This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Of course, there were also significant technological advances required in many areas, including designing and building longer-life electronics despite the unavoidable effects of space radiation […]
Aerospace and Defense
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 3: Very nearly crash and burn
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Iridium’s launch, crash, and nearly burn (literally) The Iridium communications service was initiated on November 1, 1998, with a call by then-Vice President Al Gore. […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 2: The implementation
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. The first part of the article explained the inspiration and rationale for the Iridium system. Three major elements were required to make the Iridium concept […]
Iridium global satcom system: Brilliant design, terrible business, last-minute reprieve, Part 1
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Business failures of companies with grand schemes and grandiose plans are part of the realities of technology-driven visionaries. Sometimes, however, the project is so large […]
FPGA family in ceramic quad flat pack option is QML-qualified
Microchip Technology announced its RTG4 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) family is the first in a Ceramic Quad Flat Pack (CQFP) option to achieve qualification to the industry’s Qualified Manufacturers List (QML). The achievement will enable space system developers to create systems using more reliable packages that simplify the layout and routing of Printed Circuit […]
SoM sports hardened 64-bit, multicore RISC-V MPU subsystem
Sundance has launched PolarBerry, the first production and deployment-ready SoM with a hardened 64 bit, multicore real-time, Linux-capable RISC-V MPU subsystem to deliver an unparalleled combination of defense-grade security, low power consumption, and thermal efficiency for embedded systems development. With Microchip Technology Inc.’s PolarFire SoC field-programmable gate array (FPGA) at its heart, providing a deterministic, […]
3U VPX SBC follow open systems architecture tech standard
Aitech Systems now offers the U-C8770, a single board computer (SBC) that couples the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) outlined by the US Department of Defense (DoD) with flagship performance and proprietary, hardware-based cybersecurity features. Aligned with The Open Group SOSA Technical Standard, the new board is an adaptation of Aitech’s high performance, rugged C877 […]
LVDT/RVDT/Resolver simulation module occupies single PXI slot
Pickering Interfaces launched its model 41-670, a single module that can function as an LVDT, RVDT, or resolver simulator. Occupying just one PXI or LXI chassis slot, the programmability of the module means that it minimizes the amount of hardware required. Also, since it sits in a PXI chassis alongside a customer’s other instruments, additional […]
Software suite verifies assembly/object level code on ARM CPUs for DO-178C Level A compliance
LDRA announced its extension of object-code verification to deliver advanced software testing for Arm-based chips used in safety-critical aerospace & defense and automotive applications. With Arm chipsets becoming increasingly prevalent in the core CPUs of both aircraft and automobiles, safety-critical verification becomes essential. LDRA’s support enables software developers to leverage the LDRA tool suite to verify code coverage […]
Pipelined ADCs hit 80 MSPS in 12-, 14- and 16-bit resolutions
System designers have limited options for small, robust, feature-rich high-speed ADCs for extended-temperature operation. Microchip Technology Inc. today announced it has filled this gap with its MCP37Dx1-80 family, the company’s second pipelined ADC offering and first to combine 80 MSPS in a choice of 12-, 14- and 16-bit resolutions, integrated digital features, and qualification to a […]
