UBS Axcera 837B-5 5000-Watt UHF Translator User Manual 315946

UBS-Axcera 5000-Watt UHF Translator 315946

Chapter 4

4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-1
Chapter 4
Circuit Descriptions
4.0 (A1) UHF Exciter Assembly
(1278-1400; Appendix C)
The (A1) UHF Exciter Assembly
contains (A1) a UHF Exciter Tray
(1142458 or 1245-1100), (A4 & A5)
two Variable Gain/Phase Trays (1245-
1200), (A6) a Metering Panel (1136811
or 1245-1400), (A7) a UHF Receiver
Tray (1142479 or 1265-1100), (A8) an
Exciter AC Distribution Assembly
(1245-1500) and (A9) a Remote
Interface Assembly (1245-1801).
The (A7) UHF Receiver Tray, uses the
ON Channel RF input, at J5 for 75 or
J1 for 50, and produces a Combined
IF output at J4 that connects to the
UHF Exciter at J6.
The (A1) UHF Exciter Tray, if the
Optional Modulator Kit is present in the
tray, takes the Baseband Audio and
Video Inputs and mixes them with
internally generated 45.75 MHz and
41.25 MHz Ifs that combines them.
The Combined IF, from the Receiver
Tray or from the Modulator Kit, is
upconverted to the On Channel RF
output frequency by mixing it with a
L.O. signal generated by the Channel
Oscillator Assembly. The RF Output of
the UHF Exciter at J15 connects to (A3)
a Splitter which splits the RF two ways
with the RF Output #1 connected to the
input of the (A5) Variable Gain/Phase
Tray (1245-1200) and the RF Output
#2 connected to the input of the (A4)
Variable Gain/Phase Tray (1245-1200).
The output of the (A4) Variable
Gain/Phase Tray connects to (A2) the
Side A Amplifier Array Assembly. The
output of the (A5) Variable Gain/Phase
Tray connects to (A3) the Side B
Amplifier Array Assembly.
4.0.1 Control and Status
The Control and Status of the
Translator are provided by the Meter
indications on the Metering Panel and
the Variable Gain Phase Trays. There
are also Control, Status and LED
Indications located on the front panel of
the UHF Exciter Tray. The switches and
LED indicators, which are mounted so
that the switches and LEDs are
operated or viewed from the front
Panel of the UHF Exciter, are part of the
Transmitter Control Board (1245-
1101). On the UHF Exciter Tray, switch
(S1) is an Operate/Standby Switch that
provides the Operate Commands
(Enables), when in Operate, to each of
the Amplifier Arrays. The power supply
Enable is needed to turn on the
Switching Power Supplies located in
each of the UHF Amplifier Trays. The
Fan Enable is needed to turn on the
exhaust fan in the (Optional) External
Exhaust Kit. When the UHF Exciter is
in Operate, the Green LED (DS2) is On
and when in Standby the Amber LED
(DS1) is On. NOTE: If the Translator
does not switch to Operate, when S1 is
switched to Operate, check that a
Dummy Jumper Plug is connected to
Jack J7, with a Jumper between Pins 1
& 2, located on (A9) the Remote
Interface Assembly in the Single UHF
Exciter Assembly. The Jumper provides
the Interlock to the UHF Exciter needed
for the operation of the Translator. If
the Interlock is present, the Green LED
(DS5), located on the Transmitter
Control Board, should be lit.
Operation of the Translator is controlled
by the front panel switches located on
the UHF Exciter Tray. During Normal
operation of the Translator, Switch S2
should be in the Auto position. The
front panel of the UHF Exciter also has
LEDs that indicate a Video Fault (Loss),
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-2
Red LED (DS9) and a VSWR Cutback,
Amber LED (DS7).
4.0.2 RF, Baseband Input and
Remote Connections
The RF, Baseband Video and Audio
Inputs to the Translator, connect to the
(A9) Remote Interface Panel located on
the rear of the Single UHF Exciter
Assembly. The On Channel RF input
connects to the “F” connector J3 for
75 or the “N” connector J1 for 50.
If the (Optional) Modulator Kit is
present, the Baseband Video Input
connects to Jack J2 that is wired to J1
on the Exciter. The Baseband Audio
Input connects to the Terminal Block
TB1 for Balanced Audio or to Jack J6
that is wired to J3 on the Exciter, for
Composite, Stereo, Audio.
Remote Monitoring and Operation of
the Translator is provided through the
Jacks (J8, J9 & J10) located on (A9) the
Remote Interface Assembly mounted
toward the rear of the Single UHF
Exciter Assembly. Jack (J7) should
have a dummy plug connected to it,
which has a jumper connected between
Pins 1 & 2, that provides the Interlock
to the Exciter needed to operate the
Translator. If the Jumper is missing,
the Translator will not switch to
Operate. If remote connections are
made to the Translator they should be
made through the plugs provided in the
Installation Material as noted on the
Interconnect Drawing (1278-8400) for
the Single UHF Exciter.
4.0.3 AC Input
The Single UHF Exciter Assembly needs
an AC input of 208/240 VAC at 20
Amps. The AC Input to the Single UHF
Exciter Assembly connects to (A8) the
AC Distribution Assembly, UHF Exciter
Assembly (1245-1500) located in the
right, center rear of the Cabinet. The
Assembly contains the 4 Terminal Block
(TB1) to which the 208/240 VAC
connects. Line 1 to TB1-1A, Line 2 to
TB1-3A and Safety Ground to TB1-2A.
The AC Distribution Panel contains CB1
one 20 Amp Circuit Breaker that
supplies the AC to the rest of the Single
Exciter Assembly.
The Input AC is connected to (CB1) the
Main AC Circuit Breaker (20 Amps).
The output of CB1 has three MOVs,
VR1 connected from Line 1 to ground,
VR3 connected from Line 2 to ground
and VR3 connected across the two legs.
The AC output of CB1 connects to A1
and A2 that are IEC Outlet Strips. The
(A1) Exciter Tray and the (A4) Variable
Gain/Phase Tray plug into the (A1) IEC
Outlet Strip. The (A5) Variable
Gain/Phase Tray, the (A8) Metering
Panel and the (A7) Receiver Tray plug
into the (A2) IEC Outlet Strip.
When the Circuit Breaker CB1,
mounted on the AC Distribution
Assembly, is switched On, +12 VDC
from the Exciter, is supplied to the two
Amplifier Arrays for the operation of the
LED Status Indicators in each of the
UHF Amplifier Trays. The +12 VDC is
also connected to the (Optional)
External Exhaust Kits in each of the
Amplifier Arrays, if purchased.
4.1 (A7) UHF/VHF Receiver
(1142479 or 1265-1100; Appendix
C)
The UHF/VHF Receiver Tray
w/(Optional) Frequency Correction
selects the desired UHF or VHF On
Channel Input Signal and converts it to
a Combined IF Signal of 45.75 MHz
Visual + 41.25 MHz Aural. The Tray
also has provisions for a Frequency
Correction Option that consists of a
VCXO Channel Oscillator Assembly with
a PLL Circuit which maintains an exact
IF Output Frequency, over the capture
range of the PLL circuit, even if the
Input UHF or VHF frequency varies.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-3
RF Signal Path
4.1.1 (A7) 50 Filter, DC
Multiplexed, UHF (1035-1204), VHF
L.B. (1035-1902) or VHF H.B.
(2065-1024) or 75, UHF (1035-
1207), VHF L.B. (1035-1903) or
VHF H.B. (2065-1023); Appendix
D)
The RF Input to the Tray, (-61 dBm to -
16 dBm in Level), is fed through J1 for
50 to (A7) the input 50 Filter, DC
Multiplexed (1035-1204 UHF, 1035-
1902 VHF LB or 2065-1024 VHF HB) or
through J5 for 75 to (A7) the 75
input Filter, DC Multiplexed (1035-1207
UHF, 1035-1903 VHF LB or 2065-1023
VHF HB), which is of a double tuned
design that is adjusted to the desired
Input UHF or VHF Channel Frequency.
Note: If the input signal is greater than
-25dBm, an attenuator should be used
to limit the level to -25dBm. +12 VDC,
for use by an (Optional) external
Preamplifier Assembly, connects to the
filter through F1 a 1 Amp Fuse. This
+12 VDC is DC Multiplexed onto the
input signal cable from the
Preamplifier. DS1 a Red LED located
on TB1 in the Tray will be lit if the +12
VDC is present on the input cable. If a
Preamplifier is not used, F1 should be
removed and DS1 should not be lit.
4.1.2 (A8) Dual Stage Amplifier
Assembly (1227-1503) ; Appendix
D)
The signal is next amplified +12 dB to
approximately the -49 to -4 dBm level
by a low noise amplifier located on (A8-
A1) the Dual Stage Amplifier Board
(1227-1501) that is contained in (A8)
the Dual Stage Amplifier Assembly
(1227-1503). The board has
approximately +13 dB or +26 dB of
gain, depending on whether Jumper W1
on J5 is in place. The amplified output
connects out of the board at J2.
4.1.3 (A9) Channel Filter, UHF
(1007-1101), VHF L.B. (1034-
1202) or VHF H.B. (2065-1000) ;
Appendix D)
The signal is then filtered in (A9) a
Channel Filter (1007-1101 UHF, 1034-
1202 VHF LB or 2065-1000 VHF HB)
and then applied back to (A8-A1) the
Dual Stage Board at J3.
More amplification of the signal takes
place on the Dual Stage Board, if
needed. Jumper W1 on J7 should be
removed if the Receiver Input level is
greater than -40dBm.
4.1.4 (A10) Downconverter
Amplifier Assembly, 45.75 MHz.
(1227-1505) ; Appendix D)
The output is connected to (A10) the
Downconverter Amplifier Assembly
(1227-1505) that contains (A10-A1)
the Downconverter Amplifier Board
(1227-1502). The RF, at the -47 dBm
to -2 dBm Level, connects to the "R"
Input Jack of the Mixer Z1 located on
the Downconverter Amplifier Board.
Local Oscillator Signal Path
The Local Oscillator Signal is derived
from a cut to channel crystal mounted
in an oven that is factory set at 45° C.
The Oscillator operates at 1/8 for UHF,
1/4 for VHF High Band or 1/2 for VHF
Low Band of the desired local oscillator
frequency.
4.1.5 (A4) Channel Oscillator
Assembly (1145-1202) ; Appendix
D)
The crystal is mounted on (A4-A1) the
Channel Oscillator Board, Dual Oven
(1145-1201), that is part of the
Channel Oscillator Assembly (1145-
1202). The oscillator circuitry is a
modified Colpitts design operating in a
separate oven set at 50° C. for
improved stability. If the Frequency
Correction Option is purchased, the
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-4
VCXO Channel Oscillator Assembly
(1145-1206), which contains the VCXO
Channel Oscillator Board (1145-1204),
is used in place of the standard
Channel Oscillator Assembly, and an
AFC voltage from the PLL circuit
maintains the frequency of the VCXO.
4.1.6 (A5-A1) x8 Multiplier Board
(1227-1002), x2 Multiplier Board
(1227-1524) or x4 Multiplier Board
(1227-1525) ; Appendix D)
The output of the Channel Oscillator is
connected to the (A5-A1) the x8
Multiplier Board (1227-1002) for UHF,
the x4 Multiplier Board (1227-1525) for
VHF HB or the x2 Multiplier Board
(1227-1524) for VHF LB, which is
located in (A5) the Multiplier Enclosure
(1265-1125). The proper multiplier
board takes the output of the Channel
Oscillator (+3 dBm) and multiplies it
eight, four or two times by a series of
three, two or one x2 Broadband
Doublers (2x2x2 = x8), which produces
the L.O. signal on the desired
frequency needed for the upconversion
process. The signal is then amplified to
the +16 dBm level. A sample of the
multiplied L.O. Signal is fed to a
detector circuit which lights the Green
LED DS1 that indicates that the L.O. is
present at the Output Jack J2 of the
Multiplier Board. This Green LED is
seen through a hole the lid of the
Multiplier Assembly and is an
indication, when lit, that there is a
signal present at the output of the
Multiplier Board.
4.1.7 (A6) L.O. Filter, UHF (1007-
1101), VHF L.B. (1034-1211) or
VHF H.B. (2065-1000) ; Appendix
D)
The L.O. signal is filtered in (A6) a L.O.
Filter 1007-1101 UHF, 2065-1000 VHF
HB or 1034-1211 VHF LB) and then
sent (+15 dBm) to J2 on (A10-A1) the
Downconverter Amplifier Board.
The L.O. Input to the Downconverter
Amplifier Board is connected thru a 3
dB matching pad to the "L" Input of the
Mixer (Z1) at a +12 dBm level.
Combined IF Signal Path
The L.O. and the RF signals are mixed
in the Mixer Stage of the
Downconverter Amplifier Board to
produce the desired IF difference
frequency at -55 dBm to -10 dBm in
level, depending on the RF Input Level.
4.1.8 (A11-A1) IF Filter/ALC Board
(1227-1504) ; Appendix D)
The Combined IF Signal is routed to
(A11-A1) the IF Filter/ALC Board
(1227-1504), which is mounted in
(A11) the IF Filter/ALC Enclosure
(1265-1105). The IF Filter/ALC Board
contains a Pin Diode Attenuator circuit
which is part of the Automatic Level
Control (ALC) that controls the level of
the IF Signal to the two stage amplifier
ICs U1 and U2.
4.1.9 (A11-A2) (Optional) SAW
Filter/Amplifier Board (1035-1211)
; Appendix D)
The (Optional) (A11-A2) SAW
Filter/Amplifier Board (1035-1211) is
also contained in the IF Filter/ALC
Enclosure. The SAW Filter/Amplifier
Board connects to J5 and J6 of the IF
Filter/ALC Board if more attenuation of
the Out Of Band products is needed. If
the SAW Filter/Amplifier Board is not
needed, a jumper connects the
Combined IF from J5 to J6 on the IF
Filter/ALC Board.
The Combined IF is then bandpass
filtered to the needed 6 MHz IF
bandwidth around the 41.25 MHz +
45.75 MHz Combined IF signal and
amplified by U3 to the -41 dBm to +4
dBm Level before it is split. One output
is detected by U4 for use as the ALC
reference level to the Pin Diode
Attenuator Circuit. The ALC
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-5
comparator drives the Pin Diode
Attenuator Circuit to maintain the
desired output level, typically +2 dBm.
The other split output connects to J2
the Combined IF Output of the board
that is cabled to the IF Output Jack of
the Tray at J4 (+2 dBm).
Frequency Correction Option
If the Frequency Correction Option
(1227-1528) is purchased, (A13) the IF
Filter/Limiter Board (1109-1001), (A14)
the IF PLL Board (1109-1002), the
(A15) IF Carrier Oven Oscillator Board
(1100-1206), (A4) the VCXO Channel
Oscillator Assembly (1145-1206) and
(A16) an IF Amplifier Board, High Gain
(1197-1126) are part of the System.
4.1.10 (A13) (Optional) IF
Amplifier Board (1197-1126) ;
Appendix D)
A Sample of the amplified and ALC
controlled signal from the IF Filter/ALC
Board is directed to the IF Amplifier
Board, High Gain (1197-1126) where it
is amplified and connected to J2 on
(A13) the IF Filter/Limiter Board (1109-
1001).
4.1.11 (A13) (Optional) IF
Filter/Limiter Board (1109-1001) ;
Appendix D)
The IF is filtered by a SAW Filter, which
passes Visual Carrier and Aural Carrier
only, and amplified before it is split.
The Aural IF Output is not used in this
Tray. The other output of the splitter is
amplified and applied to a Notch Filter.
The Notch Filter is tuned to the Aural
Frequency by C17 and R10 which
reduces or eliminates the Aural IF from
the Visual IF signal. The Visual IF Only
signal then connects to a video detector
circuit which in conjunction with U5
strips the video from the Visual IF
signal. The IF CW Signal is amplified
and buffered before it is connected to
the output of the board at J6. The IF
CW connects to J2 of (A14) the IF PLL
Board (1109-1002).
4.1.12 (A14) (Optional) IF PLL
Board (1109-1002) ; Appendix D)
The IF CW Signal (+3 dBm) on the IF
PLL Board is wired to U1 a Divider IC
which, in conjunction with U2, sets up
one of the reference signals to the
comparator circuit. The other reference
signal is derived from the 50 kHz
reference Input at J4 which is a divided
down 50 kHz sample of the 38.9 MHz
signal generated on (A15) the IF
Carrier Oven Oscillator Board (1100-
1206).
4.1.13 (A15) (Optional) IF Carrier
Oven Oscillator Board (1100-1206)
; Appendix D)
The 38.9 MHz IF Carrier Oven Oscillator
Board is used instead of the 45.75 MHz
IF Carrier Oven Oscillator Board to
minimize the interference between the
generated 45.75 MHz IF and the signal
generated on the (A15) IF Carrier
Oscillator Board. The 38.9 MHz signal
itself is not used, just the divided down
50 kHz reference of the 38.9 MHz
Signal is used. The two reference
signals applied to the IF PLL Board are
compared by U2 and a difference
voltage (AFC) is produced. The
difference voltage (AFC), approximately
-3 VDC, is fed from J3 of the board to
FL2 of (A4) the VCXO Assembly. If the
frequency of the VHF or UHF Input to
the Tray should drift, the ALC voltage
will change to increase or decrease the
output frequency of the VCXO
Assembly which increases or decreases
the L.O. Frequency that maintains the
IF Frequency at the standard 45.75 +
41.25 MHz Frequency. If the frequency
of the Input Signal should drift out of
the capture range of the PLL Circuit,
DS1 the Red LED Unlock Indicator,
located on the IF PLL Board, lights.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-6
Voltages for Operation of the Tray
The AC input to the Tray is 117 VAC or
230 VAC and is directed thru Jack J2, of
the (A1) Power Entry Module (1265-
1104), to the step down Toroid (A2).
The Power Entry Module contains an
On/Off Switch, a 4 Amp Slo-Blo Fuse
and three MOVs which protect the Tray
from transients or surges which may
occur on the AC Input Lines. When the
On/Off Switch is switched On, AC is
applied to the (A2) Toroid. The Toroid
steps down the voltage into two 16 VAC
outputs which are fed to (A3) the
+12V(3A)/-12V Power Supply Board
(1092-1206).
4.1.14 (A3) +12V(3A)/-12V Power
Supply Board (1092-1206) ;
Appendix D)
The 16 VAC Inputs are connected to
the two full wave bridge networks one
for +12 VDC and one for -12 VDC. The
output of the +12 VDC rectifier is fed to
three 7812 IC regulators (U1, U2 and
U3) and the output of the -12 VDC
rectifier is fed to one 7912 IC regulator
(U4). The ±12V Power Supply Board
provides the voltage regulated and
current limited +12 VDC and -12 VDC
to the rest of the boards in the Tray.
+12VDC for External Preamplifier
+12 VDC is also applied through a 1
Amp Fuse F1 to (A7) the input DC
Multiplexed UHF or VHF Filter. The +12
VDC is multiplexed in the Filter onto the
input coaxial cable that connects from
the (Optional) Remote Preamplifier Unit
to the Receiver Tray. This supplies the
Preamplifier with the +12 VDC needed
for operation. The Red LED DS1
mounted on the Terminal Block TB1 will
be lit if the +12 VDC is applied to the
coaxial cable. Note: If the Red LED,
DS1, is lit, the +12 VDC may damage
Test Equipment that is connected to the
input of the Receiver Tray. If a
Preamplifier Assembly is not part of
your System, F1 should be removed,
therefore DS1 should not be lit and the
+12 VDC is not multiplexed onto the
input coaxial cable. A spare Fuse for F1
is supplied and stored near the fuse
holder for F1.
