OPHIR RF Manual

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
1
Technical Description
And
Operating Instructions
For the
Front Panel Controller
With IEEE-488, RS-232, or RS-422 Interface.
Ophir RF
Rev. H

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1FRONT PANEL CONTROLLER....................................................................................... 4
1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 CONTROLS AND DISPLAY.................................................................................................................................4
1.3 RUN MODE ......................................................................................................................................................4
1.4 USER INTERFACE .............................................................................................................................................4
1.5 DISPLAY...........................................................................................................................................................5
1.6 FAULTS............................................................................................................................................................7
1.7 RUN MODE STATUS DISPLAYS.........................................................................................................................7
1.8 USER CONFIGURATION OPTIONS....................................................................................................................10
1.8.1 Example: Setting the VSWR Monitor...................................................................................................11
2GPIB, RS-232 AND RS-422 COMMAND SUMMARY.................................................. 12
2.1 SERIAL COMMUNICATION PARAMETERS........................................................................................................13
2.2 GPIB PARAMETERS .......................................................................................................................................13
2.2.1 Message Terminator............................................................................................................................13
2.2.2 Commands...........................................................................................................................................13
2.2.3 Status Reporting ..................................................................................................................................14
3CALIBRATION.................................................................................................................. 16
3.1 SYSTEM CALIBRATION AND CONFIGURATION MENU.....................................................................................17
3.1.1 Forward Power....................................................................................................................................17
3.1.2 Reverse Power.....................................................................................................................................17
3.1.3 Gain/VVA Levels..................................................................................................................................18
3.1.4 Monitor Options ..................................................................................................................................18
4INTERFACE PIN ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................. 20
4.1 CONNECTOR:GPIB (IEEE-488) CONNECTOR................................................................................................20
4.2 CONNECTOR:RS-232 SERIAL I/O..................................................................................................................21

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Front Panel Display and Controls .................................................................................................................4
Figure 2. GPIB Status Reporting Structure ................................................................................................................15
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Run-Mode Controls and Display Descriptions................................................................................................5
Table 2. General Notes on Operation ...........................................................................................................................6
Table 3. Run Mode Status Displays .............................................................................................................................8
Table 4. User Configuration Mode and Status Displays.............................................................................................10
Table 5. Amplifier Control Commands......................................................................................................................12
Table 6. GPIB Commands..........................................................................................................................................13
Table 7. Calibration Mode Displays...........................................................................................................................16

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
4
1FRONT PANEL CONTROLLER
1.1 Introduction
The front panel display operates in three distinct modes. The first mode is called the Run
Mode. This is the normal operation mode, where the amplifier is controlled either by the
front panel or via the GPIB/IEEE-488, the RS-232 or RS-442 interfaces. The second
mode is User Configuration. In this mode, the end user can configure the system to more
closely support their needs. The final mode is the System Calibration mode. This mode
that is designed to be used only by an authorized technician. Within the System
Calibration mode, all aspects of the amplifier configuration and calibration can be
adjusted.
1.2 Controls and Display
The layout of the controls and display on the front panel is depicted in Figure 1. A
description of each of the controls and the display is contained in Table 1. General
comments on the operation of the controller are contained in Table 2.
1.3 Run Mode
When the unit first powers up, a self-test operation is conducted. If any portion of the
system is un-calibrated, or an error reading the calibration data or settings is encountered,
an appropriate message will appear on the display, and the unit will not power up. If the
unit passes self-test, it will place itself in the power up mode specified by the user in the
User Configuration, or if no mode has been specified, in STANDBY with 0% Gain
(Voltage Variable Amplifier, or VVA) amplification.
1.4 User Interface
There are six buttons used to control the amplifier. The first two buttons are the UP and
DOWN buttons, which are used to set values used by the amplifier. The values that can
be changed include the amplifier output level (either specified in Gain % or dBm), and
the VSWR alarm point. The next button is the GAIN button. If pressed, this button places
the unit into the VVA mode. It also changes the display so that the VVA level can be
changed –“Set VVA: xxx.x%”. The next button is the ALC button. If pressed, this button
places the unit into the ALC mode –“Set ALC: xx.x dBm”. It also changes the display so
A
DISPLAY
F
LINE 1
LINE 2
MODE
STBY
ALC
GAIN
G



