Aviation's Panel Mount Avionics Installation Leader

Garmin Introduces the GWX 70 Weather Radar


The GWX 70 is a technologically advanced weather radar that collects real-time precipitation intensity to provide the pilot with the tactical weather information needed to help avoid severe weather. The GWX 70’s compact, all-in-one antenna/receiver/transmitter is designed for easy installation in a wide variety of aircraft. Available antenna sizes include 10, 12 and 18 inch.

Using solid state pulse compression technology, the GWX 70 performs all of the same basic functions as the GWX 68 at a comparable price (NO More MAGNETRON). The GWX 70 combines exceptional range and adjustable scanning profiles with precision target definition for accurate, real-time weather analysis in the cockpit.


Advanced features for compatible displays via optional software enablements include Turbulence Detection and Ground Clutter Suppression. Turbulence detection is a type of advanced, Doppler-enabled technology to identify turbulence in air containing particulates, such as precipitation or dust, out to 40 nautical miles. Previously, this level of technology was only available onboard commercial and large business aircraft, but the GWX 70 opens the door for aircraft of all sizes to affordably obtain the benefits of a high-end weather radar. Ground clutter suppression is also available as an option, which allows the GWX 70 to identify radar returns from the ground and remove them from the display.

With the addition of Ground Mapping Mode, the GWX 70 provides a real-time depiction of terrain for various applications - such as an additional navigational aid.

On compatible displays, Altitude Compensated Tilt will also reduce the pilot’s workload. One of the challenges with older radars is the need for the pilot to change the tilt of the radar with any altitude change. This process is automated in the GWX 70 such that the pilot needs to set the tilt only once and the radar automatically adjusts with any future altitude changes.

Garmin’s exclusive WATCH™ feature (Weather Attenuated Color Highlight) helps identify the shadowing effects of short-range cell activity, highlighting areas where radar signals are weakened, or attenuated, by intense precipitation and that may not fully reflect the “storm behind the storm.” To focus radar scanning on a specific area of interest, the GWX 70 offers pilot-adjustable sector scan angles from 20 to 120 degrees. The system also includes a vertical scanning function to aid in analyzing storm tops, gradients and cell buildup activity at various altitudes.

 

Display Compatibility
In most installations, the GWX 70 is a direct replacement for the GWX 68. It is compatible with a breadth of Garmin multifunction displays, including the GTN series touch screen avionics, the G1000 integrated flight deck, the

GMX 200, MX 20 and G500/G600. The availability will differ for each display. We will have full-feature support on the GTN products with GTN software version 3.0 available in Q4 2012. The G600/G500 and GMX200/MX20 will support GWX 68-like capabilities via the ARINC 708 interface upon initial GWX 70 certification. A number of manufacturers have already selected the GWX 70 for installation on new aircraft - including Cessna’s Citation Ten, Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, as well as Bombardier’s Learjet 70 and Learjet 75. Garmin expects to receive Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification of the GWX 70 in August 2012. For more information, please contact your Regional Sales Manager or visit www.garmin.com

An Airborne Weather Radar with 40 Watt Transmitter output? Is this a typo?
No. Weather radar performance depends upon how much energy it can reflect off of targets and receiver sensitivity. In traditional magnetron-based radar systems, very high power pulses are transmitted, typically 4-8kW. Pulse width relates to range resolution, so using wider pulses to put more effective energy on the target results in lower resolution of the returns, so magnetron based radars only use pulses of very short duration, typically 2 to 4 microseconds. Also, due to inherent limitations in magnetrons, Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) is normally limited to around 100Hz. In the time that a magnetron-based radar can put one pulse on the target, the solid state transmitter in the GWX 70 can put hundreds of lower power pulses on the same target, which equates to the same or more effective energy on the target. With Pulse Compression technology made possible through Digital Signal Processing (DSP), the GWX 70 can also transmit much wider pulses which likewise result in more effective energy, without the typical loss in range resolution experienced by traditional radar systems. Finally, the DSP receiver in the GWX 70 is 10-15dB more sensitive than typical radar systems available in the GA market. All of these technologically advanced capabilities of the GWX 70 result in outstanding performance exceeding that of typical magnetron based radars.


Current Display Compatibility Table
GTN G600/G500 GMX 200/MX20
GWX 70 Advanced Features Standard Features Standard Features
Interface Port HSDB ARINC 708* ARINC 708

Future Display Compatibility Table
G600/G500
GWX 70 Advanced Features
Interface Port HSDB*
*Garmin recommends provisioning for HSDB interface for qualifying products

Please call for Price and Availability
Part Number Product
010-00793-01 GWX-70 (10") Antenna and Install Kit
010-00793-02 GWX-70 (12") Antenna and Install Kit
010-00793-03 GWX-70 (18") Antenna and Install Kit