Aeroflex unveils reconfigurable avionics tester
Avionics Test Bench and Avionics Test Studio combine to offer signal generation and signal analysis in a PXI system that can be used during design, production testing, and maintenance.
-- Test & Measurement World, 4/14/2008 11:32:00 AM
Aeroflex has introduced a reconfigurable PXI-based test platform that the company says brings compatibility to the design, production testing, and maintenance of avionics navigation and communications systems.The system, which consists of the Avionics Test Bench hardware and the Avionics Test Studio software, offers both signal generation and signal analysis in a single PXI chassis.
The Avionics Test Bench hardware is available in two standard configurations. The basic configuration, the ATB-3000, includes an Aeroflex touch-screen PXI chassis with a built-in controller and an Aeroflex 3025C RF signal generator and synthesizer module. The stand-alone configuration includes the Avionics Test Studio signal-generator software. Optional configurations are available for ATE rack mounting or an external monitor and controller. Because the tester is PXI-based, customers can expand the basic system with other special-purpose cards and functionality.
Avionics Test Studio is a collection of software-defined PXI instruments that perform avionics signal generation from 100 kHz to 6 GHz. The software tools generate and test traditional navigation and communications signals, including airborne data link protocols such as VHF data link Mode 2 and Mode 3.
Aeroflex says that Avionics Test Studio can be used for product development, prototype development, certification, factory test, troubleshooting, and repair. Avionics Test Studio offers standard signals such as ADF, ILS, VOR, VHF comm, Marker Beacon, Selcal, DME, LRA, and VDB. Waveforms can be tailored to meet a specific need, and all signal parameters can be controlled from the graphical user interface as software-defined instruments or as DLL calls in an ATE system.
“Avionics design, manufacturing, and maintenance engineers need a test platform that can be easily adapted and reused in new programs. A typical nav/comm unit must be maintained for decades. By using Avionics Test Bench and Avionics Test Studio, customers are able to leverage PXI’s compatibility across all phases of the product’s life. Compatible test results and a flexible test system can significantly improve troubleshooting efficiency. Compatibility also reduces No Fault Found incidences for nav/comm systems, saving time and money in the process,” said John Ardussi, director of business development, Aeroflex Test Solutions, in a prepared statement.
Base prices: Avionics Test Bench—$27,750. Avionics Test Studio—pricing depends upon the modules ordered. Aeroflex, www.aeroflex.com
