Digital Recorder
Heim Data Systems, Belmar, N.J., a provider of data acquisition equipment, recently introduced its D Series digital recorders with Ethernet signal interface. D Series comprises two models: the D20f, with up to a 20-megabits per second (Mbit/s) system data rate, and the D200f, with up to 200-Mbits/s data rate. With modular signal interfacing and interchangeable media cartridges, the recorders can adapt to changing mission requirements in airborne applications. Ethernet data can be acquired concurrently and correlated with other data from PCM telemetry, avionics buses, sensors, video and other sources. Visit www.heimdata.com.
Single-Board Computer
Two new rugged versions of the PowerEngine7 single-board computer (SBC), one air-cooled and one conduction-cooled, are now available from Thales Computers, Raleigh, N.C. Both versions feature single or dual PowerPC-750FX processors operating at 700 MHz while drawing 14 watts of power. They are equipped with up to 512 megabytes (Mbytes) of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) and up to 128 Mbytes of flash memory. The SBCs were developed for aerospace and military applications. Visit www.thalescomputers.com.
Server Computer
Azusa, Calif.-based Acme Portable Machines Inc., has introduced a new line of portable server computers, the GMII-102, for users and integrators involved in test/measurement and field data acquisition. The computers include 2.0-gighertz (-GHz) or 3.0-GHz Pentium 4 processors, eight expansion slots and a hard disk drive with at least 80-gigabyte (Gbyte) capacity. They have two additional drive bays configurable as floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R or combo drives. The computers can be loaded with up to 2 Gbytes of double data rate or PC-133 memory. Visit www.portablesys.com.
CompactPCI Board
SBS Technologies, Albuquerque, N.M., now offers three 6U CompactPCI single-board computers that use the Intel Pentium M processors. The CT9, CP9 and CR9 are configured for different feature sets. The CT9–which offers functional integration within a single slot, allowing users to customize the computer with PMC interfaces–was designed for wireless, voice over packet, enterprise devices and server blade applications. The CP9 has a dual-slot-wide front panel that allows two PMCs and a hard disk or a flash drive to be mounted in parallel. And the CR9 was designed to meet harsh environmental requirements in training and simulation, test and measurement, and military and aerospace applications. Visit www.sbs.com.
Calling Decoder
The Jet Call selective calling decoder was developed by Free Flight Systems to relieve flight crews of the need to continuously monitor network radio for messages. It handles a range of input signals without adjustment and requires no jumpers or remote switches. Jet Call is modular, has technical standard order (TSO) C-59 approval, and meets DO-160A specifications.� It includes two or five decoder channels to handle VHF and/or two HF transceivers. Sixteen code letter tones for all four codewheels provide 43,680 code letter combinations and 10,920 tones. Visit www.freeflightsystems.com.
1553B Couplers
Tyco Electronics, Harrisburg, Pa., has introduced a new family of Mil-Std-1553B couplers, designed to be small and lightweight. It includes a range of 1-stub to 6-stub in-line couplers, with or without internal bus terminators. The couplers are meant for installation in cable bundles and do not need clamping. Visit www.tycoelectronics.com.
Industry Facts/Figures Source
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) recently released the 51st edition of its Aerospace Facts and Figures, a statistical yearbook of the aerospace industry in the United States through 2002. The reference also includes government budget estimates for 2003 and 2004, as well as historical data on aircraft production, missile and space programs, air transportation, research and development, foreign trade, employment and finance. Aerospace Facts and Figures, costs $35 for AIA members, $50 for non-members. Visit www.aia-aerospace.org.
DC Current Transducer
New Series 920 and Series 921 DC current transducers from American Aerospace Controls (AAC) provide accuracy to 1.0 percent FS for stable operation over temperatures from -40 degrees to 85 degrees C. The 920 line comes in four models with input current ranges from 0 ADC to +/-50 ADC through 0 ADC to +/-125 ADC. The nine different transducer models in the 921 family offer input current ranges from 0 ADC to +/-200 ADC to 0 ADC to +/-2,000 ADC. Visit www.a-a-c.com.
Programmable Oscillator
A 50-MHz locking programmable oscillator is available from Seattle-based Novatech Instruments Inc. The LPO30A, an extended-frequency version of the company’s LPO30, locks and tracks a reference input of 8 KHz to 19.44-MHz in programmable 8-KHz steps. Users can choose one precision master oscillator, such as a cesium, rubidium or “quartz oven” at a standard frequency, selecting the LPO30A to generate the other nonstandard frequencies. Visit www.novatech-instr.com.
CANbus Interface
Dow-Key Microwave, Ventura, Calif., has introduced a coaxial switch matrix with CANbus control interface. The 5050 matrix performs from DC to 18 GHz and is configured as a 4X4 nonblocking switch matrix. The switch is designed for signal routing or as a building block for automatic test equipment applications. Dow-Key plans a successor product equipped with an Ethernet interface accessible remotely through TCP/IP protocols on 10BaseT Ethernet networks using the HTTP 1.0 interface. Visit www.dowkey.com.
Reconfigurable FPGA
Acromag Inc., Wixom, Mich., has introduced a reconfigurable field programmable gate array (FPGA) on an industry pack (IP) mezzanine module. Designers can install up to five IP modules on an Acromag carrier board, using a single card slot in a VME-, CompactPCI- or PCI-format computer. Visit www.acromag.com.
