Specifications

Sheet 30 of 39 Document 12245 Rev. I
3.8.15 Get Module Nominal Power (16 6A)
The Get Module Nominal Power command returns the rated nominal power of the SSPA expressed in watts.
For example, a 50-watt (nominal) SSPA will return the value “50” (35 30).
3.8.16 Get Gain Range (16 6B)
The Get Gain Range command returns the adjustable range of the gain control, as a positive integer, in dB.
Gain can be set anywhere from 0.0 dB down to –(Gain Range) in dB, in 0.1 dB increments.
3.8.17 Get Fan Status (16 6D)
The Fan Status indicates whether the speed reported by the fan tachometer signals is above or below the
fault limit. If the speed is below the limit, the fan is FAILED. If above the limit, the fan is GOOD.
The Get Fan Status command returns 30 for fan speed too slow (FAILED), or 31 for fan speed above
threshold (GOOD), for each of two fans. A single 3F is returned if the Fan Monitoring option is disabled, or if
fan status is unavailable for any other reason.
If the fan status is FAILED, a warning will be reported, except for a period of 20 seconds after a micro-
processor reset (or power-up). It is expected that the fans will take no more than this amount of time to get up
to speed. Thus, following a microprocessor reset (or power-up), fan speed may indicate “too slow” while the
fans accelerate. In this case, if this message is sent, the returned value will still be 30, although a fault will not
be reported.
3.9 Configuration (17)
CONFIGURATION messages can be used to set or query the state of controls on the unit which are usually
used during setup. These controls are not normally adjusted during everyday operation of the unit.
Configuration messages can either control a setting, or read the setting back.
In general, commands sent to the unit can be one of two forms. The first form will query the value of a
particular setting, the second will set the values. Some messages may vary from this format slightly. See the
individual message descriptions for more information.
The message from the controller to query the value of a setting must contain another data byte, which
immediately follows the instruction code (17). This byte is the sub-instruction, and specifies which particular
measured parameter you are requesting.
Units will respond with a message containing the same instruction code and sub-instruction, and a message
body that contains the data in the same format which is used to set the values.
The message body used to set a value contains the same sub-instruction, followed by the data for the new
setting. The format of the data is described in the sections that follow.
Unless an ACK is requested in the instruction byte, there will be no response to a message with this format. It
is recommended that an ACK request be sent with messages with this format, to verify that the unit "heard"
you. If there is no immediate response, then either there was a communication error, or something was wrong
with the message format.
3.9.1 Power Fault Limits (17 51)
The output power measurement fault limits may be controlled by this message. When queried, three analog
values are returned. The values are signed if the power units are set for dBm or dBW, and unsigned if the
power units are set for Watts.
In order, the values returned are the low side power limit, the high side power limit, and an unused value that
will always be 0. If the low limit is disabled, the value will be preceded by a less-than symbol (‘<’). If the upper
limit is disabled, the value will be preceded by a greater-than symbol (‘>’). The three values are separated by
commas (2C).