What does an Electronic Altimeter Receiver-Transmitter do?

What does an Electronic Altimeter Receiver-Transmitter do?

• A. Transmits the pulses, but does not receive any reflections.
• B. Transmits the pulses, receives reflections, and processes them to determine altitude.
• C. Transmits the pulses, receives reflections, and processes the data to determine altitude, then sends the information to the mission computer.
• D. Provides cockpit weather information to the pilot.

Answer: (C)

This device is a radar-based height-measuring unit. It transmits radio pulses toward the ground, receives the reflections, and uses the time it takes for the pulses to travel to the ground and back to calculate altitude above the surface. It then passes that altitude data to the mission computer so the system can use it for automated control, navigation, and decision-making. It isn’t a weather source for the cockpit; weather information comes from a different subsystem.

This device is a radar-based height-measuring unit. It transmits radio pulses toward the ground, receives the reflections, and uses the time it takes for the pulses to travel to the ground and back to calculate altitude above the surface. It then passes that altitude data to the mission computer so the system can use it for automated control, navigation, and decision-making. It isn’t a weather source for the cockpit; weather information comes from a different subsystem.