Abstract: A driver device for driving at least one lighting device comprises a driving circuit, a control circuit configured to control the driving circuit based on a firmware stored in a memory of the driver device, and a transceiver configured to perform near field communication via an antenna. The control circuit is configured to control the transceiver to detect presence of a passive near field communication tag within range of the antenna. Preferably, the driver device includes the control circuit is configured to control the transceiver to acquire a data file from the detected passive near field communication tag, and to perform at least one of updating the firmware or controlling the light driving circuit based on the acquired data file.

Abstract: A canvas stretching apparatus is presented, the canvas stretching apparatus comprising a frame for mounting on a mechanical structure, a first tensioning mechanism for lifting the canvas vertically, the first tensioning mechanism being operatively connected to the frame and adapted to connect and pull the canvas vertically, a second tensioning mechanism for stretching the canvas horizontally, the second tensioning mechanism being operatively connected to the frame and adapted to connect and stretch the canvas horizontally, wherein the first and second tensioning mechanisms are actuable independently. A method of stretching a large size canvas is also presented.

Abstract: A unit for combining N channel signals produced by N respective separate sources, where N is an integer, comprises a collector array receiving the N channel signals in respective directions defined by array lobes associated with the collector array.

Abstract: An antenna pointing device capable of scanning in two orthogonal directions comprises a fixed source (20) emitting a radio beam (21) and associated with a main offset reflector (10) and a secondary offset reflector (11), together with a set of at least three mirrors (14, 15, and 17) including a first mirror (14) aligned with the secondary reflector (11), and in which the second and third mirrors (15 and 17) are fixed to respective rotary drive mechanisms (16 and 18) for rotating them about two axes (.DELTA., .DELTA.') extending in orthogonal directions. The main and the secondary reflectors (10, 11) and the first and the second mirrors (14, 15) are mechanically fixed to one another in order to constitute a moving assembly. The second mechanism (18) drives both the third mirror (17) and said moving assembly (10, 11, 14, and 15).

Abstract: The antenna comprises a parabolic reflector (1) and a primary source (2). The reflector (1) comprises a first grating of conductor wires (7) and a second grating of conductor wires (8) which are orthogonal to the wires of the first grating, and with both gratings constituting elliptical reflective surfaces. The sizes of the major and minor axes of the ellipses are determined in such a manner that both operating frequencies of the antenna have identical coverge zones on the surface of the globe.

Abstract: A dual-band antenna for the transmission and reception of radiant energy has a Cassegrain-type reflector assembly, rotatable about an azimuth axis and pivotable about an elevational axis, to which two outgoing beams are directed in a transmitting mode by a periscopic supply system including a set of four mirrors, two of them flat and two of them concave. The lower-band beam originates at a first feed comprising a horizontally radiating horn and two confronting concave mirrors, one of these mirrors training the beam onto a slanting dichroic mirror reflecting same upward into the periscopic supply system. The higher-band beam originates at a second feed also comprising a horizontal horn which radiates onto a concave mirror reflecting the beam upward through the dichroic mirror into the periscopic supply system along a path coinciding with that of the other beam.