Carrier Board for In-flight Audio Video Entertainment System

Client:

Rockwell Collins, a communications and aviation electronics solutions company, and Arrow Electronics, a supply channel partner for suppliers, manufacturers and commercial customers.

Project:

Arrow contracted RightHand Technologies to help with the design for Rockwell Collins’ new Digital Programmable Audio Video Entertainment System (dPAVES).

dPAVES is an in-flight entertainment system that brings digital technology to the aircraft cabin while using less weight, power and volume than previous products. It also represents a significant improvement in audio and video resolution.

RightHand Technologies’ task was to develop a custom carrier board for the dPAVES that incorporated many media server functions, such as multiple video and audio channels, multiple LANs, power conversion, system management, temperature sensing and more. The system needed to be lightweight, low cost and rugged enough to withstand the rigors of in-flight use – all while consuming as little power as possible.

The unit also required a high degree of integration for high reliability, and it needed to run Airshow, Rockwell’s moving map application.

Results:

The carrier board RightHand Technologies designed met the clients’ criteria, and dPAVES is being used in numerous airlines’ commercial aircrafts and on private business jets.

The product has been so well received that RightHand Technologies had to significantly increased production to meet the demand.

Rockwell Collins continues to engage Arrow and RightHand Technologies for additional design projects.