Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle Mk 4 User manual

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Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle Mk 4
Installation Manual
MAN_CR4_001
Document version 2.0
Date 25 June 2013
www.flightcell.com

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Contents
1Version history 3
2Introduction 4
2.1 About this installation manual........................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Other useful resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
3Specifications 5
4Installing your Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle 6
4.1 Mounting the phone cradle within your aircraft or vehicle.................................................................................. 6
4.2 Audio connection ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Data connection ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
4.4 D25 connector ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
4.5 Wiring to the phone cradle .................................................................................................................................................. 9
4.6 Antenna connection ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
4.7 Power supply to the Iridium phone................................................................................................................................. 9
5Using the Iridium phone with the Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle 10
5.1 Installing and releasing your Iridium satellite phone .......................................................................................... 10
6Warranty and contact details 11
6.1 Limited warranty for your Flightcell Iridium 9555 cradle................................................................................. 11
6.2 Flightcell International contact details ....................................................................................................................... 11

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1Version history
Issue
Date
Author
Change note
number
Description
Issue 1
08 Sep 2009
A. Whitlock
Document created.
Issue 2 - CURRENT
25 June 2013
J. Mace
FCN0497
Update part number and title page.
Reference to installation with Flightcell
VAM

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2Introduction
The Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle is used to install an Iridium 9555 satellite phone in an aircraft or vehicle.
The phone cradle provides secure mounting for the Iridium handset and interfaces all necessary antenna,
power, voice and data connections.
The cradle also contains noise suppression technology to reduce intrusion of aircraft power supply noise into
the audio system.
Flightcell has designed this product to enable integration of the phone into existing audio systems, or as part
of the built-in Flightcell DZM voice, data and tracking system.
Installed with the Flightcell DZM, your Iridium satellite phone can be mounted anywhere on the aircraft or
vehicle, as it is controlled remotely from the Flightcell DZM user interface.
2.1 About this installation manual
This manual is intended for use by engineers installing and maintaining the Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle. It
describes the physical, mechanical and electrical characteristics and installation requirements for the product.
For further assistance, please contact Flightcell International Ltd.
2.2 Other useful resources
Find further information on installing and operating all Flightcell products from the Flightcell website at
http://www.flightcell.com/support.aspx, or contact Flightcell International Ltd directly. Contact details are
provided at the end of this document.

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3Specifications
Part number
CRP_04001
(Old part number FC9555/D25M4M)
Material
Machined from aluminium 6061
Input voltage
12-32 V DC
Power supply current
1ms inrush <=10.0A
100ms inrush <=250mA
Operating current 250mA max
Output voltage (to Iridium phone)
5.0V
MIC audio
Sensitivity as per satphone
SPKR audio
Level as per satphone
Satphone data
RS-232 levels, 9600bps
Dimensions
Width overall
70mm
2.76”
Depth, with or without phone
65mm
2.56”
Height
Including satphone
236mm
9.30”
Excluding satphone
222mm
8.74”
Weight
Including satphone
956g
33.7oz
Excluding satphone
680g
24.0oz
Main connector on cradle
DB25 male (8FTM25P-30N1-FEC)
Antenna connector
TNC

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4Installing your Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle
4.1 Mounting the phone cradle within your aircraft or vehicle
Use 4 x M5 bolts at the four mounting points on the back of the phone cradle. These bolts are fastened in to
the back of the phone cradle through a bulkhead or other similar mounting point.
The length of the bolts should be the thickness of the mounting surface plus 10-15mm.
The diagram below shows dimensions and locations of mounting points.

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4.2 Audio connection
Audio is passed between phone cradle and phone using the digital audio connection in the base of the phone.
The headset audio jack on the side of the phone is NOT used.
4.2.1 Connection to the audio panel using a Flightcell DZM
If the cradle is used to connect an Iridium 9555 handset to a Flightcell DZM, refer to the installation manual
and interconnect drawings for the applicable model of DZM. These documents are supplied with the DZM or
can be downloaded from the Flightcell support page at http://www.flightcell.com/support.aspx.
4.2.2 Connection to the audio panel without using a Flightcell DZM
The cradle is primarily designed to be used in conjunction with a Flightcell DZM. If it is to be connected to the
audio panel without a DZM, two methods can be used:
4.2.2.1 Connection to a cellphone port on an audio panel
If the aircraft audio system has a cellphone port, the cradle audio input and output can be connected to the
audio panel output and input, respectively. Refer to the audio panel’s installation manual for details.
4.2.2.2 Connection using a Flightcell VAM
Otherwise to connect the cradle to an audio panel or ICS, it is necessary to use an additional module to adjust
input and output levels to and from the cradle to match the appropriate levels on the audio panel/ICS.
The Flightcell VAM (Versatile Audio Module) provides a means of connecting the cradle to an audio panel. The
function of the VAM is to
Match impedance and voltage levels for the cradle to those on the audio panel
Provide microphone bias voltage (which is typically required when connecting to a high-impedance
headset)
Provide galvanic isolation between input and output
Provide sidetone.
Instructions on VAM installation and configuration are provided in the installation manual
(MAN_VAM_ENGALL_OperatingManual_1.2) available on the Flightcell support page
http://www.flightcell.com/support.aspx .
4.3 Data connection
The main connector on the phone cradle is wired for an RS232 serial data connection. This is converted in the
cradle to USB for the phone’s USB connection.
If a USB connection to the phone is required, an alternative model of cradle with direct USB connection is
available. Contact Flightcell International for further information.

