Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 25-5 - 65

properties-even at a great
distance, with vibration,
ambient lighting or soiling.
The cost-optimized 36
series is an economically
attractive solution, especially
in the case of highly
automated systems with
a large number of sensors.
Leuze offers the sensors, which are certified to protection
class IP67, with different operating principles: They are
available as sensors with background suppression (with
an operating range of up to 2.5 meters), as retro-reflective
photoelectric sensors (up to 17 meters) or as throughbeam
photoelectric sensors (up to 80 meters). The high-performance
sensor design provides an extremely high function reserve.
This ensures that objects are reliably detected even if, for example,
sources of interference are present.
The sensors are available both with M12 connection sockets
and with different ready-made connection cables as well as
matching mounting accessories. This means that integration is
always guaranteed, even in existing systems. In addition, all
common switching logics are also supported: NPN and PNP
switching as well as light and dark switching.
Conventional retro-reflective photoelectric sensors often
detect film-wrapped pallets unreliably. The reason for this
is the depolarizing property of the tensioned film. Thanks
to its special optics, the new Leuze 36 series retro-reflective
photoelectric sensor masters this challenge without a
problem.
For more information, please visit http://www.leuze.com.
Radio Altimeter Test Solution
VIAVI Solutions Inc. has announced the launch of the ALT9000
universal radio altimeter (RADALT) flight line test set.
As manufacturers release RADALTs with more sophisticated
waveforms to address safety and security issues in the aviation
industry, the ALT-9000 adds fiber optic delay to traditional
radio frequency (RF) testing, enabling it to test all types of
RADALTS on the market today.
The RADALT measures an aircraft's altitude above the terrain,
by transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal down to
the ground and receiving a reflection. To prevent potential
spoofing or jamming of the return signal, modern RADALTs
use more complex waveforms, and the U.S. military has transitioned
a majority of its aircraft to these models. Also, as 5G
networks begin to use C-band frequencies, older RADALTs
may lack the required interference
protection.
These trends call for updated
testing technology
and procedures to address
legacy and new RADALT
types, and to enable rapid
retesting to identify issues
that can disrupt flight
operations.
The VIAVI ALT-9000
is a portable test set that
utilizes fiber-optic delay
to allow it to work with
all types of radio altimeters. It tests the complete RADALT
system, allowing the operator to isolate a problem to the antenna,
coaxial cable, line-replaceable unit (LRU) or indicator,
eliminating unnecessary swaps or replacements of system
components. The ALT-9000 performs complete closed-loop
system tests, replicates in-flight conditions, and creates profiles
for dynamic altitude simulations. The comprehensive,
efficient and user-friendly test process enables more frequent
testing of flight systems, reducing the cost of takeoff failures.
VIAVI offers a broad portfolio of avionics test solutions, delivering
reliable R&D, flight line, factory and return-to-service
test solutions to the avionics market for more than 40 years.
The ALT-9000 joins the AVX-10K Flight Line Test Set, enabling
comprehensive performance verification testing of critical airborne
systems from a simple-to-use device.
Learn more about VIAVI at http://www.viavisolutions.
com.
Robert Goldberg (r.goldberg@ieee.org) has over 35 years' experience
with over 25 years in management of the design and
development of hardware and software for a broad range of
military electronic products involving digital, RF/Microwave,
electro-optical and electromechanical systems. He is retired
from ITT Aerospace Communications Division in Clifton, NJ,
where he was responsible for Sensor Communication programs
utilizing the application of sensor radios developed by
ITT as a result of work with DARPA on the Small Unit Operations
Situation Awareness System (SUOSAS). Prior to joining
ITT, he held positions in systems test and systems engineering
with Northrop Grumman in programs related to RF and
IR electronic warfare systems. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and
is currently chairman of the Fellows Evaluation Committee of
the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society.
August 2022
IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine
65
http://www.viavisolutions.com http://www.leuze.com http://www.viavisolutions.com
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