Abstract: A phase shifter adjusts the phase between two segments of an RF feed line that are fed with the phase shifter. Specifically, the phase shifter adjusts the phase between two signals in RF feed line segments by changing the electrical path lengths that RF energy travels down in each respective RF feed line. The phase shifter includes a coupling arm, a key, a spring, and a support architecture that fastens the phase shifter to a substantially planar surface. The support architecture is rotated manually or with a machine such as a motor. The coupling arm can include a coupling ring, a wiper element, a support trace, and a dielectric spacer. The phase shifting system is a relatively compact structure having a predetermined value of capacitance maintained between a coupling ring disposed on the coupling arm and a coupling ring disposed on a planar surface.

Abstract: The female urine specimen container of the present invention comprises a urine collection cup having an opening contoured to fit the female anatomy having a generally triangular shape with rounded corners, a bottom having a generally triangular shape with rounded corners, a front wall and a pair of side walls extending downwardly from the opening to the bottom, and a backwardly protruding portion formed by the junction of the pair of side walls. The backwardly protruding portion corresponds to the narrowest portion of the opening and the front wall corresponds to the broadest portion of the opening.

Abstract: An antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having dual simultaneous polarization states and having substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns. The antenna system generates RF radiation patterns where the beamwidths of respective RF fields for respective radiating elements are substantially equal and are relatively large despite the compact, physical size of the antenna system. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators and a non-resonant patch separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The patch radiators and non-resonant patch can have predefined shapes for increasing polarization discrimination. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A compact antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having increased beamwidths and bandwidths. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include a ground plane which defines a plurality of slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board. The slots, in turn, can establish RF radiation in a cavity which is disposed adjacent to the ground plane of the printed circuit board and a ground plane of the antenna system.

Abstract: Using a method and apparatus for connecting an electrical cable to a circuit board. The connector is largely semi-circular in shape and generally comprises four prongs for attaching the connector to the edge of a circuit board. The connector is particularly useful for attaching a coaxial cable to a circuit board where the coaxial cable is not very flexible. The coaxial cable can be easily placed onto the connector. Once the coaxial cable is placed on the connector, the outer conductor can be attached to the connector and the inner conductor can be attached to the circuit board.

Abstract: A phase shifter adjusts the phase between two segments of an RF feed line that are fed with the phase shifter. Specifically, the phase shifter adjusts the phase between two signals in RF feed line segments by changing the electrical path lengths that RF energy travels down in each respective RF feed line. The phase shifter includes a coupling arm, a key, a spring, and a support architecture that fastens the phase shifter to a substantially planar surface. The support architecture is rotated manually or with a machine such as a motor. The coupling arm can include a coupling ring, a wiper element, a support trace, and a dielectric spacer. The phase shifting system is a relatively compact structure having a predetermined value of capacitance maintained between a coupling ring disposed on the coupling arm and a coupling ring disposed on a planar surface.

Abstract: An antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having dual simultaneous polarization states and having substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns. The antenna system generates RF radiation patterns where the beamwidths of respective RF fields for respective radiating elements are substantially equal and are relatively large despite the compact, physical size of the antenna system. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators and a non-resonant patch separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The patch radiators and non-resonant patch can have predefined shapes for increasing polarization discrimination. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A compact antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having increased beamwidths and bandwidths. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board. The slots, in turn, can establish a transverse magnetic mode of RF radiation in a cavity which is disposed adjacent to the ground plane of the printed circuit board and a ground plane of the antenna system. The feed network of the printed circuit board can be aligned with portions of the cavity such that the portions of the cavity function as a heat sink for absorbing or receiving thermal energy produced by the feed network.

Abstract: An antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having dual simultaneous polarization states and having substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns. The antenna system generates RF radiation patterns where the beamwidths of respective RF fields for respective radiating elements are substantially equal and are relatively large despite the compact, physical size of the antenna system. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators and a non-resonant patch separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The patch radiators and non-resonant patch can have predefined shapes for increasing polarization discrimination. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Using a method and apparatus for connecting an electrical cable to a circuit board. The connector is largely semi-circular in shape and generally comprises four prongs for attaching the connector to the edge of a circuit board. The connector is particularly useful for attaching a coaxial cable to a circuit board where the coaxial cable is not very flexible. The coaxial cable can be easily placed onto the connector. Once the coaxial cable is placed on the connector, the outer conductor can be attached to the connector and the inner conductor can be attached to the circuit board.

Abstract: A compact antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having increased beamwidths and bandwidths. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board. The slots, in turn, can establish a transverse magnetic mode of RF radiation in a cavity which is disposed adjacent to the ground plane of the printed circuit board and a ground plane of the antenna system. The feed network of the printed circuit board can be aligned with portions of the cavity such that the portions of the cavity function as a heat sink for absorbing or receiving thermal energy produced by the feed network.