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AlliedSignal
Glossary of
Avionics Terms
& Acronyms
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The AlliedSignal
Glossary of Avionics
Terms & Acronyms
A Handy Compendium of Terms and Acronyms
Associated with the Avionics Industry
The AlliedSignal Glossary of Avionics Terms & Acronyms 1

AVIONICS GLOSSARY
CONTENTS OF GLOSSARY
A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
B . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
C . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
D . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
G . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
H . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
K . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 W . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 X-Z. . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
2 The AlliedSignal Glossary of Avionics Terms & Acronyms

A
3D, 4D Three or four dimension
4096 Code The octal base, four-digit code used between framing
pulses of a reply to identify the aircraft or for general
use and emergency codes (XPD).
A300 Airbus Industrie Model 300 Aircraft
AAAE American Association of Airport Executives
AAC Aeronautical Administrative Communications
AAL (1) American Airlines
(2) Above Aerodome Level
AAMP Advanced Architecture Micro-Processor
AAS Advanced Automation System
AAT FAA Air Traffic Control Service
AATT Advanced Air Transportation Technology (NASA
Program)
A/B Autobrake
A-BPSK Aeronautical Binary Phase Shift Keying
ABRV Abbreviation
ABS Absolute
Absolute The altitude of the aircraft above the terrain.
Altitude Also known as AGL (above ground level).
AC (1) Advisory Circular
(2) Alternating Current
A/C Aircraft
ACAC Air-Cooled Air Cooler

ACARS Airborne Communications Addressing and Reporting
System
ACAS Airborne Collision Avoidance System
ACC Active Clearance Control
ACCC Area Control Computer Complex
Acclrm Accelerometer
ACE (1) The control character meaning technical
acknowledge
(2) Actuator Control Electronics
(3) Advanced Certification Equipment
ACI Airports Council International
ACI-NA Airports Council International-North America
ACIPS Airfoil and Cowl Ice Protection System
ACK The control character meaning technical acknowledg-
ment of an uplink,used in an ACARS system
ACM Air Cycle Machine
ACMF Airplane Condition Monitoring Function
ACMP Alternating Current Motor Pump
ACMS Aircraft Condition Monitoring System
ACNSS Advanced Communication/Navigation/Surveillance
System
ACP Audio Control Panel
ACR Avionics Computer Resource
ACS Active Control System
ACU (1) Apron Control Unit
(2) Autopilot Control Unit
(3) Antenna Control Unit
A/D Analog-To-Digital
ADA Computer Programming Language
ADC Air Data Computer
ADF Automatic Direction Finder

ADI Attitude Direction Indicator
ADIRS Air Data Inertial Reference System
ADIRU Air Data Inertial Reference Unit
ADLP Aircraft Data Link Processor
ADM Air Data Module
ADMS Airline Data Management System
ADP Air Driven Pump
ADRAS Airplane Data Recovery and Analysis System
ADS (1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance
(2) Air Data System
ADSB Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast
ADSEL Address Selective. A SSR system electronic-ally
arranged to address each transponder selectively.
Only a particular transponder will respond,thus
avoiding garbling. ADSEL uses a monopulse tech-
nique to provide more accurate bearing measure-
ment. ADSEL is compatible with DABS. (Refer to
Mode S transponders.)
ADSP Automatic Dependent Surveillance Panel
ADSU (1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance Unit
(2) Automatic Dependent Surveillance System
AECU Audio Electronic Control Unit
AED Algol Extended for Design
AEEC Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee
AEP Audio Entertainment Player
AERA Automated En Route traffic control
AES Aircraft Earth Station
AFC (1) Automatic Frequency Compensation
(2) Automatic Frequency Control
AFCAS Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System
AFCEA Armed Forces Communications & Electronics
Association

AFCS Automatic Flight Control System
AFD Adaptive Flight Display
AFDC Autopilot Flight Director Computer
AFDS Autopilot Flight Director System
AFEPS ACARS Front End Processing System
AFIS (1) Automatic Flight Information Service
(2) Airborne Flight Information System
AFS Aeronautical Fixed Service
AFSK Audio Frequency Shift Keying
A/G Air-Ground
AGACS Automatic Ground-Air Communication System (also
known as ATCSS,or DATA LINK)
AGARS Advanced General Aviation Research Simulator
AGC Automatic Gain Control. AGC is used to maintain the
output level of the receiver.
AGL Above Ground Level
AGS Air/Ground System
AHOE Air/Oil Heat Exchanger
AHRS Attitude Heading Reference System
AI Alternative Interrogator
AID Altered Item Drawing. A drawing that details what
alteration or change is made to an already existing
component. Examples may be shortening the shaft of
a variable resistor, or adding a program to a circuit
card to produce a programmed circuit card.
AIDS Aircraft Integrated Data System
AIEM Airlines International Electronics Meeting
AIL Aileron
AIMS Aircraft Information Management System
AIP Aeronautical Information Publication

AIRCOM Digital air/ground communications services provided
by SITA. A system similar to ACARS.
AIR DATA Those parameters that can be derived from knowl-
edge of the air mass surrounding the aircraft.
Airways The standard ICAO IFR routes
AIS Aeronautical Information Services
AISC Aeronautical Industry Service Communication
AIV Accumulator Isolation Valve
A/L Autoland
ALC Automatic Level Control. A circuit used to maintain
the output of a transmitter regardless of variations in
the attenuation of the system.
ALS Advanced Landing System
ALT (1) Airborne Link Terminal
(2) Altitude
Altitude A continuous return across the display at a range
Ring equivalent to aircraft altitude (WXR).
ALTS Altitude Select
ALU Arithmetic and Logic Unit
AM Amplitude Modulation. A signal where the car rier sig-
nal is varied in amplitude to encode voice or data
information.
AMASS Airport Movement Area Safety System
AMC Avionics Maintenance Conference
AMCP Aeronautical Mobile Communications Panel
AME Amplitude Modulation Equivalent. An AM type signal
that processes the modulated information signal and
carrier frequency separately and then reconstructs
the two signals to make an equivalent AM signal.
AMI Airline Modifiable Information
AMLCD Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display
AMOSS Airline Maintenance and Operations Support System

AMP Audio Management Panel
AMPL Amplifier
AMS Apron Management Service
AMS(R)S Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service
AMSS (1) Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service
(2) Aeronautical Mobile Satellite System
AMTOSS Aircraft Maintenance Task Oriented Support System.
An automated data retrieval system.
AMU Audio Management Unit
AMUX Audio Multiplexer
A/N Alphanumeric
Aneroid An evacuated and sealed capsule or bellows which
Capsule expands or contracts in response to changes in
pressure.
ANC Air Navigation Commission
ANP Actual Navigation Performance
ANPRM Advance Notice of Public Rule Making
ANS (1) Area Navigation System
(2) Ambient Noise Sensor
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ANT Antenna
ANTC Advanced Networking Test Center
AOA Angle Of Attack
AOC (1) Airport Operational Communications
(2) Air/Oil Cooler
(3) Aeronautical Operational Control
(4) Airport Obstruction Chart
(5) Aircraft Operational Control
AOCC Airline Operation Control Center
AODC Age of Data,Clock (GPS term)
AODE Age of Data,Ephemeris (GPS term)
AOG Aircraft On Ground

AOHE Air/Oil Heat Exchanger
AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
AOPG Aerodrome Operations Group
AOR Atlantic Ocean Region
A/P Autopilot. A computer commanded system for con-
trolling aircraft control surfaces.
APA Autopilot Amplifier
APALS Autonomous Precision Approach and Landing System
APANGPRIG ICAO Asia/Pacific Air Navigation Planning and
Implementation Regional Group
APB Auxiliary Power Breaker
APC (1) Autopilot Computer
(2) Aeronautical Public Correspondence
APEX IMA Application/Executive Software Interface
APP Approach Control
APPR Approach
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
APUC Auxiliary Power Unit Controller
AQP Avionics Qualification Procedure
A-QPSK Aeronautical Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
AQS Advanced Quality System
ARA FAA Research and Acquisitions
ARES Advanced Railroad Electronics System
ARINC Aeronautical Radio,Inc.
ARF Airline Risk Factor
ARP Air Data Reference Panel
ARS Automated Radar Summary chart. These are hourly
generated charts showing location and intensity of
radar echoes.
ARSR Air Route Surveillance Radar

ART Automatic Reserve Thrust
ARTCC Air-Route Traffic Control Center. Approximately 20
centers cover the air traf fic routes in the United
States using numerous radars and radio communica-
tion sets.
ARTS Automated Terminal Radar System
ASA (1) Autoland Status Annunciator (AFDS)
(2) Aircraft Separation Assurance
ASCPC Air Supply and Cabin Pressure Controllers
ASD Aircraft Situation Display
ASDE Airport Surface Detection Equipment
ASDL Aeronautical Satellite Data Link
ASECNA Agency for the Security of Aerial Navigation in Africa
and Madagascar
ASG ARINC Signal Gateway
ASI Avionics System Integration
ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
ASM (1) Airspace Management
(2) Autothrottle Servo Motor
ASP (1) Altitude Set Panel
(2) Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) Systems Planning
for data interchange
ASPP Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) Systems Planning for
data interchange Panel
A-SMGCS Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control
Systems
ASR Airport Surveillance Radar
ASRS Aviation Safety Reporting System
ASSTC Aerospace Simulation and Systems Test Center
ASSV Alternate Source Selection Valve
ASTA Airport Surface Traffic Automation
A/T Autothrottle

AT (1) Air Traffic
(2) Air Transport
ATA Air Transport Association
ATC Air Traffic Control
ATCA Air Traffic Control Association
ATCC Air Traffic Control Center
ATCRBS Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System
ATCSCC ATC System Command Center
ATCSS Air Traffic Control Signaling System. A system to pro-
vide information between the pilot and air traffic con-
trol using the VHF communications transceiver in
conjunction with data link equipment.
ATCT Airport Traffic Control Tower
ATE Automatic Test Equipment
AT&E Collins Advanced Technology & Engineering
ATFM Air Traffic Flow Management
ATIS (1) Automatic Terminal Information System
(2) Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATLAS Abbreviated Test Language for Avionics Systems
ATM Air Traffic Management
ATN Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
ATNP Aeronautical TelecommunicationsNetwork Panel
ATOMS Air Traffic Operations Management System
ATP (1)Acceptance Test Procedure (Air Transport)
(2) FAA Air Traffic Rules and Procedures Service
ATR Air Transport Racking
ATS (1) Autothrottle System
(2) Air Traffic Services
(3) Air Turbine Starter
ATSC Air Traffic Services Communication
ATSU ATS Unit

ATT Attitude
AUX Auxiliary
AVIC Aviation Industries of China
AVLAN Avionics Local Area Network
AVM Airborne Vibration Monitor
AVOL Aerodrome Visibility Operational Level
AVPAC Aviation VHF Packet Communications
AVR FAA Regulation & Certification
AVSAT Collins Satellite-Based Avionics
AWO All Weather Operations
AWOP All Weather Operations Panel
AWOS Automated Weather Observation System. A system
that gathers surface weather information and trans-
mits the information to the pilot via VOR,Comm Freq,
or telephone lines.
AWPG All Weather Planning Group
B
B717 Boeing Model 717 Aircraft (formerly the MD-95)
B737 Boeing Model 737 Aircraft
B767ER Boeing Model 767 Extended Range Aircraft
B7x7 Boeing Model 7x7 Aircraft
BA British Airways
Bandwidth The difference between the highest and lowest fre-
quency components of a signal.
BAP Bank Angle Protection
BARO Barometric

