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FreeFlight RA-6500 Series Installation Manual

Radar altimeter
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RA-6500/5500 SERIES
RADAR ALTIMETER
INSTALLATION MANUAL
Part Numbers
P/N 87990-XX-XXXX
Document No. 88222
Disclaimer: This manual revision is a controlled engineering release copy which is currently under review,
pending TSO approval and subject to change. This document has been loaned only to specific customers
and must not be redistributed without the written consent of FreeFlight Systems Engineering
This document contains FreeFlight Systems proprietary information. It is loaned for limited purposes only and
remains the property of FreeFlight Systems. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent
of FreeFlight Systems and must not be disclosed to persons not having need of such disclosure consistent with
the purpose of the loan. The document is to be returned to FreeFlight Systems upon request and/or upon
completion of the use for which it was loaned.

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Summary of Contents for FreeFlight RA-6500 Series

  • Page 1 This document contains FreeFlight Systems proprietary information. It is loaned for limited purposes only and remains the property of FreeFlight Systems. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of FreeFlight Systems and must not be disclosed to persons not having need of such disclosure consistent with the purpose of the loan.

  • Page 2: Proprietary Information

    FreeFlight Systems. The information provided in this document is subject to change without notice. Please visit the FreeFlight Systems website (http://www.freeflightsystems.com) or contact Product Support for updated materials regarding your products.

  • Page 3: History Of Revisions

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 History of Revisions Dates of Revision are: Revision – 1 (Engineering Release)..…………………………. 4/27/2021 Revision – 2 (Engineering Release)..…………………………. 6/4/2021 FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Table of Contents SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION ....................1-1 ..........................1-1 NTRODUCTION ......................1-2 EFERENCED OCUMENTS -TSO F ......................... 1-2 UNCTIONS ....................1-2 CRONYMS AND BBREVIATIONS ........................ 1-3 LERT YMBOL SAGE ....................
  • Page 5 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 1.10.1 ............. 1-12 IST OF THER PPROVED ADIO LTIMETER NTENNAS ......................1-12 1.11 ICENSE EQUIREMENTS SECTION 2 RA-6500 INTERFACES ....................2-13 ................... 2-13 NPACKING AND NSPECTING QUIPMENT ......................2-13 QUIPMENT OUNTING ......................
  • Page 6 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 4.2.2.2 ARINC 429 Labels ........................4-27 ....................... 4-27 NALOG LTITUDE UTPUT 4.3.1 KRA-405B ..................4-27 EPLACEMENT TO THE 4.3.2 RA-6500 O KNI-416 ..................4-27 UTPUTS FROM 4.3.3 RA-6500 I KNI-416 ..................4-27 NPUTS FROM SECTION 5 INSTALLATION .......................
  • Page 7 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 List of Figures 1: R ..................1-1 IGURE ADAR LTIMETER YSTEM LOCK IAGRAM 2: RA-6500 D ..........................2-14 IGURE IMENSIONS 3: RA-6500 F ....................2-15 IGURE RONT AND IMENSIONS 4: A (P/N 89617) I ..................2-16 IGURE NTENNA...
  • Page 8 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 12: O ..............1-11 ABLE PTIONAL NSTALLATION WITHOUT NTENNAS 13: O ........................1-11 ABLE PTIONAL NDICATOR 14: O ..................1-11 ABLE PTIONAL NDICATOR NSTALLATION 15: O ......................1-11 ABLE PTIONAL ABLE ELAY 16: I...

  • Page 9: General Information

    GENERAL INFORMATION Introduction This manual contains installation data and specifications for the FreeFlight Systems RA-6500 and RA- 5500 series Radar Altimeters (P/N 87990-XX-XXXX), hereafter referred to as the RA-6500. The RA- 6500 meets the requirements for precision equipment of TSO-C87a, Functional Class A: Approach and Landing, and the requirements for category A/L/A1 &...

