Reference: FAA Notification of FCC Equipment under FCC Part 87
Aspire 400, Aeronautical Earth Station Satellite Communications Transceivers
Transceiver FCC I.D. K6K-MK5 and HPA FCC I.D. K6K-HP
Dear Sir,
Notification of FCC Filing
In accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations, Part 87.147(d), EMS Technologies Canada, Ltd. (EMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., hereby notifies the Federal Aviation Administration of its filing with the FCC of an application for certification of the Aspire 400 Aeronautical Earth Station Satellite Communications Transceiver model referenced above.
Information required pursuant to Part 87.147(d)(1) is provided below.
1) Description of Equipment
The Aspire 400 AES6, AES7 SATCOM Avionics is an integral part of the complete L-band Inmarsat Satellite communications system. It is composed of the following components:
- Compact Satellite Data Unit (CSDU)
- SDU Configuration Module (SCM)
- High Power Amplifier (HPA)
- RF Diplexer and LNA (DLNA)
- High Gain Antenna (HGA) for AES6
- Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) for AES7
- Associated wiring
System Overview
The document includes a system overview diagram (Figure 1) illustrating the Aspire 400 SATCOM system. The diagram shows interfaces for Aircraft Service, ACARS, and AIS/PIES Domain Services connecting to components like the CSDU, SCM, DLNA, and HPA. These are linked to a Radio Network Controller, Satellite Access Network, and ultimately to Inmarsat London via a DCN. The system supports VoIP, Business Support System (BSS), Network Operations Center (NOC), and Satellite Control Center (SCC), with connections to PSTN/ISDN Service Providers and IP Interconnect for Voice and Data Services. The diagram highlights the connection path from the Aircraft to the Satellite Link, RNC, CN & APN, and finally to Voice and Data Services.
Component Details
The CSDU is the central communications processing and control unit, determining system functionality. It handles modulation/demodulation, error correction, coding, interleaving, and data rates. It converts digital/analog inputs/outputs to/from radio frequency (RF) and requires external Amplifier and Antenna functions. The CSDU supports dynamic data rate selection based on applications and network conditions.
The external SCM contains the Secure Owner Requirements Table (ORT), User Owner Requirements Table (ORT), and SwiftBroadband Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIM). It also stores AES PKI information (Public/Private Keys and certificate information) on a UICC smart card.
The High Power Amplifier (HPA) amplifies signals to achieve the required EIRP level.
The Diplexer and Low-Noise Amplifier (DLNA) combines diplexing and low-noise amplification functions. The LNA amplifies the receive RF signal, while the diplexer filters signals to separate transmit (TX) and receive (RX) paths. The DLNA interfaces the CSDU with the Antenna for receive, and the HPA with the Antenna for transmit.
The SATCOM Avionics Suite uses a High Gain Antenna (HGA) for Inmarsat Class 6/6H SBB and SBB-S services, and an Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) for Inmarsat Class 7/7H SBB and SBB-S services. The antenna points in the direction commanded by the CSDU.
System Configurations
Figure 2 illustrates the Aspire 400 AES6 System and Sub Part Configuration, showing the signal path from the HGA through the DLNA Unit, Transceiver, and HPA to MODEM(s) for Voice and Data.
Figure 3 illustrates the Aspire 400 AES7 System and Sub Part Configuration, showing the signal path from the IGA through the DLNA Unit, Transceiver, and HPA to MODEM(s) for Voice and Data.
2) System Capabilities
The CSDU has two segregated processors for the Aircraft Control Domain (ACD), Aircraft Information Systems Domain (AISD) on channel A of DABC, and Passenger Information and Entertainment Systems Domain (PIESD) on channel B of DABC.
Aspire 400 AES Class 6F or 7F service settings are configurable via ORT parameters.
Table 1: Service Configurations
| ACD/AIESD | PIESD |
| 1 PDP context for ACD safety data. | 2 PDP contexts for PIES cabin multi-voice |
| 2 PDP contexts for ACD VoIP safety voice. | 1 AMBE+2 for PIES cabin voice |
| 1 AMBE+2 ACD Safety voice. | Up to 11 PDP contexts for PIES cabin data |
| Up to 8 PDP contexts for the AISD | HDR bearers. |
3) Manufacturer's Identification
Table 2: Equipment Identification
| Equipment Identification | EMS Model | FCC ID |
| Aspire 400 Transceiver Head unit | K6K-MK5 | |
| Aspire 400 HPA | K6K-HP |
4) Antenna Characteristics
The Aspire 400 equipment operates with Inmarsat approved Satcom aeronautical antenna systems. These antennas meet ARINC Characteristic 741/781, RTCA/DO-210, and RTCA/DO-262 requirements.
5) Maximum Rated Output Power
40 watts
6) Emission Types and Characteristics
Table 3: Emission Types and Characteristics
| Bearer | Class | Modulation Type | Symbol Rate (ksym/s) | Data Rate (kb/s) | Necessary Bandwidth (kHz) | FCC Designator | Authorized Bandwidth (kHz) |
| R5T1XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 33.6 | 134.4 | 50 | 50K0D7W | 225 |
| R5T2XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 67.2 | 268.8 | 100 | 100KD7W | 225 |
| R5T4.5XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 151.2 | 604.8 | 200 | 200KD7W | 225 |
| R20T1XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 33.6 | 134.4 | 50 | 50K0D7W | 225 |
| R20T2XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 67.2 | 268.8 | 100 | 100KD7W | 225 |
| R20T4.5XD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 16QAM | 151.2 | 604.8 | 200 | 200KD7W | 225 |
| R5T2QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4 QPSK | 67.2 | 134.4 | 100 | 100KG7W | 225 |
| R5T4.5QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4 QPSK | 151.2 | 302.4 | 200 | 200KG7W | 225 |
| R2T0.5QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4 QPSK | 16.8 | 33.6 | 25 | 25K0G7W | 25 |
| R20T1QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4 QPSK | 33.6 | 67.2 | 50 | 50K0G7W | 225 |
| R20T2QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4 QPSK | 67.2 | 134.4 | 100 | 100KG7W | 225 |
| R20T4.5QD | 4, 6, 7, 15, 6HDR & 7HDR | 4QPSK | 151.2 | 302.4 | 200 | 200KG7W | 225 |
| R80T0.5Q | 4 | 4QPSK | 16.8 | 33.6 | 25 | 25K0G7W | 25 |
| R80T1Q | 4 | 4QPSK | 33.6 | 67.2 | 50 | 50K0G7W | 225 |
| FR80T2.5X4 | 4 | QPSK | 84 | 168 | 110 | 110KG7W | 225 |
| FR80T2.5X16 | 4, 6HDR &7HDR | 16QAM | 84 | 336 | 110 | 110KD7W | 225 |
| FR80T5X16 | 6HDR &7HDR | 16QAM | 168 | 672 | 200 | 200KD7W | 225 |
| FR80T2.5X32 | 6HDR &7HDR | 32QAM | 84 | 420 | 110 | 110KD7W | 225 |
| FR80T2.5X64 | 6HDR &7HDR | 64QAM | 84 | 504 | 110 | 110KD7W | 225 |
| FR80T5X32 | 6HDR &7HDR | 32QAM | 168 | 420 | 200 | 200KD7W | 225 |
| FR80T5X64 | 6HDR &7HDR | 64QAM | 168 | 504 | 200 | 200KD7W | 225 |
7) Frequencies of Operation
Transmitting: 1626.5 to 1660.5 MHz
Receiving: 1525.0 to 1559.0 MHz
8) Receiver Characteristics
The receiving characteristics of the Aspire 400 equipment meet the applicable requirements of the Inmarsat System Definition Manuals (SDMs) and RTCA/DO-262 appendix E.
Approval Request
If this information meets with approval, EMS requests that the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology Laboratory, Authorization and Evaluation Division, be notified that, pursuant to Section 87.147(d)(2) of the FCC's rules, the FAA does not have an objection to the certification of the equipment described in this letter.
For any questions, please contact the sender directly.
Sincerely,
Dennis Teske,
SR Director Engineering,
