Bird Technologies 4391A User Manual
MULTI-PURPOSE
THRULINE
RF POWER ANALYST
®
WATTMETER
®
MODEL 4391A
CABLE AND ANTENNA TESTER
FOR WIRELESS SYSTEMS
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
©Copyright 2012
Instruction Book Part Number 920-4391A Rev. K
Thruline® and Power Analyst® are Registered Trademark of
by Bird Electronic Corporation
Bird Electronic Corporation
Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to
any specific part or procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this
publication. These precautions must be thoroughly understood and apply to all
phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating Personnel must at all times observe general safety precautions. Do
not replace components or make adjustments to the inside of the test
equipment with the high voltage supply turned on. To avoid casualties, always
remove power.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
Do not attempt to remove the RF transmission line while RF power is present.
WARNING
Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone
Under no circumstances should any person reach into an enclosure for the
purpose of service or adjustment of equipment except in the presence of
someone who is capable of rendering aid.
WARNING
Safety Earth Ground
An uniterruptible earth safety ground must be supplied from the main power
source to test instruments. Grounding one conductor of a two conductor
power cable is not sufficient protection. Serious injury or death can occur if this
grounding is not properly supplied.
WARNING
Resuscitation
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be familiar with modern
methods of resuscitation.
WARNING
Remove Power
Observe general safety precautions. Do not open the instrument with the
power on.
16
Safety Symbols
WARNING
Warning notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed,
could result in personal injury.
CAUTION
Caution notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed,
could result in damage to the instrument.
The caution symbol appears on the equipment indicating there is
important information in the instruction manual regarding that particular area
Note: Calls attention to supplemental information.
Warning Statements
The following safety warnings appear in the text where there is danger to operating and maintenance personnel, and are repeated here for emphasis.
Use only Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries that have a minimum
WARNING
capacity of 4500 milliamper hours (mAh). Do not install batteries that are
not Nickel Metal Hydride. Do not install NiMH batteries that have less than
4500 mAh capacity. Failure to comply may result in damage to the batteries,
damage to the instrument, and injury to personnel from battery chemicals.
On pages 16 and 18.
WARNING
Use dry cleaning solvents in a well ventilated area. Avoid excessive inhalation
of solvent fumes, since they can be toxic in heavy concentrations. Always wear
eye protection and avoid skin contact with the solvent.
On pages 17.
WAR NIN G
Ensure that the power cable is unplugged before opening the wattmeter case. The
power supply capacitor, C1, can retain a dangerous charge that must be removed
before touching. Always have another person standing by who is trained in electric
shock first aid.
On pages 22.
i
Caution Statements
The following equipment cautions appear in the text and are repeated here for
emphasis.
Long-term storage of this instrument can affect battery performance and reduce
battery life. Do not store the instrument for long periods of time without
recharging the batteries (refer to page 18). Failure to comply may result in reduced
battery charge and shortened battery life.
On pages 7 and 16.
Always be certain the 115/230 voltage selector is set to the proper voltage
before AC power is applied.
On page 7.
Never apply RF power to the Model 4391A Wattmeter unless both line section
sockets are filled with either an element or a dust plug. If an element is used it is
advisable to place the element with the arrow at a 90° angle to the coaxial line.
On page 9.
Always disconnect AC power before opening the Model 4391 enclosure.
Removal of at least one battery cell is also recommended when servicing the
On page 9.
If the element cannot be fully inserted into the socket, do not force it. You
might damage the element.
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
instrument.
CAUTION
On page 20.
CAUTION
This instrument contains static sensitive electronic components. Before
opening or servicing the unit, make sure that you understand and practice
electrostatic discharge component handling. Failure to comply may result in
permanent damage to sensitive components.
On page 22.
ii
Safety Statements
USAGE
ANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT
SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER MAY IMPAIR THE
INSTRUMENT’S SAFETY PROTECTION.
USO
EL USO DE ESTE INSTRUMENTO DE MANERA NO
ESPECIFICADA POR EL FABRICANTE, PUEDE ANULAR LA
PROTECCIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO.
BENUTZUNG
WIRD DAS GERÄT AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM
HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN, KANN DIE GERÄTESICHERHEIT
BEEINTRÄCHTIGT WERDEN.
UTILISATION
TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUMENT QUI N’EST PAS
EXPLICITEMENT PRÉVUE PAR LE FABRICANT PEUT
ENDOMMAGER LE DISPOSITIF DE PROTECTION DE
L’INSTRUMENT.
IMPIEGO
QUALORA QUESTO STRUMENTO VENISSE UTILIZZATO IN
MODO DIVERSO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE
LA PROZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE
COMPROMESSA.
iii
SERVICE
SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE TRAINED PERSONNEL ONLY. TO AVOID DANGEROUS
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING
UNLESS QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
SERVICIO
LAS INSTRUCCIONES DE SERVICIO SON PARA USO
EXCLUSIVO DEL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO CAPACITADO. PARA
EVITAR EL PELIGRO DE DESCARGAS ELÉCTRICAS, NO
REALICE NINGÚN SERVICIO A MENOS QUE ESTÉ
CAPACITADO PARA HACERIO.
