The information set forth in this document and all rights in and to inventions
disclosed herein, and patents which might be granted t her eon disclosing,
employing or covering the materials, methods, techniques or apparatus
described herein are the exclusive property of Andrew Corporation.
This document is an operation and maintenance manual. No disclosur e or
reproduction of the infor mation or drawings shall be made of any other
purpose without the prior written consent of Andrew. Use of the information
contained herein to fabricate or assem b le any item in whole or in part is
expressly prohibited
High voltage is used in the operation of
this equipment. Death on contact may
result, if personnel fail to observe t he
following safety precautions:
• Do not be misled by the term “Low Voltage.” Potent ials as low as 50 Volts may cause
death under adverse conditions.
• Do not crush, puncture, disassemble or other wise mutilate batteries. Leaking batteries
can cause serious damage to equipment and injur y to per sonnel.
• Do not remove covers or access plates on the equipment, unless you are author ized to do so.
• Do not work on electronic equipment unless ther e is anot her person nearby who is familiar
with the operation of the equipment and is t r ained in administering first aid.
• Whenever possible, disconnect t he equipment from the power source bef or e beginning
maintenance.
• To prevent electrical shock or damag e to the equipment, do not operate it until you
thoroughly understand the operation and f unction of all controls, indicators, and
connectors.
• Turn off all power to the equipment before replacing any f uses.
FIRST AID
In case of electrical shock:
• Do not try to pull or grab the individual.
• If possible, turn of f the electrical power.
• If you cannot turn off the electrical power, pull, push, or lift the person to safety using a dry
wooden pole, a dry rope, or some other insulating mater ial.
• Send for help as soon as possible.
• After the injured person is no longer in contact with the source of electrical shock , m ove
the person a short distance away and immediately administer firs t aid and ar tificial
resuscitation as required.
Document use is restricted to that described on coverA
385700-4006-006LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
WARNING
The Distribution Line Amplifier is an unlicensed device oper ating
under the conditions of FCC part 15 regulati ons. This equipment
is intended to be installed and operated by professional parties.
It is the responsibility of those parties to insure that the
equipment is operated in compliance with the applicable FCC
part 15 specifications.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
NOTE
All abbreviations/acronyms used in this
manual, other than those listed on this
page, are used per MIL-STD-12D.
BDRBase Data Radio
USERCommunications-Based Train Control
DLADistribution Line Amplifier
ESDSElect r ostatic Discharge Sensitive
FWDForward
LRULine Replaceable Unit
MDRMobile Data Radio
PCPersonal Computer
RCSRadio Communication Subsystem
RFRadio Fr equency
RVSReverse
SSRSpr ead Spect r um Radio
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385700-4006-006LIST OF REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
LIST OF REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Andrew Catalog 37 (or latest version)
Drawings:
Assembly, Line Amplifier385700-4000
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Table 5-2 Parts List..............................................................................................................5-2
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL MANUAL INFORMATION
This manual contains instructions for the operation, maintenance, and support of the
Distribution Line Amplifier (DLA) assembly. T his manual describes the amplifier assembly in
detail. It provides the necessary inform ation for q ualified technical per sonnel to inst all, repair,
and maintain the Distribution Line Amplifier to the line replaceable unit (LRU).
This manual is divided into seven chapters, which consist of sections to describe the
information or procedures in detail. The five chapters are as follows:
• Chapter 1 outlines the contents of this manual and provides a basic equipment
description of the Distribution Line Am plifier.
• Chapter 2 provides preparation for use and installation information.
• Chapter 3 provides operating procedures f or t he equipment.
• Chapter 4 provides preventive and corrective maintenance of the Dist ribution Line
Amplifier assembly.
• Chapter 5 contains a vendor list and parts list for procurement of replacement
parts.
• Chapter 6 provides mechanical outline informat ion
• Chapter 7 contains a schematic of a test fixture for the Alarm/Cont r ol int erface.
1.2 PREPARATION FOR STORAGE OR SHIPMENT
The following paragraphs describe guidelines for long term stor age and the shipment of the
equipment.
1.2.1 Storage
Before storage, wrap the equipment in static shielding bubble wrap. Bubble wrap protects
internal electrostatic discharge sensit ive (ESDS) assemblies, external panels, and connect ors.
Place wrapped equipment in the original shipping containers and seal. Store in a cool dry
place, away from the elements.
1.2.2 Shipment
Ship equipment in the original shipping containers or in a container that provides sufficient
protection for ESDS equipment. Pack the equipm ent in a manner that provides protection for
all external switches and mountings, because these items are most vulnerable to damage
during shipment.
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT
The Radio Communications Network consists of Base and Mobile Radio Communication
Systems (RCS) and a Wayside Antenna System. The Distribution Line Amplif ier (DLA) is par t
of the distributed Wayside Antenna System based on leaky-feeder cable RADI AX
®
. DLA’s are
used to compensate for attenuation losses in the cable by providing bi-dir ectional amplification
of signals. The DLA also includes a direction control signal and status signals to monitor
amplifier operation.
1.3.1 Type of Equipment
The DLA is a FCC approved bi-directional amplifier that is used with spread spectrum
transceivers that operate in the ISM 2400-2483.5 MHz frequency band. The 4 versions of the
DLA are shown in Table 1-1. The models differ in the number of RF ports and the type of
control interface.
