Story ID: 096June17
Max-Viz 2300 EVS Certified to DO-160G
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: The Max-Vix 2300 multi-spectral imaging system is designed to work with combined vision systems.
Word Count: 279
The Astronics Max-Viz 2300 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) multi-spectral imaging system now meets RTCA DO-160G environmental testing standards. The system blends imagery from a long-wave infrared sensor and a visible-light sensor to equip pilots to “see” at night and through haze, smoke, smog and light fog. 

The advantage of the multi-spectral sensors is that both the infrared and light sensor complement each other’s weaknesses. Some airports are converting incandescent lights, which emit a lot of heat that is easily detectable by infrared sensors, to LED lights, which are viewable by visible-light sensors but not infrared. “The Max-Viz 2300, however, with our blended thermal and visible-light image, does ‘see’ the lights, and can provide detailed information about the terrain to pilots in all kinds of weather and flight conditions,” according to Max-Viz sales manager Grant Sumpter. The camera has a long-wave vanadium oxide microbolometer infrared sensor in the 8- to 14-micron wavelength. 

Max-Viz is offering the 2300 to avionics integrators to use in a combined vision system (CVS), where the multi-spectral imagery is partnered with synthetic vision imagery to deliver a real-time view of outside conditions overlaid on database-derived terrain depictions. “The CVS will provide pilots with greater assurance that transient obstacles and/or missing data in the terrain awareness and warning system (Taws) database will be detected,” according to Max-Viz.

The imagery can be displayed on installed multifunction displays as well as electronic flight bags, or any display that accepts composite video (RS-170) NTSC or PAL signals. Although the blended image is monochrome, the visible-light camera can provide a color HD signal for cabin displays. Suggested retail price for the system is $60,000.