The present document provides part 4 of the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link
(VDL) Mode 4 aeronautical mobile (airborne) radio transmitters, transceivers and receivers for air-ground and air-air
communications operating in the VHF band, using Gaussian Filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) modulation with
25 kHz channel spacing and capable of tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as
defined in ICAO VDL SARPs [2].
The present document is designed to ensure that equipment certified to it will be compatible with the relevant
ICAO VDL SARPs [2] and ICAO VDL4 Technical Manual [1].
Manufacturers should note that in future the tuning range for the transmitter may also cover any 25 kHz channel from
112,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz and the receiver(s) may cover any 25 kHz channel from 108,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz.
The present document applies to "aeronautical mobile (airborne and as applicable also ground vehicles)" equipment
which will hereinafter be referred to as "mobile" equipment.
The scope of the present document is limited to mobile stations. The equivalent specification for ground stations is
EN 301 842 [4].
A description of the scope of the VDL Mode 4 system is provided in part 2 of these technical specifications
(see EN 302 842-2 [6], clause 1).
EN 302 842-1 [5] deals with tests of the physical layer, EN 302 842-2 [6] deals with core link layer functionality and
EN 302 842-3 [7] with additional broadcast functionality. The present document deals with tests of the datalink layer
(DLS) and the link layer sufficient to support point-to-point functionality. Note that, as described in EN 302 842-2 [6], a
system supporting point-to-point functionality is required to conform to EN 302 842-1 [5], EN 302 842-2 [6] and the
specification in the present document.
The present document includes:
• references, definitions and abbreviations are provided in clauses 2 and 3;
• clause 4 describes the VDL Mode 4 mobile station point-to-point functions;
• clause 5 performance specifications for the VDL Mode 4 mobile station;
• clause 6 provides general design requirements;
• clause 7 provides protocol tests for the point-to-point functions of the system;
• a document history is contained in clause 8;
• annex A provides a detailed cross-reference to the relevant requirements contained in
ICAO VDL4 Technical Manual [1].
Note that the system can support a very wide range of functions. It is not practical to provide specific tests for all
aspects of functionality. The approach used is to provide detailed tests for the core point-to-point functionality and to
provide tests of those remaining requirements which, if wrongly implemented, could cause a deterioration in the service
offered by other VDL Mode 4 stations.
Mandating and Recommendation Phrases
a) "Shall":
- The use of the word "Shall" indicates a mandated criterion; i.e. compliance with the particular procedure
or specification is mandatory and no alternative may be applied.
b) "Should":
- The use of the word "Should" (and phrases such as "It is recommended that...", etc.) indicates that though
the procedure or criterion is regarded as the preferred option, alternative procedures, specifications or
criteria may be applied, provided that the manufacturer, installer or tester can provide information or data
to adequately support and justify the alternative.
PUBLISHED
SSH EN 302 842-4 V1.1.1:2005
60.60
Standard published
4 gush 2016