Montreal, January 2008 - High precision analog to digital converters for the microgravity module of the international space station in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, patent in preparation. This system was designed for the next generation of microgravity test systems. In order to control the electro-magnets which generate the module’s magnetically levitated table, it is necessary to sample the accelerometers signal in a very precise way. The actual module has a 100 dB dynamic range. The system we created has a 140 dB dynamic range. In the summer of 2003 we obtained the measurement results of the system we designed. The conversion gives the equivalent of 23 bits of precision, that is, the equivalent of the planned 140 dB. A patent application is also under way.

The professors Jean Belzile, François Gagnon, Naïm Batani, Ammar B. Kouki, René Jr. Landry et Claude Thibeault were involved on this project.

Launch scheduled for January 10, 2008.

Mission STS-122 delivers the Canadian Space Agency's microgravity isolation research rack (MVIS) to the International Space Station.

L'information qui suit est tiré du site suivant: http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp

Canada Takes the Shakes out of Space Experiments
MIVS: the Microgravity Vibration Isolation Subsystem Images of astronauts floating inside the International Space Station may lead us to believe that it is a quiet, peaceful place, but there's actually a lot of noise and vibration on board. Ventilation systems, docking spaceships, and even astronaut activities cause the orbiting laboratory to rattle at times. While it doesn't really bother the astronauts, these vibrations could interfere with science experiments that study the effects of microgravity.
		The Microgravity Vibration Isolation Subsystem (MVIS) (Photo: CSA)
Canada provides the soft touch Canada has developed key technology that will help isolate experiments from the harmful effects of these vibrations. Experiments on the Station, such as those involving fluid flow, crystal growth, and metal alloy development, won't be jostled about once mission STS-122 delivers MVIS, the Microgravity Vibration Isolation Subsystem. MVIS will help protect the European Space Agency's Fluid Science Laboratory from the daily shakes and trembles on board the Space Station. The refrigerator-sized Fluid Science Laboratory is a built-in component of the European Space Agency's Columbus module. And it's where delicate science experiments will be carried out. MVIS was developed by the Canadian Space Agency in collaboration with the Magellan Aerospace Corporation (Bristol Aerospace Limited) of Winnipeg; MDA of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec (formerly EMS Technologies); the École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal; SENER (Spain); and the European Space Agency.
Magnetic suspension The compact Canadian-built MVIS is a control system that is integrated into the Fluid Science Lab. It uses a magnetic field to suspend a container (roughly the size of a breadbox) for experiments. Sensors and an onboard computer monitor and control the position of the container, ensuring it remains free-floating within a certain range that is acceptable for the science experiments inside. Thus, vibrations are not transmitted to the container.
		MVIS gets ready for spaceflight at the CSA's David Florida Laboratory. (Photo: CSA)

An evolved technology

Many years of flying the shuttle and the MIR and International Space Station has taught researchers that inherent vibrations of spacecrafts may hinder the results of vital fluid physics and materials science experimental. Rotating solar panels and antennae, pushing and pulling shelves in an out, the churning of motors, and even astronauts running on exercise treadmills all cause the Station to shudder. To fully understand the exact effect gravity has on a particular experiment, it is vital to minimize the effects of these vibrations.

In 1996, the Canadian Space Agency began developing a version of this technology that was used on the MIR space station for two years. A second generation was operated by Canadian astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason on mission STS-85 in 1997.

Now in its third generation, MVIS could begin unlocking some of the most fundamental laws of nature in early 2008. One series of experiments will try to isolate the role of gravity in water evaporation, which could help develop more energy-efficient distilling processes back on Earth. Physicists and chemists around the world will benefit from the environment provided by MVIS on Fluid Science Laboratory on the International Space Station over the next 10 or more years.