4.2 (A4) UHF Exciter (1245-1100;
Appendix C)
4.2.1 (A4) (Optional) Aural IF
Synthesizer Board, 4.5 MHz (1265-
1303; Appendix D)
The aural IF synthesizer board
amplifies each of the three possible
audio inputs and the amplifier circuits
that supply the single audio output. The
balanced audio or the composite audio
input is connected to the board while
the subcarrier audio (SCA) input can be
connected at the same time as either of
the other two inputs. The board has the
4.5-MHz voltage-controlled oscillator
(VCO) and the aural modulation
circuitry that produces the modulated
4.5-MHz output. The board also
contains a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit
that maintains the precise 4.5-MHz
separation between the aural (41.25
MHz) and the visual (45.75 MHz) IF
frequencies.
4.2.1.1 Balanced Audio Input
The first of the three possible baseband
inputs to the board is a 600-,
balanced-audio input (+10 dBm) that
enters through jack J2, pins 1 (+), 2
(GND), and 3 (-), and is buffered by
U1B and U1C. Diodes CR1 to CR4
protect the input stages of U1B and
U1C if an excessive signal level is
present on the input leads of jack J2.
The outputs of U1B and U1C are
applied to differential amplifier U1A;
U1A eliminates the common mode
signals (hum) on its input leads. A
pre-emphasis of 75 ms is provided by
R11, C11, and R10 and can be
eliminated by removing jumper W5 on
J5. The signal is then applied to
amplifier U1D whose gain is controlled
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-7
by jumper W3 on J11. Jumper W3 on
jack J11 is positioned according to the
input level of the audio signal (0 or +10
dBm). If the input level is
approximately 0 dBm, the mini-jumper
should be in the high gain position
between pins 1 and 2 of jack J11. If the
input level is approximately +10 dBm,
the mini-jumper should be in low gain
position between pins 2 and 3 of jack
J11. The balanced audio is then
connected to buffer amplifier U2A
whose input level is determined by the
setting of balanced audio gain pot R13.
The output of the amplifier stage is
wired to the summing point at U2D, pin
13.
4.2.1.2 Composite Audio Input
The second possible audio input to the
board is the composite audio (stereo)
input at BNC jacks J3 and J13. The two
jacks are loop-through connected; as a
result, the audio can be used in another
application by connecting the unused
jack and removing W4 from J12.
Jumper W4 on jack J12 provides a
75-input impedance when the jumper
is between pins 1 and 2 of jack J12 and
a high impedance when it is between
pins 2 and 3. Diodes CR9 to CR12
protect the input stages of U6A and
U6B if an excessive signal level is
applied to the board. The outputs of
U6A and U6B are applied to differential
amplifier U2C, which eliminates
common mode signals (hum) on its
input leads. The composite input signal
is then applied to amplifier U2B; the
gain of this amplifier is controlled by
composite audio gain pot R17. The
composite audio signal is connected to
the summing point at U2D, pin 13.
4.2.1.3 Subcarrier Audio Input
The third possible input to the board is
the SCA input at BNC jack J4. The SCA
input has an input impedance of 75
that can be eliminated by removing
jumper W2 from pins 1 and 2 of J14.
The SCA input is bandpass filtered by
C66, C14, R22, C15, C67, and R23 and
is fed to buffer amplifier U3A. The
amplified signal is then applied though
SCA gain pot R24 to the summing point
at pin 13 of U2D.
4.2.1.4 Audio Modulation of the VCO
The balanced audio, or the composite
audio and/or the SCA-buffered audio
signals, are fed to the common junction
of resistors R14, R20, and R27 that
connect to pin 13 of amplifier U2D. The
output audio signal at pin 14 of U2D is
typically .8 Vpk-pk at a ±25-kHz
deviation for balanced audio or .8 Vpk-
pk at ±75-kHz deviation for composite
audio as measured at TP1. This signal
is applied to VCO U10. A sample of the
deviation level is amplified, detected by
U7A and U7B, and connected to J10 on
the board. This audio-deviation level is
connected to the front panel meter
through the transmitter control board.
The audio is connected to CR13 to
CR16; these are varactor diodes that
frequency modulate the audio signal
onto the generated 4.5-MHz signal in
U10. U10 is the 4.5-MHz VCO that
generates the 4.5-MHz continuous
wave (CW) signal. The output
frequency of this signal is maintained
and controlled by the correction voltage
output of U5 PLL integrated circuit (IC).
The audio-modulated, 4.5-MHz signal is
fed to amplifiers U11A and U11B. The
output of U11B is connected to the 4.5-
MHz output jacks at J7 and J8.
4.2.1.5 Phase Lock Loop (PLL) Circuit
A sample of the signal from the 4.5-
MHz aural VCO at the output of U11A is
applied to PLL IC U5 at the Fin
connection. In U5, the signal is divided
down to 50 kHz and is compared to a
50-kHz reference signal. The reference
signal is a divided-down sample of the
visual IF, 45.75-MHz signal that is
applied to the oscillator-in connection
on the PLL chip through jack J6 on the
board. These two 50-kHz signals are
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-8
compared in the IC and the fV, and fR
is applied to the differential amplifier
U3B. The output of U3B is fed back
through CR17 to the 4.5-MHz VCO IC
U10; this sets up a PLL circuit. The 4.5-
MHz VCO will maintain the extremely
accurate 4.5-MHz separation between
the visual and aural IF signals; any
change in frequency will be corrected
by the AFC error voltage.
PLL chip U5 also contains an internal
lock detector that indicates the status
of the PLL circuit. When U5 is in a
"locked" state, pin 28 goes high and
causes the green LED DS1 to
illuminate. If the 4.5-MHz VCO and the
45.75-MHz oscillator become
"unlocked," out of the capture range of
the PLL circuit, pin 28 of U5 will go to a
logic low and cause the red LED DS2 to
light. A mute output signal from Q3
(unlock mute) will be applied to jack
J9. This mute is connected to the
transmitter control board.
4.2.1.6 Voltage Requirements
The ±12 VDC needed for the operation
of the board enters through jack J1.
The +12 VDC is connected to J1-3 and
filtered by L2, C3, and C4 before it is
connected to the rest of the board. The
-12 VDC is connected to J1-5 and
filtered by L1, C1, and C2 before it is
connected to the rest of the board. The
+12 VDC is connected to U8 and U9;
these are 5-volt regulator ICs that
provide the voltage to the U10 and U5
ICs.
4.2.2 (A5) (Optional) Sync Tip
Clamp/ Modulator Board (1265-
1302; Appendix D)
The sync tip clamp/modulator board is
made up of five circuits: the main video
circuit, the sync tip clamp circuit, the
visual modulator circuit, the aural IF
mixer circuit, and the diplexer circuit.
The sync tip clamp/modulator board
takes the baseband video or 4.5-MHz
composite input that is connected to
the video input jack (either J1 or J2,
which are loop-through connected) and
produces a modulated visual IF + aural
IF output at output jack J20 on the
board. The clamp portion of the board
maintains a constant peak of sync level
over varying average picture levels
(APL). The modulator portion of the
board contains the circuitry that
generates an amplitude-modulated
vestigial sideband visual IF signal
output that is made up of the baseband
video input signal (1 Vpk-pk)
modulated onto an externally
generated 45.75-MHz IF carrier
frequency. The visual IF signal and the
aural IF signal are then combined in the
diplexer circuit to produce the visual IF
+ aural IF output that is connected to
J20, the IF output jack of the board.
4.2.2.1 Main Video Signal Path (Part 1
of 2)
The baseband video or the 4.5-MHz
composite input connects to the board
at J2. J2 is loop-through connected to
J1 and terminated to 75 watts if jumper
W4 is on jack J3. With jumper W4
removed, the input can be connected to
another translator through J1; J1 is
loop-through connected to J2.
Test point TP1 is provided to monitor
the level of the input. The input is fed
to the non-inverting and inverting
inputs of U1A, a differential amplifier
that minimizes any common-mode hum
that may be present on the incoming
signal. Diodes CR1 to CR4 form a
voltage-limiter network in which, if the
input voltages exceed the supply
voltages for U1A, the diodes conduct,
preventing damage to U1A. CR1 and
CR3 conduct if the input voltage
exceeds the negative supply and CR2
and CR4 conduct if the input voltage
exceeds the positive supply voltage.
The video output of U1A is connected
to J22 on the board. Normally, the
video at J22 is jumpered to J27 on the
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-9
board. If the 4.5-MHz composite input
kit is purchased, the 4.5-MHz
composite signal at J22 connects to the
external composite 4.5-MHz filter board
and the 4.5-MHz bandpass filter board.
These two boards provide the video-
only signal to J27 and the 4.5-MHz
intercarrier signal to J28 from the 4.5-
MHz composite input. The video
through video gain pot R12 (adjusted
for 1 Vpk-pk at TP2) connects to
amplifier U1B.
The output of U1B, if the delay
equalizer board is present in the tray,
connects the video from J6, pin 2, to
the external delay equalizer board and
back to the sync tip clamp/modulator
board at J6, pin 4. If the delay
equalizer board is not present, the
video connects through jumper W1 on
J5, pins 1 and 2. The delay equalizer
board plugs directly to J6 on the sync
tip clamp/modulator board. The video
from J6, pin 4, is then connected
through jumper W1 on J5, pins 2 and
3, to amplifier Q1. The output of Q1
connects to Q2; the base voltage of Q2
is set by the DC offset voltage output of
the sync tip clamp circuit.
4.2.2.2 Sync Tip Clamp Circuit
The automatic sync tip clamp circuit is
made up of U4A, Q7, U3B, and
associated components. The circuit
begins with a sample of the clamped
video that is split off from the main
video path at the emitter of Q3. The
video sample is buffered by U3A and
connected to U4A. The level at which
the tip of sync is clamped,
approximately -1.04 VDC as measured
at TP2, is set by the voltage-divider
network connected to U4A. If the video
level changes, the sample applied to
U4A changes. If jumper W7 on J4 is in
the Clamp-On position, the voltage
from the clamp circuit that is applied to
the summing circuit at the base of Q2
will change; this will bring the sync tip
level back to approximately -1.04 VDC.
Q7 will be turned off and on according
to the peak of sync voltage level that is
applied to U4A. The capacitors C14,
C51, C77, and C41 will charge or
discharge to the new voltage level,
which biases U3B more or less, through
jumper W7 on J4 in the Auto Clamp-On
position. U3 will increase or decrease
its output, as needed, to bring the peak
of sync back to the correct level as set
by R152 and R12. This voltage level is
applied through U3B to Q2. In the
Manual position, jumper W7 on J4 is in
the Clamp-Off position, between pins 1
and 2, and adjustable resistor R41
provides the manual clamp bias
adjustment for the video that connects
to Q2.
Jumper W6 on jack J35 must be in the
Normal position, between pins 2 and 3,
for the clamp circuit to operate with a
normal non-scrambled signal. If a
scrambled signal is used, the tray is
operated with jumper W6 in the
Encoded position, connected between
pins 1 and 2. The clamp circuit is set by
adjusting depth of modulation pot R152
for the correct depth of modulation as
measured at TP2.
Depending on the input video level, the
waveform as measured at TP2 may not
be 1 Vpk-pk. If W7 on J4 is moved to
the Clamp-Off (Manual) position,
between pins 1 and 2, the clamp level
is adjusted by R41 and will not
automatically be clamped to the set
level. The output of buffer amplifier
U3A drives the sync tip clamp circuit
that consists of differential amplifier
U4A, field effect transistor (FET) Q7,
and buffer amplifier U3B. U4A is biased
by R124, R125, R184, R152, and R126
so that the clamped voltage level at
peak of sync is approximately -1.04
VDC as measured at TP2.
4.2.2.3 Main Video Signal Path (Part 2
of 2)
The clamped video from Q2 is
connected to white clipper circuit Q3.
Q3 is adjusted with R20 and set to
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-10
prevent video transients from
overmodulating the video carrier. The
clamped video is connected to sync
clipper circuit Q4 (adjusted by R24);
Q4 limits the sync to -40 IRE units. The
corrected video connects to emitter
follower Q4 whose output is wired to
unity gain amplifier U2A and provides a
low-impedance, clamped video output
at pin 1.
4.2.2.4 Visual Modulator Circuit
The clamped video signal from U2A is
split. One part connects to a metering
circuit, consisting of U20 and
associated components, that produces
a video output sample at J8-6 and
connects through the translator control
board to the front panel meter for
monitoring. The other clamped video
path from U2A is through a sync-
stretch circuit that consists of Q5 and
Q6. The sync-stretch circuit contains
R48; R48 adjusts the sync stretch
magnitude (amount) and R45 adjusts
the cut-in. This sync-stretch
adjustment should not be used to
correct for output sync problems, but it
can be used for video input sync
problems. The output of the sync-
stretch circuit connects to pin 5, the I
input of mixer Z1.
The video signal is heterodyned in
mixer Z1 with the visual IF CW signal
(45.75 MHz). The visual IF CW signal
enters the board at jack J15 and is
connected to U9, where it is amplified
and wired to pin 1, the L input of mixer
Z1. Adjustable capacitor C78 and
resistor R53 are set up to add a small
amount of incidental carrier phase
modulation (ICPM) correction to the
output of the mixer stage to
compensate for any non-linearities
generated by the mixer.
The modulated 45.75-MHz RF output of
mixer Z1 is amplified by U5 and is fed
to double-sideband visual IF output
jack J18. The level of this output jack is
adjusted by R70. J18 is the visual IF
loop-through output jack that is
normally jumpered to J19 on the board.
If the optional visual IF loop-through kit
is purchased, the visual is connected
out of the board to external IF
processor trays.
After any external processing, the
modulated visual IF, double-sideband
signal re-enters the board through J19.
The visual IF from J19 is amplified by
U10 and U11 and routed through the
vestigial sideband filter network,
consisting of T1, FL1, and T2, and
produces a vestigial sideband visual IF
signal output. The filtered vestigial
sideband visual IF is amplified by U7
and connected to a T-type attenuator.
R62 can be adjusted to set the visual IF
gain; this is the amount of the visual IF
signal that is coupled to amplifier IC
U8. R63 and C30 are adjusted for the
best VSBF frequency response. The
amplified IF signal is fed to the input of
the diplexer circuit that consists of R76,
L13, and L12. A detected voltage
sample of the visual IF is available at
test point TP5.
4.2.2.5 41.25-MHz Aural IF Circuit
On this board, the 41.25-MHz aural IF
is created by mixing the modulated
4.5-MHz aural intercarrier signal,
produced by the aural IF synthesizer
board or from the composite 4.5-MHz
filter board, with the 45.75-MHz CW
signal produced by the 45.75-MHz IF
carrier oven oscillator board. The
modulated 4.5-MHz aural intercarrier
signal enters the board at J14 or J28
and is connected to IF relay K1. Jumper
W3 on J7 determines whether the 4.5-
MHz used by the board is internally
generated or from an external source.
With jumper W3 connected between
pins 2 and 3, the 4.5 MHz from the
aural IF synthesizer board or from the
4.5-MHz composite input is connected
to mixer Z2. If an external 4.5-MHz
signal is used, it enters the board at
J12 and is fed through gain pot R88 to
amplifier IC U13A. The amplified 4.5
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-11
MHz is then connected to J7 and, if
jumper W3 is between pins 1 and 2,
the 4.5-MHz signal from the external
source is connected to the mixer. Mixer
Z2 heterodynes the aural-modulated,
4.5-MHz signal with the 45.75-MHz CW
signal to produce the modulated 41.25-
MHz aural IF signal.
The output of the mixer is fed to a
bandpass filter that is tuned to pass
only the modulated 41.25-MHz aural IF
signal that is fed to jack J16, the
41.25-MHz loop-through out jack of the
board.
For normal operation, the 41.25-MHz
signal is jumpered by a coaxial cable
from J16 to J17 on the board. If the
(optional) aural IF loop-through kit is
purchased, the 41.25-MHz signal is
connected to the rear of the tray, to
which any processing trays can be
connected, and then back to jack J17
on the board. The modulated 41.25-
MHz aural IF signal from J17 is
connected through amplifier ICs U15
and U16. The amplified output is
connected to the attenuator-matching
circuit that is adjusted by R85. R85
increases or decreases the level of the
41.25 MHz that sets the A/V ratio for
the diplexer circuit. The diplexer circuit
takes the modulated 45.75-MHz visual
IF and the modulated aural IF and
combines them to produce the 45.75-
MHz + 41.25-MHz IF output. The
combined 45.75-MHz + 41.25-MHz IF
signal is amplified by U12 and
connected to combined IF output jack
J20 on the board. A sample of the
combined IF output is provided at J21
on the board. If a NICAM input is used,
it connects to J36 on the board. The
level of the NICAM signal is set by R109
before it is fed to the diplexer circuit
consisting of L28, L29, and R115. This
circuit combines the NICAM signal with
the 45.75-MHz visual IF + 41.25-MHz
aural IF signal.
4.2.2.6 Operational Voltages
The +12 VDC needed to operate the
translator control board enters the
board at J23, pin 3, and is filtered by
L26, L33, and C73 before it is fed to
the rest of the board.
The -12 VDC needed to operate the
board enters the board at J23, pin 5,
and is filtered by L27 and C74 before
being fed to the rest of the board.
4.2.3 (A6) (Optional) Delay
Equalizer Board (1227-1204;
Appendix D)
The optional delay equalizer board
provides a delay to the video signal,
correction to the frequency response,
and amplification of the video signal.
The video signal enters the board at J1-
2 and is connected to a pi-type, low-
pass filter consisting of C16, L7, and
C17. This filter prevents any unwanted
higher frequencies from entering the
board. The output of the filter is
connected to amplifier stage U1; the
gain is controlled by R29. The video
output of the amplifier stage is wired to
the first of four delay-equalizing circuits
that shape the video signal to the FCC
specification for delay equalization or to
the shape needed for the system. The
board has been factory-adjusted to this
FCC specification and should not be
readjusted without the proper
equipment.
Resistors R7, R12, R17, and R22 adjust
the sharpness of the response curve
while inductors L1, L2, L3, and L4
adjust the position of the curve. With a
delay equalizer test generator signal or
a sine x/x video test pattern input, the
resistors and inductors can be
adjusted, while monitoring a Tektronix
VM700 test measurement set, until the
desired FCC delay equalization curve or
system curve is attained. The delay-
equalized video signal is connected to
J1-4, the video output of the board. A
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-12
sample of the delayed video signal is
connected to J2 on the board and can
be used for testing purposes.
The ±12 VDC needed to operate the
board enters the board at J1. The +12
VDC connects to J1-9, which is filtered
by L5 and C11 before it is directed to
the rest of the board. The -12 VDC
connects to J1-6, which is filtered by L6
and C12 before it is directed to the rest
of the board.
4.2.4 (A7) (Optional) IF Carrier
Oven Oscillator Board (1191-1404;
Appendix D)
The IF carrier oven oscillator board
generates the visual IF CW signal at
45.75 MHz for NTSC system "M" usage.
The +12 VDC is applied through jack
J10 to crystal oven HR1, which is
preset to operate at 60° C. The oven
encloses crystal Y1 and stabilizes the
crystal temperature. The crystal is the
principal device that determines the
operating frequency and is the most
sensitive in terms of temperature
stability.
