FlexStar HDx Exciter TECHNICAL MANUAL FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter. Printed Apr, 2012 Rev. H. T.M. No

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1 TECHNICAL MANUAL FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter FlexStar HDx Exciter T.M. No Copyright Harris Corporation 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 All rights reserved Printed Apr, 2012 Rev. H "HD Radio" is a trademark of ibiquity Digital Corporation

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3 Manual Revision History FlexStar HDx Exciter Technical Manual REV. DATE ECN Pages Affected B 10/11/ Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. C 10/27/ Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2, Chapter 2. C1 5/29/2007 FS Request Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2, Chapters 2 and 3 C2 7/6/2007 FS Request Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2, Chapter 7 C3 7/13/ Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2 and Chapter 3 D 7/7/2008 PL Request All E 10/23/ Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2 and Chapter 2 F 11/23/ Title page, MRH-1/MRH-2 and Chapter 2 G 02/17/ Entire book was updated, including Parts List H 4/30/ Title page, MRH1 and page /2/ MRH-1

4 Technical Assistance Technical and troubleshooting assistance for HARRIS Transmission products is available from HARRIS Field Service (factory location: Quincy, Illinois, USA) during normal business hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time). Telephone to contact the Field Service Department; FAX ; or questions to tsupport@harris.com. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by telephone only. Online assistance, including technical manuals, white papers, software downloads, and service bulletins, are available at (from there, click on Customer Support Portal under the Services & Support tab dropdown menu). Address written correspondence to Field Service Department, HARRIS Broadcast Communications Division, P.O. Box 4290, Quincy, Illinois , USA. For other global service contact information, please visit: NOTE: For all service and parts correspondence, you will need to provide the Sales Order number, as well as the Serial Number for the transmitter or part in question. For future reference, record those numbers here: / Please provide these numbers for any written request, or have these numbers ready in the event you choose to call regarding any Service, or Parts requests. For warranty claims it will be required, and for out of warranty products, this will help us to best identify what specific hardware was shipped. Replaceable Parts Service Replacement parts are available from HARRIS Service Parts Department 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Central Time on Saturday. Telephone or servicepartsreq@harris.com to contact the Service Parts Dept. Emergency replacement parts are available by telephone only, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling Unpacking Carefully unpack the equipment and perform a visual inspection to determine if any apparent damage was incurred during shipment. Retain the shipping materials until it has been verified that all equipment has been received undamaged. Locate and retain all PACKING CHECK LISTs. Use the PACKING CHECK LIST to help locate and identify any components or assemblies which are removed for shipping and must be reinstalled. Also remove any shipping supports, straps, and packing materials prior to initial turn on. Returns And Exchanges No equipment can be returned unless written approval and a Return Authorization is received from HARRIS Broadcast Communications Division. Special shipping instructions and coding will be provided to assure proper handling. Complete details regarding circumstances and reasons for return are to be included in the request for return. Custom equipment or special order equipment is not returnable. In those instances where return or exchange of equipment is at the request of the customer, or convenience of the customer, a restocking fee will be charged. All returns will be sent freight prepaid and properly insured by the customer. When communicating with HARRIS Broadcast Communications Division, specify the HARRIS Order Number or Invoice Number. iv /2/2012

5 ! WARNING: THE CURRENTS AND VOLTAGES IN THIS EQUIPMENT ARE DANGEROUS. PERSONNEL MUST AT ALL TIMES OBSERVE SAFETY WARNINGS, INSTRUC- TIONS AND REGULATIONS. This manual is intended as a general guide for trained and qualified personnel who are aware of the dangers inherent in handling potentially hazardous electrical/electronic circuits. It is not intended to contain a complete statement of all safety precautions which should be observed by personnel in using this or other electronic equipment. The installation, operation, maintenance and service of this equipment involves risks both to personnel and equipment, and must be performed only by qualified personnel exercising due care. HARRIS CORPORATION shall not be responsible for injury or damage resulting from improper procedures or from the use of improperly trained or inexperienced personnel performing such tasks. During installation and operation of this equipment, local building codes and fire protection standards must be observed. The following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are recommended as reference: - Automatic Fire Detectors, No. 72E - Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, No Halogenated Fire Extinguishing Agent Systems, No. 12A! WARNING: ALWAYS DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE OPENING COVERS, DOORS, ENCLO- SURES, GATES, PANELS OR SHIELDS. ALWAYS USE GROUNDING STICKS AND SHORT OUT HIGH VOLTAGE POINTS BEFORE SERVICING. NEVER MAKE INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS, PERFORM MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE WHEN ALONE OR WHEN FATIGUED. Do not remove, short-circuit or tamper with interlock switches on access covers, doors, enclosures, gates, panels or shields. Keep away from live circuits, know your equipment and don t take chances.! WARNING: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ENSURE THAT POWER HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED.! WARNING: IF OIL FILLED OR ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS ARE UTILIZED IN YOUR EQUIPMENT, AND IF A LEAK OR BULGE IS APPARENT ON THE CAPACITOR CASE WHEN THE UNIT IS OPENED FOR SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE, ALLOW THE UNIT TO COOL DOWN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE DEFEC- TIVE CAPACITOR. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE A DEFECTIVE CAPACITOR WHILE IT IS HOT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A CASE RUPTURE AND SUBSE- QUENT INJURY. 5/2/ v

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7 FIRST-AID Personnel engaged in the installation, operation, maintenance or servicing of this equipment are urged to become familiar with first-aid theory and practices. The following information is not intended to be complete first-aid procedures, it is a brief and is only to be used as a reference. It is the duty of all personnel using the equipment to be prepared to give adequate Emergency First Aid and there by prevent avoidable loss of life. Treatment of Electrical Burns 1. Extensive burned and broken skin a. Cover area with clean sheet or cloth. (Cleanest available cloth article.) b. Do not break blisters, remove tissue, remove adhered particles of clothing, or apply any salve or ointment. c. Treat victim for shock as required. d. Arrange transportation to a hospital as quickly as possible. e. If arms or legs are affected keep them elevated. NOTE: If medical help will not be available within an hour and the victim is conscious and not vomiting, give him a weak solution of salt and soda: 1 level teaspoonful of salt and 1/2 level teaspoonful of baking soda to each quart of water (neither hot or cold). Allow victim to sip slowly about 4 ounces (a half of glass) over a period of 15 minutes. Discontinue fluid if vomiting occurs. (Do not give alcohol.) 2. Less severe burns - (1st & 2nd degree) a. Apply cool (not ice cold) compresses using the cleanest available cloth article. b. Do not break blisters, remove tissue, remove adhered particles of clothing, or apply salve or ointment. c. Apply clean dry dressing if necessary. d. Treat victim for shock as required. e. Arrange transportation to a hospital as quickly as possible. f. If arms or legs are affected keep them elevated. REFERENCE: ILLINOIS HEART ASSOCIATION AMERICAN RED CROSS STANDARD FIRST AID AND PERSONAL SAFETY MANUAL (SECOND EDITION) 5/2/ vii

8 Guide to Using Harris Parts List Information The Harris Replaceable Parts List Index portrays a tree structure with the major items being leftmost in the index. The example below shows the Transmitter as the highest item in the tree structure. If you were to look at the bill of materials table for the Transmitter you would find the Control Cabinet, the PA Cabinet, and the Output Cabinet. In the Replaceable Parts List Index the Control Cabinet, PA Cabinet, and Output Cabinet show up one indentation level below the Transmitter and implies that they are used in the Transmitter. The Controller Board is indented one level below the Control Cabinet so it will show up in the bill of material for the Control Cabinet. The tree structure of this same index is shown to the right of the table and shows indentation level versus tree structure level. Example of Replaceable Parts List Index and equivalent tree structure: Replaceable Parts List Index Part Number Page Transmitter Table 7-1. Transmitter Table 7-2. Control Cabinet Table 7-3. Controller Board Table 7-4. PA Cabinet Table 7-5. PA Amplifier Table 7-6. PA Amplifier Board Table 7-7. Output Cabinet Control Cabinet Controller Board PA Cabinet PA Amplifier PA Amplifier Board Output Cabinet The part number of the item is shown to the right of the description as is the page in the manual where the bill for that part number starts. Each table headings is in the format of; Table #-#. ITEM NAME - HARRIS PART NUMBER - this line gives the information that corresponds to the Replaceable Parts List Index entry (NOTE: The letter in parenthesis, following the part number, represents the current at time of this printing revision); Inside the actual tables, four main headings are used: HARRIS P/N column gives the Harris part number (usually in ascending order); DESCRIPTION column gives a 25 character or less description of the part number; Qty UM column notes the quantity and unit of measure of the item; REF. SYMBOLS/EXPLANATIONS column 1) gives the reference designators for the item (i.e., C001, R102, etc.) that corresponds to the number found in the schematics (C001 in a bill of material is equivalent to C1 on the schematic) or 2) gives added information or further explanation (i.e., Used for 208V operation only, or Used for HT 10LS only, etc.). NOTE: Inside the individual tables some standard conventions are used: A # symbol in front of a component such as #C001 under the REF. SYMBOLS/EXPLANATIONS column means that this item is used on or with C001 and is not the actual part number for C001. In the ten digit part numbers, if the last three numbers are 000, the item is a part that Harris has purchased and has not manufactured or modified. If the last three numbers are other than 000, the item is either manufactured by Harris or is purchased from a vendor and modified for use in the Harris product. The first three digits of the ten DIGIT part number tell which family the part number belongs to - for example, all electrolytic (can) capacitors will be in the same family (524 xxxx 000). If an electrolytic (can) capacitor is found to have a 9xx xxxx xxx part number (a number outside of the normal family of numbers), it has probably been modified in some manner at the Harris factory and will therefore show up farther down into the individual parts list (because each table is normally sorted in ascending order). Most Harris made or modified assemblies will have 9xx xxxx xxx numbers associated with them. The term SEE HIGHER LEVEL BILL in the description column implies that the reference designated part number will show up in a bill that is higher in the tree structure. This is often the case for components that may be frequency determinant or voltage determinant and are called out in a higher level bill structure that is more customer dependent than the bill at a lower level. viii /2/2012

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11 Table of Contents Section 1 Introduction Introduction Benefits and features Useful Terms Section 2 Installation Introduction Quick Start Bench Testing: Troubleshooting MPS PAD Required Ethernet Switch Unpacking Returns and Exchanges Air Cooling Requirements Installation Visual Inspection Configuration PLL Shipping Screw Rear Panel & Connections Input Voltage Main RF Outputs Audio Inputs MHz Reference In Aux RF Out Baseband Inputs Exporter Interface (Exgine Module) HAX Exgine (Option) Signal Processing Section 3 Operation Introduction Operation Through the Front Panel Setup Screens Input Setup Output Setup Diversity Delay (HAX Option) RTAC Non-Linear Coeffiecient Adjustment Display Serial USB RBDS Restore Defaults Setup Lock/Unlock Advanced Setup PLL Sync Control Power Limit and Gain adjustments Exciter Status Screens Audio Signal Processing "DUC" (page 1/5) "FM DSP" (page 2/5) "Exgine" (page 3/5; 4/5) "RF Samples" (page 5/5) RF System "PLL Board" (page 1/3) "D/A Filter Board" (page 2/3) "Power Amplifier" (page 3/3) System Control Status "Communications Status" (page 1/4) "Signal Processing" (page 2/4) "Digital & Analog I/O" (page 3/4) "Front Panel / BNC / XLR Boards" (page 4/4) Performance Telnet Access for Remote Control Parameter Listings Section 4 Theory Overall System Theory Signal Processing Board and Motherboard DSP Modulator XLR I/O Board Detailed Description; XLR I/O Board BNC I/O Board Modulated Inputs RF Samples N+1 Interface PPS Interface kHz Output Exgine Module /4 VGA PLL D/A Module D/A Filter Board Detailed Description: D/A Filter Board PA and Low Pass Filter Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments Preventative Maintenance Cleaning Cooling Fine Frequency Adjust Periodic Exciter Alignments Battery Replacement Board Replacement Board Identification Exgine with HAX Board Installation Remove Top Cover & Front Panel To Remove Existing Exgine: Assemble Exgine Module / HAX Board Assembly:.5-6 Install Exgine Assembly Software Upgrade i

12 Table of Contents Update Exgine Using Ethernet Update Signal Processor (Main up) using USB Power Calibration Adjustment Record Your User Settings Section 6 Troubleshooting Introduction Common Service Issues PLL Sync Service Mode & Passwords GPS Receiver Issues Signal Processing Fault UDP vs. TCP No Communication IP Troubleshooting Tools Check GUI Check Exporter Link HD RUN, HD Buff, EL RUN, DSP RUN Warnings 6-4 Check Firewall Verify IP Address No RF Output No HD Carriers Test mode Normal Operation Signal Processor Board LEDs Exgine Board LCD Touch Screen Password Protection Saving Settings Restore Defaults Noise, Tone or Loss of Audio Signal Processing Status Errors Section 7 Parts List Replaceable Parts List ii

13 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 1 Introduction Introduction The FlexStar HDx is a new dual-output, tri-mode HD Radio capable exciter. With the optional Exgine Module, the two configurable RF outputs are available for three different modes of operation: FM, FM+HD, and HD only. The Main output is capable of up to 55 watts and the AUX output is capable of up to 10mW, depending on mode. The three modes available with the Exgine Module option installed are: HD: Generates the digital sidebands for use in "digital-only" transmitters. FM+HD or hybrid mode: For use by common amplification FM transmitters. The HD to FM ratio is easily set using the touch-screen GUI. FM: Analog FM only mode capable of up to 55 watts. There is also a specialized purchased option for driving two combined transmitters called Split Level Combining (SLC) mode. Typically a larger FM-only transmitter and a smaller FM+HD transmitter. Other products in the FlexStar family include the HDI Importer and the HDE Exporter. These products create an HD Radio system for a new level of digital radio capabilities. An HDx-FM analog exciter can be upgraded to HD by adding the ibiquity DSP-based modulator called Exgine (available with or without Host Audio Extraction [HAX]). To transmit HD Radio carriers, an HDE Exporter will have to be added to your system. A Harris HDI Importer can also be added to allow Supplemental Program Services (SPS) for multicasting, or other data services known as Advanced Application Services (AAS) Benefits and features Compact size: The HDx exciter s physical size allows for installation into all current and legacy Harris FM transmitters. Reliable DSP platform: The HDx exciter utilizes an embedded DSP based hardware platform and with directto-channel conversion. Customer Upgradeable: The exciter software/firmware is upgradeable using a customer supplied PC, via a network connection. Real-Time Adaptive Correction (RTAC): The HDx exciter uses non-linear adaptive correction for use with HPX, ZHD+, HT-HD+, and ZX digital FM transmitters. Transmitter operation: The HDx exciter has an internal harmonic filter, allowing it to be used for low power transmitter applications (up to 55 Watts, depending on mode). 5/2/

14 Section 1 Introduction FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 1-1 HDx-FM Exciter Front Panel 1.2 Useful Terms Below are some terms associated with the FlexStar HD Radio architecture and HD radio in general. SPS - Supplemental Program Service. Also referred to as Supplemental Audio Service, Supplemental program audio is input to the HDI Importer in AES3 digital format. MPS - Main Program Service. The stations main program audio delivered from the station s on-air studio. At the time of this printing, the MPS program must be identical to, and time-aligned with, the analog FM signal. MPS PAD - Main Program Service Program Associated Data, now utilized as Program Service Data (PSD). Program related data such as song title and artist information. Delivered in the ibiquity protocol from the station s audio hard disk storage system via an Ethernet communications port. This data is fed to the HDE Exporter to be transmitted and ultimately displayed as text on an HD receiver. SPS PAD - Supplemental Program Service Program Associated Data, now utilized as Program Service Data (PSD). Identical to MPS PAD but for SPS audio service. AAS - Advanced Applications Service. Non-program related data services encoded into the HD bitstream and includes Supplemental Audio, traffic information, news, weather, stock quotes, etc. The first AAS to be implemented in HD receivers will be Supplemental Audio channels. The HDI ingests, manages and multiplexes all AAS services for HD Radio. EOC - Ensemble Operations Center for the HDI Importer. The functional capabilities to manage the transmission, configuration and status of all AAS inputs. ECC - Exporter Control Center for the HDE-200. It has two main functions: To configure or define the operational parameters for one or more HDE-200 Exporters; and to allow multiple computers to be able to remotely monitor HDE-200 operations. AES3 - Abbreviation for AES which is the established standard for professional digital audio conveying two channels of periodically sampled and uniformly quantized digital audio on a single twisted pair wire. The sample rate standard for HD Radio is 44.1 khz. Common Amplification - Also referred to as Low Level Combining. Common amplification utilizes a single transmitter and it s associated IPA and PA stages to amplify a hybrid HD+FM signal that has already been combined with the proper power ratios at the exciter stage. Separate Amplification - Uses the station s existing FM transmitter and an HD transmitter that amplifies the digital signal only. These 2 are combined in a high-power 10dB combiner /2/12

15 Section 1 Introduction FlexStar HDx-FM Split Level Combining - A Harris exclusive method of developing a hybrid FM signal using a combination of separate amplification and common amplification providing minimum reject power and overall dissipation and maximum combining efficiency and overall AC to RF efficiency of greater than 50%. Separate Antennas - The technique that employs an existing FM antenna and a second antenna for transmitting the HD Radio digital sidebands. The analog and digital signals are effectively combined in space. The primary advantage of using separate antennas is very low loss to the HD signal, significantly reducing the HD transmitter power requirements. The primary disadvantage is unequal azimuth radiation patterns and resulting variation of the analog to digital signal ratios. Dual Input Antennas - a low loss method of developing an FM+HD hybrid signal. Dual input antennas utilize two RF inputs, one for FM and a second for the HD transmitter. They combine the HD and FM signals and each element radiates a hybrid FM+HD signal. Interleaved Antennas - a low loss method that employs two antenna inputs; one for FM and a second for the HD signal. In an interleaved antenna system the antenna bays are alternately radiating the FM and HD signals. The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the various EOC components. EOC Database: The persistent data for the functioning of the EOC is stored in the EOC database. All the Administrative functionality is handled by interaction with this database. Administration is basically an offline activity to enable broadcast stations to configure the EOC according to their requirements. Other EOC components like the Connection Manager and the Logistics Processor write data about their functioning into the EOC Database. The EOC Monitor component connects to the EOC database to view the status of the EOC and the data. SPS Processor: The SPS Processor captures the multiple audio streams and performs the HDC (HDRadio Codec) encoding. It also captures the SPS Program Associated Data (PAD) data packets and performs the encapsulation of these data packets. The SPS Processor is also responsible for the multiplexing of the encapsulated SPS PAD within the encoded audio streams. Logistics Processor: The Logistics Processor is responsible for the data reception from the service providers in accordance with the specific protocol chosen for that particular service provider. It is also responsible for managing the bandwidth and Quality of Service (QoS) for each service provider as defined in the Contracts between the service provider and the broadcast station. It communicates with the Connection Manager as well as the Exporter. It also communicates with the EOC Database in order to retrieve configuration information and save its performance data. Connection Manager: The Connection Manager is responsible for managing the connections from the various service providers. It authenticates service providers and delivers the specific information regarding the Contracts and Services for each service provider. It provides the mechanism for service providers to deliver data services to the EOC. It allows multiple service providers to connect to the EOC as well as for multiple services to be delivered from either one or multiple service providers. The Connection Manager connects to the EOC Database for authentication information as well as to the Logistics Processor for bandwidth and QoS information. Contract Management API: Service providers deliver data services to the EOC based upon their Contracts with the broadcast stations or the EOC with regards to the services sent and the bandwidth and QoS requirements. The Contract Management API provides a standard interface for client applications to add data about service provider contracts to the EOC Database and to administer this information. Exporter Configuration API: The Exporter Configuration API basically supports the ability to configure an exporter in order to support data services. It provides a standard way for client applications to access and configure an exciter through an exporter. The API supports the management of station information, mode configuration and channel configuration, which enables clients to allocate bandwidth resources for data services. Monitoring API: The Monitoring API allows real-time monitoring of the EOC. It provides a standard way for client applications to monitor EOC activity and configuration details about the EOC. It provides an interface for viewing EOC configuration, service provider connections, services sent, throughput and application functionality. 5/2/

