The design and other information contained in this document are provided solely for the
installation, operation, and maintenance of CPI equipment. Except for rights expressly granted
by contract, all such information is the exclusive property of CPI, Satcom Division. This
document may not be duplicated, in whole or in part, or be used for manufacture without
written permission of CPI, Satcom Division.
In addition to the High Voltage Equipment Personnel Operating Guidelines given in this chapter,
included by reference are the following pertinent sections of the International Standard EN60215,
Safety Requirements for Radio Transmitting Equipment:
•Appendix D, Guidance on Assessing the Competence of Personnel for Designation as
Skilled, and also Sub-clause 3.1 of the Standard.
•Appendix E, Guidance on Safety Precautions to be Observed by Personnel Working on
Radio Transmitting Equipment, and also Sub-clauses 3.2, 3.7, and 22.1 of the Standard.
High Voltage Equipment
Personnel Operating Guidelines
This guideline document presents operating practices for operators and technicians who work
with high voltage equipment. In the context of this discussion any voltage that is lethal is viewed
as "high voltage." Therefore, even prime power (115 to 440VAC) is dangerous because prime
power potentials have been known to cause death or injury.
Electrical circuits operate quickly and do not allow a careless individual a second chance. When
dealing with high voltage, the results are very consistent and predictable and hazards associated
with high voltage are always present. The fact that the control switch says OFF does not mean you are safe.
Note: The guidelines presented in this chapter are not academic. They are
based on the experience of engineers and technicians who have years of
experience with high voltage circuits.
When is Voltage "High"?
As stated earlier, any voltage that can kill you should be treated as high voltage. Voltages
associated with prime power generally do not jump the air gap between people and the
equipment. Usually exposed circuit elements such as a terminal, bare piece of wire, or some noninsulated surface must be touched.
One of the problems associated with prime power is some equipment can be "floating" above
ground. In this case, if you place one hand on the equipment chassis and the other on earth
ground, you can be jolted, injured, or killed. 440VAC can stimulate an involuntary muscle
response that will either literally throw you across a room or seize and hold you across the voltage
terminals. 600 or more volts can hold you indefinitely. If the potential is sufficient to drive 200
milliamps through your body you will be held indefinitely. Some people consider the 200 to 600
volt range to be worse than potentials of thousands of volts.
General Guidelines
In addition to the above, the following practices have proven effective for personnel who deal
with high voltage equipment.
a. Hands off. Avoid contact with any potential source of high voltage. Keep hands out
of the equipment when it is operating.
b. Avoid accidental contact. Make sure that some other part of your body does not come
in contact with the high voltage circuits. It is easy to forget the hazards when you are
concentrating on a frustrating or interesting task. Pens and badges in shirt pockets
could contact the equipment.
c. Never work on high voltage circuits when you are alone. If anything should happen
to you, your only chance may be prompt action by some other person. Be sure
someone else is present and knows what to do in any emergency (e.g., how to shut
equipment off, first aid, who to call, etc.)
d. Use one hand when working with high voltage circuits. Many people recommend
that you put one hand in your pocket when you use a probe or other piece of
equipment inside a high voltage section.
e. Do not float measuring equipment above ground. Make all measurements with
respect to ground. If you float an instrument, do not reach inside the equipment.
Although it is more difficult to get the right setup, it is well worth the effort.
f. Do not assume that the level of risk is a function of size. Some large high power
voltage equipment looks docile. One reason the equipment is so big is to get the
proper separation between high voltage points. On the other hand, just because the
equipment is small is no assurance of safety. Dense packaging results in more difficult
access and increases the chance that you will accidentally hit the wrong point.
g. Always discharge high voltage capacitors. High voltage capacitors store a lot of
energy for long periods of time. High voltage capacitors also exhibit a "memory" in
that they can recover after discharge and reach lethal levels. In addition to the
"memory" problem, there have been instances where the built-in safety features have
failed or have been miswired. Each and every time you go to work on a piece of high
voltage equipment, use a discharge device with a long handle to discharge every
high voltage capacitor.
