DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FSATELLITE COMMUNICATION - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
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1. General
The Iridium SATellite COMmunication (SATCOM) system is used for voice and data communications between the aircraft (in flight or on ground) and a ground station for:
When a communication starts, voice and data calls are routed from one satellite that is in view to the satellite that is above the Ground Earth Gateway.
The Aircraft Earth Station (AES)-Satellite link operates in the L-Band: 1616.0 to 1626.5 MHz.
The Iridium SATCOM system includes three domains:
** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL The Iridium SATellite COMmunication (SATCOM) system is used for voice and data communications between the aircraft (in flight or on ground) and a ground station for:
Iridium SATCOM - General System Operation- Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations
- Airline Operational Control (AOC) operations.
When a communication starts, voice and data calls are routed from one satellite that is in view to the satellite that is above the Ground Earth Gateway.
The Aircraft Earth Station (AES)-Satellite link operates in the L-Band: 1616.0 to 1626.5 MHz.
The Iridium SATCOM system includes three domains:
- The space domain, which includes the satellites (satellite-user links, satellite-gateway links and inter-satellite network)
- The ground domain, with the operation center for satellite positioning and the Iridium gateways, which connect the Iridium satellite network to ground communication networks
- The user domain, with the Iridium compatible equipment (portable handsets, Aviation/Marine/Land mobile equipment, modems for other applications).
2. Component Location
** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL | FIN | FUNCTIONAL DESIGNATION | PANEL | ZONE | ACCESS DOOR | ATA REF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL | |||||
| 1016RV1 | ANTENNA-PASSIVE, LEO | 230 | 23-28-13 | ||
| 1005RV1 | SDU-LEO | 88 VU | 120 | 23-28-34 | |
| 1079RV1 | CONFIG MODULE-SDU, LEO | 88 VU | 120 | 23-28-32 | |
| 1044RV | COAX CABLE-ANTENNA/SDU, LEO | 88 VU | 120 | 23-28-43 | |
| 240RV | SATCOM | 121VU | 212 | 23-28-00 | |
3. System Description
The Iridium SATCOM system has these components:
The Iridium SATCOM system has these components:
A. An LEO Satellite Data Unit (SDU)
The LEO SDU is the main computer of the SATCOM system. It manages Radio Frequency (RF) links and converts the incoming signal from the antenna into a baseband signal (demodulator).
It is used to load all data that are necessary to the configuration of the Iridium SATCOM system (parameters, software loads, etc.) from a laptop.
The LEO SDU is the main computer of the SATCOM system. It manages Radio Frequency (RF) links and converts the incoming signal from the antenna into a baseband signal (demodulator).
It is used to load all data that are necessary to the configuration of the Iridium SATCOM system (parameters, software loads, etc.) from a laptop.
B. An LEO SDU Configuration Module (SCM)
The LEO SCM is used to store the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The SIM card is used for the billing and the authentication of circuit mode and Short Burst Data (SBD) channels.
The LEO SCM is used to store the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The SIM card is used for the billing and the authentication of circuit mode and Short Burst Data (SBD) channels.
C. An LEO Passive Antenna
The antenna is external and omnidirectional. It has a continuous coverage from 1616.0 to 1626.5 MHz for circuit mode and SBD channels.
The antenna is external and omnidirectional. It has a continuous coverage from 1616.0 to 1626.5 MHz for circuit mode and SBD channels.
D. An LEO Coaxial Cable
The cable is installed between the antenna and the SDU with a maximum signal loss of -3dB.
The cable is installed between the antenna and the SDU with a maximum signal loss of -3dB.
E. A SATCOM Circuit Breaker
The SATCOM circuit breaker is used for the protection of the power supply wiring of the Iridium SATCOM system.
The SATCOM circuit breaker is used for the protection of the power supply wiring of the Iridium SATCOM system.
4. Power Supply
The SDU is supplied with 28VDC.
The SCM is directly supplied by the SDU.
The nominal power consumption of the system is 28W.
For the list of circuit breakers, refer to the paragraph Interface.
** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL The SDU is supplied with 28VDC.
The SCM is directly supplied by the SDU.
The nominal power consumption of the system is 28W.
