Westell BDA610-S8 SMR 800 Bi-Directional Amplifier User Manual Number

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Users Manual

PRODUCT M

UAL

WESTELL.COM

©Westell Technologies

960-1032-MNL

Bi-directional Amplifiers

510 and 610 Series

Bi-directional Amplifiers

510 and 610 Series

WESTELL.COM

1.877.844.4274 Page 2 of 29

Disclaimer

All information and statements contained herein are accurate to the best of the knowledge of Westell, but Westell

makes no warranty with respect thereto, including without limitation any results that may be obtained from the

products described herein or the infringement by such products of any proprietary rights of any persons. Use or

application of such information or statements is at the users’ sole risk, without any liability on the part of Westell.

Nothing herein shall be construed as license or recommendation for use, which infringes upon any proprietary rights

of any person. Product material and speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice. Westell’s standard terms

of sale and the speciﬁc terms of any particular sale apply.

WARNING. This is NOT a CONSUMER device. It is designed for installation by FCC LICENSEES and QUALIFIED

INSTALLERS. You must have an FCC LICENSE or express consent of an FCC Licensee to operate this

device. Unauthorized use may result in significant forfeiture penalties, including penalties in excess of $100,000 for

Each continuing violation.”

WARNING! Changes and Modifications not expressly approved by Westell can void your authority to operate this

equipment under Federal Communications Commission’s rules.

WARNING! The Manufacturer's rated output power of this equipment is for single carrier operation. For situations

when multiple carrier signals are present, the rating would have to be reduced by 3.5 dB, especially where the

output signal is re-radiated and can cause interference to adjacent band users. This power reduction is to be by

means of input power or gain reduction and not by an attenuator at the output of the device.

. STATE DEPARTMENT EXPORT AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FOREIGN DESTINATIONS OR FOREIGN PERSONS

This document contains Technical Data controlled under the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR 120-130, and may not be exported or transferred

to any Foreign Person, foreign country or foreign entity, by any means, without prior written approval from the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade

Controls (“DDTC”) and DRS ICAS, LLC.

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510 and 610 Series 
 
     
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 
Preface ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 
Application ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Product Registration Information .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Safety Guidelines .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Important Safety Information .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 
1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 
1.1 Product Information ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 
1.1.1 Bi-Directional Amplifier Mechanical and Electrical Specifications, 510 and 610 Series .................................. 10 
1.2 LED Indicators ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.3 Pin-Out Chart ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 
2 Product Appearance .......................................................................................................................................... 12 
2.1 Mechanical Drawing, Dual-band BDA ................................................................................................................................ 12 
3 Installation Tips .................................................................................................................................................. 14 
3.1 Important Installation Tips ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 
3.2 Multiple Internal Antenna System Design ........................................................................................................................ 14 
3.3 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 
3.4 Optional Accessories ................................................................................................................................................................. 15 
4 LCD Command Interface ................................................................................................................................... 16 
4.1 Command Interface Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 16 
4.2 The View Menu Series ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 
4.2.1 Screen Saver Display .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 
4.2.2 Power Readings Display ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 
4.2.3 Event Readout Displays ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 
4.2.4 Peak Power Readout Display .................................................................................................................................................. 20 
4.2.5 Gain Display .................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 
4.2.6 BDA Name and Address Display ........................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.3 The Edit Menu Series ................................................................................................................................................................. 22 
4.3.1 Edit Events Display...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 

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4.3.2 Edit Peak Power Readout Display ......................................................................................................................................... 23 
4.3.3 Edit Downlink Gain Display ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 
4.3.4 Edit Uplink Gain Display ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 
4.3.5 Edit BDA Name Display ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 
4.3.6 Edit BDA Address Display ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 
4.3.7 Software Shutdown Display .................................................................................................................................................... 26 
4.3.8 Create New Password Display ............................................................................................................................................... 26 
5 Registration Numbers ....................................................................................................................................... 28 
Appendix A Glossary ............................................................................................................................................ A 
 
