Specifications

Sheet 24 of 39 Document 12245 Rev. I
3.8.1 Get Output Power (16 50)
The SSPA’s output power level will be returned as an analog value. The value will be signed if the power
units are set for dBm or dBW, and unsigned if the power units are set for Watts.
The units will be those selected by front panel controls, or by the serial I/O Power Units message (section
3.10.5). This command can also be used to determine which units are set.
A question mark (3F) is returned if the output level A/D converter is not functioning. Out-of-range values will
be preceded by a greater than (>) or less than (<) symbol.
The output level is measured from P
NOM
– 30 dB to P
NOM
+ 2 dB (P
NOM
is the nominal power of the amplifier in
dBm; for example, 200 watts is 53.0 dBm). Since the measurement is made with a linear detector, the
resolution varies, but will be at least 0.1 dB over the top 15 dB of the measurement range.
3.8.2 Get Module Temperature (16 51)
The temperature of the SSPA module’s heatsink is returned as a signed analog value. The heatsink
temperature is measured over a range of -40 to +85 C, in 0.5 C steps.
An optional module number may be sent to the amplifier. This is to support other model amplifiers in which
there is more than one module. If this parameter is sent, it must request the temperature of module number 1.
A question mark (3F) is returned if the temperature sensor is not operating properly, or if the module number
specified is not 1 (31). Out-of-range values will be preceded by a greater than (>) or less than (<) symbol.
3.8.3 Get Module Current (16 52)
For SSPAs using this protocol, version 2.0x or higher, this message returns the TOTAL current drawn by the
SSPA, as a single analog value, measured in amps. This value will be the same as returned by the Get Total
Amplifier Current message (see section 3.8.8).
An optional module number and/or stage number may be sent to the amplifier. This is to support other model
amplifiers in which there is more than one module or amplification stage. For the SSPAs using this protocol, if
these parameters are sent, they must request the temperature of module number 1 and/or stage number 1. A
comma (2C) must be sent between the module number and the stage number.
A question mark (3F) is returned for the current value if the SSPA module is not connected, if both the module
number and stage number, if present, are not “1” (31), or for values which cannot be read due to a hardware
problem.
3.8.4 Get Input Voltage (16 53)
The voltage at the supply input of the unit is returned as a single positive analog value, measured in volts.
3.8.5 Get RF Output Status (16 54)
The current status of the SSPA output is returned in four bytes containing bit flag data. If all the flags in the
first two bytes and the last byte are 0, the SSPA’s output is ON; otherwise the specific reason for the output
being off can be determined. The third byte is included for compatibility with other amplifier products.
The bit flags returned are as follows:
01 0 b
MUTED:PARIO
b
MUTED:SERIO
b
MUTED:LOCAL
00
01 b
HICURR_SHTDN
b
GATEVSHT
b
BUC_UNLKINH
0 b
TH_SHTDN
b
RF_INHIBIT
01 000 000
01 000 00 b
EXT_INH_OR_FAST_MUTE
The flags in the first byte indicate whether the output has been muted by serial I/O command, or parallel I/O
command (if an RCP-2001 is connected with optional Parallel I/O installed), or local (RCP-2001) front panel
control, such that it can be turned back on with an UN-MUTE command (see section 3.10.1):
b
MUTED:PARIO
Muted by Parallel I/O