NuWaves NuPower Xtender 12B04A-27 User manual

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USERMANUAL
NUPOWERXTENDER12B04A‐D27
BIDIRECTIONALL‐&S‐BANDAMPLIFIER
PART NUMBER:
NW-BA-12B04A-D27
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NuWavesEngineering
132EdisonDrive
Middletown,Ohio45044
PH:513‐360‐0800
FAX:513‐539‐8782
www.nuwaves.com
[email protected]

NuPowerXtender™12B04A‐D27UserManual
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1NUPOWER XTENDER™ PRODUCT LINE OVERVIEW
TheNuPowerXtenderfamilyofsolid‐statebidirectionalRFamplifiermodules,or“T/Rmodules,”is
designedtomeetthedemandingneedsoftheAerospace&Defense,Industrial,andCommercial
markets.BasedonthelatestGalliumNitride(GaN)technology,NuPowerXtender’spowerefficiencyand
miniatureformfactormakeitidealforsize,weight,andpower‐constrainedbroadbandRFtelemetryand
tacticalcommunicationssystems.
1.1 NUPOWER XTENDER™ PRODUCT LINE HIGHLIGHTS
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HighPerformance:Uniquecombinationofbroadbandcoverage,miniatureformfactors,and
highefficiency.
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Enclosures:TheNuPowerXtenderfamilyofbidirectionalamplifiersishousedinanickel‐plated
aluminumenclosurewithmountingholesincorporatedintothechassis.
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CompletelyCharacterized:TheNuPowerXtenderfamilyofsolid‐statebidirectionalamplifiers
hasbeencompletelycharacterizedovertemperature,voltage,andfrequency.Thesehigh‐
performancemodulesoffersignificantvaluefortheOEMuserortheSystemsIntegrator.
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UserFriendly:Reverse‐voltageandover‐voltageprotectionandregulatorthermalshutdown
providedefensesagainstuserinterfaceissues.
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HighReliability:NuWaves’selectionofconservativelyratedcomponentsprovideshigh
reliability.EachNuPowerisinspectedtoIPC‐A‐610ClassIIqualitystandards.NuWaves’Quality
ManagementSystemisAS9100:2016RevDandISO9001:2015certified.
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Applications:UnmannedAircraftSystems(UAS)•UnmannedGroundVehicles(UGV)•
UnmannedSurfaceVehicles(USV)•BroadbandRFTelemetry•RFCommunicationSystems•
SoftwareDefinedRadios• TestLabs
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AvailableOptions:
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oFan‐cooledheatsinkwithNorthAmericanAC/DCwallplugadapter
oLabeledinterfacecablewithbananajackplugs
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2NUPOWER XTENDER 12B04A‐D27 OVERVIEW
TheNuPowerXtender™12B04A‐D27isasmall,lightweight,andpower‐efficientbidirectionalamplifier
(BDA)idealforextendingthecommunicationrangeofhalf‐duplexL‐ orS‐bandtransceiversrunning
constant‐envelopeornear‐constant‐envelopewaveforms.TheNuPower12B04A‐D27acceptsanominal
+27dBmRFinput,andgenerates20wattsofRFtransmitpowerfrom1000to2500MHzintransmit
mode.Theintegratedlow‐noiseamplifierprovidesaminimumof13dBofgaininreceivemode.
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BasedonthelatestGalliumNitride(GaN)technology,NuPower’shigh‐efficiencyand6.9in.
3
formfactor
makeitidealforSWaP‐constrainedapplications.Inaddition,NuPower’sbroadbandfrequencycoverage
supportsoperationalflexibility.NuPowerXtenderbidirectionalamplifiersaredesignedwithruggedized
chassisforhighreliabilityinharshenvironments.Anoptionalaccessorykitisavailable,whichincludesa
fan‐cooledheatsinkwithAC/DCpoweradapterandupgradedinterfacecablewithlabeledbananaplugs.
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Figure 1: NuPower Xtender Functional Diagram
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NuPowerXtender™12B04A‐D27UserManual
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2.1 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
ThesubsequenttablesinthissectionoutlinetheNuPowerXtender12B04A‐D27’sperformance
specifications.
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Table 1: NuPower Xtender 12B04A‐D27 Electrical Specifications
Parameter Specification
FrequencyRange1000to2500MHz
RFOutputPower20Watts(typ)
TransmitRFGain15dB(typ)
NominalInputDriveLevel +27dBm
MaximumInputDriveLevel+30dBm
ReceiveRFGain13dB(min)
ReceiveNoiseFigure3.5dB(typ)
T/RModeAutomaticSensingorManualT/RLine
T/RSwitchTime1.5µS(max)
SupplyVoltage+11to+32VDC
TransmitCurrentConsumption2.5A@+28VDC(typ)
3.2A@+28VDC(max)
ReceiveCurrentConsumption100mA@+28VDC(typ)
