating and representing resources as logical resource types and logical units. At a node, a node resource instance is generated and communicated, based on the dynamic resource protocol, from the node to the allocator. The node resource instance specifically comprises a resource interaction matrix that indicates dependencies between resource types. A resource allocation instance is generated at the allocator for the user service request resource instance.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for optimizing allocation of dynamic resources are provided. A user service request resource instance is received at an allocator. The user service request resource instance is based on a dynamic resource protocol that supports generating and communicating resource instances between components in a resource allocation platform. The dynamic resource protocol also defines a set of rules for translating and representing resources as logical resource types and logical units. At a node, a node resource instance is generated and communicated, based on the dynamic resource protocol, from the node to the allocator. The node resource instance specifically comprises a resource interaction matrix that indicates dependencies between resource types. A resource allocation instance is generated at the allocator for the user service request resource instance.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell, including an N-side layer proximate to a first planar surface and a P-side layer proximate to a second planar surface that is opposite to the first planar surface, is formed from a circular wafer substrate. An N-side conductive contact is electrically coupled with the N-side layer, and a P-side conductive contact electrically coupled with the P-side layer. The P-side conductive contact and the N-side conductive contact are each disposed proximate to the first planar surface, the circular wafer substrate includes an edge exclusion zone, and the P-side contact is disposed within or proximate to the edge exclusion zone.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for optimizing allocation of dynamic resources are provided. A user service request resource instance is received at an allocator. The user service request resource instance is based on a dynamic resource protocol that supports generating and communicating resource instances between components in a resource allocation platform. The dynamic resource protocol also defines a set of rules for translating and representing resources as logical resource types and logical units. At a node, a node resource instance is generated and communicated, based on the dynamic resource protocol, from the node to the allocator. The node resource instance specifically comprises a resource interaction matrix that indicates dependencies between resource types. A resource allocation instance is generated at the allocator for the user service request resource instance.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell assembly includes a bypass diode, a first and a second planar solar cell. Each of the first and the second solar cell includes a front facing side and a rear facing side, each rear facing side including a respective conductive surface, each front facing side including a respective current collector bar, and corresponding grid of metallic lines conductively coupled with the current collector bar. A first terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the conductive surface of the first solar cell. A second terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the current collector bar of the second solar cell. Electrical coupling of the bypass diode with the first solar cell and the second solar cell excludes any external wiring or busbar.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell, including an N-side layer proximate to a first planar surface and a P-side layer proximate to a second planar surface that is opposite to the first planar surface, is formed from a circular wafer substrate. An N-side conductive contact is electrically coupled with the N-side layer, and a P-side conductive contact electrically coupled with the P-side layer. The P-side conductive contact and the N-side conductive contact are each disposed proximate to the first planar surface, the circular wafer substrate includes an edge exclusion zone, and the P-side contact is disposed within or proximate to the edge exclusion zone.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for optimizing allocation of dynamic resources are provided. A user service request resource instance is received at an allocator. The user service request resource instance is based on a dynamic resource protocol that supports generating and communicating resource instances between components in a resource allocation platform. The dynamic resource protocol also defines a set of rules for translating and representing resources as logical resource types and logical units. At a node, a node resource instance is generated and communicated, based on the dynamic resource protocol, from the node to the allocator. The node resource instance specifically comprises a resource interaction matrix that indicates dependencies between resource types. A resource allocation instance is generated at the allocator for the user service request resource instance.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell assembly includes a bypass diode, a first and a second planar solar cell. Each of the first and the second solar cell includes a front facing side and a rear facing side, each rear facing side including a respective conductive surface, each front facing side including a respective current collector bar, and corresponding grid of metallic lines conductively coupled with the current collector bar. A first terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the conductive surface of the first solar cell. A second terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the current collector bar of the second solar cell. Electrical coupling of the bypass diode with the first solar cell and the second solar cell excludes any external wiring or busbar.

Abstract: A solar panel has a number of rectilinear photovoltaic solar cells. Each solar cell has four edges, a current collector bar having at least two conductively coupled collector bar segments, and a grid of electrodes conductively coupled to the collector bar. A first collector bar segment is substantially parallel to and proximate to a first edge of the solar cell, a second collector bar segment is substantially parallel to and proximate to a second edge of the solar cell, the second edge being orthogonal with respect to the first edge. In some disclosed techniques, the solar panel has a string of solar cells disposed on a surface of the solar panel in a substantially spiral or serpentine manner and no solar cell within the string is electrically connected to another solar cell in the string by any means other than a cell interconnect.

Abstract: A solar panel has a number of rectilinear photovoltaic solar cells. Each solar cell has four edges, a current collector bar having at least two conductively coupled collector bar segments, and a grid of electrodes conductively coupled to the collector bar. A first collector bar segment is substantially parallel to and proximate to a first edge of the solar cell, a second collector bar segment is substantially parallel to and proximate to a second edge of the solar cell, the second edge being orthogonal with respect to the first edge. In some disclosed techniques, the solar panel has a string of solar cells disposed on a surface of the solar panel in a substantially spiral or serpentine manner and no solar cell within the string is electrically connected to another solar cell in the string by any means other than a cell interconnect.

Abstract: The behavioral or structural characteristics of an object to be validated, such as a software object or a data object, are dynamically identified using reflection. Once the behavioral or structural characteristics of the object have been obtained using reflection, the identified characteristics are utilized to locate a validator capable of validating the object. The located validator is then executed to validate the object.

Abstract: Techniques to more accurately read values stored in data cells. In an aspect, one reference cell is provided for each group of data cells having similar configuration (e.g., similar layout and orientation). For split-gate memory cells arranged in pairs, each pair includes two data cells implemented as mirrored image of one another. Two reference cells may then be used, one reference cell for each data cell in a pair. In another aspect, the data paths for the reference and data cells for read operation are matched. This matching may be achieved by using the same circuit design for the data and reference sense amplifiers, using the same layout and orientation for the sense amplifiers, matching the lines for the two data paths, matching the structure (e.g., length and width) and the diffusion region (e.g., doping concentration and contact) for the sense amplifiers and lines, and so on.

Abstract: An optical scanner for reading two-dimensional bar code labels. A rotating reflector directs a laser beam towards a plurality of pattern mirrors during a first mode of operation to produce a plurality of different scan lines forming a multi-line scan pattern for collecting light from an article having a one-dimensional bar code label, and directs the laser beam towards one of the pattern mirrors during a second mode of operation to produce a single scan line for collecting light from an article having a two-dimensional bar code label. A single tilted mirror assembly, having a motor for rotating a drive shaft and a mirror mounted at an angle to the drive shaft, reflects the plurality of different scan lines towards the article having the one-dimensional bar code label during the first mode of operation, and reflects the one scan line from the scan module towards the article having the two-dimensional bar code label during the second mode of operation.