Diamond Engineering PC-9042-NS Operator's manual

PC-9042-NS Portable Anechoic Chamber with positioner
Installation and Conguration Guide

Congratulations on your purchase!
Diamond Engineering’s measurement and positioning systems have been designed to aid in
the testing and development of small to medium sized antennas and radiating devices. Using our
state of the art software, this system enables you to make many dierent types of measurements
with complete user-denable conguration settings.
This manual will fully assist you with the assembling and conguring as well as teach you
how to utilize the many features of your new positioner. To achieve the full functionality of the
measurement system, it’s expected the user have some working knowledge about the concepts and
theories involved in microwaves and antenna design development.
We cannot emphasize the importance of fully reading and understanding this manual before
using the equipment to avoid damaging the unit and/or voiding your warranty.
Best regards,
The Diamond Engineering Team

Table of Contents
PC-9042 Portable Chamber - Introduction................................................................................7
Unpacking and moving the Chamber..........................................................................................9
Mounting Gimbal to Turntable .....................................................................................................10
Connecting Chamber Halves ..........................................................................................................11
Mounting The Controller Base (for self-install units only) ...................................................12
Connecting the Cables.......................................................................................................................13
RF Feedthrus / LED light switch......................................................................................................14
DUT Mounting Options (Column).................................................................................................15
DUT Mounting (Gimbal) .................................................................................................................16
Fans & Lights .........................................................................................................................................17
Optional Rotary Joint Adapter Plates...........................................................................................18
Miscellaneous Notes...........................................................................................................................19
DAMS Software Installation ............................................................................................................20
DAMS Software Conguration .......................................................................................................21
Single / Primary Positioner Control ..............................................................................................22
Detailed Motor and Axis Specications ......................................................................................23
General System Specications ........................................................................................................24
Part Drawing: Turntable Mounting Hole Pattern.....................................................................26
Part Drawing: Turntable Plate Mounting Hole Pattern..........................................................27
Part Drawing: Gimbal Mounting Plate Drawing.......................................................................28
Troubleshooting and Support.........................................................................................................29
http://www.DiamondEng.net · Suppor[email protected]
P.O. Box 2037 Diamond Springs, CA 95619 · 530-626-3857

7
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
Overview
The PC-9042 is a 90” x 42” x 42” Portable chamber with integrated positioner for testing devices up
to 20 pounds. The chamber has a unique three-section design allowing it to split apart and easily
moved through standard oce doors. The chamber also features an integrated stationary antenna
mast with adjustable Y- and Z-axis positions.
Shipment Contents
- PC-9042 Compact Chamber
- Pre-mounted DC-202 and control cables
- Separately packaged pre-assembled DC-202 gimbal (mounted after unpacking)
- 3-axis controller (2 + 1 Spare)
- 24V 5A DC power supply with line cord
- 6-foot serial cable
- USB to serial adapter
- Tools (allen wrench set and laser level)
- Setup guide and USB resource drive
- DAMS Antenna Measurement Studio software with license Key
- Python control module
- OPTIONAL: Rotary Joint adapter plate
- OPTIONAL: SPDT Auto-Polarizer Switch
PC-9042 Portable Chamber - Introduction

9
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
IMPORTANT - Follow all notes and information - it is extremely useful to have two people to
facilitate the movement of the chamber when not in completely assembled form. The center
section is shipped connected to one of the end pieces for added stability.
Unpacking and moving the Chamber
Unpacking the Chamber
1. Cut Black Strapping and unwrap chamber sections, remove any boxes sitting below sections.
2. SINGLE HALF - Using two people (EST WEIGHT 160 LBS), lift the chamber from the corner
supports and place onto oor.
3. DOUBLE HALF - Unclip the 8 draw clamps (two per top, bottom, sides) both sides should be
relatively free.
4. Using two people (EST WEIGHT 120 pounds / 160 pounds), lift each chamber from the corner
supports and place onto oor.
Support Blocks
Draw Clamps
WHEN ROLLING CHAMBER SECTIONS, DO NOT LET WHEELS GET CAUGHT ON
ANYTHING. LIFT OVER ANY LIPS OR UNEVEN STEPS.
Caster wheels
MUST
be fully retracted
before moving!!

