Abstract: An apparatus for releasing received command data includes a processor unit with a code generator, a cryptography module, and a comparison module. The code generator generates a transaction code. The apparatus has a transmitting unit which provides the transaction code via an unsecured data connection, a receiving unit which receives an external authentication code and command data via the unsecured data connection, and a memory unit which stores data of a predefined private key. Also disclosed is a transmission apparatus for command data. The transmission apparatus has a basic receiving unit which receives the transaction code, an input unit which receives the command data, a basic memory unit which stores the data of the predefined private key, a basic processor unit which has a basic cryptography module, and a basic transmitting unit which provides the external authentication code and the command data via the unsecured data connection.

Abstract: A method of telecommunications includes the steps of receiving an encoded block having a plurality of values, dividing the received encoded block into a plurality of received segments, each received segment comprising at least two of the values, decoding each received segment by providing, for each received segment, a plurality of estimated encoded sequences, each estimated encoded sequence comprising at least two data units, merging estimated encoded sequences for consecutive segments to provide a plurality of candidate sequences, and selecting one of the plurality of candidate sequences by performing a closest fit calculation between the received encoded data block and each of the candidate sequences. The method is suitable for use in software-defined radios.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing wireless network nodes of a wireless communication network involves a base station of the wireless communication network to determine or obtain a maximum value for a frequency content per unit of time of an FMCW radio-frequency signal interfering with the wireless communication network, transmit a first synchronization frame containing a first synchronization sequence in a first wireless communication frequency bandwidth, and transmit a second synchronization frame simultaneously to the first synchronization frame, the second synchronization frame containing a second synchronization sequence in a second wireless communication frequency bandwidth that is spaced apart from the first wireless communication frequency bandwidth by a spectral distance larger or equal to the product of the determined maximum value for the frequency content per unit of time of the FMCW radio-frequency signal and duration of the first and second synchronization sequences.

Abstract: An interconnector plate for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system for an aircraft. For better extraction of the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector plate can be attached by form fit to fixing studs of the fuel cell by retaining eyes. The interconnector plate may additionally be secured using glass solder. In preparation for a higher power density, a fuel cell can be produced in ceramic by 3D-printing and has an improved power density because of its helical shape.

Abstract: A preprocessing technique for synthetic radar images. An embodiment of a method for preprocessing synthetic aperture radar images includes: receiving range-compressed radar data generated from raw radar image data on-board a satellite or an airborne vehicle; generating a preliminary SAR image by performing a pre-focusing on the range-compressed radar data; extracting image subsectors from the preliminary SAR image; transmitting the extracted image subsectors to an on-ground portion; reconstructing the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors; and making the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors available for a Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor, wherein the Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor is configured to generate a focused SAR image having a nominal value of image resolution that is higher than the resolution of the preliminary SAR image.

Abstract: A system and method for secure cloud computing. The cloud based processing system comprises a user interface, allowing a user to enter and edit data, a proxy server, and a cloud based processing server. The user interface sends data entered by a user to the proxy server, which sends the encrypted data to the cloud based processing server. The proxy server receives editing commands from the user interface, and sends those commands to the cloud based processing server along with the encrypted data. The cloud based processing server receives the encrypted data and editing commands, applies the editing commands to the encrypted data, and sends the edited encrypted data back to the proxy server.

Abstract: An air direction arrangement for an aircraft. The air direction arrangement contains an inlet opening and an inlet channel connected thereto and which is at least partially surrounded by an outer wall. The inlet channel is configured to guide air to an engine of the aircraft. The outer wall contains at least one outlet channel and at least one outlet element. The outlet element is configured to selectively release or close the outlet channel for an air flow from the inlet channel into the environment of the aircraft. The air direction arrangement contains a heat exchanger in the outlet channel to discharge thermal energy to the air flow which is flowing from the inlet channel into the environment of the aircraft.

Abstract: An elongate flexible waveguide section for radio frequency signals is provided, wherein the waveguide section is corrugated in the longitudinal direction, and the waveguide section is at least partially corrugated in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Also provided is an apparatus for connecting a VHTS antenna system to a spacecraft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a signal processing method and apparatus for use in a satellite payload in which an input RF signal received at a receiver antenna is modulated by using a single optical carrier at the input of an optical modulator. The optical domain signal is processed and is subsequently combined with a single unmodulated optical LO tone to provide an output RF signal for radiation by a transmitter antenna or for further digital processing by an on-board processor. This results in a clean generation of the frequency-converted RF signal at the output of the opto-electrical conversion stage.

Abstract: A fuel cell to provide a higher power density. The fuel cell can be produced by 3D printing in ceramic and has an improved power density by virtue of its spiral shape. In order to better extract the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector sheet can be fastened positively to fastening knobs of the fuel cell by holding eyes. In addition, the interconnector sheet can be fixed by glass solder.

