IFR 4000 Improves on All Fronts

Aeroflex's wholly owned subsidiary IFR has announced the IFR 4000, a new navigation communications (NAV-COMM) ramp test set; it's based on a completely new architecture and ergonomic design that, the company says, "is the platform for future IFR ramp test sets."

Replacing the venerable NAV-402AP navigation communications ramp test set, the IFR 4000 (right) is a self-contained, handheld unit designed for ramp testing, but is equally at home in bench test applications. It performs functional testing, signal generation and calibration of Marker Beacon (MKR), VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR), Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF/UHF Communications (COMM) avionics systems.

The IFR 4000 is priced at U.S. $11,500 -- $1,700 less than the NAV-402AP. The instrument offers a new Guided Test function allowing the operator to create custom test sequences, reducing total test time.

"There is no other navigation communications test set on the market today that delivers such an outstanding combination of price, portability and ease of use," said Jeff Gillum, director, wireless products, IFR. "The IFR 4000 is designed for easy operation, reliability, long service life and its size is especially convenient for the confined space of cockpit testing. Weighing just eight pounds, less than half the weight of the NAV-402AP, with a battery life of eight hours, the IFR 4000 is certain to replace the NAV-402AP as the new industry standard."

Features:

The IFR 4000 allows accurate measurement of VHF/UHF transmitter frequency, output power, modulation (AM and FM) and receiver sensitivity, VHF/UHF antenna and/or feeder Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). It can simulate Localizer and Glideslope (CAT I, II and III) signals with variable Difference in Depth of Modulation (DDM) settings. The instrument has a Swept Localizer DDM for coupled AutoPilot testing including simultaneous Localizer, Glideslope and Marker Beacon signals, as well as simulation of VOR beacon with variable bearing. It can also generate ARINC (Aeronautical Radio, Inc.) 596 Mark 2 airborne Selective Calling tones (SELCAL), allowing a ground radio operator to alert an air crew that the operator wishes to communicate with that aircraft.

The IFR 4000 incorporates a large 5.7-inch LCD display with user-adjustable backlight and contrast. It has an internal battery for eight hours of continuous operation before recharging. Automatic power shutdown occurs after five to 20 minutes (selectable) of non-use when the AC power is not connected.

The IFR 4000 verifies the proper operation and installation of ILS, VOR and Marker Beacon receivers and VHF AM/FM and UHF AM transceivers by using eight dedicated operational modes. To accurately test the ILS system, the IFR 4000 breaks down the testing requirement into three modes of operation: Localizer, Glideslope and Marker Beacon. The IFR 4000 provides signal generation of 108.10 to 111.95 MHz for Localizer and 329.15 to 335.00 MHz for Glideslope along with the necessary 90 and 150 Hz modulation control to simulate out-of-course indications. For Marker Beacon the IFR 4000 provides the 75 MHz MB signal with selectable 400, 1300 and 3000 Hz tones. The IFR 4000 also provides simultaneous Localizer with swept DDM, Glideslope and Marker Beacon signals for testing of the AutoPilot function.

FMI: www.aeroflex.com; www.ifrsys.com