10
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
Assembly
1. It is easiest to install the gimbal before mating the chamber sections. Place gimbal
onto turntable and hand thread the 6 berglass screws to secure the gimbal -
(IMG A)
2. Using a 14mm or 9/16” Wrench, attach the gimbal to the turntable using the 6
included grey berglass bolts. Only tighten 1/8” turn after they make contact!
(IMG B)
3. Connect the Encoder cable to the encoder mounted on the back of the step motor
4. Connect the Gimbal Motor using the 4 Pin connector. (IMG C)
Mounting Gimbal to Turntable
Img B
Img C
Encoder
Proper Orientation
MOTOR
Img A

11
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
Assembly
1. Ensure chamber halves are free of cables or debris on the mating surfaces.
2. Line up chamber sections as shown, Use the 8 draw clamps circled below to
connect each chamber section to one another.
Connecting Chamber Halves

12
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
Installation
1. Mount the controller base in the desired location, utilizing the four screw holes
which are sized for either #10 wood screws or M6 athead machine screw.
2. A good location is either on the bottom of the chamber or the rear wall behind the
positioner. Drill four separate 3/32” pilot holes, approximately 15mm in depth.
IMPORTANT: Do not drill into absorber!
3. If desired, tape included template (shown below) to the outside of the chamber.
Be sure your desired installation location is within reach of the cables. Also be sure
connectors are facing the cables.
4. Using the included screws, fasten the controller mount to the chamber with the
“back” towards the control cables.
5. Now you can slide the controller all the way onto the mount. You will feel two
clicks once it’s fully locked into place.
Mounting The Controller Base (for self-install units only)
BACK
Controller Base Plate Template

13
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
Connecting to the DC202
1. The DC202 should have it’s cables pre-connected from the factory
2. You will nd the cables wrapped up under the chamber these will be connected to
the motor controller.
Connecting to the Controller
1. Slide controller into bracket mounted on bottom of chamber
2. Connect motor cables by inserting into controller then turning small silver piece to secure them.
3. Connect black I/O cables D-DUB 15-pin connectors, tightening both retaining thumbscrews.
4. Connect 9-pin RS232 / serial connector and tighten retaining thumbscrews.
5. Repeat for both axes, ensuring wiring continuity between controller and positioner.
Connecting the Cables
MOTOR
RS-232
I/ODC IN

14
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
RF Feedthrus
1. Two panels with 2.92mm feedthru connects are provided for easy connection to
internal antennas or devices.
2. The Turntable side of the positioner also has a power switch for the internal LED
Lighting.
RF Feedthrus / LED light switch

15
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
Telescopic Column
The berglass mast includes at least one telescopic column that is for mounting your DUT. The face of this
column includes a 3/8-16 threaded stud which can be removed and ipped to reveal a 1/4-20 threaded stud.
Simply unscrew the cap, pull out stud and turn it around as shown in the photo below.
Alternatively, you can also attach a second telescopic column to extend the DUT closer to positioner.
Adapter for Stud or Threaded DUT
Some DUTs may have studs while others have a threaded hole, so we’ve included a berglass adapter with a
screw that can be used to transition the studded end of the telescopic column to accommodate a DUT with
up to a 1/4-20 threaded stud. To attach, remove the stud (pictured above) altogether and replace the cap.
This will leave a 3/8-16 threaded hole. Using the included screw, attach the square berglass adapter. Insert
your DUT with 1/4-20 stud and use a wing nut to secure it to this adapter.
DUT Mounting Options (Column)

16
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
DUT Mounting
1. Various mounting holes exist in the gimbal plate for mounting of the AUT
2. Refer to the drawing below for exact dimensions and hole sizes
DUT Mounting (Gimbal)
PROJECT
TITLE
DRAWN
CHECKED
APPROVED
SCALE WEIGHT SHEET
DWG NO REVCODESIZE
1/11:5
7/18/2022K. DURLIN
13008A A
DC202
GIMBAL DUT BACK PLATE
.500
5.750
MAT'L: FIBERGLASS
NOTES:
1. SEE 3D MODEL FOR MORE
INFORMATION.
16.206
4X R1.000
4X R3.000
Ø.313
Ø.196
R.750 TYP
1.302
3.000
1.435
1.500
3.000
TYP
1.375
10X Ø.196
4X 1.375
8X .750
Ø2.500 B.C.
8.103
2.844
4.724
7.087
4.242

