Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a programmable system for a munition, comprising: an electroacoustic transducer, arranged to receive an acoustic signal comprising data, and convert that signal into an electrical signal comprising data; a processor, arranged to receive and process the electrical signal comprising data, and to use that data in programming of the programmable system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting failure of an engineering asset based on real-time data. The system comprises a plurality of sensors for measuring data on the engineering asset. The method of predicting failure comprises receiving a data record comprising data on the engineering asset collected from the plurality of sensors at time t, generating, using a trained machine learning algorithm, a probability PF that the received data record indicates that the engineering asset is in a faulty state; determining what number of data records received in a look-back time Lt are indicative of the engineering asset being in a faulty state, wherein the look-back time Lt is a time period occurring before the time t at which the data record was collected; and predicting a probability of the engineering asset failing during a horizon time Ht, wherein the horizon time Ht is a time period after time t at which the data record was collected.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for generating a set of slot activation configurations for a holographic radial line slot antenna array comprising multiple slots defining a preconfigured slot pattern, each slot activation configuration defining a beam pattern for a signal to be emitted by the antenna, comprises generating a measure for the mutual coupling between the multiple slots in the presence of a signal to be applied to the antenna, the measure comprising a set of scattering parameters defining a scattering matrix for the antenna, using the measure for the mutual coupling, generating a set of impedance parameters for the array, controlling the resonance of at least one of the multiple slots by regulating a value of capacitance of a variable capacitance device provided across the slot, measuring a value for antenna gain of a beam pattern associated with the value of capacitance, selecting a final value of capacitance resulting in the highest measure of gain for the beam pattern, and selecting a slot activatio

Abstract: An integrity monitor for monitoring integrity of image sensor data. The integrity monitor comprises an image sensor configured to generate image sensor data, wherein the image sensor data includes an image representative of a scene and a plurality of optically dark pixels in a predetermined position relative to the image. The integrity monitor further comprises a controller configured to: analyse (403) one or more characteristics of at least one of the plurality of optically dark pixels; and determine (405) a presence of a fault in the image sensor data based at least in part on the one or more characteristics of the at least one of the plurality of the optically dark pixels to be output to enable mitigation of the fault.

Abstract: A fabrication system (100) for the manufacture of a support frame (10) for a pressure vessel (12). The support frame (10) is fabricated from a plurality of sub-elements (202, 204). The fabrication system comprises a jig assembly (300), a clamping system (400) mounted on the jig assembly (300) and the jig assembly (300) being rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (302), and extending out radially from the rotation axis (302) to an outer edge (304). A plurality of workstations (600, 602, 604) are arranged around the outer edge (304) of the jig assembly (300), located and configured to perform operations on the sub-elements (202, 204). The plurality of workstations (600, 602, 604) are mounted in a fixed position, the jig assembly (300) being rotatable about the rotation axis (302) relative to the workstations (600, 602, 604).

Abstract: A collet for multiple wire elements is disclosed. In an example, the collet has a body made of a polymeric material and extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The body defines a first passageway extending axially through the body, the first passageway in communication with the environment via a first insertion opening extending along an entire length of the first passageway. The body defines a second passageway extending axially through the body and in communication with the environment along an entire length of the second passageway via a second insertion opening, the second passageway spaced circumferentially from the first passageway. When installed, the collet frictionally engages wire elements when a first wire element is seated in the first passageway and a second wire element is seated in the second passageway.

Abstract: A waveguide to expand image bearing light in at least one dimension is disclosed. The waveguide comprises: an input coupling region configured to couple and input image bearing light into the waveguide; and an output coupling region comprising at least a first microstructure to the expand image bearing light in the first dimension, and output the image bearing light. A first waist point of the image bearing light in a first axis is located at a different location in the waveguide than a second waist point of the image bearing light in a second axis in the waveguide, the second axis orthogonal to the first axis. FIG. 4b to be published with the application.

Abstract: Hybrid MB/ML techniques for automated printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection. In one example, a PCB inspection system implements a hybrid solution using model based (MB) and machine learning (ML) technologies to detect possible defects in a PCB via an automated image capture device and processing methodology. The processing methodology fuses features from MB and ML at the latent representation. An autoencoder can be used to learn the fused data by training a neural network to produce a reconstructed image that can be compared to an original image to generate a reconstruction error value. The system produces an output indicating detection of a defect in one or more features of interest based on the reconstruction error value transgressing a threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an electrically small antenna are provided. The antenna can include an arm or a pair of arms disposed on a surface of a substrate. The substrate and the arm or arms are generally disposed in an aperture or volume formed in a housing. A capacitive gap is provided between the arm and the housing, or between the arms. Where the antenna includes a pair of arms, each arm generally includes a main portion disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a perpendicular portion that extends from the first surface of a substrate towards a ground plane on a second surface of the substrate. The perpendicular portions of the arms face one another. In addition, the main portions of the arms can be tapered in plan view. A ground plane can be provided on the second surface side of the substrate.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for reducing water-entry shock for a projectile entering the water, the system comprising: a first component, the first component being moveable to a target region for which water-entry shock is to be reduced, and arranged to interact with the water, for reducing water-entry shock for a second component; a second component in the form of the projectile, arranged to enter the water in the region for which water-entry shock has been reduced by the first component, functionality of the second projectile component being triggered by the water.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article is described. At S102, the method comprises obtaining a first layer having a first face and a reverse second face, wherein the first layer comprises and/or is a first metal and wherein the first metal is a heat treatable first aluminium alloy. At S104, the method comprises providing a second layer on the first face of the first layer by cold spraying particles comprising a second metal thereupon, wherein the second metal is a second aluminium alloy. At S106, the method comprises depositing a third layer on the second layer by additive friction stir deposition using a third metal, wherein the third metal is a third aluminium alloy.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled printed circuit board chassis, such as a Eurocard chassis, is manufactured without brazing by 3D printing a plurality of components, smoothing and completing the components by subtractive manufacture, and then aligning and assembling the final chassis, all without application of heat. Horizontal cooling channels 3D printed within the chassis components are in thermal contact with board slots, and are divided into subchannels by closely spaced internal walls that function as thermal baffles. The baffles are tilted at oblique angles to increase their cooling efficiency, and to enable AM manufacture without temporary support structures. Elastomer seals between components can connect the cooling channels to vertical connecting channels. EMI seals can be formed between the components by EMI gaskets. The components can be aligned by alignment pins, and joined together by bolts, screws, and/or adhesives.

