Single-Board Computer

Radstone Technology has introduced the PPC8A, a PowerXpress single-board computer intended for "sheltered" defense and aerospace applications. The PPC8A offers a compatible processor upgrade, Motorola’s 1-GHz, reduced-core-voltage 7447 PowerPC processor. Its input/output features include six serial channels, three Ethernet ports-including one Gigabit-capable port-four universal serial bus (USB) ports, plus onboard graphics and 2 PCI mezzanine card (PMC) sites. Visit www.radstone.com.

Interface Module

AIM-USA, Valley, Neb., has announced a new dual-port, Fibre Channel data generator/simulator and monitor/analyzer interface module for PCI, dubbed the Simulyzer. The fcXplorer graphical user interface supports the module. The Simulyzer provides test and verification of nodes and/or switches. It covers topologies, including in-line, point-to-point, switched fabric and arbitrated loop. Visit www.aim-online.com.

Bench Test Set

Carlstadt, N.J.-based Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp. has launched a new line of TB-2X-Series transponder and distance measuring equipment (DME) bench test sets. Two models are available: the TB-2100 for transponders (Modes A, C and S) and DME, and the TB-2000 for transponders (Modes A and C) and DME. Among the features are color liquid crystal displays with touch-screen test parameter selection, two separate radio frequency channels for testing of Mode S diversity, and user storage of test parameters. Visit www.telinstrument.com.

Miniature Transducer

SpaceAge Control, Palmdale, Calif., is now delivering the Series 6 line of miniature draw wire transducers. The units can monitor up to 85 inches (216 cm) of displacement. Voltage conditioner output allows for 12 to 40 volts DC input and provides user-definable outputs such as 0-5 volts DC, 0-10 volts DC, +/-5 volts DC, and +/-10 volts DC, among others. Visit www.spaceagecontrol.com.

Gulfstream II/III RVSM

Business Jet Technologies offers a reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) compliance package for Gulfstream II and III aircraft. Called "The Economical Solution," it will cost about $175,000 installed. The RVSM compliance kit is designed to use existing aircraft wiring. It can be installed at Business Jet’s facilities in Tulsa, Okla., or purchased for installation by local shops. The company has teamed with Shadin and AeroMech Inc. to develop a supplemental type certificate (STC) for Gulfstream II and III aircraft. Visit www.businessjetservices.com.

Sensor/Signal Conditioning

Honeywell Sensotec has launched its "plug, play and calibrate" systems for its sensors and signal conditioning. The systems comply with the IEEE’s 1451.4 standard for sensors and signal conditioning. The transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) is stored within the sensor. When the sensor is connected to the signal conditioning, it is interrogated and automatically sets up and calibrates the signal conditioning. Visit www.sensotec.com.

ARINC 429 Interface

Condor Engineering offers the CEI-830 ARINC 429 interface, doubling the channel density and adding microsecond time tagging. The PCI mezzanine card (PMC) module provides 16 receive and 16 transmit channels in one PMC slot and includes data bus functionality for ARINC 575 and other 32-bit avionics protocols. Options include extended operating temperatures, conductive cooling and IRIG B receiver/generator. Visit www.condoreng.com.

B-Lobe Connectors

Omnetics Connector Corp., Minneapolis, Minn., has announced new, 0.025-inch Bi-Lobe connectors, built to Mil-DTL-32139 specifications. The design features a spring pin and socket system. A captive jackscrew system pulls fully shrouded, nickel-plated connector shells together. The units are intended for ultra-miniature systems operating in severe environments. Additional board mounting features and special epoxies are included to support high shock, constant vibration, and temperature excursions up to 200 degrees C. Visit www.omnetics.com.

VME-Based SBCs

Two 6U VMEbus single-board computers (SBCs), tuneable for specific applications, are available from SBS Technologies, Albuquerque, N.M. The units feature Pentium M processors (600-MHz to 1.6-GHz performance). Both the VR9 and VP9 boards comply with the VITA 31.1 specification. They include the NVIDIA Geforce 4 Go graphics accelerator and offer two PCI mezzanine card (PMC) interfaces. There is one 64-bit, 66-MHz PMC slot and a second standard 32-bit, 33-MHz slot. The conduction-coolable VR9 uses stiffener bars, wedge locks and conformal coating. The products support the Windows 2000, Windows XP, QNX, VxWorks, LynxOS, Linux and other operating systems. Visit www.sbs.com.

Quadrax Contact

ARINC Size 8 Quadrax contacts for aircraft data networks are available from Tyco Electronics, Harrisburg, Pa. The multisignal contact systems are used with quad-axial cables for data bus applications on commercial aircraft per ARINC 600, 664 and 763. The product line includes a four-contact connector in a size 8 shell with PCB mount pins or crimp-style, pin-and-socket termination. The one-piece dielectric design simplifies the termination process. Visit www.tycoelectronics.com.

Infrared Thermometer

Omega Engineering has announced its OS530 series, handheld infrared thermometers with adjustable emissivity, built-in laser sighting, and backlit liquid crystal display. Models are available with temperature ranges up to 871 degrees C and thermocouple input. Emissivity is adjustable from 0.1 to 1.0 in 0.01 steps. Visit www.omega.com.

Airborne Sensor

Elop Electro-Optics Industries Ltd., a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., is introducing its new-generation Compass surveillance systems to European and Asian customers under recent contract awards. The stabilized observation and surveillance system, mountable on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as unmanned air vehicles, supplies day/night imagery and laser range finding, target designation and marking. The system includes enhanced automatic video tracker, special scan patterns, and enhanced image processing. Visit www.elbit.co.il.

