Becker SAR-DF 517 User manual

SAR-DF 517
4-Band Precision
Direction Finder
Installation and Operation
Manual DV 77513.03
Issue 4 September 2006
Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH · Baden Airpark ·Gebäude B 108
77836 Rheinmünster · Telephone 07229 / 305-0
E-Mail : [email protected] or [email protected]

First Issue and Changes
Issue . . . . . 4. . . . . September 2006
List of effective pages
Page No. : Date. : Page No. : Date. :
Titlepage
ISO 9001
I-1 I-4
1-1 1-10
2-1 2-12
3-1 3-10
09/2006
09/2006
09/2006
09/2006
09/2006
DV 77513.03 Article-Number: 0551.295-071
© 2001 by Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH
All rights reserved

Qualitätszertifikat
Sehr geehrter Kunde,
Sie haben sich für den Kauf eines Becker -
Produktes entschieden. Hiermit erhalten Sie ein
nach modernsten Fertigungsmethoden her-
gestelltes Produkt. Es wurde nach den Regeln
unseres Qualitätsmanagementsystems
entwickelt, gefertigt und geprüft.
Certificate of qualitiy
Dear Customer,
you have decided to buy a Becker product. You
are assured of receiving a product that is
manufactured using the most modern methods
available. This product was developed,
manufacturedandtestedincompliancewithour
quality management system standards.
ISO 9001
Certified Quality System
Das Becker- Qualitätsmanagementsystem ist zertifiziert nach:
The Becker quality management system is certified according to:
DIN EN ISO 9001 CERT Reg. - Nr. 12 100 20988
Zulassungen und Genehmigungen:
Licenses and Approvals:
BWB-1921Y-B07/04/01 Zulassung als Luftfahrtbetrieb für Luftfahrtgerät der Bundeswehr
ManufactureslicenseforaviationequipmenttotheGermanarmedforces
DE.21G.0075 Genehmigung als Herstellerbetrieb nach EASA Teil 21
Hauptabschnitt A, Abschnitt G
Production Organization Approval, EASA Part 21 Section A, Subpart G
DE.145.0166 Genehmigung als Instandhaltungsbetrieb nach EASA-145
Maintenance Organization Approval EASA-145

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 409/2006Page I-1
Table of Contents
Section 1 General Information
Page
1.1 Introduction 1-1
1.2 Purpose 1-1
1.3 Technical data 1-3
1.3.1 Electrical data 1-3
1.3.2. Interface 1-5
1.3.3 Environmental data 1-6
1.3.4 Mechanical data and weight 1-6
1.4 Frequencies of channels on maritime band 1-7
1.5 Scope of delivery 1-9
1.6 Accessories 1-9
1.7 Manuals 1-9
Fig. 1-1 4-Band precision direction finder system 1-2
Section 2 Installation
Page
2.1 General 2-1
2.1.1 Inspection before installation 2-1
2.2 Mechanical installation display unit 2-1
2.3 Mechanical installation antenna unit 2-3
2.2 Connecting cable / interwiring 2-4
2.4 Information for the installation of the antenna unit 2-5
2.5 Installation wiring 2-6
2.5.1 General 2-6
2.5.2 Panel lighting 2-8
2.6 Post-installation check 2-8

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03 Issue 4 09/2006 Page I-2
2.6.1 Electrical interference 2-10
Fig. 2-1 Dimensions drawing of the display unit 2-2
Fig. 2-2 Mounting drawing of the display unit 2-2
Fig. 2-3 Mounting drawig of the antenna 2-3
Fig. 2-4 Dimensions drawing of the antenna 2-4
Fig. 2-5 Montage direction of the antenna unit 2-5
Fig. 2-6 Interwiring diagram 2-7
Section 3 Operation
Page
I3.1 Important basic adjustments 3-1
3.2. Operating 3-1
3.2.1 Power-On procedure / selection of operating mode 3-1
3.2.2 General functions 3-2
3.3 Bearing mode 3-3
3.3.1 Operating elements in bearing mode 3-3
3.3.2 Display in bearing mode 3-4
3.3.3 Scanning mode when bearing Cospas/Sarsat signals 3-6
3.3.4 Cospas/Sarsat, analysing the binary continuous signal 3-7
3.3.5 Edit menu 3-8
3.4 Adjusting training frequencies 3-9
3.5 Error messages 3-10
Fig. 3-1 Selection of working mode at power on of the unit 3-1
Fig. 3-2 General operating elements of the Display Unit 3-2
Fig. 3-3 Operating elements in bearing mode 3-3
Fig. 3-4 Display page 1 (360 ° Bearing Display) 3-4
Fig. 3-5 Display page 2 (Expanded +/- 45° Bearing Display) 3-5

