New Offering Delivers Reliable Voice And Data Communications Over Iridium Network

ICG has concluded an agreement to provide Rockwell Collins a version of the ICG NxtLink Iridium communications systems for Air Transport customers. Rockwell Collins is marketing the devices as the IRT 2110 (Dual Channel) and IRT 2120 (Tri Channel) Iridium systems. The units are currently available for delivery.

"We are extremely pleased to have entered into this agreement with Rockwell Collins," noted Armin Jabs, ICG's President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), who also oversees the company's Private Label and New Market Development business activities. "This arrangement allows Rockwell Collins to provide a comprehensive Iridium based flight deck communications solution, with features tailored to their specific customer needs," he added.

"We've worked closely with ICG to develop the specifications, requirements and configuration of these units," said Steve Timm, Vice President and General Manager of Information Management at Rockwell Collins. "The IRT 2110 and IRT 2120 are designed to meet our air transport customers' requirements, and manufactured to Rockwell Collin's uncompromising standards. Adding an Iridium communications solution to our products portfolio further enhances our ability to offer airlines a comprehensive communications suite."
 
The Iridium system presents an immediate and cost-effective near term solution to provide seamless voice and Datalink flight deck communications for virtually any size airframe including regional jets. Industry analysis has shown that the equipage costs can be recovered quickly through fuel savings as a result of increased efficiencies, and in some recent cases, the ability to communicate with Flight Ops has eliminated the need for expensive turn-backs or diversions.

"In addition to the Rockwell Collins HF radio, HF Datalink and Inmarsat Sat-coms, the IRT devices help us to round out the communications portfolio that Rockwell Collins can provide to a customer, depending on their operational requirements," Timm pointed out.

The IRT-2110 device incorporates a single Iridium transceiver (LBT) and a Short Burst Data (SBD) modem and provides connections to customary and standard flight deck voice and data systems. The IRT 2120 is a three-transceiver device, which combines dual LBTs providing two channels of global voice with an SBD modem dedicated to DataLink services. Both systems support Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) as well as Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) requirements.

Both devices also operate with the external CIM (Configuration Identification Module) which contains the Iridium SIM cards as well as the system configuration information. Keeping the SIMS and configuration storage with the aircraft at all times, make the IRT 2110 and IRT 2120 devices true line replaceable units (LRUs) and removes the requirement to update various databases and number of reassignments in the event of an LRU change-out.

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com