Presented by:Rockwell Collins

Cedar Rapids, Iowa52498

T H E N E X T G E N E R A T I O N O F A I R C R A F T D A T A L I N K

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Flight Deck Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Aircraft Operational Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Air Traffic Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Maintenance Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Passenger Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Collins Data Link Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Collins Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Collins Pro Line 4 Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Non-FMS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Collins Data Link

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

I N T R O D U C T I O N

For nearly 70 years Rockwell Collins has been a leader in

the development of radio communications technology. As

we look to the future, Rockwell Collins is continuing that

pioneering tradition by developing advanced data

communications capabilities for the 21st century.

Via data link, Rockwell Collins is enabling the transmission

of enhanced information to the flight deck and the cabin,

offering improvements in:

– Situational awareness

– Operating efficiency and flexibility

– Future airspace utilization

– Maintenance support

– Passenger connectivity and productivity

Through Collins data link, new levels of situational

awareness are now achievable. For example, flight crews

can request weather forecast information in the form of

real-time graphical images that support strategic weather

planning along an entire flight plan. In addition, current

weather information can be easily uplinked and interpreted

in conjunction with on-board systems to assist in tactical

decision-making. The Traffic Information System-Broadcast

(TIS-B) is yet another example of how data link can

enhance situational awareness. In this case, traffic

awareness is improved through the exchange of

information between the aircraft and Air Traffic

Management (ATM) surveillance systems, offering

improved visibility of the total traffic situation in the air

and on the ground.

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Collins Data Link

SATCOMHF

VHF

PhoneDSP(ARINC, SITA)

InformationService ProviderOther

Information User

FractionalAircraft Operators

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4

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Information is moved between the aircraft (1) via various communications links (2) through data link serviceproviders (3) to information service providers (4) as well as flight operations departments (5).

Collins Data Link

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F LI G H T D E C K F U N C T I O N A LI T Y

Through data link, Rockwell Collins delivers compelling

benefits to the flight deck in terms of situational

awareness and operating efficiency. As we evolve towards

the future airspace system, flight crews and the flight

operation departments that support them will enjoy the

benefits of Collins data link functionality.

This functionality can be divided into four areas:

– Aircraft Operational Communications/Airline

Operational Control (AOC)

– Air Traffic Services (ATS)

– Maintenance Applications

– Passenger Connectivity

Operating efficiency is improved by enabling the flow of

information to and from the flight deck as desired. Both

automatic and crew-initiated features help keep track of

the status and requirements of a flight throughout the

entire mission. For instance, automatic position reporting

provides up-to-the-minute information regarding the

location of an aircraft, giving flight operations more

accurate information about the flight status. In addition,

the flight crew can downlink flight status information or

send a request to pre-arrange various types of ground

services. The ability to transfer digital data to and from the

aircraft can also enable other capabilities, such as the

linking of maintenance data to help predict and identify

system maintenance needs.

Future airspace operations will increasingly rely on digital

data communications to transfer information between the

flight crew and ATM as a part of the solution to increase

airspace utilization. Controller-Pilot Data Link

Communication (CPDLC) will allow routine communications

to be handled more efficiently and with fewer

interpretation errors.

Collins data link is also enhancing communications to and

from the cabin. As data rates increase, passenger

connectivity is improved through such advanced

capabilities as global high-speed internet and e-mail

access, making time spent traveling more efficient

and productive.

As a result, the ability to accurately and reliably transfer

data to and from the aircraft is rapidly becoming a

valuable tool for business aircraft and regional airline

operators alike.

Collins Data Link

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AOC allows the uplinking of flight information such as

flight plans, aircraft weight and balance data and fuel

loading and usage data. It also enables the downlinking

of flight status information (i.e. ETA, delays, diversions,

etc.) as well as arrival servicing requests, such as fuel

requirements and aircraft catering.

In addition, AOC supports free-text messaging.

Downlinked messages can be sent to a designated fax

number or e-mail address, while uplinked messages

(from the office or flight operations, for example) can be

sent to a specific aircraft.

The coupling of data link with integrated display systems offers significantimprovements for situational awareness.

Aircraft Operational Communication consists of a tailored

set of functions that allows flight crews to send and

receive information via data link, including automatic

functions such as position reports and Out, Off, On,

In (OOOI) flight events.

One of the principal AOC functions is the retrieval of

weather information. Flight crews can receive METAR and

TAF reports, AIRMETs and SIGMETs, PIREPs and winds

aloft reports via data link. A significant enhancement

beyond these text-based weather reports is the delivery

of graphical weather imagery. This feature offers a more

direct and intuitive interpretation of the weather

situation ahead. Graphical weather images include

regional images of winds and temperatures aloft, the

jetstream, NEXRAD weather radar and lightning, infrared

satellite, and surface and high-level significant weather.

