Transceiver European Approval
L-3 Avionics Systems received EASA European Technical Standard Order Authorization (ETSOA) for its ADR-7050 Digital Transceiver for navigation and communication. The ADR-7050 is a remotely controlled and mounted digital transceiver designed to interface with individual cockpit displays. Navigation and communication functions are then controlled by the host display. The communication component features 760 channels at 25 kHz spacing or 2280 channels at 8.33 kHz spacing and transmits at 16 watts; the navigation component receives on 200 channels with VOR, localizer and glideslope receivers. Visit www.l-3com.com/as.
Antenna System
EMS Technologies launched the "Aura" Ku-band family of antenna systems for in-flight entertainment and connectivity. EMS said the Aura systems provide worldwide broadband service, allowing airline passengers to watch satellite direct TV programming, use the Internet, check e-mail from personal handheld devices and make VoIP calls from mobile phones where permitted. EMS’s two-way Ku-band products include: the Aura 1P-A antenna system, which comes with a single antenna panel; the Aura 1P-B antenna system, which is also a single-panel system, but with a different panel configuration; and the Aura 3P antenna system, which is a larger three-panel antenna system. In addition, the line includes the Aura DBS 2.5 and DBS 3.0 systems for TV receive-only use with satellite direct TV broadcast systems. EMS teamed with Starling Advanced Communications, based in Yoqneam, Israel, on the development and production of the core antenna technology. EMS developed the product line using Starling’s CoMPATM (Coherent Multi-Panel) flat-panel technology, which provides reliable connectivity and worldwide coverage at unsurpassed speeds and quality, the companies say. Visit www.ems-t.com.
Weather Upgrade
Honeywell upgraded the XM Weather system for its KMD 550/850 general aviation multifunction display. Under the previous system, using the Bendix/King KDR 610 as the digital receiver with a XM Weather subscription, operators could display Doppler radar. With the new system, operators are able to also display temporary flight restrictions, lightning, severe weather storm track, winds aloft at altitude, freezing levels, precipitation type at surface and translated METAR weather reports, Honeywell said. Standard features include a 5-inch active matrix liquid crystal display with joystick control, overlay capability, datalink capability and video input. Visit www.honeywell.com.
Test Instrument
GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies, Billerica, Mass., introduced Pulsec, a non-destructive test instrument using pulsed eddy current (PEC) to detect sub-surface corrosion, primarily for application in the aerospace industry. The battery-powered instrument provides diagnostic imaging and depth resolution when inspecting multi-layer aircraft structures. The instrument has a battery life of 6 hours and weighs 13 pounds. It features a handheld x-axis encoded, array probe to allow rapid surface inspection and imaging of large areas. Along with multi-layer sub-surface corrosion detection, it can be used for crack detection depending on the probe, scan direction and configuration settings. Visit www.geinspectiontechnologies.com.
Resolver Converter
Data Device Corp. (DDC), Bohemia, N.Y., released the -55 to +125 ° C temperature grade RD-19240 resolver converter. The RD-19240FS-100 resolver-to-digital converter is repeatable to 1LSB in 14-bit mode and contains programmable features such as resolution, bandwidth and tracking rate. A built-in-test output additionally monitors for loss of signal, reference frequency, or tracking. Visit www.ddc-web.com.
Miniature Connectors
C&K Components, Newton, Mass., has developed a family of rectangular micro miniature connectors, called the MDMA Series. The connectors are designed for space applications, but they can also be used for military and aerospace applications, the company said. The connectors are interchangeable with ESA Micro D Connectors (ESA ESCC specification 3401-029) and MIL-DTL-83513 products, and feature removable crimp contacts. They are available in 9-, 15-, 25- and 37-way configurations, and are compatible with 26-28 AWG wire. Visit www.ck-components.com.
Credit Card System
A handheld wireless system, "AviCheck," from AviIT, of Dunfermline, U.K., has been extended for use as a credit card approval and authorization tool for in-flight transactions. The system is available to all aircraft equipped with satellite communications capability, and allows transactions to be processed in real-time. Also, the company said AviCheck will enable airlines to increase in-flight revenue while lowering card fees and risks of fraudulent usage. Visit www.aviit.com.
Pilot Training
Rockwell Collins and King Schools have entered into an agreement offering on-line computer-based training (CBT). The agreement improves and extends training opportunities for owners/operators by providing direct access to King Schools aviation training and Rockwell Collins OEM avionics training modules, Rockwell Collins said. "Our goal is to provide effective, convenient and clear on-line training for pilots of high-performance and turbine aircraft," said John King, co-founder of King Schools. Visit www.kingschools.com.
IFE Connector
ITT Interconnect Solutions has developed a custom ARINC 600 connector designed for in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems in commercial aircraft. The ARINC 600 connector features ITT Interconnect Solutions’ Quadrax contacts for gigabit Ethernet channels, along with a two shell designed to reduce EMI/RFI emissions, ITT said. The connector uses custom insert arrangements and pre-loaded inserts with extended tail contacts. Its polarizing keys were pre-loaded and fixed "PEM" nuts implemented to ensure no loose hardware upon installation, the company said. Visit www.ittcannon.com.
FPGA Development Kit
VMETRO released the FusionXF Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development kit. The kit is targeted at reducing design time and optimizing the performance of FPGA and PowerPC processing systems. FusionXF includes FPGA HDL functions, software APIs, drivers, utilities, example designs and documentation to simplify the task of integrating FPGAs into an embedded, real-time DSP system design. Also, it enables the control and utilization of FPGA resources from PowerPC processors and efficient data streaming within a single FPGA and between processors and FPGAs in a system. Visit www.vmetro.com.
Power Converter
Behlman Electronics, Hauppauge, N.Y., introduced AFC-7000, a modified COTS frequency converter designed to convert three-phase aircraft power to regulated single-phase (115 or 230 VAC) 50 or 60 Hz ground power. The converter is designed to withstand the extreme rigors of aircraft takeoffs and landings and meets the input power requirements of Mil-Std-704 and RTCA-DO-160. Other features include multi-pulse input, protective circuits, microprocessor controller with vacuum fluorescent display, RS-232 interface for monitoring and output On/Off plus28 VDC output control. It can be rack-mounted in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. Visit www.behlman.com.