For the list of circuit breakers, refer to the paragraph Interface.
5. Interface
The Iridium SATCOM system has interfaces through the SDU with the systems that follow:
The Iridium SATCOM system has interfaces through the SDU with the systems that follow:
- The Audio Management Unit (AMU) (Ref. AMM D/O 23-51-00-00)
- The Flight Warning Computers 1 and 2 (FWC) (Ref. AMM D/O 31-50-00-00)
- The Landing Gear Control and Interface Units 1 and 2 (LGCIU) (Ref. AMM D/O 32-31-00-00)
- The Centralized Fault Display Interface Unit (CFDIU) (Ref. AMM D/O 31-32-00-00)
- The Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU) (Ref. AMM D/O 46-21-00-00)
- The Multipurpose Control and Display Units 1, 2 and 3 (MCDU) (Ref. AMM D/O 22-82-00-00).
A. AMU-SDU Interface
The SDU has an interface with the AMU through two analogic and discrete wires.
This interface is used to manage the cockpit voice function.
This interface is compliant with ARINC 535A and 538A.
The SDU has an interface with the AMU through two analogic and discrete wires.
This interface is used to manage the cockpit voice function.
This interface is compliant with ARINC 535A and 538A.
B. FWC-SDU Interface
The SDU has an interface with the FWCs through an ARINC 429 data bus.
This interface is used for the display of the warning and memo messages (for high priority ground-to-air call) on the ECAM display.
The SDU has an interface with the FWCs through an ARINC 429 data bus.
This interface is used for the display of the warning and memo messages (for high priority ground-to-air call) on the ECAM display.
C. LGCIU-SDU Interface
The SDU has an interface with the LGCIUs through a discrete wire.
This interface is used to transmit the air/ground status to the Iridium SATCOM system (used during maintenance tests).
The SDU has an interface with the LGCIUs through a discrete wire.
This interface is used to transmit the air/ground status to the Iridium SATCOM system (used during maintenance tests).
D. CFDIU-SDU Interface
The SDU has an interface with the CFDIU for the BITE function.
The SDU has an interface with the CFDIU for the BITE function.
E. ATSU-SDU Interface
The SDU has an interface with the ATSU through an ARINC 429 data bus.
This interface is used for two types of communication:
The SDU has an interface with the ATSU through an ARINC 429 data bus.
This interface is used for two types of communication:
- Transfer of messages exchanged with the ground equipment of the system
- Request and response messages related to system and maintenance data used for command and control operations.
F. MCDU-SDU Interface
The MCDU is the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) of the system through an ARINC 429 data bus.
It is used to send/receive data to/from all related systems (SATCOM included), for data display and phone number dialing.
The MCDU is the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) of the system through an ARINC 429 data bus.
It is used to send/receive data to/from all related systems (SATCOM included), for data display and phone number dialing.
6. Component Description
A. LEO SDU FIN: 1005-RV-1
The SDU is the heart of the system. Its front face has a maintenance Ethernet port for the data loading function.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases). It is installed in an ARINC 600 2MCU case, on a standard ARINC 600 mounting tray.
The SDU is the heart of the system. Its front face has a maintenance Ethernet port for the data loading function.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases). It is installed in an ARINC 600 2MCU case, on a standard ARINC 600 mounting tray.
B. LEO Passive Antenna FIN: 1016-RV-1
The antenna is a low-gain omnidirectional passive antenna and operates in the 1616.0 - 1626.5 MHz band.
It is installed between an internal and an external adaptation plate and is attached to the external adaptation plate with 4 screws.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
The antenna is a low-gain omnidirectional passive antenna and operates in the 1616.0 - 1626.5 MHz band.
It is installed between an internal and an external adaptation plate and is attached to the external adaptation plate with 4 screws.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
C. LEO SCM FIN: 1079-RV-1
The SCM is used to do maintenance operations on the SDU. It decreases the time necessary to do these operations.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
It is connected to the SDU with a wiring cable (Sub-D 9 pins). It is installed on an adaptation plate and attached with 4 screws.
The SCM is used to do maintenance operations on the SDU. It decreases the time necessary to do these operations.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
It is connected to the SDU with a wiring cable (Sub-D 9 pins). It is installed on an adaptation plate and attached with 4 screws.
