AT-9 UHF SYNTHESIZED TELEMETRY TRANSMITTER 8/15/2006

Revised 05/2011

VLF / EENTEC
1100 Forest Ave Kirkwood,Mo.63122 Tel: 314-984-8282 Fax: 314-984-8292 Web Site: www.eentec.com

AT-9 Transmitter Manual The AT-9 transmitter utilizes a commercially available, synthesized, UHF exciter combined with custom circuitry to provide a low cost solution for FDM telemetry. A high efficiency buck converter provides a means of adjusting the transmitters output power over a range of 100 mW to 2W. Output power remains constant over an input voltage range of 12 to 14.5 VDC. Modulation distortion is extremely low, thus allowing the use of multiple carriers with little or no intermodulation. Transient suppression is applied to the power and modulation inputs. With the addition of an optional quarter wave shorting stub installed across the RF output, the radio is extremely resistant to lightning damage. Specifications Type: Synthesized NBFM Frequency Ranges: Specify 400-410.235 A band 410-420.235 B band 420-430.235 C band 430-440.235 D band 440-450.235 E band 450-460.235 F band 460-470.235 G band Minimum Channel Spacing: 5 Khz Frequency Stability: 2ppm, -30C to +60C Output power: 100mW to 2W adjustable Output Impedance: 50 ohm Harmonics: -58dB below carrier Spurious: -65dB or better Audio Input Level: 1 Vrms for full deviation Modulation Frequency Response: 300 -3500Hz Modulation: True FM, no pre-emphasis Modulation Input: 2K ohm, single ended Modulation Distortion: 0.1% or better Deviation: 5 KHz, internally adjustable with limiter Operating Voltage: 12 V nominal (14.5 v MAX) Operating Current: 75 to 430 mA (100mW to 2W) Size: 7" x 4" x 2" Case: anodized aluminum Operating Temperature Range: -30C to +60C Operating Humidity: 0-95% RH (Non Condensing) Controls: Power output (15turn pot) Power and modulation mating connector: PT06-8-4S Pin A: Power, Pin B Modulation Input, Pin C and D Ground Antenna connection: Type "N" (others available) Specify desired operating frequency and power output when ordering so that unit will be properly tuned. Frequency changes in excess of 200Khz require retuning in order to obtain best performance.

Field Frequency Change The exciter that forms the core of the AT-9 transmitter is frequency synthesized. The model # specifies the operating frequency range of the transmitter. Operation outside of this frequency range is not possible without multiple component changes and reprogramming of the frequency synthesizer IC. Small frequency changes on the order of 200 Khz can be done by changing dipswitch and or jumper settings, without retuning the radio. Frequency changes outside of this range require retuning of the RF stages and resetting of the VCO adjustment if the best performance from the radio is to be realized. Base Frequency Table Model# AT-9-A AT-9-B AT-9-C AT-9-D AT-9-E AT-9-F AT-9-G Frequency Range 400-410.235 410-420.235 420-430.235 430-440.235 440-450.235 450-460.235 460-470.235 Base Frequency 400.000 Mhz 410.000 Mhz 420.000 Mhz 430.000 Mhz 440.000 Mhz 450.000 Mhz 460.000 Mhz

In order to set the desired output frequency, first subtract the base frequency from the desired output frequency. This gives the synthesizer programming frequency. It will then be necessary to close the appropriate switches or jumpers to raise the transmitter above the base frequency. If the jumper and all switches are open then the transmitter will operate at the base frequency. Closing a particular switch will increase the transmitters frequency by the weight assigned to the particular switch or jumper. Note that the values are in a binary progression, so that you start by closing the highest valued switch or jumper that is less than or equal to the synthesizer programming frequency calculated earlier. Once a switch has been closed remove the value of its weight from the calculated synthesizer frequency and then close the next switch which is just less than or equal to the remainder. Continue closing additional switches until the remainder is zero. Jumper E6 to E7 SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 SW5 SW6 SW7 SW8 SW9 SW10 5.120 Mhz 2.560 Mhz 1.280 Mhz 640 Khz 320 Khz 160 Khz 80 Khz 40 Khz 20 Khz 10 Khz 5 Khz