Baro-Corrected Pressure altitude-corrected local barometric pressure.
Altitude
BCD Binary Coded Decimal. A coding system in which
each digit from 0 to 9 is represented by a four bit
binary number.
B CRS Back Course
BCS Block Check Sequence. BCS is a cyclic code that is
used as reference bits in an error detection process.
BDI Bearing Distance Indicator
BDS Comm-B Designation Subfield
Beam Width The beam width is the width of the beam as mea-
sured at the half-power points of the radiated signal
(WXR).
Bearing The direction of a point or navigational aid measured
clockwise from a reference through 360°.
BER Bite Error Rate
BFE Buyer Furnished Equipment
BFO Beat Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator that produces
a signal to be mixed with the received frequency to
produce an audible beat note, for the purpose of
decoding the Morse code identifier of an NDB. The
oscillator produces frequencies equal to the sum and
difference of the combined frequencies.
BGI Bus Grant Inhibit. A term used in CAPS transfer bus
processing.
BI Burn-in
Binary Base-2 counting system. Numbers include 0,1.
BIST Built-in Self Test
Bit A binary digit. Smallest data unit in a microprocessor
system.
BIT Built-In-Test
BITE Built-In Test Equipment
BLK (1) Block
(2) Black

BMV Brake Metering Valve
BNR Binary
BOM Bill of Material
BOP Bit Oriented Protocol
Boresighting The process of aligning a directional antenna system.
BP (1) BITE Processor
(2) Bottom Plug
BPCU Bus Power Control Unit
BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
BRG Bearing
BRT Brightness
BSCU Brake System Control Unit
BSU (1) Bypass Switch Unit
(2) Beam Steering Unit
BTB Bus Tie Breaker
BTMU Brake Temperature Monitor Unit
BU Backup
BusAv Business Aviation
Byte A grouping of eight bits.
C
CAA Civil Aviation Authority. A regulatory agency in the
United Kingdom.
CAAC Civil Aviation Administration of China
CAASD Center for Advanced Aviation System
Development(The Mitre Corp.)
C/A Code (1) GPS Course Acquisition Code
(2) Course-Acquisition Code
CAC Caution Advisory Computer
CACP Cabin Area Control Panel

CAD Computer Aided Design
CAE Component Application Engineer
CAGE Commercial Avionics GPS Engine
CAH Cabin Attendant Handsets
CAI Caution Annunciator Indicator
Calibrated Corrected for instrument errors and errors due to
Airspeed position or location of the pressure source. At stan
dard sea level conditions,CAS is equal to true air
speed (TAS).
CALSEL A variation of the SELCAL system in which the SEL-
CAL signal is combined with a special gating tone to
produce an automatic function by the receiver. This
system is only a proposal and not yet implemented.
CAM Computer Aided Manufacturing
CAMI FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute
CAPT Captain
Carrier An ac signal that can be modulated by changing the
amplitude,frequency or pulse of the signal.
CAS (1) Computed Airspeed
(2) Collision Avoidance System
CAT Computer Aided Testing
CAT I Operational performance Category I. An ILS facility
providing operation down to a 60-meter (200 feet)
decision height and with runway visual range not less
than 800 meters (2600 feet) and a high probability of
approach success.
CAT II Operational performance Category II. An ILS facility
providing operation down to a 30-meter (100 feet)
decision height and with runway visual range not less
than 400 meters (1200 feet) and a high probability of
approach success.
CAT III a Operational performance Category III a. An ILS facili-
ty providing operation with no decision height limit
to and along the surface of the runway with external
visual reference during final phase of landing and
with a runway visual range of not less than 200
meters (700 feet).
CAT III b Operational performance Category III b. An ILS facili-
to and along the surface of the runway without
reliance on external visual reference;and subsequent-
ly taxiing with external visual range of not less than
50 meters (150 feet).
CAT III c Operational performance Category III c. An ILS facili-
to and along the surface of the runway and taxiways
without reliance on external visual reference.
CBA Cost Benefit Analysis
C-BAND The frequency range between 4000 and 8000 MHz.
CCB (1) Converter Circuit Breaker
(2) Configuration Control Board
CCD (1) Cursor Control Device
(2) Charged Coupled Device
CCIR International Radio Consultative Committee
CCITT International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative
CCW Counterclockwise
CD Chrominance Difference
CDG Configuration Database Generator
CDI Course Deviation Indicator
CDP Continuous Data Program
CDR Critical Design Review
CDTI Cockpit Display of Traffic Information
CDU Control Display Unit
CEPT Conference Europeene des Postes et
Telecommunications
CF Change Field
CFDIU Central Fault Display Interface Unit
CFDS Centralized Fault Display System
CFIT Controlled Flight Into Terrain

CFMU Central Flow Management Unit
CFS Cabin File Server
CHG Charge
CHI Computer Human Interface
CHIS Center Hydraulic Isolation System
CHOL Collins High Order Language
CI (1) Configuration Item
(2) Cabin Interphone
CIDIN Common ICAO Data Interchange Network
CIDS Cabin Interphone Distribution System
CIE Commission Internationale de I Eclairage
CIP Capital Investment Plan
CLB Climb
CLK Clock
Cloud Water or ice particles having radii smaller than 0.01
Droplets cm
CLR Clear
CMC Central Maintenance Computer
CMCF Central Maintenance Computer Function
CMCS Central Maintenance Computer System
CMD Command
CMM (1) Component Maintenance Manual
(2) Common Mode Monitor. A type of monitor com-
mon to automatic flight control systems.
CMN Control Motion Noise
CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
CMS Cabin Management System
CMU Communications Management Unit
CNDB Customized Navigation Database
CNES Centre national detudes spatiales

C/NO Carrier-to-Noise Density Ratio
CNS Communication,Navigation,Surveillance
CNS/A Communications,Navigation,and
Surveillance/Airborne
CNS/ATM Communications,Navigation,andSurveillance/Air
Traffic Management
Coasted A track that is continued based on previous track
Track characteristics in the absence of surveillance data
reports (TCAS).
CODEC Coder/Decoder
COMAC ICAO’s Communications AdvisoryCommittee
COMM Communications
Compass A low-powered radio beacon,used in conjunction
Locator with ILS. A compass locator has a 2-letter identifica
tion and a range of at least 15 miles.
COMP Compressor
CON Continuous
Cone of An inverted conical shaped area extending vertically
Confusion above a VOR ground facility which is void of the bear
ing signal.
Consolan A low-frequency, keyed,CW, short baseline system
using two antennas to radiate a daisy-shaped pattern
for navigational aid purposes. The frequency range is
in the 300-kHz region. It is in limited use today.
Contour Contour or iso-counter refers to a weather radar dis-
play presentation that blanks the echo returns in the
center of a storm cell. The area blanked out is called
contour and corresponds to the return levels that
exceed a predetermined threshold.
CONUS Contiguous United States
Correction A correction is applied to static source pressure mea
(SSEC) surements to partly or completely correct for pres
sure errors which are caused by airflow changes. It is
computed as a function of Mach and altitude based
on measured errors for a particular static system.

Corrective A resolution advisory that instructs the pilot to devi
Advisory ate from current vertical rate (e.g. DO NOT CLIMB
when the aircraft is climbing). (TCAS)
COTS Commercial Off-The-Shelf
CPA Closest Point of Approach
CPC (1) Cabin Pressure Controller
(2) Cursor Position Control
CPCI Computer Program Configuration Item. A CPCI num-
ber identifies the configuration of a computer soft-
ware program.
CPDLC Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications
CPE Circular Position Error
CPI Continuous Process Improvement
CPM Core Processor Module
CPN Collins Part Number
CPRSR Compressor
CPS Cabin Pressure Sensor
CPU Central Processing Unit
CR (1) Change Request
(2) Contrast Ratio
CRADA Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
CRES Corrosion Resistant Steel
CRC (1) Cyclic Redundancy Code
(2) Cyclic Redundancy Check
CRPA Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna
CRS Course
CRT Cathode Ray Tube
CRZ Cruise
CSC Cargo System Controller
CSCP Cabin System Control Panel
CSDB Commercial Standard Data Bus

CSDS Cargo Smoke Detector System
CSEU Control Systems Electronics Unit
CSMM Crash Survivable Memory Modules
CSMU Cabin System Management Unit
C/SOIT Communications/Surveillance Operational
Implementation Team
CSU Configuration Strapping Unit
CTA (1) Controlled Time of Arrival
(2) Common Traffic Advisory
CTAI Cowl Thermal Anti-Icing
CTAS Center Tracon Automation System
CTC Cabin Temperature Controller
CTL Control
CTMO Centralized Air Traffic Flow Management Organization
CTOL Conventional Take Off and Landing
CTR Control zone
CTRD Configuration Test Requirements Document
CTS Clear To Send
CU Control Unit
CVR Cockpit Voice Recorder
CVRCP Cockpit Voice Recorder Control Panel
CW (1) Continuous Wave. A continuous train of identical
oscillations.
(2) Clockwise (cw)
C&W Control and Warning
CWI Continuous Wave Interference
CWP (1) Controlled Working Position
(2) Controller Working Position
CWS Control Wheel Steering

D
DA Descent Advisor
D/A Digital-to-Analog
DABS Discrete Addressable Beacon System
DADC Digital Air Data Computer
DADS Digital Air Data System
DAL Delta Air Lines
DARC Direct Access Radar Channel. An independent backup
to main ATC computers.
DARP Dynamic Aircraft Route Planning
DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Data Link A system that allows exchange of digital data over an
rf link. ATCSS is a data link system used by the air
traffic control system. ACARS is a data link system
used by airline command,control and management
system,using vhf communication frequencies.
D-ATIS Digital Automatic Terminal Information System
dB Decibel
DBi Decibels referenced to an isotopic antenna
DBi Decibels above isotopic circular
dBm Decibel(s) below 1 milliwatt
DBw Decibels referenced to 1 watt
DBU Data Base Unit
DC Direct Current
DC10 Douglas Model DC-10 Aircraft
DCC Display Channel Complex
DCCR Display Channel Complex Rehost
DCD Double Channel Duplex. A communication system
using two rf channels,one channel for receive and
one channel for transmit operations, for simultaneous
communication.

