Abstract: A method of establishing a network by sharing a secret between a first entity (A) and a second entity (B), comprising the steps of: the first entity (A) broadcasting (100) an ANNOUNCE message announcing its identity and details of other entities it is aware of, wherein each of the other entities of which it is aware is associated with a particular nonce, and the message is encrypted using a broadcast encryption scheme common to the first and second entities (A,B), and; the second entity (B), upon receiving and decrypting the ANNOUNCE message, transmitting (110) to the first entity (A) a SHARE message, wherein the SHARE message comprises a signcryption of the secret, authenticated using signcryption data associated with the particular nonce associated with the second entity (B).

Abstract: A cartridge casing comprises a casing tube having a first end and a head cap. The first end of the casing tube abuts and is joined with the head cap such that an orifice in the first end of the casing tube is aligned with a passage in the head cap to define a flash passage. The head cap and casing tube are held together by a deformable member.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting and ranging cloud features. The method comprises: obtaining image data (e.g. using a camera (200); classifying, as a cloud feature, an image segment (502-508) of the image data; determining a plurality of moments of the image segment (502-508); using the determined plurality of moments, determining a geometric representation of that image segment (502-508); and, using the geometric representation, determining a distance between the cloud feature represented by that image segment (502-508) and an entity that obtained the image data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric battery assembly comprising: a plurality of electric batteries arranged in an array, an interconnection for connecting batteries in the array to provide a common power output; a plurality of shock absorbent housings, wherein each electric battery is provided within a shock-absorbent housing. The shock absorbent housing may have the form of a blister, which may be flexible and which may be filled with a shock-mitigating material.

Abstract: A pressure sensing system includes a pressure transducer, a pressure manifold, and a heater assembly. The pressure transducer is configured to measure pressures at one or more locations of a vehicle engine. The pressure manifold is configured to cover a face of the pressure transducer and provide an interface for transferring air or gas generated at the one or more locations of the vehicle engine. The heater assembly is configured to heat one or more portions of the pressure transducer and one or more portions of the pressure manifold and maintain a temperature of each of the pressure transducer and the pressure manifold above a predetermined temperature level.

Abstract: Systems, methods and programs for updating a visualization are provided. A visualization is updated dynamically based on new or modified data or schema in at least one data store. For example, a computing device may poll a data store for changes, determine whether a change has occurred, update aggregations of the data, generate at least one new aggregation of the data, determine whether a visualization change is needed, determine the visualization change for a display of attributes, send the visualization change to a display device; and send a notification to a user indicating the visualization change. The visualization change includes at least one of position on a display, size of a graphic and type of the graphic for an attribute.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging method for imaging terrain using a sensor on an unmanned aircraft. The method comprises: acquiring a range of motion of the sensor; acquiring positional information of the terrain; acquiring parameter values relating to aircraft maneuverability; using the acquired information, determining a procedure; performing, by the aircraft, the procedure and simultaneously capturing, by the sensor, a set of images of only parts of the terrain. The procedure comprises the aircraft moving with respect to the area of terrain and the sensor moving with respect to the aircraft such that each point in the area of terrain is coincident with a footprint of the sensor on the ground for at least some time. Also, every point in the area of terrain is present within at least one of the captured images.

Abstract: A mobile bridge module includes 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: Apparatus and methods relating to a missile canister that utilizes a variable obturator assembly. The variable obturator assembly can include a plurality of gates that adjust based upon canister pressure at a base plate. In a maximum pressure situation experienced during successful missile egress from the canister, one or more of the gates can open in response to canister flyout pressure so as to increase flow area through the base plate, thereby reducing canister pressure. In a restrained firing scenario, the plurality of gates remain closed thereby preventing missile exhaust gases from flow up past the base plate which could lead to heating of a rocket motor and warhead. The variable obturator assembly can have multiple individual gates that are mounted to the base plate with a hinge assembly, with the gates held in a closed position against the base plate with a spring assembly.

