Abstract: A selective layer melting or other additive layer fabrication method in which powdered material is fused by heating it with a pulsed laser, the pulses being modulated while the laser is traversing the substrate so as to control the thickness and/or width of the layer being formed. Initial layers of the fabrication structure may be formed more thickly than subsequent layers, e.g. by means of a CW laser, to reduce distortion. This aspect of the invention may be employed independently of the use of a pulsed laser to form the subsequent layers.

Abstract: An antenna installation comprises a plurality of antenna assemblies (10) mounted in respective enclosures (12). The enclosures are interconnected by flow connections (14) allowing passage of dry air supplied from a dry air panel (16). Having passed through all the enclosures, the dry air exhausts through a dry air return (18). The dew point of the air in the dry air return is detected by a dew point sensor (22). An air flow sensor (24) is disposed downstream of the dew point sensor and signals alarm if the air flow falls below a preset threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for passing a fiber cable through a fiber connector is presented. A fiber connector includes an outer body and a series of flutes inside the outer body. The outer body forms an interior chamber that has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening allows a coolant to flow into the first opening and the first and second openings allow the fiber cable to pass through the first opening and the second opening and through the fiber connector. A series of flutes are attached to an inner surface of the outer body and extend into the interior chamber. The flutes are spaced apart from each other and extend from the inner surface toward the fiber cable but do not touch the fiber cable when no liquid is flowing in the fiber connector.

Abstract: A smart phone like gesture based interface for controlling weapon mounted system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a gesture input is detected via the gesture based interface. One or more inputs and/or one or more outputs associated with the detected gesture interface is then identified. The weapon mounted system is then controlled based on the identified one or more inputs and/or one or more outputs.

Abstract: A data transfer system is disclosed for an unmanned vehicle on a mission. The data transfer system can include a first sensor associated with the unmanned vehicle for collecting a first data set, and a second sensor associated with the unmanned vehicle and for collecting a second data set, wherein the second data set is associated with the first data set by a predetermined association. A transceiver can transmit data from the unmanned vehicle to a remote data storage system. A mass data storage computer located on the unmanned vehicle can store the first and second data sets based on the predetermined association, and execute requests from the remote data storage system to transmit the first data set from the unmanned vehicle to the remote data storage system, and to transmit selected ones of the second data set from the unmanned vehicle to the remote data storage system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for co-aligning a number of laterally displaced radiation beams from respective radiation source outputs, each beam having a respective waveband. The apparatus comprises a collimating element for receiving each of said radiation beams with respective lateral displacements and a combining element for receiving each of said radiation beams passed by said collimating element. The apparatus further comprises a radiation source mount for positioning the radiation source outputs relative to the collimating element. The method comprises longitudinally positioning the radiation source outputs upon the mount, relative to the collimating element, in dependence upon the waveband of each beam, to cause the radiation beams passed by the combining element to be co-aligned.

Abstract: A multiple channel control system, pressure detection system, a method and a program are provided. A pressure detection system may include first and second pressure transducers having a common pressure source as an input. The first pressure transducer is a different type than the second pressure transducer. The system also includes a storage device configured to store a look up table having a calibrated relationship between temperature and pressure for the second pressure transducer. The system also includes a processor configured to periodically update the look up table based on pressure detected by the first pressure transducer when a condition is met.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a non-cognitive radio into a cognitive radio is presented. A cognitive radio system includes, a non-cognitive radio; an electronic device, a spectrum sensing logic and configuration and management logic. The electronic device is connected to the non-cognitive radio so that it receives and/or transmits messages to/from a wireless network. The configuration and management logic is connected between the non-cognitive radio and the spectrum sensing logic. The spectrum sensing logic and the configuration and management logic are removable from the non-cognitive radio allowing the cognitive radio to operate in a non-cognitive mode. The spectrum sensing logic senses a wireless environment to determine available frequencies and available channels. The configuration and management logic transmits available frequencies, available channels or other spectrum data to a remote spectrum manager that is managing access to the wireless network.

