Meteorcomm 63010 Wayside Packet Data Transceiver User Manual ITCR Wayside Radio User s Guide

Meteorcomm LLC Wayside Packet Data Transceiver ITCR Wayside Radio User s Guide

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Users Manual

ITCR Wayside Radio

User's Manual and Installation

Instructions

Applicable Model: 63010

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

ii 5/16/2013

Revision History

Revision Date Summary of Changes

0.1

Initial draft.

0.2

Changes by Jeff Lawrence

0.3

08/29/2011

Added Notices to user, renamed

and edited for FCC submission

0.4

09/08/2011

Fixed errors and omissions.

0.5

10/04/2011

Expanded and edited in response

to examiner comments.

0.6

10/06/2011

Corrected voltages.

0.7

10/20/2011

Revised Section 2.2, 3.3 and 5.4

1.0

5/16/2013

Update to add new frequencies

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

5/16/2013 iii

Table of Contents

1. Overview ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Applicable Radio Models and Identifiers ................................................................ 1

1.2 General Description ................................................................................................ 1

1.3 Chassis ..................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Ports and Ethernet Connectors .............................................................................. 2

1.5 Power Connectors ................................................................................................... 2

1.6 Antenna Connectors ............................................................................................... 2

2. Important Information for the User ................................................................................... 2

2.1 Transmitter Warm-Up Period. ................................................................................ 2

2.2 Limiting RF Exposure ............................................................................................... 3

2.3 Antenna Guidelines ................................................................................................. 3

2.4 RF Interference to Residential Receivers (Part 15) ................................................. 4

2.5 Equipment Modifications ....................................................................................... 5

3. Wayside Transmitter Operation ......................................................................................... 5

3.1 Wayside Channelization and Frequency Range ...................................................... 5

3.2 Wayside Channel Restrictions ................................................................................ 5

3.3 Wayside Radiated Power Limits ............................................................................. 6

4. Setup and Configuration for the Wayside Radio ................................................................ 7

4.1 Power Supply .......................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Ethernet Connection ............................................................................................... 8

4.3 RF Output Termination ........................................................................................... 8

5. Tuning the Wayside Radio .................................................................................................. 9

5.1 Equipment Required ............................................................................................... 9

5.2 Set up the Radio for Testing ................................................................................... 9

5.3 Measure and Calibrate Reference Crystal Oscillator Frequency .......................... 10

5.4 Measure and Adjust Output Power ...................................................................... 11

5.5 Check and Adjust RF Output Channel ................................................................... 12

6. Operations ........................................................................................................................ 13

6.1 Restore Factory Settings ....................................................................................... 13

6.2 Display Software and Firmware Revision Numbers ............................................. 13

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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6.3 Display Radio Identification Information .............................................................. 13

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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1. Overview

This document provides information required for the operation and verification of

the Meteorcomm Interoperable Train Control Radio Network (ITCR) Wayside radios.

1.1 Applicable Radio Models and Identifiers

This document applies to the Wayside radio model listed below along with its

regulatory identifiers.

Model: 63010

FCC ID: BIB63010

IC: 1300A-63010

1.2 General Description

The Wayside radio is designed to satisfy the industry standard Positive Train Control

(PTC) requirements as part of an integrated 220 MHz radio network. The Base radio,

Locomotive radio, and Wayside radio form the transportation backbone on which a

messaging application provides communication capabilities between railroad assets

and their back offices. The ITCR is designed to provide communication in an inter-

operable fashion enabling messaging to occur across railroad boundaries.

When applied as a mobile station, this radio will be mounted in mobile maintenance

vehicles such as pickup trucks. It will actively join the ITC network only when

maintenance vehicles are driven on the rails.

The Wayside radio is normally positioned on railroad property in an equipment box

or bungalow close to the active rails. When used as a wayside station, its mission is

to provide wireless transmission of local track and trackside equipment where it is

mounted. Its radio messages are actively monitored by locomotives in the vicinity

that may be headed in its direction. It also normally associates with a nearby base

station. The base station backhauls the wayside transmission for various monitoring

and control purposes at the railroad central office. It is normally interfaced to a

Wayside Interface Unit (WIU) via its LAN ethernet port. The WIU terminates all local

wayside equipment such as switches, signals, track continuity circuits and several

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other possible track condition indicators. The WIU formats the status information

into a short message called an aspect. The aspect is sent to the Wayside radio for

packetized RF transmission.

