Abstract: A continuous, always on, high accuracy AC reference signal is added to an AC voltage of interest to calibrate the AC voltage of interest. The AC reference voltage has a first frequency. The AC voltage of interest has a second frequency. A control system having calibration.

Abstract: A feedback amplifier having an improved feedback network including two cross coupled switches that isolate the amplifier from extraneous undesired electrical signals present in a system or network when the amplifier is turned off (i.e., in an off-state). The cross coupled switches interconnect two feedback paths of a feedback network to enable out-of-phase differential signals to be summed and effectively canceled. Further, the feedback amplifier provides on-stage advantages to enable different amplifier characteristics and parameter to be selectively engaged by turning on or turning off certain feedback networks.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a transducer for acoustic communications through a series arrangement of fluid and solid media, the transducer comprising: —a signal processor configured to implement a communications scheme at and around a center frequency of at least 1 MHz; a piezoelectric element for activation in accord with the communications scheme; an electrode electrically connected to the signal processor, and being attached to the piezoelectric element; and a substrate, having the piezoelectric element mounted thereon, wherein an aspect of the electrode at the piezoelectric element is approximately equal to the acoustic wavelength of an acoustic wave in the substrate at the center frequency. There is further disclosed a remote monitoring device employing at least one of the transducers described, in concert with a further transducer. Still further, there is disclosed a method of communicating using the transducer described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a aradio transmitter from the application layer is presented. The method includes monitoring an uplink state of a shared channel at a cell manager and processing the uplink state, at least in part, in the application layer in the cell manager to produce processed uplink state. The processed uplink state is then broadcast in a control packet on a downlink of the shared channel to a subscriber manager. The processed uplink state is then further processed, at least in part, at the application layer in the subscriber manager to produce transmitter control data. The transmitter control data is then used control the radio transmitter.

Abstract: An inertial sensor system according to one embodiment having a platform with an x axis and a y axis, a rotational table that is free to rotate about the x axis, a rotational table gyroscope mounted onto the rotational table to measure p, q, and r rotation rates referenced to the rotational table and at least one platform gyroscope mounted off the rotational table, wherein the rotational table gyroscope and the platform gyroscope provide sense rotation used to process gyroscope biases that are used to correct measurements for the inertial sensing system.

Abstract: Ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fiber plys coated with ferrites in fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalized fiber layers, include a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fiber ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition deposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fiber reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: A laser range finder (LRF) and an automated method for determining a return laser signal associated with a target thereof are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the LRF includes a laser beam emitter to emit a laser beam towards a target. Further, the LRF includes a receiver circuit to receive multiple return laser signals reflected from objects including the target and to determine an amplitude of each of the multiple return laser signals. Furthermore, the LRF includes a processor coupled to the receiver circuit to compare the amplitude of each of the multiple return laser signals with a range varying threshold that accounts for range and atmospheric losses and to determine one of the multiple return laser signals as being associated with the target based on the comparison.

Abstract: An antenna system (1) comprises a directional antenna (2) adapted to rotate through a range of directions in azimuth. It is responsive to radio-frequency (RF) signals received from directions within the range of directions in azimuth. A receiver (7) is arranged to receive the RF signals from the antenna within a signal frequency response band of the receiver and to provide a corresponding output for signal processing. A signal filter (11) is operable to block the output from the receiver when the frequency of the RF signal lies at a frequency within the signal frequency response band of the receiver and a detector unit (8) is arranged to apply the signal filter when the directional antenna is directed to a predetermined azimuth at which an interference source is located and to not apply the signal filter otherwise.

Abstract: A night vision system includes an eyepiece and a video camera to capture a video image that can be remote to the eyepiece. The eyepiece includes an optical device with a front side and a back side. A splitting surface within the optical device reflects some of a video image toward an eye of a user of the eyepiece, and the splitting surface further allows some light of an optical image received from in front of the eyepiece to past through the eyepiece to the eye of the user. The layer of switchable coating on the eyepiece can be switched between a transparent mode and an opaque mode by the user. When in an opaque mode no light can leave the front side of the optical device and only the video image can be seen through the eyepiece.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile bridge apparatus, comprising: one or more mobile bridge modules; and a plurality of sensors for sensing a deformation of the one or more mobile bridge modules.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage (20) supplied to an optical modulator that comprises a biasable component configurable to be biased by application of the bias voltage (20), the method comprising: providing a target for the modulator output power; applying, to the biasable component, a bias voltage (20) that biases the biasable component so that the output power is within a pre-defined range of the target; monitoring the output power and, if the output power of the modulator is determined to be outside the pre-defined range, varying the value of the bias voltage (20) to bring the output power back within the pre-defined range; and monitoring the optical input to the modulator and, if it has been disabled, maintaining the bias voltage (20) at its current level for a pre-determined length of time that is dependent upon how long the modulator has been operating at quadrature.