DCE Data Communications Equipment
DCGF Data Conversion Gateway Function
DCMF Data Communication Management Function
DCMS Data Communication Management System
DCN (1) Drawing Change Notice
(2) Design Change Notice
(3) Document Change Notice
DCP Display Control Panel
DCPC Direct Controller Pilot CommunicationDCS
Double Channel Simplex. A communication system
using two rf channels for non-simultaneous communi-
cation. One channel is disabled while the other chan-
nel is used to transmit.
DCU Data Concentration Unit
DCV Directional Control Valve
DDA Digital Differential Analyzer
DDD Dual Disk Drive
DDM Difference in Depth of Modulation
DDP Declarations of Design and Performance. A control
document required by the United Kingdom Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) for certification of avionics
equipment.
DDS Direct Digital Synthesizer
DDT Downlink Data Transfer
DECCA A navigation system widely used by shipping in
Europe. The ground facilities consist of a master sta-
tion and several slave stations.
Decimal Base-10 counting system. Numbers include 0,1,2,3,
4,5,6,7,8,9.
ded Dedicated
DEFDARS Digital Expandable Flight Data Acquisition And
Recording System
DEFL Deflection

DEG Degree
Demand AN ACARS mode of operation in which communica
Mode tions may be initiated by the ground processor or the
airborne system.
Desensitization TCAS sensitivity level (threat volume) reduction
DEST Destination
DEV Deviation
DFA Direction Finding Antenna
DFCS Digital Flight Control System
DFDAF Digital Flight Data Acquisition Function
DFDAU Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit. The DFDAU sam-
ples,conditions and digitizes the flight data.
DFDR Digital Flight Data Recorder
DFDU Digital Flight Data Unit
DFIDU Dual Function Interactive Display Unit
DFIU Digital Flight Instrument Unit
DFU Digital Function Unit
DFW Dallas Fort Worth Airport
DGNSS Differential Global Navigation Satellite System
DGPS Differential Global Positioning System
DGSS Data-link Ground System Standard
DH (1) Decision Height
(2) Dataflash Header
DI Data Interrupt
DIA Denver International Airport
DIAS DGPS Instrument Approach System
DID Data Item Description
DIP (1) Dual In line Package. The most common package
configuration for integrated circuits.
(2) Data Interrupt Program

DIR Director
Directed A DME operating mode that allows an FMCS to select
Mode one to five DME stations for interrogation.
DISCH Discharge
DITS Data Information Transfer System
DL Data Link
DLC Data Link Control Display Unit
DLGF Data Load Gateway Function
DLM Data Link Management Unit
DLODS Duct Leak and Overheat Detection
DLP Data Link Processor
DLS Data Load System
DLU Download Unit
DMA Direct Memory Access
DME Distance Measuring Equipment. A system that pro-
vides distance information from a ground station to
an aircraft.
DME/N Abbreviation for a DME normal system.
DME/P Abbreviation for a DME precision system.
DMM (1) Digital Multimeter
(2) Data Memory Module
DMS Debris Monitoring Sensor
DMU Data Management Unit
DOC Documentation
DOD Department of Defense
DOP Dilution of Precision
Doppler The change in frequency observed at the receiver
Effect when the transmitter and receiver are in motion rela
tive to each other.
DOT Department of Transportation

DOTS Dynamic Ocean Tracking System
Downlink The radio transmission path downward from the air-
craft to the earth.
DPR Dual Port RAM
DPSK Differential Phase Shift Keying
DRER Designated Radio Engineering Representative (FAA)
Drift Angle The angle between heading and track. It is due to the
effect of wind cur rents. Sometimes called the crab
angle.
DRMS Distance Root Mean Square
DRN Document Release Notice
DSARC Defense System Acquisition Review Cycle
DSB Double Side Band. An AM signal with the carrier
removed. Requires the same bandwidth as the AM
signal.
DSDU Data Signal Display Unit
DSF Display System Function
DSNS Differential Satellite Navigation System
DSP (1)Display Select Panel
(2)Departure Sequencing Prototype
DSR Display System Replacement
DTD (1) Data Terminal Display
(2) Document Type Definition
DTE Data Terminal Equipment
DT & E Development Test and Evaluation
DTMF Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
DTU Data Transfer Unit
DU Display Unit
Dual Mode An airborne DME rt capable of processing DME/N
DME and DME/P ground station signals.Operation is in the
L-band frequency range.
DUATS Direct User Access Terminal System

Duplex A communication operation that uses the simultane-
ous operation of the transmit and receive equipment
at two locations.
DVM Digital Voltmeter
DX Distance
Dynamic Dynamic Pressure is the dif ference between pitot and
Pressure static pressure.
Dynamic RAM constructed of capacitor elements. Memory
RAM cells must be periodically refreshed to keep capaci
tors from discharging and losing data (see “Static
RAM”).
E
EADI Electronic Attitude Director Indicator
EAI Engine Anti-Ice
EANPG European Air Navigation Planning Group
EAP Engine Alert Processor
EAROM Electrically Alterable ROM
EARTS En route Automated Radar Tracking System
EASIE Enhanced ATM and Mode S Implementation in Europe
EATCHIP European ATC Harmonization and Integration
Program
EATMS European Air Traffic Management System
EC Event Criterion
ECAC European Civil Aviation Conference
ECAM Electronic Caution Alert Module
ECEF Earth-Centered,Earth-Fixed
Echo The portion of the radiated energy reflected back to
the antenna from the target (WXR).
ECL Emitter Coupler Logic
ECMP Electronic Component Management System

ECP EICAS Control Panel
ECS (1) Engineering Compiler System. An automated data
storage system.
(2) Environmental Control System
(3) Event Criterion Subfield
ECSL Left Environmental Control System Card
ECSMC ECS Miscellaneous Card
ECSR Right Environmental Control System Card
ED EICAS Display
EDA Electronic Design Automation
EDAC Error Detection and Correction (used interchangeably
with EDC)
EDC Error Detection and Correction
EDCT Expected Departure Clearance Time
EDI Engine Data Interface
EDIF Engine Data Interface Function
EDIU Engine Data Interface Unit
EDMS Electronic Data Management System
EDP (1) Electronic Data Processing
(2) Engine Driven Pump
(3) Engineering Development Pallet
EDU Electronic Display Unit
EEC Electronic Engine Control
EEPROM Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
EEU ELMS Electronics Unit
EFD Electronic Flight Display
EFIP Electronic Flight Instrument Processor
EFIS Electronic Flight Instrument System
EFIS CP EFIS Control Panel
EGNOS European Geostationary Overlay System

EGT Exhaust Gas Temperature
EHSI Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator
EHV Electro-Hydraulic Valve
EIA Electronic Industries Association
EICAS Engine Indication and Crew Alert System
EIS Engine Indication System
EISA Extended Industry Standard Architecture
EIU EFIS/EICAS Interface Unit
ELAN Ethernet Local Area Network
ELC Emitter Coupled Logic
ELEC Electrical
ELM Extended Length Message
ELMS Electrical Load Management System
ELS Electronic Library System
ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter
EMC (1)Entertainment Multiplexer Controller
(2)Electro Magnetic Capability
EMER Emergency
EMI Electro-Magnetic Interference
EMS Engine Management System
ENG Engine
ENQ Enquire
EOT End-Of-Text
EP (1) External Power
(2) Engineering Project
EPC External Power Contractor
EPCS Engine Propulsion Control System
E-Plane The E-Plane is the plane of an antenna that contains
the electric field. The principal E-Plane also contains
the direction of maximum radiation.

EPLD Electrically Programmable Logic Device
EPR Engine Pressure Ratio
EPROM Erasable Programmable ROM
EQUIP Equipment
Equivalent Equivalent Airspeed is a direct measure of
Airspeed the incompressible freestream of dynamic
(EAS) pressure. It is CAS cor rected for compressibility
effects.
ERP Eye Reference Point
ERSDS En Route Software and Development Support
ERU Engine Relay Unit
ESA European Space Agency
ESAS (1) Enhanced Situational Awareness System
(2) Electronic Situation Awareness System
E-Scan Electronic Scanning
ESD Electrostatic Discharge
ESDS Electrostatic Sensitive Devices. Also known as ESSD.
ESID Engine and System Indication Display
ESIS Engine and System Indication System
ESR Energy Storage/Control
ESS (1) Electronic Switching System
(2) Environmental Stress Screening
ESSD Electro Static Sensitive Devices (see ESDS)
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD Estimated Time of Departure
ETI Elapsed Time Indicator
ETM Elapsed Time Measurement
ETMS Enhanced Traffic Management System
ETOP Extended Twin Engine Operations
ETRC Expected Taxi Ramp Clearances

ETX End-of-transmission
EUR European
Eurocae European Organization for Civil Aviation Electronics.
A regulatory agency for avionics certification in
Europe.
EURO- European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation
CONTROL Operations
EVS Enhanced Vision Systems
F
FAA (1) Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.)
(2) Federal Aviation Authority
FAC Flight Augmentation Computer
FADEC Full Authority Digital Electronic Control
FAF Final Approach Fix
FAI First Article Inspection
FAATC FAA Technical Center
FADE FAA-Airline Data Exchange
FADEC Full Authority Digital Electronic Control
FANS Future Air Navigation System
Fan Marker A marker beacon used to provide identification of
positions along airways. Standard fan marker pro-
duces an elliptical-shaped pattern. A second type pro-
duces a dumbbell-shaped pattern.
FAR Federal Aviation Regulation
FAST Final Approach Spacing Tool
FBL Fly By Light
FBW Fly By Wire
FCAF Flight Data Acquisition
FCC (1) Federal Communications Commission
(2) Flight Control Computer

FCDC Flight Critical dc
FCP Flight Control Panel
FD (1) Flight Director
(2) Final Data
FDAF Flight Data Acquisition Function
FDAU Flight Data Acquisition Unit
FDB Flight Plan Data Bank
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface
FDE Fault Detection and Exclusion
FDEP Flight Data Entry Panel
FDH Flight Deck Handset
FDI Fault Detection and Isolation
FDM Frequency Division Multiplex is a system where the
messages are transmitted over a common path by
employing a different frequency band for each signal.
FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access
FDR Flight Data Recorder
FDRS Flight Data Recorder System
FEATS Future European Air Traffic Management System
FEC Forward Error Correction
FF (1) Free Flight
(2) Flitefone
FGC Flight Guidance Computer
FHA Fault Hazard Analysis
FHW Fault History Word
FIFO First In, First Out
FIR Flight Information Region
FIS Flight Information Service

FL (1) Foot Lambert
(2) Flight Level (as in FL410). This terminology is
used to describe aircraft attitude when the altimeter
is set at QNE.
FLCH Flight Level Change
FLIR Forward Looking Infra-red Radiometer
FLOPAC IATA Flight Operations Advisory Sub-Committee
FLPRN Flaperon
FLRE Flare
FLT Flight
FLT CTRL Flight Control
FLT INST Flight Instrument
FLW Forward Looking Windshear Radar
FM Frequency Modulation
FMA Flight Mode Annunciator
FMC (1) Flight Management Computer (FMCS)
(2) Flight Director Control (FD)
FMCF Flight Management Computer Function
FMCS Flight Management Computer System
FMCW Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave
FMEA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
FMP Flight Mode Panel
FMS Flight Management System
FMSG ICAO’s Frequency Management Study Group
FMU Fuel Metering Unit
FNS FAA Nav Sat
F/O (1) First Officer
(2) Fuel/Oil Cooler
FOC (1) Full Operational Capability
(2) Fuel/Oil Cooler

FOM Figure of Merit
FPA Flight Path Angle
FPAC Flight Path Acceleration
FPC Flight Profile Comparator
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
FPM Feet Per Minute
FPV Flight Path Vector
FQIS Fuel Quantity Indicating System
FQPU Fuel Quantity Processor Unit
Framing A pulse that is used to mark the beginning or end of
Pulse the coded reply pulses.
Free Scan A DME operating mode that will provide distance
Mode data to all DME ground stations within the DME range
(LOS).
FREQ Frequency
Frequency (1) Function in 860E-5 (-005/-006) to allow tuning 2-
Agile by-5 inputs from on-board FMCS/PNCS systems.
Channeling may be as often as every 5 seconds. The
6-wire output data is modified for input to an FMCS
or PNCS.
(2) The ability of a receiver-transmitter to rapidly and
continually shift operating frequency.
FRP Federal Radionavigation Plan
FRPA Fixed Reception Pattern Antenna
FSE Field Service Engineer
FSEU Flap Slat Electronics Unit
FSIC ATA Flight Systems Integration Committee
FSM Flight Schedule Monitoring
FSS Flight Service Station
FT Functional Test
FTE Flight Technical Error
FW Failure Warning

