Control Systems:
AES controls use microcontroller or programmable logic (e.g. FPGA).
Over the past 10 years AES has developed several products, some controlled by a microcontroller and others using programmable logic (e.g. FPGA). We apply these products to a broad range of applications.
The move to digitally controlled products started with the RGB spotlights for colour lighting applications. The spotlight features a 32-bit microcontroller, which regulates and monitors the light output while software compensates for colour deviations caused by operating temperature and aging. AES developed and documented the embedded software in accordance with the RTCA DO-178B standard (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification).
A major showpiece within the AES Light System is the configurable RGBW Light Controller, developed and approved for single-aisle, long-range and A380 aircrafts.
We tailor the light controller functions to meet customer requirements, using application specific software and parameter configurations. This flexibility makes the light controller a versatile control device for AES LED light products.
One of our earlier customer project involved the hardware and software design and development of a complex component for an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. This included the integration of a commercial Gigabit Ethernet switch module. The next generation of this component will feature optical 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports to support high-bandwidth IFE backbone connections.
In another project, AES designed and developed a custom water control system for a VIP aircraft. The system consisted of a main controller unit and touch screen computer to serve as an interface to communicate over a serial data bus. Rather than software, programmable logic drives the core functions of the main controller. This allowed it to meet all the requirements, e.g. controlling many valves simultaneously.
Other existing and future projects address the areas of power management and digitally controlled power supplies.
