SOTECH 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 7 (September)
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers, announced its fully rugged line and Toughbook U1 are the first to be certified by an independent third-party test lab to meet the newer and more demanding MIL-STD-810G standard for environmental conditions, which was issued in October 2008 and supersedes MIL-STD-810F.
The Toughbook 30 laptop, Toughbook 19 convertible tablet, and Toughbook U1 ultra mobile handheld replacement have passed 20 critical MIL-STD-810G tests applicable to mobile computers, as well as IP65 ingress protection and ASTM D4169-04 vehicle vibration tests. Testing was conducted and certified by an internationally respected third-party laboratory. Mobile computing environments are often more demanding than what is laid out in military standard testing criteria. Because of this, Panasonic had its Toughbook 19, 30 and U1 tested beyond MIL-STD-810G, based on its 15 years of customer experience managing mobile deployments in extreme conditions. In particular, all of the products were drop tested 26 times at 4-, 5- and 6-foot levels. While MIL-STD-810G allows up to five samples to be used, Panasonic only used one unit for the Toughbook 19, 30 and U1. Even more noteworthy, the same unit was used for the 26 drops at 4 feet, then the same unit was dropped again 26 times from a height of 5 feet, and then the same exact unit was dropped 26 times from a height of 6 feet. In short, each unit tested survived 78 drops between heights of 4 to 6 feet.
“Most people are not aware that the military itself does not test products but only provides guidelines. As a result, there is actually a lot of flexibility in conducting military standard testing, which has made for an environment in which vendor claims about durability have actually gone untested,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management at Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. “For example, many companies will use multiple devices to pass the 26 angle military standard drop test method. This level of slack means that some products can be identified as mil-spec, yet not reflect real-world performance needs. This is unacceptable according to Panasonic’s—and our mission-critical customers’— standards.”
Compact Tactical Light
Streamlight Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting tools for military and tactical personnel, has introduced the hands-free Sidewinder Compact, an ultra-compact, angle-head tactical light that offers 20 functions from four LED light colors, intensity levels and strobe. Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, the light can be quickly attached to MOLLE gear, a helmet or a belt for optimum positioning while on maneuvers.
Providing four lighting modes and a strobe in a single light, the Sidewinder Compact incorporates a white power C4 LED, which offers two to three times the output of Super High Flux LEDs. Impervious to shock with a 50,000-hour lifetime, the white C4 LED offers 45 lumens of measured system output on the high setting.
In addition, the Sidewinder Compact offers a 5-millimeter infrared LED, providing 25mW of radiant intensity on the high output setting; a 5-mm red LED that offers one lumen of measured system output on the high output setting; and a 5-mm blue LED providing 1.8 lumens of measured system output on the high output setting. Each of the lighting modes offers four intensity levels and a strobe mode that operates at 100 percent intensity.
The Sidewinder Compact delivers more than 70 hours of runtime in the low output level for the white C4 LED and more than 100 hours for the infrared, red and blue LEDs. At the high output level, the white C4 LED provides 5.25 hours, the 5-mm infrared LED and 5-mm red LED each provide 14 hours, and the 5-mm blue LED provides 10 hours.
The light’s compound on/off mode selector switch ergonomically separates the on/off, dimming, strobe and LED-selection functions. A rubber dome actuator and four-position pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob with an infrared tactile indicator offers easy operation, even with heavy gloves. The light’s pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob prevents accidental mode changes.
The articulating head allows for precise light placement within a 185-degree range. A strong spring steel clip with integral helmet mount allows for hands-free use.
The light’s high-impact nylon case offers exceptional durability and weather resistance. Available with or without helmet mount, the Sidewinder Compact measures 3 inches in length and weighs 2.4 ounces with a single CR123A lithium battery. The light meets MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4 guidelines for waterproof operation.
Tactilus Technology
To alleviate discomfort and reduce the fatigue that reduces the soldier’s tactical effectiveness, a new generation of body armor systems is being developed. A body mapping pressure system by Sensor Products Inc. called Tactilus is enabling a highly skilled team of designers and engineers to develop new vests and carriage systems that optimally distribute the load that soldiers carry. The project is being directed by KDH Defense Systems of Johnstown, Pa., through a contract with the U.S. Air Force.
Edge Product Development of Newtown, Pa., is using human factors engineering, design and prototyping to adapt the armor systems to the needs of the soldiers.
Tactilus is a matrix-based tactile surface sensor—essentially an “electronic skin” that records and interprets pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting or mating surfaces and assimilates that data collected into a powerful, yet user-friendly, Windows-based tool kit. Each Tactilus sensor is carefully assembled to exacting tolerances and individually calibrated and serialized. The architectural philosophy of Tactilus is modular allowing for portability, easy expansion, and simultaneous data collection of up to six discrete sensor pads.
Tactilus employs sophisticated mathematical algorithms that intelligently separate signal from noise, and advanced electronic shielding techniques to maximize environmental immunity to noise, temperature and humidity.
“The speed and size of this product have allowed us to create a truly differentiated product in our market. I think the bottom line is that you delivered and you and your team should be commended for your efforts and innovation,” said Ron Douthit, Vertex Golf.
The various body mapping sensor systems powered by Tactilus are designed to allow the user to collect pressure, magnitude and distribution data from selected locations across the human body. This empowers the user to select the precise location or locations using fixed- or free-form tactile surface sensors.
Autotracking Antenna
The Enerdyne division of ViaSat Inc. has developed the EnerLinksIII autotracking antenna system (ETAS), a complete, high-performance ground station for video and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data links using the EnerLinksIII Ground Modem Transceiver. Using the ETAS, EnerLinksIII can deliver downlink lineof- sight range of at least 75 nautical miles at 11 Mbps, and over 100 nautical miles at 5 Mbps, operating at L-, S- or C-band frequencies.
The complete ETAS system includes a 24-inch parabolic antenna, an omni-directional antenna, a radio interface module, a gimbal to point the antenna, a rugged tripod to support the equipment, and two transit cases for the antenna assembly and electronics.
The parabolic reflector gain varies in a way that offsets any propagation loss variation, providing a constant link margin. The omni-directional antenna enables operation at close range where the angular velocity of the aircraft may exceed the ability of the tracking gimbal to follow it. Both the downlink and uplink are switched seamlessly and automatically between the two antennas.
Bob Varga:
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Next-Generation Remote Manipulation and Sensing
Harris, an international communications and information technology company, recently demonstrated a prototype of the next-generation, haptic—or touch-based—teleoperation technology. The demo system uses sensors embedded in robotic manipulators, and proprietary algorithms, to provide high-fidelity force feedback to the operator.
Designed for use with a wide variety of UGVs, the new Harris manipulation and 3-D visualization technology delivers the enhanced situational awareness that is required to identify and neutralize threats such as IEDs. It also could provide critical, lifesaving situational awareness during public safety emergencies and disaster responses.
“Until today, 2-D camera views and simplistic manipulation control have limited the dexterity that is critical to handling explosive ordnance,” said Wes Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs. “When you are defusing explosives remotely, you need sufficient visual and tactile feedback that gives you the confidence that you have ‘touched’ the wires. You want to fully understand the nature of the object and ‘see’ it. Harris manipulation technology and 3-D visualization give soldiers a more immersive understanding of what they are dealing with. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that one day no one will ever have to walk up to an explosive device in order to neutralize it.” ♦