Welcome to the Becker Electronics

BeckerCOM
Training Course

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

The Propogation Challenge

Radio waves (Electromagnetic waves) are well suited for sending signals across air gaps, or across the ether as it is typically called, in a line of sight, or slight curvature path. Mining tunnels are of course anything but line of sight. The only chance for a conventional radio wave to traverse the length of a mining shaft is by means of reflections off the walls. Of course the signal quickly attenuates to nothing under these conditions. The other contributing problem is called shading. Shading occurs when large grounded objects are placed in the path of the radio signal. The objects absorb the radio signal and prevent it from reaching radio-shaded areas. The most obvious solution to these problems is to have multiple individual antennas located along the entire length of the tunnel. Of course this comes with a few distinct problems, such as how to efficiently locate them, how to interconnect them and how to protect the protruding antennas from inevitable damage. A far more elegant solution is Radiating Cable, or Leaky Feeder as the South African mining industry has came to call it. The interconnecting cable becomes the antenna, and, since it works so well, we do not even need individual antennas anymore. Various patterns are fashioned into the outer sheath of a slightly thicker coaxial cable to allow some of the RF signal to escape longitudinally along the cable. If manufactured to accurate tolerances, this escaped RF signal can be tamed to provide exactly what we are looking for: Something to solve the problem of not having line of sight. Now we have an antenna we can string anywhere we want.

Becker COM Subsections

AREA COVERAGE EQUIPMENT SURFACE HEADEND COMBINER/SPLITTER & TRANSCEIVER CABINET SURFACE or UNDERGROUND RADIATING / LEAKY FEEDER CABLE BACKBONE ACTIVE DEVICES - AMPLIFIERS BACKBONE SPLITTERS, SPLICES, EOL, POWER COUPLERS etc BACKBONE MOBILE (VEHICULAR) RADIOS HANDHELD (PERSONNEL) RADIOS DATA RADIO TELEMETRY DEVICES

Area Coverage Amp Main Base Station Fibre to Ethernet Converter

Fibre Cable Ethernet Backbone Leaky Feeder Cable PAX Connection Tag Reader

Typical Leaky Feeder System Layout

Tag Reader Tracking Computer Video Monitoring Computer SCADA Computer

Surface Underground
4-Way Splitter Power Coupler Line Amplifier Tag Reader Line Amplifier Tag Reader with Robot Controller 3-Way Splitter Line Amplifier Line Termination

Area Coverage Amp DC Power Supply

Power Coupler

Line Amplifier

Line Splice

Line Amplifier

Programmable Attenuator

Line Amplifier

Line Termination

Camera Outstation

Pump / Fan Outstation

Environmental Outstation

DC Power Supply

Secondary Base Station

Isolation Barrier

I.S. Line Amplifier

I.S. Line Amplifier

I.S. Line Amplifier

Isolation Barrier & Power Coupler

I.S. Line Amplifier

I.S. Line Amplifier

I.S. Line Amplifier

Isolation Barrier

Fibre to Ethernet Converter

I.S. Cell 1
I.S. DC Power Supply I.S. DC Power Supply

I.S. Cell 2

Basic Overview
Radio signals on surface are received by the area coverage amplifier. The RF signal is then carried to the Leaky Feeder base station via a conventional coaxial cable. One of the Base Station Receivers detects and demodulates the signal originating from the surface handheld radio. The repeater in the base station keys up a corresponding transmitter. All leaky feeder arterials are fed with the resultant RF carrier, re-modulated with the original signals voice or data signal. The receivers on all mobile /handheld / data radios are now capable of decoding this signal. Personnel / data radios underground may then key up their radio transmitters to respond. The resultant transmission from underground is received by the Base Station once again. NOTE : It is not received directly by other radios underground, it must go through the repeater. The base station repeater demodulates the signal and re-radiates the same signal on another frequency to both the original surface radio AND to all the underground arterials. Even the person standing directly besides the originating underground radio receives his signal via the Base Station repeater, not directly.

