RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEMS Optimizer RT FAQ s Q. What information is require before running the software? The Serial Number of each ACU MUST be recorded with the Model number of the antenna that it is attached to, and the sector location that the antenna is installed at. (Example. ACU 03140425 on APVX18-206515L on Sector Red 1-4) Q. Which is more accurate, the Dip-stick or the software? The Software is more accurate, +/- 0.1 Deg, whereas the dipstick is accurate to +/- 0.5 Deg. * Note: if difference is larger than this, verify Correct Antenna model is selected in software. Q. Do I need a separate control cable for each Sector? No. Only one control cable is required per system (to a maximum of 30 ACU s) Q. Are the ACU s and Cables weather proof? Yes. Both the ACU s and Cables have weather seals (O-Rings) to prevent water entering. Q. What is the longest cable run I can use? Total combined cable run from start (at Protocol adapter) to end (at last ACU in chain) should not exceed 300 meters (1000 feet). Q. Can the antenna be adjusted without the ACU? Yes. Using a 3 /16 Hex head driver, observing the Dip Stick for tilt angle. Q. What should I do to the unused connector on the last ACU? Leave the plastic dust cap in place and secure with tape. Q. What is the maximum number of antennas that can be down tilted at once? One. Q. What is the MTBF of the ACU? 10000 cycles Q. Does it matter which order I connect the ACU s in? No. Any order is acceptable. Radio Frequency Systems, 200 Pondview Drive, Meriden, CT 06450-7195 Tel: (203) 630-3311, Fax: 203-634-2057, http://www.rfsworld.com
Tel: (203) 630-3311 Radio Frequency Systems Fax: (203) 821-3853 200 Pondview Drive Sales Fax: (203) 821-3852 Meriden, CT 06450 www.rfsworld.com
RFS OPTIMIZER RT ANTENNA INSTALLATION PROCEDURE This installation procedure is applicable to RFS base station antennas used in multiple markets. Examples noted herein specify the APX15PV-15PVL antenna, however it is also applicable to all other RFS Optimizer RT Variable tilt antennas (with the appropriate Antenna model number and quantity of ACUs selected as appropriate). This installation instruction is intended for use with NEW unused ACU s. If previously used ACU s are employed, special attention should be paid to the BusID numbers issued by the software to prevent BusID conflict (which can prevent proper operation) until corrected manually. 1. As soon as all the material is on-site record every ACU s serial number. It is also recommended that each ACU be labeled. Example: The first ACU in Alpha sector could be labeled Alpha 1. 2. Going sector by sector, install the antennas, and tighten bracket at the proper azimuth. It is recommended that the RF jumper cables be installed and weatherproofed prior to the installation of the ACU s (motors). This will alleviate interference issues when installing the ACU s 3. Install two ACUs on each antenna. For proper operation, alternate the tightening of both screws to the same torque. The ACU should be slightly snug, NOT TIGHT. It is believed that the proper tension can be achieved by turning the screws until you start to feel resistance. Then back the screw down a quarter turn. The correct torque is 10-12 in-lbs. NOTE: If the ACU is on too tight it will prevent the cylinder from turning. 4. Daisy chain the ACUs on the same antenna with one-meter cables. To daisy chain from this antenna to the next will require either a two or three meter cable. Caution: When installing these cables care must be taken when screwing the connector head (silver part of connector) onto the ACU. If you are not careful you can actually start to back down the black plastic connection head that secures the pins.
