stellar labs STA2000 Series User manual

Antenna Mount Amplifier
For Satellite Communications
Operation Manual
Type STA2000 Series
Whilst e2v technologies has taken care to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein it accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any use thereof
and also reserves the right to change the specification of goods without notice. e2v technologies accepts no liability beyond the set out in its standard conditions of sale in
respect of infringement of third party patents arising from the use of tubes or other devices in accordance with information contained herein.
e
2v technologies (uk) limited, Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2QU United Kingdom Holding Company: e2v technologies plc
T
elephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone]
Contact e2v by e-mail: [e-mail] or visit www.e2v.com for global sales and operations centres.
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, March 2010
108210

This Operation Manual covers the following amplifier
type numbers:
STA2175, STA2275, STA2375, STA2T45, and
STA2450 Series (including all derivatives).
SAFETY NOTES
The following warnings and precautions are for your safety and the prevention of injury. Please read
them carefully and observe at all times when installing or operating a Stellar Travelling Wave Tube
Amplifier. Hazard warning signs, as defined in BS5378 Safety Signs and Colours, are used on the
equipment to highlight any possible hazards.
Earthing
The mains supply connection cable to the amplifier must include an electrical safety protective earth
conductor, installed and connected to the local distribution system earthing point in conformance with
local regulations. The electrical safety protective earth conductor must be capable of carrying 20A
and must be from an approved manufacturer (2.5 mm2/12 AWG).
An external protective earth, also providing protection against RF and transient currents, must be
connected between the amplifier and an adjacent earth point before applying the mains supply and
should only be removed after disconnecting the amplifier from the supply. The external protective
earth conductor must be a flat copper strap, braided or plain, and must be capable of carrying 30A.
The length of external protective earth conductor must not exceed 400mm.
Mains Supply
A mains supply disconnection device must be provided to isolate this amplifier from the mains supply
source. Either a plug/socket outlet or a two-pole isolation switch must be used as the mains supply
disconnection device, and it must be easily accessible. The connector on the amplifier is NOT
suitable, and must not be used to disconnect the amplifier when powered.
Toxic Material
The Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) within the amplifier contains beryllium oxide. Dust created by
breakage, or fumes from a beryllium oxide fire, are highly toxic if inhaled, or if particles enter the body
via a cut or abrasion.
Consult e2V technologies and the appropriate national authorities for details regarding the disposal of
damaged or old TWTs and amplifiers.
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 2

High Voltage
High voltages in excess of 11.5kV are present within the amplifier. However, the equipment is
designed so that personnel cannot come into contact with high voltage circuits unless the covers are
removed.
Access inside the amplifier is restricted to suitably skilled engineers.
RF Radiation
Exposure of the human body to microwave radiation can constitute a hazard (ANSI/IEEE C95-1-
1992). Personnel must be protected from microwave energy produced by the TWT.
All RF connectors must be correctly fitted before operation, so that there is no leakage of RF energy.
The amplifier must not be operated unless the RF output connection is correctly terminated. It is
particularly hazardous to look into open waveguides, coaxial feeders, or transmitter antennae when
the amplifier is operating.
Input Drive
Damage to the amplifier may occur if the RF input drive level or the input frequency are outside the
limits given in the specification for the model (see section 1.1).
Environmental
•Do not block, or poke objects through, the amplifier ventilation slots.
•Do not spray aerosol cleaners directly on to the amplifier surfaces when cleaning.
•or unsafe surface.
pped over or damaged by furniture or movable
equipment.
•
STA
provided if
necessary.
•EEC Directive 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic compatibility.
•EEC Directive 73/23/EEC Low voltage directive.
•CETLus listed to ANSI/UL 60950-1-2002 & CAN/CSA22.2 No. 60950-1-03.
e2v technologies’ quality management system is certificated to the requirements of ISO9001:2000.
Do not operate the amplifier on an unstable
•Ensure that all cables cannot be walked on, tri
•Do not place objects inside the waveguide.
Ensure exhaust air is not re-circulated.
NDARDS COMPLIANCE
Stellar amplifiers comply with the following requirements. Further details may be
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 3

CUSTOMER CARE
Stellar 24-Hour Hotline
In the event of a Stellar product operational problem or urgent application enquiry:
1. Complete a Product Service Report Form before calling the Hotline. A copy can be found at the
back of this manual.
2. Contact the Stellar Hotline on [phone], where your enquiry will be dealt with.
Return Procedure
In the event of a Stellar product requiring return to e2v technologies:
1. Have as many of the following details as possible to hand before contacting e2v technologies.
This will help us to respond promptly to your request.
•Type number (found on the panel adjacent to the RF output).
•Serial number (found on the panel adjacent to the RF output).
n damaged?
ting
lure. The form must be returned
4. ing is in good condition, use it to return the product. If the original packaging
ologies can supply suitable replacement packaging for a small charge.
5. ackaging with the following information:
Type number
•Serial number
•Return address.
For further details, refer to the e2v technologies Standard Conditions of Warranty, a copy of
which can be found at the back of this manual.
•Has the product bee
•Description of any operational fault or problem.
•Return address.
2. The Customer Service Team will issue you a Reference Number for the return.
t the back of this manual), no
3. Complete a Product Service Report Form (a copy can be found a
in particular any unusual occurrences before or at the time of fai
with the product.
If the original packag
is damaged, e2v techn
Clearly mark the outer p
•Reference number.
•
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 4

