Book 19 Module 13 RADIO - 4 COMMUNICATIONS - 2 Licence By Post | aCONTENTS Microphones Loudspeakers & earphones Audio integration HF communication VHF communication Passenger address Cockpit voice recorder Seleal Page 12 21 26 28 35HOW TO TACKLE THIS BOOK You should have a thorough understanding of the topics in this book. Some of them are straight forward whilst others will need a little more time spent on them. As with all the other books in this series ~ do relate the information in this book to systems/components fitted to your aircraft.MICROPHONES A microphone is a transducer for converting acoustic signals (sound waves) into electrical signals. Microphones are produced in a wide variety of types and standards to suit different applications. The sound waves are converted into corresponding electrical signals by the mechanism of a microphone. A diaphragm inside the microphone is actuated by the variations in air pressure caused by sound waves and this causes the microphone to produce an ac voltage of the same frequency as the original sound. The amplitude of this ac voltage will be proportional to the intensity of the sound. The diaphragm, which is usually located behind some form of grille, can respond to the sound waves in two ways: 1. The diaphragm can form one surface of a sealed container so that the sound waves will affect only one face of the diaphragm, the =, Pfnicrophone is then’ said to work. on the pressure principle, 2.\ | The sound waves have access to both faces of the apie , in which case the microphone is said to employ the Pressure afadient principle. [eae ‘The ratio of the electrical output to the intensity of sound input isa measure of the "sensitivity" of a microphone. py varies between different types of microphones. | if eal y Il The frequency response of a microphone is a’ ‘measure of its ability to convert different Sound frequencies into alternating current. Pressure Operated Microphones Microphones in which the back of the diaphragm is sealed off, respond to minute changes in air pressure and convert them to electrical signals. A small leakage is arranged to allow the pressure in the cavity behind the diaphragm to stabilise at the steady atmospheric value. ‘The output of a pressure operated microphone should be independent of the angle of incidence of the sound wave but microphones of large dimensions tend to be unidirectional at high frequencies.The Carbon Microphone Probably the most common type of microphone in general use. Its use is largely restricted in communications systems for the transmission of speech and is the most robust of all the different types. It consists essentially of a diaphragm mechanically connected to, or forming one face of, a container filled with fine granules of carbon. These carbon granules are sealed in a brass or carbon cup and the microphone operates by using the varying pressure waves of sound to vary the resistance of the carbon granules, Electrical contacts enable a voltage to be applied across the carbon. DIAPHRAGM CARBONDR BRASS CAP) i CARBON | GRANULES | & POWER SUPPLY ELECTRODE \ Ii | | | | | Fig. 1 THE CARBON MICROPHONE | | When no sound waves strike the diaphragm, the carbon granules are stationary, and the resistance of the carbon between the brass cup and the electrode is constant. In this condition the circuit current is also constant. When pressure waves strike the diaphragm, the diaphragm and the attached electrode move in and out, varying the pressure on the carbon granules. An increase in air pressure moves the diaphragm in, compressing the carbon granules and lowering their resistance (similar to the carbon pile regulator). ‘This causes the current to increase. A decrease in air pressure causes the diaphragm to move out, which reduces the pressure on the granules, increasing their resistance and decreasing the circuit current. So the varying pressure waves produce current variations and through the primary of the transformer induce a stepped-up voltage in the secondary. As small changes in displacement of the diaphragm cause comparatively large changes in resistance, the microphone provides a degree of amplification and is therefore an efficient transducer.The Crystal Microphone One of the disadvantages of the carbon microphone is that it requires an external source of de voltage for operation, and in certain applications this is not always possible. ‘The crystal microphone makes use of the "Piezoelectric Effect". This is a property of crystals of certain substances such as Quartz or Rochelle salts, which enables them to generate a voltage when put under strain (Strain is loosely defined as a small change is size due to an external force/pressure). There are various ways of applying the sound wave pressure variations to the crystal to obtain this strain effect and the method determines the manner in which the crystal is cut. METAL PLATES. Fig. 2 THE CRYSTAL MICROPHONE A flat crystal is mounted between two metal plates which have external connections. A thin diaphragm is mechanically connected to the crystal through a hole in the front plate. When the sound waves strike the diaphragm, varying pressure is applied to the crystal through the connecting pin, producing a varying strain and a varying voltage is produced between the plates. Since it is the original sound waves which apply the strain to the crystal, the output waveform will be an exact replica of the original sound pattern. Crystal microphones have very high impedances and are not normally suitable for use with long lengths of cable unless a pre-amplifier is used.The Moving Coil Microphone In the “moving coil” or "dynamic" type of microphone a coil of wire, which is rigidly attached to a diaphragm, is suspended in an air gap in which there is a strong magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet. The diaphragm is made flexible at the periphery and rigid in the centre by forming the outer edge into concentric corrugations. