Pitot Static Test Set
British-based Druck Ltd. has introduced the ADTS 505 portable pitot static test set for a range of fixed- and rotary-wing civil aircraft. In the United States, the unit is being offered by Barfield Inc. as the DPS 450. This portable test set is a precision, twin-channel Ps and Pt pressure-control test set for the calibration/verification of flight instrumentation, including altimeters, airspeed indicators, and rate-of-climb indicators. Precision is fully compliant with the latest standards for reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM). The system has a menu-driven, high-contrast, backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) with tactical membrane keypad.
For information outside of the U.S., contact Druck at +44 (0) 116 231 7100 or visit www.druck.com; inside the U.S., phone 800-241-6769 (Atlanta), 888-366-6447 (West Coast), or visit www.barfieldinc.com.
Optical Transceivers
Stratos Lightwave LLC introduced a new family of small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceivers. These miniaturized transceivers meet the demand for increased port density in optical networking infrastructure equipment by delivering twice the port density of current industry standard removable transceivers. The Stratos SFP module features an all-metal housing for emissions and thermal management performance. The family provides the flexibility and upgradability of a hot-pluggable removable module. It adheres to the latest multisource agreement (MSA) standards document, insuring interchangeability with all MSA compatible equipment. Versions are now available for 1.0625 gigabits per second (Gbits/sec) and 2.125 Gbits/sec fibre channel, 1.25 Gbits/sec Ethernet, and 2.488 Gbits/sec ATM OC-48 applications.
For more information, contact Stratos Lightwave by phone at 708-867-9600, send e-mail to [email protected], or visit www.stratoslightwave.com.
Mass Memory Upgrade
Tecstar Inc.’s Demo Systems Division is offering an upgrade to its high-speed portable data loader, the P/N 30100, to install mass memory storage (MMS). The upgrade will allow users to eliminate the use of floppy disks at the aircraft. The loading time will be reduced for large loads that require multiple disks (no swapping required by operator). The upgrade package includes hardware and software updates. The MMS will be a solid-state device capable of holding a library of large loadable software parts, including both operational programs and navigation databases. An Ethernet interface will also be added to allow the mass storage device (MSD) in the PDL to be configured via the Loadstar configuration management program from the PMAT 2000. For more information, see www.tecstar.com, or phone 626-934-6507.
RF Vector Analyzers
Agilent Technologies Inc. on Sept. 1 released a new family of RF vector network analyzers that it says combine the industry’s fastest measurement speed, lowest noise, greatest dynamic range, and most comprehensive automation and connectivity. "The Agilent PNA Series is a new family of instruments designed to deliver the highest level of measurement performance ever manufactured by Agilent or its predecessor, Hewlett-Packard, a distinction held previously by the Agilent 8753 family, introduced in 1986," the company states. The PNA Series also incorporates the Windows 2000 operating system. The new instruments combine sweep speeds that are between six and 35 times faster than the Agilent 8753ES, wider dynamic range, low trace noise, four measurement receivers with direct access, and 9-GHz frequency coverage.
For a backgrounder and detailed description of the PNA Series’ capabilities, visit www.agilent.com/find/PNA, or phone 800-452-4844, ext. 7127.
Datawriter Updates
Jeppesen announced new U.S. regional coverage options for NavData customers using the Skybound Datawriter. The company says it will issue updates to these and other data cards via the Internet. The Skybound Datawriter’s East Central U.S. coverage extends from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean; the West Central coverage ranges from the Midwest and points West. The Datawriter includes a GPS datacard programmer and installation CD-ROM. It can be used with any personal computer equipped with a PCMCIA drive. For an update, go to www.jeppesen.com/prodserv/navdata, or to learn more about Jeppesen and its products, see www.jeppesen.com.
Heated Air Data Boom
Space Age Control Inc. is now shipping its new 100700-02 heated, straight-nose air data boom, which offers subsonic data collection of angle of attack, angle of sideslip, static pressure, and total (pitot) pressure. Based on a heated probe wind-tunnel tested to Mach 0.95, the 100700-02 air data boom is constructed from machined aluminum, stainless steel and brass. The heated probe is 28-volt DC powered (145 amps) and meets the requirements of Mil-T-5420B and SAE AS 393. Applications include military attack and cargo aircraft, commercial aircraft, trainers, drones, helicopters, racing aircraft, and general aviation aircraft.
The product currently is being used in experimental aircraft, business jet, and helicopter applications. For more information, phone 661-273-3000, or visit www.spaceagecontrol.com.
AMP Interconnection Products
Tyco Electronics Corp., a unit of Tyco International Ltd., and Fujikura Ltd. in August announced the completion of a licensing agreement for the production of AMP Lightray MPX interconnection system products. Both companies have agreed to multisource this fiber-optic backplane interconnection product line, which is used in the telecommunications and advanced networking markets. For more on this, contact Robert L. Williams Jr. of Tyco’s Fiber Optic Division, at 717-986-3873, [email protected], or visit www.amp.com/fiberoptics on the Web.
Wire & Cable Catalog
Standard Wire & Cable Co. has released its new 288-page Technical Handbook and Catalog, which features Mil Spec, commercial, coaxial and fiber-optic wire and cable selections with UL/CSA specifications. The book also includes formulas, conversion tables and comparison charts. It is available is hard bound and CD-ROM format. For addition information or to order a book, phone 800-326-0006, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.std-wire.com.
Terrain Awareness/Warning
Universal Avionics Systems Corp. says it received TSO certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS). The system provides terrain situational awareness relative to current and predicted airplane position. There are three display views: map, profile and 3-D. For more on this, contact Don Berlin, vice president/general manager of Universal’s marketing division, at 800-321-5253 or 520-295-2300.
DVD In-Flight Entertainment
TEAC, based at Montebello, Calif., has introduced its new DVD reproducers for in-flight entertainment. Available as both in-seat and head-in versions, they are "plug and play" compatible with existing Hi-8 mm video systems, so they can be installed without aircraft rewiring.
The DVD systems were designed for a mean time between failures (MTBF) rate of 20,000 hours, four times better than tape-based systems, according to TEAC. They also are lighter weight than tape-based systems. For more information, see www.teac.com.
K Series Contactors
CII Technologies of Fairview, N.C., now offers a new product line: the Hartman K Series contactors, available in 200, 300 and 400 ampere, 28-volt DC configurations. The K Series’ applications include DC power distribution systems for private, military and commercial aircraft. The contactors can be customized, as well, according to CII Technologies. See www.ciitech.com.
RF Tester Upgrade
BFGoodrich Aerospace has introduced its newest upgrade to the SDX 2000 IFF/TACAN test set for identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator testing. This new unit was designed to test all military and commercial L-band avionics: IFF transponder and interrogator, Mode S transponder (including data link), TACAN, air traffic control radar beacon system (ATCRBS), and distance measuring equipment (DME).
BFGoodrich first offered the SDX 2000 radio frequency (RF) tester in 1997. For additional information, see www.bfgoodrich.com.
1553 PMC Card
Data Device Corp., Bohemia, N.Y., recently introduced its BU-65565 Mil-Std-1553 PMC card. It provides commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software for interfacing between an embe-dded system with a PCI bus and one or more 1553 buses. The new card includes between one and four channels on a convection-cooled or conduction-cooled card. Each 1553 channel may be independently programmed for BC, RT, selective message monitor or RT/monitor modes. See www.ddc-web.com.