Mentor Blogs

Gone, in large part, are the days of military and aerospace (mil/aero) organizations buying a complete, comprehensive, end-to-end turnkey system from a single, solitary vendor. Rather, a vast majority of today’s mil/aero systems combine the technologies, components, and capabilities of myriad technology vendors. Integrating parts from various vendors in a single system, like most things, has its pros … Read More

Sony, Software, Mentor.com, Computer, Mil-Aero, Milaero, Military, Aerospace, Electric, Hardware, HDMI, electrical, Mentor, Design Automation, Mentor Graphics, Embedded Systems, Electronic, Geek, Yamaha

Just this month, PKC Eesti AS, a supplier of electrical wiring harnesses to European truck makers and a subsidiary of Finland’s PKC Group Oyj, announced that it is deploying the latest technology from the Mentor Graphics Capital suite of tools at its factory in Estonia. Among the tools adopted is the Capital HarnessXC product, which is designed to enable harness engineers to create detailed, validated, … Read More

Electronic, electrical, Embedded Systems, PKC Group, Military, Computer, Mentor Graphics, COTS, Mentor.com, Mil-Aero, Capital HarnessXC, Milaero, Engineer, Geek, Electric, Hardware, Mentor, Design Automation

Future Combat Systems (FCS) is but a distant memory, but the need to stay on the bleeding edge of technology in military and aerospace (mil/aero) environments remains unchanged. Today’s missions in harsh and challenging environments call for the latest and greatest technological advances. FCS, the program created to deliver manned and unmanned advanced network-centric warfare and new combat vehicles … Read More

Mentor.com, Mentor Graphics, FCS, BCT, Geek, Hardware, Mentor, Aerospace, electrical, Design Automation, Electronic, Embedded Systems, Brigade Combat Team Modernization Program, Engineer, Computer, DoD, Electric, Mil-Aero, U.S. Army, Warfighters, Milaero, Military

The U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, begun in 2003, carried with it the promise of a brand new fleet of manned ground vehicles; yet, due to economic and logistical difficulties and setbacks, FCS was cancelled in 2009. In the spring of 2009, Pentagon and Army officials announced the cancellation of the FCS vehicle-development effort. Rather than providing new, future-proof vehicles able … Read More

Mentor, Humvee, Mentor Graphics, electrical, Pentagon, U.S. Army, Electronic, Electric, Mentor.com, Geek, Mil-Aero, Hardware, Milaero, Embedded Systems, Military, FCS

Militaries the world over are increasingly relying upon advanced, multifunctional electronics systems to help ensure not only their safety, but also mission success. The growing use of and reliance on electronics does not come without a cost, however. Power-hungry devices require sufficient and reliable power. Yet, power can be hard to come by, especially in remote battlefield locales, such as both … Read More

Hardware, Geek, Mentor, U.S. Department of Defense, DoD, Military, Electric, network-centric battlefield, Army, U.S. Army, Mentor Graphics, Embedded Systems, Mentor.com, Engineer, Mil-Aero, electrical, Milaero, Electronic

The good news: The aerospace market is alive, active, and growing in number and strength. The bad news: The mil/aero market seeks new, cutting-edge solutions (from individual components to comprehensive systems) that are not only well designed, but thoroughly tested and verified. (And if this geek had his say, they would be designed, tested, and verified using trusted, high-end, industry-proven software … Read More

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“[Skydrol] is very unpleasant to work with. It stings. It forms a very fine mist and gets everywhere,” reveals an anonymous aircraft maintenance engineer of the widely used hydraulic fluid. “When you have a pinhole leak somewhere, and are trying to find it, you will get it all over you and itch for ages afterwards. It really should be banned as a health hazard to mechanics.” Sounds like lovely stuff, … Read More

Milaero, Mil-Aero, IESF, Capital, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Mentor, Mentor.com, Aerospace, Engineer, Geek, Electric, Goodrich, Hardware, Design Automation, Electronic, electrical, Embedded Systems, Software

