As we approach the end of 2023, the year has held its challenges for the Aerospace and Defence sector as well as around the world in general. However, 2023 has also seen a string of successes and promising developments for the Ex-Eltronics Group, from fresh talent, branding, and products to the incredible growth of existing relationships.
2023 was a year of growth for Ex-Eltronics, with a range of new Customer relationships developed, new OEM approvals gained, and increasing supply chain successes. Greater recognition and demand for Ex-El’s services and products meant the company needed to take on highly qualified new talent to continue offering our renowned level of service and support.
We are proud to introduce the newest members of the Ex-El Group:
Dorota Kasperek, Internal Sales and Export Coordinator
Phill Tetlow, Buyer
Igor Silva, Buyer
Tony Discipline, Goods in and Inspection
Louise Hatcher, Office Support
Vicki Cooper, Internal Sales
Victor Francois, Accounting
In addition to the newest members of the Ex-El Group, some of the longer-tenured employees of the team reached certain milestones and achievements in their careers, such as Louise Waby who celebrated her 25th anniversary at Ex-Eltronics in April, and Claudia Richens, who started working with Ex-El as an administrator in 2013 and who has since been promoted to the role of Buyer this year.
We also celebrated the careers of a couple of long-tenured Ex-El Group employees who retired from the group in 2023. From our UK Team, Quality and Export Manager Robert Hope announced his retirement from Ex-Eltronics after 24 years of sterling service. The team celebrated Bob’s years of work with a company outing to Goodwood House, West Sussex, while in our US office, we said goodbye to Louise Boyle in our Accounts Payable Department, who had been with the company for over 17 years.
While they may no longer be part of the Ex-El Group, they will always remain part of the Ex-El family. We wish both Bob and Louise all the best in their retirement!
Bob Hope’s retirement party at Goodwood House
In 2023, the Ex-El Group got a brand-new look online with the company rebranding and updating of our website, which reflects changes to the partnership network and services and products offered. The team redesigned and rebuilt our website to include a sleek, new logo, fresh content, a streamlined look, and an improved user experience. Our valued Customers can now connect with the technical support, products, and expertise they need to succeed.
Each September, tens of thousands of representatives from the world’s militaries, national Aerospace and Defence Industries, and governments gather in London to attend Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI). In 2023, Ex-Eltronics company President Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia, along with colleagues from our UK office were joined by representatives from EMI Solutions, IEH Corporation, Force Technologies, and KEC to attend the show. We used this opportunity to strengthen existing relationships with Aerospace and Defence agencies and to inform the industry of our latest capabilities and products.
Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia, Paul Howard, and Louise Waby at DSEI 2023
2023 has been a year of promise and growth at Ex-Eltronics as the company’s network has expanded and the team has added new qualifications, accreditations, and capabilities to our lineup. We plan to continue these successes into the new year by investing in key technologies and improvements.
The Ex-El Group would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of our Customers and Partners, who without, we would have never had the success we had in 2023. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) refers to the foregrounding of ethical and sustainable practices when it comes to investment and operations. As climate change continues to affect the planet, consumers and regulators expect the companies they do business with to play a part in today’s most pressing ESG concerns.
At Ex-Eltronics, we aim to go beyond ESG goals and rules set out in legislation to provide the most responsible products and services we can. Take a look at each of our ESG policies and the effect it has in the article below.
REACH
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals, or REACH, is a European Union regulation adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. It also promotes alternative methods for analysing the hazards of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals.
Given the nature of our products, and based on the information provided by our suppliers and partners, Ex-Eltronics isn’t required to be registered under REACH. In the unlikely event that any hazardous materials are found in our products, the amounts would fall far below the regulation threshold of 1 tonne per year.
Conflict Minerals
Conflict minerals are naturally occurring resources like tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold, that are extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate ongoing warfare. These minerals are used in a range of everyday products including electronics and jewellery.
At Ex-Eltronics, we support the humanitarian aims of the Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and are committed to using only responsibly-sourced minerals from reputable manufacturers and distributors. Should it ever come to light that one of our suppliers is sourcing minerals from conflict zones, we’ll end our relationship with them immediately and seek out a more ethical party.
Anti-Bribery
In the context of ESG criteria, bribery refers to the unethical act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of an individual or organisation. Bribery is a principal component of the “governance” aspect in ESG and is strictly prohibited due to its negative impact on the fair and transparent operation of businesses and markets.
Ex-Eltronics’ policy is to conduct our business honestly and ethically, taking a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption. For that reason, we’re committed to upholding all anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in the jurisdictions where we operate and expect the same from our suppliers and partners. Our offices in the United States and the United Kingdom are also bound by relevant national laws.
