Dual-Band Antennas
Two new dual-band antennas, the ComDat Cl 480-1 and 490-1, are now offered by Comant Industries, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. The ComDat Cl 480-1 is an active antenna that operates at Global Star frequencies, with continuous TX coverage from 1610 to 1626.5 MHz and RX band from 2483.5 to 2500 MHz. The antenna’s receive side features a 29-dB gain amplifier with high-performance filtration and a built-in voltage regulator for DC bias operation of 3.3 to 28 volts DC. The ComDat Cl 480-1 weighs one pound (0.45 kg) and is less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) high.
Comant’s ComDat Cl 490-1 operates at Iridium frequencies, with continuous transmit and receive coverage from 1616 to 1626.5 MHz. It also can operate as a passive GPS antenna. Designed for the Iridium low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite communication system, the ComDat Cl 490-1 weighs five pounds (2.26 kg) and is three-quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) high.
The impedance for both Comant dual-band antennas is 50 ohms. Both have hemispherical radiation patterns and comply with RTCA DO-160D environmental standards and DO-228 minimum operational performance standards (MOPS). Visit www.comant.com.
EMC Test System
A new modular system for conducted, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing has been introduced by Schaffner EMC Inc., Edison, N.J. The Modula EMC test system is based on an open architecture concept, and its standard functions include generating classic interference pulses, such as burst and surge, as well as power quality simulations. Users can operate the testing system from a standing or sitting position, as it has a wireless remote control capability. The Modula’s optical control link allows the system components to be operated from a laboratory desk via a hand-held remote controller. Visit www.schaffner.com.
Digital Switch
Palomar Products, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., now produces a high-speed, digital voice/data switching and conferencing system for military airborne and shipboard applications. The DCS-2100 is based on the company’s TDM (time division multiplexer) digital switching technology for air traffic control (ATC) and custom telephony applications. Multiple hardware mechanisms in the DCS-2100 categorize, in hierarchical security levels, all signals exchanged within the system. It features an emergency backup mode, which requires no additional wires and allows access to the passenger address (PA) system, Emergency CALL NET, and radios, without additional equipment. Visit www.palpro.com.
Test/Simulation Software
A single integrated software package has been developed that will concurrently simulate, test and analyze Mil-Std-1553, ARINC 429/575 and ARINC 708/453 avionics data buses. Ballard Technology’s CoPilot software is designed for use with the company’s interface boards, including the multiprotocol BUSBox and OmniBus product families. Message schedules and equipment simulations can be quickly set up by using the CoPilot’s context-sensitive menus and drag-and-drop operations. Users can view and enter data in engineering units, raw form and through graphical controls, including aircraft instruments, strip charts and moving map displays. Ballard Technology is based in Everett, Wash. Visit www.ballardtech.com.
Wireless Document Delivery
Xybernaut Corp., Fairfax, Va., and Jouve Aviation Solutions, Irvine, Calif., have collaborated to introduce a wireless solution that enables plane-side access to aircraft maintenance documents. Jouve’s AirGTI software is offered on Xybernaut’s Atigo L mobile processor. With wireless connectivity, the system delivers maintenance manuals, wiring schematics, parts catalogs and job cards to aircraft maintenance personnel at line stations and in hangar environments. The AirGTI currently is used by more than 40,000 airline maintenance technicians, serving more than 3,000 commercial aircraft. Visit www.jouve.com and www.xybernaut.com.
Oscilloscope Workstation
Nicolet Technologies, Madison, Wis., has unveiled its new Sigma series of digital oscilloscope workstations. The series includes an integrated Windows PC that offers acquisition, analysis and connectivity in a single, portable unit. Each workstation features up to eight input channels, a differential input mode, and a high-resolution 10.4-inch touch-screen display. It has memory lengths to 4 million samples and mix-and-match sample rates and resolutions. Visit www.niti.com.
Carrier Card
Radstone Technology has introduced its new 3U PMC (PCI mezzanine card) carrier card as a companion to the PowerPact IMP1A processor card. The IMPCC1 card allows integration of multiple PMCs into a 3U CompactPCI solution. It can be used with a range of PMCs and associated drivers, providing facilities such as Gigabit Ethernet, StarFabric, Fibre Channel, Advanced Graphics, Fast Serial and Mil-Std-1553. Visit www.radstone.com.
Infrared Camera
BAE Systems’ IR Imaging Systems, (IRIS) Nashua, N.H., has launched a new micro infrared (IR) camera, the LTC550 MicroIR. Incorporating a modular design, the LTC550 can be fitted with a family of lenses ranging from 18 mm wide, single field of view to 100/300-mm dual field of view. The new camera is based on IRIS’ 320 X 240 uncooled MicroIR technology. Visit www.iews.na.baesystems.com.
