Quartzlock E5-MX Instruction Manual

Quartzlock
Precision Frequency Engineering
E5-MX
Switch and Distribution Amplifier
USER’S HANDBOOK
Quartzlock
179 • Junction Road • Burgess Hill • RH15 0JW • UK
Tel: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]om Web: www.quartzlock.com
Registered in England: 708818 VAT Registration No: GB 190 1166 84
HCD Research Limited trading as Quartzlock

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Copyright
Copytight © 2023 Quartzlock
All rights reserved.
Quartzlock continuous improvement as part of it’s policy. Specification
subject to change without notice and not part of any contract.
Revision history
Revision Date Description By
1 July 2023 Initial Release O. Khorremy
1.01 August 2023 Alex. K
Added new commands and software console

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Contents
Copyright .............................................................................................................. 2
Revision history ...................................................................................................... 2
Safety Considerations .......................................................................................... 4
Voltage, Frequency and Power Characteristics ............................................... 5
Environmental Conditions .................................................................................... 5
Replaceable Fuse Characteristics ...................................................................... 5
Cleaning Instructions ............................................................................................ 5
Front panel LED indicators ................................................................................... 6
Rear panel connectors ........................................................................................ 8
Serial Port Parameters....................................................................................... 8
E5-MX console software ................................................................................... 9
Quick setup – How to configure ....................................................................... 10
Command Line Interface .................................................................................. 12
Specifications ...................................................................................................... 18

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Safety Considerations
General
This product and related documentation must be reviewed for familiarization before
operation. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the instrument may be impaired.
Before Applying Power
Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage and the correct fuse is
installed.
Before Cleaning
Disconnect the product from operating power before cleaning.
This equipment must be earthed
An uninterruptible safety earth ground must be maintained from the mains power
source to the product’s ground circuitry.
WARNING
Bodily injury or death may result from failure to heed a warning. Do not proceed beyond a warning
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION
Damage to equipment, or incorrect measurement data, may result from failure to heed a caution. Do not
proceed beyond a caution until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNING
When measuring power line signals, be extremely careful and use a step down isolation transformer
whose output is compatible with the input measurement capabilities of this product. The product’s
front and rear panels are typically at earth ground. Thus, never try to measure AC power line signals
without an isolation transformer.
WARNING
Instructions for adjustments when covers are removed and for servicing are for use by
service- trained personnel only. To avoid dangerous electrical shock, do not perform such
adjustments or servicing unless qualified to do so.
WARNING
Any interruption of the protective grounding conductor (inside or outside the instrument) or
disconnecting of the protective earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result
in personal injury. Grounding one conductor of a two conductor out-let is not sufficient protection.

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Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired, the instrument must be
made inoperative and be secured against any unintended operation.
If the instrument is to be energised via an autotransformer (for voltage reduction) makes
sure the common terminal is connected to the earthed pole terminal (neutral) of the
power source.
Instructions for adjustments while the covers are removed and for servicing are for use
by service- trained personnel only. To avoid dangerous electrical shock, do not perform
such adjustments or servicing unless qualified to do so.
For continued protections against fire, replace the line fuse(s) with fuses of the same
current rating and type (for example, normal blow time delay). Do not use repaired
fuses of short-circuited fuse holders.
Voltage, Frequency and Power Characteristics
AC Plug
Voltage 100-240V AC
AC Frequency 50-60Hz
Power characteristics
1000mA Max Voltage
Environmental Conditions
Temperature
Operating (ambient) -20°C to +65°C
Storage -40°C to +85°C
Magnetic Field
Sensitivity ≤2x10-11/ Gauss
Atmospheric Pressure -60m to 4000m
<1x10-13/ mbar
Replaceable Fuse Characteristics
Rackmount units: - 1000mA time-lag HBC
Cleaning Instructions
To ensure long and trouble operation, keep the unit free from dust and use care with
liquids around the unit.
Be careful not to spill liquids onto the unit. If the unit does get wet, turn the power off
immediately and let the unit dry completely before turning it on again.
Clean with a damp (with water) cloth.
Never spray cleaner directly onto the unit or let liquid run into any part of it. Never use
harsh or caustic products to clean the unit.