16 Section 1 Introduction FlexStar HDx-FM Service Provider API: The Service Provider API provides a common interface for service providers to access and deliver data services to the EOC. It helps in the connection/disconnection of services to the EOC. It provides the communication protocol used between applications and the EOC Connection Manager. It allows for service provider authentication and error reporting. The Service Provider API supports discrete object broadcast which allows a service provider to send variable-sized objects of arbitrary data types over the HD Radio system. HD PAD API: The HD PAD API allows applications to create and transmit PAD content. It allows for application to input PAD data without having to worry about the data encoding and transfer protocols. The PAD API transfers the data streams to the SPS Processor in the EOC where it is multiplexed with the audio streams. Resource Manager/EOC Monitor: The Resource Manager and the EOC Monitor are sample client applications which are used to configure and monitor the EOC through the various APIs. The Resource Manager provides a graphical user-interface which combines the functionality of Contract Management and the EOC Administration through the Contract Management API and the Exporter Configuration API. The EOC Monitor helps in monitoring EOC functionality through the Monitor API. The EOC components are designed so that various such that other such third-party applications can be developed to access the full EOC functionality through the APIs /2/12

17 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Introduction This section contains information for the installation of the Harris FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter. This section also assists in pre-operational checks. Refer to the Quick-Start procedure, below, to confirm the unit operates correctly before you install it. NOTE: This FlexStar exciter can be utilized and configured for several different transmission modes; FM, HD, FM+HD, and SLC. Customer specific requirements will necessitate using the following information to determine specific installation needs. Your installation may vary depending on site requirements. See Section 3 of this manual for the software configuration setup and Parameter Listings. You may also need to see the following technical manuals, and associated Quick Start and/or User Guide, for more information: NOTE: This information is accurate as of the date of printing found on the front cover of this technical manual. HDE-100 Exporter manual (Harris part # ) or HDE-200 Exporter manual (part #75-56) HDE-200 Quick Guide (part # ) If using a FlexStar Importer, also see: HDI-200 Importer manual (Harris part # ) or HDI-100 Importer manual (Harris part # ) ibiquity Importer 3.0 End User s Guide (Harris part # ) or HDI-100 EMB Importer manual (Harris part # ) ibiquity Importer 4.2 End User s Guide (Harris part # ) Importer Quick Start Guide (Harris part # or ) Version recommendation for full functionality using the latest software revisions (at the time of this printing): HDE-100 Exporter: version or HDE-200 Exporter: version (managed by ECC Control Center version 1.1 build 3) 5/2/

18 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM HDx-FM FlexStar Exciter: Exgine µp: version (on Exgine Module) Main µp: version 8.21 (on Signal Processing board) HDI-100 Importer: version or HDI-200 Importer: version Quick Start BENCH TEST FOR HDx EXCITER TO EXPORTER ETHERNET COMMUNICATION. 1. Before operating the FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter, unlock the PLL shipping screw on the rear of the exciter. 2. If you are going to connect an Exciter to a DEXSTAR that will be converted to an Exporter, a new product key for the DEXSTAR must be obtained from the factory prior to operation. Contact Customer Service for a new product key. 3. If externally mounting the Exciter, use shelf part number to house the exciter. Do not use a shelf intended for a Digit exciter, they appear similar but does not have sufficient ventilation for the HDx-FM. 4. Use the supplied memory stick to save user configurations after final installation. Multiple configurations can be saved on the same memory stick. See section 5 of this manual. 5. Test the Exciter and Exporter back to back to verify communication prior to configuration for your network. This step will save much time when troubleshooting non-communication issues. Before installing, with equipment located at separated sites, it is required to bench test the Exciter and Exporter together as a system to validate that these units do communicate properly over Ethernet with each other, before separating them via a Network or STL link. This will provide you a valid point of reference if any communication issues arise during installation into your system. Until the units are configured properly there will be communication problems. The Harris factory configures Default IP addresses in these components before shipping them, that will allow quick and easy testing. After completing bench testing, other IP addresses assigned by your network administrator may be used to operate with local equipment. If your unit(s) have already had their IP addresses changed then setting them back to these basic addresses will help with troubleshooting. However the units need to be operated separately from a local LAN while using these addresses. Table 2-1 Default IP Addresses Equipment Field Name Address Location Exciter Exporter Link Address Serial Setup 4/4 Exporter IP Address Network Configuration Net Mask Network Configuration Default Gateway Network Configuration Exciter Link see broadcast note below Network Configuration Exciter MAC see Exciter MAC note below Network Configuration /2/12

19 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Table 2-1 Default IP Addresses Importer IP Address Windows, Ethernet Connection, TCP/IP Properties Subnet Mask Windows, Ethernet Connection, TCP/IP Properties Default Gateway Windows, Ethernet Connection, TCP/IP Properties NOTE: Exciter MAC address Note: For installations that will use a unidirectional Ethernet connection, over an STL from the Exporter to the FlexStar exciter; obtain the Exporter Link MAC address, from Serial Setup 4/4 in the exciter, and enter that it in the Exporter network configuration page. Make sure you use the correct MAC as the exciter has four of them. You may reduce the complexity of the installation by clearing this Exciter MAC field in the Exporter when a bidirectional Ethernet STL is used. NOTE: Exciter Link Note: For the Exporter to serve multiple Exciters you may use a broadcast address. i.e However please note that broadcast packets will not pass through a router to another network Bench Testing: Before proceeding it is recommended to save the exciter s configuration on a USB memory stick. Leave Config 1 for the fresh from the factory Config and use Config 2 or higher. Make sure that the USB memory device has the lock switch off if equipped with one. See: Sections 3 and 6 of the HDx-FM manual. 1. Connect the FlexStar exciter s Exporter Link Ethernet port to the Exporter s Ethernet port using a crossover cable. Straight through cables may be used when an Ethernet Switch is located between the units. CAU- TION: During this test do not connect these units to a network with other traffic. 2. Terminate the Exciter into a 50 ohm load capable of dissipating the set power output of the exciter. Maximum exciter power is 55 watts in FM mode. (NOTE: if a test load is not available, customer may optionally leave exciter terminated in its host transmitter). 3. Connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the Exporter. 4. Power up the Exporter and exciter. 5. Verify the IP addresses listed above. 6. An exciter RF output test is only possible if its RF mute line is held in the proper logic state, or if the mute line is temporarily disabled. To disable the mute line for RF test, see the Installation section, TX remote connector. If the exciter is not making power and you want it to: - Go to Output Setup 1/4 (Setup, Output) and select Transmitter Type: Stand Alone. - Go to Advanced Setup Page 3/4 (Setup, More Setup, Next, Next) and adjust mute settings as needed to un-mute the exciter. Make sure Mute button at bottom center of screen is not selected to Mute. 7. To verify communication to the exciter; navigate to the EXGINE screen in the exciter s Signal Processor Status 3/5 screen. The fields HD Buf, DSP Run and EL Run should be OK (not FAULT). The next step is to install the units into your network and possibly change the IP addressing to match your network addressing. (If you are unfamiliar with IP addressing, check with your network administrator). 5/2/

20 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Troubleshooting If the exciter stills shows a warning and HD Buf fault: a. Cycle the exciter s AC power to imbed the new IP address, wait 20 seconds before reconnecting the power. b. Make sure that the IP configuration in the Exporter has been saved (requires a reboot). c. Make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into the Exporter Link port on the exciter. d. The exciter s Exporter Link Ethernet port should have one steady LED and a flashing LED. e. Carefully check all IP address setups in your system. f. Firewalls and routers may need additional re-configuration. g. Ethernet STLs have limited bandwidth that is being exceeded by other network traffic. h. Some Ethernet switches cause poor HD radio performance, temporarily bypass or replace the switch. i. If the simple setup with only a crossover cable was not tried then go back and try that. j. Connect a PC, addressed as above except use for the IP address with a crossover cable to each unit, one at a time. Then use the PING command, in a DOS window, to verify that each unit s port works MPS PAD The interconnection for MPS PAD (now called MPSD) begins at the automation system equipment at the studio (Audio Vault, Prophet etc.). Typically it is over Ethernet and needs to connect to the Exporter. MPS PAD (MPSD) can also be connected to the Exporter over an RS232 serial connection to the DB9 on the rear panel Required Ethernet Switch A HUB or Switch is required to be used when the system has any additions to the basic Exporter and FlexStar exciter. Without a switch, adding an Importer and an Ethernet MPS PAD data source connection will exceed the Exporter s number of connections. In addition, an SPS PAD (now called SPSD) source also needs to use Ethernet, to reach the Importer, which requires yet another port. 2.3 Unpacking Carefully unpack the Exporter and preform a visual inspection to determine if any apparent damage was incurred during shipment. Retain the shipping materials until it has been verified that all equipment has been received undamaged. Locate and retain all PACKING CHECK LISTs. Use the PACKING CHECK LIST to help locate and identify any components or assemblies which are removed for shipping and must be reinstalled. Also remove any shipping supports, straps, and packing materials prior to initial turn on. 2.4 Returns and Exchanges No equipment can be returned unless written approval and a Return Authorization is received from HARRIS Broadcast Communications Division. Special shipping instructions and coding will be provided to assure proper handling. Complete details regarding circumstances and reasons for return are to be included in the request for return. Custom equipment or special order equipment is not returnable. In those instances where return or exchange of equipment is at the request of the customer, or convenience of the customer, a restocking fee will be charged. All returns will be sent freight prepaid and properly insured by the customer. When communicating with HARRIS Broadcast Communications Division, specify the HARRIS Order Number or Invoice Number /2/12

21 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation 2.5 Air Cooling Requirements This Harris FlexStar is designed to operate in an unobstructed environment with a maximum inlet air temperature of 48 C. Refer to the Outline Drawing in the schematic package for information on air requirements. 2.6 Installation NOTE: Clean air is required. No salt air, polluted air, or sulfur air can be tolerated. A closed air system is recommended in these environments; that is, an air conditioned room that recirculates, and properly filters the room air. No outside air is to be brought into the transmitter room. Prior to installation, this Technical Manual should be carefully studied to obtain a thorough understanding of the principles of operation, circuitry and nomenclature. This will facilitate proper installation and initial checkout. The FlexStar Exciter takes 4 rack units (7 inches).! CAUTION: ALL CONNECTIONS REFERRED TO IN THIS INSTALLATION PROCEDURE SHOULD BE VERIFIED USING THE SCHEMATICS SUPPLIED WITH THE EXCITER AND TRANSMITTER. THE SCHEMATICS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE MOST ACCURATE IN CASE OF A DISCREPANCY. The Exciter installation is accomplished in the following order: 1. Rack placement 2. Visual Inspection 3. Configuration 4. Interconnect wiring 5. Input connections 6. Output connections 7. Initial checkout Visual Inspection Be sure to check the connection of all cables and wires in the transmitter. Ensure the interconnecting cables between the components are properly attached Configuration Configuration consists of both hardware and software configuration for your particular application. Before proceeding please verify that the exciter has the options that you will need. A fully loaded exciter, with all options installed, can produce HD carriers on both the Main and Aux outputs. The exciter is also available without HD Radio capability. See section 3 of this manual for software configuration setup of the exciter. See figure 2-2 for a diagram showing major components of the FlexStar system s program delivery (audio and data). However RF and control connections are not shown because of the wide variation of configurations for 5/2/

22 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM different transmitters. See the system drawings included with your transmitter s documentation. Common transmitter configuration drawings for RF and control are available PLL Shipping Screw The PLL is mounted on rubber grommets to provide mechanical isolation from vibration during operation. For shipment, a captive thumb screw is tightened on the rear of the chassis to hold the PLL in place. This screw must be loosened prior to operation Rear Panel & Connections Refer to the following graphic showing the rear panel of the FlexStar Exciter. All connections are clearly labeled. Your configuration will dictate which connections are to be used, refer to the transmitter overall wiring diagram for your specific connections. The following pages show the connections at the rear of the Exciter and lists their purpose. For adjustments of the Exciter, refer to section 3 of this manual for a basic understanding, and use the onscreen HELP menus /2/12

23 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Figure 2-1 Back Panel (Shown with non-hax Exgine Card) 5/2/

24 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Listed below are the rear connections to the Exciter. Where needed, a table is used to detail the individual pin-out connections. Each connection is listed here in a table, then describe further in the following paragraphs. Inputs and output are configurable from the front panel in the set up screens. Table 2-2 Rear Panel Inputs and Outputs Input Voltage Signal Connector Level INPUTS: Analog L/Mono XLR +15dBu = FS 12.32Vpp = FS +10dBu = 100% mod Analog R/Aux AES XLR Analog R +15dBu = FS 12.32Vpp = FS +10dBu = 100% mod Aux AES -2.8dBfs = 100% mod Main AES audio XLR -2.8dBfs = 100% mod SCA #1 and #2 audio XLR 5-pin +15dBu = FS 12.32Vpp = FS +10dBu = 6KHz mod Composite BNC 1-4Vpp = +/- 75KHz Dev. Aux Composite/SCA3 modulated BNC Aux Composite 1-4Vpp = +/- 75KHz Dev. SCA Vpp = +/- 7.5KHz Dev. (10% injection) SCA2 modulated BNC Vpp = +/- 7.5KHz Dev. (10% injection) SCA1 modulated BNC Vpp = +/- 7.5KHz Dev. (10% injection) OUTPUTS: Main RF out BNC 55 watts max. Aux RF out BNC 10mw max. The power supply is an auto-ranging and auto-switching. AC input voltages VAC or VAC, from 47-63Hz. Control voltage for all the boards in the exciter comes from an auto-ranging AC/DC power supply. The voltages are +/-15Vdc, +5Vdc, and a +24VDC PA power supply. The voltages available are 7A(max), 2.8A(max), and 0.7A(max). These voltages are distributed to sub assemblies in the Exciter where they are filtered at each sub assembly. Before connecting input AC voltage for the first time, check the service voltage to make sure the correct voltage is available /2/12

25 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Main RF Outputs The outputs labeled Main RF outputs are the RF Output from the PA amplifier. The Main output level is up to 55 watts output at this port. There is also an RF sample for monitoring purposes which is -40dBc. There is another RF output listed later; the Auxiliary RF output is for the second output at 10mW maximum Audio Inputs The connections at the Audio Inputs connect to the XLR board. These inputs include a main AES input, analog audio left channel, analog audio right channel/auxiliary AES input and an input for the two SCA audio sources. Analog audio and analog SCA input levels of +15dBu, +/-0.5dBu equals full scale digital output. The AES input rate is variable from 32kHz to 96 khz, standard frequencies are 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz. The analog audio and AES inputs connect to a three pin female XLR connector. Pin Signal Description 1 GND Ground 2 AES or Analog (+) Audio (+) differential input 3 AES or Analog (-) Audio (-) differential input 4 Chassis Ground The SCA 1 and SCA 2 both connect to a five pin female XLR connector. 5/2/

26 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Pin Signal Description 1 Shield Cable Shield 2 SCA1 (+) Audio (+) differential input 3 SCA1 (-) Audio (-) differential input 4 SCA2 (+) Audio (+) differential input 5 SCA2 (-) Audio (-) differential input 6 Chassis Ground MHz Reference In A 10 MHz reference can be connected to a female BNC connector to synchronize the PLL. 0dBm is nominal, +10 dbm is maximum. This is used for carrier sync purposes. Select a device (GPS receiver) with the desired output. Interface with appropriate cabling. NOTE: Depending on the settings, the PLL make take 30 minutes or more to attain the "Locked" status. Until that time, it should indicate "Acquiring" Aux RF Out This is the auxiliary RF output which is customer configurable on the front panel screens. The output is 10 mw maximum. This is only available when there is a dual D/A filter board in the Exciter. The Dual filter board is used for Split level combining, dual transmitter and separate amplification situations. The aux. output is a 50 ohm BNC connector with an output level of +6dBm maximum Baseband Inputs The connections made to the rear of the Exciter labeled Baseband Inputs and RTAC RF Sample inputs go to the BNC I/O board. These inputs are listed below /2/12

27 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Baseband Modulated inputs Four modulated inputs are connected to the BNC I/O Board with BNC connectors; Main Composite Audio, SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3/Alternate Composite. Composite input is an analog signal, 3.5vp-p nominal. It is recommended that a triaxial type of cable be used to connect between the balanced composite input and the composite sources, balanced or unbalanced outputs, per you choice. The center conductor of the triaxial cable and inner most shield should be terminated in a standard BNC male cable connector. This connector will mate with the Balanced composite input. The outermost shield should be lugged and connected to the ground stud on the rear of the exciter. The source end of this cable should be terminated in a similar manner using a connector compatible with the source equipment. This will provide the most effective barrier against unwanted noise or hum effecting the composite audio signal. Triaxial cable of specific lengths already terminated with a BNC connector and ground lug on each end are available by contacting the Harris Factory. Select the shortest length possible as unnecessarily long cable lengths can result in undesirable amounts of roll-off of the composite amplitude response; this is due to the progressive increase in cable shunt capacitance as cable length increases. Length HARRIS P/N 3 feet feet feet feet feet feet NOTE - The triaxial cable used to make this composite input connection is of the type with two individual shields that are insulated from one another. Double shielded cables without an insulating material between the two shields will not work properly in this application. The SCA inputs are analog, 1-4vp-p for 7.5 khz deviation. The input gain is controlled from the front panel electronically for a +/-6dB range. They connect to a BNC female connector, unbalanced, 10K ohm input impedance. The configurable Aux Composite/SCA input must adhere to the same input levels as the other inputs; 1-4vp-p for composite and vp-p for SCA RF Sample Inputs Four RF samples are also applied to the BNC I/O board. Two are internal to the Exciter; from the D/A filter board output and from the Exciter PA output and need no customer connection. The other two are external from the Exciter for RTAC (real time adaptive correction) and will come from the output of the transmitter and combiner, connected to the SMA connectors labeled XMTR and FILTER. These inputs are for the precorrector circuit and are to be +5 dbm maximum at full output power. Achieve this level by adjusting the coupling value of the sample pickup or use in-line attenuator pads. 5/2/

