Thales and Universal Avionics Systems Corporation (UASC) announced that Universal Avionics will use the Thales SkyNav GG12W OEM GPS boards in the company's new generation flight management systems, designed for business jets around the world. The selection entails a $6.39 million commitment to Thales GPS boards over three years.

About the SkyNav GG12W The SkyNav GG12W meets the stringent requirements of the FAA, leveraging more than 10 years of experience in high-precision receiver design. In the SkyNav GG12W, Thales has developed an OEM GPS and GPS+GLONASSTM receiver explicitly for the aviation industry. With WAAS capabilities, the SkyNav GG12W meets FAA DO229C and DO178B Level B requirements, making it ideal for Universal Avionics application.

While many previous designs have been successful with aircraft and aircraft systems manufacturers for test flight applications, the SkyNav GG12W is ideally suited for integration within Technical Standard Order (TSO) Flight Management Systems (FMS), ground-based reference stations for GPS aircraft landing systems (SCAT I and LAAS) and other avionics.

The SkyNav GG12 software has been developed in accordance with the requirements for RTCA DO-178B Level B (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification). The hardware has been developed to conform to the RTCA DO-208 (MOPS for Airborne Supplemental Navigation Equipment Using GPS) requirements. The hardware and navigational accuracy has been developed in accordance with the RTCA DO-217 (MASPS DGNSS Instrument Approach System: SCAT-I) requirements.

The receiver capably operates in autonomous or differential mode, making it ideal for all phases of flight, including precision approach. It also provides code and carrier data for ground reference station operation.

In addition to its certification, the SkyNav GG12W receiver features extensive anti-jamming capabilities in the RF hardware and incorporates all-in-view tracking of up to 12 satellites with a loss of lock re-acquisition time of less than 3 seconds. It also meets the Continuous Wave Interference (CWI) specification from RTCA DO-208 and DO-229 (WAAS, MOPS).

Through its OEM business, Thales aims to provide electronics customers around the globe a broad range of reliable and competitive OEM IP/technology, product solutions and customer service to enhance their leadership position in existing and emerging markets. Customers include leaders in such markets as avionics, agriculture, vehicle navigation, and consumer electronics.

Source: Thales, Sept. 13, 2004