Cancrieas Aviation Technology

Avionics, a term coined by merging “aviation” and “electronics,” has been witnessing an astronomical growth in all flight management aspects encompassing navigation, communication, lighting, threat detection, instrumentation, safety, and landing assistance. From primitive radios to advanced in-flight entertainment (IFE), avionics has evolved by leaps and bounds. Today, every modern aircraft uses the latest avionics systems to perform mission-critical operations, simplify maintenance, and improve performance. At the helm of the avionics innovation is Suzhou-based Cancrieas Aviation Technology—a high-tech enterprise committed to becoming a leader in designing and providing integrated airborne avionics information systems.

Driven by the cultural concept of “Openness Sharing Pragmatism,” Cancrieas has undertaken many pre-research/ research OEM projects and successfully applied its products on many aircraft in China. In fact, Cancrieas is awarded by COMAC as one of the earliest domestic suppliers of China commercial aircraft. “We focus on the design of airborne avionics information system, the independent research and development of airborne parts and equipment, and the comprehensive development of aircraft modification design business. Cancrieas is also a leading company in cabin Wi-Fi system for China Railways,” says Wang Xicun, V.P of Cancrieas Aviation Technology. Cancrieas, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)-approved CCAR21 certificate holder, has obtained the qualification of Suzhou high-tech enterprise. The company also has whollyowned subsidiaries in Chengdu and Tianjin.

Xicun explains that the earlier aircraft generations, such as Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Bombardier CRJ, and Embraer ERJ, have not been provided with any cabin entertainment system. Whereas newer aircraft generations have IFE installed (audio, video, games, etc.), and the latest generations, such as B787, A320NEO and A350, are equipped with in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC). While most airlines are demanding IFE and/or IFEC for their old fleet, Cancrieas’ solutions meet such demand.

Cancrieas’ integrated Cabin Information Service System is a comprehensive system that includes: IFE, Wi-Fi, and Monitoring (camera, passenger temperature taking). The company also offers a multitude of latest solutions, namely, Cabin Core System, Airborne Monitoring Service System, Airborne Satellite Communication System, Aviation Storage Management System, Special Monitoring Solutions, RFID life vest locating system, EFB stands, etc. Cancrieas noticed the increasing demand for in-flight connectivity and started the research and design of cabin Wi-Fi system in early 2014 and the SATCOM system in 2017. The Wi-Fi system was firstly embodied and CAAC certified on a CRJ200 in 2018.

As more companies in China are investing in IFE and IFEC, Cancrieas’ distributed architecture and edge computing technology of the Wi-Fi system plays a leading role in this area. Traditional Wi-Fi system architecture uses one server and multiple APs; when the server was down, the whole system would be dead. On the other hand, Cancrieas’ distributed Wi-Fi system is normally composed of two or more servers (WMSU) depending on the capacity of the cabin; one WMSU can support over 200 users. The AP has been integrated into the server, i.e., there is no standalone AP. With two or even more WMSUs installed in the same cabin, all the WMSUs are interconnected and can backup each other. Unless all servers are down, the system is alive without any disturbance to users. It is critical that the Cancrieas Wi-Fi system weighs less than other types of system for a given cabin capacity, facilitating much higher reliability and connectivity, and cost-effective. Cancrieas’ server does not have a cooling fan, thereby making it easy for locating installation position in an already crowded cabin.

Cancrieas strongly adheres to the tenet of customer demand orientation. “Cancrieas is a high-tech, innovative, and quick-acting company. We understand client’s needs correctly and always provide precise and cost-effective solutions in a quick manner. Additionally, our partnership with China’s top level universities enhances the research aspect of our company,” remarks Xicun. As a testament to this, Cancrieas’ Wi-Fi system has been selected by a local aircraft operator for their CRJ-900 fleet. Cancrieas system has demonstrated excellent connectivity, high reliability, and good compatibility with the operation software system provided by the system operator.

“We anticipate that the SATCOM system will be CAAC certified in the near future, which will make Cancrieas a top IFEC provider in China,” notes Xicun.