28 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Exporter Interface (Exgine Module) These connections are to connect to the Harris FlexStar Exporter. There are two Ethernet ports; Exporter link and Ethernet3 which connect to the Exgine board in Exciters utilizing HD generation Exporter Link When connecting the Exporter to the Exciter, use the appropriately labeled Ethernet port on the rear panel; Exporter Link. A direct connection can be made, however if the Exporter and Exciter are not located in the same area, a different kind of link is needed; STL or IP for example. One method would be through a switch located at the Exporter and at the Exciter end of an Internet link. After a connection to the Exciter is made, turn on the Exciter, if DHCP IP addressing is desired and previously selected, one was generated when the unit was turned on and the connection was present. On the GUI screen of the Exciter, locate the DHCP IP address and then enter that address into the Exporter screen for this link. FM+HD Exciter RF Output Studio Automation System Studios Service Providers Proc. Proc. Proc. Proc. HD2 Audio HD2 PSD HD3 Audio HD3 PSD MPS Audio MPS PSD GPS FM Audio Importer Audio Card 44.1 KHz Word Clock Audio Card Codec Codec I2E Synchronizer Div. Delay Exporter Codec GPS 10MHz E2X FM Audio Exgine HD Modulator E2X Transmitter Site unidirectional bidirectional Up Converters STL FM Modulator AES STL Figure 2-2 FlexStar Family Architecture, FM with MPS (HD1) and SPS (HD2/HD3) /2/12

29 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation For Static IP addressing, consult your network administrator for available addresses. An STL can also be used, such as the Intraplex STL. The output of the Exporter is 100BaseT that goes into the STL. The output of the STL at the transmitter side is also 100BaseT. A firewall is recommended for telnet or FTP on the ethernet input labeled Exporter Link. UDP will use port 8145, ensure this port has been opened on the firewall if the UDP can not connect. NOTE: HDE-200 Exporter has Port # control which may interfere with PSD (used to notated as PAD) traffic when using UDP. If you feel this is the case, using the ECC control software simply toggle to TCP, then back again to UDP. This should reset the port # to be correct for PSD traffic Ethernet 3 This connection is only used for Factory debugging and ISP, in-system programming of the Exgine board HAX Exgine (Option) To install this board, see "5.7 Board Replacement" on page 5-2. Figure 2-3 HAX Exgine Board 5/2/

30 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 2-4 Typical Transmitter Site Connections with HAX Exgine Option NOTE: The HAX output does not have any pre-emphasis. Pre-emphasis must be added either via outboard processing or using the HDx exciter's internal pre-emphasis. Figure 2-5 HAX Remote Connector Pinout /2/12

31 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation Signal Processing The Signal Processing board serves as the main board in the Exciter. Thus, the communications with the Exciter connect to the Signal Processing board and are listed here Communication Ports (COM1, COM2, Plat-Z Serial) There are two COM ports and a Platinum-Z FM interface port on the rear panel. All are 9 pin female sub D connectors for RS232, pin out is below. Pin Signal Description Pin Signal Description 1 No connect 6 No connect 2 TxD RS-232C Output Transmit data 7 No connect 3 RxD RS-232C Input Receive data 8 No connect 4 No connect 9 No connect 5 GND Ground The COM1 and COM2 ports are used for VT-100 and factory programming. They are standard RS-232, but do not support handshaking. The Platinum-Z serial will connect to the Display Backplane board in the Platinum Z HD+ transmitter control cabinet. The connector labeled Plat-Z Serial connects to J24 on the transmitter display backplane board using a cross-over cable. If two Exciters are used, the second one connects to J25 on the transmitter display backplane board. Wires 2 and 3 that interconnect will have to be crossed, i.e. the transmit pin (TxD) on one end connects to the receive pin (RxD) on the other end CAN Bus Connection For systems utilizing one or more HDx-FM exciters along with one or more BoostPro amplifiers, the CAN buss provides the control signal path across a shielded twisted pair cable between DB-9 connectors labeled CAN on both the HDx-FM and the BoostPro rear panels. Special terminating adaptors are provided to allow custom routing of all CAN cables between DB-9 connectors. These adaptors allow you to route the CAN circuit any way you like. The only limitation is that only two cables can be attached to any one connector/adaptor (cable length should not be an issue as maximum cable length for a CAN connection is 200 feet). STEP 1 STEP 2 Determine best circuit path - refer to the Wiring Diagram in schematic package. Route and cut cable lengths as necessary 5/2/

32 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM NOTE: Be sure to allow extra cable length to accommodate devices that slide out on rack rails. Terminal 2 Terminal 3 CANH Shield Terminal 1 CANL J3 (shown at IN position) STEP 3 Figure 2-6 CAN Buss Adaptor (Harris # ) Secure the cable to the adaptor using the screw terminals as follows: CANL: Clear-jacketed conductor(s) to terminal 1 CANH: Blue-jacketed conductor(s) to terminal 2 Shield wire(s) to terminal 3 If two CAN cables will be connected to a single adaptor, twist and lightly solder the like conductors together before attaching to adaptor. Example: Twist and solder the blue-jacketed CANH conductor of one CAN cable, to the corresponding bluejacketed CANH conductor of the 2nd CAN cable, before securing to Terminal 2 of the CAN Adaptor. For this type of 2-cable connection, the adaptor will not need terminating (see STEP 4 below). STEP 4 Set Jumper J3 as follows: When a single CAN cable is connected to a device, the adaptor will require a termination at that end - Set J3 across IN pins When two CAN cables connect to a single device, the adaptor will NOT require a termination for that connection - Set J3 across OUT pins (however, the opposite end of either of these cables will most likely connect singly to another device, requiring termination) /2/12

33 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation User Remote Interface 1 PA_VOLT_ SAMPLE 2 PA_CURR_ SAMPLE 3 FWD_PWR_ SAMPLE Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to PA voltage of 0 to 32Vdc. Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to PA current of 0 to 4A. Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to 0 to 60W. SW configurable parameter. 14 EXCITER_BACKUP_ MODE_CMD 15 GND Ground 16 PRIMARY_AUDIO_ CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Momentary low input causes the exciter to select user defined backup mode. When this input is released the exciter shall remain in the backup mode. TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Primary Audio Source is selected when this input is pulled to '0'. When this input is released the Primary Audio Source shall remain selected and the Audio Auto Switching shall be allowed if enabled. 4 RFLD_PWR _SAMPLE Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to 0 to 10W reflected power. 17 BACKUP_AUDIO CMD 5 GND Ground 18 HD_ON_ CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Backup Audio Source is selected when this input is pulled to '0'. When this input is released the Backup Audio Source shall remain selected and the Audio Auto Switching shall be allowed if enabled. TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. DAB Carrier On command input On the transition from 1 to 0 will enable the digital carriers. 6 MUTE_ STATUS Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Active 0 state when mute condition exists in exciter. 19 GND Ground 7 SUM_FLT_ STATUS Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Active on PLL Unlock, Temp Flt, or VSWR Flt. Programmable active high or low in SW. 20 HD_OFF_ CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. DAB Carrier Off command input The transition from 1 to 0 will disable the digital carriers. 8 AUDIO_ BACKUP_ STATUS Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when audio source is in backup audio. 21 RF_POWER_ON_ CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. RF power on command input The transition from 1 to 0 will enable the exciter RF output. 9 HD_ON_ STATUS Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Active 0 state when digital carriers are enabled. 22 RF_POWER_OFF_ CMD 10 GND Ground 23 GND Ground 11 EXCITER_ PRIMARY_ MODE_ CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Momentary low input causes the exciter to select user defined primary mode. When this input is released the exciter shall remain in the primary mode. 24 STEREO/MONO_ TOGGLE_CMD TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. RF power off command input The transition from 1 to 0 will disable the exciter RF output. TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Stereo/Mono command input The transition from 1 to 0 will cycle to the exciter mode between stereo and mono L+R mode. 12 EXCITER_ MODE_ STATUS 13 EXCITER_ RESET_ CMD Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5V. Active 0 state when exciter is in backup mode. TTL Input 1K ohm pullup to +5V. TVS protection. Exciter reset input 0 on this line hard resets the exciter. When released the exciter will reboot from cold start VDC Power output Current limited to 100mA. Used for external pull-ups or LED voltage. The user remote I/O provides both analog and digital status and control. Refer to the table for functions and levels. 5/2/

34 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM N+1 Interface This connection is for using the Exciter as the back up in an N+1 configuration. This is a 25 pin female sub-d connector. An external remote control unit can drive this connection, or a Harris N+1 controller that has been modified for this purpose. Table 1: N+1 Interface Pin Signal Description Pin Signal Description 1 GND Ground 14 CHAN1_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 1 2 RxD RS-232C Input Receive data set up as a standard DCE 25 pin serial RS232 interface. 3 TxD RS-232C Output Transmit data - set up as a standard DCE 25 pin serial RS232 interface Transmitter (TX) Interface 15 CHAN2_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 2 16 CHAN3_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 3 4 No connect 17 CHAN4_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 4 5 CHAN1_CMD TTL Input Channel 1 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 1. Pullup to +5Vdc. 6 CHAN2_CMD TTL Input Channel 2 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 2. Pullup to +5Vdc. 18 CHAN5_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 5 19 GND Ground 7 GND Ground 20 No connect 8 CHAN3_CMD TTL Input Channel 3 Command input 21 CHAN6_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0 on this line changes the exciter 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm output frequency to Channel 3. Pullup to +5Vdc. pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 6 9 CHAN4_CMD TTL Input Channel 4 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 4. Pullup to +5Vdc. 10 CHAN5_CMD TTL Input Channel 5 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 5. Pullup to +5Vdc. 11 CHAN6_CMD TTL Input Channel 6 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 6. Pullup to +5Vdc. 12 CHAN7_CMD TTL Input Channel 7 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 7. Pullup to +5Vdc. 13 CHAN8_CMD TTL Input Channel 8 Command input 0 on this line changes the exciter output frequency to Channel 8. Pullup to +5Vdc. 22 CHAN7_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is 7 23 GND Ground 24 CHAN8_STAT Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active 0 state when N+1 Channel is VDC Power output Current limited to 100mA. Used for external pull-ups or LED voltage. The TX Interface port is a 15 pin female sub-d connector. Primarily used for interfacing with the Platinum Z HD+, ZX, mini and HT FM transmitters to the FlexStar Exciter. It will connect to the Platinum Z display back plane board. On the HT transmitter, there will be an adapter cable. The connector labeled TX Interface connects to J18 on /2/12

35 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 2 Installation the transmitter display backplane board. If two Exciters are used, the second one connects to J19 on the transmitter display backplane board. Table 2-3 TX Interface J12 Pin Signal Description Pin Signal Description 1 GND Ground 9 MUTE TTL Input Mute input Polarity is programmed on user interface. 2 FWD_PWR_ SAMPLE 3 RFLD_PWR_ SAMPLE kHz Out The FM 19kHz stereo pilot signal is generated in the Modulator DSP as part of the FM modulation. The DSP provides pilot samples to the FPGA to allow synchronization of external RDS/RBDS equipment to the pilot signal. The FPGA uses the sample data to drive the Sampling Stereo Audio D/A Converter. The 19kHz pilot signal from the audio D/A converter is then buffered and goes to a BNC connector on the rear panel of the exciter. Output level is 4.5V p-p PPS In Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to 0 to 60W. Gain is SW adjustable. Analog Output 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to 0 to 5W. 4 FM_ON_STATUS 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5 Vdc. Low = FM carriers present. 5 HD_ON_STATUS 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup to +5 Vdc. Low = HD carriers present. 6 RMT_SUMMARY _FLT_STATUS Open-collector output 100mA sink 0.8Vdc max. 1K ohm pullup. Active on PLL Unlock, Temp Flt, or VSWR Flt. Programmable active high or low in SW. Pilot sync is used in single frequency FM networks (SFN) and requires a 1PPS input to synchronize all transmitters in the network. Since the 19kHz pilot is internally generated by the Modulator DSP, the 1PPS interrupt is supplied to the DSP for this purpose. The DSP synchronizes the pilot to 0 o phase when the interrupt occurs. This 1PPS will generally come from a GPS receiver or some other source. The input is TTL level, 50 ohms Ethernet Connection Pullup/pulldown is programmable. 10 AFC_INTLK_COM Relay common AFC Interlock relay turns off when an exciter fault occurs. 11 AFC_INTLK_NC Relay normally closed AFC Interlock relay normally closed contact is connected to common when exciter fault exists. 12 AFC_INTLK_NO Relay normally open AFC Interlock relay normally open contact is connected to common when exciter fault exists. 13 /EXCITER 1 _ACTIVE 7 SPARE TTL input 15 EXC_READY_ STATUS 8 PA_APC Analog Input 0 to 4Vdc corresponds to 0 to 60W output power; 10K ohm input impedance Gain is SW adjustable TTL input, pull up to +5Vdc. HI = Exc 1 active, LOW = Exc 2 active. 14 FAST_MUTE TTL Input Fast Mute input 1 on this line mutes the exciter; transition from active to inactive causes the output back to full power in 100ms. Pullup to +5Vdc. Open-collector output. Active low indicates ready. 1 K ohm to +5Vdc. The rear panel Ethernet 1 and Ethernet 2 connections are a 10/100 baset Ethernet connection. These can be connected through a standard network switch or hub for remote management and software updates of the Signal Processing board. Telnet to the IP address of the Exciter for a VT100 display of limited status and control 5/2/

36 Section 2 Installation FlexStar HDx-FM Pin Sig nal Description 1 TX+ (BI_DA+) (Transmit Data) 2 TX- (BI_DA-) (Transmit Data) 3 RX+ (BI_DB+) (Receive Data) 4 - (B I_DC+) Not used 5 - (BI_DC-) Not used 6 RX- (B I_DB -) (Receive Data) 7 - (BI_DD+) Not used 8 - (B I_DD-) Not used Use a Web browser for software updates. Use the software update instructions available on the Harris Premier Web site /2/12

37 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation Introduction The Exciter will need to be configured to your specific system application. NOTE: The user settings are stored on a USB jump drive when it ships from the factory. This Config file (normally Config #1) contains YOUR user settings. After you have achieved optimum settings/ configuration save them again on the USB drive (typically saved to Config #2, or above, so you can always go back to the factory settings of Config #1). The RESTORE DEFAULTS button will NOT restore your user settings. All user settings in the Exciter will be lost with RESTORE DEFAULTS! Restore Defaults sets the Exciter back to a factory pre-test condition. After performing a RESTORE DEFAULTS, you will need to load your user setting back into the Exciter from the USB jump drive. See "6.11 Restore Defaults" on page 6-7 for more information. IMPORTANT: It is recommended that you copy these config files ("HDXFM02.CFG") to a PC or some other offsite storage device. Do not rename these files. Use a separate, dedicated USB jump drive for every unit. DO NOT use a USB jump drive that has been formatted to Linux (like that used in a DEXSTAR Exciter). Inserting a flashdrive formatted in Linux may cause the FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter to malfunction. Also do not use a USB jump drive from another HDx-FM Exciter as it will overwrite the files. The FlexStar HDx-FM supports USB 2.0 low speed only. NOTE: After making any parameter changes on any of the Setup configuration screens, the HDx exciter must be "rebooted" by power cycling the unit: Unplug the AC cable from the source, then after waiting seconds plug the unit back in. 3.2 Operation Through the Front Panel Operation of the Exciter is through color touch screens: Setup and Status. The Status screens can be accessed at anytime by using the physical buttons on the right side of the Exciter front panel. The LEDs to the right side of the touchscreen indicate the condition of the Exciter; red = fault in that functional area of the Exciter, green = okay. Pressing the button next to the red LED, or selecting the same on-screen button from the Status Home page will take you to the Status page that will indicate the fault. 5/2/

38 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Intuitive control, setup and diagnostics are reached through these screens. Using the GUI screens, operational parameters are controllable. Listed below are the basic screens and electronic adjustments. By navigating through the screens and using pull-down selections, the operation and adjustment of the Exciter is simplified. Most of the choices are self explanatory. View the screens on your equipment for further details and refer to the HELP screens and the list of HELP items at the end of this chapter for more information. Below are a few of the basic screens, your screens may vary slightly depending on software revision. 3.3 Setup Screens This is an example of the main page, it is a summary screen for the Exciter. Future screens may look different, refer to the on-screen HELP files for specific information on your revision. From the main screen, there are two selections; set-up and status. Figure 3-1 Main Screen The Exciter setup screens are broken down into sub sections; Input, Output, RTAC, Display, Serial, USB, RBDS, Restore Defaults and Setup Unlocked. There is also a lock icon at the bottom of every page which indicates whether the ability to edit parameters is locked or unlocked /2/12

39 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation NOTE: When the setup is locked, some setup items are grayed out and cannot be changed. IMPORTANT: DO NOT LOCK THE SET UP SCREENS UNTIL YOU HAVE ENTERED A PASSWORD ON THE DISPLAY SETUP SCREEN. KEEP THE PASSWORD IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. When it is unlocked and you press the Setup LOCK button, a popup window will ask you whether you really want to lock the exciter. If you press YES, the setup screens will be locked to prevent further adjustments. Have a password entered in the Display Setup screen ahead of time. Figure 3-2 Exciter Setup Screen When the setup screens are locked and you press the setup unlock button, a popup keyboard will allow you to enter the password to unlock the setup screens Input Setup NOTE: Window parameters will be grayed out when they are not available for adjustment. Example; when the Composite input is disabled, the adjustments associated with it are grayed out since they are irrelevant. When Enabled, these windows will not be grayed out and will allow user interaction. The Input Setup screens select the input audio sources and you select the priority of the sources; primary and backup. These inputs are physically at the XLR and BNC boards on the rear of the Exciter. Select between: Main AES, Aux AES or the main Composite as the primary inputs. This switching can be automatic or manual. Select the length of time the exciter waits until it switches and the threshold that the input must fall to before it switches (in automatic switch mode). It is a one-way switch - Primary to Backup - it will NOT switch back to the Primary if that signal resumes. That requires operator intervention. 5/2/

