WQAR WIRELESS GROUNDLINK® - QUICK ACCESS RECORDER PART NUMBER 2243800-460 2243800-462 2243800-464 USER’S GUIDE 501 Continental Blvd.
Page |1 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE: This document, including the information contained within, is the property of Teledyne Controls, LLC. It may not be used, modified, reproduced, released, performed, displayed, disclosed, published or distributed, in whole or in part, except as expressly permitted in writing by an authorized representative of Teledyne Controls, LLC.
Page |2 US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada (IC) User Notifications. NOTICE 1: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Page |3 Contents Table of Figures.................................................................................... 5 Definitions ........................................................................................... 6 Section 1 – General .............................................................................. 8 Introduction .............................................................................................. 8 Scope of this document ...................................................
Page |4 Section 3 – WQAR Operations ............................................................ 17 Front Panel ...............................................................................................17 Front Panel Display ...................................................................................18 FAIL Indicator............................................................................................20 Front Panel Buttons ..................................................................
Page |5 Table of Figures Figure 1 – Wireless GroundLink Quick Access Recorder (WQAR) ..................... 8 Figure 2 – Wireless GroundLink Communication Diagram ............................... 9 Figure 3 – WQAR Front Panel ......................................................................... 17 Figure 4 – Typical WQAR Display (Run Control Feature in Use) ..................... 18 Figure 5 – Typical WQAR Display (Run Control Feature not in Use) ...............
Page |6 Definitions 3G A/C ACARS ACMS AIDS AII AMA AMI ARINC ATE ATP BIT BITE COTS DFDAU DFDMU DOD eADL EDGE FDIU FDIMU GSM GPRS HRFIL IMEI ISO LED MAC OQAR OPC OPS PQAR 3rd Generation Cellular Protocol Aircraft Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System Aircraft Condition Monitoring System Aircraft Integrated Data System Aircraft Interface Items Airline Modifiable AID+ (Items) Airline Modifiable Items Aeronautical Radio Incorporated Automated Test Equipment Acceptance Test Procedure Built in
Page |7 QAR RCD RF TMI UMTS UTC WGBS WGCM WGL WPS WQAR WAPU WCCU WDCU WMPU Quick Access Recorder Recording Completion Delay Radio Frequency Teledyne Modifiable Items Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Universal Time, Coordinated Wireless GroundLink® Base Station Wireless GroundLink® Ground Communication Manager Wireless GroundLink® Words per Second Wireless GroundLink® -- Quick Access Recorder Wireless AMI/AMA Preparation Utility WGL Comm+ Conversion Utility Wireless Data Conversion Utility Wireles
Page |8 Section 1 – General Introduction The Teledyne Controls new Wireless GroundLink® Quick Access Recorder, also known as the WQAR, is the latest addition to the QAR family of products (Figure 1). This compatible replacement for any QAR provides convenient access to airborne data by transmitting it over a high-speed cellular connection. It can receive flight data from any acquisition unit that is ARINC 717 compliant.
Page |9 Scope of this document This operations guide describes the functions of the WQAR (P/N 224380046X) using the OPS software (P/N 711745), all versions. Sections in this guide include System Overview, Operations, Common Procedures, Fault Procedures, and other reference information.
P a g e | 10 Features The Wireless GroundLink Quick Access Recorder has many features which enable it to fit into almost any aircraft infrastructure. Aircraft Signaling The WQAR can support two different aircraft signaling types: Bi-Polar and Harvard Bi-Phase. Either one of these signal types can be entered in the configuration.
P a g e | 11 ACMS Reporting In addition to the standard ARINC717 flight data, the WQAR can also record ARINC429 data (ACMS reports) if the acquisition unit sends such reports. When enabled, upon landing, the WQAR will power up the radios but wait a fixed amount of time before sending any data to allow for these reports to come in. This delay is referred to as the Recording Completion Delay (RCD). The typical setting is five minutes.
P a g e | 12 Mobile Networks The WQAR transmits data utilizing the 3G/4G networks all over the world, by dynamically determining the cellular frequencies wherever the aircraft is located. The operator can selectively limit where the WQAR transmits by utilizing the roaming zones set by the mobile provider or by use of Network Identification numbers (NetIDs). All transmissions are subject to charges by the SIM mobile provider(s).
P a g e | 13 Section 2 – System Overview Boot up and Pre-Flight Operations Upon cold start, the WQAR FAIL light will blink slowly while it initializes the hardware. The FAIL light will blink quickly as the OPS software boots, determines the signal and speed of the incoming flight data, and adapts itself to the aircraft. During this time, the output FAIL discrete will not be set.
P a g e | 14 If it does not transmit, it will make the determination again at the next destination. It will continue to do all of the above at every destination until the aircraft arrives in a permitted cellular network where it will transmit all accumulated data. If a transmission is interrupted for any reason, the WQAR does not need to re-transmit from the beginning. It has the ability to resume from the point of interruption.
P a g e | 15 Software Part Number Teledyne Controls primarily assigns this part number to the software. This part number typically is a 6-digit number and begins with a 7 and usually ends with a version letter. Example: The software part number of the OPS software, version G, is 711745 G. Use and disclosure shall be in accordance with the proprietary information notice and DCS on page i.
P a g e | 16 Configuring Your WQAR (OPC) The WQAR has configuration settings which configure it to adapt it to your aircraft and cellular environment. There are varying methods to change the WQAR configuration. Using the Front Panel Some WQAR settings can be changed through the front panel. These changes will persist through power cycling.
