Quasonix TIMTER QSX-V Series User manual

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Quasonix, Inc.
Copyright Quasonix, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
TIMTERTM Multi-mode Digital Telemetry Transmitter
Installation and Operation Manual
Quasonix, Inc.
6025 Schumacher Park Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069
23 February 2021
Revision 3.9.2
Specifications subject to change without notice.
All Quasonix transmitter products are under U.S. Department of Commerce jurisdiction and categorized
as EAR99; not covered by ITAR.

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Table of Contents
1Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Description...................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Nomenclature ..............................................................................................................................1
1.3 Part Number Field Codes............................................................................................................4
1.3.1 Frequency Bands ....................................................................................................................4
1.3.2 Clock and Data Interface.........................................................................................................6
1.3.3 Serial Control Interface............................................................................................................7
1.3.4 ARTM Tier 0 (PCM/FM) ..........................................................................................................8
1.3.5 ARTM Tier I (SOQPSK-TG) ....................................................................................................8
1.3.6 ARTM Tier II (Multi-h CPM).....................................................................................................8
1.3.7 Legacy.....................................................................................................................................8
1.3.8 RF Output Power.....................................................................................................................9
1.3.9 Packages.................................................................................................................................9
1.3.10 Automatic Carrier Wave Output Option –AC........................................................................10
1.3.11 Auto Carrier Save Option –ACS...........................................................................................10
1.3.12 Auxiliary Input Option –AI.....................................................................................................10
1.3.13 Adapter Plate –AP................................................................................................................11
1.3.14 Baud Rate Option –BRx.......................................................................................................11
1.3.15 CP07 Control Protocol Option –C7 ......................................................................................11
1.3.16 Convolutional Encoder Option –CE .....................................................................................11
1.3.17 Clock-free Baseband Interface Option –CF .........................................................................12
1.3.18 Clock Generator Output Option –CG ...................................................................................13
1.3.19 Dual Power Option –DP.......................................................................................................13
1.3.20 Digital Switch Box Option –DSWBX.....................................................................................13
1.3.21 Ethernet Payload Capability –EN.........................................................................................13
1.3.22 Analog Frequency Modulation –FM .....................................................................................14

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1.3.22.1 Using True Analog FM..................................................................................................14
1.3.23 Frequency Offset –FO..........................................................................................................14
1.3.24 GPS Notch Option –GN .......................................................................................................14
1.3.25 High Bit Rate Option –HR ....................................................................................................14
1.3.26 Internal Clock and Data Option –ID......................................................................................15
1.3.27 IN Frequency Band Option –IN............................................................................................15
1.3.28 IN Frequency Band High Limit –INH....................................................................................15
1.3.29 IN Frequency Band Low Limit –INL......................................................................................15
1.3.30 Limited Current Option –LC..................................................................................................15
1.3.31 Forward Error Correction / Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Option –LD.........................15
1.3.32 Forward Error Correction / Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Option –LD6.......................15
1.3.33 Low Bit Rate Option –LR......................................................................................................16
1.3.34 Space Operations and Research S band Option –MA ........................................................16
1.3.35 Space Operations and Research S band High Limit Option –MAH.....................................16
1.3.36 Space Operations and Research S band Low Limit Option –MAL......................................16
1.3.37 The standard Randomizer Control Option –MK...................................................................16
1.3.38 Modulation Scaling Option –MS...........................................................................................16
1.3.39 MDM-9 Accessory Board –P9..............................................................................................16
1.3.40 Parallel Port Frequency Programming Option –PF..............................................................16
1.3.41 Parallel Port Mode Selection Option –PM............................................................................17
1.3.42 Hardware Preset Option –PS (PS2, PS4, PS8, or PS16)....................................................17
1.3.43 Power Output Option –PW020.............................................................................................17
1.3.44 Recall Holdoff Option –RH...................................................................................................17
1.3.45 Randomizer Output Option –RN ..........................................................................................17
1.3.46 Spacecraft Tracking and Data Network Option –STDN.......................................................17
1.3.47 Variable FIFO Depth Option –VF.........................................................................................17
1.3.48 Variable Power Option –VP..................................................................................................17

