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Transistorized distance measuring equipment
Mar., I962.1
CURRENT T o r t e s
trum of applications of solid state laser devices for use in technique and system experiments in industrial, university and military laboratories," Dr. Robinson said. The unique features of the "PistoLaser" are: its extremely low threshold (90 joules), its miniaturized size, making it highly portable; its dual safety trigger control which prevents accidental firing--both triggers must be pressed simultaneously; its highly efficient power supply, and its simplified control panel consisting of a charge switch and discharge switch as well as a set level relay control. The unit is a solid state device which generates electromagnetic waves in a coherent beam. The coherent light output has wavelengths of 6929 angstrom units (red) and the light pulse train duration is approximately 0.2 millisec. Beam divergence is less than 0.3 deg. Its spectral brightness measured in energy per unit wavelength far exceeds that known from any other conventional source. The radiation output of the pulsed ruby laser beam is more than one billion times greater than the corresponding output of the sun within the same frequency band. The "PistoLaser" is designed to operate either automatically or manually and is equipped with a continuously variable high voltage power supply. It can be operated by battery or from a conventional 110 v., 60 cps. a-c. outlet. Accessory units are being made available to supplement the "PistoLaser" light source in order to demonstrate particular advanced optical electronic systems. For example, a single accessory receiving unit can convert the "PistoLaser" to an optical radar.
Transistorized Distance Measuring Equipment.--Development of a transistorized, lighter weight distance
263
measuring equipment (DME) to meet the "pinpoint en route" guidance needs of tomorrow's super-speed commercial aircraft has been announced by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. This new model of the ITT D M E has but 10 electron tubes and weighs only 29 lb. Earlier versions now in service throughout the nation's airways have 33 tubes and weigh 34 lb. Engineers who designed the equipment at ITT Federal Laboratories in Nutley, N. J., said the transistorization has reduced the power requirement of the device by more than 50 per cent, to less than 110 watts. J. Lane Ware, director of ITT's Avionic Equipment Laboratory at: Nutley, said production of the new DME will begin in early 1962 with the first units ready for delivery in about six months. The elimination of 23 electron tubes and their associated circuitry will enable the transistorized model to operate at cooler temperatures, which will increase the operating life of con> ponents and over-all equipment reliability. This factor will be of tremendous importance in future airline operations where improved fuels and higher speeds will permit longer nonstop flights. The design of the equipment includes plug-in circuit boards which can be removed quickly and replaced to ease and speed maintenance. DME enables a pilot to read from a dial his exact distance in nautical miles from a selected ground station in the nationwide check-point network operated by the Federal Aviation Agency. Since the equipment furnishes vital in-flight information regarding arrival schedules and holding patterns, it is considered a major advance in aviation safety and is recommended by the FAA for installation on all airlines.
CURRENT T o r t e s
trum of applications of solid state laser devices for use in technique and system experiments in industrial, university and military laboratories," Dr. Robinson said. The unique features of the "PistoLaser" are: its extremely low threshold (90 joules), its miniaturized size, making it highly portable; its dual safety trigger control which prevents accidental firing--both triggers must be pressed simultaneously; its highly efficient power supply, and its simplified control panel consisting of a charge switch and discharge switch as well as a set level relay control. The unit is a solid state device which generates electromagnetic waves in a coherent beam. The coherent light output has wavelengths of 6929 angstrom units (red) and the light pulse train duration is approximately 0.2 millisec. Beam divergence is less than 0.3 deg. Its spectral brightness measured in energy per unit wavelength far exceeds that known from any other conventional source. The radiation output of the pulsed ruby laser beam is more than one billion times greater than the corresponding output of the sun within the same frequency band. The "PistoLaser" is designed to operate either automatically or manually and is equipped with a continuously variable high voltage power supply. It can be operated by battery or from a conventional 110 v., 60 cps. a-c. outlet. Accessory units are being made available to supplement the "PistoLaser" light source in order to demonstrate particular advanced optical electronic systems. For example, a single accessory receiving unit can convert the "PistoLaser" to an optical radar.
Transistorized Distance Measuring Equipment.--Development of a transistorized, lighter weight distance
263
measuring equipment (DME) to meet the "pinpoint en route" guidance needs of tomorrow's super-speed commercial aircraft has been announced by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. This new model of the ITT D M E has but 10 electron tubes and weighs only 29 lb. Earlier versions now in service throughout the nation's airways have 33 tubes and weigh 34 lb. Engineers who designed the equipment at ITT Federal Laboratories in Nutley, N. J., said the transistorization has reduced the power requirement of the device by more than 50 per cent, to less than 110 watts. J. Lane Ware, director of ITT's Avionic Equipment Laboratory at: Nutley, said production of the new DME will begin in early 1962 with the first units ready for delivery in about six months. The elimination of 23 electron tubes and their associated circuitry will enable the transistorized model to operate at cooler temperatures, which will increase the operating life of con> ponents and over-all equipment reliability. This factor will be of tremendous importance in future airline operations where improved fuels and higher speeds will permit longer nonstop flights. The design of the equipment includes plug-in circuit boards which can be removed quickly and replaced to ease and speed maintenance. DME enables a pilot to read from a dial his exact distance in nautical miles from a selected ground station in the nationwide check-point network operated by the Federal Aviation Agency. Since the equipment furnishes vital in-flight information regarding arrival schedules and holding patterns, it is considered a major advance in aviation safety and is recommended by the FAA for installation on all airlines.