Satcom Antenna
Tecom Industries Inc., a Smiths Interconnect company in Thousand Oaks, Calif., recently unveiled the latest addition to its line of satcom antennas. The HGA-9000 high-gain, electronically steered antenna accommodates Inmarsat’s Aero-H/H+, Swift64 and Swiftbroadband satcom services. Measuring 1.6 inches high, 12 inches wide and 28 inches long (4 by 30.5 by 71 cm), the antenna weighs 18 pounds (8.2 kg). The diplexer weighs 6 pounds (2.7 kg). The HGA-9000 includes a fully integrated beam steering unit (BSU), which simplifies installation and differentiates the product as the only low-profile, fuselage-mounted, high-gain antenna in a two-line replaceable unit (LRU) configuration, the company says. The BSU features ARINC 429 and optional Ethernet input and output, as well as continuous built-in test. Offering 18 to 20 dBic (decibels above isotropic) gain, the HGA-9000 will be certified to the RTCA/DO-160D environmental and DO-178B, Level D, software standards. The phased array antenna employs the "patch" technology that Tecom has taken from its Aero-I antenna. Patches inside the array collectively focus the antenna beam on lower elevations. The HGA-9000 provides low-angle coverage, down to 5 degrees above the horizon. Designed for medium-sized business jets and larger aircraft, the new satcom antenna is scheduled to be Inmarsat-approved and have TSO-132 certification by November 2005. It will cost about $55,000, according to a Tecom official. Visit www.tecom-ind.com.
Interface Card
Condor Engineering, Santa Barbara, Calif., has released the CNIC, an Ethernet 10/100 network interface card (top photo) designed to test and simulate avionics full-duplex switched Ethernet (AFDX)/ARINC 664 networks. It offers two independent ports and comes in PCI, cPCI and PMC form factors. Condor also announced its QcPCI-1553 cPCI module for rugged, military applications (bottom photo). The high-density interface is available with one, two or four dual-redundant channels. It comes in commercial, ruggedized and 3U conduction-cooled versions. Visit www.condoreng.com
Cabin Management System
DPI Labs Inc., LaVerne, Calif., offers the new SmartLink-III cabin management system. The architecture for integrated cabin management and entertainment systems provides built-in "anti-collision" code designed to handle simultaneous commands and process them without delayed, lost or unintended commands. DPI Labs claims that the "collision corruption of command codes is resolved so quickly" that passengers never notice the conflicts. Visit www.dpilabs.com.
Test Management Software
National Instruments’ NI DIAdem 9.1–interactive software for managing, inspecting, analyzing and reporting test data–now has a data plug-in layer that allows users to import data from additional file types. Visit www.ni.com/diadem.
Digital Delay Generator
The Table Driven Delay Generator (DDG) from Interface Technology Inc., Walnut, Calif., is a VXI-based digital test instrument that can generate timing signals for testing tracking radar systems. The DDG can be used for target simulation, range tracking and emulation of range-gate pull off for electronic countermeasures. Visit www.interfacetech.com.
Orientation Sensor
From MicroStrain Inc., Williston, Vt., comes a lightweight, low-power orientation sensor. The 3DM-GX1’s embedded microcontroller employs programmable filtering algorithms, blending sensor outputs to provide stabilized pitch, roll and yaw measurements. Applications include navigation and control of unmanned vehicles, platform stabilization and dynamic antenna pointing. Visit www.microstrain.com.
Handheld Meter
The ESP+ handheld standing wave reflectometer by Eclypse Corp., Corona, Calif., allows users to troubleshoot aircraft wiring and determine where faults are located. The device, made with patented NASA technology, not only tells the user what the problem is, but specifically where in the wire the problem is located. Eclypse claims that the device will help technicians cut time spent troubleshooting wiring problems by up to 85 percent. Visit www.eclypse.org.
Pressure Module Transducer
Memscap of Bernin, France, and Durham, N.C., announced its TP3100 digital output pressure sensor module. The barometric pressure transducer is aimed at engine control, cabin pressure control systems, and reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) altimeter control. It has received international RTCA DO-178B certification from the Civil Aviation Authority in Norway. Visit www.memscap.com.
Data Acquisition Modules
Heim Data Systems Inc., Belmar, N.J., has introduced compact, high-channel capacity data acquisition modules to its line of signal interface products. They can be used to acquire video, pulse code modulation (PCM), and avionics bus data. The modules are available for systems that produce both Heim DATaRec-3 and IRIG-106, Chapter 10, data formats. Visit www.heimdata.com.
Electronic Flight Bag
The PilotView electronic flight bag (EFB) from CMC Electronics Inc., Montreal, is a second-generation Class 2 EFB designed for airlines and business jet owners. It offers avionics-grade hardware and certification to DO-160D. PilotView consists of a lightweight, compact, self-contained electronics display and processing unit, as well as a companion power and expansion module. It also features a touch-sensitive screen and line-select keys around the display. Visit www.cmcelectronics.ca.
For the Library
Pickering Interfaces, Clacton, UK, has released the third edition of PXImate, which provides an overview of the standard and products used in test systems.
Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc., Newcastle, Wash., has issued a new FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook. Visit www.pickeringtest.com/pximate and www.asa2fly.com.
PCI Express Technology
SBS Technologies, Albuquerque, N.M., has introduced the first PCI Express expansion system for existing PCI-X and PCI cards. By using its PCI Express technology and high-bandwidth cables to connect the host card to the expansion chassis, SBS claims that systems will experience an eight-fold performance improvement. Visit www.sbs.com.
Data Acquisition Systems
Datastick Systems Inc., Campbell, Calif., has released its DAS-1254 and DAS-1294 data acquisition systems, including two modules that attach to Palm PDAs (personal data assistants) and three Datastick Connection software applications. The DAS-1254 and DAS-1294 have four and eight analog input channels, respectively. Visit www.datastick.com.
Liquid Crystal Displays
Toronto-based Luxell Technologies Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with Tannas Electronic Displays Inc. to use Tannas’ method of resizing commercially available active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). Luxell thus can resize and ruggedize AMLCDs to produce custom aerospace displays. Visit www.luxell.com.
DoDAF Architect
New from Telelogic of Malm�, Sweden, comes its Enterprise Architect for the U.S. Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF). Enterprise Architect defines and constructs architectures that comply with the DoDAF, using Telelogic’s requirement management product, DOORS, and its advanced modeling technology in TAU/Architect. Visit www.telelogic.com.
Runway Judgment Training
FlightSafety International, Flushing, N.Y., has added a "runway judgment" program feature for flight simulators. The training program allows an instructor to control runway length, width and weather conditions in the simulator to create the potential for runway accidents. It will test users’ judgment in unsafe runway situations and help flight crews develop policies and procedures to address the risks. Visit www.flightsafety.com.
Reader and Sensor
Endevco, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., has announced a transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) reader. It allows the user to read the contents of any embedded IEEE P1451.4 TEDS via a Dell Axim X3 PDA (Pocket PC). Endevco also has released a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based pressure sensor. Visit www.endevco.com.
Embedded Database
McObject LLC, Issaquah, Wash., has announced the availability of its eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database for Green Hill Software’s Integrity real-time operating system (RTOS). The tiny-footprint database has features such as transaction logging and an optional high-availability subsystem. Visit www.mcobject.com