Avidyne AXP340 Mode S Transponder Pilot Guide

ISBN# 9798375012001
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AXP340 Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out | PILOT GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SYSTEM OVERVIEW...................................................................... 3
FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW ............................................................. 4
DISPLAY ......................................................................................... 5
BEZEL CONTROLS ........................................................................ 5
Selector Knob .......................................................................................... 5
Numeric Buttons ...................................................................................... 6
CLR ......................................................................................................... 6
IDENT ...................................................................................................... 6
VFR ......................................................................................................... 6
FUNC ...................................................................................................... 6
POWER ON/OFF............................................................................. 7
MODE CONTROL ........................................................................... 8
SQUAWK CODE ENTRY ................................................................ 9
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS ........................................................... 10
Flight Timer ............................................................................................ 10
Stopwatch .............................................................................................. 10
Flight ID entry ........................................................................................ 11
Altitude Monitor ...................................................................................... 12
ADS-B Monitor ....................................................................................... 13
BRIGHTNESS AND LIGHTING CONTROLS ................................ 14
ALERTS......................................................................................... 15
Alert Messages ...................................................................................... 15
Fault Annunciation ................................................................................. 16
CONFIGURATION MODE ............................................................. 17
LOW TEMPERATURE OPERATION ............................................ 18
SOFTWARE UPDATES ................................................................ 18
PLUG AND PLAY DETAILS .......................................................... 18
INDEX….. ............................................................................ INDEX 1

2
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure he/she is appropriately
licensed, is proficient in operation of the aircraft and its
equipment and is in compliance with all governing flight
regulations.
All images contained in this manual are for reference use only
and are subject to change.
Avidyne strongly recommends that pilots use the AXP340
system only under VFR conditions until completely familiar with
its operation and use.
Boxed areas marked as NOTE within this manual identify
certain situations or areas of operation having safety
implications. While it is important for the operator to be familiar
with all of the information in the manual, it is essential to the
safe use of the AXP340 that pilots give careful attention to the
material contained within these NOTEs.
AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Out Transponder

The AXP340 is a panel-mount Mode S transponder with

support for 1090 MHz Automatic Dependent Surveillance
Broadcast (ADS-B) Extended Squitter (ES), also known as
“ADS-B Out” that meets all the requirements for Mode S
elementary surveillance transponders for both IFR and VFR
flight.
The AXP340 transmits at a nominal 240 watts and responds to
both legacy Mode A/C interrogations and to Mode S
interrogations from both ground radar and airborne collision
avoidance systems. When connected to a compatible ADS-B
compliant GPS source, the AXP340 transmits the required
ADS-B Out signals including GPS-derived position along with
ground track, ground speed, and altitude information.

3
FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW
The Avidyne AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponder supports
the following functions:

• Mode C transponder operations;

• Mode S transponder operations;
• ADS-B Out capable;
• Flight Timer;
• Stopwatch;
• Altitude Monitor;
• Flight ID reporting;
• Brightness adjustment.

COOL FEATURE

ADS-B Compliance
When combined with any of Avidyne’s TAS6X0A
ADS-B capable Traffic Advisory Systems, and an
ADS-B compliant GPS source and display (e.g.
Avidyne IFD540 or 440), the combined system
will meet the full 1090 MHz ADS-B compliant
mandate.

4
AXP340 Transponder

Ident Selector Knob Clear

DISPLAY
The display shows the operating mode of the transponder, the
pressure altitude, and the current squawk code. The reply
indicator is active when the transponder replies to
interrogations and the IDENT indicator is active when the bezel
IDENT button has been pressed.

The pressure altitude is normally displayed as a Flight Level,

which is the pressure altitude in hundreds of feet and is the
altitude referenced to standard sea level pressure (1013.2 hPa
or 29.92 inHg). When non-standard atmospheric conditions
apply, this may not match the altimeter indicated altitude, but
will be correctly displayed on the ATC radar.

BEZEL CONTROLS
SELECTOR KNOB
The selector knob on the right side of the front panel is used to
select data such as characters for Flight ID or move through
the menu options. Pressing the selector knob confirms the
selection or selection of one of the options presented. A label
on the right side of the display describes the action which will
be taken when the selector knob is pressed.

