Abstract: A beam former module includes a package base and an interconnect structure formed within the package base. The beam former module also includes a first true time delay (TTD) module attached to the package base. The first TTD module includes a plurality of switching elements configured to define a signal transmission path between a signal input and a signal output of the first TTD module by selectively activating a plurality of time delay lines. The signal input and the signal output of the first TTD module are electrically coupled to the interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure includes at least one TTD meander line and at least one of the time delay lines of the first TTD module is electrically coupled to the at least one TTD meander line.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a rotor antenna, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, a stator antenna, and one or more frequency selective structures. The rotor antenna and the RF sensor are disposed on an outer surface of a shaft and are conductively connected to each other. The RF sensor generates measurement signals as the shaft rotates. The stator antenna is mounted separate from the shaft and positioned radially outward from the rotor antenna. The stator antenna wirelessly receives the measurement signals from the rotor antenna across an air gap. The one or more frequency selective structures are disposed on the outer surface of the shaft and configured to dissipate electromagnetic current that is conducted along the shaft to alleviate interference of the measurement signals.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring environmental conditions for rotary members includes a plurality of stationary reader antennas positioned proximate rotary members. A first sensor is coupled to a first rotary member and a second sensor is coupled to a second rotary member. Each sensor is configured to generate environmental condition data. A key phasor is coupled to a third rotary member and configured to generate key phasor data. The monitoring system also includes a data integrator communicatively coupled to each stationary reader antenna and configured to determine measurement values for the first and second environmental condition based on raw data from each stationary reader antennas and data from the key phasor.

Abstract: A system includes a structure bonding layer and a sensor. The structure bonding layer is disposed on a structure. The structure bonding layer is a metallic alloy. The sensor includes a non-metallic wafer and a sensor bonding layer disposed on a surface of the non-metallic wafer. The sensor bonding layer is a metallic alloy. The sensor bonding layer is coupled to the structure bonding layer via a metallic joint, and the sensor is configured to sense data of the structure through the metallic joint, the structure bonding layer, and the sensor bonding layer.

Abstract: A true time delay (TTD) module includes a substrate and a transmission line formed on the substrate. The transmission line includes time delay lines that define signal paths of varying lengths between a signal input and a signal output of the TTD module. A plurality of switching elements are positioned along the transmission line and are selectively controllable to define a signal transmission path between the signal input and the signal output. The switching elements include an input switching element positioned at a first end of each of the plurality of time delay lines, an output switching element positioned at a second end of each of the plurality of time delay lines, and at least one intermediate switching element positioned between the input switching element and the output switching element of at least one of the plurality of time delay lines.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a printed circuit assembly is presented. The process includes providing a first base substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; providing a flexible circuit layer including a first region having a first set of signal traces and a second region having a second set of signal traces, wherein the first region and the second region are separated by a first intermediate region; disposing the first region of the flexible circuit layer on the first surface of the first base substrate; bending the flexible circuit layer at the first intermediate region to surround a thickness side of the first base substrate; and disposing the second region of the flexible circuit layer on the second surface of the first base substrate. A printed circuit assembly is also presented.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and system for measuring torque for a gas turbine engine shaft is provided. The system may include a first sensor module, a second sensor module, a first coupler, a second coupler, and a static antenna. The first and second sensor modules may include strain sensors positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft. The first coupler may be positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft and electrically connected with the first sensor module. The second coupler may be positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft and electrically connected with the second sensor module. The static antenna may include a first band and a second band. The first signal band may be in operable communication with the first sensor module and positioned radially outward from the first coupler. The second signal band may be in operable communication with the second sensor module and positioned radially outward from the second coupler.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a printed circuit assembly is presented. The process includes providing a first base substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; providing a flexible circuit layer including a first region having a first set of signal traces and a second region having a second set of signal traces, wherein the first region and the second region are separated by a first intermediate region; disposing the first region of the flexible circuit layer on the first surface of the first base substrate; bending the flexible circuit layer at the first intermediate region to surround a thickness side of the first base substrate; and disposing the second region of the flexible circuit layer on the second surface of the first base substrate. A printed circuit assembly is also presented.

Abstract: An RF transmission system includes an RF source that provides an RF input and one or more RF MEMS transmission devices coupled to the RF source to receive the RF input therefrom and generate output signals for transmission to an RF load. Each of the RF MEMS transmission devices comprises a substrate, a conducting line formed on the substrate to provide signal transmission paths between a signal input of the RF MEMS transmission device and a signal output of the RF MEMS transmission device, and a plurality of switching elements positioned along the conducting line and selectively controllable to define the signal transmission paths between the signal input and the signal output. Each of the RF source and the RF load has a first characteristic impedance and the one or more RF MEMS transmission devices have a second characteristic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A beam former module includes a package base and an interconnect structure formed within the package base. The beam former module also includes a first true time delay (TTD) module attached to the package base. The first TTD module includes a plurality of switching elements configured to define a signal transmission path between a signal input and a signal output of the first TTD module by selectively activating a plurality of time delay lines. The signal input and the signal output of the first TTD module are electrically coupled to the interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure includes at least one TTD meander line and at least one of the time delay lines of the first TTD module is electrically coupled to the at least one TTD meander line.

