TABLE OF CONTENTS FS700 LORAN-C Frequency Standard Tracking Point Monitoring Condensed Information Notch Filters Tuning the Notch Filters Safety and Preparation for Use Search Problems Symbols Tracking Problems Specifications Frequency Generation Abridged Command List viii and Calibration Quick Start Frequency Menu Phase Menu Operation Time Menu...
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A/D, D/A Converters Clocks and Clock Outputs Phase Comparators/Frequency Output Front Panel LED's/Switches Unregulated Power Supplies Power Supply Regulators Active Antenna FS700 Component Parts List FS710 Amplifier FS710 – 10 MHz AGC Distribution Amplifier Introduction Front Panel - Figure 1...
SAFETY AND PREPARATION FOR USE WARNING: Dangerous voltages, capable of causing death, are present in this instrument. Use extreme caution whenever the instrument covers are removed. WARNING: Watch for overhead power lines when installing the FS700's antenna. Contact with power lines can be fatal.
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FS700 Antenna Installation Instructions: New FS700 Antenna Installation Instructions: The new style PVC base LORAN-C antenna used with the FS700 LORAN Receiver comes with a 6" galvanized pipe nipple and 2 U-bolt clamps for mounting. After securing galvanized pipe with U-bolts, the antenna base can be screwed onto the pipe nipple and the BNC connector can be connected to the lead-in cable.
SPECIFICATIONS Receiver Specifications Will lock with signal-to-atmospheric noise level of -10 dB or better. Sensitivity Filtered and gain controlled antenna signal, typically 6 V peak-to-peak. LORAN Output All available stations pre-programmed. Auto-Seek finds and tracks Station Search strongest station. 6 adjustable 30 dB notch filters, 3 at 40 - 90 kHz, 3 at 110 - 220 kHz. Notch Filters 8 Foot Active Whip with 30 dB switchable attenuator, bandpass filter, Antenna...
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0.01 V/degree, 0 to ±360°. Output proportional to phase difference Phase Output between OSC IN and FREQUENCY OUTPUT for frequencies between 100 kHz and 10 MHz. 3° Phase Resolution Interface IEEE - 488 compatible interface. All instrument functions may be GPIB controlled.
ABRIDGED COMMAND LIST Commands which may be queried have a ? in parentheses (?) after the mnemonic. The ( ) are not sent. Commands that may only be queried have a '?' after the mnemonic. Commands which may not be queried have no '?'. Optional parameters are enclosed by {}. i and j are integers. Tracking Control Commands Sets the search mode to AUTO (i = 1) or Manual (i = 0).
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Reads the LORAN status register, or just bit n of register. STAT? {j} Hardware Test Commands (NOTE: These commands are not needed during normal operation.) Starts self-test and returns status when done. *TST? Sets antenna input source. i = 0 = antenna, i = 1 = cal. $ASC i Reads In phase and Quadrature gate data.
QUICK START INSTURCTIONS When Installing the FS700 for the first time, it is recommended that the following procedure be carried out. If a problem is encountered, please read the detailed discussion on instrument operation (pages 1-46). 1) Make sure that the correct line voltage has been selected on the rear panel power entry module. 2) Install the antenna according to the instructions on pages iv and 9 of this manual.
INTRODUCTION TO LORAN-C LORAN-C is an accurate navigation system that is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard (LORAN stands for Long Range Navigation). A receiver that measures the arrival times of the signals from three LORAN stations can determine its position with an accuracy of about 1000 feet at a range of over 1000 miles.
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secondary station in a prescribed order. The signals are transmitted so that the pulse groups will never overlap within the reception range of the stations. This is shown in Figure 1. The receiver determines its position from the time differences between the transmissions from each station, and the known positions of the transmitters.
LORAN transmissions are Phase Coded to minimize the effects of Phase Coding random noise, CW signal interference, and skywave interference. Some of the pulses in the eight pulse group are transmitted with the carrier signal inverted with respect to the rest of the pulses. That is, some pulses are transmitted with the first cycle of the pulse starting by going negative instead of positive.
