ELAD FDM-S3 User manual

www.eladit.com -www.elad-usa.com
ELAD FDM-S3
Direct Sampling Wideband Receiver
USER MANUAL

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
2
Contents
Revision History ......................................................................................................................................2
Package Contents.................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Reference Clock Manager Module ......................................................................................... 5
1.3 Features .................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 Requirements.......................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Front End Block Diagram......................................................................................................... 7
2 Panels Description...........................................................................................................................8
2.1 Front Panel Description ..........................................................................................................8
2.2 Rear Panel Description............................................................................................................ 9
3 Optional Preselector Filters ..........................................................................................................11
4 USB COM Ports..............................................................................................................................12
4.1 Reference Clock Manager Module COM Port.......................................................................12
4.2 Internal Gnss module COM Port...........................................................................................13
5 Order Options ...............................................................................................................................14
5.1 Oscillator Version..................................................................................................................14
5.2 Preselector Filters .................................................................................................................14
5.3 Downconverter Module........................................................................................................14
Technical Specifications ........................................................................................................................15
Product Warranty .................................................................................................................................16
Declaration of Conformity (EC) .............................................................................................................17
FCC Declaration of Conformity (DoC) ...................................................................................................18
Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
Rev 1
10/2020
First revision.
Rev 2
10/2020
Minor corrections on some descriptions.
Revised section 1.1 - Overview.
Revised section 1.3 - Features.
Revised section 3 - Optional Preselector Filters.
Rev 3
10/2020
Added section 1.5 - Front End Block Diagram.
Added section 4 - USB COM Ports.
Updated Technical Specifications to rev 2.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
3
Package Contents
1 ELAD FDM-S3.
3 SMA/BNC adapters.
1 USB flash drive.
1 DC power cord (Powerpole to open wires).
1 USB 3.0 A-B cable.
The Gnss antenna is not supplied with all versions, please check ELAD websites for details.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
4
1Introduction
1.1 Overview
The FDM-S3 is the third device of the FDM-Sx series, in addition to the usual 192kHz, 384kHz,
1.5MHz, 3MHz and 6MHz bandwidths it features two additional bandwidths of 12MHz and 24MHz.
Frequency coverage range is from 9kHz to 108MHz with pre-amplifier and internal filter for the FM
band, an optional downconverter will be soon available to extend frequency covering range over
108MHz.
Two versions of the FDM-S3 with different oscillator characteristics are available :
version with TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator), with a good frequency
stability and a lower power consumption,
version with OCXO (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator), with a higher degree of frequency
stability but also a higher power consumption.
The FDM-S3 embeds a 16 bits AD converter (LTC2208) which runs at a variable sample rate of
122.88MHz or 98.304MHz. This technique allows to choose the better sample rate in function of the
tuning frequency.
Even if the maximum frequency declared is 108MHz, tuning is left open above 108MHz for
experimental purposes. The following table summarizes some information about the FDM-S3
behavior in function of the RF input chosen and the tuned frequency.
RF Input
Tuned Frequency
Sample Rate
Internal Path
HF-1 / HF-2
9kHz to 54MHz
122.88MHz
LP filter + preselector filters
VHF
54MHz to 68.88MHz
98.304MHz
Bypass + preamp
VHF
68.88MHz to 108MHz
122.88MHz
FM filter + preamp
VHF
108MHz to 147MHz
98.304MHz
Bypass + preamp
VHF
147MHz to 500MHz
122.88MHz
Bypass + preamp
RF-IN (Downconverter)
TBD
TBD
TBD
The table below shows the availability of the variable sample rate feature in relation to bandwidths.
Bandwidth
192 kHz
384 kHz
1 536 kHz
3 072 kHz
6 144 kHz
12 288 kHz
24 576 kHz
Variable SR
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
Note that tuning between 54MHz and 68.88MHz with 12MHz and 24MHz bandwidths is not
recommended.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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1.2 Reference Clock Manager Module
The FDM-S3 has a so-called Reference Clock Manager Module (RCMM) which allows to choose
between two reference clocks :
a GnssDO (Global navigation satellite system Disciplined Oscillator) which supports the main
satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO),
a 10MHz/0dBm external signal.
Reference clock activation is automatic, just connect the Gnss antenna or provide a 10MHz signal. If
both inputs are used priority is given to the 10MHz signal. Three leds on the front panel allow to
check the reference used and the lock state of the Reference Clock Manager Module.
If no reference clock is used a factory calibration ensures a correct setting of the internal oscillator.
This calibration value is loaded and used at start-up but is bypassed if a reference clock (GnssDO or
10MHz) is connected.
If used without reference clock (RCMM not locked) the FDM-S3 has a frequency calibration less than
±0.1ppm. If used with a reference clock (RCMM locked), characteristics depend on the oscillator
version :
with TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator):
ofrequency stability : ±0.1ppm vs. temp , ±1ppm/year vs. aging,
oAllan deviation : TBD,
with OCXO (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator) :
ofrequency stability : ±0.01ppm vs. temp, ±0.05ppm/year vs. aging ,
o10 minutes warm-up,
oAllan deviation : TBD.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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1.3 Features
An integrated USB hub allows to have only one USB 3.0 connector that provides three USB
connections to :
the ELAD FDM-S3 sampler, used by the FDM-SW2 software,
the USB COM Port of the Reference Clock Manager Module, some information about status
are supplied with a proprietary protocol,
the USB COM Port of the internal Gnss (global navigation satellite system) module, which
can be connected to the u-center software from u-blox (or equivalent software), the
protocol used is NMEA.
The FDM-S3 has two antenna biases, one for the HF-1 input and one for the VHF input. The supplied
voltage is 5V. They are activated and deactivated via the FDM-SW2 software. Two leds on the front
panel allow to check the biases status. Antennas biases can be managed through the Tuning Step
tab of the Setup window of the FDM-SW2 software.
The FDM-S3 has also eight slots for preselector filters that can be used on HF-1 and HF-2 inputs
(from 9kHz to 54MHz). These filters are optional, therefore the FDM-S3 is shipped with a bypass
filter.
A series of attenuators allow to have up to four levels of attenuation : 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18dB.
1.4 Requirements
An USB 3.0 port is required to connect the FDM-S3 to a computer.
Computer requirements to run the FDM-SW2 software with the FDM-S3 at 24MHz are the following:
suggested configuration : 8th generation or higher Intel Core i5/i7 (or equivalent) processor
and 16GB of RAM,
minimum recommended : 5th/6th/7th generation Intel Core i5/i7 (or equivalent) processor
and 8GB of RAM.
To recording at 24MHz of bandwidth a SSD with at least 250MB/s write speed is recommended.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
7
1.5 Front End Block Diagram
The diagram below shows the front end block diagram of the FDM-S3.
VHF Input
HF-1 Input
HF-2 Input
Bias 1
HF ATT
(12dB)
EN
Bias 2
EN
EN
LP
Filter 1
S1
S2
S8
LP
Filter 2
SEL
VHF ATT
(12dB)
EN
PREAMP
EN
FM
Filter
ATT
(6dB)
EN
To ADC
OpAmp
Preselector Filters Slots
Bypass
. . .

