MODULE 5: Aircraft Voice
Communication: Audio Integration
System (AIS)
Course Learning Outcomes [CLO]
CLO 4. Interpret the purpose and
operation of the different aircraft
voice and data communication
systems.
CLO 5. Analyze the different
mode of operation of audio
integration system (ais). Expalin
how passenger address, cabin
interphones and acoustic devides
are used in normal
configuration.
CLO 6. Learn and identify the
parts of a CVR/FDR. Explain the
operation of those including ELT
in emergency situation and how it
transmits and store vital
information.
CLO 7. Describe correct use of
different equipments in airbourne
communication and its functions.
AVT 2218 – Airbourne Communication Electronics
Module 5
Module Learning Outcomes [MLO]
MLO 1. Summarize the different
components that an AIS must
have and discuss the operating
principles of each.
MLO 2. Describe the CIDS
communication functions.
MLO 3. Discuss the functionality
of flight data recorders and
cockpit voice recorders.
. recorder (CVR) AND flight data
Topic Learning Outcomes [TLO]
TLO3. Distinguish the advantages
and disadvantages of handheld
microphone and PTT switch
controlled microphone in aircraft
cabin communication.
TLO4. Classify the functions and
use of emergency locater
transmitter (ELT), cockpit voice
recorder (FDR).
TLO5. Describe different cabin
intercommunication data system
(CIDS) communication functions.
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AIRCRAFT VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

Audio signals from the users are routed to the different systems capable of voice communications (Figure
4-53). To communicate outside the aircraft, the operators can use radio communications such as HF and
VHF systems, or the satellite communication (SATCOM) system.

The Flight, Service and Cabin interphone systems are used for the on-board communications. The Radio
and Audio Integrating Management System (RAIMS) controls voice communication in the cockpit
environment. On some aircraft, the same function is performed by Audio Radio Control Display Unit
(ARCDU) or a similar component which renders control for Radio/Audio voice communication systems.

The Cabin Intercommunication Data System (CIDS) is dedicated to the cabin environment and can ensure
connection with ground personnel around the aircraft.

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AUDIO INTEGRATION SYSTEM (AIS)

The Audio Integration System (AIS) controls all audio functions related to radio communications and
navigation, inter-phone communications between pilot, copilot, observer, and ground crew members. A
typical Audio Integration System (AIS) would have the following system components: (Figure 4-54)
• Remote Control Audio Unit (RCAU)
• Observer's Audio Control Panel (ACP)
• Pilot and copilot flight compartment speakers
• Pilot and copilot hand microphones
• Pilot and copilot jack boxes
• Observer's jack box
• Ground crew jack boxes
• Pilot and copilot hand-wheel PTT. INPH toggle
• Nose wheel steering PTT pushbutton switch.

The Audio Integration System (AIS) uses the Audio and Radio Control Display Unit (ARCDU) and
observer's Audio Control Panel (ACP) to control the AIS. The Remote Control Audio Unit (RCAU)
interfaces with Communication and Navigation transceivers, Pilot, copilot, observer's, and ground crew
jack boxes, Passenger Address Amplifier (PAA) and the flight compartment speakers. 1be audio from the
communication transceivers and navigation receivers are supplied to the RCAU. 1he ARCDUs and

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 observer's audio control panel control the Remote Control Audio Unit (RCAU) to select the audio and
change its level to the flight compartment speakers and pilot, copilot, and observer jack boxes. To make a
communication transceiver transmit, a Push To Talk (PTT) selection and microphone audio is supplied
through the RCAU to the communication transceivers.

The service or communications inter-phone transmission starts with an inter-phone PTT selection. The
MIC jack audio from the pilot, copilot, observer, or ground crew jack box is then supplied to the RCAU.
To listen to other inter-phone transmissions, the ARCDUs and observer's audio control panel control the
RCAU to select the inter-phone audio and change its level to the flight compartment speakers and the
PHONE jacks in the jack boxes. The RCAU supplies audio data to the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

REMOTE CONTROL AUDIO UNIT (RCAU)

The Remote Control Audio Unit (RCAU) or on some aircraft also called the Audio Management Unit
(AMU) is used to control the Audio Integration System (AIS) from ARCDU or observer's Audio Control
Panel (ACP) selections. (Figure 4-55)

A typical RCAU assembly contains various subassemblies which include a filter, a motherboard, an Input
processing card, Pilot/Copilot audio cards and Pilot/Copilot Speaker Amplifier cards.

The installed filter provides protection against High Intensity Radio Frequency (HIRF) lightning, and
other electromagnetic effects. The motherboard furnishes electrical connections between other boards and
the rear panel connector. It has circuitry to protect the other cards from transient voltages as well. The
Input Processing Card amplifies the input signals and further isolates the inputs and outputs. It also
supplies electrical power to the boom/mask relays and bias voltages to the attendant handset and ground
crew microphones.

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The Audio Cards: The pilot, copilot, and observer's audio card have input signals that pass through a low-
pass filter and are digitized by a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The CPU receives selection and volume
level inputs from the ARCDU and the ACP. It uses digital processing to give applicable analog out puts to
headsets and flight compartment speakers. The ARCDU and ACP potentiometers have a voltage at their
wipers that changes with the potentiometer position. The analogue voltages are changed into digital words
by the multiplexer in the analogue to digital converter (ADC). Speaker Amplifier Cards; The pilot and
copilot speaker amplifier cards are used to amplify low-level inter-phone, radio and aural alerts signals for
the flight compartment speakers.

