VIAVI ALT-8000 FMCW/Pulse Radio Altimeter Flight Line Test Set

Portable RF-based flight line test set for installed 4.3 GHz FMCW and pulse radio altimeters, with a 12-inch color touch-screen.

Display: 12” color LCD, sun light readable with back light
Controls: Touch-screen
Remote control interface: USB/LAN

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI ALT-8000 is a portable, RF-based flight line test set for radio altimeters. It is a universal test set for 4.3 GHz FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) radio altimeters and pulse radio altimeters. It has a 12-inch color touch-screen, and its software can be upgraded. For military applications, VIAVI offers the ALT-8015.

The ALT-8000 tests the whole installed system, from the antenna to the indicator in the cockpit. This lets the operator replicate in-flight conditions and isolate a faulty component of the installed system.

User Interface

The user interface is Windows-based. Its pages control the test set and display parametric measurements, including TX power, TX center frequency, sweep rate and TX pulse width (pulse systems). On the setup page, the user sets system, user and RF connection parameters, including RS-232, AID, RF cable loss and altitude offset.

Profiles

On the Profile page, users can create, save, recall or delete named profiles. Each profile is made up of individual legs, and start altitude, stop altitude and rate can be set for each leg. Running a profile can simulate a complete landing approach, including the flare out, or a take-off and departure.

RF Coupling

The supplied antenna couplers allow quick verification of the radio altitude system without access to test ports on the UUT LRU. The RF looped test verifies TX frequency, power and sweep rate. RF level control is used to test UUT sensitivity.

Key Features

Tests FMCW radio altimeters including CDF types
Tests pulse radio altimeters (non-pulse compression types)
Direct-connect to UUT T/R or to installed system via antenna couplers
Full RF loop test allows TX, RX, Antenna or Feeder faults to be identified
Multi-channel operation (via additional test sets)
Programmable multi-leg climb/descend profiles
Large touch-screen display with simple user interface
Remote control interface USB/LAN
Battery 4 hours plus duration
Tests from the antenna to the cockpit indicator to replicate in-flight conditions
Windows-based user interface with parametric measurement display
Software upgradable

Specifications

User Interface

Display	12” color LCD, sun light readable with back light
Controls	Touch-screen
Remote control interface	USB/LAN

Antenna Couplers

Couplers	TX and RX
Coupler Loss Compensation	0 to 19.9 dB

TX/RX Direct Connection Ports

Impedance	50 Ω
SWR TX	2.5:1
SWR RX	3:1
Connector	TNC x 2 (single TX/RX channel)

Receiver – FMCW/CDF FMCW

RF Input Frequency Range	4.20 to 4.40 GHz ITAR Limited
Frequency Measurement Range	4.20 to 4.40 GHz ITAR Limited
Frequency Measurement Accuracy	±5 MHz
RF TX Power Input Tracking Range	10 mW (+10 dBm) to 2 W (+33 dBm)
RF TX Power Measurement Range	4 mW (+6 dBm) to 2 W (+33 dBm)
RF TX Power Measurement Accuracy	±2 dB
FM Sweep Rate Measurement Range	50 to 400 Hz
FM Sweep Rate Measurement Accuracy	±5 Hz
FM Deviation Range	20 to 100 MHz

Receiver – Pulse

Frequency Measurement Range	4.20 to 4.40 GHz ITAR Limited
Frequency Measurement Accuracy	±10 MHz
Power Measurement Range	1 W (+30 dBm) to 300 W (+54 dBm) peak
Power Measurement Accuracy	±2 dB
TX Pulse Width Measurement Range	20 ns to 400 ns
TX Pulse Width Measurement Accuracy	±10ns
TX Pulse PRF Measurement Range	2 to 30 KHz
TX Pulse PRF Measurement Accuracy	±5%

Generator

FMCW Linear Altitude Simulation Range	-20 to 5,500 ft
FMCW Linear Altitude Simulation Resolution	1 ft. increments
FMCW Linear Altitude Simulation Accuracy	±1.5 ft or 2% RMS (-20 to 5,500 ft), whichever is greater
Pulse Linear Altitude Simulation Range	50 to 5,500 ft Lower altitude limit determined by connecting RF coax cable length
Pulse Linear Altitude Simulation Resolution	1 ft increments
Pulse Linear Altitude Simulation Accuracy	±1.5 ft or 2% RMS whichever is greater
Linear Altitude Rate Range	1 to 10,000 fpm
Linear Altitude Rate Resolution	1 ft. increments
Test Cable Length	1 to 100 ft Automatic compensation
Test Cable Loss	0 to 9.9 dB Automatic compensation
AID (direct connect) Fixed Selectable	0, 20, 40, 57 or 80 ft
AID (direct connect) User Entered	0 to 99 ft
Altitude Offset	-25 to 100 ft
RF Path Loss Simulation	0 to 5,500 ft
Frequency Stability	±1 ppm

RF Level

Manual Mode (FM/CW) Range	-84 to +9 dBm Varies with cable loss
Manual Mode (FM/CW) Accuracy	±4 dB
Manual Mode (Pulse) Range	-76 to +17 dBm
Manual Mode (Pulse) Accuracy	±4 dB
Auto Mode	TX Power – Height Path Loss- Scattering Loss- Offset
RF Level Offset (auto)	-20 to +20 dB

Environmental

Operational Temperature	-20° to 55°C (-4° to 131°F)
Storage Temperature	-30° to 71°C (-22° to 159.8°F)
Altitude	≤10,000 meters

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions, test set only (H x W x D)	10.6 x 13.9 x 3.4 in (27.0 x 35.5 x 8.7 cm)
Dimensions, with standard accessories (H x W x D)	12 x 30.5 x 22.5 in (30.5 x 77.5 x 57.2 cm)
Weight, test set only	15.5 lbs (7.03 kg) Web page overview also states approximately 10 lbs. (4.5 kg); datasheet value given
Shipping weight	62 lbs (28.12 kg)
Battery duration	4 hours plus

Certifications – Test Set

Operational Humidity	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Storage Humidity	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Vibration Limits	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Shock, Functional	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Transit Drop	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Drip Proof	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Dust	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Salt	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Explosive Atmosphere	MIL-STD-810F, Method 511.4, Procedure 1
Safety Compliance	UL-61010:2001, CSA 22.2 No 1010.1, WEEE, RoHS
EMC Emissions	MIL-PRF28800F Class 2, EN 61326:1998 Class A, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3
EMC Immunity	MIL-PRF28800F Class 2, EN 61326:1998 Class A

Certifications – External AC-DC Converter

Safety Compliance	UL 1950 DS, CSA 22.2 No. 234, VDE EN 60 950
EMI/RFI Compliance	FCC Docket 20780 Curve “B”
EMC	EN 61326

Certifications – Transit Case

Drop Test	FED-STD-101C Method 5007.1 Paragraph 6.3, Procedure A, Level A
Falling Dart Impact	ATA 300 Category I
Vibration, Loose Cargo	FED-STD-101C Method 5019
Vibration, Sweep	ATA 300 Category I
Simulated Rainfall	MIL-STD-810F Method 506.4, Procedure II of 4.1.2; FED-STD-101C Method 5009.1 Sec 6.7.1
Immersion	MIL-STD-810F Method 512.4