Power Over Ethernet, Power Overhead: How Simtek’s PoE Simulated Avionics Save Money and Simplify Simulators
- Dec 16, 2025
- 3 min read
Wiring a full cockpit simulator can get expensive—fast. Multiple power lines, signal cables, distribution blocks, and harnesses can turn even a clean design into a wiring jungle.
That’s why Simtek developed its own Power over Ethernet (PoE) simulated avionics solution.
By combining power and data over a single Ethernet cable, we help customers:
Reduce wiring complexity
Lower installation and material costs
Simplify maintenance and troubleshooting
Build more modular, scalable simulators
Simtek isn’t just using PoE—we’re leading the industry with a PoE interface designed specifically for simulated avionics.
What Is PoE Simulated Avionics?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows power and communication signals to be delivered over the same Ethernet cable.
In the context of simulated avionics, that means:
Each panel, display, or instrument can be powered and connected with a single network cable
No separate power lines, distribution blocks, or bulky harnesses are required for those devices
Devices can plug into standard PoE network infrastructure designed for your simulator architecture
Simtek’s PoE solution is built around our own interface design, tailored for the loads, responsiveness, and reliability that high-fidelity training demands.
How PoE Saves Money in Simulator Wiring
Traditional simulator wiring often involves:
Multiple power feeds
Large bundles of I/O cables
Custom harnesses that are expensive to build and modify
With Simtek’s PoE-based simulated avionics:
Fewer cables are required per device
Material costs for bulk wiring and harnesses are reduced
Install time drops because technicians are running and terminating fewer lines
Rack space and cable management are easier to handle
Over the life of a program—especially when you’re building or supporting multiple devices—these savings add up significantly.
Cleaner Builds, Easier Maintenance
PoE isn’t just about saving money during installation—it also makes life easier for your maintenance and support teams:
Fewer cables mean simpler documentation and cleaner routing
Troubleshooting becomes easier when each device is tied to a logical network connection
Device swaps and upgrades are simplified—unplug, re-seat, and reconfigure as needed
Instead of tracking down faults in massive multi-conductor harnesses, your team can work with clear, structured PoE connections.
Modular, Scalable, and Future-Ready
Simtek’s PoE solution also supports modular and scalable simulator designs.
With PoE-based simulated avionics, you can:
Add or relocate panels and instruments with minimal rework
Replicate the same architecture across multiple bays or devices
Upgrade or refresh parts of the cockpit without redesigning the entire power and wiring scheme
As training requirements evolve, PoE gives you the flexibility to adapt your hardware without rebuilding the whole wiring infrastructure.
Simtek’s Industry-Leading PoE Interface
What sets Simtek apart is that we’re not just bolting PoE onto existing products—we’ve developed our own PoE-based interface solution specifically for simulated avionics.
That means:
Our hardware is designed for the demands of flight simulation, not generic office devices
We control the design, integration, and performance of the PoE interface end-to-end
We can tailor behavior, power allocation, and communication structure to your exact application
By owning the PoE solution, Simtek can offer supportable, long-term, high-fidelity hardware that’s truly optimized for simulators—not repurposed from unrelated markets.
Powering the Next Generation of Simulated Avionics
From single trainers to large, multi-bay devices, Simtek’s Power over Ethernet simulated avionics help you:
Cut wiring and installation costs
Build cleaner, more maintainable devices
Deploy modular, scalable cockpit solutions
Stay ahead of the curve with a modern, network-based architecture
If you’re planning a new simulator or looking to simplify and modernize your existing wiring approach, Simtek’s PoE solution is ready to power your next project—literally and figuratively.