Crystal Y1 operates in an oscillator
circuit consisting of transistor Q1 and
its associated components. Feedback is
provided through a capacitor-voltage
divider, consisting of C5 and C6, that
operates the crystal in a common-base
amplifier configuration using Q1. The
operating frequency of the oscillator
can be adjusted by variable capacitor
C17. The oscillator circuit around Q1
has a separate regulated voltage, 6.8
VDC, which is produced by a
combination of dropping resistor R4
and zener diode VR1. The output of the
oscillator at the collector of Q1 is
capacitively coupled through C8 to the
base of Q2. The small value of C8, 10
pF, keeps the oscillator from being
loaded down by Q2.
Q2 is operated as a common-emitter
amplifier stage whose bias is provided
through R8 from the +12 VDC line. The
output of Q2, at its collector, is split
between two emitter-follower transistor
stages, Q3 and Q4. The output of Q3 is
taken from its emitter through R11 to
establish an approximate 50-ohm
source impedance through C11 to J3,
the main output jack. This 45.75-MHz
signal is at about the +5 dBm power
level. In most systems, this output is
either directed to a visual modulator
board or to some splitting and
amplifying arrangement that distributes
the visual IF carrier for other purposes.
The second output from the collector of
Q2 is fed to the base of Q4, the emitter
follower transistor.
Q4 drives two different output circuits.
One output is directed through voltage
dividers R14 and R15 to jack J2 and is
fed to a frequency counter. While
monitoring J2, the oscillator can be set
exactly on the operating frequency
(45.75 MHz) by adjusting C17. The
output at J2 is at a power level of
approximately -2 dBm, which is
sufficient to drive most frequency
counters. The other output of Q4
connects to prescaler chip U1, which
divides the signal by 15. The output of
U1 is applied to U2, a programmable
divider IC. U2 is programmed through
pins 11 to 20 to divide by 61. This
results in a 50-kHz signal at pin 9 that
is available as an output at J1. The
output of 50 kHz is generally used in
systems where the visual IF carrier
oven oscillator is used as the reference
for a PLL circuit; an example of this is
when the PLL circuit uses the aural IF
synthesizer board and the aural VCO.
The 50-kHz CMOS output at jack J1 is
not capable of achieving enough drive
level for a long coaxial cable length. As
a result, when a long coaxial cable is
needed, the output at jack J5 is
utilized. The push-pull transistor stage
Q5 and Q6, along with emitter resistor
R18, provide a large-load output
capability at J5.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-13
The stages U1, U2, Q5, and Q6 are
powered by +5.1 VDC, which is
obtained by using the +12 VDC line
voltage, and voltage-dropping resistor
R16 and zener diode VR2.
The +12 VDC power is applied to the
board through jack J4, pin 3, and is
isolated from the RF signals which may
occur in the +12 VDC line through the
use of RF choke L2 and filter capacitor
C10.
4.2.5 (A8) ALC Board, NTSC (1265-
1305; Appendix D)
The automatic level control (ALC) board
provides the ALC and amplitude
linearity correction of the IF signal. The
ALC adjusts the level of the IF signal
through the board to control the output
power of the translator.
The visual + aural IF input (0 dBm)
from the receiver tray connects to
receiver IF input jack J1. The visual +
aural IF input (0 dBm) signal from the
(Optional) Modulator Kit enters the
board at modulator IF input jack J32.
The modulator IF input connects to
relay K3 and the receiver IF input
connects to relay K4. The two relays
are controlled by the Modulator Select
command that is connected to J30 on
the board. Modulator select
enable/disable jumper W11 on J29
controls whether the Modulator Select
command at J30 controls the operation
of the relays. With jumper W11 on J29,
pins 1 and 2, the Modulator Select
command at J30 controls the operation
of the relays; with jumper W11 on J29,
pins 2 and 3, the modulator is selected
all of the time.
4.2.5.1 Receiver Selected
With the receiver selected, which is
J11-10 and J11-28 on the rear of the
UHF exciter tray (connected to J30 on
the board) not connected together,
relays K3 and K4 are energized. When
K4 is energized, it connects the
receiver IF input at J1, if present, to
the rest of the board. When K3 is
energized, it connects to the modulator
IF input at J32 to 50 watts; Modulator
Enable LED DS5 will not be illuminated.
4.2.5.2 (Optional) Modulator Kit
Selected
With the modulator selected, J11-10
and J11-28 on the rear of the UHF
exciter tray are connected together;
this makes J30 low and causes relays
K3 and K4 to de-energize. When K4 is
de-energized, it connects the receiver
IF input at J1, if present, to 50 watts.
When K3 is de-energized, it connects
the modulator IF input at J32 to the
rest of the board; Modulator Enable
LED DS5 will be illuminated.
4.2.5.3 Main IF Signal Path (Part 1 of
3)
The selected visual + aural IF input (0
dBm) signal is split, with one half of the
signal entering a bandpass filter that
consists of L3, L4, C4, L5, and L6. This
bandpass filter can be tuned with C4
and is substantially broader than the IF
signal bandwidth. It is used to slightly
steer the frequency response of the IF
to make up for any small discrepancies
in the frequency response in the stages
that precede this point. The filter also
serves the additional function of
rejecting unwanted frequencies that
may occur if the tray cover is off and
the tray is in a high RF environment.
(NOTE: If this is the case, the
translator will have to be serviced with
the tray cover off in spite of the
presence of other RF signals). The
filtered IF signal is fed through a pi-
type matching pad consisting of R2, R3,
and R4 to the pin-diode attenuator
circuit consisting of CR1, CR2, and CR3.
4.2.5.4 Input Level Detector Circuit
The other part of the split IF input is
connected through L2 and C44 to U7;
U7 is an IC amplifier that is the input to
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-14
the input level detector circuit. The
amplified IF is fed to T4; T4 is a step-
up transformer that feeds diode
detector CR14. The positive-going
detected signal is then low-pass filtered
by C49, L18, and C50. This allows only
the video with positive sync to be
applied through emitter follower Q1.
The signal is then connected to
detector CR15 to produce a peak-sync
voltage that is applied to op-amp U9A.
There is a test point at TP3 that
provides a voltage-reference check of
the input level. The detector serves the
dual function of providing a reference
that determines the input IF signal level
to the board and also serves as an
input threshold detector.
The input threshold detector prevents
the automatic level control from
reducing the attenuation of the pin-
diode attenuator to minimum (the
maximum signal) if the IF input to the
board is removed. The ALC, video loss
cutback, and the threshold detector
circuits will only operate when jumper
W3 on jack J6 is in the Auto position,
between pins 1 and 2. Without the
threshold detector, and with the pin-
diode attenuator at minimum, the
signal will overdrive the stages
following this board when it is restored.
As part of the threshold detector
operation, the minimum IF input level
at TP3 is fed through detector CR15 to
op-amp IC U9A pin 2. The reference
voltage for the op-amp is determined
by the voltage divider that consists of
R50 and R51 (off the +12 VDC line).
When the detected input signal level at
U9A, pin 2, falls below this reference
threshold (approximately 10 dB below
the normal input level), the output of
U9A at pin 1 goes to the +12 VDC rail.
This high is connected to the base of
Q2. At this point, Q2 is forward biased
and creates a current path. This path
runs from the -12 VDC line and through
red LED DS1, the input level fault
indicator, which becomes lit, resistor
R54, and transistor Q2 to +12 VDC.
The high from U9A also connects
through diode CR16 to U9B, pin 5,
whose output at pin 7 goes high. The
high connects through range adjust pot
R74 to J20, which connects to the front
panel-mounted power adjust pot. This
high connects to U10A, pin 2, and
causes it to go low at output U10A, pin
1. The low is applied through jumper
W3 on J6 to the pin-diode attenuator
circuit that cuts back the IF level and,
therefore, the output power level, to 0.
When the input signal level increases
above the threshold level, the output
power will raise, as the input level
increases, until normal output power is
reached.
The video input level at TP3 is also fed
to a sync-separator circuit, consisting
of IC U8, CR17, Q3, and associated
components, and then to a comparator
circuit made up of U9C and U9D. The
reference voltage for the comparators
is determined by a voltage divider
consisting of R129, R64, R65, R66, and
R130 (off the -12 VDC line). When the
input signal level to the detector at TP3
falls below this reference threshold,
which acts as a loss-of-sync detector
circuit, the output of U9C and U9D goes
towards the -12 VDC rail and is split,
with one part biasing on transistor Q5.
A current path is then established from
the +12 VDC line through Q5, the
resistors R69 and R137, and the red
LED DS3 (video loss indicator), which is
illuminated. When Q5 is on, it applies a
high to the gates of Q6 and Q7. This
causes them to conduct and apply
video loss fault pull-down outputs to
J18 pins 5 and 2.
The other low output of U9C and U9D is
connected through CR20 to jack J5.
Jumper W2 on J5, in the Cutback
Enable position (between pins 2 and 3),
connects the low to the base of the
forward-biased Q4. If jumper W2 is in
the Disable position, between pins 1
and 2, the auto cutback will not
operate. With Q4 biased on, a level
determined by the setting of cutback
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-15
level pot R71, which is set at the
factory to cut back the output to
approximately 25%, is applied to U9B,
pin 5. The output of U9B at pin 7 goes
low and is applied through the power
adjust pot to U10A, pin 2, whose
output goes low. This low is applied to
the pin-diode attenuator to cut back
the level of the output to approximately
25%.
4.2.5.5 Pin-Diode Attenuator Circuit
The input IF signal is fed to a pin-diode
attenuator circuit that consists of CR1
to CR3. Each of the pin diodes contains
a wide intrinsic region; this makes the
diodes function as voltage-variable
resistors at this intermediate
frequency. The value of the resistance
is controlled by the DC bias supplied to
the diode. The pin diodes are
configured in a pi-type attenuator
configuration where CR1 is the first
shunt element, CR3 is the series
element, and CR2 is the second shunt
element. The control voltage, which can
be measured at TP1, originates either
from the ALC circuit when jumper W3
on J6 is in the ALC Auto position,
between pins 1 and 2, or from pot R87
when the jumper is in the Manual Gain
position.
On the pin-diode attenuator circuit, a
current path exists from J6 through R6
and then through the diodes of the pin
attenuator. Changing the amount of
current through the diodes by forward
biasing them changes the IF output
level of the board. There are two
extremes of attenuation ranges for the
pin-diode attenuators. In the minimum
attenuation case, the voltage,
measured at TP1, approaches the +12
VDC line. There is a current path
created through R6, through series
diode CR3, and finally through R9 to
ground. This path forward biases CR3
and causes it to act as a relatively low-
value resistor. In addition, the larger
current flow increases the voltage drop
across R9 that tends to turn off diodes
CR1 and CR2 and causes them to act
as high-value resistors. In this case,
the shunt elements act as a high
resistance and the series element acts
as a low resistance to represent the
minimum loss condition of the
attenuator (maximum signal output).
The other extreme case occurs as the
voltage at TP1 is reduced and goes
towards ground or even slightly
negative. This tends to turn off (reverse
bias) diode CR3, the series element,
causing it to act as a high-value
resistor. An existing fixed current path
from the +12 VDC line, and through
R5, CR1, CR2, and R9, biases series
element CR3 off and shunt elements,
diodes CR1 and CR2, on, causing them
to act as relatively low-value resistors.
This represents the maximum
attenuation case of the pin attenuator
(minimum signal output). By controlling
the value of the voltage applied to the
pin diodes, the IF signal level is
maintained at the set level.
4.2.5.6 Main IF Signal Path (Part 2 of
3)
When the IF signal passes out of the
pin-diode attenuator through C11, it is
applied to modular amplifier U1. This
device contains the biasing and
impedance-matching circuits that
makes it operate as a wide-band IF
amplifier. The output of U1 is available,
as a sample of the pre-correction IF for
troubleshooting purposes and system
setup, at jack J2. The IF signal is then
connected to the linearity corrector
portion of the board.
4.2.5.7 Linearity Corrector Circuits
The linearity corrector circuits use three
stages of correction to adjust for any
amplitude non-linearities of the IF
signal. Each stage has a variable
threshold control adjustment, R34,
R37, or R40, and a variable magnitude
control adjustment, R13, R18, or R23.
The threshold control determines the
point at which the gain is changed and
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-16
the magnitude control determines the
amount of gain change that occurs
once the breakpoint is reached. Two
reference voltages are needed for the
operation of the corrector circuits.
Zener diode VR1, with R33 and R135,
provides a +6.8 VDC reference and the
diodes CR11 and CR12 provide a .9
VDC reference that temperature
compensates for the two diodes in each
corrector stage.
For the linearity correctors to operate,
an IF signal is applied to transformer
T1, which doubles the voltage swing by
means of a 1:4 impedance
transformation. Resistors R14, R15,
and R16 form an L-pad that lowers the
level of the signal. The amount that the
level is lowered can be adjusted by
adding more or less resistance, using
R13, in parallel with the L-pad
resistors. R13 is only in parallel when
the signal reaches a level large enough
to turn on diodes CR4 and CR5. When
the diodes turn on, current flows
through R13, putting it in parallel with
the L-pad.
When R13 is put in parallel with the
resistors, the attenuation through the
L-pad is lowered, causing signal stretch
(the amount determined by the
adjustment of R13). The signal is next
applied to amplifier U2 to compensate
for the loss through the L-pad. The
breakpoint, or cut-in point, for the first
corrector is set by controlling where
CR4 and CR5 turn on. This is
accomplished by adjusting cut-in
resistor R34; R34 forms a voltage-
divider network from +6.8 VDC to
ground. The voltage at the wiper arm
of R34 is buffered by the unity-gain
amplifier U5D. This reference voltage is
then applied to R35, R36, and C39
through L12 to the CR4 diode. C39
keeps the reference from sagging
during the vertical interval. The .9 VDC
reference created by CR11 and CR12 is
applied to unity-gain amplifier U5B. The
reference voltage is then connected to
diode CR5 through choke L11. The two
chokes L11 and L12 form a high
impedance for RF that serves to isolate
the op-amp ICs from the IF.
After the signal is amplified by U2, it is
applied to the second corrector stage
through T2. This corrector and the third
corrector operate in the same fashion
as the first. All three corrector stages
are independent and do not interact
with each other.
The correctors can be disabled by
moving jumper W1 on J4 to the Disable
position, between pins 2 and 3; this
moves all of the breakpoints past the
tip of sync so that they will have no
affect. The IF signal exits the board at
IF output jack J3 after passing through
the three corrector stages and is
normally connected to an external IF
phase corrector board.
4.2.5.8 Main IF Signal Path (Part 3 of
3)
After the IF signal passes through the
external IF phase corrector board, it
returns to the ALC board at IF input
jack J7. The IF then passes through a
bandpass filter consisting of L20, C97,
C62, L21, C63, L22, L23, C64, and
C99. This filter is intended to make up
for small errors in frequency response
that are incurred by the signal while
being processed through the linearity
and incidental phase correction circuits.
Following the bandpass filter, the signal
is split using L24, L25, and R89. The
signal passing through L24 is the main
IF path through the board. A sample of
the corrected IF signal is split off and
connected to J10, the IF sample jack.
The IF connects to jacks J27 and J28.
These jacks control whether a 6-dB pad
is included in the circuit by the
positioning of jumpers W9 and W10.
The 6-dB pad-in occurs when jumpers
W9 and W10 are connected between
pins 2 and 3 on J27 and J28. The 6-dB
pad-out occurs when jumpers W9 and
W10 are connected between pins 1 and
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-17
2 on J27 and J28. Normally, the pad is
out. The IF signal is then applied to a
two-stage, frequency-response
corrector circuit that is adjusted as
needed.
Variable resistors R103 and R106 are
used to adjust the depth and gain of
the notches and variable caps C71 and
C72 are used to adjust the frequency
position of the notches. The IF signal is
amplified by U13 and U14 before it is
connected to J12, the IF output jack of
the board. R99 is an output level
adjustment that is set to provide
approximately 0 dBm of IF output at
J12. A sample of the IF is fed to J11 to
provide an IF sample point that can be
monitored without breaking the signal
path and gives an indication of the IF
signal after the linearity and the
frequency-response correction takes
place.
4.2.5.9 ALC Circuit
The other path of the corrected IF
signal is used in the ALC circuit. The IF
is wired out of the splitter through L25
and connects to op-amp U12. The
output of U12 is wired to jacks J8 and
J9 on which jumpers W4 and W8
control the normal or encoded
operation of the ALC circuitry. For
normal operation, jumper W4 on J8 is
between pins 1 and 2 and jumper W8
on J9 is between pins 1 and 2. The IF
signal is applied to transformer T5; T5
doubles the voltage swing by means of
a 1:4 impedance transformation before
it is connected to the ALC detector
circuit on the board and amplified by
U10B.
For normal operation, jumper W7 on
J26 is between pins 1 and 2 and
jumper W5 on J21 is between pins 1
and 2. The detected ALC voltage is
wired to U10A, pin 2, where it is
summed with the front panel power
control setting. The output power
adjustment for the translator is
achieved, if the (optional) remote
power raise/lower kit (1227-1039) is
purchased, by R75, a motor-driven pot
controlled by switch S1 on the board,
or screwdriver adjust pot R1 on the
front panel of the UHF exciter tray. An
external power raise/lower switch can
be used by connecting it to jack J10, at
J10-11 power raise, J10-13 power
raise/lower return, and J10-12 power
lower, on the rear of the UHF exciter
tray. S1, or the Remote switch, controls
relays K1 and K2, which control motor
M1 that moves variable resistor R75. If
the (optional) remote power
raise/lower kit is not purchased, the
ALC voltage is controlled only by
screwdriver adjust pot R1 on the front
panel of the UHF exciter tray. The ALC
voltage is set for .8 VDC at TP4 with a
0-dBm output at J12 of the board. A
sample of the ALC at J19, pin 2, is
wired to the transmitter control board
where it is used on the front panel
meter and in the AGC circuits.
This ALC voltage, and the DC level
corresponding to the IF level after
signal correction, are fed to U10A, pin
2, whose output at pin 1 connects to
the ALC pin-diode attenuator circuit. If
there is a loss of gain somewhere in an
IF circuit, the output power of the
translator will drop. The ALC circuit
senses this drop at U10A and
automatically eases the loss of the pin-
diode attenuator circuit by increasing
its gain.
The ALC action starts with the ALC
detector level monitored at TP4. The
detector output at TP4 is nominally
+.8 VDC and is applied through resistor
R77 to a summing point at op-amp
U10A, pin 2. The current available from
the ALC detector is offset, or
complemented, by current taken away
from the summing junction. In normal
operation, U10A, pin 2, is at 0 VDC
when the loop is satisfied. If the
recovered or peak-detected IF signal
level at IF input jack J7 of this board
should drop, which normally means
that the output power is decreasing,
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-18
the null condition would no longer occur
at U10A, pin 2. When the level drops,
the output of U10A, pin 1, will go more
positive. If jumper W3 on J6 is in the
Automatic position, it will cause the
ALC pin-diode attenuators CR1, CR2,
and CR3 to have less attenuation and
increase the IF level; this will
compensate for the decrease in the
level. If the ALC cannot increase the
input level enough to satisfy the ALC
loop, due to there not being enough
range, an ALC fault will occur. The fault
is generated because U10D, pin 12,
increases above the trip point set by
R84 and R83 until it conducts. This
causes U10D pin 14 to go high and the
red ALC Fault LED DS2 to light.
