Abstract: A method for deploying a reconnaissance sonde, including the steps of: incorporating at least one environmental sensor and an associated communication device into a robust, aerodynamically efficient casing; deploying the sonde by imparting a spin and a directional velocity to the casing, sufficient to carry the sonde into a region of interest; and establishing communication with the communication device, thereby enabling data from the sensor(s) to be transmitted to a remote location. A sonde for remote data collection is also provided, including at least one environmental sensor, an energy source and communication means. The sonde is generally shaped as a discus or saucer, a clay pigeon or skeet, for deployment by applying a spin and directional velocity to the sonde.

Abstract: A method of transmission comprises receiving at a first destination, a transmission from a first source; determining from the transmission from the first source, the maximum permitted additional interference subject to which the first destination can still communicate; sending an acknowledgement of the transmission and including in the acknowledgement an indication of the determined maximum permitted additional interference. A second source determines whether it has received the transmission from the first source, or the acknowledgement from the first destination, at a power level lower than that of the maximum permitted additional interference given in the indication; and if so, the second source sends a transmission to a second destination, which at least partially overlaps in time, communication between the first source and first destination.

Abstract: A method is described for collecting location-dependent data in a central data collection point. The method comprises the steps of: collecting location dependent data from a data source, in a nearby portable communications device; transmitting the collected data to a base station of the portable communications device; and communicating the collected data along with a location identifier to the data collection point.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of providing synchronization between a plurality of base stations (300) in a telecommunications system which comprises providing a random access channel in each cell (320). A local base station (300) uses the random access channel in the local cell to transmit a synchronization signal to neighboring base stations. For each base station, the time differences between received synchronization signals from neighboring base stations and the local synchronization signal are calculated. Each set of time differences is either used to autonomously synchronize the local base station or is centralized in a radio network controller and a set of corrections distributed from the RNC to the base stations.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an adaptive antenna array that applies beamsteering (1) of a satellite navigation system comprises receiving signals from a plurality of satellites at a plurality of receivers (2) within the system. The satellite direction relative to the antenna array orientation for each satellite signal is determined (5); and the received signals are despread (8) to recover satellite signals. Gain and phase information is calculated from the despread code for a given satellite in a given direction; and the calculated gain and phase information are stored in a manifold store (4) at a predetermined address related to the direction of arrival of the satellite signal.

Abstract: A catheter localization system for determining a position of a catheter (1, 2) within a part of the human or animal body (3), comprising at least one catheter (1, 2) having a plurality of acoustic transducers (6) disposed on the catheter in a spaced apart relationship. Each acoustic transducer (6) is arranged to transmit or receive acoustic signals (12, 14). A signal processing unit (8) is coupled to the plurality of acoustic transducers (6) and arranged to selectively energize the transducers (6) and consequent upon acoustic signals (12, 14) received by the acoustic transducers (6) generate a plurality of acoustic transfer functions (24, 28) representative of an effect of the part of the body on the acoustic signals, which signal processing unit (8) further operates to generate data appertaining to a three dimensional representation (36) of the part (4) of the human body (3) in accordance with the plurality of transfer functions.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises video cameras for viewing part of a patient's body and a slide projector for projecting a predetermined pattern of light onto the patient's body which is viewed by the cameras. A workstation and video frame grabber performs controlling and processing functions and are arranged to process said images from the cameras using image processing algorithms. The images from the cameras are superimposed upon prestored images which are generated from X-ray or CT scans. A passive pointer, having a predetermined pattern thereon which is recognisable by the controlling and processing means is used by the surgeon. The pattern is used to identify the exact position of a tip of the pointer in relation to the patient's body and is displayed on a monitor with the superimposed images.