Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a millimeter wave (mmWave) backscatter network node includes a frequency scanning antenna (FSA) having at least one port, the FSA including an array of emitting elements such that, given an incoming signal resulting in emitting signal from the emitting elements, the direction in which emitting signals combine constructively changes with the frequency of the incoming signal, and a radio frequency (RF) signal processing unit configured to measure strength and determine frequency of a received signal that is received by a first port of the FSA.

Abstract: Use of high frequency waves, such a millimeter waves, in many circumstances is prevented due to their inability to diffract around common obstacles. Disclosed herein is a system and method for transforming an incident high frequency wave. The system includes meta-atom pairs that define a surface. The meta-atom pairs generate an electro-magnetic response by interacting with an incident wave. This electro-magnetic response can be modulated by applying voltage to the meta-atom pairs. The electro-magnetic response transforms the incident wave into an emitted wave based on its controlled properties. The system and method are able to, by changing the voltage applied, steer the emitted wave a full 360 degrees as wells as transmit it through the surface without significant power loss. Embodiments enable the transmission through or around many obstacles that would normally interfere with high frequency waves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting an RFID-based finger input sensing system using a transmission line connected to at least two RFID tags, by analyzing a plurality of features relating to the number of spikes in the derivatives of the RSS, timing of maximum RSS and the spikes of the RSS derivatives, relative RSS magnitude between the at least two RFID tags, and increase/decrease trend of the RSS, thereby eliminating the need for calibration and training.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting an RFID-based finger input sensing system using a transmission line connected to at least two RFID tags, by analyzing a plurality of features relating to the number of spikes in the derivatives of the RSS, timing of maximum RSS and the spikes of the RSS derivatives, relative RSS magnitude between the at least two RFID tags, and increase/decrease trend of the RSS, thereby eliminating the need for calibration and training.

Abstract: A novel method and system is disclosed for using a commodity RFID system for automatically measuring levels of soil moisture in planting containers. A large number of planting containers are used to grow pots in soil in a greenhouse. An RFID reader interrogates passive RFID tags affixed to the planting containers. The RFID reader can be attached to a robotic arm configured to move above multiple rows and columns of containers. Signal features of specific passive RFID tags affixed to specific ones of the containers are automatically monitored, including a minimum response threshold of RFID reader transmission power to activate the passive RFID tag (“MRT”), based on the wireless interrogation of specific tags by the reader. Soil moisture levels of specific containers are then automatically determined based on the signal features of the attached tags, and effects of soilure moisture on electromagnetic fields of antennas of tags.

Abstract: The wireless channel of the wireless communication system is selectively disrupted or interfered with based on the logical states of the data to be transmitted by an electronic device having no wireless data signal transmitting circuitry. A host device transmits a query packet which includes a header and a series of sub-frames to be received by a receiving device. As each sub-frame is transmitted, the electronic device can selectively disrupt the wireless channel by changing its characteristics such that the receiving device can no longer decode that sub-frame based on channel estimation from the header of the frame. Wireless channel disruption occurs in response to a specific state of the bit of data of a message to be communicated by the electronic device. The receiving device then issues a status reply to the host device indicating which sub-frames are decodable and which sub-frames are undecodable based on the initial channel estimation. The host device decodes the status reply to extract the message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring vitals in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for measuring vital signs. The method includes steps for identifying regions of interest (ROIs) from video data of an individual, generating temporal waveforms from the ROIs, analyzing the generated temporal waveforms to extract vital sign measurements, and generating outputs based on the analyzed temporal waveforms.

Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and multi-positional switch using a passive wireless tag to communicate with a wireless tag reader. The wireless tag including: a first set of one or more half-antennas; a second set of one or more half-antennas; and a first set of two or more wireless chips and an electrical contact connected to an open end of each of the wireless chips, each of the wireless chips including data stored thereon, and when one of the electrical contacts completes an antenna circuit including one of the first set of half-antennas and one of the second set of half antennas, the wireless tag reader energizes the completed antenna circuit and the completed antenna circuit transmits the data stored on the wireless chip connected to the electrical contact that is completing the antenna circuit to the wireless tag reader.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for performing non-cooperative sensing analysis with a recipient device over a wireless communication standard. The non-cooperative sensing analysis performed without requiring permitted access to communicate wirelessly with the recipient device. The method including: generating an inspection packet, the inspection packet including a mock media access control address (MAC) address as a sender address and a MAC address associated with the recipient device as a receiver address; transmitting the inspection packet to the recipient device using the wireless communication standard; receiving a response packet from the recipient device, the response packet including the mock MAC address as a receiver address; generating a derivative metric from the response packet; and outputting the derivative metric.

Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and multi-positional switch using a passive wireless tag to communicate with a wireless tag reader. The wireless tag including: a first set of one or more half-antennas; a second set of one or more half-antennas; and a first set of two or more wireless chips and an electrical contact connected to an open end of each of the wireless chips, each of the wireless chips including data stored thereon, and when one of the electrical contacts completes an antenna circuit including one of the first set of half-antennas and one of the second set of half antennas, the wireless tag reader energizes the completed antenna circuit and the completed antenna circuit transmits the data stored on the wireless chip connected to the electrical contact that is completing the antenna circuit to the wireless tag reader.

