| Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine, June 2005 Articles |
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June 2005
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Weather forecasters turn to high technology
From warfighting to civilian airline schedules, weather controls our lives. A sandstorm in the desert or wind shear above an aircraft carrier can bring entire battle plans to a halt.
RF and microwave technology enable networking on the move
Designers of RF and microwave technology say low power and small size remain the trend in product designs.
UAVs poised to take the next step into combat
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) first saw combat in the first Persian Gulf War of 1991, where Iraqi soldiers surrendered to a Pioneer UAV rather than have it direct ship-launched cruise missiles on their location.
Silicon-based shielding may protect military electronics from EMP
Engineers at Transtector in Hayden, Idaho, are producing electromagnetic- pulse (EMP) shielding devices based on silicon for U.
Navy orders quick-turnaround procurement for optoelectronic UAV sensors
Officials of the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division in Dalhgren, Va., ordered a quick-turnaround procurement last month of optoelectronic systems for existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Acme selects Quantum3D for KC-10 Boom Operator Trainer program
Officials at Acme Worldwide Enterprises in Albuquerque, N.M., recently selected real-time visual computing solutions from Quantum3D for a military trainer.
Purdue researchers create miniature cooling device
Mechanical engineers at Purdue University have developed techniques for modifying household refrigeration technology with small devices to cool future weapons systems and computer chips.
In brief
Industry scores a win with Military Technologies Conference
It’s been two months since the first Military Technologies Conference in Boston, and we at Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine have gained far more than enough lessons learned to help us continue to move forward with this strong and revitalized technical conference.
Lockheed Martin set to build laser-guided practice rounds for U.S. Navy
Leaders of the U.S. Naval Air Systems command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are looking to the Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control division in Orlando, Fla., to build laser-guided training rounds (LGTRs) for Navy combat pilots next year.
Industry News: How to predict failure mechanisms in LED and laser diodes
Military and avionics use of optoelectronics-especially displays-has exploded in recent years as the military’s implementation of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components continues to grow.
Optoelectronics Briefs
COTS: the reality
“Modified COTS” is something of an oxymoron . . . but we are unquestionably seeing the beginning of a trend that, if unchecked, could set the military procurement market back by 10 years.
TSA to introduce new technology for access-control enhancements
Rear Adm. David M. Stone, USN (Ret.), assistant secretary of homeland security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), recently announced the beginning of Phase II of the Airport Access Control Pilot Program in which TSA will test advanced technologies to enhance access control to secure areas of an airport.
Colorado statewide communications system expands to the San Luis Valley
Alamosa County is the first of six counties in the San Luis Valley area to be connected to Colorado’s statewide digital trunked radio system, provided by Motorola engineers in Schuamberg, Ill.
Homeland Security Briefs
Primes creating own mil-specifications
“The government is looking to prime contractors to take more of a lead for system engineering and integration.”
Unmanned vehicles: a tactical advantage and a rich market
Unmanned vehicles were among the biggest tactical advantages for the U.S. military in Gulf War 2.
Unmanned combat plane will use LaBarge data network
Boeing officials have awarded LaBarge Inc. a contract to provide engineering support and manufacturing services for its Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) X-45C.
NOAA and NASA begin science experiment with UAVs
Can unmanned aircraft be used effectively for Earth science experiments?
GoldenEye UAV makes first autonomous transition flights
Aurora Flight Sciences has announced that its GoldenEye-50 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) performed multiple autonomous transitions from vertical to horizontal flight, and back again, during test flights.
Lockheed Martin teams with Aerosonde for UAV systems
Lockheed Martin, Aerosonde North America Inc., and Aerosonde Pty Limited have announced the establishment of a multinational strategic alliance to provide Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) solutions for domestic and international markets.
Steadicopter builds autonomous UAV
By combining a patented computer program and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) with an existing minicopter, an Israeli company has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that could be the next homeland-security defense tool.
Unmanned vehicles: autonomous and on-target
For the most part, “unmanned vehicle” is, today, something of a misnomer.
Smaller sensors make unmanned vehicles smarter
Tomorrow’s sensors will be modular, digital, fused, and networked
Sailors map the battlespace with unmanned underwater vehicles
U.S. Navy sailors prepare precise maps of the ocean around them while preparing for sea battles.
Micro UAVs to make substantial impact over next few years
Analysts at Frost & Sullivan see micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) making a substantial impact on the global defense market over the next five years.
Training and simulation: Online software learning tool for unmanned vehicles
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) is offering a suite of software tools that enable users to view instructional videos for cross-training or refresher training, practice in “near-real” operational environments, view instructional materials embedded in simulations, create virtual textbooks, and take practice tests to evaluate their understanding.
Sensors: Electro-pneumatic servo valve
K.I.M. Aerotech in Camarillo, Calif., is introducing the Model 81145 servo valve that has no leakage losses at a low absolute pressure due to internal bleeds.