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Front panel LED indicators
1. Output channels LED indicators
ON - Green : Signal is present on the output channels
ON - Red : Fault indicator, No signal is present on the output channels
2. AC and Alarm LEDs
AC - Green : the unit is powered
AC - OFF : the unit is not powered
ALARM – Red flashing: fault identified
3. Front Panel Pushbuttons and LED
4. Power switch
Power switch : The blue LED ring will lite when the unit is powered. The unit is OFF
when the blue LED ring is OFF.
Pushbutton Action Result
INPUT A Selects INPUT A
INPU B Selects INPUT B
AUTO Autoswitch mode
Press and hold Auto for 10 seconds Resets and clears faults

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LED Function

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Rear panel connectors
1. Power = AC power input
IEC filter 320, fused at 1Amp
2. COMPORT settings
The 9 pin D-sub is configured to output fault and for command line interface.
Pin No Function Description
1 Fault output Logic High = fault, Logic Low = No fault
2 TX (RS232) Serial transmit
3 RX (RS232) Serial receive
5 Ground
The E5-MX device can be configured via serial port located on the rear panel.
Serial Port Parameters
The following parameters are the serial port configuration
Serial port parameters
Baud rate 115200
Data 8
Parity None
Stop bit 1
Flow control None
3. RF output channels
Digital and RF signal output on 12 BNC connectors
4. RF and Alarm inputs
Input ‘A’ and ‘B’ for RF and digital signals
‘Alarm A’ and ‘Alarm B’ for and external alarm input

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E5-MX console software
The console software can be used to send and receive commands to configure the
E5-MX. There fixed command preselected for ease of use. Three additional
command fields available to enter commands by user.
df

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Quick setup – How to configure
Use the following procedure containing the individual parameters and commands
to configure the unit via serial port interface. Connect the E5-MX to a computer via
RS232 port and launch the E5-MX console software.
1. frequency [<1-15>] (set the value of frequency range).
2. Waveform [<Sine/square>] (set the wave input waveform sine/square).
3. Impedance [<50|1000>] (set the value of impedance to either 50Ω or 1000Ω).
4. Switch mode Auto or manual : Select auto or manual mode for input A and B
5. Fault input: Enable/disable external fault input and the fault logic state (High or Low)
6. voltage [<0-5>] if input signal is CMOS/TTL, then set the reference threshold for
inputs A and B

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The flow chart is to provide visual guide in how to configure the E5-MX.
Set input frequency
Select waveform Sine/CMOS
Select input Impedance 50/1KΩ
Autoswitch mode or Manual mode
Set gain (0-7)
Configure external fault input
E5-MX configuration complete
Set trigger voltage level
If sinewave output selected If CMOS/TTL output selected
E5-MX configuration complete

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Command Line Interface
Set or get the input waveform
Set or get the input Impedance
****************************************************************
** Welcome to the E5MX local CLI **
** Write 'help' or '?' for help menu. **
****************************************************************
[ 06-10-2023 14:11:12 ]>> HELP
impedance - Get/Set channel impedance.
frequency - Get/Set input frequency.
waveForm - Get/Set input wave form.
fInput - Fault input configuration.
config - Display current configuration.
voltage - Set/Get reference Voltage.
version - Display system version info.
faults - Display/Clear (latched)faults.
switch - Control input switching.
gain - Get/Set system gain.
time - Set system clock.
reset - Reboot the DSP.
help - This help, or help on a specific command.
? - This help, or help on a specific command.
Input commands Description
Impedance Returns the current setting
Impedance 50 Sets impedance to 50 Ohms
Impedance 10000 Sets impedance to 1000 Ohms
Input commands Description
Waveform? Returns the instructions how to input the command
waveform Returns the current setting
Waveform sine Signal wave form is Sine
Waveform square Signal wave form is Square

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How to get or set input/output frequency
Input commands Description/Reply
Frequency? Returns the instructions how to input the command
Frequency Returns the current set frequency input
Frequency 1 Frequency 1Hz to 10Hz CMOS/TTL Input
Frequency 2 Frequency 10Hz to 100Hz CMOS/TTL Input
Frequency 3 Frequency 100Hz to 1KHz
Frequency 4 Frequency 1KHz to 10KHz
Frequency 5 Frequency 10KHz to 100KHz
Frequency 6 Frequency 100KHz and above
Frequency 7 Frequency AM IRIG 100Hz
Frequency 8 Frequency AM IRIG 1KHz
Frequency 9 Frequency AM IRIG 10KHz
Frequency 10 Frequency digital IRIG A
Frequency 11 Frequency digital IRIG B
Frequency 12 Frequency digital IRIG D
Frequency 13 Frequency digital IRIG E
Frequency 14 Frequency digital IRIG G
Frequency 15 Frequency digital IRIG H

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Set or get fault configuration
Display the current configuration
Input commands Description/Reply
fInput? Returns the instruction for input command
fInput Returns the current configuration
finput <A/B> <disable|[enable<low/high>]><CR>
Examples:
finput A enable high
finput B enable high
finput A disable high
finput B disable high
finput A enable low
finput B enable low
fault A input=enable, level = high means that a TTL level=high (or
open circuit) on the input indicates a fault
fault A input=enable, level=low means that a TTL level = low on the
input indicates a fault
Input commands Description
Config? Returns the instruction for input command
Config Returns the saved parameters of unit configuration

