VIAVI APM-424(V)4 MK XII Interrogator/Transponder Flight Line Test Set (Including Mode S ELS/EHS)

Hand-held MK XII flight line test set for transponder and interrogator testing, including Mode S ELS/EHS, TCAS and DO-260B ADS-B Out.

Displays: Internal: 20 character by 4 line alpha-numeric OLED, 0.197” font height with green Accept, red Reject and battery status indicators
Controls: 3 buttons: test sequence advance, test sequence repeat and test result data

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI APM-424(V)4 is an interrogator/transponder test set that accommodates a variety of aircraft, ground and ship platforms. It tests transponder and interrogator performance, including Mode S Elementary and Enhanced Surveillance (ELS/EHS). It is the MK XII configuration of the APM-424 family, alongside the APM-424(V)5 MK XIIA test set.

The APM-424(V)4 is a performance and capability upgrade to the TS-4530 and APM-424 test sets. According to the manufacturer, it complies with DoD AIMS standards for testing Mark XIIA performance of Mode 4 equipment, DO-260B ADS-B Out performance, and ICAO Annex 10 international standards for Mode S ELS/EHS performance. The unit can be upgraded to Mode 5.

The test set closely replicates legacy operation, so existing procedures can still be used. For legacy test modes, the menu structure and displayed data format are unchanged, which keeps changes to fielded procedures to a minimum.

A 20-character, 4-line display shows data and parametric measurements, including those needed for Mode S Elementary and Enhanced Surveillance testing. The unit is hand-held and battery powered, uses a one-piece, 3-button Go/No-Go operation, and runs self-diagnostics. Test results can be stored and downloaded to a PC for review or maintenance logging. The product is controlled for export under ITAR.

Key Features

Transponder test modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, 4, S (including ELS and EHS)
Interrogator test modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, 4, S, TCAS, ETCAS
DO-260B compliant; ADS-B Out test capability
Mode 5 upgradable
Hand-held, battery powered and lightweight (<11 lbs)
One piece, 3-button point and shoot Go/No-Go operation
Self-diagnostic
Automated MTL measurement
Parametric test results can be stored for downloading to a PC for review or maintenance logging
TS-4542 shipboard interrogator test capability
Accurate GPS time/date acquisition (via GPS antenna, crypto or manually)

Specifications

User Interface

Displays	Internal: 20 character by 4 line alpha-numeric OLED, 0.197” font height with green Accept, red Reject and battery status indicators
Controls	3 buttons: test sequence advance, test sequence repeat and test result data

Transponder Testing

Test range	10 to 150 ft.
Modes 1, 2, 3A	Displays code, identification and emergency status
Mode C	Displays altitude
Mode 4	Stand alone operation, but must be filled with challenge video patterns from COMSEC, displays code A or B and verification bit status Requires KIR or KIV with adapter to operate
Mode S interrogations	UFO, UF11 (all call), UF4 (altitude), UF5 (identity), UF4 asking for DF20 (altitude), UF5 asking for DF21 (identity), containing Datalink capability report, DF16 (long TCAS surveillance) Decodes and displays Mode S ELS DAP’s
Mode S BDS registers decoded	BDS 1,0 Data Link Capability Report; BDS 1,7 Common Usage GICB Report; BDS 1,8-1,C Specific Services Report; BDS 2,0 Aircraft Identification; BDS 3,0 ACAS Resolution Advisory; BDS 4,0 Vertical intention; BDS 5,0 Track and Turn; BDS 6,0 Heading & Speed
ADS-B	DO-260B compliant, ADS-B Out

Interrogator Testing (Including TCAS)

Test range	30 to 200 ft.
Static target Mode 1	responds with 1200
Static target Mode 2	responds with 1202
Static target Mode 3/A	responds with 1203 (4096 code)
Static target Mode C	responds with configurable altitude
Static target Mode 4	requires KIT or KIV to operate
Static target Mode S	Replies to: UF11 (all call), UF0 (short TCAS surveillance), UF16 (long TCAS surveillance), UF4 (altitude), UF5 (Identity), UF20 (long altitude), UF21 (long identity)
Measures	Interrogation Rate, PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency)
Dynamic target scenarios	Level, Above, Dive, Climb Intruder starts at 15 nmi distance from UUT, ends at approx. 0 nmi; closing speed fixed at 720 knots; configured altitude is 0-20,000 ft.
Target simulation – Multiple	4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 nmi
Target simulation – Single	4 nmi, IDENT On/Off, EMERG On/Off, Pilotless
Target simulation – Group	12 targets 2 nmi apart, starting at 4 nmi

