WS Technologies STB100 User manual

WS Technologies Inc.
Beacon Test
Bench

STB100
Version 1.20

ii
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Please consult the website at www.wst.ca for new Operator’s Manual
updates. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the
responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no
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other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this
document. Except as expressly provided in any written license
agreement from WST, the furnishing of this document does not give you
any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual
property.
The purchaser shall not in any event be entitled to, and WST shall not
be liable for indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages of
any nature including, without limitation, business interruption costs, loss
of profit or revenue, loss of data, promotional or manufacturing
expenses, overhead, injury to reputation or loss of customers, even if
WST has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event,
purchaser's recovery from WST for any claim shall not exceed
purchaser's purchase price for the product giving rise to such claim
irrespective of the nature of the claim, whether in contract, tort, warranty,
or otherwise. WST shall not be liable for and purchaser shall indemnify,
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assigns harmless from any and all claims, damages or losses, including
injury or death, arising from or relating to the use or failure of the
products.
Copyright © WS Technologies Inc.
All rights reserved.
Printed in Canada
March 2019

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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1
SUMMARY OF MODELS AND OPTIONS ..........................................................1
UNPACKING.......................................................................................................1
GETTING STARTED...........................................................................................2
Front Panel:.....................................................................................................2
Rear Panel:......................................................................................................2
Installing the Application:.................................................................................3
Launching the Application:...............................................................................3
Application Screens:........................................................................................4
Measurement Screen: .................................................................................4
Setup Screen:..............................................................................................5
User IO Screen:...........................................................................................5
Device Status Panel: ...................................................................................6
Setup Screen Configuration:............................................................................6
User Data section:.......................................................................................6
Device Settings:...........................................................................................7
10MHz Reference Setting:.......................................................................7
Input Mode Settings:................................................................................7
Direct Input mode: ...................................................................................7
Antenna mode:........................................................................................7
Screen Box mode:...................................................................................7
Files:............................................................................................................7
Software Updates and Upgrades:................................................................8
Measurements:............................................................................................8
Select Channels for Measurement: .........................................................8
Test Duration:..........................................................................................8
Cable Loss Factors:.................................................................................8
Decode Location Format: ........................................................................8
Location:..................................................................................................8
VIT Settings:............................................................................................8
Limit Tester Configuration:...............................................................................9
Selecting Parameters: .................................................................................9
Setting Lower and Upper Limits:..................................................................9
Limits Files:..................................................................................................9
Miscellaneous Limits Conditions:.................................................................9
Stop Measurement When Fail.................................................................9
Fail if Location is Default..........................................................................9
VHF Training Frequencies:............................................................................10
Measurement Screen Configuration:.............................................................11
Measure:....................................................................................................11
Screen View: .............................................................................................12
File:............................................................................................................13
Test Report:...............................................................................................13
VIT Configuration:..........................................................................................14
Zero Current Sensor:.................................................................................14
VIT Measurements - General: ...................................................................14
Voltage and Current Measurements:.........................................................15

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Voltage: .....................................................................................................15
Current –DC Overload Condition:.............................................................15
Temperature:.............................................................................................15
GPS Receiver:...............................................................................................15
MAKING MEASUREMENTS.............................................................................16
Connecting the Beacon: ................................................................................16
Direct Connection:.....................................................................................16
Antenna:....................................................................................................16
Screen Box Connection:............................................................................17
Single Mode Measurement:...........................................................................17
Continuous Mode Measurement:...................................................................17
Leakage Measurement:.................................................................................19
MEASUREMENT RESULTS.............................................................................20
Results Screen:.............................................................................................20
TEST REPORTS AND DATA FILES.................................................................21
Generate and Print Test Report:....................................................................21
Data Files: .....................................................................................................21
Measurement Data File Structure:.................................................................22
VIT Data File Structure:.................................................................................23
Graphics Files:...............................................................................................23
USER IO SCREEN............................................................................................24
Breakout Board and Cable: ...........................................................................24
SOFTWARE UPDATES ....................................................................................25
STB100 MODEL UPGRADING.........................................................................25
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...............................................................26
SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................27
REGULATORY INFORMATION........................................................................29
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY..................................................................30
WARRANTY INFORMATION............................................................................31
CALIBRATION...................................................................................................31
RETURNS.........................................................................................................31
POWER CONVERSION CHART - dBm to Watts..............................................32
WARNING!
WHEN USING DIRECT CONNECTION INPUT MODE DO NOT EXCEED A
BURST POWER LEVEL OF 20 WATTS OR A CONTINUOUS POWER
LEVEL OF 2 WATTS. DAMAGE WILL RESULT!
WARNING!
DO NOT ACTIVATE ANY BEACON IN ITS NORMAL ACTIVATE MODE
UNLESS THE BEACON IS IN A SCREEN BOX (TSE100B) OR A
SCREEN ROOM. DOING SO COULD RESULT IN A FALSE DISTRESS
ALERT.

