Electronics Communication

Bugatti Veyron

2010-12-06T03:06:00.001+05:30

Technology

With its 16-cylinder four-wheel drive, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 may well be the most sophisticated production vehicle of all times.
Most of the components tucked beneath its hood are ingenious innovations that were formerly only deemed possible by visionaries like Ferdinand Piëch.

Boasting a maximum speed of more than 400 km per hour, the Veyron is unmatched in the super sports category. It offers a total of 1,001 HP, and its ample power reserves even at high speeds are the fabric of dreams for luxury-class limousines: for a constant speed of 250 km/h, the Veyron only needs 270-280 HP. This means that the seven-gear clutch transmission works with a torque of up to 1,250 Newton meters. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ensures the necessary flexibility and maneuverability at any speed. The Veyron reaches velocities that would literally lift the car off the ground – if it weren’t for its ingenious aerodynamics, which keeps it firmly on the road even at full speed. Adjusting the back spoiler, reducing ground clearance, opening and closing the lids – it all adds to the perfect balance between propulsion and downforce. Such a super sports car may not seem to be brought to a halt easily, but the Veyron’s ceramic brakes slow it down faster than it can accelerate. While it takes this exceptional car only 2.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, it needs even less time – a mere 2.3 seconds – to come to a standstill from 100 (reference point). To reduce the risk of injuries in accidents, Bugatti had a Formula 1 safety concept adapted for the Veyron. All these technical details combine to make the Veyron a truly exceptional super sports car.

Design

With its luxurious length of 4.47 m, the Veyron is a perfectly balanced combination of high-powered performance and sleek, racy design.

Even at complete standstill, the car’s enormous power is made visible by its impressive mid-engine, elevated majestically beneath the chassis. Simultaneously, the Veyron’s bold proportions, well-balanced surfaces, and clear line structures give an impression of pure, sleek elegance.

The design of the Veyron honors a great heritage without drifting off into retro style. Every detail of the classic two-tone color scheme, a quote from the 1920s and 1930s, has been carefully thought out, resulting in the typical Bugatti profile with the classic, contrasting ellipsis – the stylistic element used by Ettore Bugatti himself. The “crest line”, which runs uninterrupted from the hood to the only 1.21-m-high roof, is a proud homage to the Veyron’s forebears. Thus, the Veyron’s classic paintwork and harmonious design connect this state-of-the-art super sports car to the glorious heritage of Bugatti automobiles.

With its classic look, the large radiator grill – adorned with the hand-enameled Bugatti emblem – represents the grandness of the Veyron. The sports car’s distinctive front is defined by the harmonious contrast of its broad headlights and majestic grill. The rear end, 1.99 m wide, features the formidable retractable spoiler and generously designed fenders. The Veyron perfectly fulfills the main design objective governing the development of the new Bugatti: an uncompromising combination of highest elegance and state-of-the-art technology.

History of Development

Once again, an extraordinary automobile is manufactured in Molsheim, Alsace – an automobile that can only be described in superlative terms.
The development of the Veyron 16.4 is one of the key milestones of 21st-century automotive engineering. Volkswagen CEO Ferdinand Piëch made high demands: the designers were to revive the heritage of Ettore Bugatti with this new super sports car. Equally challenging were the impressive technical requirements the exceptional serial production vehicle had to meet: a top speed above 400 km/h and more than 1,000 HP. A truly formidable challenge. Yet the Veyron 16.4 unites the dichotomy of elegant form and high-tech function, of grace and power, aesthetics and safety in perfect harmony.

The Veyron’s exterior styling unobtrusively yet unmistakably quotes classic Bugatti design elements while defining its very own, modern style. Innovations for top performance, high acceleration capacity, and an extensive security system are signature elements of this super sports car. Ettore Bugatti occasionally made technical compromises for the sake of aesthetic integrity. This is the only tradition that was broken in the development of the Veyron 16.4.

Manufacturing

The Bugatti 16.4 is masterfully manufactured in the new Atelier in Molsheim, Alsace.

The new production facility is located near the former Bugatti headquarters at Chateau St. Jean. It was built under the aegis of internationally renowned architect Gunter Henn. Only a short distance away is the simply designed storage building that houses the parts and spare parts supplied by top European manufacturers. The futuristic Atelier workshop has little in common with the completely automated production facilities of today’s automotive industry. The modern, functional building is marked by its elliptical layout, calling to mind the shape that Ettore Bugatti himself favored in his designs – so much so that it is epitomized in the company logo.

In front of the tall window façade that offers a beautiful view of the Vosges Mountains, three workstations are set up on the bright, epoxy-coated floor. Eight carefully selected and highly qualified employees assemble the Veyron piece by piece in this Spartan environment. No more than one or two vehicles per week are produced in the Atelier, each one requiring almost three weeks of careful assembly. The mechanics create the Veyron’s lightweight chassis; the formidable body is assembled; the 1,001 HP engine, four-wheel drive, and brake system provide the car’s basic functionality; the electronic control systems, convenience functions, and sound system disappear beneath the impeccable surface made of the finest leather and uniformly gleaming aluminum elements.

For the customer, it is a special treat and unforgettable experience to witness the creation of his very own Veyron here at Molsheim, the venerable birthplace of Bugatti.

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Health industry is evolving at a dramatic rate

2010-08-18T11:41:00.000+05:30

Tony Zarola, Healthcare Segment Manager, Analog Devices examines the processing techniques used to improve the medical image quality of portable ultrasound devices.

The health industry is evolving at a dramatic rate and one of the key drivers is innovation in technology. New products, treatments, IT and diagnostics equipment have changed the way patients interact with their hospital or local doctor.

Over the years we have seen medical devices that treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer make their way out of the hospital and into our everyday lives. This trend is set to continue and as more products make their way onto the market, processor manufacturers have a pivotal role in making products mobile without compromising quality.

One product that is increasingly expanding into the portable domain is the medical ultrasound machine. As one of the most sophisticated signal processing machines on the market, the challenge is to enable this intensive signal processing without compromising system performance. This article covers the use of portable ultrasound devices, the processing techniques used, and looks at how Analog Devices has enabled these requirements in a portable device through the development of its SHARC series processors.

Portability without compromising performance

Critical care technologies like ultrasound systems command reliability and consistent quality whether in the clinic or at a remote location. Although advancements in low power consumption are driving technologies toward portability, there are still many fundamental components in a medical ultrasound system’s design that are necessary to bring full in-hospital capabilities to disaster areas and locations where ultrasound access has previously been unavailable. It is the medical device developer’s burden of responsibility to deliver a product that provides the highest level of performance in terms of image integrity within the many environmental, business and technical constraints that are typically imposed. For portable ultrasound specifically, system performance means being able to interpret images as clearly and as accurately as a tethered system – only now it carries the constraints of fitting a specific category of weight, size, battery life and cost. These design constraints require components that have real-time computational capabilities, low power consumption and, for product design considerations, are low cost and compact. With the emergence of portable ultrasound machines, the challenge to meet low power constraints while maintaining performance levels becomes even more daunting.

CW Doppler Imaging

Ultrasound imaging technology is based on Johann Christian Doppler’s principle that moving elements will emit a detectable frequency “Doppler shift” or sound. For example, an ultrasound image of blood density is created by the detection (“sound”) of blood’s movement by a beam directed into a blood vessel. There are two main modes of Doppler ultrasound imaging, Pulse Wave (PW) Doppler and Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler. Pulsed Wave Doppler transmits pulses of ultrasound along scan lines where the relative time taken between received signals is used to calculate the Doppler frequency – the pulsed nature of the transmitter allows blood flow location information to be derived.

