Abstract: A sensor service prediction system and method are provided for a sensor. The system monitors sensor operations of the sensor, and provides a calendar age odometer which increments a calendar age of the sensor by a first time interval as the sensor operates. The system further provides an accelerated age odometer which increments an accelerated age of the sensor by a second time interval according to the increment of the calendar age and a sensor temperature or other measurable environmental condition associated therewith. The system obtains a value of a sensor property at different calendar ages or accelerated ages of the sensor over time, and predicts and outputs when the sensor property of the sensor is anticipated to reach a sensor property threshold based on the values of the sensor property in relations to the accelerated age.

Abstract: A high efficiency secondary signal combiner may include a frequency division multiplexer that is configured to receive two or more signals and produce a combined signal. The combined signal may include the two or more signals, and each of the two or more signals may be in different Nyquist zones. The combiner may also include a wideband analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is configured to frequency shift the combined signal by sub-sampling the two or more signals to produce a sub-sampled signal in a Nyquist zone that is different from the Nyquist zones of the two or more signals.

Abstract: A sensor service prediction system and method are provided for a sensor. The system monitors sensor operations of the sensor, and provides a calendar age odometer which increments a calendar age of the sensor by a first time interval as the sensor operates. The system further provides an accelerated age odometer which increments an accelerated age of the sensor by a second time interval according to the increment of the calendar age and a sensor temperature or other measurable environmental condition associated therewith. The system obtains a value of a sensor property at different calendar ages or accelerated ages of the sensor over time, and predicts and outputs when the sensor property of the sensor is anticipated to reach a sensor property threshold based on the values of the sensor property in relations to the accelerated age.

Abstract: A self-tapping screw includes a head, a shaft, a tapered end and a rounded distal tip. A thread includes a thread start on the tapered end. The axial position of the thread start and a first full thread, the radius of the round distal tip and the diameter of the tapered end at the thread start are controlled in relation to the screw size for consistent, improved screw performance.

Abstract: A self-tapping screw includes a head, a shaft, a tapered end and a rounded distal tip. A thread includes a thread start on the tapered end. The axial position of the thread start and a first full thread, the radius of the round distal tip and the diameter of the tapered end at the thread start are controlled in relation to the screw size for consistent, improved screw performance.

Abstract: A shutter includes top and bottom frames as well as interconnecting perpendicular styles between which a plurality of louvers are pivotally mounted. Each louver has a first tap in its opposite ends for receipt of a pivot pin and a second tap in at least one end for receipt of a tilt pin for pivotal interconnection with a tilt bar. The tilt pins are positioned adjacent to one longitudinal edge of a louver whereby the tilt bar can be easily fastened thereto and positioned adjacent a longitudinal end of the louvers.