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. You’ve undoubtedly seen or read stories about someone miraculously recused at sea or in some relatively uninhabited, remote part of the Earth, without a way to call […]
Aerospace & Defense
RF/optical hybrid modules work with VPX-based embedded computing systems
TE Connectivity is introducing its NanoRF optical hybrid modules for the defense industries VPX-based embedded computing systems that require increased bandwidth and radio frequency (RF) signaling. The new hybrid modules feature high-density RF and optical connections within common connector module applications like radar, electronic warfare (EW) missile guidance, and tactical communications, along with any other small […]
NanoRF optical modules offer more speed and functionality in small form factor
TE Connectivity (TE) is introducing its NanoRF optical hybrid modules for the defense industries VPX-based embedded computing systems that require increased bandwidth and radio frequency (RF) signaling. The new hybrid modules feature high-density RF and optical connections within common connector module applications like radar, electronic warfare (EW) missile guidance and tactical communications, along with any […]
Rad-hard eFPGA IP works with 90-nm rad-hard fab process
QuickLogic Corporation announced it has teamed with SkyWater Technology to make a “fast boot” rad-hard eFPGA IP available to users of SkyWater’s 90 nm rad-hard (RH90) process. This technology can be embedded as an IP core in ASIC and SoC devices or implemented as a custom rad-hard FPGA for mission-critical and/or ruggedized applications. QuickLogic’s eFPGA […]
Small-form-factor Ethernet switch optimized for near earth orbit, low earth orbit missions
Aitech Systems now offers the space industry’s first standalone small form factor (SFF) Ethernet switch designed and tested for near-earth orbit (NEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) missions. The new S-A6640 is a managed Ethernet Switch/Router with 12x1GE copper ports and uses IP and Ethernet protocols to help significantly improve communication speeds while lowering costs and […]
Reaction wheels ensure satellites maintain the right attitude: Part 2
Electrically driven reaction wheels use conservation of angular momentum to keep a satellite pointed in the right direction, eliminating the need for fuel-powered and limited thrusters. Part 1 was an introduction to reaction wheel basics. This part continues the investigation into their performance and construction. Physics and analysis Although the basic principle of reaction wheels […]
Reaction wheels ensure satellites maintain the right attitude: Part 1
Electrically driven reaction wheels use conservation of angular momentum to keep a satellite pointed in the right direction, eliminating the need for fuel-powered and limited thrusters. Orbiting satellites usually must maintain a precise and stable orientation for various reasons: to keep their cameras or radar pointed at their Earth targets or to keep their telescopes […]
3U and 6U Intel-based OpenVPX computers aligned to SOSA standard
Two new rugged computers from Abaco Systems feature the recently introduced Intel Xeon D-2700 processor delivering powerful 100Gb Ethernet (100 GbE) capability. The HPC2812 6U VPX high performance computer (HPC) and the SBC3612D VPX single board computer (SBC) are Abaco’s first 100 GbE computationally intensive 6U and 3U SOSA-aligned boards. Both computers provide the building […]
GaN in orbit and beyond
Outer space is harsh, but it’s relatively kind to gallium-nitride (GaN) power transistors compared with their Si (Si) counterparts. Si devices require special processing for protection against the total ionizing dose (TID) impact of exposure to radiation in space. GaN has material properties and construction advantages that make it less subject to damage caused by […]
Rack-mount remote spectrum monitors handle frequencies to 43.5 GHz
The MS27201A Remote Spectrum Monitor series includes the industry’s first remote spectrum monitor that covers 43.5 GHz to support new satellite downlink bands. Combining high RF performance with supporting PC software, the MS27201A series delivers long-term monitoring in a variety of commercial and regulatory environments. The MS27201A series includes 9 GHz and 20 GHz remote […]
