Avalon RF TX518 User manual

Avalon RF, Inc. • 344 Coogan Way • El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • Email: s[email protected]
TX518/TX523/TX530
L-Band Video Transmitters
User's Guide & Operating Manual
REV. A - 15 Aug 2007
http://www.avalonrf.com/

AVALON RF, INC. Page ii
TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
RF EXPOSURE INFORMATION
Maximum Permissible Exposure
Any Wireless Equipment can pose health hazards if precaution is not
exercised in its use/operation, especially its proximity to the human body.
Excessive absorption of RF energy in the body is known to cause Cancer
and/or other diseases. The FCC has issued guidelines to determine the
safe distance of a transmitting antenna from the human body, to limit
absorption to safe levels. Please follow the instructions given in this
manual.
WARNING: Refer to Table 4 in Section 3 (Operating the transmitter) to
determine the MINIMUM DISTANCE the Transmitter with Antenna
mounted, or the Antenna itself (if connected via coax to the transmitter),
must be placed away from the body to minimize the health hazard. Also,
note the Warning for TX530 after Table 4.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
Table of Contents
1. General................................................................................................1
Table 1 – Model/Output Power ............................................................1
Figure A – TX500 Series Controls and Connectors..............................3
Video...................................................................................................4
Audio...................................................................................................4
Talk Back Audio Channel (Optional)....................................................4
Two Way Digital Data Link (DDL) (Optional)........................................4
RF Outputs..........................................................................................4
2. Specifications.......................................................................................5
User Interface......................................................................................5
Setup...................................................................................................5
Electrical Interface...............................................................................6
Table 2 – Current Consumption...........................................................6
Table 3 – Power Output.......................................................................7
Interconnecting....................................................................................9
Figure B – DB 15.................................................................................9
Mounting............................................................................................10
Mechanical Data................................................................................11
Environmental Conditions..................................................................12
3. Operating the transmitter. ..................................................................13
Operater Controls & Indicators...........................................................13
General Guidelines............................................................................14
Table 4 – Minimum Safe Distance.....................................................15
4. Ordering information..........................................................................16
Base Models......................................................................................16
Options..............................................................................................17
Recommended Accessories..............................................................18
Antennas........................................................................................18
Cables............................................................................................19
Battery Packs.................................................................................19
Warranty............................................................................................20

AVALON RF, INC. Page 1
TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
1. General
The TX500 series rugged transmitters are intended for use in military,
homeland security, mobile security, broadcasting and motion picture
production.
The TX500 Series is an FM modulated transmitter with a tuning range
that is model dependent. See table below for frequency ranges.
Model Frequency Range
TX5XX-00 900-1100 MHz
TX5XX-01 1100-1300 MHz
TX5XX-02 1300-1600 MHz
TX5XX-03 1600-1900 MHz
TX5XX-04 1900-2200 MHz
The following table details the RF output power of the various models:
Model Output Power
TX518 70mW
TX523 200mW
TX530 900mW
Table 1 – Model/Output Power
The Transmitter connector is a high density DB-15.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
All transmitters offer the following features:
• A single broadcast quality video channel with no delay.
• One/Two (optional) broadcast quality audio channel/s
Optional features (each ordered individually).
• Two-way Wireless Data Link (WDL) to a DX series receiver.
• Talk back audio channel.
• Alarm/Motion sensor interface.
• Telemetry inputs.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
Top View
1 Power Switch
2 WDL Antenna
3 Main Antenna
Bottom View – Broadcast
4 Power/Video Input – see Figure C
5 Data Input – see Figures F
6 Video Input – see Figure D
7 Audio Input – see Figure E
Bottom View – Security
8 Power/Video Input – see Figure B
Side Views
9 Power LED Indicator
10 Channel Select Dip Switch
Figure A – TX500 Series Controls and Connectors

