Abstract: Systems and methods for wideband RF interference detection and suppression include an open-circuit stub, a first voltage peak detector, a second voltage peak detector, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The open-circuit stub is configured to receive an input signal. The first voltage peak detector is coupled at the open end of the open-circuit stub and configured to output a first voltage signal based on a portion of the input signal. The second voltage peak detector is coupled a distance away from the open end of the open-circuit stub and configured to output a second voltage signal based on the portion of the input signal. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal operable to adjust a signal filter based on the first digital voltage signal and the second digital voltage signal to suppress the portion of the input signal.

Abstract: A tunable radio frequency (RF) resonator may include an RF cavity core defining an RF cavity. The RF cavity core may include a post positioned within the RF cavity. The tunable RF resonator may further include a flexible membrane covering the RF cavity. A gap may be defined between the flexible membrane and the post. An actuator may cause movement of the flexible membrane and vary the distance between the membrane and the post. The RF cavity core is may be injection molded plastic with a metalized electroplating.

Abstract: A waveguide assembly integrated with a semiconductor wafer is provided. The waveguide assembly includes a waveguide channel defined by internal walls of the wafer lined with a metallic layer, and having at least one port for transmission of the RF signal into or out of the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly also includes a semiconductor obstacle member disposed in the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be fabricated using etching and deposition processes for semiconductor devices. In use, selectively varying either one or both of frequency or power level of electromagnetic radiation applied to the obstacle member varies electrical conductance of the obstacle member, and thereby varies the electrical impedance of the obstacle member to transmission of the RF signal through the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be used for switching, attenuating, routing, filtering, and transforming the RF signal.

Abstract: A virtual thermocouple system for non-invasively predicting product characteristics is disclosed, which includes one or more temperature sensing systems including a resistive network which includes a temperature sensing device comprising a plurality of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors, and a load resistor, a corresponding system-on-chip coupled to a corresponding resistive network and configured to i) power the corresponding resistive network, ii) receive corresponding signals from each NTC thermistor of the corresponding temperature sensing device, iii) process the signal associated with each NTC thermistor of the corresponding temperature sensing device and thus generate data associated with each NTC thermistor, and iv) transmitting the processed data, a power generating device configured to provide power to the corresponding system-on-chip, and a base stations adapted to i) receive the processed data from a corresponding system-on-chip, and ii) using a predefined model, and non-invasively

Abstract: Systems and methods for wideband RF interference detection and suppression include an open-circuit stub, a first voltage peak detector, a second voltage peak detector, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The open-circuit stub is configured to receive an input signal. The first voltage peak detector is coupled at the open end of the open-circuit stub and configured to output a first voltage signal based on a portion of the input signal. The second voltage peak detector is coupled a distance away from the open end of the open-circuit stub and configured to output a second voltage signal based on the portion of the input signal. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal operable to adjust a signal filter based on the first digital voltage signal and the second digital voltage signal to suppress the portion of the input signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a chamber, one or more transmitters configured to emit EM radiation, one or more power harvesters, one or more EM stirrer, and a processing system configured to a) receive a measure of dimensional characteristics of the chamber b) control the one or more EM stirrers, c) evaluate statistical properties of the statistical EM environment, d) set a new criterion for acceptable statistical properties of the statistical EM environment, e) measure a lowest usable frequency of the chamber below which the statistical properties are not acceptable according to a predetermined criterion, f) determine an efficiency profile of the one or more power harvesters versus frequency, g) select an operating frequency that maximizes efficiencies of the one or more power harvesters, h) measure a collective efficiency of the chamber, and i) return to step d if the measured collective efficiency is below a predetermined efficiency threshold.

Abstract: A method of uniform RF-heating within a chamber is disclosed, which includes cyclically varying electromagnetic properties of a chamber according to a plurality of configuration, transmitting an alternating RF signal about a first frequency range between a first frequency and a second frequency from a transmitter into the chamber, measuring electromagnetic power at a random receiver location in the chamber for each of the plurality of configurations and at a predetermined resolution of frequency thereby generating a statistical distribution vs. frequency, applying a statistical test to the generated statistical distribution based on a predetermined statistical function, determining a standard deviation of the average received power as a function of frequency, choosing a third frequency range associated with a standard deviation lower than a second threshold, and choosing an operational frequency in the third frequency range which provides maximum heating depending on the material being heated.

Abstract: A method of focused wireless power transmission is disclosed which includes generating a map for electromagnetic fingerprints at N locations within an environment of interest, including a transmitter and plurality of receivers each located at one of the N locations, transmitting pre-matched signals based on the electromagnetic fingerprints in a predetermined order for a first location of the N location, measuring response at each of the N locations, measuring spatial correlations between all other locations and the first location, and evaluating electromagnetic power focus at each of the N locations by comparing the measured spatial correlations.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a chamber, one or more transmitters configured to emit EM radiation, one or more power harvesters, one or more EM stirrer, and a processing system configured to a) receive a measure of dimensional characteristics of the chamber b) control the one or more EM stirrers, c) evaluate statistical properties of the statistical EM environment, d) set a new criterion for acceptable statistical properties of the statistical EM environment, e) measure a lowest usable frequency of the chamber below which the statistical properties are not acceptable according to a predetermined criterion, f) determine an efficiency profile of the one or more power harvesters versus frequency, g) select an operating frequency that maximizes efficiencies of the one or more power harvesters, h) measure a collective efficiency of the chamber, and i) return to step d if the measured collective efficiency is below a predetermined efficiency threshold.

