Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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18 Jan 24. Amphenol Socapex introduces ruggedized USB Type-C connector for harsh environments. Amphenol Socapex, a leading designer and manufacturer of connectors and interconnect solutions, announces the release of a ruggedized USB Type-C connector, USB3CFTV, based on the MIL-DTL-38999 series III standard. The USB3CFTV is a ruggedized solution designed to withstand harsh environments and demanding applications such as military communications, military planes, aerospace, commercial air, and naval applications. The connector features a Tri start thread coupling mechanism that ensures resistance to shocks, vibration, and cable traction. It also provides a high level of sealing protection against external fluids and dust exposure, up to IP68.
The USB3CFTV connector is an ideal solution for designers who require the flexibility of the USB Type-C standard and the ruggedness of Amphenol Socapex’s connector solutions. With this connector, designers can develop a wide range of data, power delivery, and video configurations.
The USB3CFTV connector also provides enhanced EMI protection and is available in a range of materials and coatings compliant with various environmental regulations. This makes it suitable for use in extreme temperatures, harsh chemical environments, and other demanding conditions.
“We are excited to offer our customers a ruggedized USB Type-C connector that can withstand even the harshest environments,” said Matthieu Rinsant, Amphenol Socapex’s product manager. “With this connector, designers can benefit from the flexibility of the USB Type-C standard while taking advantage of our expertise in ruggedized connector solutions.”
The easy plug assembly video is available on https://youtu.be/XY0Tp5inmf0
19 Jan 24. DOD Connects With Microelectronics Commons Hubs to Accelerate Prototyping of Advanced Microchips. Representatives from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) — Crane Division, and National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) will embark on a three-week tour across the nation, Jan. 22 to Feb. 9. Site visits will connect with the Microelectronics Commons Hubs, local government leaders, and experts from industry and academia to accelerate the prototyping of advanced microchips that will bolster our nation’s military technological advantage.
The Commons is a CHIPS and Science Act-funded national network of eight regional innovation Hubs that will provide $2bn from FY23 to FY27 for domestic microelectronics hardware prototyping and workforce development. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the goal of the Commons is to connect regional organizations through Innovation Hubs to accelerate lab to fab prototyping for technology that is vital to the Department, and to strengthen local economies through a workforce that supports those regions, complementing programs run by the Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation.
The Executive Director of the Microelectronics Commons and Principal Director for Microelectronics, Dr. Devanand Shenoy, will visit all eight Hubs dedicated to prototyping cutting-edge microchips needed for U.S. defense systems. “The Commons is crucial to ensuring a domestic supply of cutting-edge microchips that are integral to the systems our warfighters use now and into the future,” said Dr. Shenoy. “I look forward to connecting with the dedicated experts at each Hub to learn about their technical strategies and workforce development plans.”
Stakeholders from the Department and interagency will spend three weeks visiting the Hubs and engaging in technical meetings with the Hub leaders, members, and staff. They will also connect with local government leaders to foster supportive economic environments for semiconductor research and development and production in communities across the nation.
In line with President Biden’s vision, the Commons is positioned to support a revitalization of manufacturing in America that can be seen and felt across the nation. The Hubs encompass more than 430 organizations — over 100 of which are academic institutions — spanning 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Through this investment, the Department aims to accelerate the domestic prototyping and production of the microchips we need for our national security while creating jobs in the semiconductor industry across the United States.
In December, the Department released its Microelectronics Commons FY24 Call for Projects (CFP) to catalyze semiconductor innovation in America. The CFP will support up to $280 m to projects focused on domestic prototyping and fabrication of microelectronics, with the goal of building a sustainable pipeline of domestically produced, state-of-the-art microelectronics for our military. These site visits will include conversations with technical experts and program leaders at each Hub about how they can best support future project opportunities.
