TCAS Upgrades
L-3 Avionics Systems is developing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) capable versions of its SkyWatch HP models SKY899 TAS and SKY899A TCAS-I systems. The models are expected to be available in mid-2011, the company said. The new SkyWatch HP units will come with a pre-installed, updated software package that will fuse active traffic and mode-S (1090 MHz) ADS-B information, the company said. An upgrade for existing SkyWatch HP units will also be available.
The SkyWatch HP system monitors the location of nearby transponder-equipped aircraft, noting range, relative bearing, relative altitude and closure rate. It can track up to 35 targets simultaneously, and presents up to 12 potential hazards on a cockpit display.
With an active surveillance range of 35 nautical miles, the upgraded SkyWatch HP will incorporate pilot-selectable display ranges of 30, 15, 6 or 2 nautical miles and display traffic within plus or minus 9,900 feet of the user’s own aircraft. In addition to its standard 3-inch ATI CRT display, the system is compatible with various display solutions, including common multifunction displays and Electronic Flight Instrument Systems on larger aircraft. Visit www.as.l-3com.com.
Graphics Software
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC) released the latest version of the Presagis SeaWind OpenGL graphics driver software developed for use with the company’s XMC-710 display controller mezzanine cards.
The graphics software suite, provided from CWCEC, offers expanded operating environment support, with the addition of SYSGO eLinOS 4.2 and Red Hat RHEL 5.4 to its existing support for VxWorks 6.4/6.5/6.6/6.7, VxWorks/MILS2 and Wind River Linux.
The SeaWind OpenGL graphics driver software comprises a suite of graphical user interface software for use in the development and maintenance of complex graphics applications, such as cockpit flight displays, situation awareness displays, command and control stations and sensor information displays.
Visit www.cwcembedded.com.
Flight Planning Upgrade
ARINC Direct, of Annapolis, Md., upgraded its Flight Planning system with features including interactive planning capability with worldwide mapping and navigation data.
ARINC integrated the map technology from SkyVector, an online chart provider, to make flight planning easier, ARINC said. Additional information is available on the chart screen in the form of “Layers” that include flight information regions, animated radar, turbulence, icing, and winds, in addition to airmets and sigmets. Visit www.arinc.com.
iPad EFB
Avionics & Systems Integration Group LLC (ASIG), of Little Rock, Ark., has developed a Class II electronic flight bag (EFB) for the Apple iPad. ASIG formed a strategic partnership with GlobalNavSource (GNS) to integrate, certify, distribute and install the system.
ASIG mounts the iPad EFB in a bracket and connects it to aircraft power with a system that mitigates the hazards of the iPad’s lithium battery. Each serial numbered unit will undergo applicable DO-160 environmental testing, including rapid decompression at 50,000 feet.
GNS designed its EFB-121 application specifically for the requirements of air carriers operating under Parts 91, 121, 129 and 135.
From GNS’s secure site, the iPad EFB updates its data through a Wi-Fi or a 3G connection. A single touch downloads and installs the update, which automatically becomes active on its effective date. ASIG is also developing a wireless connection between the iPad EFB and the aircraft to support ARINC 429 reports.
Visit www.asigllc.com.
Satcom System
Cobham introduced its lightest and smallest SwiftBroadband satcom system, the Cobham Satcom SB200.
The SB200 is a stand-alone system, not requiring any navigational inputs from other equipment on board. It combines GPS and Inmarsat antennas in the same package. The SB200 system consists of the omni-directional LGA-3000 antenna, SDU-7310 single channel satellite data unit and HLD-7260 combined High Power Amplifier/Diplexer/Low Noise Amplifier. Visit www.cobhamSB200.com.
iPad Mount
Flight Display Systems, based in Alpharetta, Ga., introduced its first iPad Arm Mount upgrade for business aircraft.
The removable arm mount is a drop-in replacement for existing Flight Display Systems products. The mount allows passengers to use their iPad during flight without draining battery life or experiencing uncomfortable viewing positions, according to the company.
Visit www.flightdisplay.com.
Databus Analyzer
Data Device Corp. (DDC), based in Bohemia, N.Y., introduced a new version of its BusTrACEr 1553 Data Bus Analyzer and Monitor software, enabling programmers to generate and monitor Mil-Std-1553 traffic using a point-and-click GUI, and then generate ANSI “C” code with the click of a button, according to the company.