AUDIO CONTROL PANEL (ACP)

There may be multiple ACP's in various locations inside the aircraft to provide ease of communication to
crew members. Each panel controls an independent crew station audio system and allows the flight crew
to select the desired radios, navigation aids, interphones and PA systems for monitoring and transmission.
The audio panel receives inputs from all audio communication channels and aural warnings. Audio
warning for altitude alert, ground proximity warning system (GPWS), traffic collision avoidance system
(TCAS), and wind-shear among others, are also heard through the speakers and headsets. These warnings
cannot be controlled or turned off by the flight crew. Audio from each ACP is monitored using a headset,
headphone or the related speaker, except for the observer speaker.

From a functionality stand-point, the observer's ACP changes the front panel audio and PTT selections
into ARINC 429 data for transmission to the RCAU or AMU. The ACP normally has two circuit card
assemblies attached together and to the chassis. The top card assembly has the mechanical section of the
transmitter selector keyboard. This circuit card assembly and the potentiometers are electrically connected
to the lower circuit card. The lower card assembly holds the rear connector (Figure 4-56).

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INT/RAD SWITCH

This switch is located on the ACP panel and operates as a press-to-talk switch for boom or oxygen
microphone. The switch when selected to INT position, the boom and mask microphones transmit on
inter-phone, regardless of which transmission key is selected. However, for reception on inter-phone, the
crew member must have the INT reception knob out, on his/ her ACP panel. The other position is the
RAD position (press and hold), which allows voice transmission on boom and mask microphones on the
selected radio selected on the audio control panel.

FLIGHT COMPARTMENT SPEAKER

Generally, individual speakers installed above the

pilot and copilot, are used to monitor audio
selected at the audio control panels (Figure 4-57).
The speaker converts electrical signal to audio.
The audio sources selected on the audio control
panel (ACP) can be routed to the flight
compartment speakers by pressing in the speaker
switch. Speaker volume is controlled by rotating
the speaker control knob.

HAND MICROPHONE

The hand microphone is placed in such a

manner that it is accessible to the flight crew
members for making desired announcements. In
some aircraft, it is connected to the base of the
control column with a cable and in others it is
appropriately placed on the central or side
pedestal panels for easy access of the aircrew.
(Figure 4-58) It has a mounting bracket and
PTT switch.

The hand microphone is a device that changes

sound waves into variations of electric currents
for transmission. It has a condenser to remove
much of the electromagnetic and radio
frequency interference and magnetic signals.

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JACK BOX CONSOLE (FLIGHT COMPARTMENT, OBSERVER, GROUND)

The jack box consoles are used to connect the aircrew headsets and oxygen mask microphone to the
RCAU or AMU, to enable voice communication with other aircrew members or the ground crew. The
jacks are connected to headset and microphone plugs. A notch in the plugs aligns with a "V" bend in the
jack tips to hold them firmly together. The jacks have solder lug terminals for wiring connections and are
attached to the front surface of the jack panel with mounting nuts and lock washers. Each jack box
contains jacks for Boom Set or Oxygen Mask (BOOM/MASK) microphones and NORMAL/AUX phones.
(Figure4-59)

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PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) SWITCH

The Push-to-talk (PTT), also known as Press-toTransmit, is a method of having conversations or talking
on half-duplex communication lines, including two-way radio, using a momentary button to switch from
voice reception mode to transmit mode (Figure 4-60). The PTT switch on the yoke column or the side-
stick control column operates in a similar manner as the INT/RAD switch on the ACP. In NEUTRAL
(spring-loaded) condition, the boom and mask mikes do not transmit.

However, the PTT switch is pressed, the boom and mask microphones transmit on the desired radio
channel as selected on the ACP. It must be noted, even if the INT/RAD switch is on INT position on the
ACP panel, pressing the control column PTT would cause RADIO transmission to supersede intercom
transmission, as radio function has priority over the inter-phone function.

CABIN ATTENDANT HANDSET

Each attendant station has a handset for public announcement, inter-phone dialing and communication.
The handset rests in a cradle. The handset and cradle fulfill the following functions:
• The hook-off sensing.
• The Push-To-Talk (PTT) switching.
• The Passenger Address (PA) announcement.
• The interphone.

After removing the keyboard cover, two potentiometers under the PTT button can be adjusted for setting
phone and microphone sensitivity (Figure 4-61).

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AVT 2218 – Airbourne Communication Electronics
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AVT 2218 – Airbourne Communication Electronics
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Enrichment Activity

Answer the following questions. Turn in your answers in google classroom in PDF.

1. What is the main function of INT/RAD Switch?

2. What is the difference between the Audio and Radio Control Display Unit (ARCDU)
and Remote Control Audio Unit (RCAU)?

3. In your own opinion, how important Audio Integration System in the side of
maintenance in aviation? If you will be given a chance to suggest for an
improvement in this system, what will it be and why.

Laboratory Activity:

Procedures:

1. Make and intensive research about Audio Integration System (AIS).

2. Choose your Airbus type, identify and illustrate the 9 system components.
3. Use the provided template in accomplishing this laboratory activity and turn in your
answers in google classroom in word from or PDF. Use the file name AVT 2218 -
LABORATORY MODULE NO.5

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AVT 2218 – Airbourne Communication Electronics
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