Abstract: An optical signal transmission apparatus (1) for a rotating antenna comprising a plurality of optical modulators (6) arranged for receiving a respective plurality of analogue RF signals (5) and for modulating a respective plurality of optical signals therewith to produce a plurality of modulated analogue optical signals (8). A plurality of opto-electrical converters (14) each converts a respective modulated analogue optical signal (13) into an analogue electrical signal. The plurality of optical modulators (6) are rotationally coupled in optical communication with the plurality of opto-electrical converters (14) via an optical rotary joint (10) including a reversion prism.

Abstract: A method of event detection for detecting the occurrence of an event in a crowd is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing video footage of the crowd, which video footage includes a series of image frames; calculating a series of values representative of the crowd dynamics, which series of values is calculated in dependence on the series of image frames; analyzing the series of values to identify any discrepancies occurring in the series of values; and, in response to identifying a discrepancy, providing an output signal to alert an operator that an event has been detected. In preferred embodiments, the series of values are related to the complexity of the crowd dynamics. Apparatus suitable for carrying out such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Radiation detectors are disclosed. The radiation detectors comprise a substrate and at least one radiation sensitive region on the substrate, the at least one radiation sensitive region comprising an array of elongate nanostructures projecting from the substrate. Methods of manufacture of such radiation detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system and process is disclosed for imaging a scene comprising at least one target image. The system comprises a wide field of view imaging device for imaging the scene, a controller operable to store data representative of a location of the at least one target image within the imaged scene and a narrow field of view imaging device for imaging the at least one target image along an imaging axis. The system further comprises a steering arrangement for selectively steering the imaging axis across at least a portion of the imaged scene to direct the imaging axis at the at least one target image. The respective process thus enables a single narrow field of view imaging device to capture high resolution images of multiple targets within the imaged scene.

Abstract: An apparatus, and a method performed by the apparatus, are disclosed wherein the apparatus can be mounted on an unmanned vehicle and arranged to act upon a payload. The payload can be mounted on the unmanned vehicle and, under an action of the apparatus, is able to be activated. The method can include receiving an activation instruction from an entity remote from the unmanned vehicle; determining whether or not the received activation instruction is valid by performing a validation process; and in response to determining that the received activation instruction is valid, activating the payload. In response to determining that the received activation instruction is not valid, activation of the payload may be prevented or opposed.

Abstract: A control system (100) for an unmanned vehicle (10) includes a control processing unit (102) which receives input signals from one or more sensors (101) and supplies output signals to one or more actuators (103). Processing modules (110) are divided into a plurality of successively linked stages (120). In a first stage (120A), multiple processing modules (110) produce substantially equivalent payload data when operating correctly. Message cryptography units (140) generate cryptographically signed messages (800) containing the payload data. In a second stage, a voting cryptography unit (130) receives and examines the cryptographically signed messages, and applies voting logic to derive a validated payload data for use by the respective processing module (120) of the second stage. A control method is also described.

Abstract: A method for forming a joint between a fibre reinforced composite component and a metallic component and a joint are provided. The metallic component and the composite component each define a joint surface for mating with the joint surface of the other to join the two components together and the composite component defines a free surface opposed to the joint surface thereof. The joint surface of the metallic component defines an array of pins extending therefrom with each pin defining a pin head at an end distal from the joint surface. The method includes the steps of pressing together the joint surfaces of the two components whereby to cause the array of pins to penetrate through the fibre reinforcing material, and modifying the effective cross sectional shape of the pin heads whereby to increase the constraint applied to the composite component against peeling of the composite component from the joint surface of the metallic component.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is disclosed having electrode and separator structures which are made up of fiber-reinforced composite material, thereby allowing the battery itself to serve as an integral structural component. The utilization or efficiency of the rechargeable battery is considerably enhanced by rendering at least part of the matrix material of the electrodes and the separator porous, thereby to facilitate improved access to active sites on the electrodes, with the porosity in the separator allowing improved ion transport, both of which enhance cell operation. The porous structure also provides improved electrolyte containment and retention in the event of damage.

