ATA 23 COMMUNICATION

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The single aisle aircraft communication system has two sub-systems:

- radio communication,
- on-board communication.
The radio communication systems are used for communications to and from the aircraft.
The on-board internal communication system is divided into 4 functions:
- Service interphone (on ground only) for maintenance technician
communication with cockpit or cabin thanks to several jack connectors around the A/C,
- Flight interphone for cockpit internal communication and also with the ground mechanic,
- Passenger Address (PA) from the cockpit or from cabin crew stations for passenger
announcements,
- Cabin interphone for cabin crew or cabin crew/pilots’ communication.
 ATA 23 COMMUNICATION

RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The radio communications system lets the crew communicate with ground
stations and to other aircrafts through VHF Data Radio (VDR), High
Frequency Data Radio (HFDR) and SATCOM if installed.
The VHF transceivers are identical and interchangeable, as are the HF
transceivers. VDR 1 and VDR 2 are normally used by the flight crew for
voice communications. VDR 3 is used for Air Traffic Service Unit
(ATSU) functions, and is used as back-up voice communications in case
of system 1 or 2 failure.
The HF transceivers are used when the aircraft is beyond the useful range
of the VHF radios.
The Satellite Communication system (SATCOM) is composed of the
Satellite Data Unit (SDU),
The SATCOM is a multi-channel aviation satellite communication system.
It supplies worldwide mobile radio communications that can handle voice
and data.
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RADIO COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL AND INDICATING

RMP
The Radio Management Panels (RMPs) give the capability of tuning
all communication radios. The frequencies are tuned by using the 2
concentric knobs.
Any RMP can tune any communication radio but each one is normally
dedicated to a particular radio.
- RMP 1 is dedicated to VDR 1,
- RMP 2 is dedicated to VDR 2,
- RMP 3 is dedicated to VDR 3 and HF 1/HF 2 (if installed).
 ATA 23 COMMUNICATION

RMP FREQUENCY SELECTION

The Radio Management Panel (RMP) is the Digital tuning head for the Communications transceivers.
They are located in the canter pedestal, with an optional one installed in the overhead for the 3rd
observer seat. The panels have an over centre ON/OFF switch. When the ON/OFF switch is switched
to the ON position, two frequencies that were previously selected appear in the ACTIVE and Standby
windows. To operate the transceiver, you might have to select a new frequency on one of the VHF or
HF transceivers. To do this, you must select the Transceiver that you wish to transmit on. To select
the radio, the corresponding radio pushbutton must be pushed on the RMP. The associated green
LED will come on.

TRANSMISSION MODE
To connect one of the acoustical devices (microphone) to the transmission line, the associated
transmission key must be selected on the Audio Control Panel (ACP). When the transmission key is
pressed (green light illuminated) you are ready to transmit. This selection can be disabled when you
select another transceiver or when you press the illuminated pushbutton again. Only ONE transmit
key can be selected at a time.

RECEPTION MODE
 ATA 23 COMMUNICATION
In order to listen on the selected transceiver, you must operate the Audio Control Panel (ACP). On
the ACP, the reception knobs allows connection of the headsets / acoustic equipment to the
transceiver reception via the Audio Management Unit. To select a transceiver, the corresponding
reception knob must be released out. The reception knob comes on white. To adjust the reception
volume level, the selected reception knob must be turned. Communications can now be established.

OPERATION
When one of the Push-to-Talk (PTT) switches is depressed, the hand mike is connected, and in this
case, the VHF 1 transceiver transmits. The boom set mike is connected when a PTT is pressed in on
the ACP or on the side stick. On the ACP, several reception knobs can be selected simultaneously. If
the reception knob is pressed in again, the receiver is disconnected and the white light goes off.