PRIMUS 800 and 660 Weather Radar

Purpose
Weather Radar

4Weather Location
4Analysis
4Ground Mapping
 Transmitter Power
N Amplitude of energy transmitted
N Louder the signal; farther the storm
penetration
N Measured in Watts (W)
N Typical radars: 18 Watts to 10,000 Watts
 Receiver Sensitivity

N Smallest signal the radar can hear

N Measured in -dBm
N Typical radar: -108 to -122 dBm
N Every 3 dBm increase in power
yields a 25% increase in range
 Training Information Point
Operational Concept

Radar Signal

Signal Return
4 Weather Radar works on an echo principle by generating and receiving its own
energy. The radar sends out short burst of energy. When that energy strikes a
target (precipitation), some of the energy reflects back to the radar receiver.

4 The range of the target is determined by the amount of time lapsed between
the transmission and reception of the radar signal.

4 The rainfall intensity is determined by the amount of energy reflected back to

the radar receiver.
Radar System Concept

(RF Pulse Output)

Indicator Waveguide
Transmitter Receiver
+5°
50
40 Ant.
ON OFF Drive
30 Time
20 Sync.
10

Antenna

Antenna-beam Azimuth Sync.

Beam Slice

4Cross Section
of storm

4A slice of the
120 degree A storm is
Slice
of the
presented on
Storm the display
 Water Detection

4 Weather Radar will NOT

detect clouds if there is
no Precipitation - Rain -
Water in it.

4Vapor is not detected so

all the clouds are not
painted on the radar
picture only the so called
ACTIVE clouds.
Primus Digital Technology

BLUE
REACT

4 COLORS
(3 only for the P-800, No magenta)
COLORS WHEN ACTIVE

green - light rain 1/10 inch / hr

yellow - moderate 1/2
red - heavy 1/2 to 2
magenta - severe 2+ (Not available P-800)
The Primus 800
1 KiloWatt

Fuse

Antenna diameter: 12, 18 or 24 inches

(Normally set in shop at 18)
MOD (modulator)
& SCAN ON/OFF switches

4 Page 2-142 Figure 2-62 WR-800 Receiver Transmitter

4 Page 2-145 Figure 2-63 WR-800 Receiver Transmitter Block Diagram
 The Target Alert (TGT) button allows the pilot to enable/disable the Target Alert mode.
When active, an alert is flashed on the weather display when a level 3 storm is
detected 7.5 degrees either side of the aircraft nose and out to 200 NM
ahead of the aircraft.

>>> T H I N K S A F E T Y ! <<< -> No forced Standby on ATR-P800

When on the ground: do not direct antenna towards large metallic structures
do not operate near fuel trucks or during refueling
do not operate any radar system near people

4 Page 2-147 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

Target Alert

Armed Alert
The Ground Clutter Reduction (GCR) button enables this mode to eliminate ground returns from the display.

4 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

The Rain Echo Attenuation Compensation Technique (REACT) button enables/disables the REACT mode.
REACT increases receiver gain to see weather that might be attenuated due to penetrated rainfall.
REACT mode - Rain Echo Attenuation Compensation technique

Blue Field represent the area

where attenuation is so high
that receiver is blinded.
The GAIN control selects receiver gain. The PRESET position calibrates the system for best performance in the
weather mode and for calibrated color selection. Variable gain position is best suited for the ground mapping mode.

4 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

The MODE knob places the weather radar system in the
selected operating mode.

4 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

The RANGE knob selects the weather radar display range.

4 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

 The TILT knob selects the weather radar antenna tilt angle.

4 Figure 2-64 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller

4 Page 2-151 Figure 2-65 WC-800 Weather Radar Controller Block Diagram
4 Page 2-153 Figure 2-66 WA-800 Antenna Pedestal and Flat Plate Radiator
4 Page 2-154 Figure 2-67 WA-800 Antenna Pedestal Block Diagram
P-800 WX Component Location
 The Primus 660
10 KiloWatt

4 Figure 2-68 Typical Weather Radar Receiver Transmitter Antenna

Identification and Location
WU-660 RTA

4Dimensions
z Base 10.04 in.
z Height flat 10.06 in.
z Height arc 16.04 in.

4Weight 15.70 lb.

