IFIS: Integrated Flight Information System

Information is a pilot's best ally in planning a safe and comfortable flight. At Rockwell Collins, we've developed an invaluable tool to help pilots collect and interpret the critical information they need. Our Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) sets the industry standard for system integration, quantity and quality of information presented while enhancing situational awareness, reducing pilot workload and improving overall flight deck efficiency.

The ability to access critical flight information at a moments notice is essential in any situation. With our IFIS, pilots have realtime access to a virtually endless array of information in easy-to understand formats. Now, information that would otherwise only be shown on multiple sources - or even in printed books - can be presented on an aircraft’s Adaptive Flight Displays (AFDs).

At the heart of our IFIS system is the Rockwell Collins File Server Unit (FSU), utilizing a high-bandwidth Ethernet network to interface with our Pro Line 21 MFDs. This nearly limitless flexibility allows IFIS to deliver information in ways never before possible. But it’s not just more information; it’s better information - information that’s timely, specific and useful. It’s this kind of knowledge that empowers the flight crew to make better decisions.

With the push of a button, pilots instantly access graphical weather, winds aloft, icing, turbulence and strategic information that may affect the flight. For improved flight deck organization and situational awareness, electronic charts provide approach plates, airport diagrams, chart NOTAMs and procedures, such as Instrument Departure Procedures (DPs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs). Flight Management System (FMS) maps are enhanced by adding geopolitical features, restricted and controlled airspace, and high- and low-altitude airways.

When integrated with the aircraft’s FMS, information such as georeferenced aircraft position is overlaid on the system’s electronic charts and airport diagrams, allowing flight crews to monitor actual aircraft position. As a result, operating in low visibility conditions at night or at unfamiliar airports becomes much easier and intuitive.

To take it one step further, we pioneered Chartlink™, an application that automatically updates and reconfigures chart information. Chartlink automatically loads the needed charts and links FMS flight plans with IFIS for the planned flight. For example, if weather causes a last-minute flight plan change, instead of requiring flight crews to manually search through chart binders, Chartlink provides an updated set of charts at the touch of a button.

The IFIS can also be loaded by the DBU-5000 when installed with the Rockwell Collins Flight Management System and wired accordingly.

The components making up IFIS are listed below with a description of each. In order to fully utilize IFIS system, a database subscription and/or data service is required for each of the functions.

Equipment
Type Number	Collins Part Number	Description
Minimum Equipment:
FSU-5010	822-1543-101	File Server Unit is the heart of IFIS. It is a 2MCU box that performs the processing and houses the databases for IFIS functions
MMT-5000	822-1811-003	Hardware mount for the FSU-5010
FSA-5000	810-0001-XXX	File Server Application is the main application software in the FSU-5010. The FSA must match the graphical weather option if one is selected. A CPN ending in -1XX supports XM graphical weather and ending in -0XX supports Universal graphical weather.
ECU-3000	822-1200-998	External Compensation Unit stores the keys for the purchased options and subscription information for IFIS. This allows the FSU-5010 to be removed from the aircraft without losing option information
CPAS	810-0032-004	Collins Portable Access Software that is installed on a standard laptop and used to dataload the Charts, Enhanced Maps and Graphical Weather databases and FSA-5000 operational software into the FSU. CPAS-3000 provides compatibility with Microsoft Vista operating systems,. simplifies the nstallation and network adapter selection process, and adds ARINC 429 NDOs for ARINC 615-3 dataloads. also includes various usability enhancements, automatic detection of active virus protection software
Options Available for Purchase:
ECH-5000	810-0002-001	Electronic Charts Encrypted Application Key (EAK) to enable the Electronic Charts function.
OVL-5000	810-0003-001	Enhanced Map Overlays EAK to enable the Enhanced Map Overlays function
GWX-3000	810-0007-001	Graphical Weather EAK to enable the graphical weather features provided by XM Weather. These include: Graphical NEXRAD with Precipitation Type, Graphical and Textual METARs, Graphical and Textual SIGMETs, Graphical Echo Tops, Textual TAFs, and Textual AIRMETs. Requires that the proper FSA version be installed. Also requires an XM antenna and receiver.
GWX-3001	810-0058-001	Graphical Weather EAK to enable GWX-3000 features plus the additional graphical weather features provided by XM Weather as follows: TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions), Satellite Imagery, Winds Aloft, and Lightning. Requires that the proper FSA version be installed. Also requires an XM antenna and receiver.
GWX-5000	810-0004-001	Graphical Weather EAK to enable the graphical weather features provided by Universal Weather. Requires that the proper FSA version be installed. Also requires datalink capability on the aircraft that may be provided by installing a VHF and CMU/RIU.
Other Equipment Available for Purchase:
XMA-1000G	866-5100-010	Combined XM Satellite and GPS Antenna required to receive weather data for a GWX-3000 XM Graphical Weather system.
XMWR-1000	822-2031-001	XM Weather Receiver required to receive data from the antenna and provide it to the FSU-5010 for GWX-3000 or GWX-3001 XM Graphical Weather.
VHF-4000	822-1468-302(example)	Datalink capable VHF radio to support GWX-5000 Universal Weather, typically installed as a 3rd VHF.
RIU-4010 or CMU-4000	822-1863-001(example)	Graphical weather data is uplinked through the datalink VHF and transmitted to the FSU from the RIU/CMU in a GWX-5000 Graphical Weather system. Requires an ARINC 739 compliant control head, such as a Rockwell Collins CDU-3000.
Additional Equipment which must be available on the Aircraft to support IFIS:
AFD-XXXX	822-1753-XXX(example)	Adaptive Flight Display with Ethernet interface, installed in the Multi-Function Display (MFD) position in the aircraft
CCP-3000 or CCP-5040	822-1746-002/102 822-1965-102	Cursor Control Panel is the main IFIS control interface through the MFD

A single FSU-5010 can drive two AFDs. However, if redundancy or paperless operation is desired, one approach is to duplicate the equipment listed above under "Minimum Equipment" plus any purchased options.

Database Subscriptions and Data Services

A database subscription and/or data service is required for each of the features of IFIS. There are databases associated with each of the IFIS features that require periodic updates. The graphical weather features also require data service subscriptions to receive weather data.