h. Do not depend on the automatic features of the equipment to save you. You never
know when someone has left a circuit disabled, if there has been a wiring error, or if a
component has failed.
i.Take personal responsibility to assure that no one can turn on the high voltage
circuits when you are working on the equipment. Precautions would include taping
down (or installing a keeper) on controls/circuit breakers and/or disconnecting the
power source to the high voltage circuits, activating interlocks that prevent high
voltage turn on, etc. Know where the power disconnects are and use them. Do NOT
rely on anyone not to turn on the high voltage.
j. Set up your test equipment with the power off. Conduct the power-on operations
when you have your hands out of the equipment.
k. Do not use short probes for high voltage measurements. A short probe does not
allow any margin for error. If your hand slips you could accidentally come into contact
with a danger point. A long probe avoids the whole problem.
l. Read the instruction manual. The best insurance is foreknowledge of hazards.
m. Create a favorable environment for safe operations. This means that if people are
crowding you, stop the operation if it involves high voltage. Pressure can lead to
carelessness. In the same way, fatigue is also an enemy. STAY ALERT AT ALL TIMES
WHEN WORKING WITH HIGH VOLTAGE.
n. Do not become over-confident. Maintain a healthy respect for high voltage.
o. A good operating practice is to check the potential between the equipment chassis
and earth ground before you complete the circuit with your body. As voltage levels
increase, the protection you get from insulation and air gap diminishes. For example,
in a piece of equipment that involves beam voltages of about 16kV, the beam
transformers look very safe with massive insulation on the outside of the coils.
Physical contact with the beam coil when the system is operating can be fatal.
Although the equipment is placard to warn people of the presence of high voltage, it is
virtually impossible to placard every point of danger in a system.
p. If you do not know how the equipment works and what the hazards associated with
the equipment are in specific terms, do NOT handle the equipment. The greatest
protection you can have when dealing with high voltage equipment is specific detailed
knowledge on that particular piece of equipment.
q. Avoid "haywire" test setups. It is easy to get in trouble if the setup you are using has a
jumble of wires.
r. Make sure your connections are secure. Do NOT allow leads to slip off and move
about in an uncontrolled fashion. Even if it is not one of the high voltage leads, a free
lead could (and generally does) move exactly to where you do not want it. The only
safe connection is a mechanically secure one.
s. Watch out for unterminated high voltage leads. Some connectors depend on circuit
loading to avoid arcing between closely spaced terminals. Unloaded high voltage lines
or plugs can lead to arcing situations.
t. Shut off the high voltage when you are making low voltage measurements. It does
not make sense to increase danger needlessly. While there may be times when you
cannot shut off the high voltage during a low voltage measurement, this is generally
not the case.
u. Remove the test equipment when you have finished a measurement program. There
have been many instruments destroyed or damaged because a test program was
conducted in a haphazard manner, rather than in an orderly progression from start to
finish. Experience has shown in many instances when a little order would have
prevented a tragedy or avoided an expensive mistake.
v. Be extremely wary when making filament voltage measurements. The cathode of
tubes is elevated above (or below) ground and the filament voltages usually cannot be
measured with reference to ground. Do everything you can to assure that the high
voltage cannot be turned on when you are making your measurements. This includes
disconnecting the high voltage drive source, shorting out appropriate leads, taping
down switches, and anything else you can think of to protect yourself.
w. When troubleshooting a unit, assume that the switches and components are
defective. You may shut off the high-voltage switch in some systems, but if the switch
were defective, the high voltage would still be on. Returned units are potential booby
traps.
x. Make sure that your workstation is stable. Flimsy work surfaces or supports for the
equipment or the test instruments represent a real threat. Do NOT use a setup that you
know is unstable and/or dangerous.
y. Use a 1-minute rule. Wait 1 minute or more after you have shut off the equipment
before you work on a unit. Part of the reason for a 1-minute rule is that some of the
dielectrics (insulators) used for high voltage circuits can store a charge. While the
amount of charge stored is a function of the size of the object, a 1-minute rule provides
an additional margin of safety.
z. Maintain a healthy respect for any kind of live circuit. Complacency can hurt or kill
you. Your continued wariness is your best insurance against injury or death.
