Amphenol RET User manual

RET user guide
For MDCU-G0000 –V4.1 & V4.2
Software : MD3.10 & A2-5.05
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Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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1Table of contents
2 Acronyms........................................................................................................................................................ 3
3 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Definition of RET.................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Amphenol RET’s principle...................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 RET manual check.................................................................................................................................. 6
3.3.1 RET with plastic tube..................................................................................................................... 6
3.3.2 RET without plastic tube ............................................................................................................... 7
3.4 Electrical RET check ............................................................................................................................... 8
3.4.1 With Amphenol Antenna Solutions PCU-4.................................................................................... 8
3.4.2 With Kathrein ALC....................................................................................................................... 13
3.4.3 With Kathrein ALC –version 2020 .............................................................................................. 13
3.4.4 With Huawei PAA........................................................................................................................ 13
4 Unique ID...................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Recent antenna models (>2013) ......................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Old antenna models (<2013) ............................................................................................................... 15
5 Reconfigure the MDCU................................................................................................................................. 16
5.1.1 MDCU V4.2.................................................................................................................................. 16
5.2 Send the generic file with an ALC ........................................................................................................ 17
5.2.1 On screen.................................................................................................................................... 17
6 How to check an Amphenol antenna with an ALC ....................................................................................... 20
6.1 Sending a generic file with a PCU-4..................................................................................................... 23
7 Modify MDCU data (Sector ID, Installer ID…)............................................................................................... 27
7.1 With ALDC Software ............................................................................................................................ 27
8 Export an ALDC Software report .................................................................................................................. 29
9 Installation of MDCU in antenna.................................................................................................................. 31
10 Other recommendation ........................................................................................................................... 32
11 Current defaults ....................................................................................................................................... 33
11.1 List of alarms........................................................................................................................................ 33
11.2 RET-MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................. 36
11.3 DEVICE NOT FOUND ............................................................................................................................ 36
11.4 Other problem..................................................................................................................................... 36

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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2Acronyms
AAS: Amphenol Antenna Solutions
AISG: Antenna Interface Standards Group (http://www.aisg.org.uk/)
ALD: Antenna Line Device
MDCU: Multiple Device Control Unit
PCU: Portable Control Unit
RET: Remote Electrical Tilt
BTS : Base Transceiver Station
RRH : Remote Radio Head
GSM : Global System for Mobile
MUX : Multiplexer
ALC : Antenna Line Controller
PAA : Portable AISG Adapter
ALDC : Antenna Line Device Control
TMA : Tower Mounted Amplifier
RRU : Remote Radio Unit

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3Introduction
3.1 Definition of RET
A RET is an electronic system connected to an antenna which can change the tilt of the signal
radiated by the antenna. In the past, operators used to send a person on site to manually change the
tilt. Nowadays, the RET uses the AISG standard protocol included in antennas and BTS to remotely
control the tilt.

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3.2 Amphenol RET’s principle
The RET of AAS antennas comprises of a motor
to change the tilt of each array together with a
potentiometer to measure the position.
This system is preconfigured in production and
does not require a calibration when the antenna
is on the site.
The MUX board enables
the control of up to 16
motors with a single
MDCU.
The MDCU includes AISG protocol,
relevant antenna data and controls
the RET’s via the MUX board. It can be
replaced in the field.

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3.3 RET manual check
3.3.1 RET with plastic tube
To manually check a Tube RET, the plastic tube need to be removed:
-Do a counter-clockwise rotation of plastic tube
-The tube is now unlocked
-Pull the plastic tube towards you to remove it from the end cap
-The RET can be now mechanically controlled by rotating the red knob by hand in a clockwise
or counter-clockwise direction
-If the RET can rotate freely then it is functional

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3.3.2 RET without plastic tube
-To mechanically control the RET without the plastic tube design, apply pressure to the
relevant color coded knob (yellow, red or blue) and while pressing it inwards, rotate the RET
in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction
-If the RET rotates freely, then it is functional
→

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3.4 Electrical RET check
If manual intervention is not possible or not desired, RET controllers can be used. The following
paragraphs show how to use several of these tools.
3.4.1 With Amphenol Antenna Solutions PCU-4
Amphenol Antenna Solutions offers its own RET control solution. The PCU-4 tool is delivered as
a kit comprising of a computer software application together with a HW test interface with all the
necessary cables and accessories.
For electrical control, the PCU-4 kit must be connected to the antenna MDCU, (there is no difference
to connect the kit with an antenna containing old or new RETs as the MDCUs are standardized).
The PCU-4 kit contains the following :
1x Power supply cable
1x AISG cable
1x Link cable PCU-4 - Computer
1x Power supply unit
1x PCU-4 unit
- Connect the power cable to the power supply and the power supply unit .
- Connect the power supply unit to the PCU-4 unit

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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→
-Link the PCU-4 unit to your computer with the link cable PCU-4 - Computer

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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- To complete the PCU-4 - Antenna link, connect the male end of the AISG cable to the PCU-4
block and the female end of the AISG cable to the MDCU.
→
→

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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-Once the antenna is connected, run the latest version of the ALDC software.
-Once the software is open, click Scan > Scan Device, then click OK to start scanning.
→
-Wait until a window opens showing you the number of RETs scanned.
-The number of RETs scanned must be the same as the number of RETs in your antenna.
-To control a RET, select it, click on Set Tilt, enter the desired tilt to reach in the "Current
Tilt" section, and then click on Set Tilt.
-Once the desired tilt is achieved, a window opens to indicate the success of operation

