Abstract: An image-processing method includes obtaining an image including a target object, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A current frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. A previously calculated current super-resolved frame portion is provided, corresponding to the region of interest in the image. An updated super-resolved frame portion is calculated from the current frame portion and the current super-resolved frame portion.

Abstract: In a method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the munition launcher platform is provided with a data tag activator and a data tag reader. A munition is attached to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with a data tag. An activation signal is transmitted from the data tag activator to the data tag. As a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns a data response to the data tag reader. The receiving of the data response provides the munition launcher platform with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a weapons bay, the weapons bay comprising a cavity having an opening through which stores may be deployed, and a door assembly for exposing/closing the opening of the cavity. A first store is held in the cavity via a launcher and a first structure is disposed inside the cavity, for controlling the aero-acoustic environment. The first structure for controlling the aero-acoustic environment is removably mounted in the weapons bay, such that if the first store is exchanged for a second, different, store, the structure for controlling the aero-acoustic environment may be unmounted from the weapons bay and removed, to be exchanged for a second, different, structure for controlling the aero-acoustic environment.

Abstract: Monopulse radar apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a digital processor and an antenna having a plurality of receive channels through which signals received by the antenna are passed to the processor. Each receive channel includes an analogue to digital converter, and the processor is arranged to calculate sum and difference signals from the signals received through each receive channel. The processor is also arranged such that, in the event that a malfunction is detected in one of the plurality of receive channels, compensated sum and difference signals are calculated by the processor using the signals from the remaining, functioning receive channels.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method are provided for improving discrimination between parts of a scene enabling enhancement of an object in the scene. A camera unit is arranged to capture first and second images from the scene in first and second distinct and spectrally spaced apart wavebands. An image processing unit processes the images so captured and processes polarimetric information in the images to enable better discrimination between parts of the scene. An image of the scene, including a graphical display of the polarimetric information, may be displayed on a visual display unit thus enhancing an object in the scene for viewing by a user. Correlation parameters indicating, possibly on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the correlation between the actual image intensity at each angle of polarization and a modelled expected image intensity may be used to enhance the visibility of an object.

Abstract: A radar receiver includes an analogue receiver for receiving a radar echo signal and a digital receiver. The digital receiver includes an analogue-to-digital converter arranged to receive and sample an IF analogue signal from the analogue receiver. The sampling is undersampling according to the Nyquist criterion, so that a plurality of IF digital signals are produced, in different Nyquist zones, including one or more aliased IF digital signals. The digital receiver is arranged to select an IF digital signal from the one or more aliased digital signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a building having a plurality of rooms. A plurality of beacons is each arranged to transmit a light output signal. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of waveguides suitable for deployment in the building so that each of the plurality of rooms has at least one of the waveguides arranged to receive the light output signal from one or more of the beacons when said one or more of the beacons is active in that room. There is at least one signal capture unit arranged to receive, via the waveguides, the light output signals resulting from the beacons in the rooms. A signal processor is arranged to distinguish, in use, the light output signal from a first beacon in a first room from the light output signal from a second beacon in a second, different, room.

Abstract: A method of correcting errors in the output of an image detector is disclosed. The method comprises measuring an output signal (Vm) of a capacitor (Csh) holding a voltage corresponding to a signal detected by the image detector; comparing the value of output signal (Vm) to the value of the previously measured output signal (Vm?1) of the capacitor (Csh); calculating the error in the output signal (Vm) using a predetermined correction factor and the difference between the value of the output signal (Vm) and the value of the previously measured output signal (Vm?1); and providing a corrected output value (Vcrt) in accordance with the calculated error. Detectors, methods of calibrating detectors, image correction apparatus and guidance systems comprising the detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an image-processing method, a stack is provided for storing a predetermined number of frame portions. An image including a target object is obtained, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. The frame portion is stored in the stack, the storing including discarding an oldest previously stored frame portion from the stack if the number of frame portions stored in the stack has reached the predetermined number. The steps of the method are repeated a plurality of times. Frame portions in the stack having a phase substantially equal to a given phase are averaged. A super-resolved image is calculated from the plurality of stored frame portions.

Abstract: A sensor for a missile seeker includes a primary, concave, reflector that is reflective to RF waves and to another kind of waves, but that includes a transmissive region, through which RF waves can pass. A secondary, convex, reflector is reflective to RF waves but transmissive, and not reflective, to the other kind of waves, and is arranged facing the primary reflector to further reflect RF waves reflected by the primary reflector through the transmissive region of the primary reflector. An RF detector is arranged on the opposite side of the primary reflector from the secondary reflector and arranged to detect the RF waves reflected by the secondary reflector through the transmissive region of the primary reflector. A second detector, for detecting the other kind of waves, is arranged on the opposite side of the secondary reflector from the primary reflector and is arranged to detect the other kind of waves after they are reflected by the primary reflector and transmitted through the secondary reflector.

