09 Satcom

Airbus Maintenance Training
Boeing 777 Student Book
SATCOM
Training Code 777RELBT1

Revision 1.0.0-20180928
Satellite Communications System – Introduction EFB - electronic flight bag
Purpose GHz - gigahertz

HGA - high gain antenna
The satellite communications (SATCOM also known as
HPA - high power amplifier
Inmarsat) system uses ground stations and satellites to transmit
and receive data and voice messages. SATCOM supplies HPR - high power relay
higher quality data and voice message signals for passengers I/O - input/output
and crew, over longer distances than VHF/HF communication
systems. See related information on SATLINK (Iridium). IF - intermediate frequency
Abbreviations and Acronyms LNA/DIP - low noise amplifier/diplexer

LGA - low gain antenna
ACARS - aircraft communications addressing and
reporting system LSK - line select key
ACP - audio control panel MAT - maintenance access terminal

ADL - airborne data loading MHz - megahertz
AIMS - airplane information management system
OMF - onboard maintenance function
AMU - audio management unit
OMS - onboard maintenance system
attn - attenuator
RFC - radio frequency combiner
BSU - beam steering unit
RFS - radio frequency splitter
BITE - built-in test equipment
RFU - radio frequency unit
CCD - cursor control device
SATCOM - satellite communications
CDU - control display unit
SDU - satellite data unit
CMCF - central maintenance computing function
stbd - starboard
CTU - cabin telecommunication unit
DCGF - data conversion gateway function
DCMF - data communication management function
DSP - display select panel
Effective On: 2
Choose an item. 23-15-00
Satellite Communications System – Introduction

Effective On: 3
Satcom System - Voice and Data Transmit/Receive
Interfaces Signal Flow - Receive
General
The high gain antenna (HGA) receives radio frequency (RF)
The SATCOM system provides a total of five voice channels signals. It sends them to the LNA/Diplexer (LNA/DIP).
and one data channel. The LNA/DIP increases the power level of the received signals.
The control display units (CDUs) connect with the satellite data The LNA/DIP sends the amplified RF signals to the radio
unit (SDU). The flight crew use the CDUs to control the frequency unit (RFU).
SATCOM system. The RFU receives the amplified signals and changes the RF
signals to intermediate frequency (IF) signals for the satellite
Voice Operation
data unit (SDU).
Audio control panels (ACPs) connect to the audio management CAL 001 - 018
unit (AMU) to control the voice signals from the flight deck to the The SDU demodulates the received IF signals and sends them
SATCOM system. to the AMU, the AIMS cabinets, or the CTU.
The AMU connects with the SDU to send and receive audio CAL 019 - 999
signals for the flight crew.
The SDU demodulates the received IF signals and sends them
CAL 001 - 018 to the AMU or the AIMS cabinets.
The cabin telecommunication unit (CTU) connects with the SDU
to send and receive voice signals. Signal Flow - Transmit
Data Operation CAL 001 - 018

The AMU, AIMS, or the CTU sends transmit signals to the SDU.
The airplane information management system (AIMS) connects The SDU modulates the signals and sends them to the RFU.
with the SDU to send and receive data signals.
CAL 019 - 999
CAL 001 - 018
The AMU or AIMS sends transmit signals to the SDU. The SDU
The CTU connects with the SDU to receive and transmit data modulates the signals and sends them to the RFU.
signals.
The RFU sends the RF signals through the radio frequency
CAL ALL attenuator to the high power amplifier (HPA).
Effective On: 4
Satcom System - Voice And Data Transmit/Receive
Interfaces
CAL 001 - 018
The RFU sends the RF signals through the radio frequency
attenuator and the radio frequency splitter (RFS) to the high
power amplifier (HPA).
CAL ALL
The HPA increases signal strength and sends the signal to the
low noise amplifier/diplexer (LNA/DIP).
The LNA/DIP sends the RF signal to the top mounted high gain
antenna (HGA). The HGA receives beam steering information
from the beam steering unit (BSU). The HGA splits the RF into
thirty nine identical signals. The HGA electronically steers the
RF signals to the satellite by sending them through the antenna
arrays in an aligned beam.
CAL 001 - 018
Low Gain Antenna
The low gain antenna system is for data only. It operates if a

