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September 19, 1966 Electronics
 [Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Electronics,
published 1930 - 1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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It is always interesting
to read industry news stories from decades ago to see when products and techniques
that we take for granted these days were just being introduced. Per this 1966 issue
of Electronics magazine, the U.S. Air Force studied a global network of
seismic arrays, modeled on Montana's Large Aperture Seismic Array (LASA), to detect
nuclear tests. The project aimed for a 10x sensitivity increase, potentially classifying
over 80% of global earth shocks. "High Costs Keep Auto Electronics at a Minimum,"
claimed one headline, its author likely never imagining the overwhelming amount
of electronics in modern vehicles - which still adds significant cost. The
Gemini-XI mission demonstrated
a critical first-orbit rendezvous capability essential for future Apollo moon missions.
Westinghouse's laser-based system for automatic railroad car identification, using
reflective tape scanned by a helium neon laser, was a large, expensive, power-hungry
system at the time. RCA launched 14 transistorized tape recorder models, priced
from $40 to $250, relying on Japanese manufacturing.
Electronics Newsletter - September 19, 1966
 U.S. Weighs Plans for Global Network
of Listening Posts
The United States is quietly studying plans for an overseas network of seismic
nuclear detection arrays modeled on the Large Aperture Seismic Array (LASA) in Montana
[Electronics, July 26, 1965, p. 91]. The Defense Department's Advanced Research
Projects Agency, which sponsored LASA, has turned the program over to the Air Force
Electronic Systems division, Hanscom Field, Mass. Because of foreign policy and
fiscal considerations, final decision will undoubtedly come from the White House.
LASA's performance in distinguishing an earthquake from an underground nuclear explosion
has been kept under wraps during its first 18 months of operation. The goal of the
500-seismometer array in Montana is to increase bomb detection sensitivity at least
tenfold. It has been estimated that 10 or 12 such arrays around the globe would
be able to check and classify more than 80% of earth shocks. In addition to engineering
problems, the Air Force is studying the possible effects of global seismic network
on disarmament negotiations and is weighing alternatives of construction and financing.
One question is how the investment overseas will affect this nation's balance-of-payments
deficit. The announced cost of the Montana LASA was $9 million, but actual cost
is estimated to be more than $12 million. Also to be answered is how a network of
the arrays can be integrated to yield the best information on earth shock waves.
Another question is whether construction should be left to foreign countries or
whether, for the sake of standardization, the U. S. should install the arrays and
leave their operation to the host countries.
Laser Identifies Railroad Cars
A first of its kind is claimed for the automatic railroad car identification
system recently developed by the Union Switch Signal division of Westinghouse Air
Brake Co., Pittsburgh. The system consists of helium neon laser, two mirrors to
direct the beam and a photo field effect transistor for scanning. Railroad cars
using the system have a reflective pressure sensitive tape stuck to their sides
to reflect the laser beam back to the identification equipment. The company will
introduce the system at the Railway Signal and Communications Suppliers Association
meeting Sept. 20 in Washington. The system, expected to sell for between $12,000
and $14,000, will compete with light-bulb optical systems, radio systems and microwave
systems for a market estimated at $50 million to $70 million over the next 10 to
15 years.
Navigation Satellite Must Communicate, Committee Reports
A navigation satellite system that can't provide communications for ships and
aircraft is not economically feasible, according to the final report of a committee
set up two years ago by six Government agencies. Current navigation techniques are
adequate for all projected needs, but the committee pointed out in its long-overdue
report that air traffic controllers on the North Atlantic route have an urgent requirement
for better communications. The demand will be intensified when the supersonic transport
aircraft is flying this route. Development of an initial satellite system for the
combined job of navigation and communications would cost $66 million, according
to the committee: $30 million for two satellites, $16 million for two Atlas-Agena
launch vehicles, $17 million for ground equipment and $3 million for supporting
research.
High Costs Keep Auto Electronics at a Minimum
The auto industry is putting more electronics in its 1967 cars - especially frequency-modulated
radios and stereo tape decks. But the only technological innovation disclosed so
far is the use of plastic optical fibers to transmit light to turn indicators and
ignition switches in the big Chevrolets and Chevrolet trucks with automatic transmissions.
Chevrolet, a division of the General Motors Corp., says the fibers, made by E.I.
du Pont de Nemours & Co. [Electronics, June 27, p. 184], are as reliable as
the bulbs they replace and cost about the same. The Ford Motor Co. offered a transistorized
ignition system as a standard item in one of its cars and several heavy-duty trucks
last year. This year more Ford cars and some from GM's Oldsmobile division will
carry transistorized ignitions at extra cost. For two years GM's Pontiac division
presented such systems as an option but admits the $63 extra charge ($73 for air-conditioned
cars) held sales down.
On Target
The Gemini-11 astronauts' faultless performance in making a first orbit rendezvous
with Agena was carried off with a precision that did credit to the onboard electronics
equipment. The flight proved out a capability that the astronauts coming back from
the moon will have to have - the ability to link up with the Apollo spacecraft in
a single orbit.
RCA to Market Home Tape Units
To get its share of what company market researchers think will be a six-million-unit
annual market, the Radio Corp. of America's Home Instruments division has introduced
14 versions of transistorized magnetic tape recorders, including an eight-track
unit that will play the stereo cartridges used in cars. RCA has turned to foreign
manufacturers, undoubtedly Japanese, to keep prices of the units low - from $40
to $250. The lower priced units would be battery-powered; the more expensive versions
could use either a-c or d-c power.
Grundig and CSF Join to Develop Consumer Products
Two major West European electronics companies - Germany's Grundig GmbH and France's
CSF-Compagnie Generale de Telegraphie sans Fil - have moved to strengthen their
positions in consumer markets through joint development of new products. The two
companies still have to nail down details, but they indicate their working arrangements
will cover integrated circuits and color television receivers.
The deal brings together a strong consumer electronics company, Grundig, and
a heavyweight in component production, CSF. The French company produces some consumer
products, but its sales in that sector have stagnated. CSF, though, should get a
big lift in consumer markets when color tv broadcasts start in France next year
using the Secam system developed by CSF [Electronics, June 13, p. 161]. Grundig
is on the PAL side of the color-tv line since Germany, like most other West European
countries, will broadcast color using the PAL system. But this won't hamper joint
development of color-tv receivers. About 90% of the components in PAL and Secam
receivers could be interchangeable.
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