Triadis TR-DVS Manual

triadis engineering GmbH – Eichholzstrasse 7 – Postfach – CH-3254 Messen
Phone: [phone] – Fax: [phone] – Internet: www.triadis.ch – E-Mail: [email protected]
Document name: DVS-P-EN
Document version: 1.1
Release date: 07/03/2011
Pilot’s Manual
TR-DVS

Notes
i - ?? TR-DVS Pilot’s Manual •DVS-P-EN

General Information
Document identification / revision status
This manual applies to the following TR-DVS part numbers:
•P/N T251-000-XXX (TR-DVS)
triadis engineering GmbH reserves the right to update this manual as product enhancements are
made throughout the life of this product.
Actual version: TR-DVS Pilot’s Manual •DVS-P-EN, Version 1.1
Version history
Revision Date Status Author Changes, comments
0.1 13/05/2005 released S.Gisiger Initial Document
0.2 20/05/2005 released S.Gisiger Added: Start-up, Documentation
info file, FAQ
0.3 28/07/2005 released S.Gisiger Software release 1.06/1.07; Adjust-
ments for obtaining the BAZL ap-
proval for installation in Swiss reg-
istered aircraft.
0.4 22/11/2005 released S.Gisiger English translation
1.0 15/01/2008 released D.Wettstein Layout rework, manual separation
1.1 07/03/2011 released S.Gisiger Minor edits
Safety notices
The Altair documentation is an essential component of the equipment and should carefully be
stored with the aircraft log book.
•The pilot is ultimately responsible for all flight decisions and for operating the aircraft safely
at all times.
•This equipment does not remove the need to maintain an effective lookout.
•Continue to observe the airspace and do not rely on TR-DVS (or FLARM) to announce all
objects in the airspace!
•If possible, TR-DVS is to be installed as ‘portable equipment’ with an autonomous power
supply.
•Read the FLARM operating instructions carefully — in particular the Section ‘Restrictions
on operation’ below. TR-DVS is unable to report on objects that are not detected by FLARM.
•Improper installation or misuse of TR-DVS may result in degraded performance of TR-DVS
or to equipment to which it is connected.
•The safety notices must be observed, in particular attention must be given to |notes and
kwarnings.
TR-DVS Pilot’s Manual •DVS-P-EN ii - ??

Legal notices
•This manual, the instrument software and firmware, and user interface design are Copy-
right 2006-2007 by triadis engineering GmbH .
•Any decompiling, disassembly, reverse engineering, or modification of the instrument or
firmware are strictly prohibited without specific written permission from triadis engineering
GmbH .
•Specifications may change without notice. Updates to this document will be available at
http://www.triadis.ch
•triadis engineering GmbH will not be liable for errors/omissions in this document.
•The owner and/or the business performing the installation is responsible for ensuring that
the TR-DVS installation conforms to the requirements of the aircraft type and the installation
is done professionally in accordance with the TR-DVS Installation Manual.
Restrictions on operation
•TR-DVS may not be operated in aircraft that are registered or insured in the USA or Canada,
or by pilots of the USA and Canada. Likewise businesses are forbidden to operate TR-DVS,
if persons on-board the aircraft reside in the USA or Canada or are citizens of the USA or
Canada. Likewise businesses are forbidden to operate TR-DVS, if the takeoff location, place
of destination lies in the USA or Canada, or if the flight over-flies the USA or Canada.
•TR-DVS is not yet certified by FOCA for permanent installation in power planes, helicopters
and touring motor gliders. The installation instructions in this document refer to FOCA re-
quirements. TR-DVS may not be installed in aircraft that are already equipped with an
acoustic reporting/warning system.
•Altair is not certified for use as a replacement for certified primary flight instruments.
•TR-DVS does not have a JTSO or FAA-TSO airworthiness certification for equipment and
the permission granted by the FOCA authority described above applies only to aircraft reg-
istered in Switzerland.
•Install TR-DVS where possible, isolated from the radio transceiver, since at present it is
approved for use only with a portable radio transceiver system.
Trademarks
Trademarks referred to in this document are the property of their respective holders.