Image processing: Intellectual property for unmanned-vehicle machine vision
Parimics in Mountain View, Calif., is offering intellectual property for chipsets for advanced real-time image processing in applications such as unmanned vehicles, manufacturing monitoring and control, machine vision, robotics, guidance systems, security, and defense.
Embedded computing: Rugged 3U CompactPCI single-board computer
Radstone Technology in Towcester, England, is offering the rugged 3U CompactPCI PowerPact3 IMP2A single-board computer to deliver a powerful embedded computer in a small space typical of unmanned vehicles.
Data storage: Non-volatile solid-state data storage devices
SiliconSystems Inc. in Aliso Viejo, Calif., is offering the SiliconDrive nonvolatile solid-state data-storage devices for military applications such as unmanned vehicles.
Communications equipment: Wideband single-channel data recorder
Sypris Data Systems in San Dimas, Calif., is offering the Model 600 wideband single-channel data recorder that can record a baseband or 70 MHz IF analog interface.
Avionics: Rugged PMC combines ARINC 429 and serial communications
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC) in Leesburg, Va., is offering a rugged avionics communications controller PMC card that combines 4 channels of ARINC 429 (four transmit & eight receive) and four serial channels on one card.
Avionics: FPGA-based VME processing card
VMETRO Transtech in Houston is offering the VME64x/VXS processing card, which combines two Xilinx Virtex-II Pro XC2VP70 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), two 1-GHz PowerPC 7447 microprocessors and a multichannel VITA-41 based communications fabric in a rugged VME/VXS board.
Optoelectronic sensors: Color camera system for rugged applications
Epix Inc. in Buffalo Grove, Ill., is offering the Silicon Video 9T001C color camera system for rugged applications such as unmanned vehicles.
Ethernet devices: DDC gigabit Ethernet network card targeted for UAV avionics
The ET-71000 series from DDC in Bohemia, N.Y., are dual channel Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) PMC cards optimized for use in embedded avionics such as unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ethernet devices: Ethernet data-transfer unit serves as mission-load device for UAVs
Targa Systems in Ottawa is announcing its Series 3 Ethernet Interface data-transfer unit (DTU), which is suited for several applications in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including serving as the primary mission-load device, map upload and storage, and data recording and retrieval.
Graphics and video: Portable COTS intelligent video system
The Titan Corp Advanced Products & Design Division in San Diego is offering the VideoScout portable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) intelligent video system that helps field deployed personnel turn video data generated from land, air, or marine unmanned vehicles (UVs) into actionable video intelligence, and then easily transmit it to those who need it most.
Design tools: Nallatech tool enables UAV designers to leverage Xilinx FPGA technology
Engineers at Nallatech in Cumberland, England, recently announced the completion of the Virtex-4 XtremeDSP Development Kit, which will enable designers to immediately leverage Xilinx’s digital signal processing (DSP) Virtex-4 FPGAs in new advanced field programmable gate array (FPGA) designs in mission-critical applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Displays: Z-Microsystems Gemini displays used for Fire Scout UAV
Four Gemini displays (up-and-down configurations) from Z Microsystems in San Diego are installed in Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV) ground control station to display system information, such as the payload video, moving map displays, and nose camera images, information necessary to fly the Navy helicopter.
Chassis and enclosures: AP Labs FS-5975 ATR chassis supports Predator UAV
The FS-5975 MTS chassis from AP Labs in San Diego was selected to house the Multi Spectral Targeting System (MTS) on the Predator umanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Chassis and enclosures: AiTech enclosure to be used for J-UCAS
The UCAV (now becoming J-UCAS or Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System) 3/4 ATR-Short integrated subsystem enclosure from AiTech in Chatsworth, Calif., contains a specialized custom low-input voltage, 250-watt power supply, tuned "Pi" power input filter (to meet EMI per MIL-STD-461).
Chassis and enclosures: Macrolink Leopard 10 chassis to fly on UAV program
The Macrolink Leopard 10 18-slot VME64x chassis will fly on a UAV program. Macrolink officials declined to say which program because of contractual obligations.
3U CompactPCI-based IEEE 1394B interface card
SBS Technologies Inc. in Albuquerque, N.M., is offering the conduction-cooled 3U 1394B-3CP1 CompactPCI IEEE 1394B input/output card with a maximum data transport speed of 400 megabits per second, or 100 megabits per second for designs that require transformer-coupled bus isolation.
Fiber-optic PMC optimized for streaming I/O and signal processing
TEK Microsystems Inc. in Chelmsford, Mass., is offering the JazzFiber PCI mezzanine card (PMC), a protocol-agnostic fiber optic PMC I/O module optimized for streaming I/O and signal processing.
