ADS-B can be activated very easily by connecting the ADS-B supported Mode-S transponder to a suitable GPS source.
To do so, a GPS source with NMEA-out of 4800 baud is required.
Make sure the GPS source is tested an working proporly. A wrong GPS signal to the Mode-S transponder can lead to a false ADS-B signal/position.
Additions on this list are more than welcome. Ask your questions, related to connecting your ADS-B through our contact form.
René de Dreu from the Glider Pilot Shop has put together a document which examines possible ADS-B connections between all Mode-S transponders and LX flight computers / equipment. CLICK HERE for that document.
Examples of suitable GPS sources are:
- Several older generation flight computers
- LX7000 (opens pdf in a new screen)
- LX7007 (opens pdf in a new screen)
- LX8000 and LX9000 (from version 2.8 these flight computers have adjustable baud rate settings)
- Zander SR940 / GP941 / ZS1
- Several loggers (for example Volkslogger, Cambridge, Colibri)
- Active GPS mouses
Turnkey solutions are:
- Garrecht TRX-1090 en TRX-2000
(these devices are ADS-B receivers with a connection between Flarm and transponder)
Non-compatible GPS sources without extra hardware:
- Flarm (Flarm data has to be filtered from the NMEA signaal. Normally, Flarm has a to high minimal baudrate.)
Solutions for these three products are the K6 Mux, the GPS-FilterBox or the Garrecht TRX-1090. The Trig TT21 transponder cán be used with the newer LX flight computers or Flarm, because this transponder can handle the higher baudrates.
Suitable Mode-S transponders (always consult the manual!)
- Filser TRT800 (connect on pin 12 of the 15 pin connector – till now only successful has been done with the Filser transponders, from software version 3.7)
- Garrecht VT-01 UC (connect on pin 3 of the 9 pin connector)
- Trig TT21 (connect on pin 5 of the 25 pin connector)
* Supports higher baudrates - Becker BXP 64XX-Series with Serial numbers above 2000 support ADS-B. For serial numbers 1-1999, a modification can be made (adding ADL processor) in the Becker Product Support workshop (price depending to firmware version, which can be shown in the CFG-Menu on the LCD display).
Test settings Filser TRT800 transponder
1. Set transponder on STBY
2. Hold ID until it says ’47’ in upper right corner, then let go
3. Press MODE until serial setting appears
4. Adjust the turn button/dial to NMEA-format
5. Press MODE until exit
6. Turn transponder off and on
7. Set transponder on STBY
8. Hold ID until it says ’20’ in upper right corner, then let go
9. You are now in testing modus
10. Set transponder to mode ACS
11. If any GPS data is available in the upper corner will appear a small dot, and a big ‘P’ appears in the middle-left of the screen. This ‘P’ only appears when a valid RMC sentence is available. It may be possible this ‘P’ will blink.
Disclaimer
All the above examples are possible, according to research of the Glider Tracking team. Not all combinations are tested by us.
All connections must be made according to the technical instructions as described in the manuals.
The GliderTracking team has obtained as much information as possible by authorities such as the CLR, CTZ, EASA and hardware manufacturers. The national regulations regarding connecting ADS-B, and the use of different GPS sources is still a relatively gray area and may differ by country/continent. Because the use of ADS-B within the General Aviation is still in development, the information about this subject is limited.
The GliderTracking team can not be held liable for damage caused by improper connection.
