When designing or upgrading avionics systems we are often faced with the task of integrating components that were not originally designed to work together.

A control computer that communicates using RS-232 may need to control component that expects MIL-STD-1553 messages or an INS may put out ARINC-429 labels, which are needed by Multi function Display designed around RS-422.

Faced with problems like these, integrators must choose between two poor options. They must either give up on one of the units in favor of another unit that may be less suitable but uses the appropriate communications spec; or they must add a computer system – often PC104 – which can translate from one unit to the other. These computers are generally large, heavy, hot, and require substantial power.

The MACC is a wholly contained Miniature Airborne Communications Converter (data converter - protocol converter or translator). It contains:

an internal microprocessor

a dual redundant MIL-STD-1553 interface

3 receive and one transmit (or receive) ARINC-429 channels

2 Serial channels (1 RS-232, 1 RS-232/422/485)

1 NMEA 0183

1 Ethernet (10/100/Gigabit)

8 Discrete I/O signals (5 can be used as an RT address instead of Discretes)

The processor may be programmed to convert data in real time from any format to any other format. Its small size, weight, low power requirements and integrated heatsink make it an excellent candidate for solving airborne communications incompatibilities.