SMW QUAD-LINK User manual

QUAD-LINK
RF-over-Fiber Media Converter System
USER GUIDE
Please read and un-
derstand the contents
of this USER GUIDE
before attempting to
connect or use the
system!

1. Description
SMW QUAD-LINK is a 4 channel media converter system
that allows 4 RF / L-band channels and single return
channel for a 10 MHz reference to be transmitted over
long distances as a ber signal with minimum RF-loss.
Thanks to WDM Technology (Wavelength Division
Multiplexing) it is possible to transmit the 4 + 1 chan-
nels over a single ber as the channels are multiplexed
using individual light wavelengths and industry standard
protocol. This ensures a low operating cost when using
rented bers and compatibility with other manufacturers’
Receivers.
The ber optic protocols, wavelengths, cables and con-
nectors used are commonly found in the industry and the
system is therefore ”open standard”.
Ideal for mounting on the satellite antenna or structure
and designed to avoid the need for bulky shelters, the
system components are compact, weatherproof and have
a wide operating temperature range.
The built in Bias Tees, 10 MHz ref diplexer and Intelligent
AGC (Automatic Gain Control) add to the versatility and
value for money.
As with all SMW products, the QUAD-LINK system has
many available options and can be customized to t al-
most any customer 4 + 1 channel, single ber application,
in the areas of; Quattro LNB, Four single band LNBs and
Multiband or Multiple BUC feeds.
Other SMW RF-over-Fiber products include:
• Fiber LNBs: Fiber output integrated PLL LNBs using
single wavelength technology. Available for X-, Ku-
and Ka-Band. System together with Quattro receiver.
• VERSA-LINK: 1 channel RF to Fiber to RF media
converter using single wavelength technology and
can be used with traditional LNBs and BUCs.
For full specications, please see our specication
datasheets.
Contents:
1. Description
2. Safety
3. Installation instructions
4. Troubleshooting
5. Installation examples
2
2. Safety
WARNING!
The lasers used are classied as
CLASS 1M LASER PRODUCTS (Fig. 1):
Do not look directly into the laser beam,
do not view the laser beam with optical
instruments.
WARNING!
To avoid electrical shock, do not remove
covers or panels.
WARNING!
Do not immerse any part of the system in
water.
WARNING!
Only power with 10-28 V, 3 A recommended.
DC Power Supply must be Galvanically
isolated from PE Ground and SELV + LPS
approved. Fuse separately.
WARNING!
There are no customer serviceable parts
inside, refer service to the SMW factory.
INVISIBLE
LASER RADIATION
DON OT VI EW DI RECTL Y WI TH
OPTI CAL I NSTR UME NTS
CLAS S 1M LASER P ROD UCT
Fig. 1

3. Installation instructions
Unpacking
Please check the contents of your shipment upon receipt towards the packing list supplied and notify us immedia-
tely if you feel that something is missing.
SMW QUAD-LINK system units are normally supplied as a pair, 1 ea Transmitter (Tx) and 1 ea Receiver (Rx).
Units come with a DC cable which is terminated with a plug that ts the the corresponding connector on each
unit’s front panel. A DC power supply is not standard but can be supplied on request.
As a part of the system you would also normally order a ready-made beroptic cable in a length suitable for your
installation. Huber&Suhner type Q-ODC connectors are standard, other types can be supplied as option
Mounting
Use only the four pre-drilled mounting holes on the bottom plate, any other means of mounting may void the war-
ranty.The system components are weatherproofed and designed for operation in temperatures between -40 and
+80 C. The Transmitter and Receiver can normally be mounted outdoors without extra protection.
NOTE! The weather protecting covers on the Quad-Link Transmitter and Receiver shall not be removed
before installation and unused connector(s) shall be remained protected with cover(s) (Fig. 2).
However, for extreme environments such as close to corrosive salt/sea water or elevated installation in antenna
towers where IP67 class protection can be deemed insu󰀩cient, it is recommended that appropriate action is taken
to ensure reliable operation and longevity.
3
Grounding
For proper Personel Safety:
Always ground the Transmitter Tx and Receiver Rx
using the provided Grounding Stud.
Fig. 2
Wheather and dust protection cover
RISK OF PERMANENT DAMAGE!
NEVER leave Q-ODC connector exposed, it will VOID WARRANTY!
Q-ODC connector is ONLY waterproof when mated with Fiber connector cover or a Q-ODC ber
cable connector, see Fig. 2.