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1) United States Naval Observatory, Time Services Division 34 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, DC 20390 (202) 653-1507 Ask to be placed on the LORAN-C chain information mailing list. LORAN-C station propagation delays may also be obtained from: 2) United States Coast Guard Headquarters Washington, D.C.
FS700 OVERVIEW The FS700 LORAN-C Frequency Standard produces a highly stable Introduction and accurate 10 MHz output by locking an internal crystal oscillator to the Cesium clock controlled LORAN-C radio transmission. The FS700 system consists of a receiver, containing amplifiers, filters, and data acquisition circuitry, and a remote antenna, with an internal preamplifier.
The entire search process takes between 15 and 40 minutes depending on the signal-to-noise ratio of the station selected. It is important to understand that at large distances (>1000 miles) from the LORAN transmitter, the LORAN skywave signal can be many times larger than the groundwave signal.
FRONT / REAR PANEL FEATURES Front Panel Features Pressing the power switch turns the FS700 on and off. In STBY 1) Power Switch position only, the ovenized oscillator is on. This minimizes warm-up time. The numeric keypad allows entry and modification of parameters in the 2) Numeric Keypad FS700's menus.
it is either an error or an informational message. To retrieve the menu display, just press any key. This BNC outputs the amplified and filtered antenna signal. This may 7) LORAN Output be used in conjunction with the rear panel GRI SYNC and GATE outputs to view the receiver's tracking point.
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These four outputs provide a 1 V pk-pk 10 MHz output when terminated 4) 10 MHz Outputs into 50 ohms. These outputs are individually buffered and are short- circuit protected. This is a TTL compatible output that is high when the receiver is locked 5) Lock Output (LOCK LED on).
FRONT PANEL OPERATION The parameters controlling the operation of the FS700 are displayed Introduction and adjusted in a set of six menus. Each menu may have one or more screens (two line displays) of data. Each screen may contain one or more field (adjustable parameter).
oscillator is not fully warmed up the search may fail. When in AUTO, if a signal error forces the FS700 to terminate locking, the FS700 will automatically start a new search. While in MANUAL, a new search must be started by pressing the EXC key. GRI: 99400 µs Station: X Location: Middletown, CA USA...
the location message will display that fact. In AUTO station selection the FS700 will display the station location once a station is chosen. Search Mode: Auto Start Station Acquisition (EXC) The second screen has two parameters and controls the starting and Search Mode stopping of the locking process.
Receiver Gain: 75dB Noise Margin: 33dB Status Menu The first screen displays the FS700's gain and signal-to-noise ratio. Gain, Signal to Noise The gain is the gain necessary to bring the selected station to full scale signal level. The maximum value is 120 dB. Noise Margin indicates the current LORAN signal quality.
The third screen displays the identification and amplitude of all stations Stations Found found during the search phase of station acquisition. The amplitudes are displayed in relative dB, and the station that the FS700 is locked to has a "*" next to it. The station identifications will be displayed if the FS700 knows them.
pulse in the middle of the screen. Set the scope to average about 1000 triggers. After the signal has averaged for a while, the LORAN pulse should be easily visible. By expanding the vertical scale it is easy to see the start of the pulse. It is simple to observe the tracking point by counting zero crossings and remembering that the LORAN pulse starts with a positive half cycle that doesn't count as a zero crossing.
Method Three: 1) Start the FS700's search. Look at the LORAN OUTPUT on a normal scope with the horizontal speed set so that an entire GRI fits onto the screen. 2a) If the interfering signal is so big that it is the only thing visible on the scope, adjust the notch filters so that the interfering signal is minimized.
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Station Not Found - This error will occur if the specific selected station is not detected. This may mean that the station is off the air or out of range. Can't Match Phase Code - This error occurs if no phase coding seems to match that of the selected station.
being tracked drops to less than 10 dB. A different station should be chosen if possible. Noise Margin < 1dB - This error occurs if the measured signal to noise ratio of the station being tracked drops to less than 1 dB. In this case, tracking is terminated.
