Microair Avionics T2000SFL Transponder Instruction Manual

Microair Avionics T2000SFL Transponder Instruction Manual

About This Document
This manual describes the various installation configurations available for the Microair T2000SFL Transponder, including connection to a separate encoder.
Microair reserve the right to amend this manual as required, reflecting any enhancements or upgrades to altitude the T2000SFL Transponder series.
© Microair Avionics Pty Ltd

DOCUMENT REVISION STATUS

to warranty statement
01R8-0| 16/04/10| T2000SFL Rev.8 Introduced. Serial altitude wiring added

INTRODUCTION

It would be a really good idea if you read through this section of the manual BEFORE you start installing your Microair T2000SFL Transponder. If it is too late, and you are reading this message after the fact, perhaps the information that follows can help you sort things out.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Installation of this transponder should be carried out or inspected by a qualified installer.

MOUNTING OPTIONS

The T2000 Transponder series has a number of mounting options. The SFL round face unit can have: Panel mounting
Remote display mounting (refer to T2000SFL Remote Display Manual 01R3)

INSTALLATION REFERENCES

The Microair T2000SFL Transponder should been installed in accordance with the instructions and information of this manual and FAA AC 43.13-1A Chapter 11.

 PANEL MOUNTING

If standard mounting is desired (no remote display unit), determine a suitable location in the instrument panel in full view of both pilots. Cut a 57mm diameter (2 ¼ inch) hole with 4 x 4mm holes for the mounting screws. Dimensions for this are provided on the panel template. Allow a minimum of 63mm (2 ½ inch) square, behind the cut out, to allow clearance from other instruments. A depth of 180mm (7 inches) is recommended to accommodate the transponder and electrical connectors.

The T2000SFL weights only 600g (1 lbs). The four M4 x 12mm machine screws are sufficient to support the transponder. No rear support is required unless the panel structure itself is too weak to support the load.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Removal of the chassis screws for the purpose of attaching support bracket is not permitted. The drilling of holes in the chassis for any purpose is not permitted. Filings from changing the thread of the M4 screw may cause electrical faults. Faults of this type are NOT covered by the warranty.

MODE C ENCODER

Mount the mode C blind encoder as per the manufacturer’s installation instructions. All wiring can be run back to the T2000SFL for connection (refer wiring diagram). The power for the encoder is supplied from the T2000SFL, and is equal to the aircraft supply voltage. This power is switched when the T2000SFL is turned on. If the encoder is to be powered separately, it is recommended that the ground wire is run to the T2000SFL, to ensure correct switching of the data lines. ****

IMPORTANT NOTE
Most encoder manufacturers advise of a warm up period for their product before altitude data is supplied. The period can typically be up to 10 minutes. For the Microair EC2002, the warm up time is only 10 seconds! Refer to WIRING DIAGRAMS (refer section 8.0) for wiring details and pin assignments for commonly used altitude encoders, in both Gillham and serial data outputs.

IMPORTANT NOTE
If the aircraft voltage is 28V and the encoder is 14V only, a 28/14V converter should be installed between the T2000SFL and the encoder. Please ensure that the voltage supply line to power the encoder is NOT shorted to any data line or ground. The T2000SFL will incur internal faults if a short occurs. This type of damage is NOT covered by the warranty.

ANTENNA

The T2000SFL requires an antenna tuned to 1090MHz. Microair recommends the use of a TSO’d antenna for transponder purpose.

Mounting

The transponder signal is primarily directed to ground stations (Radar sites), hence the antenna is typically located on the underside of the fuselage. The position should give the antenna a full 360 degree view of the horizon. The position should be away from other protrusions from the airframe, such as footsteps, and undercarriage legs.
To avoid possible interference the antenna must be mounted a minimum of 0.3m (12 inches) away from the T2000SFL. The transponder antenna outputs high levels of RF energy, and should be located at least 1m (3ft) away from vulnerable part of the human body, or be separated by a metal panel.
If the VHF comma antenna is already located on the underside of the fuselage, the transponder antenna should be located at least 1 meter (3ft) away. The transponder antenna should be mounted 2metres (78 inches) from the DME antenna, 1.5 meters (58 inches) from the ADF sense antenna, and 1metre (39 inches) from TCAS antennas.

