UBS Axcera 837B-5 5000-Watt UHF Translator User Manual 315943
UBS-Axcera 5000-Watt UHF Translator 315943
Contents
Chapter 1
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This manual explains the installation,
setup, alignment, and maintenance
procedures for the 837B 4-6 kW solid
state UHF translator. It is important that
you read all of the instructions,
especially the safety information in this
chapter, before you begin to install or
operate the unit.
1.1 Manual Overview
This instruction manual is divided into
five chapters and supporting appendices.
Chapter 1, Introduction, contains
information on the assembly numbering
system used in the manual, safety,
maintenance, return procedures, and
warranties. The second chapter describes
the translator and includes discussions on
system control and status indicators and
remote control connections. Chapter 3
explains how to unpack, install, setup,
and operate the translator. Chapter 4
contains circuit-level descriptions for
boards and board-level components in
the translator. Chapter 5, Detailed
Alignment Procedures, provides
information on adjusting the system
assemblies for optimal operation. The
appendices contain a sample log sheet,
test data sheet, assembly and
subassembly drawings and parts lists,
and system specifications.
1.2 Assembly Designators
Axcera has assigned assembly numbers,
such as Ax (x=1,2,3…), to all assemblies,
trays, and boards that are referenced in
the text of this manual and shown on the
block diagrams and interconnect
drawings provided in the appendices.
These supporting documents are
arranged in increasing numerical order in
the appendices. Section titles in the text
for assembly or tray descriptions or
alignment procedures contain the
associated part number(s) and the
relevant appendix that contains the
drawings for that item.
1.3 Safety
The UHF translators manufactured by
Axcera are designed to be easy to use
and repair while providing protection
from electrical and mechanical hazards.
Listed throughout the manual are notes,
cautions, and warnings concerning
possible safety hazards that may be
encountered while operating or servicing
the translator. Please review these
warnings and familiarize yourself with the
operation and servicing procedures
before working on the translator.
Read All Instructions – All of the
operating and safety instructions should
be read and understood before operating
this equipment.
Retain Manuals – The manuals for the
translator should be retained at the
translator site for future reference. We
provide two sets of manuals for this
purpose; one set can be left at the office
while one set can be kept at the site.
Heed all Notes, Warnings, and
Cautions – All of the notes, warnings,
and cautions listed in this safety section
and throughout the manual must be
followed.
Follow Instructions – All of the
operating and use instructions for the
translator should be followed.
Cleaning – Unplug or otherwise
disconnect all power from the equipment
before cleaning. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.
Ventilation – Openings in the cabinets
and tray front panels are provided for
ventilation. To ensure the reliable
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-2
operation of the translator, and to protect
the unit from overheating, these
openings must not be blocked.
Servicing – Do not attempt to service
this product yourself until becoming
familiar with the equipment. If in doubt,
refer all servicing questions to qualified
Axcera service personnel.
Replacement Parts – When
replacement parts are used, be sure that
the parts have the same functional and
performance characteristics as the
original part. Unauthorized substitutions
may result in fire, electric shock, or other
hazards. Please contact the Axcera
Technical Service Department if you have
any questions regarding service or
replacement parts.
1.4 Maintenance
The 837B is designed with components
that require little or no periodic
maintenance except for the routine
cleaning of the fans and the front panels
of the trays.
The amount of time between cleanings
depends on the conditions within the
translator room. While the electronics
have been designed to function even if
covered with dust, a heavy buildup of
dust, dirt, or insects will affect the
cooling of the components. This could
lead to a thermal shutdown or the
premature failure of the affected trays.
When the front panels of the trays
become dust covered, the top covers
should be taken off and any accumulated
foreign material should be removed. A
vacuum cleaner, utilizing a small, wand-
type attachment, is an excellent way to
suction out the dirt. Alcohol and other
cleaning agents should not be used
unless you are certain that the solvents
will not damage components or the silk-
screened markings on the trays and
boards. Water-based cleaners can be
used, but do not saturate the
components. The fans and heatsinks
should be cleaned of all dust or dirt to
permit the free flow of air for cooling
purposes.