CW Doppler Ultrasound

This article will focus on the second method, CW Doppler ultrasound, which detects and measures the velocity of moving structures within the body. Because of its continuous wave generation, CW Doppler has high sensitivity and low bandwidth requirements, typically <100 KHz, therefore it is particularly effective for assessing large blood velocities. CW Doppler’s high velocity detection is useful for diagnosis of congenital or valvular heart disease as high blood flow velocity profile tracking is fundamental for detection of these disorders.

As implied by its name, with CW Doppler ultrasound a continuous single frequency tone is transmitted from a transmission transducer (piezoelectric crystal), while a receiving transducer simultaneously records the acoustic echo ultrasound wave signal. Since the interpretation of the beat frequency (Doppler shift) determines the blood flow velocity and direction through the cardiovascular system, high performance signal processing in the CW path is a critical element in the accuracy of the measurement. The dynamic range of the CW Doppler signal is the largest of all signals in the ultrasound system, which is due in part to the leakage from the transmit signal across the receive path (caused by the half duplex nature of the signaling) along with the reflections that are generated from the stationary body parts that are close to the surface. Examining blood flow in a vein deep in the body will therefore result in a very weak Doppler signal, hence the wide dynamic range requirement in the entire CW path signal chain. Quality ultrasound system performance is therefore directly correlated to a well integrated signal chain implementation.

Floating Point Processing’s Dynamic Range

The exponentiation inherent in floating-point computation assures a much larger dynamic range – the largest and smallest numbers that can be represented - which is especially important when processing large data sets or data sets where the range may be unpredictable. As such, floating point processors are ideally suited for computationally-intensive applications like CW Doppler ultrasound. This dynamic range processing enables portable ultrasound systems with CW Doppler to detect the very low level signals. The function of the digital signal processing unit in the CW path is to implement at minimum, Wall filtering, Envelope detection and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).

Full Signal Chain Integration

As with any complex technology, tightly integrated components contribute to the overall system effectiveness and performance. For a signal processing-intensive application like portable ultrasound, the speed and efficiency of the entire signal chain contributes directly to maintaining quality, despite its portable form. Maintaining strong signal integrity from receipt through the front end analog signal processing components to the digital signal processing and back is essential for accurate analysis.

Analog Devices has been active in developing processors that meet these criteria. The latest SHARC 2147x series DSPs and analog front end (AFE) components can process the ultrasound signal throughout the signal chain. The processors are targeted for compute-intensive floating point applications and have a 32-bit floating point compute unit with 40-bit extended precision capability resulting in wide dynamic ranges and very accurate computation, and are designed to operate at high frequency while dissipating low power. These processors use a low power process technology to reduce the total power, and with other power reduction techniques, consume very little power when idling. This combination of low active power and very low idle power extends battery life an essential requirement for portable ultrasound applications.

Chip-memory is another important consideration in the development of portable ultrasound equipment. By increasing the on-chip memory, devices can be developed with minimum BOM costs and increased portability. Furthermore it can increase the total performance of the system as it minimizes accesses to external memory. In some implementations the SHARC processor’s 5mb of on-chip memory is sufficient in itself, completely eliminating the need for external memory and further reducing the bill of materials (BOM) costs.

Getting the balance right is essential and for maximum chip performance, developers should use processors that feature dedicated hardware accelerators with independent compute units and DMA memory mapping, enabling parallel processing of (FFT) functions that are frequently used to decipher and analyze the various velocity components in the returned Doppler signal. In addition, offloading the FFT computation to this parallel engine also lowers the power consumption of the FFT processing cycles.

The analog front end (AFE) components optimize the analog signal chain performance while limiting board component count and minimizing power usage. Analog Devices’ AD9276 octal receiver contains processing capabilities for not only B-mode and PW Doppler mode imaging, but with an integrated I/Q demodulator, enables CW Doppler processing in a small form factor with extremely low power consumption.

The time gain control (TGC) path provides imaging quality for high-end ultrasound systems, and includes eight channels of a variable gain amplifier (VGA) with a low noise preamplifier (LNA), an anti-aliasing filter (AAF), and a 12-bit, 10 MSPS to 80 MSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

Analog Devices’ SHARC DSPs such as the SHARC 2147x series, along with the analog front ends, allow for the transformation of sophisticated, highly reliable, compute-intensive technologies like CW Doppler ultrasound into a portable package for medical designers. SHARC 2147x series DSPs support the system developer’s design goals by keeping costs low, reducing system complexity through integration, and shortening development cycles - all without sacrificing the crucial target design goal: ultrasound functionality and reliability in the field that allows diagnostic capability equal to in-hospital systems.

For more information about ADI’s full portfolio of digital signal processors, software, development tools and support, visit www.analog.com.

About the author

Tony Zarola is a Strategic Marketing Manager in the Healthcare Segment at Analog Devices, Inc. where he has been employed for 22 years. In this role, Zarola is focused on defining the business strategies for the sub-segments of Medical Instrumentation and Patient Monitoring.

Throughout his career at ADI, Tony worked in a number of technical and marketing roles at ADI in both the sales and product line organizations. He started in a design support role, progressing to field applications support and then strategic business development in the broadband business unit. Prior to his role in the Healthcare segment, Zarola was a Product Line Manager in the Processor/DSP group at ADI, where he was responsible for the Portable product strategies, planning new silicon products, such as the BF52x family, building out the software and partner eco-systems to address a broad range of mobile embedded applications

1.2kWh-class energy storage

2010-08-18T11:24:00.001+05:30

Tokyo, Japan, June22, 2010 - Sony today announced the development of an energy storage module using lithium-ion rechargeable batteries made with olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material (hereafter referred to as 'olivine-type lithium-ion iron phosphate cell'). Key features of olivine-type lithium iron phosphate cell include high power output, long-life performance and excellent thermal stability. Sample shipments of the new module are scheduled to begin from June, 2010.

The newly-developed module is an energy storage module with 1.2kWh-class capacity. Multiple modules can be connected either in series or in parallel to easily expand to a higher voltage or capacity. Furthermore, the new module is compatible with stationary power supplies such as UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for data servers or as a backup power supply for mobile phone wireless base stations.

[Background]
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which boast superior energy efficiency, higher power density and excellent storage characteristics, as substitutes for batteries made from lead or nickel-cadmium. Until now, lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries have conventionally been used in the stationary power supply market for data server UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies) or as backup power supplies for mobile phone wireless base stations.
Additionally, new applications of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries - such as energy storage systems for efficient energy use and load-leveling - continue to be developed as the installation of new energy generating systems like household photovoltaic systems progresses as part of environmental measures to reduce CO2 emissions.

Sony will bring to market a safe, long-life performance energy storage module using olivine-type lithium iron phosphate cell, which are characterized by their high-power output, long-life performance and excellent thermal stability.

This energy storage module will be on display at the China International Battery Fair 2010 (held from June 24 to 26, 2010) in Shenzhen.

[ Main features of the energy storage module ]

1.	'High expandability'	Multiple modules can easily be connected either in series or in parallel, enabling both the voltage and capacity to be customized to suit various applications
2.	'High performance safety'	In addition to the use of olivine-type lithium iron phosphate cell, which boast excellent thermal stability and storage characteristics, the storage module also contains a built-in self-monitoring function to detect any abnormalities within the module itself
3.	'Low environmental impact'	The long-lasting module can be used repeatedly whilst maintaining a reduced environmental impact

Details of main features of the energy storage module

'High expandability'

Variables such as the voltage and capacity can be customized for different applications by connecting multiple modules either in series or in parallel. Each module is compatible with a high power output maximum of up to 2.5kW, and can be used for various stationary power supplies such as UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for data servers or as a backup power supply for mobile phone wireless base stations.

