SUPPLIER INTERVIEW
AIR TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2020 51.
ENAV. We also have a very good foothold in
the China, India, Asia, Africa and Oceania
markets.
Q: What makes ScioTeq displays
unique in the ATC market?
A: One of the things that makes us unique is
the fact that the design team developing the
ATC displays is also the same team making
rugged displays and avionics (cockpit)
displays. Of course the process requirements
for cockpit displays are a lot higher than for
ATC displays, but we still share the same
toolset for our design and our reliability
testing, and we build from the same
knowledge base.
The ScioTeq team allows no compromises
on quality, reliability and optical
performance, always looking for new ways to
improve our products.
We also provide product support over a
long period of time, which is important in all
our markets for avionics, defense and ATC.
This support requires us to actively monitor
for the obsolescence of electronic
components, and pro-actively update our
designs when needed.
Advances in technology also inspire us to
update our designs. This is the reason why
our 28in 2Kx2K display has already had
three technology upgrades, from the first
generation display to today’s fourthgeneration
design. All these initiatives, when
brought together, result in low lifecycle costs
and keep our products operational, 24/7, for
many years.
One example we are proud of is that when
we were replacing the installed base at
EuroControl, the average runtime of the
Barco displays we were replacing was 13.5
years, without any reliability issues. Some
displays even had an uptime that was
approaching 17 years.
Q: Can ScioTeq displays be customized
for individual customer requirements?
A: They certainly can, and we have already
customized many displays. Our customer
focus is an important part of our addedvalue
offering. These customizations can
take many forms, including mechanical
adaptations, firmware adaptations, optical
improvements, and even customer-driven
electronics developments to add specific
functionalities. In short, we are able to
deliver complete customized visualization
solutions. We are very happy to meet with
customers to discuss how we can meet their
individual requirements.
Q: What are your key technologies
for main radar screens?
A: We are very proud of the LCD in our 28in
2Kx2K display. The custom LCD is
manufactured by our OEM supplier,
Panasonic in their Himeji 8th generation
plant, and it is specifically customized for
ATC use. In my opinion, Panasonic has one
of the best LCD technologies on the planet.
One of our main challenges recently has
been to bring a 43in 4Kx2K display to the
market, with the same level of quality as our
old 28in unit. Here, we started from a
TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE
With over 250,000 display solutions fielded in the last 30 years, ScioTeq’s advanced visualization products
can now be found on board more than 150 aircraft types, more than 100 ship types and more than 50
vehicle types. Every day, more than 80,000 flights are controlled from a ScioTeq ATC display. So how did
the company achieve such success?
• In 1949, Barco started developing television sets, and in 1967, it was one of the first European
companies to introduce color TV
• In the 1980s, Barco started focusing on more professional markets such as aerospace and defense.
The displays were first CRT based, but in the 1990s moved to LCD technology, which allowed higher
levels of ruggedization
• In the 1990s, with the evolution of LCD technology, Barco was one of the first companies to bring
COTS-based LCD displays to demanding environments, using patented LCD-based technologies. With
the acquisition of Chromatics in the USA, Barco gained unique graphics generation technologies
that were embedded in its display products, bringing smart symbol generation capabilities to
its displays
• In 1998, Barco’s Defense & Aeropace division started developing the world’s first square 28in
2048x2048 LCD display. This display was o icially introduced in 2000, and quickly became the
world standard as main radar display for ATC, replacing bulky CRT screens. This display received
much acclaim by the ATC industry, and in 2001 it received the New Technology award from Jane’s
Information Group
• In 2015, Esterline acquired Barco’s Defense, ATC, Avionics and Training business, which evolved
by combining other Esterline display capabilities, to become the Esterline Advanced Displays
business unit
• In 2019, Esterline Technologies Corporation was acquired by TransDigm, and the Esterline Advanced
Displays business unit was renamed ScioTeq.
Photo: Eurocontrol
Left: ScioTeq display systems for ATM and ATC provide accurate
real-time information throughout the ATM system
Opposite: The MDP843 in use by DSNA