TechBlog

A CubeSat is a type of space research picosatellite with dimensions usually of 10×10×10 centimetres (i.e., a volume of exactly one litre), weighing no more than one kilogram, and typically using commercial off-the-shelf electronics components.

Developed through joint efforts, California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University introduced the CubeSat to academia as a way for universities throughout the world to enter the realm of space science and exploration.

Currently, a large number of universities and some companies and other organizations around the world are actively developing CubeSats. One of these companies Clyde-Space, has just developed an ‘off-the-shelf’ website with information and resources for various sized cubesats and their subsystems. Other suppliers such as ISIS and GomSpace are also offering products and services through their websites.
With their relatively small size, CubeSats can be made and launched for an estimated US$65,000–80,000 each (2004 US dollars). This low price tag, as compared to most satellite launches, has made Cubesat a viable option for schools and universities across the world.

Continue reading ‘Researchers And Students To Develop Small CubeSat Satellites, the Size of a Loaf of Bread’ »

The all new A30 MEMS High Performance Single Axis Accelerometer offers excellent bias with a small light weight form factor and low power. Designed for commercial stabilization and aircraft applications, the unit utilizes standard +5V DC power and has a voltage output.

• Low Cost & High Performance MEMS Single Axis Accelerometer
• Excellent Bias ? 1mg
• Bias Repeatability ? 2.5mg
• Axis Alignment <15mrad
• Low Power < 5 mA Typical
• Light Weight < 10 grams
• Low Voltage +5V (single sided power)
• Bandwidth 40Hz / 100Hz
• Voltage Output
• Reference Voltage
• Internal Temperature Sensor
• Self Test
• Shock Resistant 500g
• Long Life

Continue reading ‘A30 High Performance MEMS Accelerometer’ »

The all new LandMark20 MEMS GPS/AHRS is an ultra low power combined digital Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) that provides internally temperature compensated RS485 output of delta velocity, delta theta, heading, pitch and roll angle and altitude information and a 16 channel C/A code GPS receiver with 10Hz position update rate.

A complete turnkey software development kit with advanced features including direct PC interface, data recording, bandwidth and output rate selection is also available.A complete turnkey software development kit with advanced features including direct PC interface, data recording, bandwidth, output rate selection and GPS is also available.

Continue reading ‘MEMS LandMark20 GPS/AHRS - Low Noise AHRS with GPS’ »

Antennas serve as transducers between electromagnetic waves traveling in free space and guided electromagnetic signals in circuits. As such, they play a critical role in the performance of wireless communication systems. With the proliferation of mobile wireless services that deliver voice and/or data in smaller and smaller devices, the task to design an antenna for a portable unit that meets not only operational requirements but also aesthetic and packaging restrictions is becoming more and more challenging. As result, engineers rely on a combination of theory, simulation, and experimental investigation to arrive at a design that meets all the demands of a particular application.

Basic Antenna Parameters

The basic parameters of antenna are impedence, mismatch and ohmic efficiency, radiation pattern and polarization, directivity, gain and equivalent isotropically radiated power, and effective height and aperture. In addition, celebrated Friis equation is and equations for the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of an antenna and source-field relationships are also important.For a more detailed treatment of the material pointed out here, the reader is referred to “A HANDBOOK OF ANTENNA IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION” OF CRC Press by Lal Chand Godara.

Continue reading ‘Future Antennas Will be Flat’ »

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has authorized Raytheon Company to demonstrate target recognition technology designed to increase protection for ground forces without compounding risk to an aircraft stalking enemies who threaten those forces.

First in a laboratory and then aloft, the company expects to show how its Air-to-Ground Radar Imaging II program would permit aircraft at a safe distance to detect, track and target hostile forces in motion on the ground.

The laboratory demonstration is expected in autumn 2008, followed by a flight next spring aboard a Raytheon test aircraft.

Continue reading ‘Raytheon Develops Technology To Help Aircraft Protect Ground Forces’ »

The all new LandMark20 MEMS IMU is a silicon low noise digital Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that provides internally temperature compensated RS485 output of delta velocity and delta theta.
Features:

• Low Noise Silicon MEMS Digital IMU
• Low Gyro Noise 0.028º/sec/?Hz
• Fully Temperature Compensated Bias and Scale Factor
• Compensated G-Sensitivity and Misalignment
• In Run Gyro Bias 6° to 60°/hour typical
• Low Power < 1/2 watt typical
• Light Weight 113 grams
• Small Size < 67.5cm3/4.1in3
• Low Voltage +3.0 to 4.2V (single sided power)
• Bandwidth 100 Hz (user selectable)
• RS485 Output 200 Hz (user selectable)
• Bandwidth Filtering Capability
• Vibration Isolation
• Precision Alignment
• 3 Internal Temp. Sensors
• Self Test
• Shock Resistant
• Long Life
• Export Classification: Commerce ECCN7A994 Pending

The LandMark20 IMU is ideal for applications requiring improved performance MEMS gyros, but also needing ultra low power consumption, small size, light weight and no inherent wear out modes for long life. The signature feature of the LandMark20 IMU is the improved gyro performance. The low noise gyros enable precision measurement and improved in-run and bias over temperature. The IMU’s performance is optimized with fully temperature compensated bias and scale factor and compensated misalighnment and g-sensitivity. The rate outputs are free from bias steps and linear outputs are without acceleration hysteresis. The unit is highly durable and can withstand environmental vibration and shock typically associated with commerical aircraft requirements.

Continue reading ‘Silicon Low Noise Digital Inertial Measurement Unit Landmark 20 IMU’ »

Continue reading ‘Coanda Effect Flying Saucer’ »

NASA’s solar-powered Helios experimental aircraft lifted off from a U.S. Navy base on the Hawaiian island of Kauai on Monday, reaching a height of 96,500 feet.