P a g e | 17 Section 3 – WQAR Operations Front Panel The WQAR (Figure 3) has a front panel interface to allow the operator to check status as well as perform diagnostics and other maintenance activity. Antennas have been removed for clarity. Front Panel Display Access Door Front Panel Buttons Handle Figure 3 – WQAR Front Panel Use and disclosure shall be in accordance with the proprietary information notice and DCS on page i.
P a g e | 18 Front Panel Display The blue backlit front panel display has two lines with 16 characters each and shows the operational status of the unit. Figures 4 and 5 show normal postboot-up status when Run-Control is in use and when not in use.
P a g e | 19 Figure 7 indicates the data is now in-sync and will be recorded as valid data. Figure 7 also shows that the WQAR has recorded ACMS report(s) by displaying “MS”. When data stops coming in, the top line will display “RawStp” (not shown). RawIn:SyncIn:MS R_On : :IOff Figure 7 – WQAR Display (Data in Sync) The bottom line has three sections separated by colons (:) which indicate the other WQAR status: ❖ Left Section: Displays the cellular radio power status and connection status.
P a g e | 20 ❖ Middle Section: Displays the status of the airborne data files such as whether the files are ready for transmission. ➢ RDY: Ready. The WQAR has met the minimum raw data requirements to transmit data. ➢ RCD: Recording Completion Delay. The WQAR is waiting for any final data from the acquisition unit before performing final compression and closing of the data file. Refer to Section 1 – ACMS Reporting for details. ➢ CMP: Compression. The WQAR is actively compressing data at this time.
P a g e | 21 Front Panel Buttons There are four buttons on the front panel: Button MODE SEL + - Description This button is used to exit out of the current menu or to escape certain functions in process. The SELECT button is used to enter into the selected menu. It is also used to choose or confirm any changes made to the LRU. The + (PLUS) button is used to advance though the various menus and parameters. The – (MINUS) button is used to reverse though the various menus and parameters.
P a g e | 22 RJ-12 Console Port Removable SIM Module RJ-45 Port (ARINC 615A Data Loader Port) CF Card Ejection Button Figure 8 – Behind the Access Door Antennas There are two antennas connected to elbow connectors at the front of the unit and are secured in place with a bumper to discourage handling. Contact Teledyne Controls Sales Department for replacement parts. The antenna replacement procedure will be available in a service bulletin.
P a g e | 23 blink during this time and the unit will reboot. After reboot, the WQAR will be operational with the proper time. System Menus The WQAR menus are accessed using the Front Panel Buttons and are viewed in the Front Panel Display. After bootup, the unit defaults to the SYSTEM STATE display which shows the system status as shown in Figures 4 thru 7. When navigating the WQAR menus, if the WQAR buttons experience no activity for 30 minutes, the WQAR automatically returns to this display.
P a g e | 24 ❖ BOX INFO: The part numbers and serial numbers of the various hardware components inside the unit are displayed here. The install status of all the OPC (configuration) files as well as the MAC/hardware addresses of the ethernet interfaces are also displayed here. ❖ S/W VERSION: Displays the part numbers of the Boot and OPS software operating within the unit. The part numbers of the configuration files will also appear here if they are installed in the unit.
P a g e | 25 STATUS This menu allows the operator to display the current status of the hardware inside the WQAR, each having its own sub-menu: ❖ ACQUISITION: Displays aspects of the flight data coming into the WQAR from the acquisition unit: ➢ RAW: Displays how many frames of ARINC 717 data have been received and how many have been recorded on to the internal SD card. ➢ RATE: Displays the speed of the ARINC 717 data that the WQAR expects.
P a g e | 26 ❖ DISCRETES: Displays the status of the incoming discretes, either Active or Inactive: ➢ INTERLOCK: Allows the operator to monitor the status of the interlock discretes. A discussion of the RF Interlocks is in Section 1. ➢ RUN CONTROL: Allows the operator to monitor the status of the Run Control discrete. A discussion of Run Control is in Section 1. ➢ BIPHASE SELECT: When this discrete is active, the WQAR interprets this as BiPhase signaling.
P a g e | 27 ➢ REMOVABLE SIM MODULE: Displays whether the SIM module is installed or not. ➢ SIM Status: Displays the SIM number and the SIM phone number of each installed SIM card as well as radio configuration. Refer to Section 4 – Check SIM Card Configuration, for this procedure. ➢ RADIO STATUS: If power is applied to the radio(s), this menu will display the signal level of each the radio (0 through 32), the firmware version, and radio connection stage.
P a g e | 28 DIAGNOSTICS This menu allows the operator to perform testing on the WQAR. Some of these tests should only be performed by Teledyne Controls engineering staff. ❖ DISPLAY TEST: Generates test patterns across the front panel display. After the test is initiated, press the MODE button to exit the test. ❖ ACQ SIMULATION: Allows the operator to test the ability of the LRU to record by generating test data and sending it to the data card.
P a g e | 29 ❖ DOWNLOAD TEST: Allows the operator to transmit a test file to the Base Station using the cellular radios. This file is not actual recorded flight data. During the test transmission, the file is encrypted but will not be compressed. The operator can choose to send a file of a fixed size or to send a continuous succession of 64MB files for a selected length of time. Once the file(s) arrive at the base station, they will be stored in a folder reserved for test data.
P a g e | 30 ❖ “Disable Radios” (See also “Restore Radios” below): Allows the operator to temporarily disable the radios. This effect is immediate and does not require a reboot. While disabled, no diagnostic tests involving the radios can be performed since power will not be applied to the radios at any time. This setting is persistent through power recycles. This procedure is located in Section 4 – Disable Radios.