Frequency Out: 2.5 MHz The frequency of the FS700's FREQUENCY OUTPUT is set in the Frequency Menu FREQ menu. This frequency is set using the cursor keys in a 1, 2.5, 5 sequence (for example, 1 kHz, 2.5 kHz, 5 kHz), between 0.01 Hz and 10 MHz.
for the calibration of frequency sources by adjusting the frequency of the source until the bar stops moving. The bar should only be used when the frequency offset is less than 10 Hz because at greater offsets the beating of the offset and the display update rate can make the bar appear to stand still even though the offset is still large.
Data: GRIP99400;STRT Address: 17 The SETUP menu allows the user to set the FS700's GPIB address, Setup Menu view received GPIB data, and set the display contrast. The first screen displays the received GPIB data and the GPIB address. The GPIB address may be set in the range of 0 to 30. The last 256 characters that the FS700 has received may be viewed by scrolling the data display back and forth using the up and down arrow keys.
PROGRAMMING THE FS700 The FS700 LORAN Frequency Standard may be remotely programmed Communications via the GPIB (IEEE-488) interface. Any computer that supports this interface may be used to program the FS700. All features of the instrument may be controlled. The FS700 supports the IEEE-488.1 (1978) interface standard. It also GPIB Communication supports the required common commands of the IEEE-488.2 (1987) standard.
command line (separated by semicolons, of course) the answers will be returned in a single response line separated by semicolons. The FS700 sends a linefeed plus EOI as the response terminator. Examples of Command Formats: FREQ 27 <lf> Sets the Frequency Output to 10 MHz (1 parameter). FREQ? <lf>...
8192 GRI 16384 GRI The GRIP x command sets the GRI to the value x, where x is in units of GRIP (?) {x} micro seconds and may range from 40000 to 99990 micro seconds. The value is rounded to the nearest 10 ms. The GRIP? query returns the current GRI setting in units of micro seconds.
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information is returned in the format: identification, amplitude. identification number is the station index value defined in the LSTA? query. The amplitude is a relative value in units of dB and can be used to compare the relative amplitudes of stations detected. The value of i can range from 0 to the number of stations found minus 1.
The TLCK? query returns the time duration the FS700 has been locked. TLCK? The answer is returned in the format h, m, s and the number of hours can go up to 32767. If the FS700 is unlocked, the value 0, 0, 0 is returned.
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100.0 250.0 500.0 10.0 The PHSE? query returns the phase difference between the external PHSE? input and the internal frequency source. The answer is returned in degrees with 0.1 degree resolution. If an input signal is not present or the output frequency is set to less than 100 kHz, the value -999 is returned.
Status Reporting Commands (See tables at the end of the programming section for definitions of the status bytes.) The *CLS command clears both status registers (standard event *CLS register and LORAN status register). This command does not affect the status enable registers. The *ESE command sets the standard event status byte enable register *ESE(?) {i} to the decimal value i.
Hardware Test Commands The *TST? query initiates the hardware self-test and returns the test *TST? status at the completion of the test. If the FS700 is currently locking to a station, this command will be ignored and an execution error will be generated.
The OSCF command directly sets the oscillator control DAC to i (- OSCF(?) i 32767 to 32767). If the FS700 is currently locking to a station, this command will be ignored and an execution error will be generated. Status Byte Definitions The FS700 reports on its status by means of three status bytes: the Status Reporting serial poll byte, the standard event status byte, and the LORAN status...
unused - - - - - - - - - Query Error Set on output buffer overflow (answer not being read by host computer). Memory Error Set on power-up when the battery backed up memory is corrupt. Execution Error Set by an out of range parameter, or non- completion of a command due to some reason like being locked.
PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES Example 1 IBM PC, Microsoft C Ver. 5.1 Using the National Instruments GPIB Interface. To successfully interface the FS700 to a PC via the GPIB interface, the instrument, interface card, and interface drivers must all be configured properly. To configure the FS700, the GPIB address must be set in the SETUP menu.
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if ( FS700=ibfind("loran"))<=0 ) { /* Find Device */ printf("Cannot Find Device LORAN\n"); exit(0); ibwrt (FS700,"*STB?",5); /* reads status byte */ ibrd (FS700,tstr,20); /* read answer */ tstr[ibcnt] = 0; /* terminate string */ sscanf (tstr,"%d",&i); /* convert answer to integer */ if ( i &...
