Abstract: The present invention is a metamaterial-based object detection system. An intelligent antenna metamaterial interface (IAM) associates specific metamaterial unit cells into sub-arrays to adjust the beam width of a transmitted signal. The IAM is part of a sensor fusion system that coordinates a plurality of sensors, such as in a vehicle, to optimize performance. In one embodiment, an MTM antenna structure is probe-fed to create a standing wave across the unit cells.

Abstract: In examples, two arrays of Radio Frequency nodes achieve enhanced beamforming for communications between the arrays by successively sending sounding signals from one array to the other array. Each sounding signal sent by the first of the two arrays is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the first array from the second array, and each sounding signal (except the initial sounding signal) sent by the second array is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the second array from the first array. The initial sounding signal sent by the second array may be omnidirectional, beamformed through a guesstimate, random, predetermined, or determined through a search of the area where the arrays are located. With sufficient beamfocusing, the arrays may communicate by sending and receiving data from one array to the other array.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus based on metamaterial structures provided for antenna and transmission line devices, including single-layer metallization and via-less metamaterial structures.

Abstract: A solar panel array structure is used in network communications that comprises at least one support structure configured to support a solar panel array, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a metal portion. The metal portion comprises antenna connections that are configured to allow the metal portion to be used as a radio antenna. In some cases, a radio transceiver is connected to the antenna connections. A separate radio antenna may also be connected to the support structure or to the solar panel array. The radio transceiver may be used to transmit data through a wireless communication network.

Abstract: In examples, Radio Frequency Iterative Time-Reversal (RF-ITR) and singular value decomposition (SVD) are used by an array of nodes to characterize environment by identifying scatterer objects. The array may be ad hoc dynamic or stationary. The environment is cancelled from the RF-ITR by adjusting Time-Reversal (TR) prefilters, reducing illumination of the scatterer objects in the environment. This enables the RF-ITR process to focus on a moving target, which can then be sensed (discovered, identified, monitoring, tracked, and/or imaged). The moving target on which the RF-ITR process focuses may then be cancelled from the RF-ITR in the same way as the environment, allowing the RF-ITR to focus on another target. Multiple moving targets can thus be sensed. Defensive measures such as jamming may then be taken against the targets. The targets may be distinguished from the scatterer objects in the environment through differential, Doppler processing, and other classification techniques.

Abstract: In examples, two arrays of Radio Frequency nodes achieve enhanced beamforming for communications between the arrays by successively sending sounding signals from one array to the other array. Each sounding signal sent by the first of the two arrays is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the first array from the second array, and each sounding signal (except the initial sounding signal) sent by the second array is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the second array from the first array. The initial sounding signal sent by the second array may be omnidirectional, beamformed through a guesstimate, random, predetermined, or determined through a search of the area where the arrays are located. With sufficient beamfocusing, the arrays may communicate by sending and receiving data from one array to the other array.

Abstract: Chromatic systems and structures are presented that operate without external electrical supply, which enable changes in color or transparency of a substrate material, such as glass. Various configurations provide a mechanism to activate an oxidation-reduction reaction in a chromatic material, so as to change from transparent to opaque or from one color to another. These structures may be used in applications from windows for buildings and homes, camera lenses, automotive displays and windows, mobile device displays, and other applications where chromatic change is desired.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures to combine and divide electromagnetic signals at multiple frequencies. The metamaterial properties permit significant size reduction over a conventional N-way radial power combiner or divider. Dual-band serial power combiners and dividers and single-band and dual-band radial power combiners and dividers are described.

Abstract: In examples, two arrays of Radio Frequency nodes achieve enhanced beamforming for communications between the arrays by successively sending sounding signals from one array to the other array. Each sounding signal sent by the first of the two arrays is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the first array from the second array, and each sounding signal (except the initial sounding signal) sent by the second array is beamformed through time reversal of an immediately preceding sounding signal received by the second array from the first array. The initial sounding signal sent by the second array may be omnidirectional, beamformed through a guesstimate, random, predetermined, or determined through a search of the area where the arrays are located. With sufficient beamfocusing, the arrays may communicate by sending and receiving data from one array to the other array.

Abstract: Distributed cooperating nodes of a cluster are used for communications, object location, and other purposes. The nodes can move relative to each other and an intended receiver. The nodes are synchronized and data for transmission from the cluster is distributed to the nodes. The intended receiver sends a sounding signal to the nodes. Each node receives the sounding signal, obtains the channel response between the intended receiver and the node, and time-reverses the channel response. Each node convolves its time-reversed channel response with the data to obtain the node's convolved data. A master node sends a time reference signal to the other nodes. Each node waits a predetermined time following the time reference signal, as determined based on a common time reference. At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the nodes simultaneously transmit their convolved data. The transmissions from the nodes combine coherently in time-space at the intended receiver.