Reticulating the Signal

The RF signals from the Head End are reticulated throughout the underground mine or tunnel using a leaky feeder coaxial cable. Normally coaxial cable is usually designed to keep as much signal as possible within the cable, and to block any external signals and noise from getting in. Radiating cable, however, is designed to leak or radiate the RF signal out, as well as allowing signals in from radio transceivers within close proximity to the leaky feeder coax. To sustain the RF signal level over longitudinal distances, line amplifiers (or boosters) are inserted along the leaky feeder cable run, typically every 350 meters. The exact distance depends on the longitudinal losses of the radiating cable. This will be discussed in more detail later in this course. Where coverage is required in a tunnel off the main arterial, such as a ramp, shaft or cross cut, a splitter is installed. However, if the tunnel is less than 50 to 100m in length, then the cable from the main drive could be looped into the tunnel, 30 to 50m and back out again. Amplifiers may be required in front of the branch/splitter line (dependant on the length) to maintain RF signal levels. At the end of each cable run, a termination unit is required to maintain the systems (VHF 75 Ohm, UHF 50 Ohm) impedance and avert radio reflections on the cable which cause NULL spots. These are not immediately apparent, so rather be safe and install the EOLs. The amplifiers are conveniently down-line powered (5Vdc to 36Vdc) via the leaky feeder coax centre conductor. Older generation amplifiers have tighter DC Supply requirements. (Max 15V) Leaky feeder coaxial cable is available in 350-meter drums; other lengths and outer sheath colours are available to order. The cable is also available with a no smoke zero halogen outer sheath.

Achievable Coverage
Typically an installation will follow the pattern of tunnels and access routes of the mine with a suitable arrangement of Splitter units and In-Line Amplifiers. The overall longitudinal distance that may be covered by the system is based on a combination of considerations as follows : Noise contribution of each amplifier. Co-located carrier cross channel interference ( IMDs and Radio Performance) Sensitivity of radios using the backbone. Transmit Power of radios using the backbone. Correct Modulation Deviation on all handhelds and base-station equipment. Avoidance of in-band interference from man-made RF noise sources (eg: Frequency Inverters). Installation and system extension carried out according to defined guidelines. Proper Head-end equipment configuration.

If all of these issues are correctly addressed, distances of up to 25km per arterial can be easily accomplished. Multiple arterials and active repeater channels underground can extend the coverage well in excess of 200km.

TECHNICAL REFRESHER!

Describing RF Power

Signal stages are cascaded, so powers are multiplied by gain or loss. This yields a lot of multiplications. The levels typically encountered in reality also vary over many decades.

This all suggests the need for a logarithmic representation of power.

LOGs refresher
A logarithmic scale is used to condense a wide range of numbers and to ease multiplication. Some example logarithm values: Log(100) Log(1000) Log(1000000) Log(10) Log(1) Log(1/10) =2 =3 =6 =1 =0 =-1 because 10 to the power 2 = 100. because 10to the power 3 = 1000. because 10to the power 6 = 1000000. because anything to the power of 1 is itself. because anything to the power of 0 is 1. because 10 to the power -1 = (1/10)

The Bel represent gains or attenuations logarithmically (base 10) (the Bel) But to make numbers more convenient, we scale by a factor of 10 (the deciBel or dB) Then, G = 10Log(Pout / Pin) in dB Examples: An amplifier has a power gain of 1000. What is this in dB? G = 10Log(1000) = 10 x 3 = 30 dB An attenuator has its output power 1/10th of its input. What is its transfer function in dB? G = 10Log(1/10) = 10 x -1 = -10 dB. (Note - dB can be negative) Since Log(A x B) = Log(A) + Log(B) we can add gains and losses.

The dB and the dBm

How big is a dB ???
1dB is approximately 25% change in power 1dB is approximately the smallest detectable audio power change + 3dB represents a doubling in power level -3dB represents halving of the power level +10dB represents 10x the original power level -10dB represents one tenth of the original power level

What is a dBm and how is it different from a dB ???

To understand the nuts and bolts of all of this, lets consider the decibels definition. Technically speaking, the decibel is used to express a ratio between two power levels. That is, dB = 10log(P2/P1), where dB is the abbreviation for decibel, P1 is input power and P2 is output power. By itself, the decibel (dB) expresses ratios, not absolute levels. If a reference is appended to the decibel, then its possible to indirectly express absolute levels. For example, one way to express power levels using the decibel is with dBm, which means decibel milliwatt. where P is a power level in milliwatts. From a numbers perspective, Lets say you have a transmitter whose output power is 10 mW. To figure out what this number is in dBm, follow along with your trusty calculator: 10 dBm = 10log(10 mW/1 mW) dBm = 10log(10 mW) dBm = 10(1.0) dBm = 10 While we can say 10 mW is +10.0 dBm, technically speaking, dBm actually is the ratio of some number to the 1 mW reference, not an absolute level. In this example, 10 mW is 10.0 dB greater than 1 mW.

dBm = 10log(P/1mW) ,

RADIATING CABLE TYPES

What is Radiating Cable?