D. LEO Coaxial Cable FIN: 1044-RV
This coaxial cable is installed between the SDU and the antenna.
It has:
The coaxial cable operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
This coaxial cable is installed between the SDU and the antenna.
It has:
- A TNC female connector on the antenna side
- An ARINC 600 size 5 connector on the SDU side.
The coaxial cable operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
E. SATCOM Circuit Breaker FIN: 240-RV
The circuit breaker gives protection to the power supply wiring of the Iridium SATCOM system.
It is installed in panel 121VU, in the cockpit.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
The circuit breaker gives protection to the power supply wiring of the Iridium SATCOM system.
It is installed in panel 121VU, in the cockpit.
It operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
F. SIM Card
The SIM card is used for air/ground communications.
It is installed in the SCM, on the SIM mechanical support.
It is supplied by the SCM.
The SIM card is given by the Iridium company or communication services providers.
The SIM card operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
The SIM card is used for air/ground communications.
It is installed in the SCM, on the SIM mechanical support.
It is supplied by the SCM.
The SIM card is given by the Iridium company or communication services providers.
The SIM card operates when the aircraft is supplied (all flight phases).
7. Operation/Control and Indicating
A. SATCOM Communication Services
(1) Cockpit voice function
The cockpit voice function is used through the Iridium traffic duplex-channel, for air-to-ground and ground-to-air voice calls. Only a single voice channel is used. This function is activated in the Installation Configuration Table (ICT).
The cockpit voice function is used through the Iridium traffic duplex-channel, for air-to-ground and ground-to-air voice calls. Only a single voice channel is used. This function is activated in the Installation Configuration Table (ICT).
(2) Packet-mode data services
These services are used for the Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS).
The Iridium SATCOM system can transmit short data messages between the Iridium equipment and centralized host-computer systems (for example, ATC host server) with the SBD service.
An elapsed time from approximately 5 seconds (for short messages) to approximately 20 seconds (for maximum length messages (1960 bytes)) is necessary before the message is sent.
These services are used for the Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS).
The Iridium SATCOM system can transmit short data messages between the Iridium equipment and centralized host-computer systems (for example, ATC host server) with the SBD service.
An elapsed time from approximately 5 seconds (for short messages) to approximately 20 seconds (for maximum length messages (1960 bytes)) is necessary before the message is sent.
B. General Operation
The MCDU is the HMI of the system. The Iridium SATCOM system is automatically supplied when the aircraft electrical network is energized. But it can be manually supplied through the related SATCOM menu page.
The MCDU is the HMI of the system. The Iridium SATCOM system is automatically supplied when the aircraft electrical network is energized. But it can be manually supplied through the related SATCOM menu page.
C. SATCOM Menu on the MCDU
The flight crew manages the air-ground voice communication channel during all flight phases through the MCDU.
The MCDU is also used to show SATCOM data in the cockpit. When the Iridium SATCOM system is supplied, the MCDU MENU page is shown. From this page, you can have access to these pages:
The flight crew manages the air-ground voice communication channel during all flight phases through the MCDU.
The MCDU is also used to show SATCOM data in the cockpit. When the Iridium SATCOM system is supplied, the MCDU MENU page is shown. From this page, you can have access to these pages:
(1) SATCOM MAIN MENU page
To get access to the SATCOM MAIN MENU page, it is necessary to push the Line Select Key (LSK) adjacent to the SAT indication on the MCDU MENU page.
The SATCOM MAIN MENU page is used to show call status information (when the cockpit voice function is activated) and to give access to lower-level SATCOM STATUS pages.
When ground-to-air calls are made, you hear a SELCAL chime (it is possible that the chime is inhibited because of the flight phase inhibition) and the CALL legend of the SAT1 pushbutton switch on the Audio Control Panel (ACP) flashes.
To get access to the SATCOM MAIN MENU page, it is necessary to push the Line Select Key (LSK) adjacent to the SAT indication on the MCDU MENU page.
The SATCOM MAIN MENU page is used to show call status information (when the cockpit voice function is activated) and to give access to lower-level SATCOM STATUS pages.