The Commons site visit tour is scheduled as follows:
22 January: Southern California, where the University of Southern California (USC) leads the California Defense Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub (CA DREAMS)
24 January: Northern California, where Stanford University and Berkeley College lead the California-Pacific-Northwest Artificial Intelligence Hardware Hub (NORTHWEST AI)
26 January: Arizona, where Arizona State University (ASU) leads the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub (SWAP)
30 January: Massachusetts, where the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative leads the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC)
1 February: New York, where SUNY Polytechnic leads the Northeast Regional Defense Tech Hub (NORDTECH)
5 February: North Carolina, where North Carolina State leads the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide-bandgap Semiconductors Hub (CLAWS)
7 February: Ohio, where the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium leads the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium Hub (MMEC)
9 February: Indiana, where the Applied Research Institute leads the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub (SCMC)
For more information, please visit the Commons website: MicroelectronicsCommons.org. (Source: U.S. DoD)
17 Jan 24. HMNB Portsmouth use Smarter Technologies’ Orion IoT Data Network to drive port operational efficiency. Smarter Technologies, the leading British provider of Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions, has been supporting the digital innovations team at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, with their proprietary Orion IoT Data Network, to maximise the efficiency of port operations.
HMNB Portsmouth is home to the majority of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, including the flagship aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the formidable Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates and mine countermeasures squadrons. The harbour at Portsmouth is one of the busiest in the United Kingdom, with around 130,000 significant movements annually, and it is also the home for ship repair and maintenance. HMNB Portsmouth, like many defence establishments, is a large and complex estate that presents significant infrastructure management challenges and requires significant focus and innovative thinking to run efficiently, maximise operational capability and minimise costs. This is especially true where the estate is historic in nature and is not designed or constructed to meet modern operational needs.
The Infrastructure Asset Management team at HMNB Portsmouth, keen to adopt digital innovations, approached Smarter Technologies to assist with the provision of real-time data from multiple sensor platforms across a large geographic footprint, in order to inform critical operational decision-making. Following an earlier demonstration of their smart sensor technology and Orion real-time IoT data network, Portsmouth invited Smarter Technologies to install depth sensors in each of the dockyard’s key operational and historic basins (No 3 Basin alone, holds over 300 m gallons of water) and transit locks to monitor water levels. Via an intuitive and customer-configurable dashboard, the sensors provided the Asset Management and Waterfront teams with the empirical evidence they needed to adjust how and when the locks and pumps were used to optimise water levels, assets to target for remediation to minimise unintended water flows and maintain effective waterfront operations. As a result, unnecessary pumping operations were avoided, both long- and short-term targeted mitigation measures were implemented and material operational efficiencies were realised, almost immediately delivering a return on investment.
Simon Kierstan, the Navy’s Strategic Infrastructure lead at Portsmouth, said, “The management insight that Smarter Technologies have brought to the waterfront operation has been incredibly helpful, and it’s been amazing just how quickly it gave us the evidence-base we needed to do things differently and do things better. This is just one part of a much broader digital innovation programme at Portsmouth Naval Base, which is gathering momentum and delivering significant step-changes in capability with each enhancement”.
Mark Read, CEO of Smarter Technologies, said, “We’re just delighted to be working with Simon and the management team at Portsmouth and to deliver value for them. We pride ourselves in delivering the end-to-end solutions that our customers need. It’s our knowledge and expertise, working in partnership with our clients, that enables such digital transformation programmes to succeed and enable end users to improve their critical operational decision making using real time data.”
15 Jan 24. Digital defence transformation boosted by £150m UK contract. Digital services across Defence will be transformed in a £150m contract awarded to UK-based technology services provider, Computacenter.
- UK-based technology services provider Computacenter awarded four-year contract.
- Contract expected to reduce current costs by around 64% (£84m).
- Covering over 220,000 devices in use by MOD personnel worldwide.
Digital services across Defence will be transformed in a £150m contract awarded to UK-based technology services provider, Computacenter.
The four-year contract will support tens of thousands of laptops and desktop computers used by MOD personnel worldwide, from head office to the front line, as well as creating additional jobs at Computacenter’s Hatfield and Nottingham sites.
Reducing operating costs by around £84m, the new services will provide a high-quality, secure and sustainable service to defence personnel, enabling defence to more rapidly respond to changing needs and market conditions.
The contract represents a wider MOD move away from large, aggregated contracts to smaller, more measurable contracts that will improve organisational flexibility.
