Abstract: A storage device is disclosed, in which the device comprises memory (222) divisible into multiple zones, each zone comprising a plurality of physical blocks of the memory (222) and for associating with a zone-based address map for mapping between logical and physical addresses of said zone. The multiple zones are configurable independently of each other, and the memory (222) is non-volatile or volatile memory. A related zone-based block management and address mapping method, and a zone-based block management and address map for a storage device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage device is disclosed, in which the device comprises memory (222) divisible into multiple zones, each zone comprising a plurality of physical blocks of the memory (222) and for associating with a zone-based address map for mapping between logical and physical addresses of said zone. The multiple zones are configurable independently of each other, and the memory (222) is non-volatile or volatile memory. A related zone-based block management and address mapping method, and a zone-based block management and address map for a storage device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for transforming an audio signal and a system employing that method is disclosed. The method proceeds by extracting from the signal components that fall within a stop band, for example, using one or more low-pass filters. Then, a set of one or more harmonics of the extracted components is generated by down-sampling to create an intermediate signal, which is then repeated. Each harmonic is then weighted by controlling its gain by application to it of a respective weighting factor, the factors being determined by the psychoacoustic properties of a system that will reproduce the signal. Then, the weighted harmonics are added to the audio signal (which may have been subject to a delay to ensure synchronization) to create an output signal.

Abstract: A system for estimating range to an object comprising a system for estimating range to an object comprising a transmitter to transmit at least one UWB signal, a receiver to receive at least one UWB signal, a sampler to sample the received UWB signal depending on a plurality of clock and/or sample pulses having a first frequency, and a circuit and/or processor configured to generate a fractional signal having a second frequency that is lower that the first frequency and a phase that is dependant on the delay between when the UWB signal is actually received and when the received UWB signal is first sampled, and determine the range based on at least a first number of clock or sample pulses between transmitting and receiving the UWB signal and the phase of the fractional signal. Also a method of estimating range to an object.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a system in which an ultrasonic carrier beam is modulated using an audio input signal. The audio signal is divided into frequency bands, and that frequencies in different ones of these bands are treated differently. Specifically, different modulating schemes are used for different frequency bands. Also, different transducer aperture sizes are used for different frequency signals. Also, a further frequency equalizer is provided within each of the frequency bands. Finally, a relatively smaller amplitude modulating index (or indices) is used for signals in low frequency band(s).

Abstract: A transducer array comprises a conductive back plate 32, a conductive front plate 33 having openings 62, and a plurality of piezoelectric vibrator elements 31 located in an array between the plates. The vibrator elements 31 are two-layer elements which each include a metal portion 311 and a PZT element 312. These elements 311, 312 are in electrical contact with the respective plates. The vibrator elements 31 are attached to support elements 51 upstanding as part of the back plate 32. The transducer array can be formed as a batch process in which the vibrator elements 31 are formed simultaneously, and then simultaneously attached to the support elements 51.

Abstract: A method for estimating one or more parameters of a ultra wideband signal and a receiver system for receiving ultra wideband signals is provided. The method for estimating one or more parameters of a signal in an ultra wide band system including estimating the parameter(s) for a first signal element in a received signal then removing this signal element from the signal to obtain a modified signal. The parameter(s) for a number of further signal elements are then estimated and these elements are removed from the modified signal to form a refined signal. The parameter(s) for the first signal element are re-estimated to re-define the first signal element based on the refined signal minus the signal element having the greatest amplitude. The parameter(s) for the signal element having the greatest amplitude are re-estimated to re-define this signal element. The steps are repeated to generate a refined estimate of the parameter(s) for the first signal element.

Abstract: A method of measuring distance between a target and a receiver in a ranging system may comprise transmitting a first pulse at a first time determined by a sampling clock in a receiver, receiving the first pulse, sampling the first pulse at a predetermined amplitude threshold using the sampling clock and determining the time of arrival of the first pulse in terms of a number of periods of the sampling clock after the first pulse was transmitted. This may be repeated for a second pulse and the average times of arrival of the first and second pulses are determined to obtain an averaged estimated time of arrival. The distance between the target and the receiver may be determined by multiplying the averaged estimated time of arrival by the speed of propagation of the transmitted pulses. There is also disclosed an apparatus for measuring distance.

Abstract: A method, device and system for determining a DOA of a signal are described. Determination of the DOA of the signal may include receiving first and second UWB waveforms of the signal at one or more antennas of a UWB transceiver. A window may be defined in the first and second UWB waveforms such that the window is defined in a leading portion of the signal. First and second amplitude values of the respective first and second UWB waveforms in the window may be calculated. An amplitude ratio may be calculated with the first and second amplitude values and compared with calibration data to determine the DOA of the signal.

Abstract: A method of producing hard disk drives of reduced size including using a one or more MEMS spindle motors, and one or more magnetic heads. Each spindle motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor carries a film of magnetic film, and a head is arranged to communicate data with the magnetic film. The rotors are formed by MEMS technology. Rotor elements are formed within a substrate 4, and the substrate is subsequently cut to simulate the rotor elements, and turn them into rotors.

Abstract: A system and method for determining position of, for example, a robot based on reflected signals comprises a transmitter for transmitting signals in a number of directions within a range of directions and a receiver for receiving echoes of the signals from any direction in the range. The transmitter has a first rotatable antenna and the receiver has a second rotatable antenna which is mechanically couplable to the second antenna. The received echoes are processed by a processor to derive echo data signals indicative of the distance of the system to one or more reflective surfaces and the direction of the reflective surface(s) relative to the system. The processor is arranged to determine the position of the system relative to a starting position from the derived echo data signals indicative of the distance of the system to the reflective surface(s) and the direction of the reflective surface(s) relative to the system.

