Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system comprises a chain of serially coupled nodes, including a central processing node (CPN) and one or more radio communications nodes (RCNs). The CPN couples to a first RCN in the chain via a dielectric waveguide (DWG) link and any further RCNs in the chain are successively connected in serial fashion from the first RCN via further (DWG) links. The CPN generates outbound radio carrier signals that are waveguide-propagated in a downstream direction of the chain, for over-the-air (OTA) by targeted ones of the RCNs, while radio carrier signals received via OTA reception by respective ones of the RCNs are waveguide propagated as inbound radio signals in an upstream direction of the chain, for processing by the CPN. Advantages from he contemplated system include greatly simplified implementation of the RCNs, with lower cost and power consumption. Further, strategic placement of failover CPNs and DWG links provide for continued operation in the face of CPN or DWG link failures.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a radio node in a wireless communication network. The method includes communicating based on a signaling structure, the signaling structure pertaining to a time domain interval and comprising a plurality of symbol time intervals, wherein to each symbol time interval, there is associated one cyclic prefix interval of a cyclic prefix interval type of a set of at least two types, wherein a first type pertains to a cyclic prefix interval corresponding to a first number N of processing samples, and a second type pertains to a cyclic prefix interval corresponding to a second number M of processing samples, wherein M is larger than N, and wherein both N and M are multiples of a base factor B. The disclosure also pertains to related devices and methods.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a radio node in a wireless communication network. The method includes communicating based on a signaling structure, the signaling structure pertaining to a time domain interval and comprising a plurality of symbol time intervals, wherein to each symbol time interval, there is associated one cyclic prefix interval of a cyclic prefix interval type of a set of at least two types, wherein a first type pertains to a cyclic prefix interval corresponding to a first number N of processing samples, and a second type pertains to a cyclic prefix interval corresponding to a second number M of processing samples, wherein M is larger than N, and wherein both N and M are multiples of a base factor B. The disclosure also pertains to related devices and methods.

Abstract: Methods for determining calibration parameters to correct for frequency responses of one or more dielectric waveguides coupling a control unit to a first antenna node or to a series of antenna nodes that includes the first antenna node. An example method comprises transmitting, via a first dielectric waveguide coupling the control unit to the first antenna node, a radiofrequency (RF) test signal having a signal bandwidth covering a bandwidth of interest. The method further comprises receiving, via a second dielectric waveguide coupling the control unit to the first antenna node, a looped-back version of the transmitted RF test signal, and estimating a first one-way frequency response corresponding to the first (or second) dielectric waveguide, based on the RF test signal and the received loop-back version of the transmitted RF test signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for analog beamforming performed by a transmitter (110) of a wireless communication network (100). The transmitter (110) comprises a plurality of antenna branches (114, 115, 116), each antenna branch comprising an antenna element (111, 112, 113). The method comprises, for each antenna branch (114, 115, 116), obtaining a first and a second signal of an analog radio signal, the first and the second signal being split from the analog radio signal and the analog radio signal being the same at each of the antenna branches, and obtaining information indicating a branch-specific phase-shift angle and a branch-specific amplitude determined from information identifying a radiation pattern comprising at least two directions for wireless transmission to at least one receiver (120).

Abstract: Disclosed is a transmitter configured for analog beam steering, the transmitter comprising a plurality of antenna branches, each having an antenna (326). The transmitter comprises, at each of the antenna branches, a signal splitter (308) for splitting an analog radio signal into a number of beam signals, the number of beam signals equals a number of desired beams to be transmitted. Further, the transmitter comprises, for each of the number of beam signals, a phase shifter (310, 312) for phase shifting the beam signal according to a phase shift setting for that beam and for that antenna branch, the phase shift settings being taken from a single look-up table, and a signal combiner (314) for combining the phase shifted beam signals into one combined signal. Further, the transmitter is arranged for transmitting the combined signal from the antenna (326) of that antenna branch towards a receiver.

Abstract: Methods for determining calibration parameters to correct for frequency responses of one or more dielectric waveguides coupling a control unit to a first antenna node or to a series of antenna nodes that includes the first antenna node. An example method comprises transmitting, via a first dielectric waveguide coupling the control unit to the first antenna node, a radiofrequency (RF) test signal having a signal bandwidth covering a bandwidth of interest. The method further comprises receiving, via a second dielectric waveguide coupling the control unit to the first antenna node, a looped-back version of the transmitted RF test signal, and estimating a first one-way frequency response corresponding to the first (or second) dielectric waveguide, based on the RF test signal and the received loop-back version of the transmitted RF test signal.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system comprises a chain of serially coupled nodes, including a central processing node (CPN) and one or more radio communications nodes (RCNs). The CPN couples to a first RCN in the chain via a dielectric waveguide (DWG) link and any further RCNs in the chain are successively connected in serial fashion from the first RCN via further (DWG) links. The CPN generates outbound radio carrier signals that are waveguide-propagated in a downstream direction of the chain, for over-the-air (OTA) by targeted ones of the RCNs, while radio carrier signals received via OTA reception by respective ones of the RCNs are waveguide propagated as inbound radio signals in an upstream direction of the chain, for processing by the CPN. Advantages from he contemplated system include greatly simplified implementation of the RCNs, with lower cost and power consumption. Further, strategic placement of failover CPNs and DWG links provide for continued operation in the face of CPN or DWG link failures.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous body precursors and shaped porous bodies. Also included are catalysts and other end-use products based upon the shaped porous bodies and thus the porous body precursors. Finally, processes for making these are provided. The porous body precursors, comprise one or more topography-enhancing additives, i.e., additives that are capable of at least marginally enhancing one or more of surface area, aspect ratio, pore volume, median pore diameter, surface morphology, etc. Downstream products need not necessarily comprise the topography-enhancing additives in order to exhibit the benefits of their inclusion in the porous body precursors.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous mullite composition of acicular mullite grains having improved properties is described, where the mullite is formed at some time in the presence of a fluorine containing gas. For example, it has been discovered that improved properties may result from heating the mullite to a high temperature in an atmosphere selected from the group consisting of water vapor, oxygen, an inert gas or mixtures thereof or forming the mullite composition from precursors having an Al/Si ratio of at most 2.95.

