ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies Inc

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING MANUAL

MONITOR AND CONTROL PANEL

GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE

FOR Solid State Power AmplifierS (SSPA)

IN SINGLE OR 1:1 REDUNDANT CONFIGURATION

PM 380-100796-041 REV. 4

M&C Panel GUI

WARRANTY

This ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies, Inc. product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 2 years from date of shipment. During the warranty period, ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies, Inc. will, at its option, either repair or replace products that will prove to be defective.

To return a product for warranty or repair service, you must first request a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number by contacting ADVANTECH at:

Phone:(514) 420-0045orFax: (514) 420-0073

Website:

The unit should be shipped to the following address, in original shipping container (box), with shipping charges prepaid.

ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies, Inc.

657 Orly Avenue

Dorval, Quebec

H9P 1G1

CANADA

Please indicate the RMA number on all shipping documentation.

Units shipped without prior issued RMA, or shipped not in original packing, may be subject of rejection and returned at sender’s own expense.

LIMITATIONS OF WARRANTY

ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies, Inc. warrants this product to be free of materials and workmanship defects.

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper handling or abuse by the Buyer, unauthorized modification, operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper installation or maintenance.

ADVANTECH Advanced Microwave Technologies, Inc. shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages.

CONTENTS

1.DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPHIC INTERFACE......

1.1Graphic Interface Display......

1.2INSTALLATION OF THE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE......

1.2.1Installation Procedure......

1.3OPERATION FROM THE GRAPHIC INTERFACE......

FIGURES

Figure 1: Graphic Interface Display......

TABLES

TABLE 1: HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDED SETTINGS......

1.DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPHIC INTERFACE

The ADVANTECH SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL Graphic Interface is used for single amplifiers, for 1:1 redundant systems with two high power amplifiers, or for 1:2 redundant systems with three high power amplifiers, monitoring the status of the system and providing control to the amplifiers and to the switching system. The Graphic Interface displays the parameters of one amplifier at a time and the status of the redundancy system.

The controllers of the amplifiers assure the monitoring and control of the entire system (either for a single unit or for two or three amplifiers) and of the redundancy switches.

In case of using a Remote Monitor and Control Panel between the redundant system and the PC containing the SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL software, in order to monitor the redundant system, this M & C Panel should be turned off (unplugged).

Each amplifier has a serial address of its own, factory preset: amplifier A has address 0, amplifier B has address 1 and amplifier S has address 2. Using these different addresses the M & C Panel and the SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL Monitor software are able to discriminate between amplifiers. Note that the operator, using the communication software of this Graphic Interface may change these addresses. The three addresses must be different.

1.1Graphic Interface Display

The ADVANTECH SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL Monitor Graphic Interface display provides an upper register with ADVANTECH logo and a polling time control knob (by which the operator may fix the polling time between 200 ms and 1000 ms).

It consists of:

Upper register with ADVANTECH logo in the upper left side, “SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL” title in the middle and the polling time control knob. The polling time control may be fine adjusted using the two tiny arrows located near the window displaying the set polling time.

The display area, located in the middle part of the Graphic Interface window, contains three displaying windows:

RESPONSE PACKET IN ASCII

As seen in Figure 1 at page 12, this displaying window has three rows:

The first row displays the ASCII response of the SSPA to a query. Following the header >00A, the letter L (standing for LED’s like indicators) is followed by 9 status bytes:

POWER ON
RF ON
ALARM
FAULT
ON LINE
STBY
MUTE
AUTO
REMOTE

Followed by S and another group of 5 bytes:

ASCII Byte:

“0” – no message available

“1” – a new message (ALARM or FAULT) available

ASCII Byte:

“0” – no event

“1” – operator request to go to LOCAL

ASCII Byte:

“0” – no Control Interface (CIF)

“1” – Control Interface (CIF) in control

ASCII Byte:

“0” – not 1 for 2 redundant

“1” – set for 1 for 2 redundant mode of operation

ASCII Byte:

“0” – no priority in 1 for 2 redundancy mode

“1” – give priority to A in 1 for 2 redundancy mode

The second row displays after the letter M (standing for messages) a string of ASCII characters containing an ALARM or FAULT message (if such a message exists).

The third row displays the parameters of the SSPA(ignore the “00AP” header and the #; trailer):

‘A’ is followed by the set attenuation level, in dB (for single amplifiers or for 1 for 1 redundant systems) or by the attenuation level for traffic A (for 1 for 2 redundant systems).