FWC Flight Warning Computer
FWD Forward
FWS Flight Warning System
FY Fiscal Year
G
GA (1)Go-Around
(2) General Aviation
GAAS Galium Arsenide
GAMA General Aviation Manufacturers Association
GANS Government Air Navigation System
GBST Ground Based Software Tool
GCA Ground-Controlled Approach. A system that uses a
ground-based controller to control the approach of an
aircraft by transmitting instructions to the pilot.
GCAS Ground Collision Avoidance System
GCB Generator Circuit Breaker
GCS Ground Clutter Suppression
GCU Generator Control Unit
GDLP Ground Data Link Processor
GDOP Geometric Dilution Of Precision. A term referring to
error introduced in a GPS calculation due to the posi-
tioning of the satellites and the receiver.
GDP Ground Delay Program
GECAS General Electric Capital Aviation Services
GEN Generator
GEO Geostationary Earth Orbit
GEOS Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite
GES Ground Earth Station
GG Graphics Generator

GH Ground Handling
GHz Gigahertz
GIB GNSS Integrity Broadcast
GIC GPS Integrity Channel
GICB Ground-Initiated Comm-B
GIGO Garbage-In Garbage-Out
GIS Geodetric Information System
Glidepath The approach path used by an aircraft during an
instrument landing or the portion of the glideslope
that intersects the localizer. The glidepath does not
provide guidance completely to a touchdown point
on the runway.
Glideslope The vertical guidance portion of an ILS system.
GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System (Russian)
GLS GPS Landing System
GLU GPS Landing Unit
GM Guidance Material
GMC Ground Movement Control
GMPLS Global Multimode Precision Landing ,System
GMT Greenwich Mean Time. GMT is a universal time scale
based upon the mean angle of rotation of the earth
about its axis in relation to the sun. It is referenced
to the prime meridian that passes through
Greenwich,England.
GND Ground
GNE Gross Navigational Error
GNLU GNSS-based Navigation and Landing Unit
GNR Global Navigation Receiver
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GNSSP ICAO Global Navigation Satellite System Panel
GNSSU GNSS Unit

Goniometer A device that combines the two signals from two
loop antennas. The goniometer (or resolver) contains
two fixed coils and one rotating coil. The rotating
coil is connected to the ADF bearing indicator needle
to indicate the relative bearing from the aircraft to
the NDB station. The mechanical position of the
rotor represents the bearing of the station,and the
position is electrically transmitted to the RMI.
GOS Grade of Service
GPADIRS Global Positioning,Air Data,Inertial Reference System
GPIB General Purpose Instrument Bus
GPNS Ground Proximity Warning System
GPS (1) Global Positioning System (see NAVSTAR)
(2) Global Positioning Satellite
GPSSU Global Positioning System Sensor Unit
GPU Ground Power Unit
GPWC Ground Proximity Warning Computer
GPWS Ground Proximity Warning System
Gradient The rate at which a variable quantity increases or
decreases.
Gray Code Special binary code used to transmit altitude data
between framing pulses of a transponder reply. A
cyclic code having only one digit change at a time.
Used in Mode C to transmit aircraft barometric alti-
tude. Also known as Gilham code.
Ground Wave A radio wave that travels along the earthÕs surface.
GRP Geographic Reference Point
GS (1) Glideslope
(2) Ground Speed
G/S Glideslope
GSE Ground Support Equipment
GSP Glare Shield Panel
GSV Gray Scale Voltage(s)
GT Greater Than

GTA General Terms Agreement
GTC Data Link Ground Terminal Computer
GTR General Technical Requirements
GUI Graphic/User Interface
GVE Graphics Vector Engine
GWS Graphical Weather Services
Gyroscope A rotating device that will maintain its original plane
of rotation,no matter which direction the gyroscope
mount is turned.
H
HDBK Handbook
HDG Heading
HDLC High Level Data Link Control
HDOP Horizontal Dilution Of Precision
HDP Hardware Development Plan
Heading The direction of an aircraft path with respect to mag-
netic or true north.
HF High Frequency. The portion of the radio spectrum
from 3 to 30 MHz. HF communication systems oper-
ate in the 2 to 30 MHz portion of the spectrum.
HFDL High-Frequency Data Link
HFS High-Frequency System
HGA High Gain Antenna
HHLD Heading Hold
HIL Horizontal Integrity Limit
HIRF High Intensity Radiated Field
HLCS High Lift Control System
HLE Higher Layer Entity
HLL High Level Language

HMI Human Machine Interface
HMOS High Density Metal Oxide Semiconductor
HOW Hand-Over Word
HP High Pressure
HPA High Power Amplifier
hPa hecto Pascal
HPC High Pressure Compressor
H-Plane The H-Plane is the plane in which the magnetic field
of the antenna lies. The H-Plane is perpendicular to
the E-Plane.
HPR High Power Relay
HPSOV High Pressure Shutoff Valve
HPT High Pressure Turbine
HSI Horizontal Situation Indicator. An indicator that dis-
plays bearing,glideslope,distance, radio source,
course and heading information.
HSL Heading Select
HSR High Stability Reference
HUD Heads Up Display
HVPS High Voltage Power Supply
HW Hardware
HX Heat Exchanger
HYD Hydraulic
HYDIM Hydraulic Interface Module
Hz Hertz (cycles per second)
I
IACSP International Aeronautical Communications Service
Provider
IAF Initial Approach Fix

IAOPA International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots
IAP Instrument Approach Procedure
IAPS Integrated Avionics Processing System
IAS Indicated Air Speed
IATA International Air Transport Association
IC (1) Intercabinet
(2) Integrated Circuit
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization (Montreal)
ICC IAPS Card Cage
ICD (1) Installation Control Drawing
(2) Interface Control Drawing
(3) Interactive Design Center
ICNIA Integrated Communications,Navigation and
Identification Avionics
ICU Instrument Comparator Unit
IDC Indicator Display/Control
Ident The action of the transponder transmitting an extra
pulse along with its identification code (at the
request of a controller).
IDG Integrated Drive Generator
IDS (1) Ice Detection System
(2) Integrated Display System
IEC IAPS Environmental Control Module
IED Insertion Extraction Device
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IF (if) Intermediate Frequency. A frequency to which a sig-
nal is shifted as an in-between step in the reception
or transmission of a signal.
IFALPA International Federation of Airline Pilots Association
IFATCA International Federation of Air Traffic ControllersÕ
Associations
IFPS Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System

IFR Instrument Flight Rules
IGES Standardized Graphics Exchange File
IGV Inlet Guide Vane
ILM Independent Landing Monitor
ILS Instrument Landing System. The system provides lat-
eral,along-course and vertical guidance to aircraft
attempting a landing.
IMA Integrated Modular Avionics
IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions
IMPATT Impact Avalanche and Transmit Time. This type of
Diode diode,when mounted in an appropriate cavity, pro
duces microwave oscillations and amplification.
IMTEG ICAO ILS/MLS Transition Group Europe
IND Indicator
INU Inertial Navigation Unit
IAS Indicated Airspeed is the speed indicated by a differ-
ential pressure airspeed indicator which measures the
actual pressure differential in the pitot-static head. It
is the actual instrument indication for a given flight
condition.
Indicated The altitude above mean sea level (uncorrected for
Altitude temperature).
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization
I/O Input/Output. Refers to bi-directional data ports.
INPH Interphone
INS Inertial Navigation System. A self-contained,dead-
reckoning system that senses the acceleration along
the three axes of the aircraft and calculates the dis-
tance traveled from a reference point. Accuracy of
the system decreases with respect to time.
INST Instrument
Intruder An altitude reporting aircraft that is being considered
as a potential threat and that is being processed by
the threat detection logic (TCAS).

IOC Initial Operational Capability
ION Institute of Navigation
IOR Indian Ocean Region
IOT & E Initial Operational Test and Evaluation
IP Intermediate Pressure
IPB Illustrated Parts Breakdown
IPC (1) Intermediate Pressure Compressor
(2) Illustrated Parts Catalog
IPD Industrial Products Division
IPL Illustrated Parts List
IPT (1)Intermediate Pressure Turbine
(2) Integrated Product Team (FAA)
IRP Integrated Refuel Panel
IRS Inertial Reference System
IRU Inertial Reference Unit
ISA (1) Industry Standard Architecture
(2) International Standard Atmosphere
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ISDOS Information System Design and Optimization System
ISLN Isolation
ISO (1) International Organization for Standardization
(2) International Standards Organization
(3) Isolation
Iso-Contour Refer to contour
ISPA International Symposium on Precision Approach and
Instrument Landing
ISPACG Informal South Pacific ATC Coordinating Group
ISSS Initial Sector Suite System
ISU Initial Signal Unit
ITM Information Technology Management is the ground
based portion of an ADMS (see also EDMS).

ITO Indium-Tin Oxide
ITS Integrated Test System
ITT (1) Interstage Turbine Temperature
(2) Inter-Turbine Temperature
ITU International Telecommunications Union
IV Isolation Valve
ITWS Integrated Terminal Weather System
J
JAA European Joint Airworthiness Authority
JAL Japan Air Lines
JAR Joint Airworthiness Requirement
JAR-AWO Joint Airworthiness Requirements - All Weather
Operations
JFET Junction Field Effect Transistor
JPO Joint Program Office
J/S Jammer to Signal Ratio
JTAG Joint Test Action Group
JTIDS Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
K
KAL Korean Air Lines
Key A hand-operated switching device or the act of oper-
ating such a device.
KGLS Kinematic GPS Landing System
kHz Kilohertz (1000 cycles per second)
kb/s Kilobits Per Second
KBU Keyboard Unit
KPS Kilobytes Per Second

kts Knots
kVA Kilovolt-ampere
L
L Left
L1 Frequency on which GPS SPS signals are transmitted,
L-Band carrier (1575.42 Mhz)
L1011 Lockheed Model 1011 Aircraft
L2 L-Band carrier (1227.6 MHz)
LAAS Local Area Augmentation System
LAC Lineas Aereas Del Caribe (an airline)
LADGPS Local Area Differential GPS
LAN Local Area Network
LAT Latitude
L-Band A radio frequency band from 390 to 1550 MHz.
LCC Leadless Chip Carrier
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LCP Lighting Control Panel
LCSTB Low Cost Simulation Testbed
LD Lower Data
LDCC Leaded Chip Carrier
LDGPS Local Area Differential Global Positioning Satellite
LDU Lamp Driver Unit
LED Light Emitting Diode
Leg The section of the flight between two waypoints.
LF Low Frequency. The frequency range from 30 to 300
kHz.
LGA Low Gain Antenna
LH Lufthansa

LHP Lightning HIRF Protection
LIB Left Inboard
LISN Line Impedance Stabilization Network
LLP Left Lower Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear con-
nector of an avionics unit.
LLWAS Low-Level Wind Shear Alert System
L/M List of Materials
LMM Locator Middle Marker. An NDB that is co-located at
the same site as the 75 MHz middle marker beacon.
LMP Left Middle Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear con-
nector of an avionics unit.
LMT Local Mean Time
LNA Low Noise Amplifier
LNAV Lateral Navigation
LOB Left Outboard
LOC Localizer. The lateral guidance portion of an ILS sys-
tem.
Lock-On The condition that exists when the DME receives
reply pulses to at least 50 percent of the interroga-
tions. Valid distance information is then available.
LOM Locator Outer Marker. An NDB that is co-located at
the same site as the 75 MHz outer marker beacon.
LON Longitude
LORAN Long Range Navigation. A system using a ground facil-
ity composed of a master station and a slave station.
The airborne receiver computes the position of the
aircraft by using two or more received master-slave
pairs of signals. LORAN-A operates at 1850,1900 and
1950 kHz. LORAN-C operates at 100 kHz. LORAN A
was replaced by LORAN C in 1980.
LORAN C Long Range Navigation System
LOS Line Of Sight
LPC Low Pressure Compressor