A radiating cable is an RF cable which does not screen RF power, but allows it to enter or leave the cable at any point.

Radiating Cable
Transmitting (downlink)

RF power
Normal RF Cable Receiving (uplink)

RF power

How is this done? By making holes or slots in the outer conductor of coaxial cables, enabling RF power to enter or leave the cable.

RADIATING CABLES
RLF Cables Low loss, rugged, broadband, unaffected by environmental extremes RAY Cables Radiating mode, very low loss, for dry environmental conditions RLK Cables Radiating mode, broadband, fits also for short distances RLV Cables (Vario) Bridging larger distances than any other cable of comparable diameter RCF Cables Corrugated outer conductor for difficult installation conditions or frequent re-routing Tailor-made Cables Cables engineered to meet new or special customer requirements

VHF CABLES USED BY BeckerCOM

VHF Radiating Cable Construction

Air or Foam filled dielectric

Fire retardant outer sheath

Outer conductor Stranded or Grooved

Inner conductor

VHF Radiating Cable Datasheet

BeckerCOM
VHF FREQUENCY BAND

VHF Frequency Band

156 MHz to 158 MHz

171 MHz to 173 MHz

VHF_DL_156-158 (RSA STD) - VBDA210 Frequency Plan

VHF DOWNLINK

VHF_UL_171-173 (RSA STD) - VBDA210 Frequency Plan

VHF UPLINK

UHF CABLES USED BY BeckerCOM

UHF Radiating Cable Construction

Solid Foam Dielectric

Outer Sheath (Colour Optional)

Solid Copper Grooved Outer Conductor

Hollow Copper Inner Conductor

UHF Radiating Cable Datasheet

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Size 1/2" Maximum Frequency, MHz 900, 1800/1900, 2200 and above Cable Type RCF Jacket Standard Slot Design Milled (Two-Row) Impedance, ohm 50 +/-2 Velocity, % 88 Inner Conductor dc Resistance, ohm/1000m (1000 ft) 1.57 (0.48) Outer Conductor dc Resistance, ohm/1000m (1000 ft) 2.23 (0.68) Outer Conductor Material Corrugated Copper Tube Inner Conductor Material Copper Clad Aluminum wire Diameter over Jacket, mm (in) 16.2 (0.64) Diameter Outer Conductor, mm (in) 13.8 (0.54) Diameter Inner Conductor, mm (in) 4.8 (0.19) Minimum Bending Radius, Single Bend, mm (in) 125 (4.9) Cable Weight, kg/m (lb/ft) 0.22 (0.14) Tensile Force, N (lb) 1000 (225) Storage Temperature, ( -70 to +85 (-94 to +185) C F) Installation Temperature, ( -25 to +60 (-13 to +140) C F) Operation Temperature, ( -40 to +85 (-40 to +185) C F) LONGITUDINAL LOSS vs FREQUENCY Longitudinal loss @ 75 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 2.20 (0.67) Longitudinal loss @ 150 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 3.15 (0.96) Longitudinal loss @ 450 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 5.70 (1.74) Longitudinal loss @ 800 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 7.83 (2.39) Longitudinal loss @ 900 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 8.40 (2.56) Longitudinal loss @ 1800 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 13.1 (3.99) Longitudinal loss @ 1900 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 13.6 (4.15) Longitudinal loss @ 2200 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 14.7 (4.48) Longitudinal loss @ 2400 MHz, dB/100 m (dB/100 ft) 15.3 (4.66) COUPLING LOSS vs FREQUENCY Coupling loss @ 75 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 50/62 Coupling loss @ 150 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 59/71 Coupling loss @ 450 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 67/79 Coupling loss @ 800 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 67/79 Coupling loss @ 900 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 66/78 Coupling loss @ 1800 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 68/80 Coupling loss @ 1900 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 69/81 Coupling loss @ 2200 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 70/82 Coupling loss @ 2400 MHz, 50%/95%, dB 70/82

Advantages of UHF Communications

High propagation from cable 300 meters

(up to 10 times greater than VHF) High capacity general purpose data Uses off the shelf voice and data equipment Wide bandwidth to offer more Data and Voice capability at higher speeds (2 Mbps port speed) Reticulates wireless communication in hazardous areas (Coal mining working faces) One backbone cable for multiple purposes (Capable of simultaneous data and voice) Supports 900MHz frequency bands

