Abstract: Non-linear forces are simulated by a dual-rate spring apparatus, which may also be used to impose nonlinear forces. The apparatus includes a carriage and at least two springs arranged sequentially in series with one another. The spring constant is changed by initially allowing both of the springs to compress to a point and, thereafter, after one spring is generally completely compressed, allowing only the other spring to compress further.

Abstract: A method and system for Kalman-Filtering in geolocation is provided. One aspect of the disclosure provides using an extreme geo program/method to converge on the location of an emitter, using a correlation function inherent in a Correlation Interferometry Geolocation (CIGL) program, and using Kalman filtering to find a peak correlation surface for an array.

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method detect light source “hotspots” and recognize laser communication signals within a scene, while minimizing repeat consideration of previously detected light sources. Local maxima are identified in pixel frames from a focal plane array (FPA), and compared with a table of previous detections. FPA frames can be used directly for hotspot detection, or successive FPA frames can be subtracted for edge detection. Most recent detection frame numbers, coordinates, signal values, and/or other information can be updated in the table upon repeat detection of a hotspot. Source identifying information can be included in the table for entries that are identified as laser communication signals. Source identifying features can be evaluated so that only signals of interest are saved in the table. Hotspots that remain undetected after a designated number of frames can be deleted from the table.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting sea mines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser, a collection optics, a long-pass beam splitter, a short-pass beam splitter, a Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) channel imager, a Raman channel imager and a florescence channel imager. After the pulsed laser has sent a laser pulse to an ocean surface, the collection optics collects Rayleigh, Raman and florescence scattering return signals reflected from the ocean surface as a result of the laser pulse laser striking the ocean surface and any objects therein. The long-band beam splitter directs the Rayleigh scattering return signals to the LIDAR channel imager. The short-band beam splitter directs the Raman return signals to the Raman channel imager, and directs the florescence return signals to the florescence channel imager.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for minimizing latency for high priority messages without sacrificing subnet bandwidth in a wireless, multiple access network such as Link 16. Nodes are able to simultaneously receive messages on at least two subnets, one of which is designated as a low latency (“LL”) subnet that transmits messages immediately on a contention access basis. A message acknowledgement protocol can be implemented and high priority messages that fail due to collisions or other reasons can be retransmitted. Jitter can be used to detect collisions. Embodiments include a plurality of “standard” and/or LL subnets designated for messages of varied urgency. High priority messages can reserve an acknowledgement timeslot for use only by the message recipient. Link 16 embodiments implement CMN-4, whereby the LL subnet is one of four subnets monitored by each node. Link 16 latencies in the LL network can be limited to less than 40 msec.

Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device and method of operation includes converting a frequency or wavelength of a signal in a non-linear converter associated with one channel just before launch. A second channel has a similar constructions and operation. A processor compares the phase difference between the two channels and uses the difference to horizontally steer a beam without moving mechanical parts. This establishes the solid-state nature of the present disclosure. The non-linear converter may be a quasi-phase matched non-linear converter with alternating crystal domains.

Abstract: A control system includes a computing channel and an object control channel. The computing channel includes command and monitor lanes. The command lane has a first processor core with a first core architecture receiving input data and generating first data based on the input data. The monitor lane has a second processor core with second core architecture receiving the input data and generating second data based on the input data. The first core architecture and the second core architecture are dissimilar and implemented in a single system-on chip device. The computing channel outputs the first data as command data responsive to determining the first data is matched to the second data. The object control channel corresponds to the computing channel and includes an object control system receiving the command data and generating an object control signal based on the command data to control operation of at least one part of an object system.

Abstract: An optical system (100) comprising: a transmitter module (102) configured to transmit a sequence of optical pulses (300), each optical pulse in the sequence (300) having a different magnitude to each other optical pulse in the sequence (300); a receiver module (104) comprising one or more optical signal detectors, the receiver module (104) configured to receive the sequence of optical pulses (300) transmitted by the transmitter module (102); and one or more processors (110) configured to process the sequence of optical pulses received by the receiver module (104) to select an optical pulse from the received sequence of optical pulses (400) based on one or more predetermined criteria. The one or more predetermined criteria include a criterion that the selected optical pulse does not saturate the one or more optical signal detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking a laser communication signal of interest incident on a focal plane array (FPA) identifies a plurality of “hotspots” in a scene of interest, and aligns a hotspot that is a signal of interest (SOI) or beacon component thereof with the FPA. Hotspot centroids can be estimated within a fraction of an FPA pixel by considering squares of four pixels and comparing their signal amplitudes. A multi-spot calculation is used to improve the position estimates of all of the hotspots by applying a Kalman filter to the hotspot position data and assuming that the relative hotspots positions are fixed. The calculation is periodically repeated to enable tracking of the SOI. Amplitude variability of the hotspots is accommodated by weighting the hotspot contributions according to their intensities. In embodiments, estimation error of the SOI centroid is less than a smallest dimension of the FPA pixels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a display device to generate an image for viewing by a user on a display, the image being formed by one or more light having predetermined relative timings. Received image data define one or more light components of a feature to be displayed as an element in the image. Rate data are received, e.g. from an associated tracker system, indicative of a rate of change in orientation of the display relative to a direction of gaze of an eye of the user. The received rate data are used to determine a position on the display for displaying each of the one or more light components of the feature including determining any respective adjustment required to a determined position for the light component according to the received rate data and the predetermined relative timings. The determined position of each of the one or more light components is output to the display device for display of the light component at the respective determined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a digital display device to generate an image for display, wherein the display device is arranged to generate the image as an array of pixels each of a defined brightness achieved by emitting a respective combination of light pulses of durations defined according to a predetermined pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme. Whereas, under conventional PWM schemes, each light pulse would be emitted by the same pixel of a display device, in the present invention rate data from an associated tracker system and data defining predetermined characteristics of the display and operation thereof are used to calculate a pixel displacement in respect of each defined pulse of the PWM scheme. The pixel displacement is used to modify control data defining those pixels to be activated to emit the defined pulse such that a different pixel to that intended emits the pulse during relative movement of the direction of gaze of a user's eye and the display apparatus.

