Primus 880 Weather Radar Reliable Weather Avoidance Radar
Honeywell, the world s leader in avionics continues the development of weather radar systems with the Primus 880 featuring 10 kilowatts of transmitter power and up to a 24-inch antenna. The results of Honeywell s survey of aircraft operators were clear: operators want quality radar performance, improved reliability and advanced features. Customers are also demanding the integrated receiver/transmitter/ antenna, (RTA) architecture that is lighter and reduces installation complexity. Honeywell has responded with the Primus 880 by far the most powerful, feature-packed turbulence detection weather radar on the market. Commercial Aviation s Most Power Integrated RTA Weather Radar With Performance and Reliability The Primus 880 is a completely new radar design using all of Honeywell s RF expertise to provide the ultimate in both performance and reliability. The Primus 880 excels in all three weather radar performance categories. Pulse width: Primus 880 s narrow pulse width provides better resolution of the reflected signal which, in turn, makes it easier to distinguish ground from weather. Transmitter power: 10 kilowatts of power allows for unsurpassed range in class. Receiver sensitivity: Primus 880 s high receiver sensitivity allows the radar to detect extremely weak signals from distant storms. StormTest Honeywell invited a group of customers to participate in a unique program called StormTest. These customers provided weekly feedback on the performance of the radar, which allowed Honeywell engineers to perfect the Primus 880. Thanks to these customers, StormTest was a huge success resulting in a radar that is now Pilot Proven.
ful Powerful Turbulence Detection Weather Detection Rainfall intensity levels are displayed in four brilliant colors contrasted against a black background. The result is a crisp display that makes any target readable under any cockpit lighting condition. Magenta represents areas of severe rainfall, red shows heavy rainfall, yellow represents medium rainfall and green indicates light rain. To help in analyzing the storm, Honeywell s Primus 880 informs pilots of the operating mode, distance to each range mark and antenna tilt angle. Altitude Compensated Tilt (ACT) ACT allows easier detection of weather that may affect the aircraft in an en route condition and reduces the amount of tilt management required by the pilot. When ACT is selected, the Primus 880 reads the altitude and selected range, then points the antenna at the ground just inside the selected range. ACT automatically adjusts the tilt with any change in altitude. ACT also changes the tilt control from the normal ±15 to ±2 for finer control. Turbulence Detection Turbulence exposes pilots, passengers and aircraft to unnecessary risk that may be present in any level of precipitation even those with weak radar returns that may appear safe to fly through. The Primus 880 radar uses advanced Doppler pulse pair processing techniques to detect spectrum spreading caused by turbulence within any storm cell regardless of rainfall rates. Once detected, the turbulent areas are displayed in white on all ranges up to 50 nautical miles. This allows pilots to safely maneuver around uncomfortable, possibly hazardous weather.
REACT Honeywell s exclusive Rain Echo Attenuation Compensation Technique (REACT) safety feature alerts pilots to areas where storms may be hidden behind other storms. REACT performs three distinct functions. First, it maintains target calibration by compensating for attenuation caused by intervening rainfall. Second, REACT advises pilots of areas where target calibration cannot be maintained by changing the screen background to blue, warning that attenuation may be hiding areas of severe weather. Third, any target displayed in the blue field will appear in magenta to alert the pilot to its probable severity. Target Alert Target Alert (TGT) notifies the pilot of potentially hazardous targets directly in front of the aircraft that are not yet within the selected range. When T is displayed in green (right), Target Alert is armed. When the yellow TGT is displayed (left), the pilot is warned of a red level target directly in front of the aircraft (within ±7.5 of the aircraft s nose). The storm at 50 miles (right) tripped the TGT (left). BITE Primus 880 s Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) features complete RF loop-back which continuously tests the transmitter power and receiver sensitivity and reports any faults to the pilot. Included in the monitoring are circuit checks such as power supply and computer memory. BITE also monitors the time of operation in every mode, the time at incremental altitudes and the time at incremental temperature to help service technicians identify any faults. Sector Scan In normal mode, Primus 880 scans once every four seconds. In Sector Scan (SECT) mode, the scan rate increases to two seconds when faster updates are needed due to storm activity directly ahead on short range. Ground Mapping Ground mapping (GMAP) is a navigation aid, and the Primus 880 has a mode specifically for depicting terrain features. Notice the detail shown on the radar picture (right) of Tampa Bay with the three causeways crossing the bay. Low power radars with long pulse widths are unable to give this type of detail and clarity.
