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TriCom TCR-MBA-50 Operator's Manual

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OPERATOR'S MANUAL
TCR-MBA-50 AND TCR-MBA-50 WB
MULTI-BAND RF AMPLIFIERS
DOCUMENT # 90400-01141
Tricom Research, Inc. 
http://www.tricomresearch.com
17981 Sky Park Circle, Suite M, Irvine, CA 92614
Ph: (949) 250-6024 fax: (949) 250-6023

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  • Page 1 OPERATOR'S MANUAL TCR-MBA-50 AND TCR-MBA-50 WB MULTI-BAND RF AMPLIFIERS DOCUMENT # 90400-01141 Tricom Research, Inc.  http://www.tricomresearch.com 17981 Sky Park Circle, Suite M, Irvine, CA 92614 Ph: (949) 250-6024 fax: (949) 250-6023...
  • Page 2 TCR-MBA-50 AND TCR-MBA-50 WB OPERATOR’S MANUAL Revision History - Document 90400-01141 Revision Description Date Preliminary Release 23 Feb 2012 Added details of high temperature failsafe operation 28 Feb 2012 Updated current draw specifications, added WB 25 Apr 2012 option 11000-00744 information and added Appendix...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TCR-MBA-50 AND TCR-MBA-50 WB OPERATOR’S MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION General Information ..................1 Abbreviations and Glossary ................2 Equipment Description ..................3-6 Features ......................7 TCR-MBA-50 WB System ................7 1.5.1 Amplifier Components...................7 1.5.2 Power Cable ....................8 Specifications ....................8-9 OPERATION General Information ..................11 Controls, Indicators, and Connectors .............11-13 Operation......................13...
  • Page 4 TCR-MBA-50 ..................1 Figure 2-1 Amplifier Controls & Indicators ..............11 Figure 2-2 Amplifier Connections ................11 Figure 3-1 TCR-MBA-50 WB Outline Drawing (1 of 2)..........18 Figure 3-2 TCR-MBA-50 WB Outline Drawing (2 of 2)..........19 Figure 3-3 Amplifier DC Input Connector ..............20 Figure 3-4 Commercial Vehicle DC Power Cable ............21...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    WB Multiband Amplifiers shown in Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2. Both amplifiers are physically identical except that the TCR-MBA-50 does not have the BNC connector for the WB antenna port and the WB function is disabled (refer to Figure 1-2). The...

  • Page 6: Abbreviations And Glossary

    ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY Automatic gain control Automatic level control Amplitude modulation Antenna ANW2 Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform Bits per second Cipher text Continuous wave COMSEC Communications security Decibel Decibel referenced to 1 milliwatt (0 dBm = 1 mW) Frequency modulation Hertz Integrated Waveform JITC...

  • Page 7: Equipment Description

    EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION The TCR-MBA-50 and TCR-MBA-50 WB are bi-directional half duplex RF Power Amplifiers providing transmit amplification for 30-512 MHz FM/AM Line-of Sight (LOS), 30-88 MHz FM SINCGARS Frequency Hopping, 225-400 MHz AM HAVE QUICK Frequency Hopping, 292- 318 MHz (transmit band) UHF Tactical SATCOM and 225-450 MHz ANW2 and SRW Wideband Networking bands (wideband networking applies only to TCR-MBA-50 WB).
  • Page 8 The PA has two available RF output power levels for LOS (25 and 50 W), one RF output power level for ANW2 and SRW WB modes (25 W available only on TCR-MBA-50 WB), and five available RF output power levels for SATCOM (10, 15, 25, 35 and 50 W, in order to comply with MIL-STD-188-181b 2 dB RF output adjustments).
  • Page 9 The WB LED will illuminate whenever one of two WB modes is selected (WB Single Frequency and WB Frequency Hopping). Scrolling through the LOS menu (pressing the LOS button) will cycle the user to the WB modes. These modes are only available on the TCR-MBA-50 WB. 1.3.4.4 LINE OF SIGHT MODE INDICATOR (LOS).
  • Page 10 RMT LED on the front panel. At this point the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) front panel buttons will become inactive, except to power the amplifier off. The PA will NOT detect the removal of the remote interface connection and will remain in remote mode until the power is cycled OFF, if the remote control cable is unexpectedly removed.

  • Page 11: Features

    RF radio input, SATCOM antenna, LOS antenna, and WB antenna are BNC female (WB antenna BNC connector is not installed on TCR-MBA-50). Power to the amplifier is applied via a cable connected to a six pin circular DC input connector.

