Miteq LN Series User manual

100 Davids Drive
Hauppauge, New York 11788-2034
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.miteq.com
MITEQ TECHNICAL NOTE 25T042 APRIL 2007
REV G
REDUNDANT LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER UNIT
(LN-SERIES)
_________
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1.1.1 PHYSICAL
Figure 1-1. Front Panel Configurations

2
Figure 1-2. Rear Panel Configurations
1.1.2 FUNCTIONAL
The redundant Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) unit is used to provide automatic signal protection in
a redundant low noise amplifier system. There are two operating modes, Manual and Auto. In
Manual mode the operator has control of the transfer switches. With the control unit in Auto
mode, a fault condition in an on-line LNA would generate an automatic switchover to a standby
LNA.
The Redundant Amplifier Unit is available in a 1:1, Dual 1:1, or 1:2 configuration. The 1:1 unit
provides one on-line amplifier with one standby amplifier. The Dual 1:1 unit provides two
independent 1:1 configurations in one box. The 1:2 unit provides two on-line amplifiers with one
standby amplifier. All models are equipped with two redundant hot swappable power supplies
and a remote interface for monitoring and control via a remote computer. The design provides
for continuous operation during fault repair or routine maintenance. Among the features are a
32 entry Event Log, switch and power supply monitoring. A 100 foot cable is provided for
connection to the antenna mount amplifier/switch assembly.
1.2 EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS
1.2.1 MECHANICAL
MECHANICAL
Weight (Controller).........................................................................................12 pounds nominal
Weight (Amplifier Assembly)................................ 15 to 30 pounds typical, depending on model
Overall Dimensions (Controller).............................................. 19” x 1.75” panel x 22” maximum
Primary power........................................................................................................... 90-250VAC
Primary power input.........................................................................................................IEC320
Fuse.................................................................................................................. 5x20mm (T1.0A)
0
0
0 0
0
0

3
Remote interface connectors (J2, J3)
RS422/RS485 (Standard).............................................................................................. DE-9S
RS232 (Option 17C) .................................................................................................... DB-25P
Contact Closure...........................................................................................................DC-37S
IEEE-488..................................................................................................IEEE-488 receptacle
1.2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating
Ambient temperature (Controller) ............................................................................0 to +50°C
Ambient temperature (Amplifier/Switch Assembly)...............................................-30 to +60°C
Atmospheric pressure................................................................................... Up to 10,000 feet
Relative humidity.........................................................................................Up to 95% at 30°C
Non-operating
Temperature .........................................................................................................-50 to +70°C
Atmospheric pressure................................................................................... Up to 40,000 feet
Shock and vibration ...................................................Normal handling by commercial carriers
Relative humidity.........................................................................................Up to 95% at 40°C

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SECTION 2
2.0 INSTALLATION
2.1 UNPACKING, STORAGE, RESHIPMENT
Carefully open the shipping container and remove the equipment. Inspect the equipment
thoroughly and report any damage.
If the equipment is to be stored, it should be wrapped in plastic and kept in a clean, dry place.
If the equipment is to be reshipped for any reason, wrap in heavy plastic and ship in a heavy
(275 lb. test) double wall carton. At least three inches of a solid packing material should be
used on all sides of the unit. The carton should be marked to indicate that it contains fragile
electronic equipment.
2.2 MOUNTING
THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT FOR USE IN A DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT.
THE CONTROLLER IS INTENDED FOR RACK MOUNTING. THE AMPLIFIER/SWITCH
ASSEMBLY IS INTENDED FOR REMOTE MOUNTING.
OPERATOR INJURY MAY OCCUR IF UNIT IS NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED.
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE SECURELY MOUNTED.
Slides are provided for mounting the controller in a standard 19" equipment rack.
2.3 TURN-ON PROCEDURE
After mounting, make all external connections per Table 2-1.
Apply power to the equipment by pressing the rear panel power On/Off switches.
System is now operational.

