RTCA DO-185B-2008 V1 PDF

Full title and description

Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) — DO-185B (Revision B), Version 7.1. This publication defines the minimum operational performance standards, equipment requirements and test procedures for airborne TCAS II equipment; the DO-185B package is published in multiple volumes (requirements, test procedures and appendices).

Abstract

DO-185B captures the MOPS (Minimum Operational Performance Standards) for TCAS II Version 7.1, a coordinated RTCA / EUROCAE update that addresses identified safety issues and refines Resolution Advisory (RA) logic and annunciations (including RA reversals and changes to "Level off" wording). The Revision B package (2008) and its subsequent changes provide the normative baseline used by manufacturers, certification authorities and air navigation service providers for TCAS II equipment.

General information

• Status: Current (DO-185B, Revision B, contains Change 1 and Change 2 updates and remains the reference MOPS for TCAS II Version 7.1).
• Publication date: June 19, 2008 (DO-185B, Revision B).
• Publisher: RTCA, Inc. (prepared by RTCA Special Committee SC-147).
• ICS / categories: Aerospace engineering / Avionics / Airborne collision-avoidance systems (industry classification: avionics, air traffic management equipment).
• Edition / version: DO-185B (Revision B), TCAS II Version 7.1; includes subsequent Change 1 (2009) and Change 2 updates incorporated in the Revision B package.
• Number of pages: Multi-volume set; distributors list the combined package at roughly 1,300–1,400 pages (document suppliers list totals such as 1,352 pages; volumes I and II are also available separately).

Scope

Defines the operational performance requirements, safety objectives, system-level behaviour and verification/test procedures for airborne TCAS II equipment that implements TCAS II Version 7.1. The scope covers surveillance and tracking requirements, RA generation and coordination logic, pilot annunciation, installed-equipment performance and required test procedures for demonstrating compliance. The MOPS are intended for manufacturers, certification authorities and operators seeking to certify or approve TCAS II installations.

Key topics and requirements

• TCAS II Version 7.1 functional and performance requirements — detection, tracking and surveillance limits (nominal surveillance ranges, target capacity and tracking behavior).
• Resolution Advisory (RA) logic and coordination, including RA reversals and refined advisory wording ("Level off" and other annunciation updates) introduced in Version 7.1.
• Requirements for pilot annunciation, alerting thresholds (Traffic Advisories and Resolution Advisories) and human factors considerations for displays and warnings.
• Installed equipment performance and interoperability with transponders and Mode S surveillance.
• Verification and test procedures, conformance tests, environmental and installed-system tests required to demonstrate compliance with the MOPS.
• Safety objectives, system-level analysis and requirements for handling special-case encounters (e.g., extreme altitudes, coordinated reversal scenarios).

Typical use and users

Used by avionics manufacturers developing TCAS II equipment, aircraft OEMs integrating TCAS, certification and regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA, Transport Canada), airframe modification/installation organizations, airlines, and air navigation service providers involved in equipment approvals, certification testing and operational deployment planning.

Related standards

ED-143 (EUROCAE) — the EUROCAE counterpart to DO-185B for TCAS II Version 7.1; ICAO Annex 10 (Aeronautical Telecommunications, Volume IV — ACAS/TCAS interoperability requirements); associated RTCA/EUROCAE documents addressing Mode S transponders and avionics environmental testing (for example DO-181 and DO-160 family documents when relevant to installation/qualification).

Keywords

TCAS II, DO-185B, Version 7.1, MOPS, collision avoidance, Resolution Advisory, RA reversal, avionics, SC-147, RTCA, ED-143, TCAS

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DO-185B is the RTCA Minimum Operational Performance Standards document for TCAS II (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II), Revision B, which defines required performance, RA logic and test procedures for TCAS II Version 7.1.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers system functional requirements, RA generation and coordination logic, pilot annunciations, installed-equipment performance, environmental and system-level test procedures, and safety objectives needed to certify TCAS II equipment to Version 7.1.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics suppliers, aircraft manufacturers, modification/installation organizations, airlines, certification authorities (FAA, EASA, Transport Canada), and ANSPs involved in equipment approval, testing and operational implementation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: DO-185B (Revision B) — June 19, 2008 — is the published MOPS for TCAS II Version 7.1 and remains the referenced baseline for that Version; subsequent Change 1 and Change 2 updates have been issued as part of the Revision B package and suppliers/certifiers reference DO-185B and its changes when certifying equipment. For regulatory guidance and specific airworthiness approval procedures, users should consult the relevant authority advisory circulars and Notices to Airmen for current mandate dates and retrofit requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — DO-185 is part of the RTCA family of Minimum Operational Performance Standards for airborne equipment (DO-series). DO-185B supersedes earlier DO-185 revisions; the TCAS II MOPS are coordinated with EUROCAE ED-143 and with other related RTCA DO/ED documents addressing transponders, environmental testing and software/firmware standards as applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: TCAS II, MOPS, DO-185B, Version 7.1, Resolution Advisory, RA reversal, SC-147, avionics, collision avoidance.