When ground-to-air calls are made, you hear a SELCAL chime (it is possible that the chime is inhibited because of the flight phase inhibition) and the CALL legend of the SAT1 pushbutton switch on the Audio Control Panel (ACP) flashes.
(2) SATCOM STATUS page
To get access to the SATCOM STATUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SATCOM STATUS indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page.
The SATCOM STATUS page is used to show:
To get access to the SATCOM STATUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SATCOM STATUS indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page.
The SATCOM STATUS page is used to show:
- The current log-on status of the SATCOM system
- The level of the voice channel signal
- The level of the datalink channel signal
- The BITE status: BITE OK or BITE FAIL.
(3) SATCOM BITE STATUS page
To get access to the SATCOM BITE STATUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the BITE indication on the SATCOM STATUS page.
This page is used to give indications related to:
To get access to the SATCOM BITE STATUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the BITE indication on the SATCOM STATUS page.
This page is used to give indications related to:
- The fault status of the SATCOM equipment
- The fault status of system buses: SYS BUS OK or SYS BUS FAIL.
(4) SATCOM SYS BUS page
To get access to the SATCOM SYS BUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SYS BUS indication on the SATCOM BITE STATUS page.
This page is used to give indications related to the fault status of system buses.
To get access to the SATCOM SYS BUS page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SYS BUS indication on the SATCOM BITE STATUS page.
This page is used to give indications related to the fault status of system buses.
(5) SATCOM MANUAL DIAL page
To get access to the SATCOM MANUAL DIAL page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the MANUAL DIAL indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page. The SATCOM MANUAL DIAL page is used to pre-select a manual dial phone number after it is entered from the MCDU scratchpad:
To get access to the SATCOM MANUAL DIAL page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the MANUAL DIAL indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page. The SATCOM MANUAL DIAL page is used to pre-select a manual dial phone number after it is entered from the MCDU scratchpad:
- The phone number is entered (up to 18 characters with all combinations of numbers and non alpha (A-Z) characters) in the scratchpad.
- It is necessary to push the LSK 2L to show the phone number. It is shown between the brackets on the 2L line (line 5) (only the first 16 characters of the phone number are shown).
- The priority level of communication is shown with the NON-SAFETY status at power-up and at each landing. It is possible to change it with the slew-up (slew-down) key on the MCDU keyboard.
(6) SATCOM DIRECTORY page
To get access to the SATCOM DIRECTORY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the DIRECTORY indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page. From this page, the user can manually select and define one of the 4 priority levels to each call. For this, it is necessary to push the slew-up (slew-down) key on the MCDU keyboard.
The four priority levels of air-to-ground and ground-to-air voice communications (priority 1 is the highest) are as follows:
To get access to the SATCOM DIRECTORY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the DIRECTORY indication on the SATCOM MAIN MENU page. From this page, the user can manually select and define one of the 4 priority levels to each call. For this, it is necessary to push the slew-up (slew-down) key on the MCDU keyboard.
The four priority levels of air-to-ground and ground-to-air voice communications (priority 1 is the highest) are as follows:
- Priority 1 (EMERGENCY): for emergency and distress calls only. Alarms are generated in Ground Earth Stations all around the world.
- Priority 2 (SAFETY): for regulatory and flight safety calls
- Priority 3 (NON-SAFETY): for non-safety operational calls (for example, meteorological, administrative information)
- Priority 4 (PUBLIC): for public calls.
- The Iridium SATCOM system automatically gives the priority to the higher priority ground-to-air call. At the same time, an audio message is sent to the flight crew.
- The flight crew must stop the first communication before he starts the new call.
(7) SATCOM EMERGENCY page
To get access to the SATCOM EMERGENCY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the EMERGENCY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
To get access to the SATCOM EMERGENCY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the EMERGENCY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
(8) SATCOM SAFETY pages
To get access to the SATCOM SAFETY pages, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SAFETY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
This page is used to show the phone numbers of the "SAFETY" category given in the Owner Requirement Table (ORT).
To get access to the SATCOM SAFETY pages, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the SAFETY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
This page is used to show the phone numbers of the "SAFETY" category given in the Owner Requirement Table (ORT).
