Electronic Flight Bag
New from CMC Electronics Inc., Montreal, is a second-generation electronic flight bag (EFB) designed to bridge the gap between low-end PC tablets and high-end Class 3 EFBs. Based on the Windows XP operating system, the CMA-1100 is designed for airline and business jet pilots to use in all phases of flight. The Class 2 EFB employs avionics-grade hardware.
The CMA-1100 includes two line replaceable units (LRUs) — a self-contained electronic display and processing unit (EDU), plus a power and expansion module unit (EMU). The EDU is installed in the cockpit with a latching mount that uses an integrated, hot-pluggable connector to interface with the EMU for aircraft power and expansion capabilities.
The EDU features an 8.4-inch, active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) that fits full Jeppesen approach plates. The AMLCD is dimmable (1 to 800 nits) for readability in various cockpit lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. The EDU has software-definable, backlit "FMS-style" line select keys and an integrated, sliding keyboard that remains hidden inside the EDU when not in use.
The EDU also features a "film-on-glass," touch-sensitive screen that allows operators to navigate through EFB software applications, such as electronic charts, checklists, e-documents, performance calculations, real-time weather, surveillance video and moving maps. Pilots can toggle between the video surveillance feed and the current application on the EFB by pressing a one-touch video key. And an integrated pilot/copilot configuration allows one pilot to view what is on the other’s display by touching a single key.
EFB interfaces include wireless (802.11g), PCMCIA, USB 2.0, Ethernet, ARINC 429, RS232 and Video In (RS170/NTSC).
CMC, by means of a long-term licensing agreement with Montreal-based On-Board Data Systems Inc., also has developed a "content manager" capability for EFB configuration management. On the ground, fleet managers will be able to assemble and manage custom document libraries on desktop PCs and then — by means of a drag-and-drop operation — automatically package and transfer EFB updates via an Internet or wireless connection or by using a secure USB memory stick. Visit www.cmcelectronics.ca.
Updated Software
Data Device Corp., Bohemia, N.Y., has announced updates to its DataSIMS and DataMARS software for the development, integration and testing of avionics systems and subsystems. The software now includes new functions to support existing features in the company’s board products. Visit www.ddc-web.com.
Interface Transformers
Pulse Engineering Inc., San Diego, has introduced a series of military- and aerospace-grade Ethernet interface transformers. The 10/100Base-TX modules come in single- and quad-port configurations and have an operating and storage range of -40 to 85 degrees C in the standard version and -55 to 125 degrees C in the extended-temperature model. Visit www.pulseeng.com.
Single Board Computer
ACT/Technico, Ivyland Pa., offers a new single board computer (SBC), the AppliPak. The basic product, a VMEbus-based, "boot and go" computer module, comes in standard and rugged versions. It consists of a PowerPC- or Pentium-based unit, preloaded with VxWorks, Windows or Linux and operating system-specific drivers. Integrated mass storage, transition modules and other accessories can be specified. Visit www.acttechnico.com.
Cable Stripper
The new Model 824 coaxial cable stripper from Eraser Co., Syracuse, N.Y., strips materials from 0.03 inch to 0.43 inch OD, including RGU, semirigid, plenum and heliax. The 2-pound (0.9-kg) tool can strip up to four levels in 5 seconds. Visit www.eraser.com.
Mobile Access Router
Lufthansa Technik AG, Hamburg, Germany, announced a new component, the mobile access router (MAR), for its network integrated cabin equipment (nice) system for VIP and executive jets. Developed with Cisco Systems, MAR will be the network’s main external interface, allowing operational, passenger and maintenance data to be sent to and from the aircraft. The MAR makes these connections via an ISDN interface to an Inmarsat 64-kilobit/s satcom system, wireless Gatelink and GSM/GPRS. Visit www.lufthansa-technik.com.
Main Ship Battery
The Hawker 43 AH main ship battery from Securaplane Technologies Inc., Tucson, Ariz., has been certified on Falcon 2000 and 2000EX aircraft. The lead acid battery is a replacement for the existing nickel-cadmium battery and is classified as non-hazardous and unrestricted. The 91-pound [41.3-kg] battery has a capacity of 43 amps per hour and nominal voltage of 24 volts. Visit www.securaplane.com.
PowerPC Card
Radstone Technology, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., recently introduced the G4DSP-XE, a PowerPC card that incorporates four 1-GHz MPC7447 compute nodes. It can provide processing power for applications such as radar, sonar, signal intelligence and electronic warfare. Each node contains 256 megabytes (Mbytes) of DDR (double data rate) synchronous dynamic RAM and 32 Mbytes of Flash. The G4DSP-XE comes in air- and conduction-cooled versions.
Radstone also announced an upgrade to its PPCM1 dual-processor PowerPC card. The unit now has two Motorola 7457 PowerPC processors operating at 1 GHz, doubling the original performance. Visit www.radstone.com.
Collision Alerting Device
The new traffic collision alerting device (TCAD) from Ryan International, Columbus, Ohio, bridges the gap between passive traffic information systems (TIS) and active traffic advisory systems (TAS). The 9900B TCAD is passive, but gathers its information from transponders actively interrogated by multiple sources. TCAD also offers a straightforward upgrade to the TAS. Visit www.ryaninternational.com.
Radar Altimeter
FreeFlight Systems, Waco, Texas, has re-introduced its TRA3000 radar altimeter. The TRA3000 sends a continuous signal from a single antenna, providing precise above ground level (AGL) information from 2,500 feet down to 40 feet. The altimeter’s transmitter/receiver and antenna fit in a single, aerodynamic unit that can be mounted under the wing or on the fuselage. Visit www.freeflightsystems.com.
Navigation Trainer
Sporty’s, Batavia, Ohio, offers a trainer that illustrates the fundamentals of VOR, automatic direction finder (ADF), and radio magnetic indicator (RMI) navigation. Plastic needles show instrument orientation while moveable airplanes show aircraft position around a tracking station. Visit www.sportys.com.
Heat Shrink Kits
Waytek Inc., Clanhassen, Minn., announced its new extra heavy-duty heat shrink tubing kit. It protects connections from strain, abrasion and corrosion, and seals against moisture and contamination in rugged conditions. Visit www.waytekwire.com.
PC Card For Testing
AIM, Valley, Neb., has introduced a rugged, low-power PC-Card for testing Mil-Std-1553 systems. The APM1553 combines "hot plug" capability with a screw-locked connector for connection to laptop or portable computers with Type II, PCMCIA slots. It comes with 1 megabyte of memory and is available in three versions: multifunction, single-function or simulator only. Visit www.aim-online.com.
Programming Interface
Condor Engineering’s BusTools/1553-API military application programming interface now supports the QNX Neutrino real-time operating system (RTOS). The The QNX RTOS conforms to open standards, including the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) and Eclipse. It uses message passing as the basic means of interprocess communications. Visit www.condoreng.com.
PXI Quickstart Packages
Geotest-Marvin Test Systems Inc., Irvine, Calif., now offers two hardware/software bundles for test systems using the PXI platform. The PXI Quickstart and the PXI Enhanced Quickstart packages both come with ATEasy software, an application development framework for functional test, automatic test equipment (ATE), data acquisition, process control and instrumentation systems. Visit www.geotestinc.com.