‘C’ is followed by supply DC current, in amperes

‘M’ is followed by the user defined threshold of the output power under which an

ALARM (“Low output”) is issued, in dBm

‘O’ is followed by the output power level, in dBm

‘R’ is followed by the reflected power level, in dBm (a dummy value, as the reflected

power is not monitored for these units)

‘TM’ is followed by the hot spot temperature of the Power Module, in Celsius

‘TS’ is followed by shroud temperature, in degrees Celsius

‘VS’ is followed by supply voltage, in volts

FIRMWARE REVISION (the revision of the firmware in the controller).

This displaying area shows the revision number of the firmware. To visualize this information, the operator has to click on the “F/W REV.” push-button situated to the left, under this displaying area.

ID & SERIAL NUMBER

This displaying area shows the identification of the monitored amplifier and its serial number. To visualize this information, the operator has to click on the “ID & Ser.” push-button situated to the right, under this displaying area.

PORT NUMBER

This displaying window shows the number of the port at the PC that is used for communication. Usually this port is 2. It may be changed using the tiny arrows at the left of this window.

ADDRESS

This displaying window shows the address of the currently monitored Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA). This address may be changed using the tiny arrows at the left of this window. Note that this action will not change the address of the unit itself, but the polling address by which the software is monitoring one unit or another. Consequently, when this address is set to 0 the SSPA Monitor & Control software will monitor and control the amplifier with address 0 (usually the A amplifier). When this address is set to 1 the software will monitor and control the amplifier with address 1 (usually the B unit). When this address is set to 2 the software will monitor and control the unit with address 2 (usually the S amplifier).

BAUD RATE

This displaying window shows the baud rate used in this communication. This application is base on a 9600 bps baud rate. The baud rate may be changed using the tiny arrows at the left of this window. However, setting this baud rate at a different value than 9600 may cause the loosing of communication.

COMSET

This displaying window shows the address of the monitored unit (like “ADDRESS” window), but from it the operator may actually change the address of the monitored amplifier. Using the tiny arrows at the left of this unit (or just typing another number in this window) after the “COMSET” push-button was clicked upon, will set the new value for the address of the monitored unit. The new address will take effect only after clicking on the “RESET” push-button. Be aware that at any moment the units should have different addresses, otherwise conflicting addresses will lead to communication being lost.

D/L KEY (DOWNLOAD KEY)

In this displaying window the user must type a special code (key) received (with the permission to use it) from ADVANTECH, in order to be able to load base software in Page A of the M&C board of an amplifier or hex tables in Page B of its M&C board.

D/L LINE (DOWNLOAD LINE)

This displaying window will show lines of the software being downloaded from PC to the M&C board. You may also follow the progress of this download on the bottom bar of this Graphic Interface.

TABLE 1: HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDED SETTINGS
Processor / Pentium 133 MHz / Memory (RAM) / at least 64 MB
Hard Drive / at least 50 MB free space available / Medium / A floppy or CD-ROM drive
Mouse / Two button mouse
Display / SVGA monitor, that can support 65536 Colours, Small Fonts Enabled, and 1024 x 768 resolution.
Regional Options / Numbers  Decimal symbol  . (decimal point)
Operating system / MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS NT

1.2INSTALLATION OF THE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE

The SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL Graphic Interface software is designed for installation on a standard IBM compatible PC with MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS NT operating system (see settings in TABLE 1 at page 8).

1.2.1Installation Procedure

Insert diskette #1 in the appropriate slot of the PC.
Click StartRun and run the program A:\Setup.exe that will install the software on your computer, in a folder named C:\Advantech.
A window called “ADVANTECH COM. PORT TEST Installation” will be displayed on your monitor. You will be prompted to install the software in C:\ADVANTECH folder (click on Finish, if you choose this option). You may choose to select another folder in which to install the software. In this case click on Change case and then type the name of the folder in which you want to install the software and then click on Finish. After the first diskette is installed you will be prompted to insert the second diskette: in a window called SETUP the message “Please insert disk number 2 in drive A:” will be displayed. Remove diskette #1 and place diskette #2 in the appropriate slot of the PC, then click on “OK”. Wait until “ADVANTECH COM. PORT TEST installation successful!” message is displayed, then click OK. After installing:
Run the executable program Advcom41.exe from your PC.
The Control Panel Graphic Interface window should display on the monitor of your PC (see Figure 1 at page 12).
Verify that the serial communication port address is correctly set (default value is COM2, indicating serial port address 2 at your PC). You can read this port address in the upper left corner of the mimic display area of the graphic interface window. You may change this address by clicking one or the other of the two tiny arrows associated with it. Verify that the baud rate is set at 9600 bps. You may change the baud rate using the tiny arrows associated with the window displaying the baud rate in order to make it correspond to the baud rate of the Monitor & Control Panel (if you are using such a panel). If the port address and the baud rate are adequately set, and the amplifiers are functioning, you should be able by now to establish communication between your PC and the amplifiers. This will result in a “live” display of the status of amplifiers and of the redundant system as well as of different amplifier parameters.