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Example 2 IBM PC, IBM BASIC Using the National Instruments GPIB Interface. Refer to the previous example for a discussion about the National Instruments GPIB interface. This BASIC program does exactly the same thing as the C program in the previous example. Be sure to use the file DECL.BAS provided by National Instruments to start the program.
TROUBLESHOOTING Initially, make sure the power entry module on the rear panel is set for the AC line voltage for your area, the correct fuse is installed, and the line cord is inserted all the way into the power entry module. selected line voltage may be seen through the clear window, just below the fuse.
Integrator X High Gain FAIL This message indicates a problem with the displayed integrator (1,2,3,4) in the high gain setting (short time constant). Integrator (3,4) Low Gain FAIL This message indicates a problem with the displayed integrator in the low gain setting.
HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES The following procedures describe a few simple tests as an aid in debugging hardware problems. First, make sure that the FS700 is not locking or searching by entering the TRACKING menu, setting the SEARCH MODE to MANUAL, and stopping the lock. The FS700 has two calibration menus (CAL MENU 1 and 2) that are accessed by pressing the BSP key simultaneously with either the TIME or FREQ key.
The integrators may be tested by applying a 100 kHz test signal to the Integrator Tests antenna input through the ANTENNA TERMINATOR as described above. Set the attenuators (in CAL MENU 1) to 64 dB and adjust the signal level to get about 6 V pk-pk at the LORAN OUTPUT. The integrator gate type and position may be controlled in CAL MENU 1.
PERFORMANCE TESTS The following tests check the performance of the FS700 and verify that Introduction the hardware functions properly. The results of each test may be recorded on the test sheet at the end of this section. Calibration of the FS700 should only be attempted if the relevant performance test fails.
2) Use the up arrow key to light each LED in turn. Only a single LED should be on at a time. The down arrow key will step backward through the sequence. 3) After lighting the REM LED, pressing the up arrow key again will enter keyboard test mode.
1) Turn on the FS700. The model number and firmware version number should be displayed for about three seconds. Then the self- tests will execute. If any of the tests fail, refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section of the manual for a description of the error messages.
4) Look at the four 10 MHz outputs on the scope with 50 W termination. The outputs should be sine waves with an amplitude between 0.75 and 2 V peak-to-peak. This test checks the functionality of the FS700's phasemeter and Phasemeter Check internal frequency synthesizer.
FS700 PERFORMANCE TEST RECORD Serial Number:____________ Oscillator:________ Tested By:_______________ Date:___________ Temperature:_______ Comments: Performance Tests Display Test ____ Fail ____ Pass Minimum Actual Maximum RF Bandwidth Tests Nominal Signal Level 0.1 V rms _________ 0.7 V rms 90 kHz Amplitude Nominal - 2 dB _________ Nominal +2 dB...
CALIBRATION The procedures listed in the following section allow the adjustment of the FS700's bandpass filters, notch filters, and coarse adjustment of the internal crystal oscillator. These are the only adjustments necessary to completely calibrate the FS700. These calibrations should be rarely, if ever, needed.
3) Stop the FS700's lock (in the TRACKING menu set SEARCH MODE to MANUAL and STOP lock). 4) In CAL MENU 2 (press BSP and FREQ keys simultaneously) set the oscillator DAC to 0. 5) Measure the 10 MHz output frequency and adjust the oscillator coarse adjustment screw until the counter reads the same number as before.
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2) In CAL MENU 1 (press BSP and TIME keys simultaneously), set the FS700's attenuators for 64 dB. Look at the LORAN OUTPUT on the scope in x-y mode ( to see the sweep). Make sure that the notch filters are set to their extremes (40 and 220 kHz). Install jumpers JP105, JP106, and JP107 (these are out in normal operation).
Notch Filter Alignment This procedure aligns the six notch filters. The procedure describes alignment of a single filter, the procedure is identical for all six filters. This alignment should be done only if the notch filter check in the PERFORMANCE TESTS section of the manual has failed. 1) Set the function generator for 200 mV pk-pk sine wave.
