Tomco BTM00250 ALPHA-S Operation And Safety Manual

250W RF AMPLIFIER MODULE

MODEL

BTM00250 ALPHA-S

OPERATION AND SAFETY MANUAL

TOMCO 250W RF AMPLIFIER MODULE

MODEL

BTM00250 ALPHA-S

OPERATION AND SAFETY MANUAL

This handbook is provided in confidence, as a technical reference for use solely by the purchaser of the

equipment. The handbook or its contents may not be reproduced or distributed without written consent from

Tomco Technologies.

Tomco Technologies

17 Clarke St

Norwood SA 5067

AUSTRALIA

Ph [phone]

Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

© Tomco Electronics Pty Ltd

July 2008

Document No. T003375 Issue A

CONTENTS

OPERATION AND SAFETY MANUAL .......................................................................................................1

AMPLIFIER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ...................................................................................................1

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING:................................................................................................2

SAFETY SYMBOLS USED IN THIS MANUAL AND ON THE EQUIPMENT......................................3

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, OPERATING NOTES AND INSTALLATION NOTES....................4

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS...................................................................................................................................4

RF DRIVE input:..................................................................................................................................... 4

GATE input: ............................................................................................................................................5

RF OUT connection.................................................................................................................................5

SIGNAL TIMING DIAGRAMS FOR PULSED OPERATION.....................................................................................6

STATUS INDICATORS.....................................................................................................................................7

DC power:...............................................................................................................................................7

RF power:...................................................................................................................... .......................... 7

Overtemp:................................................................................................................................................7

COOLING AND THERMAL PROTECTION:.........................................................................................................7

STATUS/CONTROL INTERFACE .....................................................................................................................8

SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................................9

TOMCO TECHNOLOGIES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Amplifier Safety Precautions

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

The amplifier is designed to generate large amounts of RF power, and can generate high
RF voltages. It is therefore capable of causing very serious injury unless the proper
safety precautions are carefully observed. To minimise the risk, all personnel involved
with operating or maintaining the amplifier must be thoroughly familiar with the following
safety precautions:

• Tomco linear amplifiers are capable of producing much more than their rated output
power. The amplifiers are designed such that an RF drive level of not more than
0dBm is required for full output power at any frequency. Applying more than 0dBm of
RF drive can result in more RF output power, as the amplifier enters compression. It
is safe to operate the amplifier in compression, provided that the RF drive level does
not exceed +10dBm.

•
The manufacturer has taken extensive precautions to ensure that unintentional

contact with hazardous voltages within the radar equipment is minimised. However,
all personnel involved in the operation of the amplifier must be aware that dangerous
voltages are present within the equipment, and on any load, probe or antenna
connected to its outputs.

• When the amplifier is operating, the RF field strength at various points in the near
field of the RF load, probe or antenna may exceed the safe continuous exposure
level specified in international standards. Personnel engaged in the operation or
maintenance of this equipment should be aware of, and avoid, extended exposure to
RF radiation.

• This is a high gain high power amplifier. As such, small amounts of unintentional
feedback or small unintentional inputs can result in large RF output levels. These
transient RF outputs are not only extremely dangerous, but may also cause
extensive damage to any load, probe or antenna connected to the amplifier’s output.
Also, take care to use only high quality well shielded 50 ohm coaxial cable for the RF
Drive and RF output connections.

• Do not permit unauthorised or untrained personnel to adjust, modify or tamper with
any of the amplifier controls and connections.

• The amplifier produces high RF power levels at its outputs: contact with these points
can cause, in the least case, penetrating RF burns to the skin. While the design of
the equipment is such that unintentional contact is highly unlikely, all personnel

T003375 Issue A

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