XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Table of contents Contents About this manual About Safety Electrical Hazards 3-xi Lightning Hazards 3-xii RF Hazards 3-xii Toxic Hazards 3-xii Other Hazards 3-xii Safety Precautions xiii Personal Safety 3-xiii Site Safety 3-xiv Equipment Safety...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Table of contents Viewing digital meters 2-14 Setting the clock 2-16 Viewing software version information 2-19 Adjusting screen contrast 2-20 Changing hardware settings 2-20 Using the event log Viewing the event log Clearing the event log...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual About this manual This manual provides technical information needed when operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an XR12 transmitter. This manual is intended for use by transmitter operators and field technicians. Using this manual If you are responsible for configuring or operating a transmitter, see Section 2, “Operating the...
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Tip: When you have completed a task or a step, put a checkmark beside the step number. Technical support Nautel offers technical support to customers over the Internet and by telephone. Nautel’s customer support team will answer your questions and work with you to identify and resolve problems.
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The Nautel website provides useful resources to keep you up to date on your XR12. Nautel User Group (NUG) The website includes a special section that customers can log into in order to access the Nautel customer newsletter, product manuals, frequently asked questions (FAQ), information sheets, and information about field upgrades.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Page x Issue 3.1 2013-03-14...
XR12 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL About Safety All Nautel transmitters are designed to meet the requirements of EN60215, Safety Requirements for Radio Transmitters. The philosophy of EN60215 is that the removal of any cover or panel that can only be opened using a tool is a maintenance activity, and that any person performing a maintenance activity is expected to be trained for that activity.
XR12 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL Lightning Hazards Before opening the transmitter and touching internal parts, remove and solidly ground the antenna connection. WARNING: IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GROUND THE ANTENNA TERMINAL WITH THE ANTENNA STILL CONNECTED. EVEN A SMALL IMPEDANCE IN THE GROUND STRAP WILL RESULT IN LETHAL VOLTAGES DURING A LIGHTNING STRIKE.
Personnel must be familiar with the transmitter, so that they can avoid physical danger, and be aware of hazards to themselves and the equipment. Nautel offers a number of training courses covering the basic fundamentals of RF systems and transmitters, and the operation and maintenance of the transmitter. For more information about available courses and schedules, go to the Nautel website at http://www.nautel.com/Training.aspx, or...
Operation of safety interlocks (if installed) First Aid Nautel does not offer first aid training, since the hazards associated with high voltage and RF energy are not specific to the transmitter. However, the customer should provide first aid training to all personnel who have access to the transmitter site.
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XR12 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL Marking Hazards Place warning signs close to any hazardous areas or systems (e.g., the feedline or the antenna system). Make the signs large enough that they cannot be missed. Provide signage in all languages used in the region.
(and to protect the rest of your site equipment and your personnel). For detailed information about lightning protection, see the Nautel Site Preparation Manual, available from your Nautel sales agent, or online from the Nautel website.
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XR12 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL Physical Protection Consider physical hazards to equipment at your site, including the transmitter. Ensure that equipment is protected from weather (e.g., rain or flooding), even during extreme weather events. Place equipment so that it is not in the path of swinging doors or high-traffic areas. Do not allow wheeled items like office chairs or tables with wheels in the transmitter room, as these may damage equipment if accidentally pushed or knocked over.
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XR12 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL PAGE XVIII VERSION 3.1 2013-03-14...
RF output filter (includes combiner) • Control/monitor stage XR12 electrical schematics The descriptions in this section all refer to the XR12 electrical schematics located at the end of the XR12 Troubleshooting Manual. Redundancy The XR12 features redundancy in all key systems: •...
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Voltages from the low voltage power supplies are then supplied throughout the transmitter. Ac power transformer The XR12’s power transformer can be set to use a range of input voltages. See Section 3, “Installing the power transformer” on page 3-1 in the XR12 Installation Manual.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Description Figure 1.1: Exciter Stage PDM 1 To Power Modules PDM 2 & System Control F PDM Remote Audio Alarms Interface Driver Exciter Drive Interface Driver Drive Power Supply +24 V dc RF Drive RF Drive...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Description Interphase PDM Driver PWBs The interphase PDM driver PWBs (A2A3 and A2A5) generate the required interphase PDM drive signals for the modulator assemblies in the RF power modules. These PDM drive signals determine the transmitter output power level as well as the output modulation level.
