Levil Aviation Beacon 978 Series User manual

Rev 1.0
978 UAT (ADS-B out)
INSTALLATION AND PILOT’S GUIDE

Beacon 978 Installation Manual
2
Revision table
Date
Revision
Comments
Section
July 22,2017
1.0
First Revision
Nov 14, 2017
1.1
Adjustments by Ricardo L
8.2.4
Warranty
Levil Aviation warrants this product to the original purchaser to be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. The following
are not covered: software, damage resulting from accident, neglect, misuse, fire, or flood,
improper voltage supply or failure to follow operational guidelines supplied with this product.
Extended warranty is available for purchase on our website Please register your product online
at: http://aviation.levil.com
IN NO EVENT, SHALL LEVIL AVIATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE,
MIUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

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Beacon 978 Installation Manual
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Beacon 978 series: A Smarter, Simpler ADS-B out. The Levil Beacon is an externally
mounted pod in the shape of an aerodynamic antenna that contains all essential components
necessary to comply with FAA’s requirement to have ADS-B out for 2020, when flying in
controlled airspace. The design objective was to minimize installation time and cost,
addressing the biggest challenges when trying to comply with the 2020 mandate. The Beacon’s
unique design allows it to be mounted underneath the fuselage, which makes it compatible with
most aircrafts. It minimizes wiring time by incorporating the following:
FEATURES
Beacon
978
Beacon
978G
Transponder “sniffer” to decode squawk code sent by existing
transponders and relay the information through the ADS-B freq.
position source (WAAS GPS) that satisfies with 14 CFR §91.227
Pressure transducer for Pressure Altitude indication or comparison.
Communication ports to connect LCD screen or other avionics
ADS-B out transmitter (978 MHz UAT frequency) and antenna
2.0 COMPLIANCE AND USE
 The BEACON 978 series is for use in Experimental and Light Sport Aviation only.
It meets the Minimum Operational Performance Standards of DO-282B Class A1S (transmit-
only aircraft with single antenna) and the performance requirements of TSO-C154c. However,
the BEACON 978 series is NOT TSO’d. You may only install the Beacon on aircraft with
Experimental Airworthiness Certificates. For LSA owners, the installation must be performed in
accordance with an applicable consensus standard (as an alteration) and authorized by the
aircraft’s manufacturer.

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3.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Specification
Description
Transmission Frequency
978MHz
Transmission Power
20 Watts
Receiver Frequency
1090 MHz (auto squawk function)
Power Requirements
9-32 V
Power consumption
Temperature Range
-30 C to +70 C
Max Altitude (Pressure)
27,000 ft
Max Altitude (GPS)
60,000 ft
Weight
8oz (Beacon) 4oz (LCD)
Length
5” (13 cm)
Height
4” (10 cm)
Width
2” (5 cm)
Horizontal Position
Accuracy (GPS Only) 1
≤ 6.5 meters RMS
Horizontal Position
Accuracy (GPS + SBAS)
1
≤ 4.0 meters RMS
Vertical Position Accuracy
1
≤ 8.0 meters RMS
Velocity Accuracy 1
≤ 0.1 meters / second RMS
System Design
Assurance (SDA)
2
Source Integrity Level
(SIL)
3
Patent
Pending

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4.0 INSTALLATION
4.1 BEACON INSTALLATION
1. Remove Beacon from packaging. Hardware accessories (nuts, studs, aluminum plate)
can be used for actual installation.
2. Use the aluminum plate to trace the pattern for holes on the belly of the aircraft or
somewhere with clear view to the ground towers. Install the Beacon978 at least 3 feet
away from other antennas, such as DME or transponder. If aircraft shell is not rigid
enough, you may use the aluminum plate provided on the inside to provide more rigidity:
Note: If the aircraft is made of fiber glass or any other non-metallic material. A square foot
aluminum plate must be placed on the inside of the aircraft on the base of the BEACON
3. GPS source. On Beacon model 978G, the GPS is embedded inside, so only an active
antenna connection is necessary. On Beacon model 978, an external GPS source is
required to be wired into the Cannon plug using RS232.
4. Follow the wiring diagrams below according to your Beacon model:
GPS Active Antenna (50ohm)
(only required on BEACON 978G)
Communication and Power to LCD
Power supply (9-32) and GND
GPS Position source COM2 (NOT
required on BEACON 978G)
Aluminum plate
Gasket
Aircraft airframe
AFT
FORWARD

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For Beacon978G:
For Beacon978 (requires external GPS source):
*PINS B, H, L and K are for future use, Do not connect.
Note: cables sizes
- Power cable #18-20 (blue cables)
- Signal cable #22-24 (red cables)
GND
POWER (9-32V)
External Time Mark +
Signal GND
External Time Mark -
RS232 RX (output from
external GPS source)
LCD Screen DB9 connector
GND
POWER (9-32V)

