Maintenance Port Interface - FreeFlight ADS-B FDL-978 Series Installation Manual

ADS-B FDL-978 Series and
Lite Series Installation Manual
Document No. 87343 Rev F
Time Mark from a GPS provides timing synchronization for ADS-B transmit
messages. The Time Mark from an external GPS MUST be synchronized to UTC
second epoch to operate correctly with the FDL-978-XVR.
Time Mark inputs from a single ended PPS source (e.g. Garmin Series 400/500
GPS) must be properly interfaced to the differential interface for reliable
operation. Refer to SECTION 9 for suggested connection.
The Time Mark input/output pin connections are as follows:
PIN SIGNAL
J1-39 PPS IO+
J1-40 PPS IO-
2.5.11

Maintenance Port Interface

The Maintenance Port Interface (MPI) can be used to configure the system, provide installation
status information, and update system software/firmware. The MPI should be used by qualified
installation personnel to configure and update the system.
MPI functionality is provided through Serial Port 3 or Serial Port 5 on the FDL-978 Series DB-44
connector. A female DB-9 connector can be mounted in the aircraft for easy MPI access to one
of these ports if not connected to other equipment. If both ports are configured and connected to
other aircraft equipment, the MPI can still be accessed if the configured device is not actively
connected. Therefore, an inline connector can be used to temporarily disconnect the configured
device and permit external MPI access. Standard RS-232 DB-9 connections are shown in the
table below:
PIN
2
3
5
The female DB-9 connector can be connected to a PC using an off-the-shelf RS-232 to USB
converter. A battery powered Serial-to-Wi-Fi MPI Module, MPI Module (P/N 87710-00), and an
Android tablet ADS-B MPI app is also available from FFS that can connect to the DB-9 MPI and
provide significantly easier MPI installation configuration and troubleshooting.
The FDL-978 Series also has a USB micro-AB connector which provides an alternate Serial
Port 5 connection but is not recommended for use. This interface should only be used for FDL-
978 Series units running software versions 1.7 and earlier. The MPI Module can also connect to
the USB micro-AB port for wireless Wi-Fi connection.
Alternately a FFS fixed installation Serial-to-Wi-Fi Transceiver (P/N 86943-00) can be
connected to Port 3 or Port 5. The MPI functionality can then be accessed wirelessly using the
ADS-B MPI app.
2-12
Time Mark Input
ELECTRICAL I/O
ARINC 743B I/O
ARINC 743B I/O
Female DB-9 Port 5 (DB-44)
SIGNAL PIN
Tx J1-42
Rx J1-26
GND J1-9
DESCRIPTION
Internal/External GPS Pulse Per Second Out/In+
Internal/External GPS Pulse Per Second Out/In-
Port 3 (DB-44)
SIGNAL PIN
232 TxD5 J1-24
232 RxD5 J1-23
SGND4 J1-19
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SIGNAL
232 TxD3
232 RxD3
SGND2