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: 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: A cavity resonator tuning diaphragm comprising a plurality of inner corrugations, the plurality of inner corrugations having a first depth. An outer corrugation located between the plurality of inner corrugations and a perimeter of the diaphragm is also included, the outer corrugation having a second depth greater than the first depth. The addition of the outer deep corrugation provides increased thermal stability and reduced required actuation voltage.

Abstract: A low-power wireless ionizing radiation measurement system is present that is intended to be used in a wearable dosimeter for occupational radiation monitoring. The detector element is a custom MOS capacitor that traps holes in proportion to the amount of ionizing radiation incident upon the detector, thus permanently causing a lateral shift in the CV-curve (toward more negative threshold voltage). The circuit measures the capacitance value of several redundant sensors at a given voltage in the depletion region, records this value over time and occasionally transmits the stored values to a base station. From the change in capacitance, the dose that has been delivered can be determined.

Abstract: An evanescent-mode cavity filter with an improved MEMS tuner design is disclosed. The MEMS tuner design allows for the independent control of individual poles in a multi-pole filter, which increases the adaptability of the filter in a crowded RF environment. The filter is further designed to minimize tuning voltages and hysteresis effects. A closed loop control system provides highly responsive tuning of the filter. The closed loop control allows for accurate and stable tuning that compensates for temperature and vibrational effects, while the tuner design enables fast tuning and significantly increases the resolution of the feedback measurement by eliminating charge buildup in the tuner substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for differentially altering the radiation response across multiple MOSCAP sensors by placing different thin gate materials with different atomic numbers on a series of MOS-based radiation sensors. The secondary electrons created in high-atomic weight materials (such as gold) at lower incident photon energy levels enable a tissue equivalent radiation response and radiations source identification/differentiation. This is a desirable alternative to using filters with different coefficients across a series of MOSCAP radiation sensor which will attenuate the signal and degrade the device form factor. The method and apparatus disclosed achieves the same functionality but with inherent gain instead of attenuation, thus increasing sensitivity. This will improve the minimum resolvable dose for x-rays and low-energy gammas (high-energy gammas will remain the same), and produces a response that can distinguish the energy level of incident radiation photon.

Abstract: A cavity resonator tuning diaphragm comprising a plurality of inner corrugations, the plurality of inner corrugations having a first depth. An outer corrugation located between the plurality of inner corrugations and a perimeter of the diaphragm is also included, the outer corrugation having a second depth greater than the first depth. The addition of the outer deep corrugation provides increased thermal stability and reduced required actuation voltage.

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 system for measuring a physical characteristic of mechanical face seal includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor. The permanent magnet is affixed to a structure proximate to a bearing surface of the mechanical face seal. The permanent magnet has a magnetic field that decreases as a function of temperature. The magnetic sensor is mounted on the mechanical face seal in a magnetic field sensing relationship with the permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor is configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to a sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: A cavity resonator tuning diaphragm comprising a plurality of inner corrugations, the plurality of inner corrugations having a first depth. An outer corrugation located between the plurality of inner corrugations and a perimeter of the diaphragm is also included, the outer corrugation having a second depth greater than the first depth. The addition of the outer deep corrugation provides increased thermal stability and reduced required actuation voltage.

Abstract: A kinetic energy to electrical energy converter. The converter includes a housing defining a cavity having a circumference and covers enclosing the cavity, at least one fixedly supported perimeter magnet disposed about the circumference, at least one magnetically levitating center magnet magnetically influenced by the at least one fixedly supported magnet, positioned in the cavity and limited to substantially a two dimensional movement by the covers, and at least one coil fixedly supported with respect to the fixedly supported perimeter magnet, movements of the a least one center magnet is configured to generate an electrical current in the at least one coil.

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: A system for measuring a physical characteristic of a bearing includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor. The permanent magnetic is coupled to at least a portion of a bearing, and has a magnetic field that changes as a function of the physical characteristic. For example, the permanent magnet has a magnetic characteristic that changes as a function of temperature. The magnetic sensor is operably disposed in a magnetic field sensing relationship with the permanent magnet, and is configured to generate a voltage signal and/or current signal corresponding to a sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for differentially altering the radiation response across multiple MOSCAP sensors by placing different thin gate materials with different atomic numbers on a series of MOS-based radiation sensors. The secondary electrons created in high-atomic weight materials (such as gold) at lower incident photon energy levels enable a tissue equivalent radiation response and radiations source identification/differentiation. This is a desirable alternative to using filters with different coefficients across a series of MOSCAP radiation sensor which will attenuate the signal and degrade the device form factor. The method and apparatus disclosed achieves the same functionality but with inherent gain instead of attenuation, thus increasing sensitivity. This will improve the minimum resolvable dose for x-rays and low-energy gammas (high-energy gammas will remain the same), and produces a response that can distinguish the energy level of incident radiation photon.

Abstract: A low-power wireless ionizing radiation measurement system is present that is intended to be used in a wearable dosimeter for occupational radiation monitoring. An apparatus is provided comprising a switching interface, wherein the switching interface alternates between a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state, a radiation-sensitive metal oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAP) is coupled to an external biasing source. In the second switching state, the radiation-sensitive MOSCAP is coupled with reversed polarity relative to the first switching state to a capacitive readout circuit to thereby allow for high-resolution real-time electronic measurement of a radiation-induced capacitance response.

Abstract: A low-power wireless ionizing radiation measurement system is present that is intended to be used in a wearable dosimeter for occupational radiation monitoring. The detector element is a custom MOS capacitor that traps holes in proportion to the amount of ionizing radiation incident upon the detector, thus permanently causing a lateral shift in the CV-curve (toward more negative threshold voltage). The circuit measures the capacitance value of several redundant sensors at a given voltage in the depletion region, records this value over time and occasionally transmits the stored values to a base station. From the change in capacitance, the dose that has been delivered can be determined.

Abstract: An evanescent-mode cavity filter with an improved MEMS tuner design is disclosed. The MEMS tuner design allows for the independent control of individual poles in a multi-pole filter, which increases the adaptability of the filter in a crowded RF environment. The filter is further designed to minimize tuning voltages and hysteresis effects. A closed loop control system provides highly responsive tuning of the filter. The closed loop control allows for accurate and stable tuning that compensates for temperature and vibrational effects, while the tuner design enables fast tuning and significantly increases the resolution of the feedback measurement by eliminating charge buildup in the tuner substrate.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for wirelessly measuring temperature and vibration is disclosed. The sensor arrangement includes a sensor element and a sensor coil affixed on the device. A readout coil is configured to be magnetically coupled to the sensor coil configured to energize the sensor coil with an energizing signal, configured to provide the natural frequency of the sensor element, the sensor coil, and the readout coil, and configured to provide amplitude modulations of the energizing signal, the amplitude modulations being induced by changes in the coupling factor of the readout coil and the sensor coil. An energizing circuit is configured to energize the readout coil with the energizing signal. A readout circuit is configured to store or display information regarding the natural frequency and the amplitude modulations.

Abstract: A tunable cavity resonator includes a housing, a post, and a controllably variable capacitive coupling. The housing defines an interior and has at least one side wall, a first end, and a second end. The post is located within the interior and extends from the first end to the second end. The post and the housing define a resonating cavity. The controllably variable capacitive coupling is disposed in the housing.

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.