'High performance safety'

2.	Built-in self monitoring function for detecting any abnormalities within the energy storage module.
3.	Internal battery usage can be controlled safely by monitoring the state (voltage, current, temperature) of the internal batteries and communicating this to a linked external battery management system.
4.	Another feature derived from the excellent thermal stability provided by olivine-type lithium iron phosphate cell is that the batteries should resist irregular heat generation, even in the event of a battery abnormality occurring for any given reason.

'Low environmental impact'

5.	In comparison to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have minimal energy loss when discharging the stored electrical energy. In other words, the charge and discharge of lithium-ion batteries is highly efficient, and demonstrative of the benefits of low energy consumption.
6.	Longer-life performance (anticipated longevity of 10 years or more^) Estimated useful life with one charge-discharge cycle per day.
7.	Iron (lithium iron phosphate), which is said to be available in abundance, is used as the electrode material. This enables reduced environmental impact in comparison to lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that use rare metals with extremely limited reserves and that are in low supply.

'Other features'

8.	No regular maintenance required such as rehydration, which is needed for some lead batteries.
9.	Compatible with 19-inch (2U) size for mounting on standard computer server racks.

Sample specifications of the energy storage module

Capacity:	1.2kWh
Nominal voltage:	51.2V
Maximum output:	2.5kW
Dimensions:	431 x 420 x 79mm (not including fixtures)
Weight:	approx. 17kg

Largest solar-powered boat revealed

2010-08-16T21:22:00.001+05:30

Five years ago we reported on an ambitious project being undertaken by PlanetSolar to build a boat capable of traveling around the world using renewable energy. This dream is now being realized - in a very BIG way. Recently unveiled at the HDW shipyard in Kiel, the world's largest solar-powered boat is 31 metres long, 15 metres wide and 7.5 metres high with a radical multi-hull design that incorporates a massive photovoltaic solar panel array covering 500m2.

Built by Knierim Yachtbau, the PlanetSolar boat aims to navigate around the globe at an average speed of 8 knots. The planned voyage is expected to get underway in the Mediterranean in Spring 2011.

"This is a unique feeling to see in front of me today a boat that I so often dreamed of! I can't wait to hold the controls in my hand soon, D-day is coming," said skipper and initiator of the PlanetSolar project Raphaël Domjan.

The key aim of the project is to demonstrate what can be achieved with today's renewable energy technologies and inspire others on a path towards carbon-reduction.

"Each step in the PlanetSolar project is a step further in the technological development of renewable energy sources. Thanks to ambitious projects like this scientific research is making progress," said owner Immo Ströher.

The PlanetSolar team will be launch the boat in April ahead of her first trials in real conditions. A European tour will follow from May to October this year before the boat sets off across the world in 2011.

A fantastic achievement. Bon voyage!

VuQube VQ3000 portable satellite system

2010-08-16T21:03:00.001+05:30

When I think of camping I think of open starry skies, the sound of crickets humming in the warm summer night, talking with friends and family around the camp fire and leaving the madness of the city behind. If however, your style of camping involves dragging as many creature comforts as possible with you, the VuQube VQ3000 could well be on your wish-list. Billed as the first fully automatic, light-weight, self-contained, portable satellite system with in-motion capability, the VQ3000 promises uninterrupted satellite TV reception wherever you roam.

When driving, the in-motion satellite tracking ability should provide continuous signal and with a self-contained design and weather resistant enclosure, the unit is protected from all the elements. If you happen to be parked under a tree, you can simply remove the unit from the quick-release bracket and place it under the open sky. The self-install kit also allows you to secure the unit to an RV ladder without increasing the overall height.

The satellite is compatible with Dish Network, DirecTV and BellTV and as long as you have power, you can take it anywhere you can carry. It also includes DVB for positive satellite identification, Dual LNB for two satellite receivers and auto satellite switching which allows you change channels with the receiver’s remote control.

The VuQube VQ3000 is priced at US$1699.

VQ3000 Specifications:

Height: 17.5”
Width 16”
Weight 15lbs or 6.8kg
Wiring: bundle coax/data- 55’

HART Communication

2010-08-16T20:57:00.001+05:30

For many years, the field communication standard for process automation equipment has been a milliamp (mA) analog current signal. The milliamp current signal varies within a range of 4-2OmA in proportion to the process variable being represented. Li typical applications a signal of 4mA will correspond to the lower limit (0%) of the calibrated range and 2OmA will correspond to the upper limit (100%) of the calibrated range. Virtually all installed systems use this international standard for communicating process variable information between process automation equipment.
HART Field Communications Protocol extends this 4- 2OmA standard to enhance communication with smart field instruments. The HART protocol was designed specifically for use with intelligent measurement and control instruments which traditionally communicate using 4-2OmA analog signals. HART preserves the 4- signal and enables two way digital communications to occur without disturbing the integrity of the 4-2OmA signal. Unlike other digital communication technologies, the HART protocol maintains compatibility with existing 4-2OmA systems, and in doing so, provides users with a uniquely backward compatible solution. HART Communication Protocol is well-established as the existing industry standard for digitally enhanced 4- 2OmA field communication.

THE HART PROTOCOL - AN OVERVIEW
HART is an acronym for "Highway Addressable Remote Transducer". The HART protocol makes use of the Bell 202 Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) standard to superimpose digital communication signals at a low level on top of the 4-2OmA. This enables two-way field communication to take place and makes it possible for additional information beyond just the normal process variable to be communicated to/from a smart field instrument. The HART protocol communicates at 1200 bps without interrupting the 4-2OmA signal and allows a host application (master) to get two or more digital updates per second from a field device. As the digital FSK signal is phase continuous, there is no interference with the 4- 2OrnA signal.
HART is a master/slave protocol which means that a field (slave) device only speaks when spoken to by a master. The HART protocol can be used in various modes for communicating information to/from smart field in3truments and central control or monitor systems. HART provides for up to two masters (primary and secondary). This allows secondary masters such as handheld communicators to be used without interfering with communications to/from the primary master, i.e. control/monitoring system. The most commonly employed HART communication mode is master/slave communication of digital information simultaneous with transmission of the 4-2OmA signal. The HART protocol permits all digital communication with field devices in either point-to-point or multidrop network configuration. There is an optional "burst" communication mode where single slave device can continuously broadcast a standard HART reply message.
HART COMMUNICATION LAYERS

The HART protocol utilizes the OSI reference model. As is the case for most of the communication systems on the field level, the HART protocol implements only the Layers 1, 2 and 7 of the OSI model. The layers 3 to 6 remain empty since their services are either not required or provided by the application layer 7

MATLAB

2010-08-16T19:48:00.005+05:30

MAT LAB (matrix laboratory) is a numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language. Developed byMathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C++, and Fortran.

Although MATLAB is intended primarily for numerical computing, an optional toolbox uses the MuPAD symbolic engine, allowing access to symbolic computing capabilities. An additional package, Simulink, adds graphical multi-domain simulation and Model-Based Design for dynamic and embedded systems.

