Micron SR116 User manual

EXPLORER100 SERIES
USERS MANUAL

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Covers the following models:
EXPLORER 100 SERIES –SR116, TX716
SDR116, TX716A
SDR256, TX7256
SDR550, TX700B
Part No: EXp100-1

Contents
General Description 1
Diversity ................................................................................ 2
Explorer 100 Transmitters .................................................... 5
Explorer 100 Transmitter Front Panel.................................... 6
Explorer 100 Receivers.......................................................... 9
Explorer 100 Receivers Front Panel..................................... 10
Frequency Control Panel ..................................................... 13
Powering............................................................................... 17
Quick Setting Up Procedure ................................................ 19
How to Get the Best from Explorer ...................................... 21
Audio and dc Input/Output Details ...................................... 23
Receiver Connector Details ................................................. 24
Standard Transmitter Cables –6 pin LEMO ........................ 25
Standard Transmitter Cables –4 pin HIROSE .................... 26
Technical Specification......................................................... 27

General Description
1
THE MICRON HERITAGE
MICRON Wireless microphone and communication systems have been setting industry standards in
broadcast and location recording for four decades. The company’s designs are focused on using
sophisticated electronic engineering to achieve the optimum balance of performance and cost. The
Explorer 100 Series combines the legendary MICRON qualities of sonic integrity, long-term reliability and
rock-solid construction.
REAL WORLD SURVIVABILITY
MICRON Explorer 100 transmitters and receivers are manufactured from high strength anodised one-
piece aluminium extrusions. They have high-quality connectors and a unique, simple to operate (by feel
alone) battery compartment. Explorer Series products offer RF bandwidths up to 32MHz wide, and 256
channels, providing operational flexibility for personal single camera operators, sound recordists and ENG
crews.

Diversity
A diversity receiving system gives a dramatic improvement to the dead spot (signal dropout) problem,
when compared to a simple receiver. This is because the diversity receiver has a choice of two RF
signals, and when one antenna is receiving a weak signal, the other antenna will be receiving a stronger
signal.
Signal dropout is usually caused by the direct and reflected signals happening to cancel each other out at
the antenna. In reflective steel lined rooms such as studios these dead spots happen regularly at 1/2
wavelength intervals as the transmitter is moved.
In the MICRON diversity receiver the combining circuitry automatically rejects the output from the
receiving section with the weaker RF signal before it can degrade the audio output. By this means the
best signal to noise ratio can be maintained over a large safe operating area.
The same result could not be achieved just by connecting two antennas in parallel, either directly or
through simple amplifiers. The relative phase of the signals from the two antennas would change as the
transmitter was moved and cancellation effects would still occur at the summing point.

Diversity
3
The diagram illustrates how a 2 way diversity system fills in almost all of the dips in received signal
strength by utilising the stronger signal at all times.

Diversity
Each SDR Diversity Receiver comprises two receiving sections and a combining unit. The receivers
operate on the same frequency with their antennas spaced apart, the comparator automatically rejecting
the output from the receiver with the weakest received signal. If signals of similar strength are received
the audio outputs are mixed to improve the signal to noise ratio. This audio mixing gives a 3dB
improvement over conventional switched diversity receivers and results in a greater operating range.

Explorer 100 Transmitters
5
EXPLORER 100 TRANSMITTERS
The Explorer 100’s multi-channel format provides worldwide compliance with regional frequency
allocations and maximum freedom from interference.
Unique Explorer Companding System
An upgraded Explorer Compression/Expansion system ensures best possible signal to noise
performance.
Automatic Gain Control Option
The design of the limiter in the MICRON Explorer 100 transmitter enables it to be used as an automatic
gain control system, without the pumping effect associated with audio AGC systems. It can also be used
as a 'distortionless' limiter, to prevent distortion due to over-modulation.
'Overload-proof' Audio Input Amplifier
The variable -gain microphone amplifier has a gain control range of 40dB. Distortion is less than 0.3%
over the whole of this range.
LED Volume Indicator (AF Peak)
One problem associated with radio microphones is the setting of the modulation level. As with tape
recording, too low a setting results in a poor signal to noise ratio, too high a setting causes distortion. A
common practice is to adjust the audio gain of the transmitter until distortion is heard and then 'back off a
bit'. The MICRON transmitter is fitted with a simple LED volume indicator to allow the modulation level to
be set quickly and accurately, without having to monitor the receiver output. A ‘-10’ indicator is available
only on the TX700B model, which shows modulation metering at 10 dB below limiting level. The
addition of this LED simplifies the setting up procedure making it more accurate.