Modern Slavery
Modern slavery refers to exploitative practices including forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and child labour. It occupies a significant part of the “social” element in ESG, as it violates fundamental human rights. ESG-conscious businesses have a responsibility to ensure that their operations, as well as their supply chains, are free from modern slavery activities.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery along with a commitment to transparency throughout our supply chain to ensure we don’t work with companies that profit from it. Ex-Eltronics also expects partners to adopt similar policies and employees, contractors, agents, and others associated with our company to act accordingly.
Environmental Policy
Concern for the environment was the driving force behind the development and adoption of ESG frameworks. Ex-Eltronics’ policy is to comply with environmental legislation and regulations and to periodically review our environmental performance. We also strive to keep environmental concerns and impacts at the centre of our decision-making and governance processes.
In our workplaces, we aim to minimise energy and water use as well as waste. Instead, we endeavour to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible, and to purchase products and services with minimal environmental impacts. Lastly, Ex-Eltronics aims to keep employees, clients, and the public informed on our environmental policy and practices and to develop and maintain emergency programmes for health, safety, or environmental hazards.
Counterfeit Parts and Products
In ESG contexts, policies against the use of counterfeit or unapproved parts and products are essential from multiple perspectives:
Environmental: Counterfeit products are often produced without consideration for environmental regulations or standards.
Social: Counterfeit goods are usually associated with unfair labour practices, including poor working conditions, exploitation, and even child labour.
Governance: Engagement in counterfeit activities signifies a lack of business ethics and integrity.
As part of our zero-tolerance approach to the use of counterfeit products, Ex-Eltronics only sources new parts directly from manufacturers or authorised distributors, unless specifically requested otherwise by the customer. This supports our aim to achieve full traceability throughout our supply chain and to provide our customers with the highest guarantees of quality and reliability.
Head to our Quality Standards page if you’re interested in getting further details about our ESG policies. If you have any specific questions about our practices, get in touch today via our website or contact us at [email protected] / +44 (0) 1420 590390.
Modern military and aerospace applications rely on the constant evolution and subsequent implementation of technology. Additionally, many legacy ground-based, seaborne, and aerial systems and vehicles still in use today require constant retrofit and upgrade work packages to ensure the top-level equipment remains fit for purpose in the field.
One request that Ex-Eltronics sales representatives often come across when speaking to engineering and programme personnel about our technology offerings, is the desire they have for an ‘off the shelf’ yet military-approved solution to a lack of onboard battery charging capacity needed to supply power to handheld radios and electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and many other compact USB-connectible devices.
Below, we’ll look at how Staco used their expertise in custom sub-assemblies, combined with the growing demand for off-the-shelf USB charging solutions, to design a standalone charging unit that is now fully released to market and comes qualified to MIL-STD-704, MIL-DTL-7788, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461.
A look at USB:
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industrial standard first released in 1996 to simplify the task of connecting peripherals – such as external data devices and handheld electronics – to computers for charging and data transmission. After the 1998 COMDEX trade show in Las Vegas, low-cost, high-speed USB technology gained ground over a wide range of alternatives – so much so that today, simple USB ports can be found in everything from computers to portable devices and household and fixed charging stations.
Background: USB in Aerospace and Defence
Given the stricter requirements for both security and reliability in the defence and aerospace sectors, equipment designers faced unique challenges in implementing USB-connectable technology within mission-critical systems. The United States Armed Forces established one of the most high-profile bans on USB technology in 2008 following a malware attack originating from an unsecured USB flash drive.
Nevertheless, aircraft operators, military organisations, and other groups working with sensitive, mission-critical data and equipment were quick to realise the advantages USB offered. Although originally designed as a one-size-fits-all standard for home and office use, highly interoperable USB connectors capable of transfer speeds ranging from 5 to 80 Gbps (gigabytes per second) held too much potential to be ignored for long.
A great example of the successful adoption of USB technology in aerospace is the paperless flight deck or paperless cockpit. In the past, civilian and military pilots and flight crew typically consumed large amounts of paper for the record-keeping, navigation, maintenance, and dozens of other tasks required to keep an aircraft operational and aloft. Since the early 21st century, however, USB has increasingly made this practice obsolete.
Today, cockpits contain more portable electronic equipment than ever, including touchscreen computers and tablets. To ensure this equipment remains operational and connected, aircraft operators require USB charging ports. Furthermore, handheld GPS devices, satellite communications equipment, portable electronic systems, and other items have become progressively common in the world’s most sophisticated militaries in recent years. To cope with the changing demands, existing ground vehicle systems must also be fitted with USB charging ports to sustain operational capabilities in the field. Staco Systems USB Charging port is ideal for retrofitting older avionics suites and ground vehicle systems with a pre-approved product designed for use in the highest reliability applications.
