NuWaves XTENDER VU4GX02 User manual
USERMANUAL
NUPOWERXTENDERVU4GX02
BIDIRECTIONALVHF/UHFAMPLIFIER
PARTNUMBER:
NW‐BA‐VU‐4‐GX02
NuWavesEngineering
132EdisonDrive
Middletown,Ohio45044
PH:513‐360‐0800
FAX:513‐539‐8782
www.nuwaves.com
NuPowerXtender™VU4GX02UserManual
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1 NUPOWER 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
andminiatureformfactormakeitidealforsize,weight,andpower‐constrainedbroadbandRFtelemetry
andtacticalcommunicationssystems.
1.1 NUPOWER XTENDER™ PRODUCT LINE HIGHLIGHTS
High Performance: Unique combination of broadband coverage, miniature form factors, and
highefficiency.
Enclosures:TheNuPowerXtenderfamilyofbidirectionalamplifiersishousedinanickel‐plated
aluminumenclosurewithmountingholesincorporatedintothechassis.
Completely Characterized: The NuPower Xtender family of solid state bidirectional amplifiers
has been completely characterized over temperature, voltage, and frequency. These high‐
performancemodulesoffersignificantvaluefortheOEMuserortheSystemsIntegrator.
User Friendly: Reverse‐voltage and over‐voltage protection and regulator thermal shutdown
providedefensesagainstuserinterfaceissues.
High Reliability: NuWaves’ selection of conservatively rated components provides high
reliability.EachNuPowerisinspectedtoIPC‐A‐610ClassIIqualitystandards.NuWaves’Quality
ManagementSystemisAS9100:2016RevDandISO9001:2015certified.
Applications: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) • Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) •
Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) • Broadband RF Telemetry •RFCommunicationSystems•
SoftwareDefinedRadios• TestLabs
AvailableOptions:
o Fan‐cooledheatsinkwithNorthAmericanAC/DCwallplugadapter
o Labeledinterfacecablewithbananajackplugs
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2 NUPOWER XTENDER VU4GX02 OVERVIEW
TheNuPowerXtender™ VU4GX02BidirectionalVHF/UHFAmplifiermoduleis asmall,lightweight,and
power‐efficientbidirectionalamplifier(BDA)idealforextendingthecommunicationrangeofhalf‐duplex
transceiversrunninghighpeak‐to‐averagewaveformssuchasOFDMorLTE.Thebidirectionalamplifier
generates16watts(Psat)or4wattsoflinearRFtransmitpower(‐30dBcACPR)from225to512MHzin
transmitmodeandtheintegratedlow‐noiseamplifierprovides15dBofgaininreceivemode.
BasedonthelatestGalliumNitride(GaN)technology,NuPower’shigh‐efficiencyand3.8in.
3
formfactor
makeitidealforSWaP‐constrainedapplications.Inaddition,NuPower’sbroadbandfrequencycoverage
supportsoperationalflexibility.
NuPower Xtender bidirectional amplifiers are designed with ruggedized chassis for high‐reliability in
harshenvironments.
Figure 1: NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 Functional Diagram
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2.1 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
The subsequent tables in this section outline the NuPower Xtender VU4GX02’s performance
specifications.
Table 1: NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 Electrical Specifications
Parameter Specification
FrequencyRange 225to512MHz
RFOutputPower,Linear 4Watts@‐30dBcACPR
RFOutputPower,Psat 10Watts
TransmitRFGain 36dB(typ)
NominalInputDriveLevel +5dBm
MaximumInputDriveLevel +30dBm
ReceiveRFGain 15dB(min)
ReceiveNoiseFigure 2.5dB(typ)
T/RMode ManualT/RLine
T/RSwitchTime 8µS
SupplyVoltage 28VDC(+10to+32VDCinfinalproduct)
TransmitCurrentConsumption 1.1A@+28VDC(typ)@Pout=4W
1.6A@+28VDC(typ)@Pout=10W
ReceiveCurrentConsumption 175mA@+28VDC(typ)
Table 2: NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 Environmental Specifications
Operating Conditions Specification
OperatingTemperature
(100%transmitdutycycle) ‐40to+85
o
C(baseplate)
StorageTemperature ‐55to+85
o
C
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2.1.1 MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Figure 2: NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 Mechanical Outline
Table 3: NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 Mechanical Specifications
Parameter Specification
RFConnectors SMA(female)
Control/PowerInterfaceConnector 15PinMicro‐D(socket)
Dimensions(LxWxH) 2.34”x2.34”x0.7”
Weight 2.4oz.
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2.2 HEAT SINKING
The NuPower Xtender VU4GX02 is offered as a stand‐alone module,oraspartofakit,whichalso
includesafan‐cooledheatsinkwithanAC/DCadapterandaninterface cable with banana jack plug
terminations.Thefan‐cooledheatsinkprovidessufficientcoolingforoperatingtheNuPowerXtenderat
roomtemperature(25°C),however higherambient temperaturesmayrequire additionalheat‐sinking
tomaintainabaseplatetemperaturebelow60°Cat100%transmitdutycycle.
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).
Caution: The use of external heat‐sinking is required especially for those applications
requiringhighdutycycleoperation(e.g.continuouswave)orforextendedon‐timetesting.
Operationwithoutaproperheatsinkundertheseconditionswillcausepermanentdamage
totheproductandwillvoidtheproductwarranty.
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3 SETUP AND OPERATION
ThissectionprovidesspecificdetailsforproperoperationoftheNuPowerXtendermodule.Following
theseguidelineswillpreventdamagetothebidirectionalamplifierorexternalequipment.