It is recommended that the operating
parameters of the translator be recorded
from the meters on the trays and the
system metering control panel at least
once a month. It is suggested that this
data be retained in a rugged folder or
envelope. A sample format for a log
sheet is provided in Appendix A.
Photocopies of the log sheet should be
made to allow for continued data entries.
1.5 Material Return Procedure
To insure the efficient handling of
equipment or components that have been
returned for repair, Axcera requests that
each returned item be accompanied by a
Material Return Authorization Number
(MRA#).
An MRA# can be obtained from any
Axcera Field Service Engineer by
contacting the Axcera Field Service
Department at (724) 873-8100 or by fax
at (724) 873-8105. This procedure
applies to all items sent to the Field
Service Department regardless of
whether the item was originally
manufactured by Axcera.
When equipment is sent to the field on
loan, an MRA# is included with the unit.
The MRA# is intended to be used when
the unit is returned to Axcera. In
addition, all shipping material should be
retained for the return of the unit to
Axcera.
Replacement assemblies are also sent
with an MRA# to allow for the proper
routing of the exchanged hardware.
Failure to close out this type of MRA# will
normally result in the customer being
invoiced for the value of the loaner item
or the exchange assembly.
When shipping an item to Axcera, please
include the MRA# on the packing list and
on the shipping container. The packing
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-3
slip should also include contact
information and a brief description of why
the unit is being returned.
Please forward all MRA items to:
AXCERA, LLC
103 Freedom Drive
P.O. Box 525
Lawrence, PA 15055-0525 USA
For more information concerning this
procedure, call the Axcera Field Service
Department.
Axcera can also be contacted through e-
mail at info@axcera.com and on the Web
at www.axcera.com.
1.6 Warranty for Axcera Products –
Limited One-Year Warranty
Axcera warrants each new product that
it has manufactured and sold against
defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for a
period of one (1) year from the date of
shipment from Axcera's plant, when
operated in accordance with Axcera's
operating instructions. This warranty
shall not apply to tubes, fuses,
batteries, or bulbs.
Warranties are valid only when and if
(a) Axcera receives prompt written
notice of breach within the period of
warranty, (b) the defective product is
properly packed and returned by the
buyer (transportation and insurance
prepaid), and (c) Axcera determines, in
its sole judgment, that the product is
defective and not subject to any misuse,
neglect, improper installation,
negligence, accident, or (unless
authorized in writing by Axcera) repair
or alteration. Axcera's exclusive liability
for any personal and/or property
damage (including direct, consequential,
or incidental) caused by the breach of
any or all warranties, shall be limited to
the following: (a) repairing or replacing
(in Axcera's sole discretion) any
defective parts free of charge (F.O.B.
Axcera’s plant) and/or (b) crediting (in
Axcera's sole discretion) all or a portion
of the purchase price to the buyer.
Equipment furnished by Axcera, but not
bearing its trade name, shall bear no
warranties other than the special hours-
of-use or other warranties extended by
or enforceable against the manufacturer
at the time of delivery to the buyer. NO
WARRANTIES, WHETHER
STATUTORY, EXPRESSED, OR
IMPLIED, AND NO WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR
ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR
FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT,
OR THE LIKE, OTHER THAN AS
SPECIFIED IN PATENT LIABILITY
ARTICLES, AND IN THIS ARTICLE,
SHALL APPLY TO THE EQUIPMENT
FURNISHED HEREUNDER.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-4
) WARNING!!!
½ HIGH VOLTAGE ¾
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR OR TROUBLESHOOT THIS EQUIPMENT
UNLESS YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS OPERATION AND EXPERIENCED
IN SERVICING HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT. LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE
PRESENT WHEN POWER IS APPLIED TO THIS SYSTEM. IF POSSIBLE,
TURN OFF POWER BEFORE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SYSTEM.
