(Running FW-0020841 firmware only – see MN-LPODR Rev. 0 for
LPOD-R PS .5 running FW-0020765 firmware)
LPOD-R PS 1, PS 1.5
(Running FW-0020880 firmware)
Installation and Ope ration Ma nual
Part Number MN-LPODR / CD-LPODR
Revision 3
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information contained in this document supersedes all previously published
information regarding this product. Product specifications are subject to change without prio r not ice.
Part Number MN-LPODR / CD-LPODR Revision 3
USA. Comtech EF
480.333.2161
Data, 2114 West 7th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281 USA, 480.333.2200, FAX:
Chapter 1, Section 1.4.4, Power Supply, 2nd Bullet
Errata Part Number:
ER-LPODR-EA3 (Errata documents are not subject to revision.)
Comments:
The new information will be included in the next released revision of the manual.
Comtech EF Data Documentation Update
Section 1.4.4 Power Supply
The LPOD-R features a power supply that is power factor corrected. It supplies several voltages
necessary for the unit to operate:
•The 10V power supply output state is controlled by circuitry within the RF module. If the RF
module does not have the –5.8V supply for any reason, i t will not allow the 10V power supply to
turn on. This protects the power transistors within the RF module from failure due to improper
power supply sequencing.
•The +24V output powers the cooling fans and is the source of power for waveguide switching
when the SSPA is used in redundant configurations.
•The +5.8V, -5.8V, +7.8V and +13.5V outputs are used to operate the M&C board and other
overhead functions.
ER-LPODR-EA3 Rev -
Blank Page
ER-LPODR-EA3 Rev - 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................ III
TABLES ................................................................................................. VIII
FIGURES ................................................................................................. IX
PREFACE................................................................................................. XI
About this Manual .......................................................................................... xi
Related Documents ............................................................................................. xi
Disclaimer ............................................................................................................ xi
Conventions and References .......................................................................... xii
Patents and Trademarks ..................................................................................... xii
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and References ...................................................... xii
Examples of Multi-Hazard Notices .................................................................... xiii
Recommended Standard Designations ............................................................. xiii
Safety and Compliance ................................................................................. xiii
Electrical Safety and Compliance ...................................................................... xiii
Installation Guidelines Regarding Power Line Quality ................................... xiv
Product Support ............................................................................................ xv
Comtech EF Data Headquarters ..................................................................... xv
Warranty Policy ............................................................................................. xv
Limitations of Warranty ..................................................................................... xvi
Exclusive Remedies........................................................................................... xvii
Figure B-18. Reconnect the Fan 1 / Fan 2 Power Supplies ............................... B–13
x
PREFACE
The LPOD-R PS .5 running Firmware FW-0020765 is documented in
About this Manual
This manual provides installation and operation information for the Comtech EF
Data LPOD-R family of Outdoor Amplifiers / Block Up Converter (BUCs):
• LPOD-R PS .5 running Firmware FW-0020841;
• LPOD-R PS 1 or PS 1.5 running Firmware FW-0020880.
Revision 0 of this manual.
This document is intended for the persons responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the LPOD-R.
Related Documents
• Comtech EF Data CLC-10 Handheld Terminal M&C Accessory for LPOD or
SPOD User’s Guide (CEFD P/N MN-CLC10)
• Comtech EF Data LPODnet M&C Netbook Accessory for LPOD or SPOD
Operation Manual (CEFD P/N MN-LPODNET)
• Comtech EF Data RF Control – Transceiver/Amplifier M&C Utility User’s
Guide (CEFD P/N MN-CRFC)
Disclaimer
Comtech EF Data has reviewed this manual thoroughly in order to provide an
easy-to-use guide to this equipment. All statements, technical information, and
recommendations in this manual and in any guides or related documents are
believed reliable, but the accuracy and completeness thereof are not guaranteed
xi
LPOD-R Outdoor Amplifier / Block Up Converter (BUC) MN-LPODR
indicate other unsafe practices or risks of property damage.
Preface Revision 3
or warranted, and they are not intended to be, nor should they be understood to
be, representations or warranties concerning the products described. Further,
Comtech EF Data reserves the right to make changes in the specifications of the
products described in this manual at any time without notice and without
obligation to notify any person of such changes.
If there are any questions regarding this equipment or the information in this
manual, please contact Comtech EF Data Product Support.
Conventions and References
Patents and Trademarks
See all of Comtech EF Data's Patents and Patents Pending at
http://patents.comtechefdata.com.
Comtech EF Data acknowledges that all trademarks are the property of the
trademark owners.
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and References
A WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
A CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury. CAUTION may also be used to
A NOTE: gives you important information about a task or the
equipment.