1.3 Chassis

Wayside radios are housed in electrically sealed metal cases. The Wayside radio

dimensions are approximately 15.5W X 9.5 H X 2.0D. It weighs less than 8 lbs.

All input/output ports are grounded and/or shielded. In addition, best engineering

practices have been employed with respect to internal shielding, unit assembly and

PCB design in an effort to minimize potential sources of unwanted radiated

emissions.

1.4 Ports and Ethernet Connectors

The Wayside radio has two RJ45 Ethernet I/O ports, marked LAN and MAINT, each

on its own network.

1.5 Power Connectors

The Wayside radio power input connector is a Wago type for 13.6 VDC nominal, min

10.9 VDC and max 15.5 VDC.

1.6 Antenna Connectors

The 30W PEP rated 220-222 MHz wayside radio transmitter has an N-type antenna

connector and expects a nominal 50 ohm resistive load, max VSWR 3:1. It also has a

TNC connector for the GPS antenna. The GPS antenna can be active (3.3Vdc, 50mA

max) or passive.

2. Important Information for the User

2.1 Transmitter Warm-Up Period.

The wayside transmitter uses a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO)

to achieve frequency accuracy and stability. No warm-up period is required beyond

the built-in radio startup delays.

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2.2 Limiting RF Exposure

Please refer to the RF Energy Exposure Guide packed with each radio for

specific information regarding safe distances that must be maintained

between personnel and energized transmitting antennas.

The information in the RF Energy Exposure Guide is determined from FCC and

Industry Canada rules that when followed, limit human exposure to radio frequency

energy to acceptable levels. Note that the RF Energy Exposure Guide calculates the

larger lateral safe distances for an uncontrolled environment. Obeying these limits

will protect both railroad employees and the general public.

This radio is intended for use by railroad employees who have full knowledge of

their exposure and can exercise control over their exposure to meet FCC and IC

limits. This radio device is not intended for use by consumers or the general

population.

This transmitter is intended to be operated with a fixed or mobile antenna in an

Occupational/Controlled Exposure environment per FCC OET 65 or Controlled Use

Environment per IC RSS-102. Maximum Permitted Exposure (MPE) limit for devices

in the presence of the general public in the 100-300 MHz range is 0.2 mW/cm2 = 2

W/m2.

The tables in the RF Energy Exposure Guide list the calculated lateral distances to be

maintained between the general public and an operational Wayside transmitter

antenna for two antenna types and gains and for both fixed and mobile applications.

The transmitter power is adjustable to accommodate the various installations of this

product. Once the authorized ERP, antenna gain and the losses from feed line,

connectors and any inline RF filters are known, the transmitter power must be

evaluated and if necessary, set to a value that will ensure that the authorized ERP

and RF exposure requirements are met. Example ERP calculations are provided

further below.

2.3 Antenna Guidelines

This section contains antenna information and additional notes regarding methods

to limit RF exposure.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

4 5/16/2013

• The licensee is required to comply with limits on antenna location, power and

effective antenna height per 47CFR Subpart T §90.701 et. seq., or Industry

Canada SRSP-512 §6.3 as applicable.

• Install antennas in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Disable the transmitter when installing or servicing its antenna or transmission

line.

• Refer to the RF Energy Exposure Guide for specific guidelines regarding the

siting and installation of mobile and fixed antennas.

• Acceptable mobile and fixed antenna types are listed in the tables in the RF

Energy Exposure Guide.

• Unauthorized antennas, equipment modifications or attachments could

invalidate any equipment warranty or authority to transmit. Modification could

damage the radio and may violate FCC or IC regulations. Contact Meteorcomm

before using other antennas.

• Maintain a safe distance from energized transmitting antennas. See above.

2.4 RF Interference to Residential Receivers (Part 15)

NOTICE TO USER: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is

subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a

Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are

designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a

residential installation. This equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency

energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause

harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that

interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause

harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by

turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the

interference by one or more the following measures:

• Reorient or relocation the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which

the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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2.5 Equipment Modifications

Caution: Any changes or modifications to this equipment

not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance (in the respective country of use) could void

the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

3. Wayside Transmitter Operation

It is the responsibility of the licensee to operate this radio transmitter in compliance

with the terms of the license and FCC or Industry Canada service rules for 220-222

MHz, i.e., FCC Rules Part 90T and Industry Canada SRSP-512, or in the U.S. only,

operation on 217.6-218 and 219-220 MHz frequencies is subject to FCC Rules Part

80.