LPT Low Pressure Turbine
LRA (See RALT)
LRM Line Replaceable Module
LRRA (See RALT)
LRU Line Replaceable Unit
LSB (1) Lower Sideband. The lower sideband is the differ-
ence in frequency between the AM carrier signal and
the modulation signal.
(2) Least Significant Bit
LSD Least Significant Digit
LSI Large Scale Integration
LSK Line Select Key
LTP Left Top Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear connec-
tor of an avionics unit.
Lubber Line A fixed line placed on an indicator to indicate the
front-to-rear axis of the aircraft.
LV Lower Sideband Voice
LVDT Linear Voltage Differential Transducer (used with air-
craft control surface servos)
LVLCH Level Change
LVPS Low Voltage Power Supply
M
m Meter
m/s Meter per Second
MAC Medium Access Controller
Mach Number Mach number is the ratio of the true airspeed to the
speed of sound at a particular flight condition. It is
the chief criterion of airflow pattern and is usually
represented by the free-stream steady-state value.
Mag Magnetic

Magnetic The bearing with respect to magnetic north.
Bearing
Magnetic The direction north as determined by the earth’s mag
North netic field. The reference direction for measurement
of magnetic directions.
MAMS Military Airspace Management System
MAR Managed Arrival Reservoir
Marker A transmitter operating at 75 MHz that provides iden
Beacon tification of a particular position along an airway or
on the approach to an instrument runway. The mark
er beacon is continuously tone-modulated by a 400-
Hz,a 1300-Hz or a 3000-Hz tone. Marker beacons
along an instrument runway provide along-course
(range) guidance and designate when an aircraft
should be at a certain altitude if the aircraft is follow
ing the glidepath.
MASPS Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards
MAT Maintenance Access Terminal
MAWP Missed Approached Waypoint
MB Marker Beacon
MBE Multiple Bit Error
MC Master Change
MCB Microwave Circuit Board
MCC Maintenance Control Computer
MCDP Maintenance Control Display Panel
MCDU Multifunctional Control Display Unit
MCN Manufacturing Control Number
MCP (1) Maintenance Control Panel
(2) Mode Control Panel
MCT Max Continuous Thrust
MCU (1) Modular Concept Unit (approximately 1/8-ATR,
Airline Transport Rack)
(2) Multifunction Concept Unit

MD11 Boeing Model 11 Aircraft (formerly McDonnell
Douglas)
MD90 Boeing Model 90 Aircraft (formerly McDonnell
Douglas)
MDA Minimum Descent Altitude
MDC Maintenance Diagnostic Computer
MDCRS Meteorological Data collection and Reporting System
MDS Minimum Discernible Signal. The MDS is the lowest
rf signal level that can be detected as a valid signal.
MDT Maintenance Display Terminal
MEA Minimum En route Altitude
MEC Main Equipment Center
MEDLL Multipath Estimating Delay Lock Loop
MEL Minimum Equipment List. The list of equipment that
the FCC requires be aboard an aircraft before flying.
MES Main Engine Start
MF Medium Frequency. The portion of the radio spec-
trum from 300 kHz to 3 MHz.
MFCP Multifunction Control Display Panel
MFD Multifunction Display
MFDS Multifunction Display System
MDFU Multifunction Display Unit
MFM Maintenance Fault Memory
MGSCU Main Gear Steering Control Unit
MHD Magnetic Hard Drive
MHz Megahertz (1,000,000 cycles per second)
MIC Microphone. Also refers to the output signal of the
microphone.
Micro-EARTS Microprocessor En route Automated Radar Tracking
System
MIDU Multi-purpose Interactive Display Unit

MIL Military
MIPS Million Instructions Per Second
MKR Marker
MLS Microwave Landing System
MLW Maximum Landing Weight
MM Mass Memory
MMI Man-Machine Interface
MMIC Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
Mmo The maximum Mach number at which an aircraft has
been certified to operate.
MMR Multi-Mode Receiver
MNPS Minimum Navigation Performance Specification
MNT Mach Number Technique
MO Magneto-Optical
MOA Military Operation Area
MOCA Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude
MOD (1) Modulator
(2) Modification
(3) Magneto-Optical Drive
Mode A The pulse format for an identification code interroga-
tion of an ATCRBS transponder.
Mode B An optional mode for transponder interrogation.
Mode C The pulse format for an altitude information interro-
gation of an ATCRBS transponder.
Mode D An unassigned,optional transponder mode.
Mode S (1) Mode Select (A transponder format to allow dis-
crete interrogation and data link capability.)
(2) Selective interrogation mode of SSR
MODEM Modulator/Demodulator
MOPR Minimum Operational Performance Requirements
MOPS Minimum Operational Performance Standards

MORA Minimum Off-Route Altitude
MOS Metal Oxide Semiconductor
MOSFET Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transmitter
MOU Memorandum Of Understanding
MP (1) Middle Plug. Identifies the plug position on the
rear connector of an avionics unit.
(2) Main Processor
MPEL Maximum Permissable Exposure Level
MROSE Multiple-tasking Real-time Operating System
Executive
MRR Manufacturing Revision Request
MS Millisecond
MSB Most Significant Bit
MSCP Mobile Satellite Service Provider
MSD (1) Most Significant Digit
(2) Mass Storage Device
MSG Message
MSI Medium Scale Integration
MSL Mean Sea Level
MSP Mode S Specific Protocol
MSSS Mode S Specific Services
MSU Mode Select Unit
MT Minimum Time
MTBF Mean Time Between Failures. A performance figure
calculated by dividing the total unit flying hours (air-
borne) accrued in a period of time by the number of
unit failures that occurred during the same time.
Where total unit hours are available,this may be used
in lieu of total unit flying hours.

MTBR (1) Mean Time Between Removal
(2) Mean Time Between Repairs. A performance fig-
ure calculated by dividing the total unit flying hours
accrued in a period by the number of unit removals
(scheduled plus unscheduled) that occurred during
the same period.
MTBUR (1) Mean Time Between Unscheduled Removal
(2) Mean Time Between Unit Replacements. A perfor-
mance figure calculated by dividing the total unit fly-
ing hours (airborne) accrued in a period by the num-
ber of unscheduled unit removals that occurred dur-
ing the same period.
MTC Maintenance Terminal Cabinet
MTD Maintenance Terminal Display
MTF Maintenance Terminal Function
MTI Moving Target Indicator. This type of radar display
will show only moving targets.
MTM Module Test and Maintenance
MTMIU Module Test and Maintenance Bus Interface Unit
MTTDA Mean Time To Dispatch Alert
MTTF Mean Time To Failure. A performance figure calculat-
ed by dividing the summation of times to failure for a
sample of failed items by the number of failed items
in the sample. The same item failing N times consti-
tutes N failed items in the sample. This is different
from mean time between failures since no allowance
is given to items that have not failed.
MTTM Mean Time To Maintenance. The arithmetic mean of
the time intervals between maintenance actions.
MTTMA Mean Time To Maintenance Alert
MTTR Mean Time To Repair. A performance figure calculated
by dividing the sum of the active repair elapsed times
accrued in a period on a number of designated items
by the number of these items repaired in the same
period.

MTTUR Mean Time To Unscheduled Removal. A performance
figure calculated by dividing the summation of times
to unscheduled removal for a sample of removed
items by the number of removed items in the sample.
This is different from MTBUR since no allowance is
given to items that have not been removed.
MU ACARS Management Unit
MULT Multiplier
MUS Minimum Use Specification. A generic description by
parameter and characteristics of the test equipment
and resources required for testing a unit or system.
MUX Multiplexer
N
N1 Fan speed
N2 Intermediate compressor speed
N3 High speed compressor
NACA National Air Carriers Association
NADIN National Airspace Data Interchange Network
NAS National Airspace System
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASPALS NAS Precision Approach and Landing System
NAS/TRB National Academy of Science,Transportation Research
Board
NAT North Atlantic Region
NAT SPG North Atlantic Systems Planning Group
NATCA National Association of Air Traffic Controllers
NATRSSIG ICAO North Atlantic ReducedSeparation Standard
Implementation Group
NATS (1) North Atlantic Track System
(2) UK National Air Traffic Services
NAV Navigation

NAVAID Navigational Aid
Navigation A medium holding the customized navigation
Datacard database.
NAVSTAR The NAVSTAR global positioning system (GPS) is a
system using 24 satellites,all reporting precise time
signals,along with location keys. Eight satellites are
in each of three 63-degree inclined plane circular
orbits at 11,000 nmi in altitude. The system is used
for navigation and determining exact position.
Nautical Mile Equivalent to 6,076.1 feet, or approximately 1.15
(nmi) statute miles.
NBAA National Business Aircraft Association
NC Numerical Control
N/C New installation Concept
NCA National Command Authority
NCD No Computed Data
NCR National Cash Register
NCS Network Coordination Station
ND Navigation Display. An EFIS presentation substituting
for the horizontal situation indicator (HSI).
NDB (1) Non-Directional Radio Beacon. A ground station
designed specifically for ADF use that operates in the
190-to-550-kHz range. Transmits a continuous carrier
with either 400-or-1020 Hz modulation (keyed) to
provide identification.
(2) Navigation Data Base (as stored in FMC memory)
NDI Non-Developmental Item
NEG Negative
NERC UK New En Route Center
NH High Pressure Gas Generator RPM
NHE Notes and Helps Editor
NIC AEEC New Installation Concepts Subcommittee
NIS Not-In-Service

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
N-Layer N is set for any layer name (such as link,network,
etc.) or for the initial (e.g.N-SDU mean LSDU at the
link layer). OSI model definition.
NL Low Pressure Gas Generator RPM
NLR Netherlands National Aerospace Laboratory
NLT Not Less Than
nm Nautical Mile
NMI Nautical Mile
NMOS N-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor
NMT Not More Than
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOC Notice Of Change
NO COM No Communication. A NO COM annunciation indi-
cates that a downlink message has not been acknowl-
edged in an ACARS system.
Noise Undesired random electromagnetic disturbances or
spurious signals which are not part of the transmitted
or received signal.
NOTAM Notice to Airmen
NPA Non-Precision Approach
NPDU Network Protocol Data Unit
NPRM Notice of Public Rule Making
NRP National Route Program
NRZ Non-Return to Zero
NSEU Neutron Single Event Upset
NSSL National Severe Storms Laborator y
NTF No Trouble Found (referring to testing or checkout of
unit/module)
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
NVM Non-Volatile Memory