40 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 3-3 Input Setup Page 1/5 NOTE: Composite Baseband inputs are NOT automatically switched. Figure 3-4 Input Setup Page 2/5 The pre-emphasis is selectable between 50 microseconds, 75 microseconds or no equalization. Figure 3-5 Input Setup Page 3/ /2/12

41 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation On this page, you can ENABLE/DISABLE the wideband composite inputs. There are separate input level adjustments for SCA1 and SCA2, to attain 10% modulation. When applying an externally modulated composite signal, you can configure that input for balanced or unbalanced input, input impedance of 50 ohms or 10k ohms. The Main Comp Level sets the gain of the total composite signal before the NCO, which controls the total deviation of the FM signal. Refer to the on-screen HELP files or the list at the end of this chapter for assistance in these settings. Figure 3-6 Input Setup Page 4/5 This page sets the 2 dedicated SCA inputs parameters. Figure 3-7 Input Setup Page 5/5 The Audio Low Pass Filter is selectable between 15 khz, 17 khz, or BYPASS Output Setup The output setup screens are where you select the carrier frequency of the Exciter and the power output desired for each available mode of operation. Select the transmitter type. 5/2/

42 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 3-8 Output Setup Page 1/5 This will preset parameters in the Exciter to optimum values for that particular Harris transmitter type. After those have been loaded, you may modify the settings from that starting point and save them as a "Custom" setting. It s advisable to save these to a USB jump drive (DO NOT use a jump drive previously formatted for Linux operating system - See "3.1 Introduction" on page 3-1). If your transmitter is not listed, select the transmitter most similar to your transmitter and customize it from there. With the release of version 2.43 of the Flexstar Exgine, support for TCP/IP communications became available. Detection of either UDP or TCP is done automatically within the Exgine (Note status in upper right hand of Figure 3-14 on page 3-16). Support for TCP connections required additional buffering of the E2X data stream coming from the Exporter. A maximum of 2786 ms of buffering is available to assure robust connection across jittery networks. This additional buffering may now place the total required diversity delay beyond the capabilities for some 3rd party external delay units. A configuration control has been added on page 1/5 of the Output Setup screen to allow reduced buffering to accommodate diversity delay units of less than 10 seconds duration. In TCP mode, the default buffer depth is 15 blocks or (15 x sec.) which is equal to seconds. In UDP mode, the default buffer depth is 2 blocks or 186ms. Adjustment of the buffer depth is accomplished by using the dropdown box on the Exgine Buffer box and may be decreased in 0.093ms steps. It is suggested that this setting be left to DEFAULT unless absolutely necessary, and then make only the minimum reduction required to accommodate the delay, as reducing this buffer may have an adverse affect on network connections resulting in digital signal dropouts. Figure 3-9 Output Setup Page 2/ /2/12

43 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation On page 2/5, you configure the Main and Auxiliary outputs by selecting the desired signals; FM only, HD only, FM+HD or SLC (if so licensed). NOTE: Test Pattern is for testing only. Be sure to restore the Exciter to "normal" operation upon completion of testing that may have changed any of the following settings. If one or more of these parameters are set incorrectly, it will result in loss of HD carriers. TEST MODE: The HD carriers can be internally generated for initial testing by making the following parameter selections on the exciter s Output Setup, page 1: Test Pattern: ENABLED HD Carriers: ENABLED Exgine Input: INTERNAL Exgine output: PATTERN NORMAL OPERATION: The following settings must be in place in order to transmit digital carriers. Test Pattern: DISABLED HD Carriers: ENABLED Exgine Input: EXPORTER Exgine Output: NORMAL There are several methods of combining the analog (FM) and digital (HD) RF to create an IBOC signal, and there may be up to four possible modes of operation that may be used in a typical IBOC system including a backup mode. 1. FM: Analog RF only. This could be the analog backup mode used during a digital failure. 2. HD: Digital RF only. Used for Separate combining. 3. FM+HD: Analog and digital (at a variable ratio) RF. Also used for common amplification. 4. SLC: Analog and digital (at a variable ratio) RF. Also known as Split-Level Combining. A "Feature Key" must be purchased to enable this feature. Using pull-down menus, both the main and auxiliary outputs can be configured with different signals. An Exciter that has the optional Exgine board and dual D/A converter and dual D/A filter boards has the most flexibility on output configuration. Refer to the table below. On the upgraded Exciter with Exgine, the main path can be configured for FM only, HD only, FM+HD or SLC FM modes. For each of those modes, the auxiliary pull-down windows will configure to the allowable choices listed below. Output Mode Selection MAIN Output AUX Output Modes FM No output, FM, FM+HD or HD HD FM+HD SLC FM No output or HD No output or FM+HD No output or SLC FM+HD 5/2/

44 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM FM Main output mode The FM only output is used for analog FM broadcasting only. The dual FM mode (FM on Main and on Auxiliary output) is used for dual-transmitter operation. For high level combining FM Main and HD Aux is selected. Use of the aux output with any signal other than the same as the main requires dual D/A converter and dual D/A filter boards. HD Main output mode The HD only mode is for stand alone HD operation. HD Main and HD Aux is selected for dual-transmitter HD operation. Use of the aux output requires a dual D/A filter board. FM+HD mode FM+HD mode is used for low level combining, common amplification or dual-transmitter low level combining. The HD carriers are typically db below the analog carrier and are adjustable. SLC mode FM on the main and FM+HD with various ratios on the auxiliary would be used for Split Level Combining where there is an FM transmitter and an FM+HD transmitter combined with a high power combiner. Use of the Aux output requires dual D/A converter and dual D/A filter boards along with a Boost Pro amplifier. The feature key is on a label on the side of units shipped with this feature enabled. Figure 3-10 Output Setup Page 3/5 Pilot injection level adjusts the 19kHz pilot injection. HD Injection level sets the ratio of the HD carriers to the FM carrier. Figure 3-11 Output Setup Page 5/ /2/12

45 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation Diversity Delay (HAX Option) When utilizing the HAX option, the delay must now be accomplished at the transmitter site by an outboard processor, or by the HDx-FM exciter itself. Since a portion of the MPS delay is accumulated by the Exporter coding and transmission architecture, only 3-4 seconds (typically seconds - will vary from system to system) of analog delay will be required. NOTE: If the HAX hardware is not installed, these parameter windows will be greyed out, and the following adjustments will not be possible. See Figure 3-11, above for HAX Option setup. Diversity Delay: Enabled/Disabled - Enable to create the Diversity Delay within the HDx-FM exciter. Ramp Time (seconds): Range is 1 to 1800 seconds - The audio diversity can be, in essence, turned ON and OFF using the Ramp Control buttons. However this does not abruptly turn ON and OFF - it sweeps between 0% to 100% of the programmed Delay Target. When Ramp Up is pressed, the delay is incremented from OFF to ON or 100% of the Delay Target setting. When the Ramp Down is pressed, the delay will gradually decrease until there is no delay present, or 0% of the Delay Target. NOTE: The longer the ramp time is, the less noticeable will be the pitch-shifting effect of the ramp. When first setting up the system, a ramp time equaling 1 second is recommended to facilitate faster toggling of the delay for testing purposes. NOTE: Typically, ramp times of 12 seconds or greater will not affect Arbitron PPM watermarking. Ramp times of 20 minutes (1200 seconds) or more are virtually imperceptible by the human ear, and values beyond this should be unnecessary. Delay Target (seconds): Range is to seconds - Delay Target is the alignment value where the digital audio and the analog audio are aligned in time at the receiver. This will allow a smooth transition at the receiver under "blend" conditions. With the Diversity Delay enabled, adjust this parameter until the total amount of audio diversity delay of the analog matches the digital. Several methods of monitoring the digital and audio signals simultaneously, depending on test equipment, are recommended below. Using headphones connected to an HDRadio receiver, set the receiver to "dual" (BFO) mode where you can hear the analog signal in one ear and the digital signal in the other ear. Start with a Delay Target setting of seconds and then adjust until the two signals are as close as possible. This will typically be the most mono sounding mix of the two signals in the headphones. Some HDRadio monitors can derive and display a very accurate analog diversity delay value in seconds and/or samples. Using such a unit, one can simply monitor the station s frequency, capture the delay duration, note this displayed value and enter it into the Final Delay window. Repeat these steps to verify correct delay. Another method would be to use a dual trace scope, digital and analog receiver and a tone source like an Audio Precision to align the two samples. Monitor an analog demodulated signal and a digital demodulated signal with each trace of the scope. Send a burst tone from the source, through the transmission system and align the leading edge of the burst using the same increment, raise/lower procedure mentioned earlier RTAC The HDx-FM Exciter is designed to be able to cope with different signals, (IBOC, FM and IBOC+FM), in different transmitters (Z s and tubes), in radically different installations (SLC vs. Separate combining for instance) and with 5/2/

46 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM several different sampling rates. All of these factors require of a very broad set of system characteristics that both the algorithm and pre-corrector must cope with for successful operation of the adaptive pre-correction (RTAC). With all these demands, it is not possible to model and solve all possible combinations using a single set of parameters. Therefore, simple systems will require fewer parameters while more complex ones will require more. For instance, to deal with the equalization of a mild output filter is not as much of a problem, and doesn t require as many coefficients to equalize as it would be the case of a sharp tune filter. Also the amplifier type can have a lot to do with these complexities. NOTE: The Non-Linear RTAC is automatically applied to whatever exciter outputs which are currently outputting HD carriers Non-Linear Coeffiecient Adjustment For most installations, only the "Non-Linear" coefficient may require adjustment. "Linear" coefficients might need adjustment if a filter system is involved. Typically, 3 to 5 coefficients are used to resolve a "memory-less" non linear amplifier/transmitters, which would typically be a solid-state PA. 6 to 15 coefficients are commonly used to cope with more complicated, "memoryfull" amplifiers, which can occur due to the cavity of a tube amplifier. NOTE: Whenever any changes are made to the RTAC settings, one or more "adapt cycles" will occur. During this time period (5 to 25 seconds), the samples are being captured and an algorithm is being computed to adjust the output accordingly. If you are watching a spectrum waveform with no averaging and a fast sweep time, you will actually see the IMD products outside of the digital sidebands change. There is an Adapt Cycles counter in the Status section of the GUI: Home Status Signal Processing Next... takes you to page 2 of the Signal Processing Status page. EXAMPLE: NonLin FM+HD Counts: 1084 / This indicates that there was 1087 Adapt Cycles and 1084 of them were successful. Slight differences between these numbers are of no concern. Significant differences indicate an improper setting, a malfunction, or some other anomaly. Error messages 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 262, and 1024 might be indications of the problem(s) causing the failure to successfully adapt. (See "6.13 Signal Processing Status Errors" on page 6-8) NOTE ALSO: If the transmitter is idle for a continuous period while the exciter is running you will see a significant difference between the two NonLin FM+HD counts. This is because even when the Transmitter that is being driven by the HDx exciter is off, the RTAC will continue to run Adapt Cycles. Same holds true for FM only operation while the Adapt Cycles continue, there is no HD carrier sample so the counter will count up, but there will be no "successful" updates. A common sense approach will be to start by using 3 coefficients and wait. If after about 5 "counts" (about 2-3 minutes) a sufficient degree of correction is obtained, you re finished. Consider switching to a higher number of coefficients if sufficient correction was not achieved. Although it might appear as if selecting the highest number of coefficients will work as a snake oil to all problems, reality (and theory as well) has shown to be completely the opposite. Selecting a number of coefficient greater than required, besides making the estimation slower, tends to render coefficients with higher numerical error and more general instability. This can make the estimation from one run to the next more prone to variation in results and ultimately instable. Hence the golden rule for the number of coefficients is: Use only as many coefficients as you need but not more /2/12

47 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation NOTE: An indication of a system where too many coefficients are being used is the occurrence of error 261, 257, or (See "6.13 Signal Processing Status Errors" on page 6-8). Table 3-1 Coefficient Ranges Coefficient Range Linear 3-15 Non-Linear FM+HD 8-32 Non-Linear FM Display The Display screen allows the operator to change the LCD contrast, date, time and title on the screens. There is a screen saver that is selectable on the display screen Serial On the serial screens you can configure the Ethernet port configurations and IP addresses. Also on the serial screens you can set up the RS232 communications; baud rate and parity USB The USB screen allows you to upgrade the software via a USB jump drive storage device and save user settings/ configurations. NOTE: DO NOT use a USB jump drive that has been formatted to Linux (like that used in a DEXSTAR Exciter). Inserting a Flashdrive formatted in Linux can cause the FlexStar Exciter to hang up. The FlexStar HDX supports USB 2.0 low speed only RBDS Select between ENABLED/DISABLED for the internal RBDS Generator. There is an injection level setting for the 57kHz RBDS subcarrier in the output of the transmitter Restore Defaults Select this button to restore the factory generic defaults. These will not restore your user settings and configuration, including your frequency, simply will put the Exciter on a known set of values that worked in the factory. All user settings including frequency will be lost. See "6.11 Restore Defaults" on page 6-7 for more information. IMPORTANT: PRIOR TO RESTORING FACTORY DEFAULTS, BE SURE SAVE YOU USER SETTINGS ON A REMOVABLE JUMP DRIVE USB STORAGE DEVICE. 5/2/

48 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Setup Lock/Unlock The Lock button will lock or unlock the user settings. Use this after you have entered a password and once you achieve satisfactory performance of the Exciter. IMPORTANT: DO NOT LOCK THE SET UP SCREENS UNTIL YOU HAVE ENTERED A PASSWORD ON THE DISPLAY SETUP SCREEN. KEEP THE PASSWORD IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Advanced Setup Pressing the More Setup button takes you to the Advanced Setup menus: PLL Sync Control There are three choices for PLL Sync Control which is essential for proper HD Carrier operation and stable Diversity Delay. IMPORTER - Used for FM only EXT. 10MHz: The recommended choice for FM+HD and HD modes. This provides the fastest method for synchronizing the HDx exciter s clocks with the Exporter, attaining "Locked" Exporter Sync.! CAUTION: LOSS OF 10MHZ REFERENCE CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED RESPONSES FROM THE TRANSMITTER. BE ADVISED TO CHECK THIS WHILE YOU ARE STILL ON SITE. EXPORTER: Use this when a 10MHz reference is not available from the co-located Exporter, or a GPS referenced clock. Using this method takes about 1 hour to achieve a locked Exporter Sync condition. On the Advanced Setup page 2/4 (setup/more setup/page 2). Select the PLL Sync Control to method you will use. Then, on the Signal Processing Status screen page 1 (DUC), look for these indications; Exporter Sync Enabled:YES Lock Indicator: Should be a number that is decreasing to, at least, less than the number to the right in (parenthesis). NOTE: This may take up to an hour, possibly longer depending on network conditions. Exporter Sync Lock:AQUIRING or LOCKED NOTE: After making any parameter changes on any of the Setup configuration screens, the HDx exciter must be "rebooted" by power cycling the unit: Unplug the AC cable from the source, then after waiting seconds plug the unit back in Power Limit and Gain adjustments This procedure will be slightly different for each transmitter the Flexstar HDX Exciter is connected to. If shipped from the factory with the transmitter, this adjustment will not need to be performed. The following procedures are for the ZHD+ and HT-HD+ transmitters /2/12

49 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation ZHD+ Transmitters 1. Verify the proper transmitter type has been selected in the HDX Exciter. Transmitter type is located at; Setup/ Output/Transmitter type. 2. Verify the correct carrier frequency is selected; Setup/Output/Frequency. 3. Set the gain and limit numbers per the Table 3-2 or Table 3-3: Table 3-2 Gain and Limit settings for Z16/Z12HD+ Gain Limit FM FM+HD HD Table 3-3 SLC Gain and Limit settings for Z4/6/8HD+ Gain Limit FM FM+HD HD SLC After putting these settings into the windows, make a final adjustment for the gain for a transmitter APC voltage of 3.3Vdc when the transmitter is operating at full power. 5. Repeat this procedure for each operational mode the transmitter will be used in HT-HD+ Transmitter 1. Verify the proper transmitter type has been selected in the HDX Exciter. Transmitter type is located at; Setup/ Output/Transmitter type. 2. Verify the correct carrier frequency is selected; Setup/Output/Frequency. 3. Set the Gain and Limit numbers per Table 3-4. Table 3-4 Gain and Limit Settings for HT-HD+ Mode Gain Limit FM FM+HD /2/

50 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Table 3-4 Gain and Limit Settings for HT-HD+ 4. After putting these settings into the window, make a final Gain adjustment to achieve 100% Forward power. 5. Repeat this procedure for each operational mode the transmitter will be used in. 3.4 Exciter Status Screens The status screens display status in the functional areas of the Exciter including Audio, Signal Processing, RF System, System Control and Performance. The 5 physical buttons to the right of the display, are the same function as the 5 on-screen (GUI) buttons on the first "Status" page. This section will discuss the most useful statuses for a typical HD radio system. Those statuses that are not discussed are irrelevant or for factory/service use. There is also more information in the Troubleshooting section. See "6.6 Signal Processor Board LEDs" on page 6-5. It is recommended to record the data values displayed by these Status screens for future reference. This can be done by using the screen dump process described here: "5.10 Record Your User Settings" on page Audio Mode Gain Limit Bargraphs of active audio inputs: AES, Analog L/R, composite, SCA1 and SCA2. AES L/R: Indicates input levels of AES Left and Right audio. (SCALE = 0 to -42 dbfs) Analog L/R: Indicates input levels of Analog Left and Right audio. (SCALE = +15 to -27 dbu) Composite: Indicates modulation level of composite audio. (SCALE = 0 to 140%) SCA: Indicates input levels of SCA #1 and SCA #2 channels (SCALE = +15 to -27 dbu) Since the supplemental (SPS) HD program streams are not coming into the exciter as audio, there are no audio bargraphs on the GUI to display the SPS audio streams Signal Processing HD SLC * If updating software to Version 7.2 or higher, an adjustment to Gain and/or Limit may need to be done to achieve full transmitter power. Gain and Limit settings may be significantly lower for Software versions 6.9 and lower. The Signal Processing status screens consist of the Digital Up-converter (DUC), the FM Digital Signal Processing (DSP) which includes the Real Time Adaptive Correction (RTAC), the Exciter Engine (Exgine), and the RF samples /2/12

51 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation "DUC" (page 1/5) Status of critical Digital Up Converter (DUC) clocks and Exporter synchronization parameters. See Figure 3-12 below for a typical system operating normally. (When broadcasting in any of the HD modulation modes, the exciter needs to be synchronized with the exporter and its GPS locked to 10MHz. See " Advanced Setup" on page 3-12.) To achieve an Exporter Sync Lock, the Lock Indicator must remain near the value shown in parentheses for a period of 1000 samples "FM DSP" (page 2/5) Figure 3-12 Status Screen Page 1/5 Status of the FM Modulator Digital Signal Processor (DSP) See "6.13 Signal Processing Status Errors" on page 6-8 for more information. Figure 3-13 Status Screen Page 2/5 NOTE: Listing names may change, reflecting which Modulation Mode is currently selected. 5/2/