Staco Systems Military Grade USB Charger.
Staco Systems’ military-grade USB charging units meet temperature, vibration, shock, altitude, and fungus sensitivity requirements as laid out in MIL-STD-810 and the electromagnetic compliance requirements stipulated in MIL-STD-461. They’re also designed for use with a 28V power source as defined in MIL-STD-704.
The USB ports are rated to the USB 2.0 Standard, and each unit comes with either Military M38999/24FA35 or D-sub M24308/3 connectivity. At just .6lbs (272g) and measuring 5.75” (14.6cm) L x 1.5” (3.8cm) H x 3.12” (7.9cm) W with an M38999/24FA35 military connector, or 2.53” (6.4cm) W with D-sub connector, these are among the most space-efficient off-the-shelf charging solutions on the market, ideal for tight crew compartments or flight decks.
Ports provide up to 5V of charging power as well as auto-configuration capability, allowing users to quickly rotate devices as needed without additional updates or software installation.
Staco USB chargers can be supplied with either M24308/3-type or D38999/24-type connectors are available in both unlighted or lighted configurations, with your choice of white or Class 1-NVIS (Green A) lighting. Staco can also offer custom units designed to meet a user’s required space envelope or bespoke operation requirements.
Built to the latest military standards and incorporating a variety of the most valuable features, Staco Systems’ USB charging units are the key to ensuring the ongoing reliability and interoperability of all your equipment.
Staco Systems part number 55410-4563-001 USB Charging Panel (D38999 connector, class1, unilluminated) was designed for the F-15 Air National Guard, and now has the following assigned NSN number: 5935-01-696-6820.
If you want to get a quote or learn more about Staco Systems’ USB charging solutions, or if you have custom requirements not met by their standard charging unit, please contact Ex-Eltronics for more information:
Whether you work in defence, aerospace, or industrial environments, electromagnetic interference is a bane to your operations. But what’s the best way to deal with it?
In simple terms, electromagnetic interference (EMI) refers to the effects of electromagnetic fields, such as radio frequencies, on sensitive electronic devices and systems. It’s surprisingly widespread and can be severely detrimental to your systems. Fortunately, there are two possible solutions to this issue: filtering and shielding.
EMI filtering and shielding are two different techniques used to address EMI in electronic devices or systems. With electronic systems, there are concerns regarding radiated and conducted susceptibility AS WELL AS radiated and conducted emissions, which are EMI noise coming from your own system.
But what’s the difference? Read on for more details on the pros and cons of EMI filtering and shielding and what you can do to protect your equipment from radiating or being susceptible to these effects of EMI.
A Brief History of EMI, EMC, and the Need for Protection
By the 1930s, radios were rapidly becoming household essentials across the world, and users began to notice the strange effects the frequencies had on other electronics and electrical devices. The phenomenon, called “electromagnetic interference,” made it clear that a method for protecting devices from errant radio signals was needed. An approach to these issues came in 1933, when the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR), a sub-committee of the Paris-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), issued the earliest recommendations for minimising EMI. Emissions limitations came about as systems were connected to ensure that noise created in one system would not interfere with the performance of another.
The need for more comprehensive EMI filtering and shielding methods and equipment in defence applications was recognised as early as 1967. That year, the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, then deployed in the Gulf of Tonkin in support of U.S. forces in Vietnam, suffered a catastrophic fire when an electronic anomaly triggered a Zuni rocket. This led to 134 deaths and nearly 200 injuries. It was later determined that an incorrectly fitted shielded cable connector and multiple electromagnetic fields on the flight deck caused the rocket to fire, igniting a fuel tank on a nearby aircraft.
Later, when mobile phones and other portable electronics became more prevalent in the 1990s, multiple airlines realised that signals from these and other devices could interfere with the avionics suites, hindering an aircraft’s ability to fly or navigate safely. Military leaders found that electromagnetic interference, whether natural or manmade, could disrupt global positioning system technology (GNSS) badly enough that unmanned aerial vehicles could not be reliably flown. GNSS disruption and EMI due to military activity represents a notable civil aviation safety-of-flight concern that continues today.
After radio, many other forms of electromagnetic interference were recognised, including microwaves, infrared, as well as gamma and X-rays, each of which may be countered with an array of methods and devices. CISPR’s recommendations form the basis of modern international EMI prevention standards, as well as define how electronic devices can co-exist without interference affecting performance. This is referred to as electromagnetic compatibility.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) defines the ability of electrical and electronic equipment to operate acceptably when exposed to external electromagnetic sources and limiting internally generated unwanted electromagnetic energy. EMC covers three areas. Limiting EMI emissions generated by the equipment, its susceptibility to external sources of EMI, and its level of immunity when functioning in its defined environment.
