LDRA (Merseyside, UK) has released the LDRA Compliance Management System (LCMS) to help companies develop the infrastructure to become DO-178B/C, DO- 278A, and DO-254 compliant. LDRA Certification Services (LCS) experts, fully accredited across all aviation disciplines, walk customers through the fully compliant plans, standards and other lifecycle documents, process checklists, and problem reports to help customers manage certification planning, development, verification, and regulatory activities. To provide additional flexibility and security for customers, LDRA has adapted and licensed LCMS to work in cloud-based or locally hosted environments. Both options include a two-day quick start training and LCS Level A DER ongoing support to ensure full compliance to the standards.

Microchip Technology Inc. (Chandler, AZ) announced a major expansion of its embedded-wireless portfolio with Bluetooth® additions that include the PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit, featuring modules, stacks and CODECs, and XBee® footprint-compatible socket modules with integrated stacks. The new Wi-Fi® offerings comprise IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi modules with Microchip’s feature-rich and free source-code TCP/IP stack running on a PIC® microcontroller for greater configurability, as well as XBee footprint- compatible socket modules with integrated stacks for ease of use. Microchip is also adding a low-power 2.4 GHz radio that supports—for the first time in one chip—both the IEEE 802.15.4 and proprietary data rates (from 125 kbps to 2 Mbps), including the ZigBee®, MiWi™ and other proprietary protocols.

Tektronix, Inc. (Beaverton, OR) recently announced its new precision multi- phase power analyzer. Featuring the industry’s first Spiral Shunt™ design (patent application submitted), the Tektronix PA4000 power analyzer gives power electronics engineers stable, precise current measurements even on highly distorted power waveforms common in many applications. The PA4000 uses two Spiral Shunts on each channel – one for current measurements up to 1 A, for precise low-current measurements, and one for current measurements up to 30A, for higher-current measurements. This state-of-the-art shunt design is then combined with unique high-speed digital signal processing algorithms, allowing the PA4000 to track power cycles accurately, even in the presence of transients and noise.

iWatt Inc. (Campbell, CA) has expanded its PrimAccurate(TM) pulse width modulation (PWM) controller platform to include two new power adapter chipsets that offer the company’s fastest standby recovery. The iW1766 + iW628 and iW1767 + iW628 chipsets provide ultra-low,

C&K Components (Newton, MA) has developed the new PTS 530 Series ultra-low- profile top actuated SMT switch. Utilizing C&K’s unique symbol line identification system, design engineers can quickly and easily identify actuation force ratings. The marking system defines the model number and actuation force on the switch itself, which eliminates the need for designers to rely on confusing schematics. The PTS 530 Series SMT switch is only 4.5mm x 4.5mm with a 0.55mm thickness (0.65 mm for high force versions) and features a lifespan of up to 1,000,000 operations. The momentary action, top actuated SMT switch features a gullwing or J-type terminal and can be soldered via infrared reflow in accordance with the IEC61760-1 standard. The PTS 530 Series switches are available in six different varieties, dependent on actuation force. The PTS 530 Series SMT switch has a maximum voltage of 12VDC. The operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions (CWCDS) (Ashburn, VA) announced that it will bring the unmatched data conversion performance of Tektronix Component Solutions’ newly introduced TDAC-25, the industry’s first 10-bit 25 GS/s digital-to-analog converter (DAC) ASIC to the defense, aerospace, telecom, commercial, and medical markets on its new CHAMP-WB family of rugged OpenVPX(TM) modules. The TDAC-25, which delivers up to -60 dBc of dynamic range and enables direct-generation of wideband signals. Curtiss-Wright will first deliver the TDAC-25 on the recently announced CHAMP-WB-DRFM card set featuring the Tektronix 12.5 GS ADC/DAC-based TADF-4300 module. The TADF-4300 was jointly developed by Curtiss-Wright and Tektronix for use with the CHAMP-WB Xilinx(R) Virtex(R)-7 based 6U VPX card. The first announced member of the CHAMP-WB family, the CHAMP-WB-DRFM card set deploys the TDAC-25 as part of an ADC/DAC combination with maximum module speed rated at 12.5 GS/s.

Agrowing number of mobile, space constrained or harsh environment applications are being designed for the military, industrial automation/HMI, digital signage and medical markets that are driving the need for ever-lower power consumption. These embedded systems have been underserved by existing SFF platforms that have not been able to offer ultra-low power operation, many times below 3 Watts, in a slim profile design. OEM developers have also been challenged to find computing platforms that deliver a flexible and scalable solution in terms of performance and rugged reliability with state-of-the-art interface and graphics support that mimics the same functionality as today’s smart consumer devices.

While carbon nanotube technology (CNT) has generated widespread interest for applications ranging from semiconductors to medical, one area that is a focus of research at TE Connectivity is high-performance electrical cables. TE has been actively researching CNT for wire and cable, including cooperative efforts with universities and industry leaders, and has prototype samples for evaluation. While there is still much progress to be made before CNT cables become main stream, we believe the technology is sufficiently advanced to meet specific niche applications such as satellites.

Air Force intelligence analysts must assess an adversary’s capability to achieve their objectives, including their offensive and defensive systems, state of readiness, training, and conditions such as weather. To effectively assess these capabilities, analysts must integrate a tremendous amount of data from a number of sources. An automated decision support system can help analysts manage and process the information.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Cubic Defense Applications, the defense systems business of Cubic Corporation, a $6 million contract to develop the next generation (XG) of the One Shot crosswind and range measurement system. The technology will provide ballistic aim point offsets in the shooter’s riflescope sight. The fielddeployable system is compact enough to have the option of mounting on the rifle or the spotter-scope, enabling military snipers to rapidly hit their targets at maximum effective ranges and under crosswind conditions.