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION Front End/Notch Filters (p. 1/14) The power for the active antenna (see page 14/14) is provided by Q101 and the bias network consisting of R102 and R103. Relay K101 selects the antenna as the front end input during normal operation, and a 100 kHz calibration signal during unit self testing.
attenuation in 4 dB steps, and the last stage provides up to 3 dB of attenuation in 1 dB steps. The LORAN signal present after the filter stages is provided directly to integrator stages to be discussed later, and is also demodulated for AGC use.
Five 74HC374 Octal Flip-Flops provide latched output bits, and two 74HC244 Octal Buffers provide input bits to the buffered data bus. The front panel switch connector J301 provides eight outputs for the LED's on the front panel, along with +5 V power and ground. Eight input lines are also provided to read the status of the front panel keypad switches.
the counter clock for loading the RAM contents with a pattern, and 5_MHz as the clock during integration. Flip-flop U507A is used to synchronize the start of the timing cycle with the Group Repetition Interval (GRI) of the LORAN chain being monitored, as well as to load the counters synchronously with the 100 kHz clock signal.
Phase comparison is provided by U803, an ECL Phase-Frequency Detector. The external frequency input at J801 is discriminated by comparator U809 and coupled through ECL Line Receivers U805C and U805D to one input of the phase detector. The other input is from the frequency output selected by fast multiplexer U806, and is coupled through ECL line receivers U805A and U805B.
oscillator. The power switch on the front panel acts only to enable the unit's power supply regulators. Power Supply Regulators (p. 12/14) The 5 volt supply is regulated by pass transistor Q902. The base of this transistor is controlled by U907 to maintain the output at 5 volts. U907A compares the output (emitter) side of Q902 with the output of U905, which serves as a 5 volt reference.
FS700 PARTS LIST FS700 Main Board/Front Panel Board Main Board and Front Panel Parts List REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION BT201 6-00001-612 BR-2/3A 2PIN PC Battery 5-00100-517 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad 5-00100-517 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad 5-00100-517 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad...
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C 107 5-00220-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION C 108 5-00220-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 109 5-00220-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 110 5-00220-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 111 5-00220-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U...
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C 705 5-00132-501 Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL C 706 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION C 707 5-00225-548 .1U AXIAL Capacitor, Ceramic, 50V,+80/-20% Z5U AX C 708 5-00225-548 .1U AXIAL Capacitor, Ceramic, 50V,+80/-20% Z5U AX C 709 5-00098-517 Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad...
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C 925 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 926 5-00225-548 .1U AXIAL Capacitor, Ceramic, 50V,+80/-20% Z5U AX C 927 5-00225-548 .1U AXIAL Capacitor, Ceramic, 50V,+80/-20% Z5U AX REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION C 928 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 929 5-00225-548 .1U AXIAL...
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C 975 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 976 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 977 5-00100-517 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad C 978 5-00100-517 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION C 979 5-00100-517...
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J 202 1-00238-161 GPIB SHIELDED Connector, IEEE488, Reverse, R/A, Female J 300 1-00010-130 20 PIN ELH Connector, Male JP104 1-00006-130 2 PIN DI Connector, Male JP105 1-00006-130 2 PIN DI Connector, Male JP106 1-00006-130 2 PIN DI Connector, Male REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION...
FS710 AGC circuitry compensates for up to 30 Amplifier provides seven sine wave outputs dB of cable loss. This makes the FS710 ideal from a single 10 MHz source. Designed as an for distributing a 10 MHz timebase as far as a accessory to the FS700 LORAN Receiver, the mile from a FS700 receiver.
LINE VOLTAGE SELECTION power off and disconnect the line cord before removing the cover or changing components. The FS710 operates from a 100, 120, 220 or 240 Volt AC nominal, 50 or 60 Hz power source. Before applying power, verify that the...
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FS710 PARTS LIST REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION C 11 5-00132-501 Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL C 12 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 13 5-00023-529 Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U C 21 5-00132-501 Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL...
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