3.1 Wayside Channelization and Frequency Range

The Wayside radio can be configured to transmit on any one of 80 selectable 25-kHz

spaced channels ranging from 220.0125 to 221.9875 MHz inclusive. The spectrum

included corresponds to all 5 kHz wide FCC channels numbered from 1 at 220.0025

MHz to 400 at 221.9975 MHz. Each wayside transmission occupies five of the FCC-

defined 5 kHz channels. The lowest Wayside radio channel center frequency is in the

center of FCC channel 3 and the next is FCC channel 8, then 13, 18, etc., up to the

highest in the center of channel 398.

In the USA only, the radio can be licensed and configured to operate on 56

additional (Part 80) frequencies in the ranges 217.6125 to 217.9875 MHz and

219.0125 to 219.9875 MHz.

3.2 Wayside Channel Restrictions

Section 90.715 of the FCC Rules lists the authorized frequencies of the 400 total 5

kHz-wide channels. According to §90.733(d) these can be aggregated into larger

channel widths with the exception of FCC channels 161-170 and 181-185.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

6 5/16/2013

Therefore, the wayside radio may not transmit on those channels or their 221 MHz

counterparts, 361-370 and 381-385. This corresponds to wayside frequencies,

220.8125, 220.8375, 220.9125, 221.8125, 221.8375, and 221.9125 MHz.

Please refer to Part 90 Subpart T and SRSP-512 for additional frequency use

restrictions in Canadian and Mexican border areas.

3.3 Wayside Radiated Power Limits

It is the responsibility of the licensee to comply with the effective

radiated power limits based on operating frequency, geographic location,

and effective antenna height set out in 47CFR Subpart T §90.701 et. seq.,

or Industry Canada SRSP-512 §6.3, as applicable.

Important: The following supplementary antenna system information discusses

means for the licensee to determine effective radiated power (ERP) and comply with

regulatory power limits.

Licensees must comply with the specific power and antenna height limitations for

fixed-antenna stations per §90.729 or SRSP-512 §6.3. Note that U.S. and Canadian

power limits vs. HAAT are not identical.

Licensees should note that all mobiles and also fixed installations transmitting

between 221 and 222 MHz must limit effective radiated power (ERP) to 50W or

10*log(50) + 30 = 47dBm PEP referenced to the 2.15 dBi gain of a dipole, unless

operating under a waiver of FCC rule §90.729(b) or SRSP-512 §6.3 as applicable. The

EIRP for this case is 49.15 dBm. Also note that the maximum ERP on FCC/IC channels

196-200 at 220.975 to 221.000 MHz is 2 watts.

The allowable transmitter peak envelope power output in dBm is determined by

subtracting the antenna gain in dBi from 49.15, then adding the loss from the

antenna feedline and connectors. If the result is greater than or equal to 44.85 dBm

= 14.85 dBW then the maximum power output of the Wayside transmitter can be

used. If the value is less than 44.85 dBm, then the transmitter output power must be

reduced to the calculated value.

Mobile Installation: As an example of a mobile installation, consider a vertical half

wave ground plane on a vehicle metal rooftop. In an ideal installation the antenna

gain = 2.4 dBd = 4.55 dBi. Ignoring connector losses, feedline loss is at least 0.6 dB

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

5/16/2013 7

for 10 feet of Times Microwave LMR-195 Ultra Flex coaxial cable. Transmitter power

output limit = 47-2.4+0.6 = 45.2 dBm PEP and therefore the system is compliant with

the 50W ERP limit. The actual ERP in this case is 10^(14.85+2.4-0.6) = 46.2 W. This

installation is not allowed to transmit on FCC channels 196-200 because the

maximum ERP is greater than 2 watts.

Fixed Installation: In a fixed installation, a common single-element exposed folded

dipole antenna without reflector has 0 up to 2.9 dBd (2.1 to 5.0 dBi) azimuthal gain

depending on the design.