Abstract: A porous mullite composition is made by forming a mixture of one or more precursor compounds having the elements present in mullite (e.g., clay, alumina, silica) and a property enhancing compound. The property enhancing compound is a compound having an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe, Na, K, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, B, Y, Sc, La and combination thereof. The mixture is shaped and to form a porous green shape which is heated under an atmosphere having a fluorine containing gas to a temperature sufficient to form a mullite composition comprised substantially of acicular mullite grains that are essentially chemically bound.

Abstract: A porous mullite composition is made by forming a mixture of one or more precursor compounds having the elements present in mullite (e.g., clay, alumina, silica) and a property enhancing compound. The property enhancing compound is a compound having an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe, Na, K, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, B, Y, Sc, La and combination thereof. The mixture is shaped and to form a porous green shape which is heated under an atmosphere having a fluorine containing gas to a temperature sufficient to form a mullite composition comprised substantially of acicular mullite grains that are essentially chemically bound.

Abstract: A reaction product is made by flowing a liquid containing a reactant through a porous ceramic honeycomb wherein the porosity of the walls of the honeycomb are such that the liquid containing the reactant substantially penetrates into the walls and the reactant reacts as the liquid containing the reactant flows from the inlet end to the outlet end of the monolithic ceramic honeycomb.

Abstract: A porous mullite composition is made by Forming a mixture of one or more precursor compounds having the elements present in mullite (e.g., clay, alumina, silica) and a property enhancing compound. The property enhancing compound is a compound having an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe, Na, K, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, B, Y, Sc, La and combination thereof. The mixture is shaped and to form a porous green shape which is heated under an atmosphere having a fluorine containing gas to a temperature sufficient to form a mullite composition comprised substantially of acicular mullite grains that are essentially chemically bound.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous mullite composition of acicular mullite grains having improved properties is described, where the mullite is formed at some time in the presence of a fluorine containing gas. For example, it has been discovered that improved properties may result from heating the mullite to a high temperature in an atmosphere selected from the group consisting of water vapor, oxygen, an inert gas or mixtures thereof or forming the mullite composition from precursors having an AL/Si ratio of at most 2.95.

Abstract: A dispenser unit for a non-gaseous flowable material has a holder for the flowable material with an aperture therein through which the material can be transferred between into and out of the holder, and a flow meter for measuring flow of the material during transfer. The flow meter has a sensor, for example a differential pressure meter which determines a pressure difference between two locations which are vertically spaced from each other within the holder, one above and one below the surface of the material, at a number of times during the transfer. The meter emits a signal indicative of the flow from a calculation of the rate of change of the determined pressure difference.

Abstract: A vaporizer for vaporizing liquid anesthetic has a chamber for liquid anesthetic, a gas flow passage, a throttle in the gas flow passage, a first connection between the chamber and the gas flow passage upstream from the throttle and a second connection between the chamber and the gas flow passage downstream from the throttle. The vaporizer is more accurate and usable with different liquid anesthetics by having an outlet valve arranged by an outlet in the vaporizer, this outlet valve being regulated by the pressure upstream from the throttle.

Abstract: A dosing device for regulating the concentration of a liquid vapor, produced by vaporizing liquid from a liquid source, in a carrier gas has on-off valve which is automatically operable by a valve controller and which is connectable to one or both of the liquid and the carrier gas. A flow meter is provided in the flow path of the liquid and generates an output signal proportional to the flow of the liquid supplied for vaporization. This signal is supplied to the controller which cooperates with the valve to automatically regulate the supply of one or both of the liquid or carrier gas dependent on the output signal.

Abstract: In a fresh gas system and a method for vaporizing a liquid anaesthetic in an anaesthetic machine, a gas preparation unit prepares a flow of fresh gas having a gas mixture from at least two sources of gas, the gas mixture is passed through a vaporizer where it picks up a quantity of anaesthetic related to the viscosity of the gas mixture. A control device controls the gas preparation unit. An arrangement is connected upstream from the vaporizer and is connected to the control device, for determining the composition of the gas mixture. The control device compensates the fresh gas system for the gas mixture's composition so that a specific amount of anaesthetic is always picked up by the gas mixture, regardless of the mixture's composition.