For example; assume the desired output frequency of an AT-9D is 438.675 Mhz. Subtract the base frequency of 430.000 Mhz. This makes the synthesizer frequency 8.675 Mhz. Installing jumper E6-E7 removes a frequency term of 5.120 Mhz, leaving a remainder of 3.555 Mhz. Closing SW1 removes a frequency term of 2.560Mhz leaving a remainder of 995 Khz. SW2 can not be closed because it would remove more than the remaining frequency. Closing SW3 removes a frequency term of 640 Khz leaving a remainder of 355 Khz. Closing SW4 removes a frequency term of 320 Khz leaving a remainder of 35 Khz.

SW 5,6,7 can not be closed as they would remove more than the remaining frequency. Closing SW8 removes a frequency term of 20 Khz leaving a remainder of 15 Khz. Closing SW9 removes a frequency term of 10 Khz and leaves a remainder of 5 Khz. Closing SW10 removes a frequency term of 5 Khz with a remainder of 0. If a frequency change is to be done in the field, first measure and record the VCO voltage at TP1 to within 10 mV. This voltage is nominally 2.0 VDC at room temperature. This voltage will change as a function of temperature and switch settings. It is important to retune VCO coil L1 after the frequency adjustment has been made to produce the same voltage at TP1 as recorded prior to the frequency change, otherwise the deviation sensitivity of the transmitter may be changed. If the frequency change is done on the bench and a communications service monitor is available, then, the VCO coil will be set to produce 2.0VDC at TP1, and the deviation of the transmitter can then be checked and reset during the remaining tuning process. Telemetry Application Notes The exciter manufacturers schematics and troubleshooting are provided as part of this manual. Because this exciter can be used for many different applications, not all of the manufacturers information will be applicable to the telemetry application. The alignment procedure that follows should be used in place of any instructions from the exciter manual as they pertain to the use of this equipment specifically in the context of telemetry applications. Several modifications have been made to the exciter to make it usable with telemetry equipment. The input amplifier gain was reduced to unity and pre-emphasis has been removed by removing C49. This is done so that deviation is not proportional to frequency and so that higher level inputs, typical of telemetry systems, can be used. R6 was decreased from 100k to 51k so that excessive rolloff at higher frequencies will not occur.

Alignment instructions Alignment of this radio is similar to any narrow band FM transmitter once the synthesizer has been set up properly. Follow the instructions for field frequency change to set the synthesizer dipswitches and jumpers, if the radio operating frequency is to be changed. Alignment should be performed at a nominal input voltage of 12.5 VDC. Alignment of the radio should normally be done at the average temperature the radio will be exposed to. For most applications, this is normal room temperature. However if the radio will only be used in a climate substantially different, then the alignment should be performed at the average of the temperatures the radio will be exposed to. This radio will inherently operate over a very large range of temperatures, however maximum power efficiency may not be realized when the radio is operated near the extremes of its temperature range, unless tuning is done under these temperature conditions. Additional power efficiency improvements of 5% or so may be obtained. RF Alignment Procedure 1.) Adjust L1 for 2.00 VDC between TP1 and ground. 2.) Connect a wattmeter to the output of the radio. 3.) Always operate the radio with a 50 ohm load. At high power levels the output amplifier may be damaged by either a short or an open load condition. 4.) Adjust C25 for maximum output power. 5.) Adjust C32 for maximum output power. 6.) Adjust C37 for maximum output power. 7.) Adjust C40 for maximum output power. 8.) Adjust C43 and C44 alternately for maximum output power. 9.) Adjust C45 and C46 alternately for maximum output power. 10.) Repeat steps 4 through 9 until no further improvement. 11.) Adjust power adjustment R3 for the desired output power Deviation adjustment 1.) Apply a 1Vrms 1Khz low distortion sine wave between pin B (input) and pin C (gnd). 2.) Connect an oscilloscope (or distortion analyzer) between the high side of R35 and ground. Turn R26 CW until clipping is noticed on the peaks of the sine wave. Back off R26 very slightly. Then adjust deviation pot R35 for a deviation of 5 Khz on a service monitor.