Abstract: A system for network agnostic satellite communications includes an antenna configured to receive at least one antenna receive beam including multiple receive carriers multiplexed in at least one of frequency or time. The system further includes a signal processor configured to receive the multiple receive carriers and to extract data from at least one receive carrier of the multiple receive carriers. The system further includes an input device configured to receive at least one desirable communication parameter. The system further includes a control processor designed to determine actual parameters corresponding to the multiple receive carriers of the at least one antenna receive beam. The control processor is further designed to select an optimal receive carrier by comparing the at least one desirable communication parameter to the actual parameters. The control processor is further designed to establish a current communication link with the optimal receive carrier.

Abstract: A monitor and method for reasonable confirmation of a vend from a vending machine includes a set of optical emitters positionable on one side of a dispensing area and a set of optical detectors, adapted to sense the optical energy of the emitters, positioned on an opposite side of the dispensing area. The emitters are spaced apart from each other and mounted on a supporting structure that can be installed on the one side of the dispensing area in a vending machine. The detectors similarly are spaced from one another on a supporting structure that can be installed on an opposite side of the dispensing area. A controller operates the emitters to individually turn on and off in a predetermined sequence. The controller checks for falsing of any detector during the off periods and monitors if any detector is blocked during the on periods. Upon sensed falsing or blockage, the controller generates an output signal.