Once the allowable ERP is determined by applying all power-restrictive rules from

above and the antenna gain is known, the transmitter peak envelope power output

feeding the transmission line is determined by subtracting the antenna gain in dBd

from the ERP and adding the loss from the antenna feedline and connectors plus the

loss from any external inline power sensors, combiners, filters or lightning arresters.

If the net value is greater than or equal to 44.85 dBm, then the maximum power of

the Wayside transmitter can be used. If the value is less than 44.85 dBm, then the

transmitter output power must be reduced to the net value.

Example for the 50W ERP fixed case: Antenna gain = 2.9 dBd and feedline loss is at

least 0.5 dB for 25 feet of Times Microwave LMR-400 coax plus 0.4 dB for inline

lightning arrester and three connectors. Assuming no other losses, the transmitter

power output limit = 47-2.9+0.9 = 45 dBm PEP. In this case, the actual Wayside ERP

is 44.85+2.9-0.9 dBm = 46.85 dBm = 48.4 W PEP and therefore the system is

compliant with the 50W ERP limit. This installation is not allowed to transmit on FCC

channels 196-200 because the maximum ERP is greater than 2 watts.

4. Setup and Configuration for the Wayside Radio

Set up physical connections with the following:

• DC Power

• Ethernet

RF output termination

The sections below identify each of the physical connections.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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4.1 Power Supply

Wayside radios operate at 13.6Vdc input. Table 1 describes the power supply

requirements.

Caution: Applying an incorrect voltage to a Wayside radio can cause

damage. Confirm the voltage of the radio and the power supply before

applying power.

Table 1 Wayside Radio Power Parameters

Parameter Wayside Radio

Nominal DC Power Input Voltage

13.6Vdc

Operational Range

10.9-15.5Vdc (+14%/-20%)

Damage limit

17Vdc

Current Drain (while transmitting

rated power)

10A max while transmitting into 50 ohm

load

4.2 Ethernet Connection

Wayside radios use a standard CAT5 Ethernet cable connected between a PC and

the maintenance port of the radio. Configure the PC network card with a fixed IP

address of 10.10.1.254.

You will use XtermW, a Meteorcomm terminal emulation program, to connect with

and control the radio via commands issued at command prompts.

4.3 RF Output Termination

The Wayside radio is rated for 30W PEP. Sufficient termination is required to protect

test equipment. For transmitter and receiver testing, connect the test equipment to

the port labeled “ANT”. See further instructions below.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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5. Tuning the Wayside Radio

There are three parameters to test and potentially tune before/during RF testing:

•

• Master reference crystal oscillator frequency

• RF output power

• RF output channel

Factory technicians tune the master reference crystal oscillator and set the RF gain

for maximum rated output power. You may have to adjust the three parameters

before or during RF testing by entering commands using XtermW or another

terminal emulation program.

5.1 Equipment Required

1. 10A DC power supply at rated voltage of wayside radio, nominally 13.6 VDC.

2. Personal computer with Ethernet network adapter and Meteorcomm XtermW

or equivalent terminal program installed.

3. 30 dB 50W RF power attenuator.

4. Vector spectrum analyzer for power and frequency measurements.

5. Optional 8+ digit frequency counter for frequency measurements.

6. High stability time base accurate to 0.1 ppm. Can be internal to items 4 and 5.

5.2 Set up the Radio for Testing

1. Adjust a 10A DC power supply to 13.6 VDC and then disable its output.

Observing polarity of the power supply terminals, connect the wayside power

cable between the radio power connector and the power supply.

2. Connect one end of a CAT5 ethernet cable to the RJ-45 radio port labeled

MAINT. Connect the other end to a computer network card. The default radio

IP address is 10.10.1.254. Set the IP address of the computer network card to a

compatible fixed address such as 10.10.1.1. The computer should have

Meteorcomm XtermW or a similar terminal emulation program installed.

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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3. Apply power to the radio. Wait 30 seconds to open an XtermW session. Use

the Edit/Configure Port window to set Port Type = TCP/IP, Protocol = Stream,

TCP/IP Settings Host = 10.10.1.254, Port 4000. Select Device Type = MCC 6100

SDR (which also applies to ITC radios). Return Character = CR, Data Format =

ASCII.

4. Attach a 50W 30 dB RF attenuator to the TX/RX1 N-type antenna connector.

Attach an (e.g., Agilent MXA or PXA) vector spectrum analyzer or similar to the

transmitter port for power and frequency measurements. The VSA should

contain either a precision stability reference oscillator or attach an external

rubidium reference to the VSA external reference input.