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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2Panels Description
2.1 Front Panel Description
1 –Power button / power led
Press the power button to turn the FDM-S3 on/off. The power led lights up when the FDM-S3 is
powered.
2 –Antennas biases leds
These leds turn on when the related bias feature is activated :
led 1 for HF-2 input,
led 2 for VHF input,
see rear panel description for inputs location.
3 –Clock leds
Clock leds give information about the in use reference clock :
No leds on : no reference is used,
Gnss led on : Gnss (global navigation satellite system) is used as reference,
Ext led on : 10MHz external source is used as reference.
When a reference is used the Lock led turns on when the Reference Clock Manager Module of the
FDM-S3 is locked onto the reference.
Biases are current limited however avoid to use biases with short circuited antennas.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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2.2 Rear Panel Description
1 –Reference clock inputs (SMA connectors)
GNSS ANT is the input where connect a Gnss (global navigation satellite system) antenna. The Gnss
antenna is not supplied with all versions, please check ELAD website for details.
REF IN is the input for a 10MHz/0dBm reference signal.
2 –RF antennas inputs (SMA connectors)
The FDM-S3 has three antenna connectors :
HF-1 for HF bands and the 50MHz band,
HF-2 (with bias 1 feature) for HF bands and the 50MHz band,
VHF (with bias 2 feature) for frequencies over 54MHz.
3 –Clock reference output (SMA connector)
A 10MHz reference signal is always supplied on this output.
TCXO version : square wave type waveform of about 1.3Vpp.
OCXO version : sine wave of about 2.8Vpp.
4 –EXT I/O
External Hardware Input/Output DB9 connector, used to connect future external hardware. This is
NOT a serial port.
Reference clock activation is automatic, just connect the Gnss antenna or provide a 10MHz
signal. If both inputs are used priority is given to the 10MHz signal (REF IN).