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, | Fig. 3 THE MO} COIL MICROPHONE ! MOVING When sound waves strike the diaphragm, it moves back and] arth, taking the coil with it. Since/the coil moves,in a magnetic field, an emf will be induced which will have the same waveform as the sound waves striking)the diaphragm. The frequency will be the same as the frequency of the sound waves and the amplitude will be proportional to the sound waves intensity. ‘To obtain a flat frequency response a constant mechanical impedance must be maintained throughout the frequency spectrum. Many moving coil - microphones therefore incorporate some measure of acoustic damping to reduce diaphragm resonance Pressure Gradient Operated Microphones Microphones in which both faces of the diaphragm are exposed to the sound waves operate by virtue of the phase difference due to the time delay between the wave reaching the front and back of the diaphragm via the extra path length involved.The Ribbon Microphone Also known as the Velocity Microphone. The microphones previously described have been pressure operated, and had diaphragms which moved because the sound waves raise /lower the air pressure on the front side of the diaphragm above/below the air pressure on the enclosed back side of the diaphragm. The ribbon microphone has no diaphragm and both the front and back sides of the ribbon are exposed to the sound waves. The ribbon moves because of the small spaces between the ribbon and the pole pieces. The air passing through these spaces produces a difference in phase and pressure on the two sides of the ribbon. The voltage induced in the ribbon is determined not by the pressure of the air, but by the velocity of the air particles travelling between the ribbon and the pole pieces. FLEXIBLE METAL RIBBON C f c | i | | pd] | PERMANENT | } | MAGNETS LJ | CONNECTING —“_/ | WIRES: ——~ Fig. 4 THE RIBBON MICROPHONE The ribbon microphone consists of a corrugated ribbon of aluminium alloy suspended in a strong magnetic field in such a way that the ribbon can be moved by sound waves. As the sound waves move the ribbon back and forth, it cuts the lines of force between the poles of the magnet, and a voltage is induced in the ribbon, the ends of which are connected to a step up transformer to provide the output.LOUDSPEAKERS AND EARPHONES, The purpose of a microphone is to convert sound pressure waves into corresponding ac voltages. The purpose of a loudspeaker (speaker) is the reverse - it is to convert electrical energy (ac) back into sound energy. An earphone is a small speaker that is designed to be used close to (or in) the ear. Most speaker driven units rely on the attraction of unlike poles and the repulsion between like poles for their fundamental action. Moving Coil Speaker In its various forms the moving coil transducer is used in 99% of modern speakers. The variations cover a range from the smaller paper-coned circular and elliptical units in transistor arrangements to the highly sophisticated speakers which, when suitably filtered and housed, are capable of recreating : the original, sounds. —— ~ Fig. 5 THE MOVING COIL SPEAKER ‘A coil of wire, known as the Speech Coil, which has relatively few turns is suspended in an air gap between the pole pieces of a strong permanent magnet and is attached to a paper cone. The outer edge of the cone and the coil suspension are corrugated allowing the cone free fore and aft movement. ‘The output of an amplifier is connected to the speech coil causing audio frequency currents to flow through the coil. These currents generate a magnetic field whose polarity continuously varies. When the speech coil has a polarity which aids the permanent magnet magnetic field, the speech coil and the cone move in, reducing the air pressure at the front of the cone. When the speech coil field is in opposition to the permanent field, the speech coil and cone are pushed out, compressing the air in front of the cone. -6-Thus the interaction of the varying field from the coil with the static field of the permanent magnet causes the coil to oscillate along its axis at the frequency of the applied signal, so radiating sound waves from the diaphragm. The Earphone Most earphones contain a fine wire wound around each pole of a "U-shaped" permanent magnet, the two coils being connected in series. A soft iron diaphragm is mounted about one-sixteenth of an inch (1.6mm) from the pole pieces. U SHAPED, MAGNET LEADS With no signal applied to the coils, the permanent magnet exerts a constant pull on the diaphragm. When the audio frequency currents flow through the coils a magnetic field due to these currents adds to, or subtracts from, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. Thus the diaphragm vibrates in accordance with the audio frequency signal and so sets up pressure waves which produce sound.AUDIO INTEGRATION In most large passenger aircraft, with two or more flight crew members and many different radio systems an Audio Integration system is fitted which fulfils the following requirements: Radio system selection Flight interphone Service interphone Cabin interphone Radio System Selection Facilities must be provided for the various crew members to select any particular system. The choice of system is dictated by the immediate operational requirements. Any one time, however, these requirements could require more than one facility to be monitored. The audio integration system a) feeds the selected receiver outpyts.to.the telephone and also feeds. the microphone inputs to the selected transmitters. Vy | } iI Flight Interphone | To enable the various crew membdrs to communicate with each othér while being able to monitor different radio systerns, intercommunication facilities are provided. | ii | il J} Service Interphone It is often necessary that communication should exist between flight deck and various