Ground Plane

In metal skin aircraft the skin forms the ground plane. To ensure a good electrical connection, it may be necessary to remove paint/primer from the inside face of the skin, before attaching the antenna. This may be resealed after the antenna is installed. On pressurized aircraft, the antenna should be sealed using RTV-3145 or equivalent, to seal around the connector and mounting hardware. All antenna mounts should be sealed around the outside for moisture protection, using RTV-3145 or equivalent. In a composite aircraft the skin of the airframe cannot be used, and a suitable ground plane must be fabricated. The ground plane is typically an aluminum disc with a radius equal to the height of the antenna (approx. 75mm or 3”). The antenna is mounted in the center of the ground plane. The ground plane does not have to be circular however, but the area should be approx. the same size. Fiberglass aircraft can mount the ground plane on the inside of the aircraft. Although carbon fiber is a good reflector of RF, it is not a suitable material for a ground plane. A metal ground plane is ideal. It is important to ensure that a good electrical contact is established, as some antennas have sealing O-rings which can isolate this connection.

COAXIAL CABLE

The T2000SFL allows for 1.5dB cable loss from the unit to the antenna. The installer should consider carefully what type of coaxial cable is to be used, so that this loss limit is not exceeded. The cable should be terminated with silver plated BNC connectors where possible.

Cable| Bending

Radius

| Loss @ 1Ghz

dB/m

| Max Length| TX Power| RX Sensitivity
---|---|---|---|---|---
RG58/C/U

(Mil Spec)

| 50mm

(2”)

| 0.76dB/m

0.21dB/ft

| 2.0m

7ft

| > 140W| < -69dBm
RG223/U

(Mil Spec)

| 100mm

(4”)

| 0.47dB/m

0.14dB/ft

| 3.2m

10ft

| > 140W| < -69dBm
RG400

(Mil Spec)

| 50mm

(2”)

| 0.60dB/m

0.18dB/ft

| 2.5m

8ft

| > 140W| < -69dBm
Belden 8262| 50mm

(2”)

| 0.68dB/m 0.21dB/ft| 2.2m

7ft

| > 140W| < -69dBm
URM-43| 50mm

(2”)

| 0.47dB/m

0.14dB/ft

| 3.2m

10ft

| > 140W| < -69dBm

IMPORTANT NOTE
Do not exceed the minimum bending radius. Tight bends will introduce losses in the cable, which may affect the performance of the transponder. When fixing the coax cable in the airframe, do not “strangle” the cable with tight cable ties. This can distort or damage the coax screen.

WIRING

The T2000SFL must be installed with a wiring harness which meets the following requirements.

General Wiring

Microair recommends that the encoder be installed and wired in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The encoder can be powered directly from the T2000SFL. The T2000SFL is to be powered from the aircraft supply, via the avionics master and fuse/circuit breaker with a maximum 5 amp rating (3 amp minimum).

IMPORTANT NOTE
The aircraft’s electrical system may produce severe transient voltages during engine start and stop Microair recommends that the avionics master be turned off during engine start and stop, to prevent damage occurring to the T2000SFL. Damage to the transponder as a result of transient voltages is NOT covered by the warranty. It is very important to secure all D series plugs via their security screws before operation. Aircraft vibration may disconnect a D series plug if it not secured. Where possible, wiring is to be run separately to the coaxial cable. Microair recommends that wiring for all of the T2000SFL’s functions and connections be run at the time of installation, even though they may not be required at this stage. Adding additional wiring to the loom at a later stage may be very difficult. All wiring should be installed in accordance with FAA AC43.13-1A Chapter 11 or equivalent.

Microair recommends the following cable types for connection of the T2000SFL:

• Power Input 18 AWG TEFZEL 22759/16-16 Red and Black Wire
• External Connections 22 AWG TEFZEL 22759/16-22 Wire or
• 22 AWG TEFZEL 27500-22TG1T14 Single core shielded
• Encoder Power 22 AWG TEFZEL 22759/16-22 Red and Black Wire
• Encoder Data 22 AWG TEFZEL 22759/16-22 White Wire

To ensure correct installation and to make future service simple, Microair recommends that all wiring be labelled for easy identification.

Audio Beep

The T2000SFL beep function when set to ON, will emit a beep tone on this line. Audio beep should be taken to the Auxiliary input of the aircraft’s radio or Audio Panel. When connecting the beep function to the Microair M760 transceiver, simply join the beep line directly to any headphone line (orange wire in factory supplied harness).