Abstract: An image sensor suitable for low light level imaging, the image sensor having a plurality of pixels, each pixel having nMOS and pMOS components, provides a lower noise threshold as compared to prior art single-flavor pixels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as an HUD or HMD defining pixels of an image for display. The image data for each pixel defines a predetermined background colour or a non-background colour. In an example implementation, the image generator comprises at least one image rendering module and a memory accessible by the at least one rendering module providing at least one frame buffer in which image data may be assembled. The at least one rendering module is arranged to process or to generate image data using a tile representation of an image for display, each tile comprising image data defining each of a predetermined number of pixels of the image.

Abstract: A method for invariant gait analysis using gyroscope data wherein the improvement comprises the step of using pairs of raw measurements to factor out orientation, wherein a motion representation which is both invariant to sensor orientation changes and highly discriminative to enable high-performance gait analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for implementing one or more security services to messages and data being communicated between a first network and a second network. In particular, a network bridge device is provided for applying communications security services to data passing by means of the device from a first network to a second network, the device having a first network interface for linking to the first network, a second network interface for linking to the second network, and a unidirectional link between the first and second network interfaces within the device incorporating a first hardware logic module, configured to apply one or more predetermined data security functions to message data received via the first network interface, and a second hardware logic module, arranged to apply a predetermined scheme for authentication of the source of messages passing through the device.

Abstract: A method of configuring a telecommunications network comprising the steps of: providing a first set of time dependent network data, a network related parameter varying with time; identifying abnormalities embedded within said first set of data; providing a first set of external event data; associating respective abnormalities with corresponding event data; generating a model to represent an impact of the, or each, class of event, represented by the event data; using the, or each, model in combination with extrapolated data to predict future variation in the network related parameter; repeating this simulation for alternative input conditions; selecting a solution from the output of one the simulations; and implementing a modification to the network corresponding to the/or each respective input condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a control action in respect of a function within a virtual or mixed reality system, the control action corresponding to a predefined bodily movement of an authorized user of said function, wherein an authorized user is defined by a predetermined criterion in respect of a selected body part and/or a passive device carried thereon. The apparatus comprises a detection module for detecting a predefined bodily movement; a multi-spectral imaging system for capturing spectral reflectance and/or emission data at a plurality of wavelengths in respect of said selected body part and/or the passive device carried thereon; and an analysis module for comparing at least a portion of the spectral data with data corresponding to an authorized user of said function to determine if said criterion is met, and outputting a signal to effect said control action only if said criterion is met.

Abstract: The system and method for a digital light processing (DLP) guidance system having a digital light processing (DLP) mirror array at the laser source. A receiver tracks location of the air-borne object using a retro reflector on a pulse-to-pulse basis. The DLP mirror array tracks the air-borne object with a non-scanning beam and immediately provides a correction update to the controller using a pulse repetition interval (PRI) varying code. The system can be packaged in a small format, at a lower cost, and with a higher reliability.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for self-configuration of a sensor array. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes deploying a number of mobile sensor elements from a base unit to a region of interest. The method also includes transmitting an initial sensor configuration plan from the base unit to the sensor elements. The mobile sensor elements navigate to a calculated location based on the initial sensor configuration plan. Sensor data is collected by each of the elements and transmitted back to the base unit for data integration. The method further includes performing, by the base unit, a response analysis using the integrated sensor data and updating the initial sensor configuration plan based on a metric associated with the response analysis. The method further includes iterating these operations to employ the updated sensor configuration plan. Additional iterations are performed until the metric reaches a selected threshold value.

Abstract: Anti-jamming techniques are provided for RF receivers, such as those that operate in hostile environments. In some embodiments, the techniques are embodied in an anti-jam communications system configured with automatic gain control (AGC) that is complementary. The system includes a first AGC circuit prior to an interference suppression circuit and a second AGC circuit after the interference suppression circuit. The first AGC circuit operates to adjust the power level presented to the interference suppression circuit to facilitate interference cancellation. The second AGC circuit operates to maintain the original power level of the desired communications signal and prevent amplitude errors as the first AGC circuit responds to fluctuations in jammer signal power. The second AGC can be slaved to the first AGC circuit such that the sum of two gain values is held constant, according to some embodiments. In this manner, the first and second AGC circuits provide a complementary-AGC system.