52 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM The Status and Errors listings indicate what, if any, error incurred during the last execution of that estimation algorithm. 0 means no errors found, and must correspond to a successful implementation of the calculated coefficients in software and a corresponding increment of the first counter shown in the Counts field (see next paragraph). Other values in this field correspond to a coded error whose meaning is explained in the table in the Troubleshooting section (see "6.13 Signal Processing Status Errors" on page 6-8). Not all errors are critical, some errors can show up during one pass of the algorithm and not in the next. The RTAC DSP Counts listings have two numbers separated by a slash representing the value of two counters. The first shows a count of the successful updates of the pre-corrector, and the second number shows a count of times the estimation algorithm has run. NOTE: Both counters start the last time the particular pre-corrector was taken out of BYPASS, or when the exciter was last unmuted. For instance, NonLin FM+HD Counts 3/4 means that the NonLinear corrector algorithm has executed 4 times, and three of them were able to successfully update the coefficients in software (since the NonLinear corrector was last taken out of BYPASS mode, or the exciter was last unmuted). Generally speaking, under normal conditions, the Counts should be close to similar numbers. NOTE: The RTAC continues its adapt cycles even if the transmitter is turned off, but the exciter is UNmuted. Therefore, in this situation, the Counts numbers may vary significantly. So, if the transmitter has been turned off for some time, yet the HDx remained on (with the RTAC in ADAPT mode), you may wish to reset this counter by momentarily placing the RTAC into BYPASS mode, then switching back to ADAPT to start the counter again; or by momentarily muting then unmuting the exciter. Serial In Sync Errs, and Serial Out Sync Errs are for engineering use "Exgine" (page 3/5; 4/5) Figure 3-14 Signal Processing Status Page 3/5 These screens show status of the Exgine board including the HD Run, HD Buffer, DSP Run and the Exporter Link (EL) Run. These indicate the status of the communication between the Exporter and the Exciter /2/12

53 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation Under typical conditions, using the latest recommended revisions of softwares, the Buf Used and Buf Max are good indicators of network conditions. They should run in the low 50% range for the most stable system operation and diversity delay. This status can be adjust by the Exgine Buffer (sec): settings at Home Setup Output. This number typically is (which is also the time value when "Default" is selected). NOTE: In earlier revisions of software, using an HDE-100, both of these values are typically lower: Exgine Buffer (sec): being set at making the Buf Used and Buf Max run around 25% for the most stable system operation and diversity delay. On page 4/5, several low voltage power supplies (LVPS) are listed on the left column. The right column indicates the actual voltage of the corresponding LVPS "RF Samples" (page 5/5) There are bargraphs for the RF samples; internal and external to the Exciter; Filter Aux. Filter main, Exciter PA, External transmitter and external filter. It is important that the correct signal level is being applied to the inputs. The bargraph should always indicate midscale to 3/4 scale for proper operation of the RTAC circuit RF System These screens can used for trouble-shooting. Screens include the PLL board, D/A Filter board and the Power Amplifier status "PLL Board" (page 1/3) This page indicates the statuses of several internal and external clocks, including GPS "D/A Filter Board" (page 2/3) This page contains various statuses on, or related to the D/A Filter board "Power Amplifier" (page 3/3) Power Amplifier status listings. 24V is the expected PA Voltage. Foldback will occur ("ON") when the reflected power is above 5W System Control Status These screens are used for trouble-shooting "Communications Status" (page 1/4) This page indicates whether or not there is communication between the Signal Processing board and the boards that are listed "Signal Processing" (page 2/4) This page indicates the health properties of the Signal Processing board. 5/2/

54 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM "Digital & Analog I/O" (page 3/4) This page indicates the digital value of various statuses "Front Panel / BNC / XLR Boards" (page 4/4) This page indicates the digital value of various statuses Performance The Performance screen shows a graphic of several stages of the Exciter. This display is for REFERENCE ONLY and not intended to be used for mask compliance measurements. Figure 3-15 Performance Screen The different sources that can be selected and displayed are the Filter Aux, or Filter Main, Exciter PA output and the two external samples that come into the Exciter; External Transmitter and External Filter 3.5 Telnet Access for Remote Control Remote access, using a Windows-based personal computer, through a telnet session to the Exciter is possible via the Ethernet connections on the back of the Exciter. a. If IP addresses have not yet been assigned to the Ethernet ports on the back panel of the HDx exciter, or if you need to determine what they are, navigate to the Exciter s Serial Setup pages: Home Setup Serial Next. b. Page 2/4 displays the "Ethernet #1" and "Ethernet #2" port information which are the connections to the Signal Processor board. Page 3/4 displays the "Ethernet #3" and page 4/4 the "Exporter Link" port information which are the connections to the Exgine module. NOTE: NOTE: the Exporter Link port is a dedicated Ethernet connection for the HDE Exporter s E2X bitstream. c. Once the IP setup has been entered or changed, press ACCEPT /2/12

55 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation d. To initiate a telnet session, verify connections: Be sure your PC, and the proper Exciter Ethernet port(s) are connected to the same network in order to communicate over IP. e. On your PC, open the DOS command line prompt: Start Run type "cmd" click OK. f. At the command prompt, type in "telnet" (less quotes) followed by a space, followed by the exciter s IP address and press the "Enter" key on your PC. For example: telnet (provided the exciter s "Ethernet1" port is connected to network, and its IP address is set to on the Serial Setup page). g. For an Exgine module port connection ("Ethernet #3" or "Exporter Link"), you will get a text screen on your computer that you can navigate multiple pages using the right and left arrow keys. For a Signal Processor board port connection ("Ethernet #1" or "Ethernet #2"), you will initially see only page 1/1. To see the remaining pages: 1. Type "u" (less quotes) to invoke the password prompt 2. At the password prompt type "factory123" (less quotes - no spaces) 3. You will now be able to navigate multiple pages using the right and left arrow keys IMPORTANT: Be very careful while using these screens as there are powerful single letter commands that will affect the exciter s operation. A telnet session can also be done with a terminal program such as HyperTerminal which would then allow further capability to save the screens for later review. 3.6 Parameter Listings Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the parameters found within the various Setup and Status screens. In an attempt to provide as much information to the end-user as possible, we have listed many parameters below. They are accurate as of the date of printing found on the front cover of this technical manual. Many of the screens, sometimes called menus, are intuitive and self explanatory; touch on the window for a pop-up selection or number pad to change the parameter. In addition to the listings here, more descriptive information may be available by touching the?help tab (see Figure 3-16 below) on the bottom of all screens. To the left of the?help tab is the On-Air/Mute tab. This is a quick way to mute the exciter from the GUI. Pressing it will give you a warning and the option to mute the exciter. NOTE: You will be given a choice: OK or Cancel. If the exciter is currently muted the tab will say Mute. To the left of the On-Air/Mute tab is the OK/WARN/FAULT tab. It could be your first indication of a malfunction if it shows anything other than a green "OK". If it is flashing WARN or FAULT as shown in Figure 3-16, below, that means further investigation may be required. Pressing the tab during either of these two active indications will take you to the home GUI screen of the faulty process or board. You may have to press the Right arrow button (upper right hand button) to locate the actual page with a further warning (yellow) or fault (red) text indication. 5/2/

56 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 3-16 Help Tab Shown At the end of each of the following descriptions is the named menu page (in parenthesis) where that parameter is located. On the GUI screen, the menu page name is indicated at the top of the page, under the blue Title Bar. ADDITIONAL NOTE: Touching the More Setup button will navigate to menu screens that indicate Advanced Setup at the top of the page, under the blue Title Bar. ACCEPT: Commits changes to the Ethernet setup. (Serial Setup: pages 2/4, 3/4, 4/4) Analog: Input Setup level (Left and Right) for the rear connector required for 100% modulation at 75kHz deviation. Range = 0dBu to 15dBu (Input Setup: page 2/5) APC Mode: Internal or External Automatic Power Control (APC). This will be pre-selected based on the type of transmitter type selected. (Output Setup: page 1/5) Audio: Press to go to the audio input status screen. (Exciter Status page) Audio Low Pass Filter: The audio low pass filter applied to the AES or Analog audio inputs. Select: BYPASS, 15kHz, 17kHz (Input Setup: page 5/5) Audio Polarity: Selects polarity for Audio Input: Normal, or Inverted (Input Setup: page 5/5) Audio SCAs Frequency: Sets the carrier frequency of the selected SCA channel. Range = 20kHz to 99kHz (Input Setup: page 4/5) Audio SCAs Filter: Selects the bandwidth filter on the SCA inputs: Bypass, 4.3kHz or 7.5kHz (Input Setup: page 4/5) Audio SCAs Injection: Amount of total modulation dedicated for the SCA 1 and SCA 2. Range = 2% to 20% (Input Setup: page 4/5) Audio SCAs Mode: Enable/Disable for the internal SCA 1 and SCA 2 modulators. (Input Setup: page 4/5) Audio SCAs Modulation: Audio input level required for 5kHz deviation on the SCA 1 and SCA2. Range = 0dBu to 15dBu (Input Setup: page 4/5) Audio SCAs Pre emphasis: Pre emphasis applied to the SCA 1 and SCA 2 audio inputs. Selection = FLAT, 25us, 50us, 75us (Input Setup: page 4/5) Auto Switching: Enable or Disable the audio input auto switching feature that switches only from Primary Mode to Backup Mode. (Input Setup: page 1/5) /2/12

57 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 3 Operation NOTE: If this switch takes place, it will not return to Primary, and there will be no fault indication other than the asterisk (*) will now be next to the Backup window on page 1 of the Input Setup. Auto Switch Threshold: Dead air time audio input level threshold. The audio level that the input must fall below and remain below before the Auto Switch Time starts to count. Range = 1% - 25% (Input Setup: page 1/5) Auto Switch Time: The amount of time the audio is below the threshold before the exciter switches between Primary and Backup Mode. After the audio falls (and remains) below the set level, the Exciter will switch inputs. Range = seconds (Input Setup: page 1/5) Aux AES: Digital input level (Left and Right) required for 100% modulation at 75kHz deviation. Range = - 15dBfs to 0dBfs (Input Setup: page 2/5) Aux Comp/SCA3 Level: sets the power level of the Aux composite/sca3 input. Range = 1.0V to 4.0Vpp for 10% modulation. (Input Setup: page 3/5) Aux Comp/SCA3 Mode: BNC input selection for Aux Comp or SCA. (Input Setup: page 3/5) Aux: Setup for the Auxiliary output s Primary and Backup mode, depending on installed options: Off, SLC FM+HD, FM or HD. (Output Setup: page 2/5) Aux Power Level: Adjusts the Aux Output level from 0% up to 100% of 10mW. (Output Setup: page 3/5) Avg: Enables/Disables data averaging on the spectral graph. (Performance/Large Graph page) Backup (Input) Mode: The HDx-FM exciter has Primary or Backup input mode (current mode is indicated by *). Input mode can be switched automatically (if Auto Switching is Enabled), locally (via Mode Selection), or remotely via the Remote Interface. Input choices = Main AES, Aux AES, Main Comp, Aux Comp, or Analog L/R (Input Setup: page 1/5) Backup (Output) Mode: The HDx-FM exciter has a Primary or Backup output mode (currently active mode is indicated by *). The Output mode can be selected either locally (via Mode Selection), or remotely via the User Remote Interface. Then, depending on installed options there can be two separate outputs: Main refers to the 55W (FM max) RF Output, and Aux refers to the 10mW auxiliary RF Output. (Output Setup: page 2/5) Main: RF output choices (depending on installed options) = FM, FM+HD, HD, & SLC FM Aux: RF output choices (depending on installed options and Main selection) = Off, SLC FM+HD, FM+HD, FM, & HD Baud Rate: Selects baud rate ( ) for the indicated RS-232 channel Com1/Com2 (Serial Setup: page 1/4). Call Letters: User entered 4 character text for Program Identification (PI) code generator in the built-in RBDS generator (RBDS Setup page). Composite Inputs: Enable/Disable of the wideband composite inputs on the rear of the Exciter. (Input Setup: page 3/5) Config #1 through #4: Press Config #n desired to Cancel, Save, or Restore, one of 4 configurations, which contains all user parameter settings, to the USB flash drive (also known as "jump" or "thumb" drive/stick) that is currently plugged into USB port on front panel. NOTE: If there is a valid configuration file already stored on the jump drive currently connected, there will be a date and time of day indicating when the configuration file was last saved to the device. (USB Setup page) Data Bits: Selects number of Data bits (7, 8) in the RS-232 frame of the indicated channel Com1/Com2 (Serial Setup: page 1/4). 5/2/

58 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Date: Enter the current date in MM/DD/YYYY. (Display Setup page) Delay Target (seconds): Sets the duration of the Diversity Delay, which is the intentional delay of the analog ("FM") audio. Adjustable to a micro-second (µs). NOTE: Delay Target (samples): Is a status parameter only, indicating the number of samples; derived from the Delay Target (seconds) setting. (Output Setup: page 5/5) Device Status: The status of USB Flash drive currently plugged into the USB port on the front panel: Removed or Connected. NOTE: If a flash drive is connected but the status indication is "Removed"; this indicates that particular flash drive is not recognized. (USB Setup page) Display: Press to go to the Display Setup menu. (Exciter Setup page) Diversity Delay: If the HDx exciter has the Host Audio Extraction (HAX) module installed, this setting Enables or Disables the Diversity Delay. This is the delay (Delay Target, below, on same page) of the extracted audio from the E2X data stream, that is connected from the HAX module output to Main AES audio input. (Output Setup: page 5/5) Ethernet #1/#2/#3: Displays MAC address of associated port. (Serial Setup 2/4) Exciter ID: Set single Exciter to #1. If a dual or alternate Exciter is present, set each as desired: #1/#2. (Output Setup: page 1/5) Exgine Buffer (sec): Buffer size adjustment to compensate for E2X network timing fluctuations. This is typically set for seconds when using the latest recommended revisions of software. Range = seconds NOTE: An adjustment here will require an adjustment of the Diversity Delay setting at the audio processor or at the exporter; or on page 5/5 of the Output Setup if using the HAX module. (Output Setup: page 1/5) Exgine Output: Selects the Output mode: Normal, Pattern, BER3 or BER1. Any mode besides Normal is for factory testing only. (Output Setup: page 1/5) Ext. APC Gains: Gain scaling used when APC Mode is in External. Separate gains can be entered for each of the 4 output modes. See " Power Limit and Gain adjustments" on page Range = 0 to 4095 (More Setup: page 2/4) Ext. APC Limits: Power Limits used when APC is in External Mode. Separate limits can be entered for each of the 4 output modes. See " Power Limit and Gain adjustments" on page Range = 0 to 3845 (More Setup: page 2/4) Fast Mute Input: Selects the command state (Active Low/Active High/Disabled) for the fast mute control on TX interface connector pin 14. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/ 4) Fast Mute Pull Up/Down: Selects mode of Fast Mute input. Pull Up or Pull Down to activate the fast mute function. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/4) Feature Key: Alphanumeric key provided by Harris for Split-level function. Filter Set: Selects filter set (1-4) to be saved or restored. Each antenna/filter mode can have its own Mode and Coefficient setting. (RTAC Setup page) Filter Title: User entered text which is saved with each Filter Set to describe the filter setting. Example; Transmitter 1, Transmitter 2, standby antenna, etc. (RTAC Setup page) Frequency: FM carrier center frequency. Range = 87.00MHz to MHz. (Output Setup: page 1/5) FWD PWR Internal APC: Enable/Disable Automatic Power Control (APC) of the exciter Main output. (More Setup: page 1/4) Graph: RF Spectrum of selected source. From the Home screen, press on the graph to enlarge, and bring up view parameters. Graph of the RF spectrum of selected source generated by 8192 point FFT. Y axis grid lines are spaced every 10 db from 0 to -80. X axis grid lines are the span size 10 and is centered at the channel frequency. (Performance/Large Graph page) /2/12

59 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM HD Carrier Asymmetry: Adjustment of either the upper or lower digital sideband as related to the opposite. Range = Lower -1 through -4; Upper -1 through -4; or Disabled (Output Setup: page 3/5) HD Carriers: Enable/Disable digital carriers. (Output Setup: page 1/5) HD Injection (FM+HD): Digital sidebands level setting relative to the FM power when in FM+HD mode. Range = -22dB through -6dB (Output Setup: page 3/5) HD Injection (SLC): When SLC mode is selected (and the feature key enabled), this setting is used to adjust the analog and digital ratio of the Aux Output. Range = -18 through (Output Setup: page 3/5) HD Loss Protection: When ENABLED, upon loss of the E2X data stream, the missing HD Carriers will replaced by a "non-decodable" set of "HD-like" carriers that are similar in peak amplitude and bandwidth characteristics to the HD carriers. This function is to provide protection to the amplifier AGC in the event of HD carrier loss by maintaining the same average power output. When DISABLED, the HD Carriers are not replaced. Selection: Enabled or Disabled (More Setup: page 1/4) Injection: Sets injection level of Audio SCAs #1/#2. Range = 2 to 20% (Input Setup: page 4/5) Injection: Sets injection level of internal RBDS. Range = 1 to 15% (RBDS Setup page) Input: Press to go to the Input Setup screens. (Exciter Setup page) Interpolation Rate: Selects interpolation rate for the current frequency. It is recommended to select AUTO as the initial rate for new install as this will set the interpolation rate to a nominal default. Adjust the Interpolation Rate only if necessary to improve PA linearity. (More Setup: page 1/4) IP Gate: Enter IP Gate for the Ethernet ports on the rear of the Exciter. (Serial Setup: pages 2/4, 4/4) IP Mask: Enter IP Mask for the Ethernet ports on the rear of the Exciter. (Serial Setup: pages 2/4, 4/4) IP MODE: Selects DHCP or STATIC mode for the Ethernet ports on the rear of the Exciter. (Serial Setup: pages 2/4, 3/4, 4/4) IP: Displays or selects the IP address for the Ethernet ports. Not programmable in DHCP mode. (Serial Setup: pages 2/4, 3/4, 4/4) LCD Contrast: Sets the contrast of the exciter LCD by pressing the up or down buttons. (Display Setup page) Linear FM: Select the Mode: Default/Bypass; and Coefficients: Range = 8 to 32 of the adaptive correction. (RTAC Setup page) Linear HD: Select the Mode: Default/Bypass; and Coefficients: Range = 8 to 32 of the adaptive correction. (RTAC Setup page) Link Mode: Selects the IP link s speed and duplex type. Selection: Auto-neg, 100/Full, 10/Full, 10/Half (Serial Setup: page 4/4) Main AES: Digital input level (Left and Right) required for 100% modulation at 75kHz deviation. Range = - 15dBfs to 0dBfs (Input Setup: page 2/5) Main Atten Limit: Sets power level of main output when APC is disabled. Range = (More Setup: page 1/4) Main Comp Impedance: Select the Main Comp input termination. Selection: 10K Ohm or 50 Ohm (Input Setup: page 3/5) Main Comp Level: Composite BNC level required for 100% modulation. Range = 2Vpp to 6Vpp (Input Setup: page 3/5) Main Comp Mode: Input configuration (Balance or Unbalanced) of the Main Comp BNC. (Input Setup: page 3/5) Main: Setup for the Main output s Primary and Backup mode, depending on installed options: FM, FM+HD, HD or SLC FM. (Output Setup: page 2/5) 5/2/