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page I-3
Fig. 3-6 Display page 3 (Bearing Display as Text) 3-5
Fig. 3-7 Display Cospas/Sarsat analyse (page4) 3-7
Fig. 3-8 Display edit menu (page 5) 3-8
Fig. 3-9 Menu of adjustable frequencies (page 6) 3-9

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page I-6
Blank

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 1-1
Section 1 General Information
1.1. Introduction
The SAR-DF 517 4-Band Precision Direction Finder System is described in ”Installation and
Operation” DV 77513.03 and “Maintenance and Repair” DV 77513.04 manuals.
The manuals contain the following sections :
Section DV 77531.03 DV 77513.04
1General Information XX
2Installation XX
3Operation XX
4Theory of Operation X
5Maintenance and Repair X
6Parts List X
7Modification and Changes X
8Circuit Diagrams X
1.2. Purpose
The SAR-DF 517 product is a general direction finder, developed for professional SAR (search
and rescue) purposes. This Direction Finder (DF) is a multiband type (118MHz…410MHz)
working with the physical Doppler-Effect.
It offers the possibility to bear and analyse traditional emergency frequencies in the UHF and
VHF band and the maritime radio band .The Cospas/Sarsat emergency signal is bearable,
despite its very short pulse length, too. It is also possible to decode and display the
Cospas/Sarsat message information.
The excellent bearing result become possible by the newly developed and patented antenna
concept (small, robust and wide-banded) and the sophisticated bearing analys is algorithms
(very complex hardware and software averaging), which deliver a quick, but nevertheless,
steady indication.
The direction finder is designed for working under rough conditions such as mobile uses on
helicopters, airplanes or vehicles.
The complete DF system comprises two units:
•Antenna Unit (AU)
•Display Control Unit (DCU)

SAR-DF 517
Page DV 77513.03 Issue 4 09/2006
1-2
The Display Control Unit (DCU) is the indicating and controlling instrument of all functions of
the direction finder. It can be seen as an interface between the direction finder and the
operator.
The Antenna Unit (AU) contains the direction finder, prober, the “heart” of the whole system,
comprising four modules. This Antenna Unit is an independent system, all calculations of
bearing and decoding (hard- and software) take place here.
Fig. 1-1 4-Band precision direction finder system

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 1-3
1.3. Technical data
1.3.1. Electrical data
Method of bearing Doppler-principle (3kHz rotational frequency,
right / left rotation)
Bearing accuracy (1) ± 5°
Internal resolution 1°
Sensitivity RF-Voltage at Receiver Input (50Ohms)
VHF<100nV; SeaBand<100nV;
UHF<100nV; 406MHz<150nV
Frequency stability ± 2.0 ppm (∆f/f = ± 210
-6)
[at temperature range - 20 °C…+ 60 °C]
Receiving channels: 8 (four of them are free adjustable)
Receiving frequencies: Emergency mode
(or see type plate for 121.500 MHz (VHF)
special customer options) 156.800 MHz (Maritime, Channel 16)
243.000 MHz (UHF)
406.025 MHz (Cospas / Sarsat)
Trainings mode
118.000 ....122.975 MHz
156.000 .....157.975 MHz
240.000 .....245.975 MHz
400.000 .....409.975 MHz
Scanning mode: When receiving Cospas/Sarsat signals additionally
the emergency frequencies 121.500 MHz and
243.000 MHz can be scanned

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Cospas/Sarsat analysis: Reception and analysis/decoding of Cospas/Sarsat
data signal (112 resp. 144 bit, 400 baud, biphase
L-phase modulated, error test / specified according
to Cospas/Sarsat C/S T.001 October 1999)
Bearable kinds of modulation: A3E, F3E, A2X (ELT-modulation); bearing largely
independent of modulation.
Polarisation Vertical
Error of polarisation ≤5° at 60° field vector rotation
Garbling cone Ca. 30° to the vertical
Time of response: (2) ≤50 ms (with sufficient receiving field strength)
LC-graphic display 128x64 dots, supertwist /transflective, extended
range of temperature, dark-blue display on yellow-
green background, lit up. Free adjustable
(exponential) dimming of brightness
Supply voltage range 12 V to 35 V DC
Current consumption LCD-backlight Off:
max. 350 mA (12 V DC) / 200 mA (24 V DC)
LCD-backlight 100 %:
max. 600 mA (12 V DC) / 300 mA (24 V DC)
Note
(1) Undisturbed wave field and sufficient field strength proposed. Measuring by changing the angle of
incidence , the bearing antenna rotates on a revolving table in order to eliminate environment
influences on bearing result.
(2) Very weak signals can considerably increase the time of response!

