Increasingly congested skies demand a data link system with optimum management of
two-way air-to-ground communications. The Universal Avionics UniLink UL-800 and
UL-801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) provides superior operations and
control of digital communications between the pilot and Air Traffic Controller (ATC) in
the exceedingly complex Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) Air Traffic
Management (ATM) environment. Developed in full compliance with DO-178B Level C
guidelines, the UniLink UL-800/801 CMU also meets FANS 1/A+ standards.
Combined with the Universal Avionics Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)–Flight
Management System (FMS), the UniLink UL-800/801 CMU provides an opportunity to take
full advantage of the safety and efficiency benefits that advanced data link capabilities
offer.
A Platform for the Future CNS / ATM Environment
Fully compliant with the FANS 1/A+ mandate
affecting operators in the North Atlantic Track
System (NATS) and some Pacific Ocean routes,
the UniLink UL-800/801 includes Controller-Pilot
Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Automatic
Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality.
With these FANS capabilities, operators
gain preferred routing and options for altitudes
with more favorable winds when in the NATS.
Preferred routing provides a lower fuel burn
and shorter station-to-station times, helping
operators gain efficiencies that save fuel, time
and money.
Provisioned for the upcoming Link 2000+
Programme mandate, the UniLink UL-800/801
enables operators to proactively equip for this
and the FANS requirements while increasing the
aircraft’s utility. By February 2015, the entire NATS
between FL350 and FL390 will require FANS 1/A
capability.
The UniLink UL-800/801 is also provisioned for
the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
(ATN), a future internetwork architecture designed
by the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). This network will allow ground / ground,
air / ground, and avionic data sub-networks to
interoperate by adopting common interface
services and protocols based on the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) Open
Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.
Features
- Provides reliable digital communication
between the aircraft and the ground (ground
to air and air to ground text messaging)
- Meets the FANS 1/A+ mandate
- ACARS functions including Out–Off–On–In
(OOOI) and Airline Operational Control (AOC)
- Auto aircraft position reporting and
aircraft tracking
- AOC messaging, FANS message handling
and uplink / downlink messages from
peripheral systems
- FMS Flight Plan uplink from service provider
- Uplink forecast winds
Flight Information Services
Flight Information Services are available
through the VHF radio or a capable approved
Inmarsat Packet Mode Data or Iridium Short
Burst Data (SBD) SatCom system.
Text
UniLink’s independent menu-format software
integrates seamlessly with the FMS and provides
easy access for sending and receiving data.
UniLink affords data link opportunities for:
- Air to ground text messaging via service
provider, accessed via internet, fax or
email
- Ground to air text messaging via service
provider, accessed via internet
- Automatic position reporting (aircraft
tracking via service provider)
- ETA updates
- Text weather information including TAF,
METAR, SIGMETS, and winds aloft
Routing
The UniLink UL-800/801 supports Air Traffic Services (ATS) Facilities Notification
(AFN), allowing the aircraft and the ATS provider to exchange addresses as well as information
about the FANS application supported. Communications may be routed using
compatible Inmarsat or Iridium satellite systems and via the ACARS high-speed VHF
Data Link (VDL) Mode 2 network when within range of these facilities. For increased
installation flexibility, the UniLink UL-801 model features an internal VHF Data Radio
(VDR) that saves weight and space. The UL-800 supports interface to an external VDL
Mode 2 compliant VDR.
Airline Operations
The UniLink can downlink aircraft-acquired data for maintenance and operational analysis
including engine data from a Central Maintenance Computer. Meteorological data
collection and reporting is supported, as well. UniLink’s database-driven user interface
and message set is easily customized to match airline operational requirements and is
uploaded into UniLink without affecting product software or certification status.
Interfaces
The UniLink UL-800/801 supports Universal Avionics FMS installations, Multi-Function
Control Display Unit (MCDU) and ARINC 702A communication protocol. Support for ARINC
739 interface for use with other capable MCDU display units is standard on UniLink.
In installations where FANS approval is sought, a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) capable
of recording data link messages is required as part of the system installation. The
UniLink UL-800/801 supports transmission of AOC, CPDLC and FANS data link recording,
interfacing with the Universal Avionics CVR or Cockpit Voice and Flight Data
Recorder (CVFDR), or other capable systems, via an ARINC 429 data bus.
Field-Loadable Databases
The customer database driven user-interface and message set can be customized
to match airline or business operational requirements. UniLink uses three databases:
customer (which includes the Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) database),
geographic and ATC. Databases are installed by Universal Avionics and also in the
field by customers using a Universal Avionics data loading DTU-100 or Solid-State Data
Transfer Unit (SSDTU). UniLink enables application software to be loaded in the field
without removal of the equipment from the aircraft installation.
Functional
Compliant with ARINC standards 618, 619,
620, 622, 623, 724B and 758
External Interfaces
ARINC 750 VHF Radio (UL-800 only)
ARINC 741 SatCom (supports FANS 1/A+
remote oceanic)
Iridium / Inmarsat SatCom Telephony
ARINC 604 Central Maintenance Computer
ARINC 740 / 744 / 744A Printer
Serial Printer
Universal Avionics Ethernet dataloader
SSDTU or DTU-100
Hardware
Size: Unit Size: 1.1 in. W x 7.6 in. H x 15.2 in. D
Weight: 3.3 lbs. (UL-800), 4.54 lbs. (UL-801)
Mounting: 1 MCU Rack
Internal VDR Radio (UL-801 only): 20 watt;
118-137 MHz, 25 kHz spacing
Antenna: 50 ohm passive VHF, 118-137 MHz
Configuration Module
Built-in Test Equipment (BITE)
Inputs/Outputs
ARINC 429: 16-input / 8-output
RS-422 / 232: 6-input / 6-output
RS-232 Diagnostics Port: 1-input / 1-output
Ethernet: 3 10 / 100 Base-T
Discretes: 10-input / 14-output
Power
28 VDC nominal
UL-800: 15 watts typical
UL-801: 96 watts typical
FAA TSO/ETSO
C160 VDL Mode 2 Communications Equipment
RTCA Documents
Hardware: DO-160F Environmental Categories
Software: DO-178B Level C
System Architecture