points on the aircraft, for maintenance purposes, engine starting and towing etc. Facilities are therefore provided for ground crew positions to - connect to the flight interphone circuit. Cabin Interphone Facilities are provided by the same audio equipment for different cabin crew positions to have an interphone link. A switchable link is available for the cabin crew circuit to be connected to the flight interphone circuit.Fig. 7 TYPICAL AUDIO INTEGRATING SYSTEMAudio Selector Panel The audio selector panels enable the flight crew to transmit or receive on the radio communication systems; communicate using the flight and service interphone systems or make announcements over the PA system. The aircraft VHF navigation, DME, marker beacon and ADF receivers may also be monitored. One audio selector panel is fitted at each crew position. A typical audio selector panel is shown in figure 8. —— en 1-VHF -2 - VHF | SSeS SS vbR | AMP-2.1-MKR-2 R/T, MASKS OS COOO® AMP <1 | | _Aig BOOM Fig. 8 AUDIO SELECTOR PANEL The CAA has a requirement for "Hot Mic". Hot Mic is a term, which has been adopted for a microphone which is permanently live - irrespective of selector panel or column switch selections. It takes the form of an additional amplifier which is mounted inside the selector panel. This amplifier has its own regulated power supply, derived from the aircraft 28V de supply to power the hot mic when no transmitter is keyed. To block unwanted signals, V or R can be selected on the V/B/R (Voice/Both/Range) switch. With the switch in V, all DME audio signals are shorted to ground, and the voice/range filter is connected to pass VOR and ‘ADF voice-type signals and block VOR and ADF range-type signals. With the switch in R, the voice/range filter is connected to pass VOR, DME and ADF range-type signals and block voice-type signals. With the range switch in B, the voice /range filter is not connected. -10-Control Wheel Mic Switch Both pilots control wheels have an int/mic switch, spring loaded to the OFF position from the MIC position and latched in the INT position until either MIC or OFF is selected. ‘The purpose of the switch is to provide PTT input for the boom or mask microphones. I | Fig. 9 conrpe WHEEL MIC SWITCH | [o™~ | \ In the MIC positiofi, MIC audio is directed to the selected communication system. In the INT position, MIC audio is connected directly to the flight interphoné system without selecting INT on the ASP. } -ll-HF COMMUNICATION The HF (High Frequency) communication system provides amplitude modulated or single sideband long range voice communication between aircraft to aircraft and aircraft to ground. ‘The frequency range allocated for commercial aviation HF communications is 2 to 30 MHz, with 1 kHz spacing making a total of 28,000 channels. A typical HF system consists of a transceiver, control panel, aerial and aerial coupler. The HF Transceiver A Single Side Band (SSB) transceiver is capable of transmitting 400 watts PEP output in SSB and 125 watts carrier in AM. The transmitting and receiving range is between 2 to 30 MHz. | | exarus @ twenty Lames —___| Jf ~ (e0) — 4 @ ker ienock | f @ covrsou tkrur rare “SQLILANP TEST \ ne | 24 we WES=700 PHONE AIC is © op SACK | a Fig. 10 TYPICAL HF COMMUNICATION TRANSCEIVER The receiver is normally ON unless a keying circuit is completed. Mic audio is completed through two audio amplifiers, one of which supplies sidetone audio to the interphone system after a push to talk circuit is completed. A balanced modulator then combines the audio with a 500 kHz signal from the RF oscillator producing an upper and lower sideband output, one on each side of 500 kHz. -12-Fig. 11 HF COMMUNICATION SYSTEM SIMPLIFIED SCHEMATIC aieThe sidebands are amplified and fed through one of two mechanical filters. The selection of filters is controlled by the mode selector switch on the control panel. One filter passes only the upper sideband and the other only the lower sideband. When the transceiver is operated in the AM mode, the upper sideband is passed and a 500 kHz carrier is re-inserted at the filter output. ‘The output is then amplified and heterodyned as necessary to obtain the final transmitting frequency. A driver and power amplifier then supply the signal to the aerial. A received signal is amplified and heterodyned as necessary to produce a 500 kHz IF. The 500 kHz IF is then fed to both SSB and AM IF amplifiers. In the SSB mode, the 500 kHz IF is fed to one of two mechanical filters. Each filter has a bandwidth of 3 kHz. One filter passes only the upper sideband and the other filter passes only the lower sideband depending on which mode is selected at the control panel. The filter output is then amplified and fed to a product detector where the audio signal is recovered. In the AM.mode, the 500 kHz IF is fed through a mechanical filter with a 6 kHz bandwidth-to obtain both sidebands.Filter\output is then amplified and fed to an AM detector which recovers the audio signals. Amplified signals are\then coupled t the audio circuits of the interphone system. ii HF Compe Panel - The HF control panel can select any one of 28,000 channels Spaced 1 kHz apart iy the 2 to/30 MHz range. The mode selector switch turns the system OFF, selects upper sideband (USB), lower’sideband (LSB) and amplitude modulation (AM) modes. ‘The RF SENS knob is a linear potentiometer which provides a manual receiver gain control. The potentiometer is connected to the receiver squelch circuit. Fig. 12 HF CONTROL PANEL -14-HF Aerial ‘The purpose of the aerial is to radiate the modulated RF energy and to receive the incoming signals. Depending on the type of installation the HF aerial may be a notch or a wire aerial. AIRCRAFT FIN A noren WIRE AERIAL AERIAL ‘conpuctor The wire aerials have a tension take up assémbly which adjusts the Jehgth of aerial to maintain proper wire tension. The gerial wire is attached to the chuck body at the forward