3.1 POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
To operate the NuPower Xtender VU4GX02, 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
+28VDCwithgreaterthan3ampscapability.
3.2 CONNECTING A PROPER LOAD TO THE ANTENNA TERMINAL
Topreventdamagetotheamplifiermodule,theantennaterminalmustbeterminatedintoa50Ωload.
Examplesofaproperloadinclude:
Directly connecting to an antenna specified for the frequency range (225 to 512 MHz).
Connectingtoaninappropriateantennamayresultindamagetotheamplifiermodule.
Connectingtoaproperantennathrougha50Ωtransmissionlineorcoaxialcable.Avoidusing
damagedcablesorcorrodedconnectorswhileattachingtheunittoanantenna.
Terminating the antenna terminal into a 50 Ω power attenuator with minimum 20 dB
attenuation.
Connectingtoa50ΩloadcapableofdissipatingtheRFpowerfromtheamplifiermodule.Loads
capableofhandling30Watts(min)arerecommended.
3.3 POWERING‐UP THE NUPOWER XTENDER
TheNuPowerXtenderVU4GX02mustbeterminatedintoaproperloadbeforepowerisapplied.Refer
toSection3.2forthespecificationsoftheproperload.Aftertheamplifierisproperlyterminated,the
interfacecablecanbeconnectedtotheunitandpowercanbeapplied.Theamplifierisnowreadyfor
operation.
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4 HARDWARE INTERFACE
Thetransceiverinterfaceconnector,“XCVR,”isSMA(female).
Theantennaconnector,“ANT,”isSMA(female).
Thepin‐outdefinitions forthe15pinMicro‐D socketconnector,“CTRL/PWR,”areprovidedin
Table4.Inatypicalinstallation,theamplifiermoduleismatedtoahostcontrollerboardviaa
cableharness.
TheANTSMAconnectoristheantennaconnection.Thisconnectionshouldalways
beloadedinto50Ω,otherwisetheamplifiercouldbedamaged.
4.1 INTERFACE CONNECTOR
TheNuPowerXtenderVU4GX02featuresa15pinMicro‐Dinterfaceconnectorforcontrol,power,and
groundconnections.
Table 4: NuPower Xtender Interface Pin‐Out Definitions
Socket No. Name I/0 Description
3,4,5,6,12,13 VSupply I PrimaryPower(+28VDC)
1,7,8,10,11,14,15 GND I SignalandPowerGround
2 Temp O OverTemperatureFlag
9 TR_EN I Transmit/ReceiveEnable
Thestandardinterfacecableharnessiscomprisedof15wires,includesaMicro‐Dconnectorwithpins,
andmatesdirectlytotheNuPowerXtenderinterfaceconnector.
4.2 DC POWER
ThenominalsupplyvoltagefortheNuPowerXtenderVU4GX02is+28VDC.
4.3 GROUND
Thesignalandpowergroundsaretiedtogetherintheamplifiermodule.
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4.4 OVER TEMPERATURE FLAG
Thissignalisanoutputtoindicateanover‐temperatureconditionintheNuPowerXtenderVU4GX02.A
logichigh(+5VDC)indicatesnormaloperation,whilealogiclow(0VDC)indicatesanover‐temperature
condition.TheXtenderVU4GX02incorporatesinternallogiccircuitrythatturnsofftheDCbiastotheRF
transistors.
Caution: The amplifier should be shut down and allowed to cool offwhentheover‐
temperatureflagissetlowtoavoiddamagetothemodule.
4.5 TRANSMIT/RECEIVE (T/R) ENABLE
TheXtendertransmitandreceiveswitchingis amanual controlfunction.Applyingalogiclow(0Vor
GND)totheT/RlineplacestheVU4GX02intransmitmode.Likewiseapplyingeitheralogichigh(+5V)
totheT/Rline,orleavingitfloat(NC),placestheVU4GX02inreceivemode.
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5 PRODUCT DISPOSAL – END‐OF‐LIFE
SafetyisaguidingprincipleofNuWavesEngineering.Weensuresafeproductionandoperationofour
products, as well as end‐of‐life disposal. Improper disposal canadverselyaffecttheenvironment,
wildlifeandhumanhealth.PleasefollowtheseguidelineswhendisposingofaNuWavesproduct:
Donotremovethecoveroranyhardware
Donotremovecomponentsfromthecircuitcardassembly
Donotincinerate
Donotcrushorshred
Donotdisposeofasunsortedmunicipalwaste
Donotexporte‐wasteoutsideoftheoriginaldestinationcountryforrecycling
Utilizeane‐StewardorISO14001certifiede‐wasterecycler
Considerexportcontrolsduringrecyclerselection
If a NuWaves product is incorporated into a larger system or sub‐system, ensure that these
guidelinesarefollowedatsystemend‐of‐life
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6 GETTING HELP ‐ APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING
NuWavesEngineeringofferstechnicalsupportforbasicconfigurationhelpandtroubleshooting,Monday
throughFriday,8a.m.to5p.m.EasternTime.
TechnicalAssistance,ApplicationEngineering,andSales:
Phone: (513)360‐0800
NuWavesHomePage:https://www.nuwaves.com/
ProductWarranty:
https://products.nuwaves.com/wp‐content/uploads/NuWaves_Warranty_Repair.pdf
6.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Copyright © 2006 – 2019 NuWaves Ltd. All rights reserved. Theinformationcontainedinthisuser
manualiscopyrightprotected.NuWavesreservestherighttomakeperiodicmodificationsandproduct
improvementstotheNuPowerproductlineandtheassociateddocumentation.
This manual suits for next models
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