400/500 Series Garmin Optional Displays

Section 1: Introduction
PART TWO:
WEATHER DATA LINK INTERFACE
The Garmin 400/500 Series units provides the display and control interface for the textual and graphical
weather data link. For the GDL 49, satellite up-linked textual and graphical weather data is received
on a request/reply basis. Transmissions are made using bursts of compressed data at a rate of 4800 bps.
With the addition of software version 4.03 and 5.03, 400/500 Series units can now interface with the
GDL 69/69A. Weather data transmissions are streamed directly to the unit from the XM Satellite Radio
network. Operational differences are noted between the GDL 69/69A and the GDL 49.
Functions provided by the Weather Data Link system include:
• Request for and display of NEXRAD radar imagery.
• Request for and display of text-based METAR data.
• Request for and display of a compressed form of METAR data that allows icon representations at
reporting stations on a moving map indicating visibility, ceiling, etc.
• Position tracking services are provided through periodic position report transmissions from the
400/500 Series unit (available with GDL 49 only).
Weather Products
The following weather products are available for display on the 400/500 Series unit via the
Weather Data Link interface:
• NEXRAD Data
• Graphical METAR Data
• Text-based METAR Data
• Graphical Temperature/Dewpoint Data
• Graphical Wind Data
Section 1
Introduction
How it Works:
GDL 49:
NEXRAD and METAR data is collected by the National
Weather Service and disseminated to Meteorlogix, a weather
information provider. This data is then delivered to a weather
server in the Echo Flight Message System. With the weather
data on the system, an incoming customer request is filled,
logged, and turned around for delivery to ORBCOMM in less
than five seconds (ORBCOMM is a provider of global messaging
services using a constellation of 26 low-Earth orbiting satellites).
The message is relayed from the satellites to the GDL 49
aboard the aircraft. Once the GDL 49 receives the message, it is
displayed on the 400/500 Series unit.
GDL 69/69A:
NEXRAD and METAR data is collected by the National
Weather Service and disseminated to WxWorks, a weather
information provider. This data is then delivered to XM Satellite
for rebroadcast. Data from two XM satellites is then made
immediately available to XM customers. The GDL 69/69A
receives streaming weather data, processes the data, then sends
it to the 400/500 Series unit for display.
XM provides “Weather to the power of X!”, servicing marine,
aviation and emergency management needs for real-time
weather information”.
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