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| A '''Satellite Data Unit''' (SDU) is an ] device installed in an aircraft that allows air/ground communication via a ] network. It is an integral part of an aircraft's SATCOM (satellite communication) system. The device connects with a satellite via ordinary ] (RF) communication and the satellite then connects to a ground station or ''vice versa''. All satellite communication whether audio or data is processed by the SDU.<ref name="airbus330 |
A '''Satellite Data Unit''' (SDU) is an ] device installed in an aircraft that allows air/ground communication via a ] network. It is an integral part of an aircraft's SATCOM (satellite communication) system. The device connects with a satellite via ordinary ] (RF) communication and the satellite then connects to a ground station or ''vice versa''. All satellite communication whether audio or data is processed by the SDU.<ref name="airbus330 \" /> | ||
| The SDU communicates with an onboard MDDU (Multi-purpose Disk Drive Unit) which maintains an updatable table of ground stations in the aircaft's current area and the order of preference for selection of which ground station to use which thus informs the choice of satellite. Along with analysing data continuously sent from all ground stations (such as station status and the error rate of signals from each station) the SDU receives information on the aircraft's position and orientation from another onboard system (ADIRU, Air Data/]) which it passes to the BSU (Beam Steering Unit) to direct the signal beam from the aircraft to the chosen satellite.<ref name="airbus330 |
The SDU communicates with an onboard MDDU (Multi-purpose Disk Drive Unit) which maintains an updatable table of ground stations in the aircaft's current area and the order of preference for selection of which ground station to use which thus informs the choice of satellite. Along with analysing data continuously sent from all ground stations (such as station status and the error rate of signals from each station) the SDU receives information on the aircraft's position and orientation from another onboard system (ADIRU, Air Data/]) which it passes to the BSU (Beam Steering Unit) to direct the signal beam from the aircraft to the chosen satellite.<ref name="airbus330 \" /> | ||
| With the advent of cellphones and the Internet a seperate or integrated SDU can be used to offer telephone and Internet services to passengers.<ref name="poole">http://www.radio-electronics.com/articles/satellite-technology/satellite-backhaul-for-in-flight-connectivity-for-85 , retrieved 01 July 2014</ref><ref name="cobhams">http://www.cobhamsb200.com/SDU7310.aspx , retrieved 01 July 2014</ref><ref name="airbus330"> |
With the advent of cellphones and the Internet a seperate or integrated SDU can be used to offer telephone and Internet services to passengers.<ref name="poole">http://www.radio-electronics.com/articles/satellite-technology/satellite-backhaul-for-in-flight-connectivity-for-85 , retrieved 01 July 2014</ref><ref name="cobhams">http://www.cobhamsb200.com/SDU7310.aspx , retrieved 01 July 2014</ref><ref name="airbus330">A330 TECHNICAL TRAINING MANUAL | ||
| MECHANICAL & AVIONICS COURSE, pages 58 - 69, copyright Airbus S.A.S, published prior to 2014 but copyright date not given</ref> | MECHANICAL & AVIONICS COURSE, pages 58 - 69, copyright Airbus S.A.S, published prior to 2014 but copyright date not given</ref> | ||
| Logs of satellite communication have been used to inform ] agencies of locations of missing aircraft, notably that of ] whose position was unknown due to loss of ] contact and other communications. Automated SATCOM transmissions suggested it flew about 1600 |
Logs of satellite communication have been used to inform ] agencies of locations of missing aircraft, notably that of ] whose position was unknown due to loss of ] contact and other communications. Automated SATCOM transmissions suggested it flew about 1600 km (1000 miles) off its designated flight path having flown approximately ] rather than the intended approximately North-northeast.<ref>"Information provided to MH370 by AAIB: Information provided to MH370 investigation by UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)". Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia. Retrieved 6 May 2014.</ref> | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 15:18, 1 July 2014
A Satellite Data Unit (SDU) is an avionics device installed in an aircraft that allows air/ground communication via a satellite network. It is an integral part of an aircraft's SATCOM (satellite communication) system. The device connects with a satellite via ordinary radio frequency (RF) communication and the satellite then connects to a ground station or vice versa. All satellite communication whether audio or data is processed by the SDU.
The SDU communicates with an onboard MDDU (Multi-purpose Disk Drive Unit) which maintains an updatable table of ground stations in the aircaft's current area and the order of preference for selection of which ground station to use which thus informs the choice of satellite. Along with analysing data continuously sent from all ground stations (such as station status and the error rate of signals from each station) the SDU receives information on the aircraft's position and orientation from another onboard system (ADIRU, Air Data/Inertial Reference Unit) which it passes to the BSU (Beam Steering Unit) to direct the signal beam from the aircraft to the chosen satellite.
With the advent of cellphones and the Internet a seperate or integrated SDU can be used to offer telephone and Internet services to passengers.
Logs of satellite communication have been used to inform search and rescue agencies of locations of missing aircraft, notably that of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 whose position was unknown due to loss of RADAR contact and other communications. Automated SATCOM transmissions suggested it flew about 1600 km (1000 miles) off its designated flight path having flown approximately South-southwest rather than the intended approximately North-northeast.
References
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
airbus330 \was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - http://www.radio-electronics.com/articles/satellite-technology/satellite-backhaul-for-in-flight-connectivity-for-85 , retrieved 01 July 2014
- http://www.cobhamsb200.com/SDU7310.aspx , retrieved 01 July 2014
- A330 TECHNICAL TRAINING MANUAL MECHANICAL & AVIONICS COURSE, pages 58 - 69, copyright Airbus S.A.S, published prior to 2014 but copyright date not given
- "Information provided to MH370 by AAIB: Information provided to MH370 investigation by UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)". Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia. Retrieved 6 May 2014.