Abstract: A method of uniform wireless power distribution within a chamber is disclosed which includes measuring dimensional characteristics of a chamber, having a transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters, creating a statistical electromagnetic environment, evaluating statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment, setting a new criterion for acceptable statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment, measuring a lowest usable frequency of the chamber below which the statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment are not acceptable according to a predetermined criterion, determining an efficiency profile of the plurality of power harvesters versus frequency at frequencies higher than the lowest usable frequency, selecting an operating frequency that maximizes efficiencies of the plurality of power harvesters, measuring a collective efficiency of the chamber, and returning to setting a new criterion if the measured collective efficiency is below

Abstract: A method of uniform RF-heating within a chamber is disclosed, which includes cyclically varying electromagnetic properties of a chamber according to a plurality of configuration, transmitting an alternating RF signal about a first frequency range between a first frequency and a second frequency from a transmitter into the chamber, measuring electromagnetic power at a random receiver location in the chamber for each of the plurality of configurations and at a predetermined resolution of frequency thereby generating a statistical distribution vs. frequency, applying a statistical test to the generated statistical distribution based on a predetermined statistical function, determining a standard deviation of the average received power as a function of frequency, choosing a third frequency range associated with a standard deviation lower than a second threshold, and choosing an operational frequency in the third frequency range which provides maximum heating depending on the material being heated.

Abstract: An electronic sensing system located on a printed circuit board is provided. The electronic sensing system including: a target gas sensor configured to detect a resistance of the target gas sensor; a reference sensor configured to detect a resistance of the reference sensor; a resistance comparator including a digital potentiometer, the resistance comparator being electrically connected to the target gas sensor and the reference sensor, wherein the digital potentiometer is configured to be adjusted to determine a first resistance in response to the resistance of the target gas sensor and a second resistance in response to the resistance of the reference sensor; and a system on a chip in electronic communication with the resistance comparator, the system on a chip being configured to determine a target gas concentration in response to the first resistance and the second resistance.

Abstract: A method of focused wireless power transmission is disclosed which includes generating a map for electromagnetic fingerprints at N locations within an environment of interest, including a transmitter and plurality of receivers each located at one of the N locations, transmitting pre-matched signals based on the electromagnetic fingerprints in a predetermined order for a first location of the N location, measuring response at each of the N locations, measuring spatial correlations between all other locations and the first location, and evaluating electromagnetic power focus at each of the N locations by comparing the measured spatial correlations.

Abstract: A method of uniform wireless power distribution within a chamber is disclosed which includes measuring dimensional characteristics of a chamber, having a transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters, creating a statistical electromagnetic environment, evaluating statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment, setting a new criterion for acceptable statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment, measuring a lowest usable frequency of the chamber below which the statistical properties of the statistical electromagnetic environment are not acceptable according to a predetermined criterion, determining an efficiency profile of the plurality of power harvesters versus frequency at frequencies higher than the lowest usable frequency, selecting an operating frequency that maximizes efficiencies of the plurality of power harvesters, measuring a collective efficiency of the chamber, and returning to setting a new criterion if the measured collective efficiency is below

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an input matching network, a tunable resonator, a fixed output matching network and a transistor. The tunable resonator includes a varactor and an inductor connected in series. The output matching network includes at least one shunt open-stub connected to the output of the inductor in the tunable resonator and at least one transmission line connected to the at least one shunt open-stub. The transistor includes a gate connected to the input matching network, a source connected to ground, and a drain directly connected to an input of the tunable resonator.

Abstract: A sensor is provided that is capable of sensing a level of a parameter in an environment surrounding the sensor, wirelessly transmitting data regarding the level of the parameter to another device, and converting a wireless signal to a current and powering the sensors with the current. The sensor may measure capacitance data and transmit the data to a computer to be converted into temperature readings. The sensor may provide temperature readings from multiple locations within a container into which the sensor is placed.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring a freeze drying process includes product condition sensors for product condition measurement within product vials. The product condition sensors are bimetal junctions deposited on a substrate using an ink jet printing process. The substrate may be a flexible film applied to an interior surface of the product vial, or may be the vial surface itself. The bimetal junction may be printed using a roll-roll inkjet printing process with metallic nanoparticle inks. Multiple closely-spaced bi-metal junctions are provided in each measurement vial. Data from the sensors is transmitted to a data collection point via short range wireless digital communications. The location of a sublimation front may be calculated for each measured vial, and the freeze drying process may be controlled using the data.

Abstract: Methods and devices suitable for monitoring the frequency of microwave tunable filters in real time. The frequency readout relies on the natural response of such a filter when excited by a pulse. Methods of measuring an operating frequency of a pole in a tunable filter include measuring a number of cycles in a natural response in the filter when the filter is excited by an electric current pulse, and determining a resonance frequency based on the number of cycles measured in the natural response. Such a method can provide the operating frequency information in a binary digital format, making it relatively easy to read and process. A measuring resonator may be mounted to the filter resonator and connected by a common actuator.

Abstract: A tunable amplifier includes continuous tunability for both frequency and power levels. The tunable amplifier includes a combination of a tunable series resonator and a multi-stage LC network as the output matching network. The tunable amplifier incorporates a variable diode varactor with high breakdown voltage and high tuning range into a tunable resonator. The tunable resonator is connected to a fixed output matching network to enable a wide range of operating frequencies. The tunable amplifier enables high power, high efficiency, broadband and load-modulated power amplification, which is greatly desired for next-generation wireless communication systems and other high-frequency applications.

Abstract: Methods and devices suitable for monitoring the frequency of microwave tunable filters in real time. The frequency readout relies on the natural response of such a filter when excited by a pulse. Methods of measuring an operating frequency of a pole in a tunable filter include measuring a number of cycles in a natural response in the filter when the filter is excited by an electric current pulse, and determining a resonance frequency based on the number of cycles measured in the natural response. Such a method can provide the operating frequency information in a binary digital format, making it relatively easy to read and process. A measuring resonator may be mounted to the filter resonator and connected by a common actuator.