Data Storage
VMETRO unveiled three storage devices for use with its Vortex data recording services. The rack mount storage units provide 4Gb fibre channel Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID) and Switched Bunch of Disks options. The devices are suited for applications in digital signal analysis and data collection systems such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, synthetic aperture radar, moving target indicators and Software Defined Radio. The storage devices include: the VS-SBOD 3U, 16-disk (up to 6.4 TB) storage system; the VS-FY5x 2U, 12-disk (up to 9 TB) RAID storage system and the VS-F48D 4U, 48-disk RAID storage system. Visit www.vmetro.com.
Certifiable Stack
LynuxWorks, San Jose, Calif., released the Lynx Certifiable Stack (LCS), a hardware-independent feature in the LynxOS-178 2.3 operating system. LCS is ARINC 664-capable and DO-178B Level A-certifiable, giving developers the ability to test their software applications in a deployed configuration while also providing support for networking in an ARINC 653 Integrated Modular Avionics environment. LynuxWorks said the development enables aircraft to support networked systems such as ARINC 664 Aircraft Full-Duplex Exchange (AFDX) that can communicate inside as well as outside the plane’s internal systems — whether to ground stations or other aircraft. Developers of avionics systems traditionally have been unable to leverage available TCP/IP/UDP networking stacks that communicate between hardware platforms because their complexity made them nearly impossible to certify under safety-critical guidelines. LCS, the company said, enables developers to utilize the profiling and debugging tools available within Luminosity, the Eclipsed-based Integrated Development Environment from LynuxWorks. Visit www.lynuxworks.com.
Integrated Flight Deck
The Entegra Integrated Flight Deck, developed by Avidyne Corp., Lincoln, Mass., was selected by Piper Aircraft for the new, six-seat Piper Matrix. The Avidyne MLB700 Broadcast Datalink Receiver for WSI InFlight weather service and SIRIUS Satellite Radio is standard equipment, as well as Avidyne’s MultiLink two-way datalink service, EMax Electronic Engine Instrumentation System and CMax Jeppesen JeppView electronic chart display. The Entegra suite has a 10.4-inch primary flight display (PFD) with standard flight instrumentation and pilot-selectable moving-map data, horizontal situation indicator, a bearing pointer and integrated flight director command bars. The PFD is integrated with a solid-state air data and attitude/heading reference system. The display may be coupled with the autopilot for altitude pre-select, vertical speed select and heading select. The Entegra also featires Wide Area Augmentation System localizer performance with vertical guidance approach capability. Visit www.avidyne.com.
AS9100 Certification
Wire and cable manufacturer Tensolite, St. Augustine, Fla., a division of the Carlisle Corp., was audited to the SAE AS9100 Quality Standard. AS9100 certification is a widely adopted and standardized quality management system for the aerospace industry. AS9100 replaces the earlier AS9000 and fully incorporates the entirety of the current version of ISO 9000, while adding additional requirements relating to quality and safety. Major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide require compliance or registration to AS9100 as a condition of doing business with them. Visit www.tensolite.com.
Broadband Service
Stratos Global, Bethesda, Md., introduced its aeronautical broadband satellite communications service based on Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband service. SwiftBroadband from Stratos is available in packages designed for government and military agencies, commercial airlines and private jet owners. For government and military agencies, SwiftBroadband from Stratos provides secure and reliable access to command-and-control information resources on the ground. The service enables commercial and private jet passengers to stay in touch with high-speed Internet, email and voice connectivity. In addition, pilots can use SwiftBroadband from Stratos to maintain direct contact with air-traffic control, receive real-time weather information, access the most fuel-efficient oceanic flight paths and transmit aircraft position and maintenance status to ground staff. SwiftBroadband from Stratos offers speeds up to 432 Kbps. It also provides on-demand guaranteed IP data rates, regardless of the aircraft’s location. The service is compatible with most government-grade encryption and secure communications standards. SwiftBroadband from Stratos will work through existing Inmarsat equipment, through upgrades of existing Inmarsat Swift64 and Inmarsat Aero H/H+ installations. The service is available in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions. Full global coverage was expected by the end of 2008, commencing with the launch of Inmarsat’s third I-4 satellite. Visit www.stratosglobal.com.