Different Types of EMI
Electromagnetic interference can be classified into four general types based on either the source or bandwidth of the original signal. Narrowband EMI is that produced by mobile phones or radio or television transmissions whereas broadband EMI has a wider radio spectrum with unintentional radiation emitted from sources such as electric power transmission lines. Depending on the source, EMI can be classed as intentional, unintentional, intersystem, or intra-system:
Unintentional, or “non-functional”, EMI is generated by devices not intended to do so, such as welding equipment, DC motors, computers, and power lines.
Intentional EMI (IEMI) is that emitted by a device specifically designed to do so, typically as part of an electronic warfare system, like electronic countermeasures and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons.
Intra-system EMI refers to interference generated between two components of a system or device, whereas intersystem EMI occurs between two or more separate systems.
What is EMI Filtering?
EMI filtering is an important consideration in the design and manufacture of electronic devices to ensure their reliable operation and compliance with regulatory requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
EMI filtering refers to the process of reducing or eliminating the interference caused by electromagnetic signals in electronic devices or systems. It is a technique used to filter out unwanted electromagnetic signals (noise) that can disrupt the operation of electronic devices or cause electromagnetic interference.
EMI filters are usually placed at the input or output of the device and can be panel-mounted or PCB-mounted. They consist of a combination of passive components such as capacitors, inductors, and resistors, which are designed to attenuate or suppress electromagnetic interference in a given frequency range. They are often used in electronic devices such as power supplies, audio equipment, computer systems, and other electronics that require a high level of reliability and EMC.
EMI filters are typically low-pass filters, which allow lower frequency signals to pass whilst blocking high-frequency signals or ‘noise’. Capacitors block these certain frequencies and allow others through. The capacitors discharge to the ground plane, allowing them to reduce the signal in the higher frequencies. Inductors work differently; they absorb energy from the higher frequencies and turn it into heat, resulting in the dampening of the high-frequency noise. Custom filters can be made by ‘tuning’ the combination of the capacitors and inductors to the specific frequencies required.
EMI filters can be classified into two types: differential mode filters and common mode filters. Differential mode filters attenuate the interference that occurs between two signal lines, while common mode filters attenuate the interference that occurs between a signal line and the ground.
What is EMI Shielding?
EMI shielding is the process of reducing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices or systems and also preventing external electromagnetic signals from interfering with the operation of these devices. EMI shielding is necessary because electromagnetic radiation can interfere with the operation of other electronic devices, causing malfunctions or errors. EMI shielding involves the use of conductive materials such as copper or aluminium to block or attenuate electromagnetic signals from entering or leaving the device.
EMI shielding can be achieved by placing a conductive shield around the device (called a Faraday Cage) or by coating the device with a conductive material. The conductive shield or coating creates a barrier that prevents electromagnetic signals from entering or leaving the device, thereby reducing the risk of electromagnetic interference. EMI shielding can be applied to electronic components, circuit boards, cables, and even entire electronic devices or systems.
How Filtering Compares to Shielding
Your choice between filtering and shielding depends on various factors, such as the sensitivity of your device as well as the amount of EMI it will generate. Conductivity, size, and cost will also play a part in choosing the best EMI solution.
Shielding takes a holistic approach to EMI management while filters target specific areas of EMI. As much as shielding reflects incoming energy, some absorption still takes place. Converting into heat energy, this then requires some type of thermal management. Also, the quality of the material used in shielding not only influences the output but the weight of the system as well i.e., thicker shields are more effective but are heavier. And while shielding reflects and cages EMI, filters are capable of eliminating EMI by addressing the most vulnerable points in a system that produce the most interference. As a result, filters may be custom fitted to your specific needs.
Count on Ex-El for All Your EMI Filtering Needs
At Ex-El, we have long understood the importance of protecting sensitive industrial and mission-critical military electronics against all forms of electromagnetic interference. That’s why we specialise in the creation of off-the-shelf and custom EMI filtering solutions utilising our partner EMI Solutions.
The EMI filter modules, filtered connectors, and FlexFilter Inserts that we supply to our customers are subjected to the most rigorous testing standards and comply with the highest military and industrial specifications to keep your systems reliable in the most demanding of environments and applications.
We also offer a range of EMC backshells, glands, and panel fittings, which offer 360˚ EMC screening through distribution partnerships. The EMC backshells we supply are UK designed and manufactured, with integral and additional strain relief options as well as environmental sealing options to IP68.
For more information on the products Ex-Eltronics has to offer to see to your EMI needs, visit our partner pages at KEC Limited and Amphenol LTD. To discuss your needs or to find out more about what we can do for you, reach out to us today.