  • Page 12: Power Cable

    Section 3 of this manual. The DC power cable used with the legacy TCR-MBA-25 power amplifier may be used to power the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions); however, the connection for the Auto Power ON (pin E grounded on the power cable) may have to be added (refer to paragraph 2.3.3.1).
  • Page 13 Radio Connector BNC female LOS Antenna Connector BNC female SAT Antenna Connector BNC female WB Antenna Connector BNC female (not installed on TCR-MBA-50) DC Connector MS3112E10-6P Auxiliary Connector Optional RS-232 Cable (PN 77500-00390), Optional USB Cable (PN 77500-00391) High Temperature...

  • Page 14: Table 1-2 Interconnect Characteristics

    Military Vehicle Select (28 V) PIN E Auto Power On Select PIN F Reserved RADIO RF from radio Type BNC female To LOS Antenna Type BNC female To SATCOM Antenna Type BNC female To WB Antenna Type BNC female *Available only on TCR-MBA-50 WB.

  • Page 15: General Information

    Controls, Indicators, and Connectors The TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) has three push button switches to control:  Power ON/OFF, LED intensity and RF power level selection (PWR button)  SAT Modes of Operation (SAT button) ...

  • Page 16: Table 2-1 Mode Indicators

    SATCOM LNA ON/OFF 35 Watts (Note 1) SATCOM LNA ON/OFF 50 Watts (Note 1) *Applies only to TCR-MBA-50 WB. Note 1: The 35 and 50 Watt power levels are only available in military vehicle mode (pin D grounded on the DC input power connector with a 28 VDC source).

  • Page 17: Operation

    Operation 2.3.1 General Information The TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) can be used for operation once it has been installed as described in Section 3. 2.3.2 Equipment Set-up Refer to Paragraph 2.2 for the locations and functional description of the controls and indicators.
  • Page 18 Table 2-1) or WB mode. When any of the LOS modes are selected, RF is routed to the LOS RF port. Selecting a WB mode routes the RF to the WB connector (applies only to TCR-MBA-50 WB or TCR-MBA-50 with option 11000-00744 installed). Frequency hopping can be selected by cycling through the different modes of operation using the LOS mode button as described in Table 2-1.

  • Page 19: Lna Operation Precautions

    LED is turned ON (refer to Table 2-1). This indicates that the PA is ready for WB operation and the RF is routed to the WB Antenna port. WB Frequency Hopping is selected when both the WB and FH LEDs are turned on (refer to Table 2-1). This mode is disabled on the TCR-MBA-50. 2.3.3.2 LNA Operation Precautions There may be an interoperability issue when operating certain radios with amplifiers that have a receive Low Noise Amplifier (LNA).

  • Page 20: Table 2-5 Troubleshooting Guide

    Table 2-5. Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE SUGGESTED FIX XMT light ON in Incorrect operating frequency for Change mode or frequency for proper conjunction with selected mode. operation. FLT light flashing when transmitting RF source is sweeping (not fixed Do not use a swept source frequency) LVL light flashes Input RF is too low.

  • Page 21: Installation

    3.3 Mounting Provisions. The TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) can be mounted using existing mounting holes for the TCR-MBA-25 power amplifier (refer to Figure 3-1). These holes accommodate #10-32 screws, which screw into tapped 10-32 X 0.220 deep holes on the amplifier. Ensure the proper length screw is used to prevent damage to the threaded holes on the amplifier.

  • Page 22: Figure 3-1 Tcr-Mba-50 Wb Outline Drawing (1 Of 2)

    Mounting Tab Tricom Part # 31002-01677 Use 100º #8 flat head screw Figure 3-1 TCR-MBA-50/WB Outline Drawing (1 of 2)

  • Page 23: Figure 3-2 Tcr-Mba-50 Wb Outline Drawing (2 Of 2)

    Figure 3-2 TCR-MBA-50/WB Outline Drawing (2 of 2)

  • Page 24: Dc Input Power

    Attach an RF cable from the transceiver to the Radio input Connector. Attach RF cables/antennas to the antenna connections located on the rear of the amplifier (WB antenna connection is only available on TCR-MBA-50 WB). Figure 3-3 Amplifier DC input connector ( MS3112E10-6P) Table 3-1.

