Abstract: Provided are waveguide sensors and position sensing systems. In some embodiments, a position sensing system may include a waveguide configured to receive and transmit a pulse, and a magnet moveable relative to the waveguide. The waveguide may include a first core layer and a second core layer, a magnetic layer between the first and second core layers, and a conductive winding around the first core layer, the second core layer, and the magnetic layer. The position sensing system may further include a first substrate layer above the conductive winding and a second substrate layer below the conductive winding.

Abstract: A pPTC heating device having areas with different power densities distributed over the surface of the device. The device is constructed using a base layer composed of a pPTC material having a layer of sectioned conductive plates disposed over and under the layer of pPTC such as to control the path of the current through the device, thereby controlling resistance of the device and the power density of the device.

Abstract: A radar-based occupancy detection system that includes a seatbelt buckle disposed adjacent a seat of a vehicle and a radar module disposed within the seatbelt buckle, the radar module including an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a RF receiver, and a processor, the antenna configured to broadcast a RF signal generated by the RF transmitter toward the seat, the processor configured to derive signal information from output received from the receiver and to characterize occupancy of the seat based on the signal information.

Abstract: Provided are waveguide sensors and position sensing systems. In some embodiments, a position sensing system may include a waveguide configured to receive and transmit a pulse, and a magnet moveable relative to the waveguide. The waveguide may include a first core layer and a second core layer, a magnetic layer between the first and second core layers, and a conductive winding around the first core layer, the second core layer, and the magnetic layer. The position sensing system may further include a first substrate layer above the conductive winding and a second substrate layer below the conductive winding.

Abstract: A pPTC heating device having areas with different power densities distributed over the surface of the device. The device is constructed using a base layer composed of a pPTC material having a layer of sectioned conductive plates disposed over and under the layer of pPTC such as to control the path of the current through the device, thereby controlling resistance of the device and the power density of the device.

Abstract: A self-limiting heater and method for building the self-limiting heater are disclosed. The self-limiting heater consists of a resistor and a PTC resistor coupled together in series with a power supply. Both resistive devices have good thermal coupling. The resistor has a minimal resistance change over changes in temperature while the resistance of the PTC resistor increases with an increase in temperature. The ohmic resistance ratio between the resistor and the PTC may be used to adjust the heater characteristics and limit the characteristic sharpness.

Abstract: A waveguide system may include an inner core, and a conductor wound around the inner core in conductive coils having a coil length, wherein a voltage pulse received by the pulsed waveguide propagates as an induced wave having a group velocity, the group velocity being below a threshold velocity, wherein a reflection signal or an end of line signal generated within the conductor from the induced wave is detectable from the initial voltage pulse.

Abstract: An ignitor for an electronic detonator, the ignitor including a microcontroller and a capacitor mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and electrically connected to one another, the microcontroller configured to discharge the capacitor in response to an actuation signal received by the microcontroller, a pair of conductive traces extending from the capacitor, a resistive element extending between the conductive traces and configured to radiate heat in response to current flowing therethrough, and a shroud disposed over the resistive element, the shroud containing a pyrotechnic composition that at least partially covers the resistive element.

Abstract: A radar-based occupancy detection system that includes a seatbelt buckle disposed adjacent a seat of a vehicle and a radar module disposed within the seatbelt buckle, the radar module including an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a RF receiver, and a processor, the antenna configured to broadcast a RF signal generated by the RF transmitter toward the seat, the processor configured to derive signal information from output received from the receiver and to characterize occupancy of the seat based on the signal information.

Abstract: An integrated rain and solar radiation sensing module including at least two light emitting elements, a plurality of input lenses, wherein at least two of the plurality of input lenses are configured to receive and collimate light emitted by each of the light emitting elements, a plurality of output lenses numbering at least twice as many as the plurality of input lenses, wherein each output lens is configured to receive and focus light that is collimated by at least one of the plurality of input lenses and reflected off of a transparent substrate, and a plurality of light receiving elements, wherein each light receiving element configured to receive focused light from at least one of the output lenses and to convert the received light into an electrical output signal proportional to the received light.