RF 1 (C) Forward Power Sample Reflected Power Sample RF 2 (C) RF Current Sample NOTE: The XR12 has two (optionally three) RF power modules. Each RF power module has two parallel inductors in the combiner. Issue 3.1 2013-03-14 Page 1-5...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Description Control/monitor stage See electrical schematics SD-1 and SD-5 through SD-8 . The control/monitor stage monitors critical signal samples and status/alarm signals from the exciter stage, RF power stage, and ac/dc power stage. For example, RF power monitoring and RF power stage status information is applied to the control/monitor stage.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual XR Series Transmitter Block Diagram AC/DC POWER STAGE RF POWER STAGE EXCITER STAGE B+ P/S SYNTHESIZER PWB A RF DRIVE BUFFER RF POWER RF Power Module 3 VOLTAGE DC BLOCK is Optional SUPPLIES SYNTHESIZER 1 of 3: XR12...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Section 2: Operating the transmitter This section provides information about operating the XR12 transmitter: • Graphic user interface - see page 2-2 • Viewing alarm status - see page 2-7 • Changing automation settings - see page 2-9 –...
Operating the transmitter Graphic user interface The XR12’s graphic user interface (GUI) is an LCD display panel mounted on the front of the transmitter. The GUI provides information about transmitter’s status and settings, and includes a set of buttons that let you use menus to select commands and options.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter • Fax: +1.902.823.3183 • Email: support@nautel.com 2. If the transmitter’s GUI functions normally when the power is turned on, and then the CHECKSUM error screen appears while changes are being made using the GUI, then it may...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Table 2.1: GUI Pages GUI Page Function See Page Automation Control Turn automatic functions on and off. page 2-9 Change Meter Groups Choose the digital meters to display in the GUI. page 2-13 Software Version View software version information.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Using GUI pages Each GUI page provides information about a specific transmitter function. The status bar at the top of every page shows the time, the current power, the Preset Scheduler status (M for manual or A for automatic), the current preset number, the active power modules, the power module transfer function status, the active exciter, and the exciter transfer function status.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Navigating from page to page You can navigate from page to page using the MainMenu page. Use the Up and Down buttons to highlight the desired option, then press the Select button to select the highlighted option.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Viewing alarm status If an alarm is present, a Status button appears as Soft Key 2 on many of the GUI pages. Press the Status button to go to the Status page. The Status page shows any active faults.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Controlling power modules Figure 2.3: Power Modules page 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man Transfer Mode: Manual Transfer Mode: Manual Desired Config: A,B enabled, C standby...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Changing automation settings You can control the power scheduler and the auto exciter transfer functions using the Automation Control page. To view the Automation Control page, select Automation Control from the Main Menu.
Controlling presets The Preset Control page lets you see and edit the power level, power module Selecting presets. setting and exciter setting for each of the XR12’s six presets. To view the Preset Control page, select Preset from the Meters page.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Figure 2.6: Preset Control page 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man Power Power Exc PM Exc PM # Power Exc PM # Power Exc PM 0.00kW A...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Holding down the Up or Down button while changing a setting will cause the rate of change to increase. Press the Back button to return to the Preset Control page. Note: You cannot increase the power level from 0 if RF Off is selected.
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General Settings menu. Changing meter groups The XR12 provides meter groups of three parameters and allows you define the meters being viewed to make the digital meters more convenient. The meters are displayed on the Meters page - see page 2-15.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Figure 2.9: Change Meter Groups page 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man Forward Power:0.00W Forward Power:0.00W Reflec. Power: Reflec. Power: 1000 1000 Total DC Curr: 0.0A Total DC Curr: 0.0A...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter • +24 V P/S voltage • +15 V P/S voltage • +5 V P/S voltage • -15 V P/S voltage • VSWR • Temperature • PDM A duty cycle • PDM B duty cycle The Meters page appears automatically when you stop performing other tasks with the GUI.
