Novus ND0115 User manual

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
Page #:
1 of 48
www.novuspower.com
ND0115
15 Channel Distribution Amplifier
All information provided herein is the property of Novus Power Products LLC. The
information included may be reproduced without the permission of Novus Power
Products LLC for the purpose of operating the equipment.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
Page #:
2 of 48
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Contents
1.0 Summary ........................................................................................................3
2.0 Controls and Indicators –Front Panel.............................................................5
2.1 Channel Status............................................................................................6
2.2 Status LEDs ................................................................................................7
2.3 Input Status.................................................................................................7
2.4 Power Supply Status...................................................................................8
2.5 Attenuation................................................................................................10
2.6 Alert Threshold..........................................................................................11
2.7 Input Threshold .........................................................................................15
2.8 Input Select ...............................................................................................16
2.9 Latch Channel Values ...............................................................................17
2.9 Save Configuration....................................................................................17
2.10 Fault Status.............................................................................................18
2.11 Power Switch...........................................................................................19
2.12 RS232 DB9 Port......................................................................................20
3.0 Rear Panel....................................................................................................21
3.1 Channel Ouputs - BNC..............................................................................21
3.2 Status LEDs ..............................................................................................21
3.3 Signal Input A/B.........................................................................................22
3.4 24VDC Input..............................................................................................22
3.5 AC Input ....................................................................................................22
3.6 RS232 DB9 ...............................................................................................23
3.7 Optical Port................................................................................................24
4.0 Functional Description ..................................................................................24
4.1 Bandwidth..................................................................................................25
4.2 Phase Noise..............................................................................................25
4.3 Outputs......................................................................................................27
4.4 Built in Test................................................................................................29
4.5 Power Supplies .........................................................................................29
4.6 Amplifier Test ............................................................................................30
5.0 Programming Guide (RS232 Port: Front and Rear)......................................32
5.1 RS232 Commands....................................................................................34
5.2 Status String ($GPNVS,1) Channel Measurements..................................39
5.3 Status String ($GPNVS,2) Power Supply Measurements .........................40
5.4 Status String ($GPNVS,3) Status Bytes....................................................41
5.5 Status Byte Key.........................................................................................42
5.6 Calibration Factors....................................................................................45
6.0 Specifications................................................................................................46
6.1 Technical specifications ............................................................................46
6.2 Environmental and Mechanical .................................................................46
7.0 LIMITED HARDWARE WARRANTY ............................................................47