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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-To control the other RETs, click on OK, then repeat the operation by clicking again on Set
Tilt

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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3.4.2 With Kathrein ALC
3.4.3 With Kathrein ALC –version 2020
3.4.4 With Huawei PAA

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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4Unique ID
4.1 Recent antenna models (>2013)
In the AISG standard document called "AISG Specification: Layer 2 Array identification", the Unique
ID is defined with the following format:
Seller Code + Unique Number +[seperator] + Array ID
Our Unique ID therefore has the following format:
Seller Code + RET Serial Number (including[seperator] + Array ID)
Seller Code
JB or AI
RET Serial Number
The RET Serial Number is used for Unique Number.
[separator]
“-”
Array ID
Array ID corresponding to network name. For example : R1 or Y4
Our RET Serial Number is coded on 17 characters following this rule:
S P yymmdd nnnn AA -Cn
S
S [in capital letter] :
A = standard value
For TRIO antennas:
A or B or C = This letter corresponds to the position (sector) of the antenna in the TRIO
P
P [in capital letter] :
M= MDCU
C= Cassette RET
E= External RET
A= MDDU, port A
B= MDDU, port B
yymmdd
yymmdd [Production date] :
Year (2 digits) Month (2 digits) Day (2 digits)
nnnn
Sequence (0000 to 9999)
Used to differentiate antennas manufactured on the same day.
AA
Two digits (00 to 15) for motor address.
The address is used in production to identify the position of the motors in the antenna.
-Cn
Corresponds to the color and network number.

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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4.2 Old antenna models (<2013)
Prior to 2013 the "Unique ID" format was not standardized. At Amphenol Antennas Solutions, we had
the following format:
Seller Code + RET Serial Number
Seller Code
JB or AI
RET Serial Number
The RET Serial Number is used for Unique Number.
The RET Serial Number was coded on 17 characters following this rule:
C –S P L yymmdd nnnn AA
C
C [Capital letter for the color] :
Z= standard value
The letter corresponds to the color of the plastic ring on the antenna :
R= RED (Rouge)
W= WHITE (Blanc)
B= BLUE (Bleu)
G= GREEN (VERT)
Y= YELLOW (Jaune)
-
- (dash) = standard value
This value changes for antenna TWIN :
L= to designate a RET that is linked to a port on the left side of the antenna
R= to designate a RET that is linked to a port on the right side of the antenna
S
S [Capital letter for the sector] :
A = standard value
For antenna TRIO :
A or B or C = corresponds to the sector of the antenna
P
P [Capital letter for the type of RET ] :
M= MDCU
C= Cassette RET
E= External RET
A= MDDU, side A
B= MDDU, side B
L
L [Capital letter corresponding at the place of manufacture] :
A= Amboise
W= Wellingborough
C= Chennai
H= Hickory
R= Rockford
K = Kocani
yymmdd
yymmdd [Production date] :
Year (2 digits) Month (2 digits) Day (2 digits)
nnnn
Unique identification number
AA
Two digits (00 to 15) for motor address.
The address is used in production to identify the position of the motors in the antenna.

5Reconfigure the MDCU
If you want to change the MDCU of an antenna you have multiple choices:
-1: Order a new MDCU correctly configured for your antenna
-2: Execute a swap with another antenna
-3: Order a new MDCU without configuration
In cases 2 and 3 you must configure your MDCU. For this you must request the generic file
corresponding to your antenna model ( [e-mail]). To order a
new MDCU, you can contact us by email: [e-mail].
The generic file from an antenna is not a configuration file of AISG standard. It allows the
reconfiguration of all parameters from the MDCU with only one file by antenna model. To use this file
the MDCU must be in MD3.10 version software.
5.1.1 MDCU V4.2
Since the third quarter of 2020, new generation AAS antennas (NodeIine Series and the majority of
TwinPlus) are equipped with a memory function storing the MDCU configuration and information
within the antenna.
The MDCU V4.2 (MDCU with blue front panel) allows this memory to be read, so when replacing the
MDCU V4.2 on new generation antennas you will not need to reconfigure your MDCU. It will
automatically and instantaneously retrieve the antenna configuration.
If you need to replace the MDCU in an older generation antenna, you may continue to use the
generic files.

5.2 Send the generic file with an ALC
This process is compatible with ALC 2.40 software version
5.2.1 On screen
-Deposit the generic file on a USB key
-Execute a scan with a MDCU directly connected to the ALC
-In the tree menu: Menu/ALD Configuration/ALD-Download/ FW/Bootloader File

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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-Select only one RET with “select ALD” button
-Click on « USB-Stick »
-Click on « Select Volume » and select your USB key

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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Page 19 sur 69
-Click on « Select file » and select the generic file of your antenna.
-Click on “ok” two times. The download process is running
-The « ✓» symbol shows when the download is completed.
You can now perform a new scan to verify the correct reconfiguration of your MDCU.

Title : Amphenol Antenna Solutions RET User Manual
Titre : Manuel d’utilisation des RET Amphenol Antenna Solutions
Reference : Manuel d’utilisation
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6How to check an Amphenol antenna with an ALC
To check if your antenna works correctly, you must connect the ALC directly to the MDCU port
(without bias-tee, TMA….).
-Power-on your ALC and click on “connect” (or “reconnect”) button.
-The ALC scans the AISG bus to find the RETs. The ALC shows “Scanning finished” when
done: