Avionics News June 2015 - 50

ALTO Acapella
Series Keypads

NEW PRODUCTS
Continued from page 49

Aerospace Optics
Aerospace Optics is known for its VIVISUN switching products, a wide-ranging and highly flexible line of ruggedized, illuminated push-button switches and indicators with MIL-SPEC
and DO-160 compliance options. At the AEA Convention,
Loren Jensen, president and chief executive officer, introduced
attendees to his company's newest product line, the NEXSYS
series of avionics interface solutions.
The ARINC 429 Discrete Signal Converter, dubbed the
SR429, is the company's first NEXSYS product. The SR429
converts data bits associated with a single ARINC 429 label
and dissects them into 23
discrete output pins, one
for each data bit. It does
this without software
or firmware, meaning
DO-254 or DO-178
certification isn't
required, even
Aerospace Optics' SR429
though each unit in
the SR429 product family "has been designed to meet or exceed DO-160F and equivalent MIL-STD test levels," according to the company.
The NEXSYS SR429 comes in two flavors: factory preconfigured for any specific ARINC 429 label and transmission speed, or as a so-called "universal unit" in which ARINC
labels and transmission speeds can be set and reset in the field.
Aerospace Optics said the SR429's "flexibility makes it perfect
for ADS-B applications, but it can be used anywhere discrete
signals are required to drive analog devices." The SR429 also
can be used to expand an ARINC 429 bus in situations where all
built-in discrete outputs have already been allocated. This capability allows installers to avoid long lead-times and expensive
software modifications. The SR429 features light weight (312
grams) and compact size (2.7-inch by 5.8-inch by 1.2-inch).
Aerospace Optics' NEXSYS products can work independently or be paired with VIVISUN lighted push-button
switches and indicators for specific applications. The first
addition to Aerospace Optics' new NEXSYS product line is in
production now.
To learn more, visit vivisunavionics.com
ALTO Aviation
Partly because a metal tube cruising at Mach 0.8 or
greater is a very challenging environment for quality audio,
in-flight entertainment has become a significant portion of
the avionics industry, aboard both commercial and private
aircraft. To help meet that market, ALTO Aviation offers a
50

avionics news

june

2015

line of amplifiers, speakers and complete
surround-sound systems
for any aircraft. The company's latest product line is the
Acapella series of keypads designed for
headphone and speaker control by passengers. The keypads come in five distinct versions.
The basic Acapella headphone keypad offers a stereo 3.5
mm output jack along with audio select and volume up/down
buttons. It can be mounted to a side ledge and includes a
removable bezel. The Acapella VIP keypads, meanwhile, are
four-button panels enabling speaker or headphone selection,
as well as source and volume controls. The Acapella Tethered
keypad is a hand-held unit with a 24-inch harness enabling simplified installation and including the Acapella VIP's four-button
controls. The fourth product is the Acapella Integrated Audio/
Visual Control keypad, which incorporates source selection
capabilities compatible with monitors featuring internal video
switching.
Rounding out ALTO Aviation's Acapella keyboard product
line is a replacement for the Baker Electronics Headphone
Controller DECU series, which are in widespread use. The
Acapella Baker DECU Replacement keypad is 100 percent
fit-compatible with the Baker units, according to the company,
and even allows reusing the existing mounting provisions. The
replacement keypads offer unique opportunities for updating
legacy IFE installations independent of any existing CMS/
cabin control systems, according to the company. They do not
require interior modifications, are easy to upgrade and install
and are compatible with other components in ALTO Aviation's
Acapella product line. The keypads may be used for new installations or as upgrades to existing systems.
To learn more, visit altoaviation.com.
Appareo Systems
Appareo Systems is well-known throughout general aviation as the manufacturer of the Stratus and Stratus II portable
ADS-B In receivers. Thanks to their popularity, the company has developed a companion product, the Stratus ESG
transponder, a 1090 ES all-in-one ADS-B Out solution with
certified WAAS GPS aboard. The new transponder - which

Appareo Systems' Stratus ESG transponder

http://www.altoaviation.com http://www.vivisunavionics.com

Avionics News June 2015

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