Abstract: A waveguide comprising first and second waveguide sections, each waveguide section comprising a main body portion (12) and a connecting portion (14) at its distal end, said first and second waveguide sections being longitudinally aligned to define a conduit therethrough with a butted interface (28) therebetween, the connecting portion of each waveguide section having: (i) a first circumferential ridge (16) on its outer surface located adjacent its distal end, (ii) a second circumferential ridge (18) on its outer surface spaced apart from the first circumferential ridge, and (iii) a third circumferential ridge (20) on its outer surface located between said first and second circumferential ridges, such that a first respective recess (19) is defined between said second and third circumferential ridges and a second respective recess (17) is defined between said first and third circumferential ridges; the waveguide further comprising a sleeve member (22) over said butted interface (28), such that a respective firs

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the orientation of an object relative to a moving or moveable platform. The object may for example be a helmet worn by a pilot of an aircraft in which orientation of the helmet relative the aircraft while in flight may usefully be known, in particular when determining the position of space-stabilised symbols being displayed in an associated helmet-mounted digital display system. The method and apparatus rely upon a combination or orientation rate data output by an inertial sensor arrangement associated with the object and orientation data output by a non-inertial tracker system associated with the object. Orientation data of the moveable platform is also used to reference the non-inertial tracker output to inertial space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as a HUD or HMD for display and for the validating image data being output to an applicable standard. The image generator comprises an interfacing component, an image rendering component implementing at least one image rendering function and an integrity monitor. The interfacing component receives drawing commands from external systems defining an image to be displayed and derives rendering and other control commands according to a predefined command set recognisable by the image rendering component. The image rendering component generates a set of image data from received rendering commands in the predefined set. The integrity monitor includes a rendering simulator arranged to simulate the at least one image rendering function to generate a nominally identical set of image data from received drawing or rendering commands.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a laser designation verification device and a method of laser designation verification using the device. The laser designation verification device includes: a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; an electronic processing element to decode the sensed first reflection into a first code; and a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target to an operator of the device based on the decoded first reflection. The method includes: sensing a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; decoding the sensed first reflection into a first code using the processing element; and providing, by the annunciator to an operator of the device, identification of the first target based on the decoded first reflection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing a calibration of a multi-axis ultrasonic scanner, the method comprising: providing a calibration verification tool (100), comprising a plurality of mutually oblique plates (110-140) defining surfaces at predefined angles with respect to one another; providing a digital model of the tool; registering, by the ultrasonic scanner, the tool (100) within the reference frame; controlling the ultrasonic scanner to measure a plate (110-140) to determine a reference signal; measuring each plate (110-140); using the reference signal and the plate measurements, determining an orientation of the ultrasonic scanner when each plate was measured; and, using the determined orientations, verifying whether or not the ultrasonic scanner calibration.

Abstract: The system and method of steering a beam using in-line fluid filled prisms having a first transparent plate, a second transparent plate, and a fluid layer interposed between the first and second plate. One or more actuators are used to manipulate the first and second plates relative to each other to create a prism to steer a beam. A second fluid filled prism may be used in-line, where one prism is used for fine adjustment and the other prism is used for coarse adjustment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting an anomalous propagation condition in a Radar system, comprising the steps of: subtracting returns received in a first receive period from returns received in a succeeding second receive period, and repeating this step for a plurality of receive periods; and if the step of subtracting gives a result in excess of a predetermined threshold in one of the plurality of receive periods, then registering this as a possible anomalous propagation condition.

Abstract: A lens design method is disclosed for designing a lens to reshape an actual far-field radiation pattern of a radiation source, such as a spiral antenna, to a preferred far-field radiation pattern. The method comprises:—determining a preferred far-field radiation pattern of the radiation source;—deriving a corresponding near-field radiation pattern from the preferred far-field radiation pattern;—determining an actual near-field pattern of the radiation source;—mapping an electric field and a magnetic field of the actual near-field radiation pattern to the derived near-field radiation pattern using a transfer relationship, the transfer relationship comprising material parameters which characterize the lens; and,—determining the material parameters.

Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixel sensors connected to a bit line is disclosed. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector having a photodiode, a floating diffusion node, and an amplifier. The floating diffusion node is characterized by a parasitic photodiode and parasitic capacitance. The amplifier amplifies a voltage on the floating diffusion node to produce a signal on an amplifier output. The first photodetector also includes a bit line gate that connects the amplifier output to the bit line in response to a row select signal and a voltage dividing capacitor having a first terminal connected to the floating diffusion node and a second terminal connected to a drive source that switches a voltage on the second terminal between a drive potential different from ground and ground in response to a drive control signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surveillance apparatus comprising: —a retractable support member the member having a first end and a second end; a housing; a spooling mechanism mounted at the housing, and being rotatable relative to the housing, and being attached to the second end of the retractable support member, the spooling mechanism being: Operable to rotate in a first direction to convert the retractable support member from a coiled condition to an extended condition and thereby pay-out the support member from the housing, Operable to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first to convert the retractable support member from the extended condition to the coiled condition and thereby retract the support member into the housing; A mount attached to the first end of the retractable support member; A surveillance device attached to the mount for receiving environmental signals, a human interface remote from the surveillance device; and an electrical connection operably connecting the surveillance device to the