AIR TRAFFIC INFO MANAGEMENT SYS PRES OF AIRBUS
GENERAL
The Air Traffic Information Management System (ATIMS) complies
with the future developments of the Communication, Navigation,
Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (ATM) also known as Future
Air Navigation System (FANS). It covers the evolution of the way the
airspace will be used in the years to come.
It will be used in different operational environments and is designed to
be easily configured to the airlines needs.
ATIMS enables data-link communication: VHF Data Radio (VDR), HF
Data Radio (HFDR) and SATCOM (if installed) and the exchange of
complex data or specific reports between the aircraft and the ground
centers:
- controller pilot data-link communications (HF voice in backup) for air
traffic management,
- automatic reporting (position, intention) for air traffic surveillance,
- specific airline/aircraft communications (operational control) to improve
airline operational costs and flexibility.
Standard AOC functionalities are basically provided but airlines can
customize these functions and the way they are accessed by the crew.
On the ground, the different existing networks dispatch the messages.
These networks are operated by private companies such as ARINC, SITA
and others, which are known as service providers.
GENERAL (continued)
PRE-FANS, FANS
There are three stages of FANS development.
- Pre-FANS (Communications (COM) and AOC functions),
- FANS A (pre-FANS + ATC functions) and
- FANS B (FANS A + improved ground network + Traffic Alert and
Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)).
Today, the pre-FANS allow the AOC function.
It provides the crew with Aircraft Communication Addressing and
Reporting System (ACARS) equivalent functions and more, as for
instance:
- NOtice To AirMen (NOTAM), weather, winds aloft requests,
- free text message exchanges,
- diversion, delay, refueling, flight reports,
- aircraft data from Centralized Fault Display System (CFDS), Aircraft
Integrated Data System (AIDS), cabin terminal...etc.
ARCHITECTURE
The ATIMS pre-FANS configuration mainly has an Air Traffic Service
Unit (ATSU).
The ATSU is used:
- to manage communications (air/ground data-links),
- to manage applications (on board data routing).
The ATSU is configured in pre-FANS to do:
- the management of air/ground communication,
- Airline Operational Control applications.
The communication devices include:
- the SATCOM, if installed,
- the VDR
- the HF.
The Pre FANS crew interfaces include:
- the ECAM, and,
- the MCDU.
For FANS-A and FANS-B equipped aircraft there are:
- two Datalink Control and Display Units (DCDUs),
- two attention getter pushbuttons, marked "ATC MSG",
- the MCDU "ATC COM" key operative.
The ATSU manages the communication message exchanges to and from
the peripheral computers (on-board routing function).
The software is uploaded in the ATSU by means of the Multipurpose
Disk Driver Unit (MDDU) or the Portable Data Loader (PDL).
PANEL LOCATION/CONTROL AND INDICATING
We will now have a look at the control and indicating of the system.
PRE-FANS
The ATSU line key from the MCDU MENU gives access to:
- AOC MENU line key and,
- COMM line key.
MCDU "ATC COM" key is inoperative.
The COMM line key gives access to the COMM MENU, which is
used for the management and control of the air/ground router.
The AOC line key gives access to the AOC MENU page, which is
used for the management of AOC functions (equivalent to ACARS
functions).
The content of this menu depends on the AOC applications selected
by the airline.
Messages related to the pre-FANS status are displayed on the EWD.
The "ATC MSG" pushbutton is inoperative.
PANEL LOCATION/CONTROL AND INDICATING
(continued)
FANS
In FANS configuration the "ATC MENU" prompt is available to get
access to ATC pages. The "ATC COMM" key gives the same access
but as a shortcut.
Two attention getter pushbuttons are operative and indicate ATC
incoming messages.
Two DCDUs give full time accessibility and readability for messages
exchanged with the ATC and both crew, which require only limited
head-down time.
Text messages instead of voice communication reduce the risk of
misunderstanding.
NOTE: Note: The DCDUs are the interfaces for ATC messages
only.
PANEL LOCATION/CONTROL AND INDICATING
(continued)
MCDU MENU
The COMM MENU is used for communication settings, as selection
of the Service provider and frequency.
The AOC MENU line key gives access to the AOC MENU which is
equivalent to ACARS functions.
The content of this menu depends on the AOC applications selected
by the airline.
The ATC MENU gives access to the least frequent ATC operations,
which are:
- data entry for message preparation,
- access to previously exchanged messages (MSG LOG).
Note that the ATC COMM key has the same functions as ATC MENU
but provides quick access to the page whatever the MCDU menus
displayed.
COMPONENT LOCATION
The ATSU is in the 81VU in the avionics compartment.
MAINTENANCE/TEST FACILITIES
The ATIMS BITE information and test request are available through
MCDU menus which communicate with the ATSU BITE.
The ATIMS maintenance menu is accessible using the "ATIMS" prompt
from the COM SYSTEM REPORT/TEST page.
MAINTENANCE/TEST FACILITIES
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