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Table 2: NuPower Xtender 12B04A‐D27 Environmental Specifications
Operating Conditions Specification
OperatingTemperature‐40to+85
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C(baseplate)
StorageTemperature‐55to+85
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C
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2.1.1
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Figure 2: NuPower Xtender 12B04A‐D27 Mechanical Outline
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Table 3: NuPower Xtender 12B04A‐D27 Mechanical Specifications
Parameter Specification
RFConnectorsSMA(female)
Control/PowerInterfaceConnector9PinMicro‐D(socket)
Dimensions(LxWxH)3.00”x2.00”x1.16”
Weight5.8oz.
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2.2 HEAT SINKING
TheNuPowerXtenderisofferedasastand‐alonemodule,oraspartofakit,whichalsoincludesafan‐
cooledheatsinkwithanAC/DCadapterandaninterfacecablewithbananajackplugterminations.The
fan‐cooledheatsinkprovidessufficientcoolingforoperatingtheNuPowerXtenderatroom
temperature(25°C),howeverhigherambienttemperaturesmayrequireadditionalheat‐sinkingto
maintainabaseplatetemperaturebelow60°Cat100%transmitdutycycle.
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Figure 3: The NuPower PA Kit offers “out‐of‐the‐box” operation for the user. The fan‐cooled heatsink
with an AC/DC adapter is shown with an example PA (NuPower Xtender not shown).
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Caution:Theuseofexternalheat‐sinkingisrequiredespeciallyforthoseapplications
requiringhighdutycycleoperation(e.g.continuouswave)orforextendedon‐timetesting.
Operationwithoutaproperheatsinkundertheseconditionswillcausepermanentdamage
totheproductandwillvoidtheproductwarranty.
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NuPowerXtender™12B04A‐D27UserManual
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3SETUP AND OPERATION
ThissectionprovidesspecificdetailsforproperoperationoftheNuPowerXtendermodule.Following
theseguidelineswillpreventdamagetothebidirectionalamplifierorexternalequipment.
3.1 POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
TooperatetheNuPowerXtender,ensurethatthepowersupplyhasadequateoverheadtosourcethe
currentdemandoftheRFamplifier.Thepowersupplysourcemustprovideavoltageof+11to+32VDC
withgreaterthan4ampscapability.
3.2 CONNECTING A PROPER LOAD TO THE ANTENNA TERMINAL
Topreventdamagetotheamplifiermodule,theantennaterminalmustbeterminatedintoa50Ωload.
Examplesofaproperloadinclude:
Directlyconnectingtoanantennaspecifiedforthefrequencyrange(1.0to2.5GHz).Connecting
toaninappropriateantennamayresultindamagetotheamplifiermodule.
Connectingtoaproperantennathrougha50Ωtransmissionlineorcoaxialcable.Avoidusing
damagedcablesorcorrodedconnectorswhileattachingtheunittoanantenna.
Terminatingtheantennaterminalintoa50Ωpowerattenuatorwithminimum20dB
attenuation.
Connectingtoa50ΩloadcapableofdissipatingtheRFpowerfromtheamplifiermodule.Loads
capableofhandling30Watts(min)arerecommended.
3.3 POWERING‐UP THE NUPOWER XTENDER
TheNuPowerXtendermustbeterminatedintoaproperloadbeforepowerisapplied.RefertoSection
3.2forthespecificationsoftheproperload.Aftertheamplifierisproperlyterminated,theinterface
cablecanbeconnectedtotheunitandpowercanbeapplied.Theamplifierisnowreadyforoperation.
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4HARDWARE INTERFACE
Thetransceiverinterfaceconnector,“XCVR,”isSMA(female).
Theantennaconnector,“ANT,”isSMA(female).
Thepin‐outdefinitionsforthe9pinMicro‐Dsocketconnector,“CTRL/PWR,”areprovidedin
Table4.Inatypicalinstallation,theamplifiermoduleismatedtoahostcontrollerboardviaa
cableharness.
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TheANTSMAconnectoristheantennaconnection.Thisconnectionshouldalways
beloadedinto50Ω,otherwisetheamplifiercouldbedamaged.
4.1 INTERFACE CONNECTOR
TheNuPowerXtenderfeaturesa9pinMicro‐Dinterfaceconnectorforcontrol,power,andground
connections.
Table 4: NuPower Xtender Interface Pin‐Out Definitions
Socket No. Name I/0 Description
1,2,9VSupplyIPrimaryPower(+11to+32VDC)
3,4,5GNDISignalandPowerGround
6Data‐/TXORS‐485DataTransmit
7Data+/RXIRS‐485DataReceive
8T/R I/OTransmit/Receive(T/R)Sourceor
Sink
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Figure 4: Micro‐D Socket Locations
Thestandardinterfacecableharnessiscomprisedof9wires,includesaMicro‐Dconnectorwithpins,
andmatesdirectlytotheNuPowerXtenderinterfaceconnector.