CONTENTS
1THANK YOU FOR BUYING STELLAR......................................................................................................7
1.1 RANGE OF OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................7
2CARE OF YOUR AMPLIFIER ....................................................................................................................9
2.1 STORAGE...........................................................................................................................................9
2.2 HANDLING..........................................................................................................................................9
2.3 UNPACKING .......................................................................................................................................9
2.4 CLEANING ..........................................................................................................................................9
2.5 MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................................................................9
3INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................................... 10
3.1 MOUNTING...................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 RF CONNECTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 COOLING CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................................................... 11
3.3.1 Some Cooling Facts and Figures ............................................................................................ 11
3.3.2 Ducting Considerations ........................................................................................................... 12
3.3.3 Equipment Housing ................................................................................................................. 12
3.3.4 Commissioning the Installation................................................................................................ 13
3.4 MAINS SUPPLY CONNECTION ..................................................................................................... 13
3.4.1 Mains Supply Cable Connection ............................................................................................. 13
3.4.2 Earthing ................................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.3 Mains Supply Distribution ........................................................................................................ 14
3.5 USER INTERFACE CONNECTIONS .............................................................................................. 14
3.6 REDUNDANT SWITCH CONFIGURATION .................................................................................... 14
4BASIC OPERATION OF THE AMPLIFIER ............................................................................................. 16
4.1 APPLYING THE MAINS VOLTAGE................................................................................................. 16
4.2 MAINS SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS ................................................................................................ 16
4.3 FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................................... 16
4.3.1 Amplifier Off State ................................................................................................................... 16
4.3.2 Amplifier Warm-up State ......................................................................................................... 16
4.3.3 Amplifier Standby State ........................................................................................................... 16
4.3.4 Amplifier Transmit State .......................................................................................................... 17
4.4 UP-CONVERTER OPERATION ...................................................................................................... 17
4.5 RF SAMPLE PORT .......................................................................................................................... 17
5USER INTERFACES............................................................................................................................... 18
5.1 PIN IDENTIFICATION...................................................................................................................... 18
5.2 USER INTERFACE FEATURES...................................................................................................... 19
5.2.1 Indicator Outputs – Type 1 ...................................................................................................... 19
5.2.2 Indicator Outputs – Type 2 ...................................................................................................... 20
5.2.3 Analogue Outputs.................................................................................................................... 20
5.2.4 Control Inputs – Type 1 ........................................................................................................... 20
5.2.5 Control Inputs – Type 2 ........................................................................................................... 21
5.2.6 Control Inputs – Type 3 ........................................................................................................... 21
5.2.7 Miscellaneous Functions. ........................................................................................................ 22
6RS-485 SERIAL BUS .............................................................................................................................. 23
6.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES ................................................................................. 23
6.1.1 HPA Type? .............................................................................................................................. 23
6.1.2 Status?..................................................................................................................................... 23
6.1.3 General Amplifier Control ........................................................................................................ 25
6.1.4 Redundancy Mode .................................................................................................................. 25
6.1.5 Power Alarms .......................................................................................................................... 25
6.1.6 Warm-up Time?....................................................................................................................... 25
6.1.7 Attenuator Control ................................................................................................................... 25
6.1.8 RF Control ............................................................................................................................... 26
6.1.9 Helix Current Monitoring.......................................................................................................... 26
6.1.10 Elapsed Hours? ....................................................................................................................... 26
6.1.11 Forward Power? ...................................................................................................................... 26
6.1.12 Interface set-up........................................................................................................................ 26
6.1.13 RF band selection.................................................................................................................... 27
6.2 PROTOCOL ..................................................................................................................................... 28
6.2.1 Interface and Termination........................................................................................................ 28
6.2.2 Data Format............................................................................................................................. 28
6.2.3 Data Rate................................................................................................................................. 28
6.2.4 Generalised Message Format ................................................................................................. 28
6.2.5 Command Message Format .................................................................................................... 29
6.2.6 Response Message Format .................................................................................................... 29
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 5

6.2.7 Message Timing ...................................................................................................................... 29
6.2.8 Summary of Command Messages .......................................................................................... 29
6.3 EXAMPLES OF COMMAND AND RESPONSE MESSAGES......................................................... 30
6.3.1 Simple Command Message (no return of data) ...................................................................... 30
6.3.2 Command Messages Requesting data ................................................................................... 31
6.3.3 Universal Command Messages Requesting Data................................................................... 31
6.3.4 Command Messages Requesting Longer Data Strings .......................................................... 33
6.3.5 Command Messages Passing Parameters ............................................................................. 33
6.3.6 Response to an invalid command message............................................................................ 33
6.4 APPLICATION NOTES .................................................................................................................... 34
7RELATED DOCUMENTS........................................................................................................................ 35
8APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................................... 36
8.1 APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................................... 36
8.2 APPENDIX B.................................................................................................................................... 37
8.3 APPENDIX C.................................................................................................................................... 38
8.4 APPENDIX D.................................................................................................................................... 39
8.5 APPENDIX E.................................................................................................................................... 40
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 6

