What is pingStation?
PingStation is a dual-band (978MHz and 1090MHz) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver designed for ground, surface, or low-altitude surveillance of ADS-B equipped aircraft. It features a Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) interface, an IP67-rated protective enclosure for harsh outdoor environments, and an integrated GPS for precision timestamping. It can be used standalone or networked with multiple units for wider coverage. Data is output in JSON format (via UDP) or Compressed VRS (via TCP), as detailed in the pingStation ICD.
What are the technical specifications of pingStation?
Input Voltage/Power: 44-57V / 500mW (Power over Ethernet). Input Voltage/Power: 44-57V / 500mW (Power over Ethernet). Weight: 340 grams. Receive (1090MHz): MTL -88dBm, Dynamic Range -79 to 0dBm. Receive (978MHz): MTL -93dBm, Dynamic Range -90 to -3dBm. Interfaces: Ethernet (JSON UDP), Compressed VRS (Virtual Radar Server). Operating Temperature: -40°C to 80°C. GPS Sensitivity: -167dBm, supports GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, BeiDou. Dimensions: 310x120x55mm. ADS-B Reports: 1090MHz (DF17, DF18); 978MHz (BASIC, LONG). ECCN: 7A994. The product is CE marked with a Declaration of Conformity.
Where can I get support for pingStation?
For support, visit http://www.uavionix.com/support
How do I install pingStation mechanically?
PingStation comes with brackets and U-bolts for mounting on poles with diameters between ¾” and 2”. Screw the four self-tapping screws into the back corners of the unit to attach the bracket. Mount it as high as possible on the pole (preferably at the top) for an unobstructed 360° view of the sky. Assemble the IP67 RJ45 connector using shielded Cat5e or better Ethernet cable, ensuring the red circular seal is in place to maintain the warranty (void if installed outdoors without it).
What are the power and connection requirements for pingStation?
PingStation uses Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) compliant with 802.3af (802.3at Type 1). It requires 37-57V (absolute max 57V; higher voltages will damage the unit), up to 15.4W max power, 350mA max current, and supports Mode A (endspan) or Mode B (midspan). Connect via a shielded RJ45 cable to a POE switch or a regular switch with a Class 0 POE injector. Maximum cable length is 100 meters with shielded Cat3 or Cat5 cabling. At power-up, the green LED illuminates; it flashes red when decoding traffic.
How do I find the IP address of my pingStation after installation?
Upon power-up, pingStation receives an IP address from your local DHCP server. Check your router's connected devices list or use a network scanning tool to find it (the MAC address is on the device housing). Access the web interface at http://[IP address]/ for configuration, status at http://[IP address]/api/v1/status, traffic at http://[IP address]/api/v1/traffic, and updates at http://[IP address]/update.
How do I configure pingStation?
Access the web interface via http://[IP address]/. Select output formats (UDP JSON and/or TCP Compressed VR). Set UDP target IP/hostname and port, TCP push IP/hostname and port, altitude ceiling (in feet MSL; 0 for no filter), max radius (in miles; 0 for no filter), station info interval (in seconds; default 30), static IP (set to 0.0.0.0 for DHCP), subnet mask, gateway IP, and DNS. Click "Update" to save changes, which persist through power cycles.
What health statistics can I monitor on pingStation?
The web interface displays: UAT Basic/Long messages received, 1090 DF17/DF18 messages, current aircraft tracked (deprecated after 60 seconds), current range (in miles), GPS fix type (0-4), GPS satellites visible, latitude/longitude, receiver/GPS BPS, and software version.
Can I filter the aircraft data on pingStation?
Yes, use the altitude ceiling (non-zero value filters below that in feet MSL) and max radius (non-zero value filters within that range in miles from the GPS position). Set to zero for no filtering.
How do I update the pingStation system software?
Go to http://[IP address]/update, choose the firmware binary file, and click "Update". Monitor the progress percentage, then click "Restart" when complete.
How do I update the ADS-B receiver software?
From the configuration page, click the "Update" link next to the ADS-B version (or go to http://[IP address]/pingUpdate). Choose the file (e.g., V2.4.43), click "Start Update", and monitor the progress bar. Verify the new version on the configuration page after completion.
How do I integrate pingStation with Virtual Radar Server (VRS)?
In pingStation's web interface, enable TCP Compressed VR output, enter the VRS IP/hostname and port (e.g., 30003), and update. In VRS: Download/install from http://www.virtualradarserver.co.uk/, go to Tools Options Receiver Locations, add your pingStation's lat/long. Add a receiver: Enable it, name it, select Compressed VRS format, choose location, set connection type to Network (with pingStation IP/port), and enable send keep-alive. Verify connected status and increasing message counter.
How do I set the home location on the Virtual Radar Server moving map?
Open http://127.0.0.1/VirtualRadar (or your VRS address), go to Menu Options General Set Current Location. Drag the red location icon to your position on the map.
I still have questions. Where do I go for customer support?
For additional customer support, please submit a Support Ticket to the uAvionix customer support team.
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