Abstract: A system for estimating range to an object comprising a system for estimating range to an object comprising a transmitter to transmit at least one UWB signal, a receiver to receive at least one UWB signal, a sampler to sample the received UWB signal depending on a plurality of clock and/or sample pulses having a first frequency, and a circuit and/or processor configured to generate a fractional signal having a second frequency that is lower that the first frequency and a phase that is dependant on the delay between when the UWB signal is actually received and when the received UWB signal is first sampled, and determine the range based on at least a first number of clock or sample pulses between transmitting and receiving the UWB signal and the phase of the fractional signal. Also a method of estimating range to an object.

Abstract: A transducer array comprises a conductive back plate 32, a conductive front plate 33 having openings 62, and a plurality of piezoelectric vibrator elements 31 located in an array between the plates. The vibrator elements 31 are two-layer elements which each include a metal portion 311 and a PZT element 312. These elements 311, 312 are in electrical contact with the respective plates. The vibrator elements 31 are attached to support elements 51 upstanding as part of the back plate 32. The transducer array can be formed as a batch process in which the vibrator elements 31 are formed simultaneously, and then simultaneously attached to the support elements 51.

Abstract: A system and method for determining position of, for example, a robot based on reflected signals comprises a transmitter for transmitting signals in a number of directions within a range of directions and a receiver for receiving echoes of the signals from any direction in the range. The transmitter has a first rotatable antenna and the receiver has a second rotatable antenna which is mechanically couplable to the second antenna. The received echoes are processed by a processor to derive echo data signals indicative of the distance of the system to one or more reflective surfaces and the direction of the reflective surface(s) relative to the system. The processor is arranged to determine the position of the system relative to a starting position from the derived echo data signals indicative of the distance of the system to the reflective surface(s) and the direction of the reflective surface(s) relative to the system.

Abstract: A method for transforming an audio signal and a system employing that method is disclosed. The method proceeds by extracting from the signal components that fall within a stop band, for example, using one or more low-pass filters. Then, a set of one or more harmonics of the extracted components is generated by down-sampling to create an intermediate signal, which is then repeated. Each harmonic is then weighted by controlling its gain by application to it of a respective weighting factor, the factors being determined by the psychoacoustic properties of a system that will reproduce the signal. Then, the weighted harmonics are added to the audio signal (which may have been subject to a delay to ensure synchronisation) to create an output signal.

Abstract: A local positioning system is proposed for wirelessly locating an object using existing features within a static environment, such as walls, as the references for determining the position of the system. An antenna 16 attached to the object transmits RF signals which are reflected by the surroundings. During a training mode, the reflected signals are used to train a neural network 22, 43 to map the position of the object to the characteristics of the reflected signals. During a working mode, the trained neural network is to identify the position of the object based on reflected signals in working mode. Optionally, the reflected signals may be subject to a clustering process before input to the neural network.

Abstract: A method of measuring distance between a target and a receiver in a ranging system may comprise transmitting a first pulse at a first time determined by a sampling clock in a receiver, receiving the first pulse, sampling the first pulse at a predetermined amplitude threshold using the sampling clock and determining the time of arrival of the first pulse in terms of a number of periods of the sampling clock after the first pulse was transmitted. This may be repeated for a second pulse and the average times of arrival of the first and second pulses are determined to obtain an averaged estimated time of arrival. The distance between the target and the receiver may be determined by multiplying the averaged estimated time of arrival by the speed of propagation of the transmitted pulses. There is also disclosed an apparatus for measuring distance.

Abstract: A method, device and system for determining a DOA of a signal are described. Determination of the DOA of the signal may include receiving first and second UWB waveforms of the signal at one or more antennas of a UWB transceiver. A window may be defined in the first and second UWB waveforms such that the window is defined in a leading portion of the signal. First and second amplitude values of the respective first and second UWB waveforms in the window may be calculated. An amplitude ratio may be calculated with the first and second amplitude values and compared with calibration data to determine the DOA of the signal.

Abstract: A method for estimating one or more parameters of a ultra wideband signal and a receiver system for receiving ultra wideband signals is provided. The method for estimating one or more parameters of a signal in an ultra wide band system including estimating the parameter(s) for a first signal element in a received signal then removing this signal element from the signal to obtain a modified signal. The parameter(s) for a number of further signal elements are then estimated and these elements are removed from the modified signal to form a refined signal. The parameter(s) for the first signal element are re-estimated to re-define the first signal element based on the refined signal minus the signal element having the greatest amplitude. The parameter(s) for the signal element having the greatest amplitude are re-estimated to re-define this signal element. The steps are repeated to generate a refined estimate of the parameter(s) for the first signal element.

Abstract: An audio-visual reproduction apparatus is provided. The audio-visual reproduction apparatus includes a visual display screen and an ultrasonic transducer array having two or more transducer elements arranged around the periphery of the screen for generating an ultrasonic beam modulated with an audio-frequency signal. Non-linear effects in the air demodulate the audio-signal to generate an audio beam propagating perpendicular to the screen. Such an integration of audio and vision may make the user feel as if the sound is being generated from the display screen when he or she is watching it, and also may project the sound towards a target user and seldom, or never, disturb unrelated persons. The ultrasonic transducer array may be made up of independent transducer elements, or may comprise two or more sub-arrays of transducer elements.