New Option Downsizes for Better Fit in Midsize Planes

Innovative Advantage brought out its 4-Slot AVDS Node and IAS 6, systems that allow operators to upgrade the niceties of their plane without futzing around with the CMS.

The 4-Slot AVDS Cabin Backbone riffs on the existing 8-Slot AVDS backbone to “improve the modularity and scalability of non-flight systems.” How? Well, it’s simple: It’s smaller, more compact, and pared down compared to the 8-Slot version. That makes it a better fit for small to midsize aircraft, allowing customers to tailor their gear to the mission and minimize wasted payload.. The AVDS Node isn’t called a ‘backbone’ for nothing, since it can hook up to more than 20 different CMS + IFE card configurations. That means operators can match Ethernet ports, digital audio, analog audio, HDMI inputs, video conversions, video encode/decode, and even gaming systems. Innovative Advantage proudly noted that gaming at altitude, when using the AVDS Nodes, is an “at-home experience with no latency or lip-sync issues.” Video performance is similarly useful, with the AVDS system mixing and matching inputs and outputs to show low-res legacy video (or, should you prefer, “Standard Definition”), all the way up to High-Def, and 4K.

Innovative Advantage also announced the release of its 6th Generation IAS Software Package, adding a touch of polish to their AVDS suites. The new software improves Bluetooth connectivity in both uplink and downlink, giving pretty much everybody something to enjoy. On the passenger side, the upgrade improves audio clarity over Bluetooth and adds support for 3rd-party control. It’s a little thing in theory, but well-heeled clientele like being able to play their own tunes, and simple Bluetooth connections are familiar and intuitive. Operators and maintainers will rest easy knowing that the AVDS gets much better debugging and diagnostic capabilities, monitoring traffic and creating detailed diagnostic reports for every data feed the AVDS handles.

Nestor Fenoy, Innovative’s Director of Customer Solutions, said the team celebrates their 20th anniversary in business aviation this week. AEA 2025 is a great place to be for the team, after decades offering their 8-slot AVDS Node to movers and shakers in the AEA. “Now,” Fenoy said, “we’re taking those same capabilities and making them accessible in a smaller form factor for mid-size and smaller aircraft, without compromising performance.”

“Our team is also excited to release IAS6, the latest AVDS Software from Innovative Advantage. This version adds support for our new 4-slot AVDS Node. We continuously enhance the features that customers can integrate with their cabin, like Bluetooth headphones and further consumer device integration. As always, IA is committed to empower all our customers, making it easier for them to troubleshoot the aircraft and furthering those capabilities with IAS 6.”

FMI: www.in-advantage.com