60 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Mod Monitor Mode: Mode of the modulation monitor on the Home page (NORMAL, X10, AUTORANGE). It is recommended to leave this setting to NORMAL as it is the best way to observe audio activity. (Display Setup page) Mode Selection: (Input Setup: page 1/5) (Output Setup: page 2/5) Used to select either Primary or Backup Mode. Selected mode will have an asterisk (*) next to the parameter window. Mode: Enable/Disable internal RBDS generator. (RBDS Setup page) Mute Input: Selects the command state (Active Low/Active High/Disabled) for the mute control on TX interface connector pin 9. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/4) Mute Pull Up/Down: Selects mode of Mute input. Pull Up or Pull Down to activate the fast mute function. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/4) N+1 Frequencies 1-8: Used to set the N+1 frequencies. (Output Setup: page 4/5) N+1 Interface: Enables/Disables the remote control N+1 interface. (Output Setup: page 4/5) N+1 Interpolation Rate 1-8: There are interpolation rates available in the exciter for up to 8 different transmitters. It is recommended to select AUTO for the initial rate as this will set the interpolation rate to a nominal default. Adjust the N+1 channel interpolation rates only if necessary. (More Setup: page 4/4) Non Lin FM+HD: Selects the Mode: Adapt/Hold/Bypass/Default and Coefficients Range = 3-15 of the adaptive Non-linear correction. Correction can be applied when in HD, FM+HD, or SLC modes. (RTAC Setup page) Adapt: Constantly cycles to adjust PA linearity based on RTAC Sample Inputs - Recommended setting Hold: Holds RTAC system at last adapt cycle setting Bypass: Turns RTAC system off Default: Loads, then holds, last stored Filter Correction Set Output Power (FM, FM + HD, HD, SLC): Preset output power for that output mode. Each mode has its own total output power adjustment. FM Range 0-57W; FM+HD Range 0-22W; HD Range 0-12W; SLC Range 0-57W (Output Setup: page 2/5) Output: Press to go to the Output Setup screens. (Exciter Setup page) Page Title: User selectable 20 character title text to be displayed in the blue bar at the top of GUI pages. NOTE: It is recommended to change this from the Factory default, making it a unique identifier which might be useful when loading saved configs or updating software. (Display Setup page) Parity: Selects parity (Even, Odd, None) of the selected RS-232 channel Com1/Com2. (Serial Setup: page 1/ 4) Password: User entered password to lock/unlock changes to exciter setup. NOTE: You will be given a choice: OK or Cancel. (Display Setup page) Peak Attack Time: Attack time of the peak limiter. This is the time delay before the limiting function starts acting on the composite signal. This limits the peaks, improving the audio performance. Range = 172µS - 344µS (Input Setup: page 5/5) Peak Level: Signal level where the limiter takes effect. Range = 80% - 200% (Input Setup: page 5/5) Peak Limiter: Enable/Disable the internal composite peak limiter. (Input Setup: page 5/5) Performance: Press to go to the Performance also called Large Graph status screen. (Exciter Status page) Pilot Injection Level: Amount of total modulation dedicated for the stereo pilot signal. Range = 0% - 12% (Input Setup: page 5/5) Pilot: Enable/Disable for the stereo pilot. (Input Setup: page 5/5) /2/12

61 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM PLL Sync Control: Sets the mode for the PLL synchronization. Selection: INTERNAL, EXPORTER, or EXT. 10MHZ. (More Setup: page 2/4) INTERNAL: FM mode only. EXPORTER: For FM+HD and HD mode. Use this when a 10MHz reference is not available from the co-located Exporter, or a GPS referenced clock. EXT. 10MHZ: The recommended selection for FM+HD and HD modes. This provides the fastest method for synchronizing the FlexStar HDx-FM exciter s clocks with the Exporter. IMPORTANT: NOTE: Loss of 10MHz reference can cause a Fault condition, causing unexpected responses from the transmitter. It is advisable to test this, by disconnecting the 10MHz signal, once the entire system is up and running normally. PLL TCXO: Adjusts PLL reference when PLL Sync control is set to INTERNAL. Typically this will be used for FM only to adjust the carrier absolute center frequency. Range = (More Setup: page 2/4) Power Cal: Used to calibrate the power amplifier output power. (More Setup: page 1/4)! CAUTION: POWER CALIBRATION WILL FORCE EXCITER TO BE OFF-AIR! YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CHOICE: OK OR CANCEL. Pre-emphasis (Analog, Main AES, Aux AES): Pre-emphasis applied to each of the audio inputs. Selection: FLAT, 25µs, 50µs, or 75µs. (Input Setup: page 2/5) NOTE: It is recommended to NOT apply any pre-emphasis to the audio. This should typically be performed in the audio processor. Primary (Input) Mode: The HDx-FM exciter has a Primary or Backup input mode (currently active mode is indicated by *). Input mode can be switched automatically (if Auto Switching is Enabled), locally (via Mode Selection), or remotely via the User Remote Interface. Input choices = Main AES, Aux AES, Main Comp, Aux Comp, or Analog L/R (Input Setup: page 1/5) Primary (Output) Mode: The HDx-FM exciter has a Primary or Backup output mode (currently active mode is indicated by *). The Output mode can be selected either locally (via Mode Selection), or remotely via the User Remote Interface. Then, depending on installed options there can be two separate outputs: Main refers to the 55W (FM max) RF Output, and Aux refers to the 10mW auxiliary RF Output. (Output Setup: page 2/5) Main: RF output choices (depending on installed options) = FM, FM+HD, HD, & SLC FM Aux: RF output choices (depending on installed options and Main selection) = Off, SLC FM+HD, FM+HD, FM, & HD Program Service: User entered 8 character text for station program service. The Program Service (PS) name is displayed on the radio receiver. (RBDS Setup page) Program Type: User selectable RBDS program type (PTY). NEWS, INFORM, SPORTS, TALK, ROCK, etc. (RBDS Setup page) Protocol: Selects protocol mode for the indicated RS-232 channel Com1/Com2. (Serial Setup: page 1/4) 5/2/

62 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM RadioText: User entered 64 character (32 characters per input line) text stream for static RBDS. (RBDS Setup page) Ramp Time: Sets the time, in seconds, to go from zero to full Diversity Delay, or to go from full Diversity Delay to none, when using the Host Audio Extraction (HAX) module. A ramp time of 200 seconds is virtually undetectable by human ears when ramping up or down. Range = seconds (Output Setup: page 5/5) RBDS: Press to go to the RBDS setup screen. (Exciter Setup page) Remote Fault Output: Selects active state: Active Low/Active High of the Fault status output on the User Remote Interface pin 7. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/4) Remote RF Sample (4V=): Adjusts 4 volt full scale output value of RF samples on User Remote Interface pin 3. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. Range = 0.1W to 60W (More Setup: page 3/4) Restore Defaults: Press to restore exciter to generic defaults. CAUTION: All user setup will be LOST. NOTE: You will be given a choice: OK or Cancel. (Exciter Setup page) RF Sample AGC: Enabled/Disables Automatic Gain control for the RTAC RF Sample inputs. (More Setup: page 1/4) RF Sample Attenuation: Sets the attenuation for the RTAC RF Sample inputs when RF Sample AGC is disabled. See RF Sample bargraphs on the Signal Processor Status page 5/5. Range = 0dB to 22dB (More Setup: page 1/4) RF Sample Gain: Sets the gain: Low/High for the RTAC RF Sample inputs when RF Sample AGC is disabled. See RF Sample bargraphs on the Signal Processor Status page 5/5. (More Setup: page 1/4) RF System: Press to go to the RF System status screen. (Exciter Status page) RTAC: Press to go to the Real Time Adaptive Correction setup screen. (Exciter Setup page) RTAC Cal: Press to calibrate Linear RTAC. NOTE: You will be given a choice: OK or Cancel. (RTAC Setup page) S/W Revs: Press to go to the software status screen. (Exciter Setup page) S/W Upgrade: Press to upgrade exciter from USB Flash drive. File must be named flexstar.s19. (USB Setup page) SAVE/RESTORE: Saves or Restores selected Filter correction set to/from non-volatile memory. (RTAC Setup page) SCA1/SCA2 Level: SCA1/SCA2 BNC input level for 10% modulation. Range = 1.0Vpp to 4.0Vpp (Input Setup: page 3/5) Screen Saver: Time in minutes (1-30) before screen blanks to conserve LCD fluorescent backlight life. Touch anywhere on screen - one time - to resume GUI. (Display Setup page) Serial: Press to go to the Serial Setup screens. (Exciter Setup page) Setup Unlocked/Locked: Press to Lock or Unlock the exciter setup. Your password is required to unlock exciter. (Exciter Setup page) Signal Processing: Press to go to the Signal Processing status screen. (Exciter Status page) SLC Phase Adjustment: Carrier phase adjustment, capable of changing the relative phase between the FM and FM+HD (SLC) outputs. This is used to minimize the reject power from the SLC combiner to the reject load. Range = -180 to +180 (Output Setup: page 3/5) Source: Selects the source for the spectrum graph. Source can be Exciter PA, Ext. XMTR, Ext. Filter, Filter Aux, or Filter Main. NOTE: the two "Ext." selections relate to the rear SMA connections labeled RTAC RF Sample Inputs. The other 3 selections are internal readings: Filter Main is the stage just before the exciter s PA, the Filter Aux is the final stage of the Aux Output, and Exciter PA is the output of the final 55W PA. (Performance/Large Graph page) Span: Selects span of graph from 50kHz to 4000kHz. (Performance/Large Graph page) /2/12

63 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM Stereo Mode: Stereo/Mono mode selection. Selection: Stereo, Mono L, Mono R, Mono L+R (Input Setup: page 5/5) Stop Bits: Selects number of Stop bits (1,2) for the indicated RS-232 channel Com1/Com2. (Serial Setup: page 1/4) System Control: Press to go to the System Control status screen. (Exciter Status) Test Pattern: Enables 1 of 4 FM test patterns for factory test. The audio inputs are ignored (MUTED) when in this mode. Selection: Disabled, #1, #2, #3, #4 (Output Setup: page 1/5) Time: Enter the current time in HH:MM:SS. (Display Setup page) Transmitter Type: Select the transmitter type for the transmitter where the HDx exciter is to be installed. If your transmitter type is not supported, select a transmitter type with the closest characteristics first, then select Custom, and modify the characteristics on the GUI screens as needed to match your transmitter. Selection: Custom, Stand Alone, Mini-HDS, Quest, Z4/6/8 HD, Z12/16 HD, ZHD Dual, Z2 CD, Z3.5/5 CD, Z7.5/10 CD, ZCD Dual, LP HT, MP HT, HT-20/25wPA, HT-30/35, HTD-60/70, PT 2/4/5, PT 8/10, Mini-HDC, HT/ HD, ZX, HT-20/25, HPX. (Output Setup 1/5) NOTE: Transmitter Type: Stand Alone is for bench testing, and is not a recommended transmitter type. Also note that parameter settings will not be saved on a power-down using this Transmitter Type. TX Fault Output: Selects active state: Active Low/Active High of the Fault status output on the TX Interface pin 6. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. (More Setup: page 3/4) TX RF Sample (4V=): Adjusts 4 volt full scale output value of RF samples on TX Interface pin 2. Can modify when Custom transmitter has been selected. Range = 0.1W to 60W (More Setup: page 3/4) USB: Press to go to the USB Setup screen. See "Config #1 through #4", and "S/W Upgrade" above. (Exciter Setup page) 5/2/

64 Section 3 Operation FlexStar HDx-FM /2/12

65 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 4 Theory Overall System Theory The FlexStar Exciter contains several boards with specific functions. Overall descriptions are given here. The exciter has two basic input devices; the XLR Input/output board and the BNC input/output board. These provide input signals to the FPGA on the Signal processing board. The Signal processing board has the main FPGA and the FM modulator on it. The HD modulator is on the Exgine card which is an optional add-on module that will expand the exciter to be capable of HD modes. The output of the FPGA is a complex I and Q which goes to the D/ A module where it is interpolated and upmixed to channel. The analog output RF is then sent to the D/A Filter board for filtering and amplitude control. The Exciter has two outputs; Main and Auxiliary. Both outputs can be switched via the front panel or remotely to FM, HD or FM+HD. Figure 4-1 Exciter Simplified Diagram Signal Processing Board and Motherboard The FlexStar Signal Processing board performs all communications, control, monitoring and signal processing in the Exciter. The Signal Processing board serves as a motherboard in the FlexStar exciter. The board interfaces to all the boards in the exciter. Located on the Signal Processing board is the micro-controller, memory, main FPGA and the FM modulator. The XLR and BNC boards provide input to the FPGA, the PLL provides for frequency up conversion. The optional Exgine board is used only for HD operation and provides the modulated HD data to the FPGA. The output of the FPGA is a complex I & Q intermediate frequency that goes to the D/A module and filter 5/2/

66 Section 4 Theory FlexStar HDx-FM board. They provide the filtered, on-channel output for the auxiliary output and for the PA module for up to 55 watts FM output. Typical everyday communication to the FlexStar HDx exciter is managed through discrete I/O remote control signals, 10/100 BaseT Ethernet ports and a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus port. The discrete lines connect at a DB15 Transmitter Interface and a DB25 for remote command and status output lines. The Signal Processing board and Exgine have two 10/100 BaseT Ethernet ports each. One Ethernet port on the Exgine module, called Exporter Link, is dedicated for the HD Radio exciter link data with the other ports being used for setup, code updates, and general communication. The CAN bus is used to interface to FlexStar Boost Pro units in multitransmitter systems, and/or if a second (optional) HDx exciter is utilized. The microcontroller on the Signal Processing board performs all housekeeping tasks of the Exciter, including boot loading, monitoring and reporting, external communications and overall control. Operating at 172 MHz, the harmonics are well outside the FM band and easily filtered. The microcontroller initiates all communications to the modulator DSP and the FPGA via the host port interface (HPI) bus. External memory for the micro is provided via Flash and SDRAM chips. Remote I/O and Transmitter I/O interfaces to/from the exciter are provided on 25 pin and 15 pin D-Sub connectors respectively located on the Signal Processing board. In addition, an N+1 connector is located on the Signal Processing board. Power for the digital boards in the exciter is derived from a +5VDC supply input to the Signal Processing board. A DC/DC converter on the Signal Processing board will output 3A max for use on the Signal Processing board. +5VDC & +/-15VDC are distributed to the BNC I/O Board, XLR I/O board, PLL Board, and D/A Filter board through multi-conductor ribbon cable interfaces /2/12

67 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 4 Theory. Figure 4-2 Modulation Chain Simplified Diagram 5/2/

68 Section 4 Theory FlexStar HDx-FM DSP Modulator The main function of the DSP modulator is to input FM, SCA1, SCA2 and RDS signals, and output baseband I and Q signals. All FM modulation takes place in the DSP Modulator creating digital baseband and applying that to a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO). The output is sent to the FPGA at K samples per second. Figure 4-3 DSP Modulator Functions RealtIme Adaptive Correction The modulator DSP utilizes a Realtime Operating System (RTOS) to schedule the FM modulation task. Once the FM signal generation task is completed the modulator DSP utilizes spare cycles to run the realtime adaptive correction (RTAC) algorithm. The purpose of the RTAC is to linearize the output of the amplifier by taking samples, before and after amplification, comparing them, and altering the amplifiers input to compensate for the non linearity.. Figure 4-4 RTAC Simplified Diagram /2/12

69 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 4 Theory XLR I/O Board The XLR board in the exciter is used to input the Left and Right audio channels, SCA 1 and SCA2 audio channels, and redundant balanced AES/EBU channels. The main left (mono) and right analog channels enter on standard female XLR connectors are filtered then digitized prior to going to the FPGA. The primary and backup AES/EBU channels also enter on standard female XLR connectors, then are sample rate converted. The backup AES input uses the main right analog connector. The active state is selected by a relay that is controlled by the Signal Processing board chip. The digital inputs are terminated, multiplexed, received and asynchronously sample rate converted prior to going to the FPGA. There are two SCA inputs on one 5-pin female XLR connector. These inputs are also digitized before going to the CPLD. The CPLD passes the three digital audio streams; analog left and right, AES and SCA to the Signal Processing Board FPGA. SCA1 (15dBu = FSD) SCA2 (15dBu = FSD) (+) (-) (+) (-) XLR I/O BOARD AK5385A MSB-LJ A/D Main Left/Mono (15dBu = FSD) Main Right (15dBu = FSD) (-) (+) (-) (+) AK5385A A/D 256FS 64FS 1FS AES/EBU Primary (-) Digital Rx/ Src AK4122 CPLD 256Fs xlr_sca_sdo xlr_main_sdo xlr_aes_sdo 64 Fs 1 Fs Mclk SCLK LRCLK SPI_SCLK MOSI /CS1 MISO /RESET Figure 4-5 XLR I/O Board Simplified Diagram Detailed Description; XLR I/O Board Audio inputs are available to allow the user to input audio. There are four analog inputs and two AES/EBU stereo digital input provided. The analog inputs are; Main Left/Mono, Main Right, SCA1 and SCA2. The two digital inputs are Primary AES and backup AES. The analog to digital converters digitize the analog inputs. The A/D output sampling rate is defined by the digital audio clock rate of the Exciter and set to 1/16 of the khz master sample rate, or khz. 5/2/

