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Kaelus RTF2000A Operating Manual

Passive intermodulation and return loss fault ranging device
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RTF OPERATING MANUAL
Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device
This document contains information which is confidential and the property of Kaelus, and which is not to be communicated to any person or
company, or used in any way without the previous authorization of Kaelus.
2017 | R99-0068RevC

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  • Page 1 Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device This document contains information which is confidential and the property of Kaelus, and which is not to be communicated to any person or company, or used in any way without the previous authorization of Kaelus.
  • Page 2 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Document Issue Description of Document Change Date Edited By Authorization Original Issue 03/02/2012 Addition of iPA material and menus 21/12/2013 Implementation of new Kaelus 13/10/2017 format.
  • Page 3 R F H A Z A R D This instrument is intended for use with the Kaelus iQA/iPA family of portable PIM analyzers, which are capable of producing up to 50 watts of radio frequency (RF) power in the 700 MHz to 2600 MHz frequency band. Users are reminded that proper precautions must be taken to minimize exposure to these RF fields to the recommended limits.
  • Page 4 WARRANTY Kaelus warranties all of its products and services to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months from first receipt into customer store. The limit of liability under this warranty shall be to repair or replace any product, or part thereof, which proves to be defective after inspection by Kaelus provided that: •...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Introduction Functional Description Passive Intermodulation Distortion Conventional PIM Testing Equipment RTF Module Measurement Process 2.4.1 PIM vs Distance 2.4.2 Return Loss vs Distance Features of The RTF System Specification Construction And Layout RTF Module iQA/iPA Front Panel Connectors Getting Started Connecting the RTF Module to the iQA Connecting the RTF Module to the iPA...
  • Page 6 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.2.1.5 Overlay Plot (iQA) 8.2.1.6 Calibrate Button (iQA) 8.2.1.7 RF ON/OFF Button (iQA) 8.2.1.8 F1 Tone Frequency (iQA) 8.2.1.9 F2 Tone Frequency Range 8.2.1.10 Tone Output Powers 8.2.1.11 Maximum Range 8.2.1.12 PIM Product 8.2.1.13...
  • Page 7 8.6.1 Enabling Configuration Mode 8.6.2 Modifying the Frequency of the Fixed Tone 8.6.3 Modifying the Frequency Range of the Swept Tone 8.6.4 Modifying the Maximum Range 8.6.5 Changing the PIM Product 8.6.6 Modifying the Velocity Factor 8.6.7 Modifying a Test Tone Power Level 8.6.8 Modifying the Return Loss Pass/Fail Threshold (iQA) 8.6.9...
  • Page 8 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device List of Figures Figure 1 Top view of RTF module. Figure 2 Side view of RTF module showing RF warning LED Figure 3 C-series iQA and A-series iPA front panel connectors Figure 4 Recommended orientation of RTF module when connected to iQA Figure 5 Recommended orientation of RTF module when connected to iPA Figure 6 RTF module on the iQA (CIS-0001A PIM Source used for 5th order calibration)
  • Page 9 Figure 31 Resolution-enhanced plot of PIM vs Distance (iQA) Figure 32 Resolution-enhanced plot of PIM vs Distance (iPA) Figure 33 Return Loss vs Distance plot (iQA) Figure 34 Return Loss vs Distance plot (iPA) Figure 35 Resolution-enhanced plot of Return Loss vs Distance Figure 36 Overlay of PIM &...

  • Page 10: Introduction

    Commonly referred to as “PIM analyzers”, these instruments measure the overall PIM performance of the RF infrastructure using the method of Test Setup 1 of IEC62037. The iQA/iPA portable PIM analyzer from Kaelus is one example of this type of instrument.

  • Page 11: Return Loss Vs Distance

    2.4.2 Return Loss vs Distance The RTF system measures the distance to return loss faults using the well-known technique of Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR). This involves measuring the vector reflection coefficient of the device under test over a range of discrete frequencies, and then computing the inverse Fourier transform of the results.
  • Page 12 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device System Results Display Modes Numeric: Distance to largest PIM fault Magnitude of largest PIM fault Graphical: PIM vs Distance Return Loss vs Distance PIM & Return Loss vs Distance Maximum Alias-Free Range 1500 x vf metres (4950 x vf feet)²...

