Technical Newsletter

8008242

System: Air Transport Data Link Transponders (ATDL),

7517800-10200, 7517800-55200, -10310, -55310, -10400, -

Part No.:
55400, -11400, -12401

Title: ADS-B Fail reporting

1. DISCUSSION

The DO-260B MOPS (Section 2.2.11.5.1) requires that “an output shall be provided to
indicate the validity/non-validity of the ADS-B Transmitting Subsystem hardware…”
Since most older installations of Mode S transponders do not have a dedicated ADS-B
invalid indicator, ACSS has elected to follow another part of the same section which
states, “…When the ADS-B Transmit Subsystem is integrated with a Mode S
Transponder, the Transponder Fail signal may be used to indicate ADS-B Transmission
Device Failure….”

In practical terms, the Transponder Fail signal is activated when the Mode S
transponder is unable to send Mode S data, due to such issues as loss of altitude input
or a failure of the internal hardware. This is not changed in the update to DO-260B.

With the DO-260B compliant (7517800-xx200 and above) transponder a loss of GPS
inputs to the transponder will result in the ADS-B position squitter having its type code
set to zero (no valid position data). Once the loss of GPS is detected by the
transponder, the ADS-B validity bit will be set to invalid. This will result in the
Transponder Fail signal being set and the Transponder Fail Light in the cockpit (if
applicable) will be illuminated.

However, this illumination of the transponder fail light will not be accompanied by a
TCAS OFF or TCAS FAIL (depending on the display system) message on the TCAS
display or any Maintenance Computer (OMS/CFDS/EICAS/etc.) messages in the
cockpit. During a front panel push-to-test, only the green XPDR PASS LED will
illuminate, indicating that the transponder and its subsystems are operational. A fault
will be logged to the transponder internal BITE memory, and can be downloaded via the
normal means.
Rev -, 4/15/10 Doc. No. 8008242
Rev A, 3/28/14 Page 1 of 2
Copyright 2014 ACSS
ACSS, 19810 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027-4741
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Template Release Date: 07/01/2002
 Technical Newsletter
Most importantly, the Mode S and ATCRBS functions of the transponder will continue to
operate normally, as will the TCAS computer unit. This should enable the operator to
determine that the problem is the ADS-B position source, and not a problem with the
ATCRBS/Mode S system. Note: Removal of a transponder for an ADS-B fault will result
in the operator being charged the standard shop fee if no internal faults are discovered
in the transponder during test.

It is worth noting that the ADS-B valid fault described above will only occur if the GPS
position source to the transponder is lost (i.e GPS failed). If the GPS is reporting that
the quality of its data as lower than required for ADS-B operations, the ADS-B fail will
not be annunciated and the transponder will simply report the quality level that it was
given

Please contact ACSS Technical Support with questions or to request further information
on the above subject. Telephone: +1 (623) 445-7070 or Email: crc.acss@L-3com.com.

Rev -, 4/15/10 Doc. No. 8008242

Rev A, 3/28/14 Page 2 of 2
Copyright 2014 ACSS
ACSS, 19810 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027-4741
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Template Release Date: 07/01/2002