Abstract: A software update system is disclosed for managing a remote software updating process for aerial vehicles. Responsive to receiving an indication from a companion application that an update for a display or a Flight Control Computer (FCC) is available for installation, the software update system may determine if a set of requirements are met by retrieving information associated with the aircraft from the sensors of the aircraft. The software update system may determine whether the aircraft is suitable for performing the installation of the update by checking a set of requirements and retrieving information from the sensors of the aircraft. The software update system may further determine if the update is for a display or an FCC and perform a different remote update process for each type of update correspondingly.

Abstract: An attitude control module is described for providing propellant-free attitude control and momentum desaturation to a spacecraft. The attitude control module includes at least one solar sail comprising a reflective surface for reflecting solar photons; and at least one robotic arm coupled to the at least one solar sail, said at least one robotic arm comprising at least 4 degrees of freedom for positioning and orienting the at least one solar sail relative to the spacecraft. A corresponding method for operating the attitude control module to unload excess momentum from a spacecraft is also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adapting the shooting and bouncing rays (SBR) model used in EM field simulation to incorporate incoherent effects of rough surfaces. It introduces a data-driven framework that utilizes on an ensemble of bistatic polarized RCS measurements to characterize the aggregate coherent and incoherent scattering contributions from microscopic surface roughness by compiling field statistics into bidirectional scattering distribution functions (BSDFs). It generalizes an analytical model for rough surface microwave scattering with no assumptions made on surface statistics. The method includes a technique for computing properly correlated fluctuations in the incoherent field across frequency and incident/observation angle. The technique exploits the scale invariance of the incoherent fluctuations to adapt these fluctuations to ray footprints with arbitrary size with the size of the sample surface.

Abstract: A method of molding a tire that has a container (12) that includes the steps of placing an uncured tire into a mold, and providing a bladder (16) that has a flexible portion (18) and an insert (20) that has a cavity configured for molding the container into the tire. The bladder has a fluid therein and is inflated within the mold, and material of the uncured tire flows into the cavity of the insert (20). Sufficient heat and pressure is applied to the uncured tire to at least partially cure the tire when the uncured tire is in the mold. The material in the insert (20) forms the container (12) such that the container is integrally formed with other portions of the tire. The mold is opened to retrieve the tire.

Abstract: An attitude control module is described for providing propellant-free attitude control and momentum desaturation to a spacecraft. The attitude control module includes at least one solar sail comprising a reflective surface for reflecting solar photons; and at least one robotic arm coupled to the at least one solar sail, said at least one robotic arm comprising at least 4 degrees of freedom for positioning and orienting the at least one solar sail relative to the spacecraft. A corresponding method for operating the attitude control module to unload excess momentum from a spacecraft is also described.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention relates to an integrally formed tire sensor container (100) for holding a tire sensor on the inner liner surface (70) within the cavity of a pneumatic tire (10). The container (100) has a base surface (110) surrounded by a peripheral wall (120) that extends from the base (110). An aperture (130) is formed by the peripheral wall (120) and has a maximum aperture diameter (132) smaller than a maximum wall diameter (126).

Abstract: A common mode feedback (CMFB) loop for a differential amplifier sense an output common mode of a differential circuit and provides feedback to the gates of tail current transistors. Many CMFB loops cannot easily adjust the output common mode voltage and the output common mode may vary over process, voltage, and temperature. An improved CMFB circuit adds a control circuit to control backgates of tail current transistor device(s) of the differential circuit such that the output common mode voltage can be made adjustable.

Abstract: A common mode feedback (CMFB) loop for a differential amplifier sense an output common mode of a differential circuit and provides feedback to the gates of tail current transistors. Many CMFB loops cannot easily adjust the output common mode voltage and the output common mode may vary over process, voltage, and temperature. An improved CMFB circuit adds a control circuit to control backgates of tail current transistor device(s) of the differential circuit such that the output common mode voltage can be made adjustable.

