TMD Technologies In focus 33

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF TMD

Programmes Director. This new management team is dedicated to building on the solid foundations of TMD’s highly successful past performance, and there is a great deal of activity to prepare the company for an even more successful future.

Into 2015 with TMD!

Just over a year ago TMD Technologies appointed Dave Brown as new Managing Director, followed by the appointment of three new directors, namely: me as Sales and Business Development Director; Martin Woolley, Finance Director; and, more recently, Tracey Lofts, as Engineering and

ISSUE No. 33 WINTER 2015

TMD has recently launched two major new products onto the market: the new PTXM range of ultra compact microwave power modules (MPMs) operating across the 4.5 to18 GHz band; and the 2 to 6 GHz solid state PTS6900 microwave power module - significantly expanding our solid state products. In addition to these we also have more new products in development in the shape of a new design of rackmount amplifier for test applications - as well as a new range of MPMs in the Ka band.

We have also requested your help in ascertaining how we can enhance our service to you, the customer. In order to do this we have launched a customer feedback survey, the results of which are aimed at creating a set of improvement actions to push through over the coming months and beyond. TMD continues to be a socially responsible employer within the wider community, and has now initiated a yearly TMD ‘charity of the year’ scheme. Every year, members of staff will nominate a new charity which will benefit from the proceeds raised by the numerous and exciting events that TMD’s Sports and Social Team organises to raise the money.

James Allibone, Sales & Business Development Director

James Allibone: ‘We are preparing TMD for an even more successful future.’

IN THIS ISSUE

• Further Success in USA

• New Board Director

• Major New Product

• TMD Hosts Conference

TMD organised a dramatic skydive event for charity.

= Breaking News =TMD USA receives first major order direct – for instrumentation amplifiers.

Since the last issue of In Focus, TMD USA has achieved further success. The company has now become a fully ISO 9001:2008 certified facility and also the Special Security Agreement (SSA) facility clearance process is in its final stages. Both tremendous milestones.

The product support and repair facility is now fully functional, having evaluated and repaired several amplifiers in the USA. The full transfer of several accounts from the UK to the US is ongoing, allowing TMD Technologies, LLC to service our key customers within country.

US based trade shows are now being attended and administered from the US office with all the logistical advantages and cost effectiveness that this brings.

TMD USA has also hosted several high level delegations at its Baltimore, Maryland premises, including an Open House last May and a successful product demonstration for the US Navy in September. These important events were the first of many.

First Direct OrderTMD’s first order direct from TMD Technologies, LLC was for 1-2 GHz, 2% duty, 10 kW instrumentation amplifiers for RTCA/DO-160 HIRF testing.

USA CompanyIn FocusFurther Success!

ADVANCED MICROWAVE SYSTEMS, SUB-SYSTEMS, TRANSMITTERS, AMPLIFIERS, POWER TUBES AND HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLIES - FOR RADAR, EW, COMMUNICATIONS AND LABORATORY APPLICATIONS

TMD UK Appoints New Director

Tracey Lofts will be providing leadership for TMD’s engineering and programme management.

TMD USA is now organising US-based trade shows. Above: At the EMC Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina in August.

Tracey Lofts has been appointed to the new board level position of Engineering and Programmes Director. Tracey Lofts has worked at TMD for five years, in the role of Divisional Manager. In her new position Tracey will be providing leadership for TMD’s engineering and

programme management with particular objectives centred around schedule, budget and innovation. Said Dave Brown, Managing Director: “I would like to congratulate Tracey on her well earned promotion, and wish her every success in her new role. At TMD we have

Steven Olson, Regional Sales Manager, TMD Technologies, LLC commented: “TMD won this order because of our compliance to a very stringent high power, pulsed amplifier specification, and also because of our in-country US engineering support and benefits of our Baltimore service centre. Investing in a US company is already showing benefits for TMD and we are confident that many more doors will be opening in the near future to move the US operation even further forward.”

Imad Gharib, Technical Sales Representative, TMD UK, also commented: “We are delighted with the order for this high specification product - one of several

new developments in our commercial amplifier range.”

Continued Imad: “This year we have also strengthened and consolidated our solid state capability from 9 kHz to 6 GHz (pulsed and CW operation). This has resulted in several worldwide orders for new applications - including vehicle-mounted communications jammers.”

TMD Technologies, LLCCEO Mike Farley1730 Twin Springs Road, Baltimore, MD 21227, USATel: + 1 410 242 4290www.tmdus.com

transitioned from fewer, larger, production contracts to smaller contracts more heavily centred on engineering and development. In order to address this change we have created the important new board post of Engineering and Programmes Director, so that both development and engineering operations within the company have a single board level focus. Tracey and her team will be responsible for delivering engineering excellence, customer satisfaction and business performance throughout TMD’s product lifecycles.” Commenting on her new appointment, Tracey Lofts said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of my new directorship. Traditionally not many women have chosen engineering as a career. My new role not only reflects a growing change of attitude within the workplace but also the forward looking approach of progressive companies such as TMD. “ David Pike continues his excellent work as TMD’s Operations Director, with a closer focus on manufacturing and the supply chain across both Tubes and Equipment.