Microwave Radiation
Personnel Operating Guidelines
This guideline presents operating practices appropriate for operators and technicians who work
with equipment involving microwave radiation. Keep in mind that levels of microwave radiation
that do not induce immediate physical discomfort in most individuals can be sufficiently high to
induce longer-term effects.
CPI Satcom Division equipment usually is related to amplification of a RF signal from an external
source. Even if a source is not connected to the amplifier you are working with, there are
situations where the amplifier can go into a self-induced mode and generate high levels of RF
energy. This condition can exist if the unit is operated with high voltage ON and without proper
termination on the input and output of the amplifier.
CAUTION! PROTECT YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU FROM UNWANTED RF
EXPOSURE. ALWAYS TERMINATE THE AMPLIFIER INPUT AND OUTPUT WITH A
RF DUMMY LOAD BEFORE YOU TURN THE HIGH VOLTAGE ON. THIS WILL
REDUCE THE CHANCES OF OSCILLATION DUE TO INTERNAL AMPLIFIER NOISE.
Microwave Discussion
Limit exposure to microwave radiation to prevent unwanted biological effects. There are other
effects that can lead to problems if you are careless in operating or servicing microwave
equipment. The permissible levels are quite low in comparison to the power levels of the
amplifiers built by CPI (e.g., less than 10 milliwatts vs. 20 to 10,000 Watts delivered by different
units)
Local radiation levels can be detected with the proper equipment. The permissible levels are
currently being studied by a number of organizations. In the past the U.S. Safety Codes
established a dosage rate of 10mw/cm. Sq. Recently the permissible level has been reduced to
1mw/cm. sq. in the United States, as has been the case in several European countries.
General Microwave Guidelines
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide practical approaches to control unwanted
microwave energy associated with the operation and servicing of CPI Satcom Division equipment.
The following approaches are effective in both laboratory or field environments:
a. Always terminate the output waveguide or coaxial connector with a dummy RF load
(capable of dissipating full CW RF power). Similarly, terminate the input to avoid the
possibility of the amplifier being driven by stray leakage signals. Incorporate the
terminations prior to applying prime power to the amplifier. This procedure prevents selfoscillation and irradiation of the local equipment.
b. Do not look into the output port of the powered RF amplifier. Treat the powered amplifier
as though it is a loaded gun. Your eyes are particularly vulnerable parts of your body.
c. Shut off the unit if you are trying to locate a RF leak. As noted earlier, the levels of concern
are very low. Examine the physical unit with the high voltage OFF. If you have to survey the
RF runs with the power ON to find the leaky joint or component, start by testing the system
with low RF input and a radiation meter.
If the microwave radiation exceeds 0.5mw/cm. sq., shut OFF the high power voltage and consult
your supervisor. Work quickly (not at a panic pace) to minimize the dose level. The dose you get
is directly proportional to the power level and the time you are exposed. Exposure to microwave
radiation can induce both thermal and non-thermal biological effects, especially with the eyes.
If you damage the lens of your eyes by exposure to microwave radiation, cataracts can result.
Consider that small microwave ovens are very effective in cooking foods. If you follow these
guidelines you can minimize exposure of yourself and other people in the operations that you
control.
Physical Safety
Lifting Heavy Objects
Back and other injuries can result from one person trying to lift too much weight.
Use extreme caution when lifting klystrons. Klystrons weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg) and
require two persons to lift them.
Due to the weight of the drawers, at least two persons are required for installation of the drawers
to the final rack assembly. At least two people are also required for removal of the drawers from
the rack assembly.
Extending Rack Slides
a. Serious injuries can result from heavily loaded racks or drawers falling forward.
b. Due to the weight of the drawers, the rack must be securely bolted to the floor in all four
corners to prevent tipping when the drawer slides are extended.
c. Verify that all slides are securely mounted and that all latches and stops are functioning
properly.
d. Serious injuries can also result from hands, fingers, or clothing getting caught in slides and
drawers when extended drawers are being pushed back into a rack.
e. Exercise extreme caution when sliding extended drawers back into a rack.