  • Page 13: Construction And Layout

    5. Construction And Layout RTF Module The external details of the RTF module are shown below in Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively. Labels may vary slightly from one frequency variant to the next. Figure 1 Top view of RTF module. Figure 2 Side view of RTF module showing RF warning LED ©...

  • Page 14: Iqa/Ipa Front Panel Connectors

    USB port is not provided. iPAs with Firmware version 1.6.1 or later can be upgrade to the latest RTF software via the SD card. iPAs with firmware prior to 1.6.1 MUST upgrade to version 1.6.1 first. Then upgrade to subsequent versions of RTF capable software. Please visit www.kaelus.com to find the service center nearest you for assistance.

  • Page 15: Figure 3 C-Series Iqa And A-Series Ipa Front Panel Connectors

    Figure 3 C-series iQA and A-series iPA front panel connectors 9. RF Output Port The RF Output Port on the iQA/iPA front panel is a bidirectional RF port. The pair of high-power carriers are emitted from this port, while the reflected PIM signal from the system under test enter the iQA’s receiver via this port.

  • Page 16: Getting Started

    Current Production iPAs are shipped with a N Type to SMB cable to connect the RTF module to the iPA. If your N-to-SMB cable has been lost or damaged, a replacement cable can be ordered from Kaelus (part no. R18-0768-500).

  • Page 17: Connecting The Rtf Module To The Ipa

    Connecting the RTF Module to the iPA Monitor Cable USB Cable Figure 5 Recommended orientation of RTF module when connected to iPA 1. Attach the RTF module to the iPA’s RF Output port and tighten the RF connector. Do not allow the body of the RTF module to rotate while tightening the connector, as this can cause damage to the 7-16 connector mating surfaces.
  • Page 18 The following prompt will now appear on screen, instructing the user to attach the Passive Intermodulation Source (Kaelus part no. CIS-0001A) to the Test port of the RTF module: Attach the PIM Source to the Test port of the RTF module as shown Figure 7 RTF module attached to iPA with PIM...

  • Page 19: Figure 6 Rtf Module On The Iqa (Cis-0001A Pim Source Used For 5Th Order Calibration)

    Figure 6 RTF module on the iQA (CIS-0001A PIM Source used for 5th order calibration) Figure 7 RTF module attached to iPA with PIM Source attached to Test port © 2017 Infinite Electronics, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 20: Main Application Window

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device The system will now perform the RTF calibration sweep. This process can take up to 20 seconds to complete. While the calibration is running, the following progress indicator is displayed: iPA Remote Display iPA Local...

  • Page 21: Figure 8 Main Application Window With Rtf Module Connected To Iqa

    Peak Return Return Loss Loss Indicator Pass/Fail Indicator Figure 8 Main application window with RTF module connected to iQA Peak PIM Distance Peak RL Indicator Distance Indicator Peak Return Loss Indicator Peak PIM Level Indicator Figure 9 Main application window with RTF module connected to iPA (Remote) Peak RL Settings Menu Distance...

  • Page 22: Measurement Configuration Menu (Ipa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Measurement Configuration Menu (iPA) Select the Measurement Configuration Menu Figure 11 Selecting the Measurement configuration Menu iPA (Local control) Figure 12 Measurement Configuration Menu iPA (Remote Control)

  • Page 23: Figure 13 Measurement Configuration Menu Ipa (Local Control)

    Figure 13 Measurement Configuration Menu iPA (Local Control) When this button is selected the iPA will accept the user’s measurement configuration values and exit from the menu. If the OK button is greyed out, this indicates that another device has control of the instrument. (Only the controlling display can update the measurement configuration values.) Linked Power Control When selected (chain links closed) one of the power control panels will be grayed out and the left hand control sets the...

  • Page 24: Standard Iqa/Ipa Measurement Modes

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device If you are using a multiband unit this pull down menu allows you to select between the available operating bands. Maximum Range This sets the maximum distance of the PIM and Return Loss Measurement to be used. Depending on the distance units settings this can be in either meters or feet.

