ARINC CHARACTERISTIC 743A-5-2009 PDF

Full title and description

St ARINC CHARACTERISTIC 743A-5-2009 — ARINC Characteristic 743A-5:2009, "GNSS Sensor". This characteristic defines the functional, electrical and environmental characteristics of an integrated GNSS sensor (GPS/GLONASS) intended for installation in commercial transport aircraft to provide position, timing and navigation data to flight crews and other aircraft systems.

Abstract

Describes the characteristics of the integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) / Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) sensor unit (GNSSU) portion of a GNSS system intended for installation in commercial aircraft. The document gives design guidance to ensure interchangeability, defines standardized signalling and interfaces (including ARINC 429 I/O and discrete signals), power, environmental conditions, antenna characteristics, timing/Time Mark, and predictive RAIM capability.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (replaced by ARINC 743A-6:2018).
• Publication date: May 29, 2009 (ARINC 743A-5 edition 2009).
• Publisher: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) / SAE-ITC (ARINC industry activities).
• ICS / categories: Typically catalogued under aerospace/avionics on-board equipment classifications (examples: ICS 49.090 On‑board equipment and instruments; related GNSS/space systems codes such as ICS 49.140 may also apply depending on cataloguing).
• Edition / version: 743A-5 (2009).
• Number of pages: Approximately 195 pages (ARINC 743A-5:2009).

Scope

Provides the interchangeability standard and detailed sensor requirements for a GNSS sensor unit (GNSSU) used in transport-category aircraft. The scope covers system-level operational characteristics, required signalling and wiring, ARINC 429 data definitions, discrete inputs/outputs, power and environmental requirements, antenna and preamplifier interfaces, interference/EMC environments, timing/Time Mark, loss-of-signal behavior and mode transitions, plus appendices on differential corrections, SBAS/GBAS interfaces and predictive RAIM. The intent is to enable manufacturers and integrators to design equipment that meets airline installation and certification expectations.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of GNSS sensor functional and operational capability (GPS/GLONASS).
• Interchangeability and standard interwiring (ARINC 429 signalling, discrete definitions, SSM definitions).
• Power circuitry and installation provisions (MCU sizing / rack units).
• Environmental and EMC/EMI test categories and limits for airborne operation.
• Antenna footprints, ground plane requirements and antenna/preamp/filter rejection specifications.
• SBAS/GBAS interfaces, differential corrections and Time Mark/timing requirements.
• Predictive RAIM capability and guidance for integrity monitoring (appendix-level material).
• Mode transition behavior and failure/signal-loss handling for navigation source switching.

Typical use and users

Used by avionics OEMs, GNSS receiver manufacturers, aircraft systems integrators, certification and test engineers, airlines and MRO organizations, and STC developers when designing, qualifying or installing GNSS sensor equipment and interfaces for transport-category aircraft. The ARINC 743A series is also referenced by equipment listings and product specifications for certified GNSS sensors and ADS‑B/position-source equipment.

Related standards

Closely related and often referenced documents include other ARINC 743 series characteristics (743, 743A revisions, 743B, 743C and the later 743A-6:2018), RTCA/DO standards for GNSS and SBAS (for example RTCA DO-229 family), and ARINC architecture/avionics standards (e.g., ARINC 429 signalling definitions, ARINC 660 series architecture guidance). For the current edition and successor work see ARINC 743A-6:2018 (GNSS Sensor).

Keywords

ARINC 743A-5, GNSS Sensor, GPS, GLONASS, ARINC 429, avionics, position source, SBAS, RAIM, Time Mark, antenna footprint, interchangeability, aircraft navigation sensor.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ARINC Characteristic 743A-5:2009 is the ARINC characteristic that specifies the requirements for an integrated GNSS sensor unit (GPS/GLONASS) intended for commercial aircraft installations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers functional, electrical, environmental and interface requirements for GNSS sensors — including ARINC 429 data definitions, discrete I/O, power, antenna interfaces, interference/EMC limits, timing/Time Mark and integrity topics such as predictive RAIM.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics manufacturers, GNSS receiver vendors, aircraft integrators, certification engineers, airlines, MROs and bodies preparing STCs or equipment installation documentation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ARINC 743A-5:2009 has been withdrawn/superseded; the ARINC 743A series was updated and the successor edition is ARINC 743A-6:2018 (the 743A-6 edition is the current ARINC 743A GNSS Sensor document in published catalogs).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ARINC 743 family (ARINC 743, 743A, 743B, 743C, etc.), a set of characteristics that define GPS/GNSS and GNSS-landing sensor units and related interfaces for airborne equipment.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GNSS sensor, ARINC 743A-5, GPS, GLONASS, ARINC 429, SBAS/GBAS, RAIM, Time Mark, antenna footprint, interchangeability.