Antenna and Direct Connection Port

Antenna type	End-fire antenna with sum and difference feeds
Interrogation beamwidth	Approximately ±5 degrees
Polarization	Vertical
Direct port impedance	50 Ω
Direct port SWR	1.3:1 max
Direct port connector	TNC All over-the-air and direct connection port testing use identical test criteria

Power Supply

Operating modes	Unit operates either from external DC input power or internal batteries
External DC input	11.5 to 28 V DC input, 25 W max.
Surge protection	MIL-STD-704E figure 9 (50 volts peak for 12.5 ms, then reducing linearly to 29 V over 70 ms)
Reverse polarity	-30 volts max.
Battery	NiCAD re-chargeable battery assy, 7.2 volt DC nominal; compatible with commercial ‘C’ size NiCAD, NiMH or alkaline batteries Replaceable internal batteries, disassembly of unit is not required; reverse polarity protected
Internal battery charger	Full re-charge time within 8 hours from fully discharged state Operates from external DC input; actual charge time depends on level of discharge; battery will charge with unit operating unless an external COMSEC is connected
Charge temperature restriction	0 to +40ºC nominal battery temperature range Safety charge termination at +85ºC nominal battery temperature
Low battery indication	Battery fuel gauge indicates battery status
Discharge protection	Test set automatically shuts off to prevent excessive battery discharge

Signal Generator

Generator frequency	1030 or 1090 ±0.01 MHz
Generator power (antenna connector)	+4 to -44 dBm, 1 dB resolution, ±1.5 dB accuracy at antenna connector ±2 dB radiated antenna field strength
Generator power (direct port)	-40 to -88 dBm, 1 dB resolution, ±1.5 dB accuracy at direct port
Pulse shape and timing	Modes 3/A, C, S comply with RTCA/DO-181D, Modes 1, 2, 4 comply with NATO STANAG 4193 Part V & DOD AIMS 03-1000A
ISLS amplitude	Equal to P1 on difference or sum ports when enabled
Interrogation rate, Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, 4	235 ±5 Hz Transponder test mode
Interrogation rate, Mode S	50 ±5 Hz Transponder test mode
Harmonics	2nd and 3rd harmonic >30 dBc
Spurious	-50 dBm max. in standby; 50 dBc or -50 dBm max. in transmit when measured at the antenna connection Applies at greater than 60 MHz from TX center frequency

Measurement Receiver

Frequency range	1090 or 1030 MHz
Amplitude range	+68 to +20 dBm at direct port, +24 to -24 dBm at antenna port
Input protection	Direct input +68 dBm; antenna input +30 dBm at antenna connection 1 μs pulse width, 1% max duty cycle
Received power	1 dB resolution, ±1.5 dB accuracy at antenna port, ±1.5 dB at direct port, ±2 dB antenna field strength Peak power of pulse obtained using 100 ns averaging period
Frequency	0.01 MHz resolution ±0.10 MHz accuracy with >400 ns pulse width (transponder mode); ±0.05 MHz accuracy with >750 ns pulse width (interrogator mode) Average frequency between 90% points; within ±5 MHz of nominal for specified accuracy
Pulse spacing	±25 ns measured between leading edges for pulses with rise times <100 ns
Pulse width	±25 ns for pulses with rise times of 50 to 100 ns, fall times of 50 to 200 ns
Receiver bandwidth	>10 MHz at 3 dB points
Oscillator leakage	-50 dBm max. at antenna connection
Image rejection	>40 dBc

COMSEC Interface

Connector	Accessory interface cable or adapter provides the required interface connector.
Compatibility	KIR-1A/1C, KIT-1A/1C, KIV-6 with appropriate cable or adapter
Power for KIT-1A/KIR-1A	External 115 VAC provided through KIT/KIR-1A interface cable
Power for KIT-1C/KIR-1C	22 to 29 VDC at 3 W max. Provided by test set
Power for KIV-6	15 ±0.75 VDC at 200 mA max. Provided by test set

