Table of Contents
Troubleshooting
Related Manuals for TriCom TCR-U-50
Summary of Contents for TriCom TCR-U-50
- Page 1 OPERATOR’S MANUAL TCR-U/L-50 UHF/L-BAND RF AMPLIFIER DOCUMENT # 90400-01465 • Tricom Research, Inc. www.tricomresearch.com 17791 Sky Park Circle, Suite J, Irvine, CA 92614 Phone: (949) 250-6024 Fax: (949) 250-6023...
- Page 2 TCR-U/L-50 OPERATOR’S MANUAL Revision History - Document 90400-01465 REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE INITIAL RELEASE 12 NOV 2020 UPDATED P/N, SPECS, LINE DRAWING, AND 29 MAR 2021 IMAGES TO REFLECT INCREASED HEIGHT Note: The latest version of this manual can be downloaded from our website at www.tricomresearch.com.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
TCR-U/L-50 OPERATOR’S MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION General Information ..................1 Abbreviations and Glossary ................2 Equipment Description .................. 3 1.3.1 Modes and Receive Filter Selection .............. 3 1.3.2 Transmit Power Levels .................. 3 1.3.3 OLED Display ....................4 Amplifier Components .................. 5 Power Cable .................... - Page 4 TCR-U/L-50 OPERATOR’S MANUAL INSTALLATION Preparation for Use ..................16 Mounting Provisions ..................16 DC Input Power ..................... 19 RF Connections ..................... 20 Auxiliary Interface ..................20 Firmware Updates ..................20 Optional Functionality and Accessories ............20 3.7.1 Remote Face Plate ..................20 3.7.2 Bias-Tee ......................
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Page 5: Introduction
INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION The TCR-U/L-50 Power Amplifier (PA) evolved from the widely fielded TCR-MBA- 50v2 to meet the demands for increased communication range of existing and emerging handheld and manpack radios utilizing UHF and L-Band waveforms. The PA is designed for use with UHF narrowband as well as UHF and L-Band wideband waveforms and shares the same footprint as the TCR-MBA-50v2. -
Page 6: Abbreviations And Glossary
ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY Amplitude Modulation Antenna ANW2C Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform Revision C ATAK Android Tactical Assault Kit DAMA Demand Assigned Multiple Access Decibel Decibel referenced to 1 milliwatt (0 dBm = 1 mW) Frequency Modulation Hertz Integrated Waveform JITC Joint Interoperability Test Center (DISA) Kilohertz Light Emitting Diode... -
Page 7: Equipment Description
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION The TCR-U/L-50 (Tricom PN: 11000-00927) is a bi-directional half duplex RF Power Amplifier (PA) designed to enhance communications in vehicular, airborne, maritime, man-portable, or fixed-station applications. Current military and commercial waveforms are supported including Narrowband LOS (UHF FM and AM), Frequency Hopping, DAMA/IW SATCOM, Wideband Networking and Special Communications Modes. -
Page 8: Oled Display
1.3.3 OLED DISPLAY The TCR-U/L-50 NVG compatible OLED Home Display is used to indicate the mode of operation, power level, antenna selection, DC input power, internal temperature, RCV/TX, and in use antenna when in AUTO. During use of the Menu function, the display provides clear user instructions. -
Page 9: Amplifier Components
AMPLIFIER COMPONENTS The TCR-U/L-50 Power Amplifier has a sealed, rugged enclosure finished in black anodize and designed to withstand the elements and resist corrosion. The enclosure houses all electronic subassemblies including printed circuit board assemblies, filter and switching networks, and interconnects. - Page 10 RECEIVE: UHF SATCOM Frequency Range 225-320 MHz with co-site filtering Receive Gain 6 dB, 3.5 dB NF Frequency Range 225-450 MHz with co-site filtering Receive Gain 6 dB, 3.5 dB NF Frequency Range 1.25-1.45 GHz with co-site filtering Receive Gain 6 dB, 4.5 dB NF Frequency Range 1.75-1.85 GHz with co-site filtering...