NWA Northwest Airlines
NWS National Weather Service. The NWS provides a
ground-based weather radar network throughout the
United States. The radar network operates continu-
ously and transmits the data to the National
Meteorological Center, where it correlates with other
weather observations.
O
OAC Oceanic Area Control Center
OAG Official Airline Guide
OAT (1) Optional Auxiliary Terminal. The OAT may be in
the form of a CRT/Keyboard device capable of inter-
facing with other sources of data on the aircraft and
supplying data to a hard copy printer. (Used in an
ACARS system.)
(2) Outside Air Temperature. The uncorrected reading
of the outside temperature gauge. Different types of
gauges require different correction factors to obtain
static air temperature.
OBS (1) Omnibearing Selector. A panel instrument which
contains the controls and circuits to select an
omnibearing and determine the TO-FROM indication.
(2) Optical Bypass Switch
Octal Base-8 counting system. Numbers include 0,1,2,3,4,
5,6,7,8.
ODAP Oceanic Display And Planning system. Will present
oceanic flight data to controllers in a display that will
enable better route and altitude assignments.
ODID Operational Display and Input Development
ODL (1) Optical Data Link
(2) Oceanic Display and Planning System
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OEU Overhead Electronics Units
Off-Block Time The time that the aircraft leaves the gate.
OFP Operational Flight Program

OID Outline Installation Drawing
OIU Orientation/Introduction Unit
OLAN Onboard Local Area Network
OM Outer Marker
OMEGA A navigation system that uses two high-powered
transmitter ground stations to broadcast a continuous
wave signal. The receiver measures the range differ-
ence between the two stations to determine position.
Omnibearing The bearing indicated by a navigational receiver on
transmissions from an omnidirectional radio range
(VOR).
OMS (1) Onboard Maintenance System
(2) Order Management System
OOOI OUT-OFF-ON-IN. An OOOI event is recorded as par t
of the ACARS operation. The OUT event is recorded
when the aircraft is clear of the gate and ready to
taxi. The OFF event occurs when the aircraft has lift-
ed off the runway. The ON event occurs when the
aircraft has landed. The IN event occurs when the air-
craft has taxied to the ramp area.
On-Block Time The time that the aircraft ar rives at the gate.
OPAS Overhead Panel ARINC 629 System
OPBC Overhead Panel Bus Controller
OPR Once Per Revolution
OPS Operations Per Second
OPU Overspeed Protection Unit
OR Operational Requirements
OSC Order Status Report
OSI (1) Open Systems Interconnection
(2) Open System Interface
OTH Over The Horizon
OTS Organized Track System
OVRD Override

oxy Oxygen
P
PA (1) Passenger Address
(2) Power Amplifier
PAC Path Attenuation Compensation
PA/CI Passenger Address/Cabin Interphone
PACIS Passenger Address and Communication Interphone
System
Paired DME channels are paired with a VORTAC or ILS fre
Channels quency and are automatically selected when the VOR
TAC or ILS frequency is selected.Most navigation con
trols have this feature.
PAL Programmable Array Logic
PAM Pulse Amplitude Modulation
PAR Precision Approach Radar. An X-band radar which
scans a limited area and is part of the ground-con-
trolled approach system.
PATA Polish Air Traffic Agency
PAU Passenger Address Unit
PAX Passenger
PBID Post Burn-In Data
PBX Private Branch Exchange
PC (1) Personal Computer
(2) Printed Circuit
P-Code The GPS precision code
PCB Printed Circuit Board
PCC Pilot Controller Communication
PCI Protocol Control Information. The N-PCI is
exchanged between peer network members (OSI
Model) to coordinate joint information.
PCIP Precipitation

PCM Pulse Code Modulation
PCU (1) Passenger Control Unit
(2) Power Control Unit
PDC Pre-Departure Clearance
PDCU Panel Data Concentrator Unit
PDDI Product Definition Data Interface. Standardizes digital
descriptions of part configurations and properties
needed for manufacturing.
PDF Primary Display Function
P-DME Precision Distance Measuring Equipment
PDN Public Data Network
PDOP Position Dilution Of Precision. A GPS term for error
introduced into the GPS calculations.
PDOS Powered Door Opening System
PDR Preliminary Design Review
PDS Primary Display System
PDU (1) Protocol Data Unit. The N-PDU is a combination
of the N-PCI and the N-UD or N-SDU. The N-PDU is
the total information that is transferred between peer
network members (OSI Model) as a unit.
(2) Power Drive Unit
Performance A relative number used to compare the performance
Index of different radar systems. It is calculated from trans
mitter peak power, antenna gain,pulse width,prf,
antenna beam width and the receiver noise figure.
PED Portable Electronic Devices
PET Pacific Engineering Trials
PF Power Factor
PFC Primary Flight Computer
PFCS Primary Flight Control System
PFD (1) Primary Flight Display. An EFIS presentation sub-
stituting for the ADI.
(2) Primary Flight Director.

PFE Path Following Error
PFR Pulse Repetition Frequency. The rate at which pulses
are transmitted.
PGA Pin Grid Array
PHY Physical Interface Device
Phase A signal in which the phase varies (with respect to
Modulation the original signal) with the amplitude of the modula
tory signal,while the amplitude of the carrier wave
remains constant. Similar to a modified frequency
modulated signal.
PIO Processor Input/Output
PIREP Pilot Report
Pitot Pressure The sum of the static and dynamic pressures and is
the total force per unit area exerted by the air on the
surface of a body in motion.
Pitot Tube A forward facing probe attached to the outside of the
aircraft to sense the relative pressure of the aircraft
moving through the atmosphere. Named for Henri
Pitot who first used this method of measuring fluid
flow pressure.
PLA Power Level Angle
PLL Phase Locked Loop
PM Phase Modulation
PMA (1) Permanent Magnet Alternator
(2) Parts Manufacturing Approval
PMAT Portable Maintenance Access Terminal
PMC Provisional Memory Cover
PMG Permanent Magnet Generator
PMOS P-Type Metal Oxide Semiconductor
PN Pseudo Noise
PNCS Performance Navigation Computer System
PNEU Pneumatic

POC (1) Proof Of Concept
(2) Point of Contact
Polled Mode An ACARS mode of operation in which the airborne
system transmits only in response to received uplink
messages (polls).
POR Pacific Ocean Region
POS Position
POS/NAV Positioning/Navigation
POT Potentiometer
PPI Planned Position Indicator. A type of radar display
which shows aircraft positions and airways chart on
the same display.
PPM (1) Pulse Position Modulation
(2) Parts Per Million
PPS Precise Positioning Service
P/RAT Prediction/Resolution Advisory Tool
PRAM Prerecorded Announcement Machine
PRAIM Predictive Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
PRELIM Preliminary Data
PRESS Pressure
Pressure The altitude measured above standard pressure level.
Altitude Based on the relationship of pressure and altitude
with respect to a standard atmosphere.
Preventive A resolution advisory that instructs the pilot to avoid
Advisory certain deviations from current vertical rate (TCAS).
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
PRI Primary
PRM Precision Runway Monitoring
PRN Pseudo Random Noise
PROM Programmable ROM
Protocol A set of rules for the format and content of messages
between communicating processes.

PROX Proximity
PRSOV Pressure Regulating and Shutoff Valve
P/RST Press To Reset
PRTR Printer
PS Power Supply
PSA Power Supply Assembly
PSDN Packet Switched Data Network
PSEU Proximity Sensor Electronic Unit
PSL/PSA Problem Statement Language/Problem Statement
Analyzer
PSPL Preferred Standard Parts List
PSR Primary Surveillance Radar. The part of the ATC sys-
tem that determines the range and azimuth of an air-
craft in a controlled air space.
PSS Proximity Sensor System
PSU Passenger Service Unit
PTR Production Test Requirements
PTSD Production Test Specification Document
PTT (1) Post,Telephone and Telegraph
(2) Push To Talk. Also refers to the switching signal
that enables the transmitter.
PTU Power Transfer Unit
PVT Position,Velocity,Time
PWM Pulse-Width Modulation
PWR Power
PwxA Pilot Weather Advisory

Q
QAR Quick Access Recorder
QC Quality Control
QEC Quadrantral Error Corrector
QFE A method of setting the altimeter to compensate for
changes in barometric pressure and runway elevation.
Pilot receives information from airfield and adjusts his
altimeter accordingly and it will read zero altitude at
touchdown on the runway.
QNE The method of setting the altimeter to the standard
atmosphere datum -29.92 inches of mercury
(1,013.25 mb). This setting is used in the United
States airspace by all aircraft above FL180.
QNH The more common method of setting the altimeter to
compensate for changes in barometric pressure. Pilot
receives information from airfield,adjusts his altime-
ter accordingly and the altimeter will read airfield ele-
vation at touchdown.
QOP Quality Operating Procedures
QOS Quality of Service
QRH Quick Reference Handbook
Quadrantral Error in the relative bearing caused by the distortion
Error of the received radio signal (rf fields) by the structure
of the aircraft.
R
R Right
RA (1) Resolution Advisory (generated by TCAS)
(2) Radio Altimeter
Rabbit Tracks Rabbit Tracks,or running rabbits, refer to the distinc-
tive display produced by another (alien radar) radar
system transmission.
Radar Radio Detecting And Ranging. A system that measures
distance and bearing to an object.

Radar Mile The time interval (approximately 12.359 microsec-
onds) required for radio waves to travel one nautical
mile and return (total of 2 nmi).
Radial A line of direction going out from a VOR station mea-
sured as a bearing with respect to magnetic north.
Radome The radome is the protective cover on the aircraft
nose that fits over the weather radar system antenna.
The radome is transparent at radar frequencies.
RAI Radio Altimeter Indicator
RAIM Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
RALT Radio Altimeter (also RA,RADALT, LRA,LRRA)
RAM Random Access Memory. Generally used to describe
read/write integrated circuit memory.
RAPPS Remote Area Precision Positioning System
RAS Row Address Strobe
RAT RAM Air Temperature is the temperature of the air
entering an air scoop inlet. It is a factor in engine
performance.
RBS Ration by Schedule
R-C Resistor-Capacitor network
RCC Remote Charge Converter
RCP Radio Control Panel
RCVR Receiver
Rd R-Channel used for data
R&D Research and Development
RDMI Radio Distance Magnetic Indicator
RDR Radar
RDSS Radio Determination Satellite Service
RE&D Research,Engineering and Development
RECAP Reliability Evaluation and Corrective Action Program
REFL Reflection

Reflectivity This is a measurement of the ability of a target to
Factor (Z) reflect the energy from a radar beam.
Relative The bearing of a ground station relative to the direc
Bearing tion the aircraft nose points,or the direction of an air
craft to or from an NDB.
REL Relative
Resolution A display indication given to the pilot recommending
Advisory a maneuver to increase vertical separation relative to
an intruding aircraft. A resolution advisory is also clas
sified as corrective or preventive.
RET (1) Rapid Exit Taxiway
(2) Reliability Evaluation Test
REU Remote Electronics Unit
RF Radio Frequency. A general term for the range of fre-
quencies above 150 kHz,to the infra-red region (1012
Hertz).
RFI Radio Frequency Interference
RFP Request For Proposal
RFTP Request For Technical Proposal
RFU Radio Frequency Unit
RGCSP Review of the General Concept of Separation Panel
RIB Right Inboard
RIN UK Royal Institute of Navigation
RLS (1) Remote Light Sensor
(2) Reliable Link Source
RLY Relay
R&M Reliability and Maintainability
RMI Radio Magnetic Indicator
RMP Remote Maintenance Panel
RMS Root Mean Square
RNAV Random Navigation/Area Navigation
RNG Range