5
NUMERIC BUTTONS
The numeric buttons are used to select a new Squawk code or
change Flight ID numbers. Pressing buttons 0 through 7 will
immediately edit the current squawk code unless in Flight ID
edit.
CLR
Press the CLR button to return to original settings or back
space through partially complete data entry or reverse through
a menu.

IDENT
Press the IDENT button when ATC instructs you to “Ident” or
“Squawk Ident”. This activates the ident pulse in the
transponder for 18 seconds. “IDENT” will appear in the
display.
VFR
Pressing the VFR button sets the transponder to the pre-
programmed regional VFR code. Pressing the button again
restores the previous squawk code.

Pressing the VFR button while in ‘Flight ID edit’ changes the

Flight ID to the pre-programmed ID set up during configuration
of the transponder.

FUNC
Pressing the FUNC button cycles through the flight timer,
stopwatch, Flight ID editing, ADS-B monitor (depending on
installation), altitude monitor and front panel dimming functions.

6
POWER ON/OFF
The AXP340 will automatically power on when avionics power
is applied and will display the Avidyne logo, product
identification and software version information while the unit is
self-testing.
AXP340 Initialization Screen

Following a successful power-on self-test, the AXP340 will

transition to an operating mode and present the squawk code
and Pressure Altitude display page.
If the installation includes an automatic air/ground input, such
as a gear squat switch, IFD540 speed-based air/ground
discrete, or similar external input, the AXP340 will start in GND
mode on the ground and will automatically transition to ALT
mode during takeoff roll/liftoff. If no air/ground input has been
configured, the transponder will start in ALT mode.
To manually power the AXP340 off, press and hold the MODE
button for at least 3 seconds. A countdown timer will be
displayed on the left side of the display and the unit will
completely power down upon reaching 0. To manually power
the AXP340 on following a manual power off, press and hold
the MODE button for approximately 1 second.

7
Manual Power Off Method

MODE CONTROL

The MODE button also controls the operating mode of the

transponder.

The possible states are as follows:

ALT The transponder will respond to all interrogations.

ON The transponder will respond to all interrogations, but
altitude reporting is suppressed.
SBY The transponder is on, but will not reply to any interrogations.
GND The transponder will respond to Mode S ground
interrogations from surface movement radar. This mode is
only available in installations that send a ground/air discrete
signal to transponder.

When airborne, the transponder should always be set to ALT

unless otherwise directed by Air Traffic Control.
Aircraft installations that include a ground/air state input (e.g.
gear squat switch or wired discrete from a GPS/Nav/Com such
as the IFD540) will automatically select GND on landing or
while taxiing and will automatically select ALT when airborne.
In these installations, the pilot selectable states are ALT-ON-
SBY when in-air and GND-SBY when on-ground.

8
SQUAWK CODE ENTRY
Press any of the numeric buttons (0 through 7) to start
modifying the squawk code. A new squawk code is set when
the fourth digit is entered.

If an incorrect digit is entered, press the CLR button as

required to back space through the squawk code entry and
make the desired correction.

If the code entry is not completed within 7 seconds, the

changes are ignored and the previous code restored.

Some standard squawk codes are listed below

1200 VFR code in the USA
7000 VFR code commonly used in Europe
7500 Hijack code
7600 Loss of communications
7700 Emergency code

9
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
FLIGHT TIMER
The Flight Timer (labelled “Flight Time”) records the time for
which the transponder has been powered on and operating in
flight mode – either ON or ALT. Press the FUNC button to
display the Flight Timer.

Flight Timer Function Display

Pressing the CLR button resets the flight time counter.

Pressing the selector knob starts or stops the flight timer.
Pressing the FUNC button moves to the next screen and
leaves the flight timer in the current state.

STOPWATCH
The stopwatch can be used as a convenient timer.

Stopwatch Function Display

Press the FUNC button to display the stopwatch. Pressing the

selector knob starts and stops the timer. Pressing the CLR
button resets the timer.