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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1.0 Summary
The ND0115 is a 15/16 channel wide bandwidth distribution
amplifier. While primarily used for 10 MHz reference
distribution, it has a functional bandwidth from DC to 12 MHz,
but is filtered for the lowest phase noise 10MHz signal.
The amplifier is a low phase noise design to preserve the
integrity of the reference signal. All outputs are transient and
fault protected. The unit can be set up with 16 outputs and 1
input, or 15 outputs and dual redundant set of inputs: A and B.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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The amplifier can also be optionally redundant. The redundancy
feature adds a second power supply and a second 15/16
channel amplifier PCB assembly. The dual input design
monitors the input signals and selects the active signal or the
prioritized signal. Each output channel is monitored against a
defined set of thresholds. If a fault is detected, monitoring will
report the fault serially, and if programmed, will cause the back-
up amplifier assembly to become the active amplifier. The two
15/16 channel amplifier assemblies are relay OR-ed in the
chassis avoiding the need for either splitters or complex cabling
to use the redundancy feature. The system connects to the
15/16 channels and all switching takes place internally as
required.
The unit features extensive reporting via the rear panel RS232
port - equipment status, output voltage on each channel and
redundancy status. By being able to monitor the output voltage,
the user can detect cabling issues that cause an impedance
change and replace cabling before it completely fails. Reporting
is also easily accessible via the front panel display.
Nominal power is global AC power but a DC power option can
be ordered that acts as the back-up power supply. Nominally 24
VDC, this port is used for power when AC power fails.
Switching between power sources is automatic and there is no
transient power outage at the equipment level. The primary
power supply is followed by low noise linear converter
assemblies. There will be one in a non-redundant configuration.
Each power supply supplies one of the amplifier assemblies.
To enhance versatility, the unit features a flexible output stage.
Each output amplifier can be configured as a linear amplifier,
CMOS output with ±20 mA drive or a very low impedance
sourcing output of over 100mA (ideal for driving pulsed outputs
in to 50 Ohms). This must be specified at the time of ordering.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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2.0 Controls and Indicators – Front Panel
This section describes the functionality of the front panel
controls and indicators. Two buttons above the status LEDs
provide navigation through the menus.
In general, the NEXT button advances through the menus to
the next screen, while the SELECT button chooses between
the available values on a menu.
Menus that allow selectable adjustments are the Input
Threshold, Alert Threshold, and the Attenuation setting. To
adjust these values from the front panel, hold down both
buttons for two seconds until the value begins to flash. To
leave the menu with the new value, hold down both buttons
until the value is solid.
Screen Saver: After one hour, the OLED display will turn off
unless activated by a fault condition or by a user input, such as
pressing the NEXT or SELECT buttons.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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2.1 Channel Status
The Channel Status can be determined by reading the actual
RMS value on the output of each stage. This is compared to a
threshold limit that is set by the user as a percentage variation
from a saved value. The default variation value is set at ±25%
from the current state of the amplifier, and is user
programmable in 5% increments from ±10% to ±60%.
The range of acceptable Channel Amplitude can be narrowed
around a connected balanced line, so that a Channel Status
below the Alert Threshold indicates a shorted line, while a
Channel Status above the Alert Threshold window indicates a
potential disconnected cable.
The threshold value at which a channel alert is triggered can be
programmed on the Alert Threshold screen, or programmed via
the RS232 port. Once set, the unit would continue to monitor
each channel and a deviation beyond the set limits would be
reported as a failure on the front panel and via RS232.
The Channel Status feature can quickly detect a cabling failure.
Any change in the load impedance will change the output
voltage with respect to the divider formed by the output
impedance of the amplifier and the load impedance. Failing
cables and connectors can be detected early.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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The current threshold limits are displayed in addition to the
actual measured value. These values reflect the percentage
threshold defined in the Alert Threshold settings. If the output
value is too low to give a valid reading - the display will read
“LOW.”
The status is displayed on the front panel and is accessible
over the RS232 serial bus via DB9. Channel Status can be
cycled into view or can remain on a single channel. This
feature can be accessed via the NEXT button by advancing to
the Channel Status screen. To cycle through channels in
sequence, press the SELECT button.
2.2 Status LEDs
There are three status LEDs which provide a quick indication of
valid unit operation.
Alert LED: The Alert LED will illuminate flashing red to indicate
an input failure or a power supply failure. The Alert LED will
not flash RED if any valid input signal is present.
Oven LED (OCXO option only): The Oven LED will illuminate
red to indicate an Oven Failure.
Fault LED: The Fault LED will illuminate flashing red to
indicate a Channel Fault when any single channel is outside the
user defined threshold.
2.3 Input Status
The status of either input (A or B) can be monitored from the
Input Status screen. The input values are displayed in Vrms.
When an input is selected, an arrow appears next to the value
indicating that the source on that input is relayed to the output
channels.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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If no input is present, or the input selection priority does not
have an input value which is above the input threshold, the
ALERT LED flashes red, and the screen indicates “Connect
Source.” The error is also noted in the fifth field of the $GPNVS
string, with the following values:
0 = At least one valid input is available, and is relayed to the
channel outputs.
1 = Input A is selected, and is below the input threshold.
2 = Input B is selected, and is below the input threshold.
For details on the status strings, see section 5.0 Programmer’s
Guide.
2.4 Power Supply Status
The Power Supply Status screen provides DC voltage values of
the two available power supply sources. The 90-250VAC input
is internally connected to an internal 24V AC-DC converter
which powers the internal supplies with 24V. This is diode
connected with the external 24VDC input, which can be used in
addition to, or in place of, the AC input.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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The values of both DC supplies are measured internally to
validate connections. The measured values of the AC/DC
converter and the DC input are reported in the third and fourth
fields of the second $GPNVS status string.
For details on the status strings, see section 5.0 Programmer’s
Guide.
In addition to direct value measurements, each redundant
system has a Power Supply Status byte which is reported in the
third $GPNVS status string, in the seventh and eighth fields
respectively.
Any measurement of the power supply which results in an alert
condition will be reported in the power supply status byte.
0x80 = External AC not connected.
0x40 = External DC not connected.

USERS MANUAL
ND0115
REVISION NO.
H
DATE
6/01/17
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Redundant power supplies operate on either the AC input or
DC input, and function independently. All functionality and
reporting for an individual power supply and amplifier is
independent of its redundant copy.
If a communications failure is reported, the backup system will
automatically switch to the redundant system.
2.5 Attenuation
The ND0115 is equipped with an internal 6-bit programmable
attenuator for each input channel. This feature can be used to
better match input signals if cabling differences exist. The
attenuation value is RS232 programmable with values 0x01 to
0x3F (1 –63), but is also added to the front panel in decimal
increments of 5 for convenient quick setting.
Pressing the SELECT button toggles the view between the A
and B input attenuation settings.
To adjust the attenuation from the front panel, hold the NEXT
and SELECT buttons down simultaneously for two seconds.
The percentage value will begin flashing. To increase the
value, press the SELECT button. To decrease the value, press
the NEXT button.
When the desired value is reached, press the NEXT and
SELECT button simultaneously to leave the settings mode.