1.3OPERATION FROM THE GRAPHIC INTERFACE

Push-buttons:

F/W REV.Click on this button to visualize the revision of the firmware installed in the controller. You will then be able to see this information displayed in the “FIRMWARE REVISION” displaying area.

MUTEClick on this button to mute the amplifier that is presently in communication with the SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL program.

UNMUTEClick on this button to un-mute the amplifier that is presently in communication with the SSPA MONITOR & CONTROL program.

AUTOClick on this push-button to set the system in AUTO mode (when in AUTO mode, the control of the redundancy switches is automatic). Note that the AUTO command will be issued for all amplifiers, not only for the monitored one.

MANUALClick on this push-button to set the system in MANUAL mode (when in MANUAL mode, the control of the redundancy switches is transferred to the operator, who may switch amplifier A toward the antenna, amplifier B toward the dummy load, etc.). Note that the MANUAL command will be issued for all amplifiers, not only for the monitored one.

A/ANTClick on this push-button to direct amplifier A toward the antenna. For 1 to 1 redundant systems this means that amplifier B output will be directed toward the dummy load. For 1 to 2 redundant systems pressing A/ANT button will direct the A transmission line toward antenna.

B/LOADClick on this push-button to direct amplifier B toward the dummy load. For 1 to 1 redundant systems this means that amplifier A output will be directed toward the antenna. For 1 to 2 redundant systems pressing B/LOAD button will direct the B transmission line toward the dummy load.

ID & Ser.Click on this push-button to visualize the ID name and the serial number of the currently monitored unit. You will then be able to see this information displayed in the “ID & SERIAL NUMBER” displaying area.

CLEARClick on this push-button to clear the alarm and fault messages after the cause of alarm or fault was removed.

NO PRIORClick on this push-button to set the “no priority” mode to the system. When in this mode no amplifier (or transmission line) has any priority over others.

PRIOR AClick on this push-button to set the “priority for A” mode to the system. When in this mode amplifier A (or transmission line A) has priority over others. For example, if in a 1 to 2 redundant system the amplifier B (on B transmission line) became defective and the stand-by unit (amplifier S) took charge of the B transmission line, and later amplifier A failed, the S unit will be switch to work for A transmission line as this direction has priority.

PAGE AClick on this push-button to download the base software in Page A of the M&C board of the amplifier you are in communication with. In order to do this, a special code (key) from ADVANTECH is necessary.

PAGE BClick on this push-button to download the tables hex file in Page B of the M&C board of the amplifier you are in communication with. In order to do this, a special code (key) from ADVANTECH is necessary.

COMSETClick on this push-button to change the address of the unit you are in communication with. Be aware that at any moment the units should have different addresses, otherwise conflicting addresses will lead to communication being lost.

RESETClick on this push-button to reset the M&C board of the amplifier you are in communication with.

ATTEN.Click on this push-button to set the attenuation of the monitored unit. The attenuation may be set using the tiny arrows at the left of the attenuation display window (or by typing an attenuation value inside this window). Note that the attenuation on one unit may be set from 0 to 20 dB, in 0.1 dB steps: for example, 9.5 is a valid entry, while 22.3 or 9.45 are invalid.

STDLUse this push-button to configure the system for standalone operation.

REDUse this push-button to configure the system for redundant operation.

COLD S/BUse this push-button to set the stand-by amplifier in cold stand-by mode (only for redundant systems).

HOT S/BUse this push-button to set the stand-by amplifier in hot stand-by mode (only for redundant systems).

NO LOCALClick on this push-button to refuse a request to go in LOCAL status, issued from the front panel of the SSPA by a local operator.

8 BITSClick on this push-button to set for an 8 bits serial protocol.

7 BITSClick on this push-button to set for a 7 bits serial protocol.

THRESHClick on this push-button to set the threshold level of the output power under which a “Low output power” ALARM signal will be generated. The threshold level may be set using the tiny arrows at the left of the threshold level display window (or by typing a value inside this window). Note that the threshold level on one unit may be set from 30 to 50 dB, in 0.1 dB steps: for example, 32 is a valid entry, while 32.5 or 3.75 are invalid.

STOPClick on this round red push-button to terminate the communication. To enter again the communication program you have to click on the white arrow situated at the left of the command bar at the top of this Graphic Interface. Note that after pressing the round STOP button the communication will freeze and in order to restart it you have to click on the tiny white right arrow (called “Run”) situated on the toolbar displayed in the upper part of the communication window.

Figure 1: Graphic Interface Display