A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device.

An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor package may include a mold and a molding plate. The mold may define a mold cavity with the mold being configured to receive a circuit board in the mold cavity, and the circuit board may include a semiconductor chip mounted thereon. A molding plate may be moveable in the mold cavity with the molding plate being configured to adjust a volume of the mold cavity. Related methods are also discussed.

Systems for spacing and transferring objects between operative stations are provided. Such systems can be used with ovens for preforms for plastic material, in blowing or stretch-blowing machines and for other applications in the packaging field. Such systems provide spacing and transferring of objects advancing in procession on transport elements, from a minimum pitch to a preset pitch larger than said minimum pitch, and for transferring said spaced objects to handling elements.

Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof. Scheduling parameters may be dynamic and incorporate the notions of “duration neglect” and “recency effect” in an end-user's perception of video quality in order to optimally manage video traffic during periods of congestion.

In the present invention, one or both of an active wheel or a passive wheel is composed of an eccentric transmission wheel and is combined with a synchronous transmission belt for forming an eccentric wheel transmission wheel series, so that when the feet input forces at different angles from the treadle shafts of the treadles to an active wheel shaft combined on the active wheel through cranks, the active wheel forms different transmission speed ratios relative to the passive wheel according to the treadle angle, and random inward packing is performed to the transmission belt (100) of the engage end of the eccentric passive wheel (413) during the transmission for stabling the operation.

A compact portable blender system features a base unit. A base unit top surface features a recess having an “L” shaped locking slot and a motor with a drive gear. A base unit bottom surface features a removable power supply. The base unit features a power charger, a removable cord, a cord storage cavity, a power switch, and a power indicator. The system features a blending container. A blending blade unit is located on a container bottom. A blade drive gear located on a blending blade unit bottom and a blending blade is located on a blending blade unit top. The blending blade unit features a locking tab located on a blending blade unit side wall. The system features a container lid having an aperture. The container lid features a cover located over the aperture on a container lid top.

A laser relay module for free space optical communications including an optical telescope for receiving and transmitting optical beams; an optical diplexer for separating transmitting and received optical beams; an optical amplifier; a modulated beacon laser for line of sight control of a plurality of communicating remote network nodes; a beacon beam detector for detecting an incoming beacon optical beam for line of sight control of the optical telescope and receiving data from other network nodes; and means for inserting an output of the modulated beacon laser into the optical telescope for transmission to another network node, and for transporting the incoming beacon optical beam to the beacon detector.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sintered cBN compact having excellent wear resistance and fracture resistance even in machining centrifugally cast iron having a property of being difficult to machine, and to provide a sintered cBN compact tool. A sintered cBN compact of the present invention contains 20% by volume or more and 65% by volume or less of cBN and, as a binder, 34% by volume or more and less than 80% by volume of Al2O3, at least one selected from the group consisting of nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides, and boronitrides of Zr and solid solutions thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “X”), and ZrO2, the total amount of X and ZrO2 being 1.0% by volume or more and 6.0% by volume or less, the volume ratio of ZrO2 to Al2O3, ZrO2/Al2O3, being 0.010 or more and less than 0.100, in which the ratio Itetragonal ZrO2(101)/IαAl2O3(110) is 0.1 or more and 3 or less, where Itetragonal ZrO2(101) is the intensity of the (101) plane of tetragonal ZrO2 and IαAl2O3(110) is the intensity of the (110) plane of αAl2O3 among X-ray diffraction peaks of the sintered cBN compact.

A ceramic mass transfer packing element that includes a planar end surface which intersects an internal wall's geometric plane at an acute angle is disclosed. A process for making the packing element and an apparatus that uses the packing element are also disclosed.

An adaptive optics scanning system using a beam projection module with four or more axes of motion that can project and control the position and angle of a beam of light to or from an adaptive optics element. The adaptive optics scanning system is compact in size, overcoming the challenges of a traditional lens and mirror based pupil relay design. The adaptive optics scanning system has little to no dispersion, chromatic aberration, and off-axis aberration for improved optical performance. The system and methods for calibrating and optimizing the system are described. A modular adaptive optics unit that scans and interfaces an adaptive optics element is described.

A power converter and a method for balancing voltages across input capacitors are disclosed in the present application. The power converter includes: two DC input terminals; a first input capacitor and a second input capacitor; a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm connected in series with one another; and an output circuit configured to generate a signal required by the power converter based on the signals at a midpoint of the first bridge arm and a midpoint of the second bridge arm. The power converter further includes: a first voltage balancing unit and a second balancing unit configured to reduce a voltage difference between the first input capacitor and the second input capacitor. The power converter provided by the present application solves the problem of imbalance in the voltages across the first input voltage and the second input voltage.