In 2004, MATLAB had around one million users across industry and academia. MATLAB users come

from various backgrounds of engineering, science, and economics. Among these users are academic and research institutions such asMassachusetts Institute of Technology, NASA, Max Planck Society as well as industrial enterprises such as ABB Group,Boeing, Caterpillar Inc., Ford Motor, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin, Motorola, Novartis, Pfizer, Philips, Toyota, and UniCredit Bank

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Flying Car

2010-08-16T19:25:00.003+05:30

Terrafugia Inc. (Woburn, MA) has used ANSYS Inc.'s engineering simulation software to design and verify its production prototype of the Transition aircraft that also can drive on the highway.

The latest version of the vehicle was shown at the recent EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Terrafugia engineers conducted whole-vehicle airflow tests that assessed the effects of design changes on overall performance — working in parallel across the various Transition components. The simulations were used to maximize wing lift in the air and to minimize the effects of crosswinds along the road.

“The Transition’s test flights identified some important engineering issues that ANSYS fluid dynamics software helped us to address in the production prototype,” said Gregor Cadman, an engineer at Terrafugia. "Our latest design improves both the in-air and on-road performance of the Transition, as well as ensures that the vehicle lends itself to full-scale manufacturing.

"Without the ability to work in a virtual environment, we would have had to construct complicated physical models, modify or rebuild them, and conduct hours of real-world testing, slowing down the process and adding significantly to development costs,” added Cadman.

The Transition is the world’s first vehicle to combine a lightweight, aerodynamic aircraft with the stability needed for long-distance driving on the highway. The vehicle can cruise up to 490 miles at over 105 miles per hour, can drive at highway speeds on the road, and is capable of transforming from plane to car in less than 30 seconds.

The design features foldable wings that span more than 26 feet, a rear-wheel-drive system for the road and a propeller for flight. Terrafugia’s team of aeronautical engineers earned global attention when the Transition proof-of-concept vehicle completed a successful 60-second test flight in March 2009. The company expects to begin commercial production of the vehicle in 2011.

A video of the test flight in March 2009.

The Terrafugia engineering team also studied the impact of the Transition’s propeller on air flows around the vehicle using the the ANSYS tools. As the project developed over time, engineers applied simulation tools to study ever-smaller and more precise design modifications, which added to their confidence that the Transition will perform well in flight testing.

Greg Stuckert, aerospace industry manager at ANSYS said, "Terrafugia’s use of engineering simulation to fine-tune designs throughout the development process — not just at the end for verification — contributed to an optimized historic vehicle and an efficient product launch. Their earlier successful test flights and this year’s production prototype are the proof that their efforts are paying off."

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Self-launching glider based on the TST-14

2010-08-16T14:25:00.001+05:30

Gliders that have engines which can be used for take-off to remove the need for catching a tow to altitude by an airplane or a winch are quite common now. Such engines are usually of the electric or small-piston motor variety, but New Mexico-based company, Desert Aerospace, has gone a step further by fitting a glider with a retractable jet engine.

The ‘BonusJet’ is a two seat, high performance, self-launching glider based on the TST-14 sailplane produced by TeST in the Czech Republic. It features a PBS TJ-100 turbine engine (also produced in the Czech Prepublic) on a retractable pod located directly behind the cockpit. The jet engine, which is designed for use in unmanned aerial vehicles, folds down into the fuselage once soaring altitude is reached. A cooldown period of 1.5 minutes is required after engine shutdown before retracting the engine.

Once the engine is drawn into the fuselage retractable doors close over it to form an aerodynamic covering and leave the craft looking like any other glider. Three switches in the cockpit control all the engine's extend/retract/start functions: one opens and closes the doors, one extends/retracts the engine and the last starts and stops the engine.

The engine weighs 42 pounds (around 1/3 the weight of equivalent piston engines) and produces 240 pounds of thrust but does burn through more than 20 gallons per hour. The BonusJet can carry 24 gallons of fuel, giving it a jet-powered flight time of around 1.5 hours. Although, with initial flight tests using the engine showing a climb rate in excess of 900 ft/minute the pilot shouldn’t have to run the engine for very long to reach soaring altitude and the team is projecting a sea level climb performance approaching 1,000 ft/minute. Desert Aerospace also projects a sea level takeoff distance of 500 ft., with the craft achieving takeoff distances of approximately 700 ft. in tests at the company's home airport in Moriarty, New Mexico, which is at an elevation of 6,200 MSL. The company says this makes the BonusJet's takeoff requirements considerably better than any other motorglider it has compared it with, such as the Stemme, DG-505 and ASH-26E. Desert Aerospace says phase one flight tests have been completed but is continuing to measure performance with the BonusJet flying regularly as a soaring aircraft. In the near future, the company plans to start selling the BonusJet at a price it says will be much less than existing self-launching gliders from more expensive German manufacturers. Currently the company is projecting a cost of around US$175,000, including jet engine installation, basic instruments and trailer.

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Ostoure motorcycle

2010-08-16T14:12:00.002+05:30

The Ostoure super-naked motorcycle concept is Iranian designer Mohammad Reza Shojaie's take on the street muscle bike of the future. The concept draws inspiration from ancient Persian engravings, combining these with cutting-edge design elements and some high-tech trimmings such as two-wheel drive and an in-helmet heads-up display.

Ostoure means “legend” in Persian, and Shojaie says the bike’s design was inspired by the stone engravings of ancient Persepolis. Combining a muscular look with more delicate detailing, the Ostoure has an aggressive but refined appearance that would not be out of place on the boulevards of the near future.

The concept bike, which exists only as renderings at this point, featurestwo-wheel drive with apparent shaft drive and dual differentials. Although it’s not clear from the renderings, Shojaie says steering is through the front wheel linkage, implying some type of hub steering. You steer the bike using the two handgrips located on either side of the fairing. The designer claims this nonstandard arrangement would be similar to piloting an aircraft.

The Ostoure has a single shock suspension on both the rear and front. Because of the front shock’s location, the bike uses a smaller front radiator, supported by smaller radiators located on each side.

Instrumentation is available both on board the bike, as well as through the helmet using a heads-up display (HUD). The Ostoure helmet is rather trick in itself. In addition to the HUD, the lid features a Bluetooth connection to the bike, built-in speakers, and even air-conditioning. The helmet’s controls are located on the bikes handgrip.

BMW 3 Series

2010-08-16T13:43:00.002+05:30

Information about the technical data

All dimensions in the technical drawings are in millimetres.

The technical data specified applies to vehicles in the German market. The models illustrated may, in part, include optional equipment and accessories not fitted as standard. According to the specific requirements of other markets, alterations may occur regarding models, standard and optional equipment as described in the text and illustrations. For precise information, please contact your BMW dealer. Subject to change in design and equipment. Subject to error. Equipment specific to national markets is not represented here.

Unladen weight: the figure quoted includes a 90 per cent tank filling, 68 kg for the driver and 7 kg for luggage. Unladen weight applies to vehicles with standard equipment. Optional equipment may increase this figure.

Power output: the petrol engines of the BMW 3 Series Sedan are designed for RON 98 fuel. The engines may be run on RON 91 fuel (for the BMW 335i at least RON 95) with a decrease in power and an increase in fuel consumption.

Composite fuel consumption: all engines meet the EU5 emissions standard (the 320d and 330d BluePerformance with manual transmission meet the EU6 emissions standard). Fuel consumption is determined in accordance with the ECE driving cycle made up of approximately one third urban traffic and two thirds extra-urban driving (based on the distance covered). CO2 emissions are measured in addition to fuel consumption as such.

