beautypg.com

Amplifier level control, Manual gain control – Motorola BT100 User Manual

Page 34

background image

Amplifier

Setup

3-9

BT100 Installation and Operation Manual

attenuation changes due to temperature. If necessary, you can control the Bode board manually

using the potentiometer labeled manual level (

MAN

)

in Figure 2-13.

Amplifier Level Control

Signal levels vary in a cable system primarily because cable attenuation changes with
temperature. Other components such as passives and amplifier hybrids are also affected by

temperature changes. To automatically compensate for these signal level fluctuations and

control output level, you must select the optional ADU, QADU, or TDU. The use of the ADU,
QADU, or TDU is recommended for improved output level stability.
When necessary and appropriate, you can also use manual gain control. The gain of the BT100

is then determined by the potentiometer marked MAN on the electronics chassis cover.

Manual Gain Control

To use manual gain control:

1

Verify that the electronics chassis is installed correctly.

2

Ensure that there is continuity in the forward path by installing the design-value forward

equalizer and design value input JXP-*B attenuator.

3

Ensure that the drive control select jumper is in the

MAN

position.

4

Use a signal-level meter to measure the high band-edge carrier input level at the input test

point: 750 MHz = channel 116, 870 MHz = channel 136, 1003 MHz = channel 158.

This carrier should be at standard analog level, non-scrambled.

5

Verify that the input level agrees with the design specification input.

If the level is different from design, adjust accordingly. For example: the design level is
19 dBmV at the highest frequency and the design pad value is JXP-3B. If the actual

measured level is 21 dBmV, then you must change the pad to a JXP-5B.

If the actual levels are significantly different from the design levels, it is recommended that
you investigate or consult system management before proceeding.

6

Connect the signal-level meter to the output test point and tune the meter to the high-end

channel.

7

Turn the manual gain reserve (

MAN

) control (illustrated in Figure 2-13) to maximum (fully

clockwise) and then reduce the output as noted in Table 3-3 below:

Table 3-3
Gain reserve versus ambient temperature

Temperature Gain

Reserve

Above 110

°F (43°C)

3 dB

32

°F (0°C) to 110°F (43°C)

4 dB

Below 32

°F (0°C)

5 dB

8

Check the amplifier output tilt by measuring the high band- and low band-edge carriers.

ƒ

High = channel 116 (745.25 MHz), channel 136 (865.25 MHz), or channel 158
(997.25 MHz).