Viavi TC-201A User manual
TC-201A
TCAS/Transponder Antenna Coupler
Operation Manual
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page ii December 2019
Notice
Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this manual was accurate at the
time of printing. However, information is subject to change without notice, and VIAVI
reserves the right to provide an addendum to this manual with information not available at
the time that this manual was created.
Copyright/Trademarks
© Copyright 2019 Viavi Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be
reproduced or transmitted, electronically or otherwise, without written permission of the
publisher. VIAVI Solutions and the VIAVI logo are trademarks of VIAVI Solutions Inc.
(“VIAVI”). All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Copyright release
Reproduction and distribution of this guide is authorized for US Government purposes
only.
Terms and conditions
Specifications, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. The provision
of hardware, services, and/or software are subject to VIAVI’s standard terms and
conditions, available at www.viavisolutions.com/en/terms-and-conditions.
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page iii
Contents
About this Guide vii
Purpose and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Related information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Safety and compliance information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Technical assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview 1
About the TC-201A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Effects of Multi-path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
TCAS Display Clutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Features and Capabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Controls and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Antenna Coupler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Quadrant Selection Control (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Support Pole Socket (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Antenna Connector (3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Loss Label (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2 Using the TC-201A 7
General Operating Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Aircraft Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Testing Using TC-201A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
XPDR Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
TCAS Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Transponder Auto Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TCAS Target Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page v
Figures
Figure 1 TC-201A TCAS/Transponder Antenna Coupler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 2 Transit Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page vi
Tables
Table 1 Safety definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Table 2 Data Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Table 3 TCAS Data Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Table 4 Physical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 5 Coupler specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page vii
About this Guide
This prefix explains how to use this manual. Topics discussed include the following:
•“Purpose and scope” on page viii
•“Assumptions” on page viii
•“Related information” on page viii
•“Safety and compliance information” on page ix
•“Technical assistance” on page ix
About this Guide
Purpose and scope
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page viii December 2019
Purpose and scope
The purpose of this guide is to help you successfully use the TC-201A features and
capabilities. This guide includes task-based instructions that describe how to install,
configure, use, and troubleshoot the TC-201A. Additionally, this guide provides a complete
description of VIAVI’s warranty, services, and repair information, including terms and
conditions of the licensing agreement.
Assumptions
This guide is intended for novice, intermediate, and experienced users who want to use
the TC-201A effectively and efficiently. We are assuming that you have basic aircraft
maintenance experience.
Related information
This is the Operation manual for the TC-201A. It provides basic instructions for assembling
the instrument components, setting up the TC-201A, instrument specifications, and
contact information for Viavi’s Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Please review this
manually completely prior to connecting the TC-201A to the test set and prior to connecting
any test equipment to the devices to be tested.
About this Guide
Safety and compliance information
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page ix
Safety and compliance information
Safety and compliance information for the instrument are provided in printed form and ship
with your instrument.
Technical assistance
If you require technical assistance, call 1-800-835-2350. For the latest TAC information, go
to
https://www.viavisolutions.com/en-us/support/technical-product-support/support-avionics
-and-radio-test-products.
Table 1 Safety definitions
Term Definition
DANGER Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury. It may be associated with either a
general hazard, high voltage, or other symbol.
WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury. It may be associated with either a
general hazard, high voltage, or other symbol.
CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury and/or damage to equipment.
It may be associated with either a general hazard, high voltage, or risk
of explosion symbol.
When applied to software actions, indicates a situation that, if not
avoided, could result in loss of data or a disruption of software
operation.
ALERT Indicates that there is an action that must be performed in order to
protect equipment and data or to avoid software damage and service
interruption.
About this Guide
Technical assistance
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page x December 2019
This page intentionally left blank.
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview
About the TC-201A
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page 2 December 2019
About the TC-201A
The VIAVI TC-201A Antenna Coupler is used on TCAS and combined TCAS and
transponder directional antennas, to shield the RF signal during testing of the TCAS or
transponder system. The TC-201A supports, when used with the IFR6000, IFR6015 or
APM-424(V)5, maintenance testing in the airborne condition without interfering with air
traffic control or nearby aircraft.
Eff ects of Multi-path
The TC-201A eliminates errors due to effects of multi-path. TCAS is tested as a coupled
connection through the UUT antenna avoiding multi-path from the ramp, hangar,
buildings and other aircraft, eliminating the need for moving UUT aircraft away from
factors causing multi-path.