70 Section 4 Theory FlexStar HDx-FM The differential AES/EBU signals are converted to single ended signals through the isolation transformers and are sent to the multiplexer used to select primary or backup AES. It is then asynchronously sample rate converted to match the digital clock rate of the exciter, kHz. The CPLD on the XLR board is the control center of the XLR board controlling the audio inputs applied to the Exciter. The CPLD also receives control and sends status to the Signal Processing board. The CPLD receives the digitized analog audio, digitized SCA and the AES data streams and retransmits them to the Signal Processing board s FPGA BNC I/O Board The BNC I/O board has 2 functions in the exciter: First is to consolidate the input composite and SCA modulated audio inputs into one scaled combined input. Then convert this to digital for serial download to the Signal Processing board FPGA. Second, is to multiplex the RTAC Sample RF inputs for use with the adaptive pre correction and built-in-test Modulated Inputs The BNC I/O inputs are wide band composite audio, two dedicated modulated SCA channels and a dual purpose channel for either an alternate modulated SCA or unbalanced wide band composite input. The inputs are filtered, scaled, combined, digitized and sent serially to the Signal Processor board FPGA for the FM modulator. These inputs have a +/-6dB input range electronically controlled from the front panel. The Main composite input allows for pre-modulated and combined stereo audio plus the SCA channels up to 100kHz bandwidth. This input is balanced with 10k/50 ohm line to line resistance. It can be configured for unbalanced or balanced from the front panel. When the auxiliary composite input is selected, the main composite input is out of circuit. The auxiliary composite input is fixed unbalanced 10K ohm input impedance. The SCA1 and 2 inputs allows for injection of SCA channels with a bandwidth from 53kHz to 100kHz. They are high pass filtered and gain adjusted. The Aux Composite/SCA3 input is a dual purpose input that is configurable from the front panel RF Samples The BNC board also has a 4 to 1 RF multiplexer used to multiplex 4 RF input channels into a single output with a gain adjustment on it. This multiplexed output goes to the Signal Processing board s FPGA. These four signals include; two from the RTAC RF sample inputs; transmitter and filter, for linear and nonlinear correction estimation, and two internal samples from the DA filter board and Exciter PA for real time monitoring and built in tests N+1 Interface The N+1 interface connector allows the user to change the exciter to any of 8 pre configured channels. This is primarily used for hot standby applications. The interface includes 8 channel command inputs and 8 channel status outputs. To interface with next generation N+1 controllers the connector also includes an RS232 port PPS Interface The 1PPS input is used for Pilot sync in single frequency FM networks. The 1PPS input synchronizes all transmitters in the network to a common input such as GPS. Since the 19kHz pilot is internally generated by the Modulator DSP, the 1PPS interrupt will be supplied to the DSP. The DSP synchronizes the pilot to 0 o phase when the interrupt occurs. So if the pilot has drifted ever so slightly, it will be reset. All transmitters in the single frequency network will then have their pilots synchronized and receivers tuned to that frequency can go from one cell to the next with out interruption /2/12

71 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 4 Theory kHz Output The FM 19kHz stereo pilot signal is generated in the Modulator DSP as part of the FM modulation. The DSP provides pilot samples to the FPGA to allow synchronization of external RDS/RBDS equipment to the pilot signal. The FPGA uses the sample data to drive the Sampling Stereo Audio D/A Converter. The 19kHz pilot signal from the audio D/A converter is then buffered and goes to a BNC connector on the rear panel of the exciter Exgine Module The Exciter Engine (Exgine) board is used to modulate HD radio data that is received on the dedicated Exporter Link. The Exgine board also passes through any received FM radio data to the Signal Processing board. Communication with the Exgine is managed via two 10/100 BaseT Ethernet ports (one of which is intended to serve as the FM+HD Radio Exporter Link) and an 80-pin interface to the Signal Processing board /4 VGA The 1/4 VGA screen is a touch screen and an LCD in one unit. The Touch Screen is integral with the LCD. No hardware adjustments are required. All setup and configuration can be performed from the 1/4 VGA screen. The user adjustments are performed on the from panel and include; touch screen calibration, screen saver time-out, contrast adjustment, time and date on front panel PLL The main purpose of the PLL board is to supply a locked frequency master clock signal to the D/A module board. The master clock for the signal processing FPGA in the exciter is also developed by the PLL board. The master clock frequency is from MHz to MHz depending on the carrier frequency and interpolation rate set. The PLL can be synced to an external 10MHz reference input, or be synchronized to the Exporter Link interface. The external 10 MHz reference input is first amplified and put through an AGC loop for level stability. This signal is then low-pass filtered and squared before being applied to one loop in the PLL chip. The signal is also detected after the low-pass filter. The main loop for the PLL has a filter loop made up of a varactor, pin diodes and an oscillator which runs at MHz signal that is locked to the internal MHz signal. This frequency feeds back into the PLL chip and is also buffered and goes to the output for the D/A module board to clock the D/A chips D/A Module The FM, HD, or FM+HD analog on-channel signals are generated by the D/A Converter Module. The D/A receives a complex baseband signal, in the form of a 16 "I" bits and 16 "Q" bits from the Signal Processor board. The D/A converter interpolates the digital data and creates a differential analog voltage that is then converted to a single ended signal that is sent to the D/A filter board. 5/2/

72 Section 4 Theory FlexStar HDx-FM Figure 4-6 Dual D/A Module Simplified Diagram The D/A module is clocked by the Master PLL clock from the PLL board at MHz (for better spurious) depending on carrier frequency and interpolation rate. For split-level combining or when two outputs are required, the dual D/A Module is used (shown above). Others will have a single D/A circuit. In the dual D/A boards the converters are synchronized by monitoring the clock output of each D/A converter. Each of the two RF outputs, in split-level configuration will drive different transmitters, the outputs of these transmitters are combined and need to be in-phase with each other. To monitor this the D/A converter clock signals are monitored and if out of tolerance, the converters are reset. The clock signals are applied to an AND gate, if they are in-phase the output of the AND gate is the maximum voltage of 1.65 volts. If the clock outputs are out of phase 180 o with each other, the output is 0 volts. If they are out of phase by 90 o or 270 o the voltage is one half the maximum, or volts. So the level of voltage out of the AND gate will report the degree of phase mis-match. When the phases are to far out of tolerance, the Signal Processing board will reset the DAC s until they are in-phase. The Main output at J5, and the Aux. output at J4 are both 50 ohm D/A Filter Board The main purpose of the D/A filter board is to eliminate the image signal and spurious artifacts resulting from the high speed switching of the DSP module board. Once the DSP Module generates the on-channel signal, the D/A Filter Board takes the output from the high speed DSP, filters and amplifies the signal eliminating images and spurious artifacts outside the desired bandwidth. The D/A Filter board contains a +/-2MHz wide tracking filter, of which the center frequency can be set from 88MHz to 108MHz, and tracks with carrier frequency. The D/A filter board also provides the system with a variable attenuator to adjust the amplitude of the signal independent of the DSP output level. In the case of split-level combining, dual transmitter or separate amplification, it may require up to an optional Dual D/A filter board with two filter circuits; one for the Main output and one for the Auxiliary output Detailed Description: D/A Filter Board The RF input comes from the D/A module output and is applied to a 1.5dB pad and is then split. One output of the splitter goes to a switch that terminates the unused input for better isolation. The purpose of this switch is to /2/12

73 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 4 Theory configure the Auxiliary output with the same input as on the Main or from the Auxiliary input. After this switch, both circuits; Main and Auxiliary function the same. After the input splitter the RF goes through a band pass filter tuned for MHz. The output of this filter is applied to a 2 pole varactor tuned band pass filter. Each of these varactor stages is controlled independently by the Exciter via data stored in the EEPROM to affect the waveform response of the output. The desired result is for +2MHz and -2MHz to be within +/-0.1dB of each other. After these varactor circuits the RF goes through a variable attentuator for the final output level control. A directional coupler takes a -10dB sample padded and amplified to increase the isolation. The sample is for the BNC board to use for a monitoring sample PA and Low Pass Filter The power amplifier is in the main output path of FlexStar HDx exciter. It is used to amplify either FM or HD or mixed FM+HD signal. It also generates samples of forward and reflected power, PA voltage and current, bias voltage reading as well as heatsink temperature. The output power will depend on what mode the Exciter will be in; FM, HD or FM+HD. The PA module runs in tri-mode, or three different biases; class A, AB, or C. Bias on the amplifier changes when the mode is changed. Below is a block diagram of the PA module. GATE BIAS LPF RF IN Q7 Q8 Q6 Q10 50dBm 30dB RF OUT 30dBm -20dB Pin Signal 1 PA_Voltage 3dBm 3 PA_Current 5 Fwd_Power 7 Rfld_Power 9 PA_Temp 11 PA_Spare1 13 PA_Spare2 T 7dBm 10dBm RF SAMPLE SCALED RF SAMPLE 15 PA_MUTE 17 PA_Bias_Mode0 (LSB) 19 PA_Bias_Mode1 (MSB) 2 contact WAGO Pin Signal Description 1 GND Ground 2 +28V Drain Bias Figure 4-7 PA Block Diagram The amplifier contains 3 stages of amplification. The first stage operates in Class A operation mode. Class of operation of following 2 stages depends on modulation of amplified signal and transmitter configuration. The first stage operating in class A contributes 15dB Gain. The stage includes input and output matching circuits. 5/2/

74 Section 4 Theory FlexStar HDx-FM The next stage delivers up to 6W. It contributes about 15dB gain. The class of operation is controlled by the binary level control signal that comes from system controller through J7-17. Low level control signal will disable class A current loop and transistor operates in class AB. The bias current in this mode is set by the potentiometer R14 to make voltage reading at TP3 = 1.0V. High level (+5V) control signal will activate the current loop organized by current sensor R12, difference amplifier U3 and operational amplifier U7. The final stage is based on two MOSFETs working in push-pull configuration. Gain varies from +15dB in class A to 10dB in class C mode of operation. Output power is limited to 60W in compression. A balun transformer provides a broadband impedance match between the Driver and final stage. Output matching circuit includes a 1:4 transformer and balun transformer. Class A is activated by receiving high level from J7-19 provided by system controller. If the control level is low the class of operation can be either AB or C depending on control level on J7-17. High level on pin 17 corresponds to class AB, low level on pin 17 corresponds to class C. The output Low Pass Filter (LPF) is designed to reduce harmonic emissions /2/12

75 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments Preventative Maintenance The FlexStar HDx Exciter should require very little servicing. Extensive digital processing within the exciter eliminates most causes of drift and ensures stable performance throughout the life of the product. As with any electronic equipment, the reliability of it is enhanced if it is kept clean and cool. 5.2 Cleaning! DANGER: REMOVE THE POWER CORD FROM THE POWER SOURCE PRIOR TO SER- VICING THIS UNIT. Inspect the intake air fan and the interior of the FlexStar exciter periodically. Look for dirt deposits, particularly on the PA heatsink, and clean out any dust or dirt which has collected. If dirt build-up occurs, consider adding an intake filter to the cooling fan. Accumulated dirt is the enemy of efficient cooling. During the inspection, check to see if the fan is turning freely and quietly. Like any moving part, the cooling fan will become worn after a long period of operation and will need to be replaced. Doing so before the fan fails will ensure against outage. 5.3 Cooling Try to do the cleaning and inspection of the exciter as soon as possible after sign-off and check for elevated temperatures inside. Excessive temperatures are the enemy of reliable operation. If you note signs of excessive temperature, check to see that the exciter receives an adequate supply of cooling air and that the exhaust from the right-hand side can flow away from the exciter without being blocked. 5.4 Fine Frequency Adjust For fine frequency adjustments, only when the exciter is not synchronized to the external 10MHz or Exporter link, go into the Advanced Setup pages. Locate the PLL TCXO and change the numeric value slightly. 5.5 Periodic Exciter Alignments There is no recommended periodic alignment for the Exciter. It has been fully aligned and tested at the factory during manufacture. Very few adjustments should be required subsequently other than operational settings. 5/2/

76 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments 5.6 Battery Replacement FlexStar HDx-FM! DANGER: REMOVE THE POWER CORD FROM THE POWER SOURCE PRIOR TO SER- VICING THIS UNIT. The 3V Lithium ("coin" type: Harris Part # or commonly, CR2025) battery is used to store the date and time, and is located on the Controller board (main board behind front panel of unit). To attain access to the battery s location in order to replace it, place the unit on a flat surface and remove the front panel. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 See " Remove Top Cover & Front Panel" on page 5-4 for directions to access the Controller board. See also Figure 5-1 on page 5-5) Use caution when sliding the battery in to avoid bending the spring clamp piece of metal that holds the battery down in its receptacle. Replace the lid and front panel before reapplying power and reinstalling it into the rack. 5.7 Board Replacement! DANGER: REMOVE THE POWER CORD FROM THE POWER SOURCE PRIOR TO SER- VICING THIS UNIT. Most of the boards in the Exciter are horizontally oriented. If you have to remove any boards from the Exciter for replacement or service, access is through the front of the Exciter. Power down the Exciter before removing any boards or wiring connectors from the boards. Ensure a clean and static free environment before servicing the boards and wear a ground strap before touching any internal components. Start by removing the top panel of the Exciter. Then the front panel is removed by removing screws on the side and bottom holding the front panel on. The cabling is long enough to allow the front panel to lay down, still connected to the Exciter so you can operate the Exciter and have physical access to the boards for troubleshooting.! CAUTION: ALWAYS POWER DOWN THE EXCITER WHEN REMOVING OR INSTALLING ANY BOARD OR CABLE. See section " Remove Top Cover & Front Panel" on page 5-4 for a detailed step by step procedure. The diagram below shows the board orientation and location. This diagram is shown with the top and front panels removed. Also, for sake of clarity, all ribbon and coaxial cables are not shown. On the page following the diagram, all the boards are identified using the Assembly # (A1, A2A1, etc) system. This is the same diagram that is shown on the underside of the top panel (At the time of this printing the diagram number is Rev E) /2/12

77 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments 5/2/

78 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments FlexStar HDx-FM Board Identification The following table is a list of the boards (and their part number) internal to the HDx exciter as shown in the diagram above. When contacting Harris to order board replacements, be sure to have the Order Number and Serial Table 5-1 Board Assembly and Harris Part Numbers Assembly # Description Harris Part Number A1 DC Filter G A2 Signal Processor T A2A1 Dual DAC Module A3 XLR I/O G A4 BNC I/O GT A5 D/A Filter A6 60W PA G A7 PLL Module G A10 Exgine Module T A11 PSU (Power Supply Unit) Front Panel (not shown) G Number of the FlexStar HDx-FM ready; to be assured of getting the correct replacement Exgine with HAX Board Installation The following procedure describes the steps necessary to install a Host Audio Extraction (HAX) board and an Exgine Module. NOTE: If you are upgrading your HAX-ready Exgine module by installing a HAX board, you will first need to remove the Exgine module Remove Top Cover & Front Panel! DANGER: REMOVE THE POWER CORD FROM THE POWER SOURCE PRIOR TO SER- VICING THIS UNIT. Disconnect all external cables to HDx Exciter including power cable, and remove it from rack and place on a flat clean surface /2/12

79 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments Remove Front Panel: STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Remove top screws Remove cover Remove 4 front side screws Remove 4 front countersunk screws from bottom STEP 5 Carefully pull front panel down and lay in front of chassis (See Figure 5-1 on page 5-5) STEP 6 STEP 7 Disconnect ribbon cable connecting front panel to chassis, leaving the ribbon connected to the panel Set panel aside Battery Figure 5-1 Top Cover Off with Front Panel Open To Remove Existing Exgine: STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Remove 2 screws securing Exgine board on rear panel Detach the copper power ribbon going to JI on the Signal Processor board by squeezing the DB15 connector "Handles", and carefully rock the connector apart Gently place this cable end out of the way Carefully unplug the SMA connector of W3, W12, W16, & W20 from the D/A Filter board 5/2/

80 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments FlexStar HDx-FM STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 Carefully unplug ribbon W21 from the D/A Filter board Carefully unplug ribbon W14 from current Exgine board Carefully remove existing Exgine Assemble Exgine Module / HAX Board Assembly: STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Gather parts bags. Open and verify contents. Install DB9 connector into rear panel. Insert screws and washers NOTE: Do NOT use included washer between the female screwlock and outside of rear panel (these washers may be discarded). NOTE: Do not put flat washer under female part of Female Screwlock (outside of chassis). See drawing below. STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 STEP 8 STEP 9 Tighten until lock washer flattens. Install XLR connecter with wires exiting upwards, away from PCB. Insert screw through lock washer through the panel into the XLR connector body and secure. Repeat with 2nd screw/washer combination. Align J1 of HAX daughterboard with J9 of Exgine module, then carefully press the daughterboard on to Exgine motherboard standoffs; each standoff will snap into aligned hole securely. Connect audio cable from XLR to Audio connecter J4, taking care to align key tabs correctly. STEP 10 Connect Audio Extraction Remote Control ribbon to blue header on Exgine module J3, by pressing on and assuring the 2 locks snap into place /2/12

81 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments Figure 5-2 Front View of Completed Assembly Figure 5-3 Rear View of Completed Assembly 5/2/

82 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments FlexStar HDx-FM Install Exgine Assembly Carefully install the Exgine/HAX assembly by following the above procedure in reverse. 5.8 Software Upgrade Changing the Signal Processor (Main up) software version in the Exciter can easily be performed using the USB port on the front of the Exciter or an Ethernet cable on the rear of the Exciter. The Exgine can only be updated via Ethernet. NOTE: DO NOT use a USB jump drive that has been formatted with Linux operating system (like in the DEXSTAR Exciter). It may cause the FlexStar to hang while searching for a file structure. Reformat to Windows before using with the Exciter. Care must be taken during any upgrade: Be sure that the Exgine updates are sent to the Exgine; and Signal_Proc updates are sent to the Signal processor. Updating a component with the wrong file will render the exciter inoperable and require factory service to repair. Take care to minimize extraneous traffic during the Exgine/Signal processor update. Consider using a simple switch or a hub to connect the source PC with the Exciter Link and one of the maintenance Ethernet ports with no other connections to minimize latency. The Exciter has little tolerance for network delays during this process and will give a browser (404) error if the update data is delayed. If this happens minimize network issues and try again in a new browser window. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FOLLOWING UPDATE ORDER BE OBSERVED: 1. Update the Exgine first 2. Then update the Signal processor Update Exgine Using Ethernet This procedure is for the Exgine software update only. IMPORTANT: READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE UPDATE STEP 1 STEP 2 Download the Exgine software from the Harris Customer Premier website. The actual file name will be similar to exgine_host_230.s19. This example is version The file may be located on hard drive or USB flash drive. Connect standard Ethernet cable from exciter s Exporter Link to LAN or directly to a PC.! WARNING: DO NOT USE ETHERNET #1 OR ETHERNET #2. LOADING THE EXGINE SOFTWARE INTO THESE PORTS WILL REPROGRAM THE SIGNAL PROCESSOR FLASH MEM- ORY INSTEAD OF THE EXGINE FLASH MEMORY CAUSING THE EXCITER TO NO /2/12

