Sponsored By Oxley Developments
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11 Jan 24. Advantech launches first AMD AM5 RYZEN™ embedded. 7000 supported high-performance industrial ATX motherboard. Advantech (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in Industrial IoT, is excited to release its latest high-performance AIMB-723 industrial ATX motherboards with AMD RYZEN™ Embedded 7000 Processors. This is the first industrial-grade motherboard integrated with the AMD B650 chipset, delivering high computing performance with a remarkable 7-year lifespan. It stands out as the first AIMB motherboard to embrace DDR5 UDIMM, as well as provides the scalability to support up to a three-slot discrete GPU card and three additional frame grabber cards for machine vision applications.
Support a High-end GPU Card to Realizing AI AOI
Powered by Ryzen™ 7000 Series processors, AIMB-723 delivers exceptional performance and minimal power consumption. Through the optimal placement, it accommodates up to a three-slot discrete GPU card and three PCIe add-on cards, unlocking the potential for supporting high-performance demanded industrial tasks, such as AI-based Machine Vision and AOI applications. Its versatility satisfies the requirements of lightning-fast memory, and streamlines data transfer and processing to perfection.
“AMD is proud of the collaboration with Advantech to power its new industrial-grade AIMB-723 ATX motherboard with Ryzen Embedded 7000 processors,” said Amey Deosthali, senior director of product marketing, Embedded Processors Group at AMD. “AMD Ryzen Embedded 7000 processors, powered by Zen 4 and RNDA 2 graphics, enable Advantech AIMB-723 to be the ideal platform for a wide range of data-intensive applications in the growing industrial market.”
Elevating Industrial Applications at the Edge with abundant I/O and OS supports
The AIMB-723 supports a variety of high-speed I/Os incorporation, such as USB 3.2 (Gen 2) 10 Gbps, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, M.2, and SATA, enhancing the capabilities of industrial applications at the edge. Also, it caters to legacy requirements for PCI expansion and common I/O interfaces, including up to six serial ports (5 x RS-232, 1 x RS-232/422/485) for industrial device control, In addition, AIMB-723 provides compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows® 10 version 21H2 LTSC, Windows® 11 version 22H2 GAC, Windows® Server 2022, and Ubuntu 22.04. Setting up your preferred OS is a breeze, thanks to the comprehensive OS image provided by Advantech, complete with all the essential drivers.
AIMB-723 Key Features
- AMD Ryzen™ Embedded 7000 Processors with B650 chipset
- Four DIMM sockets up to 128 GB DDR5 5200
- Triple display DP/HDMI/VGA and dual 2.5 GbE LAN
- M.2, SATA RAID 0, 1, 10, and USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Optimized PCIe placement for GPU and frame grabber cards installation.
AIMB-723 is now available at Advantech. For those seeking an AMD AM5 industrial
ATX motherboard solution, this is the definitive choice. Trust the AIMB-723 for a dependable and stable platform, with the added assurance of product longevity support to maintain consistent application specifications.
For more information, please contact your local sales support team or visit the Advantech website at www.advantech.com/en-eu. For more intelligent systems and edge computing solutions, please visit the Advantech Edge Computer Site: https://www.advantech.com/en-eu/intelligent-systems/industrial-computers
11 Jan 24. Robust ODU connectors and sealing technologies: corrosion resistance and reliability in military applications.
Equipment deployed in military operations is often exposed to extreme conditions including adverse weather with a lot of moisture, salt water and other environmental influences. This can potentially result in corrosion problems with the equipment used and thereby lead to a loss of data and communication and, in the worst case, endanger the soldiers and the mission. The manufacturers choice of high-quality materials in combination with a suitable protective surface handling treatment and high specification interface sealants reduces corrosion susceptibility, extends the service life of equipment and increases the operational readiness of the troops.
