• ARINC 741 compliant for standardized aircraft integration
• Enables Inmarsat's Aero-H and Aero-H+ services. Enables Swift64 and SwiftBroadband services with companion HST-2110B and HCM-2100B
• HPA-901A/B, Linear High-Power Amplifier, produces 60 Watts of output power. The extra power is ideal for maintaining connections in marginal situations such as edge of satellite coverage or during aircraft maneuvers with simultaneous aero service. Ideally suited for simultaneous Aero and Swift64, HPA-901B will provide for simultaneous Aero and Swift64 or SwiftBroadband Services
• Pooled Channel module architecture provides a "soft fail" mechanism without loss of system availability
• Operates two unique flight deck menu structures for AIRBUS and others - System is certified for flight deck voice and FANS applications
• Full Range of Interfaces for the flight deck and cabin
  • CEPT-E1 digital bus for cabin telephony systems
  • Up to two analog interfaces
  • ARINC 429 for flight deck data link services
• ICAO safety services for flight deck communications
• Unique management software allows SAT-906B to maintain safety services when operating simultaneous Aero and Swift64 or SwiftBroadband services
• A small HCM-2100B high speed data configuration module per ARINC781

The Collins SAT-906B is the industry standard satellite communications (SATCOM) Aeronautical Earth Station (AES) offering. It supports Inmarsat's Aero-H and Aero-H+ aeronautical satellite services.

The SAT-906B provides up to six (6) simultaneous Aero-H or Aero-H+ channels, available in one (1) channel module increments, of voice, fax and data. Customers need only purchase the number of channels required today knowing that they can add channels in the future via a service bulletin as their needs change. The channels are comprised of:

• A single, dedicated, data channel that is used for system housekeeping and high or low speed data link applications to the flight deck for ACARS type messaging
• Remaining channels can be used for either the cabin or flight deck to host any combination of voice, facsimile or data

Rockwell Collins uses an innovative "pooled" channel module architecture. All channel modules are identical in their capabilities; specific modules are randomly assigned when a call is setup and subsequently returned to the pool for reassignment afterwards. This feature provides a "soft fail" by not allowing a failed module to reduce system availability.

The SAT-906B is equipped with an array of input/output including a robust CEPT E1 high-speed digital bus, up to two (2) DTMF analog lines and multiple ARINC 429 digital buses.

The Collins SAT-906B consists of three (3) primary components, the SDU-906 Satellite Data Unit; the RFU-900 Radio Frequency Unit and the HPA-901A Linear High-power Amplifier. The SAT-906B operates in conjunction with a High-gain Antenna System (HGAS) which is offered by several manufacturers. Rockwell Collins has successfully integrated with all HGAS manufacturers to date using its standardized ARINC 741 interface.

The SDU-906 incorporates the modems, coder/decoders (codecs), protocol and system processing support for communications with the ground earth stations. It is also the primary interface to all other aircraft components.

The RFU-900 is comprised of a wideband, L-band to IF, down-converter for receive operation and a wideband, IF to L-band, up-converter for transmit operation. The RFU operates in the full duplex mode.

The HPA-901A/B is a Class A, 60 Watt, Linear, HPA required for simultaneous multi-channel operation of the Inmarsat Aero and Swift64 services. The added robustness of this amplifier allows operators to operate multiple channels in marginal, edge of coverage, environments. It also operates the Swift64 high-speed data services simultaneously.

The SAT-906A/B is compatible with all satellite service providers that support Inmarsat Data-2, Data-3 and Voice-2 protocols.

The SAT-906B interfaces with the Inmarsat constellation of geosynchronous communications satellites that is supported by three consortia of service providers. Ground earth stations located around the globe provide links to the public switched telephone network for bidirectional calling, facsimile and data communications. Aero H, H+, I and L Inmarsat aeronautical protocols are supported by the SAT-906B. Future growth capability provisions are in place to support planned upgrades to the system.

The SDU-906 is capable of operation with one- to six-channel modules, with the six-channel configuration offered as standard. If one or more modules fail, the system remains capable of voice, fax and PC data operation as long as two modules are operational. A single operational module will support essential data communications such as ACARS or AFIS.

The Inmarsat network is suitable for air traffic services that enable the SAT-906B to provide access to communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management services for preferred routing and clearances in remote or oceanic regions.

The built-in analog telephone ports are provided with up to 100 speed dial numbers and offer powerful diagnostic capabilities via the telephone instrument.

With Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband service activated, the optional HST-2110B supports up to 432 Kbs broadband. In addition, it will support future capabilities such as multiple passenger voice channels with the inclusion of additional systems equipment such as a picocell and router.

The HCM-2100B houses the USIM identity card and allows the system to log into the SwiftBroadband network (the HCM is not required for the Swift64 services).

The optional HST-2110B high-speed data transceiver also adds a Swift64 data service when SwiftBroadband is not available. The HST-2110B utilizes the Inmarsat Swift64 data service operating in either the circuit data or packet data modes of operation. In the circuit mode of operation the unit interfaces with either the ISDN or the Ethernet card of a PC or server, providing a dial up connection to the selected Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the packet mode of operation individual PCs interface to an Ethernet port of the HST-2110B and send/receive data via a shared channel that is continuously available. Billing for the circuit mode is based on minutes of connect time while billing for the packet mode is based on number of kilobits transmitted and received rather than connect time.

The optional Collins CDU-2000 multifunction Control Display Unit is available for control of the SAT-906B. Alternatively, any ARINC 739-capable multifunction CDU can be used for this purpose.

In operation, the aircraft earth station can be assigned a common number for all telephones, or an alternate numbering scheme is available to allow direct dialing to a specific aircraft telephone or fax machine. An operator database program supplied by Rockwell Collins allows easy selection of options using a standard personal computer. This program prepares files for upload to the system using a standard ARINC 615 data loader. This can be accomplished without removing units from the aircraft.

The optional Collins CDU-2000 multifunction Control Display Unit is available for control of the SAT-906B. Alternatively, any ARINC 739-capable multifunction CDU can be used for this purpose.

In operation, the aircraft earth station can be assigned a common number for all telephones, or an alternate numbering scheme is available to allow direct dialing to a specific aircraft telephone or fax machine. An operator database program supplied by Rockwell Collins allows easy selection of options using a standard personal computer. This program prepares files for upload to the system using a standard ARINC 615 data loader. This can be accomplished without removing units from the aircraft.