Classic Aeronautical from Stratos
Voice Communications
Via the Stratos Aero H, H+, I, mini-M and Iridium platforms, Stratos provides aeronautical voice solutions. Stratos’ Aero H voice services were the first aeronautical based Inmarsat voice services, providing technical innovation and making it possible to talk to anyone, from anywhere. Crisp and clear voice communications are now a reality - for both passengers and crew, from both cabin and cockpit and even from ground up.
- Air-to-ground voice: Passengers and crew can direct-dial calls to over 220 countries worldwide, with operator-assisted calls to connect to locations with limited telephone networks. Flight and cabin crew calls can be made to pre-determined numbers, e.g. an airlines operations center, via short code dialing, encoded at the Stratos Ground Earth Stations.
- Ground-to-air voice: Calls from terrestrial telephones can be made to the cockpit of an aircraft anywhere in the world using a number determined by aircraft location. Pin numbers provide service security. If required, access can be prioritized and pre-emption established, with calls restricted to airline and CAA personnel.
Data Communications
Via the Aero data platform, Stratos offers leading-edge data services:
- Data-2: Stratos’ Data-2 service launched in 1990 now supports a wide range of Air Traffic Management services. Providing access and support to services such as FANS and aircraft operational management, data services form the backbone of the aeronautical classical service.
- Data-3: Stratos’ legacy classic aeronautical aero service was the first satellite consortium to successfully test Data-3 message transmissions. Data-3 message transmission allows simultaneous virtual circuits between the aircraft and the Ground Earth Station, enabling a number of different services to be set up. All GES’s are commissioned for both Data-2 and Data-3. Aircraft can use both services simultaneously with no degradation of service quality.
Aero H
Best suited for commercial airlines, government and larger business aircraft, Aero H meets the needs of aircraft operators who require telephony, fax and data communications for passengers and crew. This service provides simultaneous, two-way digital voice at 9.6 kbps, fax at 4.8 kbps and real-time data at 2.4 kbps. Aero H also offers cockpit data at speeds up to 10.5 kbps.
Aero H equipment operates in the Inmarsat global beams and is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization/Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO/SARPS). Aero H uses high-gain antennas that are available in various designs, including steerable top or side mounted phased arrays and tail mounted mechanical arrays. Each antenna design has unique characteristics, and the choice of equipment depends on the aircraft type.
Aero H+
Aero H+ offers the same basic services as Aero H, but operates at lower data rates, for greater efficiency and cost-savings. Aero H+ service provides voice at 4.8 kbps, fax at 2.4 kbps and real-time PC modem based data at 2.4 kbps. In addition, Aero H+ offers cockpit data at speeds up to 1.2 kbps and is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization/Standards and Recommended practises (ICAO/SARPS). Aero H+ uses Aero H antennas operating in the Inmarsat global and spot beams.
Aero I
Aero I service provides aircraft with simultaneous, two-way digital voice and fax capabilities at speeds equivalent to those offered by the Aero H+ service. Capabilities include digital voice at 4.8 kbps, fax at 2.4 kbps, real-time data at 2.4 kbps and cockpit data at up to 1.2 kbps. Aero I is used for communications in narrow-bodied commercial, business and government aircraft and is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization/Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO/SARPS).
Aero I uses smaller, less-expensive satellite communications equipment and antennas. Aero I is designed to meet the regional needs of short to medium-haul aircraft operators. Aero I voice, fax and data services operate in the Inmarsat spot beams, while packet data transmissions use global beams. Aero I is ICAO/SARPS compliant.
Aero L
The Aero L service operates in the Inmarsat global beams and provides aircraft with real-time, low-speed, two-way data communications capability. Aero L is a packet data service designed primarily for aircraft operators who require a highly reliable data communications capability. Using a packet data link at speeds up to 1.2 kbps, Aero L is International Civil Aviation Organization/Standard and Practices (ICAO/SARPS) compliant and is an essential service for commercial airline customers who require a backup communications system for transmitting cockpit data or for real-time flight monitoring in critical operational environments. Aero L uses a small low-gain antenna.
Aero C
Aero C is a cost effective messaging and data reporting service, providing aircraft with store-and-forward satellite communications. Terminals are small, lightweight, and are capable of both PC data and Internet connectivity. This service is ideally suited for business and private aircraft and helicopters operating on a regional basis (particularly in remote regions) that do not need full telephony and real-time data capability.
Aero mini-M
A low-cost alternative to Aero I, Aero mini-M supports 4.8 kbps voice, 2.4 kbps fax and 2.4 kbps data service using a small, lightweight satellite communications terminal. Aero mini-M operates in the Inmarsat spot beams and is ideal for smaller business aircraft. Aero mini-M is not compliant with ICAO/SARPS.
Stratos also provides a mini-M type service using the EMS Swift64 terminals when using Swift64.