 
TABLE OF FIGURES 
Figure 1-1: Product Registration Information ............................................................................................................................................. 6 
Figure 2-1: Mechanical Drawing of the Dual-band BDA, including the FCC label ..................................................................... 12 
Figure 2-2: Mechanical Drawing of a Single-band BDA, including FCC label .............................................................................. 13 
Figure 4-1: View Menu Series .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 
Figure 4-2: Screen Saver Display .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 
Figure 4-3: Power Readings Display ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 
Figure 4-4: Events Readout Displays ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 
Figure 4-5: Peak Power Readout Display .................................................................................................................................................... 20 
Figure 4-6: Gain Display ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 
Figure 4-7: BDA Name and Address Display ............................................................................................................................................. 21 
Figure 4-8: Password entry display................................................................................................................................................................ 21 
Figure 4-9: Edit Menu Series ............................................................................................................................................................................ 22 
Figure 4-10: Edit Events Display ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23 
Figure 4-11: Edit Peak Power Readout Display ........................................................................................................................................ 23 
Figure 4-12: Edit Downlink Gain Display ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 
Figure 4-13: Edit Uplink Gain Display ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 
Figure 4-14: Edit BDA name display menu................................................................................................................................................. 25 

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Figure 4-15: Example display when editing the BDA Name ................................................................................................................ 25 
Figure 4-16: Another display when editing the BDA Name ................................................................................................................ 25 
Figure 4-17: Edit BDA Address Display ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 
Figure 4-18: Software shutdown display ..................................................................................................................................................... 26 
Figure 4-19: Old password display ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 
Figure 4-20: New password display .............................................................................................................................................................. 27 
 
TABLE OF TABLES 
Table 1-1: Model Type/Band Combinations/ Gain Values ................................................................................................................... 10 
Table 1-2: Maximum Power Output (dBm) by Model............................................................................................................................ 10 
Table 1-3: General 
Speciﬁcations*
 ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 
Table 1-4: Pin-Out Descriptions ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 
Table A-1: Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................................................... A 
 
   

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Preface

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide instructions to help the experienced technician/engineer install and

commission an in-building wireless enhancement system using Westell Technologies Bi-Directional Amplifiers.

Following the procedures outlined will minimize risks associated with modifying a live system and preclude service

interruptions. This document assumes the technician/engineer understands the basic principles and functionality

involved with repeater and in-building systems and addresses the practical concerns of the installation procedure.

Application

Apply this guide whenever a need exists to add enhanced signal capability to an existing system or when the repeater

is being included in a new installation.

Product Registration Information

The serial number is located on the label on the bottom panel, near the power connectors. Write this number in the

boxes shown in Figure 1-1. Retain this manual, along with proof of purchase, to serve as a permanent record of your

purchase.

Figure 1-1: Product Registration Information

Safety Guidelines

The general safety information in this guideline applies to both operating and service personnel. Speciﬁc warnings

and cautions are located in other parts of this manual where they apply, but may not appear in this summary. Failure

to comply with these precautions or speciﬁc warnings elsewhere in the manual violates safety standards of design,

manufacture, and intended use of equipment. Westell assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with

these requirements:

Grounding: This bi-directional amplifier is designed to operate from 100-240 VAC and should always be

operated with the ground wire properly connected. Do not remove or otherwise alter the grounding lug on

the power cord.

Explosive atmospheres: To avoid explosion or ﬁre, do not operate this product in the presence of ﬂammable

gases or fumes.

Lightning danger: Do not install or adjust this unit during an electrical storm. Use of a suitable lightning

arrester, such as Westell’s model number CSI-CAP, is strongly recommended.

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There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Hazardous voltages are present when the cover is removed. Opening

the chassis will void your warranty. If you suspect a malfunction with this product, call your dealer or Westell’s

Technical Support line at 1-877-844-4274. It is recommended that the unit be powered down when connecting and

disconnecting cables.

Important Safety Information

WARNING! Changes and Modifications not expressly approved by Westell can void your authority to operate this

equipment under Federal Communications Commission’s rules.

An omni-directional antenna with a maximum gain of 3 dBi is authorized for indoor use with these units. The

maximum rated mean output power is 30dBm for the Cell band models therefore the maximum ERP is 2 watts or

less for all units. Inside antennas must be positioned to observe minimum separation of 20 cm (~8 in) from all users

and bystanders. For the protection of personnel working in the vicinity of inside (downlink) antennas, the following

guidelines for minimum distances between the human body and the antenna must be observed.

Under normal conditions, no personnel can come within 20 cm (~ 8 in) from any inside antenna during the installation

of an indoor antenna. This minimum separation will ensure that the employee or bystander does not receive RF-

exposure beyond the maximum permissible exposure according to section 1.1310 i.e. limits for general

population/uncontrolled exposure.

For outdoor use, a directional antenna up to a maximum gain of 7.5 dBi is authorized for use with this unit. The

outside antenna must be positioned to observe minimum separation of 120 cm (~4 ft) from all users and bystanders.