high gain antenna system fails or the class A high power
amplifier fails.
Effective On: 5
SATCOM System - General Description
General SATCOM System Connections
The satellite communications (SATCOM) system uses a satellite The airplane SATCOM equipment connects with:
network, ground stations and airplane satellite communication • The control display units (CDUs). The SATCOM control
equipment to transmit and receive data and voice messages. and status pages on the CDU give flight crew control of
the SATCOM system. These pages also give system
Satellites
status data.
Satellites act as relay stations between the ground stations and • The audio management unit (AMU). Microphone audio
the airplane. and push-to-talk discretes go to the SDU through the
AMU. Receive audio goes from the SDU to the speakers
Ground Station and headsets through the AMU.
• The cabin telecommunications unit (CTU). Passengers
The ground station connects the SATCOM system to the
use the SATCOM system through the CTU.
ground-based aircraft communications addressing and reporting
system (ACARS) and public telephone networks. AIMS Connections
Airplane SATCOM Equipment The SATCOM system also connects with the airplane
information management system (AIMS) for these functions:
These are the components of a SATCOM system:
• Data communication management function (DCMF). The
• Radio frequency unit (RFU)
DCMF supplies data communications control for airplane
• Radio frequency attenuator (RF ATTN) air/ground datalink over the SATCOM system.
• Radio frequency splitter (RFS) • Central maintenance computing function (CMCF). The
• Class C high power amplifier (HPA) CMCF gets SATCOM system fault reports and writes this
• Class A high power amplifier (HPA) data in a fault history. This shows the maintenance crew
the defective component or function. The maintenance
• Low noise amplifier/diplexer (LNA/DIP) access terminal (MAT) gives access to the CMCF for
• Low gain antenna (LGA) loading and updating SATCOM configuration data.
• Beam steering unit (BSU) • Data conversion gateway function (DCGF). The DCGF
• Top mounted high gain antenna (HGA) changes inertial reference system data into ARINC 429
data for high gain antenna (HGA) beam steering. The
• Radio frequency combiner (RFC)
DCGF also supplies international civil aviation
• Satellite data unit (SDU). organization (ICAO) addresses.
Effective On: 6
High Gain Antenna System
The high gain antenna system receives and transmits voice and
data signals. A high power amplifier (HPA) sends transmit
signals to the high gain antenna system. The antenna system
sends receive signals to the radio frequency unit (RFU). The
antenna system has these components:
• High gain antenna
• Beam steering unit
• Low noise amplifier/diplexer (LNA/DIP).
Low Gain Antenna System
The low gain antenna system receives and transmits data

signals. This system operates only when a high gain antenna
system fails or class A high power amplifier fails.
The low gain antenna system has a low gain antenna (LGA) and
a low noise amplifier/diplexer (LNA/DIP).
Effective On: 7
CAL Airplanes 001-018

Effective On: 8
UAL Airplanes

Effective On: 9
SATCOM System - Component Locations – 1
Cabin Overhead Area
CAL 001 - 018

This equipment is on the E11 rack:
• Radio frequency splitter (RFS)

• Radio frequency attenuator (RF ATTN)
• Radio frequency combiner (RFC)
• Satellite data unit (SDU)
• Class C high power amplifier (HPA)
• Beam steering unit (BSU)
• Class A high power amplifier (HPA).
CAL 019 - 999
This equipment is on the E11 rack:
• Satellite data unit (SDU)

• Beam steering unit (BSU)
• Class A high power amplifier (HPA).
CAL ALL
Access
Access to the E11 rack is through a ceiling panel on the left side
of the door 3 cross aisle area.
Effective On: 10
SATCOM SYSTEM - COMPONENT LOCATIONS – 1
Effective On: 11

Effective On: 12
-300

Effective On: 13
Iridium Communication System - SatLINK
General The Iridium system is protected by a 5-amp breaker labeled IRD
on the P11-1 circuit breaker panel located in the cockpit
The Iridium Communication System (ICS) is an Iridium satellite overhead.
voice and data communication system, known as SatLINK
MAX(Iridium). The SatLINK MAX system supplements the The satLINK MAX system involves the installation of a satLINK
Inmarsat (SATCOM) system. Initially, Iridium use is limited to MAX LRU in concert with an avRDC MAX QAR LRU. The
Polar Regions or where Inmarsat is inoperative or unavailable. avRDC MAX QAR LRU acts as a remote interface device
Iridium communications are available with uninterrupted between the satLINK MAX system and aircraft systems. The
worldwide service, including polar regions, due to satellite satLINK MAX system provides worldwide voice and short burst
constellation characteristics. data communications over the Iridium Satellite Communications
Network (SATCOM).
The Iridium satellite voice and data communication system
consists of a remote mounted 2 MCU transceiver, Configuration
Identity Module (CIM), which holds the Subscriber Identity The satLINK MAX System interfaces with the Aircraft
Module (SIM) cards, and a low-profile top mounted L-band Information Management System (AIMS), and three Control
Iridium dual satellite (voice/data) antenna. This Iridium satellite Display Units (CDU’s). The audio, microphone and PTT
system allows the flight crew to initiate and receive telephone functions of the satLINK MAX System are interfaced with the
calls through the flight deck audio control panels. Captain’s, and First Officer’s Audio Control panels (ACPs) of the
Flight Interphone System via the Audio Management Unit
Iridium Communication System Description (AMU).
Iridium satellites are in low earth orbit. Normally multiple
satellites are in view at all times regardless of the aircraft
latitude, even in Polar Regions. The system automatically
switches between satellites as necessary. Because Inmarsat's
geosynchronous orbit satellites require high-power
transmitters/receivers and Iridium is a low-power system,
Inmarsat and Iridium cannot be selected simultaneously.
Like Inmarsat, the 777 Iridium satcom system provides two
voice channels and one datalink channel, and is accessed and
controlled via the CDU menu. The CDU menu is modified to
allow selection and activation of the Iridium system, but will
otherwise function similarly to the Inmarsat CDU menus.
Effective On: 14
Effective On: 15
Component Locations
Component Locations
The satLINK MAX System consists of the satLINK MAX LRU

installed in the passenger compartment overhead, a Personality
Module (avPM) co-located with the satLINK MAX LRU, and a
Dual Element IRIDIUM Antenna installed on the upper crown of
the aircraft. The avRDC MAX QAR is installed on the E1-4
avionics rack. (REVISED BY EC2316-01020A)
Effective On: 16
satLINK MAX LRU

avPM
avRDC MAX QAR

avCM
E1-4
Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Component Locations