Defence Digital’s improvement programme is a priority for the MOD, and we are investing over £4bn annually in our digital transformation, to streamline the MOD’s processes and increase our operational capability.
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said: “Delivering on our digital transformation will ensure high-quality, rapidly accessible global data, which is a critical component of our fighting power. Bolstered technology can strengthen our deterrence, our resilience, and our national prosperity. The service will improve performance standards and speed of access across 220,000 devices including laptops, desktops, peripherals and software applications.”
MOD Chief Information Officer, Charles Forte, said: “This new relationship is a significant component in our ongoing progress to bring new business into the team and ensures we are modernising and innovating in support of our international customers to deliver greater value for money.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
16 Jan 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) demonstrated its hardware-agnostic, open standards-based autonomy ecosystem for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) on a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger® as part of a live flight test on Nov. 13, 2023. The flight included three software-defined radios (SDRs) from L3Harris Technologies to support Line-of-Sight (LOS), command and control, and data movement capabilities via Waveform X.
One SDR, an L3Harris’ Pantera, was integrated into the MQ-20 unmanned aircraft, and a second was on the ground working in concert with a third L3Harris SDR, BANSHEE 2, which was on the ground as part of the Mission Control Element, forming an IP-based Mesh Network. The demonstration showcased Waveform X, a non-proprietary U.S. government-owned communications capability, and the ability to fly, flip, fly flight hardware as part of the Open Mission Systems (OMS) and skills based unmanned autonomy ecosystem.
The flight demonstrated the ability to rapidly plug and play both U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force (USAF) autonomous unmanned technologies together. It further leveraged autonomy from three separate sources: government-provided human-machine interface (HMI) hardware, GA-ASI’s autonomy core, and orchestration of these components using Waveform X.
Autonomy skills were used to meet multiple objectives for collaborative combat missions and close the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) engagement chain using a mix of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) entities. The flight, which took place at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in El Mirage, Calif., illustrates the company’s commitment to maturing future Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) technologies using the MQ-20 as a flying test bed.
“This flight underscores GA-ASI’s commitment to proving combat operational readiness for defense contractor products such as L3Harris’ Pantera and BANSHEE 2 radios, as well as open, vendor-agnostic autonomy architecture for UCAV platforms,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood. “This most recent test shows multi-service compatibility of the autonomy core through the integration of USAF and Navy software skills, bringing us one step closer to government-owned, skills based interservice ecosystem for ACPs.”
Another important goal of GA-ASI’s flights is to demonstrate the company’s commitment to developing an open government standards-based autonomy ecosystem that enables rapid integration and validation of third-party tactical software applications. GA-ASI is focused on supporting the emerging government-managed App Store-based model that allows organizations to rapidly develop and deploy software while maintaining safety of flight and ensuring warfighters have up-to-date access to the industry’s best capabilities.
16 Jan 24. Chinese Startup’s Coin-Sized Nuclear Battery Could Fly Drones ‘Continuously.’ Betavolt, a Chinese tech company, is claiming with its newly unveiled miniature nuclear battery that it says can keep working for up to 50 years. The Beijing-based company claims to have entered the “pilot stage” for the battery, which is smaller than a coin and will soon put it into mass production.
This product combines nickel 63 nuclear isotope decay technology and China’s first diamond semiconductor (4th generation semiconductor) module to successfully realize the miniaturization of atomic energy batteries. , modularization and low cost, starting the process of civilian use.
This marks that China has achieved disruptive innovation in the two high-tech fields of atomic energy batteries and fourth-generation diamond semiconductors at the same time, putting it “way ahead” of European and American scientific research institutions and enterprises.
Betavolt atomic energy batteries can generate electricity stably and autonomously for 50 years without the need for charging or maintenance. They have entered the pilot stage and will be put into mass production on the market. Betavolt atomic energy batteries can meet the needs of long-lasting power supply in multiple scenarios such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, MEMS systems, advanced sensors, small drones and micro-robots.
