Features Include Voice Recognition, 3D Sound, Advanced Auto
Squelch
Garmin has rolled out its new GMA 350 and GMA 350H audio panels.
Designed for fixed wing and rotorcraft, respectively, the GMA 350
and 350H have industry-first features like voice recognition, 3D
spatial audio processing, advanced auto squelch, and ambient noise
based volume adjustment so that pilots’ workload is decreased
while increasing their situational awareness.
“As the GA industry’s first truly all digital audio
panels, we’re able to provide pilots many capabilities that
have never been available in the cockpit,” said Gary Kelley,
Garmin’s vice president of marketing. “And the
expandable architecture means we’ve laid the groundwork so
that pilots will likely see new capabilities added via software
updates, rather than hardware updates that are often times cost
prohibitive.”
GMA 350 Audio Panel
The GMA 350 is a digital audio panel with marker beacon that has
a new, patented voice recognition feature so that pilots can use
their voice to control certain aspects of the audio system. For
example, pilots can select COM 1 or COM 2 by simply stating
“COM 1” or “COM 2,” rather than pressing a
key. Voice based commands can be used to control most aspects of
the audio panel that would normally be done with a button or
knob.
The GMA 350 also includes 3D spatial processing or “3D
Audio,” which mimics the way people process sounds and
conversations. Humans have the ability to focus their listening
attention on a single talker among a mixture of other conversations
and background noises, ignoring other conversations. Garmin has
leveraged this ability by simulating 3D sound with stereo headsets.
For example, if the pilot is monitoring air traffic control on one
radio and the weather, such as ATIS, on another radio, the GMA 350
will separate the two conversations by placing air traffic control
towards the pilot’s left and the weather towards the
pilot’s right. This enhances the pilots’ ability to
understand one or both conversations that are happening
simultaneously.
Another new feature of the GMA 350 is “blue-select
mode” that makes entertainment audio distribution independent
so that pilots can distribute audio for passengers and crew
appropriately.
Having the ability to control volumes, muting and entertainment
audio distribution, makes this panel ideal for audio aficionados.
Pilots can connect up to two dedicated music sources and a
telephone to the rear connector. The pilot can over-ride the rear
telephone input at any time by plugging-in a device (e.g. MP3
player or mobile phone) into the 3.5 mm front jack. Entertainment
audio volume can then be controlled by turning the
volume/squelch knob and using the volume bar display.
Garmin GMA 350 Audio Panel Typical Installation
Mockup
Cursor control and the volume indicator bar allow the pilot to
visually adjust volume for marker, AUX, TEL, music, speaker and the
intercom. controlling volume is easy and intuitive. Muting modes,
such as muting passengers on COM reception, can be enabled/disabled
by pressing and holding keys or by voice command. The GMA 350 can
optionally advise the pilot of the current mode. Passengers can
also toggle their intercom isolation tate, so that passengers no
longer need to tap the pilot on the shoulder before they can talk
with the pilot on the intercom.
In addition to the new features, the GMA 350 includes
capabilities such as pilot, copilot and 4 or 5 passenger stereo
intercom system; support for two stereo music inputs; and a front
panel jack music input. It has dual COM, NAV and AUX audio inputs.
In addition, five unswitched audio alert inputs are provided for
connection to external warning tones. Also included is a clearance
recorder that supports playback of the MIC selected COM.
Pin-compatible with Garmin’s GMA 340 and many
competitors’ audio panels, it is easy to upgrade to a GMA 350
or GMA 350H. The GMA 350H has the same core features as the GMA
350, but it also has three COM support, night vision compatible
green annunciation and backlighting, and new split-COM modes (1/3
and 2/3).
The GMA 350 and GMA 350H are expected to be available in the
second quarter of 2011 for an expected retail price of $2395 and
$2695 respectively.