Abstract: A novel, interlocking, snap-fit connection between an antenna aperture and a ground plane layer that contains coaxial connectors is described herein. The snap-fit design provides a simple and solderless transition from the connectors to elements of the antenna aperture. This design facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, allowing parts to be removed, reinstalled and/or reused.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to a carrier for an exercise ball for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. This plastic carrier allows the carrying and setting up of stationary, 360 degree, or omnidirectional spin of the exercise ball within a compact ring form factor. The carrier is intended for recreational use in the home, in backyards, or in pet friendly parks.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to a mobile environment for the transportation of hamsters, other small rodents, or small animals kept as pets. This mobile environment allows the user to easily carry the pet hamster on the go. This mobile environment is based on the idea of stacking multiple areas for the hamster to interact. The bottom portion serves as the hideout for the hamster, providing shade, a place to tunnel into bedding, and a place to have food that is easily accessible. Above the “hide-away” portion is the exercise wheel. This wheel sits horizontally and spins freely, providing an easily accessible form of exercise for the hamster. Lastly, the funneling form on the top of the mobile environment provides a means to attach a water bottle for hydration on the go.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed configurations of antenna elements for conformal phased arrays (e.g., circular or cylindrical) to support either omnidirectional or directional high-gain beams. Antenna elements may be spaced about a circle or cylinder with a vertical and circumferential element spacing that is based on a wavelength of an operational frequency. Such a configuration of antenna elements enables easy scaling to different frequency bands and a straightforward extension from single-linear to dual-linear polarization. Furthermore, the antenna elements and their configurations enable conformal phased arrays to be formed as one integrated structure or with multiple modular structures.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to an improvement on the exercise ball for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. The invention is a spherical enclosure that allows the pet to experience freedom of movement in a safe environment. This polymer plastic sphere allows small rodents to exercise while maintaining rodent health and providing improved ergonomics for the user. The ball consists of multiple parts: a bottom hemisphere, a top hemisphere and a door.

Abstract: A novel, interlocking, snap-fit connection between an antenna aperture and a ground plane layer that contains coaxial connectors is described herein. The snap-fit design provides a simple and solderless transition from the connectors to elements of the antenna aperture. This design facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, allowing parts to be removed, reinstalled and/or reused.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed configurations of antenna elements for conformal phased arrays (e.g., circular or cylindrical) to support either omnidirectional or directional high-gain beams. Antenna elements may be spaced about a circle or cylinder with a vertical and circumferential element spacing that is based on a wavelength of an operational frequency. Such a configuration of antenna elements enables easy scaling to different frequency bands and a straightforward extension from single-linear to dual-linear polarization. Furthermore, the antenna elements and their configurations enable conformal phased arrays to be formed as one integrated structure or with multiple modular structures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna system including a first set of receive antenna elements and a second set of transmit antenna elements. Each receive antenna element is paired with one of the transmit elements. Paired receive and transmit antenna elements point in the same azimuthal direction, and the receive antenna element feeds its paired transmit antenna element. Each receive antenna element and each transmit antenna element has a phase center, and the phase centers of the receive and transmit antenna elements are all positioned substantially along the same axis. The receive and transmit elements are arranged in a phase-conjugate configuration such that, for each pair of receive and transmit antenna elements, those receive and transmit antenna elements are altitudinally spaced substantially the same distance from a plane through the antenna system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna system including a first set of receive antenna elements and a second set of transmit antenna elements. Each receive antenna element is paired with one of the transmit elements. Paired receive and transmit antenna elements point in the same azimuthal direction, and the receive antenna element feeds its paired transmit antenna element. Each receive antenna element and each transmit antenna element has a phase center, and the phase centers of the receive and transmit antenna elements are all positioned substantially along the same axis. The receive and transmit elements are arranged in a phase-conjugate configuration such that, for each pair of receive and transmit antenna elements, those receive and transmit antenna elements are altitudinally spaced substantially the same distance from a plane through the antenna system.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of subarrays, and each subarray includes a panel, a plurality of primary antenna elements positioned on the panel, and at least one pair of sensor antenna elements positioned along a perimeter of the panel. One of the sensor antenna elements is a transmitting sensor antenna element and the other sensor antenna element is a receiving sensor antenna element. Changes in the mutual coupling between the two high frequency sensor antenna elements as a function of deformation of the subarrays provides a calibration signal outside of the operational band of the array while the array is operated and without requiring external calibration sources.

Abstract: A reconfigurable polarization antenna includes a microwave dielectric substrate having a ground plane that has a centrally located slot with five conducting patches, four of which form an evenly spaced apart perimeter group with a gap between each and the fifth, centrally positioned conducting patch. A conducting pad is positioned in each gap and is connected via a switch to the ground plane. A microstrip feed line including a short stub is positioned on the opposite side of the substrate and electromagnetically coupled to the slot. The polarization of the antenna is reconfigured by a selection of an on or off state of each of said switches.

Abstract: A dual-band, dual-orthogonally-polarized antenna element includes a dielectric substrate having a conductor layer that includes a square ring slot and a shorted square ring, with each having a pair of orthogonal feed points. The shorted square ring is fed with coaxial probe feeds, while the square ring slot feeds striplines terminated in open-circuited stubs for coupling energy to each pair of orthogonal feed points. The first and second stripline feeds are not coplanar in order that each stub terminates past a center point of the element. The square ring slot operates as a high frequency band radiator and the shorted square ring operates as a low frequency band radiator, and both bands radiate substantially simultaneous dual-orthogonally-polarized modes. The modes can be any combination of dual-Circular Polarization (CP) and dual-Linear Polarization (LP), depending on the geometry of the radiators.