Story ID: 
GPS Antenna Coupler Prevents Test Interference
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: CCX's new antenna coupler facilitates testing of GPS receivers while avoiding interference with nearby aircraft.
Word Count: 191
CCX Technologies has released a new antenna coupler that allows avionics shops to test GPS receivers without interfering with other receivers installed in nearby aircraft. The coupler is designed to work with CCX’s T-RX avionics tester and provides more than 20 dB of antenna isolation.

Available for testing of GPS systems with antennas with diameters of up to six inches, the antenna coupler with TR-X signal generator simulates six satellites and WAAS/EGNOS signals. The simulated GPS information includes dynamic GPS location using latitude and longitude, altitude track, and vertical rate, and the tester automatically downloads the current GPS almanac. A 9.8-foot coaxial cable is included with the testing kit.

“Testing aircraft GPS radios can be finicky because GPS satellite signals must be excluded during the tests, and you don’t want to interfere with another aircraft’s GPS while testing the aircraft,” said Chris Bartlett, president of CCX Technologies. “Our new GPS antenna coupler provides superior signal isolation so that testing can occur inside or outside the hangar without worrying about interference from satellites or interfering with the GPS radios of other nearby aircraft.”