A REFERENCE directs you to important operational information or
details furnished elsewhere, either in the manual or in adjunct
Comtech EF Data publications.
xii
LPOD-R Outdoor Amplifier / Block Up Converter (BUC) MN-LPODR
Compliance information that follows.
CAUTION
POWER SUPPLY INPUT.
Preface Revision 3
Examples of Multi-Hazard Notices
Recommended Standard Designations
Electronic Industries Association (EIA) designations supersede Recommended
Standard (RS) designations. Reference to the old RS designations may appear
where it might concern actual text (e.g., RS-232) displayed on the product panels
and on screens or pages in the Serial Remote or HTTP (Web Server) Interfaces.
All other references in the manual refer to EIA designations.
CAUTION
It is important that you review and understand the Safety and
Safety and Compliance
Electrical Safety and Compliance
NEUTRAL FUSING – DOUBLE POLE/NEUTRAL FUSING IS USED ON THE PRIME
This equipment has been designed to minimize exposure of personnel to
hazards. For further information, contact Comtech EF Data Product Support. The
operators and technicians must:
• Know how to work around, with, and on high voltage equipment.
• Exercise every precaution to ensure personnel safety.
• Exercise extreme care when working near high voltages.
• Be familiar with the warnings presented in this manual.
Installation Guidelines Regarding Power Line Quality
Comtech EF Data has become familiar with the varying quality of the AC power
grid around the world. Observing the following installation guidelines should
help ensure a reliable installation.
•Surge suppression – High voltage surges can cause failure of the power
supply. These surges are typically caused by circuit switching on the main
AC power grid, erratic generator operation, and also by lightning strikes.
While the LPOD-Rdoes have built in surge suppression, if the unit is to be
installed in a location with questionable power grid quality, Comtech EF
Data recommends installation of additional power conditioning/surge
suppression at the power junction box.
•Grounding – The LPOD-Rprovides a grounding terminal. This is provided
to allow you to ground the LPOD-R to the antenna’s grounding network.
All components installed at the antenna should be grounded to a
common grounding point at the antenna.
•Electrical welding – If welding needs to take place at the antenna,
disconnect all cables from the LPOD-Rexcept for the ground wire. Cap all
RF connections with terminations. This will prevent damage to the
input/output circuitry of the LPOD.
•Lightning – Lightning strikes on or around the antenna will generate
extremely high voltages on all cables connected to the LPOD. Depending
on the severity of the strike, the LPOD’s internal surge protection
combined with the recommended external suppression may protect the
LPOD’s power supply. However, if the installation will be in an area with a
high probability of lightning strikes, Comtech EF Data recommends the
installation of surge suppression on the RF and IF cables. One source of
these suppressors is PolyPhaser (www.polyphaser.com).
Comtech EF Data Corp.
2114 West 7th Street
Tempe, Arizona USA 85281
+1.480.333.2200
Warranty Policy
Comtech EF Data products are warranted against defects in material and
workmanship for a specific period from the date of shipment, and this period
varies by product. In most cases, the warranty period is two years. During the
warranty period, Comtech EF Data will, at its option, repair or replace products
that prove to be defective. Repairs are warranted for the remainder of the
original warranty or a 90 day extended warranty, whichever is longer. Contact
Comtech EF Data for the warranty period specific to the product purchased.
For equipment under warranty, the owner is responsible for freight to Comtech
EF Data and all related customs, taxes, tariffs, insurance, etc. Comtech EF Data is
responsible for the freight charges only for return of the equipment from the
factory to the owner. Comtech EF Data will return the equipment by the same
method (i.e., Air, Express, Surface) as the equipment was sent to Comtech EF
Data.
All equipment returned for warranty repair must have a valid RMA number
issued prior to return and be marked clearly on the return packaging. Comtech
EF Data strongly recommends all equipment be returned in its original
packaging.
Comtech EF Data Corporation’s obligations under this warranty are limited to
repair or replacement of failed parts, and the return shipment to the buyer of
the repaired or replaced parts.
Limitations of Warranty
The warranty does not apply to any part of a product that has been installed,
altered, repaired, or misused in any way that, in the opinion of Comtech EF Data
Corporation, would affect the reliability or detracts from the performance of any
part of the product, or is damaged as the result of use in a way or with
equipment that had not been previously approved by Comtech EF Data
Corporation.
The warranty does not apply to any product or parts thereof where the serial
number or the serial number of any of its parts has been altered, defaced, or
removed.
The warranty does not cover damage or loss incurred in transportation of the
product. The warranty does not cover replacement or repair necessitated by loss
or damage from any cause beyond the control of Comtech EF Data Corporation,
such as lightning or other natural and weather related events or wartime
environments.
