PAGN
is a Private ACARS Ground Station Network.
PAGN
provides the operators of ACARS equipped aircraft with the capability to host their own
ACARS network and system of ground stations. The
ACARS Host Processor software resides within the airline’s facilities and is a
comprehensive application that communicates with and controls its own network of ACARS
ground stations using a standard TCP/IP Ethernet
connection. All uplink and downlink
functions operate normally in accordance with Arinc 618 using the airline’s private
datalink VHF frequency. Especially
suited to regional carriers, the high on-going costs associated with the traditional
datalink service providers are completely avoided.
Schematic
Diagram of PAGN System
| The hardware
installation at each ground station location comprises: |
|
- PAGN Remote Ground Station (RGS)
|
- A 19" rack (3RU high) solution allowing simple
installation.
|
- VHF transceiver (7W or 16 W)
|
- ACARS Ground Station Processing Module
|
- Power Supply with built-in UPS (5-10 hrs operation time)
|
- Lightning Arrestor
|
|
| The only
other element required is the PAGN ACARS Host Software application. |
|
| The PAGN solution gives ownership of all hardware to
the operator. |
|
| In other words,
the operator (or the operator’s sub-contractor): |
|
- Provides the means for a ground station installation (ie. 19" Rack, Antennas,
Server PC, etc).
|
- Installs
the PAGN 19" Remote Ground Station, as well as providing mains power, antenna
connection and an ethernet (TCP / IP) connection to the RGS Unit.
|
- Install
the PAGN ACARS Host Software application on the Linux / UNIX based PC or Server.
|
In
addition the operator purchases, from ADS, one ACARS System Module for each ground station
and a User Licence Agreement for the ACARS Host Processor Software. The Host software runs on a standard PC under a
Linux/Unix operating system.
The
ACARS System Module (SDM-17E) provides a direct Ethernet interface and performs multiple
functions including various key Arinc 618 air-to-ground protocol functions. It controls the VHF transceiver, translates between
the analog data (used by the transceiver) and the digital data (used for data transport
and processing), provides connectivity of the ground station to the Ethernet and conducts
communications with the ACARS Host computer.
Functions
performed by the central ACARS Host computer are modularized. Its basic tasks include the coordination and
control of all connected ground stations, and integration and distribution of incoming
(downlinked) and outgoing (uplinked) data. The central ACARS host computer also provides
an interface to the airline’s business environment via PC network connection.
Aircraft
data from the ground stations will be delivered to the ACARS Host computer. Each ground station is connected to the ACARS Host
via the airline’s data network.
* VHF
Transceiver may be provided by ADS or Airline
|