1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the STB100 Beacon Test Bench.
This Operator’s Manual explains the operation of this equipment.
SUMMARY OF MODELS AND OPTIONS
STB100: This is the base model. It measures and decodes all Cospas-
Sarsat EPIRBs, PLBs, and ELTs. It decodes the 406 MHz message,
measures the 406 MHz transmitter, the 121.5 MHz transmitter, and the
243 MHz transmitter. It also measures voltage and current supplied to
a beacon, along with the leakage current when a beacon is switched to
standby mode. Accessory items include up to 2 temperature probes
and a breakout board kit for measuring various USER I/O functions.
API Set option: The API Set option is available for those that wish to
customize their software program.
UNPACKING
Please verify the contents of your package. It should contain:
●STB100 Beacon Test Bench
● Operator’s Manual
● Certificate of Calibration with Calibration data
●Front Panel Antenna
●USB to PC interface cable
●GPS Magnet Mount Active Antenna
● AC power cable
NOTICE!
Install the Beacon Test Bench software before
connecting the device to the USB port.

2
GETTING STARTED
Please read this Operator’s Manual to become familiar with the
operation of the Beacon Test Bench.
Front Panel:
Rear Panel:
STB100 Beacon Test Bench
PWR DC PWR OUT
GPS
ON EXT
10 MHz
RF - 50
RF - ANT
Active Active
STATUS
BA
10 MHz IN
GPS
ANT
DC PWR IN DC PWR OUT
USER I/O
PPS
OUT
+5V !
WS Technologies Inc.
Kelowna, BC, Canada
USB
TEMP PROBE 1 TEMP PROBE 2
POWER
Switch
USER IO
Connector
USB
Connection
10 MHz
Ref Input
PPS
Output
GPS
Antenna
Input
TEMPERATURE
PROBE Inputs
DC POWER OUT
(Rear) Connector
DC POWER IN
Connector
ACTIVE
INPUT
Indicators
RF DIRECT
and SCREEN
BOX Input
GPS ON
Indicator
EXTERNAL
10MHZ ON
Indicator
STATUS
A & B
Indicators
RF ANT
Input
DC POWER OUT
(Front) Connector
POWER ON
Indicator

3
Installing the Application:
The STB100 Application must be installed on your computer prior to
connecting the device.
Go to www.wst.ca/stb100.html and install the latest version of the
STB100 software. The following message will appear.
Click Install to install the application on the computer.
The STB100 icon will appear on your desktop.
Launching the Application:
Click the desktop icon to launch the STB100 application. A splash
screen will appear followed by the Measurement Screen.
NOTICE!
Install the Beacon Test Bench software before
connecting the device to the USB port.

4
Application Screens:
The application has three main screens, the Measurement Screen,
the Setup Screen, and the USER IO Screen, each accessible from the
tabs near the top of the screen.
Measurement Screen:

5
Setup Screen:
User IO Screen:

6
Each of the three screens has the Device Status panel on the left side
which shows the user various device settings and status of various
functions.
Setup Screen Configuration:
Go to the Setup Screen by clicking on the Setup tab, then click the
Setup button on the left.
The Setup Screen has the following sections: User Data; Device
Settings; Files; Upgrades and Software Updates; and Measurements.
Enter the name of the Organization. Enter the name of the
Technician performing the tests. This data will appear in the saved
data files and on the Test Reports.
Device Status Panel:
User Data section:

