Abstract: A method of generating a set of solutions to a route-planning problem includes iteratively applying a Probability Collective (PC) method, each iteration including sampling from a probability distribution defined over a set of decision variables relating to a route-planning problem and using an archive set of decision variables and a set of the sampled decision variables to update the probability distribution for use in a subsequent PC method iteration. A set of solutions, each including at least one decision variable with an associated objective function result evaluated by the PC method iterations, is output.

Abstract: A maintenance method and apparatus based on reliability centred maintenance, applied for example to a military aircraft, include the following steps performed in a feedback manner: i) performing RCM; ii) feeding outcomes derived from performing the RCM to an update process; iii) performing the update process to provide update data for performing the RCM; and iv) inputting the update data into the performing of the RCM. The method can carry out a maintenance action selected by and/or or at a time and/or extent specified by the performing of the RCM; the outcomes that are fed to the update process including outcomes from the maintenance action that is carried out. The maintenance method thereby can provide a continuously updating RCM process.

Abstract: A control process, which may be known as a toolset, for control of part or all of a maintenance method based on reliability centred maintenance (RCM) includes: a significant item selection (SIS) element a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) element; an algorithm element; a tasks element; a sampling element; and a reports element. The SIS element produces one or more of the following: reference data; and progress data. The SIS element makes use of input from design approved organisation functionality. The FMEA element makes use of input from maintenance approved organisation functionality.

Abstract: An RCM governance process, includes providing a military aircraft governance framework; providing a civil aircraft governance framework; comparing at least some of the civil aircraft governance framework to at least some of the military aircraft governance framework; incorporating one or more components of the civil aircraft governance framework into the military aircraft governance framework to provide a modified military aircraft governance framework; and performing an RCM process. The process can include performing maintenance actions, under the modified military aircraft governance framework.

Abstract: There is disclosed armour having an outer metallic layer, an inner fibre composite layer, and a supporting framework between the inner and outer layers. The supporting framework can include projections from the outer layer arranged to mechanically interlock with the fibres of the fibre composite, and can be arranged to provide an open region between the inner and outer layers that can be filled with a functional filler material.

Abstract: An improved antenna array (100) comprises a set of array elements (102 a-p) electromagnetically coupled to a transmission line. The transmission line comprises a live conductor (122) and a return conductor, and the live conductor (122) is terminated by a direct connection to the return conductor. An input signal fed to the live conductor (122) is radiated by the array elements (102 a-p) and the antenna array (100) is arranged such that any portion of the input signal reaching the termination is reflected at the termination so as to form a reflected signal that superimposes with the input signal to produce a predetermined farfield radiation pattern.

Abstract: A tactile cueing apparatus for incorporation in an aircraft flight control system comprising a flight control surface, and a pilots inceptor (12) for moving the surface via a servo-assisted mechanical linkage (28) connecting the inceptor to the control surface, the apparatus comprising a force sensor for sensing a force applied to the inceptor by the pilot to move the control surface, an electromechanical actuator (34) configured to be installed with the mechanical linkage between the inceptor and means in the system providing said servo- assistance, and control means programmed to cause the actuator (i) to move so that the linkage moves to a position determined by said force according to a predetermined relationship, (ii) to apply to the inceptor a resisting force according to a predetermined relationship and which when the linkage has moved to its commanded position is equal and opposite to the force sensed by the force sensor.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a gaseous product generator including: at least one rechargeable metal-air cell operable to provide the gaseous product; and a manifold arrangement having an inlet structure allowing a feed atmosphere to be introduced to the metal-air cell and an outlet structure for transporting the gaseous product to an intended point of use thereby to provide an environmentally enhancing function.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling call admission for packet switched networks, each network including at least two local area networks (50, 60) and a connecting network (70). The method comprises transmitting a burst 5 of trial data of the same size as the packet to be transmitted from a first node (52, 54) in a first local area network (50) to a second node (62, 64) in a second local area network (60) via the connecting network (70). The connecting network (70) comprises a plurality of routing nodes (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for muting the burst of trial data of the same size as the packet to be transmitted from a first node (52, 54) in a first local area network (50) to second node (62, 64) in a second local area network (60) via the connecting network (70). The connecting network (70) comprises a plurality of routing nodes (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for routing the burst of trial data to the second node in the second local area network along a particular path.

Abstract: In a safety management system for equipment adapted to operate autonomously in a real-time environment, both a deterministic processor and a non-deterministic processor are provided for processing incoming alerts and generating control signals in response. The non-deterministic processor can deal with unrehearsed, complex and unpredictable situations, by providing essentially open-ended procedures working in large search spaces with no guarantee of a solution. The deterministic processor monitors behaviour of the non-deterministic processor and validates control signals produced by it against safety policies. The deterministic processor also provides an “intelligent” interface to the non-deterministic processor, which receives alerts only from the deterministic processor, and enforces time-critical delivery of responses.

