GNS 530(A) Pilot’s Guide and Reference 190-00181-00 Rev. E
14-12
SECTION 14
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
14.2 WEATHER DATA LINK INTERFACE
This section is written for:
•
Garmin 500 Series Main System Software Version
6.01 and later
•
GDL 49 Main Software Version 2.03 and later
•
GDL 69/69A Main Software Version 2.14 and later
Some differences in operation may be observed when
comparing the information in this manual to earlier or
later software versions.
NOTE: This section is written exclusively for 500
Series units that are configured with the GDL
49 or GDL 69(A) Data Link Satellite Receiver.
Refer to the 400/500 Series Display Interfaces
Pilot’s Guide Addendum (190-00140-10) when
interfacing with non-Garmin products.

Introduction

GNS 530 units can interface with the GDL 49 or the
GDL 69/69A. The GNS 530 unit provides the display and
control interface for the textual and graphical weather
data link.
Satellite up-linked textual and graphical weather
data is received by the GDL 49 on a request/reply basis.
Transmissions are made using bursts of compressed
data at a rate of 4800 bps. Weather data transmissions
are streamed directly to the GDL 69/69A from the XM
Satellite Radio network.
The following operational differences are noted
between the GDL 69/69A and the GDL 49:
•
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 GNS 530 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 GNS 530 unit for display.
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
GNS 530 unit (available with GDL 49 only).