end of the assembly. The inner barrel is attached to the end of the spring/and is free to move along the plunger to adjust the aerial length as required/to maintain proper tension in the aerial wire. The spring is preloaded to the required tension during installation. c ATTACHMENT BRACKET ‘AERIAL Fig. 14 HF AERIAL TENSION ASSEMBLY The assembly will maintain the correct tension as long as the aerial wire is intact. If the aerial breaks or comes loose at the aerial mast, the tension take- up assembly unhooks from the swivel and the aerial falls away from the aircraft. iseNotch or Cavity aerials are used in high speed aircraft. The aerial is formed by providing a recess or notch in a suitable part of the aircraft skin and tuning the inductance of the notch to resonance at the required operating frequency. The dimensions of the notch are arranged to give an inductance of about 1 micro Henry and best results are obtained if the shape of the notch is approximately square, or if rectangular, with an aspect ratio not greater than 2 to 1. smueaons__— EDGE FIBREGLASS COMPOSITE PANEL PROOF COVERING ij ‘The aerial dielectric portion is constructed/of/aluminium honeycomb. The aerial is sandwiched and bonded between laminated fibreglass forming the leading 7 i edge of the aircraft structure. | - ‘The aerial conductor is an aluminium strip attached to the fibreglass leading edge. The lower end of the conductor is welded to an aluminium tube that is pressed flat at the opposite end. A nut plate attached to the flat surface provides the circuit attaching point for the aerial coupler. The upper end of the aerial conductor is attached to the aircraft structure and a transmission connection is provided at the attachment point. The aerial conductor, which is located at a low impedance point in the circuit, acts as a type of inductive coupling so that the airframe operates as an aerial. HF Aerial Coupler An aerial system is most efficient when it is tuned to match the transmitter output. If the transmitter output impedance is 50 ohms then the aerial impedance should appear to be 50 ohms. This ensures that maximum power will be delivered to the aerial and radiated as useful power. -16-When the transmitter frequency has a quarter wavelength which is the same as the aerial, the aerial is considered to have an impedance of approximately 50 ohms. However, where an aerial of a fixed length is used its impedance varies with changes in frequency. ‘The aerial coupler automatically matches the impedance of the aerial to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line to maintain a VSWR within 1.3: 1 over a frequency range of 2 to 30 MHz. The coupler has the effect of electrically lengthening the aerial for lower frequencies and shortening it for the higher frequencies. Test | ELECTRICAL COAXIAL (RF CONNECTOR CONNECTOR estan ree PRESSURE NOZZLE Fig. 16 HF ANTENNA COUPLER ‘Three operations are required to match the aerial to the transmitter; sensing, control and tuning. All three occur simultaneously in the coupler. After RF power is applied to the coupler, the discriminator samples the coupler aerial input and develops de voltages. These voltages are proportional to the following: ‘The reactive component (phasing error). The 50 ohm impedance component (loading error). ‘The forward power level. ‘The reflected power level. -17-The two error signals indicate the degree of aerial mismatch to the servo control circuits so that commands can be made for corrective tuning action. The forward and reflected power levels are used by the control circuits to determine the tuning sequence start and completion. A complete tuning sequence consists of four basic steps. These steps are: - Home. Standby. Tune. Operate. PeNr ‘The steps are controlled by a sequence counter which can only advance to a new position if the conditions of the existing step or step is/are satisfied Home. When power is first applied or when a new frequency is selected on the control panel, a ground is switched to the coupler. The coupler sets a sequence counter to.run the elements to.the home position. In this position (home), the series capacitor, shunt capacitor and-shunt coil are set to provide minimum attenuation. When all elements reach their home position a pulse is sent to the sequence counter to advance it to the standby position. | Standby. In the standby position, the coupler is set up to receive and the coupler is ready to start a tune cycle-whervit receives a key line ground. When the coupler receives the key line ground return, the sequence counter advances the system to the tune position. | Tune. Tuhing is performed in three segments - A, B and C. Segment A. In segment A, the series capacitor is servo tuned to a zero- phasing error position. At some frequencies the series capacitor alone cannot produce zero phasing. In such a case either the shunt capacitor or the shunt coil will be inserted and positioned due to band information commands so a series capacitor can produce a zero phasing error. The sequence counter then advances to segment B. Segment B. Segment B determines whether or not the shunt coil is needed for tuning. If, after segment A, the system impedance is less than 50 ohms (negative loading) the shunt coil will not be able to resolve the loading to 50 ohms. In this case, the coupler will advance to segment C. This is typical of frequencies within the 2 to 10 MHz range. If the loading error was positive after segment A, the shunt coil will be switched on the line and servo-tuned to obtain negative loading. The phasing error will be kept at zero during segment B by the series capacitor. When the phasing error is zero and the loading error is negative, the sequence counter advances to segment C. atheSegment C. During segment C, either the shunt capacitor or the shunt coil (as selected in segments A and B) is servo-tuned to produce zero loading error. The series capacitor is