User Manual

MXi AMPLIFIER CONTROLLER BOARD REV.2
PUB06-82 Rev 1 July 17, 2007 06-82-13 MXi Amplifier Controller Board Rev.2
3 LCD GUI INTERFACE AND TOUCHPAD
The user interface to the transmitter is mainly accomplished with the front panel LCD that incorporates a touchpad
as an integral part of the unit. The touchpad consists of a thin membrane attached to the LCD surface which
implements a software-driven menu selection system. The LCD has the capability of displaying a number of
different screens, which are selected by the operator via the touchpad.
Each of the separate display screens (called Menus) are detailed in the following subsections along with their
respective touchpad menu options. When the MXi transmitter is first powered on or returns from an AC power
outage, the LCD displays a screen [Power Up Screen] that only shows for a few seconds and describes the
particular transmitter that this MXi is configured for. The same MXi controller board, LCD and software is used for
a number of different transmitter configurations. The one specific Power Up Screen reflects the current transmitter
configuration. This same information is available on the General Menu screen described in a later subsection.
A sample Power Up screen configured for a 50 watt UHF digital transmitter can be seen below. Note that there
are no touchpad menu options on this screen, since it only displays for a few seconds. After these seconds have
passed, the MXi proceeds into the Main Menu screen described in the next section.
Figure 7 Sample Power-Up Screen
3.1 MAIN SCREEN AND TOUCHPAD OPERATIONS
The Main Menu screen as shown below gives the operator all of the most pertinent values and status to verify the
operation of the transmitter. This screen is the one that is normally left displayed when no maintenance or
diagnostic checks are being performed. It is from this Main screen that all of the other submenu screens can be
accessed. If the operator has switched to another submenu, it is recommended that the LCD is returned to the
Main screen, since this shows an overview of the system operation.
Figure 8 Main Menu Screen
The Main screen can be subdivided into four distinct sections, the main forward RF power at the top line, the
transmitter status on the second line, the individual subsystem status on the third line and the submenu options
on the fourth and last line.
The first line shows the forward RF power that the transmitter is currently generating. This is the power that is
actually being sent out to the antenna or system load. There are two elements that show the same information but
in different formats. The bar graph gives a graphic display of the RF power output level and is calibrated for 100%
at the transmitter’s rated output power. The bar graph will display up to 125% but it is not recommended that the
operator increase the power beyond the rated power without prior approval from LARCAN field service. When the
power exceeds 110%, the bar graph becomes more solid and darker in the area above 110% to indicate that an
overpower condition is present.
The same information is provided to the left of the bar graph in a three-digit display which shows the current
power output. When calibrating or setting up the transmitter, this three-digit display value should be used as a