Weather Receiver
WSI Corp., Andover, Mass., introduced its WSI InFlight AV-300 datalink weather receiver and AV-350, a cockpit weather system enabling aircraft operators to receive WSI’s weather content plus Sirius Satellite Radio programming.
Built as a replacement for the existing WSI InFlight AV100 and AV200 product lines, the AV-300 series offers expanded satellite coverage of Sirius as well as a more robust platform to host future product enhancements, the company said.
The AV-300 series offers pilots a choice between the AV-300, which receives WSI’s aviation weather graphics and data service, or the AV-350, capable of receiving both the WSI weather service and Sirius radio.
The AV-300 series datalink receivers have been developed by the Avidyne Safety Systems Group in Columbus, Ohio, and manufactured at Avidyne’s facilities in Melbourne, Fla. The new antenna has been developed by Micro-Ant, in South Easton, Mass. Visit www.wsi.com.
Fiber-Optic Courses
KITCO Fiber Optics, Virginia Beach, Va., has developed four courses based on ARINC 807 training requirements.
Students are offered the opportunity to obtain the Electronics Technician Association certification of Certified Aerospace Fiber Optic Fabricator.
The company offers the following courses: ARINC 807 Aerospace Fiber Optic Fundamentals; ARINC 807 Aerospace Fiber Optic Installer; ARINC 807 Aerospace Fiber Optic Fabricator; and ARINC 807 Aerospace Fiber Optic Technician/QA.
KITCO provides fiber optic connectorization products and consulting services. For more information, visit www.kitcofo.com.
Processing Card
VMETRO, of Oslo, Norway, released its Phoenix VPF2, a rugged COTS DSP processing card which integrates a Freescale MPC8641D processor, two Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs and a VXS-based high-speed serial inter-connect fabric.
The VPF2 tackles both high-bandwidth pre-processing and sophisticated back-end processing in one 6U VME64/VITA 41 product for DSP applications such as real-time video processing, surveillance and radar.
The Freescale MPC8641D dual-core processor runs up to 1.25 GHz with 2 Gbytes of memory to support operating systems such as VxWorks and Linux.
Integrated within the MPC8641D processor is a complete I/O sub-system, including two Gigabit Ethernet ports, serial I/O, dual DDR/DDR2 memory controllers, VME interface and independent x8 PCI Express links to the Xilinx FPGAs and the XMC/PMC site. The VPF2 has Ethernet options, which support both RJ45 and optical interfaces or backplane I/O.
Coupled to the MPC8641D processor are two Xilinx Virtex-5 SX95T FPGAs, optimized for DSP performance, or LX110T FPGAs. Visit www.vmetro.com.
Interior Lighting
Emteq, New Berlin, Wis., introduced two light-emitting diode (LED) interior lights for commercial air transport and regional jet aircraft — the ELR14 reading light and ELW34 compact wash light.
Using solid-state diodes instead of incandescent bulbs, the systems provide long-lasting light with a MTBF of 10,000 hours for the ELR14 and 40,000 hours for ELW34.
Features include robust packaging and use of LEDs for performance and high intensity. Both the ELW34 and ELR14 are available as stand-alone items or as part of an integrated installation kit. Visit www.emteq.com.
Circuit Connector
Amphenol Socapex of France unveiled its HiLinx, which the company said is the first printed circuit connector with a very high density modular design.
The connector is made up of modules that can be freely assembled, held together by two stainless steel outer strips.
The modules can be equipped with traditional electrical signal contacts, or coaxial, optical fiber or power contacts. Up to 11 modules can be aligned in HiLinx, taking into account two end modules containing the guides/codes and fastenings.
HiLinx provides compatibility with standard M55302. It is designed for harsh environments, with an admissible temperature range of -65°C to +150°C. Visit www.amphenol-socapex.com.
AS9100 Certification
TTTech, a Vienna, Austria-based supplier of time-triggered technologies, achieved AS9100 certification for the development of safety-critical aerospace applications.
AS9100 is the internationally recognized quality management system standard defined for the aerospace industry. Compliance with the standard has become a prevailing requirement.
The AS9100 certification audit covered all relevant processes that are involved with software development for safety-critical applications. Visit www.tttech.com.
Autopilot Partnership
Sagem Avionics formed a partnership with Bell Helicopter Textron for autopilot flight controls.