Part NumberDescription
385700-4000-0014 port amplifier with LONWorks™ Interface
385700-4000-0024 port amplifier with dry contact Inter face
385700-4000-0032 port amplifier with LONWorks™ Interface
385700-4000-0042 port amplifier with dry contact Inter face
Table 1-1 – DLA Part Numbers
1.3.2 Purpose of the Equipment
The Distribution Line Amplifier provides selective frequency range amplification of both a
forward (downlink) and reverse (uplink) direction signals in RADIAX
defined as the direction of RF energy from the BDR at the wayside to the MDR. Reverse
direction is defined as the direction of RF energy fr om the MDR to the BDR. T he signals that
appear on the line amplifier RF ports are determined by the USER controlled direction signal.
®
cable. Forward is
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
1.4 LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF MAJOR COMPONENTS
Refer to Figure 1-1 Dist ribution Line Amplifier (4 port) for a view of t he external connections
of the 4 port DLA. The 2 por t DLA does not include J5 or J6. The mechanical outline of t he
DLA is given in CHAPTER 6. The following paragraphs contain the description of the
Distribution Line Amplifier.
Figure 1-1 Distribution Line Amplifier (4 port)
1.4.1 Distribution Line Amplifier Principles of Operation
The bi-directional Distribution Line Amplifier operates within two sub-regions of the 2400 –
2483.5 MHz ISM band. It filters and amplifies at the BDR center f requency of 2416.64 MHz.
in one direction (FW D) and at the MDR center f requency of 2467.86 MHz in another direction
(RVS).
The RF signal at each amplifier is routed thr ough a diplexer (f ilter) to divide the signal int o two
paths: forward and reverse. The DLA has a direct ion control switch which changes the signal
path to the opposite direction upon the command from the user control equipment network
data interface via the alarm and control interface board. The internal status of the DLA is
monitored by the Amplifier Alarm Detectors. The status signals ar e sent to the USER control
equipment network data interface via the alarm and control interface.
The BDR path, also referr ed to as the PA channel or channel 1, contains a power amplifier.
The maximum PA output of the 4 port DLA is < +27 dBm per output port. T he PA output port
of the 2 port DLA is < +30 dBm. The PA channel maintains a constant output power over a
user adjustable range. See Table 1-2 Distribution Line Amplif ier Specifications for the input
range over which the output power is adjustable. The PA channel also contains an input
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
power level alarm as well as an output power alarm. The alarm levels are user adjustable.
The MDR path is also referred to as the LNA channel or channel 2. The LNA channel is
referenced to a pilot tone within the Distribution Line Amplifier. The pilot tone is used (1) to
set the gain of the LNA channel and (2) to provide a method of detecting a f ault y LNA module.
The LNA channel gain is user adjustable. The maximum LNA g ain is +27 dB for the 4 port
DLA per output port and +30 dB for the 2 port DLA. See Table 1-2 Distribution Line Amplifier
Specifications for the range over which the gain is adjustable. Under normal operation, the
input signal is expected to be lower (nominally 10 dB) than the pilot tone.
The PA channel input alarm is used to detect a loss of input signal due t o cable breakage, et c.
The PA channel output alarm and the LNA channel output alarm are combined to indicate an
amplifier failur e.
Refer to Figure 1-2 DLA Block Diagram, for bi-directional amplifier major component
identification.
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
A
Transfer
Relay
Radiax
RF Lightning
Protection
Direction Control
Direction Status
+12 VDC
RF Lightning
Protection
Radiax
Diplexer
Alarm & Control
Interface Board
Radiax Alarm
Detector
LNA Alarm
Detector
USER Control Equipment
PA
LNA
24V Lightning
Protectors
larm & Control
Connections
-10 dBm
PA Alarm
Detector
+12 VDC
Pilot Tone
Generator
Diplexer
+12 VDC
AC-DC
Power Supply
AC
Lightning
Protection
87-265 VAC
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Figure 1-2 DLA Block Diagr am
385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
1.4.2 Distribution Line Amplifier Major Components
Refer to Figure 1-3 DLA I nternal View for locations of major DLA components. The t est point
locations, Pilot Tone Output J3 on the Pilot Tone Board and Alarm and Control Interface
Board Test Points J4, shown in
Figure 1-3 are used for init ial DLA adjustments and ref erenced later in this manual in section
2.5.
J2
J1
J9J7J6J3J4
J2
J1
J8
J5
Lightning Protection Module
Figure 1-3 DLA Internal View
Refer to section 2.5.1, Distribution Line Amplifier Setup, for PA and LNA outline views and
controls.
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385700-4006-006INTRODUCTION
1.5 EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Refer to Table 1-2 Distribution Line Amplifier Specifications. The table contains the
specifications for the DLA. The table includes characteristics and specifications in three
categories: technical, environmental, and physical.
1.5.1 Power and Utility Requirements
The DLA operates across an AC input range of 87 to 265 VAC. No user adjustment is
required.
1.5.2 Environmental Information
The DLA assembly is designed for above and below ground environments. Refer to Table 1-2
Distribution Line Amplifier Specifications, for more det ailed information.
The DLA is housed in a NEMA4X enclosure. It is intended for indoor or outdoor use to
provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water,
and hose-direct water; undamaged by the format ion of ice on the enclosure. The NEMA4X
enclosure is manufactured fr om 16 gauge Type 304 stainless steel.
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