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION HAZARD
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS AND TUBES GENERATE HAZARDOUS RF
RADIATION WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY INCLUDING
CATARACTS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN BLINDNESS. SOME CARDIAC
PACEMAKERS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE RF ENERGY EMITTED BY
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS. NEVER OPERATE A MICROWAVE SYSTEM
WITHOUT A PROPERLY MATCHED RF ENERGY ABSORBING LOAD
ATTACHED. KEEP PERSONNEL AWAY FROM OPEN WAVEGUIDES AND
ANTENNAS. NEVER LOOK INTO AN OPEN WAVEGUIDE OR ANTENNA.
MONITOR ALL PARTS OF THE RF SYSTEM FOR RADIATION LEAKAGE AT
REGULAR INTERVALS.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-5
EMERGENCY FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS
Personnel engaged in the installation, operation, or maintenance of this equipment are urged to become familiar with the following rules
both in theory and practice. It is the duty of all operating personnel to be prepared to give adequate Emergency First Aid and thereby
prevent avoidable loss of life.
RESCUE BREATHING
1. Find out if the person is breathing.
You must find out if the person has
stopped breathing. If you think he is not
breathing: place him flat on his back. Put
your ear close to his mouth and look at his
chest. If he is breathing you can feel the
air on your cheek. You can see his chest
move up and down. If you do not feel the
air or see the chest move, then he is not
breathing.
2. If he is not breathing, open the airway
by tilting his head backwards.
Lift up his neck with one hand and push
down on his forehead with the other. This
opens the airway. Sometimes doing this
will let the person breathe again by
himself.
3. If he is still not breathing, begin rescue
breathing.
-Keep his head tilted backward. Pinch
nose shut.
-Put your mouth tightly over his mouth.
-Blow into his mouth once every five
seconds
-DO NOT stop rescue breathing until help
arrives.
LOOSEN CLOTHING - KEEP WARM
Do this when the victim is breathing by
himself or help is available. Keep him as
quiet as possible and from becoming
chilled. Otherwise treat him for shock.
BURNS
SKIN REDDENED: Apply ice cold water to burned area to
prevent burn from going deeper into skin tissue. Cover area with
clean sheet or cloth to keep away air. Consult a physician.
SKIN BLISTERED OR FLESH CHARRED: Apply ice cold
water to burned area to prevent burn from going deeper into skin
tissue.
Cover area with clean sheet or cloth to keep away air. Treat
victim for shock and take to hospital.
EXTENSIVE BURN - SKIN BROKEN: Cover area with clean
sheet or cloth to keep away air. Treat victim for shock and take to
hospital.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-6
Note: Because of possible FCC assigned offset, check for the assigned Carrier Frequency as written on
License.
UHF Channels NTSC Standard IF, 45.75 MHz
Visual Carrier Frequency (MHz) L.O.
