Data Link Systems Subcommittee

Last Update: May 10, 2012

Chairman: Joe Slavinsky - FedEx

APIM 10-013: Supplements 6 and 7 to ARINC Specification 631 – VHF Digital Link (VDL) Mode 2 Implementation Provisions (pdf, 24K)
APIM 11-003: Air/Ground Character-Oriented Protocol Specification - Supplement 7 to ARINC 618 (pdf, 78K)
APIM 11-004A: Data Link Ground System Standard and Interface Specification - Supplement 7 to ARINC 620 (pdf, 152K)

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Goal: The goal of the Data Link (DLK) Systems Subcommittee is to develop and maintain a set of ARINC Standards that promote reliable, uniform, and cost efficient transfer of data between the aircraft and various locations on the ground. These ARINC Standards cover the existing Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS®) and the emerging Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) as defined by the ICAO SARPs. Ground locations include civil aviation agencies, manufacturers of avionics and engines, data link service providers, weather providers, and departments within the airlines such as payroll, maintenance, operations, engineering, and dispatch.

Project: Maintain ACARS® Standards

Scope: This task maintains the suite of ARINC Standards which define the ACARS® air-ground network. New features will be added and refinements of existing text, in accordance with experience gained from the operational networks, will be documented.

Benefit: While ACARS® has been in operation more than 25 years, there are many additions and refinements to the system. The update of the ACARS® standards ensures the airlines will be able to specify components and have continued competition among the vendors.

Project: Develop standards to support VDL Mode 2 and the ATN

Scope: VDL Mode 2 (VDLM2) is a bit-oriented air-ground subnetwork implemented in accordance with the ATN SARPs. ARINC Specification 631 has been developed to describe the functional implementation of VDLM2.

Benefit: The development of ARINC Standards for VDL Mode 2 and ATN-compatible data link avionics will allow the airlines to procure common avionics from multiple vendors. These standards will ensure interchangeability and interoperability of these avionics components.

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Current Drafts:

Draft 5 of Supplement 7 to ARINC Specification 618: Air-Ground Character-Oriented Protocol

Circulation Prior to Adoption Action
Draft 4 of Supplement 7 to ARINC Specification 620: Data Link Ground System Standard and Interface Specification (DGSS/IS) (pdf, 207K)
To Obtain Complete Document
Adoption Notification (pdf, 791K)

Meeting Announcement:

Joint AEEC Data Link (DLK) Systems Subcommittee/RTCA SC-214 VDLSG/EUROCAE WG92 (pdf, 83K)
July 24-26, 2012; Miami, Florida
Register On Line

Working Papers:

Last Meeting Report:

Data Link Systems (DLK) Subcommittee
February 14-17, 2012; in Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Associated Handouts

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Media Independent Aircraft Messages

Last Update: May 10, 2012

APIM 09-001: Media Independent Aircraft Messages (pdf, 39K)

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Goal: To develop a new protocol that will allow avionics systems to exchange large (3 MByte) ACARS messages over broadband subnets (Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, IP, etc).While optimally these messages will transit IP links, these larger messages could also transit over VDL Mode 2 or traditional ACARS subnetworks under certain conditions. While proprietary solutions exist to handle the exchange of large volumes of data on ACARS, standardization will:

• Avoid proliferation of proprietary solutions.
• Focus on ACARS performance and efficient RF spectrum utilization.

The definition of MIAM protocol would allow significant extension of ACARS capacities, thus extending the life of ACARS and bringing additional benefits to ACARS users at a small expense.

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Current Drafts:

Draft 1 of Supplement 1 to ARINC Specification 841: Media Independent Aircraft Messaging (MIAM)

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