INTER IOR S I NNOVATION
GAN-BASED
POWER SUPPLIES
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
MARCH 2020
178
in-seat power
Monetised USB power
AAR Engineering Services has worked with
established industrial partners in power supply
systems and peripherals to develop a
comprehensive in-seat power system (ISPS)
that includes a USB charging system with all
engineering and certification, installation and
modification kits, and MRO installation support.
The ISPS can also help generate ancillary
revenues, as airlines can elect to charge
passengers a small fee for the use of USB power
during the flight, along with the potential to
derive revenue from advertisements.
The ISPS system is made from lightweight
components and eliminates the need to install
power boxes at each seat assembly, minimising
certification costs, complexity and the need to
perform seat modifications. According to AAR, the
system is easy to install, with minimal downtime.
AES has developed its first GaN-based switch-mode power
supplies. The flagship PS2500 (500W) is claimed to be the
industry’s first passively cooled power supply, offering more
than 92% overall system efficiency at full load, and weighing
1.4kg. Further, the PS6120 (1,200W) model offers more than
91.5 % overall system efficiency at full load.
The PS2500 and PS6120 have been certified as DO-160
compliant, meeting the 25-point standard of the Radio
Technical Commission for Aeronautics. This standard
assessed the system’s impact and performance under
various external and internal conditions, from pressure
and temperature, to voltage spikes and RF emissions.
“The aviation industry is working toward reducing climate
impact through any means possible,” says Dr Andreas
Hammer, head of the power competence centre at AES.
“Considering this, we sought out GaN semiconductors so
we could provide a more efficient, lighter weight power
supply. After only a year of redesigning, we were
able to offer our customers a better power solution,
while also raising the performance bar within our
own industry.”
STAND: XXXX In-seat
accessibility
In the USA alone, more than 26
million disabled passengers travelled
by airplane last year and many
governments are introducing
legislation protecting the rights of those
flyers. In response, Inflight Canada
(IFC) has built upon its PES/PSS+P
system to introduce innovations
geared towards passenger
accessibility so airlines can
better serve all passengers.
The new system, named
PASS (passenger
accessibility &
services system), retains all typical PSS
controls such as reading and call light
controls and USB power, and adds air
vent controls in the armrest.
The controls are packaged into
a PCU that can fit into nearly any seat.
Communication between the PCU
and the PSU panel above each seat
assembly makes installation quick
and easy while keeping costs
minimal. The system is
scalable from just a few
rows to the entire
passenger cabin.
A simple
way to offer
temperature
control to
PRMs
OPTIMISED POWER
Engineers at Data Device Corporation (DDC) have completed work on
280W Lite, a PED-only power supply with a 1kg weight, dimensions
of 170mm x 140mm x 46mm, power efficiency of >88%, and power
management capability without the need for an MCU/AMCU. The 280W
Lite adds support for DDC’s processor-based USB power delivery
system, to provide power management across multiple peripherals with
varying power requirements. Together the 280W Lite power supply and
USB power delivery unit can supply PED power, including USB Type-A &
USB Type-C (60W).
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com