For the protection of personnel working in the vicinity of outside (uplink) antennas, the following guidelines for

minimum distances between the human body and the antenna must be observed.

The installation of an outdoor antenna must be such that, under normal conditions, no personnel can come within

120 cm (~ 4 ft) from the outside antenna. In all installations, the antenna should never be mounted such that the

main beam is directed toward an area where workers or bystanders may be present. Exceeding this minimum

separation will ensure that the worker or bystander does not receive RF-exposure beyond the maximum permissible

exposure according to section 1.1310 i.e. limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure.

The guidelines for the uplink outdoor antenna are not applicable to the P9 paging model since it is not bi-directional.

The P9 only amplifies the downlink in a nominal bandwidth of 2 mhz from 929-931 mhz.

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Renseignements importants en matière

Avertissement ! Changements et Modifications non expressément approuvées par Westell peuvent annuler votre

droit d’utiliser cet appareil en vertu des règles de la Federal Communications Commission.

Une antenne omnidirectionnelle avec un gain maximum de 3 dBi est autorisée pour un usage intérieur avec ces

unités. La puissance de sortie moyenne nominale maximale est 30dBm pour la bande cellulaire des modèles donc

la P.A.R. maximale est de 2 watts ou moins pour toutes les unités. À l’intérieur d’antennes doivent être positionnés

pour observer une distance minimale de 20 cm (8 po) de tous les utilisateurs et les passants. Pour la protection du

personnel travaillant à proximité de l’intérieur (liaison descendante) antennes, les lignes directrices suivantes pour

des distances minimales entre le corps humain et de l’antenne doivent être respectées.

Dans des conditions normales, aucuns personnel ne peuvent venir en moins de 20 cm (~ 8 in) de l’un à l’intérieur

de l’antenne lors de l’installation d’une antenne intérieure. Cette séparation minimale veillera à ce que l’employé

ou le spectateur ne reçoit pas de RF-exposition au-delà de l’exposition maximale admissible conformément à

l’article 1.1310 c'est-à-dire limite pour exposition population générale/non contrôlée.

Pour l’extérieur, une antenne directionnelle jusqu'à un gain maximum de 11 dBi est autorisée pour une utilisation

avec cet appareil. L’antenne extérieure doit être placé pour observer une distance minimale de 1,20 mètre (4 pi) de

tous les utilisateurs et les passants. Pour la protection du personnel travaillant à proximité d’antennes extérieures

de (liaison montante), respecter les directives suivantes pour des distances minimales entre le corps humain et

l’antenne.

L’installation d’une antenne extérieure doit être telle que, dans des conditions normales, aucuns personnel ne

peuvent venir moins de 120 cm (~ 4 pi) de l’antenne extérieure. Dans toutes les installations, l’antenne ne doit

jamais être monté tel que le faisceau principal est dirigé vers une zone où les travailleurs ou les spectateurs

peuvent être présents. Dépassant cette séparation minimale veillera à ce que le travailleur ou le spectateur ne

reçoit pas de RF-exposition au-delà de l’exposition maximale admissible conformément à l’article 1.1310 c'est-à-

dire limite pour exposition population générale/non contrôlée.

Les lignes directrices pour l’antenne extérieure de liaison montante ne sont pas applicables au modèle P9

pagination puisqu’il n’est pas bidirectionnelle. Le P9 ne fait qu’amplifier la liaison descendante dans une largeur de

bande nominale de 2 mhz à partir de 929-931 mhz.

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1 Overview

1.1 Product Information

Westell developed the Bi-Directional Ampliﬁer (BDA) for use in enclosed structures where sufﬁcient signal from local

cell sites to operate cell phones was unavailable within the building. Sufﬁcient signal must be available on the roof

of the structure. The BDA is connected to an external antenna, usually on the roof, and to one or more internal

antennas placed strategically throughout the area where phone service is desired.

The external antenna is usually a directional type such as a yagi. Internal antennas are usually omnidirectional,

although various other types may be used for certain installations. The BDA ampliﬁes both the uplink (phone to

tower) and downlink (tower to phone) signals thus facilitating communications to and from the local cell site.

There are seven ampliﬁcation stages on the downlink and seven on the uplink for a total of 65 to 80 dB nominal gain

for each link. Gain can be set using the LCD display and pressing the up and down buttons. There are also LED

indicators on the top cover for power overload and gain reduction to prevent oscillation.