Abstract: A commodity RFID system is used for automatically measuring levels of soil moisture in planting containers. A large number of planting containers are used to grow pots in soil in a greenhouse. An RFID reader interrogates passive RFID tags affixed to the planting containers. The RFID reader can be attached to a robotic arm configured to move above multiple rows and columns of containers. Signal features (e.g., MRT, RSS, DMRT) of specific passive RFID tags affixed to specific ones of the containers are automatically monitored, based on the wireless interrogation of the specific tags by the reader. Soil moisture levels of specific containers are then automatically determined based on the signal features of the attached RFID tags, and effects of soilure moisture on electromagnetic fields of antennas of passive RFID tags.

Abstract: The wireless channel of the wireless communication system is selectively disrupted or interfered with based on the logical states of the data to be transmitted by an electronic device having no wireless data signal transmitting circuitry. A host device transmits a query packet which includes a header and a series of sub-frames to be received by a receiving device. As each sub-frame is transmitted, the electronic device can selectively disrupt the wireless channel by changing its characteristics such that the receiving device can no longer decode that sub-frame based on channel estimation from the header of the frame. Wireless channel disruption occurs in response to a specific state of the bit of data of a message to be communicated by the electronic device. The receiving device then issues a status reply to the host device indicating which sub-frames are decodable and which sub-frames are undecodable based on the initial channel estimation. The host device decodes the status reply to extract the message.

Abstract: An approach to acquisition of a propagation direction using a phased antenna array avoids a need to scan space. Given all possible directions for setting the antenna beam, the approach provably finds the optimal direction in logarithmic number of measurements. Further, the approach can be applied within the existing 802.11ad standard for mmWave LAN, and can support both clients and access points.

Abstract: A backscatter approach is particularly customized for deep tissue devices, which do not require active signal transmission for localization of or data communication from the devices. The design overcomes interference from the body surface, and localizes the in-body backscatter devices even though the signal travels along non-straight paths. Data communication for the in-body device is also available using the approach.

Abstract: An approach to acquisition of a propagation direction using a phased antenna array avoids a need to scan space. Given all possible directions for setting the antenna beam, the approach provably finds the optimal direction in logarithmic number of measurements. Further, the approach can be applied within the existing 802.11ad standard for mmWave LAN, and can support both clients and access points.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring wideband GHz spectrum for wireless communication, and sensing and decoding respective frequency components of a time-varying signal corresponding to the monitored spectrum. Concepts relating to sparse Fast Fourier Transform (sFFT) techniques facilitate identification of one or more frequency components of a sparsely occupied spectrum by sub-sampling the signal corresponding to the monitored spectrum at a sampling rate below the Nyquist criterion. The disclosed methods and apparatus may be implemented using conventional relatively low-power wireless receivers and using off-the-shelf relatively inexpensive low-speed and low-power analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) typically employed in WiFi devices or cellular phones, in tandem with unique processing techniques based on sFFTs and sub-Nyquist criterion sampling, and have demonstrated efficacy even in scenarios where the monitored spectrum is not sparse.

Abstract: A method processes a concurrently triggered response signal at a number of transceivers configured to operate at a channel carrier frequency, where at least some of the transceivers have distinct transmit carrier frequencies offset from the channel carrier frequency. The method includes receiving, at a first receiver, a response signal in response to a trigger signal, the response signal including a combination of a number of transceiver response signals, each transceiver response signal of the number of transceiver response signals corresponding to a different transceiver of the number of transceivers and having a distinct transmit carrier frequency, wherein at least some of the transceiver response signals overlap in time, and determining characteristics of the number of transceivers based on the carrier frequencies of the transceiver response signals, including determining a number of transceivers in the number of transceivers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring wideband GHz spectrum for wireless communication, and sensing and decoding respective frequency components of a time-varying signal corresponding to the monitored spectrum. Concepts relating to sparse Fast Fourier Transform (sFFT) techniques facilitate identification of one or more frequency components of a sparsely occupied spectrum by sub-sampling the signal corresponding to the monitored spectrum at a sampling rate below the Nyquist criterion. The disclosed methods and apparatus may be implemented using conventional relatively low-power wireless receivers and using off-the-shelf relatively inexpensive low-speed and low-power analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) typically employed in WiFi devices or cellular phones, in tandem with unique processing techniques based on sFFTs and sub-Nyquist criterion sampling, and have demonstrated efficacy even in scenarios where the monitored spectrum is not sparse.

Abstract: A method processes a concurrently triggered response signal at a number of transceivers configured to operate at a channel carrier frequency, where at least some of the transceivers have distinct transmit carrier frequencies offset from the channel carrier frequency. The method includes receiving, at a first receiver, a response signal in response to a trigger signal, the response signal including a combination of a number of transceiver response signals, each transceiver response signal of the number of transceiver response signals corresponding to a different transceiver of the number of transceivers and having a distinct transmit carrier frequency, wherein at least some of the transceiver response signals overlap in time, and determining characteristics of the number of transceivers based on the carrier frequencies of the transceiver response signals, including determining a number of transceivers in the number of transceivers.

Abstract: An ASIC for monitoring wideband GHz spectrum to sense respective frequency components present in the spectrum. The ASIC implements Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques to facilitate identification of one or more frequency components of a sparse signal after the signal is sub-sampled at a rate below the Nyquist criterion. The ASIC computes a first Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of a first sub-sampled set of samples of a time-varying signal representing the monitored spectrum and sampled at a first sampling rate, and further computes a second FFT of a second sub-sampled set of samples of the time-varying signal sampled at a second sampling rate different from the first sampling rate. In one example, each of the first FFT and the second FFT is a low-radix FFT to facilitate a low-power and low-cost ASIC implementation of wideband spectrum sensing.