A transponder is an electronic device that produces a response when it receives a radio-frequency interrogation. Aircraft have transponders to assist in identifying them on air traffic control radar. Collision avoidance systems have been developed to use transponder transmissions as a means of detecting aircraft at risk of colliding with each other.
Cessna ARC RT-359A transponder (beige box), beneath a VHF radio. In this example, the transponder code selected is 1200 for VFR flight (in North American airspace). The green IDENT button is marked "ID".