Abstract: Tread of a tire for an agricultural vehicle. The tread (2) comprises a first, median portion (21) having an axial width L1, at least equal to 0.25 times and at most equal to 0.75 times the axial width L, and second and third, lateral portions (22, 23) that respectively extend axially outwards from the first, median portion (21) as far as an axial end (E, E?) and have respective axial widths (L2, L3). Each lug portion (311) that is axially contained in the first, median portion (21) and extends radially inwards, from the contact face (6) as far as a first interface (7), over a radial distance D1 at least equal to 0.5 times and at most equal to 1 time the radial lug height H, includes a first elastomeric compound. Each lug portion (321) that is axially contained in one of the second or third, lateral portions (22, 23) and extends radially inwards, from the contact face (6) as far as a second interface (8), over a radial distance D2 at least equal to 0.

Abstract: A tire tread with certain features and a method for manufacturing such a tire tread are provided. More particularly, a tire tread is provided that has layers of apertures where some layers remain covered until after a certain amount of tread wear has occurred. Such apertures can comprise, for example, sipes, grooves, or other apertured features in the tread. A method of making such tire tread is also provided.

Abstract: Tire for a vehicle for agricultural use comprises tread (2), comprising lugs (3) separated by grooves (4), each lug (3) extending radially outwards, over a radial height H, from a bottom surface (5) as far as a contact face (6). A first lug portion (31), made of a first elastomeric compound, extends radially inwards, from the contact face (6) as far as a first interface (7), over a radial distance D1 between 0.5 H (the radial height) and H. A second lug portion (32), made of a second elastomeric compound, extends radially inwards, from the first interface (7) as far as the bottom surface (5), over a radial distance D2. The second elastomeric compound extends radially into the lugs (3) and grooves (4), from the bottom surface (5), as far as a second interface (8), over a radial distance D3 between 3 mm and 15 mm.

Abstract: In an example, a differential amplifier is disclosed that is configured to realize low noise with decreased overall system current. The differential amplifier may include a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage arranged in series, wherein a pull-up current iH flowing as a single bias current iB=iH flows into the first stage. A single pull-down current iT sources to ground from the second stage, wherein iH=iT=iB substantially. In certain embodiments, the transconductance of the second stage may be increased by providing two transconductors coupled at their base nodes.

Abstract: A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.

Abstract: In an example, a differential amplifier is disclosed that is configured to realize low noise with decreased overall system current. The differential amplifier may include a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage arranged in series, wherein a pull-up current iH flowing as a single bias current iB=iH flows into the first stage. A single pull-down current iT sources to ground from the second stage, wherein iH=iT=iB substantially. In certain embodiments, the transconductance of the second stage may be increased by providing two transconductors coupled at their base nodes.

Abstract: An amplifier with a single-input class-AB output stage comprises an input stage providing a signal to an output stage. The output stage comprises a current-splitting stage having a bias current and providing at least two intermediate output currents, and a drive stage receiving the two intermediate output currents and driving an output signal having a positive side and a negative side.

Abstract: An amplifier with a single-input class-AB output stage comprises an input stage providing a signal to an output stage. The output stage comprises a current-splitting stage having a bias current and providing at least two intermediate output currents, and a drive stage receiving the two intermediate output currents and driving an output signal having a positive side and a negative side.

Abstract: A bias voltage source for a differential circuit has low output impedance at DC, but considerably higher output impedance within the frequency band of the differential signal being processed, to provide an accurate, well-matched common-mode bias voltage to each component of a differential signal path, while providing a low noise current, minimizing the conversion between common-mode and differential modes, and preserving available headroom, and all without requiring the use of large resistors.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus (10) for forming a tire component upon an axially tapered building surface (100). In particular embodiments, such methods include the step of providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members (42) and an application surface (64) for transferring material to the axially tapered building surface, the axially tapered surface comprising a surface of revolution that varies radially along a rotational axis of the surface. Particular embodiments may also include translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system, and cutting a strip of material from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members during the step of translating.

Abstract: A bias voltage source for a differential circuit has low output impedance at DC, but considerably higher output impedance within the frequency band of the differential signal being processed, to provide an accurate, well-matched common-mode bias voltage to each component of a differential signal path, while providing a low noise current, minimizing the conversion between common-mode and differential modes, and preserving available headroom, and all without requiring the use of large resistors.

Abstract: A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.