Abstract: An optical transmitter (201) comprising: a laser diode (102) for transmitting an optical signal; a first temperature sensor (106) configured to measure a temperature at or proximate to the laser diode (102); a second temperature sensor (202) configured to measure a temperature of an environment in which the optical transmitter (201) is operating; a thermoelectric device (208) configured to apply heating or cooling to the laser diode (102); and a controller (212) configured to, using the temperature measurements taken by the first temperature sensor (106) and the second temperature sensor (202), control the thermoelectric device (208) to heat or cool the laser diode (102).

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cradle assembly for cradling a boat, the cradle assembly comprising: a support, comprising one or more support fenders; one or more enclosure fenders extending along opposite lengths of the support; an arrestor located at one end of the support; an open-ended enclosure for a boat being formed between the support, the one or more enclosure fenders and the arrestor, the one or more support fenders facing into the enclosure, and the open end of the open-ended enclosure being opposite the arrestor.

Abstract: A tactical network comprises a plurality of assets, at least some of the assets grouped into sub-groups. The assets within each subgroup communicate with each other using a communication protocol. The sub-groups include a first subgroup in which the assets all communicate with each using a first communication protocol and a second sub-group in which the assets all communicate with each other using a second communication protocol which is incompatible with the first communication protocol. Each subgroup is associated with a federated server. The federated server is configured to receive data from the assets, to assess the data to identify significant changes, to convert the significant changes in the data into a common format, compatible with all federated servers in the tactical network, and to transmit, in the common format, to the federated server of another of the subgroups, the significant changes.

Abstract: An imaging method for capturing images using a sensor mounted on an unmanned aircraft comprises: acquiring a range of motion of the sensor relative to the aircraft; acquiring a specification of a linear path along the ground; acquiring parameter values relating to aircraft maneuverability; using the acquired information determining a procedure; performing, by the aircraft, the procedure and simultaneously capturing, by the sensor, a set of images. The procedure comprises the aircraft moving with respect to the path and the sensor moving with respect to the aircraft such that at some time each point along the path is coincident with a footprint of the sensor. Also, each point along the path is present within at least one of the captured images.

Abstract: A profiling approach for determining a path for an aircraft, using a method comprising the steps of determining at least two waypoints between a starting position and a desired terminal position for the aircraft, determining a path for the aircraft between the starting position and the terminal position, by performing a linear approximation of the heights of the waypoints such that the average height change between waypoints is minimized, and constrained by a maximum climb angle of said aircraft, and performing a linear approximation of arrival times for each of the waypoints and aircraft speeds between the waypoints, constrained by permissible velocity of said aircraft on the slope between the waypoints. In this way, the non-linear relationship between climb rate and speed is approximated with linear equations, because determination of the path between each set of two waypoints is broken into two linear problems.

Abstract: A wide band antenna comprising a signal generator coupled to a feed region of at least one antenna element comprising upper and lower loops. Upper loop comprising a first conductive loop element defined by an upper conductor and a first conductive blade tapering outwardly forming a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the upper conductor. Lower loop comprising a second loop defined by a base conductor and a second conductive blade tapering outwardly forming a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the base conductor, first and second conductive blades defining, between their facing edges, a notch opening outwardly from feed region. The method comprising matching an antenna element impedance to the transmission line; selecting an antenna element cut-off frequency; selecting an upper conductor length, and subsequently selecting dimensions of the upper loop such that they are substantially equal to a wavelength corresponding to the selected cut-off frequency.

Abstract: A secondary ply structure suitable for incorporation into a continuous fiber reinforced composite structure comprising a matrix material and a plurality of fiber ply reinforcing structures, a continuous fiber reinforced composite material so formed, and a method for the fabrication of the same are described. The secondary ply comprises a carrier sheet for example in the form of a ply of primary fibers and carries a two dimensional planar array of secondary fibers extending outwardly of the plane of the sheet into a third dimension in generally aligned manner and disposed across at least a major part of the surface thereof in generally aligned manner to provide out of plane reinforcement in the consolidated structure.