The new Compact High Power Amplifier (CHPA) series is designed for satellite communication
earth stations, satellite news- gathering vehicles, and fly-away applications operating in the C
and Ku and DBS frequency bands. Radio frequency (RF) power of up to 700 watts (for C- and
Ku- and DBS band amplifiers) is available in this series.
The model numbers, frequency ranges, and rated output power at the waveguide flange of the
high power CHPA series are as follows:
Table 1-1. CHPA Model Number and Frequency Ranges
Model No. Frequency Range (GHz) Rated Power (Watts)
The CHPA series has been specifically designed for enhanced performance and ease of
operation. In addition, the CHPA incorporates the use of a microprocessor control system,
thereby simplifying interfacing with remote control and monitor facilities. Flash RAM allows
firmware updates to be made without opening the unit. Implementation of a compact,
lightweight, wideband TWT (traveling wave tube) permits continuous, efficient use across the
entire frequency band. The CHPA also supports the unique internal linearizer, which can be
controlled from the front panel, optional remote panel, and serial computer interface.
Design of the CHPA is also based on the extensive use of LRUs (line replaceable units).
Comprehensive diagnostic procedures allow field personnel to quickly isolate a faulty LRU;
extensive use of captive hardware on the LRU helps to speed the replacement of the LRU so
that the CHPA can be returned to service with a minimum of downtime.
This manual contains information that describes installation, operation, and maintenance
procedures for the Compact High Power Amplifier (CHPA) series. Because specialized training
is required for some phases of installation and repair, certain parts of this manual are directed
only to trained personnel. Warnings appear at the appropriate points to caution all users of
potential RF or high-voltage hazards.
Each chapter begins with a clearly marked tab; this allows the reader to have rapid access to a
particular section. A “Contents,” “List of Figures,” and “List of Tables” are included at the
beginning of the manual for reference to each section.
Chapter 1, “Introduction,” contains a brief overall description and a detailed technical
description of the CHPA. The design philosophy and a brief description of the optional features
are also included in this chapter.
Chapter 2, “Unpacking and Installation,” contains procedures for preparing the site for
installation and unpacking the CHPA. It also describes the steps required to make the
necessary power connections.
Chapter 3, “Interfaces,” describes the CHPA’s built-in interfaces to external devices; also listed
are detailed descriptions for each connection. The communication protocol and command set
used for computer control of the CHPA are also included in this chapter.
Chapter 4, “Initial Power-On and Checkout,” describes the TWT (traveling wave tube)
preconditioning procedures, use of the Front Panel to start up and check out the CHPA, and
instructions for configuring the CHPA for the particular site installation; this includes setting
serial port parameters.
Chapter 5, “Operation,” contains procedures for normal start-up, shutdown, and detailed
operational modes of the CHPA.
Chapter 6, “Maintenance,” contains procedures for scheduled maintenance; also explained are
fault and alarm conditions.
Chapter 7, “Drawings and Schematics,” contains drawings of the various frequency band
CHPAs. It also includes detailed RF schematics and an overall system interconnect drawing.
Chapter 8, “Supplementary Data,” consists of five appendixes; contained are detailed
specifications for the CHPA, a listing of control and display functions, and a summary of
optional features that are available from CPI. Also contained are service and warranty
information and a list of replaceable parts.
The CHPA (Figure 1-1) is packaged in an 8.75-inch-tall slide-mounted drawer suitable for
standard 19-inch rack mounting. This enclosed assembly houses both the RF and power supply
sections. The overall amplifier enclosure measures approximately 19" (w) x 8.75" (h) x 24" (d),
plus fan and external air duct adapters, and weighs approximately 90 lb.
The RF section includes the TWT (traveling wave tube), SSIPA (solid-state intermediate power
amplifier) with integrated PIN diode attenuator, input/output isolation circuits, RF detectors,
and output filter.
The power supply section includes the power factor correction, power processor, and highvoltage regulation circuitry as well as monitor and control circuitry.
Microprocessor circuits provide automatic sequencing to control both CHPA operation and
continuous monitoring of critical parameters.
