 PC.ACARS HARDWARE
ADS’s core ACARS system is PC.ACARS. PC.ACARS is the core module in
both hardware and software that can be used stand-alone or as the central element with
both hardware and software ‘add-ons’.
PC.ACARS hardware comes in two core formats:
- as an external module connecting to your PC (ref P/N SDM-17E)*
- as a 19" rack mounted high power ACARS transmitter or receiver (under development)
*
a) The PC card AV2400 (in ISA format) is no longer supported.
b) SDM-17E superseeds and replaces SDM-17A.
The SDM-17E module is ideally suited to laboratory or workshop applications where
it can be conveniently connected with a user provided PC and DC power supply.
PC interface options are RS-232 serial (null modem) , Ethernet or USB.
Specifications
Signal
Signal coding and de-coding are performed to meet the general requirements of ARINC 618
for both Category A and Category B signals.
| Minimum MSK Input Signal |
70 mV rms audio |
| Input Impedance |
1000 ohms nominal |
| Minimum Receive Pre-key |
3 Bytes |
| Transmit Pre-key Length |
Menu adjustable between 1 and 254 Bytes |
| MSK Frequency Accuracy Tolerance |
± 0.02% |
| Transmit Pre-key Length |
3 Bytes |
| Output (transmit) Signal: SDM-17E |
adjustable between 0.1V and 8V p-p * |
| Output Impedance |
100 ohms nominal |
| Push-to-Transmit |
Low Impedance provided by PC-ACARS
Maximum PTT current 100mA |
| Power Requirements |
9 - 16 V dc; 300mA max |
|
Physical
| AV2400 |
Length 180mm |
Weight 250 grams |
| SDM-17A |
100 L x 85 W x 30 H mm |
Weight 350 grams |
| SDM-17E |
100 L x 85 W x 30 H mm |
Weight 350 grams |
PATS HARDWARE
When the SDM-17E module is fully integrated with notebook PC, small VHF transceiver and
other hardware, PC.ACARS is offered as PATS - the fully Portable ACARS Test Station. PATS
combines all these individual items into a rugged case for use in the field as a system
monitor, an ACARS system interrogator or ramp/field test set.
PATS has been selected by SITA in worldwide applications for remote ground station
(RGS) testing (in this application PATS is known as IFTS - Integrated Field Test Set).
Specifications
HARDWARE
Standard hardware provided with PATS includes:
- Icom IC-A24 / IC-A6 or equivalent VHF Transceiver *
- Aviation Data Systems SDM-17E PC.ACARS MSK Module
- IBM ThinkPad notebook PC * or equivalent
- 2 Yuasa Gel lead acid batteries (6 VDC 7 ampere-hour)
- Multi Voltage Battery Charger (100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz input)
- Case mountable and remote antennae and various interconnecting cables
SIZE / WEIGHT
| General |
| Dimensions |
370 x 465 x 130 mm |
| Weight |
14 Kg (approx.) excluding accessories |
| Power Requirements |
Charges from 115-240 VAC |
| Battery Life |
6 Hours approx. |
In Development: As an alternative to the ADS's PC.ACARS hardware,
the VDRT-02 is a 19" rack mountable high power transmitter. The VDRT-02 is a VHF
AM-MSK and VDL Mode 2 - D8PSK transmitter suitable for ACARS and VDL Mode 2 ground station
installations.
| General |
| Power |
24 VDC 10A
230 VAC 2.1A |
| Temperature |
-20 to +55 deg C |
| Dimensions |
600 x 140 x 350 mm |
| Frequency |
118 to 136.975 MHz |
| Transmitter |
| RF Power Output |
20-80W (configurable) |
| Emissions |
per RTCA/DO-224 |
| RF Mask |
per RTCA/DO-224 |
| Interface |
| ADS-ASIP via RS-232 |
In Development: For application requiring a permanent ACARS
ground station, ADS offers its ADS VDRR-02, which is a 19" rack mountable receiver.
The VDRR-02 is a VHF AM-MSK and VDL Mode 2 - D8PSK receiver suitable for ACARS and VDL
Mode 2 ground station installations.
| General |
| Power |
24 VDC 10A
230 VAC 2.1A |
| Temperature |
-20 to +55 deg C |
| Dimensions |
600 x 50 x 350 mm |
| Frequency |
118 to 136.975 MHz |
| Receiver |
| Sensitivity |
BER better than 10-5 at -101dBm |
| Acceptable Input Range |
-107dBm to +7dBm |
| Adj Channel Rejection |
per RTCA/DO-224 |
| Co Channel Interference |
per RTCA/DO-224 |
| Interface |
| ADS-ASIP via RS-232 |
|
