FTI Camera Systems

Kappa is your experienced partner for qualified flight test cameras

Kappa’s certifiable flight test cameras are installed in various aircraft platforms, e.g. helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), VTOL, fighters, and research rockets. To be approved, these aircraft must undergo various tests: environmental tests, noise tests, performance tests, and more. Kappa’s COTS Flight Eye Family cameras are used for all FTI tasks, e.g. to monitor wing flap function in all adverse weather conditions, wind current behaviors in the wind tunnel, retrofitting with sharklets. Detailed video data is being generated. Due to PTP time stamp within each video frame and UDP streaming, full compliance to IRIG 106 chapter 10 is ensured.

Kappa optronics Flight Eye Kamera — Benchmark-setting Flight Eye camera program for all FTI applications.

Flight Eye Camera FE 320 with remote distance head for all FTI tasks

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FTI cameras for all flight test applications

Tasks (ex.)

optical monitoring of wing icing
optical monitoring of wing distortion
optical monitoring of nose wheel steering
optical monitoring of landing gear ( up and down)

The standard for all aerospace applications

Certifiable rugged design
Full HD, CMOS
Ethernet IP & H.264 compression
PTP time stamp
SWP-C optimized
ITAR-free
COTS product line

Flight test camera FE 320: flexible all-in-one design

Flight Test Cameras — FTI Camera FE 320 with compact housing or remote distance up to 10m

Designed for FTI requirements

The FE 320 Flight Test Camera Kit has been developed in close cooperation with our major OEM flight test client Airbus. So we could totally focus on the specific FT requirements and tasks from the beginning. The result is a very easy-to-use modular system for maximum flexibility on-site: just plug the modules together as needed with no preparation required. The system is designed to fit perfectly into the telemetric infrastructure.

Kappa is your experienced partner for qualified flight test cameras with all certifications

FTI cameras: a focus for Kappa Aviation

Test aircraft: fully loaded with test instruments

Test flight aircraft are equipped beyond the normal model version with test equipment. Among these are sensors of all kinds, data recording devices, telemetry equipment and many more. They should provide verification of the performance of various system components and of flight safety. But further development of aircraft or of individual systems, the definition of simulation data, the examination of incidents and the calibration of systems also belong to the spectrum of tasks of the flight test instrumentation (FTI) as well. The pilots, too, fall under complex test pilot licensing requirements.

Kappa entered the sector via its relationships with aircraft manufacturers.

Here, cameras with Kappa’s typical “Rugged Quality” and their remarkable disruption resistance in the face of any environmental conditions (cold, pressure, etc.) score high marks for their higher-than-average image performance with latency-free images. In the area of flight test instrumentation, collaboration occurs in cooperation with specialists in data recording as well as directly with Tier 1 aircraft manufacturers.

Since 2004: Long-standing experience in the area of FTI.

Kappa’s flight test cameras have been in use, both inside and outside aircraft, since 2004. They are installed in aircrafts, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). To be approved, these aircraft must undergo various tests: environmental tests, noise tests, performance tests, and more. Cameras are used, for example, to monitor wing flap function in all adverse weather conditions, or when retrofi tting with sharklets, to monitor wind current behaviors in the wind tunnel. The cameras are technically first-rate; with Ethernet interface and real-time image compression inside the camera, they deliver streams for telemetric applications as well as data for onboard recording.

Kappa Flight Eye: A specific portfolio of flight test cameras for all flight test applications.

Developing the Flight Eye portfolio new standards were set. Instrument protections against overheating and crash safety (ED 112, ED 155) were the next development goals. Cameras’ dimensions were further reduced, making them simpler and more versatile in their integration into flight vehicles. One important aspect in all developments is system compatibility. All flight test data are recorded or transmitted. Interfaces and data volume are aligned with recording capacities. The tendency to condense components more and more in the future into one system or one sensor is clear. In the area of telemetry, new qualities are expected as well. For all of these developments, Kappa sees itself well positioned as a technology supplier that thrives on innovation.

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This ITAR-free, aviation-qualified FE camera family with SWaP-C (SWaP = reducing size, weight, power and cost) optimized design offers various physical setups and interfaces for integration into aircraft systems. Users can choose between compact or remote head versions. They also decide to go with onboard H.264 compression and dual streaming via GigE (e.g., for airborne mission recording/debriefing) or zero-latency via HD-SDI (e.g., for UAV piloting from the drone control room/sight through HUD).

The SE320’s design is even qualified for environmental conditions in space applications. International OEMs and MROs have closely accompanied the development of this modularly designed COTS product line, also perfectly suited for retrofit solutions.

One model in the FE family addresses a current hot topic in the aviation industry: light aircraft crash recording (for planes such as Cessna or VTOL air taxis) that complies with NTSB guidelines and current EASA regulation. Here, Kappa’s FE 320 comes into play, an optimized solution for crash safety data recording that is fully ED-155/ ED-112 qualified and comes with the required DAL-D design assurance level (in accordance with DO-178/DO-154).

Compliance is key in aviation: This is where Kappa makes the difference with 40 years of camera and vision system experience for anything that drives or flies.

