IFF-701Ti test set

Citation

(2001), "IFF-701Ti test set", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773cad.004

IFF-701Ti test set

IFF-701Ti test set

Keywords: IFR Systems, Testing, Avionics, Military

Responding to the military's needs for greater flight safety, IFR Systems, Inc. has announced the IFF-701Ti transponder test set, which can reportedly test both IFF (identification friend or foe) transponders and IFF interrogators.

The EFF-701Ti is aimed at flight line and bench testing of transponders (Modes 1, 2, 3/A, 4, C and S) and interrogators (Modes 1, 2, 3/A, 4 and C).

The IFF-701Ti is described as an enhanced version of IFR's IFF-701 test set, which tests transponders only. The new test set is said to be also capable of testing enhanced traffic alert collision avoidance system (ETCAS) systems, the military version of the civilian TCAS system.

"ETCAS is not only for collision avoidance", said Jeff Gillum, director, avionics products, LFR. "The military use it for formation flying and in-flight refuelling, for example, which require rigorous testing for greater precision and tracking. IFR developed the IFF-70 1 Ti in response to that need."

The IFR-701Ti is said to offer a set-up function to allow operators to set various parameters used in testing configuration and memory storage. Believed to be ideal for go/no go pre-mission testing, the auto test runs a mode test followed by 31 individual tests, checking the operation of the transponder/interrogator and indicating failure to comply with accepted, pre-programmed guidelines. The single test mode allows the operator to run any of the 31 tests performed in the autotest function as individual tests, which provides diagnostic test capability during routine maintenance or if the auto test indicates a failure which requires further investigation. The separate power test feature accurately measures effective radiated power and receiver sensitivity.

IFR Systems has also announced three new features for its avionics ramp test set, the NAV-402AP. Production test sets are now stated to have 8.33kHz communications channel spacing as standard, improved output frequency accuracy to IPPM and a new LED display that reduces power consumption and improves readability in extreme lighting conditions.

The new channel spacing feature allows the NAV-402AP to provide both 8.33kHz and 25kHz channel spacing test capabilities, allowing VHF communications testing at 8.33kHz channel spacing. Improved output frequency accuracy of 1PPM is said to provide the test set operator better frequency accuracy to tune receivers. The LED display improves readability as well as giving the user a dimming control to set intensity for best viewing in a wide variety of lighting conditions.

The NAV-402AP is designed for functional testing and calibration of marker beacon (MKR), VHF omni-directional range (VOR), localizer (LOC), glide slope (G/S) and communications (COMM) receivers. It is designed to meet the functional testing requirements of CAT 1, CAT II and CAT III instrument landing systems, including a modulated signal generator for MKR, VOR, LOC, G/S and VHF communications systems and a variable output attenuator. The NAV-402AP also includes a counter to measure the RF frequency of the signal generator and a power meter to measure COMM transmitter power.