Skip to main content

How to Install and Configure the Certified AV-Link PMA

Updated

Tech Tip Tuesday: How to Install and Configure the Certified AV-Link PMA

Tech Tip Tuesday: How to Install and Configure the Certified AV-Link PMA

In this video, uAvionix support will provide instructions on how to install and configure the AV-Link.

What’s in the box:

  • AV-Link (1.1 oz)
  • Certificate of Conformance card (will have the serial number on it, please put that in your logbook)
  •  Get Started card with a QR code that will take you to our support webpage so that you can download the installation manual for the AV-30C and the pilot's guide for the AV-30C, both of which have the AV-Link information in it.

Tools you will need:

  • 3-16-inch nut driver or wrench
  • Flat-headed screwdriver

The AV-Link is designed to interface with an existing AV-30 display. The AV-Link is mounted in series between the AV-30-C and the AV-30-C back shell connector. When doing this, make sure to tighten up the nuts, not too tight that you would break something, but not too loose that it will make an improper connection. Now, we'll get the connector to go in the back.

To properly ensure you have the AV-30 and the AV-Link attached to a power supply, you will connect pin 1 to power and 9 to ground.

To connect the AV-Link to Wi-Fi, we will first need to turn on the AV-30 and the AV-Link that is now connected and place it in the “Install” mode. You will do so by pressing and holding the center “PUSH-SET” button. Pay close attention to the splash screen as it comes up (uAvionix logo and software version appears). Please refer to our Service Bulletin to see if you will need to update the software.

Next, you will want to navigate to the install menu and enable the AV-Link. If you have older software installed, like our first software 1.0.18 version, this may not be an option for you until you get it updated.

To get to the install menu on the AV-30, press the left menu button 2X. Then, rotate the center knob to serial 3. If the AV-Link is turned on, you will see SERIAL 3: AVLINK, if it is turned off, you will see SERIAL 3: NONE. To turn on AV-Link: Press the center button 1X, rotate to AV-Link, then press the center button 1X once again. Then press the left button once to select “DONE.” This now will enable the Wi-Fi to be on continuously.

If for some reason you have software version 1.0.18 and don't have this option, then the Wi-Fi will only be on for the first five minutes. You'll need to connect to the Wi-Fi in the first five minutes, update the software, then you can turn on that serial port 3.

If the AV-30 is not going to be used for the traffic display, then after the update, turn off serial port 3. To get to the traffic display page you will press and hold the center (PUSH-SET) button. The first page that will appear is the Directional Gyro (DG) page. Press and hold the center button again, and you will arrive to the traffic display page. If you're not going to be using the traffic display, then after the update, turn off serial port 3.

Next, we will discuss how to connect the iPad to this AV-Link.

  1. Navigate to uavionix.com to update the AV-30-C.
  2. Click on the “Support” tab. Navigate to “General Aviation.” Then click on the “AV-30-C” device.
  3. Under the “Software Update” section you will see “Service Bulletins.” Go into the “Service Bulletin” section. Then select the most recent service bulletin on the software update.
  4. Open opening the service bulletin for software updates, scroll down and download the “Firmware.”
  5. Your browser may ask, “Do you want to download “UAV______?” Press the “Download” button. This file will be in your downloads folder.

Next, we will want to disconnect from the internet and connect to the AV-Link. You will do so by following these steps:

  1. On the iPad, navigate to the “settings” page. We're going to click on the AV-Link. Wait until you see a blue check mark next to the AV-Link.
    • Then, navigate back over to Safari (or other web browser) and type in 192.168.5.1. NOTE: If you're using an experimental AV-Link, and it is an older software, this might not work. Instead, type: 192.168.4.1.
    • If your unit doesn't want to pick up the AV-Link Wi-Fi connection, then power cycle your AV-30 so that you're able to pick it up again.
  2. Once you’re connected, navigate back over to Safari, and go to 192.168.5.1. You will see the software version listed. Scroll down to the bottom where it says: “AV Display Software Update” at the bottom right and select. This will lead you to a new page that says AV Display Software Update.
  3. Under “Advanced” select “Choose File.”
  4. Locate the firmware file. You can do so by going to the “Recent” folder. Then select the firmware file.
    • There will be a window that pops up stating: “This file is intended for certified use only! Are you sure you want to install _____ software?” Press “OK” to continue. You will see the AV Display Software Update go to 100%. If you look at your AV-30, you'll see that the screen has gone black. This is normal, it's working on completing the update, and so we're going to let this sit until it's completed.
    • NOTE: Make sure not to navigate off this page, because it will cause the unit to fail the update.
  5. You will receive a note that states the update is complete. Now you will want to confirm all settings.
  6. The AV-30 unit will reboot, and it will prompt you to press any key. If you navigate to the same page for the AV-Link, you'll note that the software has been updated.

That's how you update your AV-30. Now to configure the AV-Link portion of it, follow the steps below:

  1. Navigate to Wi-Fi Settings in the browser. We request that you go ahead and input a password for the AV-Link. uAvionix recommends you choose our own passwords. Once that is set, you'll see that you will get knocked off, and Safari won't be able to reach it.
  2. Go back to “Settings” page. Click on the AV-Link and it will prompt you to input a password. Enter the password you just created.
  3. Once connected, go back to Safari. Refresh that page and allow a moment for everything to load. It should show “Sentry” and display that it is connected. You will also see a Sentry SSID.
    • If for some reason you have a Sentry that is renamed, you may have to do a hard reset on that to default it back to what it originally came with.
  4. Once you have all the information, press “Save,” and select “Main Page, and you will see the software for your Sentry, the AV-Link, and the AV-30.

Now, we can go back to the AV-30 and take a look at the display page and what that will look like. Now that your unit is updated, we will now be able to display traffic on the AV-30.

Follow the steps below to complete the following actions:

Accessing AV-30 Traffic Display

  1. Press and hold the center (PUSH-SET) button, and it'll take you to the Directional Gyro (DG) heading page.
  2. Press and hold again, and you'll get to the multi-function display (MFD) where traffic will be displayed.
    • You will not have a heading, if you are not moving, and we do have. You will also not have any traffic in the area because you are not flying.

Configure Display Filters

To configure the settings of the AV-Link, press the left menu button 1X and then turn the center (PUSH-SET) knob to change the filters. Refer to the installation manual for filter details. The different filters that you can select are: Normal, Above, Below, Only Own.

If you wish to see more information, we'll click the left “DONE” button. Then, you will press the center button 1X and rotate the center knob over traffic (if any is detected).

If there's anything else in our area, we would be able to press that center button and rotate around to the other traffic until we get on what we want to look at.

Set Your ICAO Address

The next thing is entering our ownship ICAO, and so that can be changed to match your N number. If you want to know where to get that ICAO address, it'll be on the FAA website in the registration, or you can also go to https://www.avionictools.com/icao.

Adjust Display Range

You will note that on the left-hand-side of the AV-30 unit, you will see “5, 10, 15” for nautical miles for the “Scale.” You are able to stretch that scale out to 40 nautical miles, to be able to look even further.

NOTE: If you are connected to a tailBeaconX, there'll be a second page here. Press the HLD BRT (right button) 1X. It will change the page from “1:1” to “AI.” The AI display will be the beaconX. This is the page where you'll be able to set the squawk code, change the mode, and set the flight ID.

 

 

Related to

Related articles

Comments

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.