Portable Radio Altimeter, GPS Test Sets
Aeroflex Inc., Wichita, Kan. division, introduced the ALT-8000, an RF-based portable radio altimeter flightline test set. It is a lightweight, universal test set for 4.3 GHz frequency modulated continuous carrier wave radio altimeters and pulse radio altimeters with a 12-inch color touchscreen. It tests radio altimeters in manned and unmanned aircraft.
Aeroflex also introduced the GPSG-1000, a portable GPS and Galileo positional 3-D simulator. The tester supports civil and military avionics field and bench maintenance technicians, production test technicians and system integrators with a modern simulator for L1, C/A code and L1C, L2C, L5 GPS modernization signals, as well as new Galileo E1, E5, E6 services. Visit www.aeroflex.com.
USB Databus Interfaces
Ballard Technology, Everett, Wash., said its new portable USB 2.0 interfaces for Mil-Std-1553 and ARINC 429/717 protocols are available from stock.
The USB interfaces enable engineers and technicians to test, simulate and analyze avionics databuses using any available PC. The same device and software can be used in the lab and in the field.
Typical applications include product and system development and integration, data loading, flightline maintenance and performance monitoring and analysis. Visit www.ballardtech.com.
Cable Assembly
ITT Interconnect Solutions, of Santa Ana, Calif., has developed a 19-way commercial Pogo pin connector and cable assembly for avionics applications. The system achieves low contact resistance under 10mA and guarantees a lifespan of more than 5,000 mating cycles, ITT said.
The connector features stainless steel shells, snap-on breakaway coupling and an interfacial seal. Visit www.ittcannon.com.
Upgraded RTOS
Wind River, of Alameda, Calif., released a new version of its VxWorks real-time operating system.
VxWorks 6.8 features a smaller footprint, hardware platform flexibility and increased performance. Other features include improved OS primitives, USB support and file system performance.
Version 6.8 includes increased multicore processor support for Intel Core i7 processor; Symmetric Multiprocessing performance improvements; and developer tool productivity improvements, including VxWorks core dump file and analysis, and improvements to multicore and multi-OS debugging and user workflows. Visit www.windriver.com.
Ethernet Cable
PIC Wire & Cable, of Sussex, Wis., released a 10GBase-T Category 6a high speed ethernet cable, E6A0824, designed for airborne applications such as communications and local area networks.
The cable’s twisted-pair construction reduces inductive interference, while 100 percent foil and 90 percent braided shielding serve to further protect against EMI, the company said.
The cable is Skydrol resistant, RoHS compliant, passes FAA FAR flammability requirements and complies with the updated aircraft wiring standards. Visit www.picwire.com.
Chart Upgrades
Navtech, based in Waterloo, Ontario, has upgraded its electronic charts.
The new Navtech eCharts feature an easy-to-use interface, improved night mode functionality and “CrossTalk” capability between connected flight deck units, the company said. Additionally, Navtech launched Seamless Enroute Chart, supporting professional users with its dynamic world-wide airway charts.
Navtech eCharts provides access to a library of aeronautical charts, supplementary text chapters and optional airline specific content. Navtech eCharts and Navtech Seamless Enroute Chart are compiled from official documents and topographical reference charts, and include digital terrain data. They are designed primarily for instrument enroute navigation. Visit www.navtech.aero.
Voice Recorder STC
A Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from Universal Avionics Systems Corp., of Tucson, Ariz., received FAA supplemental type certification for the Hawker Beechcraft King Air turboprop series.
The CVR is offered in five options to meet business, transport and rotorcraft applications. Options include cockpit voice or flight data recording, with or without internal Recorder Independent Power Supply. Visit www.uasc.com.
Software Upgrade
Aspen Avionics, Albuquerque, N.M., released a version 2.1 software upgrade kit for its EFD1000 Primary Flight Display and the EFD1000/EFD500 Multi-Function Display. The upgrade includes enhancements to the panning functions, navigation map and auto-ranging features of Evolution flight displays. Visit www.aspenavionics.com.
Night Vision STC
Aero Dynamix, of Euless, Texas, was awarded an FAA supplemental type certificate for its Night Vision Lighting System on Schweizer Model 300C and 300C-1 helicopters. The STC aircraft, owned and operated by Longhorn Helicopters of Denton Texas, completed all FAA conformity inspections and flight testing. Aero Dynamix holds STCs for Night Vision Lighting Systems on 28 models.Visit www.aerodynamix.com.
Databus Support
VT Miltope will use Mil-Std-1553 data bus products from Data Device Corp. (DDC), of Bohemia, N.Y., to support VT Miltope’s contract to supply the U.S. Army with rugged laptops, instruments and test equipment.
VT Miltope plans to integrate DDC’s newest Express Card and PCI Express Mini Card Mil-Std-1553 systems into its Army At-Platform Automatic Test System series of Maintenance Support Devices. Visit www.ddc-web.com.