7
10MHz Reference Setting:
Select the desired Internal or External 10 MHz reference.
The external 10 MHz must have a stability better then 10E-10.
Input Mode Settings:
Select the desired RF Input mode: Direct, Antenna, or Screen Box
Direct Input mode:
Use this mode when connecting the output of the beacon directly using
a 50Ω cable. This mode will result in a very accurate absolute
measurement in dBm.
Antenna mode:
This mode receives signals via the antenna attached to the front of the
STB100. Use this mode when the beacon is transmitting its signal
through its antenna.
The resulting power measurement units are relative and are
shown in %.
Screen Box mode:
Use this mode when the transmitting beacon is located in a Screen
Box. The resulting power measurement units are relative and
are shown in %.
Click Browse to enter the desired location where all measurement files
will be located.
Enter the desired filename in the Filename box. When Auto
Increment Filename is selected, the filename will be appended with
a number. This number will automatically increment with each
measurement.
Device Settings:
Files:
WARNING
DO NOT ACTIVATE ANY BEACON IN ITS NORMAL
ACTIVATE MODE UNLESS THE BEACON IS IN A SCREEN
BOX (TSE100B) OR A SCREEN ROOM. DOING SO COULD
RESULT IN A FALSE DISTRESS ALERT.

8
Click Upgrades to enter an upgrade code if you have purchased an
upgrade.
Click Check for Updates to see if Software Updates are available.
The Measurements section of the Setup page has the following
sections: Select Channels for Measurement; Test Duration; Cable Loss
Factors; Decode Location Format; Location; and VIT Settings.
Select Channels for Measurement:
Select the channels you wish to receive.
Test Duration:
Select the duration of the test. Testing will continue for the specified
duration when in Continuous mode.
Cable Loss Factors:
Enter the appropriate cable loss factors. These factors will be included
in the power level measurements in Direct Input mode.
Decode Location Format:
Select the desired location format.
Location:
Enter the actual location of the STB100 in decimal degrees format. This
information is used to provide a delta distance when location
information is included in location protocol measurements.
VIT Settings:
If VIT (Voltage, Current, and Temperature) measurements are desired,
then the VIT Functions On box must be selected.
Once turned On, the VIT information will continually update in real time
directly on the Setup screen.
Software Updates and Upgrades:
Measurements:

9
Limit Tester Configuration:
Go to the Limits screen by clicking on the Setup tab, then click the
Limits button.
Note: Limits can be turned ON or OFF in the Measurement section on
the ribbon on the main Measurement screen.
You can select which parameters you wish to include in the Limits.
When a parameter is selected, that parameter will be compared to the
Lower and Upper Limits and a Pass or Fail indication will result.
The Upper and Lower Limits can be set if desired. Click in the cell you
wish to change and enter the desired value. If you wish to restore the
default values, click on the Load Defaults button in the File section of
the ribbon on the Setup screen.
You can save various Limits profiles by typing a Filename and clicking
Save. To recall a Limits file, click Browse and select the desired File.
The current measurement will always be compared to the Limits
currently loaded.
Stop Measurement When Fail
When this is selected, and you are in Continuous mode, the
measurements will stop once a Fail is encountered.
Fail if Location is Default
If this is selected, a Fail will result if the decoded location is the default
condition (**.**).
Selecting Parameters:
Setting Lower and Upper Limits:
Limits Files:
Miscellaneous Limits Conditions:

10
VHF Training Frequencies:
If the beacon you are testing has VHF traning frequencies, you will
need to activate and select the VHF Training Frequencies in order to
measure. Go to the VHF Training Frequencies screen by clicking on
the Setup tab, then click the VHF Training Frequencies button.

11
Measurement Screen Configuration:
The ribbon in the Measurements screen has the following sections:
Measure; Screen View; Files; and Test Report.
The GO button will start the test. The test will continue until the STOP
button is pressed or the test duration is reached (set in Setup).
Single or Continuous. In Single mode, only one measurement is
taken. In continuous mode, measurements will continue for the duration
of the test (set in Setup).
Limits On or Limits Off. Select Limits On if you wish to compare the
parameters selected in the Setup section to minimum and maximum
values.
Measure:
GO button
Measurements
tab