(MHz)
Crystal Frequency (MHz)
Channel Nominal Minus Plus Nominal Nominal Minus Plus
14 471.25 471.24 471.26 517.00 64.625 64.62375 64.62625
15 477.25 477.24 477.26 523.00 65.375 65.37375 65.37625
16 483.25 483.24 483.26 529.00 66.125 66.12375 66.12625
17 489.25 489.24 489.26 535.00 66.875 66.87375 66.87625
18 495.25 495.24 495.26 541.00 67.625 67.62375 67.62625
19 501.25 501.24 501.26 547.00 68.375 68.37375 68.37625
20 507.25 507.24 507.26 553.00 69.125 69.12375 69.12625
21 513.25 513.24 513.26 559.00 69.875 69.87375 69.87625
22 519.25 519.24 519.26 565.00 70.625 70.62375 70.62625
23 525.25 525.24 525.26 571.00 71.375 71.37375 71.37625
24 531.25 531.24 531.26 577.00 72.125 72.12375 72.12625
25 537.25 537.24 537.26 583.00 72.875 72.87375 72.87625
26 543.25 543.24 543.26 589.00 73.625 73.62375 73.62625
27 549.25 549.24 549.26 595.00 74.375 74.37375 74.37625
28 555.25 555.24 555.26 601.00 75.125 75.12375 75.12625
29 561.25 561.24 561.26 607.00 75.875 75.87375 75.87625
30 567.25 567.24 567.26 613.00 76.625 76.62375 76.62625
31 573.25 573.24 573.26 619.00 77.375 77.37375 77.37625
32 579.25 579.24 579.26 625.00 78.125 78.12375 78.12625
33 585.25 585.24 585.26 631.00 78.875 78.87375 78.87625
34 591.25 591.24 591.26 637.00 79.625 79.62375 79.62625
35 597.25 597.24 597.26 643.00 80.375 80.37375 80.37625
36 603.25 603.24 603.26 649.00 81.125 81.12375 81.12625
37 609.25 609.24 609.26 655.00 81.875 81.87375 81.87625
38 615.25 615.24 615.26 661.00 82.625 82.62375 82.62625
39 621.25 621.24 621.26 667.00 83.375 83.37375 83.37625
40 627.25 627.24 627.26 673.00 84.125 84.12375 84.12625
41 633.25 633.24 633.26 679.00 84.875 84.87375 84.87625
42 639.25 639.24 639.26 685.00 85.625 85.62375 85.62625
43 645.25 645.24 645.26 691.00 86.375 86.37375 86.37625
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-7
Note: Because of possible FCC assigned offset, check for the assigned Carrier Frequency as written on License.
UHF Channels NTSC Standard IF, 45.75 MHz
Visual Carrier Frequency (MHz) L.O. (MHz) Crystal Frequency (MHz)
Channel Nominal Minus Plus Nominal Nominal Minus Plus
44 651.25 651.24 651.26 697.00 87.125 87.12375 87.12625
45 657.25 657.24 657.26 703.00 87.875 87.87375 87.87625
46 663.25 663.24 663.26 709.00 88.625 88.62375 88.62625
47 669.25 669.24 669.26 715.00 89.375 89.37375 89.37625
48 675.25 675.24 675.26 721.00 90.125 90.12375 90.12625
49 681.25 681.24 681.26 727.00 90.875 90.87375 90.87625
50 687.25 687.24 687.26 733.00 91.625 91.62375 91.62625
51 693.25 693.24 693.26 739.00 92.375 92.37375 92.37625
52 699.25 699.24 699.26 745.00 93.125 93.12375 93.12625
53 705.25 705.24 705.26 751.00 93.875 93.87375 93.87625
54 711.25 711.24 711.26 757.00 94.625 94.62375 94.62625
55 717.25 717.24 717.26 763.00 95.375 95.37375 95.37625
56 723.25 723.24 723.26 769.00 96.125 96.12375 96.12625
57 729.25 729.24 729.26 775.00 96.875 96.87375 96.87625
58 735.25 735.24 735.26 781.00 97.625 97.62375 97.62625
59 741.25 741.24 741.26 787.00 98.375 98.37375 98.37625
60 747.25 747.24 747.26 793.00 99.125 99.12375 99.12625
61 753.25 753.24 753.26 799.00 99.875 99.87375 99.87625
62 759.25 759.24 759.26 805.00 100.625 100.62375 100.62625
63 765.25 765.24 765.26 811.00 101.375 101.37375 101.37625
64 771.25 771.24 771.26 817.00 102.125 102.12375 102.12625
65 777.25 777.24 777.26 823.00 102.875 102.87375 102.87625
66 783.25 783.24 783.26 829.00 103.625 103.62375 103.62625
67 789.25 789.24 789.26 835.00 104.375 104.37375 104.37625
68 795.25 795.24 795.26 841.00 105.125 105.12375 105.12625
69 801.25 801.24 801.26 847.00 105.875 105.87375 105.87625
70 807.25 807.24 807.26 853.00 106.625 106.62375 106.62625
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-8
Note: Because of possible FCC assigned offset, check for the assigned Carrier Frequency as written on License.