Abstract: The invention relates to high density reactive materials, preferably materials with a high density and exothermic output There is provided a high density reactive material comprising, A) at least two separate group 4 metals, present in the range of from 40 to 90% wt B) at least one oxidiser or alloying metal, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt C) a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt. wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile bridge module comprising a reinforcement applied in a non-destructive manner. This might alternatively and/or additionally be defined as a non-destructively reinforced mobile bridge module.

Abstract: An ammunition management system for firing mixed ammunition in an automatic cannon. The ammunition management system includes a rotatable ammunition magazine including ammunition shot, a breech casing and an ammunition feed device for feeding of ammunition shot between the ammunition magazine and the breech casing. A drive device drives the ammunition magazine via a chain drive mechanism disposed in the ammunition magazine. A decoupling device engages and disengages the ammunition magazine with respect to the ammunition feed device, so that ammunition can be moved between different positions in the ammunition magazine, via an alternating process including: feeding of ammunition from the ammunition magazine to the ammunition feed device, disengagement of the ammunition magazine, rotation of the ammunition magazine, engagement of the ammunition magazine, and feedback of ammunition from the ammunition feed device to the ammunition magazine. A method for sorting ammunition in a ammunition magazine.

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 moulding 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: Optical apparatus for use with an image capture device having an optical input and an image sensor (22) defining a principal optical axis therebetween, the apparatus being configured to provide, via said input, a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced-apart optical beams to said image sensor (22), and comprising: a first optical unit (26) comprising a plurality of optical elements (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20), at least a first one of said optical elements being a first refractive element (12, 14, 18, 20) for refracting an optical beam incident thereon through substantially 90°; and a plurality of focusing lenses (lens0, lens1, lens2, lens3, lens4, lens5), each focusing lens being associated with a respective optical element and being configured to direct a respective incident optical beam thereon; wherein the focusing lens associated with said refractive element is arranged and configured to direct an incident optical beam thereon at substantially 90° to said principal optical axis, and the refractive ele

Abstract: A vehicle (2) comprising a vehicle part (4), the vehicle part (4) comprising: an electrically conductive core (6); a non-electrically conductive outer skin (8) made of a radar-absorbent material which surrounds, at least to some extent, the core (6) such that the core (6) is not visible from outside the vehicle (2); and one or more electrically conductive members (10) electrically connected to the core (6); each of the one or more members (10) is a tapered member having a relatively large cross sectional area where that member (10) is electrically connected to the core (6), and tapers from its end that is connected to the core (6) to a point; and the point of each member (10) is located at an outer surface of the external skin (8) such that the point of each of the members (10) is exposed.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a brake plate (70); a first friction pad (64) operable to be selectively biased against the brake plate (70). In a first mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a first force. In a second mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a second force. The second force is substantially greater than the first force.

Abstract: A method of localising portable apparatus (200) obtains: a stored experience data set comprising a set of connected nodes; captured location representation data provided by at least one sensor associated with the portable apparatus, and a current pose estimate of the portable apparatus within the environment. The pose estimate is used to select a candidate set of the nodes that contain a potential match for the captured location representation data. The pose estimate is used to obtain a set of paths from path memory data, each said path comprising a set of said nodes previously traversed in the environment under similar environmental/visual conditions. The set of paths is used to refine the candidate set. The captured location representation data and the refined candidate set of nodes is compared in order to identify a current pose of the portable apparatus within the environment.

Abstract: Modular armour is provided. The armour comprises a series of regularly-shaped armour elements and corresponding anchor elements releasably to anchor the armour elements to a platform. Each anchor element comprises an armour engaging section extending between first and second ends thereof, the first end being engageable with an armour mount on the platform and the second end including means releasably to secure the armour element, while engaged with the anchor element, to the platform. The platform may be fixed or mobile and includes land, water-born and air vehicles.