User Manual

MXi AMPLIFIER CONTROLLER BOARD REV.2
PUB06-82 Rev 1 July 17, 2007 06-82-12 MXi Amplifier Controller Board Rev.2
2.7.2 Remote Controls (Individual)
Connector J6 provides for individual lines of control/status/telemetry that would normally be connected to an
external vendor remote control system (such as Moseley or Gentner). This 16-pin connector would usually have a
15-wire ribbon cable attached that would route the signals from the first 15 pins of J6 to a 15-pin D-shell
connector Jxx on the rear panel. The details of the signals on this connector are given in Section 5.
2.7.3 Remote Interface (Serial)
Connector J2 provides a standard three-wire serial interface (TxD, RxD and Ground) that would normally be
connected to an external computer or laptop serial port. If the operator wishes to connect a modem to this port, a
null modem would be needed to swap the TxD and RxD lines. This modem would need to be auto-answer since
no modem controls are provided by the MXi. The MXi sends a serial stream out this serial port that reports all of
the operating parameters of the transmitter. It can also receive serial commands from an appropriate computer
program.
2.7.4 Transmitter Switching Interface
Connector J7 provides for individual lines of control/status/telemetry that would normally be connected to an
external transmitter switching unit. Of course, this switching unit would only be necessary if there are two (or
more) MXi transmitters in the system. For a single transmitter, these signals would not be used. When configured
for transmitter switching, this 10-pin connector would usually have a nine-wire ribbon cable attached that would
route the signals from the first nine pins of J7 to a nine-pin D-shell connector Jxx on the rear panel. The
transmitter switch interface consists of a telemetry output of the RF forward power level, a status output indicating
TX failure, and interlock input used to shut down the transmitter and a few spare signals for future use. The exact
use and operation of the transmitter switching unit would be documented in its own publication when
implemented.
2.7.5 External DC Power Supply
Higher power MXi transmitters require that the DC power supply for the amplifier be located external to the
amplifier chassis. Connector J5 receives the interface signals for this external supply. These include a +12V input
that provides power to the MXi control board itself, a reference ground, a sample of the +32VDC that is used to
power the amplifier, and current telemetry sample and a control output from the MXi board used to turn on the
supply.
The actual connection is made via a power connector at the rear panel and is wired to connector J5. The actual
connection that supplies the amplifier(s) is wired directly from the rear panel to the amplifier and not through the
MXi control board.