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1.3.49 Wide Input Voltage Range Option –WV...............................................................................18
1.3.50 External Device Control –XD................................................................................................18
2Accessories..........................................................................................................................................19
2.1 Fan-cooled Heat Sink ................................................................................................................19
2.2 Transmitter-powered Heat Sink (for airborne applications).......................................................20
2.3 Adapter Plate.............................................................................................................................22
2.4 Pre-wired MDM-15 for RS-422 Units.........................................................................................22
2.5 Pre-wired MDM-15 for TTL Units...............................................................................................23
2.6 MDM-15 Wiring Harness for RS-422 Units................................................................................23
2.7 MDM-15 Wiring Harness for TTL Units .....................................................................................24
2.8 Ruggedized Handheld Programmer..........................................................................................24
2.9 USB to Serial Converter Cable..................................................................................................25
2.10 2nd Generation Digital Switch Box .............................................................................................26
3Installation Instructions ........................................................................................................................27
3.1 Mechanical.................................................................................................................................27
3.2 Thermal......................................................................................................................................29
3.3 Electrical ....................................................................................................................................29
4Operating Instructions..........................................................................................................................32
4.1 Power-on Operation...................................................................................................................32
4.1.1 Dual Power via Hardware Control.........................................................................................32
4.1.2 2nd Generation Switch Box Notes ........................................................................................32
4.2 TIMTER™ Serial Control Protocol.............................................................................................32
4.2.1 Command Set: Standard and Optional Commands..............................................................33
4.2.1.1 Additional Command Set Details ......................................................................................59
4.2.1.1.1 Automatic Carrier Output –AC................................................................................59
4.2.1.1.2 Baseband Clock –BBCK.........................................................................................59
4.2.1.1.3 Clock Free Bit Rate –BR ........................................................................................60
4.2.1.1.4 Baseband Interface Type - BT.................................................................................62
4.2.1.1.5 Convolutional Encoder –CC...................................................................................62
4.2.1.1.6 Clock Generator Source Select Command –CG....................................................62

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4.2.1.1.7 Frequency Offset –FO............................................................................................62
4.2.1.1.8 Frequency –FR.......................................................................................................63
4.2.1.1.9 Internal Clock Rate –IC ..........................................................................................63
4.2.1.1.10 Input Source Selection Command –IS .................................................................63
4.2.1.1.11 Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Command –LD ..............................................66
4.2.1.1.12 Overtemperature Control –OC .............................................................................67
4.2.1.1.13 RF Output –RF .....................................................................................................67
4.2.1.1.14 RF Output State –RFS .........................................................................................68
4.2.1.1.15 Set Configuration Priority –SC..............................................................................68
4.2.1.1.16 Frequency Sweep –SW........................................................................................69
4.2.1.1.17 System Status Command –SY.............................................................................69
4.2.1.1.18 External Device Control Command –XDC ...........................................................71
4.2.1.1.19 External Device Channel Command –XDCH.......................................................72
4.2.1.1.20 External Device Frequency Switching Threshold Command –XDF.....................72
4.2.1.1.21 External Device Polarity Invert Command –XDP.................................................73
5RF Output Notes..................................................................................................................................74
5.1 Troubleshooting the RF on a Quasonix Transmitter .................................................................74
6Performance Specifications.................................................................................................................77
6.1 RF Output ..................................................................................................................................77
6.2 Electrical Current .......................................................................................................................77
6.3 Environmental Specifications.....................................................................................................78
6.3.1 EMI Performance...................................................................................................................78
6.4 Carrier Frequency Tuning..........................................................................................................79
6.5 Carrier Frequency Error.............................................................................................................81
6.6 Bit Error Rate.............................................................................................................................81
6.7 Modulated RF Power Spectrum ................................................................................................82
6.8Phase Noise Power Spectrum...................................................................................................84
6.9 Baseplate Temperature.............................................................................................................85
6.10 Vibration and Shock...................................................................................................................85
6.10.1 Vibration Testing....................................................................................................................87
6.10.2 Shock Testing........................................................................................................................90
7Maintenance Instructions.....................................................................................................................94
8Product Warranty.................................................................................................................................95
8.1 Quasonix Limited Warranty Statement......................................................................................95