Wheels


Tyre dimensions front	205/55 R16

Tyre dimensions rear	205/55 R16

Wheel dimensions front	7 J x 16 light-alloy

Wheel dimensions rear	7 J x 16 light-alloy

Engine


Cylinders/valves	4/4

Capacity in ccm	1.995

Stroke/bore in mm	90.0/84.0

Max. output in kW at 1/min	115/6.400

Max. torque in Nm at 1/min	200/3.600

Weight in kg


Curb weight	1.390

Maximum permissible weight	1.910

Permitted load	520

Permitted axle load front/rear	895/1.050

erformance


Drag (cw)	0.28

Top speed (km/h)	218

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h (in s)	9.8

Acceleration 0 - 1.000 m (in s)	30.7

Fuel consumption

Composite (km/l)

12.1

Tank capacity in I (approx.)

erformance


Drag (cw)	0.28

Top speed (km/h)	218

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h (in s)	9.8

Acceleration 0 - 1.000 m (in s)	30.7

Fuel consumption

Composite (km/l)

12.1

Tank capacity in I (approx.)

Performance


Drag (cw)	0.28

Top speed (km/h)	218

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h (in s)	9.8

Acceleration 0 - 1.000 m (in s)	30.7

Fuel consumption


Composite (km/l)	12.1

Tank capacity in I (approx.)	63

Power-Generating Rubber Films

2010-08-16T12:06:00.000+05:30

Engineers from Princeton University have developed power-generating rubber films that could be used to harness natural body movements such as breathing or walking in order to power electronic devices such as pacemakers or mobile phones. The material, which is composed of ceramic nanoribbons embedded onto silicone rubber sheets, generates electricity when flexed and is highly efficient at converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Its developers say shoes made of the material could harvest the pounding of walking or running to power mobile electrical devices and, when placed against the lungs, sheets of the material could use the raising and falling breathing motions of the chest to power pacemakers. This would negate the current need for surgical replacement of the batteries which power the devices.

Plus, because the silicone is biocompatible and is already used for cosmetic implants and medical devices, “the new electricity-harvesting devices could be implanted in the body to perpetually power medical devices, and the body wouldn't reject them," said Michael McAlpine, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, at Princeton, who led the project to develop the material.

To produce the material the researchers first fabricated lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoribbons in strips so narrow that 100 fit side by side in a space of a millimeter. PZT is a ceramic material that is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electrical voltage when pressure is applied to it. Of all piezoelectric materials, PZT is the most efficient, able to convert 80% of the mechanical energy applied to it into electrical energy.

"PZT is 100 times more efficient than quartz, another piezoelectric material," said McAlpine. "You don't generate that much power from walking or breathing, so you want to harness it as efficiently as possible."

In a separate process, the team then embedded these ribbons into clear sheets of silicone rubber, creating what they call "piezo-rubber chips.” The Princeton team is the first to successfully combine silicone and nanoribbons of PZT.

In addition to generating electricity when it is flexed, the opposite is true: the material flexes when electrical current is applied to it. This opens the door to other kinds of applications, such as use for microsurgical devices, McAlpine said.

"The beauty of this is that it's scalable," said Yi Qi, a postdoctoral researcher who works with McAlpine. "As we get better at making these chips, we'll be able to make larger and larger sheets of them that will harvest more energy."

A paper on the new material, titled "Piezoelectric Ribbons Printed onto Rubber for Flexible Energy Conversion," was published online Jan. 26, in Nano Letters.

The world’s largest telescope-Extreme electronics(IceCube telescope)

2010-06-29T10:55:00.002+05:30

MADISON, Wis. — The world’s largest telescope, currently under construction more than a mile beneath the Antarctic ice, is on schedule to be completed next year, according to a researcher at the University of Wisconsin, the lead institution for a scientific project called IceCube.

An overview of the South Pole with the South Pole Station (left of the runway) and IceCube (the right).

Ninety-five percent of the IceCube telescope, consisting of thousands of digital optical modules developed for scientists working to understand the universe, is already installed and operating at the South Pole, said Albrecht Karle, a physics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in an interview with EE Times.
The IceCube telescope is no ordinary apparatus. With a volume of one cubic kilometer, the instrument is pointed not to the sky, but downward towards the center of the Earth, buried beneath tons of ice in the coldest spot in the world. No one will ever “look through” this telescope. Instead, it will convey its findings through vast arrays of digital sensors.
Scientists backed by the National Science Foundation are looking for very small, very elusive particles called neutrinos that can tell scientists much more about the universe than photons or charged particles.
Through an array of neutrino detectors embedded in the IceCube telescope, researchers are seeking “extremely high energy neutrinos that come from supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, black holes, and other extra-galactic events,” according to the University of Wisconsin. By correlating the number and energy of the detected neutrinos, researchers hope to understand the sources of high-energy cosmic rays -- including lingering mysteries like dark energy and dark matter. Unlike Hubble space telescope. . .
What makes the IceCube project unique and “cool” is that it represents “extreme science” teamed with “extreme technology.”
Karle said 95 percent of the sensors used in the IceCube telescope are expected to last through at least 15 years of operation in extremely low temperatures.
Aside from ultra-cold temperatures, extreme pressure is a huge issue, Karle said. Cables, digital optical modules, internal electronics and cable connections -- all installed through drilled holes underneath the ice sheet -- “must be able to survive the high pressures and stress that arise when the water in the drill holes freezes,” he explained.
The toughest challenge of all is “the inability to access” the IceCube telescope, said Karle. Scientists cannot recover the telescope’s digital optical modules once they are buried at depths between 1,450 and 2,450 meters at the South Pole.
article taken by- EEtimes.

The Magnificent APEV electric Demoichelle

2010-06-28T19:36:00.002+05:30

Despite the 10-15 knot winds cutting across the airfield at Le Bourget in Paris for the Green Air Show, visitors were treated to the wonderful sight of the electric Demoichelle in the air. The treasured creation of the Association for Promotion of Flying Ladders (APEV) the electric monoplane looks as though it was designed by the ghost of Alberto Santos-Dumont himself.

APEV's Charles Donnefort told Gizmag that the electric aircraft on display underneath Concorde (when it wasn't on the airfield) at the Le Salon de l'Aviation Verte in Paris is in fact the same prototype used for the test flights of the group's original combustion-powered Demoichelle in 2009, with a few modifications. The ROTAX engine has been swapped for a reinforced AGNI 112 R electric motor and some Lithium Polymer KOKAM 74V batteries, plus there's a minor size alteration too.

The single spar, 50x100mm aluminum extrusion, wooden reinforced Styrodur rib, composite leading and trailing edge, and DIATEX 1000 covering which makes up the wings has received an extra half a meter on each side to give a little more wing surface, taking the wingspan to over 9 meters (29.5 feet). The actual weight of the e-Demoichelle is almost exactly the same as the thermal version, with the electric motor and the batteries making up for the heavy ROTAX engine.

In common with its predecessor, it stands around 2 meters (6.8 feet) tall and is just over 5 meters (17.3 feet) in length with the pilot sitting below the wing. The stall speed is marginally different, the electric version now between 35 and 40 kph (21.7/24.8 mph) but the maximum speed is still 120 km/h (74.5 mph) although the pilot usually takes things a little easier, with an average cruising speed of around 70kph (43.3 mph).

In the coming months APEV will be busying themselves creating a two-seater biplane (the Hydrochel) and a modern replica of the Piper Cub (the Cubchel). The electric Demoichelle's next public appearance will be in September at the Salon ULM Blois.

World's fastest laptop drive

2010-05-26T20:46:00.002+05:30

Seagate has revealed a hybrid solid state/hard drive which is claimed to be "the world’s fastest 2.5 inch laptop PC hard drive." The Momentus XT offers users the price and capacity benefits of a hard disk drive and the speed advantages of solid state memory in one laptop-sized drive.