Highest requirements for corrosion resistance of connectors
Connectors must meet the corrosion resistance requirements of electronic systems. Constant exposure to salty air and water, changing temperatures and mechanical stresses require robust solutions. In an extensive salt spray test, tin-nickel coated ODU AMC connectors were tested over an extended period of time under simulated military conditions. The results showed excellent corrosion resistance even under extreme conditions. Due to the high corrosion and oxidation resistance, the electrical performance is maintained, which leads to a significant reduction in maintenance costs and an increase in system availability in military use.
Sealing technology for extreme conditions
The connectors must also be effectively sealed to prevent water ingress. This requires the selection of highly resistant materials that can also withstand the aggressive environmental conditions in the maritime sector. Various seals are crucial to protect both the mechanical and the electrical components. A mix of sealing rings, potting compounds, wire seals, sophisticated geometries and professional overmoulding for cable assemblies ensures that the connections remain reliable even under extreme conditions and that no damage occurs, e.g. due to salt water ingress. In addition, the connection solutions offer protection against mud, dust and various liquids in accordance with ISO 16750-5, including operating fluids and chemicals such as oil and fuel. They comply with protection class IP6K9K and are therefore also suitable for applications where contact with high-pressure cleaners occur. With a watertightness of up to 20 meters, these connectors are the ideal choice for demanding applications or vehicle systems that require a high level of protection against water.
ODU AMC® Series T – robust connectors for military applications
The ODU AMC® Series T is not only characterized by its robustness and tightness, but also ensures reliable sealing under extreme vibrations. These connectors have been specially developed for the high demands of military applications, such as use in vehicles and equipment that are frequently exposed to vibrations and shocks. The sophisticated sealing technology of the ODU AMC® Series T ensures that no moisture, dust or dirt can penetrate the connector even under these demanding conditions. This ensures consistent connector performance in environments where absolute reliability is essential.
12 Jan 24. Mitsubishi Heavy launches H-IIA rocket carrying Japan’s spy satellite. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) launched an H-IIA rocket carrying the Japanese government’s Information-Gathering Satellite “Optical-8”, the company said in a post on social media X on Friday. It was the 48th launch of Japan’s flagship launch vehicle since 2001, bringing the success rate of the rocket, developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), to 97.92%. Japan plans to retire H-IIA after two more launches and replace it with H3, but has been struggling with the transition after JAXA’s first test launch failed in March last year. The H3’s second test launch is slated for Feb. 15. (Source: Reuters)
10 Jan 24. UK launches International Science Partnership Fund worth £218m. The UK government launched the International Science Partnerships Fund worth £218m of Official Development Assistance designed to help unlock potential and foster prosperity. British High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E Ailsa Terry delivering the welcome remarks The International Science Partnerships Fund, which is open to countries including Malaysia, puts research and innovation at the heart of UK international relationships, supporting researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, technology, and talent.
ISPF directs government investment and effort into the science and research issues that really matter. It builds partnerships based on excellence to share knowledge and research infrastructure, cultivate strong diplomatic ties, promote global standards and values, and foster mobile talent in Southeast Asia and in the UK.
Today, the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur (BHC KL) organised the ISPF Malaysia launch to disseminate the information to the wider science and innovation community. ISPF will explore programmes in the themes of resilient planet, healthy people, animals and planets, transformative technologies, and tomorrow’s talent.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang who attended the launch said: “The International Science Partnership Fund marks a key collaboration between Malaysia and the UK, driving a new phase in Malaysia’s science and technology journey. This partnership fosters innovative research and sustainable advancements that will enrich both nations. Our joint efforts exemplify the strength of international cooperation in advancing science and technology for global well-being.”
British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ailsa Terry CMG added: “The UK and Malaysia share a longstanding research partnership through the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund and Global Challenges Research Fund. The launch of the International Science Partnership Fund in Malaysia is the next chapter of our ambitious science and technology partnership with Malaysia, and our joint commitment in developing talent and capabilities, strengthening our research network and tackle some of greatest challenges we face today.”
ISPF worldwide is deployed by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Its implementation in Malaysia is facilitated by the BHC KL. ISPF programmes are delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies, which includes UK Research and Innovation (comprising the 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England), the UK Academies, the British Council, the Met Office, the National Physical Laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Universities UK International.