  • Page 25: Figure 3-4 Commercial Vehicle Dc Power Cable

    Remove cap to replace fuse Replace with 3AG 10A 250 VAC fast blow fuse MS3116F10-6S 60” To tip To side Contacts Optional connection for Auto (GND) Power On (green wire) Figure 3-4 Commercial Vehicle DC Power Cable (part number 77500-00411 optional) MS3116F10-6S 60”...

  • Page 26: Remote Control Interface

    3.6 Remote Control Interface. The power amplifier can be controlled via a USB or RS-232 interface using a terminal emulator such as HyperTerminal. To connect the remote control interface cable, remove the dust cover labeled AUX CONN on the connector side of the power amplifier. The operating data parameters for RS-232 are 9600 bps, 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.

  • Page 27: Table 3-3 Auxiliary Connector Interface Pinout

    Figure 3-8 Auxiliary Connector Interface Table 3-3. Auxiliary Connector Interface Pinout Pin # Connection RS-232 RXD RS-232 TXD +5 USB USB D+ USB D- +5 OUT @ 100 mA MODE INDICATION LOW ON LOS OTHERWISE OC REMOTE DC/RF POWER SWITCH - MOM CONTACT TO GND - DEBOUNCE RECOMMENDED TX INDICATION...

  • Page 28: Figure 3-9 Usb Remote Control Cable

    60” +5 VDC Ground Figure 3-9 USB Remote Control Cable (part number 77500-00391 optional) 60” GROUND 9 position D-SUB connector Figure 3-10 RS-232 Remote Control Cable (part number 77500-00390 optional)

  • Page 29: Remote Control Command Set

    3.7 Remote Control Command Set Table 3-4 describes the command set for controlling the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) remotely. Each valid command is responded with an “ack” message; invalid commands due to incompatible operational parameters will be responded with a “nack” message and invalid commands due to syntax errors will be responded with an “unknown command”...

  • Page 30: Appendix A Ms Windows Serial Comm Port Reassignment

    This may create a problem if a remote control Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) only allows the use of specific comm ports. As an example, if the GUI only allows the use of COM1, COM2 or COM3 to interface to the PA via the USB interface and MS Windows automatically assigns COM12 to the USB serial port adapter embedded in the PA then the PC and the PA will not be able to communicate.
  • Page 31 7. Click on the Port Settings tab and select Advanced… 8. Click on the Comm Port Number: drop down list and select the desired comm port. Currently assigned comm port Desired comm port COM2 COM12 9. Click OK on the advanced settings window and verify that the reassigned comm port settings are 9600 bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and no flow control.
  • Page 32 Reassigned comm port COM2 12. Exit Device Manager. 13. Run the remote control utility being used to communicate with the TCR-MBA-50 and verify that the PC is communicating with the PA. NOTE: Any communications terminal software such as HyperTerminal can be used to communicate with the PA.
  • Page 33 Refer to Table B-1 for system troubleshooting in the event that any of the steps above fail to provide the normal indication. NOTE: The TCR-BT-01-2 is wired for auto start and 28 VDC operation for the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions). The PA will still operate at voltages as low as 12 VDC; however, the current limiting function for battery or commercial vehicle operation will not be enabled and the PA will try to TX at higher power levels, up to 50 watts (mode dependent).

  • Page 34: Figure B-1 Military Vehicle Dc Power Cable

    MS3106A-14S-5S 60” +28V Figure B-1 Military Vehicle DC Power Cable (part number 1035-77200-00006 included) 4 EACH 6-32 X 0.375, 100º FLAT HEAD SCREW 2 EACH 4-40 X 0.375 100º FLAT HEAD SCREW Figure B-2 Bias Tee 3 (PA) Installation...

  • Page 35: Table B-1 Bias Tee 3 Troubleshooting Guide

    Table B-1. Bias Tee 3 Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE SUGGESTED FIX DC INPUT ON Possible short on coaxial cable Disconnect coaxial cable from but DC ON at between the two Bias Tees. TCR-BT-01-01 and verify that DC ON TCR-BT-01-1 illuminates.

  • Page 36: Figure B-3 Bias Tee 3 Interconnect Diagram

    SATCOM ANTENNA ANTENNA WB ANTENNA TCR-BT-01-2 TCR-MBA-50 Maximum effective distance between amplifier and radio will depend on type of coax cable used and DC voltage 12-28 VDC (28 VDC recommended) TCR-BT-01-1 Figure B-3 Bias Tee 3 Interconnect Diagram...

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