4.2.5.10 Scrambled Operation with
Encoding
For encoded, scrambled operation,
jumper W4 on J8 must be connected
between pins 2 and 3, jumper W8 on J9
must be between pins 3 and 2, jumper
W7 on J26 must be between pins 2 and
3, and jumper W5 on J21 must be
between pins 2 and 3. The IF is
connected through W4 on J8 to the
sync regeneration circuits.
If this board is operated with
scrambling, using suppressed sync, the
ALC circuit operates differently because
there is no peak of sync present on the
IF input. A timing pulse from the
scrambling encoder connects to the
board at J24. This timing pulse is
converted to sync pulses by U17A and
U17B, which control the operation of
Q8. The sync amplitude is controlled by
R149 and then applied to U15A, where
it is added to the detected IF signal to
produce a peak of sync level. The
output of U15A is peak detected by
CR26 and fed to U15B. If necessary,
intercarrier notch L39 can be placed in
the circuit by placing W6 on J22. The
intercarrier notch is adjusted to filter
any aural and 4.5-MHz intercarrier
frequencies. The peak of sync signal is
fed through R162, the ALC calibration
control, to amplifier U15C. The
amplified peak of sync output is
connected through J21, pins 2 and 3, to
U10A, where it is used as the reference
for the ALC circuit and the AGC
reference to the transmitter control
board. Voltage TP4 should be the same
in either the normal or the encoded
video mode. Monitor J9, pins 3 and 4,
with a spectrum analyzer, check that
the board is in the AGC mode, and tune
C103 to notch-out the aural IF carrier.
4.2.5.11 Fault Command
The ALC board also has circuitry for an
external mute fault input at J19, pin 6.
This is a Mute command and, in most
systems, it protects the circuits of high-
gain output amplifier devices against
VSWR faults. In this case, the action
should occur faster than just pulling the
ALC reference down. Two different
mechanisms are employed: one is a
very fast-acting circuit to increase the
attenuation of the pin-diode attenuator,
CR3, CR1, and CR2, and the second is
the reference voltage being pulled
away from the ALC amplifier device. An
external Mute is a pull-down applied to
J19, pin 6, to provide a current path
from the +12 VDC line through R78
and R139, the LED DS4 (Mute
indicator), and the LED section of
opto-isolator U11.
These actions turn on the transistor
section of U11 that applies -12 VDC
through CR21 to U10A, pin 3, and pulls
down the reference voltage. This is a
fairly slow action that is kept at this
pace by the low-pass filter function of
R81 and C61. When the transistor
section of U11 is on, -12 VDC is also
connected through CR22 to the pin-
diode attenuator circuit. This
establishes a very fast muting action,
by reverse biasing CR3, in the event of
an external VSWR fault.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-19
4.2.5.12 ±12 VDC Needed to Operate
the Board
The ±12 VDC connects to the board at
J14. The +12 VDC connects to J14-3
and is filtered by L30, L41, and C80
before it is applied to the rest of the
board. The -12 VDC connects to J14-5
and is filtered by L31 and C81 before it
is applied to the rest of the board.
The +12 VDC also connects to U16, a
5-VDC regulator IC, which produces the
+5 VDC needed to operate timing IC
U17.
4.2.6 (A9) IF Phase Corrector
Board (1227-1250; Appendix D)
The IF phase corrector board has
adjustments that pre-correct for any IF
phase modulation distortion that may
occur in output amplifier devices such
as Klystron power tubes and solid-state
amplifiers. Two separate, adjustable IF
paths are on the board: a quadrature
IF path and an in-phase IF path. The
quadrature IF is 90° out of phase and
much larger in amplitude than the in-
phase IF. When they are combined in
Z1, it provides the required, adjustable
phase correction to the IF signal.
The IF input signal enters at J1 and is
AC coupled to U1. U1 amplifies the IF
before it is connected to Z1, a splitter
that creates two equal IF outputs: IF
output 1 is connected to J2 and IF
output 2 is connected to J3. IF output 1
at J2 is jumpered through coaxial cable
W4 to jack J6, the quadrature input, on
the board. IF output 2 at J3 is
jumpered through coaxial cable W5 to
jack J7, the in-phase input, on the
board.
4.2.6.1 Phase Corrector Circuit
The phase corrector circuit corrects for
any amplitude nonlinearities of the IF
signal. It is designed to work at IF and
has three stages of correction. Each
stage has a variable threshold and
magnitude control. The threshold
control determines the point at which
the gain is changed and the magnitude
control determines the gain change
once the breakpoint is reached. The
second stage has a jumper that
determines the direction of correction,
so that the gain can be increased either
above or below the threshold and either
black or white stretch can be achieved.
In the phase-corrector circuit, the IF
signal from J6 is applied to transformer
T1; T1 doubles the voltage swing using
a 1:4 impedance transformation.
Resistors R8, R61, R9, and R48 form an
L-pad that attenuates the signal. This
attenuation is adjusted by adding R7, a
variable resistor, in parallel with the L-
pad. R7 is only in parallel when the
signal reaches a level large enough to
bias on CR1 and CR2 and allow current
to flow through R7. When R7 is put in
parallel with the L-pad, the attenuation
through the L-pad is lowered, causing
black stretch.
Two reference voltages are utilized in
the corrector stages and both are
derived from the +12 VDC line. Zener
diode VR1, with R46 as a dropping
resistor, provides +6.8 VDC from the
+12 VDC line. Diodes CR11 and CR12
provide a .9 VDC reference to
temperature compensate the corrector
circuits from the effects of the two
diodes in each corrector stage.
The threshold for the first corrector
stage is set by controlling where CR1
and CR2 turn on. This is accomplished
by adjusting R3 to form a voltage
divider from +6.8 VDC to ground. The
voltage at the wiper of R3 is buffered
by U9C, a unity-gain amplifier, and
applied to CR1. The .9 VDC reference is
connected to U9D, a unity-gain
amplifier, whose output is wired to
CR2. These two references are
connected to diodes CR1 and CR2
through chokes L2 and L3. The two
chokes form a high impedance for RF to
isolate the op-amps from the RF. The
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-20
adjusted signal is next applied to
amplifier U2 to compensate for the loss
through the L-pad. U2 is powered
through L4 and R10 from the +12 VDC
line. After the signal is amplified by U2,
it is applied to the second corrector
stage through T2 and then to a third
corrector stage through T3. The other
two corrector stages operate in the
same manner as the first; they are
independent and do not interact with
each other.
When jumper W1 on J8 is connected
from center to ground, R15 is put in
series with ground. In this
configuration, black stretch (white
compression) is applied to the IF signal
by controlling the attenuation through
the path. When W1 is connected from
the center pin to the end that connects
to T2, R15 is put in parallel with the L-
pad. In this configuration, black
compression (white stretch) is applied
to the IF signal by controlling the
attenuation through the path.
The phase correctors can be bypassed
by moving jumper W2 on J9 to the
Disable position. This action will move
all of the threshold points past sync tip
so that they will have no effect. R68
can be adjusted and set for the
correction range that is needed. TP2 is
a test point that gives the operator a
place to measure the level of the
quadrature IF signal that is connected
to pin 6 on combiner Z2.
4.2.6.2 Amplitude Corrector Circuit
The amplitude corrector circuit uses
one stage of correction to adjust for
any amplitude nonlinearities of the IF
signal. The stage has a variable
threshold control, R31, and a variable
magnitude control, R35. The threshold
control determines the point at which
the gain is changed and the magnitude
control determines the amount of gain
change once the breakpoint is reached.
Two reference voltages are needed for
the operation of the corrector circuit.
Zener diode VR1 with R46 provides
+6.8 VDC and the diodes CR11 and
CR12 provide a .9 VDC reference
voltage to temperature compensate for
the two diodes in the corrector stage.
In the amplitude corrector circuit, the
IF signal from J7 is applied to
transformer T4 to double the voltage
swing by means of a 1:4 impedance
transformation. Resistors R36, R55,
R56, and R37 form an L-pad that
lowers the level of the signal. The
amount that the level is lowered is
adjusted by adding more, or less,
resistance, using R35 in parallel with
the L-pad resistors. R35 is only in
parallel when the signal reaches a level
large enough to turn on diodes CR8 and
CR9. When the diodes turn on, current
flows through R35 and puts it in
parallel with the L-pad. When R35 is in
parallel with the resistors, the
attenuation through the L-pad is
lowered, causing signal stretch (the
amount of stretch determined by the
adjustment of R35).
The signal is next applied to amplifier
U5 to compensate for the loss in level
through the L-pad. The breakpoint, or
cut-in point, for the corrector stage is
set by controlling where CR8 and CR9
turn on. This is achieved by adjusting
cut-in resistor R31 to form a voltage
divider from +6.8 VDC to ground. The
voltage at the wiper arm of R31 is
buffered by the unity-gain amplifier
U8B. This voltage is then applied to
R34 through L11 to the CR9 diode. The
.9-VDC reference created by CR11 and
CR12 is applied to unity-gain amplifier
U8A. C36 keeps the reference from
sagging during the vertical interval. The
reference voltage is then connected to
diode CR8 through choke L12. Chokes
L11 and L12 form a high impedance for
RF to isolate the op-amp ICs from the
IF.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-21
After the signal is amplified by U5, it is
applied to a second stage through T5.
The transformer doubles the voltage
swing by means of a 1:4 impedance
transformation. Resistors R39, R57,
R58, and R40 form an L-pad that
lowers the level of the signal. The
signal is applied to amplifier U6 to
compensate for the loss in level
through the L-pad. After the signal is
amplified by U6, it is applied to a third
stage through T6. The transformer
doubles the voltage swing by means of
a 1:4 impedance transformation.
Resistors R42, R59, R60, and R43 form
an L-pad to lower the level of the
signal. The signal is applied to amplifier
U7 to compensate for the loss in level
through the L-pad. TP1 is a test point
that gives the operator a place to
measure the level of the in-phase IF
signal that is connected to mixer stage
Z2. The amplitude corrector can be
disabled by moving jumper W3 on J10
to the Disable position; this will move
the breakpoint past sync tip and will
have no effect on the signal.
4.2.6.3 Output Circuit
The phase-corrected signal from pin 1
on combiner Z2 exits the board at IF
output jack J4 after passing through a
matching network consisting of six
resistors.
4.2.7 (A17) Transmitter Control
Board (1245-1101; Appendix D)
The transmitter control board provides
information on system control functions
and the operational LED indications;
these can be viewed on the front panel
of the translator. The main control
functions are for the Operate/Standby
and Auto/Manual selections. When the
translator is switched to Operate, the
board supplies the enables to any
external amplifier trays. The board also
performs the automatic switching of the
translator to Standby upon the loss of
the video input when the translator is
in Auto.
The transmitter control board contains
a VSWR cutback circuit. If the VSWR of
the translator increases above 20%,
the VSWR cutback circuit will become
active and cut back the output level of
the translator, as needed, to maintain a
maximum of 20% VSWR. An interlock
(low) must be present at J8-24 for the
translator to be switched to Operate.
When the interlock is present, the
green Interlock LED DS5 will be lit.
4.2.7.1 Operate/Standby Switch S1
K1 is a magnetic latching relay that
controls the switching of the translator
from Operate to Standby. When
Operate/Standby switch S1, on the
front panel of the tray, is moved to
Operate, one coil of relay K1 energizes
and causes the contacts to close and
apply a low to U4B-9. If the translator
interlock is present, and there is no
overtemperature fault, lows will also be
applied to U4B-10, U4B-11, and U4B-
12.
With all of the low inputs to U4B, the
output at U4B-13 will be low. The low
biases off Q1 and this turns off the
amber Standby LED DS1 on the front
panel. In addition, this action applies a
high to Q2 and turns on and lights the
green Operate LED DS2 (also on the
front panel). When Q2 is biased on, it
connects a low to Q12 and biases it off;
this allows the ALC to be applied to J1
and connect to any external amplifier
trays. The low from U4B-13 is also
applied to Q4 and Q24, which are
biased off, and removes the disables
from J1-4 and J18-1. The low from
U4B-13 also connects to Q10, which is
biased on, and connects a high to Q6,
Q7, Q8, and Q9; these are biased on
and apply -12 VDC enables to J8-2, J8-
3, J8-4, and J8-5, which connect to any
external amplifier trays. The high
applied to Q2 is also connected to Q5
and Q26, which are biased on, and
apply a low enable to J1-3, which
connects to a remote operate indicator.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-22
The translator is now in the Operate
mode.
When Operate/Standby switch S1 is
moved to Standby, the other coil of
relay K1 energizes, causing the
contacts to open and a high (+12 VDC)
to be applied to U4B-9. The high at the
input causes the output at U4B-13 to
go high. The high biases on Q1 and
applies a low to the amber Standby
LED DS1, on the front panel, which
turns on and applies a low to Q2. This
causes Q2 to turn off and extinguishes
the green Operate LED DS2. When Q12
is biased on, the output from U2C goes
low and pulls the ALC voltages at J1
low; this lowers the gain of the external
amplifier trays. The high from U4B-13
is applied to Q4 and Q24, which are
biased on, and applies disables at J1-4
and J18-1. The high from U4B-13
connects to Q10, which is biased off.
The Q10 bias off removes the high from
Q6, Q7, Q8, and Q9, which are biased
off, and removes the -12 VDC enables
at J8-2, J8-3, J8-4, and J8-5, which
connect to the external amplifier trays.
The low applied to Q2 is also connected
to Q5 and Q26, which are biased off,
and the remote enable at J1-3 is
removed. The translator is now in the
Standby mode.
4.2.7.2 Automatic/Manual Switch S2
K2 is a magnetic latching relay that
switches the operation of the translator
to Automatic or Manual using
Auto/Manual switch S2 on the front
panel of the tray.
When S2 is set to the Auto position, the
operation of the translator is controlled
by the fault circuits and will stay in
Operate even if Operate/ Standby
switch S1 is moved to Standby. With
S2 in Auto, a low is applied to one coil
in the relay and this energizes and
closes the contacts. The closed contacts
apply a low to the green Automatic LED
DS3; as a result, DS3 is illuminated.
The low from the relay connects to
U5A, pin 2; U5D, pin 13; Q21; and
Q23. When Q21 and Q23 are biased
off, this causes their outputs to go
high. The high from Q21 connects to
the amber Manual LED DS4, on the
front panel, biasing it off, and to Q22,
biasing it on. The drain of Q22 goes low
and is applied to J8-7; this enables any
remote auto indicator connected to J8-
7. The low to Q23 biases it off and
removes the enable to any remote
manual indicator connected to J8-6.
When S2 is set to the Manual position,
the operation of the translator is no
longer controlled by the fault circuits, it
is controlled by Operate/Standby switch
S1. With S2 in Manual, a low is applied
to the other coil in the relay and this
energizes and opens the contacts. The
open contacts of the relay remove the
low from the green Automatic LED DS3
on the front panel and causes it to not
light. The high connects to U5A, pin 2;
U5D, pin 13; Q21; and Q23. Q21 and
Q23 are biased on; this causes their
outputs to go low. The low from Q21
connects to the amber Manual LED DS4
on the front panel, biasing it on, and to
Q22, biasing it off. The drain of Q22
goes high and is applied to J8-7; this
will disable any remote auto indicators
connected to J8-7. Q23 is biased on
and applies a low enable to any remote
manual indicator connected to J8-6.
4.2.7.3 Automatic Turning On and Off
of the Translator Using the Presence of
Video
The transmitter control board also
allows the translator to be turned on
and off by the presence of video at the
translator, when the translator is in
Auto. When a video fault occurs due to
the loss of video, J7-5 goes low. The
low is applied through W1, on J10, to
Q16, which is biased off, and to the red
Video Loss Fault LED DS9, on the front
panel, which will light. The drain of Q16
goes high and connects to U5B, pin 5,
causing the output at pin 4 to go low.
The low connects to Q18, which is
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-23
biased off, and causes the drain of Q18
to go high. The high connects to U3D,
pin 12, whose output at pin 14 goes
high. The high connects to U5C, pins 8
and 9, causing its output at pin 10 to
go low, and to U5A, pin 1, causing its
output at pin 3 to go low.
With S2 set to Automatic, a low is
applied to U5A, pin 2, and to U5D, pin
13. When U5A, pin 1, is high and U5A,
pin 2, is low, it causes the output at pin
3 to go low. When U5D, pin 12, is low
and U5D, pin 13, is low, it causes its
output to go high. When U5A, pin 3, is
low, it biases off Q20 and removes any
pull down to the Operate switch. A high
at U5D, pin 11, biases on Q19 and
applies a low enable to the Standby
switch that places the translator in the
Standby mode.
When the video signal is returned, J7-5
goes high. The high is applied to Q16,
which is biased on, and to the red
Video Fault LED DS9, which is
extinguished. The output of Q16 goes
low and connects to U5B, pin 5. If there
is no receiver ALC fault, U5B, pin 6, is
also low; this causes the output at pin
4 to go high. The high connects to Q18,
which is biased on, and causes the
drain of Q18 to go low. The low
connects to U3D, pin 12, whose output
at pin 14 goes low. The low connects to
U5C, pins 8 and 9, which causes its
output at pin 10 to go high, and to
U5A, pin 1. With Auto/Manual switch
S2 in Auto, a low is applied to U5A, pin
2, and to U5D, pin 13. When U5A, pins
1 and 2, is low, its output at pin 3 goes
high. When pin 12 of U5D is high, the
output of U5D at pin 11 goes low.
When U5A, pin 3, is high, it biases on
Q20 and applies a pull-down enable to
the Operate switch. A low at U5D, pin
11, biases off Q19 and removes any
pull down to the Standby switch. As a
result of these actions, the translator is
switched to Operate.
4.2.7.4 Faults
There are four possible faults, video
loss fault, VSWR cutback fault,
overtemperature fault, and ALC fault,
which may occur in the translator and
are applied to the transmitter control
board. During normal operation, no
faults are sent to the board. The
overtemperature fault is connected to
the (A8-A1) thermal switch on the (A8)
2500W reject load for the translator.
Video Loss Fault
If a video loss occurs while the
translator is in Auto, the system will
change to the Standby mode until the
video is returned; at that point, it will
immediately revert to Operate. A video
loss fault applies a low from the ALC
board to the video fault input at J7-5
on the board.
With jumper W1 in place on J10, the
video fault is connected to LED DS9
and to Q16. The red Video Loss Fault
LED DS9 on the front panel will light.
Q16 is biased off and causes its drain
to go high. The high is wired to U5B,
pin 5, whose output at U5B, pin 4, goes
low. The low is wired to Q18, which is
biased off, and causes the drain to go
high. The high is connected to U3D, pin
12, which causes its output at U3D, pin
14, to go high. The high connects to
U5A, pin 1, and, if the translator is in
Auto, pin 2 of U5A is low. When pin 1 is
high and pin 2 is low, the output of U5A
goes low and reverse biases Q20,
shutting it off. The high at U5C, pins 8
and 9, causes its output at pin 10 to go
low. This low is connected to U5D, pin
12, and, if the translator is in Auto, pin
13 of U5D is also low. The lows on pins
12 and 13 cause the output to go high
and forward bias Q19. The drain of Q19
goes low and connects the coil in relay
K1, causing it to switch to Standby.
When the video returns, the video loss
fault is removed from the video fault
input at J7-5. With jumper W1 in place
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-24
on J10, the base of Q16 goes high. The
red Video Loss Fault LED DS9 on the
front panel will be extinguished. Q16 is
biased on, which causes its drain to go
low. The low is wired to U5B, pin 5;
U5B, pin 6, will be low if no ALC fault
occurs. The two lows at the inputs
make the output at U5B, pin 4, go high.
