Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing some or all of an agricultural ecosystem. In one example, the method includes obtaining a current soil moisture level for multiple zones at a geographic location, where each of the zones has been assigned a desired minimum soil moisture level. The zones are ranked in a watering schedule based on a delta between the current soil moisture level and the desired minimum soil moisture level of each zone. For each zone, in the order based on the zone's ranking, at least one valve is opened to deliver water to the zone and closed after watering of the zone is completed. The water may be delivered based on time or volume. If by volume, the volume needed by the zone is calculated.

Abstract: A wireless radio transceiver system configured to transmit and receive a communications signal waveform having a time division multiple access physical layer structure and which includes a sequence of orthogonal frequency division multiple access symbols. The transceiver provides transmit diversity through space-time coding and the use of orthogonal channel probes from each transmitter. The waveform is packet based and contains a packet header definition that supports local receiver synchronization. Examples of the waveform also incorporate transmission security features.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.

Abstract: A wireless communication system in which each receiver is configured synchronize to a received waveform using only its local received signal without requiring any information about other receivers in the system. The local receiver is configured to remove frequency and/or phase error based on information encoded in the received waveform. In some examples, the local receiver uses channel probe information embedded in the received waveform to provide channel estimates for each communication channel over which the signals are received and, based on the estimates, adjusts the received signals for phase shift and amplitude scaling caused by the channel. Signal acquisition (in time and frequency), as well as partial demodulation (for channel estimation), is done independently for each channel. Signals from each channel are combined using a maximal ratio combiner.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.

Abstract: A wireless communication system in which each receiver is configured synchronize to a received waveform using only its local received signal without requiring any information about other receivers in the system. The local receiver is configured to remove frequency and/or phase error based on information encoded in the received waveform. In some examples, the local receiver uses channel probe information embedded in the received waveform to provide channel estimates for each communication channel over which the signals are received and, based on the estimates, adjusts the received signals for phase shift and amplitude scaling caused by the channel. Signal acquisition (in time and frequency), as well as partial demodulation (for channel estimation), is done independently for each channel. Signals from each channel are combined using a maximal ratio combiner.

Abstract: A wireless radio transceiver system configured to transmit and receive a communications signal waveform having a time division multiple access physical layer structure and which includes a sequence of orthogonal frequency division multiple access symbols. The transceiver provides transmit diversity through space-time coding and the use of orthogonal channel probes from each transmitter. The waveform is packet based and contains a packet header definition that supports local receiver synchronization. Examples of the waveform also incorporate transmission security features.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.

Abstract: The specification discloses a modular and reusable wheelchair ramp capable of ready assembly and disassembly while providing a strong and safe construction. The ramp includes a plurality of leg assemblies fabricated of PVC plumbing components and a plurality of ramp sections each extending between and mounted on a pair of adjacent leg assemblies. Each leg assembly includes a pair of legs and an interconnecting crossbar slidably received thereon for ready height adjustability. The ramp sections are hooked over the crossbars. In a preferred embodiment, handrails also fabricated of PVC plumbing components are also slidably mounted on the legs.

Abstract: An improved housing structure for a circuit interrupter. The interrupter mechanisms are mounted upon the upper surface of a platform which serves to divide the housing into upper and lower, high- and low-voltage compartments. The platform is provided with a series of vertically-depending bracing plates which carry a cross shaft for operating the interrupters. An operator mechanism is coupled to the cross shaft and hangs downwardly from the platform so that forces generated in opening and closing the interrupters are not transmitted to the housing structure but rather are contained within the platform assembly.