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Defense

UPS Devices Keep UAVs in the Air

The simplistic definition of UAV reads like this: “An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), colloquially known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot on board. Its flight is controlled either autonomously...

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Articles
Aerospace

Free Space Optical Communications System for Advancing Superiority on the Battlefield

Fixed and tactical information networking, especially for defense applications, has begun to require increasing data transmission capacity as the volume...

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Articles
Aerospace

The Influence of Material Processing on the Performance of Composite Parts

The production of composite parts relies on an ever increasing number of processing technologies which have a large impact on the performance of the part. The...

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Articles
Defense

iSLC Flash Technology

Robots have been employed by the military to assist in missions where it would be, and has been, too dangerous to have a human being take on the task. These robots can detect and disable bombs. Some can be thrown into...

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

The Basics of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Radio Systems

This article introduces the rationale and techniques involved with MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output)-based communication systems. The communication impairments due to...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Kestrel Wide-Area Sensor Upgrades

In late May, Logos Technologies delivered the first payload upgrade to the Kestrel wide-area sensor, employed on U.S. Navy and Army aerostats in Afghanistan. The new hardware will provide better image...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Industrial, High-Precision Joystick

CTI Electronics, a supplier of rugged computer peripheral and motion control devices to US armed forces for over 20 years, will manufacture a military-grade, industrial pointing device to retrofit the...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Post Deployment Build-7 (PDB-7) Software

Raytheon Company (RTN) has started delivering a new release of software, Post Deployment Build-7 (PDB-7), to its worldwide Patriot customer base. The Patriot air and missile defense system protects...

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

From VME to VPX

Sequestration, defense reform and cost constraints are driving a new paradigm in the defense industry, where leveraging existing technologies is no longer optional, but required. This is especially true as we migrate from VME to...

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

Oil Pipeline Fault Detection System Determines Material Permittivity at Microwave Frequencies

Researching fault location techniques for the oil industry requires data on the complex permittivity of the polyamide Rilsan at microwave frequencies....

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Articles
Aerospace

Using RF Technology to Form a Wireless Network Under Water

Consumers have shown that they are eager to be rid of cabling and wires connecting them to devices situated or worn near or on the body. From athletic monitoring devices to headphones,...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Thermal System Reduces Munitions Stockpiles

Harper International has been selected by U.S. Demil, LLC (USD) for the design of a continuous, indirect Rotary Thermal Treatment Unit (TTU). The equipment will support US Department of Defense...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Line-of-Sight Radio

The U.S. Air Force has selected Cambium Networks’ pointto- point (PTP) 45600 High Capacity Line-of-Sight (HCLOS) radio for its Theater Deployable Communications program of record (TDC PMO). Supported by General Dynamics,...

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Application Briefs
Defense

Optical Muzzle Flash Detection Sensors

An optical detector technology from Cal Sensors detects muzzle flash from over 100 meters away. Operating at the speed of light, optical flash detection systems provide an almost instantaneous response to...

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Articles
Sensors/Data Acquisition

Designing Thermal Management Systems for Smaller, Lighter Avionics

The avionics systems of military aircraft support maneuverability and situation awareness for the pilot, process essential images, operate sensors, record data, and provide for...

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Articles
Aerospace

Field Configurable MIL-DTL-55181 Power Distribution

The proliferation of scalable tactical equipment has driven the need for field configurable power-distribution systems. A stacking-interconnect technology has been developed that utilizes the...

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Articles
Aerospace

Using Polyimide In 3D Thin Film Multilayer Circuitry

Today, the cost and complexity of all platforms and systems in military and defense technologies are being challenged by the need for high functionality in smaller but less expensive...

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Application Briefs
Manned Systems

Armor Kits for Heavy Trucks

Over the last several years, the Army has initiated and implemented a Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS). The LTAS provides modular armor protection for vehicles that vary dependent upon threat levels. The B-Kit...

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Articles
Software

MISRA C:2012

For C programmers working on safety-critical applications, following restrictions and guidelines to ensure safe-coding practices can be painful. Features of the language designed to make your work easier, more efficient, or provide...

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

GaN in Plastic Enables Next-Generation Radar and Communication Systems

Future trends for military radar require multifunction systems that combine radar, communications, and electronic warfare. This higher level of functional integration...

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

System Could Detect Concealed Person-Borne Bombs at a Distance

The recent tragic events at the Boston Marathon illustrate the growing and critical need for the detection of person-borne improvised explosive devices (PBIEDS). Such systems, in...

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

CompactPCI Steps Into the Future

CompactPCI Serial has proven to be a beneficial technology upgrade for a number of embedded systems designers accustomed to working with the legacy CompactPCI platform. Not only does CompactPCI Serial bring...

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

The Evolution of AdvancedTCA: From telecommunications to military, aerospace and security

The Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA® or ATCA®) is a series of open standard computing platform specifications originally ratified...

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Articles
Aerospace

Eyes In The Sky

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are critical to today’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, supplying valuable aerial imagery to ground forces. Small UAV systems are a highly flexible ISR solution...

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Application Briefs
Imaging

F-16 Full Mission Trainers

L-3 Communications announced that its Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base near...

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Articles
Aerospace

Point-of-Load Power Management

The requirements for smaller size, lower weight, and reduced cost in space and defense systems are driving demands for improved power-management solutions. Integrated DCto- DC converters that are designed for...

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Articles
Aerospace

Phoning It In: Making Smartphones Secure Enough for Tactical Communications

You suddenly find yourself pinned down by enemy gunfire. What do you do? Whip out your smartphone and call for an airstrike? Yes, if the U.S. Marine Corps has its way.

Articles
Electronics & Computers

Designing Rugged, Standards-Based Embedded Solutions

It can be argued that small form factor design trends are paradoxical. As form factor size decreases, functionality requirements increase; as processing power requirements heighten, lower...

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

Tips for Selecting or Designing a Membrane Switch

Membrane switches are known for standing up to tough environmental conditions. Flexible and durable, the membrane switch can be customized with embossing, backlighting, sealing, and...

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