General Description:

The TCI Model AST-400 is designed to test, display and simulate the output of Altitude Reporting Equipment, which conform to the ICAO Standard for SSR Pressure Altitude Transmission. In accordance with the U.S. National Standards for I.F.F. Mark X (SIF)/Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System SIF/ATCRBS.

The AST-400 utilizes an advanced RISC microprocessor to display the output of these devices in both numeric and binary forms, with an input altitude data range covering the full ICAO code from -1000 to 126,000 feet. The AST-400 will also display the output of altitude reporting devices that transmit data in a serial format. Serial altitude data input formats supported are RS232, RS422, RS485, and ARINC 429 Label 203. The AST-400 may be interfaced with an IBM PC for cross reference and 2-way data communication if required.

The AST-400 can also function in a simulate mode providing altitude data outputs on the ICAO simulate port and RS232 port only. In this mode, the test set will output altitude data begining at -1000 feet, then climb at 6000'/minute to 126,000 feet. The climb may be halted at any altitude by depressing the simulate toggle. The ascending count may be resumed by depressing the simulate toggle again. The AST-400 in simulate mode provides the avionics technician with known good ICAO parallel and serial altitude code sourcefor testing altitude inputs to transponders, GPS, MFD, auto-pilots and other navigation devices. The AST-400 may be used in the aircraft or on the bench making this an extremely versatile piece of test equipment.