Lectrosonics UT400E User Manual
UT
Synthesized UHF Hand-Held Transmitter
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Featuring Digital Hybrid Wireless™ Technology
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UT
2
LECTROSONICS, INC.
Synthesized UHF Hand-Held Transmitter
Table of Contents
General Technical Description ..............................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................4
Digital Hybrid Technology .....................................................................................................................................................................4
Digital Signal Processor ........................................................................................................................................................................4
Microprocessor, PLL and VCO Circuits.................................................................................................................................................4
Compatibility Modes ..............................................................................................................................................................................5
Pilot Tone Squelch ................................................................................................................................................................................5
Wide-Band Deviation ............................................................................................................................................................................5
Input Limiter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................5
Long Battery Life ...................................................................................................................................................................................5
Frequency Selection .............................................................................................................................................................................5
Circulator/Isolator ..................................................................................................................................................................................5
Antenna .................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Microphone Element .............................................................................................................................................................................5
Controls and Functions .........................................................................................................................................................................6
Power On/Off Switch .............................................................................................................................................................................6
Power LED ............................................................................................................................................................................................6
Compatibility Modes ..............................................................................................................................................................................6
Frequency Switches ..............................................................................................................................................................................6
Opening the Battery Compartment .......................................................................................................................................................7
Modulation (audio level) LEDs ..............................................................................................................................................................7
Audio Level Control ...............................................................................................................................................................................7
Locked Mode ........................................................................................................................................................................................7
VariMic™ Controls ..................................................................................................................................................................................8
Tone Control Adjustments .....................................................................................................................................................................8
Attenuator Control .................................................................................................................................................................................8
Subsonic Noise Filter ............................................................................................................................................................................9
Interchangeable Capsules ....................................................................................................................................................................9
Changing Capsules ..............................................................................................................................................................................10
Operating Instructions .........................................................................................................................................................................12
Selecting Compatibility Mode ..............................................................................................................................................................12
Adjusting the Audio Gain ....................................................................................................................................................................12
On/Off Switch Function Selection .......................................................................................................................................................13
Battery Installation ...............................................................................................................................................................................14
Operating Notes ....................................................................................................................................................................................15
Adjusting the Transmitter Frequency ...................................................................................................................................................15
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................................................................16
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................................................17
Service and Repair ...............................................................................................................................................................................18
Returning Units for Repair ..................................................................................................................................................................18
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UT
General Technical Description
Introduction
The UT Digital Hybrid Wireless™ handheld transmitter
uses state-of-the-art wireless technology with a highpowered 100mW RF output and a unique microphone
capsule arrangement. The VariMic™ preamp allows the
user to custom-tailor the microphone’s response to suit
the application.
Three capsules are available for this transmitter: a cardioid condenser, an omni condenser and a super-cardioid
condenser. Each capsule assembly comes complete
with the VariMic™ preamp.
In addition to providing peerless audio quality in native
400 Series mode, the Digital Hybrid Wireless™ technology in the UT transmitter allows compatibility with a
wide range of receiver types, including Lectrosonics 100
and 200 series and IFB. The UT is also compatible with
receivers from other manufacturers. Contact Lectrosonics for details.
Digital Hybrid Technology
All wireless links suffer from channel noise to some
degree and all wireless microphone systems seek to
minimize the impact of that noise on the desired signal. Conventional analog systems use compandors for
enhanced dynamic range, at the cost of subtle artifacts
(known as “pumping” and “breathing”). Wholly digital
systems defeat the noise by sending the audio information in digital form, at the cost of some combination of
power, bandwidth and resistance to interference.
The Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless™ system
(hereafter called Digital Hybrid) overcomes channel
noise in a dramatically new way, digitally encoding the
audio in the transmitter and decoding it in the receiver,
yet still sending the encoded information via an analog
FM wireless link. This proprietary algorithm is not a
digital implementation of an analog compandor but a
technique which can be accomplished only in the digital
domain, even though the inputs and outputs are analog
signals.
Because it uses an analog FM link, the Digital Hybrid
enjoys all the benefits of conventional FM wireless
systems, such as excellent range, efficient use of RF
spectrum, and long battery life. However, unlike conventional FM systems, the Digital Hybrid has done away
with the analog compandor and its artifacts.
Digital Signal Processor
The DSP encodes the digitized audio from the A-D
converter and adds an ultrasonic pilot tone to control
the receiver’s squelch (only in 400 Series, 200 Series
and IFB compatibility modes with the pilot tone enabled
– see Pilot Tone Squelch). It also controls the input
limiter and audio metering.
Microprocessor, PLL and VCO Circuits
An 8-bit microprocessor monitors numerous internal
signals. It also drives the Modulation LEDs, controls the
pilot tone and operates the PLL/VCO circuits.
UT Block Diagram
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LECTROSONICS, INC.
Synthesized UHF Hand-Held Transmitter
Compatibility Modes
The transmitter was designed to operate with Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless™ receivers and will yield
the best performance when doing so. However, due to
the flexibility of digital signal processing, it is also able
to operate with Lectrosonics 200 Series, Lectrosonics
100 Series, IFB and certain non-Lectrosonics analog
receivers in special compatibility modes. (Contact the
Lectrosonics Sales Department for a complete list of
compatible receivers.)
Pilot Tone Squelch
The benefit of the pilot tone squelch system is that the
associated receiver will remain muted until it receives
the pilot tone from the matching transmitter, even if a
strong RF signal is present on the carrier frequency of
the system. All Digital Hybrid transmitters use one of
256 different ultrasonic tones between 25 and 32 kHz
to modulate the carrier to operate the receiver squelch.
