In Brief

Nov. 1, 2003

DDC offers space-qualified A-D converter for motion control

Engineers at Data Device Corp. in Bohemia, N.Y., are releasing a class-K resolver-to-digital monolithic converter for space applications called the RDC-19229S-4XX series. The device is programmable in 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-bit resolution, offers programmable bandwidth and tracking rates, plus-or-minus 5-volt-only input power, and internal synthesized reference. Typical space applications for this device include motor control, positioning, and reaction wheels. The part operates in the full military operating temperature range of –55 to 125 degrees Celsius, and comes in a 16-by-6-millimeter 44-pin ceramic quad flat pack. For more information contact DDC by phone at 631-567-5600, by fax at 631-567-7358, by post at 105 Wilbur Place, Bohemia, NY 11716-2482, or online at www.ddc-web.com.

Endevco introduces high-sensitivity pressure transducers

Experts at Endevco in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., are offering their Model 8515C high-sensitivity piezoresistive pressure transducer for applications such as blast-effect studies, measuring the surface pressure gradients on helicopter or turbine blades, flex circuit applications on aerodynamics surfaces during flight tests, or small-scale models in wind tunnel tests. The transducers are available with B screen options for applications involving exposure to high-intensity light or particle impingement. The 0.03-by-0.25-inch-diameter transducer can fit on curved surfaces or be recessed into the mounting surface with a flush fit. The device operates in temperatures between –18 and 93 degrees Celsius. For more information contact Endevco by phone at 949-493-8181, by fax at 949-661-7231, by post at 30700 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-1748, or online at www.endevco.com.

Thales to support Army electronics initiatives

Officials of Thales Communications Inc. in Clarksburg, Md., won a contract to support engineers at the U.S. Army Communications–Electronics Command on the Rapid Response Program — otherwise known as the CR2P. Thales, which is part of a Galaxy Scientific Corp. team, will provide know-how in areas such as miniaturized communications and navigation electronics. The CR2P helps speed task orders for CECOM in support of urgent warfighter requirements, Thales officials say. Thales also will provide technical expertise related to the Joint Tactical Radio System. For more information contact Thales Communications by phone at 240-864-7000, by fax at 240-864-7620, by post at 22605 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD. 20871, or online at www.thalescomminc.com.

Olympus forms MEMS technology division

Olympus Optical Co. Ltd. in Tokyo is forming a new MEMS Technology division to unify the company's research and manufacturing in microelectromechanical systems — better known as MEMS. Olympus officials say their company has been researching and developing MEMS for more than a decade, the reorganization enables the Olympus MEMS technology and foundry capabilities to improve and expand. In addition, they will increase their MEMS assembly facilities by 30 percent, and put a priority on research and development. In the United States the new Olympus MEMS Technology Division comes under leadership of the Olympus Partnership Development Group in San Jose. For more information contact Olympus by phone at 408-514-3900, by fax at 408-946-3836, by post at 180 Baytech Drive, San Jose, CA 95134-2302, or online at www.olympus-ita.com.

Geotest's flight-line test equipment passes Air Force qualification

U.S. Air Force officials have certified the MTS-206 ultrarugged PXI-based flight-line test set from Geotest Marvin Test Systems Inc. in Irvine, Calif., to Air Force environmental standards. The qualification is a combination of functional and environmental tests that validate the test set's performance and verify that the equipment meets Air Force specifications. Environmental tests included shock, vibration, temperature, humidity, altitide, and electromagnetic interference. The MTS-206 includes a 14-slot PXI backplane that supports a PXI controller and 13 PXI instruments. Seven of the slots can accommodate 6U or 3U PXI or CompactPCI instruments, and the other seven can support 3U instruments only. For more information contact Geotest by pone at 949-263-2222, by fax at 949-263-1203, by post at 17570 Cartwright Road, Irvine, CA 92614-5846, or online at www.geotestinc.com.

DRS continues U.S. Navy Aegis software development

Software engineers from DRS Technologies Inc. in Parsippany, N.J., are continuing their development of Display Architecture Framework (DAF), a new tactical situation display-rendering application software, for the U.S. Navy's Aegis Tactical Display Upgrade program, under terms of a $10 million contract from Aegis integrator Lockheed Martin Corp. in Moorestown, N.J. DAF provides the core display component for Aegis open-architecture modernization. This software will serve as a key component of the Navy's open-architecture initiative and is expected to be the foundation for supporting future combat systems, DRS officials say. The software is scheduled for delivery in September 2004. DAF presents battle space information display for combat system applications, accessing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) rendering engines.

