Overview

FAA’s ADS-B Weather and Traffic Information in the Cockpit

Introduced more than a decade ago by the FAA, ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) provides weather and traffic information to all aircraft equipped with an ADS-B receiver, such as the XGPS170, subscription-free. The portable XGPS170 ADS-B In receiver provides ADS-B weather and traffic broadcasts to a variety of compatible EFB apps (sold separately) for display on an iPad or Android tablet.

The XGPS170 provides the following ADS-B In services:

1. Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B). FIS-B provides regional and continental NEXRAD radar imagery from the National Weather Service, as well as NOTAMs, METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, winds aloft and other valuable in-flight weather services. FIS-B also includes information on temporary flight restrictions (TFR) and special use airspaces (SUA).
2. Traffic Information Service Broadcast (TIS-B). The TIS-B information is air traffic information obtained from ATC radar and broadcast from ground radio stations. This information greatly enhances pilots’ situational awareness and aids their visual orientation of nearby aircraft traffic.*
3. The XGPS170 can also receive position reports directly from a nearby aircraft operating ADS-B Out transponders on 978 MHz.
4. The XGPS170 additionally provides traffic information from some aircraft operating ADS-B Out equipment at 1090 MHz through the ADS-R rebroadcast from ground stations.

*ADS-B traffic broadcasts are only transmitted from the ground transmitters in response to an ADS-B Out transponder operating on your aircraft or another aircraft in the area.

The removable ADS-B antenna on the XGPS170 allows pilots to connect to an external antenna on the aircraft. (This should be a dedicated, passive transponder antenna.)

Growing number of compatible EFB Apps
The XGPS170 does not restrict you to just one EFB app. Dual is working with nearly all of the EFB app providers including Anywhere Map, Avilution, ForeFlight, Flight Guide, FltPlan.com, FlightPlanner, GlobalNavSource, Jeppesen, Hilton Software (WingX Pro), Seattle Avionics, 123West Software and others. Please see "Apps" for the current list of apps supporting the XGPS170. Check back frequently as we will be continually adding new apps to this list as they are released.

Useful Status Tool App
Similar to the popular XGPS150, the XGPS170 also comes with a useful Status Tool App (available Free on the iTunes store). The app is a simple utility application, which shows detailed device and reception information. (App currently in review by Apple.)

Highly Accurate GPS
The XGPS170 includes a WAAS GPS receiver with fast location acquisition (under 30 seconds), with position updates up to 10 times per second. The GPS location information is wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth to Apple and Android devices.

Useful In and Out of the Plane
At your destination, the XGPS170 becomes an ideal navigation assistant. Take this small and portable receiver with you to the car, on a boat or hiking. The XGPS170 works with pretty much any app that requires location information, including apps for car and marine navigation, golfing, geocaching, hiking and many others. (Although the GPS receiver works on the ground anywhere in the world, please note that the weather signal typically cannot be received on the ground in most places.)

Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity
The XGPS170 wirelessly sends GPS and ADS-B data to up to two iPad devices simultaneously, leaving each iPad free to connect to other wireless devices via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Bluetooth Advantage over WiFi
Because the XGPS170 uses Bluetooth, the WiFi connection on your iPad is left free for other uses, such as connecting to the Internet (for weather services, flight plan updates, etc.) or to another accessory like an AHRS. There are no hassles with switching between networks and no service interruptions.

Built-In Rechargeable Battery
The XGPS170 has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 5 hours of continuous use. The included 12-30V cigarette lighter adapter charges the receiver (or the iPad) in a car or in an aircraft. The XGPS170 can also be charged using the wall charger that comes with the iPad.

Useful Non-Slip Pad Included
The included non-slip pad holds the receiver securely in place on an aircraft’s glareshield, car’s dashboard, or boat’s console.

Set Up is a Breeze
It takes less than a minute to pair your iPad with the XGPS170, and the receiver will remember your iPad the next time you want to use it.

Universal Design for Many Apps and Devices
The XGPS170 is compatible with all iPad, iPod touch and iPhone devices, as well as other Bluetooth-enabled (SPP required) smart phones, tablets and laptops (Android, Blackberry, Windows and OS X devices).

In addition to EFB apps, the XGPS170 works with most apps that require GPS, including apps for car navigation, marine chart plotting, golfing range finders, geocaching, hiking and many others.

Key Features

ADS-B Weather (FIS-B) Reception

ADS-B Traffic (ADS-R/TIS-B) Reception

Bluetooth wireless connectivity:

• Connects to up to two iPad devices simultaneously
• Leaves each iPad free to connect to other devices/service via WiFi or Bluetooth

Apple and Android support

Works with WingX Pro7, AviationMaps and Naviator. Watch for more major app announcements very soon (hint: Sun-n-Fun!)

Use with the included removable antenna or connect to an external antenna

Built-in Rechargeable Battery lasts up to 5 hours of continuous use

WAAS GPS also works with apps for car & boating navigation and many others

12-30V charger included to charge the receiver or the iPad

• The receiver can also be charged using the iPad wall charger

Adjustable brightness LEDs for day and night flying

Includes a non-slip pad to keep the XGPS170 securely in place on the glareshield or window.