Operating the transmitter Setting the clock The XR12’s internal clock has a backup battery, and maintains accurate time even during power outages. However, you need to reset the clock when the transmitter is first installed, or if the backup battery has failed. (Until the clock is set, the clock display will show an incorrect time or ‘garbage’...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Figure 2.12: Calibrate Clock page 10:18 10:18 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man...
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2-16) according to a selected independent time standard. 2. After 30 days, compare the XR12’s clock time to the same independent time standard. Note the time difference. 3. In the Calibrate Clock page, adjust the Current RTC Calibration value until the Delta 30-day...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Viewing software version information You can view the version of the software installed on the transmitter itself, or version information about components installed in the transmitter with the Software Version page. To view the Software...
Operating the transmitter Adjusting screen contrast The XR12’s LCD screen (used to display the GUI) is set by default to a contrast suitable for most locations. The XR12 also adjusts the contrast setting automatically to compensate for changes in temperature. However, depending on your preferences and light conditions, you may wish to increase...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Figure 2.16: Hardware Settings menu 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man HARDWARE SETTINGS HARDWARE SETTINGS Calibration Settings Calibration Settings High Power Lockout High Power Lockout...
If required, you can use the Set Thresholds page - see Figure 2.17 to adjust the thresholds used to control and protect the XR12 transmitter. WARNING: These settings are adjusted at the factory and should not require any adjustment. These settings affect critical system protections.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter • Carrier Ramp-Up Interval: Sets the interval (in tenths of seconds) for the transmitter to ramp up to its maximum carrier reference value after being turned on. If the transmitter is ramping up to a power level that is less than the maximum carrier reference, the ramp up time will be less than the interval setting.
Note: The transmitter is calibrated at the factory. Do not change calibration settings unless absolutely required. Calibrating analog meter You can recalibrate the XR12’s analog forward power meter, if necessary, using the Calibrate Analog Meter page. Notes: The transmitter is calibrated at the factory. Do not change calibration settings unless absolutely required.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter To view the Calibrate Analog Meter page, select Settings from the MAINMENU page. Next, select Hardware Settings from the General Settings menu, Calibration Settings from the Hardware Settings menu, then select Calibrate Analog Meter from the Calibration Settings menu.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Figure 2.20: High Power Lockout page 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man High Power Lockout: Enabled High Power Lockout: Enabled High Pwr Lock Carrier Limit:...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Restoring factory settings You can restore the factory settings, discarding all settings made to the transmitter, including meter calibration settings, threshold settings, LCD contrast, meter groups, preset schedules and preset settings. To view the Factory Settings menu, select Settings from the...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Press the Cancel button to cancel the request, leaving your transmitter settings intact, or press the Confirm button to restore the factory settings. CAUTION: This action cannot be undone Page 2-28 Issue 3.1 2013-03-14...
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Configuring NxLink (optional) You can configure the NxLink Ethernet interface module, if installed, using the NxLink Configuration page. To view the NxLink Configuration page, select Settings from the MAINMENU page. Next, select...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Operating the transmitter Page 2-30 Issue 3.1 2013-03-14...
Section 3: Using the event log This section provides information about using and interpreting the XR12’s event log. The event log records key information such as setting changes, faults, and commands. You may wish to review the event log to check the transmitter’s status, perform troubleshooting, or review recent changes to transmitter controls.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Press the View Event button to see the details of the currently selected event. The View event page appears. (See Figure 3.2 on page 3-3.) Press the Back button to return to the Main Menu. (See “Main Menu”...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Figure 3.2: View Event Page 1 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault RF Power: Off RF Power: Off Fwd Power:0.00kW...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Figure 3.4: View Event Page 3 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault B+ Voltage:...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Figure 3.6: View Event Page 5+ 10:18 10:18 0.00kW M-1 0.00kW M-1 PM:AB Man Ex:A Man PM:AB Man Ex:A Man 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault 001 24Oct06 10:48:43 LVPS Fault LVPS Fault...
