NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Web Page sponsor Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
16 Jan 06. SELEX Communications, a Finmeccanica company, has launched the Mini-Talon satellite communication system, a reduced size development of its operationally successful and widely deployed Talon terminal system, to meet the needs of highly mobile military and specialist users. The Mini-Talon uses a one-metre antenna designed specifically for use as an ultra lightweight, multi-band satellite ground terminal that can be deployed by a single operator. The antenna folds into a single ‘suitcase’ style packing case, making it very portable and able to meet the IATA checked baggage weight of 32kg. Designed at the company’s Christchurch site in the United Kingdom, the system has been developed using rigid, strong yet light carbon fibre components, providing a very lightweight design with inherent strength and rigidity, capable of transmitting over the satellite in under five minutes. Capable of C, X, Ku, and Ka Band operation, the Mini-Talon was designed for the military and professional commercial user, providing a robust solution and an active life of many years without degradation. A small 4U-transit case houses 19-inch rack-mountable equipment, such as the satellite modem, in a shock-protected frame. A motorised variant is available, which can be configured for auto-acquisition. As a further option, the Mini-Talon can incorporate remote Monitoring & Control using a rugged tablet PC loaded with intuitive control software, allowing easy configuration, as all user functions are remoted. The Mini-Talon provides the operator a new level of flexibility with an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre design employing the newest technology available configurable to customer requirements. With a receive capability in excess of 1Mb/sec at Ku Band, it is entirely suited for outdoor operation in harsh environments. Our Mini-Talon sets new standards in ultra flyaway terminals. Alongside, complementary systems within the SELEX Communications product range – such as the TST101, SHF man-portable terminal – it represents a truly versatile complete satcom solution for the professional, highly mobile user community.
25 Jan 06. Intel, the world’s biggest semiconductor maker, on Wednesday said it had become the first manufacturer to produce a working chip for the next generation of miniaturisation, where transistors are reduced to 45 billionths of a metre in size. The 45-nanometre breakthrough comes as Intel is ramping up production of the latest 65 nanometre chips, six to nine months ahead of its biggest rival in processors, Advanced Micro Devices. The lead in manufacturing technology suggests Intel could begin to recapture market share lost to AMD, whose processors have been offering better performance and energy efficiency. Figures just released from Mercury Research show AMD’s overall market share of the dominant “x86” processor market grew to 21.4 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from its 17.7 per cent share in the third quarter. Intel and AMD have more than 98 per cent of the x86 market. AMD advanced across all segments – its server market share grew from 12.7 per cent to 16.4 per cent, desktops increased from 20.4 per cent to 24.3 per cent and mobile processors grew from 12.2 per cent to 15.1 per cent, according to Mercury. Intel last week blamed a shortage of chipsets for loss of market share and fourth-quarter results that fell short of expectations. But the move to smaller-scale 65 and then 45 nanometre chips means Intel can cut costs and undercut its rival’s prices. The new scale allows more transistors on a chip, greater power efficiency and faster performance.Intel said it had crammed more than 1bn transistors on its 45nm test chip, which had been produced on time as it continued its chip evolution of a new generation every two years. Volume production is expected from the second half of 2007. (Source: FT.com)
Jan 06. Pelikon, the world leader in t