  • Page 25: Figure 14 Fixed-Tone Pim Test Running With Rtf Module Connected

    Note: While the Return Loss sweep is in progress, the high-power transmit carriers from the iQA/iPA are turned off. Upon completion of the Return Loss sweep, the instrument checks the peak return loss level against the Return Loss Pass/Fail threshold. (This threshold is defined in the Settings screen, which is discussed in Section 8.6.8.) If the return loss satisfies the Pass/Fail threshold, the instrument will turn on the two high-power transmit carriers and display the measured PIM level as described in the iQA/iPA Operating Manual.

  • Page 26: Time Trace, Frequency Sweep And Spectrum Monitor

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Time Trace, Frequency Sweep and Spectrum Monitor Measurements with RTF Module Connected to iQA/iPA The Time Trace, Frequency Sweep and Spectrum Monitor modes are unchanged with the RTF module connected to the iQA/iPA.

  • Page 27: Layout Of The Rtf Analysis Window

    Layout of the RTF Analysis Window 8.2.1 iQA Analysis Window The RTF Analysis window is shown in Figure 17 in its default display mode. This window is available only when the RTF module is connected to the iQA. Figure 17 RTF Analysis Window - Basic Display Mode (Default) iQA 8.2.1.1 Results Display Mode Buttons (iQA) The results display mode buttons allow the user to switch between the different results formats in the RTF...

  • Page 28: Calibrate Button (Iqa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.2.1.6 Calibrate Button (iQA) The calibrate button triggers an RTF PIM calibration. 8.2.1.7 RF ON/OFF Button (iQA) The RF ON/OFF button is used for triggering an RTF sweep. As a visual aid, this button will turn red whenever the high- power RF carriers have been switched on.

  • Page 29: Ipa Analysis Window (Remote Control)

    The velocity factor (VF) is a fundamental property of the RF cables in the system under test, which affects the speed at which signals travel through the system. The velocity factor varies from cable to cable, but its value is always greater than zero and less than or equal to one.

  • Page 30: Performing An Rtf Measurement

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Operation of the remote control keys is almost identical to local operation, with a few important exceptions. 1. A wireless network connection must first be established between the iPA and the remote control device before any RF testing can be performed.

  • Page 31: Analyzing The Results Of An Rtf Sweep

    If the return loss fails the Pass/Fail threshold, the following warning message is displayed: The user can now choose to abort the measurement and return to the RTF Analysis window, or continue with the PIM sweep. If the user chooses to continue, the instrument will turn on the two high-power transmit carriers and perform the sweep.

  • Page 32: Pim , Rl Marker, Zoom Functions And Enhanced Display (Ipa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Figure 20 Basic Display Mode Key features of this screen are as follows: Distance to Largest PIM Source Indicator The distance to largest PIM source indicator is a numerical readout of the location of the worst PIM fault in the device under test.

  • Page 33: Setting Enhanced Mode On The Local Display (Ipa)

    Note that control of the instrument, including max range setting, measurement and calibration, is governed by the controlling device. However each of the viewing devices can zoom, pan, move traces and markers to their individual needs within the maximum range of the measurement. Enhanced display mode can also be selected per individual client. 8.4.2.1 Setting Enhanced Mode on the Local Display (iPA) Touch the center for...

  • Page 34: Setting Enhanced Mode On The Remote Display (Ipa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.4.2.2 Setting Enhanced Mode on the Remote Display (iPA) Touch here to bring up the Menu Figure 23 Enable Enhanced Display and Trace Menu (iPA Remote Screen) If you are using a touch screen device. Touch where indicated, click with the mouse pointer or touchpad where indicated.

  • Page 35: Figure 24 Enhanced Display And Trace Menu (Ipa Remote Screen)

    Figure 24 Enhanced Display and Trace Menu (iPA Remote Screen) Touch here to bring up the Menu Display PIM trace only Display RL trace only Display PIM & RL Overlay trace Activate / Deactivate Enhanced Mode Reset Zoom to full scale ©...

  • Page 36: Zoom And Pan Control (Ipa Local Display)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.4.2.3 Zoom and Pan Control (iPA Local Display) The local zoom function for PIM and Return Loss is almost identical to that described in the iPA Operating Manual except that there is now slide control on each side of the display.