Abstract: A method and system of determining the position of a radio signal transmitter are described. The method includes determining the type of radio signal being transmitted from the radio signal transmitter by analysing radio signal characteristics and correlating different sets of information to determine the position of the radio signal transmitter. Each set of information corresponds to a different relative position of at least one receiver to the transmitter and includes radio signal data derived from radio signals received by the at least one receiver from the transmitter at each respective relative position and positioning data containing information about the position of the at least one receiver at each respective relative position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for radio positioning of a mobile receiver using a virtual positioning reference established by logging a known position of the mobile receiver together with a local time at which a first instance of a predictably repeated code word is received by the mobile receiver from a terrestrial radio signal transmitter. During movement of the mobile receiver from the first known position to a second unknown position, a local clock is used to determine the time difference between when the virtual positioning reference is predicted to receive a second instance of the code word and when the mobile receiver actually receives the second instance of the code word.

Abstract: A positioning device for use with a navigation device, the positioning device including an input arranged to receive data signals from a source other than a navigation system; a converter arranged to convert the received data signals into positional data; and an output arranged to output the positional data for use by the navigation device. The output outputs the positional data in a communications protocol format, the navigation device being arranged to process the positional data in the communications protocol format.

Abstract: A colour sequential display method and apparatus that reduces or eliminates colour breakup. In a given frame an illumination source provides a first illumination colour in a first subframe, a second illumination colour in a third subframe, and both the first and second illumination colours simultaneously in a second subframe to provide a third mixed illumination colour. A pixel is driven either: (a) during the first subframe to display the first colour; or (b) during the third subframe to display the second colour; or (c) at least during the second subframe to display the third colour.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a support plate together with a first and a second cover is provided. One or more electrical components are mounted on the support plate. The first cover is located on and connected to a first surface of the support plate. The first cover is configured and positioned to cover and thereby define a first sealed cavity over the, or each, respective component. The second cover is located on and connected to a second, opposing, surface of the support plate. The second cover is configured to define a second sealed cavity and is positioned to, at least partially, overlap a region of the support plate covered by the first cover.

Abstract: Light 63 incident on a first screen 61 is dispersed by the optical properties of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material associated with the first screen 61 at a given half scatter angle 64 to provide an interim diffused pupil 65, which is incident on the second screen 62. Diffused light incident on the second screen 62 is diffused by the optical properties of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material associated with the second screen 62 by a given half scatter angle 66 to produce the diffused pupil 60. Conducting material associated with the first and second screens 61, 62 is controlled by a controller 67 to vary the half scatter angles 64 and 66 out of phase with one another, in a manner to maintain a substantially constant diffused pupil 60.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for hysteresis in a system, the method comprising: determining a first estimate of a system parameter using the Preisach model; measuring a value of a system parameter; and determining an updated estimate of the estimated system parameter using the measured value of a system parameter. The measured system parameter may be the same system parameter as the system parameter for which the first estimate is determined using the Preisach model, or it may be a further system parameter that is a different system parameter to the system parameter for which the first estimate is determined using the Preisach model. Determining the updated estimate of the estimated system parameter may further use the first estimate of the estimated system parameter, or it may further use a corresponding determined value of the further system parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for hysteresis in a system, the method comprising: determining a required input to the system from an output of the system using the Preisach model with the input of the Preisach model corresponding to the output of the system, and with the output of the Preisach model corresponding to the input of the system. The system may be an adaptive optics system. The input x may be an input voltage of an actuator that deforms a mirror, and the output y may be a value of a displacement of a mirror.

Abstract: A method for compensating for the failure of an element in a phased array antenna assembly is provided. After failure of an element of the assembly, a composite pattern is generated from signals received by respective elements in the antenna assembly. This generated pattern is then compared to a standard composite pattern which was generated prior to the failure. Thus the necessity for remedial action can be assessed. If necessary, initial values for parameters associated with each element are assumed and an optimisation is performed on the parameters. Consequently, a composite pattern can be generated which approximates the standard composite pattern. Once optimisation has been achieved, the optimised parameters are applied to base settings for the assembly and operation of the phased array antenna assembly can be continued.

Abstract: In apparatus for the acoustic transmission of power or data through a solid barrier such as a ships hull, assembly of an acoustic transducer to the hull is facilitated by bonding it first to an intermediate element by a thin layer of bonding adhesive and then bonding the intermediate element to the barrier using a second bonding layer. Acoustic matching of the transducer to the intermediate element is achieved by the thin layer, and the mechanically more robust base of the intermediate element can be rubbed on the barrier surface to displace or abrade away any unwanted debris or imperfections which might otherwise prevent the achievement of a thin second bonding layer. This makes the mounting and bonding process more tolerant of imperfections in the barrier surface due to either surface defects or particulate contamination. The transmit and receive transducers may be positioned relative to each other so as to suppress or attenuate multiple-transit signals.