UAV Radios
FreeWave Technologies, Boulder, Colo., released its MM2 900 MHz radio, described as the highest performing wireless spread spectrum radio with the industry’s smallest form factor.
FreeWave said the radio is ideally suited for advanced military equipment where space is at a premium, such as in UAVs, robotics and guided parachute applications.
The company said the radio has the smallest footprint in the industry, measuring 50.8 mm long, 31.5 mm wide and 9.6 mm high. It has selectable speeds, ranging from 56 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. Visit www.freewave.com.
Data Entry
Interface Displays & Controls, Oceanside, Calif., delivered a newly designed A-10 cockpit display unit (CDU) data entry panel to the U.S. Air Force A-10 program.
The data-entry panels utilize materials that significantly improve reliability to improve A-10 aircraft mission availability, while reducing maintenance costs, the company said. The improved design ensures seamless functionality and performance for the A-10 pilot, while reducing overall life-cycle cost of the current A-10 CDU. Visit www.interfacedisplays.com.
Iridium Satphone
TrueNorth Avionics, Ottawa, Canada, launched its Simphone product line with the installation of the Simphone Chorus system on a Challenger CL604.
The installation included the TrueNorth Avionics Simphone Chorus system with dual Iridium channels and three Simphone IP Multimedia Handsets. The system is interfaced to an existing Rockwell Collins Satcom system using the built-in CEPT-E1 interface.
The Chorus system offers an advanced cabin communication solution for Inmarsat and Iridium with a full IP based PBX, fully integrated dual Iridium channels, integrated Wi-Fi and data routing. Jet Works Air Center, located in Denton, Texas, provided the sales and installation for an end-to-end cabin communications solution on the CL604, which is used for international operations.
The Simphone product line — Chorus, Duo and Solo — is packaged in a single 4 MCU line replaceable unit qualified to DO-160E for installations inside or outside the pressure vessel. Visit www.truenorthavionics.com.
RVSM Kits
Jettech, Littleton, Colo., announced the availability of its FAA-approved Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) kit for Cheyenne 400LS model aircraft equipped with either the Collins APS-65 or the King KFC-400 autopilots.
The RVSM kit for the KFC-400 equipped 400LS sells for $159,000 installed and includes a Thommen AC-32 Air Data Computer and Thommen AD-32 Digital Altimeter, pitot-static plumbing and fittings, and wiring harness.
For the 400LS equipped with APS-65 autopilot, the installation includes two new Honeywell AM-250 digital altimeters, an Air Data Interface Unit (ADIU), pitot-static plumbing and fittings, and wiring harness. The kit sells for $139,000 installed.
Jettech also offers a RVSM "Lite" kit for the Cheyenne IIIA equipped with either the KFC-300 or APS-65 autopilots. The KFC-300 configured aircraft utilizes two new Thommen AD-32 digital altimeters; aircraft with the APS-65 autopilot use Honeywell digital altimeters. Both kits include pitot-static plumbing and fittings and wiring harness.
All kits come with the required materials needed to support the installation. Visit www.jettechrvsm.com.
Potentiometer Switch
Electro-Mech, South El Monte, Calif., released its SW44511 tactile feel momentary potentiometer switch, offering both rotary and push-on functionality for maximum operation control.
Typical applications for the SW44511 switch include industrial/avionics displays and audio controls, instrument panel controls and other high-density panels.
The compact unit weighs less than one ounce and measures 1/2 inch square. The SW44511 requires less than one inch of space behind the panel and mounts via a 1/4 inch threaded bushing to the front panel. Features provided by the SW44511 include momentary tactile feel switching, operating pressure of 14 ounces, plunger travel of approximately 0.080 inch, and a rated switch life of one million actuations minimum. Visit www.electromechcomp.com.
VME Card
North Atlantic Industries (NAI), Bohemia, N.Y., unveiled its 5-module, multi-function, single-slot VME card, which the company says eliminates the complexity and size constraints of using multiple, independent, single-function cards.
The 64CS4 VME card can accommodate up to five independent function modules. Modules can be selected from a library that includes D/S (2 channels), D/LVDT (2 channels), S/D (4 channels), LVDT/D (4 channels), A/D (10 channels), D/A (10 channels), AC Synchro Reference Generator, Function Generator (4 channels), Discrete I/O (16 channels), TTL I/O (16 channels), Transceiver I/O (11 channels), and RTD (6 channels).
The 64CS4 incorporates a Gigabit Ethernet interface that can be used to transfer data to and from the board, without using the VME backplane bus. The Ethernet port allows the board to be used as a standalone remote sensor interface, without the need for a separate computer board. Multiple 64CS4 boards can be networked together in a system using Ethernet for complete data acquisition capability. Visit www.naii.com.
Phone Handset
International Communications Group (ICG), Newport News, Va., upgraded its Sigma7 retractor-reel handset, adding a backlit keypad and LCD display for improved visibility and functionality in low-light conditions.
Additional features include improved noise-reduction microphone, speed dialing, redial and louder ringer, with provisions for an additional plug-in external ringer and a mute feature for transmitted audio. The handset also has an internal magnetic stripe reader to support credit card calling over various communications networks, including Iridium.
The Sigma7 BL operates with a 2-wire telephone line and can either be bulkhead-mounted or recessed in a drink rail. An RJ-11 data jack option is available in the cradle to connect to a data modem, either via the telephone circuit or a separate circuit to allow for simultaneous data and telephone calls, the company said.
The new backlit phone system operates with all models of ICG cabin telecommunication units and Iridium systems, and existing installations can be upgraded with the new phones. Visit www.intcomgrp.com.
PMA Approval
Rosen Aviation, Eugene, Ore., received Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) on 25 inflight entertainment (IFE) system components. Rosen Aviation PMA approval was granted for products and components relating to 6.5 inch display, 7 inch Widescreen display, 8.4 inch display, 15 inch display, RosenView LX moving map system, single-disc DVD player, connector kits, arm mounts and harnesses. Through a letter of assist by Stevens Aviation on a supplemental type certificate, Stevens granted Rosen permission to seek PMA approval through FAA. Visit www.rosenaviation.com.
Ground Station Software
Real-Time Innovations (RTI), Santa Clara, Calif., said its RTI middleware is being used in the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Advanced Cockpit Ground Control Station (GCS).
The company said a recent flight demonstration on a mission-configured MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system validated the Advanced Cockpit GCS upgrade using RTI’s networking middleware.
The GCS integrates intuitive controls and information displays, touch-screen technology, improved synthetic video and situational awareness data.
RTI middleware is part of the software communications architecture that General Atomics has implemented for the advanced ground station. The GCS makes use of RTI’s publish-subscribe communications model, which allows any system component to subscribe to the incoming aircraft telemetry stream for such parameters as latitude and longitude, pitch, roll and airspeed parameters. Visit www.rti.com.