The high is wired to Q18, which is
biased on, causing the drain to go low.
The low is connected to U3D, pin 12,
which causes its output at U3D, pin 14,
to go low. The low connects to U5A, pin
1, and, if the translator is in Auto, pin 2
of U5A is also low. With both inputs
low, the output of U5A at pin 3 goes
high. The high forward biases Q20 and
causes its drain to go low. The low
connects to the operate coil on relay K1
that switches the translator to Operate.
The low at U5C, pins 8 and 9, causes
its output at pin 10 to go high. This
high is connected to U5D, pin 12, and,
if the translator is in Auto, pin 13 of
U5D is low. The high on pin 12 causes
the output of U5D to go low and
reverse bias Q19. The drain of Q19
goes high and this removes the low
from the standby coil in relay K1.
Overtemperature Fault
The (A8-A1) thermal switch on the (A8)
output reject load connects to J8-1 on
the board. If the temperature of the
thermal switch raises above 170° F, it
closes and applies a low to J8-1. The
low connects to Q3, which is biased off,
and to the red Overtemperature LED
DS6, which is biased on. The drain of
Q3 goes high and connects to pins 11
and 12 of U4B. The high at the input to
U4B causes it to go high and switches
the system to Standby; this removes
the Operate Enable commands to the
external amplifier trays and also to the
(Optional) External Exhaust Kits.
VSWR Cutback Fault
The reflected power sample of the RF
output of the translator is connected to
J2, pin 9, on the translator control
board. The sample connects to op-amp
U1B, pin 5, which buffers the signal
before it is split. One of the split-
reflected samples connects to J1-5 on
the board; J1-5 is wired to J10-5 on the
rear of the tray for remote monitoring.
Another split-reflected sample connects
to position 3 on the front panel meter
for the tray. The final split remote-
reflected sample connects to U2B, pin
5.
If the reflected sample level increases
above the level set by R22, the VSWR
cutback pot, the output of U2B at pin 7,
goes high. The high is connected to
Q11 through CR11, which is biased on,
making U2C, pin 10, low and causing
U2C, pin 8, to go low. This low is split
and fed out of the tray at J1-6, J1-7,
J1-8, and J1-9. These are ALC outputs
to the amplifier tray that cut back the
output power of the amplifier tray. The
low from U2C, pin 8, is also fed through
coaxial jumper W2 on J13 and J14 to
R73. R73 is a bias-adjust pot that sets
the level of the pin attenuator bias that
is available as an output at J16. The
high at U2B, pin 7, is also fed to the
base of Q14 and Q13, which are
forward biased. This produces a low at
the drains that connect to the front
panel amber VSWR Cutback LED DS7,
causing it to light and indicate that the
tray is in cutback, and to output jack
J8-37 for the connection to a remote
VSWR cutback indicator.
Receiver ALC Fault
A sample of the ALC voltage from the
Receiver tray is connected to J8-11 on
the transmitter control board. If the
receiver is operating normally, the ALC
level that is applied to U3C, pin 9,
remains below the trip level set by
R35; as a result, the output at pin 13
stays high. The high is applied to the
red ALC Fault LED DS8, which is off.
The high also connects to U3A, pin 2,
and to Q15. Q15 is biased on and the
drain goes low. The low connects to
U5B, pin 6. In addition, U5B normally
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-25
has a low that is connected to U5B, pin
5, and produces a high at output pin 4.
The high is wired to Q18, which is
biased on, and makes its drain low. The
low connects to U3D, pin 12, which,
because the level is below the preset,
causes the output at U3D, pin 14, to go
low. A low at this point indicates a no-
fault condition. The high that is
connected to U3A, pin 2, causes its
output to go low. The low is connected
to Q25, which is biased off. The low is
removed from J8-12, which will not
light any remote receiver fault indicator
that is connected to it.
If the receiver malfunctions, the ALC
level applied to U3C, pin 9, goes high.
This is above the level set by R35 and it
causes the output at pin 13 to go low.
The low is applied to the red ALC Fault
LED DS8, which lights. The low also
connects to U3A, pin 2, and to Q15.
Q15 is biased off and the drain goes
high. The high connects to U5B, pin 6,
and produces a low at output pin 4. The
low is wired to Q18, which is biased off,
and this makes its drain go high. The
high connects to U3D, pin 12 and,
because the level is above the preset,
the output at U3D, pin 14, goes high. A
high at this point indicates a fault
condition that switches the translator to
Standby. The low connected to U3A,
pin 2, causes its output to go high. The
high is connected to Q25, which is
biased on, and causes the drain to go
low. The low is connected to J8-12,
which can light any remote receiver
fault indicator that is connected to it.
4.2.7.5 Metering
The front panel meter connects to J3-1
(-) and J3-2 (+), the output of switch
S3, on the transmitter control board.
The front panel meter has seven
metering positions that are controlled
by S3: Audio, Video, % Aural Power, %
Visual Power, % Reflected Power,
% Exciter, and ALC. The video sample
connects to the board at J5-4 and is
connected through video calibration pot
R20 to position 6 on Front panel meter
switch S3. The audio sample enters the
board at J5-6 and is connected through
audio calibration pot R19 to position 7
on Front Panel Meter switch S3.
The reflected sample connects to the
board at J2-9 and is connected through
buffer amplifier U1B and 100- resistor
R84 to position 3 on Front Panel Meter
switch S3. The visual sample connects
to the board at J2-5 and is connected
through buffer amplifier U1D and 100-
resistor R86 to position 4 on Front
Panel Meter switch S3. The aural
sample connects to the board at J2-7
and is connected through buffer
amplifier U1C and 100-ohm resistor
R85 to position 5 on Front Panel Meter
switch S3. The exciter sample connects
to the board at J2-3 and is connected
through buffer amplifier U1A and 100-
resistor R87 to position 2 on Front
Panel Meter switch S3. The ALC sample
connects to the board at J6-1 and is
connected through buffer amplifier
U2C, ALC calibration pot R15 (which
adjusts the output of U2A, pin 1), and
through 100- resistor R18 to position
1 on Front Panel Meter Switch S3.
Typical readings on the meter are:
Video = 1 Vpk-pk at white
% Reflected = < 5%
% Visual power = 100%
% Aural power = 100%
% Exciter = The level on the meter
needed to attain 100% output
power from the translator
Refer to the test data sheet for the
translator for the actual reading:
ALC = .8 VDC
Audio = ±25 kHz with a balanced
audio input or ±75 kHz with a
composite audio input
Samples are provided for the remote
metering of the exciter at J1-10, the
visual at J8-26, the aural at J8-27, and
the reflected at J1-5.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-26
U6 is a temperature-sensor IC that
gives the operator the ability to
measure the temperature inside the
tray by measuring the voltage at TP1.
The sensor is set up for +10 mV equals
1° F (for example, 750 mV equals 75°
F).
4.2.7.6 Operational Voltages
The +12 VDC needed for the operation
of the transmitter control board enters
the board at jack J4, pin 3. C28, L1,
and L3 are for the filtering and isolation
of the +12 VDC before it is split and
applied to the rest of the board. The -
12 VDC needed for the operation of the
board enters the board at jack J4, pin
5. C29 and L2 are for the filtering and
isolation of the -12 VDC before it is split
and applied to the rest of the board.
The +12 VDC is split when it is
connected to the board. Four of the
+12 VDC outputs are fed out of the
board at J8-16, J8-17, J8-18, and J8-
19 through diodes CR7, CR8, CR9, or
CR10. Resistors R50, R51, R52, or R53
are fed to any external amplifier trays
for use in their logic circuits. The +12
VDC is also fed to the (Optional)
External Exhaust Kits in the Amplifier
Array Assemblies. The resistors are for
current limiting and the diodes are to
prevent voltage feedback from the
external amplifier trays.
4.2.8 (A14) Channel Oscillator
Assembly, Dual Oven (1145-1202;
Appendix D)
The channel oscillator assembly
contains (A14-A1) the channel
oscillator board (1145-1201) that
generates a stable frequency-reference
signal of approximately 100 MHz. The
channel oscillator assembly is an
enclosure that provides temperature
stability for the crystal oscillator. An
SMA output at jack J1 and an RF
sample at BNC connector jack J2 are
also part of the assembly.
Adjustments can be made through
access holes in the top cover of the
assembly. These adjustments are set at
the factory and should not be tampered
with unless it is absolutely necessary
and the proper, calibrated equipment is
available. R1 is the temperature
adjustment; C11 is the course-
frequency adjustment; C9 is the fine-
frequency adjustment; and C6, C18,
L2, and L4 are adjusted for the
maximum output of the frequency as
measured at jacks J1 or J2.
The +12 VDC for the assembly enters
through FL1 and the circuit-ground
connection is made at E1.
4.2.9 (A14) (Optional) VCXO
Assembly, Dual Oven (1145-1206;
Appendix D)
The VCXO assembly contains the VCXO
channel oscillator board (1145-1204)
which generates a stable frequency
reference signal of approximately 100
MHz. The VCXO channel oscillator
assembly is an enclosure that provides
temperature stability for the crystal
oscillator. An SMA output at jack J1
feeds the x8 multiplier assembly and an
RF sample at BNC connector jack J2
provides an oscillator sample.
Adjustments are provided through
access holes in the top cover of the
assembly. These adjustments are set at
the factory and should not be adjusted
unless it is absolutely necessary and
the properly calibrated equipment is
available. R1 is the temperature
adjustment; C11 is the course
frequency adjustment; and C6, C18,
L2, and L4 are adjusted for maximum
output of the frequency as measured at
jacks J1 or J2. The AFC voltage, which
is fed to FL2 from an external source, is
the fine frequency adjustment.
The +12 VDC for the assembly enters
through FL1 and the circuit ground
connection is made at E1.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-27
4.2.10 (A13) (Optional) EEPROM
FSK Identifier Board (1265-1308;
Appendix D)
The optional FSK identifier board, with
EEPROM, generates a morse code
identification call sign by frequency-
shift keying the VCXO oscillator in the
upconverter or by sending a bias
voltage to the IF attenuator board to
amplitude modulate the aural carrier.
This gives the station a means of
automatically repeating its identification
call sign, at a given time interval, to
meet FCC requirements.
The starting circuit is made up of U1B
and U1D, which are connected as a
flip-flop, with gate U1A used as the set
flip-flop. U1A automatically starts the
flip-flop each time U3 completes its
timing cycle. At the start of a cycle,
U1B enables clock U2. U2 applies the
clock pulses that set the speed, which
is adjusted by R2, for when the
identification code is sent to 12-bit
binary counter U4. R2, fully clockwise
(CW), is the fastest pulse train and R2,
fully counter-clockwise (CCW), is the
slowest pulse train. U4 provides binary
outputs that address EEPROM U5.
The scans in U4 will continue until field
effect transistor (FET) Q1 is gated on.
The gate of Q1 is connected to pin 13
on U4, which is the maximum count
used in the EEPROM, and will provide a
reset pulse each time the binary
counter goes high on pin 13. The reset
pulse, when the drain of Q1 goes low,
is applied to the flip-flop and the timer
U3, which determines the length of
time between the sending of the
identification code. R14 is adjusted to
set this time interval. R14, fully CW, is
the longest interval between
identification calls, approximately eight
minutes. R14, fully CCW, is the
shortest interval between the sending
of the code (approximately 10
seconds).
U6B is an amplifier connected to the
output of U5, which turns the LED DS1
on and off at the rate set by R2. This
gives the operator a visual indication
that the FSK identifier board is
operating and at the rate at which it is
operating.
The data output of U5, which is serial,
is connected to U6A, whose output
shifts low and high, and is applied to
the VCXO board, which shifts the
frequency according to the
programming of U5. The deviation of
the shift is adjusted by R4 and is
typically set at 1 kHz. Once R4 is set,
R9 is re-adjusted to -1.5 VDC at J3-2.
The +12 VDC from an external power
supply enters the board at J1, pin 3.
The voltage is fed through RF choke L1
and is filtered by C1 before being
applied to the rest of the tray. The +12
VDC is also applied to U7, which is a
voltage regulator that regulates its
output at +5 VDC. The +5 VDC is fed
to the ICs on the board. The -12 VDC
from an external power supply enters
the board at J1, pin 5. The voltage is
fed through RF choke L2 and filtered by
C2 before being applied to the rest of
the tray.
4.2.11 (A24) (Optional) Composite
4.5-MHz Filter Board (1227-1244;
Appendix D)
The composite 4.5-MHz filter board is
mounted in the UHF exciter tray and is
part of the composite 4.5-MHz input
kit. The board filters the 4.5-MHz
composite signal to produce a video-
only output that connects to the sync
tip clamp/modulator board.
The composite 4.5-MHz signal from the
sync tip clamp/modulator board enters
the board at J1 and is amplified by U1A
and then split. A sample of the
composite 4.5-MHz signal is connected
out of the board at J2 and connects to
the 4.5-MHz bandpass filter board. The
other split portion of the composite 4.5-
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-28
MHz signal is connected to a four-
section, low-pass filter circuit, which is
adjusted by C2, L1, C5, L2, C8, L3, L4,
C11, L5, C15, L6, and C19, and has a
sharp roll-off that eliminates the 4.5-
MHz signal. The filter is set up at the
factory for the desired video-only
output and should not be adjusted by
the customer. The video low-pass
signal is amplified by U2B and applied
to the video low-pass output jack of the
board at J5, which is connected to the
sync tip clamp/modulator board. C21,
with jumper W1 on J9, can be adjusted
to set up the frequency response of the
video. The video-only signal is
amplified by U2A and connected to
three group delay circuits, which are
adjusted by L8 and R18, L9 and R22,
and L10 and R27. These circuits correct
for frequency-response problems
created by the filtering process.
A 4.5-MHz intercarrier signal from the
4.5-MHz bandpass filter board connects
to J3, the intercarrier input jack. The
intercarrier signal is amplified by U1B,
whose gain is set by R38, and
connected out of the board at J4. The
4.5-MHz signal connects to J28 on the
sync tip clamp/modulator board.
The ±12 VDC needed by the board is
supplied by an external power supply in
the tray. The +12 VDC enters the
board at J8, pin 3, and is filtered and
isolated from the rest of the tray by
L12 and C36 before being applied to
the rest of the board. The -12 VDC
enters the board at J8, pin 5, and is
filtered and isolated from the rest of
the tray by L32 and C37 before being
applied to the rest of the board.
4.2.12 (A25) (Optional) 4.5-MHz
Bandpass Filter Board (1265-1307;
Appendix D)
The 4.5-MHz bandpass filter board
passes the 4.5-MHz aural subcarrier
frequency and filters out any out-of-
band products that may be present.
The board consists of two circuits: a
bandpass filter circuit and an envelope
delay equalizer circuit. The filter circuit
has a bandpass characteristic that is
relatively flat around the aural
subcarrier frequency of 4.5 MHz ±100
kHz. It also has zeros (or notches) at
frequencies near 4 and 5 MHz that
prevent asymmetrical envelope delay
error in the pass-band. There is some
symmetrical delay error introduced, but
this is corrected by the envelope delay
equalizer circuit portion of the board.
This circuit places a hump for correction
in the center of the band at 4.5 MHz.
The composite input to the board is
through J1 at an impedance of 75.
The filter circuit consists of the
capacitors C1 to C11 and inductors L1
to L5. The variable components L2, C3,
L4, and C7 are tuned for a peak in the
response around 4.5 MHz; this forms a
relatively flat-frequency response of 4.5
MHz ±100 kHz. The filtered output is
amplified by U1A before it is connected
to the envelope delay equalizer circuit.
The equalizer portion of the board
consists of capacitors C14 to C19 and
inductors L6 and L7. The tuning of the
equalizer is accomplished by removing
jumper W1 on J5 and adjusting L6 for a
notch in the frequency response at the
desired maximum envelope delay
frequency. Replace jumper W1 on J5,
the Operate position, and tune C19 for
a flat response around 4.5 MHz. The L-
pass network creates a flat response
around 4.5 MHz and also generates a
hump in the envelope delay response
to cancel the effects caused by the filter
half of the board that proceeds it.
The filtered and equalized output is
amplified by U1B and connected to J2,
the output jack of the board.
The DC voltages needed to operate the
board enter at jack J4. The +12 VDC
connects to the board at J4-3 and is
filtered and isolated by L8 and C20
before it is connected to the rest of the
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-29
board. The -12 VDC connects to the
board at J4-5 and is filtered and
isolated by L9 and C21 before it is
connected to the rest of the board.
4.2.13 (A3)+12V(4A)/-12V(1A)
Power Supply Board (1265-1312;
Appendix D)
The ±12-volt power supply board
consists of three separate power
supplies, two of which produce the +12
VDC and one for the -12 VDC needed
to power the circuit boards in the
exciter tray.
4.2.13.1 +12 VDC Power Supply
The 18 VAC from the external step-
down toroid in the tray connects to J1,
pins 7 and 8. The 18 VAC connects
through 7-amp fuse F2, for over-
current protection, to two full-wave
bridge rectifier circuits.
CR1, CR2, CR3, and CR4 rectify the AC
that is then filtered by C2 and
connected to U3 and U4; U3 and U4
are voltage-regulator ICs for the +12
VDC. The voltage-regulated and
current-limited +12-VDC output of U3
connects to J4, pins 1, 2, 3, and 4,
which is one of the +12-VDC outputs of
the board. The green LED DS3 will be
lit if +12 VDC is present to J4; C7 and
C8 are bypass capacitors. The +12 VDC
output of U4 connects to J5, pins 1, 2,
3, and 4, which is another one of the
+12-VDC outputs of the board. The
green LED DS4 will be lit if +12 VDC is
present to J5; C9 and C10 are bypass
capacitors.
CR5, CR6, CR7, and CR8 rectify the AC
that is then filtered by C1 and
connected to U1 and U2; U1 and U2
are voltage-regulator ICs for the +12
VDC. The voltage-regulated and
current-limited +12-VDC output of U1
connects to J6, pins 1, 2, 3, and 4,
which is one of the +12-VDC outputs of
the board. The green LED DS1 will be
lit if +12 VDC is present to J6; C3 and
C4 are bypass capacitors. The +12-
VDC output of U2 connects to J3, pins
1, 2, 3, and 4, which is another one of
the +12-VDC outputs of the board. The
green LED DS2 will be lit if +12 VDC is
present to J3; C5 and C6 are bypass
capacitors.
4.2.13.2 -12 VDC Power Supply
The 18 VAC from an external step-
down toroid connects to J1, pins 1 and
4, of the board and is wired to CR9,
CR10, CR11, and CR12 which form a
full-wave bridge rectifier network for
the –12-VDC power supply. F1 is a 3-
amp fuse that provides over-current
protection. The rectified output is
filtered by C11 and fed to U5, the
voltage-regulator IC for the -12 VDC.
The voltage-regulated and current-
limited -12 VDC is connected to the
-12-VDC output jacks J7, pins 5
through 10, and J8, pins 5 through 10.
The green LED DS5 will be lit if -12
VDC is present to J7 and J8; C12 and
C13 are bypass capacitors.
4.2.14 (A15) x8 Multiplier Enclosure
(1265-1347; Appendix D)
The x8 multiplier enclosure is an
aluminum box that provides RFI and
EMI protection for the x8 multiplier
board (1227-1002) that is mounted
inside of it. This protection is needed to
prevent any interference from
obstructing the upconversion process.
