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"Your product --- concept to customer" Take your idea through development to
manufacturing to marketing to customer |
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We offer help with: Who we are Paul Schnitzler |
The SG Ocean Cable Equalizer used a
motor-driven 32-position commutating switch to select and set a wide range of
cable corrections. The motor developed reliability problem and a stable
replacement was necessary. This two-board module
matches the standard extreme reliability of ocean system components. Need: Fix an
emergency reliability issue Problem: The SG Undersea Telephone
System used remote controlled equalizers to correct for changes in cable
transmission properties. Over time the losses in the coaxial cable will
change and the amplifier must be corrected to exactly match this change. The
original design used a special, high-reliability, DC motor that would be
directed to rotate a switch in order to make the necessary equalizer
adjustments. During tests in the factory, some time after the first
system installation, this motor failed! Approach: The physical design group
decided that it was essential that this mechanical motor/switch assembly be
replaced by an electronic circuit. The new unit would have to have the same
physical size and electrical properties as the original one, i.e. be directly
exchangeable with the original unit. Paul Schnitzler designed the electronic “commutator” to
replace the motor-driven module. It was based on a set of existing production
integrated circuits that had a solid reliability history. He also developed a test platform to “exercise” the
module to uncover possible flaws. Together with the Physical Designers at Bell Labs they
built and installed this new device in several undersea systems. Results: The commutator was placed in
production and is now in service in undersea systems around the world. Need help with an
unusual technical problem? Contact us now by Email. |
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