Abstract: A method and system configured to evaluate near range communications quality in an environment. Data describing an environment is obtained from at least one data source (202). The data describing the environment is processed (204) to generate a ground-plane data set (206) describing a ground-plane of the environment, and a 3D object data set (206) describing 3D objects in the environment. These data are used to compute (208) a propagation path between a first location and a second location in the environment, and a near range communications quality characteristic of the propagation path is computed (210).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and a novel powdered curable monomer which may be used to manufacture bulk polymers, adhesives and coatings composite materials with high percentage weight inclusions of particulate filler materials, more specifically to fibre reinforced polymer composite materials with high percentage weight inclusions of particulate filler materials. The preferred particulate filler materials are carbon nanotubes. The method according to the invention allows greater than 0.5 wt % of carbon nanotubes, typically greater 10% wt of carbon nanotubes or other high aspect ratio fillers to be readily incorporated in the resin matrix, before being applied to the fibre reinforcing plys.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a machining fixture for fixedly holding a workpiece during machining of that workpiece. The method comprises: providing an initial machining fixture comprising a plurality of receiving elements for receiving the workpiece to be machined; determining a datum, the datum being dependent upon the relative positions of the receiving elements; determining positions and orientations of one or more reference surfaces with respect to the datum; measuring the surface of the initial machining fixture with respect to the datum; and, thereafter, controlling machining apparatus with respect to the datum to machine the initial machining fixture to form the one or more reference surfaces, thereby producing the machining fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an object, the method comprising: providing a workpiece comprising a plurality of attachment features for attaching the workpiece to a machining fixture; determining a datum, the datum being dependent upon the relative positions of the attachment features; measuring the surface of the workpiece with respect to the datum; providing the machining fixture; attaching, using the attachment features, the workpiece to the machining fixture; providing a digital model specifying the object including the attachment features; and, thereafter, using the measurements of the workpiece surface and the digital model, controlling machining apparatus with respect to the datum to machine the workpiece so as to produce the object as specified by the digital model.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a reconfigurable door having a first surface and a second surface. There is also an arrangement for configuring the door so that in a first configuration at least part of the first surface is external to the vehicle, and in a second configuration at least part of the second surface is external to the vehicle. The first surface and/or the second surface includes at least one device mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor (1), such as a corrosion sensor, a mask including a series of masking elements (21, 22, 23) for masking a corresponding series of sensing elements (12, 13, 14), a sensing element having such a mask and a sensor are provided. The sensor (1) includes a number of metallic strips (12, 13, 14) mounted on a non-conducting substrate (9) and a module (3) for forming electrical connections to the strips whereby to enable communication between the strips (12, 13, 14) and monitoring equipment for the sensor (1). The module includes a number of wire connections (15, 16, 17, 18) and the method includes the steps of encapsulating the wire connections within a flexible chemical and heat resistant sealing compound and subsequently encapsulating the flexible sealing compound within a second sealing compound by an injection molding process. The sensing elements (12, 13, 14) are covered by the masking elements (21, 22, 23) prior painting the sensor (1) with a corrosion-inhibiting paint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for physically coupling together a first aircraft and a second aircraft, for example for the purpose of performing air-to-air refueling. The first aircraft is an aircraft in flight. The second aircraft is an aircraft in flight. The method comprises: sending, from a transmitter located on the first aircraft, an electromagnetic signal; receiving, by a receiver located on the second aircraft, the signal; and controlling, by one or more processors, using the signal received by the second aircraft, at least one of the first and second aircraft such that the first and second aircraft are in a predetermined configuration in which the first and second aircraft are physically coupled together, for example attached together.

Abstract: An aircraft wing system and method comprising: an aircraft wing including upper and lower surfaces, and a leading edge between the upper and lower surfaces; a fairing coupled to the leading edge; and actuation means configured to move the fairing relative to the aircraft wing between a stowed position, a first deployed position, and a second deployed position. The stowed position is when the fairing is in contact with the aircraft wing and serves as a continuation of the aircraft wing. The first deployed position is when the fairing is in contact with the aircraft wing and located below the stowed position. The second deployed position is when the fairing is spaced apart from the leading edge to create a gap between the fairing and the leading edge.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for determining depth in an original image captured by a light field image capture device, in which a light field analysis algorithm is applied a plurality of times to the original image, changing the focus setting each time, so as to generate a respective plurality of scene images focused at different depths; edge detection is performed in respect of each of the scene images to generate a respective plurality of edge detected images; area identification is performed in respect of each edge detected image to generate a respective plurality of area identification images indicative of areas of respective edge detected images in which edges have been detected; and the area identification images are applied to respective scene images so as to extract from the scene images respective image segments corresponding to the areas in which edges have been detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid storage system comprising a tank for containing a liquid, said tank enclosing a liquid storage space, and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions extending from an internal surface of the tank into the liquid storage space. The protrusions are resistant to deformation and deflection caused by shockwaves within a liquid in the tank resulting from impact of a projectile with the tank, for example, the protrusions may be rigid and be polygonal prisms in shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in an ad hoc network, comprising: a node transmitting an extended allowable hold time value to a further node; the node changing its transmission behavior such that the further node stops receiving transmission from the node for an extended period, for example by pausing transmission at least in the direction of the further node; and the further node treating the link to the node as intact during the extended allowable hold time. The transmitting of the extended allowable hold time value may be performed earlier than a next routine transmission of routine allowable hold time value would have been sent. The method may further comprise the node being instructed to maintain topology information for an extended time.

Abstract: A method of assisting failure diagnosis in a system includes obtaining data including a probabilistic Bayesian Network describing a set of failures, a set of symptoms and probabilities of at least some of the symptoms being associated with at least some of the failures in a system. A cost value representing a cost associated with learning of a presence or absence of the symptom is obtained for at least some of the symptoms, as well as a plurality of information values, e.g. values representing measures of information gained by learning of the presence or absence of the symptom in relation to a respective plurality of the failures, associated with the symptom. The method then computes an information-for-cost value for the symptom based on the cost value and the plurality of information values.

Abstract: A sensor (1) and a method of manufacturing the sensor (1), the sensor (1) including a number of metallic strips (5,6,7) mounted on a non-conducting substrate (4) and a module (3) for forming electrical connections to the strips (5,6,7) whereby to enable communication between the strips (5,6,7) and monitoring equipment for the sensor (4), the module including a number of wire connections (16), the method including the steps of encapsulating the wire connections within a flexible chemical and heat resistant sealing compound, and subsequently, encapsulating the flexible sealing compound within a second sealing compound (34) by an injection molding process.