fine tuned to retain a zero phasing error. At this point, the sequence counter advances to the Operate position. Operate. On reaching the Operate sequence, the tune power and key lines unlatch and the coupler is ready to transmit and receive. If a new frequency is selected, the sequence counter advances to the home step, and the complete tuning sequence is repeated. During a complete tuning cycle, which normally lasts 2 to 4 seconds, a 1 kHz tone is heard in the headset and the coupler locks the key line. Where two HF communication systems are fitted to an aircraft, when a PIT switch is operated the selected transceiver and coupler are keyed. A disable 3 signal is sent to the other aerial coupler.to isolate it. This is normally achieved ~~ by breaking the PTT line of the unused transceiver and coupler Lightning Arrester | | j The lightning arrester protects the HF cofimunication equipment by, conducting lightning along a preferred path to the aircraft structure. A series capacitor with a parallel bleed resistor and|a'protective spark gap are installed in a presqurised chamber. The bleed resistor provides a de path for Precipitation generated static currents. / / woe CONNECTOR BRACKET MOUNTING SCREWS. CONNECTOR ARRESTER Fig. 18 LIGHTNING ARRESTER - 20-VHF COMMUNICATION ‘The VHF (Very High Frequency) communication system provides amplitude modulated short range (line of sight) voice communication between aircraft to aircraft and aircraft to ground. ‘The frequency range allocated for commercial aviation VHF communication is 118.00 to 135.975 MHz, with 8.33 kHz spacing making a total of 720 channels. Average communication distance from the aircraft to ground is given by the formula Range (nm) ~ 1.3Vaircraft height in feet Atypical VHF system consists of a transceiver, control panel and an aerial. VHF Transeeiver Co CY share certain circuits. The frequency rangg is 118 to 136.975) MHz and the typical dutput power is between 25 and 40 watts. aN oo ‘The transceiver is composed of a combination transmitter a receiver which Fig. 19 TYPICAL VHF COMMUNICATION TRANSCEIVER ‘The receiver is normally ON unless a push to talk circuit is completed. The received amplitude modulated signals are amplified, mixed and converted as necessary, then passed through the detector, squelch and amplifier circuits. Audio output of the receiver is fed to the audio selecting system through the VHF control panel volume control. -21-‘The same selected frequency is used for both transmitting and receiving. Pressing a push-to-talk button energises the aerial relay which switches the aerial to the transmitter circuits. The transmitter is amplitude modulated by audio signals from the flight interphone system after crystal oscillator frequencies are mixed and multiplied as required to obtain the final output radio frequency. Transmitted audio is passed through the receiver and sent back to the transceiver sidetone output circuits where it is then connected to output circuits to the VHF control panel volume contro! and then to the audio selector panels. Fig. 20 VHF COMMUNICATION SIMPLIFIED SCHEMATIC -22-VHF Control Panel ‘The control panel provides frequency selection and frequency display for the VHF communication radios. It consists of a dual set of frequency selection knobs, a test button and a transfer switch. VHF COMM @ ie \ | Each se¢tion of the dual set of frequency knobs control the VHF system, A different frequency may be set up on each’s¢ction. By positioning the’ transfer switch to the left, the frequency set,up on the left will be used by-thé VHF transceiver and a transfer flag will negate the right frequency window. By positioning the transfer switch to| the right it will cause the VHF transceiver to tune to the frequency set up on the right and the left window will be flagged. \ Pressing the COMM TEST button disables the receiver squelch circuits allowing an increase iti background noisé, thus indicating whether the receiver is operating correctly. é x x] Fig. 22 TWO-OUT-OF-FIVE CODE -23-Frequency selection is by the two-out-of-five method. For any digit selected, two-out-of-five outputs will be connected to the frequency select common and the other three will be open. VHF Aerial The purpose of the VHF aerial is to radiate and intercept radio signals in the VHF frequency range. The aerial is vertically polarised, has an omnidirectional radiation pattern and has a 50 ohm impedance. A typical shark fin type blade aerial is shown in figure 23. ‘AERODYNAMIC | | SMOOTHER coaK CONNECTOR BASE ‘MOUNTING SCREWS. Fig. 23 VHF COMMUNICATION AERIAL Bone 3Fig. 24 VHF COMMUNICATION SYSTEM SCHEMATIC -25-PASSENGER ADDRESS The Passenger Address (PA) system is used by crew members to make announcements over a network of speakers/earphones throughout the cabin. The PA system also provides amplification and reproduction of pre-recorded announcements and music from a tape reproducer. Flight crew make announcements over the PA system through audio selector panels at each crew members station. Cabin crew make announcements from handheld microphones usually located at the forward and aft attendants panels. A basic passenger address system consists of a PA amplifier, a tape reproducer, microphones and speakers. Audio inputs from the flight crew, cabin crew and tape reproducer are prioritised by the PA amplifier. The audio with the highest priority is amplified and distributed to the cabin speakers and to all earphones (interrupting In Flight Entertainment audio where necessary). The first priority is announcementfrom the flight compartment, the second priority is announcement from an attendant panel, the third priority is pre- recorded announcements and tHe fourth priority is boarding music.) | 1 | WILL OVERRIDE | ATTENDANT PRE-RECORDED—~BOARDING AUDIO INPUT FROM FLIGHT | COMPART: PANEL ANNOUNCEMENTS MUSIC MENT | }i | Flight Compartment J} yes’ YES YES Attendants Panel No YES YES Pre-recorded ‘Announcements NO NO YES Boarding Music NO NO NO All priority switching is controlled by grounding keying circuits through PTT switches Speakers are located throughout the passenger cabin, at each attendants station, galley areas and in each lavatory. Each speaker is connected to the PA system through coupling transformers so as to present a load that matches the output of the PA amplifier. ‘The positioning of attendant’s handheld microphones is fairly critical in order to avoid acoustical feedback. Attendant speakers are sometimes muted during attendant announcements to avoid feedback. - 26 -Sse Saver rust vu ure { Kero ar! i a me ser toe veanpvowes ? 