RVSM Trailing Cone
SpaceAge Control, Palmdale, Calif., has announced manufacturing of prototype 100100 trailing cones for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) testing. With the new cone systems, users can conduct their own static system error calibrations to support certification efforts. The static pressure calibration tool will sustain Mach-0.9 airspeed and minus 54-degree C temperatures, yielding an accurate measure of the ambient atmospheric pressure (static pressure). Visit www.spaceagecontrol.com.
Vibration Meter
A portable, general-purpose vibration measuring instrument has been developed by Columbia Research Laboratories Inc. The Model VM-300 operates from a precision piezoelectric accelerometer and incorporates a charge amplifier input stage for stability and to minimize errors. It is controlled by an internal integrated microcontroller, directed by a splash-resistant, seven-key membrane keypad. The VM-300 can be powered by an internal battery or from an AC adapter. Visit .
Single-Board Computer
Configured with dual processors, SBS Technologies’ new VG5 6U VMEbus single-board computer provides speed and bandwidth for applications such as real-time control, post video processing and signal processing subsystems. The VG5 offers a choice of one or two integrated 800-to 1300-MHz Motorola MPC7455/57 PowerPC processors, featuring AltiVec technology. Each processor has its own memory and chipset, so one processor node can perform DSP tasks while the other works as a central processing unit (CPU). Visit www.sbs.com.
Video Reproducer
TEAC Aerospace Technologies, a division of TEAC America, Montebello, Calif., recently introduced a digital video reproducer for in-flight entertainment (IFE). The VE-801HDi replays up to 60 hours of video at 3.5 megabits per second (Mbits/sec), using its 120-gigabyte (Gbyte) hard disk drive memory. It accepts MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video regardless of bit rate, so airlines can use existing video content without the need to reformat. (MPEG stands for moving picture experts group.) The VE-801HDi delivers 500-line resolution and has a built-in preview monitor for sequencing the video and monitoring the video replay during flight. Visit www.teac.com.
Power Source
Allendale, N.J.-based Protek Test and Measurement has introduced its Model 3040T triple output power source, which includes functions such as selectable series, parallel or independent tracking via front panel operations. It incorporates two 0-+/-36 volts at 0-2.5 amps and a switchable 3.3/5.0-volt fixed supply. The 3040T offers constant voltage, constant current modes, master/slave tracking, and operation in series or parallel configurations. It is noise-free and includes a digital display. The unit sells for $470, including line cord, manual and three sets of test leads. Visit www.protektest.com.
Software for DSP Applications
Kanata-Ontario-based Dy 4 Systems now makes available its Inter-Processor Communications (IPC) software library for building high-performance multiprocessor applications. Employing switched interconnect technology, the IPC library was designed for developers of large multiprocessor DSP systems such as radar, sonar and signal intelligence. It provides prioritized, queue-driven, flow-controlled message passing for command and control, and block transfers for high-volume, time-perishable data. Visit www.dy4.com.
Protocol Analyzer
Computer Access Technology Corp. (CATC), San Jose, Calif., recently expanded its line of PCI Express analyzers with its new PETracer ML (multilane). A single PETracer ML protocol analyzer will support bidirectional x1, x2 and x4 links and unidirectional x8 PCI Express link data capture and analysis. By combining two of the systems, one attains full bidirectional decode and capture of x8 PCI Express links. The PETracer ML provides decodes of transaction layer packets (TLPs), data link layer packets (DLLPs) and all PCI Express primitives. Visit www.catc.com.
Frequency Source
Developed for test and design engineers, National Instruments’ latest addition to its line of PXI (PCI extensions for instrumentation) modular instrumentation, the NI PXI-5404 frequency source, can simultaneously generate sine and clock outputs up to 100 MHz with 1.07-�Hz (microhertz) resolution and +/-0.2-dB, sine-level accuracy. It is said to be ideal for coherent sampling in automatic test equipment, functional test and design validation applications. The NI PXI-5404 comes with the Interchangeable Virtual Instruments- (IVI) compliant instrument driver, NI-FGEN, which delivers full programming support for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Basic and Visual C++. Visit www.ni.com.
LED Lighting
Light emitting diode (LED) accent lighting that can fit against surfaces featuring right angles has been introduced by LEDtronics, Torrance, Calif. The Series RPLD02 Rectangular RopeLED has a rectangular profile that measures 0.4 by 0.7 inches (10.5 by 18 mm). It features 21 LEDs per foot (72 per meter) that are spaced 0.55 inch (13.9 mm) apart. The color options are red, blue, green, yellow and white. RopeLED comes standard in 120 volt, 12 volt DC and 240 volt. Visit www.ledtronics.com.
Solid State Relay
Teledyne Relays, Hawthorne, Calif., now offers its Series 605-210 high-voltage DC solid state relay, designed for commercial aviation and military commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) applications. The 10-amp, 270-volt DC relay features short-circuit/overload protection, optical isolation, and low off-state leakage current for high off-state impedance. The short-circuit/ overload protection feature detects a short in the circuit and trips off the relay. It remains off until the overload/short-circuit condition is removed and the relay is cycled (on/off). The relay costs $112. Visit www.teledynerelays.com.