Analog Recorder
Sypris Data Systems, Monrovia, Calif.,� offers the DTR-16D, a wideband analog recorder/reproducer, providing a disk-based alternative for recording data. The product provides 60-minute recording time, and the disk-based approach means increased storage capacity, better dynamic range, quick data access and the ability to process digital data directly from the removable disk pack. Visit www.sypris.com.
LCD Bonding
G-Bond, an optical enhancement process for flat panel displays, is now available from Clearview Displays, Beaverton, Ore. The process optically bonds display cover glass and touch screens directly to the front of TFT liquid crystal displays, increasing contrast. The cover glass also can protect the front polarizer from scratches. The occlusive seal between the cover glass and the display is claimed to enhance shock protection and reduce the air gap between the two elements. Visit www.clearviewdisplays.com.
Wire-Marking Printer
Kroy LLC has introduced the K5100 label and wire-marking printer, the second in its new printer line. Handheld and portable, the new printer is priced at $399. It uses the same cartridge supplies as its predecessor, the K4100 desktop label printer, offers 300-dots-per-inch (dpi) resolution and downloadable fonts, and contains an internal battery charger. Visit www.kroy.com.
Graphics PMC
The PMC-706, the newest member of Dy 4 Systems’ Insights graphics family, was designed to render graphics for such applications as helmet-mounted displays, 3D terrain mapping, and high-definition situational awareness displays. It can drive two high-resolution analog displays or two digital displays. The new commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) graphics PCI mezzanine card is based on the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics processor. (ATI is a provider of 3D graphics processors for the mobile market.) Dy 4 is based in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. Visit www.dy4.com.
Power Supply Unit
A digital 4-channel power supply unit, the THPS-400, is now offered by Hastings Instruments, a business unit of Teledyne Instruments. The Hampton, Va., company developed the THPS-400 to replace its analog models 400 and 200. It has a half-rack profile for drop-in replacement. The THPS-400’s features include integrated totalizer with count-up and count-down options, user-selected filtering or readings, and RS-232, RS-485 or Ethernet communication. It allows the user to set both the minimum and maximum display values corresponding to specific voltage and current inputs. Visit www.hastings-inst.com.
Motor Controller
Bohemia, N.Y.-based Data Device Corp. (DDC) recently expanded its motor controller product line with the Python, designed for harsh environments, such as in the military. The Python provides the intelligence required to implement a single-axis motor-controlled drive system. It comes in two versions: a stand-alone motor control board for control of an external power stage and an integrated solution that features the controller with an integral 3-phase power stage, capable of delivering up to 20.25 kW. Visit www.ddc-web.com.
TFT Display
A new 5.6-inch diagonal, thin film transistor (TFT) display, designed for viewing in bright lighting conditions, including direct sunlight, is available from Peter Parts Electronics Inc., Rochester, N.Y. It is offered in three versions: a 1,000-NIT (measure of luminance), fixed-brightness display, a 1,000-NIT model with automatic dimming circuit, and a 100-Nit model with brightness auto adjust and a built-in power regulation circuit. All have 960 by 234 pixel resolution. Visit www.peterparts.com.
Speaker Systems
Lightweight speaker systems for installation in business aircraft have been introduced by Audio International, a DeCrane Aircraft company. Tier 3 speakers measure 4.5 by 4.5 by 1.82 inches (11.4 by 11.4 by 4.6 cm) and weigh less than 1 pound (0.45 kg). A complementary subwoofer weighs less than 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and measures 8.7 by 8.7 by 2.81 inches (22 by 22 by 7.1 cm). Visit www.audiointl.com.
Book on Rotorcraft
Art of the Helicopter, a book to help understand how helicopters work, has been released by Elsevier, Burlington, Mass. Written by John Watkinson, a helicopter pilot and technical writer, the book discusses the different technologies and different disciplines required for rotorcraft flight. It was penned with trainee pilots in mind. Visit www.elsevier.nl.
Fasteners
PennEngineering Fastening Technologies, Danboro, Pa., now offers its PEM self-locking, self-clinching fasteners, designed to meet NASM25027 locking torque performance requirements. They also were designed to retain their flexing action, allowing repeated use. The fasteners are made of steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Visit www.pennfast.com.
Display Switching Unit
A display switching unit that allows information from Honeywell’s enhanced ground proximity warning system to be displayed on Rockwell Collins’ WXR-220/A, -270/A or -300 weather radar indicator has been developed by Avtech Corp., Seattle. It was designed in response to the Federal Aviation Administration mandate to have terrain awareness and warning systems on all aircraft with six or more passenger seats by March 20, 2005. Visit www.avtcorp.com.
Synch Modules
Connor-Winfield Corp., Aurora, Ill., has introduced the SM3E timing module, with a clock output that meets or exceeds Stratum 3E specifications. The SM3E is a complete system clock for Stratum 3E timing card applications, shared port adapters, data digital cross-connects, and switches and routers. Visit www.conwin.com.
Silicon Photodiodes
UDT Sensors offers plastic-encapsulated silicon photodiodes, blocking wavelengths longer than 700 nanometers. Visit www.udt.com.�
Condor LabView Support
Condor Engineering has added National Instruments LabView Real-Time support for its Mil-Std-1553 CompactPCI products on PXI and cPCI platforms. Visit www.condoreng.com.