Lightning speed, drive longevity and resistance to shock damage are amongst the numerous benefits of installing solid state drives (SSD) in computers and laptops. The major drawback, at the moment at least, is price. SSDs are frighteningly expensive.

A less costly compromise comes in the shape of the hybrid setup, where a hard disk drive (HDD) is supplemented by solid state memory. Seagate has announced just such a solution in its "best-of-both-worlds" Momentus XT hybrid drive. It squeezes a 500GB/320GB/250GB 7200RPM HDD with 32MB cache and a 4GB SLC NAND solid state memory module into a 2.5 inch form factor suitable for installation in laptops.

Fuel Cell Technology

2010-05-26T20:36:00.002+05:30

The most obvious obstacles for the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology are cost and performance. Although they promise benefits over internal combustion engines and batteries in terms of environmental impact, they are still fairly limited in use for these reasons. One of the most expensive elements used in most fuel cells is platinum, but now researchers have created a unique core and shell nanoparticle that uses far less platinum, yet performs more efficiently and lasts longer than commercially available pure-platinum catalysts at the cathode end of fuel cell reactions.

The oxygen reduction reaction that takes place at the fuel cell’s cathode creates water as its only waste and it is there that up to 40 percent of a fuel cell’s efficiency is lost. Platinum has been the catalyst of choice for this reaction for many researchers, but it is expensive, and the reaction causes it to break down over time. The core-shell nanoparticle developed by researchers atBrown University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory addresses both of these problems.

The team created a five-nanometer palladium (Pd) core and encircled it with a shell consisting of iron and platinum (FePt). The trick was in molding a shell that would retain its shape and require the smallest amount of platinum to pull off an efficient reaction. The team created the iron-platinum shell by decomposing iron pentacarbonyl and reducing platinum acetylacetonate to result in a shell that uses only 30 percent platinum. Although the researchers say they expect to be able to make thinner shells and use even less platinum.

The researchers demonstrated for the first time that they could consistently produce the unique core-shell structures. In laboratory tests, the palladium/iron-platinum nanoparticles generated 12 times more current than commercially available pure-platinum catalysts at the same catalyst weight. The output also remained consistent over 10,000 cycles, at least ten times longer than commercially available platinum models that begin to deteriorate after 1,000 cycles.

The team created iron-platinum shells that varied in width from one to three nanometers. In lab tests, the group found the one-nanometer shells performed best.

“This is a very good demonstration that catalysts with a core and a shell can be made readily in half-gram quantities in the lab, they’re active, and they last,” said Brown graduate student, Vismadeb Mazumder. “The next step is to scale them up for commercial use, and we are confident we’ll be able to do that.”

Mazumder and Shouheng Sun, professor of chemistry at Brown, are studying why the palladium core increases the catalytic abilities of iron platinum, although they think it has something to do with the transfer of electrons between the core and shell metals. To that end, they are trying to use a chemically more active metal than palladium as the core to confirm the transfer of electrons in the core-shell arrangement and its importance to the catalyst’s function.

Abbreviation of Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun

2010-05-23T19:28:00.000+05:30

Although the idea of a solar sail was first proposed some 100 years ago, to date none has been successfully used in space as a primary means of propulsion. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is looking to change all that with its IKAROS project – not a misspelling of Icarus, rather an abbreviation of Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun. Launched today aboard the H-IIA Launch Vehicle (H-IIA F17), IKAROS is a space yacht that gathers energy for propulsion from sunlight pressure (photons) by means of a square membrane measuring 20 meters (65.6 ft) diagonally.

The IKAROS won’t just employ a solar sail, but rather a “solar power sail” in that thin film solar cells on the membrane will be used to generate electricity. However, any electricity generated will not be used by the craft, as the goal of the mission is to verify acceleration by solar radiation and power generation of the thin film solar cells. If successful, JAXA then hopes to use the technologies to build an explorer that can travel to Jupiter by combining solar sail technology and a high-performance ion engine powered by electricity gathered by the solar cells.

JAXA calls IKAROS a spin-type explorer, as it will deploy its square membrane in space using centrifugal force. The sail, which measures 14 meters (46 ft) along each side, is made of polymide resin deposited with aluminum. It is only 7.5 micrometers thin, or about 1/10the the thickness of a human hair. Various devices, including the thin film solar cells, a liquid crystal device that controls attitude by changing light reflection characteristics, a temperature sensor, and a dust counter will be equipped on top of the sail.

Because just traveling randomly depending on where the Sun happens to be would obviously limit solar sail technology, the IKAROS team will adjust the direction of reflected sunlight so the craft will move along a targeted orbit. To change the direction of the sail IKAROS carries a gas-powered jet engine as well as a liquid crystal device on the sail that changes the sail’s light reflection characteristics. The latter will allow it to change direction using only solar power. The team will test both systems.

Previous attempts to test solar sail technology have been unsuccessful. A solar sail spacecraft, Cosmos 1, was launched in 2005, but the Volna rocket launch vehicle that was to take it into space failed and the spacecraft failed to reach orbit. A similar fate befell NASA’s NanoSail-D mission, which was lost in a launch failure aboard a Falcon 1 rocket in 2008.

It appears that IKAROS has already outdone these previous attempts with a successful launch aboard the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) alongside the Venus Climate Orbiter AKATSUKI at 6.58am on May 21, Japan Standard Time. The H-IIA F17 flew smoothly, and, at 27 minutes and 29 seconds after liftoff, the AKATSUKI was separated from the H-IIA. IKAROS will travel towards Venus with the AKATSUKI for about a month, after which it will deploy its sail.

The JAXA team will first make sure the thin-film solar cell is generating electricity and, for about six months after that, the team will be demonstrating the solar sail's acceleration and orbit-control functions. AKATSUKI will decelerate to enter the Venus orbit, but IKAROS will pass by Venus and navigate around the Sun. Where it heads will depend on how well the solar sail's orbit control function performs.

Make your own blogger FREE!!!

2010-05-23T12:38:00.000+05:30

Blogger is a blog storage service that allows private or multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries. It is funded by on-screen ads. It was created by Pyra Labs, which was bought by Google in 2003.The service itself is located at www.blogger.com. Generally, the blogs are hosted by Google at subdomains of blogspot.com. Until May 1 2010 an FTP service allows pages edited through Blogger to be published to other hosts. If this service ceases, all blogger blogs will be hosted by Google, though domains other than blogspot.com may be used.

CLICK HERE

Earn more and more $ from Google Adsense

2010-05-23T12:20:00.000+05:30

AdSense is an ad serving application run by Google Inc. Website owners can enroll in this program to enable text, image, and video advertisements on their websites. These advertisements are administered by Google and generate revenue on either a per-click or per-impression basis .

Many websites use AdSense to monetize their content. AdSense has been particularly important for delivering advertising revenue to small websites that do not have the resources for developing advertising sales programs and sales people. To fill a website with advertisements that are relevant to the topics discussed, webmasters implement a brief script on the websites' pages. Websites that are content-rich have been very successful with this advertising program, as noted in a number of publisher case studies on the AdSense website .

Here the proof click here

Blues Eyes

2010-03-25T22:26:00.001+05:30

Human cognition depends primarily on the ability to perceive, interpret, and integrate audio-visuals and sensoring information. Adding extraordinary perceptual abilities to computers would enable computers to work together with human beings as intimate partners.