Abstract: A maritime radar system is provided, comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more processors arranged to provide range and azimuth discrimination of a detection area by performing a delay/Doppler analysis of the echo of a single beam transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna comprises a direct radiating array (DRA) comprising a plurality of radiating elements, a reflector facing the DRA so as to reflect a field generated by the DRA, and a DRA controller configured to control the plurality of radiating elements of the DRA according to a plurality of coefficients, such that the field generated at the DRA produces a plurality of beams when reflected by the reflector. The DRA controller is configured to determine the plurality of coefficients by using a bifocal antenna model to determine a field that would be produced by a subreflector and feed horn arrangement in an equivalent bifocal antenna configured to produce the plurality of beams, and determine the plurality of coefficients required to produce a similar incident field at the surface of the reflector. A method of controlling the multibeam antenna, and corresponding computer program instructions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless network includes access points with at least pairwise overlapping wireless coverage, each access point including an OFDMA modulation system and a channel scheduler coupled to the OFDMA modulation system configured to set up a number of virtual wireless interfaces of the access point, each virtual wireless interface being associated with a dedicated set of subcarriers within the OFDMA spectrum. At least one first of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host all communication links between the access point and local mobile clients to the access point. A least one second of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host communication links between the access point and one of the neighboring access points.

Abstract: A structural part for lightning strike protection, preferably of an aircraft includes a first structure element, wherein the first structure element includes a conducting material and is adapted to conduct electric currents into a grounded conducting airframe structure, and a second structure element, wherein the second structure element includes an outer layer with a first surface, wherein the outer layer includes a composite, preferably carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP or glass-fibre reinforced plastic GFRP. The structural part further includes a first elongated, preferably wedge-shaped, electrical conductor, with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first elongated electrical conductor is connected to the first structure element and extends through the second structure element to the first surface, so that the second end of the first elongated electrical conductor serves as a lightning receptor without impairing the radar cross section of the aircraft.

Abstract: A neutralizer suitable for use in an ion engine comprises a halogen gas source and an electrode tube comprising an inlet opening connected to the halogen gas source for supplying a halogen gas provided by the halogen gas source into the electrode tube, a discharge space for generating a plasma from the halogen gas supplied into the electrode tube, and an outlet opening for discharging the plasma generated in the discharge space and free electrons from the electrode tube. An electron emitter is arranged in the discharge space of the electrode tube, which is at least partially made of tungsten, a tungsten alloy or a tungsten composite material containing at least one of iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

Abstract: An aircraft has a first antenna arrangement, a payload and a processing unit. The first antenna arrangement is designed to wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals. The processing unit is coupled to the first antenna arrangement, on the one hand, and to the payload, on the other hand. The processing unit is designed to modulate an electromagnetic signal received by the first antenna arrangement and thereby to generate a first modulated signal and to forward it to the payload. The payload is designed to use the first modulated signal as working signal. A radiofrequency power signal on an uplink is thus remodulated into a payload working signal, such that the payload working signal is able to be used directly by the payload without rectification into a DC voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for Air-To-Ground communications allowing integration of the aircraft communication with a terrestrial cellular communications network. The solution is carried out in the aircraft so any existing standard terrestrial cellular communication network may be used without requiring any modification. The constraints due to the special aircraft conditions (speed and height) are efficiently solved, allowing broad interoperability with the cellular communications network, satisfying the increasing high speed data demand. Specifically, in order to solve the handover constraints the aircraft antenna will create at least two radiation patterns: one for maintaining the current connection with the serving base station and another one or more to search the next suitable best station for handover.

Abstract: A system for extracting oxygen from powdered metal oxides, the system comprising a container comprising an electrolyte in the form of meltable or molten salt, at least one cathode, at least one anode, a power supply, and a conducting structure, wherein the cathode is shaped as a receptacle having a porous shell, which has an upper opening, the cathode being arranged in the electrolyte with the opening protruding over the electrolyte, wherein the conducting structure comprises a plurality of conducting elements and gaps between the conducting elements, wherein the power supply is connectable to the at least one cathode and the at least one anode to selectively apply an electric potential across the cathode and the anode, wherein the conducting structure is insertable into the cathode, such that the conducting elements reach into an inner space of the cathode, wherein the conducting structure is electrically connectable to the cathode, and wherein the system is adapted for reducing at least one respective metal

Abstract: A method for extracting metal and oxygen from powdered metal oxides in electrolytic cell is proposed, the electrolytic cell comprising a container, a cathode, an anode and an oxygen-ion-conducting membrane, the method comprising providing a solid oxygen ion conducting electrolyte powder into a container, providing a feedstock comprising at least one metal oxide in powdered form into the container, applying an electric potential across the cathode and the anode, the cathode being in communication with the electrolyte powder and the anode being in communication with the membrane in communication with the electrolyte powder, such that at least one respective metallic species of the at least one metal oxide is reduced at the cathode and oxygen is oxidized at the anode to form molecular oxygen, wherein the potential across the cathode and the anode is greater than the dissociation potential of the at least one metal oxide and less than the dissociation potential of the solid electrolyte powder and the membrane.

Abstract: An assembly having an aircraft door and auxiliary equipment. The aircraft door and the auxiliary equipment are connected by a flexible deformable bellows having creases. The door comprises a passing through hole and a support joinable to the first end of the bellows. The auxiliary equipment comprises a support joinable to the second end of the bellows and a projecting part. The projecting part is configured to have elevation movement and/or azimuth movement, and the projecting part crosses the interior of the bellows and the hole of the door and protrudes out of the door. At both ends of the bellows a clamp joins and tightens each end of the bellows with the corresponding support. There is a fixed joint between the first end of the bellows and the door and a movable joint between the second end of the bellows and the auxiliary equipment.