Mode C

UC101

Mode C Transponder

Part Number: 10-010-00

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Overview

The Urban Canyon UC101 is the first Mode C Transponder designed specifically for the commercial unmanned air vehicle (UAV) market, where low cost and small size are at a premium.

Cutting Edge Performance

The UC10x Series of Transponders, ADS-B, & TABS Devices use the latest advances in RF semiconductor technology and nonlinear simulation techniques to bring you the most efficient RF transmitter of any transponder or similar pulsed-power RF device, allowing small device size and eliminating the need for a heatsink or air flow requirements, greatly simplifying system integration.

Low Cost

Designed with a "cost first" approach, this device is able to sell for a fraction of competitive devices without compromising performance.

Low Power Consumption

Intelligent internal power switching ensures sub-circuit power applied only as required. Combined with cutting-edge RF transmitter design techniques, this device consumes an unprecedented <5mW in power down, <0.1 Watts typical in OFF/STBY modes, <0.5W in ON/ALT (no RADAR), and 1.3 Watts in a typical radar environment (PRF=235, squawk=1200). Compare with any competitive device—large or small—and you will see that the power consumption performance is simply unmatched.

Small Size and Weight

3.31" x 1.85" x 0.45" (84 x 47 x 11 mm) and 60 grams typical. One-third the weight and one-quarter the volume of any certified transponder presently available.

Specification Data Required by FAA

Excerpt from the Installation Manual (IM), which contains information specifically for type-certified (manned) aircraft installers.

Type
 ATCRBS Mode C
Design Approval* FAA TSO-C74d Class 1A
MOPS RTCA/DO-144A
Software* RTCA/DO-178C Level C
Complex Hardware* RTCA/DO-254 Level C
FCC
 FCC Part 15
FCC Part 87
FCC ID 2ANAE-UC10X
Environmental* RTCA/DO-160G
Supply Voltage 10 to 38 VDC
Power Requirement (12V)

 1 mW typ (powerdown)
0.07 W typ (OFF/STBY)
0.46 W typ (ON/ALT, no radar)
1.25 W typ (ON/ALT, 235PRF)
8.4 W absolute max
Power Requirement (28V)

 5 mW typ (powerdown)
0.13 W typ (OFF/STBY)
0.57 W typ (ON/ALT, no radar)
1.3 W typ (ON/ALT, 235PRF)
6.9 W absolute max
Transmit Frequency 1090 MHz ± 1 MHz
Transmitter Power 200 Watts (at SMA)
125 Watts min (at antenna)
Emissions Designator 5M65 M1D
Receiver Frequency 1030 MHz
Receiver Sensitivity -73dBm ± 4 dB
Operating Temperature -40°C to +70°C
Weight 60 grams (0.13 lb.) typ
Dimensions

 Length: 3.31" (84 mm)
Width: 1.85" (47 mm)
Height: 0.45" (11 mm)
Displacement
 2.4 in3
*FAA Certification in progress
Easy System Integration
  • No Host Board Required. Simply apply power and RS-232 communication. It's that simple.
      No External Ferrites. Integrated high-frequency filtering for both differential and common mode noise eliminate need for external filtering in most applications.
      No External Capacitance. Minimal inrush current and low power consumption eliminate the need for external capacitance in most applications.
  • Operate from Any Power Supply. Low power consumption, wide input voltage operating range, and minimal inrush current allow for easy operation from virtually any power supply, even directly from a small battery shared with other devices in the system. Example battery chemistry/configurations include:
      3-Cell Lithium-ion Battery (11.4V nominal). Power directly from battery over the entire range from a full-charged 12.6V down to mostly-depleted 10V. Example: if operated from a 3-cell LiPo pack consisting of three iPhone 6 batteries the transponder would operate for >300 hours in OFF/STBY and >9 hours typical in ON/ALT modes. Total battery mass: 0.21 pounds (96 grams).
      24 V Lead Acid. Power directly from fully-charged 26.4V down to fully depleted 20.4V. Example: if operated from two 12V SLA motorcycle batteries (Panasonic Part No. LC-R123R4P) the unit will operate for >800 hours in OFF/STBY and >37 hours typical in ON/ALT modes. Total battery mass: 5.3 lb. (2.4 kg).
Designed for Any Environment
  • High Temperature Operation. Ultra low power design combined with using only the most advanced components (with operating high junction temperature) mean that the UC10x series will operate in the hottest environment, even pre-flight on the ground in the hottest desert without cooling.
  • Low Temperature Operation. Every unit is tested in the thermal chamber to cold start down to -40°C.
    • Plays Nice with Others
    • Operate Near Other Radios. Aggressive filtering and careful IF/LO/Reference frequency selection allow the UC10x series to operate closer to other radios than any competitive device. Particular attention paid during design to typical UAV radio frequencies used for data, video, satellite phone, XM weather, UAT aviation, and cellular (GSM/CDMA/LTE) bands help minimize radio interaction.
        Dedicated Transmit Disable/Enable Connection. The UC10x implements the ability to quickly disable/enable the transmitter (proprietary mutual suppression bus) in less than 1 microsecond. Simply drive the bus low (open-collector) to disable and then release to enable.
        Advanced Receiver. The receiver includes an enhanced receiver topology with hardware filtering alone surpassing FAA and FCC requirements. Combined with baseband oversampling, aggressive digital filtering, and an Enhanced Decoder Algorithm makes this this receiver virtually impervious to nearby transmitters.
    Easy to Service
    • No Special Handling Requirement. ESD protection on both the main interface connector and the antenna connector make it safe for field repairs.
    • Virtually Crash-Proof. Rugged enclosure design-will withstand 5 foot drop onto concrete from all angles. As crash-proof as any design can be, this will be the board that will be used and re-used for multiple crash cycles while other subsystems are thrown away.
    • UC101 Mode C Transponder
    • Certificate of Conformance (CoC)

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    Documentation

    UC10x-001-DS UC10x Datasheet.pdf
    UC10x-ASYD-001 R01 UC10x Assembly Drawing.pdf

    Manned Aircraft Installation & Regulatory Information

    UC10x-001-IM UC10x Installation Manual.pdf
    UC101 DO-160 Environmental Qualification Form.pdf ← COMING SOON
    UC10x Federal Communications Commission, Grant of Equipment Authorization, FCC ID 2ANAE-UC10X.pdf
    DD Form 1494, UC101 Mode C Transponder.pdf

    UAV and OEM Sub-System Integration Support

    UC10x-001-ICD R02 – UC10x Interface Control Document.pdf
    UC10x Series Windows 10 GUI.exe
    UC10x MCAD V1.zip ← Includes formats: SolidWorks 2017, STEP AP214, Parasolid, & 3DPDF

    Volume Customer/OEM Information

    UC101 Product Change Notices.pdf ← NO PCNs YET, STILL VERSION -00. Sign up here for automatic email notifications.
    Urban Canyon Quality Manual.pdf ← COMING SOON