17
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
IMPORTANT:
EXERCISE CAUTION WITH FAN AND LIGHT WIRING WHEN SEPARATING
SECTIONS
When separating the sections to move them independently, be very careful to disconnect the lights and
fans rst. The wires extend across all three sections. Under the middle section, the clips holding the wires
in place allow the wire to be removed. Be sure to remove the wires from these clips if moving sections
totally independent of one another.
That is what the warning label below is referring to:
DISCONNECT
CABLES BEFORE
SEPARATING
SECTIONS
Power Connections
The chamber sections are equipped with inter-linking lights and fans. The power for these is supplied via the
power plug and routed under the chamber. Between two sections you’ll nd matching electrical housings
that need to be connected. Connect the pair of electrical housings pictured below.
Light connections
Fan connections
Fans & Lights

18
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
Installation of rotary joint plate (only included with some systems)
1. Fasten rotary joint to adapter plate before installing to positioner.
2. Pass RF Cable through center of gimbal hub.
3. Connect RF Cable to rotary joint using torque wrench.
4. Mount adapter plate to gimbal.
NOTE: Examine cable routing through turntable to ensure it has adequate room to
ex with rotation of the turntable.
Optional Rotary Joint Adapter Plates
Gimbal rotary joint adapter plate installed

19
Installation & Conguration PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber
Manual Control Knobs
Your system is equipped with two knobs which enable you to manually rotate each
axis of the system. Be careful, as the labels warn you, do not turn when powered o or
when under holding current. This can lead to incorrect positioning and/or other issues
with the encoder. When the knobs are used while the machine is powered o, these
movements obviously can not tracked by the software.
Limit Switches
Your DC202 turntable is equipped with limit switches which prevent the turntable
positioner from over-rotating. Over-rotation will cause cables to wrap and destroy
them.
The diagram below illustrates the +/- ~185 degree movement capable with the system
Note (DC402 shown below)
Miscellaneous Notes
Gimbal (Phi) Manual
Control Knob
Turntable (Theta)
Manual Control Knob
Position: ON
Position: OFF

20
PC-9042 Portable Anechoic Chamber Installation & Conguration
Basic Instructions
*** Administrator privileges are required. Disregard any Windows 10 incompatibility messages ***
Installing Software & Entering License Key
1. Insert the Antenna Measurement Studio CD and Install the software. Press “Yes” to
all following prompts.
2. Start the software. You will see at the top it’s running in DEMO MODE.
3. Click the arrow next to system options and click “license info” and enter the
License Key, it will say its veried.
4. You MUST click the QUIT button to exit and save changes.
5. The software is now fully unlocked and ready to use.
USB Driver Installation
1. Connect the Windows computer to the internet.
2. Connect the USB cable from the Controller to the PC.
3. Windows XP will ask if you would like to check windows update for the latest
driver, press YES. Windows 7/8/10 will automatically check the internet.
4. If the Computer does not oer to use windows update you can select the option
to have the computer look in the C:\dams\driver folder to install. The “found new
hardware” installation sequence should occur twice. Once for the USB interface
and once for the serial port.
5. Start the DAMS software click “Positioner Settings” and press “FIND.” It should
locate and automatically congure your controller.
6. Enter special settings as shown on next page of this manual for the primary
positioner (if using more than one). Press Save then QUIT.
7. If it does not nd the controller, check device manager under Ports (COM & LPT).
Ensure its not on a COM port higher than COM8. If it is, you’ll need to change it to
8 or less.
Matlab Plotting with Windows 7/8/10 - 64 Bit
When using the DAMS software under 64 Bit versions of windows 7 you must follow
the instructions below or the software will show a “could not start matlab engine” error
code.
1. Open C:\Program Files\Agilent\Vee Pro Runtime\ (May also be “Program Files (x86)”)
2. Right click on Veerun.exe and select “Properties”
3. Select the compatibility tab and check “Run as Administrator”
4. Click OK and restart DAMS Suite. Attempt to test plot a 3D le.
5. If 3D plotting works, go back and de-select “Run as administrator.”
DAMS Software Installation
Positioner Conguration
X and Y Axis
Controller USB/Serial
Gear Ratio 90
Motor Resolution 0.1125
Start Speed 1000
Stop Speed 12000
Slope 8
Holding Current ON
Mini-Stepping ON
Run Current 160 (MC3B controllers)
Idle Current 70
Full Spherical Mount Enabled
Position Tracking Enabled
MC3B specic controller commands with
above Motor Current / Hold settings
Current Setting w/Holding Current: P160,75,10
Current Setting w/o Holding Current: P160,0,10
Step Mode: H4