Abstract: A video data collection and sharing platform is provided capable of detecting high-priority events and communicating alerts to users. A high-priority event is captured by a video capturing device with one or more sensor modules, including one or more video cameras for recording video footage. A network connection is established and input from one or more sensor modules is received. The input includes image data from the one or more video cameras. An input from the one or more sensor modules is analyzed to determine a potential high-priority event. Upon determining a potential high-priority event, conditions of the network connection are measured and an amount of data to be transmitted to a remote server through the network connection is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conditions of the network connection. The determined amount of data is then transmitted to the remote server. The transmitted data includes at least part of the image data from the one or more video cameras.

Abstract: A metal stack for templating the growth of AlN and ScAlN films is disclosed. The metal stack comprises one, two, or three layers of metal, each of which is compatible with CMOS post-processing. The metal stack provides a template that promotes the growth of highly textured c-axis {002} AlN and ScAlN films. The metal stacks include one or more metal layers with each metal layer having either a hexagonal {002} orientation or a cubic {111} orientation. If the metal stack includes two or more metal layers, the layers can alternate between hexagonal {002} and cubic {111} orientations. The use of ScAlN results in a higher piezoelectric constant compared to that of AlN for ScAlN alloys up to approximately 44% Sc. The disclosed metal stacks resulted in ScAlN films having XRD FWHM values of less than approximately 1.1° while significantly reducing the formation of secondary grains in the ScAlN films.

Abstract: A video data collection and sharing platform is provided capable of detecting high-priority events and communicating alerts to users. A high-priority event is captured by a video capturing device with one or more sensor modules, including one or more video cameras for recording video footage. A network connection is established and input from one or more sensor modules is received. The input includes image data from the one or more video cameras. An input from the one or more sensor modules is analyzed to determine a potential high-priority event. Upon determining a potential high-priority event, conditions of the network connection are measured and an amount of data to be transmitted to a remote server through the network connection is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conditions of the network connection. The determined amount of data is then transmitted to the remote server. The transmitted data includes at least part of the image data from the one or more video cameras.

Abstract: A hybrid ferroelectric/non-ferroelectric piezoelectric microresonator is disclosed. The hybrid microresonator uses a ferroelectric layer as the actuator as ferroelectric materials typically have higher actuation coefficients than non-ferroelectric piezoelectric materials. The hybrid microresonator uses a non-ferroelectric piezoelectric layer as the sensor layer as non-ferroelectric piezoelectric materials typically have higher sensing coefficients than ferroelectric materials. This hybrid microresonator design allows the independent optimization of actuator and sensor materials. This hybrid microresonator design may be used for bulk acoustic wave contour mode resonators, bulk acoustic wave solidly mounted resonators, free-standing bulk acoustic resonators, and piezoelectric transformers.

Abstract: Temperature management systems for aerial vehicles may include heat pipes that are thermally connected to components that generate heat. The heat pipes may be routed through or adjacent to a propeller or propulsion airflow, or within or across a vehicle airflow, to dissipate heat from the components. A heat pipe may be selected from a plurality of heat pipes based on measured temperatures of components that generate heat, operational characteristics of the aerial vehicle and/or one or more propellers, and/or measured temperatures of other components that may be heated. Additional temperature management systems may include cool air ducts and cool air pipes that may be routed from a propeller or propulsion airflow, or a vehicle airflow, to components that generate heat or other components that may be cooled.

Abstract: A focusing interdigital transducer (IDT) and corresponding single- and dual-port piezoelectric devices are disclosed. The focusing interdigital transducer, which generates Lamé acoustic waves, permits operation at significantly higher frequencies than those possible with traditional IDTs. The focusing IDT employs multiple arced fingers formed both above and below the piezoelectric layer to improve coupling efficiency by coupling through both the e31 and e33 piezoelectric coefficients to the piezoelectric layer. By optimizing both anchor design and location, acoustic wave losses are minimized, thereby improving the device's quality factor Q. Through proper bus design and selection of the number of IDT fingers, a device's impedance can be tuned for a given application. The focusing IDTs may be used in single-port filter devices and dual-port transformer devices. The single- and dual-port devices may operate at a single frequency, at two frequencies, or over a band of frequencies.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting objects within a distance of an aerial vehicle, and developing a three-dimensional model or representation of those objects. Rather than attempting to use stereo imagery to determine distances and/or depth of objects, the described implementations utilize range-gating, or time-gating, and the known position of the aerial vehicle to develop a three-dimensional representation of objects. For example, when the aerial vehicle is at a first position it may use range-gating to detect an object at a defined distance from the vehicle. The aerial vehicle may then alter its position and use range-gating to detect an object that is the defined distance from the vehicle at the new position. This may be done at several different positions and the resulting information and aerial vehicle position information combined to form a three-dimensional representation of those objects.

