NuWaves NW-RF-GPS-FE User manual

USER MANUAL
GPS RF FRONT END
PART NUMBER:
NW-RF-GPS-FE
NuWaves Engineering
132 Edison Drive
Middletown, Ohio 45044
Tel: [phone]
www.nuwaves.com
[e-mail]

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1NUWAVES RF FRONT END PRODUCT LINE OVERVIEW
NuWaves’ family of solid state RF power amplifier (PA) modules, low noise amplifiers (LNAs), and high
performance filters, are designed to meet the demanding needs of the Aerospace & Defense, Industrial,
and Commercial markets.
1.1 RF FRONT END PRODUCT LINE HIGHLIGHTS
•High Performance: Unique combination of broadband coverage, miniature form factors, and high
efficiency.
•Enclosures: The GPS RF Front End’s internal filters are housed in a silver-and-nickel plated
aluminum chassis, all enclosed in a light-weight aluminum chassis with incorporated mounting
holes.
•User Friendly: Reverse-Voltage & Over-Voltage protection and regulator thermal shutdown
provide defenses against user interface issues.
•High Reliability: NuWaves’ selection of conservatively rated components provides high reliability.
Each GPS RF Front End is inspected to IPC-A-610 Class II quality standards. NuWaves’ Quality
Management System is AS9100:2016 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
•Applications: RF Telemetry, RF Communication Systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS),
Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV), Satellite Terminals, Software Defined Radios

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2GPS RF FRONT END OVERVIEW
The NuWaves GPS RF Front End is a highly efficient, high transmit/receive gain module to boost
performance of data links. This high-performance RF front end is a powerful combination of the NuPower
13G05A RF power amplifier, low noise amplifiers, a high isolation diplexer between the transmit and
receive paths with rejection of GPS L1 band, and band-reject filters.
This module accepts a nominal 0 dBm (1 mW) RF input and provides 45 dB of transmit gain from 1626.5
to 1675 MHz and provides 47 dB of receive gain from 1518 to 1559 MHz. With a typical isolation of 80dB
between 1518-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1675 MHz bands, the NuWaves GPS RF Front End enables full duplex
operation. It supports both constant envelope and complex waveforms such as APSK, QAM, DVB-T, etc.
Figure 1: GPS RF Front End Block Diagram
2.1 GPS RF FRONT END SPECIFICATIONS
The subsequent tables in this section outline the GPS RF Front End’s performance specifications.
Table 1: GPS RF Front End Electrical Specifications - Operational

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Parameter Specification
Transmit Frequency Range 1626.5 to 1675 MHz
Receive Frequency Range 1518 to 1559 MHz
Operating Voltage +27VDC to +32VDC
Operating Current 3.25A @ 0dBm Input
Module Efficiency 35% (typ)
Table 2: GPS RF Front End Electrical Specifications - Transmit
Parameter Specification
RF Output Power 20W (min), 30W (typ), Pin=0dBm, CW
P1dB 31dBm (typ)
Small Signal Gain 57dB (typ)
Input VSWR 1.5:1 (typ)
Nominal Input Drive 0 dBm
Quiescent Current (unbiased) 140 mA
Quiescent Current (biased) 750 mA
2nd Harmonic -70 dBc (typ)
Module Efficiency 35% (typ)
Table 3: GPS RF Front End Electrical Specifications - Receive

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Parameter Specification
Receive Gain 47dB (typ)
Receive Gain Flatness 1dB (typ)
Receive Current 140 mA
Noise Figure 1.7 dB (typ)
Table 4: GPS RF Front End Environmental Specifications
Operating Conditions Specification
Operating Temperature – Ambient -40 to +60 oC
Operating Temperature – Baseplate -40 to +85 oC
Storage Temperature -55 to +85 oC
2.2 GPS RF FRONT END MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Table 5: GPS RF Front End Mechanical Specifications
Parameter Specification
Interface Connector Micro-D, 9-pin Socket
RF Connectors, Input/Output SMA Female
Dimensions (LxWxH) 10.25”x 6.00 x 0.80
Weight 47 oz.