A I R C R A F T O P E R AT I O N A L C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

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Collins Data Link improves communication between air

traffic management and the flight deck by:

– Improving message transfer reliability

– Avoiding language difficulties associated with voice

– Relieving voice channel congestion

Several Air Traffic Services (ATS) functions are currently

available to allow the flight crew to retrieve information

via data link. These services include the Automatic

Terminal Information Service (ATIS), NOTAMs, Terminal

Weather Information for Pilots (TWIP), and taxi,

pre-departure and oceanic clearances. At the request of

the flight crew, these messages may be retrieved and

displayed for clear interpretation and can be stored for

later recall if desired.

In the future, communications between Air Traffic

Management and the flight deck will transition from

primarily voice-based to data link-based, which is a major

component of the emerging Communication, Navigation,

Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) concept.

Routine ATC communication will be accomplished via

standard-format data link messages referred to as CPDLC.

Heading and altitude changes, sector handoffs and

altimeter settings are examples of routine exchanges

that can be handled more efficiently using data link. As a

result, air traffic managers will be able to more

effectively manage urgent and complex separation issues

using voice. This, in turn, will allow increased traffic flow

through congested airspace.

A I R T R A F F I C S E R V I C E S

Collins Data Link

The FAA estimates that use of standardized data link messages will result in a 40%increase in traffic flow in order to handle the rise in airspace usage.

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Data Link also contributes to the maintenance and support

needs of the mission. When coupled with a central

maintenance system, as included in Collins Pro Line 4

or Pro Line 21 integrated avionics systems, it supports

the downlinking of aircraft systems status, diagnostic

information and engine data.

This functionality can greatly improve the efficiency of

maintenance support. For example, with downlinked

maintenance data, the ground support team can become

aware of in-flight problems and more effectively and

efficiently prepare for maintenance needs prior to aircraft

arrival. In addition, downlinked engine data, or other

systems data, can be used for engine trend monitoring

without requiring maintenance personnel to periodically

download information directly from the airplane for

ground analysis.

Collins Data Link

M A I N T E N A N C E A P PLI C AT I O N S

PA S S E N G E R C O N N E C T I V I T Y

Collins Data Link can also offer more flexibility to

passengers during their time on the airplane.

Passengers can benefit from capabilities such as:

– Up/downlinking of e-mail messaging

– Up/downlinking of digital phone and fax messages

– In-flight video conferencing

– High-speed Internet access for news, weather and

financial information

Data link will also play a significant role in providing

entertainment options to the cabin. These cabin

capabilities are dependent on the emergence of a

high-speed, two-way link that meets acceptability criteria

for cost, size, weight and power consumption targets, as

well as functional availability, reliability and data

integrity requirements.

To enable these advanced data link capabilities

Rockwell Collins offers the latest in digital RF

communications technology, communications

management expertise and service excellence. The

communications management function seamlessly

integrates the various radio sources for digital data,

including VHF Comm, SATCOM and HF, making

worldwide, two-way digital communications a reality.

Rockwell Collins’ world-class service now extends

beyond typical product support to include global data

link service, bringing a total solution to meet the needs

of business and regional operations.

These products and systems were created with the

flexibility to support applications requiring either

stand-alone or integrated configurations, providing

data link solutions that match the needs of nearly

any airplane.

Collins data link systems provide aircraft connectivity

over the various RF paths. The key components of the

system include:

– Communications management

– High-speed data radios

– User interface and aircraft systems data interface

C O LLI N S D ATA LI N K S Y S T E M S

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The Collins CMU-4000 Communications Management Unit

is the foundation of Collins data link systems. Serving as

the CNS manager, the CMU-4000 links the radio sensors

through a common I/O and data manager, providing an

interface to the remaining aircraft systems, and is

viewed as the integrator for a full-complement avionics

package - taking advantage of all capabilities of the

radio’s communication management functions.

The CMU-4000 manages the airborne network of

equipment, offering digital data communication services

with various ground networks via three air/ground radio

frequency networks. The airborne network consists of

the CMU and associated equipment including radios,

control and display devices, and other computer systems

as required for specific applications. There are three

forms of ground networks that communicate to and from

the aircraft: ATS networks, airline operations centers and

commercial service providers.

Three air/ground RF networks may be used by the CMU

to provide the physical media for communications with

ground networks: very high frequency (VHF), high

frequency (HF) and SATCOM.

The CMU provides hardware and software provisions to

permit both essential and non-essential applications

(Levels B through D per DO-178B) to run simultaneously.

This includes using multiple VHF radios at the same time,

as well as dissimilar media.