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4.2 DC POWER
ThenominalsupplyvoltagefortheNuPowerXtenderis+28VDC.Theamplifiermoduleisableto
supportoperationoverasupplyvoltagerangeof+11to+32VDCwithminimalperformance
degradation.
4.3 GROUND
Thesignalandpowergroundsaretiedtogetherintheamplifiermodule.
4.4 RS‐485 SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS
ThesesignalsarefortheRS‐485serialcommunicationswiththeNuPowerXtender.Thisinterfaceis
describedinSection5.
4.5 TRANSMIT/RECEIVE (T/R) SOURCE OR SINK
TheT/RSourceorSinklineisconfigurableaseitheranoutput(source)oraninput(sink).WhentheT/R
lineisconfiguredinsourcemode,theXtendertransmitandreceiveswitchingoccursautomatically,
basedontheT/Rlevelsettingandthetransceiver’stransmitstate.TheXtendersourcesalogicsignalto
indicatethemode(transmitorreceive)oftheBDA.AlogichighindicatestheXtenderisintransmit
mode,whilealogiclowindicatestheXtenderisinreceivemode.
WhentheT/Rlineisconfiguredinsinkmode,thetransmitandreceiveswitchingisundermanual
control.ApplyingalogichightotheT/RlineplacestheXtenderintransmitmode.Likewise,applyinga
logiclowtotheT/RlineplacestheXtenderinreceivemode.
T/Rlinelevelscanbeconfiguredto+3.3VDCor+5VDClogiclevels.
ThisI/OlineisdescribedinSection5.
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NuPowerXtender™12B04A‐D27UserManual
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5SERIAL INTERFACE
TheNuPowerXtenderincludesanRS‐485serialinterfaceforadjustinglinearizationparametersviaa
serialterminalprogram,suchasTermite.
Theserialportmustbeconfiguredwiththefollowingattributes:
Baudrate:9600bps
Databits:8
Stopbits:1
Parity:None
Thissectionprovidestheuserwiththecommandsyntaxnecessarytoproperlyconfigurethe
bidirectionalamplifiermoduleforuse.Allcommandshavethefollowingattributes:
Acommandconsistsofastringofcharacters,followedbyaterminatingCarriageReturn
character,(hex0D).
Commandprocessingisnotcasesensitive.
Spacesarealwaysallowedandalwaysignored.
Afterreceivingandprocessingacommand,theNuPowerXtendersendsaCarriageReturn
terminatedstringasanotificationthatthecommandwascompleted.
5.1 SERIAL COMMANDS
Serialcommandsareoutlinedinthetablebelow.
Table 5: NuPower Xtender Serial Commands
5.1.1
Configuration Storage
The“CONSTO”commandisusedtostorecurrentXtendersettingstotheEEPROM.Ifavalueischanged
andtheCONSTOcommandisnotentered,theXtenderwillreturntothelaststoredsettinguponunit
powercycling,andthechangeswillbelost.
The“CONDEF”commandisusedtoreturntheXtendertothefactorydefaultsettings.

Command Function ICD Section
CONSTOStoresettingstoEEPROM5.1.1
CONDEFReturnunittofactorydefaultvalues5.1.1
TRLVLxxxxSetTransmitThresholdControlvalue5.1.2
TRMODExSetT/RMode5.1.3
TRVOLTxSetT/RVoltage5.1.3
STAT?DisplayStatus5.1.4

