ARTEX Cobham ME-183 NAV User manual

DESCRIPTION, INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME-183 NAV INTERFACE 453-0012
Docume t No.: 570-0001 Rev. -
Cobham Avio ics
Artex Products
Artex Aircraft Supplies, I c.
doi g busi ess as Cobham Avio ics
14405 Keil Road NE Aurora, Orego 97002 USA
Pho e 503-678-7929, Fax [phone]
E-mail i fo@artex. et
www.artex. et

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REVISION HISTORY
REVISION ENGINEERING CHANGE ORDER DATE
- RELEASE 07/14/09

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 S YSTEM A DVA TAGES ...........................................................................................................5
1.2 S YSTEM D ESCRIPTIO ..........................................................................................................6
1.3 O PERATIO AL O VERVIEW ......................................................................................................6
1.4 C OMPATIBILITY ..................................................................................................................7
2. INTEGRATION...................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 D ATA O UTPUT R EQUIREME TS ................................................................................................8
2.2 MEA 0183 S E TE CE S TRUCTURE R EQUIREME TS .....................................................................8
3. OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 R EGULATORY R EQUIREME TS .................................................................................................9
3.2 I STALLATIO ....................................................................................................................9
3.3 E LECTROSTATIC D ISCHARGE (ESD) P RECAUTIO S ........................................................................9
4. INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................. 10
4.1 I STALLATIO K IT .............................................................................................................10
4.2 ME406 ELT R EPROGRAMMI G .............................................................................................10
4.3 I STALLATIO I STRUCTIO S ...............................................................................................10
4.3.1 General Wiring and Grounding Considerations .......................................................10
4.3.2 Wiring Diagrams ................................................................................................11
4.3.3 GPS Data Output Interface with Remote Switch Harness ........................................12
4.3.4 DB15 Plug Replacement......................................................................................13
4.3.5 DB15 Plug Back Shell Sealing...............................................................................15
4.3.6 Final Installation ................................................................................................15
5. ME-183 NAV INTERFACE TESTING .................................................................................... 16
5.1 S ELF -T EST ......................................................................................................................16
5.1.1 Precautions .......................................................................................................16
5.1.2 Self-Test Procedure ............................................................................................16
5.2 P OSITIO D ATA V ERIFICATIO ..............................................................................................17
6. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................. 18
6.1 I SPECTIO .....................................................................................................................18
6.2 T ESTI G .........................................................................................................................18
7. SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVALS................................................................................... 19
7.1 E VIRO ME TAL R EQUIREME TS A D S PECIFICATIO S ................................................................19
7.2 P HYSICAL S PECIFICATIO S ...................................................................................................20
7.3 C OMMU ICATIO S S PECIFICATIO S ........................................................................................20
7.4 A PPROVALS .....................................................................................................................21
TABLES
T ABLE 4-1: ME-183 AV I STALLATIO K IT P ARTS L IST ...........................................................................10
T ABLE 5-1: ME406 ELT S ELF -T EST E RROR C ODES ...................................................................................16
T ABLE 7-1: RTCA DO-160F E VIRO ME TAL Q UALIFICATIO R EQUIREME TS .................................................19
T ABLE 7-2: E VIRO ME TAL S PECIFICATIO S .........................................................................................20
T ABLE 7-3: P HYSICAL S PECIFICATIO S ..................................................................................................20
T ABLE 7-4: C OMMU ICATIO S S PECIFICATIO S ........................................................................................20

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1. INTRODUCTION
This manual provides description, installation, operation, and maintenance information for
the ME-183 AV Interface (ME-183 AV). The ME-183 AV relays latitude and longitude
position data to the ELT for incorporation into the 406 MHz Search and Rescue (SAR)
satellite message. The ME-183 AV is designed as a retrofit accessory for Artex ME406
Series ELT installations.
1.1 System Adva tages
An ME406 ELT system, with the ME-183 AV interface retrofit kit installed, contains a
number of significant advantages over older technology ELT systems:
• Greater Position Accuracy (Figure 1-1)
• Position Data from a Single Beacon Transmission
• o Aircraft Power (power derived from GPS data output)
Figure
1
-
1
:
ELT Systems Accuracy Compariso

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1.2 System Descriptio
The ME-183 AV integrates with existing equipment, as illustrated in Figure 1-2.
Installation of the ME-183 AV requires an on-board navigation system (GPS)
supporting MEA 0183 output, in addition to an Artex ME406 ELT system. The GPS
receives satellite signal information, calculates latitude and longitude position, and sends
the position data to the ME-183 AV.
If the ELT is programmed with a short message (non-location protocol), it must be
reprogrammed to a long message (location protocol) in order to interface with the ME-
183 AV.
NOTE: The appropriate ME406 ELT user manual should be consulted for more detailed
information on ELT protocols and programming.
1.3 Operatio al Overview
The ME-183 AV receives power from the GPS receiver via its data output. Upon power
up, there is an initial 80-second charge time before the ME-183 AV can respond to an
ELT activation event.
The ME-183 AV periodically receives position data from the GPS receiver and converts
the position data to an ELT compatible format.
The ME-183 AV stores position data in RAM and waits for a signal from the ELT
indicating it has been:
• Activated automatically by the G-Switch, or
• Activated manually via the ELT local or cockpit remote switch.
As long as the ELT is activated and the GPS receiver continues to supply position data,
the ME-183 AV attempts to transmit current position data every 2 seconds; however,
the ELT locks position data upon activation and will only accept new data if it is reset
using the local or remote switch.
Figure
1
-
2
: ME
-
183 NAV
I terface System I tegratio
Block Diagram

