[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9439-9440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Universal Access Transceiver Equipment

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and requests for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of, and requests 
comments on, proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C154a, Universal 
Access Transceiver (UAT) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast 
(ADS-B) Equipment Operating on the Frequency of 978 MHz. In this TSO, 
we (the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA) refer to a revised 
minimum performance standard (MPS)--RTCA Inc., Document (RTCA/DO)-282A, 
Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Universal Access 
Transceiver (UAT) Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), 
dated July 29, 2004. We also add Appendix 1, which lists corrections to 
RTCA/DO-282A since its date of issuance. The TSO also supports an 
optional frequency Diplexer. The Diplexer allows the ATCRBS/Mode S 
Transponder and the UAT equipment developed under this TSO to share 
antennas. This TSO is for manufacturers of Universal Access Transceiver 
ADS-B equipment or UAT Diplexer seeking a TSO authorization or letter 
of design approval. In it, we tell them what MPS their UAT equipment 
must meet for approval and identification with the TSO-C154a marking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on this proposed TSO to: Ms. Bobbie Smith, 
AIR-103, ATTN: File No. TSO-C154a, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Room 
815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. You may 
deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Room 815, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Jennings, AIR-130, Federal

[[Page 9440]]

Aviation Administration, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 
30349. Telephone (770) 703-6090, fax (770) 703-6055. E-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Submit written data, views, or arguments on the proposed TSO to the 
above address. Before and after the comment closing date, you can 
examine comments received in Room 815, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB-
10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays 
except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Before issuing 
the final TSO, the director of the Aircraft Certification Service will 
consider all comments received on or before the closing date for 
comments.

Background

    This proposed TSO prescribes the minimum standards for airborne 
equipment. It supports ADS-B using UAT equipment operating on the 
frequency of 978 MHz. ADS-B is a system by which aircraft and certain 
equipped surface vehicles can share position, velocity, and other 
information with one another (and with ground-based facilities such as 
air traffic services) via radio broadcast techniques. UAT is a 
multipurpose aeronautical datalink system to support not only ADS-B, 
but also Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B), Traffic 
Information Service-Broadcast (TIS-B), and supplementary ranging and 
positioning capabilities. This TSO supports two major classes of UAT 
equipment: Class A and Class B equipment. Class A equipment combines a 
broadcast and receive subsystem. Class B equipment supports broadcast 
only.

How To Obtain Copies

    You can download a copy of proposed TSO-C154a from the FAA Web site 
at: http://www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. At the Web page, select ``Technical 
Standard Orders (TSO) and Index.'' At the TSO page, select ``Proposed 
TSOs.'' For a paper copy of the proposed TSO, or for further 
assistance, contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 17, 2005.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-3609 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M