Fully Supports ADS-B Services
Support for ADS-B in such areas as
Australia and Alaska may be somewhat sketchy at the moment... but
the technology to support it is moving right along. Garmin
International Inc. told ANN Friday about some exciting new options
for its GDL 90 ADS-B transceiver, which allow the unit to now send
ADS-B and TIS-B traffic files to Garmin 400 and 500 series
navigators -- including the WAAS approved GNS 480 and the popular
GPSMAP 396.
Incorporating Garmin's new 2.1 software, the new Garmin GMX 200 multifunction
display (below) also supports all ADS-B traffic and
weather broadcast services. Garmin says the GDL 90 is the first
Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) certified to TSO C154, and that
it supports a wide array of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent
Broadcast-Services) broadband services.
The unit is designed to be remotely-mounted in the aircraft and
transfers graphical and textual weather information, TIS-B and
ADS-B proximate traffic targets and TFRs to a cockpit display for
rendering. The initial releases of software for the GDL 90 were
version 1.1 and 2.0 which are only compatible with the Garmin MX 20
multi-function display.
"With the recent decisions to expand ADS-B infrastructure, our
customers have been requesting additional display options for the
GDL 90," commented Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of
marketing. "Garmin owners of the GNS 400 and 500 series, the GMX
200, and the portable GPSMAP 396 (below) will all benefit from the
increased situational awareness that is derived by interfacing
these products to the GDL 90."
The GDL 90 sends the eight closest targets to the Garmin GNS 400
and 500 navigators via the ARINC 429 traffic interface protocol.
Eight targets are sent to the GPSMAP 396 via serial
communications.
By outputting ADS-B and TIS-B targets using the ARINC 429
traffic protocol, the GDL 90 broadens the traffic display options
within Garmin's product line, and allows traffic to be displayed on
other 429 compatible displays. The ARINC 429 traffic interface from
the GDL 90 is similar to interfaces available on other TAS and TCAD
systems including Mode S transponders with TIS service like
Garmin's GTX 330. Pilots operating in ADS-B coverage areas with
429-compatible traffic displays can now interface to the GDL
90.
Garmin recently received FAA approval for version 2.1. All new
orders for the GDL 90 will be delivered with version 2.1.
The GDL 90 has an MSRP of $7,995, and includes top-and
bottom-mount datalink antenna, a WAAS GPS antenna and installation
kit.