  • Page 10: Referenced Documents

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Referenced Documents Table 1: List of Referenced Documents Document Title Numbers Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, RTCA/DO-160G 12/8/2010 Software Considerations In Airborne Systems And Equipment RTCA/DO-178C Certification, 12/1/1992 TSO-C87a Airborne Low-Range Radio Altimeter, 5/31/12 European Technical Standard Order;...

  • Page 11: Alert Symbol Usage

    Document No: 88222 Rev 2 ETSO European Technical Standard Order EUROCAE European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment Federal Aviation Regulations Federal Communications Commission FreeFlight Systems FMCW Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave Flight Management System Hertz Line Replaceable Unit Least-Significant Bit Multi-Function Display...

  • Page 12: General System Description

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Cautions are identified when failure to properly follow the instructions provided may cause serious damage to equipment, or unintended operation, if not followed. Notes are identified to provide additional information or explanation to the user. General System Description A complete system consists of a radar altimeter R/T unit (P/N 87990-XX-XXXX) and two antennas (refer to Section 1.9).

  • Page 13: Normal Operation Procedure

    Limitations 1.7.1 Systems Limitations For a compliant installation in accordance with the TSO and the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), the RA-6500 Series installations must meet the following requirements. 1.7.1.1 General • “This article meets the minimum performance and quality control standards required by technical standard order TSO-C87a.

  • Page 14: Equipment Limitations

    The radar altimeter system surveys ground directly below the aircraft and should not be relied on as a forward-looking device. 1.7.3 Radio Altimeter Antennas Compatible Radio altimeter antenna supplied by FreeFlight Systems include: • FreeFlight P/N: 89486, See Section 1.10.1 Actual limitations and values TBD FFS Copyright ©...

  • Page 15: Technical Characteristics

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Technical Characteristics 1.8.1 RA-6500 Series Table 3: System Specifications Parameter Value Type Dual Install, Dual antenna, FMCW 1) FFS P/N 89617 and 89616 Compatible Antennas For additional antennas see Section 1.10.1...

  • Page 16: In-Flight Conditions

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Table 4: Physical Characteristics Parameter Value Weight < 1.9 lbs 3.06” Height Length 6.95” (Including mounting flange and connectors) 3.15” Width 2 each TNC antenna connectors Connectors 1 each 66-pin circular connector 1 each 10/100 ethernet receptacle Table 5: Antenna Physical Characteristics Parameter...

  • Page 17: Altitude Rounding

    The RA-6500 Series and optional installation kit part numbers are listed below: Each radar altimeter unit is shipped individually, as indicated in Table 8. Two antennas and associated wiring are also required for installation. Optional installation kits are available from FreeFlight Systems, as indicated in Table 10 and Table 11.

  • Page 18: Table 8: Radar Altimeterc

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Table 8: Radar Altimeter Configuration (see Table 9 for ordering information) ITEM FFS P/N* QUANTITY RA-6500 Radar Altimeter LRU Unit 87990-1X-XXXX 1 required RA-5500 Radar Altimeter LRU Unit 87990-2X-XXXX 1 required *Note: Future configuration place holders.

  • Page 19: Required Materials Not Supplied

    9-2190-188-20 1 per kit Mounting Screws 9-2804-068-10 1 per kit FreeFlight Systems also offers a delay line that eliminates the need for the minimum cable length requirement specified in Section 5.4.1. Table 15: Optional Cable Delay ITEM FFS P/N QUANTITY 21’...

  • Page 20: List Of Other Approved Radio Altimeter Antennas

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 1.10.1 List of Other Approved Radio Altimeter Antennas The RA-6500 Series may be installed with the following radio altimeter antennas (not supplied by FFS) summarized below: Model/Description Mount Style Manufacturer...

  • Page 21: Ra-6500 Interfaces

    SECTION 2 RA-6500 INTERFACES This section provides general information for installing the RA-6500 Series into an aircraft. This section contains mounting dimensions, pin outs, and interface details pertaining to installation. Adherence to these installation procedures and information will assure satisfactory system performance.

  • Page 22: Figure 2: Ra-6500 Dimensions

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 *Note: All Dimensions are in inches. Figure 2: RA-6500 Dimensions FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 2-14...