TCAS Display Clutter
The TC-201A provides the isolation needed to reduce actual airborne traffic from
responding to TCAS interrogations. Therefore, fewer targets are displayed, allowing the
Ramp Test Set generated target to be easily distinguished.
Features and Capabilities
The TC-201A operates in conjunction with Ramp Test Sets.The TC-201A is compatible
with Phase and Amplitude TCAS systems and combined transponder systems and
features the following:
•Accommodates both phase and amplitude type antennas
•Reliable, FAR Part 43, Appendix F, ERP and MTL testing in high multi-path
environments
•Provides >20 dB of isolation
•Provides proper shielding for all transponder and ADS-B performance testing
•Lower antenna adjustable support pole
•Perform four-quadrant testing by simply rotating the bearing selector dial
•TCAS bearing accuracy < 10 degrees
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview
Controls and Connectors
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page 3
Controls and Connectors
Antenna Coupler
Quadrant Selection Control (1)
Selects quadrant of the intruding aircraft simulated by the TC-201A. For correct quadrant,
the TCAS Coupler must be placed over the TCAS UUT Antenna so the FORWARD label
is towards the front of the aircraft.
Figure 1 TC-201A TCAS/Transponder Antenna Coupler
2
1
3
4
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview
Controls and Connectors
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page 4 December 2019
Support Pole Socket (2)
Secures the support pole or extender pole used with the support pole to TCAS Coupler.
Antenna Connector (3)
TNC connector used to connect the Ramp Test Set (ANT Connector) to the TCAS Coupler.
Loss Label (4)
Contains coupler loss information for supported antenna types.
Part Number Description QTY
142743 Transit Case 1
142840 Transit Case Placard 1
92863 30 dB Attenuator 1
140889 TC201-A TCAS/Transponder
Antenna Coupler
1
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview
Controls and Connectors
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page 5
142839 Coax Assembly (50 ft)
(TNC Male to TNC Male 90 Deg.)
1
142742 (Optional)
142761
91079
91078
91077
Extension Pole Kit (Optional)
Piston Monopole
Monopole Extension, section 2
Monopole Extension, section 3
Monopole Extension, section 4
1
1
1
2
Part Number Description QTY
Chapter 1 TC-201A Overview
Controls and Connectors
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page 6 December 2019
This page intentionally left blank.
Chapter 2 Using the TC-201A
General Operating Procedure
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
Page 8 December 2019
General Operating Procedure
The following general procedure is suggested for using the TCAS Coupler to verify TCAS
power and quadrant accuracy. This procedure is presented as a supplement to the
recommended test procedure in the Ramp Test Set Operation Manual. Specific
requirements and operation settings for the various TCAS displays, antennas, and Mode
S equipment are not addressed in this procedure. Refer to the Ramp Test Set Operation
Manual and UUT manual for specific testing guidelines.
Aircraft Setup
The aircraft may be configured to “in the airborne condition” before testing can be
performed. A transponder test can be performed with the aircraft in the Airborne or Surface
condition. Please refer to aircraft specific information to complete this step. The following
are some common required settings:
•Weight off wheels
•Air Data set for altitude of 10,000 ft and airspeed of 300 kts.
•RadAlt Antennas covered. (speed tape)
Testing Using TC-201A
1Connect the TC-201A to the IFR-6000 Antenna Port using the supplied cable and the
30dB attenuator.
2Set the TC-201A to Quadrant 1.
XPDR Setup
ANTENNA Top RF PORT Antenna
ANT RANGE See coupler loss label ANT HEIGHT See coupler loss label
ANT CABLE LEN Length of cable used ANT GAIN (dBi)
ANT Cable Loss See cable loss label 0.96 GHz 0.0
Coupler Loss 0.0 dB 1.03 GHz 0.0
UUT ADDRESS AUTO 1.09 GHz 0.0
Chapter 2 Using the TC-201A
General Operating Procedure
Final TC201-A Operation Manual Release Num. 000
December 2019 Page 9
TCAS Setup
RF PORT ANTENNA ANT RANGE See coupler loss label.
ANT HEIGHT See Coupler loss label UUT ADDRESS AUTO
ANT CABLE LEN Length of cable used. ANT CABLE LOSS See cable loss label.
SQUITTERS ON ALT REPORTING ON
ANT GAIN (dBi)
1.03 GHz
1.09 GHz
0.0
0.0
Table of contents