Abstract: In examples, Radio Frequency Iterative Time-Reversal (RF-ITR) and singular value decomposition (SVD) are used by an array of nodes to characterize environment by identifying scatterer objects. The array may be ad hoc dynamic or stationary. The environment is cancelled from the RF-ITR by adjusting Time-Reversal (TR) prefilters, reducing illumination of the scatterer objects in the environment. This enables the RF-ITR process to focus on a moving target, which can then be sensed (discovered, identified, monitoring, tracked, and/or imaged). The moving target on which the RF-ITR process focuses may then be cancelled from the RF-ITR in the same way as the environment, allowing the RF-ITR to focus on another target. Multiple moving targets can thus be sensed. Defensive measures such as jamming may then be taken against the targets. ii The targets may be distinguished from the scatterer objects in the environment through differential, Doppler processing, and other classification techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coherent distributed communication techniques using time reversal are disclosed. In one aspect, cooperating nodes of a cluster can move relative to each other and relative to an intended receiver of the nodes' data transmissions. The nodes are synchronized to a common time reference, and data for transmission from the cluster is distributed to the nodes. The intended receiver sends a sounding signal to the nodes. Each node receives the sounding signal, obtains the channel response between the intended receiver and itself, and time-reverses the channel response. Each node then convolves its time-reversed channel response with the data to obtain the node's convolved data. Each node waits a predetermined time following the time reference signal, as determined based on the common time reference. At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the nodes simultaneously transmit their convolved data.

Abstract: Chromatic systems and structures are presented that operate without external electrical supply, which enable changes in color or transparency of a substrate material, such as glass. Various configurations provide a mechanism to activate an oxidation-reduction reaction in a chromatic material, so as to change from transparent to opaque or from one color to another. These structures may be used in applications from windows for buildings and homes, camera lenses, automotive displays and windows, mobile device displays, and other applications where chromatic change is desired.

Abstract: This application relates to slot antenna devices based on Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) metamaterial (MTM) structures.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture make Geolocation of a source transmitter more difficult or impossible. Scatterers common to a source transmitter and an intended receiver are identified using a variety of techniques, such as iterative time reversal (ITR) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a scatter matrix. The source transmitter then uses time reversal and knowledge of the signatures of the scatterers to focus its transmissions on one or more of the scatterers, instead of the intended receiver. The source transmitter may have multiple antennas or antenna elements. The source transmitter and/or the intended receiver may include antenna elements with Near-Field Scatterers to enable spatial focusing below the diffraction limit at the frequencies of interest. The source transmitter may be a plurality of ad hoc nodes cooperating with each other.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures to combine and divide electromagnetic signals at multiple frequencies. The metamaterial properties permit significant size reduction over a conventional N-way radial power combiner or divider. Dual-band serial power combiners and dividers and single-band and dual-band radial power combiners and dividers are described.

Abstract: An antenna device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A first conductive layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate, the first conductive layer having a perimeter defined by one or more shapes having straight or curved edges. The first conductive layer defines a slot and a coupling gap, and also includes a top ground. The coupling gap separates the top ground from a metal plate region. A second conductive layer is formed on the second surface of the substrate, the second conductive layer including a bottom ground. The slot, coupling gap, first conductive layer, and substrate form a composite right and left handed (CRLH) structure.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture make Geolocation of a source transmitter more difficult or impossible. Scatterers common to a source transmitter and an intended receiver are identified using a variety of techniques, such as iterative time reversal (ITR) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a scatter matrix. The source transmitter then uses time reversal and knowledge of the signatures of the scatterers to focus its transmissions on one or more of the scatterers, instead of the intended receiver. The source transmitter may have multiple antennas or antenna elements. The source transmitter and/or the intended receiver may include antenna elements with Near-Field Scatterers to enable spatial focusing below the diffraction limit at the frequencies of interest. The source transmitter may be a plurality of ad hoc nodes cooperating with each other.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures to combine and divide electromagnetic signals at multiple frequencies. The metamaterial properties permit significant size reduction over a conventional N-way radial power combiner or divider. Dual-band serial power combiners and dividers and single-band and dual-band radial power combiners and dividers are described.

Abstract: A wireless device having a CRLH antenna structure incorporates a meander line at the feed and adds a three dimensional conductive structure to shift a meander mode resonance frequency.