Technical Data Matrix Aviation

	FE 320 Flight Eye	SE 320 Space Eye	FE 350 Flight Eye	FE 250 Flight Eye
Qualified, certifiable	ROHS, RTCA, DO-160, others on request	ROHS, RTCA, DO-160, NSRP qualiﬁed program: NASA Sounding Rocket Operations	ROHS, RTCA, DO-160, others on request	ROHS, RTCA, DO-160, others on request
Environments	Indoor/Outdoor	Indoor/Outdoor/ Vacuum	Indoor/Outdoor	Indoor/Outdoor
References / Application proof	FTI for fixed wings aircraft and rotary wings, crash recording for light aircraft and helicopters, UAVs, VTOL / air taxi, training, debriefing and recording; surveillance for cockpit and external cargo	Space & launcher applications	UAV piloting for HALE, MALE, VTOL, Super sonic harsh aerial vehicles; FTI; taxiing	UAV piloting; FTI (standard item for Airbus); transport aircraft; AAR; taxiing
OS / Interfaces	Embedded Linux, IP Ethernet / FTP access	Embedded Linux, IP Ethernet / FTP access	Embedded Linux, IP Ethernet / FTP access, INET-X	HD-SDI, SD-SDI, RS422/232
Sensors	CMOS, global shutter	CMOS, global shutter	CCD, global shutter, color (monochrome on request)	CCD, global shutter, color (monochrome on request)
Resolution	up to Full HD 1080p60	up to Full HD 1080p60	Dual video streams: Full HD 1920x1080p30, 640x360p30	HD-SDI, HDTV, 1920x1080p25
Control interface	GeniCam, XML Files (Control), GigE Vision, optional: SferiRec® (FE 320 LCR)	GeniCam, XML-Files (Control), GigE Vision	GeniCam, XML-files (Control), GigE Vision, MPEG2TS (Data), PoE (Power)	RS 485, Kappa protocol
Triggering	External hardware trigger, software trigger	External hardware trigger, software trigger	External hardware trigger	-
Time synchronicity	PTPv2 (IEEE1588)	PTPv2 (IEEE1588)	PTPv2 (IEEE1588)	-
Latency	Camera: < 150 ms (Approx. 80 ms between sensor and camera output @ 1080p60)	Camera: < 150 ms (Approx. 80 ms between sensor and camera output @ 1080p60)	Glass-to-glass: < 250 ms	Camera: < 10 ms
Memory	Internal SD for loop recording	Internal SD for loop recording	-	-
Compression	H.264, 1-16 Mbit/s, dual streaming, high profile (level 5) adjustable	H.264, 1-16 Mbit/s, dual streaming, high profile (level 5) adjustable	H.264 compression, 1-16 Mbit/s, dual streaming, high profile (level 5) adjustable	-
Interfaces / bandwith	GigE, 1 Gbit/s	GigE, 1 Gbit/s	Ethernet 100 Mbit/s	HD-SDI, 1.5 Gbit/s
Frame rate	1080p60 (60 fps), 720p120 (120 fps), 360p200 (180 fps), adjustable up to 180 fps depending on resolution and imager	1080p60 (60 fps), 720p120 (120 fps), 360p200 (180 fps), adjustable up to 180 fps depending on resolution and imager	Adjustable from 1-30 fps	SD-SDI 50i, HD-SDI 25p
Dimension / Weight	CEU (corpus): 59 x 40 x 116 mm (incl. connectors), appr. 360 g; CSU (head): 50 x 39 x 53 mm, appr. 150 g (51° HFoV, excl. heater, incl. lens protection)	CEU (corpus): 59 x 40 x 116 mm (incl. connectors), appr. 360 g; CSU (head): 50 x 39 x 53 mm, appr. 150 g (51° HFoV, excl. heater, incl. lens protection)	CEU (corpus): 59 x 40 x 116 mm (incl. connectors), appr. 360 g; CSU (head): 50 x 39 x 53 mm, appr. 150 g (51° HFoV, excl. heater, incl. lens protection)	Ø 60 x 140mm (excl. Connectors), 620g (depending on model)
Power supply	9-36 V DC (compact & remote head version), optional: 9-60 V DC with CPE, power interruption 100ms)	9-36 V DC (compact & remote head version), optional: 9-60 V DC with CPE, power interruption 100ms)	MIL-STD 704 A; 18.5-32.5 V DC, galvanic isolation	MIL-STD 704 A, 15-50 V DC, galvanic isolation
De-icing / De-misting system	Optional	Optional	Built-in	Built-in
Specials	Modular concept, ﬂexible with remote head, distance up to 10m, active-wire, COTS, ITAR-free	Tested in vacuum and for extended shock & vibration conditions for space application. NASA-tested ME40280 environmental test, COTS, ITAR free	easy integration in any electrical environment with power peak and power gap protection (250 ms), COTS, ITAR free	Standard camera for AIRBUS FTI, COTS, ITAR free

Kappa - Safran: Turnkey Solution

Together, the XMA, MDR/MDR-GT, GMDR system and eZ Software Suite by Safran Data Systems and the Flight Eye FTI Cameras by Kappa optronics provide a perfectly integrated turnkey solution for acquisition, processing, recording, distribution and replay of FTI data. Please check the flyer in the download section.

Safran - Instrumentation and flight test telemetry for aircraft: Go to Safran ...

FTI Camera Systems

Kappa is your experienced partner for qualified flight test cameras

Tasks (ex.)

The standard for all aerospace applications

Flight test camera FE 320: flexible all-in-one design

Designed for FTI requirements

FTI cameras: a focus for Kappa Aviation

Test aircraft: fully loaded with test instruments

Kappa entered the sector via its relationships with aircraft manufacturers.

Since 2004: Long-standing experience in the area of FTI.

Kappa Flight Eye: A specific portfolio of flight test cameras for all flight test applications.

Technical Data Matrix Aviation

Kappa - Safran: Turnkey Solution

Eva Konta

Pascal Greinke

Virginia Navarro

Harold O'Grady

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