How well do you know your aerospace history? In this month's M&AE trivia challenge you can find out - and then pit your knowledge against friends and colleagues!

Take the quiz and you'll be entered in a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card, courtesy of this month's sponsor, Sparton.

Here's a sampling of the questions you'll need to answer:

• Aircraft autopilot was invented in World War II by?

• A “glass” cockpit refers to?

Up for the challenge? TAKE THE QUIZ!

Featured White Papers

Measuring Agile Signals and Dynamic Signal Environments

Learn how real-time spectrum analysis techniques can help make precise and selective measurements of complex and elusive signals. Then see how to take the vital next steps to complete the solution with post-processing analysis, signal replay, and transfer of captured signals to other analysis or simulation tools.

Determination of Capacitor as a Function of Operating Voltage & Temperature Life

Potentiostatically charged Hybrid capacitors age predictably by a mechanism involving electrochemical reactions that reduce the efficiency of the cathode and consume electrolyte. One of these reactions results in the formation of hydrogen at the cathode which reacts irreversibly with the tantalum foil substrate.

Techniques for Precise Measurements in the Field -CAT and VNA Calibration Techniques

Discusses recent advances in VNA calibration and compares measurements using different calibration types for a variety of RF and microwave devices including cables, filters and amplifiers. It discusses QuickCal, full 2-port unknown thru, and enhanced response calibrations. 


Other Agilent Technologies white papers:

• How to Measure 5 ns Rise/Fall Time on an RF Pulsed Power Amplifier Using the 8990B Peak Power Analyzer
• Single/Multi-Channel and Extended Distance Power Measurement with USB Power Sensors

Making Digital Audio Measurements on Devices that have Incompatible Logic Levels

Demands on faster, smaller and more energy efficient digital audio devices have driven the need for devices from operating at the traditional 5 V to core voltage levels of well below 1 V. These low voltages and the variety of different voltages in use between devices can result in interface compatibility problems as well as measurement issues.

Read this application note and learn more about the potential issues that can arise when making digital audio measurements on devices that have incompatible logic levels.

High Performance Embedded Computing and Its Impact on Mil/Aero Applications

High Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) combines the latest processor and interconnect technologies with infrastructures such as OpenVPX and standard software components to allow military programs to pack more computing power into smaller size, weight and power (SWaP) for SIGINT, radar, EW, and many other applications.

The drive toward Modular Open Systems Architectures (MOSA) is at the heart of GE’s selection of technologies, and this paper examines how this can positively impact programs.

Critical Techniques for High-Speed A/D Converters in Real Time Systems

Recently updated and expanded to its 8th edition, this handbook reviews the markets and technology for A/D converters with sampling rates higher than 100 MHz. It discusses sampling and filtering techniques and new FPGA technology for A/Ds. The latest Pentek high-speed A/D products and applications based on such products are also presented.

Other Pentek white papers:

• Putting FPGAs to Work in Software Radio Systems

Solving the Five Challenges that Make Complex Electromechanical Projects Difficult to Outsource

Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have complex electromechanical projects they’d like to outsource, often because they just don’t fit their production model. However, many times the issues that make production inefficient to keep in-house also make it difficult to outsource. Or worse, the product has been outsourced, but the contract manufacturer is unable to support it.

This paper looks at the five most common issues that can make complex, electromechanical projects difficult to outsource and strategies for eliminating them.

Other Federal Electronics white papers:

• Assessing the Right Fit for Low Volume, Complex Military/Aerospace Projects

COTS Enabled Rapid Development to Deployment

In military, aerospace and first responder applications, System Integrators targeting highly rugged applications often utilize conduction cooled modules because of their superior performance in harsh environments.

Other Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions white papers:

• Introduction to Hypervisor Technology - Part 1
• Open Systems Common HBCT Electronics VICTORY Architecture Approach
• Open Standard Gigabit Ethernet Low Latency Video Distribution Architecture
• High-performance Element Processing Architecture for Open Standards Radar Systems
• Incorporating FPGA Processing Directly into Ethernet Networks
• High Performance, Rugged GP-GPUs Enable UAVs to Fly Faster/Higher While Mapping Terrain with Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR)

What They Didn't Teach You in Engineering School About Heat

Until recently, the commercial software available for CFD typically has been geared towards specialists, limiting its widespread use. Besides being expensive, these tools have either been difficult, cumbersome or time-consuming to use. As a result, engineering analysis for applications such as heat transfer traditionally have been carried out by specialists in analysis departments, separate from mainstream design and development departments.

Other Mentor Graphics white papers:

• CFD for Mechanical Design Engineers - "A Paradigm Shift for Better Design"

Best Practices for Making the Most Accurate Radar Pulse Measurements

Fast and accurate radar pulse measurements are critical when designing or manufacturing radar components. Knowing how to optimize power measurement tools will help engineers meet stringent market demands. Get tips on how to make the fastest and most accurate radar pulse measurements by reading this application note.

This article also includes real-world scenarios that demonstrate how to put these tips into practice with Agilent power meters and sensors. 



Weight Reduction and Space Savings in Wire and Cable Design and Their Contribution to Aerospace Design and Operational Efficiency

Like every other military and aerospace component, wire and cable is under increased scrutiny as engineers look for weight and space savings in their designs. This is particularly true given the increasing amounts of data and coaxial cable needed to support advanced electronic systems.

This white paper discusses how material and design innovations are resulting in smaller, lighter-weight cables that meet exacting military and aerospace standards for electrical, mechanical and environmental performance.

Data Cabling for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Aircraft Abstract

As more advanced avionics, CMS and IFE systems make their way into aircraft, the amount of 10 gigabit cable deployed to support current and future systems is increasing significantly. Unfortunately, the pathway space remains the same.

Engineers in the aerospace industry therefore need cables that meet highly reliable 10 gigabit signal transmission performance, while also taking up less space, lowering the total cable weight and providing installable performance irrespective of the tight pathways of an aircraft.

Concurrent Engineering

Here’s the problem:

• The newest high-performance commercial processor has just come out
• In order to meet your customer’s requirements, you want to use it in your system
• Your software developers want to get started coding but it will take months for hardware designers to implement the new chip in an embedded computer board
• You can’t WAIT several months to get started

Other Mercury Systems white papers:

• Innovations in Thermal Management

Avoid Hidden Contract Manufacturing Costs — Read our White Paper

In the electronics industry, contract manufacturing has long been a strategy for reducing time to market and simplifying project oversight. With today's complex production environment, you need to ensure the intricacies of your project are addressed — without adding extra cost. And that means doing your homework.

In our white paper, "Contract Manufacturing Pitfalls: What the Wrong Production Process Could Really Cost You," we uncover eight hidden cost centers — and show you how to avoid them. Read our white paper now!