4Power 22-32 Vdc, 110 w

4User Replaceable Parts

z Antenna

4Located in the aircraft nose-

cone.
Note that the flat plate is a
user replaceable part

Also, that when ordering a

WX to Honeywell, it will be
delivered without the flt
plate (Because different
diameters are available)

Figure 2-69 Transmitter and Scan Switch Locations

Identification and Location
Switches

4Scan Switch On/Off

4Transmit Switch On/Off

 Training Information Point
Max Permissible Exposure Level

4Ground Operation Notes:

z Direct nose away from metal
objects
z Tilt antenna fully up
z Avoid Fueling operations
z Observe MEPL boundaries

4 Figure 2-70 SMM Page 2-160

 Identification and Location
Controller

4Dimensions
z Height 1.88 in.
z Width 5.75 in.
z Length 7.00 in.
4Weight 2.00 lbs.
4Power
z Primary 28 Vdc
z Lighting 05 V ac or dc,
4User Replaceable Parts
z Knob, Gain/Tilt
z Know, Mode
z Setscrew
4Located on the Pedestal
 Operation
Controller

UPPER BUTTONS
1- RANGE ARROWS

• WX range can be set from 5 to 300 NM

• in FP mode, range can be set to 500 or 1,000NM for enhanced map on EFIS

2- RCT (Rain Echo Attenuation Compensation Technique)

• Compensates for attenuation of the radar signal as echo-back passes through rainfall

• Cyan haze behind storm echoes says that compensation no longer possible as echoes are
too weak (cell too dense & radar can’t see through it)

• Target seen in the cyan field are not calibrated for strength or distance and are thus
displayed magenta (4th level precipitation) to emphasize danger.
REACT mode - Rain Echo Attenuation Compensation technique

Blue Field represent the area

where attenuation is so high
that receiver is blinded.
Threshold Reduction due to Range & Echo Attenuation

BLUE
REACT

4 COLORS
REACT
 Operation
Controller

3- STAB Selects / deselects automatic pitch & roll compensation

FORCED STANDBY: Installation option

• Safety feature prevents signal transmission on the ground

• Automatic non-selectable mode working with weight-on-wheels switch
• Operator’s must press STAB button 4 times in 3 seconds to override the mode.
4- TGT (target alert)

• Selectable in “WX” and “FP” modes

• Monitors Wx within a 15 deg. cone ahead, up to 200 miles
• Shows armed state with a green ‘TGT’ on the MFD
• Shows a yellow ‘TGT’ on the screen if there is a significant echo.
Training Information Point
FSBY

4FSBY Safety Feature 4FSBY Disarm

z Activated by WOW z Press Stab 4 times in 3

z Transmitter inhibited
z Antenna scan inhibited
z Antenna is stowed tilt-up
z SBY is displayed on HSI
seconds
4Transmitter Disable
z Set XMIT switch to off or SBY
Target alert

Armed Alert
 Operation
Controller

5- SECT Toggles between 14 sweeps/min with 120 deg. image & 28 sweeps/min with 60 deg.

>>>> LOWER BUTTONS Functional Modes <<<<

6- TILT Max of + / - 15 deg.

7- SLV Annunciates when radar is slaved to the other controller in a dual controller installation

8- SBY Used to start and warm up the system

Antenna transmission & scanning is inhibited

WX Turns radar transmitter antenna ON.

Training Information Point
Sector Scan

424 scans per minute

460 degree scan
 Operation
Controller

GMAP (Ground Mapping) Used to draw the contour

FP (Flight planning) Not used on ATR as no FMS plan mode

TST Tests the system and displays all possible radar colors on HSI

GAIN Push = Preset calibrated gain, Pulled = Variable gain manual adjust
4 Page 2-169 Figure 2-72 WX Mode and Warning Annunciations Display
Functional Description
Test Display

4Text Fault

4Basic Pattern

4No fault Codes & messages

shown

4TEST annunciation

4Color Bands

4 Figure 2-75 EHSI With Weather Radar Test Pattern

4 Page 2-173 Figure 2-73 PRIMUS 660 Weather Radar System Interface Diagram
 Functional Description
Failure Indications

4WX in AMBER

4Go to test to check why

WX in amber

4 Page 2-175 Figure 2-74 EHSI Weather Radar Failure Indications

Functional Description
Test Display - On - Ground - Text Enabled
4Pilot Message - STAB Uncal
4Line Maint. MSG. - CHK ATT
SRC
4Fault Code - 27
4Power On Count (POC) - 0
z 0 = current
z 1 = last Power up
z 2 = 2 power ups ago
4Fault Name - No Stab SRC
4Xmit - Transmitter
z On
z Off
4Strap Code - 1F1BB
z Hex Code of configuration
selects

