Abstract: A system is provided herein for inspecting a specimen. In one embodiment, the system may include a dual-channel microscope, two illuminators, each coupled for illuminating a different channel of the dual-channel microscope and two detectors, each coupled to a different channel of the dual-channel microscope for acquiring images of the specimen. Means are provided for separating the channels of the dual-channel microscope, so that the two detectors can acquire the images of the specimen at substantially the same time. In one embodiment, the channels of the dual-channel microscope may be spectrally separated by configuring the two illuminators, so that they produce light in two substantially non-overlapping spectral ranges.

Abstract: A number of solutions for deriving the line bias are disclosed. Some of these solutions utilize signal processing and judicious selection of the frequency plan used in the position detection systems to either enable the derivation of the line bias, or make the measurements insensitive to line bias. In other examples, the present invention utilizes measurement schemes for deriving the line bias and enabling a position detection system to process line bias information in order to find a position solution.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for transferring heat from a first substrate (140) rotatably mounted to a second substrate (150). The apparatus (100) is comprised of at least a first fin ring (145) disposed concentrically on a first side surface (141) of the first substrate (140). A plurality of heat generating devices (130) is disposed on a second side surface (142) of the first substrate (140). There is at least a second fin ring (155) disposed concentrically on a first side surface (151) of the second substrate (150). The first fin ring (145) interleaves with the second fin ring (155) while allowing the first substrate (140) to rotate unobstructed relative to the second substrate (150). The second substrate (150) has at least a first port (160) for introducing moving air into a gap (G) defined between the first fin ring (145) and the second fin ring (155) for improving heat convection there between.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system includes a main reflector (102) formed as a shaped main reflector surface that is approximately, but not precisely, parabolic. The main reflector (102) has a main reflector edge configuration (103) that is asymmetric. A feed system (104) for the main reflector includes a subreflector (106) formed as a shaped subreflector surface that is approximately, but not precisely, elliptical. The subreflector has a subreflector edge configuration (107) that is also asymmetric. An RF feed horn (108) associated with the feed system 104 has an aperture profile which also has an asymmetric shape.

Abstract: A thermally insulative label is provided. The label includes a first layer of material including an insulative coating, and a second layer of shrink material coupled to the first layer wherein the second layer includes graphics.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a base having an opening therein, and a plurality of swing arms each having a concave elongate shape and opposing ends pivotally connected to the base to permit a swinging motion within the opening of the base. The swing arms may be transverse to one another thereby defining an overlap area between the swing arms. The antenna system may further include a respective swing arm positioner connected between the base and each swing arm. An antenna carriage may be movable along the swing arms and which remains at the overlap area between the swing arms. A positioning controller may be connected to each swing arm positioner, and an antenna may be connected to the antenna carriage.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a base having an opening therein, and a plurality of swing arms each having a concave elongate shape and opposing ends pivotally connected to the base to permit a swinging motion within the opening of the base. The swing arms may be transverse to one another thereby defining an overlap area between the swing arms. The antenna system may further include a respective swing arm positioner connected between the base and each swing arm. An antenna carriage may be movable along the swing arms and which remains at the overlap area between the swing arms. A positioning controller may be connected to each swing arm positioner, and an antenna may be connected to the antenna carriage.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A generator/sensor may include a pair of arcuate swing arms having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by a base so that the arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point therebetween. A body may be carried by the arcuate swing arms at the crossing point therebetween. At least one electrical generator may be driven by relative movement between the body and the base, such as to generate electrical power or to sense movement, for example. The body may be a pendulum mass or sail responsive to fluid flow.

Abstract: A precise positioning method and system is disclosed wherein at least one ground transmitter is used for transmitting a ranging signal with code modulation. The at least one ground transmitter is configured to receive a signal from at least one satellite and a second ground transmitter. The at least one ground transmitter measures a code phase of the received signals. The measured code phase information is communicated to a rover that is associated with a user. The rover can determine the user's precise position based on the measured code and/or carrier phase information and a clock correction model.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a base, a turntable rotatably mounted on the base, and an elevation assembly carried on the turntable. An antenna is carried by the elevation assembly. The turntable has an antenna relief opening therein to permit the elevation assembly to position a lower portion of the antenna therein. The antenna system may further include an RF absorbing shroud carried by the turntable and that has an antenna receiving recess to receive the antenna therein. The antenna receiving recess may have lower portions extending into the antenna relief opening of the turntable.

Abstract: A generator/sensor may include a pair of arcuate swing arms having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by a base so that the arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point therebetween. A body may be carried by the arcuate swing arms at the crossing point therebetween. At least one electrical generator may be driven by relative movement between the body and the base, such as to generate electrical power or to sense movement, for example. The body may be a pendulum mass or sail responsive to fluid flow.

Abstract: To provide sub-meter accuracy in a local positioning system, ranging signals with a high modulation rate of code, such as 30 MHz, or more are transmitted. Code phase measurements may be used to obtain the accuracy without requiring relative motion or real time kinematic processing. The ISM or X-band is used for the carrier of the code to provide sufficient bandwidth within available spectrums. The length of codes used is less than or about a longest length across the region of operation, such as less than 15 kilometers in an open pit mine. The spread spectrum codes from different land-based transmitters are transmitted in time slots pursuant to a time division multiple access scheme for an increase in dynamic range. To avoid overlapping of code from different transmitters, each time slot includes or is separated by a blanking period. The blanking period is selected to allow the transmitted signal to traverse a region of operation.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A measurement system and an associated method for determining the positions of multiple antennas to centimeter level accuracy. A plurality of first filters, one filter for each antenna of a plurality of antennas, are each operable to obtain information from a respective one of the plurality of antennas at a primary frequency. A second filter connects with at least one of the plurality of antennas. A processor calibrates biases for the information at the primary frequency with a RF path bias calibration algorithm as a function of an output of the second filter.

Abstract: A number of solutions for deriving the line bias are disclosed. Some of these solutions utilize signal processing and judicious selection of the frequency plan used in the position detection systems to either enable the derivation of the line bias, or make the measurements insensitive to line bias.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a base having an opening therein, and a swing arm having a concave elongate shape and opposing ends pivotally connected to the base to permit a swinging motion of the swing arm within the opening in the base. A swing arm positioner may be connected between the swing arm and the base. The antenna system may also include an antenna carriage movable along the swing arm. An antenna carriage positioner may be connected between the antenna carriage and the swing arm. A positioning controller may be connected to the swing arm positioner and the antenna carriage positioner, and an antenna may be connected to the antenna carriage.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, the land-based transmitters include free running oscillators or oscillators free of clock synchronization with any remote oscillator. A reference receiver receives the ranging signals from different transmitters and generates timing offset information, such as code phase measurements. The timing offset information is then communicated back to transmitters. The temporal offset information indicates relative timing or phasing of the different transmitted ranging signals to the reference receiver. The transmitters then transmit the temporal offset information with the ranging signals, such as modulating the transmitted code by the timing offset information. A mobile receiver is operable to receive the ranging signals and timing offset information in a same communications path, such as on a same carrier. Position is determined with the temporal offset information and the ranging signals.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.