January - February 08
Center of the Sandia Z machine in Albuquerque, NM, where thermonuclear fission reactions can be produced
Successful 'Shots' Signal Opening of Z Accelerator
Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine, the world's largest producer of X-rays, recently shook the ground for several hundred yards in every direction for the first time since July 2006, when the 22-year-old facility was gutted to undergo a complete refurbishment. Z has been overbooked in recent years with requests for experiment time from national labs and universities. The demand is due to Z's capability to subject materials to immense pressures, compress spherical capsules to produce thermonuclear fusion reactions, fire objects much faster than a rifle bullet, and produce data for models of the conditions around black holes in space.The improved version is capable of firing more often, at higher energies, and with improved precision. The new facility will increase the strength of its electrical pulse to 26 million amps. It also now offers improved control over the shape of its electrical pulse for better reproducibility as it enters new experimental regimes.
Researchers Push Transmission Rate of Cables
According to Penn State engineers, you can increase the data transmission of Category-7 copper cables used to connect computers to each other and the Internet. "Working with cable manufacturer NEXANS, we have examined the possibility of sending digital data at 100 gigabits per second over 100 meters of Category-7 copper cable," says Mohsen Kavehrad, the W.L. Weiss Endowed Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering. Using information on cable specifications and characteristics from NEXANS, the researchers modeled the cable with all its attributes, including modeling crosstalk. They then designed a transmitter/receiver equipped with an interference canceller that could transfer up to 100 gigabits using error-correcting and equalizing approaches. "A rate of 100 gigabits over 70 meters is definitely possible, and we are working on extending that to 100 meters, or about 328 feet," says Ali Enteshari, electrical engineering graduate student. "However, the design of a 100 gigabit modem might not be physically realizable at this time as it is technology-limited. We are providing a road map to design a high-speed modem for 100 gigabits."
GDOTS Wins IED Research Contract
General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems has won an IED research contract from the U.S. Navy. The agreement provides continued funding for counter-Improvised Explosive Devices' applied research and proof of concept demonstrations. The first year of the contract is valued at $1.5 million. The remaining two years have a potential value of $6 million. Researchers at General Dynamics and University of Missouri-Rolla's electromagnetic compatibility laboratory will collaborate in the development of solutions for detecting and neutralizing remotely triggered, electronically initiated IEDs. Electronic technologies that are available commercially are being used to remotely trigger IEDs and pose a significant threat to military personnel in current conflicts.
Chinese Army War Game
The Xinhua Online reports that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held a war game in central China's Henan Province to test its fighting capabilities under electromagnetic circumstances.A division of the PLA's Jinan Military Area Command, with about 10,000 soldiers and officers and 1,000 vehicles, launched attacks on a hilly exercise site for seven days. Its aim was to check the results of the Army's training for electro-magnetic battles over the past year to improve its capabilities of commanding, long-range maneuvering, firepower, integrated defending, and comprehensive logistic work. The year 2007 was the first year for the whole Army to carry out training on electromagnetic combat.
D.L.S. Expands Testing
RF Industries Acquires RadioMobile
Moore
Modeling Technique Improves Design of Antennas
RF Micro Devices Closes Sirenza Purchase
RF Micro Devices, which makes power amplifiers and transceivers for mobile phones, has completed its $900 million acquisition of radio frequency components maker Sirenza Microdevices, Inc. Shareholders of both companies approved the deal on October 29. Sirenza common stock has ceased to be publicly traded and is no longer listed on Nasdaq. The board of directors of the combined company will consist of the current nine members of RF Micro's board and two new members from Sirenza's board. Bob Bruggeworth, president and CEO of RF Micro, will retains those positions in the combined company. Bob Van Buskirk, president and CEO of Sirenza, will relocate to North Carolina to lead RF Micro's new multi-market products group.
GBS System Developed
EMS Technologies, Inc. and Windmill International, Inc. report that the military has begun evaluating the first fully portable global broadcast service (GBS) receive suite.The suite, designed to deliver situational awareness to an increasingly mobile fighting force, delivers the equivalent of 19 T1 lines, or 29Mbps of data. EMS Technologies' defense and space systems division is supplying the nimble, small antenna aperture on the front end of the suite's RF system.
"A small form-factor was a critical design requirement, and EMS's slot-array technology was crucial to system success -- it allows the system to collect the maximum amount of energy in the smallest amount of space while keeping the antenna's weight to a minimum," says David Martin, vice president, product development for Windmill.
Windmill hopes to begin full production of the system in spring 2008. Currently, the Navy SEALS and the Marine Corps on the West Coast are evaluating five units.
Harris Awarded $3.3 Million Contract
Harris Corp., an international communications and information technology company, has received a contract valued at $3.3 million from the Latvian Defense Forces for Falcon™ II tactical communications systems.Under the terms of the contract, Harris will provide its RF-5800H high frequency (HF), RF-5800V very high frequency (VHF), and RF-5800M multiband VHF/UHF handheld radios and accessories.
The RF-5800H is an advanced HF-SSB/VHF-FM manpack radio that provides reliable tactical communications through enhanced secure voice and data performance, networking, and extended battery life. The RF-5800V-MP is the VHF manpack member of the Falcon II tactical radio family. The RF-5800M-HH is a small, lightweight multiband handheld that extends the outstanding performance of units to the squad level. The RF-5800 series radios have integrated GPS and IP networking capabilities, thus guaranteeing seamless communication with other peacekeeping operations using the Falcon II radios.
MU-DEL Secures FAA Contract
For the second time in 12 years, MU-DEL Electronics, Inc., of Manassas, Virginia, has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) five-year contract by the Federal Aviation Administration to supply its new generation of VHF and UHF receiver multicouplers. The basic contract is valued at $9.8 million with a five-year option. This option, if exercised by the FAA, brings the potential value of this contract to $21 million.MU-DEL has been the FAA's sole supplier of VHF and UHF receiver multicouplers since 1995. The company manufactures high technology RF equipment which includes RF multicouplers from 1kHz to 40.0GHz, RF frequency converters that work from baseband to 26.5GHz, RF switching distribution systems which work from DC to 26.5GHz and specialized RF products.
