Products
Skyquest’s PC in a display

Aug. 27, 2009 – Skyquest Aviation is using Helitech to launch two revolutionary smart displays that, for the first time, will allow customers to run their own software applications on an embedded fan-less PC.

Sqyquest's embedded PC display

Marketing director Geoff Turner says that Skyquest Smart Displays offer customers the flexibility to customize their mission software, without the need to run a separate lap-top or processors. “As well as showing video from the EO sensors, the screens have a rugged internal PC to run applications such as moving map, mission planning, Automatic Identification System transponder, Automatic Number Plate Reader – indeed any commercial Windows™ or Linux™ app.”

The 25 and 30cm (10 and 12 inch) touch-screen displays are intended for cockpit mounting and each offer Ethernet™ connectivity and up to five USB interfaces. These can be used to add a mouse or 3G modem; or perhaps to download images from a stand-alone digital camera. Turner explains: “we sourced revolutionary new chips that do not need cooling from fans, which are essential for conventional computers.

“The displays not only offer extensive flexibility, but save significant weight and bulk in the cabin. We have shipped a major batch to a military customer and the second production run is now under way for a European helicopter manufacturer. They are already building space for it in their instrument panels.

Rather than supply ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ software with their products, Turner says they are responding to demand from customers to provide a ready platform for their own applications.

“We want to excite the rest of the market to the potential that open-architecture devices like these can offer.”