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Figure 2: GPS RF Front End Mechanical Outline
2.3 HEAT SINKING
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. The max operating temperature is 85° C (baseplate).
3SET UP AND OPERATION
This section provides specific details for proper operation of the GPS RF Front End module. Following

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these guidelines will prevent damage to the power amplifier or external equipment.
3.1 POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
To operate the GPS RF Front End, ensure that the power supply has adequate overhead to source the
current demand of the RF power amplifier. The power supply source must provide a typical voltage of
+28 VDC with greater than 5 amps capability.
3.2 CONNECTING A PROPER LOAD TO THE ANTENNA TERMINAL
To prevent damage to the GPS RF Front End, 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 (960 MHz to 1390 MHz).
Connecting to an inappropriate antenna may result in damage to the front end 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 load capable of dissipating the RF power from the front end module. Loads
capable of handling 50 Watts (min) are recommended.
3.3 POWERING-UP THE GPS RF FRONT END
The GPS RF Front End must be terminated to a proper load before power is applied. Refer to Section 3.2
for the specifications of the proper load. After the front end is properly terminated, the interface cable
can be connected to the unit and power can be applied. The front end is now ready for operation.
3.4 TRANSMIT TURN-ON TIME
The GPS RF Front End is at full power approximately 1 μS after the RF Enable line goes low (ground).
Therefore, transmit data can be applied to the input after 1 μS without loss of data.
4HARDWARE INTERFACE
•The TX IN connector is SMA (female)
•The RX OUT connector is SMA (female)
•The ANT connector is SMA (female)
The pin-out definitions for the 9 pin Micro-D socket connector are provided in Table 6. In a typical
installation, the GPS RF Front End module is mated to a host controller board via a cable harness.
The RF Out SMA connector is the antenna connection. This connection should always be loaded
into 50 Ω, otherwise the front end could be damaged.

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4.1 INTERFACE CABLE HARNESS
The cable harness that connects the host controller to the 9 pin Micro-D connector of the GPS RF Front
End is made up of 9 wires.
Table 6: GPS RF Front End Interface Pin-Out Definitions Pin No. Pin Name I/0 Description
Pin No. Pin Name I/0 Description Logic
Voltage
Range
Logic
Type
3, 4, 5 V Supply I Primary Power (+28
VDC)
- -
1, 2, 6, 8 GND I Signal and Power
Ground
- -
7 Temp Flag O Over-temp Indicator
(Low = Temperature
Fault; High = No Fault)
High =
+3.85V to
+5V
Low = 0V to
0.4V
+5V
CMOS
9 RF Enable I Transmit Control High =
+3.85V to
+5V
Low = 0V to
1.65V
+5V
CMOS

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Figure 3: Micro-D Socket Locations
Note: with respect to orientation depicted in Figure 2 above
4.2 DC POWER
The nominal supply voltage for the GPS RF Front End is +28 VDC; The acceptable supply voltage range is
+27 to +32 VDC. If a voltage above 32VDC is applied, the drain bias to internal amplifiers will be removed
and the transmit path will be non-operational. Input voltage below +27VDC will result in degraded RF
performance and specifications are not guaranteed below the specified +27 to +32VDC range.
4.3 GROUND
The signal and power grounds are tied together in the GPS RF Front End module.
4.4 RF ENABLE
This signal is the logic control input that designates whether the unit is in transmit or standby mode. The
RF Enable line is pulled high internally placing the GPS RF Front End module in standby mode. If the pin is
left floating (i.e. not connected), the unit will default to standby mode.
Grounding the pin (i.e. a voltage below +0.2 VDC) places the unit in transmit mode. The user can either
connect the RF Enable line to pins 1, 2, 6 & 8 on the CTRL/PWR interface connector, or an open drain
logic line capable of sinking 500 μA to place the unit in transmit mode.
4.5 TEMP FLAG
This signal is an output to indicate an over-temperature condition in the GPS RF Front End. A logic high
(+5 VDC) indicates normal operation, while a logic low (0 VDC) indicates an over-temperature condition.
The GPS RF Front End incorporates internal logic circuitry that turns off the DC bias to the RF transistors.
Caution: The amplifier should be shut down and allowed to cool off when the
overtemperature flag is set low to avoid damage to the module.

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5PRODUCT 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