1 THANK YOU FOR BUYING STELLAR
Thank you for buying a Stellar Travelling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA). This antenna mount amplifier
range from e2v technologies provides RF power outputs up to 750W and operates in the frequency
bands shown in figures 1 and 2. The amplifier is:
•Compact.
Lightweight.•
•Portable – can run off a wide range of mains input voltages and frequencies.
•Designed for high reliability.
Before using your new amplifier, we recommend that you spend
familiarise yo eration and features.
a little time to read this manual to
If y s, or recommendations about this manual, please contact your
dist
In addition to this manual your amplifier should be supplied with:
•Test results.
B (for Ku, DBS and Tri band).
ble mains cable, connecting plug and residual
1.1 RA E
he STA2000 series of antenna mount amplifiers includes the following RF system options (see
gures 1 and 2).
•Low gain (no solid-state pre-amplifier).
•Integral solid-state pre-amplifier (fixed gain).
•Integral solid-state pre-amplifier (digitally variable gain) using serial bus.
•Integral linearizer.
•Internal L-band block up converter.
•Breakout link (for use with internal up converter).
urself with its op
ou have any further question
ribu or.
t
•A mains connector.
•A control connector plug.
•Air cowl.
•Waveguide screws, 8 off 10-32 UNF-2B (for C-band), 8 off 8-32 UNC-2B (for X-band), 4 off 6-
32 UNC-2
•Note: for installation you will require a suita
current circuit breaker (RCCB) (see section 3.4).
NG OF OPTIONS
T
fi
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 7

Figure 1
Figure 2
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 8

2 CARE OF YOUR AMPLIFIER
2.1 STORAGE
•Store the amplifier in its normal horizontal orientation.
xes to support the weight of any other item.
•amplifier boxes for future use.
ing to lift or carry it.
2.4
s. A maintenance
(this can be seasonal,
t pending) enables the unit to
perate in extreme environmental conditions, from direct rain to direct sunlight.
t use detergents or other cleaners without consulting e2v technologies. The
.
2.5
e checked regularly for blockages (see section 2.4).
depending upon environmental conditions. The
pical life of desiccant is 5 years in sub-tropical conditions, assuming that the seal on the lid has not
een disturbed.
heck the mains cable for damage.
•.Storage temperature is from –40 to –80˚C
•Do not use amplifier bo
Retain the
•Avoid severe shocks.
2.2 HANDLING
The amplifier nominally weighs 34 kg, so care must be taken when attempt
2.3 UNPACKING
Only install and use the amplifier within the specified environmental limits.
CLEANING
The amplifier is designed for use in harsh environments without additional protective covers. The
internal forced-air cooling system relies on the internal and external airways being free from
blockages. The cooling air enters and exits the unit through slotted panels designed to prevent large
items of foreign matter from entering and potentially blocking the internal airway
plan should be developed to check and clean the amplifier slotted panels regularly. The frequency of
cleaning will be dependent upon the installation and the environment. The maintenance plan should
be regularly reviewed and modified according to changes in the environment
e.g. airborne seed pods can cause regular blockages at certain times of the year).
he advanced packaging and cooling techniques (Stellar Cool TM, paten
T
o
When cleaning, do no
amplifier must be disconnected from the mains supply before cleaning
MAINTENANCE
Airways should b
D
ty
esiccant should be replaced every 3 to 5 years,
b
C
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 9

3 INS ATIONS
M T
chosen platform (see figure 3). Suitable load spreading
ashers, locking nuts and/or locking washers should be used to prevent the amplifier from working
ose under vibration and shock conditions that each installation may impose. This is especially
nto the
ntation of
amplifier is
TALLATION CONSIDER
3.1 OUN ING
The amplifier can be:
•Used free standing.
•Mounted in a flight case.
•Mounted on the roof of a vehicle.
•Mounted to an antenna system.
The amplifier has six M6 mounting points (three each side, 10 mm maximum depth), which can be
used to mount the amplifier solidly to the
w
lo
important for mobile applications.
Where possible, the amplifier should be positioned to avoid the direct entry of rainwater i
ventilation slots. The amplifier is provided, as standard, with an air cowl, the normal orie
which is pointing towards the base of the unit avoiding the direct entry of driving rain.
Note: There is a drainage hole in the cover to prevent the build-up of water if the
inadvertently mounted or left upside-down.
Figure 3
l 5 mm clearance from any adjacent equipment or
mechanical interference due to tolerances on equipment parts and/or
mini
If the am in cover is used, the air cowl may be removed.
When de
bend rad les (see figure 3).
The amplifier should be mounted with a nomina
surface. This will avoid
movement under operational vibration.
If the amplifier is to be fitted against a flat surface, a flexible gasket material should be used to
mise excessive noise in mobile applications.
plifier is to be installed where a secondary ra
signing the installation, a space at the end should be allowed for the disconnection and the
ius of connection cab
© e2v technologies (uk) limited 2010 DAS768892AA Version 1, page 10