ifi T188-250 Operating And Maintenance Instructions Manual

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE

INSTRUCTIONS

HIGH POWER TWT AMPLIFIER

Ametek CTS US
Instruments for Industry
903 South Second Street
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email :

MODEL T188-250

DOCUMENT NUMBER

T188-250MN.V1.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................ 4

3.0 WARRANTY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 10

4.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

4.1 Scope Of This Manual ......................................................................................................... 11

4.2 Operation Overview ............................................................................................................. 11

4.3 General Specifications ......................................................................................................... 12

4.4 Functional Description ......................................................................................................... 12

4.5 Protection Circuits ............................................................................................................... 13

4.6 Status Indicators, Controls and Connectors ......................................................................... 13

4.7 TWT Operating Instructions ................................................................................................ 15

4.8 Data Sheets ................................................................................................................. 18

5.0 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

5.1 Proper Usage And Warnings ............................................................................................... 17

5.2 Features ................................................................................................................ 17

6.0 IEEE-488 INTERFACE OPTION

6.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 18

6.2 Remote Initialization ............................................................................................................ 18

6.3 GPIB Address ...................................................................................................................... 18

6.4 IEEE-488 Commands .......................................................................................................... 19

6.5 RS-232 ................................................................................................................. 21

7.0 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

7.1 Periodic Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 22

7.2 Servicing The Amplifier ...................................................................................................... 22

7.3 Equipment Return Procedure ............................................................................................... 23

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE

1.0 TWTA ILLUSTRATION ................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM............................................................................................................ 6

3.0 REAR PANEL ILLUSTRATION ........................................................................................................ 9

4.0 FRONT DISPLAY PANEL START UP MENU ............................................................................... 11

5.0 GPIB ADDRESS MENU ................................................................................................................. 12

6.0 OPERATE MENU ................................................................................................................. 13

7.0 TURNING ON THE AMPLIFIER .................................................................................................... 14

8.0 OPERATE MODE ................................................................................................................. 15

LIST OF APPENDICES

SECTION APPENDIX DESCRIPTION PAGE

8.0 A DATA SHEETS .................................................................................................... 24

9.0 B DRAWINGS.......................................................................................................... 25

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SECTION 1.0

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Wide Band Amplifier from Instruments For Industry,
Inc. Your new Wide Band Amplifier incorporates the finest advancements in the state of the art
electronics technology available in a compact, portable and versatile package. Your Wide Band
Amplifier's quality, performance and trouble free operation depends on you thoroughly reading
through this manual and familiarizing yourself with its proper operation and usage.

Your Wide Band Amplifier comes with the following accessories, be sure to check your packaging
for the items listed below before disposing of the packaging.

CONTENTS

( For a typical Wide Band Amplifier )

Quantity Description

1 TWT High Power Wide Band Amplifier, P/N T188-250
1 Mating AC Power Line cord
1 Operation and Instruction Manual
1 Data Sheets (Included with the unit)

FIGURE 1.0

OUTLINE DRAWING

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SECTION 2.0

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Instruments For Industry, Inc. ( IFI ) manufactured TWT Wide Band Amplifier is a Bench Top
or rack mount amplifier providing a nominal output power of at least 250 Watts from 7.0 GHz to

18.0 GHz . The minimum saturated output power midband of the operating frequency range is more
than 250 Watts.

The Amplifier features a Touchscreen Display that displays continuous forward and reflected power
metering. The display also provides the operator with operating status and self diagnostic fault
indications.

The Amplifier incorporates protection circuits that monitor and control so that the amplifier cannot be
damaged by any mismatched load.

The Amplifier has an IEEE-488, RS232 ,USB and Ethernet interface which allows the amplifier to be
remotely controlled through the use of a computer .

To operate the Amplifier, connect a Single phase or three phase power line (50/60 Hz), to the Power
line connector on the rear panel of the unit.