  • Page 23: Figure 3: Ra-6500 Front And Rear

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 3: RA-6500 Front and Rear Dimensions FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 2-15...

  • Page 24: Figure 4: Antenna (P/N 89617) I

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 4: Antenna (P/N 89617) Installation Drawing FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 2-16...

  • Page 25: Figure 5: Antenna (P/N 89616) I

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 5: Antenna (P/N 89616) Installation Drawing FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 2-17...

  • Page 26: Figure 6: Mounting Tray Installation

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 6: Mounting Tray Installation Drawing FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 2-18...

  • Page 27: Cooling Requirements

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Cooling Requirements No cooling requirements. Electrical Connections 2.4.1 Interface – D38999 66 Pin Connector Table 18: RA-6500 Main 66 Pin D38999 Pinout Number Description 1 Aircraft Power Input 2 Aircraft Power Input 3 Aircraft Ground 4 Push-To-Test 5 ARINC 429 OUT 2A...
  • Page 28 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 27 maint Port 2 232 RX 28 maint Port 2 232 TX 29 Signal 2 GND 30 GND 31 Precision Alt analog + 32 Precision Alt analog - 33 Trip Point 1 34 VALID (active high) 35 DH Enable 36 VALID (active low)

  • Page 29: Ground

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 60 Dual Install Strap 2 61 Reserved 62 Audio - output 63 Trip Point 5 64 Reserved 65 Reserved 66 Reserved 2.4.2 Ground Aircraft ground is connected on two pins. 2.4.3 Power Input Aircraft power of 12-40 VDC is connected on two pins.

  • Page 30: Ethernet Connection

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 The Maintenance-TX/RX lines are used to initiate the Altitude Zero Calibration function. Note that it may be advantageous to route these lines to a point which facilitates shorting them for the Altitude Zero Calibration (see 5.5.2).

  • Page 31: Altitude Validity Flag Discretes

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 2.4.16 Altitude Validity Flag Discretes The Altitude Validity Flags (VALID, /VALID), are inactive if valid altitude data has been generated within the previous 5 seconds. The VALID flag is active high and can source up to 250mA at 20V nominal.

  • Page 32: Rtca/Do-160 Environmental Qualifications

    RTCA/DO-160 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS U.S. standard units of measure are the primary means of identifying dimensions, weights, etc. The equivalent metric values may also be shown in brackets (e.g. 1.0 in [25.4 mm]). RA-6500 Series Equipment and UAT DO-160G Qualification Conditions Para...
  • Page 33 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Conditions Para Category (DO-160G) Audio Frequency Conducted Susceptibility – Power Inputs Induced Signal Susceptibility Radio Frequency Susceptibility Emission of Radio Frequency Energy Lightning, Induced Transient Susceptibility A3J3L3 (shielded) Lightning Direct Effects Icing Electrostatic Discharge Fire, Flammability...

  • Page 34: Functional Interface Specifications

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 SECTION 4 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS The FreeFlight Systems Radar Altimeter provides serial RS-232/422/485 interfaces and an ARINC 429 interface. The following sections describe the protocols used. RS-232/422/485 Interface 4.1.1 Data Rate Data is transmitted in multi-byte packets at configurable BAUD rates including 56,000 and 115200 (default) baud (LSB first, 8 data bits, one start, one stop, no parity).

  • Page 35: Parity

    This section applies to model RA-6500/5500 (P/N 87990-X1-XXXX) only. 4.3.1 Replacement to the KRA-405B The RA-6500 (P/N 87990-10-XXXX) contains the FreeFlight data converter module that translates altitude data to analog voltage signals designed to operate the KNI-416 Altimeter display. The RA-6500 will also provide the necessary voltage signals to drive the KNI-416 display.

  • Page 36: Installation

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 SECTION 5 INSTALLATION General Information This chapter contains suggestions and factors to consider before installing a radar altimeter into an aircraft. Adherence to the suggestions will assure satisfactory performance from the system. Dual Installation System Interaction When installed in an approved configuration, mutual interaction between individual radar altimeters is not operationally significant.