Abstract: The invention relates to Insensitive Munition (IM) energetic materials particularly non-phthalate IM propellant compositions. An energetic composition suitable for use as a propellant comprises the following components in the following relative proportions: component A; from 60% to 90% by weight of a highly energetic filler comprising at least one nitramine compound; and component B: from 5% to 20% by weight of a binder, component C: from and 3% to 15% of a plasticiser wherein the plasticiser comprises formula (A) of from 1% to 9% by weight, wherein Formula (A) is a diester plasticiser of R1—OC(O)—R3—C(O)O—R2, ??Formula (A) wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from C3 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl. the percentages by weight of components A, B and C, together with minor additives, if any, adding to 100%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing selective attenuation in a Radar receiver, comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of returns; identifying in a first scan, a return of a magnitude exceeding a predetermined threshold; applying in a subsequent scan, a predetermined desensitisation profile to said return. Also disclosed is a Radar receiver arranged to perform the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.

Abstract: An octave bandwidth conformal cavity-backed slot antenna includes a ground plane with a number of different length slits that come together at the central feedpoint. The slit length varies from one-half a wavelength at the highest frequency at which the antenna is to operate for the short side to one wavelength at the highest frequency for the long side, with the proximal ends of the slits having a common feedpoint. Such slot antennas may be arrayed in a quad configuration. Because the trapezoidal envelope of the antenna induces the phase-center to shift with frequency, when two are arrayed with short sides adjacent, the spacing between them results in a phase center from one antenna to the next that is effectively within half a wavelength at all frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to Insensitive Munition (IM) energetic materials particularly IM propellant compositions, and yet further to nitrocellulose-free IM propellants. An energetic composition suitable for use as a propellant comprises the following components in the following relative proportions: component A; from 5% to 25% by weight of an IM energetic filler; component B: from 50% to 80% by weight of a highly energetic filler comprising at least one nitramine compound; component C of from 5% to 20% by weight of a binder; and component D of from 3% to 15% by weight of a plasticiser; the percentages by weight of components A, B, C and D together with minor additives, if any, adding to 100%.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of noise in an image including identifying neighboring pixel values in pixels proximate to a subject pixel; comparing the neighboring pixel values to a preset tolerance range; using neighboring pixel values within the tolerance range to calculate a pixel intensity correction value; and applying the pixel intensity value to the subject pixel.

Abstract: A system and method for optimally combining multi-path signals is presented. A first signal is received that traveled a first path from a transmitter to a receiving location and a second signal is received that traveled a different second path from the transmitter to the same receiving location. The paths are different so that the first and second signals contain the same signal data but the first signal has a first distortion that is different than a second distortion in the second signal. According to an objective function, the method adaptively generates a first weight value and a second weight value. The first and second weight values are applied to the respective first and second signals to produce respective first and second weighted signals. The first and second weighted signals are linearly combined producing a combined signal with a combined signal degradation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an input output balanced bidirectional buck-boost converter and associated system and method. In one example, a DC/DC bidirectional buck-boost power converter has both input and output voltages centered around chassis. This converter allows for overlapping input and output voltages, and allows for use of offset based leakage fault detection.

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 method for electroless metal deposition on a surface in a finely dimensioned space (e.g. the bore of a hollow fiber) includes introducing into the space an electroless plating solution that has a nil or relatively low plating rate at normal room temperature, and thereafter heating the structure to an elevated temperature for a period sufficient to cause metal to plate on the wall surface. The introducing and heating may be repeated as necessary or desired to build up a specified thickness.

Abstract: An optical component for a display apparatus comprises an optical waveguide part (11) arranged to guide light therealong between surface parts thereof by internal reflection, an input part (13) arranged to receive light and direct the received light into the optical waveguide part, and an output part comprising a partially transmissive angularly reflective optical coating (25) arranged upon a surface part of the optical waveguide part. The output part is optically coupled to the input part by the optical waveguide part to receive guided light and to transmit some but not all of said guided light out from the optical waveguide part. The angularly reflective optical coating extends along a dimension of the optical waveguide part to expand the guided light in said dimension along the output part by repeated partial transmission thereof for output.

Abstract: The following invention relates to high energy capacitors with increased thermal resilience over conventional bulk ceramic capacitors, particularly capacitors that may be formed into a three dimensional shape to fit inside an existing device. The capacitor is provided with first and second electrodes which have a plurality of interlocating protrusions, which increase the relative surface area of the electrodes. The first and second electrodes and interlocating protrusions are provided with through holes. The devices are filled with a flowable dielectric material.