WARNING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY MODELS

The bi-directional amplifier (BDA) is not a consumer device. This product is

designed for installation by FCC licensees and qualified users. You must have an

FCC LICENSE or express consent of an FCC Licensee to operate this device. You

must register class B signal boosters (as deﬁned in 47 CFR 90.219) online at

www.fcc.gov/signal-boosters/registration. Unauthorized use may result in

signiﬁcant forfeiture penalties, including penalties in excess of $100,000 for each

continuing violation.

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1.1.1 Bi-Directional Amplifier Mechanical and Electrical Specifications, 510 and 610 Series

Table 1-1: Model Type/Band Combinations/ Gain Values

Model

51062/51065

51075

51080

61080

Single Band

C, PS7, PS8, P, P9

PS8

PS8,P, P9

Dual Band

C/P, PS8 /S9

C/P, P/P, P/S9

Gain (Db)

Table 1-2: Maximum Power Output (dBm) by Model

Maximum Power Output (dBm)

Band

Designation*

Frequency Band

51062/065/075

51080

61080

Cell

PS7

SMR 700

PS8

SMR 800

PCS

SMR 900

929-931MHz**

*Refers to available band combinations by model (Table 1-1).

** Amplifies downlink for paging only. Not bi-directional.

Table 1-3: General

Speciﬁcations*

Noise Figure, Typical (dB)

5.5

AGC

(dB)

Gain Adjustment Range (dB)

0-30, 1 dB

steps

Propagation Delay (nS)

<250

Maximum Input Power (dBm)

+10

Connectors

N-Female

Temperature (

)

-22 to

+118

Dimension (Inches) (Single Band)

12.38 x 12.6 x

6.21

Dimension (Inches) (Dual Band)

16.6 x 17.88 x

7.67

Weight (lbs) (Single Band)

15.5

nominal

Weight (lbs) (Dual Band)

19.

nominal

Power R

equ

120 VAC @ 1.3

Applicable

to models listed in Table 1-1 and Table 1-2.

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1.2 LED Indicators

Warning: The unit has sensed instability due to insufﬁcient isolation between the inside antenna and the outside

antenna, and has reduced the gain of the ampliﬁer. This action prevents oscillation, which can interfere with the

handsets in the covered area and/or the wireless service provider’s base station.

Fault: The gain of the unit has been reduced to a minimum (red) to prevent very strong input signals from overloading

the ampliﬁer. The ampliﬁer will attempt to recover from this condition, initially at 15 second intervals and then at

four-minute intervals.

1.3 Pin-Out Chart

Alarm wiring for public safety. The connector used is an RJ-14, 6 pin.

Table 1-4: Pin-Out Descriptions

Description

olts

Center contact alarm relay

Alarm

contact-open

(Normally Open =N.O

)

Alarm

contact

-closed (Normally Closed =N.C.)

Shut down

Ground

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2 Product Appearance

2.1 Mechanical Drawing, Dual-band BDA

Server Port

Donor Port

Connector oriented tab side-down, opening toward you.

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Mechanical Drawing, Single-band BDA

Figure 2-1: Mechanical Drawing of the Dual-band BDA, including the FCC label

Figure 2-2: Mechanical Drawing of a Single-band BDA, including FCC label

Connector oriented tab side-down, opening toward you.

Donor Port

Server Port

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3 Installation Tips

3.1 Important Installation Tips

A high degree of isolation must be afforded to prevent any re-generative feedback in the system. Feedback of this

kind causes the ampliﬁer to emit a continuous signal of maximum amplitude and could, in some cases, interfere with

normal operation of the cell site. Avoid the use of window mounts or other non-rooftop mountings.

WARNING

Ampliﬁer or handset damage may occur if a handset is connected directly to the

BDA or the coax that leads to the BDA. It is recommended that the BDA be powered

down when cables are connected or disconnected.

3.2 Multiple Internal Antenna System Design

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Figure 3-1: Multiple Internal Antenna System Design

Figure 3-1 shows one example of multiple internal antennas implemented using Westell passive devices (listed in

section 3.5 Optional Accessories) for models or in building coverage requiring a distributed antenna system design.

See the FCC ID grant notes associated with the model for additional booster installation requirements.

3.3 Troubleshooting

Carefully check all cables for shorts and opens.

Check the rooftop antenna, if directional, for proper alignment along the calculated compass heading. Typically, the

directional antenna should be aimed at the same site that your handset uses in the area where the outside antenna

is placed.

