Flight Eye Camera Program: The standard in all aviation applications.
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.
FE 320 Flight Eye | SE 320 Space Eye | FE 350 Flight Eye | FE 250 Flight Eye | |
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Qualified, certifiable |
ROHS, RTCA, |
ROHS, RTCA, |
ROHS, RTCA,
|
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, |
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 acces |
Embedded Linux, IP Ethernet / FTP access, INET-X |
Embedded Linux, IP Ethernet / FTP acces, INET-X |
HD-SDI, SD-SDI, RS422/232 |
Sensors | CMOS, global shutter, IMX252 (1/1,8"), color |
CMOS, global shutter, IMX252 (1/1,8"), color |
CCD, global shutter, KAI02150 (2/3"), color (monochrome on request) |
CCD, global shutter, KAI02150 (2/3"), 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, |
External hardware trigger, software trigger |
External hardware trigger |
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Time synchronicity |
PTPv2 (IEEE1588) | PTPv2 (IEEE1588) | PTPv1, PTPv2 (IEEE1588) | — |
Latency | Glass-to-glass: < 150 ms (at 60 fps) | Glass-to-glass: < 150 ms (at 60 fps) | 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 | Ethernet 100 Mbit/s | Ethernet 100 Mbit/s | HD-SDI, 1.5 Gbit/s |
Frame rate | 1080p60 (60 fps), 720p120 (120 fps), 360p200 (200 fps), adjustable up to 200 fps depending on resolution and imager |
Adjustable from 1-30 fps | 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. Connecotrs), appr. 380 g; CSU (head): 50 x 39 x 53 mm, appr. 170 g (51° HFoV, excl. heater, incl. lens protection) | Ø 60 x 159mm (excl. Connectors), 770g (depending on model) | 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 100 ms) |
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 |
FTI cameras for all flight test tasks
The standard in all aviation applications
Certifiable rugged design |
FULL HD, CMOS performance |
Ethernet IP & H.264 compression |
PTP time stamp |
SWAP-C optimized |
ITAR free |
COTS product line |
Aircraft Control
optical monitoring of wing icing |
optical monitoring of wing distortion |
optical monitoring of nose wheel steering |
optical monitoring of landing gear (up and down) |
FTI Camera, FE 320 with compact housing or remote distance up to 10m
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Turnkey solution for acquisition, processing, recording, distribution and replay of FTI data.
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 ...