Sandia combines ADS-B Out with Mode C transponder

Sandia Aerospace announced the STX 360 Sentinel, which the company described as a cost-effective Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) solution for general aviation aircraft. The product, which has not yet received FAA certification, was announced April 8 at the Aircraft Electronics Association convention in Dallas. The Sentinel is a panel-mounted ADS-B transceiver, operating on the 978-MHz Universal Access Transceiver frequency, that includes a built-in Mode C transponder. 

Sized to fit in the same panel space as an existing transponder, which Sandia says will save on installation costs, the STX 360 has an internal diplexer that requires just a single antenna—further reducing installation costs and complexity. Because the STX 360 is a combination unit, its single point of entry for the squawk code eliminates the possibility that the aircraft might report two different codes.

“The idea for the Sentinel came when our market research indicated that there was a need for an ADS-B solution with a transponder and UAT built in,” said Dennis Schmidt, Sandia Aerospace president.

The STX 360 Sentinel displays traffic and METARs on its sunlight-readable organic light-emitting diode display. The unit also offers a wireless output capability, which will allow the display of ADS-B In weather and traffic information on iPads and other portable devices.

Albuquerque-based Sandia also announced the STX 180, a remotely mounted version of the Sentinel. The STX 180 incorporates the same UAT and Mode C transponder but is mounted behind the panel or elsewhere in the aircraft; it is controlled by Sandia’s ½ 3ATI control head or through other manufacturers’ compatible EFIS systems installed on the aircraft.

Deliveries of both the STX 360 Sentinel and the STX 180 will begin in 2016. Sandia said both units would be priced below $3,500.