The FA2100CVR is a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) system designed to meet or exceed the requirements of various aviation standards, including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Standard Order TSO–C123a/C123b, European Organisation for Civilian Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Minimum Operational Performance Specification (MOPS) ED-56A, ED-112, and ARINC Characteristic 757 and 757A. It can also be used to replace existing ARINC Characteristic 557 installations.
Function Description:
The FA2100CVR system consists of a Recorder Unit, a Control Unit, a Preamplifier Module (for installations not requiring a Control Unit), an Area Microphone, and a Mounting Tray. The Recorder Unit, housed in an ARINC 404A, 1/2-ATR short case, features a chassis and front panel, three Printed Wiring Assemblies (Aircraft Interface PWA, Audio Compressor PWA, and Acquisition Processor PWA), and a Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU). The CSMU, painted international orange with two reflective stripes, contains solid-state flash memory for recording. An Underwater Locator Device (ULD), also serving as a carrying handle, is mounted horizontally on the front of the CSMU and has a battery with an expected life of over six years, meeting FAA TSO–C121 requirements.
The CVR simultaneously records four separate channels of cockpit audio, converts the audio to a digital format, and stores the data in the solid-state memory. The four cockpit audio inputs are:
- Channel 1: Cockpit Spare Audio Input (for a 3rd Crew Member or Public Address System)
- Channel 2: Co-Pilot's Audio (Boom, Mask, and Hand-Held Microphone Input)
- Channel 3: Pilot's Audio (Boom, Mask, and Hand-Held Microphone Input)
- Channel 4: Cockpit Area Microphone (CAM) Input
The FA2100CVR can record Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) via an ARINC 429 GMT input and rotor speed data via a dedicated Rotor Speed input. In ARINC 757 installations, a CVR Fault Line provides continuous status of FA2100CVR operation, connectable to an annunciator or an aircraft central maintenance computer. At start-up, the CVR initiates a Built-in-Test (BIT) and continuously monitors itself for fault conditions.
Important Technical Specifications:
Recorder Part Numbers:
- 2100-1010-00
- 2100-1020-00
- 2100-1020-02
- 2100-1020-90
- 2100-1025-02
- 2100-1025-12
- 2100-1025-22
- 2100-1025-24
- 2100-1026-02
- 2100-1027-02
Control Unit Model Numbers:
- S151, S152, S251, A151B
- S161, S162, S261, A152B
Microphone Preamplifier Module Model Numbers:
Remote Microphone Model Numbers:
Recording Configurations:
- Part Number 2100–1010–(): Records a minimum of 30 minutes of high-quality audio.
- Part Numbers 2100–1025/26/27–() and 2100–1020–() MOD-DOT #7: Records a minimum of 120 minutes of high-quality audio.
- Part Number 2100–1020–() pre MOD-DOT #7: Records a fifth internal audio stream (30 minutes HQ, 120 minutes standard quality) combining Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Public Address or Third Crew Member audio inputs. Also records a sixth audio stream (120 minutes standard quality) from the Cockpit Area Microphone (CAM).
- Part Numbers 2100–1025/26/27–() and 2100–1020–() MOD-DOT #7: Records a minimum of 120 minutes of high-quality recording on all four audio channels.
- 2100-1025-XX and 2100–1026-XX configurations: Include Onboard Maintenance System (OMS) and Data Link.
- 2100-1025–22/24 and 2100-1026/27-02 configurations: Include OMS and Data Link with RIPS monitoring status.
Weight: All listed FA2100CVR models weigh 10.0 lbs. (± 0.5 lbs.).
Onboard Maintenance System (OMS) Interface:
- 2100-1025-( ), 2100–1026/27–02 CVR: Includes ARINC 429 high-speed OMS output (Pins 50/51) and low-speed OMS input (Pins 39/40) supporting a comprehensive OMS input/output protocol.
- OMS Output Words (Label 350 Status Word):
- Label 350 (CVR Status Word): BNR format, 1s rate.
- Label 354 (LRU identification P/N and S/N): ISO 5 format, 0.5s rate.
- Label 377 (ARINC 429 equipment identification): BCD format, 1s rate.
- RIPS Status Monitoring (for 2100-1025-22/24 and 2100-1026/27-02): Monitors an attached Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) via CVR input pins (10, 29, 38, 42) and includes its status in OMS output reporting.
The CVR supports data link input and encapsulation, a data link heartbeat, Williamsburg Bit-Oriented Protocol Version Support, data link memory capacity, and data link retrieval.
Usage Features:
- Installation: Requires careful attention to wiring, especially for ARINC 757A type CVRs, to prevent damage due to different power pin configurations and mating keys.
- Preflight Functional Check: A quick check to ensure basic CVR functionality.
- Complete Audio System Check: A more thorough check of the audio recording system.
- Flight Checkout Procedure: Steps to verify CVR operation during flight.
- Push-to-Test Function: This commanded BITE (Built-In Test Equipment) is the only test for CVR audio input circuits. It generates a test tone and injects it into each of the four audio input channels. A CVR fault is asserted if the tone amplitude or frequency is not correctly detected. Faults are reported via Label 350 output Bit 11, the CVR Fault Status discrete output, and the Push-to-Test results. Muting of the CVR Monitor Audio output (Pins 5/6) also indicates failures.
- Fault Reporting: The CVR provides continuous status of its operation. Faults are reported through the OMS interface (Label 350 Status Word), discrete outputs (CVR Fault, DataLink Fault, Test Good Indicator), and the Push-to-Test function.
- RIPS Monitoring: For specific models, the CVR monitors the status of an attached RIPS, reporting its fault, maintenance, active, and presence status. The CVR ensures RIPS provides backup power upon power interruption, with expected hold-up times of 5 or 9 minutes depending on prior power duration.
Maintenance Features:
- Data Download: Previously recorded information cannot be read from the Model FA2100CVR while installed in the aircraft. Data can be downloaded using a Portable Interface (PI), Part Number 17TES0043, and a customer-fabricated cable to provide power to the CVR's main connector. A specific cable, P/N: 17TES0078, is used for data download.
- Underwater Locator Device (ULD) Testing: An Ultrasonic Test Set (ULD Tester), Part Number 15977, is available for functional testing of the ULD.
- Documentation: Comprehensive manuals are provided, including:
- Portable Interface Operator's Manual (165E1630–00)
- Cockpit Voice Recorder System Test Panel Manual (9300A860)
- Component Maintenance Manual, Cockpit Voice Recorder, Model FA2100CVR, ATA 23-70-04 (165E1689-00)
- Component Maintenance Manual, ED-56A Control Units & Microphones, ATA 23-70-05 (165E1747-00)
- FA2100CVR Audio & Data Link Player Software Operator's Manual (165E3596–00)
- Installation & Operation Instruction Manual for Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) (165E4900–00)
- Product Support: L-3 Communications, Aviation Recorders, provides product support, authorized repair facilities, and a loaner/rental program.
- Date Sensitive Information: The manual contains date-sensitive information, and users are advised to verify the latest revision level at http://www.L-3ar.net.
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