Abstract: A free space optical communication system receiver (500) comprising: a central optical sensor (600); and a plurality of further optical sensors (601-604) disposed around a peripheral edge of the central optical sensor (600). The free space optical communication system receiver (500) may be coupled to means for moving the free space optical communication system receiver (500) relative to an incoming optical signal (510). A controller (508) may be configured to, using measurements of the incident optical signal (510) by the plurality of further optical sensors (601-604), control the means so as to move the free space optical communication system receiver (500) relative to the incident optical signal (510).

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of transmitting an optical signal by a Free Space Optical, FSO, communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, by an optical signal transmitter (104), an optical signal (700) into at least part of a volume of an optical medium (302); and controlling, by a controller, the optical signal transmitter (104), to scan the at least part of the volume (302) using the optical signal (700) in a sequence of non-overlapping loops (704, 708). The sequence of non-overlapping loops (704, 708) may be a sequence of non-overlapping, concentric circular loops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image to an aircraft pilot (20). The method comprises: displaying, by a display (24), to the pilot (20), an image comprising guidance symbology (34) for use by the pilot (20) when landing the aircraft (2), the position of the guidance symbology (34) on the display (24) being dependent upon an output of an INS of the aircraft (2); providing, to a processor (26), an indication that the INS output is incorrect; determining, by the processor (26), a further value for the INS output and a specification of further guidance symbology (40); and displaying, by the display (24), to the pilot (20), an image comprising the further guidance symbology (40). The position on the display (24) of the further guidance symbology (40) relative to that of the guidance symbology (34) is dependent upon the difference between the further value and the incorrect INS output.

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: There is disclosed a surveillance apparatus comprising:—a retractable support member; the retractable support member comprising an upper section and lower section, wherein at least one of the upper or lower sections are constructed from at least one deformable material, wherein upper and lower sections are arranged to form a substantially rigid cavity throughout their length, and are retained by a retaining means, wherein said retractable support member comprises 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 spooled condition to an extended condition and thereby pay-out the retractable support member from the housing, operable to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first to convert the retractable support member from the exten

Abstract: A method for controlling a digital display device (105), such as a digital micro-mirror device, and a digital display apparatus (101, 106) are provided in which, in order to meet the latency requirements of the display, each frame of received image symbology data is divided into several subframes. A tag is assigned to an incoming drawing command, the tag having an initial value equal to the number of subframes in a frame. The drawing command is rendered on the first subframe and the tag is decremented by one. The drawing command is rendered again on subsequent subframes and the tag value is decremented by one each time the drawing is rendered. When the tag value reaches zero, the drawing command is discarded. Thus, a line may be rendered with lower latency compared with known systems which refresh on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) having an autonomous mode of operation, the system comprising: one or more sensors (102) configured to measure one or more parameters associated with an operator (110) controlling the vehicle (100) to perform a first operation; and one or more processors (106) configured to: determine that measurements taken by the one or more sensors (102) fulfil one or more predetermined criteria; responsive to determining that the measurements taken by the one or more sensors (102) fulfil the one or more predetermined criteria, determine a second operation for performance by the vehicle (100); and control the vehicle (100) in the autonomous mode such that the vehicle (100) performs the second operation.

Abstract: A circuit state sensing device (100) includes a transformer (102) having a primary coil (104A) and a secondary coil (104B). In use, the secondary coil is connected to a target circuit (106) for which a state is to be sensed. The device further includes a measuring arrangement (112, 122) configured to take a measurement relating to impedance at the primary coil, and a processing arrangement (122) configured to process the impedance measurement to determine a state of the target circuit.

Abstract: A system (102) is configured to monitor energy usage of a surface maritime vessel (100). The system comprises a device (102A) configured to receive characteristic data representing at least one operating characteristic of the vessel, and a device (102A) configured to receive model data representing at least one energy usage model for the vessel. The system further includes a device (102A) configured to process the characteristic data and the model data to generate an output representing a comparison between the characteristic data and the model data.

Abstract: A method for controlling a digital display device of a head or helmet-mounted display system and a head or helmet-mounted digital display system implementing the method are provided with the aim of controlling the display device in such a way as to reduce the effect of dynamic false contouring on the quality of a displayed image. According to the method, received image data defining brightness levels according to a scheme of light pulse modulation based upon binary-weighted pulse durations are converted into a data defining a sequence of pulses of binary and non-binary weighted duration in which the highest value weighting represents a pulse of a duration less than half the total duration of illumination required during an image refresh period to achieve a pixel at the highest brightness level. In a further embodiment, the weighting of highest value represents a pulse of duration less than one quarter of the duration required for highest pixel brightness.