Suppression IN

The suppression IN line is used by the primary transponder in the aircraft to “suppress” the T2000SFL, to prevent dual transmissions, and interference. When the primary transponder transmits, it will send a positive voltage to the suppression IN, which prevents the T2000SFL from transmitting. The T2000SFL requires a minimum signal voltage of 5V. The signal voltage may not exceed 20V.

Suppression OUT

Where the T2000SFL is the primary transponder, the suppression OUT line is used to prevent other transponder and DME equipment installed in the aircraft, from interfering. When the T2000SFL transmits, it raises a positive voltage on the suppression OUT line, which prevents the other equipment from transmitting. The signal voltage is 5V.

External Standby

The external standby can be wired to a remote switch. When the line is taken to ground the T2000SFL will return to standby mode, and stay there regardless of the position of the Select mode knob. The REM STBY function can reverse this operation to make the T2000SFL go to standby, when the external standby is not grounded. This line is typically taken to an air-switch, which will remain grounded while the airspeed is typically below 30 knots. Hence the transponder will not come out of standby mode until the aircraft has taken off. If the external Standby Switch is to be taken to an air-switch, Microair recommends that an ON/OFF switch be put in series to disable the air-switch operation if required. Where the external standby line is to be operated by an air-switch, Microair recommends that a placard be fitted on the panel.

AIR-SWITCH FITTED TO EXTERNAL STANDBY TRANSPONDER WILL REMAIN IN STANDBY WHILE AIRCRAFT IS ON THE GROUND

(example)
This placard is to advise the pilot that the transponder will remain in standby operation while on the ground. It may be appropriate to fit an enable/disable switch on the external standby line, between the transponder and the air-switch, to bypass this mode of operation.

External Ident

This line is typically wired to a momentary-ON switch, in a position more easily reached by the pilot / co-pilot (e.g. control column). When this line is taken to ground briefly, the T2000SFL will go through its Ident function.

IMPORTANT NOTE
If any of the above wiring functions are not required, they can simply be left not wired.

CALIBRATION OF INSTALLATION

Please refer to the Civil Aviation rules or regulations for your country to determine what the calibration requirements are, for a transponder installation. Most countries will require a test of the installation to be carried out by a qualified test center, along with a calibration of the encoder and altimeter in the aircraft. This test is typically repeated every two years, to ensure the ongoing accuracy of the system. Refer to FAA FAR Part 43 appendix E and F for typical transponder/encoder/altimeter equipment calibration procedures.

IMPORTANT NOTE
It is vital to aircraft safety that all transponder/encoder/altimeter systems, which will operate within an SSR system or interact with TCAS equipped aircraft, perform to a minimum civil aviation standard. For this reason Microair strongly recommends that all transponder installations be calibrated at the time of installation, and at periods of not greater than two years thereafter.

WIRING DIAGRAMS

• T2000SFL with EC2002 Altitude Encoder – Serial
• T2000SFL with EC2002 Altitude Encoder – Gillham T2000SFL with AK-350 Altitude Encoder
• T2000SFL with A-30 Altitude Encoder
• T2000SFL with Enigma Multi-Function Display
• T2000SFL with Dynon D10A Multi-Function Display – Gillham T2000SFL with Dynon D10A Multi-Function Display – Serial

INSTALLATION DIMENSIONS

PIN ASSIGNMENTS

PANEL TEMPLATE

SPECIFICATIONS

• ATSO Approval 1C74c
• RTCA Compliance DO-144 DO-160D DO-178B Level C
• Transmitter 1090MHz +/-0.2MHz 200W Pulse Output 80nS Rise Time 120nS Fall Time
• Receiver (1030MHz) -7 to –71dBm Dynamic Range 1030MHz Centre Frequency +/-5MHz Pass band
• Input Power 10-33Vdc 100-150mA @ 28V 150-200mA @ 14V
• Operational Modes Standby Mode 3A Mode 3A/C Mode 3A/C with Altitude Displayed
• Dimensions Length 169mm (6.65”) Width 61mm (2.40”) Height 61mm (2.40”)
• Weight 600g (21 oz)
• Features Encoder Altitude Display Option Altitude Alert Voltage Monitoring and Alert Switched Encoder Power Output Suppression In / Out Remote Standby Switch Option Remote Ident Switch Option Audio Beep Alert Tone

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