Part 1 looked at the difficult, costly, and lengthy journey from concept to a successful launch. Part 2 looks at the severe problems of the HST discovered after launch. Out of Focus: only the most-obvious problem When Hubble’s lens cover was first pulled back, and the imager saw its “first light,” no one expected picture-perfect […]
Aerospace & Defense
The Hubble Space Telescope: concept, delay, embarrassment, despair, and finally – jubilation, Part 1
The stunning images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (Figure 1) over the past two decades, using a variety of optical instruments and sensors, have transformed our view, literally and figuratively, of the cosmos. But the Hubble’s story is also one of project conception, engineering persistence, joy, misery, embarrassment, improvisation, rehearsal, and eventual redemption. […]
Gain blocks extend the performance of space-qualified InGaP amplifier technology to the X-band
Teledyne e2v HiRel, part of the Teledyne Defense Electronics Group, announces the availability of the new 14 GHz family of RF gain blocks spearheaded by an 18.4 dB amplifier (TDGB014-003). The Gain Blocks are based on an indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) technology that is suitable for use in aerospace and defense applications because of its ceramic […]
Circular sensor connectors with breakaway collars prevent damage to critical elements
Continuing to develop interconnect solutions with the capacity to cope even in the most challenging of operational environments, Harwin has introduced a new circular sensor connector product. With a current rating of 2A per contact, the members of the Vivern family come in a 10-contact 1.45mm pitch format and have an insulation resistance of over […]
EMC filters feature high frequency stability up to gigahertz range
SMP Sintermetalle Prometheus GmbH & Co KG (SMP) presents EMC filters with high-frequency stability. The specifically developed materials are now effective for frequencies up to the gigaHertz range. EMC filters reduce interference currents in power converter systems which are generated by parasitic effects and cyclic elements of the system. The material plays an important part in this: […]
Single Board Computer incorporates Trusted Platform Module 2.0 technology and USB 3.1
WinSystems has introduced its next-generation computing platform in the Nano-ITX form factor. The ITX-N-3900 provides a complete system that can be readily expanded and configured for diverse applications requiring an extended product life and high reliability under extreme operating temperatures. The 4.27 inch (120 mm) square footprint features an onboard Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0-compliant […]
New screw-loks and cables added to 1.25mm pitch connectors
To address the market needs of avionics, space, military and autosport deployment, among others, Harwin has significantly extended the scope of its award-winning Gecko Screw-Lok (Gecko-SL) 1.25mm pitch connectors with new options. To present engineers with greater design flexibility, and ensure that mating procedures are made as straightforward as possible, a reverse fix orientation has […]
Development environment handles FPGA PCIe cards
Concurrent Real-Time, a global provider of high-performance Linux solutions, today announced FPGA Workbench, a complete development environment for programming Concurrent’s high-performance FPGA PCIe cards. FPGA Workbench leverages Intel’s Altera Quartus Prime Standard Edition software package and includes a powerful GUI for selecting and configuring a wide range of pre-developed data acquisition and industry-specific modules to […]
Key design considerations for sheet metal enclosures
Even the simplest of electronic products need to be enclosed somehow. Additionally, having a basic understanding of how electronics enclosures are fabricated can go a long way to a more successful overall design and positive end-user experience. While there are electronic products that are more suitable for plastic enclosures, sheet metal electronic enclosures have the […]
SPDT high-power PIN diode RF switches work up to 2.7 GHz
Pasternack has unveiled a new line of SPDT high-power PIN diode RF switches that offer desirable performance for transmit and receive signal routing applications. Typical applications can involve use in radar systems, EW applications, base station infrastructure, repeaters, military/microwave radios, public safety/land mobile radios, UHF/VHF radios, and test and measurement applications. Pasternack’s new line of SPDT […]