|
OVERVIEW
In the midst of the information age, airlines are increasingly looking
for ways to connect their aircraft into ground based IT networks in order
to enhance operational efficiencies and improve customer service. Rockwell Collins FlySmart with Airbus (FSA) system combines COTS hardware
and software solutions with avionics grade systems in order to safely and
efficiently link aircraft with ground based IT networks in order to provide
business solutions that move airlines fully into the information age.
DESCRIPTION
FSA Architecture
The FSA system is composed of two network server units (NSUs) segregated
by an Ethernet gateway unit (EGU). The server interface unit (SIU) serves
as the firewall between the NSUs and the aircraft avionics. Access to these
servers can be through wired connections in the aircraft through wireless
LAN units (WLUs) and cellular wireless units (UMTS) that allow communication
within the aircraft and with the airport wireless gatelink system.
FSA Hardware
The foundation of Collins FSA equipment is commercial-off-the-shelf
(COTS) computer network components consisting of a NSU, SIU, WLU, UMTS, and
EGU, a terminal wireless antenna (MAA), a passive RF triplexer device (TPLX),
and a cabin wireless antenna (PMAA).
The NSU serves as a data acquisition, processing and mass data storage
device. The FSA architecture dedicates one NSU to be accessible by the flight
crew (and some flight-related avionics), cabin crew and maintenance crew,
and dedicates the other NSU for passenger applications and services. The NSU
is based on a PC industry standard computing platform and has an upgrade path
similar to commercial computers systems, thus reducing the cost and time required
for updates. The EGU provides network routing and firewall functions between the
cabin side network and the aircrew network onboard the aircraft. The SIU serves as the firewall between the aircraft's avionics and the
aircrew's NSU. Unlike the NSU, the SIU meets the certification requirements
of DO-178B, Level C software to minimize the potential of corrupting avionics
software and/or databases. This server-firewall arrangement allows commercial (Level E certified)
software applications executing on the aircrew's NSU to access the aircraft's
avionics systems data output, without endangering the integrity of the avionics
operation or performance. Concurrently the SIU allows flight deck avionics
software programs and databases to be safely, reliably, and efficiently updated;
thereby bringing the full effect of management efficiencies of information
systems technology to daily airline operations. Gatelink is a cost effective, short-range, spread spectrum, broad-band,
wireless, microwave data link that can rapidly move large quantities of data
on and off the aircraft. Gatelink is the capstone that completes the integration
of aircraft and terrestrial IT networks. The WLU is the microwave transceiver
and the MAA is the antenna that supports transmission and reception of signals
between the aircraft and ground based network. In addition to the 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, the UMTS unit that
has a GSM, GPRS, EDGE , UMTS WCDMA / HSDPA / HSUPA radio modem to provide
cellular connection to the public cellular infrastructure enabling integration
of aircraft and terrestrial IT networks. The passive RF triplexer device TPLX,
can be used to share the above mentioned MAA antenna.
FSA Software
MS Windows 2000 and Linux operating systems are used to manage the aircraft
LAN. Features include a dynamic host control protocol server, routing services,
and a domain name server.
The NSUs host a variety of software applications that airlines can use
to improve their operations or enhance services. In partnership with leading
software companies, Rockwell Collins offers a robust portfolio of applications
such as the following:
Flight Operations
Electronic flight manuals and checklists Electronic charts and maps Data linked advanced weather graphics Crew eMail Performance calculations Electronic technical logbook
Cabin Operations
Maintenance Operations
Remote FSA configuration management Electronic maintenance manuals and checklists Virtual quick access recorder (QAR) Maintenance data analysis tool
Passenger Services
In addition, Rockwell Collins' FSA uses open architecture standards
that enable airline customers to write their own software applications for
hosting on the NSU or port their legacy IT applications onto the NSU. The
NSU provides an automatic Applications installation service based on the ARINC
665 standard load packaging.
SPECIFICATIONS
All components of FSA have been certified and tested to DO-160D. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Network Server Unit (NSU-2120)
Utilizing a backbone of industry standard interfaces, such as PCI, IDE
and fast Ethernet, the NSU provides a flexible means to assist in the management
of aviation assets and customers.