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
1.1 Video.
The video input is buffered, combined with the audio subcarrier/s,
then DC level restored, limited by a white level clipping circuit, pre-
emphasized and FM modulates the transmitter RF carrier.
Avalon RF offers the following video indices of modulation:
• Industry standard frequency deviation of 2MHz.
Compatible to GMS, L3 and others.
• Wide frequency deviation of 4MHz.
1.2 Audio.
The audio input/s are buffered and FM modulated on subcarrier/s.
The factory preset subcarrier frequency is 6.5MHz but can be factory
programmed to any frequency from 5MHz to 7.5MHz. The
subcarrier/s is synthesized.
1.3 Talk Back Audio Channel (optional).
The talk back audio channel allows the camera operator (on the
transmit side) to receive instructions from the operator at the
receiver’s side. It drives an earpiece.
1.4 Two Way Wireless Digital Link (WDL) (optional).
The WDL serves as a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) / general-purpose two-
way RS422/RS485 digital link.
1.5 RF Outputs.
The transmitters have two RF outputs (Only 1 for a standard unit,
without WDL or Talk Back Audio Option). A female SMA connector
for the main transmitter and a MCX for the WDL.
Both outputs feed antennas, either directly or through a cable.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2. Specifications
2.1 User Interface.
a) On/Off Switch.
The TX500 series transmitter has an on/off switch. This shuts off
power to the entire transmitter.
b) Power on LED.
This LED has the following states:
i) Green when power in on (only applicable for WDL).
ii) Red when the transmitter is on air.
c) Hands Free Back Channel (optional).
This option allows the receiver operator to communicate with the
transmitter operator via a headset that includes an earpiece and a
microphone, when the transmitter is on air.
2.2 Setup.
The TX500 series transmitters have the following setups:
a) Video/Main RF carrier frequency (0.9GHz to 2.2GHz(*)).
b) Audio 1 sub-carrier frequency (5MHz to 6MHz).
c) Audio 2 sub-carrier frequency (6MHz to 7.5MHz).
(*) Model dependent

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.3 Electrical Interface.
The transmitter has the following interfaces:
2.3.1 Power Input
a) The transmitters operate off a 9Vdc-16Vdc unregulated voltage
source.
This input is switched and protected against reverse polarity.
a) Typical power input current consumption for the basic
configuration is (with video present):
Model Input Current
TX518 <200mA
TX523 350mA
TX530 450mA
Table 2 – Current Consumption
‘Video Presence’ detection circuitry will turn off the power amplifier
if no video is detected. This conserves power considerably and
reduces the RF output by more than 30 dB (1000 times less), if no
video is present.
Addition of option 11 (WDL) will increase the current draw by
about 200mA.
2.3.2 Video Input.
a) The video input accepts RS170, CCIR, NTSC or PAL signals.
b) Input voltage is 1Vp.p with a negative sync tip of 0.3V.
c) The input impedance is 75 Ω
ΩΩ
Ω (ohm).
2.3.3 Audio 1 and Audio 2 Inputs.
The audio inputs accept signals of 1Vp.p. and have an input
impedance of 600 Ω
ΩΩ
Ω (ohm).

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.3.4 "Talk back" audio channel to the transmitter operator (optional).
The “talk back” output drives an electromagnetic earpiece.
2.3.5 Two Way Wireless Digital Link (WDL) (Option 11)
The WDL is a 9.6KBaud (standard, other Baud rates upto 56K are
supported) Half-Duplex RS485 compatible serial interface.
2.3.6 Main RF output to antenna.
a) The main RF output connector is a 50 Ω
ΩΩ
Ω (ohm) female SMA
receptacle.
b) The RF output power is as follows:
Model
Output Power
TX518 70mW at VSWR of 1.5:1
TX523 200mW at VSWR of 1.5:1
TX530 900mW at VSWR of 1.5:1
Table 3 – Power Output
2.3.8 Wireless Digital Link (WDL) RF output.
The WDL RF output is via a 50 Ω(ohm) MCX connector. Maximum
output power is +24 dBm.
The main RF and the WDL RF outputs are identical on all the
transmitter versions.
2.3.9 Alarm/Motion Sensor input (optional – Security Type Only).
The Alarm/Motion Sensor input is an interface to a dry contact relay.
Whenever the relay circuit is closed, the transmitter goes on air.
2.3.10 Telemetry inputs (optional).