FRONT PANEL LAYOUT
both Transmitter and Receiver:
CONNECTIONS:
A - FIBER OPTIC
B - RF / L-BAND
C - 10 MHz REFERENCE, return path (optional)
D - DC POWER INPUT
STATUS LEDS:
1 - RF / L-BANDS
2 - POWER & 10 MHz REFERENCE, return path (optional)
Fig. 4
Short cable with Q-ODC connectors.
A B C D
Fig. 3
1 2
4
CABLE CONNECTOR:
1. + DC supply primary
2. + DC supply Secondary
(redundancy)
3. - DC supply and GND

C
Fiber optic connection:
Take care when mating connectors with the units, all
beroptic connectors are polarized and should never be
forced.
Fiber cables
Ready made Fiberoptic cable assemblies, terminated
with IP67 rated, polarized, Huber&Suhner Q-ODC con-
nectors, are normally ordered from SMW with the system.
They available in several standard lengths: 50, 100,
150 and 200 m and can also be supplied in customized
lengths and with other terminations like
Q-ODC to FC-APC, Q-ODC to LC-APC or
Q-ODC to SC-APC.
A
RF / L-band connectors
Your units are equipped with 4 L-band connections. Con-
nectors can be type F, type N or type SMA depending on
your system specic conguration.
• On the Transmitter Tx, connect your RF signal sour-
ces such as LNBs or input signal for BUCs.When
congured for LNBs DC power from the DC power
input (D, g 1) is fed through to all 4 RF / L-band
connectors for powering LNBs. Rating is max 600 mA
per port, individually autofused, short circuit protected
• On the Receiver Rx, connect your RF signal receiver
for SAT signals from LNBs or your BUC input.
• Use an appropriate torque wrench for tightening the
connectors.
B
10 MHz reference connection, return path
(optional)
If your units are equipped with the optional 10 MHz return
channel connection:
The return channel transmitter uses a di󰀨erent wave-
length laser than the WDM laser used for the L-bands. As
the name ”return path” suggests, it transmits the 10 MHz
reference signal from the Receiver Rx to the Transmitter
Tx enabling the 10 MHz reference source to be located
near the RF receiver.
• On the Receiver Rx, connect your external 10 MHz
reference to the RF connector (C, g. 2)
• On the Transmitter Tx, connect your LNBs’ External
reference port to the RF connector (C, g. 2)
• Use an appropriate torque wrench for tightening the
connector.
Cleaning is essential!
The information carrying ber core is 9 µm in
diameter, approx. a tenth of the human hair, so
ber-optic connections are very sensitive to
impurities on the ber ends. Impurities such as dust,
bers from clothes, ngerprints etc will result in
degradation of system performance or system error.
Cleaning with an appropriate cleaning tool, such as
a “Click Pen”, is strongly recommended EVERY
TIME before reconnecting a beroptic cable.
The IBC brand “Click Pen” should be a part of any
installers’ tool kit and is available from SMW (p/n
280505-01) or can purchased locally from a well
stocked Fiberoptic supplier.
Please also refer to Huber&Suhner Application Note
”Cleaning of Fiber-optic connectors” which can be
ordered free of charge from SMW.
5
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Connecting
Take care when mating connectors with the units, Q-ODC
connectors are polarized and should never be forced on.
MATE: Push cable plug gently into connector, rotate (a)
to nd keying position, push connector (b) until ”click” to
mate (Fig. 7).
UNMATE: Pull coupling ring to unmate(Fig. 5,6).
Fig. 7
(b)
click
(a)