  • Page 37: Zoom Control (Ipa Remote Control Using Pc With Mouse)

    8.4.2.4 Zoom Control (iPA Remote Control using PC with Mouse) Figure 26 Zoom control window with mouse wheel (iPA Remote PC Screen) When pointed here Zoom In / Out with Mouse wheel Return Loss only When pointed here Zoom In / Out with Mouse wheel PIM and Return loss When pointed here Zoom In / Out with Mouse wheel PIM only When pointed here Zoom In / Out with Mouse wheel distance only ©...

  • Page 38: Figure 27 Zoom Control Window With Duoble Mouse Click Or Touch Pad (Ipa Remote Pc Screen)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Double click or double touch on a touch screen device. Same positions as Figure 26. Zoom control window with mouse wheel (iPA) Figure 27 Zoom control window with duoble mouse click or touch pad (iPA Remote PC Screen)

  • Page 39: Figure 28 Zoom Control Window With Multi-Touch Tablet (Ipa Remote Touch Screen)

    Figure 28 Zoom control window with multi-touch tablet (iPA Remote Touch Screen) © 2017 Infinite Electronics, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 40: Pan Control (Ipad Remote Control Using Touch Screen Device)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.4.2.5 Pan Control (iPAd Remote Control using Touch Screen Device) Figure 29 Pan control touch pad (iPA remote touch screen) When controlling the iPA remotely using a touch-screen device, the user can pan the PIM and Return Loss traces either separately or together, depending on which part of the screen is touched.

  • Page 41: Pim Vs Distance Plot (Iqa)

    8.4.3 PIM vs Distance Plot (iQA) The PIM vs Distance plot is shown in Figure 30. This view is activated by pressing the PIM button at the top of the RTF Analysis window. Figure 30 PIM vs Distance plot Key features of this screen are as follows: Peak Marker The peak marker is aligned with the largest peak on the trace by default, although it can be moved to neighboring peaks using the Peak Search controls.

  • Page 42: Figure 31 Resolution-Enhanced Plot Of Pim Vs Distance (Iqa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Vertical Axis Limits The start and stop limits on the vertical axis can be changed by touching each limit and typing in the desired value. Note: The limits on the vertical axis can only be changed if autoscaling is turned OFF. Horizontal Axis Limits The start and stop limits on the horizontal axis can be changed by touching each limit and typing in the desired value.

  • Page 43: Pim Vs Distance Plot (Ipa Remote Display)

    8.4.4 PIM vs Distance Plot (iPA Remote Display) Figure 32 Resolution-enhanced plot of PIM vs Distance (iPA) PIM Units Peak Marker Value Vertical Axis Limit (Upper) PIM Distance Between Markers 1,2 Peak Marker Vertical Axis Limit (Lower) PIM Horixontal Axis Limit (Lower) Distance Units Peak Search Controls Marker 1 Trace Select Enhanced Display Zoom Reset Menu...

  • Page 44: Return Loss Vs Distance Plot

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 8.4.5 Return Loss vs Distance Plot The Return Loss vs Distance plot is shown in Figure 33. This view is activated by pressing the RL button at the top of the RTF Analysis window.

  • Page 45: Figure 34 Return Loss Vs Distance Plot (Ipa)

    Figure 34 Return Loss vs Distance plot (iPA) Distance Units Distance Between Markers 1 & 2 Peak Marker Horizontal Axis Limit (Lower) Peak Marker Value RL Scale Peak Search Controls Marker 1 Trace Select Enhanced Display Zoom Reset Menu Peak Search Controls Marker 2 Horizontal Axis Limit (Upper) ©...
  • Page 46 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Key features of this screen are as follows: Peak Marker The peak marker is aligned with the largest peak on the trace by default, although it can be moved to neighboring peaks using the Peak Search controls.

  • Page 47: Overlay Of Pim And Return Loss Vs Distance Plots

    Figure 35 Resolution-enhanced plot of Return Loss vs Distance 8.4.6 Overlay of PIM and Return Loss vs Distance Plots The overlay plot displays both the PIM and Return Loss vs Distance traces on the same set of axes, as shown in Figure 36.

  • Page 48: Verifying The Accuracy Of The Calibration

    This entails performing an RTF analysis on a known device, and making sure that the results fall within the expected range. The procedure is as follows: 1. Attach the Passive Intermodulation Source (Kaelus part no. PIS-0002A or CIS-0001A) to the Test port of the RTF module.

