Cabin Communications
Newport News, Va.-based International Communications Group (ICG) has introduced its AeroCom 1100, a cabin telecommunications unit that supplies a package of automated telephone, fax and data services for small and medium-size business aircraft. Intended to emulate an executive office communications system onboard an aircraft cabin, the AeroCom 1100 supports up to eight extensions. It supplies several familiar telephone services, such as putting a call on hold, call transfer, intercom and teleconferencing. Voice prompts and status message can be recorded in any language. According to ICG, the unit is compatible with a full range of air-to-ground communications providers, including Iridium, Inmarsat and HF radio, and its open-ended architecture allows the AeroCom 1100 to function with other, emerging communications services without having to add new external interface devices. Armin Jabs, ICG president, says the unit can serve as a plug-and-play replacement for MagnaStar airphones. Visit www.icg.aero.
Pulse Generators
Protek Test and Measurement, Englewood, N.J., now offers a series of four sweep function generators and one pulse generator. The sweep function generators come in 2-MHz, 4-MHz, 10-MHz and 20-MHz versions. Model B821, the 20-MHz version, has a frequency range of 0.2 Hz to 20 MHz and features an 8-digit, 3-GHz frequency counter. It generates sine, square, triangle, ramp, pulse and skewed sine, and has a TTL output. The 10-MHz version, B8010, has a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 10 MHz and features Log/Lin Sweep, Burst/Gate and Triggered modes. Model B8400, the 4-MHz sweep function generator, has a 0.004-MHz to 4-MHz range. It includes CW/Triggered and Gated modes, as well as a sweep output and a VGC input. The last sweep function generator, B8011, has a built-in 2-MHz, 4-digit counter, and produces sine, square, ramp and pulse waveforms in seven ranges. The pulse generator, Model B1990, has a frequency range of 1 KHz to 10 MHz. Visit www.protektest.com.
Switch Module
UK-based Pickering Interfaces has announced several additions to its line of PCI extensions for instrumentation (PXI) and LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) products. Included in the offerings are the 60-200 power sequencer, the 40-540 super high-density matrix module, the 60-710 video matrix and the 40-139 switch module. According to Pickering, the 40-139 module is available with up to 80 relays in combinations of SPST, SPDT, DPST and DPDT configurations. It can be used in any PXI chassis as well as the company’s 60-100 LXI chassis, which allows Ethernet control. Visit www.pickeringtest.com.
PMC Board
Radstone Embedded Computing division, ICS Sensor Processing, has unveiled its ICS-8500, a PMC for rugged environments. The PMC provides front panel data port II (FPDP II) performance, with a transfer rate of 400 Mbytes/s, vs. 160 Mbytes/s with FPDP. Configurable as either a transceiver or a receiver, the ICS-8500 features 8 Mbytes of swing buffer memory. In transmit mode, the PMC board supplies an FPDP/TM interface. In receive mode, it provides both receive (FPDP/R) and receive master (FPDP/RM) capabilities. The ICS-8500 is available in convection- and conduction-cooled versions. Visit www.ics-ltd.com.
Accelerometer
The LCF-2530 accelerometer is now available from Jewell Instruments, Manchester, N.H. According to Jewell, the unit is optimized for high accuracy and repeatability, as well as reliability of low g acceleration. It provides better than 1 ug (micro g) resolution. Jewell says the accelerometer uses sensor technology that makes it ideal for applications where electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a concern. Visit www.jewellinstruments.com.
Test Equipment
Strambino, Italy-based Seica has developed an automatic test equipment (ATE) replacement product on its Valid test platform. Seica’s product is designed to take old programs from major ATE systems and migrate them into the Valid platform, including GenRad 179X, 227X and 2750; Fault Finder 101 and 303; Factron 7XX series; and Teradyne L200, L300 and Z18XX series. Visit www.seica.com.
Optical Band Filter
Deposition Sciences Inc., a film coating producer in Santa Rosa, Calif., has announced a wide acceptance angle band pass filter. The durable, abrasive-resistant filter is intended for curved surface lenses for high-accuracy applications. The thin film coating blocks wavelengths from the visible spectrum (400 nm) to the shortwave infrared spectrum (1200 nm) with a high transmission at 1064 nm. The optical interference filter is designed for applications in which the film requires a high transmission over the entire surface of a curved lens. Visit www.depsci.com.
Amplifier
Comtech PST of Melville, N.Y., has introduced its Model BME27258-30 solid state, class AB linear amplifier. The unit operates over the 20- to 2,500-MHz frequency range in a single module. It is designed for rugged military environments, and can operate at up to 30,000 feet, in temperatures ranging from -40 to 85 degrees C. The amplifier weighs 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) and measures 6.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches. Visit www.comtechpst.com.
Camera
The IK-TF9C, a 2,048 x 1,536-pixel charged coupled device (CCD) camera from Toshiba America’s Imaging Systems division, is now available. The 3-chip, color camera has a rate of 20 fps (frames per second) full frame, and 40 fps with a partial scan. The IK-TF9C incorporates Toshiba’s proprietary progressive scan technology, which the company says eliminates image-jitter, making the camera ideal for high-speed and machine vision applications. The camera measures 44 x 44 x 78.3 mm and weighs 165 grams. Visit www.cameras.toshiba.com.
Adapter
Aries Electronics, a connector manufacturer in Frenchtown, N.J., has introduced a version of it DIP to SOIC adapter that is compliant with Europe’s reduction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive. The adapter is available in configurations from 8 to 28 DIP pins. Its operating temperature is 105 degrees C, while its continuous use temperature is 170 degrees C. Visit www.arieselec.com.