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5.1.2
Transmit Threshold Control
TheTransmitThresholdControlfeatureenablestheusertochangethesignallevelthresholdatwhich
theXtenderautomaticallyswitchesfromitsdefaultreceivestatetoitstransmitstate.Bysettingahigher
transmitthresholdcontrolvalue(highersensitivity),theusercanhelpfacilitatemoreaccurate
transmit/receivestateswitching.
Note:IftheXtenderisexhibitingfalsetransmitswitchtriggering,itisrecommendedtosetalower
transmitthresholdcontrolvalue.
The“STAT?”commandcanbeusedtodisplaythecurrentTransmitThresholdControlvalue.
The“TRLVLxxxx”commandisusedtochangethesettingoftheTransmitThresholdControlvalue.
TheTransmitThresholdControlsettingsaredefinedas:
0000=lowestTransmitThresholdControlvalue,lowesttransmitdetectionsensitivity.
4095=highestTransmitThresholdControlvalue,greatesttransmitdetectionsensitivity.
ATransmitThresholdControlvalueof1800setsthethresholdtoapproximately0dBm.
Note:Factorydefaultsettingis1800(~0dBmthreshold).
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Figure 5: Transmit Threshold Control Value vs Minimum RF Input Power Required to Engage Transmit
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5.1.3
T/R Source or Sink
The“TRMODEx”commandisusedtoconfigurethemodeoftheT/RSourceorSinkI/Oline,where“x”is
either0or1.
TheT/RSourceorSinksettingsaredefinedas:
0=SourceMode.InSourceMode,theT/RSourceorSinklinefunctionsasanoutput.Whilein
SourceMode,anauto‐sensecircuitcontrolstheT/Rswitching.WhentheXtenderisintransmit
mode,alogichighsignalwillbeoutputonthisline.Conversely,whentheXtenderisinreceive
mode,alogiclowsignalwillbeoutputonthisline.
1=SinkMode.InSinkMode,theT/RSourceorSinklinefunctionsasaninput,andtheT/R
switchingiscontrolledbyapplyingalogichighorlogiclowtothisline.Applyingalogichigh
signaltothislineenablestransmitmode,whileapplyingalogiclowenablesreceivemode.
Note:Factorydefaultsettingis0(SourceMode)
The“TRVOLTx”commandisusedtoconfiguretheinputandoutputlogiclevels,where“x”iseither0or
1.TheT/RLogicLevelsettingsaredefinedas:
0=3.3VDCLogic
1=5VDCLogic
Note:Factorydefaultsettingis0(3.3VDCLogic).
5.1.4
Unit Status Command
The“STAT?”commandisusedtodisplaythesystemstatus.Informationdisplayedinthesystemstatusis
definedas:
ModelandFirmwareVersion
SerialNumber
InputAttenuatorValue(n/aforthisproductmodel)
FeedbackAttenuatorValue(n/aforthisproductmodel)
TransmitThresholdControlValue
Pre‐amplifierControlValue(n/aforthisproductmodel)
T/RSourceorSinkModeValueandLogicLevel
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6PRODUCT DISPOSAL – END‐OF‐LIFE
SafetyisaguidingprincipleofNuWavesEngineering.Weensuresafeproductionandoperationofour
products,aswellasend‐of‐lifedisposal.Improperdisposalcanadverselyaffecttheenvironment,
wildlifeandhumanhealth.PleasefollowtheseguidelineswhendisposingofaNuWavesproduct:

Donotremovethecoveroranyhardware
Donotremovecomponentsfromthecircuitcardassembly
Donotincinerate
Donotcrushorshred
Donotdisposeofasunsortedmunicipalwaste
Donotexporte‐wasteoutsideoftheoriginaldestinationcountryforrecycling
Utilizeane‐StewardorISO14001certifiede‐wasterecycler
Considerexportcontrolsduringrecyclerselection
IfaNuWavesproductisincorporatedintoalargersystemorsub‐system,ensurethatthese
guidelinesarefollowedatsystemend‐of‐life
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7GETTING HELP ‐APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING
NuWavesEngineeringofferstechnicalsupportforbasicconfigurationhelpandtroubleshooting,Monday
throughFriday,8a.m.to5p.m.EasternTime.

TechnicalAssistance,ApplicationEngineering,andSales:

Phone:(513)360‐0800
Email:[email protected]

NuWavesHomePage:
https://www.nuwaves.com/

ProductWarranty:
https://products.nuwaves.com/wp‐content/uploads/NuWaves_Warranty_Repair.pdf

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7.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Copyright©2006–2020NuWavesLtd.Allrightsreserved.Theinformationcontainedinthisuser
manualiscopyrightprotected.NuWavesreservestherighttomakeperiodicmodificationsandproduct
improvementstotheNuPowerproductlineandtheassociateddocumentation.