• Centralized control for all radios civil and tactical (program dependent)
• NVG compatibility (MIL-L-85762A)
• Color CRT display on EDU
• Consistent tune and mode selection operation of all radios
• Full cross-side radio control capability
• No loss of radio tuning due to single RTU failure
• Dzus mounted

ETC-4000 is a flexible centralized system for the management of aircraft radio communication and radio navigation equipments.

ETC-4000 allows to tune and select operation modes for 1. all military and civil radio communication, 2. all radio navigation and 3. other mission equipments like IFF, PLS, crypto. Total of equipment managed by ETC can be up to 20.

ETC-4000 decreases crew workload and increase mission effectiveness by using a proven homogeneous Human Machine Interface.

ETC-4000 controls various kind of ARINC 429 and non ARINC 429 equipment (MIL-STD-1553, serial control RS-485, RS-422 …)

ETC-4000 is composed of one or two NVIS radio tuning units (EDU) and one multifunction processing unit (MPU) required to interface non ARINC-429 equipments.

ETC-4000 is a modular architecture system allowing growth to the avionics configuration of the aircraft while minimizing aircraft wiring. ETC-4000 is customized to meet user’s operational requirements. Customization is done by updating software and/or adding selecting hardware interfaces in MPU.

All versions of the EDU may be Dzus rail mounted.

ETC-4000 typical system is composed of two control display units (EDU) which allow direct control of ARINC 429 equipment and one multiprocessor unit (MPU) required for controlling non ARINC 429 equipment. Two EDUs are required to provide the necessary redundancy in a typical installation. A single EDU-4000 can, however provide full control of the entire radio complement. In reversion or emergency power operations, the remaining EDU can carry on without any loss of radio tuning function.

The EDU-4000s CRT display (70 x 70 mm /2.75 x 2.75 in) provides a clear, bright, sunlight-readable display and excellent off-center viewing angle performance.

The EDU-4000 incorporates one common control scheme and philosophy to provide a centralized control point for all CNS operations and specific mission equipment operation. A logical, intuitive menu structure minimizes pilot workload.

The EDU-4000 operates concurrently with both ARINC 429 digital interfaces and non ARINC 429 interface using MPU equipment for conversion.

MPU is composed of one interface board per non ARINC 429 radio to be controlled. Each interface board insures conversion between A429 commands and specific protocol control message.

Hybrid systems integrating both interfaces (A429 and non ARINC 429) are now possible in a modular centralized system.

ETC-4000 incorporates a complete set of radio management functions into a single unit. It provides a convenient means of selecting frequencies, codes, channels, operating modes for civil communication suite of radios and various mission equipment.

The application of the ETC-4000 provides enhanced reliability and simplified human/machine interface. Other key benefits are reduced radio control panel space and the ability to install optional radios without requiring additional controllers. Since all radios are managed by RTU, one common control scheme and philosophy may be utilized, resulting in reduced pilot workload and training.

Consistent operation means that all radios are tuned in the same way using the same set of keystrokes and knob adjustments. Even future expansion of the aircraft radio complement does not change the pilot interaction with the ETC-4000. Isolation is provided between the two EDU-4000 units such that failure of one unit will not affect the integrity of the other unit.

Dimming of the display is designed to track other flight deck displays by means of the airplane’s master dimming control bus. Additional control within this range is possible by use of the display dimmer on the bezel of the EDU.

Nonvolatile memory is utilized so frequencies and settings will not be lost during power shutdown. At each power-up, all frequencies in use or stored at the last shutdown are again available, eliminating the need to reload often-used frequencies.

The ETC-4000 may be integrated with the Flight Management System (FMS) such that tuning of the radios can be performed via the FMS control display unit keyboard. Additionally, the ETC-4000 accepts FMS automatic tune requests for the VHF omnidirectional radio range/distance measuring equipment radios and routes them appropriately. The result is that the tuned frequency is always displayed on the EDU regardless of the tuning source.

Control of radio frequencies is performed on the top level pages. Depending on configuration and customer needs, top level pages organization can be customized. This page provides all normal tuning functions, complete with annunciation for abnormal operating modes. Pages selected below this top level page will return automatically after 20 seconds of control inactivity.

Radio mode control is performed on the main radio pages. In addition to radio mode selection, these pages provide frequency control, operation selection, self-test initiation and selection of preset frequency channel modes.

Radio preset control is performed on dedicated pages. These pages provide preset tune mode selection and numbered channel preset programming. Selecting the preset tune mode will, for that radio link the top level page tuning to the programmed numbered presets.

Up to twenty numbered preset channels can be provided for each radios.

When required radio parameters can be set on dedicated optional page. These pages can provide mode code selection for IFF, ALE parameter for HF and other functions.

Equipment Part Number is Customer Configuration dependent.

Product Information Material is normally available at no charge and can be obtained by contacting GS Customer Relations:

Rockwell Collins - France
6, avenue Didier Daurat
Boîte Postale 20008
31701 Blagnac Cedex - France
Phone : +(33) 5 61 71 77 22
Fax: +(33) 5 61 71 78 34