Northern Airborne Technology N301A User Manual

Installation and Operation Manual

N301A-000

Audio Controller

RX-ON

MKR

DME

EMER

NORM

ICS

PVT

COM2

COM3

COM4

TX

COM5

AUX

NAV2

NAV1

RADIO ICS HOT VOX

ADF2

ADF1

SM45

Northern Airborne Technology Ltd.

Issued on the authority of Northern Airborne Technology Ltd.

ISSUE 4.01

1925 Kirschner Road

Kelowna, BC, Canada.

V1Y 4N7

Telephone [phone]

Facsimile [phone]

Copyright 2004

N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

Table of Contents

Section Title Page

1. Description

1.1 Introduction 1-1

1.2 Product Description 1-1

1.3 Design Features 1-1

1.4 Specifications 1-1

1.4.1 Electrical Specifications 1-1

1.4.2 Physical Specifications 1-3

1.4.3 Environmental Specifications 1-3

2. Installation

2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2 Unpacking and Inspection 2-1

2.2.1 Warranty 2-1

2.3 Continued Airworthiness 2-1

2.4 Installation Procedures 2-1

2.4.1 Warnings 2-1

2.4.2 Cautions 2-2

2.4.3 Cabling and Wiring 2-2

2.4.4 Installation Notes 2-3

2.4.5 Mechanical Mounting 2-3

2.4.6 Post Installation Checks 2-3

2.4.7 Tie Line Mode Options 2-4

2.5 Adjustments and Connections 2-4

2.5.1 Left Side Adjustments 2-5

2.5.2 Right Side Adjustments 2-5

2.6 Accessories Required But Not Supplied 2-6

2.7 Installation Drawings 2-6

3. Operation

3.1 Introduction 3-1

3.2 General Information 3-1

3.3 Controls and Indicators 3-1

3.3.1 Transmit Selection 3-1

3.3.2 Receive Audio 3-2

3.3.3 Emergency Switch (EMER/NORM) 3-2

3.3.4 ICS Functions 3-2

3.3.5 Direct Audio Inputs 3-3

3.3.6 Cockpit Voice Recorder 3-3

Installation and Operation Manual Page iii

ENG-FORM: 820-0114.DOT

CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY TO NORTHERN AIR BORNE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

Section 1 Description

1.1 Introduction

Information in this section consists of product description, design features and specifications for the
N301A-000 Audio Controller. All derivative product information shall be contained in the applicable
manual supplement, which may be obtained from NAT as required.

Review all notes, warnings and cautions.

1.2 Product Description

The N301A is an Audio Controller that is compatible with military and civil aviation headsets. The N301A
controls the audio from multiple receivers, and allows transmission of mic audio to a selected transmitter.
Intercom operation is also provided, with two proprietary tie lines for system expansion. Three mode s of
ICS are available: HOT; PTT; and VOX.

The N301A is a Dzus mounted audio panel with built in intercom. It provides full headset transmit and
receive functions for the user. The front panel level controls permit user adjustment of selected audio,
such as radio, ICS and VOX squelch.

The user has control of six transceiver positions, six receiver inputs, four direct audio alerts and two
different ICS tie lines.

The N301A is a drop-in replacement for the Andrea A301-6 audio panel.

1.3 Design Features

The N301A system employs NAT's unique audio processing, which reduces noi se and tailors the
frequency response to produce clean, crisp intercom audio. Its high output power and low distortion
results in better on-board communication. The unit is designed to meet the requirements of TSO-C50c.

All inputs are fully floating including dedicated alerting inputs, except for the 150 Ω Mic and ICS tie lines.
Independent RX and ICS volume controls are provided, and intercom mode can be varied from HOT MIC
through VOX to PTT (push to talk). In installations configured for the ‘Andrea’ tie lines, the ‘Private’ tie line
can also be used to provide secondary ICS for selected users. The NAT ICS tie line is fully compatible
with other NAT audio systems.

1.4 Specifications

1.4.1 Electrical Specifications

Power Supply:

Operating Voltage
Nominal 27.5 Vdc, with reverse and over voltage protection.

Maximum 30.3 Vdc
Minimum 24.8 Vdc
Emergency 20.0 Vdc

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N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

Input current 0.5 Amps Max.
Lighting 200 mA @ 27.5 Vdc

Input Signals

Output Signals:

Quantity 12 receive channels
2 mic channels
4 direct channels

Audio level 4.5 Vrms for receiver inputs

0.25 Vrms for 150 Ω mic input

0.25 mVrms for 5 Ω mic input

4.5 Vrms for direct audio inputs
Impedance 10 kΩ ±10% for receive inputs

150 Ω ±10% for 150 Ω mic input
5 Ω ±2 Ω for 5 Ω mic input
10 kΩ ±10% for direct audio inputs

Circuitry Type All are balanced inputs except for the 150 Ω mic (single ended)
Coupling < -60 dB input-to-input Crosstalk
Keylines Transmit PTT – active low

