Reggie Rector is vice president and general manager – aerospace, defense, and government business unit at NI now part of Emerson.
In this Q&A he discusses the forthcoming NI Connect 2024 event, which is happening in Austin, Texas on May 20–22, 2024.
Q: What can attendees expect from the upcoming NI Connect event?
A: NI Connect is a two-day event in Austin, Texas that showcases the latest technologies that help our customers optimize test, drive innovation, and enhance business performance. During it we show new products and systems in our experience lounge while we discuss key industry topics in our technical sessions.
So this year we have a heavy emphasis on the communication navigation and surveillance, radar, and electronic warfare (EW) applications served by our latest RF Instrument, the third generation Vector Signal Transceiver, which includes areas like satellite communication and datalinks, radar target generation, and electronically scanned array component test. We’ll be demonstrating and speaking about two new offerings – the Wideband RF Record and Playback System and the new Aerospace Test Cell and Facility Monitoring System.
We’ll also be showing how our approach to embedded software validation, which we call System on Demand, can help customers streamline the process of designing, building, and delivering hardware in the loop embedded software validation systems in a model-based engineering approach.
In the technical sessions speakers from different industries will share their experiences of how they work with us to improve product and business performance. For example, on our keynote stage this year Raytheon will be speaking about how they are improving quality, reliability, and efficiency through data analytics by deploying SystemLink Enterprise throughout their US-based manufacturing facilities.
Q: What trends or challenges in the industry that will be addressed during the event?
A: We have been hosting NI Connect – formerly known as NI Week – for more than 20 years. Our customers look forward to this event because it gives them access to not only the engineering expertise at NI, but also opportunities to meet and collaborate with other leaders in the industry.
There are several trends that we’ll be addressing at this year’s event. First is model-based engineering. We have pioneered a model-based approach to test system design, which we call System on Demand, that can be used to design and build high performance test and validation systems for embedded software validation and electro-mechanical system integration.
Another trend is related to the proliferation of large satellite constellations, mostly in LEO or MEO, that require new and novel approaches to SATCOM and datalinks. We’ll be demonstrating and presenting technical sessions on link emulation and telemetry / datalink validation.
A third trend we will highlight is the growing adoption of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna architectures for Radar and EW systems, which bring new test and validation challenges alongside the increases in performance and efficiency.
Finally, we’ll be talking about cybersecurity, and specifically how customers can make sure their test equipment meets growing cyber security needs being passed down by both government regulations and in house requirements.
Q: How does the NI Connect event help you work with your customers?
A: There’s an extensive lineup of live demonstrations, technical sessions, and panel discussions in which attendees can get direct, firsthand exposure to new products and technology, as well as the people helping to design them and the customers deploying and using them.
You can receive hands-on experience with NI’s current and future products. We also conduct a multitude of closed-door meetings with customers to discuss product feedback, review future roadmaps, demonstrate new technology, and align on partnership and collaboration strategies with current and future customers. There’s an R&D station open throughout the event, to give attendees direct access to NI engineers where they can discuss products, support, troubleshooting, and technology specifically tailored to their unique applications. And there are lots of peer-to-peer networking activities.
Q: Will you be discussing AI at NI Connect?
A: Yes, this year we plan on revealing our perspective on how AI will transform the test and measurement process, demonstrating test applications and being transparent on where we think the hype is ahead of the reality. We’ll also be announcing a first, limited technology preview of AI in LabVIEW.
Q: Are there any discussions or presentations addressing sustainability?
A: Our System on Demand approach significantly improves the overall testing process’s efficiency, especially the test system design stages, including BOM (bill of materials) generation, documentation, and connectivity diagrams. These systems are being used by some of the world leaders in electric and eVTOL aviation including Archer Aviation, Lilium, Joby and others.
Q: How can testing help aerospace be more sustainable?
A: Amid the climate crisis, sustainability is a vital part of product development. We will be exploring sustainability in products, technology’s pivotal role, and how testing can reduce carbon footprints and preserve resources during NI Connect.