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SECTION 3.0

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Instruments For Industry, Inc. (IFI) warrants each product of its manufacture to be free from any
defect in material and workmanship for a period of three years from shipment to the original
purchaser. All warranty returns, however, must first be authorized by our factory office
representative. Refer to the Service Section for information on how to return items for warranty
repair.

Warranty liability shall be limited to repair or replacement of, or part thereof, which proves to be
defective after inspection by IFI. This warranty shall not apply to any IFI product that has been
disassembled, modified, physically or electrically damaged or any product that has been subjected to
conditions exceeding the applicable specifications or ratings.

IFI shall not be liable for any direct or consequential injury, loss or damage incurred through the use,
or the inability to use, any IFI product.

IFI reserves the right to make design changes to any IFI product without incurring any obligation to
make the same changes to previously purchased units.

This warranty is the full extent of obligation and liability assumed by IFI with respect to any and all
IFI products. IFI neither makes, nor authorizes any person to make, any other guarantee or warranty
concerning IFI Products.

SECTION 4.0

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GENERAL INFORMATION

4.1 SCOPE OF THIS MANUAL

This manual is intended to inform a qualified transmitter operator or technician of the normal
operating and maintenance procedures for the TWT Amplifier. It is not intended to be a course of
instruction for unqualified personnel.

4.2 OPERATION OVERVIEW

The Amplifier is designed to amplify a low level microwave signal and supply a high power CW
output. The Amplifier system function is accomplished primarily through the use of a Traveling
Wave Tube (TWT), control circuitry and power supplies, which can be controlled either locally or
remotely. The major subassemblies are mounted on two separated decks. The upper deck houses the
Collector supply, Filament supply, TWT, control circuitry and all the RF components. The lower
deck houses the Helix supply.

FIGURE 2.0

SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

4.3 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

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The specifications listed below represent the minimum performance characteristics at the
time of delivery.

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Response: 7.0 GHz – 18.0 GHz

Power Output: 250 Watts

AC Source: 100-240VAC, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase [refer to label information

provided on the amplifier]

Power Gain: 55 dB

Input Impedance: Nominal 50 Ohms unbalanced

Output Impedance: Nominal 50 Ohms unbalanced

Input Signal Levels: < 0 dBm ( 1.0 mW ) See data sheet for specific input drive levels

Duty Cycle: CW

Spurious: -50dBc

4.4 Functional Description

The required voltages and currents to operate the TWT are provided by the Helix, Collector and
Filament supplies. The Helix supply provides the negative high voltage potential between TWT
Cathode and ground. The Collector supply provides the high voltage potential between the TWT
Cathode and Collector. The Filament supply provides the Heater voltage and floats at high voltage
Cathode potential. In some tubes a Grid element is used to switch the TWT beam ON and OFF.
The primary control circuitry and the service power supplies (+5V, +/- 12V, + 24V) are energized
when the main circuit breaker is turned ON. Upon pressing the AMP ON switch, the Filament and the
Collector supplies are energized and a three minute warm up time is initiated. At the completion of
the three minute time out the Helix supply is enabled and the Amplifier then goes to STBY mode if
no faults were detected. Upon pressing the OPERATE switch the TWT is then turned ON.

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4.5 PROTECTION CIRCUITS

The TWT Amplifier is designed with a variety of protection circuits to provide safeguards for the
amplifier should any adverse electrical conditions occur or if the amplifier accidentally experiences
operator deviation of the design application. Listed below are the safeguards.

4.5.1 Overheat Protection

The TWT, a critical component of this Amplifier, is mounted to a heat sink, which is in turn, air
cooled by high efficiency blower. Should an overheating condition occur, either through component
failure or by a restricted airflow, the Amplifier contains heat sensors that will shut down the system.
As a result, the air inlet and outlet openings should be free of obstructions for proper cooling of the
amplifier. Operation is restored by the Reset button when the amplifier cools to normal temperature
levels.

