ARINC SPECIFICATION 629P1-5-1999 PDF

Full title and description

St ARINC SPECIFICATION 629P1-5-1999 — Multi‑Transmitter Data Bus, Part 1: Technical Description. Defines the technical description and implementation characteristics for the ARINC 629 multi‑transmitter avionics data bus used for intra‑ and inter‑system digital data transfer in aircraft avionics architectures.

Abstract

ARINC 629P1-5:1999 specifies the physical, media‑access and logical link control characteristics of a multi‑transmitter, bidirectional avionics data bus intended to provide efficient, universal data distribution between Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and subsystems. It covers physical layer options (current‑mode cable and fiber‑optic implementations), the media access control sublayer (including Basic Protocol BP and Combined Mode Protocol CP), non‑OSI transfer methods, timing and waveform templates, coupler and stub interfaces, and a set of attachments describing detailed LRU/SIM and PROM structures.

General information

• Status: Published and in common use as the ARINC 629 Part 1 technical description (published edition 1999).
• Publication date: March 1999 (commonly listed as March 1, 1999 in vendor and standards listings).
• Publisher: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) / Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (issued via ARINC distribution channels).
• ICS / categories: Avionics; aircraft electrical and electronic systems; data buses and communications for air and space vehicles (application category: avionics data‑bus standards).
• Edition / version: ARINC 629P1-5: 1999 (Part 1 — Technical Description).
• Number of pages: 184 pages (typical published PDF/hardcopy length reported by standards distributors).

Scope

The specification defines the characteristics required to interface equipment to a general‑purpose multi‑transmitter data bus for universal communication across avionics subsystems. It applies to bus design, physical media and connectors, timing and waveform parameters, media access control policies (including arbitration and access scheduling), logical link control functions, LRU/SIM interfaces, installation/grounding practices and test/verification guidance for integrating ARINC‑629 bus segments into aircraft systems. The scope also includes detailed attachments describing PROM structures, signal templates and coupler/SIM interfaces.

Key topics and requirements

• Physical layer definitions for current‑mode copper and fiber‑optic implementations, including signal templates, characteristic impedances and cable requirements.
• Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer: Basic Protocol (BP) and Combined Mode Protocol (CP) operation, arbitration and bus activity timing.
• Non‑OSI data transfer mechanisms and Logical Link Control (LLC) behaviors for message formatting, addressing and error handling.
• LRU/Subsystem interface definitions (SIM — Serial Interface Module) and coupler requirements, including grounding, shielding and stub connections.
• Detailed attachments describing PROM structures (XPP/RPP), address generation, waveform templates, timing diagrams and receive/transmit control structures.
• Installation guidance, failure‑mode considerations and test/verification recommendations to support reliable, certified avionics integration.

Typical use and users

Primary users include aircraft OEMs (systems and wiring harness engineers), avionics equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, certification engineers, maintenance and test laboratories, and airlines implementing or maintaining avionics networks. The standard is used to design LRUs, couplers, SIMs and bus cabling; to write interface control documents (ICDs); and to develop test procedures and integration plans for aircraft data networks.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include other ARINC specifications (for example ARINC 629 Part 2 — Applications Guide), ARINC 429 (legacy point‑to‑point avionics bus), ARINC 664 / AFDX (Ethernet‑based aircraft networks), MIL‑STD‑1553 (military databus), and environmental/qualification standards such as DO‑160 for equipment environmental testing. The 1999 Part 1 Technical Description superseded earlier ARINC 629:90 Supplement 5 listings.

Keywords

ARINC 629, multi‑transmitter data bus, avionics data bus, MAC sublayer, physical layer, fiber‑optic bus, current‑mode cable, SIM, coupler, XPP, RPP, LRU interface, timing templates, message format.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ARINC 629P1-5:1999 is the Part 1 technical description for the ARINC 629 multi‑transmitter avionics data bus; it defines the technical characteristics needed to implement and interface equipment to the ARINC 629 bus.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the physical layer (cable and fiber options and signal templates), media access control protocols (BP and CP), logical link control/data transfer rules, LRU/SIM interfaces, timing and waveform requirements, PROM structures, and installation and test guidance for integrating ARINC 629 networks into aircraft.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Aircraft OEM engineers, avionics hardware designers, systems integrators, test and certification teams, and maintenance/test organizations use the standard for design, integration, verification and troubleshooting of ARINC 629 bus segments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ARINC 629P1-5:1999 was published in March 1999 and replaced earlier ARINC 629:1990 Supplement 5 entries; vendor and standards listings continue to reference the 1999 Part 1 technical description as the authoritative Part 1 edition. For program‑specific projects verify whether a later revision or company‑specific supplement applies.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ARINC 629 is published as multiple parts: Part 1 (technical description), Part 2 (applications guide) and related attachments/supplements. Implementers normally use Part 1 together with Part 2 (applications) and any program‑specific interface control documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ARINC 629, multi‑transmitter, data bus, MAC, physical layer, fiber‑optic bus, current‑mode cable, SIM, coupler, LRU interface, timing templates, XPP/RPP.