Explorer 100 Transmitter Front Panel
Audio Input Socket
On transmitter models TX716A, TX7256 and TX700B, a 6-pin Lemo connector with gold plated pins is
used for the audio input. TX716 is fitted with a 4-pin Hirose connector for the audio input.
The transmitter offers many audio input options depending on the ‘Transmitter Cable’ selected.
Set Level Control
For easy set-up and repeatable gain settings an eight-position modulation level control is used.
Modulation Level and Battery Status Indicator
The audio input at limiting level is indicated as an AF Peak LED showing modulation status to enable
repeatable levels to be set (with ‘-10’ on TX700B only). Battery Status Indicator operates if the battery
voltage falls below 6.5 Volts.
Antenna Socket
A miniature professional SMA screw socket ensures long-term reliability.
Bass –Cut Switch (TX700B only)
The Bass-Cut switch provides added front-end protection, where it may be used to reduce wind noise and
counteract close microphone effects.

Explorer 100 Transmitter Front Panel
7
TX716 TOP PANEL
TX716A & TX7256 TOP PANEL
Modulation Level
Indicator
Audio Input Socket
4-pin Hirose
Set Level Control
Antenna Socket
Battery Status Indicator
Modulation Level
Indicator Set Level Control
Audio Input Socket
6-pin Lemo
Antenna Socket
Battery Status Indicator

Explorer 100 Transmitter Front Panel
TX700B TOP PANEL
Multiple Input Microphone Socket
The 6-pin Lemo & 4-pin Hirose connectors provide:
1. Direct powering connection for electret microphones (+ve and –ve bias).
2. A high sensitivity input for dynamic microphones.
3. Powering for 12V 'T' powered condenser microphones.
4. Powering for 12V 'Phantom' powered condenser microphones.
5. Powering for 48V 'Phantom' powered condenser microphones with MICRON P48 in-line dc booster.
6. Line input capability.
7. External powering for transmitter.
For each microphone input different cables are available. See: Pages 25 & 26 –Standard Transmitter
Cables.
Modulation Level
Indicator
Antenna Socket
Audio Input Socket
6-pin Lemo
Set Level Control
Battery Status Indicator/ Modulation Level Indicator
Bass Cut Switch

Explorer 100 Receivers
9
EXPLORER 100 RECEIVERS
Designed to operate with the new generation of DV camcorders, the Explorer 100 receivers are ultra-
compact. Useful in situations where receiver size and weight are important, the Explorer 100 receivers
maintain absolute integrity in terms of overall quality, performance and reliability, and is small and light
enough for easy mounting on camcorders.
Offering excellent standard of RF performance, the receivers feature multiple RF stages to give
outstanding sensitivity and selectivity, while the digitally controlled circuitry achieves optimum mobile
operation. The receiver’s unique noise reduction system provides trouble-free operation in low RF signals
and hostile RF environments.
SR116 TOP PANEL
Antenna
Input Socket
Battery Status
Indicator
ON/OFF
Switch
Signal Status
Indicator 4-pin Hirose
Connector
Audio Level
Output Control
Standard Receiver

Explorer 100 Receivers Front Panel
SDR116 TOP PANEL
SDR256 TOP PANEL
Audio Level
Output Control
‘A’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Green
‘B’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Green
4-pin Hirose
Connector
‘A’ Side Antenna
Input Socket ‘B’ Side Antenna Input Socket
‘A’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Tri-colour
‘B’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Tri-colour
4-pin Hirose
Connector
‘B’ Side Antenna
Input Socket
‘A’ Side Antenna
Input Socket
ON/OFF
Switch
Battery Status
Indicator
Battery Status
Indicator
ON/OFF
Switch
Audio Level
Output Control
Diversity Receivers

Explorer 100 Receivers Front Panel
11
SDR550 TOP PANEL
Antenna Input Socket
50 ohm SMA coaxial socket for direct connection of the antenna. Unscrewing its outer shell disconnects
the antenna SMA connector.
Battery Status Indicator (Tri-colour LED)
A tri-colour LED continuously displays the internal/external battery condition.
Transmitter Battery Status (only on SDR550)
A red transmitter battery-warning LED lights up when the supply voltage of the corresponding TX has
fallen to 6.5 Volts (approx.)
4-pin Hirose
Connector
Battery Status
Indicator
‘A’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Tri-colour
‘B’ Side Signal
Status Indicator
Tri-colour
‘B’ Side Antenna
Input Socket
‘A’ Side Antenna
Input Socket
ON/OFF
Switch Audio Level Output Control
TX Battery
Status Indicator

Explorer 100 Receivers Front Panel
Signal Status Indicator
SR116: A green LED above the antenna socket displays the received signal strength status.
SDR116: A green LED above each antenna socket continuously display the received signal strength
status.
SDR256, SDR550: A tri-colour LED above each antenna socket continuously display the received signal
strength status.
Audio Level Output Control
SR116: A 3-way slide switch to control the audio output level.
SDR116, SDR256, SDR550: A recessed screwdriver operated volume control.
ON/OFF Switch
Slide switch to turn the receiver ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’. Flush mounted to prevent accidental operation.
Multi-way Connector
A 4-pin Hirose connector provides balanced audio output and dc input connections to the receiver.

Frequency Control Panel
13
TX716 SR116
Frequency Switches
16-way BCD
Label
Frequency List
Serial No.

Frequency Control Panel
TX716A SDR116
Frequency Switches
16-way BCD
Label
Frequency List
Serial No.