Abstract: A method of admission control in a Self Aware Network carrying at least one existing user (z) specifying at least one Quality of Service metric (qw). The method includes receiving (202) a user request for admission of a connection from a source node to a destination node in the network specifying at least one Quality of Service metric (qv). The source node then finds (203) paths (P(s,d)); creates (206) link Quality of Service matrices (Qw(i,j)); sends (208) probe traffic over the network; and uses the traffic to obtain (210) a Quality of Service matrix (q??w(i,j)). The source node computes (212) estimated link Quality of Service matrices (Q?w(i,j)) and computes (214) path Quality of Service matrices (K?w) for the Quality of Service metrics, based on the estimated link Quality of Service matrices (Q?w(i,j)). The user request is rejected or accepted (216, 218, 220) based on the path Quality of Service matrix.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an improved LCD Backlight, particularly to an improved arrangement of the optical scattering dots within the light guiding plate. The light guiding plate comprises a lower surface which is formed with a plurality of optical scattering dots, which scatter and reflect the light beams to convert the light beams into a uniform surface light source, characterised wherein the surface area of each optical dot decreases as a function of its distance from at least one of the three edges comprising the LED lights.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for hyperspectral imaging of a scene along an imaging path, from a viewpoint which is arranged to move relative to the scene. The method comprises acquiring hyperspectral image data of a portion of the scene from the viewpoint, along a first viewing direction relative to the viewpoint and redirecting the viewing direction from the first viewing direction to a second viewing direction relative to the viewpoint, in dependence of the relative movement, to maintain a view of said portion of the scene as the viewpoint moves along a portion of the imaging path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an optical rotating joint (2); comprising: providing redundancy for camera sensor signals to be passed through an optical rotating joint (2) by: (i) passing signals from a plurality of camera sensors (28, 30) via an optical changeover switching arrangement (70) to the optical rotating joint (2); and/or (ii) passing signals for a plurality of camera sensors (28, 30) toward the camera sensors (28, 30) from the optical rotating joint (2) via an optical changeover switching arrangement (70). The signals may be sensor control signals or sensor output signals to/from a plurality of sensors (26, 28, 30), for example camera sensors. The apparatus may further comprise one or more wavelength division multiplexers (68, 94) and/or wavelength division demultiplexers (66, 95).

Abstract: An optical rotating joint installation; comprising: a drive shaft for a rotating interface, the drive shaft comprising a hollow central bore; and an optical rotating joint located in the hollow central bore. The proportion of the cross-sectional area of the material retained in the annular section of the drive shaft is preferably greater than or equal to 50%, more preferably 60%, yet more preferably 75%. The diameter of the hollow central bore is preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably 16 mm. The optical rotating joint installation may be provided as a retro-fit to replace an existing solid drive shaft that does not have an optical rotating joint, for example by hollowing out the existing solid drive shaft or by replacing the existing solid drive shaft with a drive shaft with a hollow central bore.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitor device is disclosed including first and second spaced apart electrode structures separated by a dielectric structure in which the first and second electrode structures are each formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibers in a binder matrix.

Abstract: An electrical power source including at least one hollow fiber incorporated in a material structure, wherein the at least one hollow fiber forms part of an electric circuit capable of storing or generating electrical power. In this way power sources may be provided as an integral part of a fiber composite structure or fabric.

Abstract: A printed circuit board shield (100) is provided. The shield comprises a sealing surface (120) and a shielding surface (110). The sealing surface is configured to cooperate with, and be connectable to, a sealing region of a printed circuit board (80) upon assembly therewith. The shielding surface is substantially parallel to but offset from, the sealing surface. A concave cover for receiving at least part of the printed circuit board is thereby defined. The shielding surface comprises an array of perforations (130) formed therethrough. The array of perforations is configured to correspond to a location of an electronic component mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for counteracting the effect which crags and other such environmental formations can have on radar returns or returns in similar sensor systems. In particular it has been found that the gaps between crags can lead to false detections because of firstly the function of certain signal processors which compare the high frequency return from a certain cell to a low frequency return from that cell, and secondly the effect of smearing of the returns from one cell to another. The invention seeks to mitigate this effect by selecting the maximum low frequency return from a group of range cells as the high frequency offset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.

Abstract: A maintenance method and apparatus based on reliability centered maintenance, applied for example to a military aircraft, include the following steps performed in a feedback manner: i) performing RCM; ii) feeding outcomes derived from performing the RCM to an update process; iii) performing the update process to provide update data for performing the RCM; and iv) inputting the update data into the performing of the RCM. The method can carry out a maintenance action selected by and/or or at a time and/or extent specified by the performing of the RCM; the outcomes that are fed to the update process including outcomes from the maintenance action that is carried out. The maintenance method thereby can provide a continuously updating RCM process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the movement and activity of targets is provided. The method comprises the steps of initially detecting electromagnetic (EM) radiation reflected by the target and recording spectral information relating to it and detecting EM radiation reflected by a target at a later time and again recording spectral information relating to it. The spectral information relating to the initially detected and later detected targets is then compared, so as to establish whether the initially detected and later detected targets are the same.