Abstract: The audio outputs 29 of each of a plurality of telecommunications terminals in a packet switched system are synchronized by having each terminal transmit a stream of packets whose rate, and therefore duration is determined according to a clock generator 25, and is thus indicative of the rate at which the terminal is generating its audio output. The signals from each terminal are transmitted to a common server. For each terminal, the server uses a master dock to compare the duration of the packet stream with an expected duration, and calculates an offset value which is returned to the respective terminal. Each terminal stores the offset value it receives (20) and uses it to adjust the output of its clock generator 25 so that its operations can be synchronized to the server. This allows all the terminals' digital-to-analog conversion processes to be synchronized such that all their analog outputs are coordinated, allowing co-located acoustic outputs to be synchronous.

Abstract: Devices and methods for receiving a data file in a communication system. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes a transceiver, a memory, and an electronic processor. The transceiver is configured to send and receive data over a wireless communication network. The electronic processor is electrically coupled to the transceiver and the memory and configured to receive, with the transceiver, a first seed, a sequence of blocks, and a subsequent seed, cause the memory to save the sequence of blocks in the memory, and determine whether the subsequent seed is aligned with the first seed. When the subsequent seed is not aligned with the first seed, the electronic processor is configured to cause the memory to delete the sequence of blocks. When the subsequent seed is aligned with the first seed, the electronic processor is configured to cause the memory to maintain the sequence of blocks.

Abstract: A passively mode-locking laser and corresponding method is described. The laser comprises a resonator (2) terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third (5) and fourth (6) mirror. The third mirror comprises a reflector (14) surmounted by a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (15) including at least one quantum well layer while the second mirror (4) comprises an intensity saturable mirror. The resonator is configured to provide a cross sectional area of an intra cavity resonating field on the intensity saturable mirror that is greater than or equal to a cross sectional area of the intra cavity resonating field on the multilayer semiconductor gain medium. This arrangement provides a passively mode-locking laser that exhibits increased stability when compared to those systems known in the art.

Abstract: The present invention describes a self mode locking laser and a method for self mode locking a laser. The laser (1) comprises a resonator terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third mirror (5). The third mirror comprises a single distributed Bragg reflector (17) upon which is mounted a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (18) and which includes at least one quantum well layer and an optical Kerr lensing layer (22). Self mode locking may be achieved by configuring the laser resonator such that the lensing effect of the Kerr lensing layer acts to reduce an astigmatism deliberately introduced to the cavity mode. The self mode locking of the laser may be further enhanced by selecting the length of the resonator such that a round trip time of a cavity mode is matched with an upper-state lifetime of one or more semiconductor carriers located within the gain medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing geofence-based operating parameters is provided herein. During operation, all members within a first geofence will have their radio parameters change to those used within a second geofence when a member of the first geofence crosses into the second geofence. Therefore, even though a particular member of the first geofence may not have crossed over the second geofence, the particular member will still have their radio parameters changed to those in use within the second geofence if a member of the first geofence has crossed the second geofence.

Abstract: A method and circuit for mitigating RFI in an electronic device that occurs while the device is in a low power mode utilizes one or more antenna elements in the device to receive RF energy. When the RF energy is sufficiently high that it could affect signal states in the device while in the low power mode, the device transitions from the low power mode to an active mode and begins an RFI mitigation process to ensure signal states and other circuit operations in the device are not changed by the RFI.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is described. The optical amplifier (1) comprises a semiconductor disk gain medium (2) including at least one quantum well layer (9) and a pump field source (17) for generating an optical pump field (3) for the semiconductor disk gain medium. The optical amplifier acts to generate an output optical field (5) from an input optical field (4) received by the optical amplifier and arranged to be incident upon the semiconductor disk gain medium. Employing a semiconductor disk gain medium within the optical amplifier allows it to be optically pumped and thus provided for increased stability and beam quality of the output optical field while allowing for the design of optical amplifiers which can operate across a broad range of wavelengths. The optical amplifier may be employed with continuous wave or pulsed input optical fields.

Abstract: The invention is an assembly for discouraging flying creatures from approaching and/or landing including a housing with a base, a shaft, a shaft mount, a spindle associated with the shaft, a means of turning the spindle, and an actuator.

Abstract: A self mode locking laser and corresponding method is described. The laser comprises a resonator (2) terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third mirror (5). The third mirror comprises a reflector (15) surmounted by a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (16) that includes at least one quantum well layer and an optical Kerr lensing layer (20). A perturbator is also included that provides a means to induce a perturbation on an intensity of one or more cavity modes of the resonator. The pertubator is employed to induce a small perturbation on the intensity of the cavity modes of the resonator which is sufficient for the optical Kerr lensing layer to induce mode locking on the output field. The second mirror (4) comprises an intensity saturable mirror that provides a means for reducing the pulse widths of the generated output field e.g. to around 100 fs.

Abstract: A hollow plastic wall panel, the panel having a length greater than a width, a thickness less than the width, a front wall, an opposite back wall and opposed first and second long edge regions, wherein the panel comprises a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end, wherein the first long edge region defines at least one first recessed portion to longitudinally receive and mate with a first longitudinal support structure and wherein the second long edge region defines at least one second recessed portion to longitudinally receive and mate with a second longitudinal support structure.