Some of these organisations will work with their Malaysian counterparts to publish calls for research proposals to which researchers or universities can apply through a competitive process.
For anyone wish to get more information on the ISPF calls can register using this form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=09Ci08h8Uk-7-YW9Q9lCeSl2_YCKIW5MrLoxkpVa8I5UMzQ1MTRJWkpBRzczQlJLN1dZMlZUWllNTS4u
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Jan 24. DARPA Advances PsiQuantum to Second Phase of Utility-Scale Quantum Computing Program. PsiQuantum today announced that it was awarded a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue work on the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program, which seeks to determine whether an underexplored approach to quantum computing – like PsiQuantum’s photonic approach – is capable of achieving utility-scale operation much faster than conventional predictions.
This program was envisioned by DARPA to include an escalating engagement over a multi-phase, multi-year effort. During the initial phase, which was announced in January 2023, PsiQuantum worked closely with a dedicated team of experts from the government looking to verify and evaluate the status of the company’s technology, as well as the future viability of the photonic approach as a means of building the world’s first utility-scale, fault tolerant quantum computer. The year-long government diligence effort determined that PsiQuantum’s photonic approach is worthy of elevating to the next phase of the US2QC program. The DARPA-led team included multiple experts from each of the following institutions: Air Force Research Laboratory; DARPA; John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Los Alamos National Laboratory; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and the NASA Ames Research Center.
To date, most commercial quantum computing efforts have been focused on matter-based approaches. As the quantum computing industry has matured, it has become widely acknowledged that “utility-scale” commercially useful quantum computing requires large-scale systems and error correction. While the photonic approach is uniquely suited to address a number of key technical hurdles specific to scale and error correction, the approach has gone largely underexplored in the United States compared to other approaches.
As the PsiQuantum effort moves to the next phase, the focus will shift to PsiQuantum’s design for a fault-tolerant prototype. This work aims to show that a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be constructed as designed and operated as intended. In addition, PsiQuantum will continue to pursue the next intermediate milestones to deliver a fully fault tolerant quantum computer on the fastest path possible. DARPA in turn will continue to closely monitor and evaluate PsiQuantum’s approach and progress towards this goal.
Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of PsiQuantum, remarked: “PsiQuantum’s only mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. We have an extremely ambitious and somewhat contrarian plan, and as such we welcome expert third-party scrutiny of our technology. We are glad to see a focused effort specifically targeted on large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing. PsiQuantum was proud to be initially named one of just three industry performers on the US2QC program and today’s announcement is no different – the company welcomes the opportunity to continue this important work with DARPA and other partners across the U.S. Government.”
Dr. Joe Altepeter, US2QC program manager in DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office commented: “We are very excited that multiple performers’ designs showed plausible paths to truly utility-scale systems. These researchers are working extraordinarily hard, presenting solid technology descriptions and detailed research plans. We will continue exploring with them whether these technologies can make the significant leap needed to create quantum computers with true scientific and industrial utility.”
About PsiQuantum
PsiQuantum is a private company, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The company’s only mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. Many teams around the world today have demonstrated prototype quantum computing systems, but it is widely accepted that much larger systems are necessary in order to unlock transformational applications across drug discovery, climate technologies, finance, transportation, security & defense and beyond. PsiQuantum’s photonic approach enables rapid scaling via direct leverage of high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and cryogenic infrastructure. The company is partnered with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and Sci-Tech Daresbury in the United Kingdom. Learn more at www.psiquantum.com (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
12 Jan 24. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT) rolled out the X-59, a unique experimental aircraft designed to quiet the sonic boom, at a ceremony in Palmdale, California. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Lockheed Martin’s and NASA’s decades-long journey to solve one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight – the sonic boom.
“We’re thrilled to take on this challenge alongside NASA, whose quiet supersonic technology mission will have lasting, transformational impacts for people around the world,” said John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “This project is just one example of the broader ingenuity of our industry as we continually strive to push the envelope of what’s possible.”