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You can select which sections to view by toggling On/Off the buttons in
the Screen View section of the ribbon. When Off, that section will be
hidden.
Measurement Basic includes the Beacon 15HexID and all decode
details along with frequency and power of each selected channel.
Detalied RF Measurements include detailed measurements for each
selected channel.
Stability includes 406 MHz stability measurements in accordance with
Cospas-Sarsat T.001.
VIT includes voltage, current, and temperature measurements sampled
every 250 ms. (Note: VIT must be selected in Setup.)
Leakage is a separate measurement to measure the leakage current of
the beacon.
Graphics will display the 406 MHz spectral mask, the 406 MHz power
during the burst and the 406 MHz phase modulation.
Screen View:

13
When making measurements in Continuous mode, the filename will be
appended with the measurement number in brackets. You can quickly
view the previous measurements by pressing or .
Clicking the Browse button will allow you to select a previously
completed measurement.
Use the buttons in the Screen View ribbon to display only the sections
you wish to print on the Test Report. Click Generate to create a Test
Report. You must have a suitable PDF viewer installed on your PC in
order to view and print the Test Report. The Test Report is also saved
in the Measurement File location.
With the Limits ON, the Test Report will show the measured value, the
lower limit, the upper limit, and a pass or fail indication for each
parameter selected in the Limits section of the Setup screen.
File:
Test Report:
Generate
button
Browse
button

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VIT Configuration:
On the Setup page, ensure that the VIT box is selected. Real-time VIT
measurements will show on the right side of the VIT section.
The current sensor is a very sensitive device and may be adversely
affected by external magnetic fields. In order to make accurate current
measurements the current sensor must be periodically zeroed. To zero
the sensor do the following:
Ensure all loads are disconnected
Press the Zero Current Sensor button on the Setup page
Voltage/Current/Temperature (VIT) measurements are done at various
levels. When the VIT box is selected the following VIT measurement
methods are available:
Real-time measurements are viewed from the Setup screen
when the VIT box is selected.
VIT data is shown on the Measurement screen when an RF
measurement is completed. This measurement corresponds to
the voltage and current during the burst. This data is also
recorded in the filename-1VIT.txt file.
When all frequency channels are un-selected, the
Measurement screen will display only VIT data once GO is
clicked. The VIT data is sampled every 250 ms and continues
until the user clicks STOP or the test duration is reached. The
resulting data is saved in the filename-1VIT.txt file.
Zero Current Sensor:
VIT Measurements - General:
Zero Current
Sensor button

15
Connect a power supply or battery to the DC PWR IN terminals on the
rear of the STB100.
Connect the beacon to the DC PWR OUT terminals on either the front
or rear of the STB100.
The voltage drop between the DC PWR IN and DC PWR OUT
terminals is approximately 100mV/A. The Vin measurement represents
the voltage at the DC PWR IN terminals while the Vout measurement
represents the voltage at the DC PWR OUT terminals.
If the current exceeds approximately 9 Amps, the unit will go into a DC
Overload condition. Remove the overload condition and press Reset
on the message box. You may need to cycle the power to the STB100
in order to reset.
Temperature probes are available as an optional accessory from WST.
VIT measurements will include temperature measurements when the
probes are plugged in.
GPS Receiver:
The STB100 is equipped with an internal GPS receiver. The GPS
functions are available if you have the API Set option. Please refer to
the API Listing document.
Voltage and Current Measurements:
Voltage:
Current DC Overload Condition:
Temperature:

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MAKING MEASUREMENTS
Once all of the items in the Setup section are completed, go to the
Measurement screen by clicking on the Measurements tab.
Connecting the Beacon:
There are three methods of receiving a signal from a beacon –using
the Direct Connection mode, the Antenna mode, or the Screen Box
mode.
select Direct in the Device Settings on the Setup page.
attach a 50Ω cable between the Beacon and the RF IN connector
located on the front of the STB100.
When a measurement is completed, the power level units will be shown
in dBm. This measurement is very accurate. If Cable Loss Factors are
entered on the Setup page, then these factors are included in the
power level measurements.
select Antenna in the Device Settings on the Setup page.
ensure the antenna is attached to the RF-ANT connector on the front
of the STB100.
When a measurement is completed, the power level units will be shown
in %, with 100% being displayed when the tester is very close to the
antenna of the transmitting beacon.
Direct Connection:
Antenna:
WARNING!
WHEN USING DIRECT CONNECTION INPUT MODE DO NOT EXCEED A
BURST POWER LEVEL OF 20 WATTS OR A CONTINUOUS POWER
LEVEL OF 2 WATTS. DAMAGE WILL RESULT!