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AVIONICS GLOSSARY
A handy compendium of terms and acronyms associated with the avionics industry.

Avionics & Communications

Collins

AVIONICS GLOSSARY
How to Speak Avionics-ese*

CONTENTS OF GLOSSARY
A B C D E F G H I J K L M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . 10 . 12 . 18 . 23 . 27 . 31 . 33 . 35 . 38 . 39 . 39 . 42 N O P Q R S T U V W X Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . 50 . 52 . 57 . 58 . 61 . 68 . 73 . 74 . 78 . 79 . 80

*Avionics-ese. Sometimes

called Av-speak.

It’s a confusing, sometimes frustrating language. That’s why your friends at Rockwell Avionics & Communications created this handy compendium of acronyms, terms and definitions. We hope it helps.

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3D, 4D 4096 CodeThree or four dimension 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) (1) Autotuned NAVAID (2) Amperes Aeronautical Administrative Communications Above Aerodome Level Advanced Architecture Micro-Processor Advanced Aviation Transportation Technology Autobrake Aeronautical Binary Phase Shift KeyingAbbreviation Absolute The altitude of the aircraft above the terrain Also known as AGL (above ground level) (1) Advisory Circular (2) Alternating current Aircraft Air-Cooled Air Cooler Airborne Collision Avoidance System Airborne Communications Addressing and Reporting System (1) Active Clearance Control (2) Area Control Center Accelerometer (1) The control character meaning technical acknowledge (2)Actuator Control Electronics (3) Advanced Certification Equipment Area Control Facility Airfoil and Cowl Ice Protection System

A AAC AAL AAMP AATT A/B A-BPSK ABRV ABS Absolute Altitude AC A/C ACAC ACAS ACARS ACC Acclrm ACE

ACF ACIPS

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ACK ACM ACMF ACMP ACMS ACNSS ACP ACS ACT ACU

The control character meaning technical acknowledgement of an uplink, used in an ACARS system Air CycleMachine Airplane Condition Monitoring Function Alternating Current Motor Pump Aircraft Condition Monitoring System Advanced Communication/Navigation/ Surveillance System Audio Control Panel (1) Active Control System (2) Audio Control System Active (1) Apron Control Unit (2) Autopilot Control Unit (3) Antenna Control Unit Analog-To-Digital Computer Programming Language Air Data Computer AutomaticDirection Finder Attitude Direction Indicator Air Data Inertial Reference System Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (1) Aircraft Data Link Processor (2) Airborne Data Link Protocol Air Data Module Airline Data Management System Air Driven Pump Airplane Data Recovery and Analysis System (1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance (2) Air Data System Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast

A/D ADA ADCADF ADI ADIRS ADIRU ADLP ADM ADMS ADP ADRAS ADS ADSB

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ADSEL

Address Selective. A SSR system electronically arranged to address each transponder selectively. Only a particular transponder will respond, thus avoiding garbling. ADSEL uses a monopulse technique to provide more accurate bearing measurement. ADSEL is compatible with DABS. (Refer to Mode S transponders.) Automatic DependentSurveillance Panel (1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance Unit (2) Automatic Dependent Surveillance System Audio Electronic Control Unit Algol Extended for Design Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee Audio Entertainment Player Automated En Route traffic control Aircraft Earth Station (1) Automatic Frequency Compensation (2) Automatic Frequency Control Automatic Flight Control Augmentation...