5.3 Measure and Calibrate Reference Crystal Oscillator Frequency

The instructions below allow you to change the factory calibration settings for the

master reference oscillator crystal.

To check the master reference crystal oscillator frequency calibration:

1. Open an XtermW session.

2. Put the radio into test mode by typing:

dsp,watchdog,off

dsp_mode,test

3. Reduce output power to approximately 2W by typing:

cal,set,ddslevel, 100

4. Begin transmitting a test tone directly on the carrier frequency:

l1_test,stop

l1_test,set,txmod,cw

l1_test,set,txfreq,220012500

l1_test,start,tx

5. Use the frequency counter or frequency counting marker on the VSA to

measure the output frequency. The measured value is the actual carrier

frequency. The carrier frequency is normally well within 352 Hz (1.5 ppm) of the

center frequency of the channel.

6. Alternate to the test tone: Substitute the following π/4-DQPSK modulation

command for the second line in step 4.

l1_test,set,txmod,dqpsk_half

ITCR Wayside User’s Manual

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7. Set the VSA to the center frequency of the channel and set it to demodulate the

8 ksym/second π/4-DQPSK emission and measure the error frequency which is

referenced to the VSA center frequency.

To adjust the master crystal reference oscillator parameters:

1. First, check the factory default setting for the crystal reference parameter by

typing

cal

2. Note the value for “xo” in the cal factors table that is displayed.

3. At the XtermW command line, type:

cal,set,xo,xx

where xx is some value close to the original factory set value.

4. Use trial and error to determine the set point for the xo value to achieve the

desired carrier frequency accuracy.

To reset the XO tuning parameter to the factory setting:

Power cycle the radio.

5.4 Measure and Adjust Output Power

Caution: Avoid unnecessary adjustments. Exercise caution when setting

DDS level (ddslevel) or other power output controls as damage to the

radio can occur if they are set too high.

The wayside radio is rated for 30W PEP and is preset to this level at the factory. If

additional tuning is required, use an appropriate method to measure PEP for a π/4-

DQPSK signal. The CCDF function on the VSA is recommended for peak power

measurement. Slowly increase/decrease ddslevel level from its nominal set point, as

determined by issuing the command ‘cal’.

To measure and adjust output power:

1. At the XtermW command line, begin transmitting a π/4-DQPSK signal by

typing:

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12 5/16/2013

l1_test,stop

l1_test,set,txmod,dqpsk_half

l1_test,start,tx

2. View the calibration settings by typing:

cal

3. Observe the value for ddslevel.

4. Tune the VSA to the center of the channel frequency and select the CCDF

function to measure the peak (envelope) power, average power and peak to average

ratio. Note that the peak envelope power is used for determining ERP.

5. The power can be modified by typing:

l1_test,stop

cal,set,ddslevel,xxx

l1_test,start,tx

While monitoring the output power, the value xxx should be increased a small

amount to increase output power or vice versa.

5.5 Check and Adjust RF Output Channel

You can adjust the RF output channel by stopping transmission, setting transmission

frequency, and then starting transmission again.

To adjust RF output channel:

1. Tune the radio to the bottom channel (217.6125MHz) by typing:

l1_test,stop

l1_test,set,txfreq,217612500

l1_test,start,tx

2. Tune the radio to the mid-channel (219.8125MHz) by typing:

l1_test,stop,

l1_test,set,txfreq,219812500

l1_test,start,tx

3. Tune the radio to the high channel (221.9875MHz) by typing:

l1_test,stop

l1_test,set,txfreq,221987500

l1_test,start,tx

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6. Operations

6.1 Restore Factory Settings

To restore factory settings without cycling the radio:

• At the XtermW command prompt, type:

factory

6.2 Display Software and Firmware Revision Numbers

To display what software and firmware versions are installed on your radio:

• At the XtermW command prompt, type:

rev

6.3 Display Radio Identification Information

This section provides you with commands to display serial number and identification

information.

To display serial number information:

• At the XtermW command prompt, type:

serialnumber

To show current ID setting:

• At the XtermW command prompt, type:

Meteorcomm 63010 Wayside Packet Data Transceiver User Manual ITCR Wayside Radio User s Guide

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