FAULT
B
C
D
E

Figure 1. Front Panel Display and Controls

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
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that the ALC level can be changed. The next button is the STANDBY button. This button
does double-duty. If there is a fault that has not been acknowledged, the fault is
acknowledged when this button is pushed. For more information on faults and clearing
them, please see the fault section of this document. The STANDBY button also places
the unit into and removes it from standby mode. The final button is the MODE button.
When pressed, this button cycles through the system status displays. For more
information on these displays, please see the display section of this document.
1.5 Display
The display is used in conjunction with the mode button to display the current amplifier
status. Pressing the MODE button cycles through all of the status displays. See the tables
later in this document for summaries of the displays in the different operational modes.
Table 1. Run-Mode Controls and Display Descriptions
Item
Description
Comments
A
Display
Displays information on command from the microprocessor based on
queries from the front panel control switches, IEEE interface, or from
fault detection circuitry.
B
Mode Switch
Allows toggling thorough all of the following:
oGain Control (Adj. Output power)
oForward and Reflected power
oMax Power (FWD, REV)
oVSWR Cut off (Fwd - Rev in dB)
oGain (VVA) Voltage in %
oMonitors (8 inputs, If Applicable),
oIEEE-488 (GPIB) interface address
oFirmware revision
C
Standby Switch
Places the amplifier in minimum gain mode (Gain/VVA @ 0%
voltage). The standby condition is indicated via the LED on Standby
button.
D
ALC Switch
Turns ALC (Automatic Level Control) mode ON and VVA (Variable
Voltage Attenuator) control mode (also known as the GAIN mode)
OFF. The ALC mode is on when the LED on ALC button is
illuminated. This button is used in conjunction with the UP/DOWN
buttons to change the ALC setting in 0.1 dB steps.
E
Gain Switch
Turns VVA control mode ON and ALC mode OFF. ON is indicated
when the LED on GAIN button is illuminated. This button is used in
conjunction with the UP/DOWN buttons to change the Gain of the
amplifier through 0.1% steps. Note that the percentage of gain is a
relative function and is not linear.
F & G
Up and Down
Switches
Controls gain of the amplifier when in the Gain mode and the output
level when in the ALC mode. These buttons manipulate various
parameters depending on the operating mode of the amplifier.

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This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
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Table 2. General Notes on Operation
Item
Description
Comments
1
Default Power-Up
Setting
Standby ON (VVA @ 0% voltage), ALC OFF and GAIN ON.
UP/DOWN arrow keys adjust Gain of the amplifier in 0.1% steps. After
adjusting to desired power output, press Standby key once. Amplifier
will display actual power output and relative VVA voltage in
percentage. Press Standby key again and amplifier will again be in
Standby mode.
2
Fault Conditions
If fault occurs during normal operation, the information is shown on the
display and the red fault LED on the front panel illuminates. It also
reports the fault information via the IEEE-488 bus, RS-232 port and RS-
422 ports, if queried. To clear a fault, after fault condition is repaired,
push the STBY button.
oHigh Temperature –Turns OFF bias voltage, illuminates red
fault LED and sends fault status condition to IEEE-488 bus, RS-
232 port , RS-422 port, and Ethernet Port if queried. A normal
operating condition will be only restored once the fault has been
removed and Standby has been pressed (to acknowledge fault).
MESSAGE: “Temp”.
oHigh power –The amplifiers are programmed to automatically
reduce the drive level if the forward, reverse or input power
levels exceed factory-set values. Message: “Fwd Pwr”, “Rev
Pwr”, or “Input Pwr”.
oHigh VSWR –The amplifiers are programmed to reduce output
power to a factory-set maximum reverse-power level under high
load VSWR conditions. As with all other faults, the controller
will illuminate the fault LED Message: “VSWR”.
oMonitors –Occurs when DC input(s) exceeds or falls below
configured levels. If configured for amplifier shutdown, the
controller turns OFF the bias voltage and illuminates the fault
LED. A normal operating condition will be only restored once
the fault has been removed and Standby has been pressed (to
acknowledge fault). If configured for Notification Fault, the
controller will only display the fault without affecting the
current control status of the amplifier. Message: “Mon X”,
where “X” is the number of the monitor that tripped.
oUncalibrated - If EEPROM is damaged or has lost its' stored
data, front panel will indicate “Error – Calibrate” and the
controller will not be useable. Complete re-calibration will be
required Message: “Error – Calibrate”
3
Basic Operating
Instructions
1. Drive the amplifier with a nominal level indicated by the
specifications included with the specific model of amplifier.
2. Adjust the desired output level or the gain using the Set ALC or
Set VVA level function, respectively.

