Abstract: A system and method for detecting radiation indicative of fire, such as forest fire. In one embodiment, a threshold energy level is determined based on ambient sensor conditions. A sensor unit may be setup to scan a predetermined area for electromagnetic radiation. Any detected electromagnetic radiation may then be band pass filtered to a wavelength range centered about a predetermined frequency associated with the presence of fire. The resulting energy level signal may then be further filter to pass only those signals which exhibit a “flicker” frequency. If the resulting filtered signal exceeds the threshold signal, a fire notification signal may then be generated.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive sensor (1) which detects electromagnetic radiation within a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum using a single, fixed infrared detector (12) to cover a 360° area in a plurality of segmented sectors obtained by rotation of a mirror (19) for each of the sectors with detection of the radiation from each sector providing an indication of the presence of a physical phenomena (50) such as a forest fire. The use of a single fixed detector and the mirror rotation allows for a solar powered unit which is able to be employed either singularly or in a system of grid locations to cover a wide sensor area in order to provide continuous operation and reliable alarm indications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating photovoltaic cells into a ground plane of satellite and terrestrial antenna systems is disclosed. The system provides an increase in available surface area for power generation without increasing the overall size. In one embodiment, a substrate has both photovoltaic cells and a conductive spacer formed on one side, where the conductive spacer has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the photovoltaic cells. In another embodiment, an antennae element may be formed on the top side of the conductive spacer, where the photovoltaic cells form a ground plane for the antenna element.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive sensor (1) which detects electromagnetic radiation within a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum using a single, fixed infrared detector (12) to cover a 360° area in a plurality of segmented sectors obtained by rotation of a mirror (19) for each of the sectors with detection of the radiation from each sector providing an indication of the presence of a physical phenomena (50) such as a forest fire. The use of a single fixed detector and the mirror rotation allows for a solar powered unit which is able to be employed either singularly or in a system of grid locations to cover a wide sensor area in order to provide continuous operation and reliable alarm indications.

Abstract: An electronic device, for example an irrigation controller, accumulates energy from a source of energy, for example from incident light, in order to progress, over time, from an inoperative un-powered to an operative powered condition in a positively controlled, graceful and orderly manner. The device so progresses to operability regardless that it should, from time to time and at times, be totally devoid of energy, and regardless that it may accrue energy only but exceedingly slowly over periods of days, weeks and longer. A power monitor circuit of the device is made from an electrical circuit technology that is reliably operative at a relatively low voltage level, typically from BICMOS technology, whereas other device electrical circuits are operative only at a relatively higher voltage level, and are typically made from CMOS technology.

Abstract: One or more loads, commonly solenoids, requiring a high-power drive--typically 500 ma. 7.5 v.d.c.--are selectively actuated by energy that is accumulated over time--typically over several hundred milliseconds--within associated, addressable, energy-accumulating high-power drivers. The energy accumulation is solely from micropowered signals--typically 1 ma., 4.5 v.d.c.--that are received from a control system that is itself micropowered--typically from a high-equivalent-series-resistance power source. The energy-accumulating high-power solenoid drivers (i) accumulate predetermined amounts of energy only as, when, and to such extent as is required, (ii) multiply the voltage (nominally times two) of the received micropowered signals, and (iii) shape the current waveform of the output high-power solenoid drive signals--all as desired so as to optimally both use and conserve energy.

Abstract: An irrigation controller is powered for all normal operations by light incident upon an 18 square inch photovoltaic module. Electrical power from the photovoltaic module is stored in high performance "super" capacitors. A transportable battery power source is connected to the controller to power its communication, such as for manual exercise and/or the loading of irrigation control programs. The external battery power source leaves the capacitor power storage recharged at the conclusion of each communication episode. The irrigation controller electronics, save for a real time clock that is updated, are not provided with a timing signal, and thereby consume almost no energy, save for brief millisecond sporadic time intervals of scheduled irrigation control. Capacitor power storage is approximately 6.5 mWH. Worse case photovoltaic energy production is 7.6 mWH daily. The sporadically operative irrigation controller uses less than 6.

Abstract: Separate, but related, firmware programs for multiple microprocessor-controlled irrigation controllers that are interrelated in their control of irrigation within an irrigation system are generated off-line at a personal computer. The programs are downloaded into a transportable memory device that holds sixty-four separate programs. The memory device is transported to each irrigation controller and plugged to a digital communication channel. The device automatically identifies itself to the controller, and vice versa. The appropriate program is automatically uploaded from the device to the controller. The controller's old program and its historical irrigation record data is loaded into the device and delivered to the personal computer for validation and analysis. A wireless remote test command assembly, an extension maintenance panel, or a radio-link central module may be alternatively connected to the controller's digital communication channel.