Abstract: The present invention describes a self mode locking laser and a method for self mode locking a laser. The laser (1) comprises a resonator terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third mirror (5). The third mirror comprises a single distributed Bragg reflector (17) upon which is mounted a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (18) and which includes at least one quantum well layer and an optical Kerr lensing layer (22). Self mode locking may be achieved by configuring the laser resonator such that the lensing effect of the Kerr lensing layer acts to reduce an astigmatism deliberately introduced to the cavity mode. The self mode locking of the laser may be further enhanced by selecting the length of the resonator such that a round trip time of a cavity mode is matched with an upper-state lifetime of one or more semiconductor carriers located within the gain medium.

Abstract: The present invention describes a mode locking semiconductor disk laser (SDL). The laser comprises a resonator terminated by first and second mirrors (6,7) and folded by a third mirror. The third mirror or comprising a semiconductor disk laser (8) suitable for generating a resonator field comprising a predetermined central wavelength A0 while the second mirror comprising an intensity saturable mirror (7) suitable for mode locking the resonator field at the predetermined wavelength. The reflectivity of the of the resonator at the central wavelength A0 is reduced by shifting the reflectivity profiles of the first and or second mirrors to wavelength shorter than the predetermined wavelength so as to suppress gain at wavelengths longer than the central wavelength A0. By mismatching the reflectivity profile (32) of the second mirror (7) to that of the desired output wavelength (3) provides a stable mode locked laser with significantly reduced noise.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method to monitor fluid loss from one or more casks (2) during a maturation process. The apparatus (1) comprises a multi-pass absorption cell (4) arranged in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits (5) and a pump (8), and a monitoring system (12). The pump (8) and fluid conduits (5) provide a means for transporting a fluid sample (e.g. a vapour sample) to the multi-pass absorption cell (4). The monitoring system (12) provides a means for detecting and identifying fluid within the multi-pass absorption cell (4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting optical components is described. The apparatus (1) is suitable for mounting multiple optical components (2) and comprises a baseplate (3) having opposing first (4) and second (5) surfaces. Recesses or apertures (7) are formed within the baseplate and are located upon the first or second surfaces so as to define thermally activated optic mounting areas. Pillars (13) are then located within the thermally activated optic mounting areas and these provide a means for attaching the optical component to the baseplate (3). The employment of the recesses or apertures act to significantly reduce the thermal conduction throughout the baseplate. As a result preferential heating can be provided to the one or more thermally activated optic mounting areas while maintaining the baseplate with a desired mechanical strength. The optical mounting apparatus exhibits a high thermal stability thus making the apparatus ideally suited for use within commercial optical system.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to plastic wall panels. Wall panels are formed by rotational molding processes and may be used in sound attenuation barriers or other wall or building structures. Some embodiments include reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure may be configured to effectively support a plastic shell of the wall panel in a way that allows some relative movement between the plastic shell and the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: The audio outputs 29 of each of a plurality of telecommunications terminals in a packet switched system are synchronised by having each terminal transmit a stream of packets whose rate, and therefore duration is determined according to a clock generator 25, and is thus indicative of the rate at which the terminal is generating its audio output. The signals from each terminal are transmitted to a common server. For each terminal, the server uses a master dock to compare the duration of the packet stream with an expected duration, and calculates an offset value which is returned to the respective terminal. Each terminal stores the offset value it receives (20) and uses it to adjust the output of its clock generator 25 so that its operations can be synchronised to the server. This allows all the terminals' digital-to-analogue conversion processes to be synchronised such that all their analogue outputs are co-ordinated, allowing co-located acoustic outputs to be synchronous.

Abstract: A method and circuit for mitigating RFI in an electronic device that occurs while the device is in a low power mode utilizes one or more antenna elements in the device to receive RF energy. When the RF energy is sufficiently high that it could affect signal states in the device while in the low power mode, the device transitions from the low power mode to an active mode and begins an RFI mitigation process to ensure signal states and other circuit operations in the device are not changed by the RFI.

Abstract: The present invention describes a self mode locking laser and a method for self mode locking a laser. The laser (1) comprises a resonator terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third mirror (5). The third mirror comprises a single distributed Bragg reflector (17) upon which is mounted a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (18) and which includes at least one quantum well layer and an optical Kerr lensing layer (22). Self mode locking may be achieved by configuring the laser resonator such that the lensing effect of the Kerr lensing layer acts to reduce an astigmatism deliberately introduced to the cavity mode. The self mode locking of the laser may be further enhanced by selecting the length of the resonator such that a round trip time of a cavity mode is matched with an upper-state lifetime of one or more semiconductor carriers located within the gain medium.

Abstract: The present invention describes a self mode locking laser and a method for self mode locking a laser. The laser (1) comprises a resonator terminated by first (3) and second (4) mirrors and folded by a third mirror (5). The third mirror comprises a single distributed Bragg reflector (17) upon which is mounted a multilayer semiconductor gain medium (18) and which includes at least one quantum well layer and an optical Kerr lensing layer (22). Self mode locking may be achieved by configuring the laser resonator such that the lensing effect of the Kerr lensing layer acts to reduce an astigmatism deliberately introduced to the cavity mode. The self mode locking of the laser may be further enhanced by selecting the length of the resonator such that a round trip time of a cavity mode is matched with an upper-state lifetime of one or more semiconductor carriers located within the gain medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method that reduces fluid loss from a cask during a maturation process by sealably enclosing the cask in a vessel that provides an expansion volume to receive fluid vapour from the cask, a monitoring system and a method that monitors fluid loss from a cask during a maturation process using a light source and a detector to determine the presence of fluid vapour in the vicinity of the cask, a corresponding system for controlling a maturation process in which environmental conditions are controlled, and a cask leak testing system and method making use of the above.