WALPOLE, Mass., 1 Dec. 2007. United Electronic Industries (UEI) has been selected by FlightSafety International to supply the computer-based I/O (SimI/O) hardware used in future flight simulators. The UEI system provides the interface between the controlling computers and the simulator's various systems, including Avionics Instrument Control (AIC), Control Loading and Motion (CLM), and Flight Deck I/O (FDK).
UEI was selected for a variety of reasons. Chief among these were:
a) The high channel density of the UEI system allowed the I/O to be installed directly on the simulator, eliminating the need to run literally thousands of wires from the simulator to externally mounted I/O racks.
b) The high speed of the I/O combined with the Gigabit Ethernet interface real-time operating system support allows FlightSafety to operate the new SimI/O at 2000 Hz, providing ultra smooth and realistic flight characteristics,
c) FlightSafety expects to experience an increase in simulator reliability and system throughput. It will also benefit from a reduction in equipment and floor space requirements compared to previous installations due to the elimination of equipments racks and remote VME racks.
d) The built-in diagnostics of the UEI products, combined with the extensive diagnostic and self-test capabilities implemented by FlightSafety reduces installation time, increases MTBF and may increase simulator "in-system availability."
"The UEI system is a key component in our new SimI/O equipped simulators," says Ron Jantzen, director of engineering, Simulation Systems, FlightSafety International. "The capabilities and benfits provided by the RACKtangle I/O series system come as a result of the close working relationship and contributions of the engineering teams from both UEI and FlightSafety. This system will enhanced the performance of our simulators, provide simpler and quicker maintenance, increase in-system availability, and help us to achieve our ultimate goal of creating a superior simulator."