BusTrACEr allows engineers to generate or monitor live 1553 data without writing any code, easily emulating a Bus Controller, a standalone or concurrent Bus Monitor, and up to 31 Remote Terminals. Visit www.ddc-web.com.
ARINC 600 Connector
ITT Interconnect Solutions expanded its ARINC 600 Series avionics connector products to include connector inserts that combine signal, power, Ethernet and fiber optic data transmission into a single interconnect. The models, 30Q2, 13Q2 and 17Q2, can be combined with existing signal, power and quadrax inserts to meet present and future bandwidth requirements, the company said.
The connectors are ideal for applications including instrument landing systems, GPS landing systems, flight navigation systems, avionics common data network systems, integrated surveillance systems and backbone Ethernet network modules, ITT said. The 30Q2 model features 28-signal contacts and 2-quadrax contacts in a single size-1 insert; the ICS 13Q2 insert is available in rear-release, rear-removable pin-and-socket versions as well as a front-release, front-removable pin version; and the 17Q2 insert features 3-power, 2-quadrax, 12-fiberoptic contacts in a single size-2 insert.
Visit www.ittcannon.com.
Databus Cards
Ballard Technology, based in Everett, Wash., introduced a line of XMC and PMC avionics databus interface cards with high channel counts and multi-protocol capability.
The cards, called the Mx5 Series, enable electronic systems to interface with military and commercial avionics databuses. Single-protocol models can have up to 8 dual redundant Mil-Std-1553 channels, up to 22 ARINC 429 channels, up to 4 ARINC 708 channels, or 4 ARINC 717 channels, the company said.
All models include avionics discretes, timers, IRIG synchronization/generation, and differential interfaces usable as discrete I/O. Visit www.ballardtech.com.
Venue Enhancements
Rockwell Collins released a suite of support tools for its Venue Cabin Management System (CMS).
The suite, which is accessible through a Venue-specific Web portal, includes a Quote Tool, which enables authorized Rockwell Collins dealers to provide real-time pricing information; a configuration tool; test and simulation tool and remote diagnostics tool, according to the company. Visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
Sora Bundles
International Communications Group (ICG), of Newport News, Va., introduced three bundled systems to purchasers of its Sora advanced voice and data communications system. A key element of each bundle is a Cobham Antenna Systems Satcom product specifically aligned with the ICG Iridium and NxtMail products, according to ICG.
SoraLg combines ICG’s dual channel Iridium voice and data transceiver, the ICS-120A, with Cobham’s SB200 Inmarsat SwiftBroadband system. Soraig substitutes Cobham’s SB300 mechanical Intermediate Gain Inmarsat SwiftBroadband antenna, the IGA 5006 SDU 7320 Satellite Data Unit and an HLD-7260 amplifier/diplexer to provide faster connectivity. Soraig+ uses ICG’s three channel transceiver, the ICS-220A and a low-profile Cobham IGA5001 phased array antenna to provide operators of large business aircraft with more connectivity channels and increased functionality.
All three Sora variants provide cockpit/cabin voice and datalink communications and Aircraft Operations Center and air traffic service capabilities, the company said.
Visit www.icg.aero.
Air Data Test Set
GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies introduced ADTS 206, a rugged and lightweight, three-channel air data test set (ADTS) designed to be used on “Smart Probe”-equipped aircraft while maintaining the capability to facilitate testing of traditional two-channel pitot static systems. The test set’s applications include full support for fault finding on all air data systems and is designed for flight line ground support, GE said.
GE said the test set provides special capability specific to the testing of three- channel Smart Probes. Automation of standard three-channel tests is achieved through user-defined scripts that are stored in the unit’s touchscreen-controlled hand terminal. The ADTS 206 can also be used in manual mode for non-routine or diagnostic testing. Visit www.ge.com.
Voltage Suppressors
Microsemi Corp., of Irvine, Calif., introduced Plastic Large Area Device (PLAD) surface-mount transient voltage suppressors (TVS), which allow avionics systems to meet safety standards required for composite-skinned aircraft.
The company said the packaging improves surge protection, preventing the disruption of digital signal processing, component damage and interruption of function due to the indirect effects of lightning.
The devices include the PLAD15KP series rated at 15 kW and the PLAD30KP series rated at 30 kW. Each features ultra-low thermal resistance to 0.2 degrees C/W (Celsius per Watt) and 0.3 degrees C/W, respectively, and customers can choose between unidirectional and bidirectional construction for both DC and AC applications. Visit www.microsemi.com.