Aircraft Communication Systems

Over-the-air Communication

Aircraft Interphone System

Terrestrial communication

SATCOM

SELCAL

VHF COM

HF COM

Pilot Boomset

Audio Control Panel

Line Replacable Unit

VHF COM Antenna

Top and bottom of fuselage

EE-bay

BITE can be activated by CMC or Front panel test switch

Standby communication Link

voice communication over oceans and in remote area

2MHz to 29.999Mhz

longer distance communication capability

2 set of HFCOM

antenna on leading edge of vertical stabiliser

HF COM COUPLERS

transmit interlock for HF couplers

BITE test both transceiver and coupler

Resolves overhearing over VHF or HF links

Rides on VHF OR HF channels 312.6Hz to 1479.1Hz

DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)

Uses VHF Data Link (VDL) as well as SATCOM and HF Data Link (HFDL)

Includes automatic and manual initiation of messages

Each message limited to 220 characters

Digital Data Link for data transfer

3 TYPES OF MESSAGES

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Aeronautical Operation Control (AOC)

Airline Administrative Control (AAC)

Messages compliant to ARINC 618 Standard

Aircraft Interphone Systems

Cabin Interphone System (Passenger Addressing System)

Flight Interphone System

Service Interphone System

Cabin Crew - Pilot Calls

Cabin Crew - Cabin Crew Calls

Within aircraft cabin comm, including PA

Allows simultaneous calls or conference calls

PRORITY

Priority systems controlled by the Interphone System Switching/Controller Unit

Cabin Interphone System Priority
-Emergency Calls
-Call from Flight Deck
-Call from Attendant Station to all stations (including Flight Deck)
-Call from Attendant Station to another Attendant Station

Passenger Addressing System
-Connect with Cabin Interphone System to make announcements
-PA priority
-Flight deck Announcement
-Attendant Announcement
-Pre-recorded Announcement Messages(PRAM)
-Video Announcement (VA) (optional)
-Boarding music
Higher priority freezes or pauses lower priority announcement

from/within cockpit (except to cabin stations)

Types of calls:
-Pilot > Pilot Calls
-Pilot > Ground Service Calls

Communication from service & maintenance areas

Types of calls:

Ground Service - Pilot calls
Ground Service - Ground Service calls
Ground Service - Cabin Crew calls

Information Recording Systems

Flight Data Recorder (FDR)

Stores key aircraft performance parameters and system data

High survivability with Underwater Locating Device (ULD)

Stores 88 required parameter groups in the last 25 hours of operation