RNGA Range Arc
RNP Required Navigation Performance
RO Roll Out
ROB Right Outboard
ROC Rate Of Climb
ROD Rate of Descent
ROI Return On Investment
ROM Read Only Memory
ROTHR Relocatable Over-The-Horizon Radar
RPM Revolutions Per Minute
RSP Reversion Select Panel
RT Receiver-Transmitter (rt). Also referred to as a trans-
ceiver (see T/R).
RTA (1) Receiver Transmitter Antenna
(2) Required Time of Arrival
RTCA Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
RTF Radiotelephony
RTI Real-Time Interrogate
RTP Reliability Test Plan
RTO Rejected Takeoff
RTP Radio Tuning Panel
RTS Request To Send
RTU Radio Tuning Unit
Runway The act of inadvertently crossing the runway holding
Incursion point without ATC clearance.
RVDT Rotary Voltage Differential Transducer
RVR Runway Visual Range
RVSM Required Vertical Separation Minimums

RWM Read-Write Memory. A memory in which each cell is
selected by applying appropriate electrical input sig-
nals,and the stored data may be either sensed at the
appropriate output terminal or changes in response
to other electrical input signals.
RWY Runway
RZ Return to Zero
S
SA Selective Availability
SAA Service Access Area
SAARU Secondary Attitude Air Data Reference Unit
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
SAI AEEC Systems Architecture and Interfaces
Subcommittee
SAMS Special Use Airspace Management System
SAR Search And Rescue
SARPS Standards And Recommended Practices
SAS Situational Awareness for Safety
SAT Static Air Temperature is the total air temperature cor-
rected for the Mach effect. Increases in airspeed
cause probe temperature to rise presenting erroneous
information. SAT is the outside air temperature if the
aircraft could be brought to a stop before measuring
temperatures.
SATCOM Satellite Communication System
SB Service Bulletin
SBE Single Bit Error
SC-186 RTCA Special Committee 186 (Responsible for ADS-B
technical standards)
SCAT Special Category
SCAT 1 Special Category 1 (approach)

SCD Specification Control Drawing
SCDU Satellite Control Data Unit
SCID Software Configuration Index Drawing
SCIU Radio Altimeter Indicator
SCMU Special Communications Management Unit
SCPC Single Carrier Per Channel
SCS Single Channel Simplex. A communication system
that uses simplex.
SCSI Small Computer System Interface
SCU Signal Conditioning Unit
SD (1) Side Display
(2) Storm Detection. It is the designation for the
hourly transmitter radar observations from the NWS
and ARTCC radars. Individual SDÕs are combined
and transmitted once an hour as collectives (SDUÕs)
over the aviation teletype circuits.
SDD Standard Disk Drive
SDI Source Destination Identifier
SDM Speaker Drive Module
SDRL Supplier Data Requirements List
SDU Satellite Data Unit
Search In this mode,the DMS scans from 0 mile to the outer
range for a reply pulse pair after transmitting an inter-
rogation pulse pair.
SEC Secondary
SED Secondary EICAS Display
SEI Standby Engineer Indicator
SEL Select
SELCAL Selective Calling System. A system used in conjunc-
tion with HF and VHF communication systems that
allows a ground-based radio operator to call a single
aircraft or group of aircraft without the aircraft per-
sonnel monitoring the ground station radio frequency.

Sensitivity An instruction given to the TCAS equipment for
Level control of its threat volume.
Command
SEPC Secondary Electrical Power Contactor
SEPP Stress Evaluation Prediction Program
SERNO Serial Number
SEU (1) Single Event Upset
(2) Seat Electronics Unit
SFE Supplier Furnished Equipment
SG Signal Generator
SGPNS Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
SI (1) Standby Instruments
(2) Supporting Interrogator
SICAS Secondary Surveillance Radar Improvements and
Collision Avoidance System
SICASP Secondary Surveillance Radar Improvements and
Collision Avoidance System Panel
SID Standard Instrument Departure
Sidetone The reproduction of sounds in a headset (or speaker)
from the transmitter of the same communication set.
This allows a person to hear his/her own voice when
transmitting.
SIF Standard Interchange Format
SIGMETS Significant Meteorological Observations
SIL (1) Systems Integration Lab
(2) Service Information Letter
Simplex A communication operation that uses only a single
channel for transmit and receive operations.
Communications can take place in only one direction
at a time.
SIP Single In-line Package
SITA Societe Internationale de Telecommunications
Aeronautiques
SIU Satellite Interface Unit

Skywave A radio wave that is reflected by the ionosphere.
Depending upon the state of the ionosphere,the
reflected radio wave may propagate along the layer of
the ionosphere or be reflected at some angle. It is
also known as ionospheric or indirect wave.
SL Sensitivity Level
S/L Sub-Level
Slant Range The line-of-sight distance from the aircraft to a DME
ground station.
SLEP Service Life Extension Program
SLM Standard Length Message
SLS Side-Lobe Suppression. A system that prevents a
transponder from replying to the side-lobe interroga-
tions of the SSR. Replying to side-lobe interrogations
would supply false replies to the ATC ground station
and obscure the aircraft location.
SLV Sync Lock Valve
SMC System Management and Communication
SMD Surface Mount Device
SMGCS Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems
SMI Standard Message Identifiers
SMR Surface Movement Radar
SMSO Space and Missile Systems Organization
SMT (1) Aileron/Rudder Servo Mount
(2) Elevator Servo Mount
(3) Servo Mount
(4) Stabilizer Trim Servo Mount
(5) Station Management
SNR Signal-to-Noise Ratio
SOIT Satellite Operational Implementation Team
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SOS Silicon On Sapphire
SPATE Special Purpose Automatic Test Equipment

SPC Statistical Process Control
SPD Speed
SPE Seller Purchased Equipment
Speed of Represented by the symbol c and has a value of
Light 2.9979250 x 10 metres/second or 983,571,194
feet/second.
SPI Special Position Identification
SPIP Designation for a transponder ident pulse.
SPKR Speaker
SPM (1) Surface Position Monitor
(2) Stabilizer Position Modules
Spoking Spoking refers to a display presentation which radi-
ates outward from the display origin like the spokes
on a wagon wheel.
SPR Sync Phase Reversal (term used in Mode S transpon-
ders)
SPS Standard Positioning Service
SQ or Sql Squelch
Squall Line A squall line is a line of thunderstorms and develop-
ing thunderstorms.
Squawk Reply to interrogation signal (XPD).
Squelch A control and/or circuit which reduces the gain in
response of a receiver. The squelch is used to elimi-
nate the output noise of the receiver when a signal is
not being received.
Squitter (1) The random pulse pairs generated by the ground
station as a filler signal.
(2) The transmission of a specified reply format at a
minimum rate without the need to be interrogated
(filler pulses transmitted between interrogations)
[XPD].
(3) Spontaneous Transmission generated once per sec-
ond by transponders.
SR SwissAir
SRADD Software Requirements And Design Description

SRAM Static Random Access Memory
SRD Systems Requirements Document
SR Service Request
SRU Shop Replaceable Unit
SSB Single Sideband. An AM signal that has a reduced car-
rier, with the power applied to a single sideband.
Since the bandwidth of the information-carrying sig-
nal is reduced,a better signal-to-noise ratio is obtained
at the receiver.
SSCVR Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder
SSEC Static Source Error Correction
SSFDR Solid State Flight Data Recorder
SSM Sign Status Matrix
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar. A radar-type system
that requires a transponder to transmit a reply signal.
SSSC Single Sideband Suppressed Carrier. A SSSC signal is a
band of audio intelligence frequencies which have
been translated to a band of radio frequencies with-
out distortion of the intelligence signal.
SSU Subsequent Signal Unit
sta Station
STAB Stabilizer
Standard Represents the mean or average properties of the
Atmosphere atmosphere. At sea level static pressure is 29.92 InHg
and temperature is +15° C.
Standby Mode A DME mode that applies power to the DME RT but
the unit does not transmit.
STAR Standard Terminal Arrival Routes
STARS Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System
Static Ports Flush-mounted openings in the skin of the aircraft
fuselage used to sense static pressure.

Static Ambient atmospheric pressure or static pressure is
Pressure the force per unit area exerted by the air on the sur
face of a body at rest relative to the air.
Static Ram RAM constructed of bistable transistor elements.
Memory cells do not require refreshing (see “Dynamic
RAM”).
Static Source A correction applied to static source pressure mea
Error (SSEC) surements to partly or completely correct for pres
sure errors which are caused by airflow changes. It is
computed as a function of Mach and altitude based
on measured errors for a particular static system
STBY Standby
STC (1) Sensitivity Time Control. A control circuit used in
radar applications to control receiver gain with
respect to time.
(2) Supplemental Type Certificate
STCA Short Term conflict Alert
STCM Stabilizer Trim Control Module
STD Standard
STP Standard Temperature and Pressure
STS Stable Time Subfield
STVS Small Tower Voice Switch
SUA Special Use Airspace
SUL Yaw Damper Actuator
SUO (1) Aileron/Elevator/Rudder Servo
(2) Servo Actuator
Super- A receiver in which the incoming RF signal is mixed
heterodyne to produce a lower intermediate frequency.
Receiver
Suppressor A pulse used to disable L-band avionics during the
Pulse transmitting period of another piece of L-band air
borne equipment. It prevents the other avionics
aboard the aircraft from being damaged or interfered
with by the transmission and any noise associated
with that transmission.

SUT (1) Autothrottle Servo
(2) Stabilizer Trim Servo
SV Space Vehicle
SVC Service
SVO Servo
SVT Servo Throttle
SVU Satellite Voice Unit
S/W Software
sys System
T
TA Traffic Advisory
TAC (1) Test Access Control
(2) Thrust Assymetry Compensation
TACAN Tactical Air Navigation System Provides azimuth and
distance information to an aircraft from a fixed
ground station (as opposed to DME providing only
distance information).
Tach Tachometer
TACIU Test Access Control Interface Unit
TAG AEEC Technical Advisory Group
TAI Thermal Anti-Icing
Target An aircraft within the surveillance range of TCAS.
TAS True Airspeed
TAT (1) Total Air Temperature. The air temperature includ-
ing heat rise due to compressibility.
(2) True Air Temperature
TATCA Terminal Air Traffic Control Automation
TAU TAU is the minimum time a flight crew needs to dis-
cern a collision threat and take evasive action. It rep-
resents the performance envelope (speed and path of
aircraft) divided by the closure rate of any intruder
aircraft (TCAS).
TBB Transfer Bus Breaker
TBD To Be Determined
TBS To Be Supplied
TC Type Certificate
TCA Terminal Control Area
TCAS Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System
TCAS I A baseline system that provides a warning (TA) to the
flight crew of the presence of another aircraft (poten-
tial collision threat) within the surveillance area. No
avoidance maneuver is suggested.
TCAS II A collision avoidance system providing traffic infor-
mation (within approximately 30 nmi of the aircraft)
to the flight crew, in addition to the resolution advi-
sories (RA) (for vertical maneuvers only). A TCAS II-
equipped aircraft will coordinate with TCAS II-
equipped intruder aircraft to provide complementary
maneuvers.
TCC Turbine Case Cooling
TCCC Tower Control Computer Complex
TCM Technical Coordination Meeting
TCS Touch Control Steering
TCXO Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator
TDLS Tower Data Link System
TDM In the Time Division Multiplex Systems a common
carrier is shared to transmit multiple messages (to
multiple receivers) by time sharing the carrier
between the message sources.
TDMA Time Division Multiplex Access. When multiple trans-
mitters are using a single carrier to transmit to a sin-
gle receiver, the carrier is time shared between each
of the transmitters,so the multiple messages are not
garbled at the receiver.
TDOP Time Dilution of Precision. A term used to describe
the error introduced by variances in the calculated
time.