(9) SATCOM NON SAFETY page
To get access to the SATCOM NON SAFETY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the NON SAFETY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
To get access to the SATCOM NON SAFETY page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the NON SAFETY indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
(10) SATCOM PUBLIC page
To get access to the SATCOM PUBLIC page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the PUBLIC indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
The line with brackets is used to enter a new phone number.
To get access to the SATCOM PUBLIC page, it is necessary to push the LSK adjacent to the PUBLIC indication on the SATCOM DIRECTORY page.
The line with brackets is used to enter a new phone number.
D. Telephone Function
(1) User identification
The Iridium subscribers are registered with many identifiers:
The Iridium subscribers are registered with many identifiers:
(a) The Integrated Circuit Card IDentifier (ICCID): The ICCID internationally identifies each SIM. It is stored in the SIM card and also engraved or printed on the SIM card body during a process called "personalization".
(b) The Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDNN). This is the telephone number of the subscriber and it is known by the users of the network. It includes:
1 4-digit Iridium country code: 8816 (or 8817)
2 8-digit transceiver code, with:
- 3-digit Geopolitical Entity code (geographical code)
- 5-digit MSISDNN.
(c) The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI): this number is given to each SDU. It is a 15-digit electronic serial number (the two first digits are '30'). It is hard-coded on the Iridium equipment. It is used for each L-Band Transceiver (LBT) and SBD channel to identify and authenticate the devices on the Iridium network (for LBT or SBD modems).
(2) Dialing process with a standard (non-safety) SIM card
The Iridium SATCOM system can be used for International and Iridium-to-Iridium calls:
The Iridium SATCOM system can be used for International and Iridium-to-Iridium calls:
- Direct ground-to-air dialing: International code + Iridium country code (8816) + 8-digit transceiver code
- Direct air-to-ground dialing: 00 + Country code + Phone number.
(3) Dialing process with a safety SIM card
A specified dialing process is necessary for users of the safety SIM card:
A specified dialing process is necessary for users of the safety SIM card:
(a) Ground-to-air dialing:
Air Traffic Service (ATS) call access-number + User Identification (ID) + # + PIN Code + # + Call Priority + # + Aircraft ID + #
Air Traffic Service (ATS) call access-number + User Identification (ID) + # + PIN Code + # + Call Priority + # + Aircraft ID + #
- The ATS call access-number is +1.480.730.3900 (Iridium ground gateway).
- The user ID is a 6-digit number given by the Iridium SATCOM system.
Each Air Navigation Service Provider and each airline have only one user ID.
- The PIN code is a 4-digit number given by the Iridium SATCOM system.
- The call priority ranges are from 1 to 4
- The aircraft ID is an 8-digit number given by the aircraft airline.
This number is the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) address of each aircraft.
(b) Air-to-ground dialing:
The air-to-ground calls are done as with a standard SIM card. But, it is not necessary to dial the first "00". The call is related to the priority (1 is the highest). This priority can be selected by the flight crew for a manual call or preselected when the phone number directory is used.
The air-to-ground calls are done as with a standard SIM card. But, it is not necessary to dial the first "00". The call is related to the priority (1 is the highest). This priority can be selected by the flight crew for a manual call or preselected when the phone number directory is used.
E. Data Loading Function and Configuration Reporting with a Laptop
The data loading function and configuration reporting are only available on ground.
The user must login to set the system to the Maintenance mode to have access to:
The data loading function and configuration reporting are only available on ground.
The user must login to set the system to the Maintenance mode to have access to:
- The address book
- The ICT, which contains the configuration items that define the system interfaces with the aircraft avionics systems
- The ORT, which contains the configuration items that can be customized by the airline (for example, access provider)
- The operational software
- The phone book.
8. BITE
The Centralized Fault Display System (CFDS) lets the faults of the Iridium SATCOM system be shown on the MCDU and printed on the printer.
The SATCOM system communicates with the CFDIU through two ARINC 429 buses.
The Centralized Fault Display System (CFDS) lets the faults of the Iridium SATCOM system be shown on the MCDU and printed on the printer.
The SATCOM system communicates with the CFDIU through two ARINC 429 buses.