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
These analog inputs (maximum of 3) have a 1M Ω(ohm) input
impedance and a sampling rate of 500Hz. Resolution is 8 bit.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.4 Interconnecting.
All interfaces to/from the transmitter are available on the connector.
2.4.1 Security Type - DB15P connector with the following pin-out:
Figure B – DB15
Pin # Function Pin # Function
1 Power Input (+9Vdc to +16Vdc) 9 Signal Ground
2 Video Input 10 Telemetry 1 Input
3 Video Return Ground 11 Alarm/Motion Sensor Input
4 Audio 1 Input 12 RS-485 I/O ‘A’
5 Microphone Input 13 RS-485 I/O ‘B’
6 Microphone Bias 14 Telemetry 2 Input
7 Earpiece Output 15 Telemetry 3 Input
8 Power Return Ground
NOTE: This connector option allows for one audio input only, Audio 1 at 6.5
MHz (default factory set).

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.5 Mechanical
2.5.1 Mounting.
Mounting can be done in one of the following methods:
a) Clamping.
Clamping (or hard mounting) is the only method of mounting in all
fixed installations.
Clamping is the preferred method of mounting in all mobile
installations where most electrical interfaces are used. This is due
to the heat sinking needed and the weight of the connector’s and
the cable’s.
b) Clip on.
Avalon RF offers a clip on kit. This method is recommended when
only one or two interfaces are in use. Not practical for TX523 and
TX530.
c) Velcro
®
to a flat surface.
Using Velcro
®
to secure the transmitter is recommended when
only a few interfaces are in use. Not practical for TX523 and
TX530.
d) Drop-in.
The transmitter can be dropped into a bucket mounted on the side
of the video camera, like the ones usually found in ENG service.
This can be done for the TX523 or TX530 only if adequate
ventilation (for cooling) is available in the bucket and care is taken
with other cables/equipment not being damaged from the
transmitter heat.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.5.2 Mechanical Data.
a) Size 3.07” x 1.73” x 1.0 (see Figure G)
78mm x 44mm x 25.4mm
b) Weight <5.6 oz.
<158 gram
c) Shipping weight <32 oz.
<900 gram
Figure G – TX500 Series Mechanical Outline

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
2.6 Environmental Conditions.
The TX600 Series is designed to meet the following environmental
conditions:
2.6.1 Operating temperature-4°to 122°F
-20°to 50°C
2.6.2 Storage temperature -13°to 150°F
-25°to 65°C
2.6.3 Vibration 1.5G, from 10Hz to 2KHz, sine wave, 3 axis
2.6.4 Shock 15G, 25msec, half sine wave, three axis
2.6.5 Humidity 5 to 95%, non-condensing
2.6.6 Inclination Any
2.6.7 Altitude -1500 feet to 15,000 feet
-450 meter to 4,500 meters

