We're bringing the promise of “Free Flight” 1 step closer to reality with the GDL 90, aviation’s first certified ADS-B datalink transceiver. GDL 90 combines GPS satellite navigation with datalink communications to deliver interactive traffic and hazard surveillance.

Report and Receive Surveillance Data

GDL 90 is designed to transmit, receive and decode Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) messages via onboard datalink. It broadcasts your aircraft's position, velocity, projected track, altitude and flight identification to other equipped aircraft in your vicinity, as well as to ground-based transceivers maintained by the FAA.

Get Ready for Free Flight

ADS-B is a key enabling technology for Free Flight — an airspace management concept that will ultimately make flying safer and provide more efficient use of our airspace. With ADS-B you "see" aircraft traffic with much more precision than with existing ground-based radar systems. The GDL 90 relies on the development of the FAA’s Safe Flight 21 program, which is currently implementing the ground-based portion of the ADS-B network.

Enhance Situational Awareness

Current benefits of the GDL 90 include more extensive and tactical surveillance data for traffic and hazard avoidance. This includes the ability to receive continuous detailed weather information, as well as Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) data and TIS-B traffic/ conflict information (uplinked from ground radar). Being able to see and react to the same traffic picture that controllers are watching on their radar scopes provides an extra margin of safety in the air. And because the government plans to offer this data free of charge, the added safety comes at a real savings over similar commercial uplink services.

Interface with GMX 200

GDL 90 is a TSO C154 remote mount unit. It includes a TSO-C145a WAAS GPS sensor that can feed other devices with highly accurate positioning information. The broadband datalink operates on 978 MHz. GDL 90 is designed to interface with our GMX 200 color multifunction display (MFD) or other approved cockpit screen presentation.

Note: The FAA is expected to finalize requirements for ADS-B mandated compliance in mid May 2010. Until these regulations are published, it is unknown if the GDL 90 will meet the mandatory requirements for compliance in 2020.

Physical

Height: 7.42 inches (18.84 cm)
Width: 3.54 inches (8.97 cm)
Depth: 12.64 inches (32.11 cm)
Weight
(with mounting tray): 6.4 lb (2.9 kg)
(mounting tray only): 1.2 lb (0.54 kg)

Electrical

Power: 20 Watts
Voltage: 10-40 VDC
Input Current
(typical): 1.5 A @ 14 VDC
750 mA @ 28 VDC

UAT performance

TSO Compliance: TSO-C154
Frequency: 978.00 MHz
TX Power: 40 W (+44 dBm nominal)
Data Rate: 1.04 Mbps
99% Power
Bandwidth: 1.3 MHz

GPS/WAAS receiver performance

TSO Compliance: TSO-C145a (RTCA/DO-229C)
Number of Channels: 15 (12 GPS and 3 GPS/WAAS/SBAS)
Frequency: 1575.42 MHz L1, C/A code
Lat/Long Position Accuracy: 2 meter RMS typical with WAAS (horizontal/vertical)
Velocity: 1000 knots maximum (above 60,000 ft)
TTFF (time to first fix): 1:45 min. typical with current almanac, position, and time
Reacquisition: 10 seconds typical
Position Update Interval: 0.2 sec (5 Hz)
Datum: WGS-84
SATCOM Compatibility: Compatible on aircraft equipped with SATCOM Antenna Power Supply 35 mA typical, 40 mA max at 4.7 VDC

What is ADS-B?