BeckerCOM
UHF FREQUENCY BAND

UHF Frequency Band

WORLD 435 MHz to 445 MHz

WORLD 460 MHz to 470 MHz

AUSTRALIA 445 MHz to 455 MHz

AUSTRALIA 470 MHz to 480 MHz

UHF_DL_460-470 (RSA STD) - UBDA210 Frequency Plan

UHF DOWNLINK

UHF_UL_435-445 (RSA STD) - UBDA210 Frequency Plan

UHF UPLINK

UHF_DL_470-480 (AUS STD) - UBDA220 Frequency Plan

UHF DOWNLINK

UHF_UL_445-455 (AUS STD) - UBDA220 Frequency Plan

UHF UPLINK

BeckerCOM
HEADEND COMBINER / SPLITTER

Head End Combiner & Splitter

The Head End (HE) is located either on the surface or underground and serves as the main communications link from the surface down into the mine via the Leaky Feeder cable network. The Head End provides transmission and reception of 8 or 16 voice/data channel pairs.

Head End Combiner & Splitter

The Head-End Combiner Splitter manages 4 Leaky Feeder Arterials. A total of 8 or 16 transmitters and complementary receivers gain access to the 4 Arterials by means of BNC connectors on the rear of the Head End Combiner Splitter. TRANSMIT PATH: All 8/16 inputs from the base station transmitters are combined into a single signal. This single combined signal is then Band-pass filtered for transmit band frequencies and split into 4 separate channels. The split & filtered signal then drives the 4 Arterial Connectors through 4 separate directional power couplers. The forward power (Transmit power into the Arterials) is then indicated on 4 front panel bar graphs, one for each Arterial. RECEIVE PATH: Each of the signals being received from the 4 Arterials are routed through directional power couplers. The reverse power (Receive power from the Arterials) is then indicated on 4 front panel bar graphs, one for each Arterial. These 4 Arterial signals are then combined into a single signal and filtered for Receive band frequencies. This filtered signal is then split into 8/16 separate signals. The split filtered signals then drive the 8/16 BNC outputs of the Base Station Receivers. DC POWER PATH: DC Power from the rear connectors on the Head-End Combiner Splitter are selectively (By means of front panel switches) combined with the radio signals on the 4 Arterial outputs. This combination of bi-directional RF and DC signals is then presented to the 4 N-Type Arterial Connectors located on the rear panel. The DC switches are also used to terminate the unused arterials into the characteristic impedance of the Arterial Cables.

Headend Block Diagram

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

BNC RECEIVE PORTS 1-8

COAX1 RX1 COAX2 RX2 COAX3 RX3 COAX4 RX4 COAX5 RX5 COAX6 RX6 COAX7 RX7 COAX8 COAX9 RX8 RX9 COAX10 RX1 0 COAX11 RX11

BNC RECEIVE PORTS 9-16

COAX1 2 RX12 COAX13 RX13 COAX14 RX14 COAX1 5 RX15 COAX1 6 RX16 COAX17 TX1 COAX18 TX2 COAX1 9 T X3

BNC TRANSMIT PORTS 1-8

COAX2 0 T X4 COAX21 TX5 COAX22 TX6 COAX23 T X7 COAX2 4 T X8 COAX25 TX9 COAX26 TX10 COAX27 T X11

BNC TRANSMIT PORTS 9-16

COAX28 TX12 COAX2 9 TX13 COAX30 TX14 COAX31 T X15 COAX32 T X16

COAX4 5 SUMMER IN2 D IN1 IN2

COAX47 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX49 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX51 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX52 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX54 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX56 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX5 8 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX59 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX6 1 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX63 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX65 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX66 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX68 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX7 0 SUMMER IN1 IN2

COAX72 SUMMER IN1 D

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

COAX46 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX50 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX53 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX5 7 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX6 0 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX64 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX67 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX71 SUMMER IN2 IN1

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

COAX4 8 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX55 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX62 SUMMER IN2 IN1

