GPS receiver selected for integration in precision landing system receiver

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 1 August 2005

213

Keywords

Citation

(2005), "GPS receiver selected for integration in precision landing system receiver", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777dad.006

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


GPS receiver selected for integration in precision landing system receiver

GPS receiver selected for integration in precision landing system receiver

Keywords: Aircraft, Aircraft navigation

The CMC Electronics’ latest- generation, high-performance aviation global positioning system (GPS) receiver, known as the CMA-4124, has been selected by BAE Systems North America – Communications, Navigation, Information and Reconnaissance Division (BAE-CNI) – for integration into its Precision Landing System Receiver (PLSR). In turn, the PLSR has been selected by Boeing for the C-17 Globemaster III Avionics Upgrade Program.

As a leading airlifter, the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances directly to small airfields anywhere in the world. More than 130 C-17s are in operation today, flown by the US Air Force, the US Air National Guard and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. Boeing is on a multi-year procurement contract to design, build and deliver 180 C-17s through to at least 2008.

In fulfillment of the aircraft’s unique mission, the C-17 will fly through international civil airspace. The C-17 Globemaster requires Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved and certified avionics that are capable of meeting civil airspace certification requirements while meeting or exceeding the harsh military environment.

According to Bruce Bailey, Vice President, Commercial Aviation, CMC Electronics, “A significant aspect of the C-17 Globemaster III Program is that it needs a Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation (RNP- RNAV) capability. To support this functionality, a certified aviation GPS is essential. Our CMA-4124 distinguishes itself with capabilities that meet and exceed all of the C-17 Globemaster III RNP-RNAV requirements”.

BAE-CNI recently conducted numerous environmental tests of its PLSR in support of the C-17 Globemaster III Program and reportedly found that the PLSR met and exceeded all C-17 requirements as well as F-16 environmental requirements, such as gun-fire shock. These tests were conducted with the CMA-4124 GPS receiver operating with full performance within the BAE- CNI PLSR.

CMC Electronics has more than 20 years’ experience in the design of certified GPS products. The CMA- 4124 was developed as a collaborative effort with NovAtel, CMC’s subsidiary, and combines the respective technological strengths of both companies to develop the most advanced GPS receiver to meet the most demanding needs of civil aviation. NovAtel is the inventor of Narrow Correlator technology. CMC Electronics has more than 11,000 of its 12-channel GPS receivers in operation on virtually all air transport, business aviation and helicopter platforms.

The CMC Electronics’ CMA-4124 is designed to support WAAS receiver certification to TSO-C145a Classes Gamma-3, Beta-3, and Delta-4. It currently meets or exceeds all requirements of FAA TSO-C129a B1/ C1, FAA Order 8110.60. In addition, this receiver meets or exceeds the most stringent requirements in the RTCA/ DO-160D environmental categories, and can support both the harshest civil and military aviation environments. The CMA-4124 employs the latest NovAtel GPS Narrow Correlator receiver technology, has superior oscillator performance that supports and is qualified with the Northrop- Grumman Inertial Navigation System AIME, and meets or exceeds the most stringent requirements for Air Transport Part-121 safety, including DO-178B Level B and DO-254 Level B certification.

Details available from: GNSS. Tel: +1 514 748 3020.

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