XPLORER ADS-B Receiver
Installation Manual
87214, Revision A
December 3, 2012
I-1
SECTION I GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This document contains the system installation guidance for the FreeFlight Systems
(FFS) XPLORER Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Receiver,
part number 87099-xx hereafter referred to as XPLORER. XPLORER provides a robust
yet low-cost solution for ADS-B In applications.
1.2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
1.2.1 General
Description
XPLORER receives ADS-B messages from the national ADS-B ground station network
and aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) devices.
The system forms the appropriate ADS-B reports from the received data and delivers
these reports to compatible displays. The reports provided to the displays are in
standard ADS-B data protocol.
Compatible displays can include both portable devices such as the iPad or “hard
mounted”, uncertified displays having a standard RS-232 communications port. If using
a portable display, a compatible application, or “app”, must be used in conjunction with
the display device. If using an iPad, several apps are currently available including
FreeFlight Systems’ “ADS-B View” application which can be downloaded through
Apple’s iTunes service.
Connection between compatible displays and XPLORER is accomplished via a WiFi
connection (for portable displays) or through an RS-232 connection (for “hard mounted”
displays).
The reports that are available to be displayed include the full range of Flight Information
Service - Broadcast (FIS-B) data including graphical NEXRAD images and text reports
such as METARS and PIREPS. Traffic Information Service - Broadcast (TIS-B) data
including location, altitude, and type of aircraft surrounding the ownship position is also
available to suitably equipped aircraft. Please note that the display of TIS-B information
requires the use of a certified ADS-B Out capability, making the ownship aircraft a
verified client in the national air space system. System configuration actions required to
provide this capability are described later in this manual (see Section III 2).
1.2.2 XPLORER
CONFIGURATIONS
XPLORER is available in several configurations depending on the needs of the user.
These configurations are shown in the table below.
Part Number
Display Interface
Internal GPS
RS-232 Maintenance
Interface
87099-00
WiFi No No
87099-01
RS-232 No Yes
87099-11
RS-232 Yes Yes