The ALT-9000 universal radio altimeter (RADALT) flight line test set adds fiber optic delay to traditional radio frequency (RF) testing, enabling it to test all types of RADALTS on the market today. The RADALT measures an aircraft’s altitude above the terrain, by transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal down to the ground and receiving a […]
Aerospace & Defense
Space-rated 120-V dc-dc converters feature GaN technology
VPT, Inc. announces the availability of its 120 volt SGRB12028S DC-DC Converter. Using advanced EPC Space GaN technology, the SGRB12028S is capable of very high efficiency, up to 95%, and is radiation hardened. A fixed-frequency reduced voltage switching topology results in very low input and output noise, making it suitable for use in a variety […]
2 Mb density F-RAM rad-hardened for extreme environments
Infineon Technologies LLC announced the availability of the space industry’s first radiation-hardened (rad-hard), serial interface Ferroelectric RAM (F-RAM) for extreme environments. The new devices deliver unsurpassed reliability and data retention and are more energy-efficient than non-volatile EEPROM and serial NOR Flash devices for space applications. The addition of a QML-V qualified F-RAM to Infineon’s memory […]
GNSS receivers to get OSNMA functions
Septentrio announced the release of OSNMA functionality on their mosaic GNSS receiver modules. OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) offers end-to-end authentication on Galileo’s civilian signals, protecting receivers from GNSS spoofing attacks. Spoofing is a malicious form of radio interference, where faulty positioning information is sent to the receiver. For the last 2 years, Septentrio […]
What sensors do you need to land on the moon?
NASA is developing several sensor systems and algorithms for use on Artemis moon landings. It’s called the Safe and Precise Landing – Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) technology suite. It consists of three primary elements: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a camera for terrain relative navigation. Second is Doppler LiDAR to determine the lander’s velocity […]
What sensors does NASA use to monitor Martian weather?
The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) on the Perseverance rover is characterizing the surface weather as well as the dust particle size and morphology. Understanding dust behavior is a key to predicting Martian weather. Dust influences Mars’ weather the way that water controls Earth’s weather. Two of MEDA’s weather-related goals are: determination of the destructive […]
PIGAs can indeed fly – and are still the best, Part 2: Operation
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer and widely used in rocketry and guidance, and still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer At the core of each single-axis PIGA is a gyroscope. The performance of this gyro – which is unrelated to the orientation gyros – plays a large role in determining the […]
PIGAs can indeed fly – and are still the best, Part 1: Frame of reference
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer, is widely used in rocketry and guidance, and is still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. When you see an inexpensive drone, a more sophisticated one, an unmanned aircraft, a standard piloted aircraft, guided or intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM), an underwater drone or submarine, or a […]
SiC power MOSFETs handle 3.3 kV, feature low ON resistance
Microchip Technology Inc. announced the expansion of its SiC portfolio with the release of the industry’s lowest on-resistance [RDS(on)] 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs and highest current-rated SiC SBDs available in the market, enabling designers to take advantage of ruggedness, reliability, and performance. With the expansion of Microchip’s SiC portfolio, designers are equipped with the tools to develop […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 4: Enhancements, even the moon
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. This final part looks at the next generation of system satellites and some ideas for a similar lunar system. The MEOSAR satellites The most recent enhancement to […]