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Beacon Cheat Sheet
4.2 LCD INTERFACE INSTALLATION
This is the control head for the Beacon used for initial configuration and during flight as an
interface for transponder functions and commands. Use the Beacon harness, or recommended
wiring diagram to connect the LCD’s DB9 to
the cannon plug. Power will be supplied to
the LCD by the Beacon. DO NOT connect
LCD interface to 12V-24V.
If your aircraft is equipped with a Mode-C or
Mode-S transponder, the LCD interface is
not required to be in the panel. Our sniffer
technology will automatically decode the
transponder squawk code without you
having to enter it twice. However, having the
LCD available is recommended. We
designed the screen as small as possible so
that it fits even in the smallest panels. It is a
great source of feedback regarding altitude
(both pressure and GPS) and verification of
correct squawk code. It is also an interface
for certain commands such as “squawking
anonymous” during VFR flights, and other
ADS-B operations.

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4.3 GPS (position source)
4.3.1 SMA connector (Beacon 978G only)
The SMA connector on the Beacon 978-s is for a GPS antenna (not included with
the Beacon 978). You may use off-the-shelf active GPS antenna with a 50ohm load,
which can be located remotely or inside the aircraft with as much clear view to the sky as
possible. If your GPS antenna uses BCN connections, use the supplied BNC to SMA
adapter. It is recommended to use the Beacon with TSOd GPS antennas.
4.3.2 External GPS receivers (Beacon 978)
When using external GPS receivers make sure they comply with the
requirements for 2020. For GPS equipment, you may install an uncertified GPS on
amateur-built and light-sport aircraft with experimental airworthiness certificates.
However, the GPS equipment must meet the performance requirements of a GPS TSO.
You can ask the equipment manufacturer, stating the device meets the performance
requirements of either TSO-C166b or TSO-C154c.
Here is a list of approved GPS sources:
Levil Aviation: iLevil2 AW or iLevil3 AW (with the certified GPS option)
GARMIN: GNS 400W-530W series (with appropriate software update)
Note: If you have a specific GPS that is not listed above, contact us at
[e-mail] with your suggestion.
5.0 LCD NAVIGATION
The LCD interface has one button (push and rotate) and has three different modes:
On power ON, the LCD interface will display the company name “LEVIL AVIATION”, firmware
and serial number, followed by the Home Page. To navigate between the screen modes, use
the button as follows:
Home Page -> PUSH and RELEASE button to enter Main Menu
Home Page -> PUSH and HOLD button for 4 seconds to enter Settings Menu
Main Menu -> Rotate the button to go through the Menu Items

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Main Menu -> PUSH and RELEASE to enter a Menu Items
Main Menu -> Scroll down to “EXIT” to EXIT the Main Menu
Settings Menu -> Rotate the button to go through the Menu Items
Settings Menu -> Push and RELEASE to enter a Menu Item
Settings Menu -> Scroll down to “EXIT” to EXIT the Settings Menu
Menu Items -> Rotate the button to adjust settings, PUSH and RELEASE button to go to next
character or exit
Menu Items -> PUSH and HOLD button for 2 seconds to cancel editing a setting (back to menu)
6.0 CONFIGURING YOUR BEACON
You must configure your ADS-B parameters before using the Beacon in flight. Enter the
Settings Menu by pressing and holding the Navigation Button for 5 seconds. Then follow the
instructions below for each parameter:
6.1 ICAO ADDRESS
The ICAO address is a 24-bit number issued to the aircraft by the registration authority
of the aircraft. To edit the ICAO Address, rotate the button until you find the corresponding HEX
value (either a capital letter A-F, or a digit number 0-1), then Push and RELEASE to go to the
next field. You must enter all 6 HEX values. If you don’t know your ICAO address, you can look
it up using your N-number at http://faa.gov (N-look up is on the top right). Your ICAO Address
will show under the “Mode S (base 16 hex)” field on FAA’s N-look up report.
6.2 ICAO ADDRESS TYPE (“ADDRESS TYPE”)
Parameter
Description
ICAO Address
Default. Always set to ICAO for 91.227 Compliance
Temporary Address
For aircraft not assigned an ICAO (paragliders, lighter than air etc)
6.3 AIRCRAFT LENGTH (“LENGTH METERS”)
Use the two fields to enter the length of your aircraft (in meters, rounded up) from nose
to tail. Size of your aircraft will be broadcasted by the Beacon when on the ground and taxing.
For example:
For 4.3 meters: For 11.9 meters:
METERS
05
METERS
12