ACARS

ACARS uses VHF ranges (118MHz to 136MHz).

ACARS originally specified in ARINC 597 but now revised as
ARINC 724B.

Downlink messages originate from the aircraft.

Uplink messages originate from ground stations.

ACARS messages are within the band 129MHz to 137 MHz.

Two modes; Demand and Polled, see at modes.

Two units;
• Control unit located on flight deck
• Management unit located in an equipment bay.

Maximum 220 characters for one message block.

Before transmitting MU wait to clear channel, then transmit, then
wait reply signal, if no reply received, transmit again and again
maximum six time and then after 7 time, warning or caution
trigger for the flight crew.

Information for ACARS is collected from several aircraft system,
FMS, CIDS, CMCS, etc.
AIRCOM ( Digital Air/Ground COMmunication)

Used in Europe and Australia.

Used VHF.

Allows ground to aircraft communications for operational flight
information (fuel status, flight delays, gate changes, departure
times,etc.).

Provide by SITA ( Socie’te’ Internationale de Telecommunications
Aeronautiques ).
HF

HF range 3MHz to 30MHz.

Provide effective means of communication over long distance
oceanic and trans-polar routes.

To demodulate the signal without carrier, BFO is required which is
used to reinsert the carrier at the receiving end.

SELCAL (Selective Calling) is the system which will respond to
only specific frequency for specific aircraft.

Two consecutive tones are triggered.

Pulses with 1second duration separated by 0.2seconds.

HFDL provides cost-effective solution for global data link service.

SATCOM support much faster rate but susceptible to interruptions
and may not available at high latitudes.

HFDL uses PSK (Phase Shift Keying).

HF antenna is based on a notch which uses part of the airframe in
order to radiate effectively.

Notch antenna is voltage fed.

Coupler is used to match between HF radio feeder and notch
antenna.

Tuning adjustment of coupler is entirely automatic.

HF antenna voltage is extremely dangerous.

It is essential to avoid contact with the antenna and maintain at
least 5m working distance.
VHF

Frequency range 118MHz to 137MHz.

In earlier days, channel spacing is 200kHz with 70 channels
available.

Now, channel spacing with 8.33kHz with 2280 channels available.

Squelch is used to eliminate annoying and distracting background
noise when no signals are received.

Downlink is provided by aircraft.

Uplink is provided by ground station.

VDL mode A transmit/receive pair of 100kbps ARINC 429.

VDL mode 2 data rate 31500bps via single 25kHz channel. Used
D8PSK.

VDL mode 3 channel spacing is 8.33kHz.
TCAS

Works in conjunction with ATC transponder system.

It based on SSR that interrogates and replies directly between
aircraft via high-integrity data link.

The system is independent of ground station.

It is just a back-up system used when ATC or other fails.

Components;
• The r-t (receiver-transmitter) computer unit.
• Two display units
• One or two mode S transponder.
• System control panel.
• Antennas.

Two types of warning;
• Traffic Alert
• Resolution Advisory

TRAFFIC ALERT
It provides the flight crew with a relative bearing and distance to
the intruding aircraft. Traffic alerts will be presented for all aircraft
that are approximately 40s or less from the CPA.

RESOLUTION ADVISORY
It is displayed when the intruder is approximately 25s from the
CPA. It offers corrective or preventative maneuvers.
Corrective maneuver display shows a vertical climb or descent
symbol to direct the aircraft away from intruder. Preventative
 maneuver display tells the pilot to restrict the aircraft’s vertical
climb or descent.

CPA (Closet Point Approach)
It is a calculated minimum allowable separation between the
aircraft.

TCAS does not control the aircraft but just offers suggested
maneuvers.

Distance Modification (DMOD) is used to filter out the nuisance
warning for aircraft located at ground.

Mode S equipped aircraft are monitored if their altitude is less than
1750 ft above ground. Suppose the aircraft is at the ground if its
altitude is below 360ft.

Transmit 1030 MHz, receive 1090 MHz.

TCAS effective range 14nm.

Can track up to 30 transponder equipped aircraft.

Traffic densities up to 24 aircraft within 5nm radius.

TCAS information is displayed in EHSI/ ND or
IVSI(Instantaneous Vertical Speed Indicator)