Story ID: 338 Emteq
Emteq Improves eConnect
By: Mark Phelps
Caption: Emteq has many new products on display at EBACE this year, but the buzz is around its eConnect advancements.
Word Count: 522
Of all the new products it is has on display at EBACE this year, New Berlin, Wisconsin-based Emteq (Booth 1557) expects the most buzz to be around its eConnect advancements. Since eConnect was introduced in the fourth quarter of 2011, Emteq has continued to update the cabin electronics control system, ensuring it not only will serve as a current top-line CMS/IFE system but can also adapt to future needs. Some of the newer features rolling out here at EBACE include an advanced acceleration and compression software integration, proprietary moving map and optimized personal electronic device (PED) interface.
The eConnect system has been extremely well received, said Emteq. Its most compelling asset is that it is a very flexible system that can provide full CMS, IFE (in flight entertainment) and wireless router capability in one line replaceable unit (LRU). The LRU is also scalable to accommodate the system needs of any particular aircraft, according to the company. Flexibility is also an asset of Emteq as a company, it maintains, with its ability to respond to the needs of customer and quickly implement solutions; especially compared to larger OEMs.
Emteq reports eConnect has been installed–or has pending installations this year–on aircraft ranging from the HondaJet up to a Boeing 767. Its office in Bachenbulach, here in Switzerland, is providing technical program management for these programs and is proving to be a very successful model for supporting European customers, said the company.
One recently completed installation was carried out in cooperation with Ruag in Munich on a Bombardier CRJ200. The aircraft operator chose to install eConnect as a full CMS and IFE system. The bilingual system GUI provides control of window shades and lighting. It also interfaces with mounted monitors and the aircraft audio system as well as wirelessly streaming IFE content to PEDs on board.
Emteq recently won the bid on a program to install an IFE upgrade in a Bombardier Global XRS, adding a wireless PED interface, as well as cabin management controlling our Quasar II full spectrum lighting system. The installation is scheduled for the third quarter of this year with FAI in Nuremberg, Germany.
Many of Emteq’s ongoing installation programs include several other advanced cabin products that it is also introducing at EBACE this year, including Quasar II. The company’s most advanced addition to its Quasar line moves mood lighting beyond what is currently available, using a small, lighter, and brighter product. According to Emteq, Quasar II provides vivid colors and dynamic scenes; and does it all with the ease of 115-volt AC functionality.
Another innovation on show here in Geneva is intelliUSB SR–an on board charging system for PEDs. With the growing ubiquity of iPads, iPhones, Droids, tablets and other devices, being able to charge them in-flight is now virtually a necessity. The intelliUSB SR bridges the gap in the market as a universal charging device, and it’s now smaller than ever.
Emteq has offices in the U.S. (including Emteq Engineering in Florida), Canada, Brazil and here in Switzerland.