The front panel of the unit serves as the primary user interface housing all monitor and control
functions including a type “N” RF connector to sample and measure output RF power.
Protection circuits are included to permit safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the CHPA.
Detailed specifications for the CHPA are provided in Appendix A of Chapter 8,
“Supplementary Data.”
1.4 Technical Description
1.4.1 RF Subsystem
A conservative, field-proven approach is used in the CHPA RF subsystem. The RF block
diagram (Figure 1-2) identifies all major circuit elements for this technical description.
A low-level RF input signal is applied to the CHPA via a type “N” connector (isolator) located
at the rear of the enclosure. The isolator limits the input voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) to
a level of 1.3:1 or less back to the source. The RF input is then routed to the SSIPA, which
includes an integrated PIN diode attenuator. The attenuator, controlled via the front panel, has
a control range of a nominal 20 dB with quick response and excellent linearity. Built-in memory
circuits are provided to return the attenuator to a previously set level in the event of prime
power outages.
The SSIPA is designed to be transparent to final amplifier RF parameters and is temperature
compensated to minimize drift. As a result, the overall TWT CHPA gain is specified to be
stable within ± 0.25 dB/24 hours with 10 percent line voltage variations. The output of the
SSIPA is connected to an isolator that protects the SSIPA from TWT failure. The SSIPA and
TWT provide a combined subsystem gain of at least 75 dB at maximum rated power for the Cband and 75 dB for the Ku-band.
The TWTs employed in this power amplifier feature air-cooled, dual depressed collectors for
efficient operation, and periodic permanent magnet (PPM) focused helix design. They are
designed especially for compact, lightweight applications involving satellite uplink service. The
output waveguide assembly interfaces to the TWT and protects the tube from abnormal or
transient conditions that could permanently damage the TWT. This assembly consists of a fourport circulator, harmonic filter, receive reject filter, and three-port directional coupler. The
high-power isolator provides a low VSWR to the external waveguide run and antenna feed.
The isolator assists in protecting the TWT from excessive reflected power due to
damaged/broken waveguides or antenna components. The isolator is rated such that it will
safely dissipate all reflected power equal to the full rated output of the CHPA for the duration
of time until the protection circuits shut off the high-voltage power supplies. In addition, the
isolator is designed such that it can safely dissipate a VSWR mismatch of 2.0:1 (12 percent of
forward RF power) indefinitely.
The harmonic filter contained in the output waveguide assembly provides a minimum of 60 dB
attenuation at the second harmonic and 45 dB attenuation at the third harmonic. The receive
reject filter serves as a high-pass filter cutting off below-band signals. Finally, the three-port
directional coupler provides one reflected power port coupled via a detector to the RF power
monitor assembly for reverse power protection, and two for forward power: one for the user to
monitor forward RF power via a type “N” connector on the front panel, and one for use by the
optional forward power metering circuit, which uses a similar detector to process the RF signal.
The RF sample port, calibrated in coupling ratio versus frequency, permits independent
monitoring of CHPA output power levels through the use of an external spectrum analyzer or
portable power meter. High reflected RF protection circuitry is standard, and reflected power
information is sent to the front panel for display. User-settable low and high RF power alarms
are also available.
The output and reflected power level readouts are also available for remote monitoring via the
optional CPI remote control panel or via the Computer Interface (CIF) port located at the rear of
the enclosure. The RF drive is adjustable via the Serial Remote and CIF port. Also, the RF
sample port, calibrated in coupling ratio versus frequency, permits independent monitoring of
CHPA output power levels through the use of an external spectrum analyzer or portable power
meter.
The standard RF output interface, provided by the user, to connect the CHPA to the external
waveguide run is a CPR-137F (flange) termination for the C-band, and WR-75F for the Ku-band.
1.4.2 Power Supply Subsystem
The power supply portion of the CHPA provides all of the internal voltages necessary to
operate the TWT, RF driver (SSIPA), the forced-air cooling system, and auxiliary circuits for
control, monitoring, and protection of the CHPA. Other than the AC input power, no other
external power supplies or voltages are required for operation. A simplified block diagram of
the power supply is shown in Figure 1-3.
