Rockwell Collins to develop weapons-guidance communications software
Experts at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are developing software for the U.S. Air Force Weapon Data Link Architecture program — otherwise known as WDLA. Collins engineers are developing a networked, in-flight communications for precision-fuided weapons using the software communications architecture that complies with the U.S. military policy concerning the future Joint Tactical Radio System. Collins is working under terms of a potential $23.4 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. The project calls for Collins to develop a scalable architecture that meets the diverse needs of current and future U.S. weapons. For more information contact Rockwell Collins by phone at 319-295-5100, or online at www.rockwellcollins.com.
Aeroflex unveils monolithic rad-hard converter for space applications
Aeroflex Inc. of Plainview, N.Y., is announcing the ACT5028, a radiation-hardened 16-bit monolithic tracking resolver-to-digital converter (RDC) integrated circuit that converts a resolver's analog output to a digital value of angle. An analog output is a measure of angular position of its shaft. The RDC can measure and control a shaft's position, angular velocity, and acceleration. It is to control the movement of antennas, telescopes, robotic arms, and pointing and tracking sensors on spacecraft. The ACT5028 is programmable to 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-bit resolution by using a few noncritical external resistors and capacitors. The RDC will be manufactured on Aeroflex's commercial RadHard 0.6 process, which would enable the device to resist the effects of 100 kilorads of total-dose radiation. Also available to support implementation is the ACT5028-480 evaluation board. For more information contact Aeroflex by phone at 516-694-6700, or online at www.aeroflex.com.
Honeywell earns SEI level-five software rating
Software engineers at the Honeywell Defense & Space Electronic Systems business in Clearwater, Fla., have earned a level-five rating for software-development quality as defined by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model. Honeywell earned this rating after an analysis of the organization's software-development capability, processes, and products. The assessment team used the SEI Capability Maturity Model-Based Assessment for Internal Process Improvement. The Capability Maturity Model developed by the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh provides a measure of the maturity of software engineering and provides a guide for process improvements. For more information contact Honeywell online at www.honeywell.com.
Teledyne Relays offers slim solid-state relays for circuit boards
Officials of Teledyne Relays in Hawthorne, Calif., are introducing two families of slim solid-state relays — the Series SAS and Series SDS — for industrial applications that require compact size and relatively low cost. The relays offer AC or DC switches on printed circuit boards. The Series SAS relays are for AC applications, and offer 280-volt AC 2-amp output. They have integrated snubber and high surge-handling capability. The Series SDS is for DC applications and offers a 28-volt DC 4-amp output. For more information contact Antonio Gallegos of Teledyne Relays by phone at 323-241-1264, by e-mail at [email protected], or online at www.teledynerelays.com.
Homeland security firms join to improve chemicals detection
Markland Technologies Inc. of Ridgefield, Conn., is buying Science and Technology Research Inc. (STR) of Fredericksburg, Va., for $6.5 million. STR builds the U.S. Navy's portable Shipboard Automatic Chemical Agent Detection and Alarm System (ACADA), which the Navy deploys to detect nerve and blister agents as well as other chemical warfare agents. Markland integrates homeland security systems for govermnent and military users. STR is under contract to the Navy to produce as many as 1,000 ACADA units. STR, which is becoming a Markland subsidiary, also is developing RF wireless chemical detectors. "The acquisition of STR fits well into our Homeland Security business plan and creates an attractive, established revenue stream for the company," says Robert Tarini, Markland chairman . For more information contact Markland online at www.marklandtech.com.
Ceramic Society to launch quarterly magazine
Leaders of the American Ceramic Society in Westerville, Ohio, are set to launch a new publication in January 2004 called the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology. The magazine will feature selected papers for peer review by at least two referees. Special topics to be covered include fuel cells, nanotechnology, ceramic armor, and thermal barrier coatings. The editorial board chair is Dr. H-T Lin of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. For more information contact the America Ceramic Society customer service department by phone at l614-794-5890, or online at www.ceramics.org.
Astro-Med offers hand-held data recorder
Officials of Astro-Med Inc. of West Warwick, R.I., are offering a new hand-held data-acquisition recorder called the Dash 2EZ with 5.7-inch color real-time display for waveform viewing, compact flash memory, and 3-inch thermal printer. The unit is designed for maintenance and troubleshooting applications in power monitoring, shock-and-vibration testing, DC-drive monitoring, and nondestructive testing. The device can record two channels at a sample rate of 10 kHz per channel while displaying waveforms on the display. For more information contact the Astro-Med Test and Measurement Product Group by phone at 877-867-9783, or online at www.astro-med.com/tmindex.
Actel, MorethanIP team to offer Fibre Channel cores
Actel Corp of Mountain View, Calif., and MorethanIP GmbH of Karlsfeld, Germany, are offering Gigabit Fibre Channel intellectual property (IP) cores for field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) operating to military temperature specifications. The new Gigabit Fibre Channel cores are available from MorethanIP as part of Actel's CompanionCore Alliance Program. These cores support Actel's military Axcelerator devices and industrial- and commercial-temperature devices. "The Fibre Channel protocol is rapidly gaining acceptance in the military avionics market," says Yankin Tanurhan, senior director of the applications and IP solutions group at Actel. "The security benefits and firm error immunity of Actel's Axcelerator devices, combined with the MorethanIP low-cost, high-performance Fibre Channel IP cores provide designers with an attractive solution that meets the stringent requirements of the military and aviation markets," adds Francois Balay, chief executive officer at MorethanIP. For more information contact Actel by phone at 650-318-4200, or online at www.actel.com.