Effective On: 17
Iridium Communication System - Control
System Control
This Iridium installation is known as "Satlink" and all menu

pages are titled SATLINK. Within the menu structure, Inmarsat
is known as “Satcom” and all pages are titled SATCOM.
When SATCOM is active, SATLINK is inactive; when SATLINK
is active, SATCOM is inactive.
SATLINK MENU pages provide Iridium satellite voice and data
communication controls via the CDU. Accessed by pressing the
SAT-IR prompt.
Effective On: 18
Iridium Communication System - Control

Effective On: 19
Iridium Communication System – SATLINK latitude. The system automatically switches between satellites
Activation as necessary.
Because Inmarsat's geosynchronous orbit satellites require
SATLINK Menu
high-power transmitters/receivers and Iridium is a low-power
system, Inmarsat (SAT) and Iridium (SAT-IR) cannot be
In order for SATLINK to connect, SATCOM must also be logged
selected simultaneously.
off.
CAUTION: FAILURE TO CAREFULLY FOLLOW
The SATLINK activation page will appear if SATLINK is
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW WILL
disabled.
RESULT IN DEGRADED OR INOPERATIVE
• ACT - Activates SATLINK system. Inmarsat SATCOM SATCOM COMMUNICATIONS FOR BOTH
system is deactivated; log-off required. INMARSAT (SAT) AND IRIDIUM (SAT-IR).
• DEACT - Deactivates SATLINK system Iridium (SAT-IR) voice and data communications are available
The CDU menu is modified to allow selection and activation of worldwide; however, while the system matures, Iridium
the Iridium system, but will otherwise function similarly to the operations are limited to Polar Regions or when the Inmarsat
Inmarsat CDU menus. Once SATLINK system is activated (SAT) system is inoperative or unavailable. UA will remove this
SATLINK menu pages will allow you to place, answer, and limitation as soon as Iridium system reliability is assured.
reject phone calls, change priorities of to-be placed calls, and
search directory index groups and entries. LIMITATIONS
ACARS will automatically select the best data communication The Iridium long-range (SAT-IR) SATLINK and SAT-PHONE
(Iridium or VHF) method transparent to personnel unless systems shall be used as communication systems only. They
specific communication is selected by you. ACARS function are not intended to replace the functions of required VHF
and message alert annunciation is unaffected. communication systems.
Iridium audio is selected by the existing flight deck ACPs. Use the Iridium (SAT-IR) SATLINK or SAT-PHONE systems in
Maintenance Techs use the normal headsets and microphones or approaching Polar Regions, or when the Inmarsat (SAT)
when making or receiving calls. The MCDU SAT page provides system is inoperative or unavailable and satellite
status and control of Iridium voice functions. ACARS over communications are required.
Iridium messaging functions are transparent to crew (same
function as when in VHF range).
NOTE: PILOTS MAY USE SAT-IR WITHOUT RESTRICTION
IN ANY REGION ANYTIME SAT BECOMES
Iridium satellites are in low earth orbit. Normally, multiple INOPERATIVE OR OTHERWISE
satellites are in view at all times regardless of the aircraft UNAVAILABLE.
Effective On: 20
Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Activation

Effective On: 21
Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Activation

Effective On: 22

09 Satcom

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Airbus Maintenance Training

Boeing 777 Student Book

Training Code 777RELBT1

Purpose GHz - gigahertz

Abbreviations and Acronyms LNA/DIP - low noise amplifier/diplexer

ACP - audio control panel MAT - maintenance access terminal

Satellite Communications System – Introduction

Data Operation CAL 001 - 018

The low gain antenna system is for data only. It operates if a

The low gain antenna system receives and transmits data

CAL Airplanes 001-018

SATCOM System - General Description

SATCOM System - General Description

CAL 001 - 018

• Radio frequency splitter (RFS)

• Satellite data unit (SDU)

CAL Airplanes 001-018

SATCOM SYSTEM - COMPONENT LOCATIONS – 1

CAL Airplanes 019-022

SATCOM System - Component Locations – 1

SATCOM System - Component Locations – 1

Iridium Communication System - SatLINK

The satLINK MAX System consists of the satLINK MAX LRU

satLINK MAX LRU

avRDC MAX QAR

Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Component Locations

This Iridium installation is known as "Satlink" and all menu

Iridium Communication System - Control

Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Activation

Iridium Communication System - SatLINK Activation

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