Application assistance
Please feel free to contact us at an early stage for free
advise on your application or before you place an order.
You’ll nd our contact details on the back of this User Gui-
de. We welcome your enquiries:
• Fiber Optic Link Budget:
A detailed Fiber Optic Link Budget for your particular
application can be provided.
Please contact us for details.
• DC-power sizing:
Although we recommend that you use PC power supplies
as recommended in our quotations, a detailed calculation
to help you with your choice of power supply rating and
voltage drop over distance.
Powering up
Once all desired connections, A through C Fig. 3, have
been made on both Transmitter Tx and Receiver Rx;
• The ber optic cable
• The desired L-band RF connections
• Optional 10 MHz reference
Testing
When all the status indicator LEDs (1 and 2 g. 3) indica-
te normal operation, you can run an RF / L-band testsig-
nal through the system to verify correct operation.
DC power cable
Each unit comes as standard with a 15 m long DC cable
(optionally max 100 m), terminated one end with a
circular IP68 rated Fischer® 103 series plug, which ts
the corresponding connector on each unit’s front panel
(D, g. 3)
The other end is prepared for connection to a DC power
supply which is normally supplied by the user.
The un-terminated end of the cables is labeled corres-
pondingly.
The DC power supply should be sized as indicated above
in this section (D). Application assitance is available,
please contact us. Contact details on back page.
Front panel LED indicators
Normal operation LED indications:
RF / L-band LEDs (1, g. 3):
White: Optical level OK, AGC active
Purple: Transmitter Tx only: Optical level OK,
Fixed Gain mode, AGC not active
Power & 10 MHz ref LED (2, g 3):
White: Power on, Optical level OK, 10 MHz
detected
Green: Power on, Optical level OK, no 10
MHz detected
Red: Power on, Low optical level 10 MHz
12
6
Fig. 8
Service
There are no user serviceable parts inside.
For factory service, contact SMW for an RMA number or
via www.smw.se before returning any material.
Materials returned without an RMA number will be
refused. Standard warranty is 36 months.
Rx ber input
(right ferrule)
DC Power input
10-28 V DC, min. 15V, 3A recommended if Transmitter Tx
is used with standard type xed LO LNBs as DC power to
the connected LNBs is also fed through from this power
supply. Power Supply must be Galvanically Isolated from
PE Ground. Input is ”Reverse Polarity” and ”Over Voltage
protected”.
Take care when mating the DC connectors with the units,
they are polarized and should never be forced.
Line up the red dot on the cable DC connector (Fig. 8)
with the corresponding dot on the Transmitter Tx or
Receiver Rx DC power input connector (D, Fig. 3). Press
rmly into place intil a click is heard.
The other end of the DC cable is prepared for connection
to a DC power supply and includes 3 leads which can be
utilized for redundant DC power(see sect. 5).
Read carefully about the polarisation of the leads. Leads
marked ”1” and ”2” shall be connected to ”+DC” and
”yellow/green” lead to ”-DC”.
D
Then the units are ready to be powered up with the
correct DC power input on D (Fig. 3) The front panel
status LEDs will light up as follows:

4. Troubleshooting
A) Many problems encountered can be associated with
impurities on the ber ends.
If your unit’s RF/ L-band LED indicators are RED,
please start by cleaning the ber ends at both ends
of the cable, see (A) above and also other ber
contacts in the ber link system, (if used). See
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK_ex9Ip94Q
Check status LEDs (1 and 2 g. 3) for normal operation
indication. If Error (RED) is indicated or no indication at
all, rst check the DC power supply for correct voltage
and polarity at the corresponding unit’s DC input.
There is no micro processor or software inside the units.
There are no user serviceable parts or fuses inside.
B) If there is still a problem, check polarity of Fiber cables
if other cables than SMW cables are used. See Fig. 9.
NOTE! Q-ODC ”A” is connected to SC-APC ”B” and
vice verse
On the Transmitter only the left ferrule (B in cable) seen
from the front is used normally.
On the Receiver only the right ferrule (A in cable) seen
from the front is used normally.
7
Service
There are no user serviceable parts inside.
For factory service, contact SMW for an RMA number or
via www.smw.se before returning any material.
Materials returned without an RMA number will be
refused. Standard warranty is 36 months.
Rx ber input
(right ferrule)
Mark
Fig. 9
AB
AB
Front panel LED indicators
Error LED indications:
RF / L-band LEDs (1, g. 3):
Red: Optical Power Error. Indicates:
EITHER
- Too high attenuation in the optic light path,
such as cable too long or impurities on the
ber end. Clean ber ends with a ”Click pen”,
see (A) above and check cable length vs
specication.
OR
- Too low laser power out internally, self-
diagnostic. Return to factory for repair.
Yellow/Orange: Optical Power Error
Optical is locked but low level.
Tx ber output
(left ferrule)
The RF level from the QuadLink Receiver depends on
two things:
1. Optical attenuation
2. Input level on the QuadLink Transmitter
The formulas are:
Rx channel power = -6dBm - (2*opt._att) - (log10(num-
ber_ of_channels)*10)
If RF input level on Quadlink Transmitter is less than
-15dBm (sum of all carriers):
Rx channel power = Tx_input_level + 9 - (2*opt._att.) -
(log10(number_ of_channels)*10)