Researchers are attempting to add more capabilities to computers that will allow them to interact like humans, recognize human presents, talk, listen, or even guess their feelings. The BLUE EYES technology aims at creating computational machines that have perceptual and sensory ability like those of human beings. It uses non-obtrusige sensing method, employing most modern video cameras and microphones to identifies the users actions through the use of imparted sensory abilities . The machine can understand what a user wants, where he is looking at, and even realize his physical or emotional states.

Nano Sence

2010-02-03T13:54:00.001+05:30

A mystical glow emanates from the display case. A white light appears out of nowhere. And a light source is invisible -- at least at first glance. Only upon close examination does the source of the apparently supernatural illumination become visible: a light diode, smaller than a pinhead, passes through thousands of infinitesimal lens structures measuring only a few hundred nanometers, et voilà: beaming white light.

For a long time, producing white light with no peripheral color effects was an almost unsolvable technical problem," explains Dr. Michael Popall of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Wurzburg. "White light is produced by mixing the complementary colors red, green and blue. Undesirable refraction occurs with conventional beamer technology, resulting in colored streaks on the periphery of the projection." This technology -- which researchers will present from February 17 to 19 at nano tech 2010 in Tokyo, Hall 3.03 Booth F-14-1 -- delivers not only brilliant color, but also pure white: "The tiniest of red, blue and green light diodes on the most condensed space produce the light, which is then bundled and homogenized by the nano-structured ORMOCER® optics," illustrates Popall, who was deeply involved in the development of the material.

"ORMOCER®s are an ideal material for the production of microoptics," concludes the researcher. "They are not only superior light conductors, but are also easy to process -- not as brittle as glass, and not as pliant as polymers." In fact, ORMOCER®s are a hybrid of inorganic and organic components that are networked at the molecular level. This material makes it possible to realize things inconceivable even a couple of years ago: Ultra-flat and ultra-small optics for micro-cameras or beamers that fit into a pants pocket. The design of the new ORMOCER® optics, incidentally, was developed by experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena. Popall: "Thanks to close collaboration among chemists at ISC and the physicists and engineers at IOF, we have succeeded in developing ORMOCER® tandem arrays with two-sided and symmetrically arranged micro-lens configurations, which allow the light from light diodes to be projected with pinpoint accuracy and without refraction errors." The new technology has meanwhile reached the verge of market introduction.

Nanotechnology not only puts an entirely new dimension before the eye, it also makes audible things that no ear could ever perceive before: like changes in temperature. A new varnish developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Engineering and Automation IPA ensures that surfaces emit sound if they become warmer or cool off. The trick: carbon nano-tubes embedded in the varnish that conduct electricity: If a surface is coated with this varnish, then it can be heated up by application of an electric current. This change in temperature is audible because the warming up surface makes the air around it vibrate. "And this is only one of a myriad of conceivable innovative applications. The surface coating is likewise capable of heating large surfaces and surfaces of complex shape, and in the future, conceivably it can be used as a multifunctional coating for heating, or as a resistance sensor, or as a coating for color displays," says Ivica Kolaric, head of department at IPA.

New Chip Architecture

2010-02-03T13:41:00.001+05:30

A myriad of silicon transistors are responsible to pass on the information on a microchip with today's technology. The transistors are arranged in a planar array, i.e. lying flat next to each other, and have shrunk down already to a size of only about 50 nanometers (1 nanometer = 1 millionth part of 1 millimeter). Further miniaturization of transistors with a planar structure will soon come to an end due to fundamental physical limits. Still, even smaller transistors are desirable in order to continuously improve their functions while reducing the cost of the electronics.

Currently, researchers are working hard to find new approaches to overcome the physical limits on downscaling and integration of microchips. One such concept is to fabricate a completely new transistor architecture in three-dimensions. In this concept, instead of arranging them flat on the substrate the silicon transistors are turned by 90 degrees so that they stick out of the chip substrate like tiny columns. In this way, numerous vertical transistors could be built on the area normally occupied by only one planar transistor. This would finally be the step from micro to nanoelectronics.

The fabrication of vertical silicon nanowire arrays has already been reported. Yet there needs to be a more thorough research into the electrical properties of silicon nanowires in order to be able to build reliable transistors for a new generation of microchips. Unlike conventional transistors, the current flow in these column-like transistors will be vertical, and they will be smaller and more energy-saving than today. Last but not least, there are high hopes to fabricate extremely efficient solar cells using silicon nanowires.

The Max Planck researchers in Halle produce monocrystalline silicon nanowires which are particularly suitable as components for microchips. At the FZD's ion beam center, foreign atoms known as 'dopants' are implanted into the nanowires. The dopants occupy lattice sites of the host semiconductor increasing the electrical conductivity and the current flow through the semiconductor. Selective implantation of different dopants can change the polarity of the charge carriers in a transistor leading to the switching of the current flow. The planar silicon technology is well developed; however, this is not true for silicon nanostructures. "First, we analyzed wires with a diameter of 100 nanometers and 300 nanometers in length. But what we aim at are wires with a diameter of a few atoms only, as well as wires where individual atoms are strung together. We intend to closely characterize their behavior in materials and want to find out how their electrical properties can be tailored for application in nanoelectronics, e.g. for new field-effect transistors," say FZD physicists Dr. Reinhard Koegler and Dr. Xin Ou.

The nanowires were investigated in Rossendorf using a technique (Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy, SSRM) that usually measures the position- dependent electrical resistivity in a specially-prepared two-dimensional cross-section of the nanowire. The resistivity is related to the atomic concentration of the dopants. In the current work, the researchers have found that the dopants in a silicon nanowire, namely boron and phorphorus, do not stay where they are expected, but drift to the surface of the nanowire where they become partially inactive and can no longer contribute to the electrical conductivity. Up until now scientists were lacking an appropriate technique to visualize and quantify the consequences of an unequal distribution of dopants at the nanoscale. Chip designers have to pay attention to the newly found results if nanowires are to be applied for vertical transistors in the future.

Space Optical Communications

2010-01-30T23:31:00.001+05:30

In summer 1977, ESA placed the first technological study contract in the domain of intersatellite optical links. Now, twenty years later, a major milestone has been reached with the SILEX laser terminals having been flight tested for integration with their host spacecraft. At the same time, ESA is preparing itself for a new challenge: the potential massive use of optical cross links in satellite constellations for mobile communications and global multimedia services. This is an opportune moment to look back at the past twenty years of ESA effort in laser communications, to take stock of the results achieved and to reflect on ways to face the challenges of the future.

Introduction

Twenty years ago, in summer 1977, ESA placed a technological research contract for the assessment of modulators for high-data- rate laser links in space. This marked the beginning of a long and sustained ESA involvement in space optical communications. A large number of study contracts and preparatory hardware development followed, conducted under various ESA R&D and support technology programmes. In the mid- 1980 s, ESA took an ambitious step by embarking on the SILEX (Semiconductor laser Intersatellite Link Experiment) programme, to demonstrate a pre-operational optical link in space.