In FocusMore Products

ADVANCED MICROWAVE SYSTEMS, SUB-SYSTEMS, TRANSMITTERS, AMPLIFIERS, POWER TUBES AND HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLIES - FOR RADAR, EW, COMMUNICATIONS AND LABORATORY APPLICATIONS

New Ultra Compact MPMs

Less is more -possibly the highest power density MPMs on the market!This new range of microwave power modules (MPMs) has been designed specifically for airborne radar, EW and communications applications - especially for UAVs, where low volume and weight are critical.

The following units are currently available:• PTXM1000: 13.75-14.5 GHz;

110 W output power; 1.7 kg for communications (CW only). • PTXM1001:6.0-18.0GHz;140W

output power; 1.95 kg for radar, EW and communications.• PTXM1002: 4.5-18.0GHz; 100 W

output power; 1.7 kg for EW and communications.Moreover, the PTXM units all have the following features:• Fullyintegratedforsimpleandsafe

installation.• Modular design for flexibility. This

also makes the units easier to manufacture and test, resulting in lower cost.• High performance and reliability,

using well-proven functional blocks.• Extremely compact at only a

typical weight of 1.7 kg and dimensions of 190 x 120 x 30 mm typically - but with no reduction in RF

The PTXM range of MPMs have been designed for airborne radar, EW and communications.

In the last issue of In Focus we reported on our brand new PTS6900 solid state microwave power module (MPM), which covers the 2 to 6 GHz frequency band at 150 W output power. Optimised for use in EW/ECM systems the new MPM has a 55 dB gain adjustable from 50 to 60 dB. Since our last report, prototyping work has further improved the fast mute time of the RF output from less than 5 µs down to 1 µs, and full design verification and testing is nearing completion. Said Steve Humphries, TMD European Territory Manager: “The performance specification of the new solid state PTS6900 is already attracting a great deal of interest amongst our customers, particularly in Poland,Turkey, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany and also South Africa.

Significant is the frequency range of 2 to 6 GHz - important for EW applications - as well as the 150 W output power level.”“In addition,” continued Steve, “This new TMD product is ITAR free. Most competitor-manufactured units are from the USA, and it’s extremely beneficial for non-US customers to have an alternative ITAR-free, European source - especially with a top performance!” The top performance of the compact, low weight PTS6900 is achieved by employing the latest 0.25 µm GaN MMIC technology and low loss power combiners. High reliability provides a predicted MTBF of over 30,000 hours for an airborne uninhabited fighter environment, at the maximum allowable baseplate temperature.

Solid State Amplifier Update

Howard Butterfield, Senior RF Design Engineer, tests PTS6900 modules.

power. This has been achieved by a radical review and optimisation of the packaging to more efficiently use all available space.• 28VDCand115V3-phaseoptions

are available in addition to 270 V DC.• Pulsed or CW operation (except

communications units, which are CW operation only). Said Product and Technology Development Engineering Manager,

Dr David Cook: “This new product development has given us the opportunity to make some changes to the styling of our products, with a new electro-less nickel rather than a paint finish. This change was engineering driven - products being easier, quicker and less costly to manufacture and also more rugged, scratch proof and resistant to chemical reactions. However, the TMD trademark blue is retained in the polycarbonate labels, which are printed from the back for maximum durability. “

TMD at Farnborough Airshow

Customer [email protected]

Printed in EnglandProduct information is subject to change without notice

TMD Technologies LimitedSwallowfield Way, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1DQ UKTelephone: 020 8573 5555 or 44 (0)20 8573 5555 (international)Fax: 020 8569 1839Web: www.tmd.co.uk TMD .... the power in microwaves!

TMD’s charity for 2014 was the Alzheimer’s Society, nominated by TMD staff. We are very pleased to announce that we have raised over £4,000 from a variety of events we have organised.

The most dramatic of these events was a tandem skydive in September by Rita Hipgrave (TMD prototype wireperson), her daughter Maria Scales (TMD assembly technician) and her daughter Lizzie Scales. Rita said: “It is something I have always wanted to do and it was the experience of a lifetime.” Added Dave Brown, TMD’s Managing Director: “We are extremely proud of Rita, Maria and Lizzie - but were very pleased to have them safely back on terra firma!”

TMD had a stand at Farnborough last July. On the left: Sales & Business Development Director James Allibone talks about our products to HRH Prince Michael of Kent. Right: Representatives from the UAV SAR Team from ADD and LIG Nex1, Korea show interest in the new PTXM microwave power module.

TMD SuportsCharity

In October, TMD hosted a conference for our European Representatives at our UK headquarters in Middlesex, West London. This event was an important demonstration of TMD’s commitment to creating and sustaining partnerships with its global representatives, as part of our long term strategy for growth. Also, it was an opportunity for the representatives to meet each other as well key people within TMD, thus further strengthening these important working relationships. The conference was an innovation by Steve Humphries, TMD’s European Territory Manager. Said Steve: “TMD greatly values the country specific expertise of its representatives. This event was an excellent platform to share this knowledge, whilst giving everyone the chance to gain

The conference members. (Photo courtesy David Dyson, TMD’s Chief Engineer, Tubes.)

The intrepid skydive team. Left to right: Lizzie Scales, Maria Scales, Rita Hipgrave. Customer Survey

In the interests of continuing overall improvement, TMD recently carried out a targeted customer survey covering the following areas: product quality and reliability, customer service and delivery, brand and reputation, and website. We wish to thank all those who took part. The information is currently being evaluated and collated, and we are committed to acting on the results and recommendations arising from the survey inputs.

an in-depth understanding of TMD, its operation and its products.”

TMD Hosts Conference