  • Page 37: Antenna Mounting Requirements

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Note: Total length refers to the combined lengths of the TX and the RX cables. The minimum cable length specified assumes that the antennas are mounted 18” above the ground, resulting in a 3 ns return delay (The propagation delay in air is approximately 1 ns per foot).

  • Page 38: Radar Altimeter Installation

    Do not route altimeter antenna cables with ADF antenna cables. 5.5.1 Display interconnect 5.5.1.1 RAD-40/45 Display Figure 8 shows the typical display interconnection between the radar altimeter and the optional FreeFlight Systems RAD-40/45 Radar Altimeter Display. FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 39: Arinc 429 Display

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 8: Typical Radar Altimeter to RAD-40/45 Interconnections Diagram 5.5.1.2 ARINC 429 Display Figure 9 shows the typical display interconnection between the RA-6500 and an ARINC 429 EFIS or MFD. Figure 9: Typical Radar Altimeter to EFIS/MFD Interconnection Diagram 5.5.2 Altitude Zero Calibration The radar altimeter should be calibrated to account for the antenna height above ground when a zero-foot...

  • Page 40: Post-Installation Testing

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Post-Installation Testing 5.6.1 Pre-Flight Check List 1. Turn on power (after starting engines). 2. Verify the unit self-tests for approximately 20 seconds (during which it displays 40±3 feet and sets the self test flag).

  • Page 41: Typical Interconnect Diagrams And Schematics

    Strut input will vary on each aircraft depending on the equipment installed. Refer to the aircraft manual to determine the appropriate input signal to the RA-6500/5500. The RA-6500 and RA-5500 requires FAA approval before installation. Contact FreeFlight Systems for additional information and STC validation. FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. 6-33...

  • Page 42: Figure 10: Ra-6500 To Kni-416 D

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 10: RA-6500 to KNI-416 Display Typical Wiring Diagram FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 43: Figure 11 : Ra-6500 To Rad-45 T

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 11 : RA-6500 to RAD-45 Typical Wiring Diagram FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 44: Troubleshooting

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 SECTION 7 TROUBLESHOOTING General In general, the troubleshooting techniques for the RA-6500 are comprised of ensuring the proper connections to the unit are made, verifying these connections are complete, and power cycling the Rad Alt in the event of erroneous data/outputs.

  • Page 45: Continued Airworthiness

    8.1.3 Repair There is no field-level repair to be performed on the RA-6500 System. All repairs must be returned to FreeFlight Systems with an RMA. MAINTENANCE INTERFACE DIAGRAMS The diagrams below represent of the available options for accessing the maintenance port of the RA-6500 series.

  • Page 46: Maintenance Port Interface Commands

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 Figure 12: Maintenance Connections for RA-6500 8.2.1 Maintenance Port Interface Commands TBD. FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 47: Warning Disclaimer

    RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 SECTION 9 WARNING DISCLAIMER TBD. FFS Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.

  • Page 48: Section 10 Limited Warranty

    FREEFLIGHT ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANTY, AND SUCH WARRANTY IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS. (A) THE DEFECT SHALL OCCUR UNDER NORMAL USE AND SERVICE FOR WHICH THIS PRODUCT WAS INTENDED. FREEFLIGHT SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED OR LIABLE UNDER THIS WARRANTY FOR DEFECTS WHICH FREEFLIGHT’S EXAMINATION DISCLOSES ARE DUE TO: (1)
  • Page 49 OR NOT LIABILITY FOR SUCH DAMAGES IS DUE TO TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, WARRANTY, OR STRICT LIABILITY. THESE LIMITATIONS WILL APPLY EVEN IF FREEFLIGHT OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE PRODUCT REFLECTS THIS ALLOCATION OF RISK.
  • Page 50 RA-6500 RADAR Altimeter Installation Manual Document No: 88222 Rev 2 For additional product information and specifications, please visit our website at: www.freeflightsystems.com.

This manual is also suitable for:

Ra-5500 series

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