US FAA officials have issued parts manufacturer approval to Lumexis for its fibre-to-the-screen (FTTS) in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.

The approval authorizes the Orange County, California-based firm to manufacture parts and equipment for installation on Airbus A320-232 type aircraft under its already approved supplemental type certificate, says Lumexis in a statement.

The fibre optic backbone and interconnect scheme of Lumexis' FTTS system was developed by Lumexis and Tyco Electronics, along which In Flight Canada.

"The FTTS system combines industry standard Arinc 801 fibre optic interfaces with a very flexible fibre routing approach that maintains room for growth, assuring affordability for the long-term regarding installed and applied costs," Tyco Electronics said in a June report issued at the Paris air show.

Lumexis' FTTS was recently trialed on a single US Airways A320, although the carrier did not opt to install the system on its domestic fleet. Lumexis has said it is confident in securing a launch customer in the near term.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news