UHF Frequency Assignments
Channel
Number
Bandwidth
(MHz)
Video
(MHz)
Color
(MHz)
Audio
(MHz)
14 470-476 471.25 474.83 475.75
15 476-482 477.25 480.83 481.75
16 482-488 483.25 486.83 487.75
17 488-494 489.25 492.83 493.75
18 494-500 495.25 498.83 499.75
19 500-506 501.25 504.83 505.75
20 506-512 507.25 510.83 511.75
21 512-518 513.25 516.83 517.75
22 518-524 519.25 522.83 523.75
23 524-530 525.25 528.83 529.75
24 530-536 531.25 534.83 535.75
25 536-542 537.25 540.83 541.75
26 542-548 543.25 546.83 547.75
27 548-554 549.25 552.83 553.75
28 554-560 555.25 558.83 559.75
29 560-566 561.25 564.83 565.75
30 566-572 567.25 570.83 571.75
31 572-578 573.25 576.83 577.75
32 578-584 579.25 582.83 583.75
33 584-590 585.25 588.83 589.75
34 590-596 591.25 594.83 595.75
35 596-602 597.25 600.83 601.75
36 602-608 603.25 606.83 607.75
37 608-614 609.25 612.83 613.75
38 614-620 615.25 618.83 619.75
39 620-626 621.25 624.83 625.75
40 626-632 627.25 630.83 631.75
41 632-638 633.25 636.83 637.75
42 638-644 639.25 642.83 643.75
43 644-650 645.25 648.83 649.75
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-9
Note: Because of possible FCC assigned offset, check for the assigned Carrier Frequency as
written on License.
UHF Frequency Assignments
Channel
Number
Bandwidth
(MHz)
Video
(MHz)
Color
(MHz)
Audio
(MHz)
44 650-656 651.25 654.83 655.75
45 656-662 657.25 660.83 661.75
46 662-668 663.25 666.83 667.75
47 668-674 669.25 672.83 673.75
48 674-680 675.25 678.83 679.75
49 680-686 681.25 684.83 685.75
50 686-692 687.25 690.83 691.75
51 692-698 693.25 696.83 697.75
52 698-704 699.25 702.83 703.75
53 704-710 705.25 708.83 709.75
54 710-716 711.25 714.83 715.75
55 716-722 717.25 720.83 721.75
56 722-728 723.25 726.83 727.75
57 728-734 729.25 732.83 733.75
58 734-740 735.25 738.83 739.75
59 740-746 741.25 744.83 745.75
60 746-752 747.25 750.83 751.75
61 752-758 753.25 756.83 757.75
62 758-764 759.25 762.83 763.75
63 764-770 765.25 768.83 769.75
64 770-776 771.25 774.83 775.75
65 776-782 777.25 780.83 781.75
66 782-788 783.25 786.83 787.75
67 788-794 789.25 792.83 793.75
68 794-800 795.25 798.83 799.75
69 800-806 801.25 804.83 805.75
70 806-812 807.25 810.83 811.75
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-10
dBm, dBw, dBmV, dBµV, AND VOLTAGE EXPRESSED IN WATTS
50 ohm system
WATTS PREFIX dBm dBw dBmV
dBµV VOLTAGE
1,000,000,000,000 1 TERAWATT +150 +120
100,000,000,000 100 GIGAWATTS +140 +110
10,000,000,000 10 GIGAWATTS +130 +100
1,000,000,000 1 GIGAWATT +120 + 99
100,000,000 100 MEGAWATTS +110 + 80
10,000,000 10 MEGAWATTS +100 + 70
1,000,000 1 MEGAWATT + 90 + 60
100,000 100 KILOWATTS + 80 + 50
10,000 10 KILOWATTS + 70 + 40
1,000 1 KILOWATT + 60 + 30
100 1 HECTROWATT + 50 + 20
50 + 47 + 17
20 + 43 + 13
