General aviation transponder
General aviation transponder
Keywords: Aircraft navigation, Control technology
The general aviation transponder, known as the TT31, was recently launched by Edinburgh-based Trigg Avionics. The Mode S transponder is available well in advance of the March 2008 deadline for elementary surveillance transponders being made compulsory in Europe.
While traditional Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) stations interrogate all aircraft within their range, Mode S (select) establishes selective and addressed interrogations with aircraft within its coverage.
Such selective interrogation is said to improve the quality and integrity of the detection, identification and altitude reporting. Because these improvements give benefits for safety, air traffic capacity and overall efficiency,Eurocontrol, the pan-European air traffic control agency, has recommended that all aircraft in Europe be fitted with Mode S transponders.
Airliners and other large aircraft are generally already fitted with such transponders, but to get the full system benefit regulations have been passed that mean all aircraft – including light aircraft and training aircraft– have until March 2008 to upgrade to a Mode S transponder.
Trig Avionics was founded in January 2004 to develop innovative avionics products for general aviation. It specialises in low power, high tech solutions to meet existing and emerging requirements in general avionics.
Managing Director Andy Davis said: “We saw an opportunity in the market created by Mode S surveillance being mandated in Europe in 2008. We've produced a new style transponder which has the advantage of using much less power –it actually uses as little as half the electrical power of our main competitor.
“It is also an advantage that we're based in Europe and know the market, as a lot of firms in the same sector are in the US.”
The TT31 transponder goes beyond the basic set of features required by the current regulations and offers a “future proof” upgrade path.
By linking the TT31 to an appropriate GPS receiver, it will be able to transmit position information to ADS-B equipped ground stations and other aircraft. This provides improved airborne surveillance and vital information for airport ground surveillance. It is a key feature of future airspace plans.
The TT31 will also support traffic information service functions, where available, by interfacing to an appropriate cockpit display.
Details available from Trigg Avionics, Tel: +44 (0)131 4498810, E-mail: Andy.davis@trig-avionics.com
