Abstract: A user terminal includes a reconfigurable phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements. The user terminal is operable for: broadening a field of regard of the reconfigurable phased array antenna; receiving signals from a plurality of satellites within the field of regard using the reconfigurable phased array antenna; determining one or more attributes of the received signals for each of the satellites; and selecting one of the plurality of satellites for communication based on the attributes of the received signals. After the satellite has been selected, the user terminal is configured for: switching to a directional mode for the reconfigurable phased array antenna; establishing the communication with the selected satellite using the reconfigurable phased array antenna; and tracking the selected satellite. Ephemeris data broadcast by the satellites is used by the user terminal to track the satellites and to perform handovers between satellites.

Abstract: A primary user interface displays primary content from a primary-content source, reads user interaction with the primary content, and communicates with the primary-content source based on the user interaction. A dynamic auxiliary user interface includes an information display portion and a dynamic portion. The information display portion displays supplemental information, at least a part of which is dependent on the primary content. The dynamic portion generates or varies the display of the supplemental information in response to the primary content or an attribute of the primary content.

Abstract: A rapid start power unit and a method of operating a rapid start power unit are disclosed. A fuel cell converts combustible fuel into electrical power during a normal operational period after an initial start-up period when little to no electrical energy is produced. One combustion chamber receives unspent fuel emitted by the fuel cell and combusts the unspent fuel to generate a first heated gas stream. Another combustion chamber receives combustible fuel and burns the combustible fuel to generate a second heated gas stream during the initial start-up period. A turbine receives and is driven by the first and second heated gas streams to drive a drive shaft. A generator coupled to the drive shaft generates electrical power during the initial start-up period and supplemental power during the normal operational period. In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage combustion chamber is used instead of two serially-arranged separate combustion chambers.

Abstract: A communication network may include a satellite configured to provide a plurality of satellite cells within a satellite coverage area, and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) configured to fly within the satellite coverage area. Each UAV is configured to fly over one of the satellite cells. A resource allocation system may be configured to dynamically allocate at least a portion of a frequency spectrum between the satellite and the UAV(s). Each UAV provides a plurality of UAV cells within a satellite cell in response to the resource allocation system allocating the frequency spectrum (or portion thereof) to the UAV(s).

Abstract: A user terminal includes a reconfigurable phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements. The user terminal is operable for: broadening a field of regard of the reconfigurable phased array antenna; receiving signals from a plurality of satellites within the field of regard using the reconfigurable phased array antenna; determining one or more attributes of the received signals for each of the satellites; and selecting one of the plurality of satellites for communication based on the attributes of the received signals. After the satellite has been selected, the user terminal is configured for: switching to a directional mode for the reconfigurable phased array antenna; establishing the communication with the selected satellite using the reconfigurable phased array antenna; and tracking the selected satellite. Ephemeris data broadcast by the satellites is used by the user terminal to track the satellites and to perform handovers between satellites.

Abstract: A rapid start power unit and a method of operating a rapid start power unit are disclosed. A fuel cell converts combustible fuel into electrical power during a normal operational period after an initial start-up period when little to no electrical energy is produced. One combustion chamber receives unspent fuel emitted by the fuel cell and combusts the unspent fuel to generate a first heated gas stream. Another combustion chamber receives combustible fuel and burns the combustible fuel to generate a second heated gas stream during the initial start-up period. A turbine receives and is driven by the first and second heated gas streams to drive a drive shaft. A generator coupled to the drive shaft generates electrical power during the initial start-up period and supplemental power during the normal operational period. In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage combustion chamber is used instead of two serially-arranged separate combustion chambers.

Abstract: A communication network may include a satellite configured to provide a plurality of satellite cells within a satellite coverage area, and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) configured to fly within the satellite coverage area. Each UAV is configured to fly over one of the satellite cells. A resource allocation system may be configured to dynamically allocate at least a portion of a frequency spectrum between the satellite and the UAV(s). Each UAV provides a plurality of UAV cells within a satellite cell in response to the resource allocation system allocating the frequency spectrum (or portion thereof) to the UAV(s).

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet.

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the presence of an RF device and determining a location of the RF device. The system includes a first antenna capable of transmitting a first radar signal and receiving RF signals, a second antenna capable of transmitting a second radar signal and receiving RF signals, where the second radar signal is offset in frequency from the first radar signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors analyzes harmonic and intermodulation (IM) signals generated in response to the first radar signal and the second radar signal interacting with nonlinear characteristics in components of a RF device. The analyzing provides detection of the presence of the RF device and the determination of a location of the RF device regardless of whether the RF device is active or passive.

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet.