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DESIGNATION DESCRIPTION
Ground Lug Connect the ground lug on the rear panel of the equipment to the
Protective Earth connection of the building.
Power Cords Attach power cords to the rear panel AC power inlets marked “PSA”
and “PSB”. Connect the other end to the power source. Refer to
national wiring standards for the correct connection to the power
source.
Summary Alarm
Connector (J1) The Summary Alarm connector is a contact closure status output indicating the status of the unit and also it’s power supplies. See
Paragraph 2.8 for wiring information.
Remote Interface
Connector (J2) The Remote Interface connector is an optional connection. This allows the operator to monitor and control the equipment from a
remote location.
Interface Cable The cable is used to connect the controller and switch/amplifier
assembly together.
Table 2-1. External Connections
2.4 AMPLIFIER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
A replacement amplifier can have different current high and low limits, even if it is otherwise
identical to the failed amplifier. Refer to the amplifier data sheet for it’s ambient current draw,
and set the current limits to +/- 20% of that level.
See Paragraph 3.2.7 in the display operation section of this document for details regarding how
to set the current limits.
2.5 POWER SUPPLY REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Because of the interchangeability of PSA (Power Supply A) and PSB (Power Supply B), refer to
Section 1.1.1 for power supply positions.
• Turn off the power supply you wish to replace.
• Remove its line cord.
• Turn the black knob counter clockwise until the power supply comes loose.
• Pull the power supply by hand using the same knob as above.
• Place the new power supply in the same orientation as the old one. The power supplies in
this unit are slotted to insure proper orientation.
• Slide the power supply in by hand.
• Turn the black knob clockwise until it is hand tight.
• Attach the line cord.
• Turn on the power supply and verify proper operation.

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SECTION 3
3.0 DEFINITIONS
3.0.1 ACTIVE ALARM
An Active Alarm is a Redundant Low Noise Amplifier Unit (RLNAU) generated fault, which
indicates that the unit is presently detecting a fault.
The Active Alarms that can be reported are:
• An amplifier alarm is active while the current drawn by the amplifier exceeds the current
limits programmed into the unit for that amplifier. From the factory, the current limits are
set at +/- 20% of the nominal current draw at ambient.
• A power supply alarm is active when a power supply exceeds +/- 8% of the nominal
voltage rating at ambient temperature. Power supply A and power supply B both have a
5.5V and a 24.5V supply; for the 5.5V source, the range is 5.0V to 6.0V, and for the
24.5V source, the range is 22.5V to 26.5V.
• A switch alarm is active if a switch is detected in a position other than what was
expected. Switch alarms are suppressed during switch operations.
Alarms are suppressed for the first second after startup to make sure that all alarm detectors
have become stable.
3.0.2 AMPLIFIER CURRENT LIMITS
Current limits vary from amplifier to amplifier. Amplifier Current Limits are set at the factory. It
is recommended that Amplifier Current Limits be changed by an operator only when an amplifier
is being replaced in the field.
3.0.3 PRIMARY AMPLIFIER
A Primary Amplifier is intended to remain On-line during normal operation. If a Primary
Amplifier fails and the backup amplifier is available, the Primary Amplifier will be switched into
Standby and the Backup Amplifier will be switched On-line in its place.
• In a 1:1 configuration Amplifier A1 is the Primary Amplifier.
• In a Dual 1:1 configuration Amplifier A1 and A3 are Primary Amplifier and Amplifier ‘C’ is
a Primary Amplifier.
• In a 1:2 configuration Amplifier A1 and Amplifier A2 are both Primary Amplifiers.

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3.0.4 BACKUP AMPLIFIER
A Backup Amplifier is intended to remain in standby during normal operation. In the event of a
primary amplifier fault the Backup Amplifier will be switched On-line and the primary amplifier is
switched into standby.
• In a 1:1 configuration Amplifier ‘B’ is the Backup Amplifier.
• In a Dual 1:1 configuration Amplifier ‘B’ is a Backup Amplifier and Amplifier ‘D’ is a
Backup Amplifier.
• In a 1:2 configuration Amplifier ‘C’ is the Backup Amplifier.
3.0.5 ERROR TONE
A beep lasting for one second, indicating an invalid key press or a screen timeout.
3.0.6 ON-LINE
An amplifier is considered On-Line if it is switched into an input/output signal path.
3.0.7 STANDBY STATUS
An amplifier is considered in Standby if is not switched into an input/output signal path.
3.1 OPERATING MODES
The operating modes of the RLNAU are selected from the front panel (in Local mode) or over
the remote bus (in Remote mode).
3.1.1 AUTO MODE
In Auto mode the On-line/Standby status of the amplifiers is controlled automatically without
operator intervention. Amplifier path control is locked out from both the front panel and the
remote bus.
In Auto Mode, switching is the direct result of a change in amplifier alarms. Switching from
Manual to Auto Mode will cause any existing amplifier alarms to be treated as new alarms for
switching purposes.