Methods and systems for managing link voltages in a power converter, where single phase, three phase or universal systems can be used. Common mode management refers to shifting of voltages in a particular direction to perform transition between input and output ports, in addition to maintaining soft switching property. Voltages in power converters can be freely increasing and decreasing, and thus damage to the circuit can be caused if these voltages change are not controlled.

A Low Forward Voltage Rectifier (LFVR) circuit includes a bipolar transistor, a parallel diode, and a capacitive current splitting network. The LFVR circuit, when it is performing a rectifying function, conducts the forward current from a first node to a second node provided that the voltage from the first node to the second node is adequately positive. The capacitive current splitting network causes a portion of the forward current to be a base current of the bipolar transistor, thereby biasing the transistor so that the forward current experiences a low forward voltage drop across the transistor. The LFVR circuit sees use in as a rectifier in many different types of switching power converters, including in flyback, Cuk, SEPIC, boost, buck-boost, PFC, half-bridge resonant, and full-bridge resonant converters. Due to the low forward voltage drop across the LFVR, converter efficiency is improved.

An orthopedic cast removal tool and method uses an unmodified, typically cordless, rotary impact driver and a embedded wire to cut through an orthopedic cast for removal. By merging it with a slotted spacer block specifically for this cast removal purpose, an ergonomic tool is provided which allays fears of orthopedic patients. When rotating and encountering high resistance of the plaster or fiberglass material of the cast, the cordless rotary impact driver does not bog down; since it seamlessly engages impact action, which offers an order of magnitude or more torque multiplication via short frequent pulses (several per second) to overcome this torque resistance. Thus a high amount of torque with very little reaction force is made available to cut through a cast while affording the technician good control. The cast is cut very rapidly with little dust creation and no jostling of the patient.

A modular, adjustable, prosthetic hip/shoulder spacer adapted to being implanted in the hip or shoulder joint; the spacer comprises a frame that supports a rotatable cylinder from which a neck extends with the ball element of the joint attached to its end, and rotating the cylinder reposition the ball in the socket; the stem is connected to the base of the frame and is implanted in the long bone (femur or humerus); the stem may be modified to include a system for delivering medication to the implantation site following surgery. The stem leg and stem base may be modified to form a modular unit to adjust the relation between a center line of the stem leg and a center line of the frame and position of the neck and ball.

Disclosed is an assembly and method for implant installation between adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient. The implant has a support body and a rotatable insert therein and the support body is curved for installation between adjacent vertebral bodies transforaminally. An installation instrument is also disclosed for removable attachment to implant and engagement with the rotatable insert to selectively permit rotation between the insert and the support body. The installation instrument extends along a longitudinal tool axis and when the installation instrument is in a first position the insert is rotationally fixed with respect to the support body and when the installation instrument is in a second position the support body may rotate with respect to the insert.

Thermoplastic composition and articles containing UV absorbers that protect the articles contents from harmful UV radiation are disclosed as well as methods for making the thermoplastic articles and methods for using the articles to contain and protect materials sensitive to UV radiation. The UV absorbers contain oxazolone and/or azine functional groups that absorb UV radiation and prevent its transmission into the article. Many of the compounds are novel compositions of matter. The generally clear thermoplastic articles of this disclosure are particularly useful for containing a variety of UV sensitive consumer products that would otherwise have to be packaged in opaque containers.

A ligand design allows compact nanoparticle materials, such as quantum dots (QDs), with excellent colloidal stability over a wide range of pH and under high salt concentrations. Self-assembled biomolecular conjugates with QDs can be obtained which are stable in biological environments. Energy transfer with these ligands is maximized by minimizing distances between QDs/nanoparticles and donors/acceptors directly attached to the ligands or assembled on their surfaces.

A low profile, wrappable spacer and method for maintaining a pair of elongate members in fixed, spaced relation to one another is provided. The wrappable spacer includes a flexible elongate body having oppositely facing inner and outer faces extending along laterally spaced, lengthwise extending edges between opposite ends. The inner face has an adhesive surface. At least one member extends between the edges transversely to the lengthwise extending edges. The member extends outwardly from the adhesive surface, wherein the adhesive surface is configured for adhesion to at least one of the member, the elongate members or the outer face.

The printed image on a major face of a flexible food packaging film is covered by a shellac barrier coating.

