Abstract:
A coupling mechanism for coupling a light vehicle to a surface, the coupling mechanism comprising: a magnetic coupling device arranged such that it may be switched between a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode the device generates an external magnetic field less than a first strength, and in the second mode the device generates an external magnetic field of at least a second strength, the second strength being greater than the first strength; and a surface detection unit, coupled to the magnetic coupling device, and arranged to determine when the light vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a surface, wherein in response to the surface detection unit determining that the light vehicle is within the predetermined distance, switching the magnetic coupling device from the first mode to the second mode, to secure the light vehicle to the surface.
Abstract:
A guiding medium for guiding radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic surface waves, comprising: a first surface, the first surface having an electrical impedance suitable for the propagation of electromagnetic surface waves; and a protection layer positioned on or adjacent the first surface.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a frequency suppression circuit arrangement, which allows at least one selected frequency band to be suppressed by coupling the frequency suppression circuit between the input and output of an RF power amplifier. The frequency circuit in the embodiments of the invention down-converts a feedback signal derived from the amplified output signal into baseband signals. Each of the baseband signals is fed into an inverting amplifier to generate a negative baseband signal. The negative baseband signal is subsequently filtered to selectively pass the negative baseband signal. The filtered signal is subsequently up-converted into an RF signal. The up-converted RF signal is combined and provided to a coupler connected at the input of the power amplifier such that when the input signal is amplified by the RF power amplifier any signals at the selected frequency can be suppressed.
Abstract:
A networked probe system for a communications network (28) comprising at least one user device and at least one network device, comprises a plurality of probes (25). A probe (25) is provided in each path between the or each user device and the or each network device. Each probe (25) stores one or more parameters of interest. The probes (25) monitor communication from the user device for a subset of the communication satisfying the one or more parameters. On determining the presence of the one or more parameters in the subset of the communication, the probe (25) provides a notification to all other probes in the network (28).
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to use policy defined by the operator to control the interfaces on which data is sent and received by a device. The policy can be dynamically updated by the operator, by pushing new policy to the device for implementation. The policy can define that the device should switch certain data between two or more available interfaces at certain times, or may define when certain data may be sent or received over a particular interface. Advantageously, the device may receive new policy from the operator in order to help with the operator's own operational objectives. For example, the operator may be engaging in traffic shaping or other traffic limitation, for example to ease congestion or enforce service agreements. To support this a policy which implements corresponding traffic limitation or shaping on the air interface between the mobile device and network base stations can be sent to the mobile device. This will have the effect of reducing signaling congestion on the air-interface.
Abstract:
In a multilateration apparatus, a correlator is provided with a time of arrival correlation window, which is set to cater for the path lengths that may be experienced by a signal from an object to be located, before it is received by receivers in the system. This may be on the basis of the largest possible path length in the system or on a receiver by receiver basis.
Abstract:
Electronic systems are becoming increasingly complex and processing is commonly broken down into manageable and testable sub-functions. These sub-functions intercommunicate to pass the data and control signals to complete the system. Described herein is an improved electronic system which comprises a plurality of sub-function nodes (20) arranged in an array (10). Each sub-function node (20) is connected to a secondary bus (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F) via a link (32) for receiving timing and synchronisation signals along with multiple access parameters under the control of a system communication controller (40). Each sub-function node (20) has an antenna for transferring data between other sub-function nodes using radio links.