Cloud Ceilometer
All Weather, Sacramento, Calif., said its laser-based ceilometer, a device for measuring the height and thickness of cloud cover, has been certified by FAA for use in airport weather stations. The company said the certification marks an advance in the ability of airports to communicate cloud conditions to pilots with consistent accuracy and reliability. The ceilometer is the first of its kind to simultaneously detect and measure up to four layers of clouds. It is able to detect clouds up to an altitude of 25,000 feet, with the upper limit capped at 12,500 feet for FAA applications. The device discerns thin obscurations, with a resolution of 12.5 feet over its full range. The device’s core technology is Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) optical radar (LiDAR). A low-power laser transmitter with a gallium arsenide diode transmits light pulses, which are scattered and partially reflected by cloud cover in their path. A silicon avalanche photodiode receiver captures the returning signal, and the device’s signal processor is applied to extract accurate cloud height and depth from the signal. The receiver is adjustable to allow for gain and response control in varying environmental conditions. Visit www.allweatherinc.com.
Messaging Approval
International Communications Group (ICG), Newport News, Va., said its ICS-120 Iridium Communications System is the first unit of its type to pass the ARINC Avionics Qualification Program (AQP), a set of tests and compliance procedures intended to validate and qualify avionics suites that utilize the Iridium satellite system for transport of Aircraft Communications Address Reporting System (ACARS) messages via the ARINC network. AQP compliance is required to insure proper operation of the aircraft avionics as well as gaining approval for operation on the ARINC network. ICG’s ICS-120 Iridium Communications System is an aeronautical communications system incorporating a single channel Iridium transceiver with a dedicated Short Burst Data (SBD) modem for ACARS DataLink services. ICG said the ICS-120 system provides inexpensive global voice and data communications up to 2400 bps via a serial port connection. ACARS services can be accessed via ARINC 429 connections to data management units or multifunctional control display units. The single LRU also features an internal GPS receiver to provide position information to support Automatic Flight Following for aircraft that do not have an existing capability. Visit www.intcomgrp.com.
Satcom STC
Emteq, New Berlin, Wis., was granted an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Honeywell MCS4000/7000 and EMS HSD-400 satcom system installations on Boeing B767-200/300 aircraft. Installation kit provisions include main and interface wiring; RF coax and high-speed databus cables, equipment mounting trays; structural installation components including the antenna doubler, adapter plate and diplexer/ low-noise amplifier (DLNA) provisions. Emteq’s other recently issued STC approvals include the installation of Rockwell Collins ELS/EHS (Elementary Surveillance/Enhanced Surveillance) on Boeing B757-200s and Artex C406-N ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) installation on the MD-11. Visit www.emteq.com.
Dealer Agreements
Sandia Aerospace, Albuquerque, N.M., named Edmo Asia Pacific an authorized distributor for the South Pacific region. Edmo Asia Pacific will stock Sandia units to ease the procurement demand inside the Australian continent and South Pacific rim. Sandia also named Avionics 2000 PTY Ltd. its authorized repair center for the South Pacific. This will improve turnaround times and establish a repair pool inside the Australian continent and South Pacific rim. Visit www.sandia.aero.
Harness Software
Tyco Electronics introduced the HarnWare harness design software’s latest revision — V5.4. The harness design software is used in both the military and aerospace electronics industries. HarnWare harness design software allows designers to produce drawings and specifications for harnesses. The finished drawings produced by HarnWare contain general assembly drawing, wire lists, complete bill of materials, wiring schematics, labor estimate, harness weight estimate and other items such as marker page, 3-dimensional model and layup board, the company said. Upgrades to the latest edition of HarnWare V5.4 include support of Visio 2007, support of Windows Vista and Vista security features. Visit www.tycoelectronics.com.
Manufacturer’s Rep
Ballard Technology, Everett, Wash., signed Zimtek Sales as the exclusive manufacturer’s representative for Ballard Technology products and services for Texas and Oklahoma. Zimtek Sales has been in business selling avionics for the past five years and selling general purpose electronic test equipment for the past 20 years. Visit www.ballardtech.com.
IFE Sales Support
Rosen Aviation, Eugene, Ore., signed an agreement with AeroTecs NV of Belgium for representation of its in-flight entertainment systems to European OEMs and completion centers. With the agreement, Rosen said it hopes to expand its business in Europe. AeroTecs NV, which represents several aviation principles, provides sales support for all of Western Europe. Visit www.rosenaviation.com.