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If the data link from the GPS to the ME-183 AV is lost, the ME-183 AV holds the last
known position data for 60 seconds, as required by C/S T.001 “Specification for
COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz Distress Beacons”, Subsection 4.5.5.4.
• The ELT must be activated within the 60-second timeframe for the ME-183 AV to
transmit position data to the ELT.
• After the 60-second timeframe has lapsed, the last known position is lost.
• The ELT transmits a default message if it does not receive valid position data.
1.4 Compatibility
The ME-183 AV is compatible with the following Artex ME406 Series ELTs:
• ME406 ELT – 453-6603
• ME406 HM ELT – 453-6604
• ME406P ELT – 453-6611

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2. INTEGRATION
This section describes GPS receiver and ME-183 AV integration requirements. Consult
your navigation system manufacturer’s user manual to determine if data output and
sentence structure formats are compatible with the following requirements.
The ME-183 AV is compatible with MEA 0183. Artex recommends the use of a
dedicated GPS data output channel for the ME-183 AV.
2.1 Data Output Requireme ts
In order to receive data, the ME-183 AV requires:
• Baud Rate (fixed): 4800
• Parity: one
• Data Bits: 8
• Stop Bits: 1
2.2 NMEA 0183 Se te ce Structure Requireme ts
The ME-183 AV accepts the following MEA 0183 sentences:
• GPRMC
• GPGLL

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3. OVERVIEW
This section provides an installation overview and should be reviewed by personnel
performing the work.
3.1 Regulatory Requireme ts
TSO C126, Paragraph D
“The conditions and tests required for TSO approval of this article are minimum
performance standards. It is the responsibility of those desiring to install this article
on a specific type or class of aircraft to determine that the aircraft installation
conditions are within the TSO standards. The article may be installed only if further
evaluation by the applicant documents an acceptable installation and it is approved by
the administrator.”
FAA Requireme ts
In addition to the procedures outlined herein, the installer must adhere to the guidelines
established in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13 “Acceptable Methods, Techniques and
Practices Aircraft Alterations”, specifically Chapters 1 through 3, 11 and 13.
By signing the aircraft logbook or FAA Form 337, you are stating the installation has
been performed in accordance with current FAR requirements and the steps and
procedures outlined herein.
3.2 I stallatio
The ME-183 AV plugs into the ELT, between the remote switch harness DB15 plug and
the ELT.
• Data output from the GPS interfaces with the ME-183 AV at the DB15 plug.
• An installation overview is shown in Figure 3-1.
REMOTE SWITCH
HAR ESS
DB15 PLUG
ME406 ELT
ME-183 AV
THUMBSCREW (typ.)
Figure 3-1: I stallatio Overview
3.3 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautio s
The ME-183 AV is an electrostatic discharge sensitive (ESDS) device. As such, it must
be handled with care. If possible, wear a grounded wrist strap or ESD protective
footwear when handling the ME-183 AV during installation and maintenance activities.
Take particular care to avoid touching the exposed metal portion of the connectors and
exposed receptacle pins on the ME-183 AV and ELT.

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4. INSTALLATION
The following subsections provide detailed installation instructions for the ME-183 AV.
Consult AC 43.13 for general guidelines pertaining to installation, wiring, soldering, and
grounding.
4.1 I stallatio Kit
The ME-183 AV Installation Kit (455-0016) details are shown in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1: ME-183 NAV I stallatio Kit Parts List
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QTY
150-1127 D-Sub Housing, 15-Pin, Grommet 1
150-1130 Plug, D-Sub, 15-Pin 1
217-0001 Thumbscrew, ME-183 AV Interface 2
453-0012 Main Assembly, ME-183 AV Interface 1
570-0001 Manual, ME-183 AV Interface Description, Installation,
Operation, and Maintenance 1
850-0814 Sealant Strip, D-Sub Connector 4*
* 1 ea. provided as a spare
4.2 ME406 ELT Reprogrammi g
The ELT must be programmed with a long message (location protocol), if necessary,
before installing the ME-183 AV. ELT reprogramming may be accomplished by an
authorized service center or by using an Artex ME406 Reprogramming Adapter (455-
6600).
4.3 I stallatio I structio s
The following subsections provide installation guidelines and instructions. Differences in
shielded and unshielded installations are noted, where applicable.
4.3.1 Ge eral Wiri g a d Grou di g Co sideratio s
WARNING:
If ground or other connections are broken or otherwise damaged, the
ELT is still capable of automatic activation; however:
• The remote switch may be incapable of resetting the ELT,
• Operation may not be indicated on the remote switch LED, and/or
• The ME-183 AV may not receive position data.
WARNING: It is possible to inadvertently activate the ELT when working on the
remote switch wiring harness and/or installing the ME-183 AV. Always keep an AM
or aircraft radio tuned to 121.5 MHz during installation, such that an audible alert
(i.e., transmission sweeps) can be heard immediately.
The following wiring and grounding considerations are applicable.
• Minimum 24 AWG wire size.
• Shielding is recommended to help prevent EMI and RF interference.
• Use high quality conductor meeting MIL-W-16878, M22759, M27500, or a
commercial equivalent acceptable for use in aircraft applications.