Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to dual functioning signaling devices. The device has a signaling unit that includes an active- and semi-passive signaling components. The signaling unit is affixed to and/or positioned within a textile or substrate. The active signaling component includes a transceiver, power source, and input device to allow the user to selectively transmit identifying information. The semi-passive signaling component includes a radio frequency radiator that reflects an EM response signal when exposed to interrogating EM radiation. The operating frequencies of the active- and semi-passive signaling components are configured to not interfere or interference with each other. The active- and semi-passive signaling components both include antenna elements that include a conductive composition that includes fully exfoliated graphene sheets dispersed with a polymer matrix. The textile can be in the form of a pouch, patch, sticker, and/or panel.

Abstract: A modular communications system may in an apparel item. The apparel item can include a plurality of landing pads; a plurality of antenna elements each demountably and conductively coupled to a landing pad; having a conductive composition; and fabric sealed. The modular communications system may also include a plurality of communications devices each demountably affixed to the apparel item as well as demountably and conductive coupled a landing pad. The conductive composition may include: a polymer; and fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene present in the polymer as a three-dimensional percolated network having nanoscale separation. The apparel item can be cut resistant, waterproof, fire resistant, chemical resistant, and/or optically reflective. Each antenna element may have a radius of curvature of 0.5 to 3 inches. The apparel item can be configured to be worn on an upper torso and/or lower torso of a mammal.

Abstract: A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. Antenna elements are coupled to the landing pads; include a non-metallic conductive composition and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and coupled to each landing pad. Communications devices are demountably affixed to the surface; coupled to the hub; and each include a unique operational frequency. The hub couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements. The system achieves an omnidirectional RF radiation pattern when utilizing the plurality of antenna elements and an altered RF radiation pattern when utilizing a subset of the plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: In one general aspect, RF localization methods and systems are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a node having a communications device and antenna elements; capturing, via the communications device, a relative signal strength indicator (RSSI) value for each antenna element to generate cardinal RSSI values associated with a RF signal; and determining, using the cardinal RSSI values, a position of a RF source of interest (RFSOI) relative to the node. The antenna elements are oriented in each nodal cardinal direction and conductively coupled to the communications device. The RF signal emanates from the RFSOI. Capturing the RSSI value for each antenna element may include causing a RF switch to successively activate the antenna elements in a predetermined order; capturing the RSSI value of each antenna element when activated; and determining at least two cardinal RSSI values that are greater than a predetermined amount thereby determining antenna elements of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to dual functioning signaling devices. The device has a signaling unit that includes an active-and semi-passive signaling components. The signaling unit is affixed to and/or positioned within a textile or substrate. The active signaling component includes a transceiver, power source, and input device to allow the user to selectively transmit identifying information. The semi-passive signaling component includes a radio frequency radiator that reflects an EM response signal when exposed to interrogating EM radiation. The operating frequencies of the active-and semi-passive signaling components are configured to not interfere or interference with each other. The active-and semi-passive signaling components both include antenna elements that include a conductive composition that includes fully exfoliated graphene sheets dispersed with a polymer matrix. The textile can be in the form of a pouch, patch, sticker, and/or panel.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a RF localization system that determines the position of a RF source of interest (RFSOI) relative to the RFLS. The RFLS includes man-portable nodes that communicate via a self-organizing WAN. Each node includes a communications device conductively coupled to antenna elements oriented in each nodal cardinal direction and battery each communicatively coupled to a control circuit(s). The control circuit is configured to: establish the WAN; capture RSSI values for each antenna element; determine the position of the RFSOI relative to the node; when not functioning as a primary node, transmit the determined position to a primary node or a computing device that's external to the WAN for processing; and when functioning as a primary node, determine the relative position of the RFSOI relative to the plurality of nodes using the received determined position. The primary node determines the position of the RFSOI relative to the nodes.

Abstract: Various wearable communications pouches (“WCP”) having modular and static antenna elements of reduced visual signature are provided. The WCP demountably couples to the shoulder straps of articles, garments, and baggage items. The WCP includes a front panel and shoulder strap(s) pivotably coupled to opposite sides of a back panel. The back panel includes a communications hub that has antenna ports that are each conductively coupled to an antenna element or antenna attachment site. Each antenna attachment site receives a demountable antenna element. The antenna element and demountable antenna element include a conductive composition that includes a polymer and graphene sheets present as a percolated network therein. The back panel includes a fastener positioned proximate to the hub that receives and secures a portable radio. The front panel, back panel, and shoulder strap each include a RF shielding material to shield the user from RF radiation that emanates from the WCP.

