Related Manuals for PRAXSYM PathTrax Series
Summary of Contents for PRAXSYM PathTrax Series
- Page 1 PathTrax User’s Manual The solution for making easy shielding effectiveness measurements.
- Page 2 In no case, shall PRAXSYM's liability for breach of warranty exceed the purchase price of the items in question. PRAXSYM's liability on any claim of any kind, for any loss connected with, or resulting from the use of, performance or breach thereof, installation, inspection, operation or use of any equipment furnished by PRAXSYM, shall in no case exceed the purchase price of the goods which give rise to the claim.
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Page 3: Chapter 1 General Information
P R A X S Y M Chapter 1 General Information Introduction PathTrax is a user-friendly microprocessor-based transmitter and receiver system that measures relative signal strength, path loss and shield level. The units are powered by rechargeable batteries for up to 4 hours of continuous operation (2 hours for the transmitter). - Page 4 Specifications All models of the PathTrax line share the same specifications except for the operating frequency. The frequency ranges for these models are listed below: Pathtrax 915 covers 885 to 960 MHz Pathtrax 860 covers 824 to 900 MHz Pathtrax 838 covers 806 to 870 MHz Pathtrax 500 covers 489 to 512 MHz Receiver Tuning Step Size:...
- Page 5 P R A X S Y M Charge Time: 90 minutes typical Remote Operation: via USB interface I/O Connectors: 5-pin, mini-USB, type B connector Controllable Functions: All functions except ON/OFF/Volume Output Data: All measurement data and instrument status Reading Rate: 500 ms (step tuning frequency and read data) Controls:...
- Page 6 Transmitter Tuning Step Size: 1 MHz, 100 kHz and 10 kHz Maximum Output Power: +30 dBm nominal (1 Watt) Output Power Control: 1 dB steps from –30 to +30 dBm Output Level Accuracy: +/- 1.0 dB maximum over Temp and Fre- quency Harmonics: -50 dBc typical...
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Page 7: Chapter 2 Controls And Connections
P R A X S Y M Chapter 2 Controls and Connections Receiver FREQUENCY – F.DIGIT – The frequency select knob operates in conjunction with the F.DIGIT button. Pressing the F.DIGIT button toggles the step size between 10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz. - Page 8 Transmitter FREQUENCY – F.DIGIT – The frequency select knob operates in conjunction with the F.DIGIT button. Pressing the F.DIGIT button toggles the step size between 10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz. The current step size is displayed on the FRQ ADJ line of the display. Turning the knob clockwise increases the frequency by the selected step size.
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Page 9: Chapter 3 Operation
P R A X S Y M Chapter 3 Operation Receiver Modes The receiver has four different modes. Pressing the MODE button will cycle through SIGNAL STRENGTH, SPECTRUM MONITOR, PATH LOSS, and SHIELD LEVEL modes. The selected mode of operation is shown on the LCD. - Page 10 Spectrum Monitor Mode In SPECTRUM MONITOR mode the receiver can be used to view a 1.2 span frequency spectrum. This mode is ideal for locating a clear frequency that you can use for conducting a test or for identifying large interfering signals that could cause...
- Page 11 P R A X S Y M Receiver Initial Set-up and Power On Attach one of the antennas to the RF connector located on the top of the receiver. Rotate the POWER switch to the ON position. The receiver powers up in SIGNAL STRENGTH mode. In SIGNAL STRENGTH, the receiver displays the level of signals at the current frequency.
- Page 12 Transmitter Initial Set-up and Power On Attach one of the antennas to the RF connector located on the top of the transmitter. Rotate the POWER switch to the ON position. Allow the transmitter to warm up for 5 minutes before beginning a test.
- Page 13 P R A X S Y M Setting the Transmitter Frequency The transmitter powers up tuned to the default frequency of the transmitter model. Depress the MODE button on the top of the transmitter to select “FREQ” mode. Rotate the FREQUENCY adjust knob to tune the transmitter in 1MHz steps.
- Page 14 The receiver may now be moved about and will display the PATH LOSS to the test transmitter. Depress the LOCK button to prevent accidental changes to the control settings, which may lead to measurement errors. Making Shield Level Measurements Before making shield level measurements, turn on the transmitter and receiver, tune both units to the test frequency, set the transmitter attenuator to 60 dB, and allow both units to warm up for 5 minutes.
- Page 15 P R A X S Y M Return to the transmitter and depress the ATTN button. The attenuation will change to 0 dB so that the transmitter output power is now +30 dBm. Verify that the receiver displays a SHIELDING LEVEL between 0 and 3 dB.
- Page 16 4. If it becomes necessary to remove or replace the NiCad battery pack (A detailed description of this process can be found on the Praxsym website, www.praxsym.com): Locate the bottom face plate of the unit, which houses the battery compartment cover...
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Page 17: Chapter 4 Remote Operation
P R A X S Y M Chapter 4 Remote Operation Both the PathTrax receiver and transmitter contain a built-in USB to RS-232 converter allowing the user to connect the PathTrax unit directly to a PC with no external hardware or custom cables. All PathTrax functions can be controlled remotely with the exception of power ON/OFF and Receiver audio output volume. - Page 18 Install the supplied cable between a USB port on the PC/laptop and the USB port on the PathTrax unit. Start the terminal emulation software. Open the Terminal setup window from the Setup Menu. Select CR+LF for Receive Select CR for Transmit Enable Local Echo Open the Serial Port setup window from the Setup Menu.
- Page 19 P R A X S Y M Errors Either host or PathTrax unit will discard a packet if it contains an error. The PathTrax Transmitter and Receiver will respond differently to a packet with an error using a code to help identify the source of the error.
- Page 20 PL?<CR> Returns the last measured path loss in the form XXX (dB) for the current frequency. Example: 103 FR = XXX.yy<CR> Sets receiver frequency (in MHz). Example: FR=507.30<CR> FR?<CR> Returns the current frequency setting in the form XXX.yy (MHz). Example: 500.00 BA?<CR>...
- Page 21 P R A X S Y M SR?<CR> Status Request. Returns LC if unit is in Local Mode and RM is unit is in Remote Mode. Next it returns OK if conditions are normal. If the unit has lost phase lock UNLCK is returned. Example: LC, RM, OK, UNLCK BA?<CR>...
- Page 22 OFF<CR> On the PathTrax 838 TX, this turns the amplifier off. ON<CR> On the PathTrax 838 TX, this turns the amplifier Installing the USB-Serial Driver Both the PathTrax receiver and PathTrax transmitter have a USB V2.0 communications port. This enables the product to be controlled by any PC or laptop with a USB V1.1 or V2.0 interface.
- Page 23 Notes Page 22...
- Page 24 900-000005-001 Rev E...
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