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8.1.1 Extended Warranties.............................................................................................................96
9Technical Support and RMA Requests................................................................................................97
10 Appendix A –Preset Option.............................................................................................................98
11 Appendix B –Legacy Binary Protocol Notes ...................................................................................99
11.1 Known Limitations of Binary Protocol < V1.005 ........................................................................99
11.2 Items Not Supported By the Legacy Transmitter.......................................................................99
12 Appendix C –Understanding Clock/Data, AC, and BR .................................................................100
13 Appendix D –Acronym List............................................................................................................102
List of Figures
Figure 1: Quasonix Part Number Construction Description..........................................................................1
Figure 2: FPCM Signal on Oscilloscope .....................................................................................................10
Figure 3: CCSDS 131.0-B-1 Rendering of Basic Convolutional Encoder Diagram....................................12
Figure 4: Fan-cooled Heat Sink and Power Supply....................................................................................19
Figure 5: Fan-cooled Heat Sink with 6 cubic inch TIMTER™.....................................................................19
Figure 6: Transmitter-powered Heat Sink, Pigtail Cable, SMA Extender, and Adapter Plate ....................20
Figure 7: Transmitter-powered Heat Sink Mounted on an 04AB Package.................................................21
Figure 8: Transmitter-powered Heat Sink Mounted on a 07AE Package...................................................21
Figure 9: Close-up Using Female MDM-15 Connector...............................................................................22
Figure 10: Close-up Using Male MDM-15 Connector.................................................................................22
Figure 11: Adapter Plate.............................................................................................................................22
Figure 12: Pre-wired MDM-15 with 36” Pigtails for RS-422........................................................................23
Figure 13: Pre-wired MDM-15 with 36” Pigtails for TTL..............................................................................23
Figure 14: MDM-15 Cable Harness for RS-422..........................................................................................24
Figure 15: MDM-15 Cable Harness for TTL................................................................................................24
Figure 16: Ruggedized Handheld Programmer ..........................................................................................25
Figure 17: USB to Serial Converter Cable..................................................................................................25
Figure 18: Digital Switch Box with 18” MDM-9 to MDM-9 Cable Harness..................................................26
Figure 19: 4.2 in3 TIMTER™ ......................................................................................................................27
Figure 20: Outline Drawing, TIMTER™ 04AB Telemetry Transmitter ........................................................28
Figure 21: Example Quasonix Pinout Drawing ...........................................................................................30
Figure 22: Baseband Signal Timing............................................................................................................31

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Figure 23: TIMTER™ Welcome Message ..................................................................................................33
Figure 24: PCM/FM (Tier 0) Power Spectral Density with Mask ................................................................83
Figure 25: SOQPSK-TG (Tier I) Power Spectral Density with Mask..........................................................83
Figure 26: MULTI-h CPM (Tier II) Power Spectral Density with Mask .......................................................84
Figure 27: Phase Noise Limit Curve ...........................................................................................................85
Figure 28: Vibration / Shock Testing System..............................................................................................86
Figure 29: TIMTER™ Mounted for Z-axis Testing......................................................................................86
Figure 30: TIMTER™ Mounted for X-axis Testing......................................................................................87
Figure 31: TIMTER™ Mounted for Y-axis Testing......................................................................................87
Figure 32: TIMTER™ Vibration Profile .......................................................................................................87
Figure 33: Z-axis Vibration Spectrum .........................................................................................................88
Figure 34: Y-axis Vibration Spectrum .........................................................................................................89
Figure 35: X-axis Vibration Spectrum .........................................................................................................89
Figure 36: Shock Pulse, Z-axis Positive .....................................................................................................90
Figure 37: Shock Pulse, Z-axis Negative....................................................................................................91
Figure 38: Shock Pulse, Y-axis Positive.....................................................................................................91
Figure 39: Shock Pulse, Y-axis Negative....................................................................................................92
Figure 40: Shock Pulse, X-axis Positive.....................................................................................................92
Figure 41: Shock Pulse, X-axis Negative....................................................................................................93
Figure 42: Transmitter Clock and Data Logic ...........................................................................................101
List of Tables
Table 1: Model Configuration Example.........................................................................................................3
Table 2: Frequency Band Codes ..................................................................................................................4
Table 3: Clock and Data Interface Codes.....................................................................................................6
Table 4: Serial Control Interface Codes........................................................................................................7
Table 5: ARTM Tier 0 Codes ........................................................................................................................8
Table 6: ARTM Tier I Codes .........................................................................................................................8
Table 7: ARTM Tier II Codes ........................................................................................................................8
Table 8: Legacy Codes.................................................................................................................................8
Table 9: RF Output Power Codes.................................................................................................................9
Table 10: Package Codes.............................................................................................................................9
Table 11: Standard Data Bit Rates and Rate Adaptation Compared to Clock Free Data Bit Rates ..........13
Table 12: Standard Bit Rates Compared to Low/High Rate Options..........................................................15