The pilot tone frequency is chosen according to the frequency switch setting. This ensures that all transmitters
in a system have different pilot tone frequencies so that
even spurious RF from unintended transmitters can’t
open the receiver squelch.
Wide-Band Deviation
In the Digital Hybrid and 200 Series modes, ±75 kHz
deviation dramatically improves the capture ratio, signal
to noise ratio and dynamic range of a wireless system.
Circulator/Isolator
The RF output circuit includes a one way circulator/
isolator using magnetically polarized ferrite. This device
greatly reduces RF intermodulation produced when
multiple transmitters are used at separations of less
than five feet. Circulator/isolators also provide additional RF protection for the output stage, but they are
rarely used in wireless microphone transmitters due to
the considerable expense.
Antenna
The highly efficient antenna uses the lower half of the
printed circuit boards as one radiating element, with the
upper half of the PC boards and the mic capsule as the
other half of the dipole configuration. This allows the mic
to be held in any position, since the user’s hands have
little or no effect on the radiated power.
Microphone Element
The UT handheld transmitter is available with any of
three capsule types: the VMC cardioid condenser, the
VMO omni condenser and the VMS super-cardioid
condenser. All three are mounted with tuned suspensions in order to eliminate handling noise. Each capsule
is also mated with the unique VariMic™ preamp arrangement allowing for custom-tailoring the frequency
response based on application.
Input Limiter
A digitally-controlled limiter and a precise, 16-position
attenuation control allow a very wide range of gain settings based on the source volume, thus optimizing the
signal-to-noise performance in any situation. The result
is the widest dynamic range of any wireless condenser
microphone today.
Long Battery Life
Switching power supplies throughout the design allow
over 3.5 hours of operation using a single 9 VDC alkaline battery. (A 9 volt LiPolymer rechargeable battery
will provide about 4 hours of operation.) The battery
contacts are spring loaded to prevent “rattle” as the unit
is handled.
Frequency Selection
The transmitter section uses a synthesized, frequency
selectable main oscillator. The frequency is extremely
stable over a wide temperature range and over time.
Two 16-position rotary switches, located under the
battery door, provide 256 frequencies in 100 kHz steps
over a 26.5 MHz range. This alleviates most carrier interference problems in mobile or traveling applications.
Rio Rancho, NM
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Controls and Functions
Power On/Off Switch
A Power On/Off switch located on the outside bottom
of the unit turns the unit on and off. The function of the
Power On/Off Switch can also be changed so it also
operates as an audio mute switch. In this configuration,
the Power LED doubles as a battery status indicator (in
the unmute or On position) and an audio mute/unmute
indicator (in the muted or Off position). (See Operating
Instructions, Power Switch Function Selection.) These
functions are illustrated in the chart below:
The user-selected configuration of the On/Off switch is
stored in the unit’s memory and persists until reconfigured by the user.
The switch can be configured for Normal (power) On/
Off mode or for Audio Mute mode. If the UT Power On/
Off Switch has been configured for Audio Mute Mode, it
is still possible to turn off the transmitter without removing the battery. This is done by placing the switch in the
On position, then toggling the switch three times in less
than five seconds, ending in the Off position.
Power LED
Whether in normal, mute or locked mode, the Power
LED will indicate the battery level when the unit is powered up.
The Power LED indicates the battery status when the
unit is powered up with the Power On/Off switch configured for normal operation. The Power LED glows green
when the battery is good. The color changes to red
when there is about 30 minutes of operation left with a
lithium battery. (An alkaline battery will have about 20
minutes of life left.)
In the Normal Mode, the LED blinks red briefly when
the switch is turned off, then the LED goes out as the
power is turned off.
NOTE: A LiPolymer rechargeable battery gives
little or no warning when
it is depleted. If you use
LiPolymer batteries in
the UT, we recommend
trying fully charged
batteries first, noting the
length of time that the
batteries will run the unit
and in the future use
somewhat less than that
time to determine when
the battery needs to be
replaced.
Power LED
Power On/Off
Switch
Windscreen
Audio Level Control
Modulation
Level LEDs
Battery
Compartment
Cover
Frequency
Power LED
On/Off Switch
Switches
Battery
Compartment
Locking ring
(Open Position)
When first installed, a weak battery will sometimes
cause the Power LED to glow green, but will soon discharge to the point where the LED will blink red or shut
off completely.
When Power On/Off switch is configured for Audio Mute
Mode, the Power LED indicates battery status when the
switch is set to On. However, when the Power On/Off
swtich is configured for Audio Mute Mode and set to Off,
the Power LED will slowly double blink green to indicate
that the unit’s audio is muted. (See Operating Instruc-
tions, Power Switch Function Selection.)
Compatibility Modes
The Power LED is used to indicate Compatibility Mode.
To identify the current Compatibility Mode, as part of the
powerup sequence, the Power LED will blink:
•Oncefor100Seriesmode
•Twotimesfor200Seriesmode
•ThreetimesforMode3*
•Fourtimesfor400Seriesmode
•FivetimesforIFBSeriesmode
*Thismodeworkswithanalogreceiversfromother
manufacturers. Contact Lectrosonics for a complete list
of non-Lectrosonics compatible receivers.
Frequency Switches
Two 16-position rotary switches (located under the battery door) adjust the operating frequency of the transmitter. The Coarse switch adjusts the frequency in 1.6
MHz steps and the Fine switch adjusts the frequency in
100 kHz steps.
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LECTROSONICS, INC.
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