Abstract: An active imaging system including a laser to illuminate a scene and an imaging device to receive returns reflected from the scene. The imaging device including an array of pixel circuits, each pixel circuit including a photodiode connected to multiple track and hold circuits and a timing circuit configured to operate the track and hold circuits in quick succession such that each track and hold circuit captures an information signal indicative of returns arriving during different successive time periods during a gate period and thus provides 3D image data based on the arrival times of returns from the scene during the gate period.

Abstract: An infrared detector system is described which includes a detector diode array 3 and a non volatile memory 1. The non volatile memory 1 can use CMOS Silicon Fuse technology which can be polysilicon devices that are programmed using voltage-current-time profiles suitable for the silicon process technology, such that when applied will cause the polysilicon element to heat up rapidly and melt. This results in the fuse element going open circuit, just like blowing a known fuse. The fuse can act as a logic element that has a one time, user programmable and permanent logic state. An array of such memory cells is can be mapped to a sub pixel diode detector array.

Abstract: An Infra Red detector system and method are disclosed for a SAR ADC capable of operation at low power and for use on a Focal Plane Array FPA) detector. High power consumption makes known converter approaches unattractive for use on Focal Plane Array (FPA) detectors that are to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. Many such ADCs are used on a FPA detector (e.g., up to one ADC per column of the imaging array) to digitize image data for the whole array at standard frame rates. Increased power makes cooling difficult to achieve or unattractive at system level. An exemplary system as disclosed can use an adaptive approach to set the comparator gain and settling time depending on the dynamics of the input signal, thereby achieving specified performance while reducing overall power.

Abstract: An infrared detector system is described which includes a detector diode array 3 and a non volatile memory 1. The non volatile memory 1 can use CMOS Silicon Fuse technology which can be polysilicon devices that are programmed using voltage-current-time profiles suitable for the silicon process technology, such that when applied will cause the polysilicon element to heat up rapidly and melt. This results in the fuse element going open circuit, just like blowing a known fuse. The fuse can act as a logic element that has a one time, user programmable and permanent logic state. An array of such memory cells is can be mapped to a sub pixel diode detector array.

Abstract: An Infra Red detector system and method are disclosed for a SAR ADC capable of operation at low power and for use on a Focal Plane Array FPA) detector. High power consumption makes known converter approaches unattractive for use on Focal Plane Array (FPA) detectors that are to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. Many such ADCs are used on a FPA detector (e.g., up to one ADC per column of the imaging array) to digitise image data for the whole array at standard frame rates. Increased power makes cooling difficult to achieve or unattractive at system level. An exemplary system as disclosed can use an adaptive approach to set the comparator gain and settling time depending on the dynamics of the input signal, thereby achieving specified performance whilst reducing overall power.

Abstract: A tape is woven on-grain and has printed thereon at repetitive intervals an optically converging marking pattern which converges onto a locating pattern. The converging patterns are most preferably lines which resemble the mathematical symbols for “greater-than” and “less-than”. The converging patterns each converge on opposite sides of a rectangular box which designates where a board or other structural component will most preferably be located. Within the rectangular box is an additional line which subdivides the box equally into two parts and which contains at its center a small diamond The diamond identifies the geometric center of the structural component, for nailing or other purposes. The subdividing line may also be used in combination with the two converging patterns to locate two structural components, side-by-side. In this latter case, the two converging patterns each converge in with the rectangular box at the respective geometric centers of the two structural components.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting tool such as a brush cutter, lawn mower, etc. includes a hub (110) for mounting on the rotary shaft of the brush cutter and blades (112) mounted thereto via pivoted links (116). In use the blades are held by rivets (114), having enlarged eccentric heads (122), which are received in keyhole-shaped slots in the blades. Thus the blades may be readily removed without tools by first rotating a blade and then translating it relative to the hub. The blades may be enlarged in width towards their distal ends which are radiused with a smaller radius than that of the cutting circle.