volts, the power will increase to its maximum rated output.
The PA output power is initially set for an output of 130 watts
(G3), 110 watts (G6, G7) at J104. This is done by adjusting
R43 while injecting a 10 mW signal at J1 and applying 8
volts to J201-3. After setting the maximum power level,
changing the output power in done by varying the voltage
applied on the Power Set line.
PA Protection
The power control also protects the PA against over
temperature and high VSWR conditions.
An over temperature condition exists when the flange
temperature of the final output transistor reaches 80°C. At
this point the output power will drop below its set level. The
output power will continue to drop such that when the flange
temperature reaches 125°C the PA output drops at least 10
dB below its set level.
Reflected power is limited to 25% of the set power. If
the output VSWR degrades to worse than 3:1 the forward
power will be reduced to limit the reflected power to 25% of
the set power. The Power Sensor line indicates when the PA
is operating in a cutback condition. If the PA is keyed and
the power control is cutting back, the Power Sensor line will
drop to zero (0) volts and the PA alarm light on the station
will turn on.
Theory of Operation
Power control of the MASTR III Power Amplifier is
accomplished with a feedback control loop. The three possible feedback signals a re: representat ion of forward p ower,
temperature sensitive scaled representati on of forward
power, or representation of reflected power. These three
signals are input to a diode summing junction which selects
the largest of the three for use as the feedback.
The stripline directional coupler samples the output
power and produces a voltage, Vf, pro portional to the forward output power. Th e power con trol compares the f orward
voltage, Vf, to a reference voltage at U3. The output of U3
controls the current flow thru Q5 and the output of Q203.
The collector output of Q203 adjusts the control voltage,
Vct1 and Vct2. This control voltage is capable of adjusting
the total PA output power since it provides the first two stages
DC supply to the Low Level Amplifier, U1.
During over temperature operation, a scaled representation of the forward power is maintained constant by
varying the control voltage line. Thermal resistor RT1 sensing an increase in temperature causes the output of U3.1 to
increase. If the output of U3.1 becomes larger than the other
feedback lines, the output of U3.4 will begin to decrease.
This in turn will cause the output of Q203 to decrease
reducing the supply voltage to U1. Since the scaling is a
function of temperature the power is reduced as the temperature increases.
Under VSWR cutback operation the reverse voltage, Vr,
representative of the reflected output power is held below a
threshold by reducing the control voltage as necessary. If Vr
increases at U3.1 beyond the preset threshold an increase at
U3.4 will result. This causes a subsequent reduction in the
control voltage to U1. Thus the power control circuit reduces
the output power in order to limit the reflected power to 25%
of the set power.
Signal Interface
The signal interface to the MASTR III Power Amplifier
is supported by a six position feedthrough connector, J201,
with the following pinout:
1
– PWR Sensor
2
– PA Key
3
– PA PWR Set
4
– NC
5
– Ground
6
– Fil A+
Pwr Sensor
This line indicates when the PA is experiencing adve rse
conditions. Under normal operation, while the PA is keyed,
this line will be proportional to forward power. Minimum
power (zero watts) corresponds to 2.5 volts while maximum
power corresponds to 4.5 volts. This voltage is not temperature compensated and no effort is made to calibrate this
signal to an absolute power level. It is intended to provide a
relative indication of forward power and to discriminate
between normal and cutback operation.
Zero volts on this line, when the PA is keyed, indicates
the forward power is cutback. This power cutback may be
due to high reflected power or may be due to high PA
temperatures. This fault condition may indicate a problem
with the PA or may indicate a system problem external to the
Power Amplifier. High VSWR may be due to a poor antenna
and high temperature may be due to a blocked cabinet vent.
Zero volts on this line, when the PA is keyed, does not
indicate zero forward power. Zero volts indicates the PA is
protecting itself due to adverse conditions. If the adverse
condition, either high VSWR or high temperature is eliminated, the power will return to normal and the PWR SENSOR voltage will rise above 2.5 volts.
PA Key (Interface Connector pin 2)
This line is used to key and unkey the PA. UNKEY = 0
volt and KEY = 5 volts. The driver of this line must be capable
of supplying 5 volts at 1.0 mA. The approp riat e key seq uenc e
requires RF from the transmit synthesizer be input to the PA
before the KEY line is energized.
PA PWR Set (Interface Connector pin 3)
This line is used to set the RF Power Output of the PA.
Minimum power output equals 4 volts and m aximum power
output equals 8 volts. The driver of this line must be capable
of supplying 8 volts at 1.0 mA.
Fil A+ (Interface Connector pin 6)
This line provides the filtered supply voltage for the Power
Control. The driver of this line must be capable of supplying
13.4 volts ±20% at 100 mA.
SYMPTOM AREAS TO CHECK INDICATIONS
1. No Power or low Power at 1. Measure the transmitter output The presence of power at this
Antenna Port. power before the duplexer or port is an indication of a
antenna switch (for simplex defective duplexer, switch, or
mode). cables.
2. Measure the transmitter output The presence of power at this
power before the low pass filter. port is an indication of a
defective filter or cables.
3. Measure the transmitter output The presene of power at this
power before the optional isolator port is an indication of a
at the PA output port. defective isolator or cables.
2. No power at PA output port 1. Station is in receive mode.
and PA ALARM is OFF.
3. No power at PA output port 1. No RF input to PA. Check TX Synthesizer should deliver
and PA ALARM is ON. connection between PA and TX a minimum of 10 mW
Synthesizer. (10 dBm) to the PA.
2. Check the logic or DC inputs to
the PA from the Interface Board
through J201.
a. J201-2 PA KEY 5volts during transmit
b. J201-3 POWER SET 4 volts to 8 volts (4 volts
represents zero RF power)
c. J201-6 13.8 VF 13.8 Vdc ±20%
3. Defective PA Replace PA
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
LBI-38674
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