Abstract: A high voltage measurement port and a circuit contact wire assembly for vehicle high-voltage power decommissioning. The high voltage measurement port includes four externally accessible pins for obtaining an electrical characteristic measurement of a connected circuit. For redundancy, the assembly includes a resistor between a first measurement port pin and a first positive DC busbar at a first location, a resistor between a second pin and the first DC busbar at a second location different from the first location, a resistor between a third pin and a second negative DC busbar at a first location, and a resistor between a fourth pin and the second DC busbar at a second location different from the first location. Via the high voltage measurement port, a multi-meter can verify each resistance connection between the positive pins and then again between negative pins before a differential voltage measurement is made between positive and negative.

Abstract: A multi-wire choke filter is implemented in an inverter module of a modular power control system for a vehicle. Such an inverter module includes gate driver circuits to control switching power transistors used to power loads in a vehicle. The switching power transistors and gate drivers are configurable to support both a three-phase and a single phase current drive driver circuit topology in which switching power transistors are connected in parallel to share driving currents and dynamic switching losses. In any configured topology, the multi-wire choke is connected in series between gate driver circuit components and switching power transistors to mitigate any EMI threat to the gate driver circuitry by presenting an impedance to reduce circuit susceptibility to any differential and common mode noise currents that can flow through the gate driver circuit that can overwhelm gate driver circuitry and negatively effect power transistor switching performance at any time.

Abstract: A multiple functional instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical autocovariance function interferometer that can feature multiple fields of view to detect winds in the atmosphere. The instrument can include an infrared camera to detect atmospheric temperatures and the presence of clouds, and a detector assembly that detects the polarization of light returned to the interferometer. Data collected by the instrument can be provided to a deep and reinforcement learning algorithm for real-time prediction of clear air turbulence and other wind-based aviation safety phenomena. Moreover, predicted and actual conditions can be correlated and used to train a deep learning algorithm to enable more accurate predictions. The instrument can be carried by an aircraft or other platform and operated to detect clear air turbulence or other atmospheric phenomena, and to provide instructions regarding flight parameters including wind-aided navigation in order to minimize the effect of predicted turbulence.

Abstract: Techniques to dynamically adjust the corner frequency of a high-pass filter in response to a time-domain amplitude value of an output signal, thereby preserving accuracy while promptly recovering the signal's baseline value. A system can be configured to filter frequency-domain values of an input signal based on a filtering characteristic. The filtering characteristic can be set dynamically in response to a time-domain value of an amplitude of an output signal. The filtering characteristic can comprise a corner frequency, and the system can include a high-pass filter configured to filter out frequency components at frequencies lower than the corner frequency. The system is configured to dynamically change the corner frequency from a first value to a second value, in response to the time-domain value of the amplitude crossing a threshold value. The system may dynamically change the corner frequency within a time interval after the crossing.

Abstract: A robot cell, having a cell floor defining an array of nodes corresponding with a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system and defining a volume for receiving a workpiece W therein, is described. The robot cell comprises: a set of robots, including a first robot, having respective bases, end effectors and working envelopes and defining respective three-dimensional coordinate systems, located according to the array of nodes; a set of detectors, including a first detector, configured to detect respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots; a set of sensors, including a first sensor, configured to sense respective poses of the set of robots; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the set of robots and to the set of detectors, configured to control movement of the set of robots using the detected respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots.

Abstract: A hybrid bonded-fastened (HBF) joint 100 is described. The hybrid bonded-fastened (HBF) joint comprises: a first component 110 having a first joint surface 111, wherein the first component 110 is a composite component; a second component 120 having a second joint surface 121, wherein the second component 121 is a metallic component; a set of projections 130, including a first projection 130A, mutually interlocking the first component 110 and the second component 120 via the first joint surface 111 and the second joint surface 121; and an adhesive 140 mutually adhesively bonding the first component 110 and the second component 120 via the first joint surface 111 and the second joint surface 121; wherein the adhesive 140 comprises and/or is a disbondable adhesive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article is described. At S102, the method comprises obtaining a first layer having a first face and a reverse second face, wherein the first layer comprises and/or is a first metal and wherein the first metal is a heat treatable first aluminium alloy. At S104, the method comprises providing a second layer on the first face of the first layer by cold spraying particles comprising a second metal thereupon, wherein the second metal is a second aluminium alloy. At S106, the method comprises depositing a third layer on the second layer by additive friction stir deposition using a third metal, wherein the third metal is a third aluminium alloy.

Abstract: A panoramic Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) lens has a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element from the plurality of elements is formed from a material that transmits in at least the MWIR band from 3 ?m to 5 ?m. The plurality of optical element are arranged in a manner that provides a 360 degree azimuth angle and an elevation angle that is within +/?20° from a 90° horizon. The panoramic MWIR lens is configured to be connected to a cooled Dewar, wherein the Dewar includes a cold shield and an image plane to detect light in the MWIR band transmitted through the plurality of optical elements.