New report predicts RapidIO to lead bus architecture wars

RapidIO is emerging as the leader among a host of new high-speed serial databuses, and is likely to retain its lead through the end of this decade, reports consulting firm Metz International of Austin, Texas. The value of RapidIO ports shipped is expected to total more than $400 million in 2007, versus an estimated $200 million for the competitive Advanced Switching interconnect architecture, Metz analysts report. "RapidIO is clearly out of the starting gate early, with software, silicon, test and RapidIO-based computers on the market already," says report author Ernie Bergstrom of Crystal Cube Consulting, who co-authored the report with John G. Metz of Metz International. "Our analysis indicates it will be the embedded market leader in terms of ports shipped between now and 2007. The report, "Bus Wars Episode II: Clash of the Titans," is available for purchase at the Metz International Website at www.metzinternational.com.

Rockwell Collins and Sandia to collaborate on projects

Leaders of Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., signed a memorandum of understanding to explore new technologies for aerospace and defense applications. The memo calls for both organizations to share their knowledge and capabilities. Rockwell Collins and Sandia say they will collaborate in technology, product development, and manufacturing. Sandia has major research projects in national security, energy, environmental technologies, and economic competitiveness. Rockwell Collins designs avionics and communications equipment. For more information contact Rockwell Collins by phone at 319-295-1000, by post at 400 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498, or online at www.rockwellcollins.com/.

General Dynamics team competing for JTRS cluster 5

General Dynamics Decision Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., is leading a team competing to bring miniaturized software-defined radio technology into small devices such as unattended ground sensors and soldier systems that can overcome size, weight, and power constraints. Called Cluster 5 of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program, this effort will give joint U.S forces three different device types — manpack, handheld, and small form fit — for a variety of mission requirements. JTRS consists of software-programmable and hardware-configurable digital radio equipment that provides flexibility and adaptability to fighting forces. The team includes BAE Systems of Wayne, N.J.; Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Thales Communications of Clarksburg, Md. Supporting the team is Motorola of Schaumburg, Ill.; Vanu Inc. in Cambridge, Mass.; Agile Communications of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Altera, in San Jose, Calif.; and RedZone Robotics in Pittsburgh. For more information contact General Dynamics at www.generaldynamics.com.

Air Force researchers probe for hidden software files

Experts at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate in Rome, N.Y., are looking to Dolphin Technology of Rome, N.Y., to develop the "Microsoft Office File Inspection Application" under terms of a $100,000 small business innovative research contract. "Dolphin engineers will develop a software tool that allows for advanced inspection of Microsoft Office files to discover information 'hidden' in those files," says Matthew Kochan, program manager in the directorate's Information and Intelligence Exploitation Division. "The tool will scan computer files and alert the user that parts of the files have information that might not be readily apparent. This is important for the intelligence community, where a specific file may be downgraded in classification and it is vital to know that nothing from the higher classification level remains obscured."

RF Micro Devices switches to 6-inch gallium arsenide wafer manufacturing

RF Micro Devices Inc. in Greensboro, N.C., completed its first major customer qualification of its 6-inch wafer manufacturing capabilities. Company experts are converting from 4- to 6-inch wafer manufacturing at their gallium arsenide heterojunction bipolar transistor (GaAs HBT) fabrication facility in Greensboro, N.C. RF Micro Devices, which makes proprietary radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications, is converting to 6-inch wafer manufacturing to reduce manufacturing costs, says Curt Barratt, the company's division vice president of wafer fab operations. "The conversion to 6-inch wafers will more than double the number f die per wafer without a significant increase in processing cost per wafer," he says. For more information contact RF Micro Devices by phone at 336-664-1233, by fax at 336-931-7454, by post at 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421, or at www.rfmd.com.

Elma expands chassis-mounted slide-rail offerings

Leaders of Elma Electronic Inc. in Fremont, Calif., are expanding their chassis/cabinet-mounted slide-rail line with new standard and rugged bracket-mount versions. These rails are for applications in which panel mounting on the vertical members of the cabinet is not desirable. Instead, designers can bracket-mount the slide rails on the horizontal members or cabinet walls. Elma's slide rails, which are in standard and rugged versions with locking and nonlocking options, come in three sections: an outer-mounting bracket to the cabinet, an inner-mounting bracket to the chassis, and a center-sliding member. For more, contact Elma online at www.elma.com.

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