NSU-2120 Size | ARINC 600 4 MCU | Weight | 7.7 kg maximum (16.9
lbs) | Cooling | ARINC 600 | Installation | Mounted
in EE bay |
Power | 115 Vac, 400 Hz and 28 Vdc,
back up battery pack, 2 minute (nominal) hold-up time |
Rear Connectors | ARINC 600 - Size 2 | Front
Panel Connectors | Video, Keyboard, USB |
Processor/memory | Intel Pentium M1.1GHz, RAM
1GB | Network | 11
Ethernet 100 Base T | Serial Ports | 1 RS-232 | Hard
Drive | 1 IDE 100GB 128 MB Optional Compact Flash | Bus Support | PCI, IDE | Operating
System | Windows 2000 server and Linux 2.2/2.4 server |
Secure Interface Unit (SIU-2002)
The SIU provides a variety of interfaces. The SIU incorporates one IEEE
802.3 Ethernet 100-BaseT Port to be used for communications with the NSU.
SIU-2002 Size | ARINC 600 4 MCU | Weight | 5.9 kg maximum (15.8
lbs) | Cooling | Forced Air Cooling per ARINC
600-8 | Installation | Mounted
in EE bay |
Power | 115 VAC, 400 Hz and 28 VDC |
Temperature | -15°C
to +70°C; Short term -40°C to +85°C°C
maximum, Air Pressure | Drop
through Unit | 6.35 mm | Diameter of Inlet and
Exhaust Opening | 4.1
mm |
Processor/memory | PowerPC Processor | Operating
System | VMOS |
Ethernet Gateway Unit (EGU-2100)
The EGU functions as a managed switch, router, and firewall between
cabin passenger services and flight deck avionics services.
EGU-2100 Size | ARINC 600 4 MCU | Weight | 6.79 kg maximum (18
lbs) | Cooling | ARINC 600 | Installation | Mounted
in EE bay |
Temperature | -15°C
to +70°C; Short term -40°C to +70°C |
Rear Connectors | ARINC 600 - Type 11 | Front
Panel Connectors | Ethernet, Serial and JTAG |
Processor | PowerPC | Operating
System | WindRiver VxWorks |
Terminal Wireless LAN Unit (WLU-2100)
The aircraft terminal WLU connects with Gatelink by using IEEE 802.11b/g
compliant 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum technology. The WLU-2100
is designed around the Cisco Aironet 1242 access point and a 115VAC wide frequency
/ 28VDC power supply. It is housed in an ARINC 763 compliant housing that
utilizes conduction cooling.
Cabin Wireless LAN Unit (WLU-2100)
The CWLU is used to create a wireless LAN inside the aircraft. Using
the same 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread technology, the CWLU provides the
wireless LAN between the flight/cabin crew's or passenger's computers and
the NSU through the EGU. With the proper authorization, and laptop or personal
digital assistant computer outfitted with 802.11b/g wireless LAN capability
can gain access to the NSU.
WLU-2100 Width | 174
mm (6.85 in) | Height | 76 mm (3.0 in) | Length | 292
mm (11.5 in) | Weight | 2.1 kg maximum (4.7
lbs) | Cooling | Passive | Installation | Mounted
in cabin |
Power | 115 VAC, Variable Freq.
or 28VDC | Power
Dissipation | 15W |
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS-2100)
The UMTS is a GSM/UMTS cellular device implementing radio technologies
based on 3GPP Release 5 capabilities for mobile terminated equipment. This
device is capable of providing cellular data connectivity between the aircraft
and ground based cellular base stations, there by extending communication
services to the airline and airport intranets.
The UMTS supports quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and tri-band
UMTS (850/1900/2100 MHz) cellular operation. The UMTS also supports Ethernet
LAN between the flight/cabin crew's computers and the NSU through the EGU. Width | 174
mm (6.85 in) | Height | 76 mm (3.0 in) | Length | 292
mm (11.5 in) | Weight | 2.2 kg maximum(4.8
lbs) | Cooling | Passive | Installation | Mounted
in cabin |
Power | 115 VAC, Variable Freq.
or 28VDC | Power
Dissipation | 20W |
Filter Triplexer (TPLX-2101)
The TPLX is a passive RF device. Its role is to combine/split radio
signals of three different technologies (2.1GHz GSM/UMTS, 2.4GHz 802.11b/g,
and 5GHz 802.11a) into a single common output to the airborne antenna. The
TPLX provides a high-degree of port-to-port RF isolation, to eliminate unwanted
interactions between WLU and UMTS units.
Width | 19
mm (.75 in) | Height | 60 mm (2.36 in) | Length | 65
mm (2.56 in) | Weight | .12 kg maximum(.26
lbs) | Installation | Mounted in cabin |
Terminal Wireless Antenna (MAA-2000)
The MAA is a passive, vertically polarized, omni-directional antenna
for aircraft external mounting.
MAA-2000 Width | 45
mm (1.75 in) | Height | 62 mm (2.42 in) | Length | 132
mm (5.17 in) | Weight | 0.13 kg (0.3 lbs) maximum | Installation | Top mounted antenna |
Cabin Wireless Antenna (PMAA-2000)
The PMAA is a passive, circularly polarized antenna for installation
in the cabin interior space.
PMAA-2000 Width | 154.8
mm (6.09 in) | Height | 22.2 mm (0.88 in) | Length | 154.8
mm (6.09 in) | Weight | 0.32 kg (0.7 lbs) maximum | Installation | Interior mounting |
| 