If cables and alignment are acceptable, it may be necessary to use a spectrum analyzer to examine the signal

environment in which the BDA is operating. The existence of strong analog signals within the frequency bands can

cause the AGC to reduce the ampliﬁer’s gain, particularly on the downlink. In some cases, additional ﬁltering is

required to reject these unwanted signals. The directional outside antenna can be reoriented horizontally, to place

the interfering source in an antenna pattern null. At a site containing significant interference from outside signals

that require expensive and possibly prohibitive measures to ﬁlter, reduce, or eliminate interference, it may not be

practical to use the BDA to provide coverage.

3.4 Optional Accessories

A complete line of accessories is available from Westell. Check with your Westell distributor for any additional items

needed. The following products suitable for most in-building needs.

Outside high gain yagi antenna

PCS - model number CSI-AY/1.85-1.99/10

SMR 800 and Cellular - model number CSI-AY/806-960/11 and CSI-AY/806-960/14

SMR 700 - model number CSI-AY/700-806/11

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Inside omnidirectional antenna

ClearLink-O/698-2.7K/N

Power dividers

ClearLink – SPD2/698-2.7K-LP/N

ClearLink – SPD3/698-2.7K-LP/N

ClearLink – SPD4/698-2.7K-LP/N

Grounding kit - model number CSI-GKIT

Lightning arrestor - model number CSI-CAP

Directional couplers and cross band couplers are also available.

4 LCD Command Interface

4.1 Command Interface Overview

The menu system can be navigated with ﬁve buttons: Up, Down, Edit, Save and Menu. Feedback is given to the

operator through the LCD panel.

The LCD command interface offers two distinct series of menus: the View menu series, which allow a user to view,

but not alter, the data maintained by the unit. The Edit menu series permits the alteration of this information. The

Edit menu series may be kept secure from general use by a password. If password control is enabled, an added level

of security is provided; however, this unit is shipped with this feature disabled.

In both menu systems the Menu button is used to maneuver between menus in a sequential fashion. Edit is generally

used to enter the Edit menu series, and Save is generally used to exit it. Pressing Save in all menus except the one

that allows you to alter the Edit BDA Name menu (explained below) will force any changes made while in the Edit

menu series to be saved in non-volatile memory. The BDA will then exit the Edit menu series; if the user needs to

edit more information, they will need to press Edit and enter a password again. The Up and Down buttons are

usually used to scroll through options within a given menu, if several options exist.

Each menu series and the way each menu represents and interprets data is explored later in detail.

4.2 The View Menu Series

Figure 4-1 depicts the series of menus that will allow the user to view, but not alter, the information stored in the

BDA. Pressing the Edit button will cause the BDA to ask for a password if password control is enabled. Password

control is enabled by pressing Edit and Menu simultaneously. The password is a ﬁve-button sequence that secures

the ability to change the information within the BDA. Keys in this password can consist of any button except Menu.

This password defaults to the following sequence until changed by the user:

Down, Down, Up,

Up.

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Figure 4-1: View Menu Series

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4.2.1 Screen Saver Display

Upon powering up the BDA, a display resembling Figure 4-2 appears on the LCD panel:

Figure 4-2: Screen Saver Display

The ﬁrst row contains the network name of the BDA; this allows the user to determine which BDA they are viewing.

This name can be changed to whatever the user desires and can contain blank spaces, capital letters, lowercase

letters, and numerals. It is limited to seven characters to facilitate communication with a web monitor, should one

be desired.

This screen is known as the Screen Saver display because it is the screen that the BDA will revert to showing if there

has been no activity detected on the keypad for at least ten minutes. If this occurs, the LCD backlight shuts off to

save power and prevent the backlight from burning out. Pressing any key other than

Edit while in the Screen Saver

display will turn the backlight back on, and advance the menu to the Power Readout display. Pressing the Edit key

will advance you to the Edit menu series.

4.2.2 Power Readings Display

This menu shows the instantaneous Power Readings in the BDA, as well as whether or not the gain is being actively

attenuated by automatic gain control.

Figure 4-3 illustrates a typical Power Readings display:

Figure 4-3: Power Readings Display

The power reading display in Figure 4-3 shows that the composite power is currently 19 dBm on the output of the

uplink pass band, 27 dBm on the output of the downlink pass band, and automatic gain control has attenuated the

signal 2 dB on the downlink pass band.

Note that when the power through a channel is less than 0 dBm, the display will show <00 in the location where the

reading usually appears. This prevents spurious power readings from occurring because of random noise.