The output from the channel oscillator
at +5 dBm enters the enclosure at J1.
The oscillator signal is multiplied and
amplified by the x8 multiplier board to
+16 dBm and sent out of the enclosure
at J2.
The +12 VDC needed to operate the
board enters the enclosure through FL1
and connects to J3-3 on the board. The
return for the +12 VDC enters the
enclosure through E1 and connects to
J3-4 on the board.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-30
4.2.15 (A15-A1) x8 Multiplier
Board (1227-1002; Appendix D)
The x8 multiplier board multiplies the
frequency of an RF input signal by a
factor of eight. The board is made up of
three identical x2 broadband frequency
doublers.
The input signal (+5 dBm) at the
fundamental frequency enters through
SMA jack J1 and is fed through a 3-dB
matching pad, consisting of R1, R2, and
R3, to amplifier IC U1. The output of
the amplifier stage is directed through
a bandpass filter, consisting of L2 and
C4, that is tuned to the fundamental
frequency (87 to 114 MHz). The
voltage measured at TP1 is typically
+.6 VDC.
The first doubler stage consists of Z1
with bandpass filter L3 and C6 tuned to
the second harmonic (174 to 228 MHz).
The harmonic is amplified by U2 and it
is again bandpass filtered at the
second-harmonic frequency by C10 and
L5 (174 to 228 MHz). The voltage
measured at TP2 is typically +1.2 VDC.
The next doubler stage consists of Z2
with bandpass filter C12 and L6 tuned
to the fourth harmonic of the
fundamental frequency (348 to 456
MHz). The fourth harmonic is then
amplified by U3 and fed through
another bandpass filter, consisting of
L11 and C18, that is tuned to the fourth
harmonic (348 to 456 MHz). The
voltage measured at TP3 is typically
+2.0 VDC.
The final doubler stage consists of Z3
with bandpass filter C20 and L12 tuned
to the eighth harmonic of the
fundamental frequency (696 to 912
MHz). The signal is amplified by U4,
U5, and U6 to a typical value of +2 to
+4 VDC as measured at test point TP4.
The amplified eighth harmonic is then
fed to J2, the SMA output jack of the
board. The typical LO signal output
level is +15 dBm nominal.
The detected sample of the output of
the x8 multiplier board at TP4 is also
fed to the base of Q1, which forward
biases it and lights the green LED DS1
on the board to indicate that the LO
signal is present.
The +12 VDC for the board enters
through jack J3-3 and is filtered by L7
and C16 before being distributed to the
circuits on the board.
4.2.16 (A12 and A16) UHF Filters
(1007-1101; Appendix D)
Each of the UHF filters is a tunable
two-section cavity filter that is
typically tuned for a bandwidth of 6
MHz and has a loss of -1 dB through
the filter.
4.2.17 (A11) UHF Upconverter
Board (1265-1310; Appendix D)
The UHF upconverter board provides
upconversion processing by mixing the
IF and LO signals in mixer Z1 to
produce the desired RF-frequency
output. The RF output is connected
through J3 to an external filter and
applied back to the board at J4 where
the gain is set by R10. The RF is
amplified and connected to the RF
output jack of the board at J5.
The IF signal (0 dBm) enters the board
at J1, an SMA connector, and is applied
through a filter circuit consisting of L10
and C25 to C28 and to a matching pad.
This pad consists of R1, R2, and R3,
which presents a relatively good source
impedance, and feeds the signal to pins
3 and 4, the I input of mixer Z1. The
local oscillator signal (+13 dBm) from
the x8 multiplier connects to the board
at jack J2, an SMA connector, through
a UHF channel filter and is connected
directly to pin 8, the L input of the
mixer.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-31
The frequency of the LO is the sum of
the IF frequency above the required
visual carrier. For instance, in system
M, the IF visual frequency is at 45.75
MHz and the relative location of the
aural would be 4.5 MHz lower, or 41.25
MHz. For digital applications, the LO is
the center frequency of the digital
channel added to the 44-MHz IF
frequency. By picking the local
oscillator to be 45.75 MHz above the
visual carrier, a conversion in frequency
occurs by selecting the difference
product. The difference product, the
local oscillator minus the IF, will be at
the required visual carrier frequency
output. There will also be other signals
present at the RF output connector J3
at a lower level. These are the sum
conversion product: the LO and the IF
frequencies. Usually, the output
product that is selected by the tuning
of the external filter is the difference
product: the LO minus the 45.75-MHz
IF. The difference product has its side-
bands flipped so that the visual carrier
is lower in frequency than the aural
carrier.
If a bad reactive load is connected to
the mixer, the LO signal that is fed
through it can be increased because
the mixer no longer serves as a double-
balanced mixer. The mixer has the
inherent property of suppressing
signals that may leak from one input
port to any of the other ports. This
property is enhanced by having the
inputs and outputs of the mixer at a
50- impedance. The reactive filter
that is externally connected to J3 of the
board does not appear as a good 50-
load at all frequencies. The pad, in the
output line of the board, consists of R5,
R4, R6, and R7. The pad buffers the
bad effects of the reactive filter load
and makes it appear as a 50-
impedance. The RF signal is amplified
by U1, a modular amplifier, and
contains biasing and impedance-
matching networks that makes U1 act
as a wideband-RF amplifier device. This
amplifier, in a 50- system, has
approximately 12 dB of gain. U1 is
powered from the +12-VDC line
through RF decoupling components
R27, R28, C30, R8, and L1. Inductor L1
is a broadband-RF choke and is
resonance free through the UHF band.
The amplified RF connects to SMA RF
output jack J3, which is cabled to the
external filter.
The RF input signal from the external
filter re-enters the board at J4 (-11 to
-14 dBm) and is capacitively coupled to
the pin-diode attenuator circuit
consisting of CR1, CR2, and CR5. The
pin-diode attenuator acts as a voltage-
variable attenuator in which each pin
diode functions as a voltage-variable
resistor that depends on the DC bias
supplied to the diode for its resistance
value. The pin diodes, because of a
large, intrinsic region, cannot rectify
signals at this RF frequency; as a
result, they act as a linear voltage-
variable resistor.
The pin diodes are configured in shunt
configuration: CR1 is the first shunt
element, CR2 is the second shunt
element, and CR5 is the series
element. The manual gain AGC, W1 on
J10 between pins 1 and 2, is used in
most cases. The control voltage from
manual gain pot R10 sets up a current
path through R11 and the diodes in the
pin attenuator. The level-controlled RF
signal, from the pin-diode attenuator
circuit, is amplified by wideband-hybrid
amplifier IC U2 that is configured in the
same way as U1. The RF signal is
buffered by Q1 and applied to the
push-pull Class A amplifier circuit
consisting of Q2 and Q3. At the input to
the transistors, the RF is converted to a
balanced, dual feed by balun L4, which
is made from a short length of UT-141
coaxial cable.
Capacitors C12 and C13 provide DC
blocking for the input signal to the
amplifier devices. The RF outputs at the
collectors of the transistors are applied
through C19 and C20, which provide
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-32
DC blocking for the output signals. The
RF signals connect to L7, which consists
of UT-141 coaxial cable. L7 combines
the RF back to a single-RF output at a
50- impedance and sends it to L8,
which provides a sample of the RF. The
main path through L10 is to J5, the RF
output jack of the board (+10 to +20
dBm). The sample of the RF connects
to a splitter that provides a sample
output (0 dBm) at J6 of the board. The
other output of the splitter connects to
a peak-detector circuit consisting of
CR3 and U3, which provides a DC level
at J7 that represents the RF output of
the UHF exciter to the front panel
meter. R29 sets up the calibration of
the front panel meter for 100% in the
UHF Exciter position when the output
power of the exciter is at +17 dBm
peak visual or +10 dBm average for
digital applications.
The board is powered by ±12 VDC that
is produced by an external power
supply. The +12 VDC enters the board
through J8, pin 3, and is filtered and
isolated by RF choke L9 and shunt
capacitors C24 and C33. This circuit
isolates the RF signals from the board
away from those of other devices
connected to the same +12 VDC line
external to the UHF upconverter board.
The +12 VDC is then applied to the rest
of the board.
The -12 VDC enters the board through
J8, pin 5, and is filtered and isolated by
RF choke L11 and shunt capacitors C34
and C35. This circuit isolates the RF
signals from this board away from
those of other devices connected to the
same -12 VDC line external to the UHF
upconverter board; the -12 VDC is then
applied to the rest of the board.
4.2.18 (A1) Power Entry Module
Assembly (1227-1206;Appendix D)
The power entry module assembly
provides overvoltage and surge
protection for the input AC lines that
connect to the exciter tray. The AC
input plug connects to J14; J14 is part
of the power entry module on the rear
panel of the exciter tray.
The module assembly contains two
130-VAC varistors and one 250-VAC
varistor that connect across the AC
lines and to ground. The module also
contains two 4-amp fuses for
overcurrent protection, one in each
input line.
4.3 (A4 and A5) Variable
Phase/Gain Trays (1245-1200;
Appendix C)
The Variable Phase/Gain Tray sets the
phase and gain adjustments of the RF
to provide maximum output when the
outputs of the two Amplifier Arrays are
combined. There are two Variable
Phase/Gain Trays in the 837B UHF
Translator, each controlling the phase
and gain of one of the two Amplifier
Arrays.
The Tray is made up of (A4) a Variable
Phase/Gain Assembly (1245-1204),
which contains (A4-A1) a Variable
Phase/Gain Board (1245-1201), (A5) a
Metering Board (1245-1202) and (A3)
a +15V/-12V Power Supply Board
(1245-1203).
4.3.1 (A4-A1) Variable Gain/Phase
Board (1245-1201; Appendix D)
The RF Input signal connects to the
rear panel of the Tray at J1 and is
cabled to J1 on (A4-A1) the Variable
Phase/Gain Board (1245-1201) that is
mounted inside (A4) the Variable
Phase/Gain Assembly (1245-1204) for
RFI and EMI protection. The Variable
Phase/Gain Board contains two main
circuits, one for ALC and one for Phase
adjustment of the RF signal. A front
panel mounted ALC adjust Pot (A8)
connects through (A5) the Metering
Board (1245-1202) to J5 on the Board
which controls the output level to the
tray. A front panel mounted Phase
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-33
adjust Pot (A7) connects through the
Metering Board to J4 on the Variable
Phase/Gain Board which controls the
phasing of the RF output. The Phasing
adjust is needed to phase the two RF
outputs of the Amplifier Arrays, when
they are combined, to achieve
maximum output. The phase and level
controlled RF signal connects to J2 of
the Variable Phase/Gain Board which
connects to the RF Output Jack J3
located on the rear panel of the Tray.
A sample of the RF from the Variable
Phase/Gain Board connects to J4 the
output Sample Jack located on the
front panel of the Tray.
4.3.2 (A5) Metering Board (1245-
1202; Appendix D)
A detected output sample level
connects to the Metering Board at J7
Pins 3 & 4 which is connected to the %
Power Level position on (A6) the front
panel meter of the Tray. S1 is a two
position front panel mounted switch
that allows the operator to view the
ALC Level, typically reads .6V - 1V, or
the % Power, which is calibrated for
100 % is +23 dBm output.
4.3.3 (A1) Power Entry Module
Assembly (1227-1206; Appendix
D)
120/240 VAC connects to the Tray at J2
on (A1) the Power Entry Module
Assembly. Jumpers on the Power Entry
Module are set for the desired AC
Voltage Input. The assembly contains
an On/Off Switch, two 4 Amp Fuses
and three Varistors for AC line
protection. The AC is connected to
(A2) a step down Toroid that supplies
an 18 VAC output to the +15VDC/-
12VDC Power Supply Board.
4.3.4 (A3) +15V/-12V Power
Supply Board (1245-1203;
Appendix D)
The +15 VDC and -12 VDC needed to
operate the boards in the Tray are
generated on (A3) the +15 VDC/-12
VDC Power Supply Board (1245-1203).
The +15VDC/-12VDC Power Supply
Board supplies voltage regulated +15
VDC and -12 VDC Outputs to the rest
of the Tray. The Green LED DS1 is lit if
+15 VDC is present and the Green LED
DS2 is lit if -12 VDC is present at the
output of the +15V/-12V Power Supply
Board.
4.4 (A6) Metering Panel (1136811
or 1245-1400; Appendix C)
The Metering Panel provides three
meters, one for Combined, one for Side
A Amplifier Array and one for Side B
Amplifier Array Outputs. The Side A
Meter (A15) displays the % Forward
and the % Reflected Power samples for
the Side A Amplifier Array. The Side B
Meter (A17) displays the % Forward
and the % Reflected Power samples for
the Side B Amplifier Array. The
Combined Meter (A13) displays the %
Reject, % Visual, % Aural and the %
Reflected Power samples for the
Combined Output of the 4-6 kW
Translator. The Metering Panel also
takes the ALC Reference Inputs from
the (A4 & A5) Variable Phase/Gain
Trays and splits them six ways which
are then connected to the UHF
Amplifier Trays in the two amplifier
arrays.
The Metering Panel (A6) contains (A4,
A5, A6 & A11) four Splitter Boards
(1181-1002), (A7, A8 & A9) three Dual
Peak Detector Modules (1159965),
(A10) a Visual/Aural Metering Board
(1265-1309), (A18) a Detector
Threshold Board (1245-1402) and (A3)
a ±12V Power Supply Board (1062-
1013).
The (A13) Front Panel Meter monitors
the Combined Output Power and is
controlled by (S1) the Meter Control
Switch. The (A15) Front Panel Meter
monitors the Side A Output Power with
(S2) the Meter Control Switch. The
(A17) Front Panel Meter monitors Side
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-34
B Output Power with (S3) the Meter
Control Switch.
4.4.1 (A4, A5, A6 & A11) Splitter
Board (1181-1002; Appendix D)
The (A4) Splitter Board (1181-1002)
takes the ALC reference from the (A4)
Variable Phase/Gain Tray at J1-1 and
splits it six ways that connect to the
UHF Amplifier Trays mounted in the
Side A Amplifier Array.
The (A5) Splitter Board (1181-1002)
takes the ALC reference from the (A5)
Variable Phase/Gain Tray at J1-1 and
splits it six ways that connect to the
UHF Amplifier Trays mounted in the
Side B Amplifier Array.
The (A6) Splitter Board takes the
Combined Reflected Sample Input at
J1-1 and splits it. One of the split
Combined Samples connects to the
front panel Meter, one is used for
Remote Monitoring and the other two
connect back to the UHF Exciters for
use in the VSWR Cutback circuitry.
The (A11) Splitter Board (1181-1002)
takes the Combined Aural Sample
Input at J1-1 from the (A10)
Visual/Aural Metering Board and splits
it. One of the split Aural Samples
connects to the front panel Meter and
the other is used for Remote
Monitoring.
4.4.2 (A10) Visual/Aural Metering
Board (1265-1309; Appendix D)
The (A10) Visual/Aural Metering Board
has a Combined Forward Sample from
the Output Coupler Assembly of the
Translator connected to J1 on the
Board where it is split. One Forward
Sample connects to J2 on the board
that is cabled to J9, the Translator
Output Sample Jack, located on the
front panel of the Metering Panel. The
Combined Forward Sample on the
Visual/Aural Metering Board is split
again with one Sample used to produce
a Combined Visual Sample, that
connects to the front panel Meter (A13)
and also to the rear panel for Remote
monitoring. The other Combined
Forward Sample produces a combined
Aural Sample that connects to the
(A11) Splitter Board.
4.4.3 (A7, A8 & A9) Dual Peak
Detectors (1159965; Appendix D)
The (A7) Dual Peak Detector takes the
Combined Reflected Sample Input from
the Output Coupler Module and splits it.
A peak detected output of the reflected
sample connects to the (A6) Splitter
Board. The (A7) Dual Peak Detector
also has a Reject Sample Input from
the Reject Output Coupler Module and
splits it. One of the peak detected split
Reject Samples connects to the front
panel Meter and the other is used for
Remote Monitoring.
The (A8) Dual Peak Detector Module
takes a Reflected Sample from the Side
B Amplifier Array that is peak detected
and connected to the (A17) front panel
meter. Another input to the (A8) Dual
Peak Detector Module is a Forward
Sample from the Side B Amplifier Array
that is peak detected and connected to
the (A17) front panel meter.
The (A9) Dual Peak Detector Module
receives the Reflected Sample from the
Side A Amplifier Array which is peak
detected and connected to the (A15)
front panel meter. Another input to the
(A9) Dual Peak Detector Module is the
Forward Sample from the Side A
Amplifier Array which is peak detected
and connected to the (A15) front panel
meter.
4.4.4 (A18) Detector Threshold
Board (1245-1402; Appendix D)
The Detector Threshold Board consists
of three identical signal paths. One
path uses a detected Reflected sample
from Side A, another the detected
Reflected sample from Side B and the
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-35
final path uses a detected Combined
Reflected sample. These samples are
compared to the threshold settings,
20% Reflected level, and provide an
output to cut back the translator if the
reflected level of any of the input
samples increase above 20%.
A Sample of the Side A Reflected level
enters the board at J1-1. The level is
split and one path connects to J1-2 to
be used as a Side A Remote Reflected
output. The other path connects to the
Operational Amplifier U1A whose turn
on level is controlled by the setting of
R5. R5 is set to cause U1A to conduct
if the reflected sample input increases
above the 20% level. The output, at
J2-1 and also J2-5 through the jumper
W1 on J4, connects to the Transmitter
Control Board, located in the UHF
Exciter, where it cuts back the
translator using the VSWR cut back
circuits.
A Sample of the Side B Reflected level
enters the board at J8-1. The level is
split and one path connects to J8-2 to
be used as a Side B Remote Reflected
output. The other path connects to the
Operational Amplifier U1B whose turn
on level is controlled by the setting of
R12. R12 is set to cause U1B to
conduct if the reflected sample input
increases above the 20% level. The
output, at J2-5 and also J2-1 through
the jumper W1 on J4 connects to the
Transmitter Control Board, located in
the UHF Exciter, where it cuts back the
translator using the VSWR cut back
circuits.
A Sample of the Combined Reflected
level enters the board at J7-1. The
level is split and one path connects to
J7-2 to be used as a Remote Combined
Reflected output. The other path
connects to the Operational Amplifier
U1C whose turn on level is controlled
by the setting of R19. R19 is set to
cause U1C to conduct if the combined
reflected input sample increases above
the 20% level. The output, at J6-1 and
also J2-5 through the jumper W2 on J5
connects to the Transmitter Control
Board, located in the UHF Exciter,
where it cuts back the translator using
the VSWR cut back circuits
4.4.5 (A1) Power Entry Module
Assembly (1227-1206; Appendix D)
120/240 VAC connects to the Tray at J8
on (A1) the Power Entry Module
Assembly. Jumpers on the Power Entry
Module are set for the desired AC
Voltage Input. The assembly contains
an On/Off Switch, two 4 Amp Fuses
and three Varistors for AC line
protection. The AC is connected to
(A2) a step down Toroid that supplies
an 18 VAC output thru TB1 to the ±12V
Power Supply Board.
4.4.6 (A3) ±12V Power Supply
Board (1062-1013; Appendix D)
The ±12 VDC needed to operate the
Boards in the Metering Panel are
provided by the ±12 VDC Power Supply
Board (1062-1013).
The 18 VAC, from an external step-
down Transformer, is directed to the
Board thru J5 Pins 1 & 4, with Pin 2
connected to the center tap of the
secondary of the Transformer.
