The cabin lighting solution HelioJet, the first joint development involving SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik, is taking on a new dimension. For the first time ever, this lighting solution will be offered in color as HelioJet TCS (True Color Stabilisation). A newly developed, innovative sensor technology ensures that the colors are always emitted in a stabilized manner by controlling all of the LEDs.

HelioJet (TCS) is based on an optical light converter at the ends of which four LEDs each in the colors red, green, blue and white (RGBW) generate light. Unlike conventional LED strips, this technology allows for the individual LEDs in the lighting system to be controlled and regulated. This, in turn, eliminates the main weakness of LEDs, namely the instable way in which they render colors. The individual LEDs in RGBW generate the primary colors that are later mixed into an even color shade inside the light converter. Any desired color shade can be produced and maintained at a consistent defined color level throughout all of the HelioJet (TCS) units. Color gradients and scenarios are also possible.

The unique aspect of this new technology is its innovative sensor technology. It ensures that every LED installed in the system is perfectly in tune and produces the desired color temperature extremely accurately, both inside a HelioJet (TCS) unit and with all of the light units inside the cabin. In this case, the light is subjected to online control to make sure it retains the desired setpoint value. This play with colors can be controlled using the cabin management system “nicemood” from Lufthansa Technik, for instance.

“We are confident that our product development work, including testing of HelioJet (TCS), will be completed by the end of 2013,” both Dr. Armin Plichta, Director of Transportation for SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging, and Andrew Muirhead, Director of Innovation at Lufthansa Technik AG, confirm. The two firms jointly develop cabin lighting solutions for commercial airlines. The goal of their collaboration is to create lighting solutions for high-quality lighting scenarios in aircraft.

All those interested in HelioJet (TCS) are invited to examine the first prototypes at the SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik booths at this year's Aircraft Interiors Expo. The partners SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging and Lufthansa Technik will be exhibiting in Hamburg from April 9 - 11 (booths 6B69 and 6B68).