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
7
1.6 Faults
There are two levels of faults in the system. The first and more severe fault level is a
shutdown fault. Shutdown faults are VSWR faults (when the forward power minus the
reverse power is greater than the VSWR Alarm Set point), over-temperature faults, and
some voltage or current monitor faults. The second and more minor fault is a notification
fault. Notification faults can include voltage or current faults as configured via the
calibration menu.
When a temperature fault occurs, the unit will go into the protective mode, completely
shutting-down the amplifier.
When a shutdown fault occurs, the unit shutdowns immediately, and the fault LED
illuminates. The nature of the fault is shown on the display. If applicable, multiple faults
will be displayed, in-line. If more faults exist than can be displayed in 16 characters, the
up and down buttons can be used to horizontally scroll the display. To change the display
mode from the fault screen to other screens to help determine the nature of the fault, press
the MODE button to cycle through screen. When the fault condition has been removed
(i.e. the temperature has returned to a safe operating range) and the STANDBY button is
pressed, the system will restart. If the fault has not been removed, the system will not
respond to the STANDBY button.
When a notification fault occurs, the unit continues to operate as before the fault
occurred, and the fault LED illuminates. The nature of the fault is still displayed, as
described above for shutdown faults. To acknowledge the fault, press the STANDBY
button once. This places the display into normal operation. The fault LED will remain
illuminated until the fault condition goes away, but the unit will operate normally. To see
what faults are still occurring, use the MODE button to step through the displays to the
Fault Display. This will display any notification faults the system may have tripped.
1.7 Run Mode Status Displays
Table 3 explains the operation of the run-mode menus. The following general
considerations apply:
oThese display items are available following successful power-up of the amplifier.
oIf any portion of the system requires calibration, the unit will not power up, and
the front panel will display an error message and automatically go to the
calibration menu.
oMany specific aspects of the display in Run Mode are dictated by settings made in
the configuration menu.
oCycle through the front panel menu items by pressing the MODE key.

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
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Table 3. Run Mode Status Displays
Menu Item
Options
Comments
Output Level Set
Fwd Pwr: XX.X dBm
Set VVA: XXX.X %
or
Fwd Pwr: XXX.X W
Set VVA: XXX.X %
(if amplifier is in VVA mode,
i.e. ‘GAIN’ LED is
illuminated).
Change Output Level using the 
and keys on the front panel.
Fwd Pwr: XX.X dBm
Set ALC: XX.X dBm
or
Fwd Pwr: XXXX.X W
Set ALC: XXXX.X W
(if amplifier is in ALC mode,
i.e. ‘ALC’ LED is illuminated).
Units are in dBm or Watts
depending on Startup Options
setting selected in User
Configuration Mode (see next
section).
Change Output Level using the 
and keys on the front panel.
Output Power
(Read Only in Run Mode)
Fwd Pwr: XX.X dBm
Rev Pwr: XX.X dBm
or
Fwd Pwr: XXXX.X W
Rev Pwr: XXXX.X W
Units are in dBm or Watts
depending on Startup Options
setting selected in User
Configuration Mode (see next
section).
The forward and reverse power
levels are displayed.
Input Power
(if option installed and
configured)
In Pwr: XX.X dBm
Max Pwr: XX.X dBm
Maximum Forward
and Reverse Power
Settings
Max Fwd: XX.X dBm
Max Rev: XX.X dBm
or
Max Fwd: XXXX.X W
Max Rev: XXXX.X W
These values are set at the Factory
and cannot be changed without the
Factory Jumper. These values are
set by an Ophir RF Technician for
safety purposes to protect the
amplifier. If either setting is
exceeded, a fault is generated.