Test Parameters

Reply code	M1/M2/M3A: 4096 code; MC: Altitude in ft.; MS: 4096 code
Pulse spacing / pulse width / transmitter power / transmitter frequency	Displays μs (spacing, width), dBm (power), MHz (frequency) for interrogator and transponder
Percent reply	Indicates % reply
Receiver sensitivity (transponder)	Displays MTL in dBm
Receiver sensitivity (interrogator)	Tests MDL margin 0 to -12 dB
Squitter	MS: DF11 Acquisition (sec)
Mode 4 word	Indicates presence of A or B word
Reply delay	Displays in μs
Angle reflection	Indicates unacceptable levels of multi-path interference
Umbilical testing	Connector provided for direct connection to transponder
Mode S testing	Supports the RF link portion of the installed equipment performance requirements of DO-181D and ED-73A. Decodes and displays ELS and EHS data. Additional equipment is required to simulate aircraft pressure altitude for the altitude reporting verification

Physical

Length	14.1”/358 mm Test set without accessories
Height	7.5”/190 mm Test set without accessories
Width	11.5”/292 mm Test set without accessories
Weight	12.25 lbs./5.6 kg (with battery) Key features on page 1 state <11 lbs
Transit case	Watertight sealed enclosure with pressure release valve; Length 26.25“/667 mm, Height 16.75”/425 mm, Width 16.00”/406 mm; Empty 16 lbs./7.3 kg, Full 38 lbs./17.3 kg

Environmental

Temperature	-40° C to +55° C operating, -55º C to + 85º C storage
Relative humidity	To 100% for at least 6 hours
Splash proof	Rain at 1.8 inches per hour and the wind velocity is at least 20 miles per hour (mph), for a period of no less than 60 minutes
Altitude	4,600 meters operating, 50,000 ft. storage
Shock, transit	36 inch drop in transit case
Shock, high impact	36 inch drop
Shock, functional	30 G 11 ms half sine
Random vibration	10 Hz to 2000 Hz/60 mins per axis
EMI/RFI	MIL-STD-461E: CE101, CE102, CS101, CS114, CS115, CS116, RE101, RE102, RE103, RS101, RS103 RE103: -50 dBc spurious limit exception; RS103 does not apply within 10% of RX and TX operating frequency

Accessories

AC power adapter	100 to 240 VAC ±10%, 47 to 63 Hz input; +12 V DC nominal, 2.0 ADC nominal output Weight 1 lbs./0.45 kg; approvals UL, CE
External battery charger	Charges or discharges one battery stick; 3 hours max. for 3 AH battery Dependent on battery charge state; size 12.2” L x 2” H x 3.3” W
RF direct connect cable	12 ft./3.6 m; TNC male right angle, TNC male straight TNC female to N, male adapter included
Battery stick	High Capacity Rapid Charge NiCad, 7.2 V DC nominal, 3 amp hour at +25º C nominal Operating -20 to +55º C recommended; weight 1.5 lbs./0.7 kg
Bench utility software	Allows download, viewing, and saving test data from test set. Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, NT 4.x; CD ROM

Ordering

NSN	6625-01-600-6784

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Aircraft transponder testing
Interrogator and TCAS testing
Mode S ELS/EHS testing
ADS-B Out testing
TS-4542 shipboard interrogator testing
Flight line testing on aircraft, ground and ship platforms

Included

Wheeled transit case with pressure release valve (10246)
COMSEC cable - KIT/KIR-1C (58077, 55-1045-10)
RF direct connect cable (58078, 55-1045-11)
RS-232 serial data cable (58081, 55-1045-15)
RF adapter (38589, 30-0225-01)
AC power adapter (11492, 15-0360-MO)
DC power cable (58080, 55-1045-14)
External battery charger (905, 01-1045-10)
Battery sticks (2) (47621, 43-0012-00)
Getting Started manual (88974)
Operators manual (CD) (88470)
Bench utility software (CD) (67468)
Battery instruction sheet (6154)
Calibration certificate

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
87866	APM-424(V)4 Interrogator/Transponder Test Set w/ ELS/EHS — NSN: 6625-01-600-6784
67197	Kit, upgrade TS-4530 or AN/APM-424(V)3 to APM-424(V)4 — Factory upgrade kit for existing units; COMSEC adapters sold separately
88573	Kit, upgrade APM-424(V)4 to APM-424(V)5 — Factory upgrade kit for existing units; COMSEC adapters sold separately
58082	Cable, KIT/KIR-1A (55-1045-16)
67474	Tripod
138331	Tripod, heavy duty
58084	Automotive DC adapter cable (55-1045-18)
86633	Bench utility with field maintenance (CD)
88568	Maintenance manual (CD)
84357	Extended warranty 3 Years w/ scheduled calibration
84358	Extended warranty 5 Years w/ scheduled calibration