Rollout ceremonies are a long-standing aviation tradition, and in the case of the X-59, it celebrated technical advancements, collaboration and innovation that stemmed from years of research, development and production of a one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft that will reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.
“The entire X-59 team leaned into the expertise of both legendary organizations, NASA and Lockheed Martin, to ensure success for this program. I am extremely proud of everyone who made this historic moment possible,” said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Lockheed Martin, NASA and government leaders attended the ceremony to include:
- Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
- Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator
- Jim Free, NASA Associate Administrator
- Bob Pearce, NASA Associate Administrator
- Dee Dee Myers, California’s Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor
The aircraft is unique because it has no cockpit or front-facing window. It differs from conventional planes due to its dart-like shape that stops the various shockwaves formed on the surface from joining together – thereby eliminating the sonic boom.
NASA awarded Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works a US$247.5 m contract to design, build and fly a 30-metre demonstrator prototype – X-59 QueSST – but its progress has been slower than hoped.
Space Connect last reported on its development back in 2011, when NASA released a time-lapse video showing the X-59’s wing, tail and fuselage being merged together. In the years since very little information on it has been released, though NASA did release a further video last year charting its progress.
Peter Coen, NASA’s QueSST Mission Integration Manager, said in April 2023, “We’re definitely ready to write a new chapter in the history of supersonic flight, making air travel over land twice as fast, but in a way that is safe, sustainable, and so much quieter than before.”
It comes after Space Connect reported in November how local company Hypersonix would gather data on its upcoming hypersonic “spaceplane” by creating a virtual replica.
The deal will see the ACT-based Nominal Systems make a “digital twin” of the 3.5-metre-long demonstrator vehicle alongside replicating conditions outside of the aircraft. It comes with the DART AE set for its first real-world test flight next year.
While hypersonic tech – defined as flying at least five times the speed of sound – is nothing new, countries are currently in an arms race to develop the next generation of missiles that are so manoeuvrable in mid-air, they can’t be intercepted or detected.
Hypersonic technology is also believed to be able to one day create aircraft that can travel into space, creating an alternative to traditional vertical rocket blast-offs.
Hypersonix co-founder Michael Smart, who invented the “Spartan” engine that will power its vehicles, previously told Space Connect’s sister brand, Australian Aviation, his long-term aim is to fly customers to space “like you fly with Qantas”.
Next, the aircraft will complete ground tests including engine-run and taxi tests before its next major milestone, first flight, later this year. After the aircraft is validated in initial flight tests, it will move into the acoustic testing phase. This phase will include flights over populated areas to provide U.S. and international regulators with statistically valid data required to help approve new rules that could allow quiet commercial supersonic flight over land. This would cut commercial flight times to half of what they are today, transforming travel for people around the world.
(Source: Lockheed & Space Connect)
09 Jan 24. Ukraine war pressure is reshaping Germany’s high-tech defense industry. Following Russia’s invasion, vendors find that speed of delivery trumps custom features. Germany’s high-tech defense firms are adapting their business practices amid the war in Ukraine, replacing the sector’s boutique approach with a greater focus on mass production, according to company officials.
The key factor now tends to be speed, officials said. How soon systems can be delivered and combat-ready trumps clients’ requests for custom tailoring.
“We have seen a fundamental change in our production philosophy,” Lothar Belz, company spokesperson for German sensor manufacturer Hensoldt, said. This stems in large part from the increased demand, he said. While in the past Hensoldt usually delivered fewer than five large radars per year, those numbers have now risen to over 15 annually. By 2025, the cadence is expected to be 20 per year, according to Belz.
Output from certain departments – such as remote sensing and electronic warfare – has increased threefold since the “Zeitenwende,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s famous turn of phrase describing a continent no longer deemed at peace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
About half of Hensoldt’s radar production is destined for Kyiv this year, Belz said.
It’s an example how “Zeitenwende” – which translates into something like turning point or watershed moment – is slowly seeping into Germany’s defense policy and industry apparatus.
The term also came with a financial component, most notably a €100 bn cash infusion to the German armed forces and a pledge to raise annual defense spending past the NATO target of 2% of GDP for the coming years. Scholz has called the measures “the most far-reaching change in German security policy since the Bundeswehr was founded in 1955.”
