DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10: Echnical Eference Anual

Technical Reference Manual (TRM)
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10

Poynting Antennas (Pty) Ltd
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Page 1 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Components ................................................................................................................................................ 5
3. Installation Instructions .............................................................................................................................. 6
4. Operation .................................................................................................................................................... 9
5. Mechanical And Environmental Specifications ....................................................................................... 11
6. Electrical Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 11
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The DF-A0047 ................................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: USB & RF Connector ....................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3: The DF-A0047 configured to receive horizontally polarized signals ................................................ 7
Figure 4: The DF-A0047 configured to receive vertically polarized signals .................................................... 7
Figure 5: Rotary Encoder/Push Button position ............................................................................................. 10
Figure 6: LED positions ................................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 7: Band A gain ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 8: Band B gain...................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 9: Band C gain...................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 10: Band B H-plane (normalised, dB).................................................................................................. 13
Figure 11: Band C H-plane (normalised, dB).................................................................................................. 13
Figure 12: Band A E-plane (normalised, dB) .................................................................................................. 14
Figure 12: Band B E-plane (normalised, dB) .................................................................................................. 14
Figure 13: Band C E-plane (normalised, dB) .................................................................................................. 14
TABLE OF TABLES
Table 1: Frequency bands of the DF-A0047 ..................................................................................................... 6
Table 2: Communication data format settings. .................................................................................................. 9
Table 3: State on start-up ................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 4: Mechanical and environmental specifications................................................................................... 11
Table 5: Electrical specifications ..................................................................................................................... 11
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 2 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
APPROVAL SHEET
NAME
DESIGNATION
R Prigge
Senior Electronic Engineer
M van Vuuren
Industrialisation Manager
F Havenga
QA Manager
SIGN
DATE
DOCUMENT HISTORY
SECTION
PAGES
DATE
VERSION
AUTHOR
All
All
20/11/2012
1.0
Ralph Prigge
All
All
21/12/2012
1.2
Dave Howie
All
All
11/01/2013
1.3
Ralph Prigge
2, 6
5, 13
17/04/2013
1.4
Ralph Prigge
All
All
27/09/2013
1.5
Ralph Prigge
2, 3.2
5, 6
31/10/2013
1.6
Ralph Prigge
13-14
02/12/2013
1.7
Ralph Prigge
12
11/12/2013
1.8
Ralph Prigge
All
26/06/2014
1.9
Zack Nel
2,3.3
28/08/2014
2.0
Zack Nel
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 3 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
1. INTRODUCTION
The DF-A0047 is a handheld wideband antenna for direction finding and transmitter hunting
operating from 20 MHz to 8.5 GHz. This band can be extended down to 9 kHz with the optional DFA0047-01 add-on.
The antenna combines several antennas in a neat and compact housing, with an internal switch
selecting the appropriate antenna as well as choosing to connect or bypass the pre-amplifier. A single
RF output is provided.
The amplifier is a low-noise wideband amplifier that enhances system sensitivity in active mode. In
passive mode, the amplifier is bypassed so that the antenna can be used in the presence of strong
signals.
The switch is powered via USB and is controlled via the push/turn button at the front of the grip. The
control allows the user to select the appropriate band and to select active or bypass mode. An internal
controller transmits a compass heading via the USB cable to the test computer.
Figure 1: The DF-A0047
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 4 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
2. COMPONENTS
DF-A0047/-10:
Components included in the shipment are:
1 DF-A0047/-10 antenna
1 Armrest
1 Carry band
1 Docking bracket with compass
1 Cable loom, RF and USB
1 Technical reference manual (this document)
1 Completed ATP form.
DF-A0047-01 (Optional):
2 Removable Band A extension modules
DF-A0047-02 (Optional):
1 DF-A0047/-10
1 Carry case
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 5 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
3. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
3.1
POWER AND CONTROL CONNECTIONS
Power and control signals to the DF-A0047 are provided via the USB interface.
RF
USB
Figure 2: USB & RF Connector
3.2
RF CONNECTIONS
The antenna has a single TNC female RF out connector on the side of the antenna. The allowable
frequency coverage of the bands is given in Table 1 for reference.
Table 1: Frequency bands of the DF-A0047
BAND
MINIMUM FREQUENCY
MAXIMUM FREQUENCY
A (DF-A0047-01)
9 kHz
20 MHz
20 MHz
500 MHz
500 MHz
8500 MHz
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 6 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
3.3
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
ADJUSTING POLARIZATION
The antenna is adjustable for vertical and horizontal polarization at the swivel point between the grip
and the head section. To swivel the antenna, hold the grip in one hand and the back of the radome in
the other, press the radome toward the grip and swivel it by 90 and release to lock it into position
Figure 3: The DF-A0047 configured to receive horizontally polarized signals
Figure 4: The DF-A0047 configured to receive vertically polarized signals
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 7 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
3.4
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
INSTALLING THE DF-A0047-01
When operating the antenna from 9 kHz to 20 MHz the removable DF-A0047-01 modules need to be
installed. This is done by locating one half of the loop into the two provided holes The DF-A0047-01
loop is perpendicular to the other bands so the polarisation is reversed when compared to the
instructions given in Section 3.3 above.
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 8 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
4. OPERATION
4.1 POWER SUPPLY
The antenna operates at a voltage level of 5V which must be supplied through USB.
4.2 DATA FORMAT

