The Marconi IFR Aeroflex ATC-600A is a portable test set for evaluation and troubleshooting of aircraft DME and transponder systems. It simulates ground station or airborne environments for both ramp and bench operation, verifying performance against ARINC specifications and FAA regulations. The unit measures transponder frequency, DME range and velocity, receiver sensitivity, and transmitter power while checking code integrity, altitude encoding, and pulse timing across multiple interrogation modes.
Technical Specifications
Transponder Testing
• Interrogation frequency: 1030 MHz (±0.006%)
• Interrogation output level: −66 to −79 dBm (±1.5 dBm), switchable 34 dB pad or radiated
• Supported modes: A/C, Altitude or Pilot Code, 2:1 interlace, Mode A (Mode B available on request)
• Measures frequency, XPDR code, encoded altitude, transmitter power, percent reply, and receiver sensitivity
• Digital readout of code and altitude with binary pulse display
• Front panel altitude encoder output verification
• Pulse decoder gate marginal operation checking
• F1 framing pulse position verification
• System Level Sensitivity (SLS) testing capability
DME Testing
• Range simulation: 0 to 399 NM in 1 NM steps, accuracy ±0.07 NM (±0.02%)
• Range steps in velocity mode: 0.025 NM (system), 0.1 NM displayed
• Velocity simulation: 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1600, 2400 knots (±0.02% of setting), crystal-controlled digital
• X and Y channel simulation
• Power and frequency measurements
• Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) measurement
Power and Environmental
• AC operation: 102–120 VAC or 220–240 VAC, 50 Hz to 400 Hz (±10% nominal)
• Internal 2.0 AH NiCad battery: ~2 hours ramp operation
• Maximum power consumption: 24 W
• Physical: 290 mm W × 130 mm H × 410 mm D
• Compliance: EN 61010-1 Class 1, EN 55011 Class B, EN 50082-1
• Pollution degree 2, installation categories 1 or 2
– Key Features
• Built-in signal generators and modulators for transponder and DME frequencies
• FAA 14 CFR 91.177 and 43 Appendix F test compliance
• Portable, compact design for field and maintenance operations
• Direct altitude encoder verification without external connections
– Typical Applications
• Aircraft ramp and bench transponder certification
• DME system performance validation
• Receiver sensitivity qualification
• Transmitter power and frequency verification
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of installed avionics
– Compatibility & Integration
Designed for evaluation of airborne and ground-based transponder and DME systems in compliance with current FAA and ARINC requirements.