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the creation of power, water, and heat utilizing a fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, fuel is provided to a fuel cell for the creation of power and a fuel byproduct. The fuel byproduct is routed to a byproduct separation phase of a power and water generation system, where water is separated from the fuel byproduct. The remaining mixture is reacted in a burner phase of the system to create additional heat that may be converted to mechanical energy and/or utilized with other processes within the system or outside of the system. According to other aspects, the separated water may be utilized within a biofuel production subsystem for the creation of biofuel to be used by the fuel cell.

Abstract: Data from GPS satellites within the field of view of a ground station are retransmitted to LEO satellites, such as Iridium satellites, and cross-linked if necessary before being transmitted to a user. The user is then able to combine the fed-forward data with data received directly from GPS satellites in order to resolve errors due to interference or jamming. Iridium and data aiding thus provides a means for extending GPS performance under a variety of data-impaired conditions because it can provide certain aiding information over its data link in real time.

Abstract: Data from GPS satellites within the field of view of a ground station are retransmitted to LEO satellites, such as Iridium satellites, and cross-linked if necessary before being transmitted to a user. The user is then able to combine the fed-forward data with data received directly from GPS satellites in order to resolve errors due to interference or jamming. Iridium and data aiding thus provides a means for extending GPS performance under a variety of data-impaired conditions because it can provide certain aiding information over its data link in real time.

Abstract: Data from GPS satellites within the field of view of a ground station are retransmitted to LEO satellites, such as Iridium satellites, and cross-linked if necessary before being transmitted to a user. The user is then able to combine the fed-forward data with data received directly from GPS satellites in order to resolve errors due to interference or jamming. Iridium and data aiding thus provides a means for extending GPS performance under a variety of data-impaired conditions because it can provide certain aiding information over its data link in real time.

Abstract: Sensing motion of multiple degrees of freedom for an integral inertial measurement unit provided through the operation of a single centrally mounted planar disc resonator having a single driven mode in a single vacuum enclosure is disclosed. The resonator comprises a circumferentially slotted disc having multiple internal capacitive electrodes within the slots in order to excite a single in-plane driven vibration and sense in-plane vibration modes or motion of the resonator. In addition, vertical electrodes disposed below and/or above the resonator may also be used to sense out-of-plane vibration or motion. Acceleration sensing in three orthogonal axes can be obtained by sensing two lateral modes of the disc resonator in the plane of the disc from the internal electrodes and a vertical mode from the vertical electrodes.

Abstract: Sensing motion of multiple degrees of freedom for an integral inertial measurement unit provided through the operation of a single centrally mounted planar disc resonator having a single driven mode in a single vacuum enclosure is disclosed. The resonator comprises a circumferentially slotted disc having multiple internal capacitive electrodes within the slots in order to excite a single in-plane driven vibration and sense in-plane vibration modes or motion of the resonator. In addition, vertical electrodes disposed below and/or above the resonator may also be used to sense out-of-plane vibration or motion. Acceleration sensing in three orthogonal axes can be obtained by sensing two lateral modes of the disc resonator in the plane of the disc from the internal electrodes and a vertical mode from the vertical electrodes.

Abstract: Operation of a planar resonator gyroscope with in-plane parasitic modes of vibration to obtain improved performance is disclosed. A planar resonator gyroscope, such as a disc resonator gyroscope, may be operated with embedded electrodes. The embedded electrodes may be disposed adjacent to the planar resonator and proximate to one or more anti-nodes of a parasitic vibration mode. A sensed amplitude of the parasitic mode is applied in differential signals used to operate the gyroscope. A feedback controller for damping the parasitic mode applies a drive voltage generated from the proportional voltage to one or more drive electrodes adjacent to the planar resonator disposed proximate to one or more anti-nodes of the parasitic vibration mode of the planar resonator. Parasitic in-plane modes may be thus damped in operating the gyroscope with active damping applied through an analog operational amplifier or digital feedback.

Abstract: Operation of a planar resonator gyroscope with in-plane parasitic modes of vibration to obtain improved performance is disclosed. A planar resonator gyroscope, such as a disc resonator gyroscope, may be operated with embedded electrodes. The embedded electrodes may be disposed adjacent to the planar resonator and proximate to one or more anti-nodes of a parasitic vibration mode. A sensed amplitude of the parasitic mode is applied in differential signals used to operate the gyroscope. A feedback controller for damping the parasitic mode applies a drive voltage generated from the proportional voltage to one or more drive electrodes adjacent to the planar resonator disposed proximate to one or more anti-nodes of the parasitic vibration mode of the planar resonator. Parasitic in-plane modes may be thus damped in operating the gyroscope with active damping applied through an analog operational amplifier or digital feedback.