Multiregional satellite television for business aircraft

TAILWIND® 500
Multiregional satellite television for business aircraft
The world doesn’t stop while you’re in the air.
News never stops breaking, and staying current and connected
to the latest events around the globe is your top priority. That’s
why Rockwell Collins created the industry’s first Direct Broadcast
Satellite (DBS) television system for medium to large business
aircraft. At Rockwell Collins we feel you shouldn’t have to miss a
beat. Be it the “big game,” browsing your favorite music, catching
a good film, or staying up-to-date with live news, DBS television
is your portal to all earth-bound happenings.
Stay informed about events in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, India,
western Russia or eastern China on up to eight televisions and in
digital broadcast formats: DVB and DVB-S (international standard);
or DSS (DIRECTV standard). Rockwell Collins anticipates your needs
and desires by collaborating with leading satellite service providers,
ensuring optimal connectivity. Along with extensive free-to-air
channels and up to eight customizable programming receivers you
experience the most comprehensive and diverse content available,
so you don’t miss a thing.
A breakthrough in satellite television
Rockwell Collins developed the Tailwind® 500 using the experience
and knowledge from previous Tailwind technology. The result:
Is a multiregional antenna light enough to mount on the tail of
your aircraft within a 12-inch swept volume while maintaining its
functionality and reliability. Our Tailwind 500 integrates easily into
a variety of cabin management systems.
Key features
>> Multiregional coverage
>> Supports premium encrypted channels and free-to-air
programming
>> Automatically switches to the region’s DBS satellite
>> Filtered to operate with Ku-band data link systems
>> Remote controllable
>> Efficient system integration
High technology on the inside
Receiving various digital television signals in several DBS satellite
footprints, you experience global connectivity, in regions including
U.S., Europe, Middle East, India, western Russia and eastern China.
Intelligently designed to connect to your aircraft’s navigation
system our Tailwind 500 automatically determines its location.
Based on the configuration of onboard receivers and services,
the system instinctively determines antenna direction, channel
frequencies, polarization and which satellite receivers to activate.
Rockwell Collins Tailwind 500 receives programming from
satellites over the entire Ku-band from 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz,
and accommodates circular satellite broadcast polarizations for
the Western Hemisphere and linear polarizations for the Eastern
Hemisphere. The antenna’s filter ensures that the reception remains
clear by preventing interference from Ku-band data link systems
that may be installed on the aircraft. The Tailwind 500 supports a
wide variety of user control choices, from simple infrared remote
control to a detailed touch screen.
A work of art on the outside
In crystal clear, reliable reception watch live news and sports, listen
to digital music, or see your favorite TV show with Rockwell Collins
Tailwind 500. Our comprehensive Tailwind 500 offers widest
number of programs with access to premium encrypted channels
or free-to-air content. You can even personalize programming and
subscription services to meet your needs.
High-performance antenna
The Tailwind 500’s DBS antenna contains two reliable core
components, a tail-mounted single lens antenna, which receives
television signals, and a separate gimbal electronics module, which
controls antenna movement and down converts signals. Together,
these two devices accomplish the same task as a single fuselagemounted antenna. By dividing the work into two separate line
replaceable units, results in a system that is significantly smaller
and lighter. That makes our Tailwind 500 ideal for use on most
major types of medium to large business aircraft.
Proven performance
At Rockwell Collins we strive to deliver exceptional performance
and reliability. With our Tailwind 500 you get solid satellite tracking,
simple installation that takes advantage of the automatic phase
alignment and system leveling, the ability to permanently store
system configuration data in non-volatile memory, and extensive
research and field-testing in all supported regions, even during
extreme weather conditions. This results in a proven, industryleading performance, every time.
Specifications
Rockwell Collins Tailwind 500 connects to virtually any cabin
management system using industry-standard interfaces. Command
and control interfaces use the standard RS-485 bus, and video
output utilizes NTSC and PAL format. The entire Tailwind 500
system is comprised of five major line replaceable units. The tail
mounted unit (TMU) is the antenna front-end of the Tailwind 500
system. It’s located at the top of the tail, and receives and transfers
satellite signals to the gimbal electronics module (GEM™). The
compact TMU provides optimal aerodynamic performance under
the tail radome on business jets.
>> Antenna components such as the motor drive and control
electronics, and functions such as the first frequency downconversion and the cable frequency equalizers are partitioned
into the GEM, which can be separated from the antenna by up
to 30 feet. This significantly reduces the size and weight of the
antenna.
>> The system signal processor (SSP) receives aircraft heading,
position, pitch and roll information, and gets the location of
the broadcast satellite from the connected third party avionics
navigation system (ANS). The SSP then transmits the aircraft and
satellite data to the GEM/TMU, allowing the antenna to align
with an orbiting satellite. The SSP also down-converts first-stage
intermediate frequency (IF) signals.
>> The IF multiplexer unit (IMU) receives IF signals from the SSP,
then distributes the signals to up to four receiver decoder units
(RDU) each with two separate television outputs.
>> From the RDU, the signal travels through the aircraft’s audiovideo system and is ready for cabin broadcast. You can watch
programming from up to eight separate TV outputs, allowing
access to over 475 channels in three geographic regions, all
controlled from a touch-screen or infrared remote.
Tail-Mounted Unit (TMU)
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Power
13.7 in (347.6 mm)
9.1 in (231.1 mm)
13.4 in (340.4 mm)
18.2 lbs (8.3 kg)
2A @ 28 VDC (maximum),
0.5 @ 12 VDC (maximum)
Powered by GEM
Gimbal Electronics Module (GEM)
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Power
10.4 in (257.8 mm)
10.2 in (258.3 mm)
7.3 in (186.1 mm)
12 lbs (5.4 kg)
2.5A @ 28 VDC (nominal)
Powered by SSP
System Signal Processor (SSP)
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Power
13.5 in (342.9 mm)
11.5 in (292.1 mm)
2.6 in (66.0 mm)
12.5 lbs (5.7 kg)
3.6A @ 28 VDC (nominal)
IF Multiplexer Unit (IMU)
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Power
11.0 in (279.4 mm)
4.9 in (124.5 mm)
2.3 in (58.4 mm)
3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
0.25A @ 14 VDC (nominal),
0.18A @ 12 VDC (nominal)
Powered by RDU
Receiver Decoder Unit (RDU)
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Power
12.5 in (316.5 mm)
3.6 in (92.7 mm)
10.4 in (263.6 mm)
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
1.5A @ 28 VDC
SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Building trust every day.
Rockwell Collins delivers smart communication and aviation
electronic solutions to customers worldwide. Backed by a global
network of service and support, we stand committed to putting
technology and practical innovation to work for you whenever and
wherever you need us. In this way, working together, we build trust.
Every day.
For more information contact:
Rockwell Collins
400 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498
319.295.4085
email: csmarketing@rockwellcollins.com
www.rockwellcollins.com
147-0117-007 03/11 © Copyright 2011, Rockwell Collins, Inc. All rights reserved.