General Information; System Description; Introduction - EMS Sky Connect Series Installation Manual

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GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1

INTRODUCTION

This manual contains information relative to the physical, mechanical, and electrical
installation of the Sky Connect Systems. Operating procedures are also included.
1.2

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The Sky Connect series satellite communications device consists of a transceiver, an
L-band antenna, and a dialing/audio/data interface device. The remote mounted
transceiver is the heart of the system, and contains the Iridium satellite LBT (L-Band
Transceiver). The LBT can be thought of as the "phone" in the satellite phone
system and the modem in the data system, as it is the connection used to gain access
to the Iridium network. The LBT allows the two way transfer of voice and data.
The LBT is the same in every transceiver of the Sky Connect System though different
modules are added to define the function of the transceiver as a whole. Each Sky
Connect telephone system also has the ability for data transfer at rates up to 10
Kbps (with compression), allowing the user to interface a laptop for in-flight email
capability. The Tracker system offers an optional internal 12 channel G.P.S. module.
Tracker uses the short burst data transfer portions of the Sky Connect suite, though
it can be coupled with any of the phone systems. Any system can exist alone, or
co-exist with another, and upgrades can be done to any system at any time without
incurring additional cost penalties.
The Iridium system can only be occupied by one "call" at a time, whether it is voice,
data, or Short Burst Data. These systems exist simultaneously, but can not be used
simultaneously. Multiple transceivers and antennas are required for multiple
channels of communication. For clarity, two users may be on separate handsets on
the same call, but two users can not be on separate handsets on different calls
without a second transceiver/antenna. Similarly, when a phone call is in progress,
Tracker will be unable to send SBD packets, though as soon as the line is clear, it will
send its stored messages.
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1616-964-12
Date: 7/27/2011
Rev. 2.1