Loop Resistance Tester
The Boeing Co. has developed an instrument that allows the integrity of cable shielding to be tested without de-mating the connectors. The Loop Resistance Tester (LRT) works by magnetically coupling low-power, low-frequency AC current onto the cable shield and then measuring the induced voltage. The ratio of these can be used to determine the loop resistance, which is an indicator of the quality of the electrical bonds between the cable shield, connectors and metallic structure.
The LRT’s measurement process begins when the operator clamps two magnetic couplers around a cable. One coupler generates the AC current that is induced in the cable shield and measures the voltage around the loop while the other measures the current induced in the loop.
Contact Boeing Maintenance and Ground Operations Systems, phone 206-544-8506, or visit www.boeing.com
Kitting System
Global Kitting Systems, Roseburg, Ore., has created the Partfolio, a portable kitting system designed to store and protect sensitive components against loss and ESD/EMI (electrostatic discharge/electro-magnetic interference) damage. Using the Partfolio system, parts managers load each kit with the precise number of components prior to the assembly process; the system’s 50 bins allow customization for various part sizes.
For more information, call 800-663-4591 or visit the Website www.globalkitting.com
Graphics Controllers
Barco Display Systems has introduced its PVS 5000 series of high-resolution, single-slot PCI graphics controllers with digital interface for video and radar. The commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) systems were designed to support large rendering surfaces with screen resolution up to 2048 x 2048. The PVS series will support up to three hardware cursors simultaneously; these can offer multiple input device capability and support three 8-bit color planes.
Barco is based in Kortrijk, Belgium, and has a division in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit www.barco.com/display/press
Air Transport Rack
Primagraphics Ltd., Litlington, UK, recently introduced a convection-cooled, COTS air transport rack. Its top-loading card frame accommodates up to five 6U VME Eurocards, and an integral backplane interfaces with rear-panel mounted I/O connectors. The enclosure was designed to comply with ARINC Specification 404A.
For more information, send e-mail to [email protected] or visit the Website www.primag.co.uk
Liquid Crystal Display
Planar Systems Inc., Beaverton, Ore., recently introduced its new 3ATI active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) for avionics applications in both the civil and military marketplaces. It was designed for flight deck instruments including flight path and engine information centers, attitude direction finder, and horizontal situation indicator. The new 3ATI was designed to replace the Toshiba 3ATI display. It will present data in full color and in real time.
For more information, visit the Website www.planar.com
ARINC 429 Interface Board
PowerCom says it is offering a new ARINC 429 interface board, designed to supply users with an interface medium between a personal computer and an ARINC 429 databus. The PCA-40014-100 is initially offered in an ISA bus format, however, the PCI offering is currently being prototyped. Full software, offered on the board, consists of drivers in Windows 95 and NT platforms, a developer’s library, and a prewritten menu for users that require instant interfacing capabilities. The board is priced at $1,500 for small orders.
For info, contact PowerCom at 714-892-4400, or visit www.powercomusa.com
Flight Management Systems
Universal Avionics Systems Corp., Tucson, Ariz., now offers a new line of UNS-1 flight management systems (FMS), which the company refers to as "Super FMS." It succeeds the company’s UNS-1C, -1D and -1K. The new systems—designated the UNS-1E, -1F and -1L—include such hardware advances as high-res, liquid crystal displays; a 12-channel combined GPS/GLONASS receiver, and a 32-bit processor. Program memory has been increased four-fold.
Call 800-321-5253 or 520-295-2300.
Multiport Test System
Agilent Technologies Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard, now offers its 87050E multiport test sets for evaluating the performance of 50-ohm RF components on high-volume production lines. These test sets were designed to work with the Agilent 8712E series network analyzers. Together, they offer a solution up to 3GHz for measuring devices with up to 12 ports.
Visit www.agilent.com on the Web.
Digital Radio System
Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. says it has introduced the industry’s first multiprocessor, TMS320C6202-based, digital radio solution: Ingliston. This quad PCI DSP system features four 250 MHz C6202 fixed-point DSP processors, which perform to 2000 MIPS per DSP—that’s 25% faster than its predecessor, the C6201 DSP.
Spectrum is located at One Spectrum Court, #200-2700 Production Way, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; phone 604-421-5422; fax 604-421-1764.