Specifications

Dimensions (W x H x D) XGPS170(without the antenna): 4.3" x 2.7" x 0.8" Non-slip pad: 3.7" x 5.6" x 0.8" Weight (with the antenna): 5.3oz ADS-B 978MHz in (receive only) GPS L1 frequency, SBAS (WAAS, MSAS, EGNOS, GAGAN) supported Cold start: < 29 sec. typ. (open sky) Warm start: < 25 sec. typ. (open sky) Bluetooth: CSR engine Version 2.1 + EDR Range: ~ 10m (~ 33 ft.) (open space) Environment requirements: Operating temperature: 14°F – 140F° (-10°C – 60°C) Storage temperature: -4°F – 176F° (-20°C – 80°C) Relative humidity: 5% - 95% non condensing Operating Altitude Up to 59,000 ft. XGPS170 Voltage Input voltage: 5 VDC Internal battery Operating time: ~ 6 hours of continuous use in the ADS-B mode Charging time: ~ 3 hours Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter Voltage Input: 12–30 VDC Output: 5 VDC, 2.1A

What You Get

• The XGPS170 GPS + ADS-B Receiver
• Removable ADS-B Antenna
• 12-30V Cigarette Lighter Adapter
• Mini USB to USB charging cable
• Non-slip pad
• Status Tool App (free download from the iTunes App Store)
• Owner's manual with warranty information

Apps

The XGPS170 does not restrict you to just one EFB app. Dual is working with nearly all of the EFB app providers. Below is a list of current and soon-to-be compatible apps. Sign up for our email updates below to be notified when new apps becomes compatible.

Currently compatible with:

WingX Pro7 for Apple devices

Avilution for Android devices

Naviator for Android devices

AOPA FlyQ EFB

Bendix King myWingMan EFB

Flight Guide iEFB

GRT Avionics EFIS: HX, HXr and SX software

Coming soon:

Anywhere Map for Apple and Android devices
EFB for Apple devices
eKneeboard
Fltplan.com for Apple devices
Mobile Flight Deck from Jeppesen for Apple devices

Where To Buy

If you are a flight instructor, CAP volunteer or student enrolled in a Part 141 school please contact us for special pricing.

FAQs

How much does the XGPS170 cost? $799.99. Is there educational pricing? Yes. If you are flight instructor, CAP member, or student enrolled in a Part 141 school, please contact us for more information. Will the XGPS170 work with the iPad? Yes, the XGPS170 will work with all generations of iPad devices, including the iPad mini, and it will connect to two devices simultaneously. Will the XGPS170 work with the iPhone or iPod touch? Yes. Does the XGPS170 work with Android? Yes. Check out AviationMaps from Avilution and Naviator from 123West Software. Which EFB apps does the XGPS170 work with? We are actively working with many app companies to have the XGPS170 compatible with all the popular EFB apps. Right now, the XGPS170 works with WingX Pro7, AviationMaps and Naviator. The XGPS170 will be supported very soon by EFB apps from AnywhereEducation, Fltplan.com, Jeppesen, and Seattle Avionics. What about ForeFlight? ForeFlight is currently evaluating the XGPS170 and has not made a decision yet. At what altitude should I expect to be receiving ADS-B signals? It varies widely. In our area, we start picking up signals around 800 feet. In contrast, our test pilot in SC reports that he has to be above 2000' AGL. So it really depends upon your location. In the Status Tool app, I see the METARs and NOTAMs "light" blinking pretty regularly. Why don't I see the FIS-B light blinking? The Status Tool app is showing you what's being received on a moment-by-moment basis. METARs and NOTAMs are broadcast over ADS-B very frequently. On the other hand, Regional NEXRAD is broadcast every 2.5 minutes, and the transmission lasts about 15-20 seconds. CONUS NEXRAD is broadcast every 15 minutes and the transmission also lasts only about 15-20 seconds. So it's very easy to miss the FIS-B "blinking light" in the app, particularly if you're busy flying the plane. Why don't I see any traffic? As you probably already know, the ground system only broadcasts traffic information when it detects a certified ADS-B Out transponder operating at 978MHz. Not many aircraft have this equipment installed yet. But what's less well known is that the commercial traffic operating a 1090ES transponder is also not activating the ADS rebroadcast system because of the configuration of the transponder: unless the aircraft has a certified UAT receiver, the 1090ES transponder must tell the ground system not to rebroadcast it's information onto the UAT frequency. Consequently, most commercial traffic is not appearing to users of UAT receivers. I can see that there is CONUS NEXRAD weather over parts of the US. Why don't I see that in the Status Tool app? The weather display box only shows a 100 mile radius around your location, so CONUS weather will not be displayed. Will the XGPS170 work outside of the US? The FAA's ADS-B service is only broadcast in the US, so the XGPS170 will only receiver weather information in the US. The FAA's current coverage map for ADS-B is here. However, the GPS feature of the XGPS170 will work anywhere in the world. Will the XGPS170 work with ADS-B in Europe or Australia? No, the XGPS170 is tuned to 978MHz, and the European and Australian systems broadcast on 1090MHz. Is the XGPS170 a single or dual frequency receiver? The XGPS170 is a single frequent 978 MHz receiver. Can I use a WiFi accessory on my iPad while using the XGPS170? Yes. Because the XGPS170 uses a Bluetooth connection, you are free to use any WiFi accessory simultaneously, e.g. an AHRS or traffic receiver. Can I use another Bluetooth accessory with my iPad while using the XGPS170? Yes. Can the XGPS170 be connected to more than one device simultaneously? Yes, up to 2 devices.