Abstract: An intelligent system and method detects and informs operators of unstable vehicle conditions. An accelerometer and gyro based micro-controller system dynamically computing the center of mass, speeds, positions, angles, stability factors, Velocity-Road Roughness Index, Dynamic Stability Function, and other parameters critical in determining the dynamics of vehicle motion. The apparatus may be integrated into an overall vehicle network and may incorporate a method for detecting and warning vehicle operators of unstable driving conditions which may include rollover, high velocity turns, sideslope conditions, rough roads, slip, and other dynamic events.

Abstract: A smart armor system for use with body armor or armor on a vehicle and other remotely located devices is disclosed. The smart armor system includes a control hub for managing and analyzing multiple incoming wireless and wired data streams. The system also includes at least one sensor module sensor in the armor wirelessly in communication with the control hub. A sensor control panel interface may be used for reviewing information from the sensor modules and a distributed mesh network may be used for supporting at least two levels therein. The communication system may be wirelessly based and may be built for rugged harsh environments such as those found in military applications and other harsh industrial applications.

Abstract: An intelligent system and method detects and prevents vehicle rollover conditions. An accelerator determines vehicle speed and lateral G force, a processor computes the center of mass of the vehicle by correlating the lateral G force produced while the vehicle is turning, and an alert that is activated if the speed is exceeded or if the turn radius is reduced beyond safety limits indicative of potential rollover of the vehicle. The preferred embodiment further includes a gyroscope operative to sense lateral yaw rate excursions of the vehicle, enabling the processor to correlate the yaw rate excursions at a given speed with the lateral G forces produced while the vehicle is turning. The accelerator may further be operative to determine vertical acceleration at a given speed along a third axis, and augment rollover alarm conditions on rough road surfaces.

Abstract: An omni-directional antenna includes an electrically conductive ground plane, an electrically conductive parasitic disc spaced upwardly apart from the ground plane and parallel thereto, and an electrically conductive vertical antenna element extending up through the center of the ground plane and parasitic disc, The vertical element terminates in a tip defining a length above the parasitic disc that is matched to a frequency of interest. The parasitic disc and ground plane are preferably both circular. To prevent electrical connection, the vertical element preferably extends through separate insulators in the parasitic disc and ground plane. The length of the vertical element is matched to a microwave frequency; in particular, the length of the vertical element is proportioned to one-quarter wavelength of the frequency of interest. The invention is particularly suited to microwave frequencies.

Abstract: A communication system for use within a vehicle, between vehicles and other remotely located devices is disclosed. The communication system includes a control hub for managing and analyzing multiple incoming wireless and wired data streams. The system also includes at least one sensor module wirelessly in communication with the control hub. A sensor control panel interface may be used for reviewing information from the sensor modules and a distributed mesh network may be used for supporting at least two levels therein. The communication system may be wirelessly based and may be built for rugged harsh environments such as those found in military applications and other harsh industrial applications.

Abstract: A self-enclosed sensing unit may be coupled to an existing mechanism to determine functional characteristics, faults, and other conditions. The unit may contain a wireless communications capability enabling sensed information to be communicated to a remote location for analysis, storage, readout or other purposes, including the control of other devices. The sensed information may be transmitted wirelessly to a receiver interfaced to a vehicle network or other subsystem, thereby facilitating easy integration, including the integration of sensors that move during operation. The unit may be attached in different ways, including magnetism or by way of a threaded interconnect. For example, a bolt-on embodiment may be applied to oil, lubricant or pneumatic ports on vehicles without any mechanical alteration.

Abstract: A metallic enclosure completely encapsulates an embedded electronic system, which may include sensors, wireless communications devices and other circuits. The enclosure is fabricated in layers of material using a solid-state additive consolidation or lamination process forming a true metallurgical bond between the layers during fabrication without melting the material in bulk. A plurality of enclosures may be provided, each encapsulating an electronic circuit including a wireless transmitter or receiver, with the electronic circuits within the enclosures forming a communications network. As such, a sensor may be used to detect an external characteristic, and a wireless transmitter may be activated to communicate information about the characteristic to a remote receiver. The enclosure may use one or more layers of dissimilar material to form an embedded active or passive electrical component such as an antenna, waveguide, or other device that cooperates with the circuitry.