Cattron North America MRF220 220MHz VHF TRANSCEIVER User Manual REVISED EXTRACT FROM ACCUSPEED 220
Laird Controls North America Inc. 220MHz VHF TRANSCEIVER REVISED EXTRACT FROM ACCUSPEED 220
USERS MANUAL
12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™ Page 1 of 6
EXTRACT FROM ACCUSPEED™
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MRF 220
MHz VHF TRANSCEIVER
Page 2 of 6 12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™
WARNINGS
WARNING:
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY
CATTRON-THEIMEG™ COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO
OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS
WARNING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO
PERSONNEL AND DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT.
WARNING:
TO SATISFY FCC RF EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PORTABLE
TRANSMITTING DEVICES, A SEPARATION DISTANCE OF 2.5 CM
(APPROX. 1 INCH) OR MORE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE
ANTENNA OF THE OCU AND PERSONS DURING DEVICE OPERATION.
TO INSURE COMPLIANCE, OPERATION AT CLOSER THAN THIS
DISTANCE IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE ANTENNA USED FOR THIS
TRANSMITTER MUST NOT BE CO-LOCATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
ANY OTHER ANTENNA OR TRANSMITTER. FAILURE TO COMPLY
WITH THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO
PERSONNEL AND DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT.
WARNING:
TO SATISFY FCC RF EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE
TRANSMITTING DEVICES, A SEPARATION DISTANCE OF 20 CM
(APPROX. 8 INCHES) OR MORE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN
THE ANTENNA OF THE LCU AND PERSONS DURING DEVICE
OPERATION. TO INSURE COMPLIANCE, OPERATION AT CLOSER
THAN THIS DISTANCE IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE ANTENNA USED
FOR THIS TRANSMITTER MUST NOT BE CO-LOCATED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER ANTENNA OR TRANSMITTER.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH TO PERSONNEL AND DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CLASS ‘A’ UNINTENTIONAL RADIATORS:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case
the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™ Page 3 of 6
Radio Frequency (RF) Transceiver.
Depending upon the System Operating Frequency, the RCR 'Gold Box' may incorporate a 220 MHz or
a R3HNX (450 MHz band) Transceiver Board.
The Transceiver Board is a multi channel, synthesized RF receiver with a Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD). Additionally, it has a built in RF transmitter for ‘POLLING™’ data transmission. The receiver
section incorporates a microprocessor and uses Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques to
selectively recover digital messages using CATTRON-THEIMEG™ protocol. The receiver section also
has LED indicators for:
• Power ON
• Carrier Detect (RF signal or carrier is present)
• VCO Lock (receiver locked on freq.)
• Data (received message data)
• Q-sync (synchronization pulse)
The RF Power Amplifier Board is a high power RF amplifier that connects between the R3HNX
Transceiver Board and the Antenna Connector. An on-board LED indicator shows when transmitted
digital RF ‘POLLING™’ data from the transmitter section is being amplified and sent to the RCT. Note
that systems operating in the 220 MHz Band do not require this board.
Opening the front door of the RCR enclosure and removing the 'Gold Box' lid will expose the
Transceiver Board, and in the case of a R3HNX MHz transceiver board, the ‘companion’ RF Power
Amplifier Board. Referring to Figure 1-1 and Table 1-1 below, transceiver and amplifier board LED
indicators indicate system status and are particularly useful to the technician when troubleshooting and
adjusting the transceiver.
Page 4 of 6 12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™
MP 96 GII LCU [RCR] – Functional Description.
Radio Frequency (RF) Transceiver, continued.
Figure 1-1. Transceiver & RF Amplifier Board LED Indicators
R3HNX (450 Mz)
TRANSCEIVER
BOARD
H
RF AMPLIFIER
BOARD
220 Mz TRANSCEIVER
BOARD
H
VCO
LOCK
LED DATA
LED
Q-SYNC
LED
CARRIER
DETECT
LED
RECEIVER
POWER
LED
VCO
LOCK
LED
DATA
LED
RF
POWER
LED
TO ANT
TO RX
TO TX
Q-SYNC
LED
CARRIER
DETECT
LED
RECEIVER
POWER
LED
Table 1-1. Transceiver & RF Amplifier Board LED Indicators
LED Description
Transceiver Power This red LED indicates the presence of DC power on the transceiver
circuit board.
Carrier Detect The green Carrier Detect LED indicates that the receiver section is
receiving a RF signal.
Data This yellow LED indicates that the received RF message contains data.
Q-Sync This orange LED indicates an interrupt that signifies the computer/
decoder has received a new message.