10
FLIGHT ID ENTRY
The Flight ID should correspond to the aircraft call sign entered
on your flight plan. If no flight plan is active, the aircraft
registration should be used as your Flight ID. Use only letters
and digits. If the Flight ID is less than 8 characters long,
entering a blank character will end it. Select the Flight ID edit
screen using the FUNC button.

Flight ID Entry Function Display

To change the Flight ID, press the selector knob.

The display shows the alpha numeric characters selected via

the rotary selector knob or numeric buttons. When the correct
character is shown in the flight ID section of the screen, press
the selector knob to accept and advance to the next digit.
When the selector knob is pressed on the last digit or a space,
the new Flight ID will replace the previous value. If a button is
not pressed for 30 seconds, the changes are ignored and the
previous code restored.

Flight ID Entry In-Process Example

11
ALTITUDE MONITOR
The Altitude Monitor activates an audio annunciator or
annunciator light (depending on installation) when the aircraft
pressure altitude differs from the selected altitude by more than
200 feet. Press the FUNC button to display the altitude monitor
enable screen.

Altitude Monitor Function Display

Pressing selector knob toggles the altitude monitor at the

current altitude.

When altitude monitoring is in use, “ABOVE or “BELOW” is

displayed adjacent to the altitude display on the transponder.
The Altitude Monitor will automatically be disabled when the
deviation exceeds 999 feet or 300 meters. When disabled,
“OFF” is displayed below the “Alt Monitor” title and no deviation
distance is displayed.

12
ADS-B MONITOR
The ADS-B Monitor is only available on installations that
include an ADS-B position source. The ADS-B Monitor
provides a display of the position information that is being
transmitted in ADS-B position reports. This can provide
confirmation that the correct information is being transmitted.

ADS-B Monitor Function Display

In the event that valid position information is NOT available

from the GPS, the latitude and longitude display will be
replaced by dashes; if no valid latitude and longitude is shown
then ADS-B position information is NOT being transmitted.

Loss of ADS-B position information will also result in a

WARNING message being displayed (“No ADSB Position”).

13
BRIGHTNESS AND LIGHTING CONTROLS
The following table describes the means available by which to
control the display and bezel backlighting/brightness:

Lighting Comments
Control
Method

Dimming If set up to use the dimming bus in the

Bus Configuration pages at installation, then both the
bezel and the display brightness/backlighting are
controlled via the cockpit dimming bus controls,
typically a dimming rheostat.

Ambient If set up to use the ambient light sensor that is

Light embedded in the AXP340 bezel from the
Sensor Configuration pages at time of installation, then
both the bezel and the display
brightness/backlighting are automatically
controlled via internal software algorithms in
response to measured ambient light conditions.

Combined If set up to use the combined input of the

Dimming dimming bus and the ambient light sensor at
Bus and installation (“Normal mode”), then the display
Ambient backlighting is controlled from the ambient light
Light sensor and the bezel brightness is controlled via
Sensor the cockpit dimming bus controls.

Manual Accessible via the FUNC key on the AXP340

Control front panel. Once the LCD Brightness page is
(display displayed, push in the bezel selector knob and
only) then twist the knob to adjust display brightness.
Using this control will override any automatic
settings set up in the Configuration maintenance
pages.

14
ALERTS
ALERT MESSAGES
If the transponder detects a problem, the screen will indicate
WARNING and a brief statement of the problem. Depending
on the nature of the problem, your transponder may not be
replying to interrogations. Note the message on the screen
and pass that information to your avionics maintenance
organization. The WARNING message should clear when the
event has cleared. Press CLR to clear the message at any
time; if the fault is still present the message may reappear.

The warning messages and recommended action are:

Message Description Recommended
Action
Antenna The transponder has Have an approved
Fault detected that there is Service Center check
a fault in the antenna antenna cabling and
cabling or antenna connections.
connection.
Output The transponder has Have an approved
Power Low detected that it Service Center check
transmitted at a lower the connection at the
power level than transponder tray and
expected. This may transmitter cabling.
be caused by a poor
antenna connection in
the transponder tray,
or poor antenna cable
connections, or a
transponder hardware
fault.
No ADSB Valid ADS-B position Have an approved
Position data has not been Service Center check
received for either 180 the GPS is operating
seconds from system correctly, including
startup, or 2 seconds antenna position and
once GPS position cabling. Check the
data has been cabling between the
received by the GPS and the
transponder. transponder.

