Abstract: An on-board system for location estimation and communication for a vehicle. In some embodiments, the on-board system includes a global navigation satellite system receiver, an inertial sensing system, a wireless receiver, and a processing circuit. The wireless receiver includes at least one of a cellular communications receiver, and a wireless local area networking receiver.

Abstract: A device for heating a biological sample, the device having a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip. A sample chamber, or other medium to be heated, is positioned adjacent the heating source, wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and a sensor positioned inside, at, or near the sample chamber. The microcontroller supplies a load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source, and the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source. The device may also support different heating profiles that are software and/or hardware selectable.

Abstract: A surveillance architecture having applications in a wide variety of surveillance-related applications is disclosed. This architecture can be used in various surveillance scenarios, including, but not limited to, chemical, biological, radiological surveillance and physical security, is highly scalable and allows for rapid, plug-and-play field data/sample acquisition and local and remote sharing of system resources. By design, the architecture also fosters fault tolerance and allows users to quickly deploy and establish ad hoc, semi-permanent, and permanent surveillance systems. Furthermore, the architecture's service-oriented approach allows for rapid, on-the-fly, plug-and-play integration and dynamic harvesting of heterogeneous surveillance technologies (e.g., sensors, handheld data acquisition devices, analytical instrumentation, and so forth).

Abstract: A device for heating a biological sample, the device having a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip. A sample chamber, or other medium to be heated, is positioned adjacent the heating source, wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and a sensor positioned inside, at, or near the sample chamber. The microcontroller supplies a load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source, and the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source.

Abstract: A modular specimen preparation cartridge with a tubular body with the interior segmented by pressure sensitive membranes that will rupture or open when exposed to a threshold pressure forming a sequence of chambers. Bladders or capsules filled with reagents or other fluids that will release the contents of the capsules under applied pressure are contained in the chambers. Filters, temperature control elements, diagnostic test strips, or catalysts may also be in the chambers. The cartridge may be adapted to virtually any sample preparation and/or analysis protocols or to sample type. The cartridge may also be modular and capable of being coupled to other cartridges or storage containers. In one embodiment, the tubular body is compressible and external pressure causes the capsules to rupture releasing the contents into the chamber. In another embodiment, pressure is applied to membranes and reagent capsules through the use of a plunger advancing though the center of the body.

Abstract: A surveillance architecture having applications in a wide variety of surveillance-related applications is disclosed. This architecture can be used in various surveillance scenarios, including, but not limited to, chemical, biological, radiological surveillance and physical security, is highly scalable and allows for rapid, plug-and-play field data/sample acquisition and local and remote sharing of system resources. By design, the architecture also fosters fault tolerance and allows users to quickly deploy and establish ad hoc, semi-permanent, and permanent surveillance systems. Furthermore, the architecture's service-oriented approach allows for rapid, on-the-fly, plug-and-play integration and dynamic harvesting of heterogeneous surveillance technologies (e.g., sensors, handheld data acquisition devices, analytical instrumentation, and so forth).