Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a direction of arrival of an acoustic event of interest that arrives at an array. Data acquired from the array is received. A portion of the data that represents an acoustic signature for the acoustic event of interest is identified. An azimuth angle may be computed for an acoustic event using the portion of the data identified. An elevation angle for the acoustic event is computed using a beamforming process customized based on the azimuth angle computed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a direction of arrival of an acoustic event of interest that arrives at an array. Data acquired from the array is received. A portion of the data that represents an acoustic signature for the acoustic event of interest is identified. An azimuth angle may be computed for an acoustic event using the portion of the data identified. An elevation angle for the acoustic event is computed using a beamforming process customized based on the azimuth angle computed.

Abstract: A micro-sensor package is provided that includes a micro-sensor and printed circuit board (PCB), or that includes an array of micro-sensors and PCB. The micro-sensor includes a first substrate having opposing front and back surfaces, a sensing element on the front surface of the first substrate, and a through-chip via disposed within the first substrate and electrically connected to the sensing element. The PCB includes a second substrate to which the back surface of the first substrate is bonded. The second substrate defines a recess within which a bond pad is disposed, and the through-chip via of the micro-sensor is electrically connected to the bond pad of the PCB. The micro-sensor package may further include a shim bonded to the PCB, and that may surround an outer boundary of the micro-sensor and have approximately the same thickness as the micro-sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a characteristic of a noise source. A first array of microphones is mounted on a platform moveable from a starting position to an ending position along a line parallel to a central axis of the noise source. A second array of microphones includes sound sensors mounted in a spaced apart fixed position with respect to the noise source. A processing system processes first information from the first array of microphones and second information from the second array of microphones. The processing system collects and stores the first and second information at each discrete step of the first array, spatially filters the first information, processes and calibrates the filtered first information based on the second information, and further processes the calibrated first information to obtain a characteristic at a selected location. For flyover testing, the first array is instead held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a characteristic of a noise source. A first array of microphones is mounted on a platform moveable from a starting position to an ending position along a line parallel to a central axis of the noise source. A second array of microphones includes sound sensors mounted in a spaced apart fixed position with respect to the noise source. A processing system processes first information from the first array of microphones and second information from the second array of microphones. The processing system collects and stores the first and second information at each discrete step of the first array, spatially filters the first information, processes and calibrates the filtered first information based on the second information, and further processes the calibrated first information to obtain a characteristic at a selected location. For flyover testing, the first array is instead held in a fixed position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable spool includes a hub having an outer surface that is retractable and expandable, and a single end plate affixed to an end of the hub. In other embodiments, an apparatus includes an assembly of cascaded, temporarily interlocked spools that can be used for simultaneous despooling or spooling of multiple cable coils.

Abstract: A micro-sensor package is provided that includes a micro-sensor and printed circuit board (PCB), or that includes an array of micro-sensors and PCB. The micro-sensor includes a first substrate having opposing front and back surfaces, a sensing element on the front surface of the first substrate, and a through-chip via disposed within the first substrate and electrically connected to the sensing element. The PCB includes a second substrate to which the back surface of the first substrate is bonded. The second substrate defines a recess within which a bond pad is disposed, and the through-chip via of the micro-sensor is electrically connected to the bond pad of the PCB. The micro-sensor package may further include a shim bonded to the PCB, and that may surround an outer boundary of the micro-sensor and have approximately the same thickness as the micro-sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sensor and a circuit. The sensor is capable of generating a signal in response to detecting a stimulus. The circuit is capable of powering the sensor and providing multiple other capabilities including signal conditioning, non-signal related noise cancellation, and signal transmission using a constant current source power input from a cable and sending the signal over the cable.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for identifying component breakdown of noise sources. Noise data is received for a noise source from an array of sound sensors. Measurement points of interest, candidate sound source points along an axis, and array aperture angles are identified. Sets of first and second bounding traces are identified from ray traces extending from the candidate noise source points towards the measurement points of interest using the array aperture angles. The bounding ray traces are rotated around the axis to form sets of first and second surfaces. Sets of first and second curves are identified from an intersection of the sets of first and second surfaces with the ground plane. Sound sensors are selected from the array using the curves to form subarrays. The component breakdown of noise generated by the noise source is identified using noise data from sound sensors in the subarrays.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sensor and a circuit. The sensor is capable of generating a signal in response to detecting a stimulus. The circuit is capable of powering the sensor and providing multiple other capabilities including signal conditioning, non-signal related noise cancellation, and signal transmission using a constant current source power input from a cable and sending the signal over the cable.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for identifying component breakdown of noise sources. Noise data is received for a noise source from an array of sound sensors. Measurement points of interest, candidate sound source points along an axis, and array aperture angles are identified. Sets of first and second bounding traces are identified from ray traces extending from the candidate noise source points towards the measurement points of interest using the array aperture angles. The bounding ray traces are rotated around the axis to form sets of first and second surfaces. Sets of first and second curves are identified from an intersection of the sets of first and second surfaces with the ground plane. Sound sensors are selected from the array using the curves to form subarrays. The component breakdown of noise generated by the noise source is identified using noise data from sound sensors in the subarrays.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable spool includes a hub having an outer surface that is retractable and expandable, and a single end plate affixed to an end of the hub. In other embodiments, an apparatus includes an assembly of cascaded, temporarily interlocked spools that can be used for simultaneous despooling or spooling of multiple cable coils.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.