*This Editor’s Note will appear in the Nov/Dec Edition of ECN.
Technology for the military and aerospace industry often faces some of the toughest field conditions on the planet and beyond. Therefore the equipment they use must be rugged enough to handle the harshest of environments—whether that means 115° F in a desert or cryogenic temperatures on a satellite in outer space. Devices must be able to withstand shocks, dust, and vibrations without missing a beat. Manufacturers are aware of these demands and challenges the military face, and are devising new methods for ruggedizing the electronics, which are typically the most sensitive pieces of equipment.
This brings us to our issue focus on p. 7, “Ruggedization of Portable Electronics,” by Robert Stanton from Omnetics Connector Corp., which discusses the importance of the design and material selection for the extended cables, connectors, and interconnections of electronic systems. Very often, these are the most vulnerable components of portable electronics, so ensuring they can withstand challenging environments is particularly vital.
This issue’s tech focus features starting on p. 14 also involve military equipment. For instance, “Defense Systems Put Ethernet Cable and Connectors to the Test,” by Dustin Guttadauro from L-com Global Connectivity, examines rugged Ethernet cables and connectors and the improved safety they offer in defense systems over COTS options. “Reducing Cost in Satellite Development through a Holistic Approach to Device Test,” by Scott Leithem and Richard Soden of Keysight Technologies, Inc., offers a detailed look into the satellite development process and how a modern way of testing can minimize costs. “Connectivity on the Move: Ensuring Reliable Communications for Mobile Troops,” by Rajant’s Michael Van Rassen, explores improving connectivity for military operations with kinetic mesh networks.
Be sure to also check out a recap of ECN’s IMPACT Award winners on p. 10, which includes descriptions of the winning products. This year’s winners were announced October 22 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel and marked the first time the winning submissions were ranked from No. 1 to No. 3.
Now that I’ve introduced some of what’s new in the magazine, I’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you—our ECN readers—since I’m also something new this issue. This marks my first month as Editor-in-Chief at ECN and I could not be more thrilled to bring you the latest insight in electronic components and how their design affects a variety of industries. Prior to joining ECN, I was the senior editor of Industrial Equipment News, a field reporter at Gizmodo, and an associate editor at Infosync World. I’m very excited to embark on this new adventure and I hope you’ll continue to enjoy the ride.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