The Up, Down, and Save buttons have no effect in this menu, but pressing the Menu button will advance the user

to the event readout displays.

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4.2.3 Event Readout Displays

Within the BDA, three performance measures are tracked, recorded, and displayed as events. Up to 999 of each type

of event is recorded. If more than this number of events are detected, the menu system will continue to display 999.

Figure 4-4 shows a typical display:

Figure 4-4: Events Readout Displays

Three types of service-affecting events that the BDA records can be viewed within separate windows. Pressing the

Menu button will sequence through these displays. The ﬁrst window in the sequence displays isolation control

events, the next window displays fan performance events, and the last window displays abnormal temperature

events. A fourth menu press displays a recording of the UL and DL peak power.

After a window has been bypassed, all windows selectable through menu presses must be viewed in order to return

to the last viewed display.

Any event will cause a yellow (warning) LED to illuminate. The warning LED can be extinguished by resetting the

appropriate event counter(s) via the Edit menu or by cycling the primary power. Cycling primary power will reset the

counters as well. Events capable of being recorded are:

Isolation control/Offset: This event is recorded whenever insufﬁcient isolation exists between the donor and server

antennae. When that condition occurs, the oscillation event counter will be incriminated. Oscillation control is

implemented in the BDA control system. If an oscillation condition is detected, the BDA control circuitry will attempt

to stabilize the system by immediately reducing the gain 3 dB (offset). A warning will also be immediately displayed

that shows the accumulated change on the affected link(s) e.g. UL (003 dB attn). After a period of time, the system

will recheck itself and continue to reduce the gain in 3 dB increments until the oscillation conditions no longer exists.

Each gain reduction is counted as an event. At some point, if stability cannot be reached, the BDA ampliﬁer on the

affected link will be shut down. After shutdown, or at any point after stability is reached, the system will attempt to

fully recover lost gain. Until the system can recover to the original gain setting, the warning LED will remain

illuminated.

Fan limits: The BDA system ﬁrmware monitors fan performance. If either fan speed exceeds speciﬁed limitations, a

fan event will be recorded for each instance. A yellow LED will remain illuminated until the event counter is reset to

zero. This feature is not available in ﬁrmware version 1.1.0 and prior releases.

Over temperature limit: Ampliﬁer junction temperature is monitored continuously. If the temperature rises above a

factory determined limit, an overheat event will be recorded. If the event is transitory, each excursion above the limit

will increment the overheat counter. A yellow LED will remain illuminated until the counter is reset to zero.

Event counters serve as diagnostic tools for maintenance and system health assessments. Only isolation control will

alter the intended performance of the system. Fan and overheat events have no effect on the BDA.

Pressing Menu within at this display will advance the user to the Peak Power display.

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4.2.4 Peak Power Readout Display

The Peak Power Readout display shows the

highest

readings

that have

registered

on the BDA since

power-up

or reset.

Figure 4-5 shows a typical display.

Figure 4-5: Peak Power Readout Display

NOTE

Because the AGC cannot act instantaneously, the peak power seen on the output

might be higher than the power the unit is capable of sustaining. This is not an

error, but an indication that the power level was detected– brieﬂy – at the output

port. This is meant to aid in diagnostics, if necessary.

Pressing the Menu button will advance the user to the Downlink Gain display.

4.2.5 Gain Display

The Gain Display shown in Figure 4-6 indicates the gain applied to the uplink or downlink pass band. These values

may differ if an offset has been applied.

Figure 4-6: Gain Display

Pressing the Menu button advances to the BDA Name display.

4.2.6 BDA Name and Address Display

In addition to its name, a BDA can be uniquely identiﬁed on a network with a web monitor by its network name. The

network name is identical to the one in the screen saver display. The BDA name is limited to seven characters. Each

BDA is accessible by a single web monitor on the network and must have a unique address, between one and seven,

inclusive, within that network. This display also shows the current BDA’s network address.

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Figure 4-7 shows a typical BDA name and address display.

Figure 4-7: BDA Name and Address Display

Pressing the Menu button returns to the screen saver display.

NOTE

Pressing the Edit button in any of these displays causes the BDA to enter the Edit

menu series. A password is requested from the user if password control has been

enabled. Successful password entries permit the user to enter the Edit Menu Series;

unsuccessful entries cause the BDA to revert to the screen saver display. The

password menu does not belong to either the View menu series or the Edit menu

series.

Figure 4-8 shows a typical password entry display.