3 0 0~f wwe tN ‘Daron Seteer Fe Seas sunro & co aupto # & cor. ite Ge— Pass 3H < feat Gtr ve mh or oF OFF) a Attevout Fig. 25 TYPICAL PASSENGER ADDRESS SYSTEM ‘The PA amplifier gain circuits are connected to an engine oil pressure switch which causes the audio level of the amplifier to be raised approximately 6dB whenever an engine is started. The increased audio level is provided to compensate for the increase in ambient noise level. In most aircraft the PA amplifier contains an electronic chime. Operation of the NO SMOKING SIGN, FASTEN SEAT BELT sign, or any of the attendant, passenger or lavatory call switches causes chime signals to be generated within the amplifier. The chime audio is superimposed on the audio selected by the priority system and distributed to the speakers. -27-COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER To fulfil the requirements of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) (Schedule 4 Scale $) aircraft 5700 kg issued with a type certificate after April 1971 must be fitted with either a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and aircraft greater than 11,400 kg must be fitted with both a FDR and a CVR. ‘The voice recorder system is installed to provide a continuous record of the last 30 minutes of flight crew communications and conversations. A permanent magnetic tape record is made of all conversations and other noises on the flight deck through the area microphone in the control panel, together with all transmitted and received flight crew communications, all navigation audio signals, and interphone audio that has been selected on the Captain’s, First Officer’s and Flight Engincer’s audio selector panels. Power Supply “2, —_- Power tn = Test Switch - Test Input Test Meter }_— } Test Output | Audio Jack b= + All Channel Mor | Area Mic Channel4 | Bulk Erase Buk 7| Erase ¢ Switch) Erase Voltage Li VOICE RECORDER AIRIGRD el chanmet 3 CONTROL apt hee FO. ————=} Channel 2 10bs———* Channel 1 VOICE RECORDER Fig. 26 BASIC CVR SYSTEM ‘Audio from each of the four signal sources is recorded on individual channels on a4 track, half hour closed-loop tape. At the end of the half hour period, when the tape has completed its closed-loop cycle, the recorder starts a new cycle, automatically erasing the previously recorded information and recording the new audio. Sensing of the aircraft on ground and parking brake set is used to permit bulk erasure of the recording. - 28 -Voice Recorder Unit ‘The voice recorder is a rack mounted unit housed in an internationally recognised orange painted case (for ease of identification at any possible crash site). The recorder consists of a drive unit, reel and tape, circuit board assemblies and an insulation assembly. ‘The drive unit contains a bridge assembly consisting of the recording, monitor and continuous-erase heads. A capstan assembly in the drive unit controls the rate of movement of the tape across the heads. ‘The reel and tape consists of a 300 foot endless loop of magnetic tape wound ona single sided reel. The tape is oxide coated on one side and graphite lubricated on the other. The circuit board assemblies include four amplifier cards, a power supply card and a test circuit card. One of the most important features,of the Unit is the insulation assembly, which encloses the drive unit assembly and protects it from shock and thermal damage |(in the event of a crash). t e insulator is made from an inert pera fibrous indss that is shaped to surround the assembly. Around this material is a plastid cpver which acts as a waterproof barrier. The insulating compgnents are partially saturated with water. When.the plastic cover is exposed to extreme heat, the dover melts and exposes the water Saturated insulation. Low temperature melt plugs in the suket reel cage allow generated! steam to vent to atmosphere to proyide an isothermal barrier between the external high temperature and the enclosed tape|module. | MONITOR PHONE JACK CHANNEL, Test SWITCHES Fig. 27 VOICE RECORDER UNIT -29-‘The voice recorder front panel has five TEST switches, an indicator and a headset jack which are used for test functions. The TEST switches are placarded 1, 2, 3, 4, and ALL, are used in conjunction with the indicator and headset jack. The switches are used to test the recording channel by recording a test tone on the tape for playback through the monitor circuit. When a channel pushbutton is pressed, only the corresponding recorder channel operates. When the ALL channels pushbutton is pressed, all four channels operate in sequence. The indicator has a divided dial to indicate a go/no-go circuit condition. The go condition is when the indicator pointer deflects into the green sector of the dial and the no-go condition when the pointer stays in the red. When the ALL channels test switch is pressed the indicator needle oscillates as the recorder test circuit sequences from track to track. ‘The Monitor-600 ohms headset jack provides headset monitoring of the test ae tone and all recorded information.on all four tape channels through the test - circuit, ~ = YR AN \ il An underwater locator beacon is|mounted/on the front face df the reorder. The locatér beacon is a self contained battery powered acousti¢al beacon enclosed in a high impact casing. When the unit is submergéd|in water, the device emits a continuous series of ultrasonic pulses providing underwater search teams with a sonar type signal that indicates the location of a submerged voice recorder. 