Excalibur Systems
Excalibur Systems is a private US aerospace company, founded in 1986 in Elmont, New York, that designs and sells multi-protocol avionics data bus interface boards, protocol converters, portable bus analyzers, and flight data recorders supporting MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, AFDX, and related protocols for military and commercial avionics test, simulation, and embedded applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersElmont, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Excalibur Systems does
Excalibur Systems is a privately held US aerospace company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Elmont, New York. It designs and manufactures board-level avionics data bus interfaces, protocol converters, portable bus analyzers, and data acquisition/recording systems that support MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, ARINC-429, ARINC-664 Part 7 (AFDX), ARINC-825 (CAN Bus), ARINC-708, ARINC-717, H009, MMSI, Ethernet, Serial, and Discrete I/O protocols across PCI, PCIe, cPCI, PC/104+, PCIe/104, XMC, VPX, VME/VXI, USB, and Ethernet form factors. Its flagship EXC-8000 family of multi-protocol carrier boards supports up to eight independent protocol modules on a single card, with conduction-cooled variants (EXC-8000ccXMC and EXC-8000ccVPX) for embedded and harsh-environment deployment; the prior EXC-4000 family was retired in 2022 after approximately 20 years in service.
The company's primary customers are aircraft manufacturers, avionics system integrators, and military/defense programs that need to integrate components built to different data bus specifications or to test and simulate multi-protocol avionics subsystems in lab, production, and flight environments. The MACC (Miniature Airborne Communications Converter) line uses proprietary table-driven protocol translation executed in firmware rather than under an operating system, achieving low and deterministic latency; Excalibur provides free table-filling services and charges non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees for custom MACC firmware. Complementary products include the DRAGON and MARC/MARC II data acquisition and flight-recording systems, portable 1553 and ARINC-429 bus analyzers, and the ESI-1553RPT repeater (advertised at 693,870 hours MTBF).
Revenue is generated through (1) hardware sales of boards, modules, systems, and accessories (couplers, cables, connectors, transformers, repeaters); (2) one-time software licenses for Exalt Plus, Merlin Plus, Mystic, Communication Monitor, Data Reconstructor, and related tools shipped with hardware protection keys; (3) custom firmware NRE services; and (4) fee-based training seminars delivered onsite or via Zoom worldwide. Distribution is direct via the company website and a US toll-free sales line, with no third-party resellers or channel partners disclosed; pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed. The company is led by founder-era CEO/CTO David Koppel, who has run research and development since 1990, and operates with an 11-50 employee headcount and no disclosed external investors.
Excalibur Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Excalibur Systems
- Legal name
- Excalibur Systems
- Website
- https://mil-1553.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Excalibur Systems is a private US aerospace company, founded in 1986 in Elmont, New York, that designs and sells multi-protocol avionics data bus interface boards, protocol converters, portable bus analyzers, and flight data recorders supporting MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, AFDX, and related protocols for military and commercial avionics test, simulation, and embedded applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Excalibur Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Avionics Test and Communications Equipment
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits (IMABAFAL)
Keywords
Where Excalibur Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Excalibur Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: Sale of board-level products including multi-protocol carrier boards, interface modules, portable analyzers, protocol converters, data acquisition systems, and accessories such as couplers, cables, connectors, transformers, and repeaters. Products available in various form factors (PCI, PCIe, cPCI, PC/104+, PCIe/104, XMC, VPX, VME/VXI, USB/Ethernet)
- Software Licenses and Applications: Sale of software applications including Exalt Plus, Merlin Plus, Mystic, Communication Monitor, Data Reconstructor, Serial Simulation Laboratory, Discrete Generator, ShowHex, and ExcConfig. Software available for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows with various protection options (CDROM, Hasp Dongle, USB Stick)
- Customization and NRE Services: Non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs for custom MACC firmware development when simple translation is insufficient and special timing requirements or state machines need to be enforced
- Training Seminars: Pre-recorded and live training seminars on MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, AFDX/ARINC-664 P7, ARINC-825/CANbus, ARINC-717, and Ethernet protocols. Courses available onsite or via Zoom worldwide
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Excalibur Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Excalibur Systems designs, manufactures, and sells multi-protocol avionics communications hardware — including carrier boards, interface modules, protocol converters, portable bus analyzers, and rugged data recorders — that support military and civilian specifications such as MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, ARINC-664 Part 7 (AFDX), ARINC-825, MIL-STD-1760, ARINC-717, ARINC-708, H009, MMSI, Serial, Ethernet, and Discrete I/O. The company also licenses companion software applications (Exalt Plus, Merlin Plus, Mystic, etc.) and provides custom engineering, free table-filling services for MACC converters, and instructor-led training on these protocols.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- EXC-8000 Family Multi-Protocol Carrier Boards PCI Express (and cPCI, ccVPX, ccXMC, USB/Ethernet) carrier boards supporting up to 8 independent avionics communication modules, enabling multiple protocols (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, ARINC-708, ARINC-717, Serial, Discrete, CAN bus, Ethernet, ARINC-664 P7 AFDX) to be mixed on a single card with extended temperature ranges and DMA transfers, sold to avionics test engineers and integrators.
