Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more continuity sensors. The antenna receives and/or backscatters a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The continuity sensor(s) are configured to sense or determine the presence of a chemical or substance in the package or container, and thus a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered. The continuity sensor(s) are electrically connected to a set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the set of terminals to which the antenna is electrically connected.

Abstract: A near field communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The near field communication device includes a receiver configured to convert a received near field signal to an electric signal, a transmitter configured to generate a transmittable near field signal, a dielectric substrate within a housing, an antenna on the dielectric substrate, and a compensating loop within the housing and coupled to the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive the received near field signal and to transmit or broadcast the transmittable near field signal. The compensating loop is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna and advantageously mitigates or counteracts an electromagnetic effect of metal on or near a surface of the dielectric substrate opposite from the antenna.

Abstract: A non-invasive level sensing system for monitoring the amount of content in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a content-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of content in the at least one container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for measuring non-invasively level of contents inside an array of containers without setting up any electrodes or attaching sensors around the containers, or inserting of a probe inside. Electromagnetic waves are launched from the bottom of the containers using launchers embedded in a tray the containers rest on. These waves travel through the bulk of the contents inside the container using a mode of propagation similar to dielectric waveguides or optical fibers and set up standing waves due to reflection at the content-air interface. The level inside the container is a function of the complex reflection coefficient (magnitude and phase) at the launcher input and can be thus determined by measuring the complex reflection coefficient.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communication of information between an information source positioned inside a refrigerated environment and a position outside the refrigerated environment comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal including the information, a planar antenna fixed to a gasket for resonating the transmitted signal, the gasket providing a seal between the refrigerated compartment and a door providing access to the refrigerated compartment, and a receiver for receiving the signal including the information. The information could include information concerning at least one container positioned in a refrigerated environment. The system may utilize a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth® device, RFID device, or other devices for transmitting the information.

Abstract: A non-invasive sensing system for monitoring the amount of content in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a content-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of content in the at least one container.

Abstract: A non-invasive level sensing system for monitoring the amount of content in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a content-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of content in the at least one container.

Abstract: A non-invasive liquid level sensing system for monitoring the amount of liquid in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a liquid-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of liquid in the at least one container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for measuring non-invasively level of contents inside an array of containers without setting up any electrodes or attaching sensors around the containers, or inserting of a probe inside. Electromagnetic waves are launched from the bottom of the containers using launchers embedded in a tray the containers rest on. These waves travel through the bulk of the contents inside the container using a mode of propagation similar to dielectric waveguides or optical fibers and set up standing waves due to reflection at the content-air interface. The level inside the container is a function of the complex reflection coefficient (magnitude and phase) at the launcher input and can be thus determined by measuring the complex reflection coefficient.

Abstract: A non-invasive liquid level sensing system for monitoring the amount of liquid in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a liquid-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of liquid in the at least one container.

Abstract: A system for identifying radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices is described. In one embodiment, RFID devices include an antenna and metallic pattern printed on a substrate. A probing platform is used to radiate the RFID devices with an electromagnetic signal (e.g., radio-frequency signal, microwave signal, etc.). Each RFID device generates a quantifiable backscatter depending on the unique impedance of the passive RFID device in response to the electromagnetic signal. The backscatter is employed to uniquely identify the passive RFID device's impendence with respect to the probing platform uniquely characterized at predetermined frequencies of the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A technique that improves performance of passive backscatter RFID tags such as mitigation of read error in presence of clutter, provide enhanced range, speed up anti-collision reading, provide increased throughput etc. The technique utilizes amplitude and phase modulation at the tag and a compensation algorithm at the RFID reader without inflicting significant changes in the RFID chip and therefore has minimum cost impact. Modifications can be primarily in the antenna design and passive circuitry around it, printable by a single step process.

Abstract: System and method for even order and odd order nonlinear distortion in a signal by introduction of a compensating signal that removes substantially all of the nonlinear distortion in one order or in two orders. Two or more diodes are arranged in at least one of an anti-series configuration and an anti-parallel configuration in which a circuit voltage is equal to a selected odd order and/or to a selected even order in current, plus higher order terms that are often negligible. The diodes my be replaced by other selected nonlinear devices.

Abstract: System and method for even order and odd order nonlinear distortion of a compensating signal that removes substantially all of the nonlinear distortion in one order or in two orders. Two or more diodes are arranged in at least one of an anti-series configuration and an anti-parallel configuration in which a circuit voltage is equal to a selected odd order and/or to a selected even order in current, plus higher order terms that are often negligible. The diodes may be replaced by other selected nonlinear devices.

Abstract: A system for identifying radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices is described. In one embodiment, RFID devices include an antenna and metallic pattern printed on a substrate. A probing platform is used to radiate the RFID devices with an electromagnetic signal (e.g., radio-frequency signal, microwave signal, etc.). Each RFID device generates a quantifiable backscatter depending on the unique impedance of the passive RFID device in response to the electromagnetic signal. The backscatter is employed to uniquely identify the passive RFID device's impendence with respect to the probing platform uniquely characterized at predetermined frequencies of the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: System and method for compensating for even order and odd order nonlinear distortion in a single by introduction of a compensating signal that removes substantially all of the nonlinear distortion in one order or in two orders. Two or more diodes are arranged in at least one of an anti-series configuration and an anti-parallel configuration in which a circuit voltage is equal to a selected odd order and/or to a selected even order in current, plus higher order terms that are often negligible. The diodes may be replaced by other selected nonlinear devices.

Abstract: A vector network analyzer utilizes a single voltage controlled oscillator to produce a sweep frequency over time, which is supplied to a device under test. The return signal from the device under test is delayed and mixed with the original signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal that is digitized and the data manipulated by a computer to measure the reflection coefficient or transmission coefficient of the device under test.