AIRCRAFT TRANSPONDER
• An aircraft’s transponder (short for “transmitter-responder”) is an
electronic device on aircraft that transmits a four digit code (called a
“squawk code”) which allows the aircraft to be identified by Air
Traffic Control.
• In the cockpit pilots enter the four digit code assigned to them by
ATC into the transponder (also referred to as “TXPDR” or “XPDR”)
which identifies the aircraft on the Air Traffic Control radar screen.
• There are two basic type of Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar: primary
and secondary radar.
• Primary radar will show a return on the controllers screen when the
radar signal is reflected back to the radar i.e. by an aircraft. Primary
radar does not provide any other information to the controller apart
from the distance and bearing of the aircraft.
• Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transmits an “interrogation” (a
request for information) on 1030 MHz that is received by the
transponder which in turn replies on 1090 MHz. This reply includes
the aircrafts 4-digit squawk code which allows the aircraft callsign
or registration to be displayed and can also include the aircraft’s
pressure altitude.
• Normally air traffic control will assign a squawk code with the first
clearance the flight receives (either on the ground or in the air).
• If the flight will be a VFR flight then the pilot will either set a squawk
of 1200 in the U.S. or 7000 in most of the rest of the world.
• Squawk codes issued to aircraft are unique to that aircraft and will
show the aircraft’s flight number or registration on the controllers
screen.
• Air Traffic Control “primary radars” show the bearing and distance
from the radar to the aircraft. Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
will show controllers additional information derived from the squawk
code.
A transponder works as follows.
• A unique four-digit code is assigned to an individual aircraft by air
traffic control and set in the transponder. This is called a ‘squawk’
code.
• A ground-based secondary surveillance radar sends a radio
interrogation signal to the transponder.
• On receiving this interrogation, the transponder transmits its
identifying code along with other relevant data back down to the
radar
• The data received is displayed on an air traffic controller’s radar
screen.
What is a Squawk Code?
• Squawk codes are four-digit codes ranging from 0000 all the way
through to 7777 that are set on an aircraft transponder. These
unique identifiers allow air traffic control units to distinguish
between different aircraft.
