Abstract: A detector assembly includes a hollow body in which a printed circuit board, a resistive plate, a drilled board, a drift volume, and a cathode are disposed. A surface of the printed circuit board exposed to the resistive plate includes printed circuit lines for measuring first and second coordinates of a charge event. The hollow body can include a sealable opening to remove contaminants outgassed from one or more components of the detector assembly and to fill the hollow body with an operational gas. The sealable opening can be fluidly coupled to a gas and vacuum system to reduce the concentration of the outgassed contaminants.

Abstract: A method for underground exploration using cosmic rays muons, the method comprises: detecting cosmic ray muons by sensing ionizing events that initiate within spaces of one or more gas amplification detectors of a system that is positioned within an underground space; and limiting a flow of gas within the spaces of the one or more gas amplification detectors.

Abstract: Methods of detecting high atomic weight materials in a volume such as a truck or cargo container are disclosed. The volume is scanned with an X-ray imaging system and a muon detection system. Using the output data of the muon detection system, the exit momentum and incoming and outgoing tracks of each muon are reconstructed. A muon scattering statistical model is calculated using the muon exit momentum and the incoming and outgoing tracks of the muon. A most likely scattering density map is determined according to the muon-scattering statistical model and an X-ray statistical model. A visual representation of the most likely scattering density map is displayed.

Abstract: A detector assembly includes a hollow body in which a printed circuit board, a resistive plate, a drilled board, a drift volume, and a cathode are disposed. A surface of the printed circuit board exposed to the resistive plate includes printed circuit lines for measuring first and second coordinates of a charge event. The hollow body can include a sealable opening to remove contaminants outgassed from one or more components of the detector assembly and to fill the hollow body with an operational gas. The sealable opening can be fluidly coupled to a gas and vacuum system to reduce the concentration of the outgassed contaminants.

Abstract: A detector assembly includes an insulating substrate, a printed circuit board, a resistive, plate, a drilled board, a drift volume, and a cathode. A surface of the printed circuit board exposed to the resistive plate includes printed circuit lines for measuring first and second coordinates of a charge event. A mechanical assembly applies a force between the insulating substrate and the resistive a plate to form an electrical contact between the printed circuit lines on the printed circuit board and the resistive plate without the use of an electrical adhesive.

Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.

Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.

Abstract: A detector assembly includes an insulating substrate, a printed circuit board, a resistive, plate, a drilled board, a drift volume, and a cathode. A surface of the printed circuit board exposed to the resistive plate includes printed circuit lines for measuring first and second coordinates of a charge event. A mechanical assembly applies a force between the insulating substrate and the resistive a plate to form an electrical contact between the printed circuit lines on the printed circuit board and the resistive plate without the use of an electrical adhesive.

Abstract: Methods of detecting high atomic weight materials in a volume such as a truck or cargo container are disclosed. The volume is scanned with an X-ray imaging system and a muon detection system. Using the output data of the muon detection system, the exit momentum and incoming and outgoing tracks of each muon are reconstructed. A muon scattering statistical model is calculated using the muon exit momentum and the incoming and outgoing tracks of the muon. A most likely scattering density map is determined according to the muon-scattering statistical model and an X-ray statistical model. A visual representation of the most likely scattering density map is displayed.

Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.

Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.

Abstract: An intermediate device, including: (a) a wired USB communications component; (b) a wireless USB communications component; (c) a memory unit; (d) a processor, connected to the wired USB communications component, to the wireless USB communications component and to the memory unit, and (e) a USB class compliant driver emulator constructed in response to at least one characteristic of the USB device.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods relating to ultra-wide band communications. A method is provided for transmitting information using ultra-wide band transmission. The method includes allocating, for signal transmission, each of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The method further includes sending an ultra-wide band transmission comprising the information by transmitting a burst symbol cycle signal over each of the plurality of frequency sub-bands.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-band ultra-wide band (UWB) communication methods and systems capable of adaptively and scalably supporting different applications with different requirements, as well as different desired or ideal properties relating to the communications. A method is provided for transmitting information using multi-band ultra-wide band transmission, including transmitting a signal over each of multiple frequency sub-bands, and allowing variation of at least one transmission parameter to facilitate trade-off between at least two of power consumption, energy collection, bit rate, performance, range, resistance to multiple access interference, and resistance to multipath interference and spectral flatness.

Abstract: The present invention provides ultra-wide band communication systems and methods, including multi-band ultra-wide band communication systems and methods. Methods and systems are provided in which frequency sub-bands of an ultra-wide band spectrum are allocated for signal transmission. An ultra-wide band transmission including the information is sent, including sending a signal over each of the plurality of sub-bands. Methods are further provided in which a first data signal containing information is converted into an encoded signal using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform. The encoded signal is converted into an encoded ultra-wide band signal that can be pulsed or transmitted using burst symbol cycles. The encoded pulsed ultra-wide band signal is decoded using a Fast Fourier Transform to obtain the information.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods relating to ultra-wide band communications. A method is provided for transmitting information using ultra-wide band transmission. The method includes allocating, for signal transmission, each of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The method further includes sending an ultra-wide band transmission comprising the information by transmitting a burst symbol cycle signal over each of the plurality of frequency sub-bands.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-band ultra-wide band (UWB) communication methods and systems capable of adaptively and scalably supporting different applications with different requirements, as well as different desired or ideal properties relating to the communications. A method is provided for transmitting information using multi-band ultra-wide band transmission, including transmitting a signal over each of multiple frequency sub-bands, and allowing variation of at least one transmission parameter to facilitate trade-off between at least two of power consumption, energy collection, bit rate, performance, range, resistance to multiple access interference, and resistance to multipath interference and spectral flatness.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for communication, including UWB based wireless and wired communication, in which information is transmitted utilizing a continuous series of burst symbol cycles, each burst symbol cycle including an ON period during which a number of chips representing a bit of information are transmitted using anultra-wide band signal, and an OFF period during which no signal is transmitted, providing advantages that can include scalability, adaptability and flexibility. Systems are provided that utilize the burst symbol cycle transmission technique in providing wireless and wired communication between multiple digital devices in a local area.

Abstract: The present invention provides ultra-wide band communication systems and methods, including multi-band ultra-wide band communication systems and methods. Methods and systems are provided in which frequency sub-bands of an ultra-wide band spectrum are allocated for signal transmission. An ultra-wide band transmission including the information is sent, including sending a signal over each of the plurality of sub-bands.