4 Page 2-176 Figure 2-75 EHSI Weather Radar test pattern

 In Air, No Current Faults

4Text Faults Enabled

4First Sweep
z Radar OK
z Radar Fail
 On Ground Test Pass First Sweep

4Text Faults Enabled

4First Sweep
z Radar OK
z Radar Fail

4No Faults

4XMIT Condition
z On
z Off

4Configuration Strap Codes

On Ground Test Fail First Sweep

4Text Faults Enabled

4First Sweep
z Radar OK
z Radar Fail

4No Faults

4XMIT Condition
z On
z Off

4Configuration Strap Codes

On Ground Test Fail Second Sweep

4Pilot Message - STAB Uncal

4Line Maint. MSG. - CHK ATT
SRC
4Fault Code - 27
4Power On Count (POC) - 0
z 0 = current
z 1 = last Power up
z 2 = 2 power ups ago
4Fault Name - No Stab SRC
4Xmit - Transmitter
z On
z Off
4Strap Code - 1F1BB
z Hex Code of program
selects
4 Page 2-179
4 Page 2-180
4 Page 2-181
4 Page 2-182
Radome : Repairs & Defects

4 May appear as a blind alley

4 May appear as interference

4 May be caused by workmanship errors during repair

4 May be caused by by pinholes in radome allowing water into the cell structure
z Freeze - Expand - Freezing breaks the cell walls
z Water fills the the adjoining cells
Stabilization Errors

4RTA Mounting not aligned with

roll axis

4Roll adjustment
Roll Stab Examples

4Symmetrical Ground Returns

z No adjustment needed

4Roll Misalignment
z RTA mounting misaligned
z 1.5 degree error
z Roll offset adjust
Roll Offset Adjust - Initial

4Push Stab 4 times in 3

seconds
4Pull out Gain Knob

4Use Gain Knob to make

adjustments
4Push in Gain Knob to save
adjustments
Adjustment Errors
4The roll stab may be adjusted in error
4If the gain knob is pulled a new value is set.
4If no adjustment is desired Press STAB
z DO NOT PULL THE GAIN KNOB

4If a squawk describes a STAB problem

z always shows ground returns on one side
z excessive tilt up required to remove ground clutter
4Reset Stab parameters
4Do not change RTAs
Technical Newsletters ATA 104 level 4 data and References

P-800

4Collection of TNL A23-1998-10

P-660

4Radar Troubleshooting Guide A23-2000-018

4Radar Stabilization Sensitivity and Accuracy A23-1998-13

4Threaded Inserts in Flat Plate Radiators A23-1998-06

4Radar Desensitization in Rain A23-1998-03

4System Description and Installation Manual A09-3944-001

4Pilots Manual Primus 660 A28-1146-111

Radar reflection and high Altitude
Radar reflection and high Altitude
Beam Filling & Attenuation
Considerations
?
100%
?
WX P-800 review
4 Make sure Fuse is good, MOD and STAB switches
are On and antenna diameter is on 18.

4Make sure WX DIM on DC-810 controller is not set

to minimum DIM, otherwise radar picture is not
visible (black on EHSI)

4 Radome is part of the radar system: Perform

radome swapping or replacement if in doubt.

4 Make sure pilot’s have properly used Tilt

Management techniques when above freezing level.
WX P-660 review

4 Check bite before rejection

4 Keep Flat plate when replacing WU-660
4 Do not reject radar for stabilization mis-
adjustment, run the in flight adjustment procedure
4 Radome is part of the radar system: Perform
radome swapping or replacement if in doubt.
4 Make sure pilot’s have properly used Tilt
Management techniques when above freezing level
4Water accumulation on the radome can
considerably decrease system sensitivity
Questions ?
 1 AHZ-600 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS)
2 ADZ-810 Air data System
3 EDZ-811 Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)
4 HT-1000 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
5 Primus-800 and Primus-660 Weather Radar System
6 DFZ-600 Autopilot - Yaw Damper - Flight
director
7 EGPWS Enhance Ground Proximity Warning System