The +12 VDC is produced by using a
Full-Wave rectifier circuit consisting of
CR1 and CR2 whose output is filtered
by capacitor C1 and bypassed by C2 to
prevent oscillations. The filtered +12
VDC is applied to U1 a 7812 IC voltage
regulator and current limiter. C3 is a
bypass capacitor to prevent oscillations
in the output DC lines. DS1 is a Green
LED which when lit indicates that the
+12VDC is present at the output of the
board. The +12 VDC is distributed thru
Pins 2 & 7 of each of the Output Jacks,
J1, J2, J3 & J4, to the rest of the
boards in the Tray.
The -12 VDC is produced by using a
Full-Wave rectifier circuit that consists
of CR3 and CR4 whose output is filtered
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-36
by capacitor C4 and bypassed by C5 to
prevent oscillations. The filtered -12
VDC is applied to U2 a 7912 IC voltage
regulator and current limiter. C6 is a
bypass capacitor to prevent oscillations
in the output DC lines. C7 is a holding
capacitor to maintain -12VDC for an
instance even if the supply is lost. This
is to allow the positive voltages to be
removed from the Amplifier devices to
prevent damage to the devices. DS2 is
a Green LED which when lit indicates
that the -12 VDC is present at the
output of the board. The -12VDC is
distributed to the rest of the Boards in
the Tray thru Pins 4 & 5 of each of the
Output Jacks, J1, J2, J3 & J4.
The ±12 VDC outputs of the board are
connected to the rest of the boards in
the Metering Panel.
4.5 (A8) AC Distribution Assembly
(1245-1500; Appendix C)
The AC Distribution Assembly
distributes the Main AC Input, 208/240
VAC @ 20 Amps, that connects to the
UHF Exciter Assembly Cabinet to the
Trays and Assemblies which make up
the Exciter.
The 208/240 VAC Main AC Input to the
Exciter Cabinet connects to the
Terminal Block TB1, Line 1 to TB1-1A,
Line 2 to TB1-3A and Ground to TB1-
2A.
The 208/240 VAC Main AC Input
connects from the Terminal Block TB1-
1B (Line 1) to the 20 Amp Circuit
Breaker CB1-1, TB1-2B (Ground) to
Chassis Ground & TB1-3B (Line 2) to
the Circuit Breaker CB1-3. Three
MOVs, for surge and transient
protection, are connected to the AC
Lines from the Circuit Breaker, VR1
from Line 1 to Ground, VR3 from Line 2
to Ground and VR2 across the AC Lines.
The switched 208/240 VAC Main AC
Input is wired from the Circuit Breaker
Terminal 2 to the L inputs and Terminal
4 to the N Inputs of the (A1 & A2) IEC
Outlet Strips. The E Inputs to both IEC
Outlet Strips connect to Chassis
Ground.
There are four outputs for both the
(A1) and the (A2) IEC Outlet Strips.
On the A1 Outlet Strip, J1 connects to
J14 on the (A1) Exciter #1, J2 connects
to J14 on the (Optional) (A2) Exciter
#1, J3 connects to J8 on the (Optional)
(A3) Exciter Switcher Tray and J4
connects to J2 on the (A4) Variable
Phase/Gain Tray. On the A2 Outlet
Strip, J5 connects to J2 on the (A5)
Variable Phase/Gain Tray, J6 connects
to J8 on the (A6) Metering Panel, J7
connects to J2 on the (A7) Receiver
Tray or to the AC Input Jack on the
(Optional) Digital Modulator and J8 is
not used in this System.
4.6 (A2 & A3) 2-3 kW Amplifier
Arrays (1278-1300; Appendix C)
There are two Amplifier Array
Assemblies in the 837B 4-6 kW UHF
Solid State Internally Diplexed
Television Translator. The (A2 & A3)
Amplifier Array Assemblies (1278-
1300) are identical. Each Amplifier
Array contains; (A9-A1) an 8 Way
Splitter (ZFSC-8-43), (A1 thru A4,
A5(5kW) and A6(6kW)) UHF Amplifier
Trays, (A7) a 4, 5 or 6 Way Combiner,
(A12) a Reject Load Assembly (Only
with 5 & 6 kW transmiters), (A8) an
Output Coupler, (A10) an AC
Distribution Assembly (1278-1100
three phase or 1278-1200 single
phase) and (A11) an Interface Panel.
The output of the (A4) Variable
Phase/Gain Tray, located in the Exciter
Assembly, connects to (A2) the Side A
Amplifier Assembly. The output of the
(A5) Variable Phase/Gain Tray connects
to (A3) the Side B Amplifier Assembly.
The RF Input (+16 dBm) from the
Variable Phase/Gain Tray connects to
the RF Input Jack J1 on (A11) the
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-37
Interface Panel located in the Amplifier
Array Assembly. The RF is cabled to
the COM Input of (A9-A1) the 8 Way
Splitter that splits it eight ways. Four,
five or six of the RF outputs (+6 dBm)
of the Splitter are connected to J1, the
RF Input Jack on each of the four, five
or six UHF Amplifier Trays. The outputs
of the Splitter that are not used are
terminated with 50. Each of the UHF
Amplifier Trays amplify the RF signals
to approximately (+60 dBm), which is
the power needed to produce a total of
4000 - 6000 Watts Peak of Sync after
combining of the two Amplifier
Assemblies, with a maximum of 600
Watts Peak of Sync output per Tray.
The outputs of the UHF Amplifier Trays
are combined in the (A7) 4, 5 or 6 Way
Combiner. The Reject Output of the
Combiner is connected to (A12) the
Reject Load Assembly (Only in 5 or 6
kW transmitters).
The RF Output of the Combiner is
connected to (A8) the Output Coupler
Assembly which supplies a Forward
and a Reflected Power Sample of the
output from the Amplifier Assembly
that connect through the SMA
Connectors J2 and J3 located on the
(A11) Interface Panel to the Metering
Panel located in the UHF Exciter
Assembly.
The RF output of the Amplifier Array
(+63.5 to +65.2 dBm) is at J2 (1-5/8”)
of the Output Coupler.
In each UHF Amplifier Tray, a Forward
Power Sample and a Reflected Power
Sample, from the 4 Way Combiner
Board, are connected to the Dual Peak
Detector Board, Single Supply. The
Dual Peak Detector provides peak
detected forward samples to the
Amplifier Control Board that supplies
the samples to the front panel meter of
the UHF Amplifier Tray and also to the
Interface Panel for remote monitoring.
Before exiting each UHF Amplifier Tray
the RF is fed through a Circulator which
protects the Tray from high VSWR
conditions. The Reject Port of the
Circulator provides a Reject Sample to
the 4 Way Combiner Board which
supplies the Reflected Sample to the
Dual Peak Detector Board, Single
Supply located in the UHF Amplifier
Tray that connects to the front panel
meter.
The two power supply Enable (Operate)
Commands from the UHF Exciter Tray,
located in the UHF Exciter Assembly,
connect to the Terminal Block (A9-TB2)
mounted in each Amplifier Array. The
terminal block splits the Enables fur,
five or six ways in each array and
supplies them to all of the UHF
Amplifier Trays. The Enable is needed
to turn on the Switching Power Supply
located in each UHF Amplifier Tray. If
the Amplifier Array contains an
(Optional) External Exhaust Kit, then a
Fan Enable is supplied at J4-19 along
with +12V at J4-20 that connect to the
fan mounted on the roof, which turns it
on.
Main AC Input
Each Amplifier Assembly needs an AC
Input of 208/240 VAC at 55 Amps three
phase or 100 Amps Single Phase wired
to it. The 208/240 VAC Input to each
Amplifier Assembly connects to (A10)
the AC Distribution Assembly, Amplifier
Array (1278-1100 three phase or 1278-
1200 single phase) located on the right
side, center rear of each Cabinet. Each
AC Distribution Assembly contains the
Terminal Block (TB1) to which the
208/240 VAC connects.
For three phase, connect Line 1 to TB1-
1A, Line 2 to TB1-2A, Line 3 to TB1-3A
and Ground to TB1-4A. The AC
Distribution Panel contains Circuit
Breakers that supply the AC to the rest
of the Amplifier Assembly. The Input
AC from TB1 is connected to (CB1) the
Main AC Circuit Breaker (55 Amps) that
distributes the 220 VAC to the other
circuit breakers (CB2-CB9). The output
of CB1 has six MOVs for protection,
VR1 from Line 1 to Line 2, VR2 from
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-38
Line 2 to Line 3, VR3 from Line 1 to
Line 3, VR4 from Line 1 to Ground, VR5
from Line 2 to Ground and VR6 from
Line 3 to Ground.
For single phase, connect Line 1 to
TB1-1A, Line 2 to TB1-3A and Ground
to TB1-4A. The AC Distribution Panel
contains Circuit Breakers that supply
the AC to the rest of the Amplifier
Assembly. The Input AC from TB1 is
connected to (CB1) the Main AC Circuit
Breaker (100 Amps) that distributes
the 220 VAC to the other circuit
breakers (CB2-CB9). The output of
CB1 has three MOVs, VR4 from Line 1
to Ground, VR6 from Line 2 to Ground
and VR3 connected across the legs.
The switched Input AC is wired through
six Circuit Breakers, CB2-CB7, to the
six UHF Amplifier Trays in the Amplifier
Array Cabinets. CB2 is a 20 Amp
Circuit Breaker that supplies the AC
voltage to the (A1) UHF Amplifier Tray.
CB3 is a 20 Amp Circuit Breaker that
supplies the AC voltage to the (A2) UHF
Amplifier Tray. CB4 is a 20 Amp Circuit
Breaker that supplies the AC voltage to
the (A3) UHF Amplifier Tray. CB5 is a
20 Amp Circuit Breaker that supplies
the AC voltage to the (A4) UHF
Amplifier Tray. In 5 & 6 kW, CB6 is a
20 Amp Circuit Breaker that supplies
the AC voltage to the (A5) UHF
Amplifier Tray. In 6 kW, CB7 is a 20
Amp Circuit Breaker that supplies the
AC voltage to the (A6) UHF Amplifier
Tray. CB8 and CB9 are 3 Amp circuit
breakers that supply AC to the two
cooling fans located in the Reject Load
Assembly.
When the Circuit Breaker CB1 on the
AC Distribution Assembly in the UHF
Exciter Assembly is switched On, +12
VDC from the Exciter is supplied to
each of the Amplifier Array Cabinets.
In the Amplifier Array, the +12 VDC is
split and connected to each of the UHF
Amplifier Trays for operation of the LED
Status Indicators in the Tray. +12 VDC
from the Exciter is also supplied to each
of the (Optional) External Exhaust Kits
in the Amplifier Array Cabinets for
operation of the isolation relays.
4.7 {A1, A2, A3, A4, A5(5&6kW) &
A6(6kW)} UHF Amplifier Trays,
LDMOS (1301560 low
band/1301561 mid band/1301562
high band; Appendix C)
The LDMOS amplifier tray, with an RF
input of approximately +3 dBm,
provides a maximum power level of
+57.8 dBm, 600W + sound. All the
amplifier modules are broadband in
nature and require no tuning.
4.7.1 (A2) Variable Gain/Phase
Board Enclosure (1301548;
Appendix D)
The variable gain/phase enclosure
assembly provides EMI and RFI
protection for the variable gain/phase
board (1301549) that is mounted
inside of the assembly.
The RF input to the assembly is at SMA
jack J1 and the RF output is at SMA
jack J2. There are two control inputs
that connect to the assembly: the
attenuator bias input and the phase
control input. The attenuator bias input
from the amplifier control board
connects to FL4 and FL5 on the
assembly and is wired to J5 on the
board. The phase control input from the
amplifier control board connects to FL2
and E1 on the assembly and is wired to
J4 on the board. The input fault to the
amplifier control board connects to FL3
on the assembly and is wired to J6-1 on
the board. Ground E1 on the assembly
connects to J3-4 on the board.
The +32 VDC needed to operate the
board connects to FL1 on the assembly
which is wired to J3-3 on the board.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-39
4.7.2 (A2-A1) Variable Gain/Phase
Board (1301549; Appendix D)
The variable gain/phase board provides
the circuits that adjust the phase and
the gain of the RF signal for the
amplifier tray in which it is mounted.
The RF input signal at J1 (+3dBm) is
split, with one output connected to a
detector circuit consisting of C8, CR4,
and U3A. This detected level is then
applied to comparator U3D, which
provides a high output when the input
signal level drops below a threshold set
by R16, R17, and CR5. This high is
applied to the red Input Fault LED DS1,
which lights to indicate an input fault
has occurred. DS1 can be seen through
the hole in the lid on the variable
gain/phase assembly. The high is also
connected to the gate of Q1, which
biases it on and causes its drain to go
low. The low is applied to the pin-diode
attenuator circuit consisting of CR1,
CR2, and CR3. The low to CR3
decreases the current through it and
increases its resistance, decreasing or
completely shutting off the RF applied
through it.
The other output of the RF input signal
from J1 is connected through C1 to a
voltage-controlled, pin-diode attenuator
circuit consisting of diodes CR1, CR2,
and CR3. The diodes are pin diodes in a
pi-type configuration whose resistance
varies inversely with the DC current
flow through them.
As the AGC voltage, attenuator bias,
applied to J5 increases, CR3 is forward
biased even more. This increases the
current flow through it by decreasing
its resistance; the RF signal that flows
through it increases in level. CR1 and
CR2 have less current through them;
this raises their resistance, causing the
RF signal that is applied to them to
decrease in level. The three diodes
form a pi-type attenuator whose
attenuation decreases with the
increasing AGC voltage.
U4 provides amplification,
approximately 8 dB, of the RF signal
before it is connected to the phase-
shifter circuit. The phase-shifter circuit
consists of L1, C16, C17, CR7, and
CR8. L1 is a 90°, 2-way splitter. The
signal at pin 1 of L1 is split and applied
to pins 2 and 4. The signal reflects off
CR7 and CR8 and is passed to pin 3.
The phase shift between pins 1 and 3
changes with the voltage applied across
CR7 and CR8. This voltage is controlled
by an external phase-adjust pot that
connects to J4. The +32 VDC from the
external switching power supply is used
as the reference that is applied to the
phase-control pot. The IC U2 provides
approximately 10 dB of gain at the
output of the phase-shifter circuit that
connects to two class A amplifier
stages, Q2 and Q3, with a total gain of
approximately 20 dB.
The first amplifier stage, Q2, is biased
at a collector current of approximately
100 mA. This current is set by R29,
R30, VR1, and Q2. VR1 forces the
voltage at the collector to stay at 8.9
VDC. This biases on Q2 and draws
enough current through R29 and R30
to keep the collector voltage at 8.9
VDC. The amplified output connects to
the second amplifier Q3. The bias
circuit for Q3 works in a manner similar
to the bias circuit for Q2. VR2 and VR3
maintain a collector voltage of 21 VDC,
while R36 and R37 limit the collector
current to 650 mA.
The output connects to J2 on the
board. A sample of the output is
detected by CR10 and connected to
TP4. A DVM can be connected to TP4 to
give a voltage indication of the RF
output level.
The +32 VDC connects to the board at
J3-3 and is split, with one half
connected to the two, class A amplifier
circuits. The other half of the +32 VDC
input is filtered, isolated by L4 and C13,
and connected to U1. U1 is a +12 VDC
regulator IC that produces the +12
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-40
VDC needed to operate the ICs on the
board.
The output of the variable gain/phase
board (+19 dBm) at J2 connects
through A16 a 6dB pad to J1 (+13
dBm) on the 1 Watt amplifier board
assembly.
4.7.3 (A3) 1-Watt Amplifier Board
Assembly (1301546; Appendix D)
The 1-watt UHF amplifier board
assembly provides radio frequency
interference (RFI) and electromagnetic
interference (EMI) protection, as well
as the heatsink, for the 1-watt UHF
amplifier board, 32V (1301547) that is
mounted inside the assembly.
Depending on the frequency of the
channel of operation, the assembly has
approximately 9 dB of gain.
The RF input to the assembly connects
to SMA jack J1. The amplified RF output
of the assembly is at SMA jack J2.
Typically, with an input signal of +13
dBm at J1 of the assembly, an output
of +22 dBm can be expected at J2.
The +32-VDC bias voltage connects
through FL1, a RF-bypassed, feed-
through capacitor, to E1 on the
amplifier board.
4.7.4 (A3-A1) 1-Watt Amplifier
Board, 32V (1301547; Appendix D)
The 1-watt UHF amplifier board, 32V is
mounted in the 1-watt UHF amplifier
assembly (1301546) and provides
approximately +9 dB of gain.
The UHF signal enters the board at J1,
a SMA connector, and is applied
through coupling capacitor C1 and a
stripline circuit to Q1, a UTV040F UHF
wideband-amplifier device. The base
and collector voltages needed to
operate the transistor are obtained
from the +32 VDC line that connects to
the board at E1 and is divided down to
26 volts by R4 and R5. The collector
voltage is fed through L4 and the base
voltage is fed through R3, VR1, VR2 the
divider network R1 and R2 and L2. The
amplified UHF output of Q1 is coupled
through a stripline circuit and C14 to
J2, the output SMA jack of the board.
The board is powered by the +32 VDC
that is produced by an external power
supply in the tray. The +32 VDC enters
through E1 and is fed across R4 and
R5, which drops approximately 6 volts,
to the collector (+26 VDC). The voltage
is filtered by RF decoupling components
L4, C11, C12, and C15 before it is
connected to the collector. The base
bias voltage is connected across R3,
VR1, VR2, R1, and R2, which sets the
base bias voltage at +.8 VDC and
forward biases Q1. C6, L1, and L2
provide RF decoupling of the bias
voltage before it is connected to the
base.
The board has a self-bias protection
circuit that uses Zener diodes VR1 and
VR2. If the current draw of the device
increases, the voltage drop across R4
and R5 increases; this decreases the
voltage that is applied to VR1 and VR2.
These two diodes drop a fixed voltage
of 20 VDC across them. As a result, if
the voltage drop across R4 and R5
increases, the voltage available to the
base of Q1 decreases and the device
will eventually be shut off.
4.7.5 (A1) UHF Filter (1007-1101;
Appendix D)
The UHF filter is a tunable two-section
cavity filter that is typically tuned for a
bandwidth of 6 MHz and has a loss of
-1 dB through the filter.
4.7.6 (A4-A1) 40 Watt UHF
Amplifier Assembly (1206693;
Appendix D)
The output of the UHF filter is
connected to the input J1 of (A4-A1)
the 40 Watt UHF amplifier assembly
that is mounted on (A4) the amplifier
enclosure. The (A4-A1) 40 watt UHF
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-41
amplifier assembly is made up of a (51-
5378-308-00) module, which is a class
AB module that is a highly linear
broadband amplifier for the frequency
range of 470 to 860 MHz. It can
deliver an output power of 40 watts
(CW) at an amplification of
approximately 13 dB.
The amplification circuit consists of
LDMOS transistors V804 and V805
connected in parallel and operating in
class AB. The paralleling network is
achieved with the aid of 3 dB couplers
Z802 and Z803. A further 3 dB coupler
Z801, in conjunction with capacitors
C800 and C819, serves as a phase
shifter. Phase alignment (for the
complete amplifier), as well as
quiescent current setting by means of
potentiometers R807 and R808. It is
factory implemented and should not
be altered.