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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5 –USB 3.0 connector
USB 3.0 type B connector for computer connection.
6 –Power supply connectors
Powerpole connectors type, both may be used indistinctly, they are connected inside in parallel.
Provide a typical voltage of 13.8Vdc to power the FDM-S3.
The FDM-S3 has only one USB connector but provides three USB connections to :
the ELAD FDM-S3 sampler,
the USB COM Port of the Reference Clock Manager Module,
the USB COM Port of the internal Gnss (global navigation satellite system) module.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
11
3Optional Preselector Filters
The FDM-S3 has eight slots for preselector filters, also simply called preselectors or filters. These
filters are optional and therefore not required for operation, only the included bypass filter is
needed as shown in the picture below. Filters are connected to the HF-1 and HF-2 inputs where the
allowed frequency range is from 9kHz to 54MHz.
To change the preselector filters configuration remove the top cover of the FDM-S3 and the
preselector filters shield as shown in the picture above. Insert the desired filters, take note of filters
positions and then replace the shield and the cover.
To enable the new configuration open the Setup window of the FDM-SW2 software, and fill the
preselector configuration tab with the correct data.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
12
4USB COM Ports
As stated before in this user manual the FDM-S3 presents two USB COM ports :
-the COM port of the Reference Clock Manager Module (RCMM) where some information
about status are supplied with a proprietary protocol,
-the COM port of the internal Gnss (global navigation satellite system) module, where data
are sent using the NMEA protocol.
Use the Windows Device Manager to identify the COM ports.
4.1 Reference Clock Manager Module COM Port
To view status information open this COM port with a Serial Terminal Software like Realterm, baud
rate is 115200 and settings are 8N1. A status information string is sent every second, the two main
data available are the reference clock used and the lock state. Below is an example :
00153|0100000000|0100000000|0000|34953|x800092y|0003|+0000|00002|00003| = |00000
Reference clock used, identified by xin the string above :
-‘I’ : Internal, factory calibration is used,
-‘G’ : Gnss, GNSS ANT reference clock input is used,
-‘E’ : Ext, REF IN reference clock input is used,
-‘H’ : In Hold, one of the reference clock inputs was used but they are now disconnected.
Lock state, identified by yin the string above :
-‘0’ : Reference Clock Manager Module not locked on the reference clock input,
-‘1’ : Reference Clock Manager Module locked on the reference clock input.
Some CAT style commands can also be sent to have information about the RCMM, like :
-get serial number : SN;
-get hardware version : HV;
-get firmware version : VSM;