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Automatic Switching Decision Process for a Failed Amplifier
** This is only available in a 1:2 model, otherwise pass directly on to top of flowchart without switching.
Figure 3-1.
3.1.2 MANUAL MODE
When the RLNAU is in the Manual mode the On-line/Standby status of the RLNAU can be
controlled from the front panel when in unit is in the LOCAL mode. The On-line/Standby status
can be controlled over the remote bus when the unit is in the REMOTE mode. Amplifier faults
are still monitored and reported but they will have no effect on the On-line/Standby switch
status.
3.1.3 LOCAL MODE
When the RLNAU is in the LOCAL control mode operational functions and parameters can be
controlled and entered from the front panel. Remote control of those functions and parameters
is locked out. However, the control unit will still respond to remote monitoring of RLNAU
operation .
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes Yes
Yes
Begin
Switch Backup Amplifier
On-Line
** Switch Backup Amplifier
in from low priority online
path to high priority Online
Unit in
Auto
mode
A Primary
Amplifier
has Failed
A Backup
Amplifier is
available
Any other
unit fault
have greater
priority?

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3.1.4 REMOTE MODE
When the RLNAU is in the Remote control mode operational functions and parameters can only
be controlled from the remote bus. All control and parameter values can be viewed from the
front panel. Changes to control and parameter values are locked out. The event log and any
active alarms can be examined while the unit is in the Remote control.
3.2 FRONT PANEL
The front panel has been organized so that important information is available at a glance.
Control functions and additional status information is available through a menu system and the
front panel LCD.
3.2.1 STATUS INDICATORS
Amplifier symbols have tricolor LEDs that display the status of each amplifier. Green light,
indicates normal on-line operation, amber light, indicates normal stand-by mode. The on-line or
standby amplifier LED will turn red if a fault is detected on that amplifier.
Transfer switch symbols have bicolor LEDs. Green lights display the switch transmission path,
unless there is a switch fault, then all LEDs associated with that switch will turn red.
The Power LED will light green when power is applied to the unit.
The Alarm LED will light red indicating an Active Alarm.
The Remote LED will light amber if the unit is in Remote Mode.
Manual or Auto LED’s will light up if the unit is in Manual Mode or Automatic Mode respectively
.
3.2.2 FRONT PANEL OPERATION
3.2.2.1 KEYPAD OPERATION
ENTER Key confirms entries. In most cases, data entry must be confirmed with an ENTER key
press. Any exceptions (e.g. Contrast) will be noted in that section.
MENU Key brings up Main Menu, or escapes out of current mode. If a change is pending
(needs confirmation), this key cancels the change without implementing it. When the unit is not
waiting on a confirmation, or the Screen has nothing that can be changed, the MENU key
displays the Main Menu.
REMOTE Key: this key chooses the Remote/Local Screen and changes the Remote/Local
Control Mode (an ENTER key press is needed to accept the selection).
MANUAL Key: this key chooses the MANUAL/AUTO Screen. and changes the Auto/Manual
Mode (an ENTER key press is needed to accept the selection).
ALARM Key: brings up the Alarm Menu, which includes a list of any Active Alarms and the
Event Log.
LEFT and RIGHT Keys: provides cursor navigation within a menu screen.

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UP and DOWN Keys: provides navigation to different menu screens, when the cursor is a right
arrow the ↑↓ keys cycle through parameter choices.
3.2.2.2 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is organized as two rows consisting of sixteen characters
each. The LCD will display all system information and respond to all local commands available
through the front panel keypad.
3.2.2.3 BEEP OPERATIONS
A valid key press will be acknowledged with a short beep. An error tone (longer beep) will
sound with any invalid key press, parameter timeout or Display Timeout.
3.2.2.4 DISPLAY TIMEOUT
After a 50-second period without any keys being pressed, the display reverts to the default
screen and a one second beep will sound.
When the cursor is blinking, further input is required from the user. If five seconds pass without
a key press, then an error tone will sound and the blinking cursor will revert to an arrow.
3.2.2.5 CURSOR OPERATIONS
The cursor will take one of two forms: an arrow or a blinking square. The arrow cursor passively
indicates the next field to be selected; settings cannot be changed while in this form. The
blinking square cursor is present when additional keypad is expected. Without any input from
the user, the blinking square cursor will timeout and return to its arrow form.
3.2.3 MENUS AND SCREENS
3.2.3.1 DEFAULT SCREEN
If not already displayed, use the MENU key to access the default screen.
*
Exact Model number and description vary model to model.
The default screen displays the redundancy configuration and model number of the unit. At
start-up, the unit defaults to this screen. In addition, if another screen is active and a 50-second
time period expires without any key presses, the unit will default to this screen.
If a new alarm has been logged a message is briefly displayed on the default screen. This
message will expire after any key is pressed.
1:1 AMP SYSTEM
*
*