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
9
Menu Item
Options
Comments
VSWR Alarm
(Read Only in Run Mode)
VSWR Alarm: XX.X dB
The VSWR Alarm Threshold
represents the difference between the
forward power and the reflected
power (in dBm). A higher value
here represents a configuration that
is more sensitive to VSWR.
Gain (VVA) Level
(Read Only in Run Mode)
Gain: XXX.X%
When the unit is in ALC mode this
value will change dynamically as the
input signal changes.
When the unit is in VVA mode this
value should mirror the value set in
the Output Level Set display.
User can change either VVA or ALC
level by using the and keys on
the panel after first pushing the
‘ALC’ or ‘GAIN’ buttons.
Monitors
(Read Only in Run Mode)
I1: X.X I2: X.X
I3: X.X I4: X.X
or
V1: X.X V2: X.X
V3: X.X V4: X.X
or
T1: X.X T2: X.X
T3: X.X T4: X.X
Any combination of T, V and I
monitors are possible.
Displays the Temperature, voltage
and/or current monitors. They are
displayed four at a time; pressing the
mode button advances to the next set
of four. After all of the monitors are
displayed, pressing the mode button
advances it to the next display. If no
monitors are configured, this mode
is skipped.
GPIB Address
(Read Only in Run Mode)
Address = XX
Where
XX = 1 to 31
Default is 5
Displays the GPIB / IEEE-488
device address of the Amplifier.
Valid address values are from 1 to
31.
This menu item will not appear if the
GPIB Interface has been disabled in
the System Calibration Options.
Version
X.YY
Where
X = Revision number, and
YY = Version number
Displays the Revision and Version
number of the Front Panel Controller
firmware.
Fault Display
Temp and/or Fwd Pwr
and/or Rev Pwr
and/or In Pwr
and/or VSWR and/or Mon x
and/or ALC Range
and/or EXT. VSWR
Displays any acknowledged
notification faults. If no minor faults
have occurred, these items will not
displayed and this menu item is
skipped.

Appendix A
This Document contains proprietary and confidential information of Ophir RF Inc.
March 28, 2023 Rev: H
10
1.8 User Configuration Options
Table 4 explains the operation of the run-mode menus. The following general
considerations apply:
oThese menu options are available to the user to select the default system settings.
oEnter the User Configuration Menu by pressing and holding down then ‘GAIN’
and ‘ALC’ buttons on the front panel simultaneously during power-up. Release
when top display line reads Configuration.
oCycle through menu items using the and keys on the front panel. Make
selection by pressing the ‘MODE’ key. Selections result in context-sensitive
prompts for sub-items.
Table 4. User Configuration Mode and Status Displays
MENU ITEM
OPTIONS
COMMENTS
GPIB Address
Address = XX
Where
XX = 1 to 31
Allows user to change the GPIB / IEEE-488 device
address of the Amplifier.
Valid address values are from 1 to 31.
This item will not appear if GPIB Interface has been
disabled in the System Calibration Options.
Startup Option:
Power display
Display dBm or
Display Watts
Sets default units used in displaying power.
Startup Option:
Standby
None
The default power-up mode for the amplifier is
Standby. This cannot be changed.
Startup Option:
Gain /ALC
Gain or ALC
ALC: X.X (in units of dBm or Watts)
or
Gain: XX% (in units of percent)
Startup Option:
ALC Response
Filtering: x
Where x = 0 - 9
Allows choosing between fast and slow response for
the Automatic Level Control (ALC) function. 0=
Minimal filtering, 9= Maximum filtering.
Startup Option:
Initial Gain
Gain: XX.X%
Where x = 00.0 to 100.0
Allows choosing between 0% attenuation to 100%
attenuation at startup. Where 0% is maximum, and
100% is minimum.
Startup Option:
Initial ALC
ALC: XX.X dBm
Where x = set by Ophir
RF, Min. and Max. value
Allows choosing between Minimum ALC value (set
by Ophir RF, depending on amplifier’s output power
level) to Maximum ALC value in dBm at startup.