Zeitenwende zeitgeist
Companies are feeling the time crunch. “We definitely had orders where the customer said: ‘At the end of the day, we don’t care about the exact color scheme that much,’” said Pitt Marx, spokesperson of Thales Germany. He explained that contracts previously were usually signed with some breathing room when it came to the production timeline. Now, the company has had to “bundle capacities” and assign some employees to projects they would not usually work on to meet objectives.
Thales’ customers receive their orders quicker than they would have a few years ago, Marx said. Similarly, at Hensoldt, radars are now delivered typically “within a year” of the contract, though exact timing still depends on “adaptation necessities,” Belz said.
To meet the new demands, Hensoldt has added a new shift and increased the size of its production staff by 15% in the past two years.
Strong hiring is happening throughout the industry. German radio specialist Rohde & Schwarz added almost 2,000 new employees, and the company also added a third shift, according to spokesperson Dennis-Peter Merklinghaus.
At Hensoldt, the dictate of the Zeitenwende has affected everything, ranging from production – “we now do industrial serial production,” Belz said – to the supply of components and even the handling of testing and the handoff of finished systems to customers.
Thales’ Marx said that when it came to delivery and the training of workers, the company had become “more pragmatic,” a term used frequently in several interviews conducted for this story to denote that certain standards had to be softened to make mission.
“There is a fundamental difference in whether you are ordering something to keep an eye on your border, or whether you’re deploying it right into an active warzone,” he said.
Pandemic aftershocks
Meanwhile, the industry is still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, whose supply chain disruptions never quite went away. It was mentioned as a concern in every interview Defense News conducted for this story.
For Rohde & Schwarz, retaining control of needed components has paid dividends, keeping deliveries on time even during the height of the global health crisis. “We can build everything from the smallest chips to ordinary server racks ourselves and do so within Germany,” Merklinghaus said.
Hensoldt’s Belz also emphasized the importance of supply chains. His company has made new investments in logistics, building a new warehouse and distribution center. This would have been unthinkable in the past, as the company would order components as they became necessary for the fulfillment of contracts. Now, it maintains stocks of crucial parts. In early December, Hensoldt announced the acquisition of the electronics and logistics company ESG.
The greater need for speed may also require customers to recalibrate their expectations. In the past, it was common practice for government buyers to provide hundreds of pages and thousands of bullet points of individualized wishes for a contract, and even to change the requirements while production was already running, said Belz.
The shift toward producing larger quantities in shorter amounts of time “requires a thorough understanding of operational requirements on our part but also a certain amount of restraint from the customer,” he said. Not all those interviewed shared this philosophy but Hensoldt believes it’s the right move for a new era, the spokesperson said.
After all, he said, the key to success in the new, fast-paced world of European high-tech defense companies is “not just being willing to deliver, but being able to.” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
05 Jan 24. US to splash $162m on Microchip Technology. The US Department of Commerce (DoC) announced a plan to award Microchip Technology $162 m in grants to increase the domestic production of microcontroller units (MCUs) and other specialty semiconductors used across consumer, automotive, industrial, defence, and aerospace industries.
The funding, which will be available through the CHIPS and Science Act, could also lead to the creation of more than 700 new jobs due to the expansion of two Microchip Technology factories in the US.
The DoC stated the expansion projects are estimated to nearly triple the output of semiconductors that Microchip Technology produces at the two sites, which will decrease its reliance on foreign foundries while also strengthening its supply chain.
The award to Microchip consists of $90m to expand fabrication facilities in the state of Colorado and $72m for the expansion of a fabrication facility in Oregon.
The DoC announced in late 2023 it would conduct a review of how US companies source semiconductors as part of an effort to shape policy designed to bolster supply chains and cut risks deemed to be posed by China.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated the grant for Microchip Technology “is a meaningful step in our efforts to bolster the supply chain for legacy semiconductors that are in everything from cars, to washing machines, to missiles” (Source: https://www.mobileworldlive.com/)
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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