Atec 8800 User Manual

Personal and Area Monitors

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T.O.C.

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SMARTS

TM

AREA MONITORS

2 MHz to 100 GHz Detection

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Audible, Visible, Remote Alarms

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Continuous, Automatic Monitoring

•

Failsafe

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Requires No Operator

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Indoor and Outdoor Models

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DESCRIPTION

Narda’s SMARTS family of area monitors provides con­tinuous detection of RF radiation within a specific area.
Models are available to cover any frequency between
2 MHz and 100 GHz. These monitors represent a major
advance in safety monitoring programs for non-ionizing
radiation. In the past, a safety program was limited to per­forming periodic surveys of a particular system or area,
which meant anacute failure could go undetected until the
next survey was performed. And since all major interna­tional safety standards set limits for average exposure
level over a few minutes, the use of survey instruments
alone meant a hazardous condition could exist for days,
weeks, or even months. With the SMARTS, potentially
hazardous areas can be continuously monitored to help
insure a hazard-free environment as well as compliance
with industry and government standards.

Four models cover wide frequency bands from 2 MHz to
100 GHz. Model 8810 covers the 2 to 30 MHz HF band,
Model 8815 operates from10 to 500 MHz,and Model 8820
monitors frequencies between 500 MHz and 18 GHz. The
ultra broadband Model 8825B covers 500 MHz to 100
GHz.

Each model features a unique design for accurate detec­tion in a specific environment. At low frequencies, such as

those around HF antennas and metallic shelters, the elec­tric field component is typically greatly distorted. There­fore, the Model 8810 (2 to 30 MHz) monitors the magnetic
field which is more consistent in these environments. The
standards from Australia, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.
all vary permissible exposure levels by 20 dB over these
frequencies. The Model 8810’s frequency curve has a
shape very similar to these standards. Its alarm threshold
is set to approximately one tenth of the exposure limits to
provide coverage over an area of several square meters.

The Model 8815 (10 to 500 MHz) utilizes what has been
termed “transitional” monitoring. At frequencies below ap­proximately 200 MHz, it responds to the magnetic field
component and it transitions to electric field detection at
frequencies above 200 MHz.

Model 8820 (500 MHz to 18 GHz) and Model 8825B
(500 MHz to 100 GHz) use broadband thermocouple
detectors to monitor the electric field. Both models
sound an alarm only when the average power level is ex­ceeded and are ideal for use with microwave systems
where pulse modulation is normally employed.

SMARTS monitors are available in a totally nonmetallic,
weatherproof enclosure for outdoor mounting. This en­closure will protect the SMARTS from dust, rain, or heavy seas.

435 MORELAND ROAD  HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788
USA TEL: [phone]  INTL TEL: [phone]  FAX [phone]
E-MAIL: [e-mail]  www.nardaeast.l-3com.com

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OPERATION

Indoor SMARTS

Personal and Area Monitors

Outdoor SMARTS

SMARTS monitors operate like common household
smoke detectors. When operating normally, the alarm
LED will flash approximately every 40 seconds. If the main
battery needs to be replaced, the flash will be accompa­nied by a “chirp.” When the SMARTS detects radiation at
its preset alarm threshold or higher, a continuous audible
and visual alarm is generated. During this alarm period an
electronic signal is provided at theSTATUS jack (J1) to ac­tivate various user-supplied remote circuitry. If the main
battery drops below critical levels, or if the detection ele­ments should fail, the system will remain in the alarm
mode until the problem is corrected. If the main battery
should fail completely there will still be a voltage at the J1
produced by a backup battery circuit.

Operation can be verified at any time by depressing the
TEST button which activates a full system test. In situa­tions where standard operating procedure produces RF
or microwave power in excess of the threshold and expo­sure to people is possible (e.g., inan anechoic chamber or
on the deck of a ship), the Model 8808 Personnel Sensor
can be used. This sensor will disable the SMARTS alarm
(via the J2 ENABLE jack) unless personnel and high
power radiation are both present.

Since standard visual and audio signals would be masked
by the weatherproof enclosure, outdoor SMARTS models
supply information to a remote location via a weather­proof, multi-pin, MIL-type connector (J101). Normal or
alarm STATUS information iscontinuously available at this
remote location. Also operated by remote control are the
ENABLE jack (J2) and the TEST function. Outdoor
SMARTS models operate from an external low voltage,
very low current supply brought in through the same con­nector. This separate DC source allows operation over a
broader temperature range.

The comprehensive SMARTS family of area monitors
should be part of every safety program involved with high
power RF or microwave energy. Other options or configu­rations, such as different alarm thresholds or calibration
frequencies, can be provided. Consultthe factory for details.

USA TEL: [phone]  INTL TEL: [phone]  FAX [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]  www.nardaeast.l-3com.com

435 MORELAND ROAD  HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788

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