Simulator Certification
Canadian simulator company CAE’s Tropos-6000 visual system and 3.2 megapixel (MPixel) Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) projectors have obtained Level D certification on a CAE-built Airbus A320 full-flight simulator (FFS) for use by Air France. CAE said Level D certification, the highest available for a FFS, is an industry first for this resolution of high-performance, fixed-matrix LCoS projector. The A320 FFS, currently installed at Air France’s training center in Paris, was certified by the DGAC, France’s civil aviation authority. The CAE Tropos-6000 includes weather modeling, database content and flight training features. The SIM 7C LCoS projectors are supplied by Barco, of Belgium. The SIM 7C projectors feature a resolution of 3.2 MPixel. Visit www.cae.com.
Cable Testing
D.L.S. Electronic Systems. Wheeling, Ill., offers cable testing for RTCA DO-160 E, Section 22 Multiple Burst/Multiple Stroke Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility for all waveforms, as well as Mil-Std-461E, Conducted Susceptibility (CS) 114, 115 and 116. D.L.S. provides EMC testing to RTCA DO-160E and Mil-Std-461 A-E. Visit www.dlsemc.com.
PMA Supplement
Avionics & Systems Integration Group (ASIG), Maumelle, Ark., received a FAA-Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) supplement for manufacture of CFM56-2F EGT thermocouple airframe interconnect harness assemblies for DC-8-7X airframes. ASIG’s product has been designed and FAA certified as a direct replacement for Boeing part numbers D51A56107-3 and -5 utilizing modern materials and manufacturing processes to enhance in-service reliability. Visit www.asigllc.com.
I/O Hardware
United Electronic Industries (UEI), Walpole, Mass., was selected by FlightSafety International to supply the computer-based input/output (I/O) hardware for use in future flight simulators. UEI said its system provides the interface between the controlling computers and the simulator’s various systems, including avionics instrument control, control loading and motion and flight deck I/O. The system’s high channel density allows the I/O to be installed directly on the simulator, eliminating the need to run wires from the simulator to externally mounted I/O racks. Also, UEI said, the high speed of the I/O combined with Gigabit Ethernet interface, real-time operating system support allows FlightSafety to operate its simulator I/O at 2000 Hz. Visit www.ueidaq.com.
Software ‘Hypervisor’
Green Hills Software, Santa Barbara, Calif., released its Padded Cell Secure Hypervisor, which supports a wide range of computing platforms from embedded devices. Padded Cell Secure Hypervisor runs on top of Green Hills Software’s Integrity separation kernel, which has been accepted by a U.S. National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) laboratory into a high assurance (EAL6+) Common Criteria security evaluation. The Padded Cell Secure Hypervisor supports general purpose desktop and server operating systems such as Solaris, Red Hat Linux, BSD and Windows. In the embedded world, Padded Cell Secure Hypervisor runs guest embedded operating systems such as Integrity, VxWorks and Linux. Green Hills Software said its approach uses separation between virtual machines and ensures the virtualization software itself runs as an application, unable to circumvent the security policies of the separation kernel. Visit www.ghs.com.
Data Recorder
Teletronics Technology Corp., Newtown, Pa., introduced a new addition to its IP packet recorder family of products, the nREC-4000. The processor-based data recorder, which includes support for hardware-assisted IEEE 1588 time protocol, is designed for accurate and efficient recording of Ethernet traffic in difficult environments, the company said. The nREC-4000 can record data from a network-based system of high-speed data acquisition units at rates up to 20 megabytes/sec and integrates one media storage cartridge with capacities up to 128 gigabytes of solid-state or hard disk memory. The unit, ruggedized for ground or airborne applications, also includes built-in intelligence with real-time health monitoring and statistic reporting, including performance and storage data. The unit provides two 10/100 Base-T Ethernet interfaces for packet recording and a 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet download port, as well as being equipped with Inter Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) AC/DC time input and IRIG DC time output. Visit www.ttcdas.com.
VPX Backplane
Carlo Gavazzi Computing Solutions, Brockton, Mass., released its 6-slot 3U VPX Ruggedized Enhanced Design Implementation (REDI) backplane for military and aerospace applications.
A commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product, the VPX REDI backplane offers high-bandwidth in a compact size and integrates the latest VITA 46 and 48 standards with the proven legacy capabilities of VMEbus technology. The backplane can be customized with multiple configurations for each unique embedded, development, testing or measurement application. Available with rear I/O, the backplane is designed to accommodate a large volume of high-speed I/O and switch fabric connections. Visit www.gavazzi-computing.com.
New EFBs
Flight Deck Resources, Irvine, Calif., unveiled four electronic flight bag (EFB) products, describing them as faster, tougher and lighter. The SkyTab 3200’s 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium processor, 1 GB memory and 40 GB standard hard drive come in a compact (162×210.5x35mm) package weighing less than 3 pounds. The EFB allows users to flip through charts, documents and checklists with processing power on par with most desktop PCs. The SkyTab 3200 is available in three different variants: the SkyTab 3200A designed for air transport use, the SkyTab 3200C designed for general aviation use and the SkyTab 3200E designed for Very Light Jets and similar type aircraft. Flight Deck Resources also released the SkyTab 4200 EFB, which has a 10.4-inch touch-screen display allowing pilots to view approach charts at 95 percent of original size. The 1.8 GHz Intel processor and available ARINC 429 interface provide power and connectivity options. Visit www.flightdeck.aero.
Antenna TSO
Chelton received a FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) C132 approval for its HGA-7001 High Gain Satcom antenna. The TSO makes the HGA-7001 antenna eligible for installation on any commercial aviation platform. The ARINC-781 compliant and Inmarsat approved HGA-7001 is based on the company’s HGA-7000, with added capabilities such as built-in beam steering and streamlining for reduced drag. The HGA-7001 provides an interface with ARINC 741/781 satcom systems and has been selected by Rockwell Collins and Boeing for the B787, B747-8 and B777 programs. Additionally, the HGA-7001 is compliant with the latest Inmarsat SwiftBroadband antenna requirements addressing Passive Inter-Modulation rejection, Chelton said. Visit www.cheltoninc.com.
HMD Integration
L-3 Link Simulation and Training is integrating its Advanced Helmet Mounted Display (AHMD) with the IS-900 precision motion tracking system from InterSense, Bedford, Mass., into the US Army Flight School’s XXI Reconfigurable Collective Training Devices (RCTDs). The embedded motion tracking sensors, called MiniTrax, reduce weight and significantly improve overall system performance, InterSense said. Designed to support virtual training and augmented operational reality, the AHMD attaches to the pilot’s helmet to provide a lightweight, balanced center of gravity. Visit www.intersense.com.
Battery TSO
Concorde Battery, West Covina, Calif., received Technical Standard Order C173 approval from FAA for eight valve regulated sealed lead acid (VRSLA) batteries. The TSO-approved models are the RG-121 and RG-122 series emergency batteries for lighting, standby, avionics, FADEC and backup power. Parts conforming to TSO C173 are approved for design and production. Available with or without internal heaters, the batteries are self-regulating on charge, taking only the current required to maintain a full charge. Visit www.concordebattery.com.
DC/DC Converter
North Atlantic Industries (NAI), Bohemia, N.Y., released a new high power-density, low profile, single card slot, cPCI DC/DC converter. The converter provides up to 100 Watts of output power at full load over its operating temperature range of minus 55° C to 85°C. It operates from an input of +16 Vdc to +36 Vdc and provides quad outputs of +5 Vdc, +3.3 Vdc, +12/+15 Vdc, and -12/-15 Vdc. It plugs into a standard cPCI backplane. With its low noise output and rugged design, the company said the converter is suited for military and aerospace programs, including airborne, shipboard and ground applications. The unit is designed to meet the EMI/RFI requirements of Mil-Std-461E and the Input Transient requirements of Mil-Std-704, when installed within a system. Visit www.naii.com.
ELT Service Station
DME Corp., based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., designated Corporate Air Parts, Van Nuys, Calif., as an approved service station for SRB-406 MHz S-type Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) products. The designation will make support services available for the SRB-406 MHz S-type ELT. Visit www.dmecorp.com.
1553 Interface
National Hybrid Inc., a division of API Nanotronics Corp., developed a portable 1553 to USB interface. NHi’s 1553/USB Pocket Pal, a redundant 1553 BC/MT/RT Terminal with 64K words of internal ram, interfaces to a 2.0 compliant USB port. Features include Hardware and Software development, Bus Exercisor, Bus Evaluation and Trouble Shooting. Visit www.apinanotronics.com.