Abstract: Optical apparatus comprises: a wafer having an optical sub-assembly, and at least one groove, the groove being empty of any optical fiber and being for subsequent placement of a single mode optical fiber; at least one optical component fixed on the optical sub-assembly in a direction being optically aligned with the empty groove; such that as said subsequent placement is carried out, said single mode optical fiber is aligned with said optical component to the extent needed for single mode operation.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical fiber with an optical component in a micro-optical sub-assembly, comprises: providing a groove in the micro-sub-assembly in alignment with the optical component; and placing the optical fiber in the groove, thereby aligning the optical fiber with the optical component. In this way a placement tool with an accuracy of 50 microns can be used to place an optical fiber with an alignment accuracy of one micron.

Abstract: A vehicle module having a height, a width and a length, front and rear vertical panels and a horizontal floor, and wherein said height and width are adjustable and the front and rear vertical panels are foldable to allow enlargement of an empty module to pass over another module. The modules are useful for transport of passengers or goods, particularly in a guided rail system.

Abstract: A vehicle module having a height, a width and a length, front and rear vertical panels and a horizontal floor, and wherein said height and width are adjustable and the front and rear vertical panels are foldable to allow enlargement of an empty module to pass over another module. The modules are useful for transport of passengers or goods, particularly in a guided rail system.

Abstract: A female connector for electrical connection to an edge connector, the edge connector being of predetermined width, the female connector comprising: two parallel outer segments, at least one of the outer segments comprising electrical connections for the edge connector located on an inwardly facing surface thereof; and a spacer spacing the outer segments apart by approximately the edge connector width, the outer segments extending forward of the spacer to fit over corresponding electrical connections on either side of the edge connector to provide electrical connection.

Abstract: A vehicle module having a height, a width and a length, front and rear vertical panels and a horizontal floor, and wherein said height and width are adjustable and the front and rear vertical panels are foldable to allow enlargement of an empty module to pass over another module. The modules are useful for transport of passengers or goods, particularly in a guided rail system.

Abstract: A method of providing electrical power to road vehicles, comprises providing electrical power to a cable running along a length of a road; from said cable providing power to a distribution mechanism under said road; from said distribution mechanism connecting to switchable elements of a surface of said road, said switchable elements being distributed over said surface; and at each element switching on power when a vehicle is detected overhead and switching off power otherwise.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical fiber with an optical component in a micro-optical sub-assembly, comprises: providing a groove in the micro-sub-assembly in alignment with the optical component; and placing the optical fiber in the groove, thereby aligning the optical fiber with the optical component. In this way a placement tool with an accuracy of 50 microns can be used to place an optical fiber with an alignment accuracy of one micron.

Abstract: A backplane and card assembly comprises: a backplane having optical and electrical connectors; a plurality of cards each comprising an optical receiver and electrical connectors, for fitting into the backplane to obtain operational optical and electrical connections via the backplane; and an automatic maintenance unit comprising a gripping arm configured to remove and replace cards from the backplane. Having both the optical and electrical connectors together on the backplane allows a relatively simple movement of the gripping arm to remove and replace the card.

Abstract: A method of providing electrical power to road vehicles, comprises providing electrical power to a cable running along a length of a road; from said cable providing power to a distribution mechanism under said road; from said distribution mechanism connecting to switchable elements of a surface of said road, said switchable elements being distributed over said surface; and at each element switching on power when a vehicle is detected overhead and switching off power otherwise.

Abstract: A backplane and card assembly comprises: a backplane having optical and electrical connectors; a plurality of cards each comprising an optical receiver and electrical connectors, for fitting into the backplane to obtain operational optical and electrical connections via the backplane; and an automatic maintenance unit comprising a gripping arm configured to remove and replace cards from the backplane. Having both the optical and electrical connectors together on the backplane allows a relatively simple movement of the gripping arm to remove and replace the card.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a distance of a target, the apparatus comprising a pulse transmitter, a gatable beam detector, and a comparator, the gatable beam detector being operable to obtain gated and calibration beam energy information of a pulse transmitted by the beam pulse transmitter for reflection from the target, and to pass the beam energy information to the comparator, thereby to obtain a ratio between the gated and the calibration beam energy, the ratio being inversely proportional to the distance. Also an array thereof for simultaneously obtaining distances of a multiplicity of points of a three-dimensional object in real time, in particular to obtain movement information of the target.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a distance of a target, the apparatus comprising a pulse transmitter, a gatable beam detector, and a comparator, the gatable beam detector being operable to obtain gated and calibration beam energy information of a pulse transmitted by the beam pulse transmitter for reflection from the target, and to pass the beam energy information to the comparator, thereby to obtain a ratio between the gated and the calibration beam energy, the ratio being inversely proportional to the distance. Also an array thereof for simultaneously obtaining distances of a multiplicity of points of a three-dimensional object in real time, in particular to obtain movement information of the target.

Abstract: An opto-electronic device that includes a source of a collimated beam of light, a reflector, and at least on partly reflective surface. The partly reflective surface may be a surface of a detector, or alternatively a surface of a partly reflective material behind which one or more detectors are positioned. The partial reflectivity of the surface is exploited to reflect the light beam several times to the same detector, or alternatively among several detectors. Illustrative applications of the device include a pulse sharpener, a touch screen, a serial-to-parallel converter and an opto-electronic switch.