The warranty does not cover any labor involved in the removal and or
reinstallation of warranted equipment or parts on site, or any labor required to
diagnose the necessity for repair or replacement.
The warranty excludes any responsibility by Comtech EF Data Corporation for
incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of the equipment or
products, or for any inability to use them either separate from or in combination
with any other equipment or products.
A fixed charge established for each product will be imposed for all equipment
returned for warranty repair where Comtech EF Data Corporation cannot
identify the cause of the reported failure.
Comtech EF Data Corporation’s warranty, as stated is in lieu of all other
warranties, expressed, implied, or statutory, including those of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose. The buyer shall pass on to any purchaser,
lessee, or other user of Comtech EF Data Corporation’s products, the
aforementioned warranty, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Comtech EF
Data Corporation from any claims or liability of such purchaser, lessee, or user
based upon allegations that the buyer, its agents, or employees have made
additional warranties or representations as to product preference or use.
The remedies provided herein are the buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies.
Comtech EF Data shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal
theory.
Comtech EF Data’s LPOD-R family of Outdoor Amplifiers / Block Up Converters
(BUCs) – referred to collectively throughout this manual as the LPOD-R – deliver
their rated power, guaranteed, to the transmit waveguide flange at the 1 dB
compression point. The LPOD-R provides a cost effective to the LPOD, where the
full LPOD-R’s support of internal 10 M Hz and redundancy is not required.
Figure 1-1. Comtech EF Data LPOD-R Outdoor Amplifiers / BUCs
1.2Functional Description
The LPOD-R serves as a more reliable replacement for Traveling Wave Tube
(TWT) amplifiers in satellite communications. The compact size and weight of the
LPOD-R lends itself to any installation with limited available mounting space.
These include ship-borne antenna systems, small “flyaway” systems, and Satellite
News Gathering (SNG) installations.
As shown in Figure 1-1, Comtech EF Data’s LPOD-R is available in three models:
the PS .5, the PS 1, and the PS 1.5. Each LPOD-R consists of a CEFD SSPA module
with the Monitor/Control Processor (MCP), a power supply, and a fan assembly.
The amplifier features a Comtech EF Data low loss combining technique and
MCP-based temperature-versus-gain compensation.
1.3 Features
1.3.1 The Solid-State Advantage
The LPOD-R is constructed with highly reliable gallium arsenide field-effect
transistors (GaAs FETs). With third-order intermodulation products that are 4 to 6
dB better than TWT ratings, the CEFD unit replaces TWTs with saturated power
levels of up to twice the LPOD-R’s rated output. The LPOD-Rs also provide mean
time between failures (MTBF) that is four to five times greater than the typical
TWT MTBF.
1.3.2 “Smart BUC” Functionality
The LPOD-R offers full 13.75 to 14.5 GHz Ku-Band and 5850 to 6725 MHz C-Band
coverage while supporting industry standard FSK modem/BUC communications,
as well as Comtech EF Data proprietary commands.
1.3.3 Enhanced Standard Features
The LPOD-R comes equipped with useful features that other manufacturers offer
only as options. Included in the base price are temperature compensation, power
monitor, power factor corrected supply, and full remote monitor and control
(M&C) capabilities (including Ethernet, FSK, and Comtech’s proprietary Advanced FSK).
1.3.3.1 Advanced FSK
The LPOD-R, when used with Comtech EF Data modems, provides enhanced
functionality utilizing the industry standard FSK communications channel.
Advanced FSK offers full control of single thread and, where applicable,
redundant systems from the modem front panel, without additional cabling or
cost. Additionally, access the LPOD-R via the Ethernet M&C port of the modem,
and control it via Embedded Distant-end Monitor and Control (EDMAC).
To enhance system maintainability, the LPOD-R includes a built-in data logging
capability. By recording critical operational parameters such as temperature,
output power, mute status, etc. at time stamped intervals, you can quickly
gather intelligence about not only the unit itself but also the unit’s operational
environment.
1.3.3.3 Hand-Held Controller Devices
The LPOD-R accommodates a variety of hand-held controller devices. These
include the LPODnet M&C Accessory Kit and the CLC-10 M&C Accessory Kit. Both
are designed to access the monitor and control functionality of the LPOD-R.
1.4 Theory of Operation
1.4.1 SSPA Block Diagrams
See Figure 1-2 for a typical LPOD-R block diagram.