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Clearing the event log If you entered the Events Log screen and one or more logs were present, a Clear Log button appears on the Main Menu. To clear the entire contents of the Events Log, press the Clear Log button. A warning screen will appear.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Event log messages Table 3.1: Event messages Event Log Messages Explanation Softstart Complete B+ relays have closed. Cmd. Auto Exciter Automatic Exciter changeovers have been enabled. Cmd. Man Exciter Automatic Exciter changeovers have been disabled.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Using the event log Page 3-8 Issue 3.1 2013-03-14...
“Replacing air filters” on page 4-2. 2. Clean the XR12 using a vacuum cleaner and a soft-bristle brush to remove loose dirt. Clean, damp rags should be used to remove dirt that cannot be removed with a vacuum cleaner. Never use compressed air to clean the XR12.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Routine maintenance Checking hardware All hardware must be checked at least once a year. Thermal cycling from turning the XR12 on and off will require more frequent checks. • To prevent damaging the hardware, ensure that the proper sized tools are used. In most cases, hardware is metric.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Routine maintenance 4. Insert the new air filter into the brackets. Check the air filter markings or instructions to ensure proper orientation, noting air flows into the back of the transmitter. 5. Dispose of the used air filter.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Routine maintenance Parts and tools Replacement battery. 3 V lithium coin cell, 20 mm (Nautel Part # BBLT01, Panasonic # Panasonic CR2032). Procedure Perform the following steps to replace the battery: 1. Ensure ac power is being applied to the transmitter.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Routine maintenance 2. Physically inspect the lightning arrestor to ensure that all connections are tight. Also look for any sign of scoring or burning (indications of possible damage from earlier lightning strikes). 3. Using binoculars, visually inspect the hardware on the tower. Look for charred, broken or frayed connections and corrosion.
Section 5: Test and adjustment This section contains test and adjustment procedures for the XR12 transmitter. The test procedures use integral meters and precision test/monitoring equipment. The test procedures contain routine adjustment instructions to bring the parameter being tested within defined limits, where appropriate.
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Test and adjustment 3. Connect the XR12's RF output to a precision 50 Ω dummy load that is able to accurately display the RF power being applied to it. WARNING: If a jumper is placed between interlock inputs TB1-1/TB1-2 on the remote interface board, safety features controlled by the external interlocks will be disabled.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Test and adjustment 3. Select the highest preset RF power level and verify that the RF output, displayed on the RF KILOWATTS meter, is the desired forward power level. 4. Verify that an audio signal generator is connected between TB2-1 (+) and TB2-3 (-) on the remote interface PWB, and that its output is preset to 1,000 Hz at a zero output level (turned off).
XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Test and adjustment Non-standard adjustments Complete the following non-standard adjustments only as directed by a troubleshooting or replacement procedure in the XR12 Troubleshooting Manual: • RF drive symmetry • Exciter Gain • Modulation Peak Limiting...
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1. Select exciter A as the active exciter. 2. Turn on the XR12 and select the highest preset RF power level and verify that the RF output, displayed on the RF KILOWATTS meter, is the desired forward power level.
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XR12 Operations and Maintenance Manual Test and adjustment Figure 5.1: Chopper Control Waveform Audio = 30Hz (AC Coupled) Page 5-6 Issue 3.1 2013-03-14...
List of terms Section 6: List of terms This section defines some of the terms that are used in Nautel documentation. Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU) is the name of a AES-EBU. digital audio transfer standard. The AES/EBU digital interface is usually implemented using 3-pin XLR connectors (the same type connector used in professional microphones).
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Preset. day and date basis. Exciters can be configured on a preset for a specific operating mode (for example, Exciter A - conventional AM, and Exciter B - IBOC). The XR12 allows you to pre-program up to six presets. A complete loss of RF output power, caused by any one of a variety of faults, including Shutback.
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