Author: Lance Winslow
Source: articleage.com

Our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have proven themselves in the battlespace to be some of our most important assets. These UAVs have also been used fighting fires, guarding our borders and helping in disasters. Many of these UAVs are controlled by line of sight communication command and control systems, while others can be controlled remotely via satellites. When these UAVs are controlled via satellite there is a one second delay in commands from the desktop pilot, who is basically operating from a PC with a joystick and some instruments, not a whole lot different than Microsoft Simulator Program you buy in the store. This system works well when you are merely flying around looking at stuff and sending back the video feed to command and control.
There comes a problem when you need instantaneous maneuvering and are also dealing with the reality of situational awareness from a UAV and also with the time delay in directions from the virtual pilot in augmented reality at command and control. However many things such as evasion could be preprogrammed for dodging SAMs (surface to air missiles) shot from an enemy. If you have to wait for the communication delays it could be too late for your drone UAV. Once the UAV takes the drastic measures to evade the SAM, it would then seek normal flight on the former heading or a heading of exactly 180 degrees from where it started. Thus it has evaded, recorded the location from where the missile was fired and retreated. Now you can assign the launch location of the SAM as a legitimate target.
A UAV has an advantage over a fighter aircraft with a pilot, as it can turn with more G’s as long as stay with in its envelope. Indeed there would be the same control limits for flight departure issues as in the newest of fighters when you travel outside the envelope, which would be massively expanded with new materials, lack of biological needs of a pilot and directional thrust tricks of the trade and intake air opening changes in-flight all computerized.
As a pilot myself “single engine land,” I do not want to ditch the pilots just yet for the silicon chip versions. Especially as I look at the cost of some of these high tech advanced UAVs, after all that is an expensive piece of hardware, but we are seeing more and more evidence of Big Blue beating the best chess players of the air. In the end our decision must be for the mission, not our debate over organic VS autonomous or robotic, I guess I would say, I just want to WIN, that is all; using the whole track is that was the first thing they told us in racing school, it helped keep me alive. We need to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes to accomplish the mission, whatever that might be. It is only about winning. But we cannot send a UAV into an area laden with the enemy that has shoulder fired or batteries of surface to air missiles unless these robotic counterparts have master evasion software programs, which immediately over ride the command and control and autonomously address the threat. Think on this.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Author: Steve Gee
Source: articleage.com

The world has come a long way since the early days of the ‘Sputnik’! Satellite systems are now providing both voice and data communication for parts of the world where there is little or no land or cell phone provision. Using satellite telephones help you to keep in contact when you are in the air or out at sea. They also help us to track and remain in contact with adventurers who test the limits of endurance and skill. We are able to follow their routes, talk to them and receive images and movies from wherever they may be and we can be instantly ready to help them when things don’t go quite according to the plan.
How does it work then? The satellite phone transmits a signal, via an antenna to an orbiting satellite in a network of satellites then back to a ground station and a standard land based phone network. Sounds good doesn’t it? However, the line of sight signal path between the satellite telephone and satellite must not be obstructed. Even bad weather can sometimes be a problem. In general, reception is much better outdoors but if you are on a boat at sea or in a plane in the air then an external antenna might be needed.
Right now there are five major satellite phone service providers. Global Star and Iridium are still the largest. They offer an array of options for both businesses and the average person in the street. Iridium is perhaps the best known of them all for a variety of reasons. The company uses a network of 66 operational low-earth-orbit satellites and they have an additional 13 spare satellites too. The satellites are in orbits roughly 485 miles above the surface of the Earth.
They supply to an extensive variety of markets which include construction, mining, government, leisure and maritime. They also provide equipment to the military and to rescue and disaster relief organisations. Companies tend to sell their services through a collection of service partners, value-added resellers and manufacturers.
Wherever there is a need for reliable, go-anywhere communications you will see satellite phones being used. The military make extensive use of them, as do airlines and shipping. They can also be invaluable in disaster areas where there it’s likely that land based communications have been disrupted by the disaster or never existed in the first place. Satellite phones can be tracked too. This can come in handy when guiding aircraft into isolated areas quickly.
Trucks that travel close to the Alaskan pipeline are being fitted with satellite phones in a bid to combat terrorism. If a truck gets hijacked then the authorities are notified instantly using the satellite network. Using the same satellite phone, the hijacked truck can be disabled before the terrorist has a chance to use it as a weapon.
As a method of communication satellite telephones remain a very expensive option. It is more expensive than most cell phone calls. As the technology improves and becomes more widely used, the prices should begin to drop. At the moment Iridium claim that the cost of a satellite phone call is similar to the cost of an international roaming call. To improve public perception and possibly build the consumer market the industry is fund raising in Washington state to provide satellite phones and airtime free of charge to US National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.
Steve is a software engineer and webmaster of Satellite Phone Keep up with what’s new in Satellite phones at http://www.satellite-phone.thecatcollar.com

Author: Dita Nadia
Source: ezinearticles.com

What is iPod? What is iPod Touch? Well, if you can not answer those two silly questions, you must be a person who lives beneath the earth or someplace in the center of dark forest. No offense. But, how can you be defined such that? It is simply because iPod from Apple Inc is the most revolutionary multimedia gadget exists in earth. Everyone dreams to have this cool stuff. You can watch your favorite movies and songs everywhere you are with this product without losing enjoyment because it provides you a high quality sound through its earphones and you will not need those huge headphones just to get the best sound you want, you can get it from the iPod Touch. You can also download more songs or videos from iTunes Music Store that is the reason why this device is supported with Wi-Fi for the connection to the internet. And for sharing demand from the computers to this iPod, Apple also provides Bluetooth technology in this product. The size of its storage are varies. There are iPod Touch 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB. You can choose which one that you prefer based on your need.

Apple Inc and third party companies have produced many accessories for iPod Touch to maximize the function of the iPod Touch and to keep it safe. There are iTouch case, iPod Touch travel charger, holder, car charger, USB power adapter, iTouch guard, active speakers, etc. For those people who own iTouch, it will be a great benefit to have those accessories and they will get the maximum performance and ’services’.

iPod Touch is produced for outdoor activity, but it can also be used for indoor and personal user. For those people who have no chance to charge the iTouch in their house, they need to get travel or car charger, so that they can charge it even in their car. It will raise its mobility and your comfort in using it. And to keep your iPod from dusts or scratches, you will need a case for your iPod. It will effectively protect it, so that your iPod will always keep shiny and clean. Some of the cases also provide a holder in the case, usually the leather one, so you can put attach it firmly on your belt or you bag, without any fear it will drop unexpectedly. Some people always put the iPod in their car. They replace the tape or CD player of the car with iPod.

This kind of usage can be dangerous for the iPod Touch, as we know that not all the road are smooth, sometimes there are some holes that we do not realize and the car is suddenly shaken because of passing through the holes. It would shake the iPod too, or even worse, it will fall from your dashboard and break its function. Well, in this case you will need an iPod Touch protector and holder to keep it stands firmly on your dashboard. In short, having an iPod is a great thing, but occasionally you will need some accessories to get the excellence of it.