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Set or get the input comparator voltage
Display or clear Faults
Set gain of output signal
The output gain can be adjusted between ±3dBm.
Input commands Description
voltage? Returns the instructions how to input the command
voltage Returns the voltage level detected by the comparator
The voltage reference input range is 0V to +5V
Example to set the voltage for 2.5 volts:
Enter voltage 2.5 <CR>
Input commands Description
faults? Returns the instructions how to input the command
faults Returns the current fault detected by the unit
Input commands Description
gain? Returns the instructions how to input the command
gain Returns the current fault detected by the unit
The gain adjustment range is between 0-7. Gain 3 is at centre unity gain level. Increase the
gain number will decrease the gain and decreasing will increase the gain.
Example to increase gain or decrease by 1dBm:
To increase gain Enter gain 2 <CR>
To decrease Enter gain 4 <CR>

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Mode of switching
The E5-MX offers manual and Auto mode.
Manual: In manual switching mode, selecting Input A or Input B will connect that input
directly to the twelve outputs. Input A or Input B can be selected manually by pressing the
corresponding front panel input button, or by sending the appropriate command on the
serial port command line interface.
Auto: To use auto-switching mode successfully, it is first necessary to set up the conditions of
comparison. The conditions of comparison are set up over the command line interface. The
E5-MX allows for a voltage level, and a signal time duration comparison to be made with the
selected input signal. Once the conditions of comparison are set up, the selected input can
be activated. This can be done manually by pressing "Auto" button on the front panel, or by
sending the appropriate command over the command line interface. The command is that
either input signal A or signal B is to be selected.
Set or get the system clock and date
Input commands Description
switch? Returns the instructions how to input the command
switch Returns the current setting of mode of switch
Example to set auto mode:
Enter switch auto <CR>
Example to set manual mode, and set A as the selected input channel
Enter switch A <CR>
Input commands Description
time? Returns the instructions how to input the command
time Returns the system time and date
Example to set time and date:
Time [<dd> <mm> <yyyy> <hh:mm:ss>] <CR>
Enter 12 10 2023 15 08 05 <CR>

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How to reset the E5-MX processor
Firmware version
Input commands Description
reset? Returns the instructions how to input the command
reset It reset the processor and reboot in 10 seconds
Note: The E5-MX configurations including system time and date after sending the rest
command.
Input commands Description
version? Returns the instructions how to input the command
version Returns the current firmware version , device ID and calibration information

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Specifications
Standards
CE
Emissions EN 55022
Immunity EN 55024
Safety EN 60950-1
FCC
Part 15 Subpart B, Class A
Electrical RF Signals
Signal Inputs
RF
Frequency 100Hz - 10MHz
Level 0 to 1Vrms (Do not exceed 15dBM)
Impedance 50Ω or 1kΩ
Isolation A to B >85dB
Pulse/DC IRIG time code
Frequency 1PPS to 10MPPS
Level 0-6VP-P
DutyCycle 0 to 100%
Impedance 50Ω or 1kΩ
AM IRIG timecode
Frequency 1PPS to 10MPPS
Level 0-6Vp-p
Modulation Frequency Up to 1MHz
Code Format Any IRIG Format, IEEE 1344, NASA 36, 2137, XR3
Impedance 50Ω or 1kΩ

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Outputs
RF
Frequency 100Hz to 10MHz
Level 1V rms (15dBM max)
Gain ±3dBm – use command line via serial port
Harmonic
Non-Harmonic
Load Impedance
<-40dBc
<-80dBc
50Ω
Isolation >80dB
Additive Phase Noise
Phase noise measured at 10 MHz, +10 dBm input level.
1Hz
10Hz
100Hz
1kHz
10kHz
-128dBc/Hz
-140dBc/Hz
-145dBc/Hz
-150dBc/Hz
-157dBC/Hz
Pulse/DC IRIG
Frequency 1PPS - 10MPPS
Level
5V peak
Rise Time <20ns
Fall Time <20ns
Jitter
<200ps rms
Skew <+/-2ns output to output
Load impedance 50Ω
AM IRIG Timecode
Frequency 1PPS to 10MPPS
Level 0-6Vp-p
Modulation Frequency Up to 1MHz
Code Format Any IRIG Format, IEEE 1344, NASA 36, 2137, XR3
Load Impedance 50Ω
Alarm Input
Normal State
2.2 to 5.0 V (TTL High) Configured via CLI.
Can be High or Low
<0.8 V (TTL Low)
Alarm State Connectors BNC
Qty 2 (1 for A input & 1 for B input)
Enable/Disable Configured via serial port.
Default is disabled

Registered in England: 708818 VAT Registration No: GB 190 1166 84
Tel: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]om Web: www.quartzlock.com
179 • Junction Road • Burgess Hill • RH15 0JW • UK
Quartzlock
Precision Frequency Engineering