- EXC-4000 Family Multi-Protocol Boards Long-running multi-protocol test and simulation boards (PCI and VME/VXI variants) supporting MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, and other avionics protocols with up to 8 modules for VME/VXI and 4 modules for PCI; the family was discontinued in 2022 and replaced by the 8000 family.
- MACC Protocol Converter Miniature Airborne Communications Converter (data converter) designed to translate between different avionics communications specifications such as MIL-STD-1553/1760, ARINC-429, H009, CANbus, Serial (RS-232/422/485), NMEA, Discrete I/Os, and Ethernet, using table-driven translation for optimum latency without an operating system.
- DRAGON Rugged PC/104 Data Acquisition System Rugged PC/104-based data acquisition system that converts physical conditions into digital form for storage and analysis, supporting multiple protocol combinations for avionics test and recording applications.
- MARC II Miniature Airborne Recorder Miniature, lightweight, low-power-consumption flyable data recorder with large storage capacity that captures MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, and other avionics protocols for flight data recording and post-flight analysis.
- Portable 1553 Bus Analyzer Inline MIL-STD-1553 bus monitor that is small and light, connects to any Windows device via USB, and monitors/records all or selected 1553 traffic for later analysis or reconstruction using Exalt software.
- Portable ARINC-429 Bus Analyzer Portable ARINC-429 bus analyzer with user-friendly interface for monitoring, analyzing, and troubleshooting ARINC-429 bus data in real time and identifying communication issues.
- DAS-429USB/RxTx ARINC-429 USB Inline Rugged Device Rugged ARINC-429 USB inline device supporting both receive and transmit for field deployment as well as lab-based development and testing of ARINC-429 communications.
- EXC-UNET2 Multi-Protocol Test and Simulation Device Intelligent, multi-protocol and multichannel test and simulation device interfacing through USB Type C or Gigabit Ethernet, supporting up to 4 of any standard avionics protocols for customizable test setups.
- Flight Simulator Tester Integrated test package that combines a flight simulator, MACC protocol converter, 429 or 1553 USB/Ethernet interface, and EXALT Plus software to enable testing of products against real flight simulator data streams.
- ESI-1553RPT MIL-STD-1553 Repeater MIL-STD-1553 repeater box for customers who need to extend existing bus length, utilize long stubs, or connect multiple devices to a single stub, offering 693,870 hours MTBF per MIL-HDBK-217F at Ground Fixed, 25C.
- Excalibur Software Applications (Exalt Plus, Merlin Plus, Mystic, Communication Monitor, Data Reconstructor, Serial Simulation Laboratory, Discrete Generator, ShowHex, ExcConfig) Companion software suite for monitoring, analyzing, configuring, and reconstructing data from Excalibur hardware — including Exalt Plus analysis laboratory with MIL-STD-1553 RT mode support up to 32 RTs per module — available for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows with multiple protection (license) options.
- Couplers, Cables, Connectors, Transformers and Accessories Avionics bus infrastructure accessories including couplers, cables, connectors, transformers, and repeaters, sold through the Couplers+ microsite to support MIL-STD-1553 and related bus installations.
- Avionics Protocol Training Seminars Instructor-led pre-recorded and live training seminars covering MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, AFDX/ARINC-664 P7, ARINC-825/CANbus, ARINC-717, and Ethernet protocols, delivered onsite at customer facilities worldwide or via Zoom.