ICS PTT – active low

Quantity 2 headset outputs
6 transmitter mic outputs
6 transmitter keyline outputs
1 mode of CVR output (Models -103 & -105 have 2 modes)

Rated level Hi impedance headset output >12.3 Vrms or 250 mW into 600 Ω
Low impedance headset output >1.42 V ms or 250 mW into 8 Ω
RX input CVR level - 1.4 Vrms ±10% into 5k Ω
Mic input CVR level - 0.45 Vrms ±50mV into 5k Ω
Mic output – 250 mVrms nominal into 150 Ω
Keyline outputs ≤1 A max. sink for mic keys

Circuitry Type Headsets and CVR are balanced outputs
Microphone outputs are single ended

Frequency Response Receive inputs <3 dB from 350 Hz to 6000 Hz
Direct inputs <3 dB from 350 Hz to 6000 Hz
Intercom <3 dB from 350 Hz to 3000 Hz
CVR output <3 dB from 350 Hz to 6000 Hz

Distortion <10% THD @ rated power output
Audio Noise Level Without Signal: >50 dB down from rated output
Coupling: <-55 dB input-to-output Crosstalk
Output Regulation <10% distortion / Δ3 dB max. of rated output power at 400% and 75% of

rated load

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CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY TO NORTHERN AIR BORNE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

Bi-directional Signals:

Quantity: 3 ICS tie channels
Audio level: 0.34 Vrms for NAT ICS tie

2.8 Vrms for Interphone tie

2.8 Vrms for PVT ICS tie
Impedance: 1.6 kΩ ±10% for NAT ICS tie input

19 kΩ ±10% for Interphone ICS tie input
19 kΩ ±10% for PVT ICS tie input

Circuitry Type: Single ended

Annunciators:

Green LED illuminates for transmit operation

1.4.2 Physical Specifications

Height 2.64 inches (67.2 mm) max
Depth 3.40 inches (86.5 mm) max behind panel, excluding connector
Width 4.97 inches (126.3 mm) max behind panel
Weight 1.75 lbs (0.8 Kg) max excluding harness an d mating connectors
Mounting Unit fits standard Dzus rails
Connectors Male 50-pin & 15-pin D-subminiature filtered connectors with Jackpost locks
Material/ Finish Chassis and cover are 5052-H32 brushed aluminum with chromate

Faceplate Laser etched acrylic edge-lit panel

conversion finish

1.4.3 Environmental Specifications

Temperature
Operating -20° C to +70° C
Survival -55° C to + 85° C
Altitude 25,000 feet max
Humidity 95% at 50° C 48 hours
Vibration/Shock RTCA/DO -1 6 0 C C a t . M N Y
Qualification of the N301A-000 Audio Controller was completed in accordance with:

B
RTCA/DO-160C Env. Cat. B4-BA[MNY]XXXXXXABABAZAXXX

Note: Refer to Environmental Qualification Form located in Section 2.7 of this Manual for complete

details of the environmental categories.

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CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY TO NORTHERN AIR BORNE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

1.4.4 Product Approval

FAA: TSO-C50c (RTCA/DO-170, Class 1b)
Applicable to units serial number 3000 and above

Section 1 ends

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CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY TO NORTHERN AIR BORNE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

N301A-000 Audio Controller

SM45 Installation and Operation Manual

Section 2 Installation

2.1 Introduction

Information in this section consists of unpacking and inspection procedures, installation procedure s, po st­installation checks and installation drawings for the N301A-000 Audio Controller.

Review all notes, warnings and cautions.

2.2 Unpacking and Inspection

Unpack the equipment carefully and locate the warranty card. Inspect the unit visually for damage due to
shipping and report all such claims immediately to the carrier involved. Check that all items listed below
are present before proceeding and report any shortage immediately to your supplier:

- Warranty Card

- Operators Manual

- Certificate of Conformity or Release Certification

2.2.1 Warranty

All Northern Airborne Technology Ltd. products are warranted for 2 years from date of installation by an
authorized NAT dealer, to be free of defects in workmanship or performance. This warranty covers all
materials and labour, but is exclusive of any transport to deliver the defective unit to and from NAT or its
designated warranty repair center, or any labour to remove or re-install the defective unit in the aircraft.
Contact NAT for any questions regarding this warranty, its applicability to your units and/or for return
authorization. NAT is the final arbitrator concerning warranty administration. Units which have been
physically damaged, burned, immersed in water or otherwise abused beyond the scope of normal use will
not be considered for warranty. WARRANTY IS VOID UNLESS THE PRODUCT IS INSTALLED BY AN
AUTHORIZED NAT DEALER. Product for which a warranty card is not returned shall be warranted from
date of manufacture.

2.3 Continued Airworthiness

Maintenance of the N301A-000 Audio Controller is ‘on condition’ only. Periodic maintenance of this
product is not required.

2.4 Installation Procedures

2.4.1 Warnings

WARNING:

High volume settings can cause hearing damage.

Set the headset volume control to the minimum volume setting prior to

conducting tests, and slowly increase the headset volume to a

comfortable listening level.

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