  • Page 49: Changing The Rtf Sweep Settings (Iqa)

    Figure 38 Results of verification sweep (Return Loss vs Distance screen) If the Return Loss vs Distance plot does not satisfy the above criteria, it is possible that your RTF module requires recalibrating. Contact your local Kaelus representative (see Section 9.8) to arrange this. Changing the RTF Sweep Settings (iQA) The default settings in the RTF Analysis window have been chosen to provide a favorable tradeoff between resolution, sensitivity and measurement speed.

  • Page 50: Modifying The Frequency Of The Fixed Tone

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Config Unlocked Figure 39 Configuration Mode window 8.6.2 Modifying the Frequency of the Fixed Tone 1. Press the fixed tone frequency field F1. A numeric keypad is displayed. 2. Input the new test tone frequency in MHz, and press Enter. 8.6.3 Modifying the Frequency Range of the Swept Tone 1.

  • Page 51: Changing The Pim Product

    8.6.5 Changing the PIM Product 1. Press the PIM Product field. The following window will be displayed showing the available PIM products: 2. Select the desired PIM product and press OK. 8.6.6 Modifying the Velocity Factor 1. Press the velocity factor field VF. A numeric keypad is displayed. 2.

  • Page 52: Applying The Factory Reset

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Figure 40 Settings screen 8.6.9 Applying the Factory Reset 1. Press the Settings button on the main button bar. A new screen will be displayed as shown in Figure 40. 2.

  • Page 53: Figure 41 Settings Screen (Ipa)

    Sweep Settings Menu Adjust frequency sweep limits using either keypad or slider Adjustment Maximum Cable Velocity Sliders Range factor Select 3rd or 5th order product Figure 41 Settings screen (iPA) © 2017 Infinite Electronics, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 54: Slider Controls (Ipa)

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Figure 42 iPA RTF Settings screen (Local control) 8.7.1 Slider Controls (iPA) Slider controls can be touched and moved on touchpad devices or moved with the mouse on PC-based browsers. These change the frequency range that the F1 and F2 tones are swept over.

  • Page 55: Tips For Getting The Best From The Rtf System

    9. Tips for Getting the Best from the RTF System RTF System Practices There are a number of practices that will allow the best to be gained from the RTF system: 9.1.1 Cable & Connector Care • Good quality connectors and test cables are essential for making accurate PIM vs Distance and Return Loss vs Distance measurements.

  • Page 56: Elimination Of Multiple Static Pim Faults

    Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device 9.2.2 Elimination of Multiple Static PIM Faults In situations where RTF analysis reveals multiple static PIM faults in the system under test, it is strongly recommended that the user repairs only one fault at a time, starting with the largest. When the largest fault has been repaired, a new RTF sweep should be performed and the above process repeated until all faults have been eliminated.

  • Page 57: Handling And Transport

    • Check integrity of USB cable. • If the above actions do not fix the problem the test set should be returned to a Kaelus approved service facility. DC Power LED on RTF Module is not illuminated • Ensure iQA/iPA is turned on and ready for use.
  • Page 58 Operating Manual | Passive Intermodulation and Return Loss Fault Ranging Device Resolution of PIM vs Distance plot is poor compared with Return Loss vs Distance plot It will often be the case that the resolution of the PIM vs Distance plot is not as good as the Return Loss vs Distance plot. This is to be expected, due to differences in the sweep bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio of each measurement.

  • Page 59: Ce Declaration Of Conformity

    Referenced Safety Standard EN 61010-1:2010 EN 61010-030:2010 The design, development and manufacturing of Kaelus Pty Ltd products are controlled by an ISO 9001:2008 certified Quality Management System. Authorised representation within the EU is Kaelus, 1 Aquarius Court, Viking Way, Rosyth, Scotland, KY11 2DW Signed by the manufacturer at 34 Corporate Drive, Cannon Hill, QLD, Australia 4170 (the location of the technical file), ……………………………………..

  • Page 60: End Of Life Statement

    Equipment marked with the symbol below (Crossed Out Wheelie Bin) complies with the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/96/EC (the “WEEE Directive”) in the European Union. Please contact your local Kaelus representative (see next section) at the end of the product’s useful life to arrange its disposal in accordance with your local regulations.

This manual is also suitable for:

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