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Page 11: Table 1-2 Additional Specifications
Table 1-2. Additional Specifications ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS: Immersion 1 meter RADIO/UHF/L-BAND Connectors TNC female (immersion rated without cap) DC Connector MS3112E10-6P AUX Connector 9 pin Fischer, DBPU 102 A059-239G Operating Voltage 28-32 VDC nominal (22-34 VDC without shutdown) Protection High temperature fold back, High VSWR High voltage, DC input Reverse polarity, DC input Near Strike Lightning... -
Page 12: Table 1-3 Interconnect Characteristics
Table 1-3. Interconnect Characteristics CONN SIGNAL/PIN DETAIL DC IN DC Power Input MS3112E10-6P (Mating connector MS3116F10-6S) Pin A 28-32 VDC Pin B Electrical Ground (GND) Pin C Reserved Pin D Reserved Pin E Reserved Pin F Reserved RADIO TNC Female RF from Radio TNC Female RF to UHF Antenna... -
Page 13: Operation
OPERATION WARNING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION FROM THE ANTENNA CAN DAMAGE EYES AND OTHER BODY TISSUE WHEN THE SYSTEM IS TRANSMITTING. DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ANTENNA OR IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SIDES OR BACK OF THE ANTENNA WHEN TRANSMITTING. GENERAL INFORMATION The TCR-U/L-50 can be used for operation once it has been installed as described in Section 3. - Page 14 The antenna port is automatically selected based on operating mode and the Antenna Mode set within configuration settings in the menu. Antenna Mode 1 is set as the default. This mode is intended for integrations using separate narrowband and wideband antennas. UHF Narrowband modes are routed to the UHF antenna port and UHF and L-Band WB and TW modes to the L-BAND antenna port.
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Page 15: Pushbutton Functions
2.3.1 PUSHBUTTON FUNCTIONS PWR Pushbutton – Power On/Off - To turn the amplifier on, press the PWR button. The PA will turn on, complete a post process, and enter the Home Display in the same state as it was last powered off. -
Page 16: Modes Of Operation
MODES OF OPERATION 2.4.1 UHF FM and AM From the Home Display, press the MODE button repeatedly until the display shows the desired mode (UHF FM or AM). Default settings for UHF modes are the UHF antenna port and 50W. The UHF filter band is 225-450 MHz. -
Page 17: Byp L-Band
2.4.6 BYP L-BAND From the Home Display, press the MODE button repeatedly until the display shows BYP L- BAND. When the BYP L-BAND mode is selected, RF is routed to the L-BAND antenna port with no amplification. The bypass band is 30 MHz to 2.6 GHz. Signals outside of this band will be attenuated. -
Page 18: Frequency Fault And Recovery
FREQUENCY FAULT AND RECOVERY The TCR-U/L-50 has built-in frequency fault protection. 2.5.1 FREQUENCY FAULT, UHF SATCOM MODE If the RF input frequency is outside of the 290-320 MHz range while in UHF SATCOM mode, the display will show “FREQUENCY FAULT, CHECK MODE” with no change to the PA mode or status. -
Page 19: System Warnings
SYSTEM WARNINGS The TCR-U/L-50 has built-in monitoring for voltage, current, and temperature. This section identifies warnings which are indications of improper operating conditions and may cause the amplifier to limit output power or shut down, as described. 2.8.1 HIGH TEMP ALERT If the amplifier internal temperature sensor detects excessive heat, the warning message “HIGH TEMP ALERT, TX PWR REDUCED”... -
Page 20: Installation
Table 2-3. Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION “HIGH TEMP The amplifier has exceeded its normal Provide additional airflow or ALERT” operating temperature. reduce transmission time. "HIGH TEMP The amplifier has exceeded its normal Provide additional airflow or FAULT" operating temperature limit. -
Page 21: Figure 3-1 Tcr-U/L-50 Outline Drawing
Figure 3-1. TCR-U/L-50 Outline Drawing... - Page 22 Figure 3-1. TCR-U/L-50 Outline Drawing (cont.)
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Page 23: Dc Input Power
The DC input power connector, shown in Figure 3-2, is compatible with a variety of power cables (custom made or available for purchase from Tricom Research Inc.). A typical power cable is shown in Figure 3-3. Note that the PA has true reverse polity protection, including protection from connecting the positive voltage input to Pin B (GND) with a grounded chassis. -
Page 24: Rf Connections
The Power Amplifier firmware can be updated via the rear panel AUX interface. OPTIONAL FUNCTIONALITY AND ACCESSORIES The TCR-U/L-50 supports optional accessories and functionality through the AUX interface. Contact Tricom Research at support@tricomresearch.com for additional information. 3.7.1 REMOTE FACE PLATE An optional Remote Face Plate is available for the TCR-U/L-50. -
Page 25: Bias-Tee
3.7.2 BIAS-TEE Optional Bias-Tee units are available for the TCR-U/L-50 with a basic and enhanced version available. The Bias-Tee places the amplifier near the antenna while maintaining control of the PA near the operator. The basic version allows the user to turn the PA on or off remotely while the enhanced version offers full remote control. - Page 26 APPENDIX A...
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