The invention relates to a packaging plant for packing sausages or other objects, comprising a manufacturing device, a buffer device, a feeding device, an insertion device, and a packaging machine, the buffer device comprising a length-variable transport section, and a method for operating a packaging plant according to the invention.

A food source information transferring system for a livestock meat-packing facility and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the food source information transferring system is capable of reading tag-identifying information in a hook RFID tag incorporated in a hook that can be hung on a hook machine. An animal carcass attached to the hook then undergoes meat chopping, cutting, and/or packing operations in the meat-packing facility. For each meat package produced, a data set associated with the tag-identifying information in the hook RFID tag can be paired with a data set associated with a meat package label attached to the meat package. This dynamic and robust data association between the hook RFID tag and the meat package label enables a food source information database in the food source information transferring system to preserve and trace detailed food source information at various levels of meat production and processing.

A connecting structure for a secondary battery for electrically connecting a core pack where two or more unit cells are electrically connected and a protection circuit module made of the unit cells of the core pack and a PCB substrate. The connecting structure includes a metal plate having an electrode connecting unit connected to an electrode of each unit cell of the core pack and a circuit connecting unit connected to the protection circuit module; and a circuit terminal unit electrically connected to the circuit connecting unit by being located in a connection hole formed in the PCB substrate of the protection circuit module so that the upper and lower portions of the PCB substrate communicate with each other. The circuit connecting unit is coupled and electrically connected to the circuit terminal unit by means of a connection method which allows selective connection and separation.

A battery pack dehumidifier system for controlling the relative humidity within a battery pack enclosure is provided, the dehumidifier system including a desiccant that absorbs/adsorbs water vapor from the battery pack enclosure. The system heats and reactivates the desiccant at predetermined time intervals or when the humidity within the system reaches a preset level, thereby allowing the desiccant to regain its potential for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor.

The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack for use with a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a first set of cells with different capacities electrically coupled in a parallel configuration. Cells within the first set of cells may also have different thicknesses and/or dimensions. The first set of cells is arranged within the battery pack to facilitate efficient use of space within a portable electronic device. For example, the first set of cells may be arranged to accommodate components in the portable electronic device.

A battery pack, which can secure the strength of an outer case, minimize the thickness over the whole outer case and ensure a battery capacity of the battery pack, by forming a portion of a main wall of the outer case with a metal plate. The battery pack includes a core pack, a first case, and a second case. The first case has a periphery including a first resin molding part, and is configured to cover a first surface of the core pack. The second case has a periphery including a second molding part, and is configured to cover a second surface of the core pack. The first and second cases are connected with each other by a weld of the first and second molding parts.

In the present invention, there is provided a battery pack including first to fifth terminal portions sequentially arrayed at one side surface of a housing, wherein the first terminal portion formed on one end side of the one side surface is a positive electrode terminal, the fifth terminal portion formed on the other end side is a negative electrode terminal, the fourth terminal portion formed adjacently to the fifth terminal portion is an ID terminal, and the fourth terminal portion and the fifth terminal portion are proximate to each other; and a guide portion for guiding the loading and unloading of the battery pack into and from a battery mounting portion is formed substantially in the center of the one side surface in array with the terminal portions, and the third terminal portion arranged centrally is formed at a position deviated toward the one end side or the other end side.

Provided is a packaging material for electrochemical cells which has an identification mark that can be recognized from the outside and that is difficult to forge. The packaging material comprises a multilayer film which has a structure formed by laminating a base layer (11), an adhesive layer (13), a metal foil layer (12), an acid-modified polyolefin layer (14), and a heat-sealable layer (15) in this order, wherein the base layer (11) comprises both a oriented polyester film (11b) and a oriented nylon film (11e) with a printed layer (11c) provided on the surface of the oriented polyester film (11b) that faces the oriented nylon film (11e).

The invention concerns a form for non impact printers, characterized in that it consists of four sections including an upper section and a lower section, and in that each section is separated from the next section by parallel fold lines or perforations. The upper section has the same surface area as the total surfaces of the two subsequent sections, over which the upper section is folded before printing, in such a manner that after printing the upper section can be folded further over the lower section and that an image can be transferred to the lower section by means of mechanical or chemical self-copying techniques by exerting a pressure on the upper section.

An envelope has a top face, a bottom face and an open lower edge. A plurality of gift items are in a generally rectangular configuration. The gift items have a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. The gift items have a length and a width each less that the length and the width of the envelope. A plurality of adhesive stripes are adapted to attach the plurality of gift items end to end. In this manner the gift items are held end to end when the gift items are folded in a corrugated fashion and placed within the envelope. The gift items may be removed by pulling them out from the open lower edge of the envelope.