Figure 4-8: Password entry display

NOTE

Each password consists of a series of ﬁve button presses. None of the buttons can

be Menu. Pressing the Menu button or entering an invalid key in the password key

sequence causes an immediate exit to the screen saver. To keep the password

masked as it is entered, the bottom row reveals how many keys have been entered

in the password thus far. In Figure 4-8 three of the ﬁve-key presses have been

received and validated. Regardless of which display the user was viewing before

entering password mode, successful password entry takes the user to the Edit

Oscillation Events display.

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4.3 The Edit Menu Series

The Edit Menu Series depicted in Figure 4-9 allows the user to alter the information stored in the BDA. These menus

are only accessible if the user has a password and if password control is enabled. After entering this sequence of

menus, the user can save changes by pressing Save. Pressing this button exits the Edit Menu series, so it is advisable

to make desired changes beforehand. The Edit BDA Name menu is an exception; refer to the documentation for

details. If no button is pressed within ten minutes of the last press, these menus will be exited and no changes will

be saved.

The documentation to determine the function of the buttons in each of the menus. The password to enter the Edit

menu series defaults to the following sequence until changed by the user: Up, Down, Down, Up, Up.

Figure 4-9: Edit Menu Series

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4.3.1 Edit Events Display

Edit Events displays show the number of events recorded in each of three categories: oscillation, fans, and overheat.

Each Menu button press moves to the next display. At any event category, pressing Edit will clear the counter and

reset the number of events to zero.

To indicate that you are currently in the Edit series, the ﬁrst word in the top line of the display is Edit, followed by the

display name.

Figure 4-10 shows a typical Edit Events display.

Figure 4-10: Edit Events Display

4.3.2 Edit Peak Power Readout Display

The Edit Peak Power Readout display will show the same information indicated in the View menu series, however,

pressing Edit clears the peak power readings and captures the current values.

Figure 4-11 shows a typical Edit Peak Power Readout display.

Figure 4-11: Edit Peak Power Readout Display

Pressing Menu at this point will cause the BDA to enter the Edit Downlink Gain display.

4.3.3 Edit Downlink Gain Display

In the Edit Downlink Gain Display window, the downlink gain can be altered, but it cannot be adjusted lower than

the difference between the calibrated maximum output minus 30 dB (max gain -30 dB). The range of the attenuators

in either the uplink or the downlink imposes this constraint. The values can be changed, within the permissible range,

in 1 dB increments by pressing the up or down keys. If an attempt is made to change the gain value beyond a 30

dB range, the value increments to the highest or lowest acceptable value depending on which end of the constraint

the attempt is initiated. By example, for an 80 dB gain ampliﬁer the minimum gain setting is 50 dB. Pressing the

down key when 50 dB of gain is currently being displayed will return gain setting to 80 dB. Likewise, if the gain

setting is at 80 dB, pressing the up key will change the gain to 50 db. Using another illustration, an ampliﬁer having

a maximum gain of 65 dB will have a minimum gain setting of 35 dB.

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Figure 4-12 shows a typical Edit Downlink Gain display.

Figure 4-12: Edit Downlink Gain Display

The Menu button takes the user to the Edit Uplink Gain display.

4.3.4 Edit Uplink Gain Display

This display is functionally identical to the Edit Downlink Gain display, but alters the gain through the uplink pass

band instead of the downlink pass band.

Figure 4-13 shows a typical uplink Edit Display.

Figure 4-13: Edit Uplink Gain Display

Pressing the Menu key here will take the user to the Edit BDA Name display.

4.3.5 Edit BDA Name Display

The Edit BDA Name Display lets the user set a new name for the BDA for identiﬁcation purposes on a web monitor

network. This also changes the name shown on the screen saver display and the BDA Name display. A name can

consist of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numerals, and/or blank spaces.

A blinking cursor indicates which letter the user is editing; the edit process is executed from left to right. In any

cursor position, characters are selected by using the Up and Down buttons. After the user has selected the letter

for that position, pressing Save locks that letter into that position and advances the cursor to the right. Pressing

Edit backs the cursor up one space and permits the user to edit that letter again using the same process. It is not

possible to back up beyond the ﬁrst character. Pressing Save on the seventh character causes the BDA to advance

to the Edit BDA Address display, as will pressing Menu at any time. Pressing Menu will cancel any changes that the

user has made to the BDA name.

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Figure 4-14 shows a typical display for the Edit BDA Name Display menu.