Quantifiable outcome
- Single board can control up to 20 ARINC-429 channels plus MIL-STD-1553 channel and discrete I/O simultaneously
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Excalibur Systems
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Excalibur Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature7 records
Excalibur Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Excalibur Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a global test and measurement leader with avionics protocol analysis capabilities. Comparable in serving aerospace test engineers but operates at significantly larger scale across many industries.
- Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Curtiss-Wright is a large defense electronics incumbent offering rugged embedded computing, avionics interfaces, and flight test instrumentation. Overlaps with Excalibur's MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC product lines but operates at broader scale and platform level across defense programs.
- National Instruments (NI): NI provides modular test and measurement hardware including PXI platforms used in avionics test labs. Indirect competitor at the test system level via partnerships with 1553/ARINC vendors, but broader and more diversified across many test applications.
- Abaco Systems (formerly GE Intelligent Platforms): Abaco Systems provides rugged embedded computing platforms for aerospace and defense, including VPX, XMC, and PMC form factors that overlap with Excalibur's conduction-cooled boards. Comparable in targeting harsh-environment avionics applications but with broader system-level offerings.
Emerging players
- Marvin Test Solutions: Marvin Test Solutions produces PXI-based and LXI-based test systems including MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC avionics interfaces. Comparable in delivering board-level avionics test products to aerospace and defense customers using modular form factors.
- Phoenix Logistics: Phoenix Logistics provides MIL-STD-1553 protocol test and simulation tools and engineering services to aerospace and defense customers. Comparable niche focus on avionics data bus testing with overlap on protocol support and target customer base.
- Sital Technology: Sital Technology designs MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC-429 IP cores, boards, and testers for avionics applications. Comparable in protocol specialization and offering both components and board-level products for aerospace/defense.
Direct peers
- Astronics Corporation (Ballard Technology): Astronics' Ballard Technology division is the most direct competitor, offering MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC-429 interface cards, protocol analyzers, and embedded avionics test products. Comparable in target customers (military and commercial avionics OEMs) and core product category (board-level multi-protocol avionics interfaces).
- Holt Integrated Circuits: Holt IC designs and manufactures MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC-429 interface ICs, components, and board-level products for avionics. Comparable in protocol specialization and military/aerospace customer base, with overlapping form factors and protocol coverage.
- Data Device Corporation (DDC): DDC is a leading manufacturer of MIL-STD-1553 data bus interface cards, components, and ICs serving defense and aerospace customers. Directly comparable to Excalibur in protocol coverage (1553, ARINC-429, Fibre Channel), form factor range, and avionics test/simulation use cases.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Excalibur Systems social profiles
Digital presenceExcalibur Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Excalibur Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Excalibur Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Excalibur Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Excalibur Systems
What does Excalibur Systems do?
Excalibur Systems designs, manufactures, and sells multi-protocol avionics communications hardware — including carrier boards, interface modules, protocol converters, portable bus analyzers, and rugged data recorders — that support military and civilian specifications such as MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, ARINC-664 Part 7 (AFDX), ARINC-825, MIL-STD-1760, ARINC-717, ARINC-708, H009, MMSI, Serial, Ethernet, and Discrete I/O. The company also licenses companion software applications (Exalt Plus, Merlin Plus, Mystic, etc.) and provides custom engineering, free table-filling services for MACC converters, and instructor-led training on these protocols.
Is Excalibur Systems a public or private company?
Excalibur Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Excalibur Systems founded?
Excalibur Systems was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Excalibur Systems based?
Excalibur Systems is headquartered in Elmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Excalibur Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses and Applications, customization and NRE Services and training Seminars.
Who are Excalibur Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Keysight Technologies, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, National Instruments (NI) and Abaco Systems (formerly GE Intelligent Platforms). Emerging players are Marvin Test Solutions, Phoenix Logistics and Sital Technology. Direct peers are Astronics Corporation (Ballard Technology), Holt Integrated Circuits and Data Device Corporation (DDC).
Does Excalibur Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Excalibur Systems.
What industry is Excalibur Systems in?
Excalibur Systems's product category is Avionics Test and Communications Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAI, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAFAL, Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.