Integrated Interface Architecture and Control Logic for Enhanced Emergency Location Functionality

A system onboard an aircraft comprising:

• an ELT remote panel on the flight deck of the aircraft, the ELT remote panel comprising a switch;
• a first antenna that is attached to an exterior of a fuselage skin of the aircraft;
• and
• an ADT unit connected to the first antenna and comprising:
• first processing means comprising ELT activation logic;
• and
• a first input interface comprising first, second and third terminals, and second processing means configured to output an ELT ON state signal to the ELT activation logic if an impedance between the first and third terminals is effectively zero or if an impedance between the first and second terminals is effectively zero,
• wherein the switch of the ELT remote panel is connected to the first terminal of the first input interface by wiring.

A method for equipping first and second aircraft with first and second ADT units of identical design having first, second and third terminals, wherein the first aircraft has a flight deck equipped with a first ELT remote panel switch having a first switch configuration and the second aircraft has a flight deck equipped with a second ELT remote panel switch having a second switch configuration different than the first switch configuration, the method comprising:

• connecting the first and second terminals of the first ADT unit to the first LT remote panel switch by wiring;
• connecting the first terminal of the second ADT unit to the second ELT remote panel switch by wiring;
• and
• connecting the third terminal of the second ADT unit to ground.