Table 2: Communication data format settings.
PARAMETER
VALUE
Interface Type
FTDI
Data Rate
115200
Data Bits
Parity
Odd
Start Bits
Stop Bits
TOLERANCE
UNITS
1%
Bits per second
4.3 STATE ON START-UP

On start-up, the switch will be in the state given in Table 3.
Table 3: State on start-up
PARAMETER
SETTING
Passive
Passive (Green LED OFF)
Band
A (Bottom Red LED ON)
4.4 BAND AND MODE SELECTION

The desired frequency band and amplifier mode is selected using the rotary encoder and push
button situated on the front of the grip
Rotary Encoder/
Push Button
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 9 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
Figure 5: Rotary Encoder/Push Button position
The desired frequency band is selected by turning the rotary switch either to the left or to the right.
The three LEDs on the back of the grip indicate which band is currently selected:
Top
Middle
Bottom
Band A (9 kHz 20 MHz)

Band B (20 500 MHz)
Band C (500 8500 MHz)
Active (Amplifier ON) and bypass (Amplifier OFF) mode is selected by pushing in the button. The
LED on the back of the grip is an indicator of the mode status:
LED ON
LED OFF
Active mode
Bypass mode
Band A
Band B
Band C
Active/Passive Mode
Figure 6: LED positions
4.5 ELECTRONIC COMPASS

The DF-A0047 has an internal electronic compass; the heading of the compass is permanently
transmitted from the antenna via the USB cable. The heading is transmitted using the ASCII
standard.
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 10 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
5. MECHANICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

Table 4: Mechanical and environmental specifications
PROPERTY
VALUE
Dimensions (Excluding armrest)
588 x 330 x 60 mm
Weight
< 1.8 kg
Operating temperature range
-30 to +55 C
Ingress protection
IP56
6. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Table 5: Electrical specifications
PROPERTY
MIN.
TYP.
MAX.
Power supply voltage
Current consumption
155
UNIT
VDC
200
mA
0.0009
20
MHz
Band B Frequency Range
20
500
MHz
Band C Frequency Range
500
8500
MHz
Band A Frequency Range (DF-A0047-01)
VSWR at selected antenna input with output terminated
Channel gain from antenna input to output

Output IP3 Intercept - 100 MHz
1 GHz
2 GHz
3 GHz
EIA Data Rate
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
< 4.5:1
typical
2
13
dB
34.5
33
31
28
dBm
115200
bps
Page 11 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
0
Band A with amplification
Band A without amplification
-10
-20
-30
Gain [dBi]
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100
10
15
Frequency [MHz]
20
25
30
Figure 7: Band A gain
10
Gain [dBi]
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
Band B without amplification

Band B with amplification
50
100
150
200
250
300
Frequency [MHz]
350
400
450
500
Figure 8: Band B gain
20
15
10
Gain [dBi]
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
Band C Gain without amplification

Band C Gain with amplification
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Frequency [MHz]
6000
7000
8000
Figure 9: Band C gain
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 12 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
Version No
2.0
Figure 10: Band B H-plane (normalised, dB)
30
500 MHz
1000 MHz
2000 MHz
5000 MHz
-30
60
-60
-24
-18
-12
-6
90
0
-90
120
-120
150
-150
180
Figure 11: Band C H-plane (normalised, dB)
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 13 of 14

DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10
ECP No
2353
Creation Date
Revision Date
120
10 MHz
12.5 MHz
15 MHz
17.5 MHz
20 MHz
22.5 MHz
25 MHz
60
150
30
-22.5
Version No
2.0
11/01/2013
28/08/2014
-7.5
-15
180
210
330
240
300
270
Figure 12: Band A E-plane (normalised, dB)

30
20 MHz
100 MHz
200 MHz
-30
60
30
-60
-12
-6
-9
-3
60
-120
150
-9
-6
-3
90
-90
120
-60
-12
90
300 MHz
400 MHz
500 MHz
-30
0
-90
120
-120
-150
150
-150
180
180
Figure 13: Band B E-plane (normalised, dB)
30
500 MHz
1000 MHz
2000 MHz
5000 MHz
-30
60
-60
-24
-18
-12
-6
90
0
-90
120
-120
150
-150
180
Figure 14: Band C E-plane (normalised, dB)
DF-A0047 & DF-A0047-10_TRM

Version: 2.0
Page 14 of 14

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