• Centralized control for all radios civil and tactical (program dependent)
• NVG compatibility (MIL-L-85762A)
• State-of-the-art color AMLCD
• 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 or panel mounted

RMS-4200 is a flexible centralized system for the management of aircraft radio communication and radio navigation equipments.

RMS-4200 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 RMS can be up to 20.

RMS-4200 decreases crew workload and increase mission effectiveness by using a proven homogeneous Human Machine Interface.

RMS-4200 controls various kind of ARINC 429 and non ARINC 429 equipment (MIL-STD-1553, serial control RS-485, RS-422 …)

RMS-4200 is composed of one or two NVIS radio tuning units (RTU) and one multifunction processing unit (MPU) required to interface non ARINC-429 equipments.

RMS-4200 is a modular architecture system allowing growth to the avionics configuration of the aircraft while minimizing aircraft wiring. RMS-4200 is customized to meet user's operational requirements. Customization is done by updating software and/or adding selecting hardware interfaces in MPU.

Comprehensive system diagnostics provides fault isolation down to the offending line replaceable unit, while the fault history memory will capture and identify intermittent failures.

All versions of the RTU may be Dzus rail or panel mounted.

RMS-4200 typical system is composed of two control display units (RTU) which allow direct control of ARINC 429 equipment and one multiprocessor unit (MPU) required for controlling non ARINC 429 equipment. Two RTUs are required to provide the necessary redundancy in a typical installation. A single RTU-4200 can, however provide full control of the entire radio complement. In reversion or emergency power operations, the remaining RTU can carry on without any loss of radio tuning function.

The RTU-4200s 3ATI AMLCD display provides a clear, bright, sunlight-readable display and excellent off-center viewing angle performance

The RTU-4200 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 RTU-4200 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.

RMS-4200 incorporates a complete set of radio management functions into a single unit. It provides a convenient means of selecting frequencies, codes, channels, operating modes and volume levels for civil communication suite of radios and various mission equipment.

The application of the RMS-4200 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 RMS-4200. Isolation is provided between the two RTU-4200 units such that failure of one unit will not affect the integrity of the other unit.

Dimming of the AMLCD 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 RTU.

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 RMS-4200 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 RTU 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 RTU regardless of the tuning source.

Control of frequencies and Air Traffic Control (ATC) codes is performed on the first top level page. The top level page displays Very High Frequency Communications (VHF COMM), Very High Frequency Navigation (VHF NAV), Automatic Direction Finder (ADF), ATC and Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System information. 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. (Both channel and frequency will be displayed on the top level page.)

Twenty numbered preset channels are provided for each radios.

Current active frequencies and mode annunciations are provided on all radio preset pages.

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.

The RTU also provides maintenance display pages for system interface status, radio diagnostics and fault history records. Available only to maintenance personnel, these pages allow extensive sensor system troubleshooting to facilitate quick repair and a reduction of expensive no trouble founds.

The RTU system interface status pages provide a real-time indication of digital bus interface and discrete input status. These messages identify inactive/active data buses and gnd/open discretes to assist in fault isolation to the Line Replaceable Unit and wiring level. Bus port numbers and discrete input pin numbers are also displayed.

The radio diagnostics pages provide a real-time readout of the RMS ARINC 429 frequency/code commands and the corresponding echo information from the sensors themselves. The sensor digital diagnostic word outputs, including the label number, side ident and diagnostic code are also displayed.

Fault history pages provide a recorded history of CNS failures that occurred during flight. The failure history, stored in nonvolatile memory, includes the sensor failure (diagnostic code) and the flight leg in which it occurred. For installations that include FMS, the failure date and time is also displayed. The RTU will store up to 100 faults. To prevent fault history clutter, a particular fault for each specific radio will be recorded only once during a flight leg. A provision for fault history clear is also included.

Certification/qualification

Environmental DO-160C

RTUSoftwarecan be certified DO-178Bupon request

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