VIAVI TC-201A (01) PDF DOCUMENT

When the VIAVI TC-201A is received from the factory, perform the following:

• Verify shipment is complete in accordance with the packing list. Report any discrepancies to VIAVI Customer Service.

• Store packing material and shipping container for possible future use.

The VIAVI TC-201A is designed for temporary coupling to a TCAS or combined TCAS/Transponder antenna to provide an antenna signal connection from the coupler to a test unit.

When installed, the coupler design also provides:

• shielding from outside interference or reflections during testing in a hangar environment.

• attenuation of the transmitted output RF power from the TCAS and Transponder installed on the aircraft being tested to reduce interference to ATC operations or nearby aircraft.

The VIAVI TC-201A is placed on the top antenna where it is held in place by the weight of the coupler. The coupler can also be fitted to the bottom antenna where it is held in place by its gas-filled shock and pole (accessory).

Supported Equipment	Model TC-201A
Collins TSA-4100 and Similar	Supported
Honeywell/ACSS AT-910 and Similar	Supported
Minimum Recommended Fuselage Size	106″

Item	Description	Part#
1	TCAS/Transponder Antenna Coupler
	• TC-201A Kit	140889
	• TC-201A Coupler Only	22130799
2	Transit Case Placard
	• TC-201A	142840
3	30 dB attenuator	92863
4	Transit Case	142743
5	Coaxial Assembly 50 Ft	142839
6	Extension Pole Kit	142742

Item	Control/Connector
1	Quadrant selection ring
2	Pole Connection Lug
3	RF Connection (TNC)
4	Loss Placard

The standard hardware configuration is as follows: The Test Set is connected to a 30 dB attenuator via a 50 ft Coaxial Cable. The attenuator is then connected to the VIAVI TC-201A, which is placed on the TCAS/Transponder Antenna.

NOTE: Connecting the VIAVI TC-201A coupler to the IFR 6000/6015 or AVX-10K differs from the normal “direct with coupler” connection. In this case, you will be using the ANTENNA port on the test set to connect to the coupler (via the 30 dB attenuator). The antenna port connection provides higher sensitivity to support the VIAVI TC-201A coupler.

The VIAVI TC-201A is designed for compatibility with VIAVI’s AVX-10K and IFR-6000 Test Sets. Check the Antenna Compatibility Matrix for details.

1. Place the Coupler over the Aircraft TCAS/Transponder Antenna.

2. Connect the 30 dB attenuator to the Coupler’s RF connector.

3. Connect the Coupler to the Antenna connector on the Test Set using the 50 ft. TNC Coaxial Cable (supplied with the kit).

4. On the Test set, adjust the settings as shown in the table below. For the IFR-6000, go to the SETUP-TCAS screen and select ANTENNA from the RF PORT. For the AVX-10K, go to the TCAS Setup Tab.

Parameter	Setting
RF PORT	ANTENNA
ANT RANGE	See coupler loss label
ANT HEIGHT	See coupler loss label
ANT CABLE LEN	50 feet
ANT CABLE LOSS	See cable loss label
ANT GAIN (dBi)	1.03 GHz 0.0 1.09 GHz 0.0

NOTE: Use the Antenna Compatibility Matrix (Table 4) to determine which Distance and Height values from the Loss Placard on your VIAVI TC-201A that you should use when entering ANT RANGE and ANT HEIGHT values in the test set.

5. Set the Coupler’s quadrant selection ring to QUADRANT 1.

6. Determine the manufacturer of the TCAS and refer to the loss label on the Coupler for antenna range and antenna height values.

7. On the test set, adjust the Antenna Gain settings according to the table below.

Antenna Gain Value	Condition
1.03 GHz: 0.0	For most cases
1.03 GHz: 2.0	For smaller diameter planes using a TSA-4100 antenna that is not mounted flush against the aircraft.

8. Verify that ANT GAIN values are set as described.

9. Proceed with testing for all four quadrant settings.

1. Place the Coupler over the Aircraft TCAS/Transponder Antenna.

2. Connect the 30 dB attenuator to the VIAVI TC-201A RF connection.

3. Connect the Coupler to the Antenna connector on the Test Set using the 50 ft. TNC Coaxial Cable (supplied with the kit).

4. On the Test set, adjust the settings as shown in the table below. For the IFR-6000, go to the SETUP-XPDR screen and select ANTENNA from the RF PORT. For the AVX-10K, go to the XPDR-Auto Setup Tab.

Parameter	Setting
ANTENNA	TOP/BOTTOM
RF PORT	ANTENNA
ANT RANGE	See coupler loss label
ANT HEIGHT	See coupler loss label
ANT CABLE LEN	50 feet
ANT CABLE LOSS	See loss on 50′ cable label
COUPLER LOSS	0.0 dB
ANT GAIN (dBi)
0.96 GHz	0.0
1.03 GHz	0.0
1.09 GHz	0.0
UUT ADDRESS	Auto

NOTE: Use the Antenna Compatibility Matrix (Table 4) to determine which Distance and Height values from the Loss Placard on your VIAVI TC-201A that you should use when entering ANT RANGE and ANT HEIGHT values in the test set.

5. Set the Coupler’s quadrant selection ring to QUADRANT 1.

6. Determine the manufacturer of the transponder and refer to the loss label on the Coupler for antenna range and antenna height values.

7. Verify that ANT GAIN values are set as described, using the table below for the 1.03 GHz value.

Antenna Gain Value	Condition
1.03 GHz: 0.0	For most cases
1.03 GHz: 2.0	For smaller diameter planes using a TSA-4100 antenna that is not mounted flush against the aircraft.

8. Proceed with testing for all four quadrant settings.

ACSS Amplitude	LRU Supported	Collins Phase	LRU Supported
AT-910	TCAS II TCAS 2000 TT-950	TRE-920	TTR-920/921 TTR-2100 TTR-4100
Collins Amplitude	LRU Supported	Honeywell Phase	LRU Supported
TSA-4100	TSS-4100	ANT-81A	TPA-81A TPA-100A/B/C