VIAVI ALT-9000 Radio Altimeter Test Set – Universal Flight Line Test Solution

Portable radio altimeter test set with fiber optic delay line, simulating altitudes from 5 to 10,000 ft for FMCW and pulse altimeters.

Display: 12” color LCD, sun light readable w/back light
Controls: Touch-screen

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI ALT-9000 is a radio altimeter test set for flight line and benchtop use. It provides altitude simulations with true RF time delay and path loss models, allowing it to test any format of radio altimeter system, including Low Probability of Intercept (LPI), Combined Altitude Radar Altimeter (CARA) and next-generation variants.

The test set is based on a fiber optic delay line and simulates static altitudes from 5 ft to 10,000 ft in 5 ft increments; the minimum altitude depends on the interconnecting cables. An extended range option adds 16,000 ft and 25,000 ft as discrete altitude selections.

A graphical touch-screen interface provides the controls and displays parametric measurements including TX power, TX frequency, FM deviation, sweep rate, pulse width and PRF. The unit connects directly to the unit under test T/R ports or to an installed system via antenna couplers, with automatic compensation for test cables, coupler loss and external attenuation.

The ALT-9000 is housed in a portable ruggedized enclosure and is battery operated, with an external AC to DC converter supplied for indoor use.

Key Features

Fiber optic delay line based test set supports all formats of radio altimeters
Altitude simulation with true RF time delay and path loss models
Tests LPI, CARA and next-generation radio altimeter variants
Portable ruggedized enclosure for flight line or benchtop use
Battery operated
Simulates static altitudes from 5 ft to 10,000 ft in 5 ft increments (minimum altitude dependent on interconnecting cables)
Extended Range Option: simulate 16,000 ft and 25,000 ft as discrete altitude selections
+20 dB of power level offset from nominal loop loss value
Touch-screen operation
Direct-connect to UUT T/R or installed system via antenna couplers
Measures TX power, TX frequency, FM deviation, sweep rate, pulse width and PRF

Specifications

User Interface

Display	12” color LCD, sun light readable w/back light
Controls	Touch-screen

TX/RX Direct Connection Ports

Impedance	50 Ω
SWR (TX)	2.0:1
SWR (RX)	1.5:1
Connector	TNC x 2 (single TX/RX channel)

Receiver – FMCW/CDF

RF Input Frequency Range	4.20 GHz to 4.40 GHz
Frequency Measurement Range	4.20 GHz to 4.40 GHz
Frequency Measurement Accuracy	±5 MHz
TX Power Measurement Range	4 mW (+6 dBm) to 2 W (+33 dBm)
TX Power Measurement Accuracy	+2 dB As printed in the datasheet
FM Sweep Rate Measurement Range	50 Hz to 400 Hz
FM Sweep Rate Measurement Accuracy	±5 Hz
FM Deviation Range	±20 MHz to 100 MHz
FM Deviation Accuracy	±5 MHz

Receiver – Pulse

Frequency Measurement Range	4.20 GHz to 4.40 GHz
Frequency Measurement Accuracy	±10 MHz
TX Power Measurement Range	1 mW (0 dBm) to 300 W (+54 dBm) peak
TX Power Measurement Accuracy	±2 dB >50 ns
TX Power Measurement Accuracy	±3 dB <50 ns
TX Pulse Width Measurement Range	20 ns to 5 µs
TX Pulse Width Measurement Accuracy	±10 ns
TX Pulse PRF Measurement Range	2 KHz to 30 KHz
TX Pulse PRF Measurement Accuracy	±5%

Linear Altitude Rate

Range	1 to 120,000 fpm
Altitude Update Rate	10 Hz max

RF Sample Port

Attenuation	-46 dBc typical At carrier frequency

Test Cable, Couplers and External Attenuation

Test Cable Length	1 to 25 ft Automatic compensation
Test Cable Loss	0 to 9.9 dB Automatic compensation
Antenna Couplers	TX and RX
Coupler Loss Compensation	0 to 19.9 dB
External Attenuation Range	0 to 20 dB (UUT:TX), 0 to 50 dB (UUT:RX) Automatic compensation

Altitude Simulation

Range	5 to 10,000 ft At test set connectors, plus interconnecting cables. Minimum simulated altitude will be 5ft + test cable delay + Altitude Offset setting
Optional Range	16,000 and 25,000 ft as discrete altitude selections Extended Range Option
Resolution	5 ft Standard range only
Accuracy	±1ft. ±1% of simulated altitude
Altitude Switching Time	5ms max Typically < 3ms
Altitude Offset	-100 to 100 ft

Loop Loss

Manual Mode Range	-35 to -135 dB (0 to 50 ft) Dependent upon cable loss, coupler loss and external attenuation; altitude with 0 ft Altitude Offset
Manual Mode Range	-55 to -135 dB (55 to 5000 ft) Dependent upon cable loss, coupler loss and external attenuation; altitude with 0 ft Altitude Offset
Manual Mode Range	-60 to -135 dB (>5000 ft) Dependent upon cable loss, coupler loss and external attenuation; altitude with 0 ft Altitude Offset
Manual Mode Accuracy	±2 dB -35 to -95 dB @ 4.30 GHz
Manual Mode Accuracy	±3 dB -95 to -135 dB @ 4.30 GHz
Flatness	±2 dB typical 4.20 to 4.40 GHz, referenced to 4.30 GHz
Auto Mode	Computed path loss based on altitude, scattering, cables, couplers and offset
RF Level Offset (auto)	-20 to +20 dB
Frequency Stability	±1 ppm

Power

DC Input Voltage	11-32 VDC
DC Input Power	75 w max
DC Input Current	5 A max
Battery Life	>4 Hrs continuous At 25°C
AC to DC Converter AC Input Power	100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz Supplied external AC to DC converter (indoor use)

Environmental

Test Set Operating Temperature	-10° to 55°C (14° to 131°F)
Test Set Storage Temperature	-51° to 71°C (-59.8° to 159.8°F) With battery removed
AC to DC Converter Operating Temperature	5° to 40°C (41° to 104°F)
AC to DC Converter Storage Temperature	-20° to 71°C (-4° to 159.8°F)
AC to DC Converter Altitude	<10,000 feet

Physical

Size (test set case)	8.5 in H x 18.7 in W x 16.4 in D (21.6 cm x 47.5 cm x 41.7 cm)
Size (w/standard transit case, or accessory case)	16.25 in H x 33.75 in W x 28.5 in D (41.3 cm x 85.8 cm x 72.4 cm)
Weight (test set only)	32 lbs, 14.52 kg
Weight (kit)	88 lbs, 39.92 kg

Certifications

Operating Temperature	MIL-PRF-28800, Class 2
Storage Temperature	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Operational and Storage Humidity	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Vibration Limits	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Shock, Functional and Resistance	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Transit Drop	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2 Tests to be performed with unit in transit case and lid closed
Bench Handling	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Watertight / Drip Proof	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Sand Dust	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2 Tests to be performed with unit in transit case and lid closed
Salt Atmosphere	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2 Tests to be performed with unit in transit case and lid closed
Explosive Atmosphere	MIL-STD-810F, Method 511.4
Solar Radiation	MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 2
Safety Compliance (test set)	EN/UL-61010-1, 3rd Edition
Environmental Directives	WEEE, ROHS
EMC (test set)	EN/IEC 61326-1: 2013
AC-DC Converter Safety Compliance	UL 1950 DS, CSA 22.2 No. 234, VDE EN 60 950
AC-DC Converter EMI/RFI Compliance	FCC Docket 20780 Curve “B”
AC-DC Converter EMC	EN 61326