5. After all the ACUs are connected, attach the long cable to the open port of the last ACU. The Common term for this cable is the Home Run cable. Coil and secure enough extra cable near the antennas so that the cable can reach any ACU in the sector. This is useful if troubleshooting the ACU s is required at a later time. Then run the rest of this cable back to the cabinet. Ensure all cable runs are properly secured. NOTE: More than one Home Run cable can be used when sectors are not located close to each other. 6. Boot up the laptop and logon to the RFS software. This is performed by selecting the security tab and choosing logon. The default password is rfs123. Press Press Security, Security, press Press Logon, Logon, enter enter rfs123 rfs123
7. Select a site history file. For a new site, select New from the File menu, enter the site file name, then press Save. For a site that already has a history file, select Open and select the valid file for the site. A valid history file is required for correct software operation because this file stores a record of activities at the site. Select New (or (or Open) and and insert site site file file name, then then press save. 8. Select the Site Settings tab, and then scroll down to NewDevice. In this field enter the 8 digit ACU serial number. You may enter one unit and move to step 9, or enter all units by repeating this step, and then move to step 9. Either method is OK. Select New Device, and enter the ACU serial number (8 digits) NOTE: The message window you should receive is new device found and address set. If you get the error message device not found check that correct serial number was entered, then check all the connections and cables. See Trouble shooting guide for details.
9. When you have confirmed the new device (or devices), press the Antenna Summary button (looks like an RFS logo). This will bring up a list of available ACUs. Double click on any one of them. 10. This will open a Device Details page. In the Sector Number field enter the name you gave the ACU, such as Alpha 1. Then move down to the Antenna Type field, and using the drop down arrow, select the antenna in use which is APX15 *V-15*VL. Then you must hit the Update button. Sector Number Antenna Type BusID Set Point
11. Next select the Calibrate button. In the window that pops up, select the Full Calibrate option. NOTE: At this time the ACU should run through its test. It eventually runs to 1, then back to 0 (zero), and it should say on the screen move complete. If the ACU does not calibrate and stalls there could be two issues. A. The unit may require a nudge, which would be indicated by the software message requires nudge. Check that the ACU is not on too tight. You could also take the ACU off and reconnect it to the antenna in the hopes of improving the connection. B. The cylinder inside the antenna may be stuck. If you take the proper sized Allenkey you can work the dipstick though the paces to try and loosen the cylinder. 12. After the ACU has completed the full calibration, go to the Set-Point field and enter in the desired electrical down-tilt and hit the move button. At this time you should see on the software display the down-tilt moving, both numerically and pictorially. When the ACU reaches the desired down-tilt the software should once again say, move complete. 13. Please record the BusID number. This is not required for setup, but can be used to help with troubleshooting, if required. No ACUs in the same daisy chain can have the same Bus ID. 14. Once you finish steps 9-13 for one ACU, repeat the process starting at step 9 for all the remaining ACUs, antennas and sectors. END
Tel: (203) 630-3311 Radio Frequency Systems Fax: (203) 821-3853 200 Pondview Drive Sales Fax: (203) 821-3852 Meriden, CT 06450 www.rfsworld.com
RFS OPTIMIZER RT ANTENNA DOWN TILT PROCEDURE This procedure is applicable to RFS base station antennas used in multiple markets. Examples noted herein are applicable to all Optimizer RT Variable tilt antennas. This instruction is intended for use at sites that have been fully initialized and configured on a previous visit. NOTE: More than one Home Run cable may be used when sectors are not located close to each other. 1. Prepare for down tilting the antennas by connecting the Protocol adapter (with power supply attached) to the serial port of the PC. 2. Attach the Home Run cable to the protocol adapter 3. Boot up the laptop and logon to the RFS software. This is performed by selecting the security tab and choosing logon. The default password is rfs123. Press Security, press logon, enter rfs123
4. Select a site history file. It the appropriate site history file is not available, select New from the File menu, enter the site file name, then press Save. For a site that already has a history file, select Open and select the valid file for the site. A valid history file is required for correct software operation because this file stores a record of activities at the site. Select New (or Open) and insert site file name, then press save. 5. Select the Site Search icon tab. This will search for all ACU s at the site and generate a table. 6. Select the antenna requiring down tilt from the list, this will open the device details page for that antenna.