The major components of an LPOD-R unit are:
• The SSPA Module
• The Cooling system
• The Power Factor Corrected Power Supply (PS 1 and PS 1.5 units)
The amplifier module performs the core function of the unit. An isolator is at the
RF input to ensure good voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). The RF signal then
passes through an electronically controlled attenuator that adjusts the overall
attenuation according to the user input. After some amplification, a second
attenuator is automatically controlled via a look-up table to maintain the
amplifier gain at a constant level over temperature variations.
The RF signal is then amplified by a multi-stage design that utilizes proprietary
combining techniques to meet the rated power requirements. The output
circuitry contains a coupler to provide a sampled signal for monitoring purposes.
A power detector circuit also is included and the reading can be accessed via
remote communication. A high power circulator and load is located at the output
to provide good VSWR and protection from external mismatch.
1–4
LPOD-R Outdoor Amplifier / Block Up Converter (BUC) MN-LPODR
5850 to 6650 MHz
4900 MHz
No
X-Band
7900 to 8400 MHz
6950 MHz
No
Introduction Revision 3
1.4.3 Cooling System
• The PS .5 contains a single fan that is always enabled.
• The PS 1 contains one temperature-controlled fan.
• The PS 1.5 contains two temperature-controlled fans.
1.4.4 Power Supply
The LPOD-R features a power supply that is power factor corrected. It supplies
several voltages necessary for the unit to operate:
• The 10V power supply output state is controlled by circuitry within the RF
module. If the RF module does not have the –5.8V supply for any reason,
it will not allow the 10V power supply to turn on. This protects the power
transistors within the RF module from failure due to improper power
supply sequencing.
• The +24V output powers the cooling fans, is the source of power for
waveguide switching when the SSPA is used in redundant configurations,
and is dropped to +22V for LNB bias.
• The +5.8V, -5.8V, +7.8V and +13.5V outputs are used to operate the M&C
board and other overhead functions.
1.4.5 Block Up Converter (BUC) Input
The LPOD-R translates an L-Band input carrier to the desired output frequency
(C-, X-, or Ku-Band). LO frequencies are as follows:
The LPOD-R includes a microprocessor-based system that provides monitoring
and control of the essential parameters of the unit. You interface with the unit
through the M&C system via the remote control/discrete communications port.
The unit is capable of Ethernet remote communication, while EIA-232/485 is
optional on the PS 1 and PS 1.5 packages. A discrete mute control and relay
status output is also available on the PS 1 and PS 1.5 packages.
The M&C system monitors the fan speed, unit temperature, all power supply
voltages, power transistor currents, output power, etc. Should a critical
monitored parameter fail, the unit will mute the RF signal and report a fault. The
details of the fault can be accessed via remote communication.
The LPOD-R PS .5 features a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Indicator. Figure 1-3
shows the location of this feature, on the signal output side of the LPOD-R PS .5
housing, next to the ground lug. This LED provides you with visual cues to the
operational, online, and offline status of the system. See Chapter 2 for complete
details about interpreting LED operation.
Figure 1-3. LPOD-R PS .5 LED Indicator
1–6
LPOD-R Outdoor Amplifier / Block Up Converter (BUC) MN-LPODR
Note 1
950 – 1750 MHz
5.850 – 6.650 GHz (optional)
965 – 1265 MHz
6.725 – 7.025 GHz
950 – 1450 MHz
7.900 – 8.400 GHz
Model
Psat (Typical)
P1dB (Guaranteed)
Note 1
PS.5-10Ku
40 dBm (10 W)
39 dBm (8 W)
PS.5-15Ku
41 dBm (15 W)
40 dBm (10 W)
PS.5-20Ku
43 dBm (20 W)
42 dBm (16 W)
PS1.5-50Ku
47 dBm (50 W)
46 dBm (40 W)
PS1.5-60Ku
48 dBm (60 W)
47 dBm (50 W)
PS.5-15C
41 dBm (15 W)
40 dBm (10 W)
PS1-25C,X
44 dBm (25 W)
43 dBm (20 W)
PS1-32C,X
45 dBm (32 W)
44 dBm (25 W)
PS1-40C,X
46 dBm (40 W)
45 dBm (32 W)
PS1-50C,X
47 dBm (50 W)
46 dBm (40 W)
PS1-60 C,X
48 dBm (60 W)
47 dBm (50 W)
Introduction Revision 3
1.5 Summary of Specifications
1.5.1 Characteristics
IF Input Frequency
950 – 1525 MHz 5.850 – 6.425 GHz
950 – 1825 MHz 5.850 – 6.725 GHz (optional)
950 – 1450 MHz 14.00 – 14.50 GHz
950 – 1750 MHz
Ku-Band Units
C-Band
and/or
X-Band Units
Notes:
1. Allow 1 dB degradation from 13.75 to 14.0 GHz and 6425 to 6725 MHz.