A business form is provided which is particularly useful in shipping products where certain preprinted information can be provided and then individualized information is printed before the form is applied to a substrate. The form includes a face ply which has a pattern of adhesive applied to at least a portion of the inner face, and a release liner which includes a pattern of adhesive which exposes a portion of the release liner to direct adhesive contact to the face ply without intervening release coating to permanently adhere a part of the release liner to the face ply. The release liner has a surrounding protective border provided with release coating on the release face thereof and which is removed prior to application to the substrate, and a slip which remains with the form as applied to the substrate. The face ply includes lines of perforation defining a central portion. At least a part of the central portion is directly adhered by the adhesive to the slip without intervening release coating between the adhesive and the slip or the central portion. Individualized indicia, such as an address, may be printed on a label area of the top face of the central portion, while other individualized indicia, such as the content of a package, may be printed on the back face of the slip. Masking indicia is preferably provided on one of the inner face of the top ply or the release face of the release liner to inhibit viewing of the content indicia until the slip is removed from the package.

A business form is provided which is particularly useful in shipping products where certain preprinted information can be provided and then individualized information is printed before the form is applied to a substrate. The form includes a face ply which has a pattern of adhesive applied to at least a portion of the inner face, and a release liner which includes a pattern of adhesive which exposes a portion of the release liner to direct adhesive contact to the face ply without intervening release coating to permanently adhere a part of the release liner to the face ply. The release liner has a surrounding protective border provided with release coating on the release face thereof and which is removed prior to application to the substrate, and a slip which remains with the form as applied to the substrate. The face ply includes lines of perforation defining a central portion. At least a part of the central portion is directly adhered by the adhesive to the slip without intervening release coating between the adhesive and the slip or the central portion. Individualized indicia, such as an address, may be printed on a label area of the top face of the central portion, while other individualized indicia, such as the content of a package, may be printed on the back face of the slip. Masking indicia is preferably provided on one of the inner face of the top ply or the release face of the release liner to inhibit viewing of the content indicia until the slip is removed from the package.

A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.

A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware.

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

The spacer is adapted for a rolling bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one row of contact rollers disposed between raceways provided on the rings. The spacer comprises opposite inner and outer portions, facing one another and a lateral portion extending transversally between the inner and outer portions and connected to said portions. The inner and outer portions delimit together with the lateral portion a pocket configured to receive a contact roller. The pocket is laterally open on the side opposite to the lateral portion.

A perforated collapsible spacer controllably takes up space between two bearings on an automotive pinion. The perforated collapsible spacer is formed from a steel sheet having longitudinal edges that are joined together in a form of a tube having longitudinal perforated sections formed in its central portion. As a pinion nut is tightened, an axial clamping force is applied to the collapsible spacer that is located between tail and head bearing cones, where the central portion of the collapsible spacer is caused to buckle, so as to adjust the final space between the bearing cones while a spring force is maintained on the bearings. Yield points of the central portion with the perforated sections that buckle, are controllable depending on the steel sheet material thickness, and the size, shape and quantity of perforations in the steel sheet.

An update platform is described that collectively handles driver and firmware updates for hardware resources of a computing device based on dependencies associated with the updates. The update platform may instantiate representations of each individual hardware resource as abstractions through which detection, analysis, acquisition, deployment, installation, and tracking of updates is managed. Using the representations, the update platform discovers available updates, matches configuration packages for the updates to appropriate resources, and initiates installation of the configuration packages. The update platform is further configured to recognize dependencies associated with the configuration packages. When dependencies are detected, corresponding configuration packages are marked to reflect the dependencies and activation is suspended until the dependencies are satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the dependencies, the dependencies are cleared and the configuration packages are activated. Configuration packages that are not associated with dependencies may be installed and activated “normally” at any time.

Process for the preparation of vinyl aromatic (co) polymers grafted on an elastomer in a controlled manner, comprising: dissolving an elastomer functionalized with bromoalkanes and nitroxy radicals, soluble in non-polar solvents, in a liquid phase consisting of a mixture of vinyl aromatic monomer(s)/polymerization solvent; feeding at least one radical initiator to the mixture, containing the functionalized elastomer in solution, and polymerizing the mixture thus obtained at a temperature higher than or equal to 1200 C; recovering the vinyl aromatic (co) polymer obtained after devolatization; and recycling the solvent/monomer(s) mixture, coming from the devolatization, to step (a).