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CONTENTS
Contents
1 General Description 1
1.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Messages 2
2.1 Message classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Message format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2.1 Obstacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2.2 Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2.3 System messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Message filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Acknowledge messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 Repeat messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Operating Method 6
3.1 Turning the device on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Sound check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Vario volume setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.4 COM volume setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.4.1 FLARM error messages on startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.5 Fail-safe test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.6 Electromagnetic interference test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.7 Export the IGC logs from the FLARM Flight Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4 Operation 9
4.1 Acknowledge key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.1 Alert mode selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.2 Circling and cruise flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.3 Panel lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 Repeat key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Volume control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4 SD-Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.5 Error recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
A Frequently Asked Questions 13
B Limited Warranty 14
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1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1 General Description
1.1 Overview
•TR-DVS is an acoustic reporting system, which produces airspace traffic refer-ences and
collision warnings from FLARM, primarily via speech over a loud-speaker or headset.
•TR-DVS is small, easy to use, with a simple user interface and can be built into small
instrument panels.
•TR-DVS integrates with FLARM and receives GPS and aircraft obstacle data. The object
data announced by FLARM are converted to accoustic caution or warning messages. These
messages contain data pertaining to the threat level, direction, height, type of aircraft and
distance to the object. For obstacles, the messages contains the type of threat and distance.
•TR-DVS can announce several objects with different hazard potentials. FLARM announces
a maximum of fifteen objects in the current Version (3.0).
•TR-DVS announces the most important four objects
1.2 SD Card
•TR-DVS can be configured and its firmware updated via an SD card.
•Flight logs can be read from the FLARM recorder and saved to the SD card.
•TR-DVS can be used safely without an SD card.
1.3 Audio
•TR-DVS is able to mix other audio signals (Vario, COM loudspeaker and Headset) and send
them to a loudspeaker or headset alongwith the generated speech messages.
•The audio signal of the Vario is lowered during generated speech.
•The COM audio signals (radio, channel A and/or B) have higher priority than the generated
messages. Unimportant messages are delayed until the radio transmission is complete;
after a short pause the message is then spoken. Important messages are spoken imme-
diately even whilst receiving a radio transmission - however at reduced (1/4) volume. If a
radio transmission arises during a generated message, then the volume of the generated
speech is lowered immediately by 1/4.
•TR-DVS has two independent audio channels, each of which are composed of a mixer and
an amplifier. This allows the separate use of a loudspeaker and headset.
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2 MESSAGES
2 Messages
2.1 Message classes
TR-DVS uses 4 message classes:
Class Prefix tone Description
Message None This class is used only for pure traffic advisory messages in
mode 1.
Reference “Ping” FLARM collision warnings alarm level 1 (18 sec).
FLARM voltage supply.
Battery warning first stage.
Caution Double beep FLARM collision warnings alarm level 2 (13 sec).
FLARM functionality restricted.
Warning Siren FLARM collision warnings alarm level 3 (8 sec).
FLARM malfunction.
Airframe warning.
Battery warning second stage.
The messages are prioritised according to its message class (importance) and treated accordingly,
examples:
•If a message of the class “reference” is being spoken and a message of a higher priority
arises, then the less important message is interrupted and the more important one is spoken
immediately.
•For repeating messages, if the REP key is pressed, messages of the class “warning” are
sent before messages of the class “caution”.
2.2 Message format
2.2.1 Obstacles
Collision points with obstacles are calculated with the tangentials to the current flight path. The re-
ported obstacle is thus always in the current direction of movement. The currently most dangerous
obstacle is always reported.
Obstacle messages have the format:
<Audio warning>“Obstruction“ <Distance>
Distance
The distance is announced in hectometres, “One“ corresponds to 100m, “Four“ to 400m. At high
approach speeds distances over 1000m are also announced (“One Two“ = 1200m). Distances
below 50m are not announced. Distances are rounded off; 50-149m is announced as “One“, 150-
249m as “Two“, etc.