Compact PCI Board

Vista Controls, Santa Clarita, Calif., has announced a Compact PCI single-board computer (SBC) with dual Gigabit Ethernet. The PPC G4C card is powered by the PowerPC 7457 AltiVec RISC processor. The SBC also offers dual, 64-bit/66-MHz PCI mezzanine card (PMC) sites with 3.3-volt and 5-volt universal input/output (I/O) choices, signal level integrity, and high PMC bandwidth for I/O and onboard resource expansion via protocols, such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel and ATM. Visit www.vistacontrols.com.

Lightweight Circuit Breaker

Chicago-based E-T-A Circuit Breakers has announced the 5140, a 3-pole breaker, weighing 150 grams (5.25 ounces). The unit is designed for 400-Hz, 3-pole applications from 20 to 50 amps. Temperature-compensated, it provides consistent trip curve characteristics from -55 to +90 degrees C. Typical life span is 5,000 mechanical cycles and 2,500 inductive cycles. Visit www.e-t-a.com.

Ethernet-Enabled Power Supplies

Xantrex Technology has launched an Ethernet interface in its XFR and XHR line of programmable DC output power supplies. The Ethernet/RS-232 interface enables engineers to control power supplies remotely through an existing Internet protocol network or via a direct PC connection. The option card enables the XFR and XHR to communicate directly with local area networks, wide area networks, WiFi and Internet networks in automated test equipment applications that require remote control and monitoring. Visit www.xantrex.com.

Hard Disk Protection

Formation Inc. has released its ToughDisk line of rugged hard disks with onboard processors. The TD7200 features 160-gigabyte (Gbyte) capacity, dual serial ATA interfaces to provide data transfer rates of up to 110-megabits/s, and RAID 0, 1 and 10 functionality. The TD3500 offers a drop-in replacement for standard 3.5-inch disk drives, 80-GByte capacity, high-speed, standard ATA, serial ATA or SCSI interfaces. Visit www.formation.com.

Filter Connector

Deutsch Ltd., based in East Sussex, England, has introduced the EvoMax line of Mil-DTL-38999, Series III, filter connectors. The product family features generic design and tooling, plus commonality of piece parts. Deutsch also has simplified the product selection process. Visit www.deutschltd.com.

Laptop Computer Card

A type 2, PCMCIA-format Mil-Std-1553 interface card for laptop computers has been introduced by Andor Design Inc., Syosset, N.Y. The PC401, an auto-indexing, dual-ported static random access memory (RAM) interface, includes full error injection, programmable output amplitude, and programmable message parameters. The product can function in independent or simultaneous mode as a bus controller, multiple simulated remote terminals, and full/selective monitor. Visit www.andordesign.com.

CANbus Switch Matrix

Dow-Key Microwave has introduced a control area network (CANbus)-based, 26.5-GHz, coaxial switch matrix system with Ethernet, General Purpose Interface Bus, RS-232, RS-485 and CANbus control interfaces. The 5047 switch performs from DC to 26.5-GHz and is configured as an1X48 switch matrix. Visit www.dowkey.com.

Graphical Programming

Agilent Technologies has released version 7.0 of its Visual Engineering Environment (VEE) Pro, a graphical programming environment for developing measurement and control, analysis, test system and data acquisition applications. Available now, the new version offers a series of enhancements, such as quick and simple access within the Microsoft ".NET Framework," a Windows component for building and running software applications and Web services. The release also includes "undo" and "redo" functions, property editing, expanded panel editing and support for industry-standard IVI-COM instrument drivers and instrumentation directly connected via local area networks and universal serial bus. Visit www.agilent.com

VXIbus Specification

The VXIbus Consortium has announced a revision to the VXIbus spec, incorporating the VME64 and 2eVME protocols to increase the speed and performance options of VXI-based test systems. Revision 3.0 provides for 64-bit addressing and permits data to be transferred on both the rising and falling edges of the timing signal. This allows data rates of up to 160 megabytes/s. Visit www.vxibus.org.

Microwave Relay Modules

VXI Technology Inc. has launched a suite of latching microwave relay modules, extending its SMIPIITM product line. The family includes SM7001L, SM7012L, SM7013L and SM7016L latching, self-terminated, 20-GHz relays. Each relay provides isolated indicator circuitry, allowing the relay status to be directly accessed. Visit www.vxitech.com.

PXI Mainframe

Racal Instruments, Irvine, Calif., has introduced Model 1461-14, a 14-slot PXI mainframe. (PXI stands for PCI extensions for instrumentation.) The chassis can accept not only 3U PXI and Compact PCI modules, but also 111.7-mm (4.5-inch) -high modules. Standard features include built-in/automated (switch selectable) power supply and fan monitoring, a single bridge card design, bench top and rack-mount capability, and 574 watts available to all 14 slots. Visit www.racalate.com.

Portable Avionics Test

ComAvia Systems Technologies, based in Bangalore, India, has unveiled the Portable Avionics Test Solution (PATS), a Mil-Std-1553 data acquisition, analysis and simulation tool hosted on a rugged portable computer that is equipped with a 1553 PCMCIA module. The system also serves the configuration management function, containing the information about the parameters that define RT communications. Visit www.comavia.com.

Battery STCs

Securaplane has announced supplemental type certificate (STC) approval of the EnerSys Hawker 18Ah and 40Ah composite-cased main ship batteries on the ATR-42 series aircraft. Visit www.securaplane.com.