AC
Input
Flash RAM Programming
Serial Remote Control
(For use with CPI Remote Panel)
Switching I/F
Computer I/F
User Interlocks
EMI
Filter
Control
&
Display
Circuit
Breaker
220-240
VAC
Power Factor
Correction
Module
Micro-controller
Fans
375 VDC
Power
Processor
DC Power
RF Metering
& Faults
Control
&
Monitor
Control
HV
Module
Figure 1-3. Power Supply Block Diagram
Helix
Cathode
Coll. 1
Coll. 2
RF Subsystem
TWT
Linearizer
(optional)
SSIPA
RF Monitor
DC
Power
DC
Power
DC
Power
The traveling wave tube derives its operation from four DC power supplies: a low-voltage
filament (heater) supply, a high-voltage helix supply, and two high-voltage collector supplies.
The power supply design utilized in the CHPA is of the SMPC (switch mode power
conditioner) type, which has an excellent reputation for reliability and stability. An added
advantage of the SMPC approach over outdated linear power supplies is its intrinsic high
efficiency and safe operation. By limiting the amount of the instantaneous stored energy in the
power supply, the risk of permanent damage to the CHPA due to abnormal or transient
conditions is avoided. The momentary level of stored energy (measured in joules) is well below
the maximum limit of energy that the tube can safely dissipate during normal operation. The
principal circuit modules are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Input primary power––single-phase, 208-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz––flows via an EMI filter and the
main circuit breaker to both the cooling system power supply and the Power Factor Correction
Module. This module provides a regulated 375 VDC to the power processor and allows the
CHPA to meet the requirements of IEC-555 regarding total harmonic distortion.
1.4.4 Power Processor Module
The power processor circuits provide the necessary line and load regulation of the input 375
VDC bus, which is converted via the switch regulator and bridge circuit to a nominal 230 VAC,
25 kHz to drive the high-voltage module. A sample of the helix high-voltage output is returned
to the switch regulator for error feedback correction and sends a pulse-width modulated signal
through an optical isolator to the switching transistors. This approach allows careful regulation
of the TWT helix and collector voltages and protects both supplies from
overvoltage/undervoltage or short-circuit conditions. Low-voltage outputs produced by the
power processor (+/-15 VDC, +5VDC, and 16 VAC) are used to operate various internal circuit
functions as well as provide power for the RF monitor circuit, front panel display, SSIPA, and
optional internal linearizer. Internal sensors provide the necessary over-current protection
functions.
1.4.5 High-Voltage Module
The High-Voltage Module provides the following key power supply functions: regulated TWT
heater supply, regulated TWT high-voltage helix and collector supplies, helix supply
current/voltage monitoring, and fault protection.
The High-Voltage Module contains the transformers, rectifiers, filters, and voltage/current
sense circuits for all critical TWT voltages and currents. The incoming 230 VAC, 25 kHz signal
is applied to the primary of a multi-section high-voltage transformer, which provides all of the
high-voltage levels necessary to operate the traveling wave tube. Since the helix and collectors
share the same transformer and regulator, the high-voltage circuit design establishes the
collector voltages at 52 percent (collector #1) and 26 percent (collector #2) depression below the
helix voltage. This relationship permits optimum efficiency and substantial energy savings
while extending the useful life of the TWT. A separate step-down transformer with rectifier and
filter network operating off the 16 VAC supply is employed to provide the regulated low
voltage to power the TWT heater.
1.4.6 RF Power Monitor Module
The RF power monitor assembly receives signals from the reflected and forward power RF
detectors for use in fault/alarm sensing and power metering. This monitor assembly feeds
voltages to the microprocessor controller; it is the controller that monitors the RF levels to
determine RF high/low faults or high/low alarms. This assembly also contains hardware for
peak measurements. The reflected RF fault sensor protects the TWT against excessive reflected
power due to abnormal waveguide or antenna conditions.
The Control and Display modules are designed to assure correct operation of the power
amplifier with minimal operator training. These microprocessor-based modules provide
automatic sequencing of CHPA operation and monitoring and control of all critical parameters
via both the front and rear panel interfaces. Flash RAM allows firmware updates to be made
without opening the unit.