A magnetic particle-polymer hybrid material can include: a substance having a structure of Formula 1 or derivative or salt thereof:Z(Y-Triazole-CH2—X—CH2—(FP)n)m (Formula 1), wherein Z is a magnetic particle smaller than 1 mm; n and m are independently integers; Y includes a first linker having an alkyl and/or aryl linked to the magnetic particle; X is CH2 or a heteroatom; FP is a functionalized polymer having: a first structure derived from a first norbornene compound linked to the magnetic particle through the Y-Triazole-CH2—X—CH2 linker; and one or more monomeric units each including a second structure derived from a second norbornene compound, where one of the monomeric units is linked to the first structure through a saturated or unsaturated alkyl, each monomeric unit includes a functional group capable of binding with another substance.

The present invention relates to a stripping device for a drum of a soil compaction roller, in particular, a stripping device for a drum of a trench roller, wherein the stripping device comprises a first scraping element disposed on a drum surface. The drum surface is provided with protrusions disposed on the periphery of the drum surface, wherein a drum extender is adapted to be attached to the drum. Provision is also made for the stripping device to have a second scraping element which is mounted on the first scraping element in an axially displaceable manner, wherein the second scraping element is adapted for attachment to the first scraping element by means of at least one fixing means.

A vibratory compactor having a first compacting element having a variable vibratory mechanism that sets a modifiable compaction effort, a second compacting element, a first sensor configured to measure a first surface compactability associated with the first compacting element, a second sensor configured to measure a second surface compactability associated with the second compacting element and a control system. The control system is configured to receive the first surface compactability, receive the second surface compactability, determine a target compaction effort for the first compacting element based on the first surface compactability and the second surface compactability, and modify the variable vibratory mechanism to set the compaction effort at the target compaction effort.

A compaction device includes at least one traveling drum rotatable about a drum shaft and having vibration exciters including unbalanced masses rotating out of phase by 180 degrees in the same direction of rotation and generating an oscillation torque about the drum shaft, and having a drive shaft running coaxial to the drum shaft for driving the vibration exciters. The drum is divided at least once and each drum part includes at least two coupled vibration exciters mounted at a distance from the drum shaft in the drum.

A packaging and applicator device for applying a composition on the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, that includes a container defining an inside space containing the composition and including a wiper member; and an applicator having a longitudinal axis and having an applicator member with a twisted-core brush carrying bristles, there being 5 to 55 bristles per turn, the diameter of the brush lying in the range 6/100 mm to 40/100 mm along at least a fraction of the applicator member, a plurality of bristles carried by this portion coming to within a distance of less than 1.5 mm from the inside surface of the container under the wiper member in a storage position or while the applicator is being withdrawn along the longitudinal axis of the container.

A package for two liquid personal care compositions, including an applicator, a first reservoir, and a second reservoir. The applicator is non-removably connected at and extends away from the first cavity. The first and second reservoirs each hold a quantity of a liquid composition therein. The first reservoir includes an open end sized for independent insertion and removal of the applicator therethrough. The first reservoir is removable and protectively encases the applicator. The second reservoir includes a closed end an opposing open end, through which a liquid composition can be dispensed.

A cosmetic packaging and applicator device that includes a container having an inside space and a wiper member; an applicator having a core and projecting elements, a portion of the inside periphery of the container under the wiper member occupying a total angular extent of at least 90° at less than 1.5 mm from the applicator member when in its storage position or while being extracted from the container, the applicator member having at least two locations that are spaced apart along the core longitudinal axis by more than 3 mm and at each of which the difference between the greatest transverse dimension of the applicator member at the location and a smallest inside dimension of the container at the level of the location is less than 3 mm; and a preferential passage for flowing the composition along the applicator member while it is being extracted from the container.

An intervertebral fusion cage that is adapted to contain an inserter within its inner volume during insertion of the cage.

A substrate device includes an embedded layer of VSD material that overlays a conductive element or layer to provide a ground. An electrode, connected to circuit elements that are to be protected, extends into the thickness of the substrate to make contact with the VSD layer. When the circuit elements are operated under normal voltages, the VSD layer is dielectric and not connected to ground. When a transient electrical event occurs on the circuit elements, the VSD layer switches instantly to a conductive state, so that the first electrode is connected to ground.

A lens-based switched beam antenna system including a beam-forming lens, and a beam port router coupled to the beam-forming lens, including a plurality of beam ports, and configured to transmit beams via corresponding ones of the beam ports, wherein a first group of the beam ports corresponds to a first signal, and wherein a second group of the beam ports corresponds to a second signal.