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 1-5
1.3.2. Interface
External connections (optional / at Sub-D 9pol. Connector “X4” male)
Dimming:
Pin 8 external voltage for
variable dimming
Analog input signal for variable controlling of the LCD-back-
ground and legends illumination. Input voltage free adjustable
in the range of [1 …33]V at edit menu (Display Control Unit
Page5 edit menu 3.3.5.
Default setting [10…28]V. (10V=Off, 28V=max. dimming)
Impedance of input > 50 kΩ
Pin 6
night status line
only at SAR-DF 517 N
with NVG frontpanel,
otherwise don’t connect.
Low-active. At input voltage < 2,5V the dimming operates in
night mode. Max. of brightness ca. 2% of day/default mode
Impedance of input > 50 kΩ
Pin 4
NVG status line
only at SAR-DF 517 N
with NVG frontpanel,
otherwise don’t connect.
Low-active. At input voltage < 2,5V the dimming operates in
NVG mode. Max. of brightness ca. 2% of day/default mode
Impedance of input > 50 kΩ
Audio/LF:
Pin 7 Audio output signal
AC coupled voltage source with very low inner resistance.
Max. output voltage ca 8Vpp = 2,83VRMS at Volume Max.
Max. output power ca. 2W with 4Ωspeaker.
If a headphone is connected [32…600]Ω/ 100mW, we
recommend using a resistor (18Ω/ 0,25W) between audio
output and headphone to prevent damaging the headphone.
Serial interface RS232: (9600 baud, 8 databits, 1 stoppbit, no parity)
Pin 3 Txd Serial output (ca. ±10V)
Pin 2 Rxd Serial input (ca. ±10V)

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1.3.3. Environmental data
Display:
operating temperature (3): - 20 °C ... + 60 °C
storage temperature: - 30 °C ... + 80 °C
Temperature Range Antenna
operating temperature (3): - 40 °C ... + 60 °C
storage temperature: - 55 °C ... + 80 °C
Note
(3) For temperatures lower than – 10 °C a warm-up period up to 15 min. is necessary.
Protective System:
Antenna: IP 67
1.3.4. Mechanical data and weights
Weights:
Display Unit: 250 g / 250p
Antenna: 2000 g / 2500p
Dimensions:
Display unit: 82 mm x 82 mm x 43.3 mm
3.23 inch x 3.23 inch x 1.7 inch
(width x height x depth)
Aantenna: ∅270 mm x 185 mm
10.63 inch x 7.28 inch

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 1-7
1.4. Frequencies of channels on maritime band
Frequency-range at SAR-DF 517 a maritime band: 156.000MHz ... 157.975MHz
Channel No.: Frequenc-y
(sea - station) Frequency-
(coast - Station)
1156.050 MHz 160.650 MHz
2156.100 MHz 160.700 MHz
3156.150 MHz 160.750 MHz
4156.200 MHz 160.800 MHz
5156.250 MHz 160.850 MHz
6156.300 MHz 160.900 MHz
7156.350 MHz 160.950 MHz
8156.400 MHz
9156.450 MHz
10 156.500 MHz
11 156.550 MHz
12 156.600 MHz
13 156.650 MHz
14 156.700 MHz
15 156.750 MHz
16 156.800 MHz
17 156.850 MHz
18 156.900 MHz 161.500 MHz
19 156.950 MHz 161.550 MHz
20 157.000 MHz 161.600 MHz
21 157.050 MHz 161.650 MHz
22 157.100 MHz 161.700 MHz
23 157.150 MHz 161.750 MHz
24 157.200 MHz 161.800 MHz
25 157.250 MHz 161.850 MHz
26 157.300 MHz 161.900 MHz
27 157.350 MHz 161.950 MHz
28 157.400 MHz 162.000 MHz
60 156.025 MHz 160.625 MHz
61 156.075 MHz 160.675 MHz
62 156.125 MHz 160.725 MHz
63 156.175 MHz 160.775 MHz
64 156.225 MHz 160.825 MHz

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Channel No.: Frequenc-y
(sea - station) Frequency-
(coast - Station)
65 156.275 MHz 160.875 MHz
66 156.325 MHz 160.925 MHz
67 156.375 MHz
68 156.425 MHz
69 156.475 MHz
70 156.525 MHz
71 156.575 MHz
72 156.625 MHz
73 156.675 MHz
74 156.725 MHz
75 156.775 MHz
76 156.825 MHz
77 156.875 MHz
78 156.925 MHz 161.525 MHz
79 156.975 MHz 161.575 MHz
80 157.025 MHz 161.625 MHz
81 157.075 MHz 161.675 MHz
82 157.125 MHz 161.725 MHz
83 157.175 MHz 161.775 MHz
84 157.225 MHz 161.825 MHz
85 157.275 MHz 161.875 MHz
86 157.325 MHz 161.925 MHz
87 157.375 MHz 161.975 MHz
88 157.425 MHz 162.025 MHz

SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 1-9
1.5. Scope of delivery
Display Control Unit DCU 537 Article-No.: 0531.324-924
Antenna Direction Finder SAR-DF 517 Article-No.: 0531.316-924
(with Receiver and DF-Controller)
1.6. Accessories
Connector set for cable (antenna ß-àdisplay unit) and power supply
Connector Kit Article-No.: 0542.571-954
Consist of Cable connector round antenna
Cable connector D-Sub display unit
Cable connector D-Sub power supply
Cable harness/5 Article-No.: 0542.581-954
Consist of 5m Cable completed (Cable connector
round antenna and unconnected on D-Sub display unit)
Cable connector D-Sub power supply of 3 m
Cable harness/10 Article-No.: 0542.598-954
Consist of 10m Cable completed (Cable connector
round antenna and unconnected on D-Sub display unit)
Cable connector D-Sub power supply of 3 m
1.7. Manuals
Installation and Operation Article-No.: 0551.295-071
Maintenance and Repair Article-No.: 0543.225-071
Operating Instructions Article-No.:0590.045-071

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SAR-DF 517
DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 2-1
Section 2 Installation
2.1 General
The installation of the display unit and antenna unit depends on the type of aircraft and equipment
and therefore only general information can be given in this section.
2.1.1. Inspection before installation
Place the packed unit on a clean, flat surface. Open the reusable package, carefully remove the units
and check for completeness. Replace the packaging material in the shipping container and keep it so
that the unit can be properly repacked for storage or shipping.
Before installing the dispaly unit and antenna unit in an aircraft, carry out a visual inspection for any
transit damage, paying particular attention to the following:
Dirt, dents, scratches, corrosion, broken attaching parts on the housing and housing parts.
Dirt and scratches on the identification plate, front panel, LC display and marking.
Dirt, bent or broken pins, cracked connector inserts.
Dirt and mechanical damage on the rotary switches, push-buttons and knobs.
Missing screws.
If damage is found, immediately inform the carrier.
2.2 Mechanical installation display unit
The display unit is designed for installation in the instrument panel or operating console of an aircraft.
The necessary dimensional details are given in Fig. 2-1 and Fig. 2-2.

SAR-DF 517
Page 2-2DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006
Fig 2-1 Dimension drawing of the display unit
Mounting hole for display unit
The display unit may be mounted into a front panel by the means of this mounting drawing:
Fig 2-2 Mounting drawing of the display unit
79.5 mm
3.13 inch
82 mm
3.23 inch
82 mm
3.23 inch
43.3 mm
1.7 inch 21.1 mm
0.83 inch 28 mm
1.1 inch
41.3 mm
1.63 inch
68.9 mm
2.71 inch
17 mm
0.67 inch 20 mm
0.79 inch
25 mm
0.98 inch
80 mm / 3.15 inch
63 mm / 2.48 inch
6.3 mm / 0.24 inch
63 mm / 2.48 inch

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DV 77513.03Issue 4 09/2006 Page 2-3
2.3 Mechanical installation antenna unit
The antenna unit is designed for external installation in an aircraft. The necessary dimensional details
are given in fig 2-3 and Fig. 2-4.
A convenient position of the monopole bearing antenna is decisive for good bearing results. The
antenna needs an effective ground connection to the body of the helicopter or to the roof of the
vehicle. If no metallic mounting surface available, a metallic sheet or similar (net) with connection to
ground has to be applied between vehicle-body and antenna.
Fig 2-3 Mounting drawing of the antenna
8 x holes for mounting
the antenna unit on
the body of the
vehicle/aircraft
In this hatched area the antenna
touches the body of the
vehicle/aircraft). In order to
obtain a good ground
connection the surface of the
body should be bared.
(Measuring unit [mm]
6.5 mm/ 0.26 inch
max. 250 mm / 9.84 inch
240 mm/ 9.45 inch
6.5 mm / 0.26 inch
min. 270 mm / 10.63 inch
min 26 mm / 1.02 inch
6.5 mm/ 0.26 inch
max. 250 mm / 9.84 inch
240 mm/ 9.45 inch
6.5 mm / 0.26 inch
min. 270 mm / 10.63 inch
min 26 mm / 1.02 inch
6.5 mm/ 0.26 inch
max. 250 mm / 9.84 inch
240 mm/ 9.45 inch
6.5 mm / 0.26 inch
min. 270 mm / 10.63 inch
min 26 mm / 1.02 inch