2.2.2 Objects
Object messages have the format: <Audio warning> <Direction> <Altitude> <Object Type>
<Distance>
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2 MESSAGES
Direction
The direction is announced according to the hour hand position (one o’clock up to twelve o’clock)
on a clockface. E.g.:
•Twelve o’clock: ahead
•Six o’clock: behind
•Three o’clock: right
•Nine o’clock: left
Altitude
The altitude of the object is announced relative to one’s own altitude in six increments. The altitude
information is omitted for less than six degrees above or below the horizon. “Higher“ or “Lower“ is
announced between six and twelve degrees. “High“ or “Low“ is announced for more than twelve
degrees. “Above“ or “Below“ will be announced if the object is in a 300m cylinder above or below
the aircraft.
Object type
The object type corresponds to the type of the nearby aircraft. E.g. “Glider“, “Helicopter“ or
“Powered Aircraft“ ; unknown object types are announced as “Traffic“.
Distance
The distance is announced in hectometres, “One“ corresponds to 100m, “Four“ to 400m. At high
approach speeds distances over 1000m are also announced (“One Two“ = 1200m). Distances
below 50m are not announced. Distances are rounded off; 50-149m is announced as “One“, 150-
249m as “Two“, etc.
2.2.3 System messages
System messages are generated if the system’s operational readiness is partly restricted or if the
system has failed. TR-DVS produces the following system messages:
•FLARM error status, GPS status, Tx and power status
•Airframe warning
•Battery monitoring
•Optional additional messages
FLARM system messages
FLARM system messages always mean a system failure. Example:
<Audio warning>“FLARM Error No GPS“
Inadequate GPS reception. This message is only announced once in the air. This message is
repeated every 10 seconds on the ground.
All other FLARM system messages need not be expected with a functioning system and indicate a
defect in the device.
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2 MESSAGES
2.3 Message filter
Depending upon the operating mode, traffic references and collision warnings are filtered in accor-
dance with the FLARM Alarm Level. FLARM understands four Alarm Levels:
FLARM Alarm Level Description
0 No potential collision risk, thus pure traffic references.
1 (Minor) A potential collision risk is given 18 seconds before the time of the
estimated potential collision.
2 (Important) A potential collision risk is given 13 seconds before the time of the
estimated potential collision.
3 (Urgent) A potential collision risk is given, 8 seconds before the time of the
estimated potential collision.
Illustration of the message filter effects based on the operating mode:
Mode What is filtered Warning time Description
1 Nothing >18 Seconds All objects that FLARM announces are an-
nounced.
2 AlarmLevel 0 18 Seconds Only objects with potential hazard are an-
nounced (The output corresponds to the
FLARM indicators)
3 AlarmLevel 0 and
1
≤13 Seconds Only objects with FLARM hazard potential
important and urgent are announced.
4 AlarmLevel 0, 1
and 2
≤8 Seconds Only objects with FLARM hazard potential
urgent are announced.
5 All messages No warning No announcements are made. This mode is
only temporary, after 5 minutes the system
reverts to the last active mode.
After switching on on the equipment is in mode 2. Modes above 2 should be selected only in
special cases and with caution.
2.4 Acknowledge messages
Messages can be acknowledged with the ACK key (Acknowledge). Messages that are not ac-
knowledged will be repeated after a certain time. The repeat time for unacknowledged messages
depends on the level of risk.
Messages with high level of risk are repeated more frequently, those with low risk less frequently.
If the hazard potential of an object increases, any acknowledgement of that object becomes invalid
and a new message with the updated object status is generated immediately. If the hazard potential
is reduced for an object that has already been acknowledged, the message is regarded as having
been acknowledged.
The acknowledgement always refers to the currently announced object. It becomes invalid as soon
as the object leaves the reception range of TR-DVS.
Acknowledgements for obstacles are only valid as long as the obstacle constitutes a hazard.
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2 MESSAGES
2.5 Repeat messages
Acknowledged messages can be replayed by pressing the REP key (Repeat). Message contents
(direction, altitude, aircraft type and distance) are constantly updated.
If you have forgotten to acknowledge a message it can be replayed with REP and then acknowl-
edged.
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