PIN diodes V810/V811 form a
variable-damping circuit that is used to
adjust the amplification of the 40-watt
module. The adjustment is performed
with the Gain potentiometer R838. A
readjustment of the amplification may
be required, e.g., after repair work, to
ensure that all amplifiers in a
translator deliver the same output
power
4.7.7 (A4-A2) Coupler Board
Assembly (1227-1316;
Appendix D)
The UHF coupler assembly is mounted
in the A4 amplifier enclosure and
provides a forward power sample of the
input drive level to the (A4-A3) LDMOS
amplifier assembly. The drive-level
sample from J3 is cabled to the
amplifier control board where it
connects to the input of the overdrive-
protection circuit.
The RF input to the UHF coupler
assembly, from the 40 Watt UHF
amplifier module, connects to SMA jack
J1. The RF is connected by a stripline
track to SMA output jack J2. A hybrid-
coupler circuit picks off a forward
sample that is connected to SMA type
connector jack J3. R1 is a dissipation
load for the reject port of the coupler.
4.7.8 (A4-A3) LDMOS Amplifier
Assembly (1301556; Appendix D)
The output of the coupler assembly is
fed to (A4-A3) the LDMOS amplifier
assembly. The LDMOS amplifier
assembly is made up of a (51-5379-
309-00) module that operates class AB.
The module is a broadband amplifier
for the frequency range of 470 to 860
MHz. The amplification is
approximately 13 dB.
The amplification circuit consists of the
parallel connected push-pull amplifier
blocks V1 and V2 operating in class
AB. In order to match the transistor
impedance to the characteristic
impedance of the input and output
sides, matching networks are placed
ahead and behind the amplifier blocks.
Transformers Z3 to Z6 serve to
balance the input and output signals.
The paralleling circuit is achieved with
the aid of 3 dB couplers Z1 and Z2.
The working point setting is factory
implemented by means of
potentiometers R9, R11 and R12 and
should not be altered.
The output of the (A4-A3) LDMOS
amplifier module is connected to (A5-
A1) the 4 way splitter board.
4.7.9 (A5-A1) 4-Way Splitter
Assembly (1301580;Appendix D)
The 4-way splitter assembly is made up
of three 2-way Wilkinson stripline
splitters. One RF input to the board
provides four, equal RF outputs.
The RF input to the board is connected
to the input of the first 2-way splitter
that contains R1. R1 is a 100
balancing resistor in which any RF due
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-42
to mismatching in the first splitter will
be dissipated. One of the two outputs
from the splitter connects to another 2-
way splitter that contains R2. R2 is a
100 balancing resistor in which any
RF due to mismatching in the splitter
will be dissipated. The other output of
the first splitter connects to the third 2-
way splitter that contains R3. R3 is a
100 balancing resistor in which any
RF due to mismatching in the splitter
will be dissipated. The two output
splitters provide four, equal RF outputs,
two each, which are connected to the
inputs of the (A5-A2, A5-A3, A5-A4 &
A5-A5) amplifier modules.
4.7.10 (A5-A2 to A5-A5) LDMOS
Amplifier Assemblies (1301556;
Appendix D)
The outputs of the splitter assembly are
fed to the inputs of the four LDMOS
amplifier assemblies. Each of the
LDMOS amplifier assemblies is made up
of a (51-5379-309-00) module that
operates class AB. The module is a
broadband amplifier for the frequency
range of 470 to 860 MHz. The
amplification is approximately 13 dB.
The amplification circuit consists of the
parallel connected push-pull amplifier
blocks V1 and V2 operating in class
AB. In order to match the transistor
impedance to the characteristic
impedance of the input and output
sides, matching networks are placed
ahead and behind the amplifier blocks.
Transformers Z3 to Z6 serve to
balance the input and output signals.
The paralleling circuit is achieved with
the aid of 3 dB couplers Z1 and Z2.
The working point setting is factory
implemented by means of
potentiometers R9, R11 and R12 and
should not be altered.
The output of the four LDMOS amplifier
modules are connected to (A5-A6) the
4 way combiner assembly.
4.7.11 (A5-A6) 4-Way Combiner
Assembly (1301557 [CH. 14 to
26], 1301558 [CH. 27 to 43], and
1301559 [CH. 44 to 69]; Appendix
D)
The 4-way combiner assembly contains
(A5-A6-A1) a 4-way combiner board,
(A5-A6-A2) a circulator, (A5-A6-A3) a
thermal switch and (A5-A6-A4) another
thermal switch.
The 4-way combiner board is made up
of three, 2-way Wilkinson stripline
combiners. Two of the RF inputs to the
board are soldered directly to the
inputs for the 2-way combiner that
contains R5. R5 is a balancing resistor
in which any RF due to mismatching in
the combiner will be dissipated. The
other two RF inputs are soldered
directly to the 2-way combiner that
contains R6. R6 is a balancing resistor
in which any RF due to mismatching in
the combiner will be dissipated. The
outputs of the two, input 2-way
combiners connect to the third 2-way
combiner that contains R7. R7 is a
balancing resistor in which any RF due
to mismatching in the combiner will be
dissipated. The output of the third
combiner is connected to the output of
the 4-way combiner board that is
cabled to an external circulator.
The circulator protects the tray from
high-reflected power. A directional
coupler is built into the RF output
circuit on the 4-way combiner board.
The coupler provides a forward power
sample at J1 that is -40 dB down from
the level of the RF output signal.
A reject power sample from the
circulator is fed to the reject sample
input jack J2 on the 4-way combiner
board that is terminated into a 50-
load. A directional coupler is built into
the reject sample circuit that provides
at J3 a signal that is -40 dB down from
the level of the reject power sample.
Both the reject and forward samples
are fed to (A6) the dual peak detector
enclosure.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-43
4.7.12 (A6) Dual Peak Detector
Enclosure (1227-1317; Appendix
D)
The dual peak detector enclosure
provides EMI and RFI protection for the
dual peak detector board, single supply
(1227-1333), which is mounted inside
the enclosure. The enclosure has two
inputs: a forward power sample at SMA
jack J1 and a reflected power sample at
SMA jack J2. The module has two
peak-detected sample outputs: a
forward power sample at FL2 from J4-4
on the board and a reflected power
sample at FL3 from J4-2 on the board.
The module also has a forward power
sample output at SMA jack J3 that
connects to a BNC jack J5 located on
the front panel.
The voltage, +32 VDC from the
amplifier protection board, connects to
FL1 on the assembly, which is wired to
J4-7 on the board.
4.7.13 (A6-A1) Dual Peak Detector
Board, Single Supply (1227-1333;
Appendix D)
The function of the dual peak detector
board is to detect forward and reflected
samples of visual or aural RF signals
and generate an output voltage
proportional to the power levels of the
sampled signals for metering purposes.
There are two identical signal paths on
the board: one for forward power and
one for reflected power. A sample of
forward output power, from the 4 way
combiner, enters the board at SMA jack
J1. Resistors R1, R2, and R3 form an
input impedance-matching network of
50. The forward power signal is
detected by CR1, R4, R5, R7, R10, C1,
and C2. The output is buffered by
operational amplifiers U3B and U1C
before it is connected to forward power
output jack J4-4. U3 has a very high
input impedance that makes the IC less
sensitive to changes in the video level.
A sample of the forward power is
tapped off by R6 and R8 and fed to J3,
the forward sample output jack. Diode
CR2 provides temperature
compensation for diode CR1. An input
signal level of approximately +17 dBm
is enough to give a 1-VDC level at the
output of U1C.
A reflected output power sample, from
the 4 way combiner, enters the board
at SMA jack J2. Resistors R18, R19,
and R20 form an input impedance-
matching network of 50. The reflected
power signal is then detected by CR3,
R21, R22, R24, C5, and C6 and the
output is buffered by operational
amplifiers U3A and U1B before it is
connected to reflected power output
jack J4-2. U3 has a very high input
impedance that makes the IC less
sensitive to changes in the video level.
Diode CR4 provides temperature
compensation for diode CR3. An input
signal level of approximately +17 dBm
is enough to give a 1-VDC level at the
output of U1B.
The +12 VDC needed for the operation
of U1 on the board is generated from
the +32 VDC that enters at J4, pin 7.
The +32 VDC is fed to U2, a voltage
regulator IC that produces +12 VDC at
its output, which is connected to U1.
4.7.14 (A7) Amplifier Protection
Board (1207117; Appendix D)
The amplifier protection board
distributes the biasing voltages to the
transistor amplifier devices that are
mounted on the amplifier boards in the
UHF amplifier tray. It also protects the
LDMOS devices on (A5-A2 to A5-A5)
the output amplifier modules from
overcurrent conditions using the board-
mounted 15-amp fuses F3 to F6. F1 is
board-mounted 10-amp fuse that
protects the LDMOS devices on (A4-A1)
the 40 Watt amplifier assembly and
also the transistor mounted on A3-A1
the 1 Watt amplifier board from
overcurrent conditions. F9 is a 3-amp
board-mounted fuse that protects the
+32 VDC that is applied to the amplifier
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-44
control board and is connected to the
dual peak detector board. F7 is a 15-
amp and F8 is a 3-amp spare fuse.
The +32 VDC from the switching power
supply enters the board at TB1, with
the plus (+) connections sent to pins 1
to 4 and the minus (-) connections sent
to pins 5 and 6. The +32 VDC is
connected across the .01-W/3-
voltage-dropping resistors R14 to R26
that are used to set up the idling
currents for the transistor devices; the
fuses F1 to F6 that protect the
transistor devices during an
overcurrent condition through the
outputs of the board at TB2, TB3; and
also to output jack J1. Table 4-1
indicates the fuse, the amplifier device
it protects, and the idling current
settings for the class AB amplifier
devices.
Table 4-1. Fuses, Idling Currents, and Voltage Settings for the Class AB Amplifier Devices
SWITCH
POSITION
AMPLIFIER
MODULE
LDMOS
DEVICE
BIAS
ADJUST
POT
IDLING
CURRENT
VOLTAGE
SETTING FUSE
A3-A1* Q1*
Transistor NONE
.65A*
operating
current
I1
A4-A1 V804 & V805
R807 &
R808 .5A
11.5mV F1 10A
I2 A4-A3 V1 & V2 R206 2A 20mV F2 10A
I3 A5-A2 V1 & V2 R9, R11
& R12 2A 20mV F3 15A
I4 A5-A3 V1 & V2 R9, R11
& R12 2A 20mV F4 15A
I5 A5-A4 V1 & V2 R9, R11
& R12 2A 20mV F5 15A
I6 A5-A5 V1 & V2 R9, R11
& R12 2A 20mV F6 15A
*The A3-A1 transistor Q1 operates class A at .65 amps of operating current.
The voltage drop across the selected
resistor that uses switch S1 is read with
a digital voltmeter (DVM) that is
connected from E2 to E3 on the board.
This voltage reading converts to the
idling current, with no RF drive applied,
or the operating current, with RF drive
applied, of the Q1 transistor device
operating Class A.
4.7.15 (A8) Amplifier Control
Board (1265-1414; Appendix D)
The amplifier control board provides
LED fault and enable indications on the
front panel of the tray and also
performs the following functions:
automatic gain control (AGC);
overdrive cutback, when the drive level
reaches the amount needed to attain
110% output power; and
overtemperature, VSWR, and overdrive
faults. The board also provides
connections to the front panel meter for
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-45
monitoring the AGC, % Reflected
Power, % Output Power, and the power
supply voltage.
A –12-VDC enable is applied to the
board at J4-1 from the transmitter
control board in the UHF exciter tray.
The enable causes the J-FET Q5 to be
biased off, making the drain go high;
the high is applied to Q4, which is
biased on. The drain of Q4 goes low
and lights the green Enable LED DS4
on the front panel. The high at the
drain of Q5 is also applied through CR5
to J4, pin 7, which is a high enable, to
the +32-VDC switching power supply,
switching it on.
If there is an overtemperature fault,
which is a low applied to J4, pin 3, the
low connects through CR4 and
overrides the high enable, switching off
the switching power supply. As long as
the fault is present, the switching
power supply is off and the red
Overtemperature LED DS3 on the front
panel is lit.
4.7.15.1 Phase Control
The phase control pot on the front of
the tray connects to J8-1 (+32 VDC),
J8-3 (phase I/P), and J8-4 (RTN) on
the board. The phase-control output
connects from J7 on the board to the
input of the phase-control circuit on the
variable gain/phase board (1301549).
4.7.15.2 Automatic and Manual Gain
Control Circuits
The amplifier control board contains the
AGC function for the UHF amplifier tray
in which it is mounted. An AGC
reference-level input from the UHF
exciter tray is applied to J3 pin 1, and
is amplified by U3B. The output of U3B
is connected to J5, which is wired to
the front panel gain pot that sets the
output power level of the tray when the
AGC is in the Auto position. The voltage
at the arm of the front panel gain pot is
amplified by U2D and is compared to a
sample of the output power of the tray
in U2A. The error voltage from U2A is
sent through Auto/Manual switch S1 to
J10, which connects to the pin-diode
attenuator circuit on the variable
gain/phase board. A sample of the AGC
voltage level is connected to position 1
on the front panel meter switch. The
tray can also be operated in manual
gain by switching S1 to the Manual
position and adjusting R16 for the
desired output power level.
FETs Q1 and Q3 delay and slowly
reapply the AGC voltage to the variable
gain/phase board when the system is
switched on or when the board is
switched from Auto to Manual (or back)
to prevent the overdriving of the tray.
4.7.15.3 Overdrive Circuit
A sample of the output of the 40 Watt
amplifier assembly, from the coupler
board assembly connects to J11 on the
amplifier control board. The sample is
peak detected by CR7 and U3A and the
output is connected to U3D.
If the input drive level increases above
the overdrive threshold reference set
by R71, which is the drive level needed
to produce 110% output power, the
output of U3D goes high and is split
three ways. One of the highs is
connected through R38 and CR3 to
U3C, causing its output to go high and
lighting the red Overdrive LED DS2 on
the front panel. Another of the highs is
connected through R74 and R75 to Q6,
which is biased on, causing its output
to go low. The low is connected through
J10 to the variable gain/phase board
that cuts back its output level.
The final high from U3D is connected
through CR2 and R37 to U1D, which is
biased on, causing its output to go
high. The high is connected to U2A,
whose output decreases and its output
power is cut back. If this path is not
present, the AGC, because the forward
power decreases, will try to drive the
variable gain/phase board harder
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-46
creating a positive feedback loop that
could damage the amplifier tray.
4.7.15.4 Metering Circuits
The +32 VDC that is connected to the
board from the switching power supply
is applied to jack J6, pin 1, of the board
and connected through R63, R96, R66,
R65, and R76 to the front panel meter
for monitoring. R65 can be adjusted to
calibrate the voltage reading to >30
VDC (+32 VDC) on the front panel
meter. This calibration was completed
at the factory and should not need to
be adjusted at this time.
A forward power sample of the output
of the tray is applied to jack J1-1 and
J1-2 of the board from the dual peak
detector board, single supply. The
forward power sample is connected
through R1 and R2 to U1A, a buffer
amplifier. The output of U1A is split,
with one part going to the AGC circuits,
another sample connected to J1-5 for
remote metering, and the final sample
applied to the meter at position 3 on
S2, the front panel meter switch. R2
can be adjusted to calibrate the %
Forward Power indication on the front
panel meter.
A sample of the reflected power output
of the tray is applied to jack J2-1 and
J2-2 of the board from the dual peak
detector board, single supply. The
reflected power sample is connected
through R21 and R22 to U1B, a buffer
amplifier. The output of U1B is split,
with one part going to the VSWR
threshold circuit, another sample
connected to J2-5 for remote metering,
and the final sample applied to the
meter at position 2 on S2, the front
panel meter switch. R22 can be
adjusted to calibrate the % Reflected
Power indication on the front panel
meter. A sample of the AGC voltage
level at R20 on the board is connected
through a divider network consisting of
R87, R88, R19, and R18 to the meter
at position 1 of S2, the Front Panel
Meter switch.
4.7.15.5 Operational Voltages
The voltage input to the board is +32
VDC from the switching power supply.
The +32 VDC connects to the board at
J6-1 and is wired to U4, which is a 3-
terminal regulator IC that takes the
+32 VDC input and produces the +12
VDC needed for the operation of the
board.
The +12 VDC from U4 is connected
through CR6 to U5, a +5-VDC
regulator, that takes the +12 VDC
input from U4, or the transmitter
control board in the UHF exciter tray,
through J6, pin 3, and produces a +5-
VDC output that is applied to the rest of
the board. This +12 VDC is connected
to U5, a regulator IC, which produces a
+5-VDC output that is applied to the
Enable and Overtemperature LEDs that
operate even when the +32 VDC input
to the board from the switching power
supply is removed.
4.8 (A13) (Optional) External
Exhaust Kit (1061320)
Each of the 2-3kW Amplifier Array
Assemblies may have an (Optional)
(A13) External Exhaust Kit mounted on
the roof of the cabinets. This kit
provides greater cooling by venting the
hot air outside the transmitter room
using a blower fan. +12 VDC is applied
to TB1-4A in the Exhaust enclosure
when the UHF Exciter circuit breaker is
switched On. An Enable is connected
to TB1-3A when the UHF Exciter,
Translator, is switched to Operate. The
Enable energizes the Isolation Relay
that applies the 120 VAC to the fan that
will operate.
4-6 kW UHF Translator Chapter 4, Circuit Descriptions
837B, Rev. 0 4-47
4.9 Translator Output Assemblies
The outputs of the (A2 & A3) 2-3 kW
Amplifier Assemblies (+63.5-+65.2
dBm) connect through 1-5/8” hard-line
and (A5 or A6) 1-5/8” to 3-1/8”
Adapters to (A4) a Hybrid Combiner.
The combiner combines the output
from each Amplifier Assembly into a
single output. The Reject Output of the
Hybrid Combiner is connected through
(A12) a 1-5/8” to 3-1/8” Adapter to
(A7) a Directional Coupler (1016-1043)
that provides a Reject Sample from J3
to the Metering Panel located in the
UHF Exciter Assembly for monitoring
purposes. The output of the Directional
Coupler connects to (A8) a 2500 Watt
Reject Load which dissipates any reject
due to problems in one of the Amplifier
Arrays. Mounted on the 2500 Watt
Load is (A8-A1) a Thermal Switch that
connects to the Overtemperature Fault
circuit located on the Transmitter
Control Board in the UHF Exciter Tray.
If the temperature of the load reaches
155°F. the switch closes and causes an
Overtemperature Fault to occur which
shuts down the Translator.
The output of the Hybrid Combiner at
J3 is fed to (A9) a Bandpass Filter,
(A10) an Output Trap Filter Assembly,
then to (A11) the Output Coupler
Assembly and finally to the Antenna for
your System. The Bandpass Filter and
Trap Filter are tuned to provide high
out of band rejection of unwanted
generated products. The filtered signal
is connected to (A11) an Output
Coupler Assembly which provides a
Combined Forward and a Combined
Reflected Power Sample to the
Metering Panel located in the Single
UHF Exciter Assembly. The Forward
Sample is processed to provide peak
detected Visual and Aural Power Output
Samples to the front panel Meter of the
Metering Panel. The Reflected Power
Sample is also peak detected and wired
to the front panel Meter. A Sample of
the RF Output, for test purposes can be
taken from J5 on the Coupler, but a 20
dB Attenuator must be connected to J6
for the Sample port to operate. An
appropriate attenuator must be
connected to J5 to protect any test
equipment connected to it.
The RF output of the Coupler at J2
(+66 to + 67.7 dBm pk of sync) is the
RF output of the translator and is
connected to the Antenna for your
System.

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