SILEX, which will be in operation in the year 2000, has put ESA in a world-leading position in civilian optical intersatellite links. While SILEX formed the backbone of ESA s optical communications activities in the recent past, additional R&D activities were undertaken to develop attractive second-generation systems, particularly for the commercial satellite market. Indeed, at the turn of the century, literally thousands of intersatellite links - radio-frequency (RF) and optical - are expected to be in operation in commercial multi-satellite constellations providing mobile communications, video conferencing and multimedia services. The race is on for the European laser communication industry to enter this lucrative market. Optical technology offers too many advantages in terms of mass, power, system flexibility and cost, to leave the field entirely to RF. With the heritage of twenty years of technological preparation, European industry is well positioned to face this burgeoning demand for commercial laser terminals. The early days

When ESA started to consider optics for intersatellite communications, virtually no component technology was available to support space system development. The available laser sources were rather bulky and primarily laboratory devices. ESA selected the CO2 gas laser for its initial work. This laser was the most efficient and reliable laser available at the time and Europe had a considerable background in CO2 laser technology for industrial applications. ESA undertook a detailed design study of a CO2 laser communication terminal and proceeded with the breadboarding of all critical subsystems which were integrated and tested in a complete laboratory breadboard transceiver model.

This laboratory system breadboarding enabled ESA to get acquainted with the intricacies of coherent, free-space optical communication. However, it soon became evident that the 10 micron CO2 laser was not the winning technology for use in space because of weight, lifetime and operational problems. Towards the end of the 1970 s, semiconductor diode lasers operating at room temperature became available, providing a very promising transmitter source for optical intersatellite links. In 1980, therefore, ESA placed the first studies to explore the potential of using this new device for intersatellite links. At the same time, the French national space agency, CNES, started to look into a laser-diode-based optical data-relay system called Pastel. This line of development was consequently followed and resulted in the decision, in 1985, to embark on the SILEX pre-operational, in-orbit optical link experiment.

SILEX

SILEX is a free-space optical communication system which consists of two optical communication payloads to be embarked on the ESA Artemis (Advanced Relay and TEchnology MIssion Satellite) spacecraft and on the French Earth-observation spacecraft SPOT-4. It will allow data transmission at 50Mbps from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO) using GaAlAs laser-diodes and direct detection.

The SILEX Phase A and B studies were conducted around 1985, followed by technology breadboarding and predevelopment of the main critical elements which were tested on the so-called System Test Bed to verify the feasibility of SILEX. A detailed design phase was carried out in parallel with the System Test Bed activities up to July 1989. At that time, the development of SPOT-4 Phase C/D was agreed with an optical terminal as passenger. This was an important decision since it made a suitable partner satellite available for the ESA data-relay satellite project; the stage was therefore set to start the main SILEX development effort in October 1989.

In March 1997, a major milestone was reached in the SILEX programme: both terminals underwent a stringent environmental test programme and are now ready for integration with their host spacecraft. However, due to the agreed SPOT-4 and Artemis launch dates, it is likely that the in-orbit demonstration of the overall system will not start before mid-2000. Consequently, the GEO terminal will need to be stored after the completion of the spacecraft testing. The first host spacecraft (SPOT-4) is planned for launch in February 1998. The launch of Artemis on a Japanese H2A is delayed for non-technical reasons until February 2000. Apart from launching Artemis, Japan is participating in the SILEX programme with its own laser terminal, LUCE (Laser Utilizing Communications Equipment), to be carried onboard the Japanese OICETS satellite (Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engin-eering Test Satellite), set for launch in summer 2000.

Optical ground station on Tenerife As part of the SILEX in-orbit check-out programme, ESA started to construct an optical ground station on the Canary Islands in 1993 (Fig. 2). This station, which will be completed by the end of 1997, simulates a LEO optical terminal using a 1 m telescope, allowing the performances of the GEO optical terminal on Artemis to be verified. The optical ground station will receive and evaluate the data transmitted from Artemis and will simultaneously transmit data at optical wavelengths towards Artemis. In addition to its primary objective as the SILEX in-orbit check-out facility, the optical ground station will also be used for space-debris tracking, lidar monitoring of the atmosphere and astronomical observations.

First 56-nm three-bit-per-cell 16-Gbit NAND technology

2010-01-29T18:36:00.001+05:30

Since the announcement of the first 56-nm three-bit-per-cell 16-Gbit NAND technology in 2008 by SanDisk and Toshiba, the NAND industry has been working to commercialize this multibit-per-cell technology. Technological challenges associated with process node migration and the economic condition of the NAND flash market (oversupplies and declining prices) has accelerated the development of multibit-per-cell technologies such as three bit per cell (3bpc) and even four bit per cell (4bpc).

Since SanDisk and Toshiba's announcement of 3bpc technology in 2008, several more announcements have occurred in both 3bpc and 4bpc NAND flash technologies. 2009 was the year of 3bpc and 4bpc technology and product introductions, as Table 1 shows. All the major NAND manufacturers introduced or announced their technology and products in an effort to achieve more production efficiency.

Table 1: Summary of three-bit-per-cell and four-bit-per-cell NAND flash announcements
Click on image to enlarge.

The efficiency trends of various NAND flash technologies ranging from SLC, MLC, 3bpc and 4bpc technology across several process node generations are shown in Figure 1. The efficiency improvements shown in 4x-nm and 3x-nm process node generations are combined results of process node migration and three- and four-bit-per-cell technology.

Figure 1: Efficiency trends for NAND flash across process nodes and multibit technologies
Click on image to enlarge.

For example, at 43-nm process node generation, four NAND flash products/ designs are introduced. By comparing their Mbit per mm² figures, you can see the impact of 3pbc and 4bpc technology (shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Efficiency comparison of 43-nm NAND flash technologies
Click on image to enlarge.

Three-bit-per-cell technology improves NAND flash efficiency dramatically without introducing a new process node: based on 32-Gbit NAND example, the efficiency improvement of 3bpc technology is around 31 percent. This is close to the efficiency improvement effect of migrating to the next process node. By introducing 3bpc NAND technology, the NAND industry is able to reduce chip size and improve productivity without the investment and heavy R&D efforts required to migrate to more advanced process node technology.
Products introduced in 2009 using 3bpc NAND technology include microSDHC memory cards and memory sticks. Given the requirement of sophisticated program, erase and read algorithms of 3bpc technology and extended error correction, these memory cards, which have NAND flash controllers inside, are better suited for commercial application of 3bpc NAND technology.
At UBM TechInsights, we have begun analyzing the industry-leading 3bpc manufacturer SanDisk's 43-nm 3bpc 32-Gb NAND flash found in the SanDisk memory card. We're examining the detailed circuit of the NAND flash memory array and its associated blocks such as page buffers and wordline switches. We also plan to perform a waveform analysis of the NAND to dissect the programming, reading and erase operation of the 3bpc operation.
Also being analyzed by UBM TechInsights is the Intel Micron's 32-nm 3bpc 32-Gb NAND flash. Again, we're analyzing the detailed circuit of the NAND flash memory array and its associated blocks such as page buffers and wordline switches.

Wireless Integrated Network Sensors

2010-01-28T22:26:00.001+05:30

Wireless Integrated Network Sensors (WINS) now provide a new monitoring and control capability for monitoring the borders of the country. Using this concept we can easily identify a stranger or some terrorists entering the border. The border area is divided into number of nodes. Each node is in contact with each other and with the main node.

The noise produced by the foot-steps of the stranger is collected using the sensor. This sensed signal is then converted into power spectral density and the compared with reference value of our convenience. Accordingly the compared value is processed using a microprocessor, which sends appropriate signals to the main node. Thus the stranger is identified at the main node. A micro power spectrum analyzer has been developed to enable low power operation of the entire WINS system.

Thus WINS require a Microwatt of power. But it is very cheaper when compared to other security systems such as RADAR under use. It is even used for short distance communication less than 1 Km. It produces a less amount of delay. Hence it is reasonably faster. On a global scale, WINS will permit monitoring of land, water, and air resources for environmental monitoring. On a national scale, transportation systems, and borders will be monitored for efficiency, safety, and security.