The Display Module communicates to the user all necessary information required to monitor
and control the amplifier. Measured readings such as reflected RF power, helix voltage, helix
current, attenuator setting, and forward RF power are all available via the alphanumeric
display. Status LEDs are also included on the panel.
Detailed fault information and user-settable interface parameters are available to the user
through a menu system.
The Control Module is central to the CHPA. All control, input/output, and decision making,
with the exception of critical module, level decisions, is done by the Control Module. All rear
panel user interfaces are also communicated to via the Control Module. To survive AC power
loss, all user settings and operating parameters such as RF trips, TWT operating voltages, serial
port baud rate, and PIN diode attenuation setting, etc., are stored in the battery-backed random
access memory (RAM).
1.5 LRU Philosophy
The maintenance concept employed in the CHPA series is to localize a malfunction or circuit
failure down to the level of an LRU (line replaceable unit), extract the LRU, and replace it with
an equivalent part provided in the spares kit. This procedure can be completed in the field
without resorting to the costly practice of returning the entire CHPA to the depot for servicing.
The philosophy is to configure the LRUs as building blocks with a specific function that can be
monitored by sensors and fault indicators on a real-time basis.
The CHPA contains circuitry to protect itself from operational damage caused by abnormal AC,
DC, RF faults, or insufficient cooling.
Personnel safety is of utmost importance and is safeguarded by proper grounding and also by
access interlocks and covers that prevent physical entry into the high-voltage sections.
This chapter contains instructions for site preparation, unpacking, and installation of the
Compact High Power Amplifier (CHPA). Instructions for the optional CHPA Remote Control
and Switching/Power Combined subsystems are supplied separately with those items. The
CHPA’s built-in interface connections for optional equipment are described in Chapter 3,
“Interfaces,” of this manual.
2.2 Pre-Inspection
Inspect the exterior of each for evidence of damage in shipment. If damage seems evident,
immediately contact the carrier that delivered the equipment and submit a damage report.
Failure to do so could invalidate future claims.
2.3 Unpacking
Carefully unpack and remove all items (inspect the interior of the container for damage). Save
all packing material until all inspections are complete. It is recommended that all packing
material be saved for potential future use. Verify that all items listed on the packing slips have
been received.
Inspect all items for evidence of damage in shipment. If damage seems evident, immediately
contact the carrier that delivered the equipment and file a claim. Failure to do so could
invalidate future claims. Check the unit thoroughly for damaged or loose parts. To remove the
top cover of the unit, remove the screws around the sides of the cover and lift the cover off.
After visual inspection is complete, reinstall the cover and carefully tighten all screws.
It is recommended that an electrical inspection for verification of customer interface connections
be performed before and after the installation of the equipment in its final operational location;
the following basic steps must be completed:
1. Verify proper CHPA RF input and output terminations. (See Warning.)
2. Verify that all CHPA user interface connectors to be used match pin-out data in Chapter 3,
“Interfaces.”
3. Verify proper prime power connection to the CHPA. See Drawings & Schematics in
Chapter 7, for AC voltage specifications.
Warning: Operating the Compact High Power Amplifier (CHPA) without
proper termination or under excessive load voltage standing wave ratio
(VSWR) could cause destruction of the traveling wave tube (TWT) and will
void the warranty. (See specifications in See Drawings & Schematics in
Chapter 7.)
2.5 Installation
Installation of the CHPA includes four phases:
• Mechanical installation
• Electrical connections
• RF connections
• Cooling considerations
2.5.1 Mechanical Installation
The CHPA is designed for rack slide mounting in a standard 19-inch (48.3 cm) wide rack
cabinet. Use the following procedure for this installation:
1. Determine the required front panel arrangement and exact panel locations for the CHPA on
the rack cabinet.
2. Mount the mating slides (supplied) to the rack cabinet using the supplied hardware.
3. Install the CHPA on the mating slides and securely fasten the front panel to the rack cabinet
rails.
Once the unit is installed on the slides and fastened to the cabinet, the balance of the installation
procedures can be completed.