Ping1090i Testing Using IFR6000 Test-set

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to give direction on testing the ADS-B out functionality of the ping1090i using the IFR6000 test-set. The IFR6000 test-set is an avionics flight line test-set that not all customers will have access to. This procedure is for ground testing the ping1090i for those customers that have an IFR6000 test-set or access to an avionics shop that has one. For ground testing without an IFR6000 test-set, look at using a pingUSB. ADS-B websites (ADS-B Exchange, FlightAware, etc.) would not work for this unless you are right next to one of their receivers and have line-of-sight. The ping1090i must be configured in accordance with the quick start guide before testing with the IFR6000 test-set.

Prerequisites

•  ping1090i needs a GPS lock to transmit.
•  Recommend setting the stall speed to ZERO, so the unit is in airborne for the test.
•  Note the ICAO address of the unit, it's needed for the IFR6000 configuration below.
•  Do not have a smartphone or Wi-Fi programmer connected to the ping1090i while performing a transponder test, it can inhibit transmissions.  
•  Recommend performing a "conducted" test.

IFR6000 Setup

• For conducted testing, make sure "DIRECT CONNECT" is selected for RF Port (shown below).
• IFR6000 tries to auto-detect the Mode-S transponder's ICAO.  Since ping1090i is a non-transponder device, it will not reply to Mode-S interrogations, so the address will need to be set manually in the setup page.  Example below, ICAO 000001

Note: Image of IFR6000 test-set screen.

• Next, since the ping1090i is a non-transponder device, configure the IFR6000 to use DF=18 instead of DF=17.  Click on the "ADSB SETUP" shown in the above image.  Then set the ADSB MON to DF=18 shown below.  Don't forget to change this back when testing is complete, otherwise next time testing is performed on a transponder it will not show squitters!

Note: Image of IFR6000 test-set screen.

• Now that the IFR6000 is configured and the ping1090i is in 1090 Transmit and it has a GPS lock, the following ADS-B MON data should be displayed:

Note: Image of IFR6000 test-set screen.