Abstract: An RF transmission system includes an RF source that provides an RF input and one or more RF MEMS transmission devices coupled to the RF source to receive the RF input therefrom and generate output signals for transmission to an RF load. Each of the RF MEMS transmission devices comprises a substrate, a conducting line formed on the substrate to provide signal transmission paths between a signal input of the RF MEMS transmission device and a signal output of the RF MEMS transmission device, and a plurality of switching elements positioned along the conducting line and selectively controllable to define the signal transmission paths between the signal input and the signal output. Each of the RF source and the RF load has a first characteristic impedance and the one or more RF MEMS transmission devices have a second characteristic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining a condition associated with a piston rod of a reciprocating system includes an interrogator system having a first antenna. The sensor system further includes a second antenna separated from the first antenna by an air gap distance. The second antenna is configured to be coupled to the piston rod of the reciprocating system. The second antenna is a patch antenna and is configured to communicate with the first antenna through a range of translational movement relative to the first antenna. The sensor system further includes a radio frequency sensor coupled to the second antenna. The radio frequency sensor is configured to be coupled to the piston rod of the reciprocating system, measure a characteristic associated with the piston rod of the reciprocating system, and transmit data associated with the characteristic to the first antenna of the interrogator system through the second antenna.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a plurality of true time delay (TTD) modules, each having a plurality of switching elements configured to selectively define alternative RF signal transmission paths between a signal input and a signal output of the TTD module. A controller is programmed to control the plurality of TTD modules to steer a beam according to a make-before-break switching technique by closing a first pair of switching elements within at least a subset of the plurality of TTD modules to activate a first RF signal transmission path; closing a second pair of switching elements of the subset of the plurality of TTD modules to activate a second RF signal transmission path in parallel with the first RF transmission path; and opening the first pair of switching elements of the subset of TTD modules after closing the second pair of switching elements.

Abstract: A true time delay (TTD) module includes a substrate and a transmission line formed on the substrate. The transmission line includes time delay lines that define signal paths of varying lengths between a signal input and a signal output of the TTD module. A plurality of switching elements are positioned along the transmission line and are selectively controllable to define a signal transmission path between the signal input and the signal output. The switching elements include an input switching element positioned at a first end of each of the plurality of time delay lines, an output switching element positioned at a second end of each of the plurality of time delay lines, and at least one intermediate switching element positioned between the input switching element and the output switching element of at least one of the plurality of time delay lines.

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a rotatable shaft and a retaining ring coupled to, and at least partially extending about, the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The rotatable shaft and the retaining ring define an annular cavity. The rotatable shaft and the retaining ring each include a radially outer surface. The rotary machine also includes a monitoring system including a stationary reader-antenna positioned proximate the retaining ring and a radio frequency (RF) coupler. The RF coupler includes at least one flexible antenna band coupled to, and extending over, the radially outer surface of the retaining ring. The flexible antenna band is configured to establish RF coupling with the stationary reader-antenna. A sensor die is coupled to the flexible antenna band. The sensor die extends into the substantially annular cavity and the sensor die is also coupled to the radially outer surface of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) package includes a first mounting substrate, a signal line formed on a top surface of the first mounting substrate, the signal line comprising a MEMS device selectively electrically coupling a first portion of the signal line to a second portion of the signal line, and a ground assembly coupled to the first mounting substrate. The ground assembly includes a second mounting substrate, a ground plane formed on a bottom surface of the second mounting substrate, and at least one electrical interconnect extending through a thickness of the second mounting substrate to contact the ground plane, wherein the ground plane is spaced apart from the signal line.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining a condition associated with a piston rod of a reciprocating system includes an interrogator system having a first antenna. The sensor system further includes a second antenna separated from the first antenna by an air gap distance. The second antenna is configured to be coupled to the piston rod of the reciprocating system. The second antenna is a patch antenna and is configured to communicate with the first antenna through a range of translational movement relative to the first antenna. The sensor system further includes a radio frequency sensor coupled to the second antenna. The radio frequency sensor is configured to be coupled to the piston rod of the reciprocating system, measure a characteristic associated with the piston rod of the reciprocating system, and transmit data associated with the characteristic to the first antenna of the interrogator system through the second antenna.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and system for measuring torque for a gas turbine engine shaft is provided. The system may include a first sensor module, a second sensor module, a first coupler, a second coupler, and a static antenna. The first and second sensor modules may include strain sensors positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft. The first coupler may be positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft and electrically connected with the first sensor module. The second coupler may be positioned on the gas turbine engine shaft and electrically connected with the second sensor module. The static antenna may include a first band and a second band. The first signal band may be in operable communication with the first sensor module and positioned radially outward from the first coupler. The second signal band may be in operable communication with the second sensor module and positioned radially outward from the second coupler.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) receiving coil, wherein the receiving coil includes a frequency tuning component configured operate the receiving coil at either a first frequency or a second frequency. The receiving coil also includes an impedance matching component configured to maintain a substantially constant impedance of the receiving coil when the receiving coil is operated at either the first frequency or the second frequency. Furthermore, the receiving coil is configured to measure a first nucleus when operated at the first frequency, and wherein the receiving coil is configured to measure a second nucleus when operated at the second frequency.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) die package includes a switch assembly comprising an RF transmission line and a plurality of conductive mounting pads formed on a first substrate. A switching mechanism selectively couples a first portion of the RF transmission line to a second portion of the RF transmission line. An inverted ground plane assembly is coupled to the plurality of conductive mounting pads such that an electromagnetic field generated between the RF transmission line and the inverted ground plane assembly does not permeate the first substrate in a region of the switch assembly proximate the switching mechanism.