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
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4.2 Internal Gnss module COM Port
Data sent on this COM port use the NMEA protocol, a Serial Terminal Software like Realterm can be
used to receive the data. Baud rate is 115200 and settings are 8N1. Here an example :
$GNRMC,132932.00,A,4559.82760,N,01227.92444,E,0.030,,061020,,,D*6A
$GNVTG,,T,,M,0.030,N,0.055,K,D*3B
$GNGGA,132932.00,4559.82760,N,01227.92444,E,2,12,0.69,103.2,M,44.8,M,,0000*42
$GNGSA,A,3,04,22,03,07,02,17,26,19,09,06,,,1.29,0.69,1.09*16
$GNGSA,A,3,73,87,70,86,71,80,,,,,,,1.29,0.69,1.09*1D
$GPGSV,4,1,14,02,23,315,33,03,34,107,31,04,60,055,21,06,57,273,27*7B
$GPGSV,4,2,14,07,29,180,39,09,76,268,34,16,05,086,23,17,06,231,08*73
$GPGSV,4,3,14,19,13,245,18,22,15,115,27,26,09,052,28,30,04,195,*75
$GPGSV,4,4,14,36,34,154,38,49,37,190,41*71
$GLGSV,3,1,11,70,32,069,27,71,66,356,34,72,32,286,,73,31,122,34*62
$GLGSV,3,2,11,74,02,162,,79,04,013,09,80,35,059,31,85,02,193,*65
$GLGSV,3,3,11,86,35,230,27,87,33,316,27,88,06,344,*52
$GNGLL,4559.82760,N,01227.92444,E,132932.00,A,D*75
Alternatively, open the COM Port with the software u-center from u-blox, it can display various
information about the Gnss module.
Also, other software which use the NMEA protocol may be used.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
14
5Order Options
5.1 Oscillator Version
The FDM-S3 is shipped in one of these two versions :
version with TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator),
version with OCXO (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator).
The installed version can be factory changed by replacing the Reference Clock Manager Module
(RCMM).
5.2 Preselector Filters
The FDM-S3 is shipped with one (1) bypass filter. Up to eight preselector filters can be self-installed.
Refer to ELAD websites for a list of available filters.
5.3 Downconverter Module
The FDM-S3 Downconverter Module will allow to extend frequency coverage range over 108MHz.
The FDM-S3 will be shipped with this option if requested. Also, the Downconverter Module will be
able to be self-installed by customer.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
15
Technical Specifications

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
16
Product Warranty
ELAD S.r.l. warrants the FDM-S3 for a period of 2 years inside Europe, and for a period of 1 year
outside Europe unless otherwise specified. Warranty begins from the purchase date. All FDM-S3 will
be repaired or replaced due to malfunction resulting from no fault of the end user. This warranty
covers normal intended usage of the product and does not cover misuse, abuse, accidents, viruses,
incorrect or overloaded computer installations, unauthorized service parts or the combination of
other unauthorized branded products used in conjunction with the FDM-S3.

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
17
Declaration of Conformity (EC)
The product marked as
FDM-S3
manufactured by
Manufacturer: ELAD S.r.l.
Address: Via Col De Rust, 11 - Sarone
33070 CANEVA (PN)
is produced in conformity to the requirements contained in the following EC directives:
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/CE
EMC Directive 2004/108/CE
Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/CE
RoHS Directive 2011/65/CE
The product conforms to the following Product Specifications:
Emissions & Immunity:
ETSI EN 300 330-1
ETSI EN 301 489-1
ETSI EN 301 489-15
ETSI EN 301 783-2
EN 55022: 2006 + A1: 2007
EN 55024: 1998 + A1: 2001 + A2: 2003
Safety:
EN 60950-1: 2006 + A11: 2009
And further amendments.
This declaration is under responsibility of the manufacturer:
ELAD S.r.l.
Via Col De Rust, 11 - Sarone
33070 CANEVA (PN)
Issued by:
Name: Franco Milan
Function: President of ELAD
Caneva
Place
September, 3th 2020
Date
Signature

ELAD FDM-S3 User Manual - Rev. 3 - 10/2020
© 2020 ELAD S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, published, used, disclosed or
disseminated in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of ELAD S.r.l.
18
FCC Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The product marked as
FDM-S3
manufactured by
Manufacturer: ELAD S.r.l.
Address: Via Col De Rust, 11 - Sarone
33070 CANEVA (PN)
ITALY
complies with the following requirements:
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Part 15
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
This product is distributed in USA by:
ELAD USA Inc.
618 Cummings Chapel Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472. USA
USA Sales Email: [e-mail]
USA Support Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]