Figure 4-14: Edit BDA name display menu

In Figure 4-14, the cursor shows that the user is at the fourth character position. In Figure 4-15, the user has pressed

the Up and Down buttons to select S. The cursor at that position blinks intermittently, alternating with the character

currently stored at that position, as shown in Figure 4-15:

Figure 4-15: Example display when editing the BDA Name

Continuing the example, pressing Up at this point illustrates the advancement of the character at the current

position to T as shown in Figure 4-16.

Figure 4-16: Another display when editing the BDA Name

4.3.6 Edit BDA Address Display

The Edit BDA Address Display permits the setting of a new address for a BDA on a web monitor network. Valid

values are one to seven, inclusive. In this menu, take care not to set the address to that of another BDA on the same

Web monitor network. The permissible addresses are presented in cyclical fashion.

Figure 4-17 shows a typical Edit BDA Address display.

Figure 4-17: Edit BDA Address Display

Pressing Up and Down will scroll through the different valid addresses. Pressing Menu will exit to the next screen

(Software Shutdown display).

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4.3.7 Software Shutdown Display

A Software Shutdown will prevent the BDA from functioning and will cease data acquisition by the BDA processor.

By pressing Up and Down, the user can select one of two available modes: normal, which is the regular form of BDA

operation, and shutdown, which performs a software shutdown of the BDA.

Figure 4-18 shows a typical Software Shutdown display.

Figure 4-18: Software shutdown display

After the BDA is shut down through software, the fault (red) LED glows.

When the BDA operation mode has been restored to normal, the fault LED extinguishes.

Pressing the Menu button at this point will cause the BDA to display the Create New Password display

4.3.8 Create New Password Display

The Create New Password Display allows the user to enter a new password. The display will not be viewable until

password control is enabled by ﬁrst pressing the proper keys simultaneously (Save and Menu). This operation will

either enable the default password (Up, Down, Down, Up, Up) if no password change has ever been implemented,

or the current password. Either password sequence is required to authorize a new password. Pressing Edit and

Menu again will toggle the password off. This process requires the current password to complete the action.

Pressing any button after a new sequence has been entered will cause that sequence to be stored. Pressing Menu

at any time during the sequence will abort the process and revert to the most recent password. If a change is

successful, the new password will be required for future changes to be enabled.

Password control cannot be disabled without authorizing the mode change using the current password. The change

password process is much the same as the password entry process described earlier. Figure 4-19 shows the display

that asks for the current password:

Figure 4-19: Old password display

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Figure 4-20 shows the request for the new password.

Figure 4-20: New password display

A password can only consist of Up, Down, and Save, since Edit and Menu have global functionality.

Pressing Menu will abort this and return to the Edit Events display.

No changes take effect unless the user presses Save. After pressing save, all changes are saved to non-volatile

memory and the BDA returns to the screen saver display. If the BDA does not detect any key presses within ten

minutes of the last key press, the BDA discards all changes made in the Edit Menu series since the last password

entry and reverts to the screen saver display.

NOTE

If the BDA becomes unstable and none of these menu commands are operable,

reset the processor to factory defaults by pressing and holding the Up, Down, and

Menu buttons simultaneously for one second. This is a catastrophic recovery

measure, which should not be performed unless all other procedures have failed.

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5 Registration Numbers

FCC

• NVRCSI610-S9, NVRCSI610-S89, NVRCSI510-S9, NVRCSI510-S89, NVRCSI510-P7, NVRCSI510-AP,

NVRCSI610-AP, NVRBDA510-S8, NVRBDA510-P9, NVRBDA610-P9, NVBDA610-S8

• UL approved Power Supply: UL/C - UL/TUV/CE/RoHS Compliant

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Appendix A Glossary

Table A-1 is a list of acronyms and abbreviations used in this manual.

Table A-1: Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronym/Abbreviation

Meaning

AGC

Automatic Gain Control

APC

Automatic Power Control

AUI

Attachment Unit Interface

BDA

Bi-Directional Ampliﬁer

DAS

Distributed Antenna System

Donor

Outside Antenna to feed BDA

ERP

Effective Radiated Power

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

FPGA

Field Programmable Gate Array

LED

Light Emitting Diode

OIP3

Third-Order Intercept Point

Radio Frequency

USB

Universal Serial Bus

Westell BDA610-S8 SMR 800 Bi-Directional Amplifier User Manual Number

Westell, Inc. SMR 800 Bi-Directional Amplifier Number

Users Manual

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