Aircraft Digital Audio System

The core elements of audio system on A320 have remained essentially unchanged since initial type certification.

A new digital audio cockpit system will bring significant improvements to pilots and aircraft operations compared to current analogue audio.

🧵DRAIMS

The Digital Radio and Audio Integrating Management System (DRAIMS) is the new radio system with digital display, multifunction buttons and numeric keypad. Previously there were 3 separate panels: the Radio Management Panel, Audio Control Panel and XPDR/TCAS Control Panel

Now the RMP, ACP and XPDR/TCAS CP are combined into a new single control panel known as the RMP (Radio and Audio Management Panel)

The VHF and HF pages show active and standby frequencies on all available radios.

Standby frequencies are entered by selecting relevant LSK on right hand side (cyan box appears) and using the numeric keypad. A push of relevant LSK on left side swaps the active and standby frequencies.

In CPDLC operations, the message area shows a LOAD message if the appropriate uplink is received from the active ATC centre.

The TEL page shows the call status, the call priority level and telephone number (or directory name) on all available SATCOM channels

If a call is received, a buzzer sounds and the associated transmission key flashes amber. The details of the incoming call are shown on the TEL page.

The squawk code can be modified via the ATC page, or directly from any VHF, HF or TEL pages, by using the left hand LSK to select the code (cyan box appears) and then using the numeric keypad. After a few seconds the squawk code is shown in green to confirm its selection.

The upper part of the NAV page is used to activate the STBY NAV function in case of FMS failure. The lower part of the NAV page is used for listening to the different NAVAIDS (AUDIO NAV). Only the installed NAVAIDS are shown on the screen.

Failure case management has been simplified and the appropriate procedures are available in the FWS; for example, in case of RMP failure, the single action of switching off the associated RMP automatically activates the reconfiguration onto the remaining available RMP or ACP.

The digital audio system saves nearly 4kg of weight due to wiring simplification and harness diameter reduction. It also saves 4kg of weight due to the reduced number and size of LRU, thus contributing to fuel savings. Power consumption reduction of up to 26%. The digital audio system is compatible with all peripheral equipment in the Airbus catalogue.

Alerts from the FWS, TCAS and GPWS are broadcast through the boomsets and headsets, in addition to the loudspeakers.

The digital audio system will become baseline on A320 over the next years, is designed with installation, maintenance & operation improvements in mind. DRAIMS provides excellent audio quality and is very easy/intuitive to use, even by👨‍✈️with limited exposure to the digital audio.

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