Abstract: A transceiver includes a radio frequency (RF) input, an RF channelized digital receiver, an RF wideband digital receiver, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)/digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an RF channelized digital transmitter, and an RF output. The RF channelized digital receiver is configured to split an analog RF input signal into a plurality of sub-octave contiguous frequency band channels and to convert the channels to a plurality of first digital signals. The RF wideband receiver is configured to convert the analog RF input signal into a second digital signal. The ADC/DAC is configured to process each of the first and second digital signals to produce a plurality of third digital signals. The RF channelized digital transmitter is configured to convert each of the third digital signals into a plurality of analog output signals, to combine the analog output signals into an analog RF output signal, and to transmit the analog RF output signal.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.