The CMU supports the following protocols:

– VHF/SATCOM/HF per ARINC 618

– Existing ACARS per ARINC 724B

– Existing and emerging data centers for weather and

flight planning-related services

– Printers per ARINC 744A (full format with graphics

capability)

– MCDU per ARINC 739

The Collins VHF-4000 Voice/Data Communications

Transceiver is a key element of Collins Pro Line 21 CNS. It

provides voice and data at 31.5 kBPS to deliver

uplinked automated digital messages, flight plan

changes and graphical weather depictions. The

VHF-4000 will interface with the CMU-4000 to support

Mode A -- 2.4 kBPS MSK (current ACARS operation)

and Mode II -- 31.5 kBPS D8PSK CSMA (Aeronautical

Telecommunications Network data link) data mode

operations.

The VHF-4000 has been designed to accommodate future

changes to the VHF communications environment. Its

digital design provides upgrade paths to Mode 3

(31.5 kBPS, D8PSK modulation, TDMA). Mode 3 permits

simultaneous use of a single channel for voice and data

operation and is an important part of the FAA's

long-range plan for VHF communications.

Collins SATCOM systems are made up of a robust family

of products that offer an array of options to choose from.

Collins SATCOM-6000 and SAT-906 provide global Aero-H

and Aero-H+ service. The Collins SATCOM-5000 provides

global data service and Aero-I service in satellite spot

beams. All of these systems provide multichannel flight

deck and cabin voice, facsimile and data transmission

capabilities utilizing the Inmarsat constellation of

geosynchronous communications satellites. The

Inmarsat system and all Collins SATCOM products are

capable of providing CNS/ATM services in remote or

oceanic areas.

Collins Data Link

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Collins Data Link

With addition of the HST-900 high speed data transceiver,

the SAT-906 can provide access to Inmarsat's new

bi-directional 64 kBPS data service in addition to

providing the other data and voice services. The

high-speed data capability operates in the satellite spot

beams and provides either circuit or packet mode data

connectivity. The higher speed will significantly enhance

passenger connectivity for e-mail and Internet access.

The Collins HF-9000 High Frequency Communications

System is available for back-up voice communications

worldwide and may include data link capability in

the future.

The user and aircraft system data interfaces are

determined by the system configuration for a given

application. Typical configurations include the

Collins Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum systems,

Collins Pro Line 4 systems and stand-alone applications.

Key components of a typical data link system

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C O LLI N S P R O LI N E 21 A N D P R O LI N E 21 C O N T I N U U M S Y S T E M S

Collins Data Link

Collins Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum systems

maximize the benefits provided by Collins Data Link.

Both systems provide a standard user interface for

text-based functionality. Taking advantage of enhanced

display capabilities, they can also display such advanced

features as graphical weather images on the aircraft’s

multifunction display (MFD) and, ultimately, integrate it

with other flight planning information to provide better

decision making for strategic planning.

Collins Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum support

the downlinking of flight status and maintenance

information. Both systems possess significant growth

capacity and flexibility and will continue to evolve to

support future data link functionality.

Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum enable better decision making through the integration of data linked flight information.

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Collins Data Link

C O LLI N S P R O LI N E 4 S Y S T E M S

In Collins Pro Line 4 applications with the Collins FMS, the

CMU-4000 will interface with the existing CDUs to provide

a standard user interface for basic text-based data link

functionality. These systems also support the automatic

downlinking of flight status information for position

reporting. The uploading of flight plans is also supported

for compatible versions of the FMS.

CDU upgrades will be available to support the display of

graphical weather images, and in many cases, additional

enhancements will also be available to enable the

downlinking of maintenance information.

Configurations are available to bring valuable benefits to existing Pro Line 4 systems.

Collins Data Link

C O N C L U S I O N

As was the case when Collins communications systems

were trusted to explore new frontiers with Rear-Admiral

Byrd and send messages to and from the moon, Rockwell

Collins is pioneering the newest developments in digital

data communications. Throughout the years, our

expertise has expanded to many other areas, including

satellite communications, integrated display systems

and flight management systems. With the expertise in all

these areas focused on a solution for the emerging data

link environment, the result is feature-rich, high-quality,

dependable products and services that support the

needs of your mission.

Collins data link systems provide real benefits, including:

– Enhanced situational awareness

– Operating efficiency and flexibility

– Future airspace utilization

– Maintenance support

– Passenger connectivity and productivity

Rockwell Collins brings value-added data link

functionality to improve your operations today and in

the future all through products that have inherited the

quality and dependability that are a long-standing legacy

of all Collins avionics.

N O N - F M S S Y S T E M S

The Collins CDU-2500 is a stand-alone multifunction CDU

designed to bring data link capability and control to

existing aircraft. This unit will support text-based

functionality as well as graphical weather images. An

interface with an on-board printer will allow the flight

crew to print out messages for permanent retention.

The Collins CDU-2500 brings the benefits of data link to any aircraft.

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For further information contact:

Rockwell Collins

400 Collins Road NE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498

319.295.4085

319.295.2297 FAX

www.rockwellcollins.com

523-0780-886-10111R MS 2.5M 8-02

©2002 Printed in the USA