Technical specification
Four channel RF over Fiber
Transmitter / Receiver System
8
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: Quad-Link Fiber Transmitter Quad-Link Fiber Receiver
RF Frequency 290 - 3000 MHz (50 - 2750 MHz as option, w/o 10 MHz ref.)
Input Level RF / Fiber -10 to -50 dBm @ 20 transponders -6 dBm to +5 dBm
Optical Output / Input Direct modulated DFB lasers, CWDM wavelenghts: CH1 1470 nm, CH2 1510 nm, CH3 1550 nm, CH4 1590 nm
Optical Output Power 8 mW ( 2 mW / channel )
Return Channel Wavelength 1310 nm
System Gain Variation ± 0.20 dB within 30 MHz, ± 1 dB @ 950 - 2150 MHz, ± 2 dB @ 290 - 3000 MHz, ± 3 dB @ 50-2750 MHz max.
System Noise Figure 15 dB typ.
10 MHz Phase Noise -123 dBc@100 Hz, -140 dBc@1kHz, -150 dBc@10kHz, -155 dBc@100 kHz
10 MHz Ref. Output / Input Level 0 dBm on all RF ports and separate output port. -10 to + 5 dBm input via separate 10 MHz connector.
IP3 RF Input / IP3 RF output +25 dBm typ. +30 dBm typ.
RF Return Loss / VSWR N / SMA connector: min. 12 dB / 1.7:1, F connector: min. 8 dB / 2.3:1
System C/N, Single carrier > 56 dB @ 30 MHz
System C/N, 40 transponders > 33 dB @ input level -15 dBm (composite level)
SFDR 115 dB/Hz
Fiber Connector Dual ber, Single mode Huber & Suhner, Q-ODC
RF Connectors F-type 75Ω / N-type 50Ω / SMA-type 50Ω
Separate10 MHz Connector F-type 75Ω / N-type 50Ω / SMA-type 50Ω
DC Connector Fischer ® 103 series, Circular IP 68 sealed
DC Input +12 to +28 V
DC LNB Supply 600 mA max. / RF port, Autofused, Shortcircuit protected
Power Consumption 6 W max. (excl. 600mA / RF Port for LNB Powering) 5 W max.
Temperature Range - 40° to + 80° C
Dimensions 273 (L) x 154.4 (W) x 34.4 (H) mm, for drawing, see www.smw.se
Weight 1890 g (SMA- & F-connectors), 1950 g (N-connectors)
Ingress Protection Code IP 67, Q-ODC connector only IP67 when mated with dust cover or Q-ODC cable connector
Standards Compliance Optical interface: EIA/TIA 568, ITU std. G694.2; EMC: EN 55013:2013, EN 55020, EN 300 386; Safety: EN 60950-1, EN
60950-22, EN 60065:2002
Options AGC off (Beacon), DC connector type, 10 MHz connector type, No LNB DC supply, 50 - 2750 MHz RF freq. range
Miscellaneous Enclosed DC cable 15 meters with connector.
Accessories
Outdoor to Outdoor ber cables ( Q-ODC to Q-ODC ), Outdoor to indoor patch cables
(different connector type and lengths),
External 10 MHz ref. oscillator, Dual DC Inserter, Power Supply Unit (AC to DC), Custom DC cable length.
Rev.09-20-3C
The RF output level from the optical receiver depends on two things with a QuadLink system (with AGC):
1. Optical attenuation between optical transmitter and receiver.
2. Input level on the optical transmitter
The formulas are: Rx channel power = -6dBm - (2*optical_attenuation) - (log10(number of channels)*10)
If the RF input level is less than -15 dBm on the optical transmitter(sum of all carriers power):
Rx channel power = Tx_input_level +9 - (2*optical_attenuation) - (log10(number of channels)*10)

Technical specification
NOTE: Fiber cables can be ordered as patch cables or Q-ODC to Q-ODC cable
5. Installation examples
9
Quadlink system with Power supply redundancy

SWEDISH MICROWAVE AB
Dynamovägen 5
S-59161 Motala
SWEDEN
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.smw.se
SMW MQL01, Rev. 20 (C) 2021-05
Specications are subject to change without notice.
General Terms: Orgalime S 2012. Products from Swedish Microwave AB are made for commercial use unless otherwise specied.