GaN based power amplifier Module designed and developed by Mistral

The 150W Power Amplifier Module from Mistral uses GaN based devices to achieve maximum efficiency in an optimum form-factor. The GaN transistors are depletion mode HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistors) devices requiring a negative gate voltage to be applied prior to the positive drain voltage. An on-board power supply sequencing circuit manages the order and timing of the gate (VGS) and drain (VDD) bias voltages to ensure safe operation of the GaN devices.

Fast Fourier Transform IP Core designed and developed by Mistral

The Fast Fourier Transform IP Core from Mistral allows implementation of very long transforms on an FPGA using external RAM. It supports run time programmable transform lengths from 256 to 1M (powers-of-2) points. The Maximum transform length is limited by the memory available. Higher transform lengths are supported and depend on factory configuration.

The IP is designed for

• Run time programmability

• Optimal Resource Utilization

VPX3-530 3U VPX Virtex-7 FPGA ADC/DAC from Curtiss-Wright

The VPX3-530, a rugged dual channel 4GSPS ADC/DAC packaged in the compact 3U form factor, is the ideal solution for SWaP-constrained defense applications such as SIGNIT, ECM and Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). The card is available in air- and conduction-cooled formats with a user-programmable Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA.

The VPX3-530 3U VPX Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA ADC/DAC Card may be used in two ways – alongside a Single Board Computer (SBC) for simple configurations or in a larger array of synchronized high-speed analog I/O components.

VPX3-1701 3U VPX ARM Cortex A7 SBC from Curtiss-Wright

The VPX3-1701 brings the low power ARM processor to the rugged Single Board Computer (SBC) application space, providing unparalleled performance per watt that includes the required connectivity and I/O. The VPX3-1701 provides similar I/O interfaces and is pin-compatible with Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions' other 3U VPX SBCs: the VPX3-131, VPX3-133 and VPX3-1257. With low power and low cost, the VPX3-1701 is ideal for customers looking to upgrade from CompactPCI® (cPCI). It is the first SBC of the Curtiss-Wright ARM SBC roadmap which includes both mid-range and high performance ARM SBCs with lower power than traditional Power Architecture® and Intel® based SBCs.

Article on ‘Emerging Technologies – Real-Time Through Wall Surveillance (TWS) Technologies’ from Mistral

Through-the-wall surveillance technology is an emerging technology which allows the user to see through obstacles such as concrete walls, doors and other visually opaque materials. Though initially developed for military use, it is now also being used by law enforcement agencies as costs have become more affordable.

Different technologies are applicable for through-the-wall surveillance: radio frequency (RF) technologies, acoustic and X-ray scanner. This article will give an overview of Through Wall Radar technologies.

Case Study on ‘V/UHF Wideband and Microwave Receiver’ designed and developed by Mistral

The V/UHF Wideband and Microwave Receiver is a signal interception, analysis and monitoring receiver subsystem typically used in ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) applications. The receiver aims to detect, analyse and demodulate intercepted signals using the parameters gathered.

This case study explains how Mistral designed, built and integrated the V/UHF wideband and Microwave receiver for airborne applications in-line with customer requirements.

Whitepaper on ‘Data-Based System Engineering: ICDs management with SysML’ from Esterel Technologies

System engineering best practices clearly define the development and verification processes including system requirements, functional decomposition, and architecture design. The OMG (Object Management Group) has defined the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) standard specifically to support the system engineering development processes through models.

This paper highlights the challenge in supporting ICDs by SysML tools, and demonstrates how these requests are supported by the SysML-based Esterel Technologies’ SCADE System® product.

Mistral @ eRocks 2014

Mistral’s Srinivas Panapakam and Satyanarayana S were speakers at the recently concluded Electronic Rocks Conference 2014 held in Bangalore. The conference is an annual event held by EFY which aims to provide a platform to the Indian Electronics Engineering community to interact and engage with peers. Srini spoke on the ‘Internet of Things enabling Health and Wellness’, while Satyanarayana spoke on ‘Building a Futuristic Multi-function Phased Array Radar'.

Zetron partner tie-up

Mistral recently entered into an alliance with Zetron, a subsidiary of JVC Kenwood Corporation. This alliance will further enhance Mistral’s range of communication solutions offerings. Some of Zetron’s solutions include Custom systems, Integrated communication-and-control systems (ICCS), Radio dispatch consoles, Emergency call-taking systems, Paging infrastructure, Trunked radio, Wireless SCADA and remote-monitoring products.

Wind River Technology Powers Airbus Group’s UAV- ATLANTE

Wind River®, recently announced that Airbus Defence and Space, an Airbus Group company, relies on Wind River VxWorks® 653 Platform for its long endurance tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) “ATLANTE.”

ATLANTE is designed to carry out target identification, shoot correction, and damage evaluation operations, among other ISTAR missions (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance). VxWorks 653 is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform for delivering safety-critical, integrated modular avionics (IMA) applications. It is compliant with ARINC 653, which implements ARINC 653 partitioning of applications.