Lightning Sensor System NEXRAD The United States has designed and implemented a ground-based radar, referred to as NEXRAD. These radars are very large (24 foot antennas) and use a very complicated technique to derive the weather information, with results that are quite exact. Honeywell has performed extensive testing to ensure that Primus 880 matches the data derived from the NEXRAD. Honeywell s optional LSZ-850 Lightning Sensor System (LSS) protects aircraft from the inherent hazards of lightning. The overlay of lightning information onto the precipitation/turbulence display of the Primus 880 provides the safest and most powerful severe weather avoidance tool available today. The LSS determines the rate of vertical lightning in a geographical area, then displays its center with unique Honeywell symbology. The LSS accurately displays the position and lightning rate of up to 50 storm cells at the same time. Dual Mode and Displays Primus 880 naturally integrates with EFIS accompanied with one or two radar controllers, WC-880/884. With two controllers, Primus 880 can be operated like two separate radars. The pilot s controller settings are used for one sweep, then the co-pilot s are used for the subsequent sweep. Primus 880 vs. its hostile environment A radar system is installed in one of the most hostile environments on an aircraft the nose. Water in the radome can cause weather radar problems. Primus 880 has been designed to work in the worst of all environments, even a direct shower. Also, the Primus 880 has its own independent weather radar indicator, the WI-880. The radar indicator has a special interface to connect the Lightning Sensor System or Data Nav V for added versatility in the cockpit.
Installation Since the Primus 880 is an RTA-style radar, installation is straight-forward. The system requires only a display and a control panel to complete the package. Supporting the system Honeywell s avionics are based on proven technology to provide you with exceptionally high reliability and simplified maintenance. Our award-winning product support services include regularly scheduled training classes offered worldwide for both flight crews and maintenance personnel. When service is needed, a global dealer network is the front line for the Primus 880. Honeywell s Customer and Product Support organization is committed to keeping your weather radar operating day and night, around the world. How to find out more Honeywell s Primus 880 is like no other radar available today. To learn more about its capabilities, benefits, installation and availability, please call your local Honeywell representative, or contact: Primus 880 weather radar specifications WU-880 Radar Part Number 7021450-801 Power Output 10kW (nominal) 12kW (max) Pulse Widths 1 or 2 micro-seconds Receiver Sensitivity -118 dbm (nominal) Modes Turbulence, ACT, REACT, GMAP, Target Alert, Sector Scan Variable Gain Range +3 to -20 db Tilt Range +15 to -15 Ranges 2.5-300nm WXPD bus 2.5-320nm ARINC 453 Scan Angle 120 Sector Scan Angle 60 Antenna Sizes 12,18 and 24 Power Requirements 28Vdc, 110W max Radar Weight Antenna Weights Altitude Temperature Helicopter Qualified Adapter Cable DO-160C 13.9 lbs (nominal) 12 = 1.1 lbs (nominal) 18 = 2.4 lbs (nominal) 24 = 4.0 lbs (nominal) 55,000 ft -55 to +70 C Yes Yes, for P-870 installations F2-AB[CLMY]XXXXFXA[BZ]AZZRZA3E4XX WI-880 Indicator Part Number 7007700-401 to -404 Options Color: Black or Gray Lightning Sensor Control Size 4.2 x6.1 x11.5 Weight 12 lbs Altitude 25,000 feet Temperature -20 to +55 C Power Requirements 28Vdc, 36W max Mounting Tray Helicopter Qualified Yes DO-160B B1A/PKS/XXXXXXAAAAA WC-880/884 Controller Part Number (WC-880) 7008471-405 to -408/-415 to -418 (WC-884) 7006921-815 to -816 (GIV & GV) Options Color: Black or Gray Lightning Sensor Control Size 1.875 x5.75 x6.5 Weight 2.0 lbs Altitude (WC-880) 25,000 feet (WC-884) 20,000 feet Temperature (WC-880) -20 to +55 C (WC-884) -15 to +55 C Power Requirements 28Vdc, 8.5W max Mounting Dzus Helicopter Qualified Yes DO-160B (WC-880) B1A/KS/XXXXXXAAAAA DO-160A (WC-884) A1B1/AKXXXXXXABBBB Manuals Pilots Manual System Description and Installation Manual A28-1146-102 A09-3944-001 Honeywell Aerospace 21111 N. 19th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85027 Toll Free: 800-601-3099 International: 602-365-3099 www.honeywell.com A60-0860-000-000 October 2005 2005 Honeywell International Inc.