IF signals analysis system
Interactive Circuits and Systems Ltd., part of Radstone Embedded Computing in Towcester, England, is offering the ICS SignIFy portable intermediate frequency IF signal analysis system, which provides long-duration record and signal-analysis capability, and supports user code development in a PC-based package.
Reconfigurable PMC FPGA I/O modules with front or rear I/O connection
Acromag Inc. in Wixom, Mich., is offering the PMC-DX series of customizable field-programmable gate array (FPGA) I/O PCI mezzanine card (PMC) modules with rear-connection field I/O interface.
Multi-protocol avionics databus simulation and analysis tool
Condor Engineering in Santa Barbara, Calif., is offering the BusTools/GSS simulation and analysis tool for systems integration, development, and test applications that require graphical representation of complex, multi-protocol bus data.
Pentium-based single-board computer with comprehensive I/O
GE Fanuc Embedded Systems Inc. in Huntsville, Ala., is offering the CPCI-7506 single-board computer with the Intel Pentium M or Celeron M microprocessors, and with a 400 MHz front-side bus and internal SVGA controller via Intel’s 855GME chipset, as much as 1 gigabyte DDR SDRAM, and dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.
Rugged Celeron-based embedded computers
Parvus Corp. in Salt Lake City is offering four Celeron-based PC/104-Plus and PCI-104 embedded processor boards.
Lightweight rugged COTS chassis that meets mil-specs
Elma Electronic Inc. in Fremont, Calif., is offering a low-weight rugged 7U 12R1 COTS shielded chassis for military, aerospace, and defense applications.
High-resolution image combiner for simulation, command, and control
RGB Spectrum in Alameda, Calif., is introducing the SynchroMaster 555 overlayer/keyer that combines images from two high-resolution computer sources or image generators into one composite image.
Packaging for rad-hard ASICs and FPGA-to-ASIC conversions
Aeroflex Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colo., is offering radiation-hardened packaging for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for improved simultaneous switching output response, and is offering an external chip capacitor attachment option for the UT0.25 m m rad-hard ASICs and for FPGA-to-ASIC conversions.
PCI-DSP bridge chips for TigerSHARC and SHARC processors
BittWare Inc. in Concord, N.H., is offering the SharcFIN 201 (SFIN-201) PCI-DSP bridge chip for the Analog Devices TigerSHARC and SHARC processors.
Rad-hard solid-state relays for high-reliability systems
International Rectifier in El Segundo, Calif., is offering four radiation-hardened solid-state relays for high-reliability (hi-rel) applications.
Harmonic attenuator module to enhance power-conversion systems
Vicor Corp. in Andover, Mass., is offering the VI-HAM high-boost harmonic attenuator module.
Radiation-tolerant MIL-STD-1553 terminals
Data Device Corp. in Bohemia, N.Y., is offering prototype Space ACE II and Space RT II radiation-tolerant MIL-STD-1553 terminals.
Boeing picks data terminal for P-8A maritime patrol aircraft
Designers at the Boeing Co. in St. Louis needed satellite communication terminals for the U.S. Navy’s P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft (MMA) program.
Danish air force chooses Formation data recorders
Engineers with the Royal Danish Air Force needed a data recorder to record ground-to-air and air-to-ground radio conversations.
General Dynamics picks Performance Technologies for networking
Engineers at General Dynamics C4 Systems in Taunton, Mass., needed communications equipment in a ruggedized computer for the U.S. Department of Defense.
VT Miltope servers will run in-flight phone system
Engineers at ARINC Inc. in Annapolis, Md., needed a computer server to run their AeroMobile in-flight phone system.
WalkAbout picks modem for Air Force laptop
Engineers at WalkAbout Computers in West Palm Beach, Fla., needed laptop-mounted integrated data modems for Air Force aircraft.
Global Hawk uses Ethernet switch from Performance Technologies
Engineers at Northrop Grumman, Los Angeles, needed a switching device for their Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle.
NASA project uses data recorder from BiTMICRO
Engineers at Pennsylvania State University needed a data storage unit for their experiment with an unmanned balloon.
Air Force backs up data with Asigra
Engineers at the U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE), Brooks City-Base, Texas, needed a disaster recovery system for its mission-critical computing environment.
NORAD picks blades from ClearCube
Leaders at the U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), in Colorado Springs, Colo., needed computers to process emerging threats.
Marines pick L-3 navigation tool
Engineers with the U.S. Marine Corps needed a battlefield survey and navigation tool.
Army picks ITT for night-vision goggles
Engineers with the U.S. Army needed better night-vision capability for soldiers on dark or foggy battlefields.
ESA picks CEDIP cameras to track rocket
Scientists at the European Space Agency in Paris needed an infrared camera system to track launchings of the ARIANE 5 rocket.
Acme picks Quantum3D for refueling simulator
Engineers at Acme Worldwide Enterprises in Albuquerque, N.M., needed a graphics generator to upgrade a flight simulator.
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