Axp340 Mode S Transponder Installation Manual
Axp340 Mode S Transponder Installation Manual
INSTALLATION MANUAL
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
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AVIDYNE CORPORATION i
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
CONTENTS
1. PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 PURPOSE.................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE .............................................................................................. 1
1.4 DOCUMENT CROSS-REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 1
2. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 2
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ii AVIDYNE CORPORATION
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
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8.1 OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................... 26
8.2 FRONT PANEL .......................................................................................................................... 26
8.3 DISPLAY .................................................................................................................................. 26
8.4 POWER ON/OFF ................................................................................................................... 26
8.5 MODE CONTROL ................................................................................................................. 26
8.6 IDENT .................................................................................................................................... 27
8.7 VFR ........................................................................................................................................ 27
8.8 FUNC ..................................................................................................................................... 27
8.9 SELECTOR KNOB ..................................................................................................................... 27
8.10 NUMERIC BUTTONS ................................................................................................................. 27
8.11 CLR ........................................................................................................................................ 27
8.12 SQUAWK CODE ENTRY ............................................................................................................. 27
8.13 FLIGHT TIMER ......................................................................................................................... 28
8.14 STOPWATCH ............................................................................................................................ 28
8.15 FLIGHT ID ENTRY .................................................................................................................... 28
8.16 ALTITUDE MONITOR ................................................................................................................ 28
8.17 ADS-B MONITOR .................................................................................................................... 28
8.18 ALERT MESSAGES ................................................................................................................... 28
8.19 FAULT ANNUNCIATION ............................................................................................................ 29
8.20 LOW TEMPERATURE OPERATION ............................................................................................. 29
9. CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS............................................................................................. 30
______________________
iv AVIDYNE CORPORATION
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
______________________
AVIDYNE CORPORATION v
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
______________________
vi AVIDYNE CORPORATION
AXP340 Transponder Installation Manual 10 March 2014
01201-00 Issue AF
1. Preface
1.1 Purpose
This manual describes the physical and electrical characteristics and the installation requirements for an
AXP340 Mode S Transponder.
1.2 Scope
This document applies to the installation of the AXP340 Mode S Transponder.
At the publication date of this manual the software version identifier for the AXP340 is 3.8 and the FPGA
version identifier is 110613a. The software and FPGA versions are subject to change without notice.
2. Introduction
2.2 Interfaces
At the rear, the transponder has two Molex style connectors and a single antenna connector for blind mating
with the corresponding connectors in the mounting tray.
The interfaces provide the following services:
Parallel altitude input Connection to an external altitude encoder using parallel Gray code.
Serial altitude input Connection to an external RS232 altitude encoder or air data computer. Using
serial altitude data allows the transponder to report altitude with 25 foot
resolution.
Serial altitude output Connection to a GPS or other device needing serial altitude data – this allows the
transponder to act as a repeater instead of requiring a second altitude encoder.
Ident input External IDENT switch input.
Standby input External standby input for dual transponder installations.
“On ground” input Allows automatic flight/ground mode switching for aircraft with a squat switch.
Lighting bus input Used to adjust the backlight and switch lighting intensity.
DME Suppression Input to limit interference between DME interrogations and transponder replies –
Input suppresses transponder whilst active.
Suppression bus I/O ARINC compatible suppression bus signal used in aircraft with more sophisticated
suppression needs, both an input to and output from the transponder.
Audio output Optionally used by the altitude monitor function.
Audio mute input Toggle function to mute the audio output.
Altitude alert output Output used to signal altitude deviations when optional altitude monitor function
is used.
GPS Input Connection to a GPS supplying position input for ADS-B position reporting.
3. Technical Specifications
3.1 Regulatory
Specification Characteristics
Compliance ETSO C112d, TSO C112d; Class 1 Level 2es
ETSO C166b, TSO C166b; Class B1S
FCC Identification VZI01155
Applicable documents EUROCAE ED-73E (RTCA DO-181E),
EUROCAE ED-14G (RTCA DO-160G) , RTCA DO-260B
with Corrigendum 1
Software ED-12B (RTCA DO-178B) Level B
Power Requirements 10 – 33 Volts DC. Typical 6.3Watts @ 14Volts.
Altitude 55,000 feet
Humidity 95% @ +50C for 6 hours; 85% @ +38C for 16 hours.
Tested to Category A in DO-160G
Operating Temperature -25C to +70C
Transmitter Frequency 1090MHz ± 1MHz
Transmitter Power 240 Watts nominal; 125 Watts minimum at antenna after
allowing for 0.5dB connector losses and 1.5dB cable losses.