Abstract: A position sensing system is disclosed. The position sensing system may include a hollow sensor body. A magnet may be disposed in the hollow sensor body. The magnet may be movable within the hollow sensor body.

Abstract: An ignitor for an electronic detonator, the ignitor including a microcontroller and a capacitor mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and electrically connected to one another, the microcontroller configured to discharge the capacitor in response to an actuation signal received by the microcontroller, a pair of conductive traces extending from the capacitor, a resistive element extending between the conductive traces and configured to radiate heat in response to current flowing therethrough, and a shroud disposed over the resistive element, the shroud containing a pyrotechnic composition that at least partially covers the resistive element.

Abstract: A waveguide system may include an inner core, and a conductor wound around the inner core in conductive coils having a coil length, wherein a voltage pulse received by the pulsed waveguide propagates as an induced wave having a group velocity, the group velocity being below a threshold velocity, wherein a reflection signal or an end of line signal generated within the conductor from the induced wave is detectable from the initial voltage pulse.

Abstract: A waveguide system may include an inner core, and a conductor wound around the inner core in conductive coils having a coil length, wherein a voltage pulse received by the pulsed waveguide propagates as an induced wave having a group velocity, the group velocity being below a threshold velocity, wherein a reflection signal or an end of line signal generated within the conductor from the induced wave is detectable from the initial voltage pulse.

Abstract: A waveguide arrangement may include a tank defining a chamber for holding a liquid; and a pulsed waveguide (PWG) disposed at least partially within the chamber, the PWG comprising: an inner cylinder, the inner cylinder being grounded. The waveguide may also include an electrically conductive coil wrapped around the inner cylinder, wherein the pulsed waveguide is arranged to generate a first delay between a first initial pulse and a first reflected pulse when an upper surface of the liquid is at a first level, and to generate a second delay between a second initial pulse and a second reflected pulse when the upper surface of the liquid is a second level.

Abstract: A position sensing system is disclosed. The position sensing system may include a hollow sensor body. A magnet may be disposed in the hollow sensor body. The magnet may be movable within the hollow sensor body.

Abstract: An integrated rain and solar radiation sensing module including at least two light emitting elements, a plurality of input lenses, wherein at least two of the plurality of input lenses are configured to receive and collimate light emitted by each of the light emitting elements, a plurality of output lenses numbering at least twice as many as the plurality of input lenses, wherein each output lens is configured to receive and focus light that is collimated by at least one of the plurality of input lenses and reflected off of a transparent substrate, and a plurality of light receiving elements, wherein each light receiving element configured to receive focused light from at least one of the output lenses and to convert the received light into an electrical output signal proportional to the received light.

Abstract: A position sensing system including a waveguide, a magnet movable relative to the waveguide, and a compensator configured to compensate for a change in propagation velocity of the waveguide in determining a position of the magnet relative to the waveguide. The compensator coupled to the waveguide and configured to receive a pulse, an end of line pulse corresponding to the pulse transmitted through the waveguide, and a reflected pulse corresponding to a reflection of the pulse at a point in the waveguide. The compensator configured to determine the point based at least in part on the pulse, the end of line pulse, and/or the reflected pulse.

Abstract: A waveguide arrangement may include a tank defining a chamber for holding a liquid; and a pulsed waveguide (PWG) disposed at least partially within the chamber, the PWG comprising: an inner cylinder, the inner cylinder being grounded. The waveguide may also include an electrically conductive coil wrapped around the inner cylinder, wherein the pulsed waveguide is arranged to generate a first delay between a first initial pulse and a first reflected pulse when an upper surface of the liquid is at a first level, and to generate a second delay between a second initial pulse and a second reflected pulse when the upper surface of the liquid is a second level.

Abstract: A waveguide system may include an inner core, and a conductor wound around the inner core in conductive coils having a coil length, wherein a voltage pulse received by the pulsed waveguide propagates as an induced wave having a group velocity, the group velocity being below a threshold velocity, wherein a reflection signal or an end of line signal generated within the conductor from the induced wave is detectable from the initial voltage pulse.