Communication Cords
Whitney Blake Co., a cable and connector manufacturer in Bellows Falls, Vt., offers its communications cords for military applications. The rugged-designed, high-performance cords are intended for headsets, radio telephone handsets and other communications equipment, such as tactical radio systems. According to Whitney Blake, the length and flexibility of the cords gives users greater motion range in demanding environments. Visit www.whitneyblake.com.
Inclinometer
Woodlyn, Pa.-based Columbia Research Laboratories has announced its DIS-7001 and DIS-7012 inclinometer systems. Both units incorporate a temperature-compensated force balance inclinometer, a power module and a digital display. The inclinometers are available in 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45-degree ranges. The DIS-7011 uses 115-volt AC power, while the DIS-7012 operates from 10-28-volt DC power. Visit www.comumbiaresearchlab.com.
Headset
Aircraft Spruce now offers the third-generation version of the Telex Stratus 30XT cockpit headset. The headset has a noise-canceling microphone and a built-in recharging unit for connecting to an aircraft panel or standard wall socket. The Telex product also features an automatic shutoff function when the headset is not in use. Visit www.aircraftspruce.com.
Flight Data
The SANbric rugged storage system from VMETRO, Olso, Norway, has completed a series of flight tests conducted by BAE Systems.. SANbric supplies high-speed data recording, archival and playback analysis functions for flight test data deployed in an imaging system. The unit’s removable storage module provides 1.8 TB of storage using no more than 7 inches of shelf space. According to VMETRO, the SANbric system is designed to tolerate shock, vibration, altitude and temperature characteristics associated with airborne and unmanned air vehicle (UAV) platforms. Visit www.vmetro.com.
Microprocessor
UK-based Sundance Multiprocessor Technology has launched two DSP boards-the SMT348 and the SMT368. Based on the Xilinx Virtex-4 range, the SMT348 features 16 Mbytes of QDRII memory and 8 Mbytes of ZBTRAM. Both DSP boards include SHB and SLB (Sundance LVDS bus) interfaces. They can easily connect to the company’s ADC and DAC modules, such as the SMT390 and the SMT391, for data acquisition or software radio systems. Both the SMT348 and SMT368 are compliant with Europe’s reduction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive. Visit www.sundance.com.
Converter
North Atlantic Industries of Bohemia, N.Y., has released its 73LD4, a linear/rotary variable differential transformer (LVDT/RVDT)-to-digital converter on a PC-104 card. The product has six independent, programmable LVDT/RVDT tracking converter measurement channels. Each channel features 16-bit resolution, accurate digital velocity output, incremental encoder (A+B) outputs and wrap-around self-test. The 73LD4 supplies continuous built-in-test (BIT) on all functions and channels, including reference and signal loss detection. It is available with an operating temperature range of -40 to 80 degrees C. Visit www.naii.com.
Signal Conditioner
R.C. Electronics has announced its DTX-5492 multifunction signal conditioner, which supplies programmable voltage and current excitation capabilities in a single, 4-channel module. An extension of the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company’s DTX-5000 series, the DTX-5492 features four voltage sources that can be set from 0.01 to 10 volts in 10-millivolt increments, as well as four current sources that can be set from 0.1 to 20 milliamperes in 0.1-ampere steps. The DTX-5492 also has built-in transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) capability, programmable bandpass filtering, automated or manual input bias balance, AC/DC input coupling and front panel status monitor features. Visit www.rcelectronics.com.
Digital Receiver
Model 6821-422, a digital receiver board from Pentek, is now available. A member of the company’s GateFlow products, the 6821-422 is based on the 6821, a 215-MHz A/D converter with dual Virtex-II Pro field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The upgraded version includes a wideband digital downconverter IP core. It accepts a front-panel analog input and provides real or complex digital output samples. According to Pentek, applications include wideband recording systems, real-time DSP and software radio systems, as well as data acquisition functions for wideband communications signals used in telemetry and satcom. The company adds that radar-pulse and beam-forming applications would benefit from the 6821-422’s numerous gate, trigger and multichannel synchronization modes. Visit www.pentek.com.
VME Computer
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Leesburg, Va., has announced the SVME/DMV-1901, a 6U VME single board computer (SBC). The company says the 1901 is the first SBC to feature the Intel Core Duo processor, which runs at speeds of 1.67 and 2.0 GHz. Available in air- and conduction-cooled versions, the SBC can be equipped with either a dual- or a single-core Intel processor. The SVME/DMV-1901 is configured with a wide range of input/outputs (I/O) in additon to two PMC/XMC expansion sites. An air-cooled front panel I/O includes onboard video graphics and small computer system interface (SCSI) ports. Visit www.cwcembedded.com.
RF Analyzer
Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif., has introduced its E5071C ENA Series RF network analyzer. The 2- or 4-port analyzer covers a wide range of component and circuit tests, including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. A replacement for Agilent’s 8753 RF analyzer, the E5071C is also intended for military, aerospace and wireless communications applications. Visit www.agilent.com.
Rate Sensor
DIGI-Q, a new compact digital quartz rate sensor, is available from Systron Donner Inertial Division, a Custom Sensors & Technologies unit in Walnut Creek, Calif. The sensor is intended for aircraft attitude heading reference system (AHRS) and flight control systems, as well as motion sensing and various ground-based applications. Visit www.systron.com.
Middleware
Objective Interface Systems’ ORBexpress DSP is now available. A communications middleware product designed for the Texas Instruments TMS320C6000 digital signal processor (DSP) platform, the object request broker is intended for DSP applications such as software defined radios and wireless infrastructure. Visit www.ois.com.
EFB Software
Newcastle, Wash.-based Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) has released its ChartCase electronic flight bag software, which includes sectional charts, instrument departure and arrival procedures, low enroute charts and vector charts in the continental United States. ASA also offers a carbon monoxide detector for the cockpit. Visit www.asa2fly.com.