Transmitter Modulation 6M75 V1D
Receiver Frequency 1030 MHz
Receiver Sensitivity -74dBm ± 3dB
Altitude encoder. You require an encoding altimeter or a blind encoder with either parallel Gray
code or RS232 serial output. For best results, and simpler installation, an encoder with a serial
output is recommended.
Cables. You need to supply and fabricate all required cables. Guidance on cable types is given in
section 5 below.
Fixings. To secure the transponder tray to the airframe you will need at least 6 flat head screws
and six self-locking nuts. If the aircraft does not have existing mounting provisions you may need
to fabricate additional brackets to support the transponder tray.
To support the optional ADS-B features a GPS receiver with an appropriate serial output is required.
5. Installation
5.2 Mounting
The AXP340 Mode S transponder must be mounted rigidly in the aircraft panel. The following installation
procedure should be followed, remembering to allow adequate space for installation of cables and
connectors.
Select a position in the panel that is not too close to any high external heat source. (The AXP340
is not a significant heat source itself and does not need to be kept away from other devices for this
reason).
Avoid sharp bends and placing the cables too near to the aircraft control cables.
Secure the mounting tray (p/n 01180-00) to the instrument panel via the six (6) mounting holes in
the tray. It is important that the tray is supported at the rear two mounting holes as well as the front
four.
Check that the locking mechanism is correctly oriented by unscrewing the locking screw if
required.
Slide the AXP340 transponder into the secured mounting tray.
Lock the AXP340 transponder into the mounting tray using a 3/32” Allen key, taking care not to
over tighten the locking screw.
used by Mode S interrogations, whereas parallel Gray code format can only represent altitude to the nearest
100 feet. You must choose between serial or parallel formats – you should NOT connect both. If a parallel
encoder is connected the AXP340 will always use that as the altitude source even if a serial encoder is also
connected.
The parallel encoder inputs are active when the voltage to ground is pulled below approximately 4 Volts.
The AXP340 includes internal isolation diodes which prevent the unit from pulling the encoder lines to
ground when the transponder is switched off. The AXP340 can therefore share the altitude inputs with
other devices without needing external isolation.
Parallel output altitude encoders intended for operation below 30,000 feet may not have a signal connection
for D4. In an aircraft with a service ceiling below 30,000 feet input D4 will never be active, and can safely
be left unconnected.
The serial encoder input uses RS232 input levels. The communication should be 9600 bps, no parity. The
AXP340 will correctly recognise either “Icarus/Trimble/Garmin” format altitude data, or “RMS” format
altitude data. Refer to the encoder documentation to determine jumper settings as appropriate.
The AXP340 can also accept Shadin family Format G, Format S and Format Z air data protocols which
supply both altitude and airspeed information. The airspeed information can be used to provide an
automatic air/ground determination for an ADS-B installation.
The AXP340 includes a serial altitude output which repeats the altitude received on the encoded input
(either parallel or serial) for connection to a GPS or other equipment. The serial output supplies RS232
output levels, and runs at 9600 bps, no parity. The output format is always “Icarus/Trimble/Garmin”
format. If the altitude source is a parallel encoder, the serial output is reported every 0.5 seconds; if the
source is a serial encoder, the output simply repeats the input reports, each report delayed by up to 10
milliseconds from the corresponding input report.
– see Section 6.
Note: The audio pair is not a true transformer balanced output – both pins are actively driven. If
the audio panel input is single-ended, then only one of the output pins should be used, together
with a local ground pin – the other audio output should be left floating.
The Audio Output carries the traffic alert messages for the altitude audio annunciator used by the altitude
monitor function.
Once crimped, the contacts should be slotted into the rear of the connector shell. Push the contact in until
the retaining tab clicks into place. Tug gently to confirm the contact is locked in place.
The contacts can be easily removed using the Molex removal tool, or equivalent. This is pushed gently into
the connector shell from the side opposite from the wire entry, and lifts the retaining tab from the stop,
allowing the contact to be eased out by pulling on the wire.
Solder the centre conductor to the centre contact, aligning the conductor with the slot in the
contact. Avoid excess solder heat on the centre BNC conductor pin.
Solder the inner shield to the inside of the connector body by applying a soldering iron to the body
and running solder into the gap. Try to avoid excess solder heat on the connector body.
Solder the outer shield to the outside of the connector body. Avoid excess solder heat on the
connector body.
Slide heat shrink tubing forward (flush to connector) and heat to shrink the tubing.
Complete the assembly by installing the bushing over the centre contact, and fitting the cap.
Solder the cap in place in at least two places.
When the BNC is prepared, feed it through the AXP340 mounting tray and attach the washer combination
in the following order:
Wave washer (p/n 00317-00).
00239-00
Plain washer (p/n 00241-00).
Circlip washer (p/n 00242-00).
The Circlip washer should be fitted with a set of Circlip pliers.