15
FAULT ANNUNCIATION
If the transponder detects an internal failure, the screen will
indicate FAULT and a brief statement of the problem. No
replies will be made to interrogations when a fault is detected.

Some FAULT indications can be recovered by switching the

transponder off and back on again, although in all cases a
FAULT message implies that there is a fault with the
transponder or the installation. Note the FAULT message at
the bottom of the screen, if able, and pass that information to
your avionics maintenance organization. In every case, the
corrective action in the event of a FAULT is to contact Avidyne
or an approved Service Center.

16
CONFIGURATION MODE
The system is configured when it is first installed by your
avionics supplier. Configuration items include the Mode S
aircraft address, the interface to the other aircraft systems (e.g.
external ident input, weight on wheels input, external standby
input, serial altitude output, Gray Code and serial altitude
inputs, etc), lighting, the aircraft category, and the pre-
programmed values for VFR squawk code. To view or change
these settings you must use Configuration Mode as described
in the product Installation Manual.

NOTE

Configuration Mode
Do not use Configuration Mode in-flight. Check
with your avionics installer before changing the
configuration.

To enter configuration mode, hold down the FUNC button while

switching on the transponder. Configuration items can be
changed using the selector knob or numeric buttons for data
input. Press the selector knob to accept the selection.
Pressing FUNC advances to the next configuration item.

When configuration is complete, switch the transponder off.

The new configuration will become active when the
transponder is powered back on.

17
LOW TEMPERATURE OPERATION
The AXP340 is certified to operate correctly down to -25C, but
at low temperatures the display may be impaired. On a cold
day you may need to wait for the cockpit to warm up to ensure
normal operation.
SOFTWARE UPDATES
The AXP340 is a software-enabled transponder and all
anticipated software updates can be performed at your avionics
shop.

PLUG AND PLAY

The AXP340 is plug & play compatible with the King KT-76A
transponder. Details of the installation are covered in the
AXP340 Installation Manual.

18
INDEX

ADS-B, 1, 2, 10
Additional Functions
ADS-B Monitor, 13
Altitude Monitor, 12
Flight ID Entry, 11
Flight Timer, 10
Stopwatch, 10
Alerts
Fault Annunciations, 16
Alert Messages, 15
Bezel Controls
CLR, 6
FUNC, 6
IDENT, 6
Numeric Buttons, 6
Selector Knob, 5
VFR, 6
Brightness and Lighting Controls, 14
Configuration Mode, 17
Low Temperature Operation, 18
Mode Control
ALT, 8
GND, 8
ON, 8
STBY, 8
Plug & Play Details, 18
Power On/Off, 7
Software Updates, 18
Squawk Code Entry, 9
System Overview, 3

Index 1
Service Hotline A hotline has been established to service
questions or issues regarding Avidyne products. The U.S. Toll
Free number is 1-888-723-7592.

Email Customer/product support issues can be emailed as well at

[email protected]

When calling or emailing for product-related help, please have the

following information available, if able:

• Customer Name/Account Information

• Aircraft tail number, IFD serial number, and software
versions.
• A good description of the problem or question.
• A copy of your data logs.

SOFTWARE LICENSE: AVIDYNE CORPORATION (“AVIDYNE”) IS WILLING TO LICENSE

THIS SOFTWARE, PILOT’S GUIDE, AND RELATED MATERIALS (THE “SOFTWARE”)
ONLY ON THE CONDITION THAT YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE PUBLISHED
SOFTWARE LICENSE WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THIS WEB ADDRESS:
HTTPS://WWW.AVIDYNE.COM//LICENSE

LIMITATION OF LEGAL RIGHTS: THE USER OF THIS EQUIPMENT AGREES TO THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS PUBLISHED BY AVIDYNE AT THIS WEB ADDRESS:
HTTPS://WWW.AVIDYNE.COM/LEGAL-RIGHTS

FCC APPROVAL AND CAUTIONS: THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE
FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT THIS DEVICE DOES
NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE
USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
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