1 i i | ‘The unit makes‘a/continuous four track récording from 4 audip sources. There are two record heads, one for tracks 1 and3 and the other for tracks 2 and 4. ‘The bi-directional tape has a capacity of 30 minutes. The power input is 115v 400Hz single phase, which is fed to the motor control circuitry to supply 130v (starting) and 70v (running) to the split phase motor. Voice Recorder Control Panel ‘The voice recorder control panel allows remote monitoring and testing of the voice recorder unit, detects flight deck sounds and conversations, and controls bulk erasure of the recording tape. ‘The area microphone senses flight deck sounds and conversations and these audio signals are connected through a pre-amplifier to the voice recorder. The pre-amplifier is in the control panel and it raises the microphone output to a level suitable for recorder input. -30-ever @®@ OS MEADSET COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER [AREA MICROPHONE Fig. 28 VOICE RECORDER CONTROL PANEL The TEST switch tests all 4 recording channels in sequence, and therefore has the same function as the TEST-ALL switch on the recorder uni ‘The ERASE switch operates the bulk erase circuit in the recorder ang when pressed for a minimum of 2 seconds causes Yulk erasure of the recording tape provided the aircraft is on the ground and the parking brake js set. | | | iI } ‘The go/no-go indicator is identical fo the récorder unit indicat rand it’ operates with the TEST switch to give an indication of the 608 st tone level being recorded. \ | \\ | ‘The HEADSET-600 ohms jack provides a point to monitor the audio recorded, on all the 4 channels of the tape: oy r CAA Configuration Most CVR systems can be operated in either the CAA or FAA configurations. ‘The difference between the two configurations is the audio being recorded on channel 1 of the recorder. In the CAA configuration the audio being recorded is the Hot Microphone audio from Captain's, First Officer’s and Flight Engineer’s audio selector panels. In the FAA configuration the audio recorded on channel 1 is all the selected audio and microphone signals from the Flight Engineer's audio selector panel. In the CAA configuration the following is recorded: Channel 1: P, Py , Ps Hot Microphone Channel 2: Pp Audio Selector Panel Channel 3: P, Audio Selector Panel Channel 4 Area Microphone -31-CVR Operation The voice recorder system is normally supplied from the Essential ac Bus. Power is applied to the CVR when the aircraft is ready to taxy. This occurs when at least one Fuel and Ignition switch is ON, energising the associated fuel ON relays, and when ground power is removed. When ac power is applied it is fed to the internal de power supply unit (which produces dc supplies for internal use) and also to the transport motor and the de-energised contact of the bulk erase relay. With power applied to the unit the continuous loop tape is fed past the continuous erase head, and previous signals are erased using a 65 kHz bias signal. The tape moves past the record head and monitor head, and then back to the capstan drive to complete the loop. Audio signals from the audio selector panels and area microphone are fed through the record amplifiers to the record head. The recorded signals are picked up by the monitor head and amplified. The monitor amplifier output is. connected to the 600 ohm headset jack on the recorder and control panel. All recorded signals are played back by. the monitor head after approximately a 0.5 second top, ipvel time. \ | | i] | At the completion of the flight, the crew can bulk erase the tape in about 10 seconds - providing that the aircraft is on the ground, with the parking brake set and the erase button is held for-a-minimum of 2 seconds, During the time of the erase function the 400 Hz tone is pitked up by the monitor head providing a 400 Hz tone in the headset outputs. | When the test button is pressed, a 600 Hz tone is fed to the televant channel or sequentially to each channel in turn where ‘it is recorded and then monitored by the monitor head. The tone is amplified and filtered and if of sufficient magnitude will cause a de voltage to be switched to the monitor meters giving a "go" indication, the tone being audible via the monitor jacks. MAINTENANCE PRACTICES ‘The following is an example taken from an actual aircraft. Test at Control Panel Plug headphones into the control panel and momentarily press the TEST switch. Two separate 400 Hz tones are heard in the headphones and the monitor LED illuminates twice. -32-is it Jeeoool | 4, Fig. 29 CVR SIMPLIFIED SCHEMATIC BaaAFT Cargo Compartment Test Plug headphone into the recorder and momentarily press the TEST switch. Two-tone bursts are heard and the STATUS Indicator flashes twice. Area Mic Test Speak in a normal voice 3 feet (1m) from the area mic. Listen for the audio in the headphones. Audio Selector Panel Test Cover area mic to prevent pickup of sound and select ADF on each Audio Select Panel (ASP). Listen for the audio in the headphones. SWITEH/AUDIO INPUT AUDIO AT MONITOR PANEL HEADSET Test Switch 400 Hz Tone i | | if | of Erase Switch Pulsating 400 Hz tone (No tone ~ “present when parking brake is \ released). | \ | ‘Spoken Audio Spoken Audio ;” First Officer ASP Spoken Audio First Observer ASP Spoken Audio NOTE: ‘The CAA issue specification documents which state the technical requirements for approval of CVR systems in the UK. It is specification number 11. Shsa SELCAL. The word Selcal is derived from the term Selective Calling. ‘The system is designed to relieve the flight crew from continuously monitoring the aircraft communication receivers and sorting out the aircraft's particular call-sign