TDR Transponder
TEC Thermo-Electric Cooler
TEI Text Element Identifiers
TEMP Temperature
Temperature A sensor protruding into the airstream to sense air
Probe temperature. Requires correction to get static air tem
perature.
TERPS Terminal Instrument Procedures
TF1 RTCA Task Force One,GNSS Transition and
Implementation Strategy
TF2 RTCA Task Force Two,Transition to Digital
Communications
TF3 RTCA Task Force Three,Free Flight Implementation
TFM Traffic Flow Management
TFM-ART TFM Architecture and Requirements Team
TFT Thin Film Transitor
TG Transmission Gate
TGC Turbulence Gain Control
Threat A target that has satisfied the threat detection logic
and thus requires a traffic or resolution advisor y
(TCAS).
TIS Traffic Information Service
TK Track Angle
TKE Track Angle Error
T/L Top-Level
TLA Thrust Lever Angle
TLM Telemetry Word
TLS Target Level of Safety
TMA Terminal Airspace
TMAC TFM Modeling and Analysis Capability

TMC (1) Thrust Management Computer
(2) RTCA Technical Management Committee
TMCF Thrust Management Computer Function
TMCS Thrust Management Computer System
TMS Thrust Management System
TMU Traffic Management Unit
TO Take Off
TOC (1) Top of Climb
(2) Traffic Operations Center
(3) Transfer of Communication
TOD Top Of Descent
TO/FROM Indicates whether the omnibearing selected is the
Indicator course to or from the VOR ground station.
TOGA Take-Off, Go-Around. Also seen as TO/GA.
TOR Terms of Reference
Touch-down The point at which the predetermined glidepath
intercepts the runway.
TOW Time Of Week
TP Telecommunications Processor
TPMU Tire Pressure Monitor Unit
TPR Transponder
TR Temporary Revision. A document printed on yellow
paper which temporarily amends a page or pages of a
component maintenance manual.
T/R (1) Thrust Reversers
(2) Transceiver (see RT)
(3) Receiver-Transmitter
TRA Temporary Reserved Airspace
TRAC Terminal Radar Approach Control

Track (1) The actual path, over the ground,traveled by an
aircraft (navigation).
(2) In this mode the DME transmits a reduced pulse
pair rate after acquiring lock-on (DME).
(3) Estimated position and velocity of a single aircraft
based on correlated surveillance data reports (TCAS).
TRACON Terminal Radar Approach Control
TRACS Test and Repair Control System. An automated data
retrieval system. TRACS functions include:1) provide
the location of any given unit at any time;2) provide
an efficient flow of work to and from test stations;3)
provide quick access to quality information generated
by the actual testing process (performed by the tech-
nician);
(4) provide statistical and historical data regarding
throughput time for products, failure,yield rates,WIP,
etc.
Traffic Information given to the pilot pertaining to the posi
Advisory tion of another aircraft in the immediate vicinity. The
information contains no suggested maneuvers.
(Traffic advisory airspace is 1200 feet above and
below the aircraft and approximately 45 seconds dis
tant with respect to closure speed of the aircraft.)
[TCAS]
Traffic The number of transponder-equipped aircraft within
Density R nautical miles (nmi) of own aircraft,divided by p x
(R nmi)˝. Transponder-equipped aircraft include
Mode-S and ATCRBS Mode A and Mode C, and
excludes own aircraft (TCAS).
Transceiver A receiver and transmitter combined in a single unit.
Same as RT.
Transponder Avionics equipment that returns an identifying coded
signal.
TRK Track
TRP (1) Mode S Transponder
(2) ARPA Technology Reinvestment Program
TRR Test Rejection and Repair
TRSB Time Reference Scanning Beam. The international
standard for MLS installations.

TRU Transformer Rectifier Unit
True Airspeed The true velocity of the aircraft through the surround-
ing air mass.
True Altitude The exact distance above mean sea level (corrected
for temperature).
True Bearing The bearing of a ground station with respect to true
north.
True North The direction of the north pole from the observer.
TSA Tail Strike Assembly
TSE Total System Error
TSM Autothrottle Servo Mount (without Clutch)
TSO Technical Standard Order. Every unit built with a TSO
nameplate must meet TSO requirements. TSO operat-
ing temperature extremes are not the same as the
manufacturing burn-in limits.
TTFF Time To First Fix
TTL Transistor - Transistor Logic
TTR TCAS II Receiver/Transmitter
TTS Time To Station,an indication that displays the
amount of time for an aircraft to reach a selected
DME ground station while traveling at a constant
speed.
TTY Teletypewriter
TURB Turbulence
Turbulence The US National Weather Service defines light turbu-
lence as areas where wind velocity shifts are 0 to 19
feet per second (0 to 5.79 metres per second) and
moderate turbulence as wind velocity shifts of 19 to
35 feet per second (5.79 to 10.67 metres per second).
TVBC Turbine Vane and Blade Cooling
TVC Turbine Vane Cooling
TWDL Two Way Data Link
TWIP Terminal Weather Information for Pilots

TWP Technical Work Program
TWT Traveling Wave Tube
TX Transmit (see XMIT)
U
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
UAL United Airlines
UB Utility Bus
UBI Uplink Block Identifier
UCS Uniform Chromaticity Scale
UD User Data. The N-User data may also be transferred
between peer network members (OSI Model) as
required.
UFDR Universal Flight Data Recorder
UHF Ultra-High Frequency. The portion of the radio spec-
trum from 300 MHz to 3 GHz.
ULB Underwater Locator Beacon
ULD Unit Load Device
UMT Universal Mount
Unpaired A DME channel without a corresponding VOR or ILS
Channel frequency.
Uplink The radio transmission path upward from the earth to
the aircraft.
UPS Uninterruptible Power System
USAF United States Air Force
USB Upper Sideband is the information-carrying band and
is the frequency produced by adding the carrier fre-
quency and the modulating frequency.
USGIC U.S.GPS Industry Council
USTB Unstabilized
UTC Universal Coordinated Time

UUT Unit Under Test
UV Upper Sideband Voice
UW Unique Word
V
V1 Critical engine failure velocity
V2 Takeoff climb velocity
VA Volt-Amperes
VAC Volts AC
VAP Visual Aids Panel
VAPS (1) Virtual Avionics Prototyping System
(2) Virtual Applications Prototyping System
VAU Voltage Averaging Unit
VBV Variable Bypass Valve
VCCS Voice Communication Council System
VCD (1) Voltage Controlled Device
(2) Variable Capacitance Diode
VCO Variable Controlled Oscillator
VDC Volts Direct Current
VDL VHF Data Link
VDOP Vertical Dilution of Precision
VDR VHF Data Radio
Vertical Speed The rate of change of pressure altitude,usually cali-
brated in hundreds of feet per minute.
VFO Variable Frequency Oscillator
VFOP Visual Flight Rules Operations Panel
VFR Visual Flight Rules
VHF Very High Frequency. The portion of the radio spec-
trum from 30 to 300 MHz.
VHS Very High Speed

VHSIC-2 Very High Speed Integrated Circuits - phase 2
VIGV Variable Integral Guide Vane
VISTA Virtual Integrated Software Testbed for Avionics
VIU Video Interface Unit
V/L VOR/Localizer
VLSI Very Large Scale Integration
VLV Valve
V/M Voltmeter
Vmo The maximum airspeed at which an aircraft is certi-
fied to operate. This can be a fixed number or a func-
tion of configuration (gear, flaps,etc.) or altitude, or
both.
VNAV Vertical Navigation
VNR VHF Navigation Receiver
Voispond A calsel function that would automatically identify an
aircraft by a voice recording. Voispond is not yet
implemented.
VOR VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range. A system that pro-
vides bearing information to an aircraft.
VOR/DME A system in which a VOR and DME station are co-
located.
VOR/MB VOR/marker beacon
VORTAC A system in which a VOR and a TACAN station are co-
located.
VOS Velocity Of Sound
VOX Voice Transmission
VPN Vendor Part Number
VR Takeoff Rotation Velocity
VRAM Video Random Access Memory
VS Vertical Speed
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal

VSCF Variable Speed Constant Frequency
VSCS Voice Switching and Control System
VSI Vertical Speed Indicator
VSL Advisory Vertical Speed Limit advisory may be preventive or
corrective (TCAS).
VSM Vertical Separation Minimum
VSV Variable Station Vane
VSWR Voltage-Standing Wave Ratio. The ratio of the ampli-
tude of the voltage (or electric field) at a voltage max-
imum to that of an adjacent voltage minimum. Vswr
is a measurement of the mismatch between the load
and the transmission line.
VTO Volumetric Top-Off
VTOL Vertical Takeoff and Landing
W
WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System (Method of
Differential GPS)
WADGNSS Wide Area Differential Global Navigation Satellite
System
WADGPS Wide Area DGPS
WAFS World Area Forecast System
WAI Wing Anti-Ice
WARC-92 World Administrative Radio Conference (1992)
WARC-MOB World Administrative Radio Conference for the Mobile
Service
Waypoint A position along a route of flight.
WCP WXR Control Panels
WD Wind Direction
WES Warning Electronic System
WEU Warning Electronic Unit

WFA WXR Flat Plate Antenna
WGS World Geodetic System
WGS-72 World Geodetic Survey of 1972
WGS-84 World Geodetic System 1984
Whisper- A sequence of ATCRBS interrogations and suppres
Shout sions of varying power levels transmitted by TCAS
equipment to reduce severity of synchronous interfer
ence and multipath problems.
WIP Work In Progress
WMA WXR Antenna Pedestal & WXR Waveguide Adapter
WMI WXR Indicator Mount
WMS Wide-area Master Station
WMT WXR Mount
WN Week Number
WORD Grouping of bits. Size of group varies from micro-
processor to microprocessor.
WOW Weight On Wheels
WP Working Paper
WPT Waypoint
WRC World Radiocommunication Conference
WRS Wide-area Reference Station
WRT WXR Receiver/Transmitter
WWW Internet World Wide Web
WX Weather
WXI WXR Indicator
WXP Weather Radar Panel
WXR Weather Radar System
WYPT Waypoint Altitude

X
X-BAND The frequency range between 8000 and 12500
Channel MHzX- A DME channel. There are 126 X-Channels for
DME operation. For the first 63 channels, the ground-
to-air frequency is 63 MHz below the air-to-ground
frequency. For the second 63 X-channels the ground-
to-air frequency is 63 MHz above the air-to-ground
frequency.
X.25 Packet Switched Data Network
XCVR Transceiver
XFR Transfer
XLTR Translator
XM External Master
XMIT Transmit
XMTR Transmitter
XPD ATC Transponder (also XPDR,XPNDR,TPR)
XPDR Transponder
Y
Yagi Antenna An antenna with its maximum radiation parallel to
the long axis of its array, consisting of a driven dipole,
a parasitic dipole reflector, and one parasitic dipole
director or more.
YSAS Yaw Stability Augmentation System
YD Yaw Damper
Z
Z Refer to reflectivity factor
ZFW Zero Fuel Weight
Z-Marker A marker beacon,sometimes referred to as a station
locator, that provides positive identification to the
pilot when the aircraft is passing directly over a low-
frequency navigation aid.

AlliedSignal
Electronic & Avionics Systems
400 North Rogers Road
Olathe,Kansas
66062-1212
Phone: (913) 782-0400
FAX: 913-791-1302
A
©1998 AlliedSignal Inc.
3/98 006-18100-0000 .7K Printed in the U.S.A.

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AlliedSignal

The AlliedSignal Glossary of Avionics Terms & Acronyms 1

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