Abstract: A modular enclosure is configured to house a set of components that facilitate the autonomous functions of an autonomous vehicle while meeting a set of requirements. The set of components comprises a sensor processing unit configured to detect objects from sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, a compute unit configured to determine a navigation path for the autonomous vehicle, a vehicle control unit configured to control the autonomous function of the autonomous vehicle, a communication gateway configured to establish communication of the autonomous vehicle, and a data diagnostics unit configured to determine a health data for at least one component of the autonomous vehicle. The set of requirements comprises a space requirement, a communication requirement, a cooling requirement, and a shock absorption requirement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment on an autonomous vehicle are provided. In some example embodiments, the system includes a first compute unit and a second compute unit, in which the first compute unit is configured to receive first information of the vehicle and an environment of the vehicle, generate a first control command based on the first information, and transmit the first control command to a controller of the vehicle to effectuate an autonomous operation of the vehicle; and the second compute unit is configured to receive second information of the vehicle and the environment of the vehicle, generate a second control command based on the second information, and only when a fault or failure of the first compute unit is detected, transmits the second control command to the controller of the vehicle to effectuate the autonomous operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle can include a compute controller that can efficiently perform autonomous driving operations. An apparatus for autonomous vehicle operation comprises an electrical board that includes a plurality of semiconductor devices; a first switch device that is electrically coupled to the plurality of semiconductor devices via a first communication bus of the electrical board; and a second switch device that is electrically coupled to the plurality of semiconductor devices via a second communication bus of the electrical board, where the second switch device is configured to route data between any two or more of the plurality of semiconductor devices using the second communication bus, and where a first data carrying capacity of the first communication bus is independent of a second data carrying capacity of the second communication bus.

Abstract: A gateway processor coordinates communication among an autonomous vehicle components boundary domain, a vehicle boundary domain, and an oversight server. The gateway processor receives a message from the oversight server. The gateway processor determines a priority level, a domain tag data, and destination data associated with the message. The priority level indicates a scheduling requirement associated with the message. The domain tag data indicates that the message is associated with a particular domain from among the autonomous vehicle components boundary domain, the vehicle components boundary domain, or the security domain. The destination data indicates that the message is designated to a particular component within the particular domain. In response, the gateway processor schedules the message to be transmitted to the particular domain. The gateway processor routes the message to the particular component.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes a communications gateway device. The communications gateway device includes a plurality of modules each configured for different communication mediums or applications. In particular, the plurality of modules includes a first module for communicating with a remote computer. Via the first module, vehicle operational data is reported to the remote computer, and instructional data is received from the remote computer. The modules further include a second module for communicating with devices located within a vicinity external to the vehicle, and a third module configured to communicate with subsystems located within the vehicle. The example AV system includes a second communications gateway device that is configured to be redundant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a smart LED lighting system are described. The system includes a control module coupled over a wireless connection to one or more smart LED drivers, each of which controls one or more LED lighting units. The system optionally includes one or more sensors for gathering information from the surrounding environment and a gateway for establishing a wireless network and for communicating with one or more cloud computing systems. The control module can control individual lighting units, modules of individual lighting units, or zones of modules to alter the intensity, color, or character of the lighting. The control module can execute pre-programmed configurations of the lighting system to implement, for example, lighting that mimics circadian patterns or lighting that is suited for a particular event such as a meeting or a concert. The control module also can implement instructions provided by a user through a mobile device or other input device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a smart LED lighting system are described. The system includes a control module coupled over a wireless connection to one or more smart LED drivers, each of which controls one or more LED lighting units. The system optionally includes one or more sensors for gathering information from the surrounding environment and a gateway for establishing a wireless network and for communicating with one or more cloud computing systems. The control module can control individual lighting units, modules of individual lighting units, or zones of modules to alter the intensity, color, or character of the lighting. The control module can execute pre-programmed configurations of the lighting system to implement, for example, lighting that mimics circadian patterns or lighting that is suited for a particular event such as a meeting or a concert. The control module also can implement instructions provided by a user through a mobile device or other input device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a smart LED lighting system are described. The system includes a control module coupled over a wireless connection to one or more smart LED drivers, each of which controls one or more LED lighting units. The system optionally includes one or more sensors for gathering information from the surrounding environment and a gateway for establishing a wireless network and for communicating with one or more cloud computing systems. The control module can control individual lighting units, modules of individual lighting units, or zones of modules to alter the intensity, color, or character of the lighting. The control module can execute pre-programmed configurations of the lighting system to implement, for example, lighting that mimics circadian patterns or lighting that is suited for a particular event such as a meeting or a concert. The control module also can implement instructions provided by a user through a mobile device or other input device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing a plurality of logical nodes in a telecommunications node. A plurality of control processors are configured to manage data routing paths for the logical nodes. Each logical node can be associated with a different entity.

Abstract: A process for improved performance in at least one fuel cell, having a loss in power output of at least 5% of an initial power output, wherein the fuel cell comprises a cathode, an anode, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a fuel comprising an anolyte that flows through the cell, and a catholyte gas, wherein the fuel cell is connected to an external load, and wherein the process includes the steps of taking the load off the fuel cell; and applying an external electric field from an external power source to the fuel cell to reverse electrochemical reactions until at least 5% of the lost power output is regained. Purging the fuel cell further enhances regeneration of the cell.

Abstract: A process for improved performance in a fuel cell or stack of fuel cells wherein the fuel cell has a cathode, an anode, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a fuel comprising an anolyte that flows through the cell, and a catholyte gas, and wherein the fuel cell is connected to an external load, and wherein the process comprises taking the load off the cell, and cycling between a minimum voltage and about 50% of the maximum voltage drawn from the fuel cell until a maximum current is reached, or a minimum load and about 50% of the maximum load until a maximum voltage is reached. Fuel cell performance is further enhanced by purging.

Abstract: An electrochemical application that utilizes amorphous fluoropolymers providing a membrane electrode assembly that is durable, uniform and possesses a good structural integrity, produced by a method that avoids a long, complicated sintering of the fluoropolymers incorporated at undesirably high temperatures.