from the many which may be radiated from a number of ground stations in the course of a flight. ‘The Selcal decoder is in effect an automatic monitor which listens for a particular combination of tones which are assigned to an individual aircraft. ‘Whenever a properly coded transmission is received from a ground station, the signal is decoded by the unit and the pilot is alerted by means of flashing lights and a chime that a radio transmission is being directed to the aircraft. The pilot can then listen to his receiver and hear the message. Ground stations equipped with tone transmitting equipment call individual aircraft by transmitting two pairs of tones which will key only an airborne decoderwhich is set to respond to a partictilar combination‘ of tones. \, Each aircraft is allocated a Selcal code by "ARINC", which usually rent s with it. The code consists of a four letter/code, with no letter being repeated in any one code. Each letter is represented by an’ ‘audio tone within th 300 Hz and 1000 fiz. Letters from A throtigh to-M’are used (excluding Iygiving 12 tones in all. CODE/ LETTER ONE FREQUENCY | - “Ow © 312.6 PA 'B : 346.7 Cw c 384.6 D 426.6 E 473.2 F 524.8 G 582.1 H 645.7 J 716.1 K 794.3 L 881.0 M 977.2 TABLE - LETTER CODE AUDIO TONE FREQUENCIES ‘The codes are selected on the front of the Selcal decoder by rotating knobs, which in turn select four tuned reeds from those contained in the unit. When a ground operator wishes to contact a particular aircraft by means of the Selcal unit, he/she selects the four-tone code which has been assigned to the aircraft. BootThe tone code is transmitted by a radio frequency wave and the signal can be picked up by all the receivers tuned to the frequency used by the transmitter. The only receiver which can respond to the signal and produce the alert signal for the pilot is the receiver and decoder which has been set for the particular combination of tone frequencies. pase puise2 | ran ron 1 Tose 1 Tose Joe ph foe : Fig; 30 SEL€AL PULSES = \ | ‘The Seltal tones are detected by the HF antd IVHF receivers At the Seleal unit, which is connected to the audio output cifcuit of the receivet, jt amplifies them and applies them to the four selected: tuned reeds. The output of the unit is then used to alert the pilot. ‘The Seleal system consists of a decoder, control panel and oprpnanioaton receivers. cHiMe SPEAKER He yur RECEIVERS RECEIVERS. yy Seteal-1-Light | DUAL SELCAL je seLcaL CONTROL Seleal-2-Light | DECODER PANEL eee Seleal-2- Audio T ‘Seleal- 1 Audio Fig. 31 SIMPLIFIED SELCAL SYSTEM -36-Selcal Decoder Four rotary switches mounted on the front of the decoder permit selection of any 4 letter combination from the 12 letters available at each switch. Each decoder requires four resonant reeds to establish the code for the unit. The reeds respond to audio frequencies and cause the generation of a voltage which is processed by the unit. The resonant reed is essentially a frequency sensitive relay. When a resonant frequency is applied to the coil, the reed vibrates at that frequency. The amplitude of the vibration builds up rapidly and reaches a condition where a contact on the reed intermittently touches a fixed contact. el Fig. 32 SELCAL DECODER CIRCUIT -37-Assume that AMBL is selected as the four-tone code for the decoder. The proper code signal coming into the decoder consists of two sequential pulses, each composed of two tones (A and M, and B and L). The first pulse, A and M, causes the A and M reeds to vibrate in sympathy with the signals appearing on their respective coils. With these reeds vibrating, each at its own frequency, there are a number of times in each second when they touch their respective contacts simultaneously. At these times there is a completed circuit for the 28v dc to charge the capacitor C1. An RC network across each pair of contacts smoothes the momentary reed contact closures so that current is relatively continuous, rather than in sharp pulses which flow only when both reeds are in contact at the same instant. A resistor delays the charge into capacitor C so that random bursts of noise or unstable heterodyne tones will not instantaneously charge the capacitor. Before the charge can drain from the capacitor, the second pulse tones enter the coil circuits. The B and L reeds now vibrate in sympathy with the signal on their respective coils and the discHarge path to ground is completed a’ number of times each second, with an RC network, smoothing the intermittent ¢losures. Relay K; ¢loses when the voltage if receives/rises to about 10 volts. When it closes, it is electrically latched. It remains-actuated until released manually by a reset citcuit. : When relay K, operates, contacts 1 and 2 provide current to actuate the relay coil and Keep itlatched. Contacts 5 and 6’provide a steady 28y dc signal to the control panel or chime speaker: Contacts 3/and 4 connect 28v de to the relay oscillator. The félay oscillator provides one second ON/OFF pulses to the coil of relay Ky. Relay Kg contacts provide the pulsed 28v dc signal to the control panel or chime speaker. ‘The decoder is reset for the next incoming signal by depressing the SELCAL pushbutton switch on the control panel. This connects a ground to the coil of relay Kj. Relay Ky is now shorted out and it shuts off the steady and pulsed 28v de outputs to the control panel. Selcal Control Panel A typical Selcal control panel includes two rotary switches (SELCAL - 1 and SELCAL - 2) which are used to select an audio signal. ‘The selected audio is connected to the corresponding decoder input channel. Esse|ESS TO RESET a MKR A TEST tO, VHF VHF 2 HEY eee eee VHF 2 HEY VHE 1 HE2| a OFF uc "Co" SELCAL2 ie) SELCAL! Fig. 33 TYPICAL SELCAL CONTROL PANEL ‘Two PRESS TO RESET Selcal indicdtors ira ON when supplied with\a 1 28v de signal froxh the decoder. When the indicator is depressed a rebek signal is supplied to the decoder. } i] -39-