10 1 DECAWATT + 40 + 10
1 1 WATT + 30 0 + 77 +137 7.07V
0.1 1 DECIWATT + 20 - 10 + 67 +127 2.24V
0.01 1 CENTIWATT + 10 - 20 + 57 +117 0.707V
0.001 1 MILLIWATT 0 - 30 + 47 +107 224mV
0.0001 100 MICROWATTS - 10 - 40
0.00001 10 MICROWATTS - 20 - 50
0.000001 1 MICROWATT - 30 - 60
0.0000001 100 NANOWATTS - 40 - 70
0.00000001 10 NANOWATTS - 50 - 80
0.000000001 1 NANOWATT - 60 - 90
0.0000000001 100 PICOWATTS - 70 -100
0.00000000001 10 PICOWATTS - 80 -110
0.000000000001 1 PICOWATT - 90 -120
TEMPERATURE CONVERSION
°F = 32 + [(9/5) °C]
°C = [(5/9) (°F - 32)]
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-11
USEFUL CONVERSION FACTORS
TO CONVERT FROM TO MULTIPLY BY
mile (US statute) kilometer (km) 1.609347
inch (in) millimeter (mm) 25.4
inch (in) centimeter (cm) 2.54
inch (in) meter (m) 0.0254
foot (ft) meter (m) 0.3048
yard (yd) meter (m) 0.9144
mile per hour (mph) kilometer per hour(km/hr) 1.60934
mile per hour (mph) meter per second (m/s) 0.44704
pound (lb) kilogram (kg) 0.4535924
gallon (gal) liter 3.7854118
U.S. liquid
(One U.S. gallon equals 0.8327 Canadian gallon)
fluid ounce (fl oz) milliliters (ml) 29.57353
British Thermal Unit watt (W) 0.2930711
per hour (Btu/hr)
horsepower (hp) watt (W) 746
NOMENCLATURE OF FREQUENCY BANDS
FREQUENCY RANGE DESIGNATION
3 to 30 kHz VLF - Very Low Frequency
30 to 300 kHz LF - Low Frequency
300 to 3000 kHz MF - Medium Frequency
3 to 30 MHz HF - High Frequency
30 to 300 MHz VHF - Very High Frequency
300 to 3000 MHz UHF - Ultrahigh Frequency
3 to 30 GHz SHF - Superhigh Frequency
30 to 300 GHz EHF - Extremely High Frequency
LETTER DESIGNATIONS FOR UPPER FREQUENCY BANDS
LETTER FREQ. BAND
L 1000 - 2000 MHz
S 2000 - 4000 MHz
C 4000 - 8000 MHz
X 8000 - 12000 MHz
Ku 12 - 18 GHz
K 18 - 27 GHz
Ka 27 - 40 GHz
V 40 - 75 GHz
W 75 - 110 GHz
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-12
ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS
AC Alternating Current
AFC Automatic Frequency Control
ALC Automatic Level Control
AM Amplitude modulation
AGC Automatic Gain Control
AWG American wire gauge
BER Bit Error Rate
BW Bandwidth
DC Direct Current
D/A Digital to analog
dB Decibel
dBm Decibel referenced to 1 milliwatt
dBmV Decibel referenced to 1 millivolt
dBw Decibel referenced to 1 watt
FEC Forward Error Correction
FM Frequency modulation
Hz Hertz
ICPM Incidental Carrier Phase Modulation
I/P Input
IF Intermediate Frequency
LED Light emitting diode
LSB Lower Sideband
MPEG Motion Pictures Expert Group
O/P Output
PLL Phase Locked Loop
PCB Printed circuit board
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 1, Introduction
837B, Rev. 0 1-13
RETURN LOSS VS. VSWR
1.001 1.01 1.1 2.0
VSWR
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
R
E
T
U
R
N
L
O
S
S
dB