VCO Lock This red LED (located underneath the EMI/RFI shield on the R3HNX
board) illuminates when the transceiver frequency synthesizer is unable to
lock onto the required frequency.
RF Power LED This red LED (located on the RF amplifier) flashes when the transmitted
digital RF ‘POLLING™’ data from the transmitter is being amplified and
sent to the RCT
12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™ Page 5 of 6
SYSTEM SUMMARY – Technical Specifications
LCU [RCR]
Enclosure: 20"L x 20"H x 8"W (50.80cm x 50.80cm x 20.32cm), NEMA 4
(IP66) Steel.
Weight: Approximately 70 lbs (31.75 kg)
Environment: Outdoors, -22°F to 150°F (-30°C to 65°C), RH 0 to 95% non-
condensing (-40°F units available – contact factory for details)
Electrical
Input/Output connections: Qty 4, quick connect/disconnect plugs and sockets
Solid State Digital Outputs: Total of 96 rated at 100VDC with individual fusing at 5A
Solid State Digital Inputs: Total of 48 rated at 74VDC with individual fusing at 5A
Electro-mechanical Outputs: 100VDC @ 10A
Output Termination: 2 screw terminals per I/O position
Receiver/Decoder Power Source: DC-DC converter; 24-78 VDC Input/13.8 VDC output @ 0.8 A
with Under/Over Voltage protection
Minimum Locomotive
Battery voltage: 62VDC
Micro-controllers Qty 3, Intel™ 8051 family microprocessors
Serial Communication Ports: RS232 port for GPS Receiver/clock and external event recorder
RS485 port for locomotive monitoring
Frequency Range: VHF 220-222 MHz (FCC), 217-219 MHz (Industry Canada)
or UHF 447-473 MHz
Channel Spacing: UHF 12.5 kHz, VHF 12.5 kHz & 15 kHz
Emission/Modulation: UHF 9K80F1D ±2.5 kHz deviation, VHF 8K50F1D ±1.85kHz
deviation (12.5kHz channel spacing), VHF 10K1F1D ±2.66kHz
deviation (15kHz channel spacing)
RF Transmit Power: UHF 1.6W, VHF 2.5W (both options factory set)
Range: 1-mile line of site
Duty Cycle: 2.5875%
Antennas: Qty 1, mounted vertically for receive and transmit. Gain: UHF
5dB, VHF 3dB
Approvals: US FCC (Part 90)
Industry Canada (RSS119)
Receiver Sensitivity: 0.5 µV (20 dB quieting) typical
Frequency Stability: ±0.0002% of reference frequency
Decoder Microprocessor Speed: 11.059 MHz
Axle Generator: 120 PPR Dual Phase.
NOTE: As part of our ‘continuous improvement’ policy, CATTRON-THEIMEG™
reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
Page 6 of 6 12/2003, CATTRON-THEIMEG™
SYSTEM SUMMARY – Technical Specifications, continued
OCU [RCT]
Case Material: Cast Magnesium with high strength powder-coat finish
Environment: Outdoors, -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C), RH 0 to 95% non-
condensing
Watertight NEMA 3S (IP65) (Heavy Rain, Dust, Oil Resistant)
Weight: Less than 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) including battery
Size: Approx. 10"L x 3.5"W x 4.5"H (25.40 cm x 8.89 cm x 11.43 cm)
Battery: Industry Standard 7.2VDC Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride
(Ni-MH) Battery Pack mounted externally to bottom of OCU
Battery Life: Ni-MH – approximately 12 hours continuous operation
Antenna: Externally Mounted ‘stubby’ whip antenna for optimum signal
transmission
Frequency Range: VHF 220-222 MHz (FCC), 217-219 MHz (Industry Canada)
or UHF 447-473 MHz
Channel Spacing: UHF 12.5 kHz, VHF 12.5 kHz & 15 kHz
Emission/Modulation: UHF 9K00F1D ±2.5 kHz deviation, VHF 8K50F1D ±1.85kHz
deviation (12.5kHz channel spacing), VHF 10K1F1D ±2.66kHz
deviation (15kHz channel spacing)
RF Transmit Power: UHF 500 mW, VHF 500mW or 2.5W (factory set)
Range: 1-mile line of sight
Duty Cycle: 2.5875%
Approvals: US FCC (Part 90)
Industry Canada (RSS119)
Carrying Device: Tear away harness meeting FRA Safety Advisory 2001-01
NOTE: As part of our ‘continuous improvement’ policy, CATTRON-THEIMEG™
reserves the right to change specifications without notice.