Abstract: The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy suspension systems to mitigate against shock or blast. There is provided A land vehicle comprising: —an armoured v shaped hull; at least one wheel set with a hub, and at least one suspension device comprising a shape memory material operably connecting the hull to the wheel set.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a connectivity map in respect of a communications system of a moving platform, said communications system comprising at least one platform application and being configured to effect wireless data communication between said platform and another node by means of one of a plurality of supported communications links in accordance with a communications plan, wherein said apparatus is configured to: —identify (700) a message or set of messages required to be transmitted from or received by said moving platform; —generate a connectivity map comprising a plurality of connectivity metrics by, for each of a plurality of different specified attitudes or orientations derived from one or more predicted trajectories of said moving platform: —identifying available transmitters for wireless transmission of said message or set of messages and/or identify available receivers for wireless reception of said message or set of messages; —for each identified transmitter, determining (702) a transmitter metr

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing part of an airframe for attachment to a system. The method comprises: providing an initial structure; providing a reference structure; positioning the initial structure with respect to the reference structure such that its position/orientation relative to the reference structure is the same as the position/orientation relative to the system that it would have if the part of the airframe was attached to the system; specifying an inner mold line; applying, to an outer surface of the initial structure, material; and machining the material such that the position/orientation of the outer surface of the material with respect to the reference structure is the same as the position/orientation with respect to the system that the inner mold line would have if the part of the airframe was attached to the system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source communicably coupled to a control system and a three dimensional (3D) image projector for outputting a plurality of image signals representative of a subject, the control system being configured to cause electromagnetic radiation to be applied to a plurality of sets of selected three-dimensional portions of a gaseous volume so as to heat and/or ionize the gas within selected portions, wherein each set of selected three-dimensional portions of gaseous volume intersects a path of a respective one of image signals, and wherein selected portions of each of set are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken three-dimensional configuration and selectable orientated and configured to simulate an electromagnetic radiation path modifying element for directing a respective image signals incident thereon to a selected location within a viewing region.

Abstract: An aircraft (2) comprising a launch tube (14) extending along at least part of a length of a wing of the aircraft (2), and through which an item (24) may be launched from the aircraft (2). The launch tube (14) comprises an opening (22) at a distal end of the wing (6).

Abstract: There is provided apparatus and a method for assessing the integrity of a bonded joint and a bonded joint assembly. The assembly has a bonded joint monitored for bond integrity and comprises first (1) and second (2) components each defining a bonding surface (3,4); the joint (5) is formed between the bonding surfaces (3,4) and the first component (1) defines a passage (15) therethrough from the bonding surface to an exterior of the component. The joint (5) includes an optical fiber (11) extending along the joint (5) between the bonding surfaces, through the passage (15) and emerging from the passage (15) to the exterior of the component. The method of constructing the assembly includes the steps of passing the optical fiber (11) through the passage (15) and adhering the optical fiber (11) to the bonding surface (3) of the first component (1), thus bringing the two bonding surfaces (3,4) together and forming the bond (5).

Abstract: An air-cooled antenna comprising one or more separate antenna arrays (4) and a plurality of separate respective radio transmitter and/or receiver modules (3) each adapted for generating and/or receiving radio-frequency (RF) transmissions for an antenna array associated therewith. An antenna housing (2) contains the transmitter and/or receiver modules and has a ventilation inlet (8) for receiving air into the housing to an exhaust outlet (9) for outputting the air from the housing. A ventilation driver (6) drives an air flow rate through the housing from the ventilation inlet to the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A method of generating a topographic map of a region of a body for the manufacture of a body fitting article to be fitted to the region of the body. The method allows for the resultant topographical map of the body feature to be coupled to an anatomical and functional datum on the body. The method involves use of a contact probe which is configured to generate positional data which defines the surface it is drawn across. The method comprises the steps of urging a contact probe towards the outer surface of the body such that the contact probe is touching the outer surface of the body or separated from the outer surface of the body only by a barrier layer which is flattened against the outer surface of the body by the probe. The contact probe is drawn over the region of the body where the body fitting article is to be located such that the contact probe generates 3D positional data of the surface of the outer surface of the body in the region of the body where the body fitting article is to be located.

Abstract: The invention relates to A nose cone assembly for a munition, comprising a transducer array operably linked to a transmission assembly, wherein the transducer array is operably connected to a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a first and second surface, wherein said transmission assembly is reversibly operably connected to the second surface of said transducer housing, said transmission assembly comprising a control board and a plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein at least one electronic circuit board is a transceiver circuit board, said electronic circuit boards being reversibly connected to the control board and being arranged along their longest dimension, at an axis substantially perpendicular to the control board and further arranged such that the electronic circuit boards extend radially inwardly to a substantially rotational centre of the control board.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an electroacoustic transducer, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a piezoelectric material at least partially sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a flexible electrical connector in electrical connection with the first or second electrode at discrete points around a periphery of that electrode, the discrete points being distributed about a substantial portion of that periphery.