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Table 13: Standard and Optional User Commands....................................................................................34
Table 14: DC Input Current at Standard Input Voltage...............................................................................77
Table 15: TIMTER™ Environmental Specifications....................................................................................78
Table 16: TIMTER™ EMI Compliance........................................................................................................78
Table 17: Carrier Frequencies (MHz) .........................................................................................................79
Table 18: Transmitter BER Specifications with Quasonix Demodulator.....................................................81
Table 19: K and m Values per Waveform...................................................................................................82
Table 20: Random Vibration Spectrum.......................................................................................................88
Table 21: Transmitter Priority of CS, CF, BR, and AC When RF is On....................................................100

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1 Introduction
1.1 Description
This document describes the Installation and Operation of Quasonix’ TIMTERTM Multi- mode Digital Telemetry
Transmitters. The transmitters are designed to transmit airborne telemetry data from a test article to ground stations.
The transmitters are developed, manufactured, and supported by:
Quasonix, Inc.
6025 Schumacher Park Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
CAGE code: 3CJA9
Refer to Appendix B for Legacy transmitter binary protocol information (binary protocol < V1.005).
1.2 Nomenclature
The earliest models of these transmitters were referred to as Tier I Missile Test Transmitters (TIMTER™) because
they were intended for missiles and offered only ARTM Tier I (SOQPSK) modulation. Although the model line now
includes much more than ARTM Tier I, and they are in widespread use on many platforms besides missiles, the
“TIMTER” name remains. Now in its third generation and commonly referred to as TIMTER™ 3, the transmitter is
available in a number of variations, depending on the options specified at the time of order. The type of features and
modes installed in each unit are identified in the model number, as depicted in Figure 1. Package field codes are
listed in Table 10. For questions about specific packages, please contact Quasonix.
Figure 1: Quasonix Part Number Construction Description
In this manual, the words Terminal Control and Serial Control have the same meaning and are used synonymously
throughout this manual. Serial control originates from configuring the transmitter from a computer’s legacy RS-
232/422 serial communications (COM) port. Terminal Control reflects the more generic case where the transmitter
could be controlled by other standard computer interfaces such as Ethernet.
QSX-V S B 2 1 1- 1 0 05- - 04 -04AB -CF
Transmitter Part Numbering Example
PCM/FM
SOQPSK-TG
Legacy
Standard
Prefix
Frequency Band Code
(refer to page2 for list)
Clock andData
Interfacecode
(refer to page4
forlist)
Serial Control Interface
2 = RS-232
T= TTL
Mode:
1= Enabled
0=Not enabled
ARTM CPM
Options, separated
by hyphens
(example clock
free)
PackageCode
(refer to page 3)
Pinout Code
(Contact
Quasonix)
PowerCode
(refer to table
this page)

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The nanoTX transmitter models are covered in a separate user manual, available for download from the company
website: www.quasonix.com.
The available TIMTER™ software and hardware options are listed below. Refer to section 1.3 for detailed
descriptions of each option.
•AC Automatic carrier wave output
•ACS Auto carrier save
•AI Auxiliary Input for digital data that is already premod filtered
•AP Adapter plate for 2.5” x 3.5” footprint – Include this hardware accessory with order
•BRx Request non standard baud rate for serial control
•C7 Quasonix interpretation of IRIG 106-17 Appendix 2-C serial control protocol
•CE Convolutional encoder (includes NRZ-M encoding) (k=7 rate 1/2)
•CF Clock-free baseband interface
•CG Clock generator output to baseband connector
•DP Dual power (Ability to set a low and a high setting, hardware controlled*)
•DSWBX Includes switch box and 18” MDM-9 to MDM-9 cable harness (For use with P9 option)
•EN Ethernet Payload Capability
•FM Allows the TIMTER™ to function as an analog FM transmitter
•FO Frequency Offset
•GN GPS notch filters to meet -147 dBm/Hz at L1 and L2 (S band only) –Include this hardware option
with order
•HR Increases max bit rate up to 46 Mbps (23 Mbps for PCM/FM)
•ID Internal Clock and Data can be saved as a power-up default
•IN Inmarsat frequency band range
•INH Inmarsat frequency extended band high limit
•INL Inmarsat frequency extended band low limit
•LC Low current in the RF Off state, 10 mA (hardware option)
•LD LDPC forward error correction encoding
•LD6 Extended LDPC
•LR Decreases min bit rate to 50 kbps (25 kbps for PCM/FM)
•MA Below Lower S band (for Space Operations and Space Research applications)
•MAH Below Lower S band extended band high limit
•MAL Below Lower S band extended band low limit
•MK Randomizer hardware control –Include this hardware option with order
•MS Modulation scaling
•P9 MDM-9 Accessory board (use with switch box part QSX-AC-SWBX-P9-3B-3M)