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
3. Operating the transmitter.
Before applying power, make sure all connectors and all antennas
are hooked up.
NOTE
The transmitter will not transmit unless it has an antenna.
3.1 The transmitter has two operator controls and one indicator:
a) Channel select.
Units that have a manual synthesizer have a 4-position dip switch
that selects a channel number (from 1 to 16). The preset channel
numbers are defined by a label on the side wall of the transmitter.
The user is advised to select a channel within the permissible
frequency range to begin with, and if any interference is observed,
switch over to another channel.
b) On/Off switch.
3.2 The wireless data link is a secondary/utility link that is used to transfer
data/voice in the reverse direction and some alarms/telemetry data in
the forward direction. It is a narrow band UHF link operating at 492
MHz (but can be placed anywhere between 450-900 MHz if the user
has a licensed frequency).
Following are the characteristics:
a) VOICE: Voice is transmitted from the receiver (DX side) to the
Transmitter side (TX side). It is implemented as a VOX (voice
operated transmit) and only the headset microphone is used on
the DX side & only the earpiece is used on the TX side. The
microphone is an electret mic.
b) DATA: The data rate is 9.6KBaud fixed (other data rates upto 56K
supported) on a RS485 interface.
c) TELEMETRY/ALARMS: This data is sent about 5-6 times a
second.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
3.3 General Guidelines
The choice of a Transmitter and the Antenna to be used is dictated by
power consumption, required distance of operation of the link, if it is a
fixed or a mobile environment, the space constraints, the location
itself (indoors or outdoors, presence of nearby objects like trees,
bridges, etc.) and etc. Avalon RF will work with you to determine the
right combination. Placement/positioning of the transmitter antenna is
important for proper operation of the wireless video link. The antenna
shipped with the unit is omni-directional, which means it will radiate in
all directions and when upright (vertical) will be vertically polarized.
The receiver side antenna’s then, must also be mounted vertically.
While the above method would be the usual / most common way,
certain applications need a different placement. As an example, to
transmit between floors in a high rise building, the transmit & receive
antennas can be small, directional, high gain panel antennas,
mounted horizontally, directly ‘looking’ at each other. Circular
polarized antennas are more expensive, but give a far better
performance, especially in mobile applications.
For proper operation of the wireless link, the transmitter antenna
should be kept clear of metal objects, trees, buildings, etc. If the
transmitter is mobile such as on a video camera, ensure the antenna
is sufficiently clear of the operator’s body, especially the head. The L-
band link is a line-of-sight communication, which means the receive
antennas should ‘see’ the transmit antenna.
Another very important aspect relates to health hazards from RF
energy absorption in the body. To minimize the risk, we ask that the
user ENSURE the minimum distance of the transmitting antenna from
the human body per Table 4. These values have been calculated per
FCC Bulletin OET65, Supplement C & related documents.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
Minimum Distance from Body (in Inches)
Model Antenna
Gain 0 dBi
3 dBi 10 dBi 16 dBi 27 dBi
TX518 2” 3” 4” 8” -
TX523 3” 4” 8” 16” 48”
TX530 Distance 6” 9” 16” 32” 84”
Table 4 – Minimum Safe Distance
WARNING:
An Antenna extender cable is shipped with the TX5XX, it is meant to
hold the antenna at the minimum safe distance from the human body.
This extender cable MUST be used whenever the Transmitter is
operated in a mobile environment (such as on a camera) and the
user should mount the transmitter in a way that does not defeat the
purpose of this cable. If the transmitter is mounted in a manner other
than intended with the extender cable, it SHALL be the user’s
responsibility to ensure the above minimum distance from ‘any’
human being. Avalon RF will help/advise you if necessary.
If the antenna you received is not one of the above, use the next
higher distance or call/e-mail Avalon RF.
Operating range will depend on the transmit and receive antennas
used - a wide choice of antennas is available from Avalon RF. Please
visit the website (www.avalonrf.com) for more details.
For fixed installations, power saving can be achieved by turning off
the video camera or the video source. A ‘video presence’ detection
circuitry will turn off the power amp when no video is detected - power
will be restored when the video signal is restored. Besides power
conservation, it also eliminates high power RF transmission by
reducing the output by about 30 dB (1000 times less) when no video
is present.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
4. Ordering information
4.1 Base Models
TX518-XX Model dependent Freq range, FM modulated, O/P of
70mW
TX523-XX Model dependent Freq range, FM modulated, O/P of
200mW
TX530-XX Model dependent Freq range, FM modulated, O/P of
900mW
All units come with the following standard accessories:
4.1.1 Omni directional whip antenna
4.1.2 A 3-foot power cord with flying leads, to be connected to a customer
specific battery pack.
4.1.3 User guide and operating manual (this manual).
4.1.4 A heavy-duty reusable carton.

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TX500 Series User’s Guide & Operating Manual
4.2 Options.
4.2.1 Option 11 – Wireless Data Link (WDL)
Includes an AX502 omni-directional whip antenna with MCX
connector.
4.2.2 Option 31 – Talk back audio channel. Requires option 11.