WARTUNG
ANWEISUNGEN FÜR DIE WARTUNG DES GERÄTES GELTEN
NUR FÜR GESCHULTES FACHPERSONAL.
ZUR VERMEIDUNG GEFÄHRLICHE, ELEKTRISCHE SCHOCKS,
SIND WARTUNGSARBEITEN AUSSCHLIEßLICH VON
QUALIFIZIERTEM SERVICEPERSONAL DURCHZUFÜHREN.
ENTRENTIEN
L’EMPLOI DES INSTRUCTIONS D’ENTRETIEN DOIT ÊTRE
RÉSERVÉ AU PERSONNEL FORMÉ AUX OPÉRATIONS
D’ENTRETIEN. POUR PRÉVENIR UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
DANGEREUX, NE PAS EFFECTUER D’ENTRETIEN SI L’ON N’A
PAS ÉTÉ QUALIFIÉ POUR CE FAIRE.
ASSISTENZA TECNICA
LE ISTRUZIONI RELATIVE ALL’ASSISTENZA SONO PREVISTE
ESCLUSIVAMENTE PER IL PERSONALE OPPORTUNAMENTE
ADDESTRATO. PER EVITARE PERICOLOSE SCOSSE
ELETTRICHE NON EFFETTUARRE ALCUNA RIPARAZIONE A
MENO CHE QUALIFICATI A FARLA.
iv
UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH RECHAREABLE BATTERIES.
THESE ARE TO BE REPLACED BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE
PERSONNEL ONLY!!!
LAS UNIDADES VIENEN EQUIPADAS CON BATERIAS
RECARGABLES.
¡¡¡Y SOLAMENTE EL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO AUTORIZADO
PUEDE REEMPLAZARLAS!!!
GERÄTE SIND MIT WIEDER AUFLADBAREN BATTERIEN
BESTÜCKT.
BATTERIEN SIND NUR VON QUALIFIZIERTEM SERICE
PERSONAL AUSZUWECHSELN!!!
CES DISPOSITIFS SONT ÉQUIPÉS DE BATTERIES
RECHARGEABLES.
SEUL LE PERSONNEL D’ENTRETIEN AUTORISÉ EST HABILITÉ
À LES REMPLACER !
LE UNITÀ SONO DOTATE DI BATTERIE RICARICABILI,
CHE DEVONO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE LA
PROTEZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE
COMPROMESSA.
USE CORRECT VOLTAGE SETTING AND FUSE - SEE MANUAL.
UTILISER UNE TENSION ET UN FUSIBLE CORRECTS - CONSULTER
LE MODE D'EMPLOI.
USE LA INSTALACION Y FUSIBLE DE VOLTAJE CORRECTO - VEA
EL MANUAL.
AUSSCHLIESSLICH VORSCHRIFTSMÄSSIGE
WECHSELSPANNUNGS-EINSTELLUNG UND SICHERUNG
BENUTZEN - SIEHE DAZU HANDBUCH.
UTILLIZZARE TENSIONE E FUSIBLE ADATTI - FARE RIFERIMENTO
AL MANUALE.
v
BE SURE THE 115/230V AC VOLTAGE SELECTOR IS SET TO THE
PROPER LINE VOLTAGE, AND THE CORRECT AC LINE FUSE IS
INSTALLED BEFORE AC POWER IS APPLIED.
S'ASSURER QUE LE SÉLECTEUR DE TENSION 115/230V C.A. EST
BIEN RÉGLÉ POUR LA TENSION DU RÉSEAU ET QUE LE FUSIBLE
DE LIGNE C.A. CORRECT EST EN PLACE AVANT DE METTRE SOUS
TENSION C.A.
CERCIORESE QUE EL SELECTOR DE VOLTAJE DE 115/230V CA
ESTE COLOCADO A LA LINEA DE VOLTAJE APROPIADA Y QUE EL
FUSIBLE ESTE INSTALADO A LA LINEA CA ANTES DE APLICAR LA
CORRIENTE ALTERNA.
VOR EINSCHALTEN DER WECHSELSTROMZUFUHR
SICHERSTELLEN, DASS DER 115/230V WECHSELSPANNUNGSSELEKTOR AUF DIE VORSCHRIFTSMÄSSIGE
LEITUNGSSPANNUNG EINGESTELLT UND DIE RICHTIGE
WECHSELSTROM-HAUPTSICHERUNG EINGESETZT IST.
PRIMA DI EROGARE CORRENTE, ASSICURARSI CHE IL
SELETTORE DI VOLTAGGIO 115/230 V.C.A. SIA REGOLATO
CORRETTAMENTE E CHE IL FUSIBLE ADATTO ALLA LINEA DI
ALIMENTAZIONE C.A. SIA INSTALLATO.
vi
RF VOLTAGE MAY BE PRESENT IN RF ELEMENT SOCKET - KEEP
ELEMENT IN SOCKET DURING OPERATION.