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4.4 D25 connector
The main and antenna connectors are recessed into the base of the phone cradle.
The D25 connector contains all required I/O connections to charge the satellite phone and access the serial
port and audio connection.
Cradle main connector (D25 male) part number - Multicomp 8FTM25P-30N1-FEC (or equivalent)
Mating connector (D25 female) part number - Multicomp 5502-25SA-01-F1 (or equivalent)
Connector pinouts:
Pin
Function
Input to/output from
phone cradle
Notes
1
Do not connect
2
Do not connect
3
Do not connect
4
Do not connect
5
RI
Output
6
Power -
Input
7
GND
Signal GND
8
Data RX
Output
9
DTR
Input
Flow control
10
RTS
Input
Flow control
11
GND GPO
Output
12
MIC +
Input
13
SPK +
Output
14
Do not connect
15
Do not connect
16
DCD
Output
RS232 flow control
17
Do not connect
18
DSR
Output
RS232 flow control
19
PWR +
Input
20
GND DATA
21
SAT TX
Input
22
CTS
Output
23
GPO
General Purpose Output;
this is used as an output in
custom applications of the
phone cradle.
24
MIC
Input
25
SPK -
Output
Shell
Chassis ground

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4.5 Wiring to the phone cradle
The following guidelines should be followed when constructing wiring looms:
Power cables should be 22AWG stranded. For example, M22759/34-22-9
Other cables may be 22 or 24AWG stranded, screened where indicated. For example, M27500/-
24SB2T14
Screened pairs should be used for:
MIC +/-
SPK +/-
RS232 Tx/Rx
The other flow control lines RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, RI, DCD can utilise either screened or unscreened
cables in any groupings. Where screened cable is used, we recommend that it be grounded at one end
only to minimize ground loops.
Where the GPO signal is used we recommend using a single screened cable, with GPO GND connected
to the screen and GPO connected to the core.
4.6 Antenna connection
The Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle has a single TNC antenna connector to connect the phone to an approved
Iridium antenna. Please contact Flightcell International or your Flightcell supplier for information on antenna
options.
Iridium antenna cables must be selected to keep signal loss within accepted levels. Total signal loss on the
Iridium connection between the cradle and the antenna should not exceed 3dB at 1645MHz.
The maximum length recommended for different common antenna cable types is:
Cable Length
Cable Specification
Notes
Up to 3m
RG58C/U
Up to 6.5m
LMR200
RG142A/U-9006 cellfoil
Up to 8m
RG213
It is recommended that the
antenna cable be reduced to RG58
for the last 300mm next to the
cradle to assist with installation.
Up to 17m
LMR400
Up to 26m
LMR600
4.7 Power supply to the Iridium phone
4.7.1 Powering and charging the phone
The Iridium phone cradle contains a power supply that manages the voltage supplied to the phone to levels
required to safely charge and operate the phone. Power is supplied via the connector on the base of the
Iridium phone.
4.7.2 Automated power on and off
The Iridium phone cradle is designed to power the Iridium phone on and off when the aircraft or vehicle is
powered up or down. This is done to ensure the phone is always on when the aircraft is operating, and the
phone is always off (and batteries are not being run down) when no power is being supplied from the aircraft.

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5Using the Iridium phone with the Flightcell Iridium 9555
Cradle
5.1 Installing and releasing your Iridium satellite phone
NOTE! The Iridium 9555 phone has an antenna socket on the back near the top. The handset is delivered with
a rubber bung in this socket. It is important to remove this bung before attempting to place the phone in the
cradle. Failure to do so risks serious damage to the phone.
To install:
Locate the retaining latch on the
top right of the cradle, and rotate
clockwise.
Slide the base of the Iridium phone
downwards into the Phone Cradle,
aligning the slots on either end of
the phone’s connector with the
two alignment pins on the end of
the cradles’ connector.
Rotate the top of the handset back
onto the cradle; the antenna
connector will slip into the
antenna connector hole in the back
of the phone. Then rotate the
retaining latch anti-clockwise to
lock the phone in place.
To release the phone, reverse the above steps

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6Warranty and contact details
6.1 Limited warranty for your Flightcell Iridium 9555 cradle
Flightcell International Ltd's quality products are proudly designed and manufactured to the highest
standards in New Zealand.
Your Flightcell Iridium 9555 Cradle is warranted for 2 years from date of sale.
The warranty is void if any labels are removed or if it is determined that your Flightcell DZM has been:
Connected to a power supply delivering more than 32 Volts;
Connected with reverse polarity;
Installed in direct contravention to the guidelines outlined in the technical installation manual;
Physically damaged, or a fault has occurred due to the product being used beyond what is considered
normal use, causing unusual deterioration of the product.
If the product is deemed to be faulty or in need of repair, please contact Flightcell International Ltd to obtain a
Returned Materials Authorization.
6.2 Flightcell International contact details
Flightcell International Ltd
PO Box 1481
98 Vickerman Street
Nelson 7040
New Zealand
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Website http://www.flightcell.com