T3CAS – Why T3CAS?

This equipment developed by ACSS (Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, a joint venture company
between L-3 Communications and Thales) features in one single unit a Traffic Collision Avoidance System
(TCAS), a Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) and a Mode S transponder, saving the airline significant
weight, space and power consumption, which in turn translates into fuel savings.
The TCAS function is delivered with the latest standard Change 7.1. This standard will become mandatory in
Europe for all new aircraft as of March 2012, and for all existing aircraft in December 2015. The TCAS also
contains all the new ATSAW (Air Traffic Surveillance Awareness) capabilities defined by Airbus and is compliant
with future NextGen/SESAR requirements.
The TAWS function features full Low RNP (Required Navigation Performance) 0.1NM (Nautical Miles) capability
and unique performance-based algorithms that take into account aircraft status (engines, weight, flaps/slats
configuration, gears) and atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure) for its Terrain Advisories (TA), hence
improving the level of awareness and comfort of the flight crew.
The Mode S transponder boasts full ADS-B DO-260A certified capability, the latest definition of ADS-B OUT
standard compliant with all the latest and upcoming mandates in the world (Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong
Kong). The Mode S transponder software is easily upgradeable to DO-260B for subsequent mandates in Europe
(2015) and US (2020) to be compliant with NextGen and SESAR requirements.

2 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Architecture (A320 family)
Top
Directional Top
Antenna Omni Directional
Antenna

EFIS
PFD & ND

ATC / TCAS
Control Panel

EFIS
Control Panel

T3CAS XS-950
Transponder #1
TCAS/TAWS/
Transponder #2
Bottom
Directional
Antenna Bottom
Omni Directional
Antenna
MCDUs
3 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
Bottom Antenna location on Airbus SA

TCAS Bottom Antenna

4 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
Top Antenna location on Airbus SA

TCAS Top Antenna

5 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS TAWS Operations

What’s new in T CAS TAWS? 3

6 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS Obstacle Display

Obstacles are displayed

with a similar color
scheme to the terrain

The slice coloration is

based on the aircraft
reference altitude

Obstacles are displayed

with a higher dot density
because they are
inherently smaller than
terrain

7 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Obstacle Background Chart
Obstacle Elevation Obstacle Color – Dot Density
1000 ft or more above the aircraft reference altitude Red – High

0 ft to 1000 ft above the aircraft reference altitude Red – High

Maximum of 500 ft (MTCD) below the aircraft reference Yellow – High

altitude to the aircraft reference altitude
Maximum of 500 ft (MTCD) to 1000 ft below the aircraft Green – High
reference altitude
1000 ft to 2000 ft below the aircraft reference altitude Green – High

2000 ft or greater below the aircraft reference altitude Black – N/A

Obstacle Caution Yellow – Solid

Obstacle Warning Red – Solid

Avoid Obstacle Red/Black – Black with Red cross hatch

8 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Obstacle Caution Display
Caution Obstacle Alert – Clearance sensor detects a potential
obstacle hazard
Obstacle Ahead indication

Obstacles causing the alert

9 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Obstacle Warning Display
OBSTACLE, OBSTACLE, PULL UP, PULL UP Warning – OCPA detects
aircraft trajectory will not safely clear the obstacle
Obstacle Ahead indication

Obstacles causing the alert

10 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Avoid Obstacle Alert Display
Avoid Obstacle Warning – OCPA determines the aircraft cannot clear the
obstacle with a vertical escape maneuver
Obstacle Ahead indication

Obstacle causing the alert

11 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T33CAS Alerting Obstacle Parking – time progression

As the aircraft crosses over the

obstacle, the “box” will be
“parked” on the display. That is,
the “box” will not move as until
the aircraft has passed
completely over it.

The figure at the right is a

simplified sketch of AC symbol
and obstacle on display

Magnified on AC symbol region,

showing alerting scenario only.
Obstacle size is 64 pixels
Time = 0 sec,
obstacle 1 NM away,
10 Nm range setting, (alert first
occurs)
150 knot Ground Speed.

12 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Eleview Function

The optional Eleview

function provides
additional terrain
display enhanced
situational awareness,
independent of aircraft
altitude.
The Terrain Eleview
Display (TED) provides
information regarding
terrain well below the
aircraft reference
altitude.

13 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS Eleview Function

If the Eleview feature

is enabled, terrain
elevation information
is displayed to the
flight crew as a pair
of three digit MSL
elevations.
These numbers
represent the MSL
terrain elevation in
hundreds of feet (e.g.
250 is 25,000 feet).

14 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS Eleview Function

The top number represents

the MSL altitude of the
highest displayed terrain and
the bottom number
represents the MSL altitude of
the lowest displayed terrain.
When above the highest
terrain elevation by a user-
defined altitude, the Eleview
function will show three
shades of green to represent
terrain.
On supporting displays, water
can be depicted in cyan. If the
display does not support
cyan, water will remain black.

15 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS Eleview Function

Terrain Hazard Display (THD) slices are based on

terrain’s distance below aircraft reference altitude.
Terrain Eleview Display (TED) slices are sized as a
proportion of terrain amplitude (the spread).
The spread constantly changes as the terrain on the
display changes.
Note that the percentages are configurable.

16 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
 T3CAS Eleview Function
500
12

000
10
t
f ee 90 %
0 00
+2 t
f ee
0 00
+1
500
7

65 %
t
f ee
0
- 60 f ee
t
0 00 50 %
1
000
- 5
t
f ee
0 00
- 2

500
2

THD Thresholds Eleview Thresholds

000
0

17 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
T3CAS TCAS Operations

What is Change 7.1 ?

18 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.
TCAS Change 7.1 Summary

There are 3 primary changes to the TCAS

operation:

Reversal Logic Enhancements

“Level Off” Aural Alert replaces “Adjust

Vertical Speed” (AVSA) RAs

Change to Descend RA’s at low altitude

19 This document and the information disclosed herein are proprietary data of ACSS. Neither this document nor the
information contained herein shall be reproduced, used or disclosed to others without the written authorization of ACSS.