83 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments LONGER FUNCTION AND REQUIRING THAT THE EXCITER BE RETURNED TO HARRIS FOR REPAIR. STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Apply power to the Exciter if it is not already running. It is suggested to use a UPS during this process. Go to the Serial Setup 2/3 Page on the front panel LCD. Make sure that either Exciter Link or Ethernet #3 has a valid IP address. When STATIC is selected you must be using a valid address for your LAN. If DHCP is selected your LAN must serve an IP address to the exciter. Most installations will use static IP. Use a PC which is on the same LAN as the Exciter (set PC to static address on same network as exciter or use DHCP if available). Open a web browser window (i.e. Internet Explorer) on the PC. In the address bar of the browser, enter the IP address of the Exciter Link or Ethernet #3. You should see HARRIS FlexStar and Exgine HD Processor at the top of the page. NOTE: THE HD SIGNAL WILL BE LOST FOR ABOUT 20 seconds DURING THE REBOOT. STEP 7 In the box File to Update: browse for the exgine_host_xxx.s19 file from step 1 then select Submit. The screen will display Uploading file, then Module must be programmed to complete the update. STEP 8 STEP 9 Click the [PROGRAM] button. This will program the Exgine flash memory and reboot the application. This programming and restart process takes about 2 minutes total. Click HOME or close the browser after the reboot is complete. STEP 10 On the exciter press the Status soft key on the touch panel to go to the Exciter Status page. Then press the S/W Revs soft key to display the software revisions. Verify that the Exgine up revision is correct. STEP 11 Return the exciter to normal operation Update Signal Processor (Main up) using USB This procedure is for the Signal Processor software update only. IMPORTANT: READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE UPGRADE STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Download the FlexStar Exciter software from the Harris Customer Premier website. The actual file will have a name similar to flexstar_ver_5_8.s19. In this example the version is 5.8. Copy the downloaded s19 file to a USB 2.0 flashdrive and name the file flexstar.s19. Exit from your windows explorer and then click the Safely Remove Hardware button in the PC s taskbar. Remove the USB flashdrive from the PC s USB port. Apply power to the Exciter. It is suggested to use a UPS during this process. Navigate to the Exciter s USB Setup page. 5/2/

84 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments FlexStar HDx-FM STEP 5 STEP 6 Insert the flashdrive into the USB port on the exciter front panel. Verify that, after a few moments, the device status is Connected and that to the right of the S/W Upgrade button that it indicates Ready. NOTE: The exciter will automatically restart near the end of the update process. RF OUTPUT WILL BE LOST DURING THIS RESTART. Stop now if that will be a problem. The process takes about 20 minutes, and then it will restart. DO NOT interrupt AC power to the exciter or press any buttons during the update process. STEP 7 STEP 8 STEP 9 Press the S/W Upgrade button. The screen will change to the Software Upgrade from USB page. Press the UPGRADE button to begin the update process (or CANCEL to return to the USB Setup page). The approximately 20 minute process has now begun. It will take about 10 minutes to load in the entire file from the USB flashdrive. Then the file is automatically written to the exciter s internal flash memory. This will take an additional 10 minutes. When the flash programming is complete the exciter will restart. THE RF OUTPUT WILL BE LOST DURING THIS RESTART. After the exciter is running again press the Status soft key on the touch panel then press the S/W Revs soft key to display the software revisions. Verify that the Main up S/W Revision has been updated. STEP 10 Unplug the USB flashdrive and store in a safe location. STEP 11 Return the exciter to normal operation. 5.9 Power Calibration Adjustment You will need a calibrated external power meter, and a 30 db attenuator to protect the meter and a 100 watt load for the Exciter. 1. On the exciter, navigate to the (Setup, More Setup, Power Cal) screen. Follow the on-screen directions to calibrate the Exciter s main RF output power. 2. Using the up/down arrow buttons on the screen, first set the output power, as read on the external meter, to 50 watts and "Accept." Then using the up/down arrows on the screen, set the output power as read on the external meter to 1 watt. "Accept." 5.10 Record Your User Settings Use these screens with the settings blanked out to record your user settings in all the parameter windows. In the event you restore the factory defaults and you do not have your user settings that were saved on the jump drive, you can manually enter this information that you have written into the Exciter. You can also capture your screens as bitmaps using the USB port on the front of the FlexStar HDx-FM Exciter. These can be stored on one or more computers, CDs, external harddrives, or cloud drives. STEP 1 STEP 2 Plug a USB flash drive into the port on the front panel. To verify the USB flash drive is recognized by the HDx exciter, navigate to the USB Setup page: Press Home /2/12

85 FlexStar HDx-FM STEP 3 STEP 4 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments Press Setup Press USB Device Status: should read Connected. If it says Removed then the USB drive is not being recognized by the controller. Repeat with a different jump drive. Navigate to the screen you wish to capture. Press the Harris HD Radio logo on the upper left corner of the page. A message box will open: "Store BMP of this page to USB Flash Drive?" STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 STEP 8 STEP 9 Press the OK button. Wait for about seconds, and the following message box will appear: "Screen Dump Complete" Remove the flash drive from the front panel. Plug flash drive into a computer. Navigate to the flash drive s files. STEP 10 Copy the file called scrndump.bmp to a folder at a location you will remember. STEP 11 Rename the file to represent the screen you just captured. Example: InputSetup1-5.bmp to represent Input Setup page 1/5. STEP 12 While it is still connected to the PC, delete the file called scrndump.bmp from the flash drive in order to be able to save another screen. STEP 13 Remove the flash drive from the computer. STEP 14 Plug the flash drive into the front panel USB port. STEP 15 Repeat STEP 3 through STEP 14 for every screen you wish to save. NOTE: This process will only create a file called "scrndump.bmp". So after you have copied it to a PC and you want to save more than one menu page you will need to repeat the above steps for each screen. (Having your call letters in the header of each page will help identify the information at a later date. Do this on the Setup Display screen and enter your call letters in the page title line.) 5/2/

86 Section 5 Maintenance & Alignments FlexStar HDx-FM Once you have captured all the screen dumps and renamed them on the PC, it is recommended that you copy those files to another PC or some other offsite storage device /2/12

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97 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 6 Troubleshooting Introduction To place parts orders, track orders online, download service bulletins, technical manuals and software upgrades visit us online at Common Service Issues Below is a listing of the top reasons for calls to the Harris Service Department. Please review this before placing a call to the Service group. Some of these involve the HDE-100 Exporter (see "6.1 Top Service Issues" on page 6-1 of the Exporter technical manual for details) or the HDI-100 Importer. NOTE: After making any parameter changes on any of the Setup configuration screens, the HDx exciter must be "rebooted" by power cycling the unit: Unplug the AC cable from the source, then after waiting seconds plug the unit back in PLL Sync If you experience periodic dropped HD Carriers or drifting Analog Diversity Delay, verify that the PLL Sync (Home Setup More Setup Page 2/4) setting in the HDx GUI screen is set to EXPORTER, at the very least. When set to EXPORTER, the HDx uses time frames from the E2X stream to synchronize, and no other clock connections are required. The INTERNAL setting is never recommended. If you are able to use some kind of a GPS clocking system, or have the Exporter co-located with the HDx, you should then be using the EXT 10MHz selection. Using a BNC cable from the 10MHz REFERENCE IN, on the HDx rear panel, connect to the Exporter s CLOCK 10MHz output, or to your GPS system s 10MHz reference output. This would be the preferred method Service Mode & Passwords It is strongly recommended to change Service Mode (MP1, MP3, MP11, "Dynamic", etc.) settings via the Importer, if used. This Mode selection is based on your configuration, however, "Dynamic" should always be checked. And, again, this selection should always be made through the Importer interface, and you will need to resynchronize the exporter upon a service mode change. NOTE: Default password to get to System Settings in the Exporter is "1234". If you are using the VNC application in the Importer to access the Exporter, that VNC password is "password". To access the WebAdmin application in the Importer, the password is "admin". 5/2/

98 Section 6 Troubleshooting FlexStar HDx-FM GPS Receiver Issues If you suspect the Exporter s (HDE-100) built-in GPS receiver of a malfunction, it may simply need to be reset. However, this is only done by completely powering OFF the exporter for greater than 10 seconds Signal Processing Fault If 3 or 4 of the following status lines in the Signal Processing Menu, page 3/5, show FAULT, the most likely cause is a failure of the E2X communication between the Exporter and the HDx exciter (see section "6.3 No Communication" on page 6-3 for more information). HD Run HD Buf DSP Run EL Run Possible causes of this connection failure could be many things depending on the path between the HDE-100 and the HDx. First things to check would be the "Exporter Link" IP Settings in the HDx GUI: Home Setup Serial Page 4/4. Under some circumstances, the Exporter Link address in the HDx GUI, can revert to the factory default of If communication has been lost between the exporter and HDx, check this setting to be sure it is set with your LAN IP addresses. Also, be sure this link mode is configured as Static, not DHCP Other possibilities, could be the Cat 5/Cat 6 cables have become disconnected, failure of a switch or router, LAN failure, STL path failure, etc. The final step in troubleshooting would be to revert to factory IP settings and directly connect the exporter and exciter back-to-back. See "2.5 Quick Start - Bench Test" on page UDP vs. TCP If you are using a unidirectional STL for the E2X stream, the UDP protocol must be used, and the MAC address of the HDx exciter s Exporter Link (found in the HDx GUI at Home Setup Serial Page 4/4) must be input to the Network Configuration screen of the HDE-100 Exporter (see Figure 6-2 on page 6-3) MAC Address Figure 6-1 HDx Serial Setup (IP & MAC Address) /2/12

99 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 6 Troubleshooting Exciter MAC Input Figure 6-2 Exporter Network Configuration Screen (Home System Network GPS) Typically the Exciter s Exporter Link MAC address will need to be input when using UDP. In the above graphic, TCP is the current selected mode. Using the MAC address in TCP mode is not recommended, nor necessary. 6.3 No Communication For difficult to resolve connectivity issues with any of the FlexStar devices, consider reverting back to factory IP settings and directly connect the Exporter and exciter back-to-back. See section "2.2 Quick Start" on page IP Troubleshooting Tools There are several free IP capture applications which my prove to be useful for determining IP-related malfunctions. Wireshark: Go to (free) SoftPerfect Network Protocol Analyzer: Go to Check GUI Always check the GUI first when ever there is a problem. An extensive amount of information is brought to the Signal Processing board to drive the GUI. First view the GUI to see if it indicates the problem. 5/2/

100 Section 6 Troubleshooting FlexStar HDx-FM Check Exporter Link Whether you have connected this unit to the Exporter either through a network, Internet or STL verify the Ethernet connections. To verify the Ethernet connection is communicating, look to see if the LEDs next to the connection port are lit. A green LED indicating a valid link should be lit continuous indicating a good connection, the yellow LED should be flashing to indicate activity on the line, 3 to 4 times per second HD RUN, HD Buff, EL RUN, DSP RUN Warnings These warnings can be caused by configuring the Exciter to HD mode and not having a reliable input from the Exporter via the Ethernet connection. Check that the Exporter Link cable is physically connected, and sending data by verifying that the Exporter link connection on the rear of the Exciter has an LED illuminated and one blinking to indicate traffic. NOTE: This does not indicate that it is actually talking to the Exporter, only that it is connected to the LAN. See table 6-1 for Exgine HD faults. Also see " "Exgine" (page 3/5; 4/5)" on page 3-16 for more information. Table 6-1 Exgine HD: "OK" and "FAULT" Descriptions EL RUN DSP RUN "OK" Exporter Link is receiving data from the exporter. Exgine DSP is digitally modulating the HD signal. "FAULT" No data from the exporter, or wrong MAC entered into the Exporter screen. Exgine DSP is not doing anything. Two reasons: 1) There is no data to process (Exporter Link or Internal) 2) There is something wrong with the DSP HW or SW. HD BUF HD RUN Buffer of modulated HD is being utilized. Exgine is sending a signal to the exciter's digital upconverter. This may be HD or just an HD test pattern, depending on the settings for the Exgine. Buffer is empty, check to see if the Exciter is in "test" mode. Exgine is NOT producing any output signal Check Firewall When going through a firewall, sometimes UDP can get through without stoppage. However, if you suspect the firewall is the problem, ensure that port 8145 is open for the UDP link Verify IP Address If you have used DHCP and the connection was made after the Exciter was turned on, restart the Exciter after the cable is connected. Then check the DHCP address on the Exciter and verify the one entered into the Exporter is the same as the one on the Exciter serial setup screen /2/12

101 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 6 Troubleshooting 6.4 No RF Output First check the PA power supply on the RF System Status screen, if zero volts see the section labeled "PA Volts Zero, System Control Fault" below. If that is not it, check the individual boards inputs/outputs for RF. Removing the fasteners on the front cover, and/or top panel, to gain access to the inside. With the spectrum display for the main filter output, or with a spectrum analyzer, verify the PA has RF on the output, first at the PA output connector at the PA (CAUTION: this is 55 watts). Then check the RF input to the PA, the input will be +6dBm max. Test points on the PA amplifier are accessible from the top, TP 6 is forward power and should read 3.7 volts when 50W forward power is present (10 watts should read 3.00 v +/- 0.05v). 6.5 No HD Carriers The HDx-FM exciter will not generate HD carriers unless one of two following conditions are met; it s in TEST mode, or NORMAL mode Test mode The HD carriers can be internally generated for initial testing by making the following parameter selections on the exciter s Output Setup page; HD Carriers: ENABLED Exgine Input: INTERNAL Exgine output: PATTERN Normal Operation HD Carriers: ENABLED Exgine Input: EXPORTER Exgine Output: NORMAL 6.6 Signal Processor Board LEDs In addition to voltage indicator LEDs on the signal processor board, there are LEDs to indicate when the microprocessor resets different functions. Use the table below to decode the LEDs. Table 6-2 Signal Processor Board LEDs Diagnostic LEDs Modulator DSP Reset Exgine Reset Description Hardware reset to the Modulator DSP Hardware reset to the Exgine board Front Panel Reset Hardware reset to the Front Panel board, including the 1/4 VGA FPGA Reset Resets the Signal Processing in the FPGA 5/2/

102 Section 6 Troubleshooting FlexStar HDx-FM Table 6-2 Signal Processor Board LEDs Diagnostic LEDs Ethernet Controller Reset LCD Controller Reset Remote I/O Reset FPGA Program Description Resets the Signal Processor Ethernet transceiver device Resets the Signal Processing LCD Controller device Resets the Signal Processing board Remote Control and Transmit Control (digital and analog outputs) Commands the FPGA to reconfigure when on for more than 300ns. 6.7 Exgine Board There are LEDs and test points on the Exgine board. The Exgine board can be removed from the chassis, and placed on top of the Exciter for bench testing and troubleshooting. Use an insulating layer under any board that you intend to power up and always use a ground strap on yourself and the Exciter before touching any sensitive boards or components. Check the voltages with a digital multimeter and observe the LEDs on the board and compare with the table below. Diagnostic LEDs LED0 through LED2 should be oscillating, and LED3 should be OFF, LED4 should be ON. Table 6-3 Exgine LEDs and Testpoints Test Point LED Nominal voltage Min. voltage Max. voltage TP1 6.8 LCD Touch Screen Gnd Ref TP164 DS TP162 DS TP3 DS TP TP TP TP2 DS The user adjustments are performed form the front touch screen; touch screen calibration, screen saver time-out, contrast adjustment, time and date on front screen. In the event that the time and date are lost after the Exciter has had power removed, replace the battery on the Front Panel board. The supplied battery will last many years as there is no current draw and it s only used when no power is on the Exciter /2/12

103 FlexStar HDx-FM Section 6 Troubleshooting 6.9 Password Protection The first time you enter the Display setup screen, the password should be blank, not yet entered into the field. If you want to lock the setup screens to prevent anyone else adjusting in them, enter your unique password in the Display Setup screen. Then from most any screen, you can lock the setup screens by pressing the lock icon at the bottom of the page. NOTE: This password should be entered into this field before you lock the setup screens. Failure to do this will prevent you from unlocking the screens to enter in a password. In the event that you have lost the password, use "iboc" to gain access Saving Settings Once good operational settings are obtained, it is recommended to save them off to a USB flashdrive device. Those settings should also be saved on a PC for redundancy. Saving these user settings DOES NOT save the settings or MAC addresses on the Serial Setup screens 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4, or the feature key found on the S/W Revisions Status page. Record those manually in the maintenance section (see "5.10 Record Your User Settings" on page 5-10) for backup purposes. NOTE: Use a dedicated USB jump drive for every unit. DO NOT use a USB jump drive that has been formatted to Linux (like that used in a DexStar Exciter). Inserting a Flashdrive formatted in Linux can cause the FlexStar Exciter to hang up. Also do not use a USB jump drive from another HDX Exciter as it will overwrite the files. The FlexStar HDX supports USB 2.0 low speed only Restore Defaults IMPORTANT: Pressing this button would be considered as a last operation, if all other troubleshooting processes have been attempted. This button on the Exciter Setup screen labeled Restore Defaults will take the entire Exciter, all of its settings, including the password, back to generic factory parameters. This button will NOT revert back to the same frequency or settings that it had when shipped to you. It might be used only if during adjustment you get so far out of normal operational adjustments, or if all troubleshooting processes have been attempted without success. The next process following "Restore Defaults" would be to restore your settings ("Config #1" through "Config #4" that should have been saved previously) by using the USB Setup menu. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 Insert the USB drive containing the configuration file(s) into front panel USB port. From the Home screen, press Setup. Press USB, which will display a page similar to Figure 6-3 below. If there are valid configuration files stored on this USB drive, there will be a date and time of day indicating when the configuration file was last saved to the device. Press the Config # of the desired configuration you wish to make active. Press Restore and follow the prompts. 5/2/

104 Section 6 Troubleshooting FlexStar HDx-FM STEP 6 IP addresses will need to be manually entered using the Serial Setup menus. See "2.2 Quick Start" on page 2-2, using your settings saved in "5.10 Record Your User Settings" on page Figure 6-3 USB Setup Screen 6.12 Noise, Tone or Loss of Audio If an FM receiver is locking on to the carrier, however there is white noise or tone being broadcast and that is not the audio into the system, check to make sure the FM test patterns are not turned on. If the receiver when in HD mode has silence, and that is not what is being input to the system, ensure the HD carriers are being transmitted. If they are, then ensure the HD test patterns are not turned on Signal Processing Status Errors The table below lists errors associated with the Signal Processor adaptive algorithms, keep in mind not all errors are critical, some errors can show up during one pass of the algorithm an not in the next. Of course if an error is consistently showing with a relatively high frequency it should be resolved since it will prevent the pre-correction to operate with the desired rate and it could be an indication of other problems. This error number will appear on the NonLin FM+HD Status: row of page 2/5 of the Signal Processing Status screens. See Error #256, circled in GUI screen example below /2/12