Bell selected the Sagem Trims and SMART servo actuators for digital auto-pilot applications.
The ARH and Bell 429 are the first models to be installed with seven to 12 actuators per aircraft. Sagem SMART servos are developed with solid state embedded digital circuitry and brushless motors. Visit www.sagemavionics.com.
Media Converter
Stratos Optical Technologies unveiled a dual RJ45-enabled media converter that provides a single, stand-alone bulkhead conversion solution for multimode Gigabit Ethernet links. The EBK-xRJ-xxVx GE media converter provides 1.25 Gbps data rate conversion for link distances up to 550 meters, Stratos said.
Stratos said the converter is ideal for the ruggedized networks used in land and ship-based communications for military applications and certain aviation applications. By enabling users to replace conventional solutions involving fiber modems and fiber cable assemblies, the Stratos active bulkhead (with the electrical/optical media converter built into the interior of the optical port) reduces overall space and weight requirements while increasing overall reliability.
The unit performs the copper to fiber conversion assignment to the most rigorous industry and military standards for reliable voice, data and video signal transport. Visit www.stratosoptical.com.
Vibration Monitors
Inflight Warning Systems (IWS) and the IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics received an order from British Airways to incorporate predictive maintenance Vibration Monitors, designed to detect bearing failure in air recirculation fans on commercial aircraft.
The monitors, which include the use of PCB sensors, have been incorporated into 11 applications aboard major commercial airliners throughout the world.
The IWS vibration monitor provides detection and prevention of fan failure. By installing monitors onto fans for cabin air recirculation and electrical equipment cooling exhaust, the product provides warning of wear on fan bearings.
Installation of monitors will allow normal fan operation and automatically terminates operation of such fans, when a bearing failure is imminent. Visit www.pcb.com
Testing Software
ESI Group, a French provider of digital simulation software, released its PAM-CRASH 2G, the virtual testing solution for impact, crash and safety professionals in the automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and material industries.
PAM-CRASH 2G proposes the modeling of advanced materials like honeycomb, super-elastic alloys, plastics or adhesive bonding, the Paris-based company said. In restraint system design, PAM-CRASH 2G’s Finite Point Method addresses how gas flow affects airbag inflation.
The company said the new features enhance accuracy and improve ease-of-use. Visit www.esi-group.com.
Attitude Indicators
Mid-Continent Instruments, Wichita, Kan., said it will supply its 4300 Series Attitude Indicators for the Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters.
The 4300 Series was designed specifically to survive helicopter operations and high-vibration environments. The dual voltage gyros are ideal for use as primary or standby artificial horizons in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They offer 10-32 volt DC replacement for use in either 14 or 28 volt helicopters, have anti-reflective glass to enhance visibility and reduce pilot fatigue. For more information, visit www.mcico.com.
LED Switch
Aviation component manufacturer and supplier Aerospace Optics, Fort Worth, Texas, extended its VIVISUN product line with the VIVISUN LR3, a 1-inch by 1.2-inch, LED switch.
Aerospace Optics said the VIVISUN LR3 provides a rectangular push-button switch, with a larger face, which allows it to support increased character capacity and improved readability. The LR3 is also a MIL-PRF certified, lighted pushbutton switch that is available in 11 sunlight-readable colors.
Aerospace Optics said the larger LR3 switch is NVIS compliant, has voltage controlled dimming, a low touch temperature and low power consumption, drawing a maximum of only 0.054 amps at 28VDC. Visit www.vivisun.com.
Tilt Sensor
The SH50050 Series of Ceramic Electrolytic Tilt Sensors from Spectron, Hauppauge, N.Y., combines ceramic materials and glass bonding techniques with design details, which, the company says, results in an accurate, rugged/compact hermetically sealed package.
The 96 percent alumina body incorporates an external reference surface for easy mounting and even heat transfer for uniform thermal stability.
Ideal for both aerospace and industrial applications, they are available in five standard angular sensing ranges from +/-0.5 to +/-60 degrees. All feature sub-arc second resolution, exceptional stability, 100G shock survival, the company said. The conductivity and viscosity of the electrolyte can be formulated to provide the desired performance and response for both static and dynamic applications. Visit www.spectronsensors.com.