DE LA TENSION H.F. PEAT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE DANS LA PRISE DE
L'ÉLÉMENT H.F. - CONSERVER L'ÉLÉMENT DANS LA PRISE LORS
DE L'EMPLOI.
HF-SPANNUNG KANN IN DER HF-ELEMENT-BUCHSE ANSTEHEN ELEMENT WÄHREND DES BETRIEBS EINGESTÖPSELT LASSEN.
PUEDE HABER VOLTAJE RF EN EL ENCHUFE DEL ELEMENTO RF MANTENGA EL ELEMENTO EN EL ENCHUFE DURANTE LA
OPERACION.
IL PORTAELEMENTO RF PUÒ PRESENTARE VOLTAGGIO RF TENERE L'ELEMENTO NELLA PRESA DURANTE IL
FUNZIONAMENTO.
vii
About This Manual
This manual covers the operating and maintenance instructions for the following models:
4391A
Changes to this Manual
We have made every effort to ensure this manual is accurate. If you discover any
errors, or if you have suggestions for improving this manual, please send your
comments to our Solon, Ohio factory. This manual may be periodically updated.
When inquiring about updates to this manual refer to the part number and revision on the title page.
Chapter Layout
Introduction - Introduces the external features and and functions of the unit,
equipment provided, and optons available.
Theory of Operation - Describes the overall operation of the circuitry and the
instrument functions.
Installation - Provides information about connecting the instrument to your
equipment.
Operation - All instructions necessary to operate the equipment, are con-
tained in this section.
Maintenance - If a failure should occur, the troubleshooting section will aid in
isolating and repairing the failure.
Parts - For location of major assemblies or parts refer to the part lists and asso-
ciated drawings.
viii
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Warning Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Caution Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Safety Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Changes to this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Chapter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose and Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 2 Theory of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Description of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Keyboard, Range Switches, and Display Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Elements, Analog Circuitry, and A/D Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 3 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operating on AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 4 Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reading Forward CW Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reading Reflected CW Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Reading SWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Measuring Peak Envelope Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Measuring Amplitude Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Measuring Power in dBm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Measuring Return Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Insertion Loss or Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Monitoring Maximum and Minimum Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Using the Peaking Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Battery Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ix
Chapter 5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Cleaning and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Long-term Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Element Wiper Contact Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Panel Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Main Printed Circuit (PC) Board Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
QC Connectors Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Line Section Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Battery Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
x
Chapter 1 Introduction
The Model 4391A is a multi-purpose Radio Frequency wattmeter designed around
a microcomputer. A program stored in permanent memory controls the operation
of the instrument at all times, permitting the detection and correction of various
error sources and the refinement of the raw data produced by the directional
detectors. The instrument can compute VSWR, amplitude modulation, and various decibel variables reducing the odds of error and making such measurements
consistent or repeatable regardless of who makes the measurement.
Other benefits include extended range using standard elements in some modes
of operation, continuous monitoring of maximum and minimum readings, a
peaking aid, and error messages.
Because of its complexity, the proper use of the 4391A is not always obvious. For
this reason it is strongly advised that this manual be read in its entirety before
using the device.
Purpose and Function
The 4391A RF Power Analyst is an insertion type digital RF Directional Thruline®
Wattmeter designed to measure peak or average power flow, load match, and
amplitude modulation in 50 ohm coaxial transmission lines. It is intended for use
with CW, AM, FM, SSB, TV, and Pulse modulation envelopes. The instrument
directly reads PEP or CW power in watts, milliwatts, or kilowatts in 9 ranges from
2.5 to 1000 full scale forward power and 0.25 to 100 full scale reflected power
depending on the Plug-in Element. In addition it reads SWR directly over the
range of 1.00 to 99.99, percent modulation directly over the range of 0.0 to 99.9,
and return loss over the range of 0 to 36.1 dB. For convenience, forward and
reflected CW power can be displayed in dBm (dB above 1 milliwatt) from 6 dB
above to 24 dB below nominal element range.
Power range and frequency band are determined by the Plug-in Elements used.
Two switches on the front panel of the instrument are set by the user to correspond to the nominal power range of the forward element. The reflected element
is assumed to have a nominal range one tenth that of the forward element.
In any mode of operation, the instrument can recall from memory the lowest or
highest reading taken or tell the operator whether the newest reading is less
than, equal to, or greater than the previous reading.
1
Description
The instrument is housed in an aluminum case approximately 4-3/8 inches high
by 9-5/8 inches deep by 6-1/4 inches wide (111 mm x 244 mm x 159 mm) including connections, see Figure 1. At each end of the line section are Bird QuickChange type RF connectors which may be easily interchanged with any other
Bird QC connector. See Bird Catalog for types available.
Operating power is derived from rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries
inside the unit or from a 115/230 VAC power source connected to the unit
through the power cord supplied with the unit.
Figure 1 Outline Drawing
2
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