The two Molex connectors should be passed through the openings in the rear of the tray, and then mounted
firmly to the tray from the inside using the four M3 screws supplied.
Enter the 6 digit aircraft address using the numeric buttons or selector knob and confirm selection by
pressing the selector knob.
For N registered aircraft, this address may be pre-populated based on the registration number.
Press FUNC to move to the next menu item.
based on the certification standard that was used by the GPS vendor. This will be indicated in the form of a
letter code (A to D) on the data plate or installation documentation for the GPS in accordance with the
standards DO-178B and DO-254, for example “DO-178B level C”. If both standards are reported but at
different levels, use the lower standard (higher letter).
screens. You may select Flight level (100’s of feet), feet or meters.
6.2.4 Temperature
The internal temperature of the transponder may be accessed only in maintenance mode. This is for
information only and does not provide any diagnostic value. Display is in degrees Celsius.
8. Normal Operation
8.1 Overview
On the front panel is a green backlit LCD display flanked buttons for IDENT, VFR squawk code, Mode
selection (MODE) and user function selection (FUNC) on the left side and a rotary selector knob plus a
CLR / backspace button on the right side of the front panel. A row of numeric buttons lie below the display.
8.3 Display
The display shows the operating mode of the transponder, the reported pressure altitude, and the current
squawk code and Flight ID. The reply indicator is active when the transponder replies to interrogations.
The pressure altitude is displayed as Flight level (100’s of feet), feet or meters, depending on the installation
configuration of pressure altitude units. When non-standard atmospheric conditions apply, this may not
match the altimeter indicated altitude, but will be correctly displayed by the ATC radar.
Aircraft installations that include a ground/air state input (such as a gear squat switch) will automatically
select GND on landing or while taxiing and will automatically select ALT when airborne. In these
installations, the pilot selectable states are ALT-ON-SBY when in-air and GND-SBY when on-ground.
8.6 IDENT
Press the IDENT button when ATC instructs you to “Ident” or “Squawk Ident”. This activates the SPI
pulse in the transponder replies for 18 seconds. IDENT will appear in the display.
8.7 VFR
Pressing the VFR button sets the transponder to the pre-programmed conspicuity code. Pressing the button
again restores the previous squawk code.
Pressing the VFR button whilst in Flight ID edit changes the Flight ID to the pre-programmed VFR Flight
ID set up during configuration of the transponder.
8.8 FUNC
Pressing the FUNC button provides access to the flight timer, stopwatch, Flight ID editing, ADS-B monitor
(depending on installation), altitude monitor and front panel dimming.
8.11 CLR
Press the CLR button to return to original settings or back space through partially complete data entry or
reverse through a menu.
8.14 Stopwatch
The stopwatch can be used as a convenient timer. Press the FUNC button to display the stopwatch.
Pressing the selector knob starts and stops the timer. Pressing the CLR button resets the timer.
9. Continued Airworthiness
Other than for periodic functional checks required by the regulations, the AXP340 Mode S transponder has
been designed and manufactured to allow “on condition maintenance”. This means that there are no
periodic service requirements necessary to maintain continued airworthiness, and no maintenance is
required until the equipment does not properly perform its intended function. When service is required, a
complete performance test should be accomplished following any repair action. Repairs should only be
carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s service procedures.
Serial Alt Out 6 WHEN USING DATA FROM AN ADC, IT SHOULD BE CONNECTED
Serial Alt In 7 2
Suppress In 9 TO THE “SERIAL ALT IN”, AS SHOWN.
Ext Standby 10 SERIAL
AXP340 MODE S TRANSPONDER
OTHER TRANSPONDER
3A ALTITUDE 3 CONNECT ONLY ONE INPUT TO THE LIGHTING BUS, DEPENDING
11-33V DC 11 11 – 33V ENCODER ON LINE VOLTAGE
11-33V DC 12 CIRCUIT or
BREAKER
Ground A
ADC
4
LAMP SHOWN AS EXAMPLE OF POSSIBLE ALERTER
Ext Ident F INSTALLATION. OTHER OPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
1 2
Alt D4 8
Alt B4 B
Alt B2
Alt C1
C
D
PARALLEL DME
Alt B1 E ALTITUDE
Alt C4
Alt A4
H
J
ENCODER
Alt A2 K
Alt C2 L 1
Alt A1 M
Test N
Ground 1
Reserved 2
GPS Input 3
Reserved 4
Audio Mute 5
4 1A
Alt Alert 6 11 – 33V
Ground A LAMP CIRCUIT
BREAKER
Audio + B
AUDIO
Audio – C PANEL
TRANSPONDER ANTENNA
Reserved D
Reserved E
Reserved F
Coax
RF
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