Atomic energy batteries, also known as nuclear batteries or radioisotope batteries, work on the principle of utilizing the energy released by the decay of nuclear isotopes and converting it into electrical energy through semiconductor converters. This was a high-tech field that the United States and the Soviet Union focused on in the 1960s . Currently, there are only thermonuclear batteries used in aerospace.
This type of battery is large in size and weight, has high internal temperatures, is expensive, and cannot be used by civilians. In recent years, miniaturization, modularization and civilian use of nuclear batteries have been the goals and directions pursued by European and American countries.
China’s “14th Five-Year Plan and 2035 Vision Goals” also propose that the civilianization of nuclear technology and the multi-purpose development of nuclear isotopes are future development trends.
Betavoltaic nuclear batteries develop a completely different technological approach, generating electric current through the semiconductor transition of beta particles (electrons) emitted by the radioactive source nickel -63. To do this, Betavolt’s team of scientists developed a unique single-crystal diamond semiconductor that is just 10 microns thick, placing a 2- micron-thick nickel -63 sheet between two diamond semiconductor converters.
The decay energy of the radioactive source is converted into an electrical current, forming an independent unit. Nuclear batteries are modular and can be composed of dozens or hundreds of independent unit modules and can be used in series and parallel, so battery products of different sizes and capacities can be manufactured.
Zhang Wei, chairman and CEO of Betavolt , said that the first product the company will launch is BV100 , which is the world’s first nuclear battery to be mass-produced. The power is 100 microwatts, the voltage is 3V , and the volume is 15 X 15 X 5 Cubic millimeters are smaller than a coin. Nuclear batteries generate electricity every minute, 8.64 joules per day, and 3153 joules per year.
Multiple such batteries can be used in series and parallel. The company plans to launch a battery with a power of 1 watt in 2025. If policies permit, atomic energy batteries can allow a mobile phone to never be charged, and drones that can only fly for 15 minutes can fly continuously.
According to reports, the atomic energy battery is a physical battery, not an electrochemical battery. Its energy density is more than 10 times that of ternary lithium batteries. It can store 3,300 megawatt hours in a 1- gram battery. It will not catch fire or explode in response to acupuncture and gunshots. Because it generates electricity automatically for 50 years, there is no concept of the number of cycles of an electrochemical battery ( 2,000 charges and discharges).
The power generation of atomic energy batteries is stable and will not change due to harsh environments and loads. It can work normally within the range of 120 degrees above zero and -60 degrees below zero, and has no self-discharge. The atomic energy battery developed by Betavolt is absolutely safe, has no external radiation, and is suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers, artificial hearts, and cochleas in the human body.
Atomic energy batteries are environmentally friendly. After the decay period, the nickel -63 isotope as the radioactive source turns into a stable isotope of copper, which is non-radioactive and does not pose any threat or pollution to the environment. Therefore, unlike existing chemical batteries, nuclear batteries do not require expensive recycling processes.
Currently, Betavolt has registered a patent in Beijing and will begin to register global PCT patents. In the 2023 Innovation Competition held by China National Nuclear Corporation, Betavolt, as one of the very few external participating companies, stood out among hundreds of companies and research institutions and won the third prize in the competition.
It represents China’s authoritative nuclear technology companies’ investment in Betavolt. Recognition of atomic energy battery technology and products. Betavolt has also communicated with China’s professional nuclear research institutions and universities, and plans to continue research on using isotopes such as strontium- 90 , promethium- 147 and deuterium to develop atomic energy batteries with higher power and a service life of 2 to 30 years.
Zhang Wei said that the core of Betavolt atomic energy battery is the fourth generation diamond semiconductor, which is the ultimate semiconductor material well known in the industry and another high ground in the global semiconductor field technology competition.
Betavolt is currently the only company in the world that can dope large-size diamond semiconductor materials. High-efficiency diamond converters are the key to manufacturing nuclear batteries. Betavolt is not only a new energy company, but also a fourth-generation semiconductor and ultra-long carbon nanotube new material company.
Nuclear batteries, diamond semiconductors and supercapacitors are the three major technologies and materials that are linked and integrated to form Betavolt’s core technology and innovation capabilities. (Source: UAS VISION)
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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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