4.5.2 Power Supply Faults

The Power Supply Fault circuit monitors the Helix and Collector power supplies and produces a fault
indication should any voltage level deviate from normal operating parameters. Each power supply
voltage output is monitored and displayed. Should any power supply voltage deviate from the design
parameters, the Power Supply Fault Indication LED (RED), located on the front panel of the
Amplifier will illuminate and the related fault will be displayed on the LCD display located on the
front panel.

4.5.3 Mismatch Protection

The Amplifier is designed to operate with a tuned 50 Ohm load. Should any mismatching of the 50
Ohm load occur, the Reverse Power, also called Reflective Power, will increase, producing a high
VSWR. The Amplifier microprocessor monitors the Reverse Power levels by utilizing a Dual
Directional Coupler. When the Reflected Power exceeds 25% the Amplifier Output Power The
amplifier will go to STBY and the High VSWR message will be indicated on the LCD display. The
Reverse Power is also displayed on the LCD Display for operator monitoring for any mismatched
load.

4.6 STATUS INDICATORS, CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS

The Amplifier has various controls and status indicators which are identified below and can be
visually located on Figure 1.0, Outline Drawing and Figure 3.0, Rear Panel Illustration. A narrative
description for the function and purpose of each control and status indicator is provided within
paragraphs 4.7.1 and 4.7.2.

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RF AMPLIFIER

Front Panel: Rear Panel:

POWER ON/OFF Ckt Bkr AC PWR, IEC or MS Power Connector

Touchscreen Display USB

RF Input, N Type Female

FWD Sample Port, N Type Female

IEEE-488, Connector

RS232 Remote Control

Ethernet Remote Control

Interlock

RF Output , WRD750

FIGURE 3.0

REAR PANEL ILLUSTRATION

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4.7.1 TOUCHSCREEN SOFT KEYS

INDICATOR FUNCTION

Fault : The FLT RST illuminates Red when either the Helix or the Collector

Power Supplies deviate from the design parameters. The Amplifier will
revert to AMP OFF mode. It also illuminates when either a Thermal or
Airflow condition occurs outside design parameters. Should an
excessive temperature condition occur while monitoring the TWT
temperature of the Heatsink, the Amplifier will revert to AMP OFF
mode. The Touchscreen will indicate which fault had occurred.

TOTAL/OPRT HOUR Elapsed time Indication on the Touchscreen, presents total hours that
the TWT Filament or Beam has been energized.

LOC RMT The LOC / RMT indicates, when illuminated Green, that the amplifier

is in the remote-control mode of operation via any Remote Control.

GPIB (xx) The address selection can be done through the front panel using the

touchscreen display. Holding the GPIB softkey will change the address

BAND 1/BAND 2 (OPT129) This optional feature allows the use of an Harmonic Filter to the limit

the TWT Harmonics. Band 1 is the default through Band and Band 2 is
filtered Band.

ALC ON/OFF (OPTIONAL) The ALC ON/ OFF is for Automatic Leveling Control this Optional

Feature levels the Power Based on the FWD Power Indication. The unit
must Have the Gain Control Feature in order for the ALC to function

4.7.2 CONTROLS

CONTROL FUNCTION

Power ON / OFF Circuit Breaker to turn ON/OFF main prime power to the Amplifier.

OFF/ON The Touchscreen OFF/ON softkey is a momentary switch which, when

pressed to ON position, Filament and Collector supplies are energized
after the Filament time out.

STBY / OPRT When set to OPERATE mode it turns TWT Beam ON, when
set to STBY it turns TWT Beam OFF.

FLT/RST When a Fault occurs the touchscreen button FLT/RST will turn Red.

Pressing this will reset the fault

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4.7 TWT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

A) Apply power to the unit using the front panel ON/OFF switch. After 5 secs the splash screen will

display. Once it displays the Boot-up will start .

Figure 4.0, Front Panel Display – Splash Screen

Figure 4.1, Front Panel Display –Boot-Up

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