Abstract: Moments of inertia for an object, such as an aerial vehicle, may be determined by suspending the object from at least two filars, or cables, that are aligned in parallel and of equal length. After imparting a rotation upon the object about a vertical axis, data regarding oscillations of the object may be captured using an inertial measurement unit associated with the object. The captured data may be used to calculate a moment of inertia about the vertical axis, and to determine a vector corresponding to the vertical axis. After suspending the object, imparting rotations to the object and capturing data with the object in a number of orientations, a moment of inertia tensor may be calculated about the object's principal axes based on the moments of inertia about vertical axes in such orientations and the vectors.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods provide simulations to vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with stereoscopic cameras. The system can include a plurality of screens set at predetermined angles to provide proper parallax to the stereoscopic cameras. The system can also include a test computer to update the screens based on the actions and travel time of the UAV. The test computer can also monitor the load on the computing systems of the UAV due to the camera and other inputs. The system can enable the testing and configuration of cameras and sensors without requiring actual flight. The test computer can provide navigational information to the UAV, receive actions taken by the UAV, update the screens based on these actions and the travel speed and direction of the UAV, and monitor the effects of the cameras and other sensors on the internal components of the UAV during use.

Abstract: Temperature management systems for aerial vehicles may include heat pipes that are thermally connected to components that generate heat. The heat pipes may be routed through or adjacent to a propeller or propulsion airflow, or within or across a vehicle airflow, to dissipate heat from the components. A heat pipe may be selected from a plurality of heat pipes based on measured temperatures of components that generate heat, operational characteristics of the aerial vehicle and/or one or more propellers, and/or measured temperatures of other components that may be heated. Additional temperature management systems may include cool air ducts and cool air pipes that may be routed from a propeller or propulsion airflow, or a vehicle airflow, to components that generate heat or other components that may be cooled.

Abstract: There is provided a near-zero-power wakeup system in which a MEMS sensor for mechanical or acoustic signals is coupled to a very-low-power complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Power consumption can be minimized by operating the ASIC with sub-threshold gate voltages.

Abstract: A silicon carbide based MOS integrated circuit is monolithically integrated with a suspended piezoelectric aluminum nitride member to form a high-temperature-capable hybrid MEMS-over-MOS structure. In the integrated structure, a post-MOS passivation layer of silicon carbide is deposited over the MOS passivation and overlain by a structural layer of the MEMS device. Electrical contact to refractory metal conductors of the MOS integrated circuit is provided by tungsten vias that are formed so as to pass vertically through the structural layer and the post-MOS passivation layer.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver comprises a passive impedance transforming voltage amplifier and a resonant, latching micromechanical switch having a deflectable bridge, an RF actuation electrode receivingly connected to the amplifier, and a DC bias electrode positioned to latch the switch in a closed position by electrostatic attraction when energized by a suitable voltage. The bridge is configured with a mechanical mode of vibration that periodically urges the switch toward the closed position.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting objects within a distance of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), and developing a three-dimensional model or representation of those objects. Rather than attempting to use stereo imagery to determine distances and/or depth of objects, the described implementations utilize range-gating, also known as time-gating, and the known position of the aerial vehicle to develop a three-dimensional representation of objects. For example, when the aerial vehicle is at a first position it may use range-gating to detect an object at a defined distance from the vehicle. The aerial vehicle may then alter its position again and use range-gating to detect an object that is the defined distance from the vehicle at the new position. This may be done at several different positions and the resulting information and aerial vehicle position information combined to form a three-dimensional representation of those objects.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for automating the verification of aerial vehicle sensors as part of a pre-flight, flight departure, in-transit flight, and/or delivery destination calibration verification process. At different stages, aerial vehicle sensors may obtain sensor measurements about objects within an environment, the obtained measurements may be processed to determine information about the object, as presented in the measurements, and the processed information may be compared with the actual information about the object to determine a variation or difference between the information. If the variation is within a tolerance range, the sensor may be auto adjusted and operation of the aerial vehicle may continue. If the variation exceeds a correction range, flight of the aerial vehicle may be aborted and the aerial vehicle routed for a full sensor calibration.

Abstract: An HDMI cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves.

Abstract: An HDMI cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves. Methods are provided for deskewing, equalizing, and boosting the differential signals in the embedded circuits that are mounted on a PCB.

Abstract: An HDMI cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves.

Abstract: A method for providing power to a boost device in a high-speed cable connected between a transmitting data source device and a receiving data sink device is described. The method comprises receiving differential data signals from the data source device in a differential input circuit of the boost device; boosting at least one of the received differential data signals into a boosted differential data signal; transmitting the boosted differential data signal from a differential output circuit of the boost device to the receiving data sink device; and obtaining power to operate at least some of the circuitry of the boost device from the data sink device through its connection with the differential output circuit, for example, providing at least some of the power to operate the processing block. A corresponding high-speed cable is also described.

Abstract: An HDMI cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves.