NXTLINK 120A and 220A flight deck communications systems

Citation

(2009), "NXTLINK 120A and 220A flight deck communications systems", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781cad.002

NXTLINK 120A and 220A flight deck communications systems

Article Type: Equipment and software From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 3

International Communications Group (ICG) has received Parts Manufacturer Authority (PMA) for its NxtLink ICS-120A and ICS-220A communication systems which offer flight deck voice and DataLink services over the Iridium satellite network. The approval also covers the configuration identity module (CIM), which is associated with both devices. PMA manufacturers are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to manufacture replacement parts for aircraft to be used instead of original sourced or issued (OEM) parts. PMA manufacturers must meet FAA requirements for the way the part is designed, tested, approved, manufactured, documented and sold. The single channel ICS-120A and dual-channel ICS-220A are the first ICG devices developed and certified to equally serve the Air Transport and Executive Jet markets with flight safety communications capabilities.

The PMA comes on the heels of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) granted to L2 Consulting Services, an authorized reseller based in Dripping Springs, Texas for the installation of the systems in a Boeing 737-700 aircraft owned by a major airline. L2 Consulting and ICG collaborated on the STC. “Granting of this PMA provides ICG with the opportunity to directly control the quality, availability and consistency of the NxtLink system components”, said Armin Jabs, ICG Chief Operations Officer. “It means that our Air Transport and business aviation customers can have the confidence that what they’re putting on their airplanes meet the industry’s highest standards for quality, reliability and performance.”

ICG’s ICS-120A device incorporates a single Iridium L-band transceiver (LBT) and a Short Burst Data (SBD) modem and provides connections to customary and standard flight deck voice and data systems. The NxtLink ICS-220A is a three-transceiver device, which combines dual LBTs providing two channels of global voice with an SBD modem dedicated to DataLink services. Both systems support Future Air Navigation System and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications as well as Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) requirements.

Both devices also operate with ICG’s new external CIM which contains the Iridium SIM cards as well as the system configuration information, making them a true Line Replaceable Units.

Details available from: ICG, Inc. web site: www.icg.aero