commercially available LCD, but made
several improvements for better optical
quality, better reliability and longer lifetime.
Q: What are your key technologies
for tower control displays?
A: In the ATC tower, key requirements are
high brightness with low dimming, viewing
angle, low reflection, and touchscreen
capability.
Our 24in TCD361/2 is based on an LCD
from the same Panasonic factory as our 28in
display, which ensures good viewing angle
characteristics. The high brightness is
attained using the most recent LED backlight
technologies, and the protective front filter
glass uses high-end etchings and coatings.
We have also incorporated a PCAP
(projected capacitive) touchscreen.
PCAP multi-touch touchscreen
technology is widely used today in
cellphones and tablets, and our technology is
similar, but improved. For example, to
minimize reflections, we apply the front filter
glass (with PCAP touchscreen) to the LCD
using optical bonding techniques.
Q: What are your key technologies
for aux support displays?
A: Aux support displays are intended to be
placed next to the main radar display,
displaying auxiliary data, which means their
main requirement is a good systems
integration with the main radar display, good
color consistency between the screens, and
well-considered mechanical integration.
For example, our ADP361/3 aux support
display is designed for good integration with a
MDP471/4 display. A controller working
position (CWP) with one 2Kx2K main screen,
and left and right an ADP361/3 in portrait
mode, can be color-calibrated with the sensor
and software, which we also provide.
ScioTeq also recommends some products
from our partner NEC, which we certify for
24/7 usage in ATC environment, and which
are also compatible with our color
calibration software.
52 AIR TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2020
The low lifecycle cost equation for aux
support displays is more challenging. Some
customers prefer to use our product, at a
slightly higher initial cost than standard
commercial displays, which will remain in
service for many years; some other
customers prefer using standard commercial
displays, which may need replacing every
two or three years.
Q: What is ScioTeq’s bestselling
ATC technology?
A: Our flagship product remains the square
28in 2Kx2K main radar display: the
MDP471/4, which is now in its fourth
generation. We have offered and developed
this product for more than 20 years.
Q: What technologies are currently
in development at ScioTeq?
A: A prototype of our most recent
development, the ‘MDP843 Plus’, was shown
at ATCA last year. We are particularly proud
of our achievement in bringing the image
quality level of the 43in 4Kx2K display to the
same level as the 28in 2Kx2K LCD. Due to
our optical expertise, we are able to do
improvements in the optical stack of
backlight, LCD and bonded front glass. The
MDP843 Plus is due to be released for mass
production later this year.
We have also developed a new MDP832
32in 4Kx2K display, with all the same
features as the MDP843, which is targeted
for both tower and en-route ATC use. The
display has the same PCAP multi-touch
technology as the 24in TCD361, with high
brightness, bonded front glass, and a highend
front glass. A prototype was also shown
last year at ATCA, and this product also goes
into mass production later this year.
On the display back-end, we are adding
capabilities to support flexible multi-window
layouts on the 4Kx2K screen, and for
managing the full user interface. Up to four
video inputs can be shown simultaneously
on the screen, in a user-configurable layout.
Q: What are ScioTeq’s corporate
plans for the future?
With more than a 20-year track record in the
ATC market, ScioTeq has the clear vision to
remain the leading visualization player in the
ATC market for at least another 20 years.
We have a majority market share position
in the ATC sector worldwide, a position we
wish to expand on by making focused
investments in state-of-the-art ATC market
products, serving our customers’ specific
needs while at the same time providing
maximum added value. v
SUPPLIER INTERVIEW
The TCD361, MDP843, MDP471 are bright, high-resolution and reliable ATC displays
MORE THAN
YEARS OF INNOVATION
ScioTeq has its headquarters in Kortrijk, Belgium and has facilities for sales & marketing, customer
support, R&D and manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific regions.
ScioTeq’s previous brand, Barco was founded in 1934 in Poperinge, Belgium – indeed Barco was an
acronym for Belgian American Radio Corporation, a name selected as company founder, Lucien de Puydt's
initial business was assembling radios from parts imported from the USA.
In 1941, following the death of de Puydt, radio pioneer Camiel Descamps, together with his wife and
brother-in-law, grew the company and spread around 90 countries across the globe. Over the years Barco
has developed everything from the first multi-standard television, to jukeboxes, color TVs, TV monitors
to broadcasters, mechanical components for industrial use, quality control monitoring for the textile and
plastics industries, transistor-based portable TVs, CRT projectors for airplanes, projection technology for
IBM, Apple and Hewlett-Packard, LCD, LED, DLP and LCoS technology, cinema projectors, and of course
ATC displays.