7. Go directly to the Set Point field and enter the required down tilt, (or use the up/down arrows). Press the Move button Down Tilt Read-back Set Point 8. When the new down tilt has been achieved (Down Tilt Read-back field agrees with down tilt entered in step 7), select any other antennas requiring change by using the appropriate Device Details tab and repeat step 7. 9. When all antennas requiring change have been completed, log off the software by going to the security tab, and select Log Off
Tel: (203) 630-3311 Radio Frequency Systems Fax: (203) 821-3853 200 Pondview Drive Sales Fax: (203) 821-3852 Meriden, CT 06450 www.rfsworld.com
RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEMS Optimizer RT Hardware Troubleshooting Guide Note: This guide should only be used to troubleshoot known issues, and should not be used in place of, or prior to, normal system installation methods. This method could introduce BusID faults into a system if used for initial installation, which would require additional troubleshooting. Check: Is there any chance that the PC / modem switch on the PA-1 is accidentally set to the modem position? Check: When the problem is happening, is the green light on the PA-1 (protocol adapter) flashing? This is the light right on the unit, not on the power supply. If this light is flashing there is a short somewhere in the system, likely an ACU grounded or shorted out, but possibly a damaged cable or connector. Check: Is the correct COM port selected in the software for the location of the PA-1? Check: Is a Requires Nudge or Unit Stalled error reported by the software? If so, try performing a full calibration one or more times to see if that clears the error. Also try reattaching the ACU. To Check the ACUs and cables follow this step by step process. 1. Verify that PA-1 power supply is attached and powered on. (green light on) and check that correct com port (the one that the PA-1 is connected to) on the PC is selected in the RT software. 2. Check all the ACU's on the ground, connected directly (one by one) by a short cable to the PA-1. The software should be able to talk to them all. Record the BUS ID (sometimes called Network ID number) numbers generated for each ACU. 2 ACU s can not have the same BUS ID number, if there are any conflicts, change one of them to an unused number. If any do not respond correctly (for example, an error that says no device with that serial number found), REPLACE the ACU. 3. Check that the Home Run cable is good. Using a good ACU from step 2, attach it to the top of the 'home run' cable (NOT Attached to, or touching the antenna) and verify that the software can still see it. Try either the 'new device' step, or by conducting a site search. If the software can see the ACU, the cable is GOOD. If not, try a few other ACU's. If the software can not see any of them, REPLACE the 'home run' cable. 4. Check the ACU for a ground fault. Attach the ACU to the antenna and repeat the process from step 3. If the ACU still responds, go to step 5. If the ACU does NOT respond, gives an error, or if the PA-1 light starts flashing, REPLACE the ACU. 5. Check next unit. Attach a control (jumper) cable from the first good (attached to antenna) ACU, and connect to another good ACU (verified from step 2). Do not attach to antenna. Test second ACU and jumper cable by repeating step 3. If the ACU works, connect it to the antenna and repeat step 4. If the ACU does not work try a few other ACU's. If the software can not see any of them, REPLACE the 'jumper' cable. 6. Repeat step 4 for the 2nd ACU. 7. Continue repeating steps 3-5 for every additional ACU. This should allow you to step through all the units, and identify any bad cables or ACUs. Radio Frequency Systems, 200 Pondview Drive, Meriden, CT 06450-7195 Tel: (203) 630-3311, Fax: 203-634-2057, http://www.rfsworld.com
Radio Frequency Systems For additional technical assistance please contact: In the Americas: +1-203-630-3311 ext. 1880 or (1-800-659-1880 in US and Canada) In Europe / EMAI: +49 511 676 2731 In Asia Pacific: +86 21 5774 4500 Or E-Mail: applicationsengineering.americas@rfsworld.com Tel: (203) 630-3311 Radio Frequency Systems Fax: (203) 821-3853 200 Pondview Drive Sales Fax: (203) 821-3852 Meriden, CT 06450 www.rfsworld.com