Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a sensor system. A first wireless signal is transmitted from a base station to a sensor unit. At least a portion of the first wireless signal is changed into power for the sensor unit using a power harvesting unit in the sensor unit. Information is received from a number of sensors associated with the sensor unit. The information is transmitted to the base station using a second wireless signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system to detect one or more environmental conditions in proximity to a surface comprises a first metamaterial environmental sensor module proximate the surface. The environmental sensor comprises a metamaterial-based electrically resonant structure having a resonance frequency which varies in response to changes in at least one of a humidity proximate the sensor module, a temperature proximate the sensor module, or the presence of a chemical or biological agent proximate the sensor module. The system further comprises a remote receiver to receive an electromagnetic signal comprising the signal generated by the electrically resonant structure and a signal analysis module to determine an environmental condition such as humidity, temperature, pre-ice conditions, ice, chemicals or biological species from the at least one environmental condition signal. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a sensor system. A first wireless signal is transmitted from a base station to a sensor unit. At least a portion of the first wireless signal is changed into power for the sensor unit using a power harvesting unit in the sensor unit. Information is received from a number of sensors associated with the sensor unit. The information is transmitted to the base station using a second wireless signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system to detect one or more environmental conditions in proximity to a surface comprises a first metamaterial environmental sensor module proximate the surface. The environmental sensor comprises a metamaterial-based electrically resonant structure having a resonance frequency which varies in response to changes in at least one of a humidity proximate the sensor module, a temperature proximate the sensor module, or the presence of a chemical or biological agent proximate the sensor module. The system further comprises a remote receiver to receive an electromagnetic signal comprising the signal generated by the electrically resonant structure and a signal analysis module to determine an environmental condition such as humidity, temperature, pre-ice conditions, ice, chemicals or biological species from the at least one environmental condition signal. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to a rectangular waveguide cavity launch are disclosed that enable coupling an electromagnetic wave from the top surface of a waveguide distribution network formed into a conductive plate with the narrow wall of a rectangular waveguide facing the top of the conductive plate. A resonant cavity structure is formed into a conductive plate and coupled to a waveguide also formed into the plate, the resonant cavity structure having a cavity width wider than the narrow wall dimension of the waveguide. The resonant cavity structure includes a conductive block within it having a block width substantially equal to a difference between the cavity width of the resonant cavity structure and the narrow wall dimension. The cavity launch excites and rotates a dominant waveguide mode entering the structure such that the dominant waveguide mode enters the waveguide substantially parallel to the narrow wall dimension.

Abstract: Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to a rectangular waveguide cavity launch are disclosed that enable coupling an electromagnetic wave from the top surface of a waveguide distribution network formed into a conductive plate with the narrow wall of a rectangular waveguide facing the top of the conductive plate. A resonant cavity structure is formed into a conductive plate and coupled to a waveguide also formed into the plate, the resonant cavity structure having a cavity width wider than the narrow wall dimension of the waveguide. The resonant cavity structure includes a conductive block within it having a block width substantially equal to a difference between the cavity width of the resonant cavity structure and the narrow wall dimension. The cavity launch excites and rotates a dominant waveguide mode entering the structure such that the dominant waveguide mode enters the waveguide substantially parallel to the narrow wall dimension.