Abstract: Various wearable communications pouches (“WCP”) having modular and static antenna elements of reduced visual signature are provided. The WCP demountably couples to the shoulder straps of articles, garments, and baggage items. The WCP includes a front panel and shoulder strap(s) pivotably coupled to opposite sides of a back panel. The back panel includes a communications hub that has antenna ports that are each conductively coupled to an antenna element or antenna attachment site. Each antenna attachment site receives a demountable antenna element. The antenna element and demountable antenna element include a conductive composition that includes a polymer and graphene sheets present as a percolated network therein. The back panel includes a fastener positioned proximate to the hub that receives and secures a portable radio. The front panel, back panel, and shoulder strap each include a RF shielding material to shield the user from RF radiation that emanates from the WCP.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a RF localization system that determines the position of a RF source of interest (RFSOI) relative to the RFLS. The RFLS includes man-portable nodes that communicate via a self-organizing WAN. Each node includes a communications device conductively coupled to antenna elements oriented in each nodal cardinal direction and battery each communicatively coupled to a control circuit(s). The control circuit is configured to: establish the WAN; capture RSSI values for each antenna element; determine the position of the RFSOI relative to the node; when not functioning as a primary node, transmit the determined position to a primary node or a computing device that's external to the WAN for processing; and when functioning as a primary node, determine the relative position of the RFSOI relative to the plurality of nodes using the received determined position. The primary node determines the position of the RFSOI relative to the nodes.

Abstract: A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. Antenna elements are coupled to the landing pads; include a non-metallic conductive composition and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and coupled to each landing pad. Communications devices are demountably affixed to the surface; coupled to the hub; and each include a unique operational frequency. The hub couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements. The system achieves an omnidirectional RF radiation pattern when utilizing the plurality of antenna elements and an altered RF radiation pattern when utilizing a subset of the plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements and communications devices is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. The antenna elements are demountably, intermittingly, and conductively coupled to the landing pads; includes a non-metallic conductive composition; and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and conductively coupled to each landing pad. Each communications device is demountably affixed to the surface; intermittingly, demountably, and conductively coupled to the hub; and includes a unique operational frequency. The hub intermittingly, demountably, and conductively couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad included in the plurality of landing pads. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements.

Abstract: A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements and communications devices is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. The antenna elements are demountably, intermittingly, and conductively coupled to the landing pads; includes a non-metallic conductive composition; and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and conductively coupled to each landing pad. Each communications device is demountably affixed to the surface; intermittingly, demountably, and conductively coupled to the hub; and includes a unique operational frequency. The hub intermittingly, demountably, and conductively couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad included in the plurality of landing pads. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements.

Abstract: A modular communications systems includes an apparel item with a surface. Landing pads are positioned proximate to the surface with each landing pad uniquely positioned on the surface. Non-metallic antenna elements are each demountably, intermittingly, and conductively coupled to a unique landing pad; includes a non-metallic conductive composition; and a unique operational frequency compared to at least one antenna element. A hub is positioned on the surface and conductively coupled to each landing pad. Each communications device is demountably affixed to the surface; intermittingly, demountably, and conductively coupled to the hub; and includes a unique operational frequency. The hub intermittingly, demountably, and conductively couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad included in the plurality of landing pads.

Abstract: A modular communications systems includes an apparel item with a surface. Landing pads are positioned proximate to the surface with each landing pad uniquely positioned on the surface. Non-metallic antenna elements are each demountably, intermittingly, and conductively coupled to a unique landing pad; includes a non-metallic conductive composition; and a unique operational frequency compared to at least one antenna element. A hub is positioned on the surface and conductively coupled to each landing pad. Each communications device is demountably affixed to the surface; intermittingly, demountably, and conductively coupled to the hub; and includes a unique operational frequency. The hub intermittingly, demountably, and conductively couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad included in the plurality of landing pads.

Abstract: A laser alignment tool used in directional drilling operations for aligning, and marking the mule-shoe sub relative to the setting of an adjustable, bent housing, drilling motor assembly. A mark is produced as a result of a laser transmitter, located on the drill motor projecting a light beam upwards externally along the drill string, striking a photosensitive paper target or reflected onto a photosensitive paste or film located on the mule-shoe sub. The mark is then used as a reference point for orienting the internal keyed sleeve of the mule-shoe sub after the laser transmitter has been removed.