Hydraulic systems have for decades been the go-to technology in airplanes, both commercial and military, because of their high power density and proven reliability. Yet, hydraulic systems can be difficult to control, given that sensors are often located far from the brake piston; can require more maintenance, given the propensity for leaks or contamination in the hydraulic lines and the fluid contained … Read More

Mil-Aero, Mentor.com, IESF, Computer, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Mentor, Mentor Graphics, Aerospace, Engineer, Electric, Geek, Hardware, Hydraulic, Design Automation, Electronic, electrical, Embedded Systems, Milaero, Software, Solutia Inc., Military, Skydrol

It’s the last thing I think about when I board a plane; yet, it’s first of mind when I see that we’re approaching pavement at a high rate of speed upon reaching our destination. You guessed it: I’m talking about brakes. This aircraft element gains little consumer attention (unless it fails to work, of course), but the critical system component is garnering considerable attention from the technology … Read More

Milaero, Mil-Aero, Mentor Graphics, Aerospace, Boeing, Mentor Graphics Capitol, Mentor.com, Mike Shaw, 787, Dreamliner, Embedded Systems, Geek, Goodrich, Mentor, Design Automation, electrical, Electric, Electronic, Software

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is reported to possess more than 7,000 aerial drones, to date. The DOD boasted less than 50 such drones just a decade ago; and, Pentagon officials have asked Congress for nearly $5 billion, to be used for drones in 2012. Industry analysts are again predicting a strong unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market–and not just for the remainder of 2011 or throughout … Read More

Military, Mil-Aero, L-3 Communication, Aerospace, AeroVironment, Mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, AAI Corp., General Atomics, Hardware, Electric, Insitu, DoD, KillerBee, Drone, Engineer, Embedded Systems, Geek, Raytheon, UAV, Raytheon KillerBee, Teal Group

This geek loves the modern space race, as it is being called by many. I speak of the resurgence of interest in rockets, spacecraft, and virtually all things space-related. I enjoy all facets of it—whether private, public, international, or domestic. I love it all, as my fellow geeks likely already know. The recent decommissioning of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, after many decades of successful service, … Read More

Space Launch System, SLS, Mil-Aero, Asteroid, Electric, Milaero, Military, nasa, Aerospace, Embedded Systems, Mars. Moon, Mentor, Engineer, Mentor Graphics, electrical, Mentor.com, Electronic, LEO, Geek, Low Earth Orbit, Space Race, Space Shuttle, U.S. Space Shuttle program

STEM jobs are essential to growth in America, says United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in his blog (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/14/stem-jobs-help-america-win-future). “Unfortunately, many U.S. businesses have frequently voiced concerns over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Companies operating on the forefront of technological innovation need more of them.” Major players … Read More

Mentor, Math, Mentor Graphics, COTS, science, STEM, Technology, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Gary Locke, Mil-Aero, Hardware, Milaero, Embedded Systems, Military, engineering

This geek is excitedly gearing up for the Mentor Graphics Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) for mil/aero design engineers, managers, and executives. Thank you to those who have written with questions. I would like to allay any concerns, such as those of professionals whom have previously been burned by or are skeptical of the value of free, vendor-hosted events. Fear not! Yet, I can understand … Read More

Hardware, Geek, IESF, Mil-Aero, Design Automation, Milaero, Military, Aerospace, Software, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Embedded Systems, Mentor, Engineer, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, electrical

Mentor Graphics’ free, must-attend mil/aero event is less than one month away. The company has announced the event’s agenda, which includes an impressive 23 sessions. The beauty of it is that attendees, of which I am one, can essentially build their own event, tailoring the day to their exact individual needs. To simplify things, however, Mentor Graphics officials have devised three breakout tracks … Read More

Geek, Engineer, Hardware, Computer, Mentor.com, COTS, Mil-Aero, Milaero, Aerospace, Military, IESF, Electronic, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Embedded Systems, Mentor, Mentor Graphics, Design Automation

Mentor Graphics has just revealed the program for its upcoming Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) 2011. If you’re not familiar with IESF, it’s one of the world’s leading events for design engineers, engineering management, and executives in the military and aerospace (mil/aero) industry. Even better, it’s free and in a great summer locale: the Marriott Long Beach hotel, in Long Beach, Calif. … Read More

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