Abstract: A method of detecting light is provided. The method includes the step of providing an integrating container and arranging at least two sensors of a first type such that the sensors receive light from the interior of the integrating container.

Abstract: A composite reactive material for use in a munition is disclosed. The composite reactive material comprises a metal lattice structure having interstitial spaces and a powder in the interstitial spaces. The powder comprises at least one metal powder and/or at least one halogen-containing polymer powder.

Abstract: A building comprising a plurality of rooms (10) includes a room occupancy sensing apparatus. A light source (20) emits a series of light pulses (22), a plurality of waveguides deliver light from the light source to output nodes (60) located in the rooms, and a signal capture unit (30) receives output signals resulting from light reflected by objects in the rooms. The apparatus detects movement, of for example a person (40), in a room and ascertains the room concerned by virtue of (i) detecting a difference between the shape of the waveform of the signal (24 i) received at the signal capture unit (30) in response to a first emitted light pulse and the shape of the waveform of the signal (24m) received at the signal capture unit in response to a second emitted light pulse and (ii) relating said reflected light pulses to the appropriate output node and therefore to the room (10) associated with that output node (60).

Abstract: A ground-based source of a jamming signal capable of disrupting a GNSS satellite-based navigation system, for example a GPS jammer, is located with a detector carried by a suitable platform, for example an airborne UAV or missile. The detector, when the platform is at a first location, measures a characteristic of the jamming signal. The platform and its detector are then moved to a chosen second location, from which a further measurement of the jamming signal is made. The measurements made by the detector are then used to determine the location of the source of the jamming signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic matrix composite objects is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing first and second substantially two dimensional arrangements of one or more fibre plies, and machining the first and second arrangements to predetermined configurations to form first and second preforms. The second preform is made to conform to a surface of the first preform such that at least some of the fibres of the second preform are orientated at least partially in a plane outside that defined by the fibres of the first preform, and fixed to the first preform to form a combined first and second preform. The combined first and second preform is rigidised. Ceramic matrix composite objects manufactured by this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of correcting errors in the output of an image detector is disclosed. The method comprises measuring an output signal (Vm) of a capacitor (Csh) holding a voltage corresponding to a signal detected by the image detector; comparing the value of output signal (Vm) to the value of the previously measured output signal (Vm-1) of the capacitor (Csh); calculating the error in the output signal (Vm) using a predetermined correction factor and the difference between the value of the output signal (Vm) and the value of the previously measured output signal (Vm-1); and providing a corrected output value (Vcrt) in accordance with the calculated error. Detectors, methods of calibrating detectors, image correction apparatus and guidance systems comprising the detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical drive system includes an electric motor having an armature, which is mounted on a stator, and a rotor, wherein aligning stator flux with rotor flux enables current to flow in the armature without inducing torque on the rotor shaft. The disclosed operation may be used, for example, in testing the electrical drive system. The electric drive system can carry full rated current yet produce little or no torque, thereby increasing the current that can be tested during electrical drive test procedures without producing undesired forces or motion. The method may be used, for example, in heating the electric motor, for example for de-icing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thrust flow powered vehicle comprising a first thrust flow expeller for expelling a first thrust flow in a first direction, a second thrust flow expeller for expelling a second thrust flow in a second direction, the second direction being a different direction to the first direction but sharing a plane with the first direction, a thrust flow deflector surface at an angle to the plane of the first and second directions, and an outlet portion for providing an output thrust flow, such that, in use, the thrust flow deflector surface deflects at least a portion of both the first and second thrust flows to form the output thrust flow such that the output thrust flow has a component in the plane of the first and second directions, and a component out of that plane.

Abstract: An image-processing method includes obtaining an image including a target object, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A current frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. A previously calculated current super-resolved frame portion is provided, corresponding to the region of interest in the image. An updated super-resolved frame portion is calculated from the current frame portion and the current super-resolved frame portion.

Abstract: In an image-processing method, a stack is provided for storing a predetermined number of frame portions. An image including a target object is obtained, the image being formed by an array of pixels. A frame portion is extracted from the image, the frame portion being at least a portion of the pixels forming the image, corresponding to a region of interest in the image, the region of interest comprising the target object. The frame portion is stored in the stack, the storing including discarding an oldest previously stored frame portion from the stack if the number of frame portions stored in the stack has reached the predetermined number. The steps of the method are repeated a plurality of times. Frame portions in the stack having a phase substantially equal to a given phase are averaged. A super-resolved image is calculated from the plurality of stored frame portions.