tech talk

February 2008

Miniature Video Scores Instant Intelligence Gathering For Soldiers

Edited by Robert H. Williams

A ruggedized, helmet mounted video system has been designed by V.I.O. Inc. of Marquette, Mich., for troops on the move. It includes a camera, organic video recorder with liquid crystal display, wireless remote and software for managing point-of-view videos.

The company says that the video system, which has 720 x 480 resolution at 30 frames per second, is intended for intelligence gathering by grunts in combat.

Shawn Cullen, a VIO executive, notes that it “can help enable soldiers and marines gather evidence against the enemy, identify hazards such as improvised explosive devices, turn over information to other supporting units and aid in training by providing a point of view perspective during training missions in preparation for combat.”

Say Goodbye to Carpal Tunnel, Hello to Info Security

A new ergonomic computer keyboard by Key Ovation of Austin, Texas, renders both comfort and security for authorized users. The SC 2.0 Ergo Secure foldable keyboard comes with an integral smart card reader that permits identify management and authentication capabilities.

Calculated for use by government agencies, the SC 2.0 meets guidelines for disabled worker accommodation and injury prevention, according to a company spokesman.

Lethal Substance Detector Makes Network Debut

Two firms have joined forces to provide quick identification of 118,000 hazardous materials, including radioactive, explosive, chemical and biological substances. Alltel Wireless of Little Rock, Ark., is making available the HazMasterG3 that is manufactured by Alluviam LLC of Castro Valley, Calif.

An Alltel spokesman says that the handheld detection device will be made available on select telephones, adding that “when used in conjunction with supported survey equipment, the HazMasterG3 is the only decision support system that can identify an extremely broad range of radioactive isotopes.

The detector is able to identify unknown substances in less than three seconds, according to the company.

AA Battery Pack Boosts Nomad Operation

Trimble of Sunnyvale, Calif., has developed an ace in the hole for its high performance Nomad hand-held computer. Technicians have perfected an AA size battery module that allows the computer to run an extra four hours in the field after organic lithium batteries are drained.

The module ensures uninterrupted operation of the Nomad and offers a comparable level of performance even when inadvertently dropped. A special capacitor prevents the unit from resetting.

As for the computer, which was launched last July, it offers an 806 megahertz PXA320 XScale processor, 128 standard, with built-in802.11g optional wireless communication.

Poseidon Takes Bullet(s) for Navy Pilots

Live-fire testing by The Boeing Company of St. Louis, Mo., is bringing the Navy a step closer to its goal of purchasing 108 new P-8A aircraft to replace its fleet of P-3C anti-submarine surveillance aircraft.

The new aircraft are expected to enter service in 2013.

The live-fire tests focused on dry bays that are located next to fuel tanks and spaces that house electrical and hydraulic lines, environmental control systems or engine bleed-air lines. The intent is to automatically detect and suppress dry bay fires.

“The data we’ve gathered from this early live-fire testing already has been incorporated into our system design and confirms we’re moving in the right direction,” says Paul Martin, P-8A test and evaluation manager.

Fire suppression testing for the aircraft should be concluded by 2009 and full-scale live-fire drills are scheduled to begin in 2012.
The current trials were conducted at the Navy’s Weapons Survivability Laboratory in China Lake, Calif.

The P-8A fuselage production recently began at Spirit AeroSystems, in Wichita, Kan.

Breakthrough in Golf Cart Technology

A cutting edge fleet golf car — made by Textron’s E-Z-Go of Atlanta, Ga. — is said to have lower energy and maintenance costs when compared to previously made models and up to 350 fewer parts.

Ride and handling also have been improved, the company says.

A Textron spokesman points out the E-Z-Go RXV comes in both electric and gas powered models.

Among the features is a dual-braking system (electric). A fail-safe park brake automatically engages when the RXV stops — requiring no foot pedal engagement. It brakes automatically on steep slopes when needed and can hold a 40-percent grade. This “drive-by-wire” system maintains constant speeds, says the company. The system supplies recharge to the batteries whenever brakes are applied.

Precision, Light Weight Radiation Meters Unveiled

Two pocket size detectors — the RadEye B20 and RadEye N — are providing a low power answer to pinpointing and measuring radiation. The RadEye B20 is an easy to use contamination meter for alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation. The RadEye N, meanwhile, is a personal neutron radiation detection pager that was crafted for use in industrial environments.

The devices, which are produced by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. of Oakwood, Ohio, are rugged, light-weight and require low power sources. The RadEye B20, for example, relies on two AAA batteries for up to 500 hours of monitoring operation.

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