COAX69 SUMMER IN2 IN1

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

COAX33 RXA PORT

COAX35 RXB PORT

COAX37 TXA PORT

COAX3 9 TXBPORT

TXA PORT RXA PORT COAX34 COAX73 SUMMER IN2 IN2 IN1 RXB PORT COAX36 COAX38 COAX75 SUMMER IN1

TXBPORT COAX4 0

SUM

SUM

SUM

SUM

IN

BANDPASS

OUT

FILT 1

FILT2 VHF / UHF IN

BANDPASS OUT SUM

VHF / UHF

COAX7 4 SUMMER IN2 IN1

IN1 COAX7 7 SUMMER

SUM

SUM

IN2

B IN1 COAX76 SUMMER IN2 IN2 COAX78 SUMMER IN1

SUM

FORWARD POWER DETECTOR

FORWARD POWER DETECTOR

REVERSE POWER DETECTOR

REVERSE POWER DETECTOR

FORWARD POWER DETECTOR

REVERSE POWER DETECTOR

RAIL VOLT AGE

RAIL VOLTAGE

RAIL VOLT AGE

RAIL VOLTAGE

DC INJECTION

DC INJECTION

DC INJECTION

DC INJECTION

REVERSE POWER DETECTOR

FORWARD POWER DETECTOR

COAX4 1

COAX42

COAX43

COAX44 Title

ARTERIAL 1

ARTERIAL 2
ARTERIAL CONNECTIONS TO LEAKY FEEDER CABLE

ARTERIAL 3

ARTERIAL 4

HEAD END BLOCK DIAGRAM LF SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION

Filename

Project Drawing No. Date

100-04-01-005
Versio n

SBlockHeadV1 00.Sch
ECAD
MVB

Sheet
1/1

Design
MVB

03-02-2004 V1.00

Copyright of this document is vested in B3 Solutions (Pty) Ltd Disclosure to third parties without written consent f om B3 Solutions is strictly forbidden r

10

11

12

BeckerCOM
BIDIRECTIONAL AMPLIFIER

Digital (B.D.A.)

Becker B.D.A s
The Becker VHF Bi-Directional Amplifier is typically used to compensate for Leaky Feeder Cable longitudinal losses in both directions simultaneously. Becker BDA specifications are optimally suited to maximise these performance criteria. The BDA serves to maintain the strength of RF signal levels along the Leaky Feeder coaxial cable. The amplifier is unique in that it offers the lowest possible noise contribution to an already weak RF carrier when operating in collocation with a strong carrier. The connectors of the inline amplifiers have been designed for ease of connection making installation and repair as convenient as possible. The Power Source required from the Leaky Feeder cable is 5V to 26Vdc.

The most important performance criteria of a BDA are: Channel capacity - Number of simultaneous voice and data Channel quality (clear voice channels, data channel, integrity). Channel isolation (Freedom from intermodulation distortion). Distance achievable away from the cable. Reliability (Mean Time Between Failure).

Digital Bi-Directional Amplifier (B.D.A.)

Available in VHF - UHF GSM - TETRA
Down-Link Amplifier
VHF-UHF-GSM Bandpass-filter High power Amplifier

AGC

High power VHF-UHF-GSM Amplifier Bandpass-filter

BPF
Impedance matcher 75 R Cable Length Compensator 50 R High pass filter

BPF
Micro Processor Diagnostics
DN Link RF Level High pass filter Impedance matcher 50 R

3dB

3dB
System Voltage Amplifier Current UP Link RF Level

75 R

BPF
VHF-UHF-GSM Bandpass-filter High power Amplifier

BPF AGC
Up- Link Amplfier
High power Amplifier VHF-UHF-GSM Bandpass-filter

Advantages of New Generation B.D.A.

Available in VHF, UHF, GSM and TETRA bands High Dynamic Range ie: Excellent multiple carrier system performance Low Noise Figure ie: Low contribution to cascaded noise floor = larger & clearer systems Uses GaAs devices and operates internally at 3 Volts Onboard Switch-mode PSU compensating for cable volt drop C.L.C. Cable Length Compensation to simplify installation High Power option for coverage in remote work places Microprocessor controlled and increased local diagnostics Available in remote diagnostic version Available in Intrinsically Safe Ex ia GI ATEX & SAEx versions Compact modular design

Features of B.D.A.
The BDAs serve to maintain the RF signal levels and are placed every 350 meters along the Leaky Feeder coaxial cable. The Low Noise amplifier (specified here) includes additional functionality specifically aimed at optimising the noise performance in UHF Leaky Feeder systems. These additional features are summarised as follows : Carefully distributed amplification using ultra low voltage GaAs devices in both directions to optimise overall noise figure under dynamic (Small and Large Signal simultaneously) conditions. DC Power - Voltage status indicators on front panel. DC Power - Amplifier Current consumption indicators on front panel. Downlink signal strength indicators to ensure line spacing is correct. Uplink AGC on indication to ensure up-link is working correctly. Integrated Cable Length Compensation (CLC) to simulate additional cable lengths if necessary. Power Source required from the Leaky Feeder cable is 4V to 26Vdc. In extended feed length additional power supplies are needed every 5 amplifiers, due to the DC voltage drop on the Leaky Feeder cable. A colour coded downlink LED bar-graph included on the front panel of the amplifier is interpreted as follows : RED LOW LOW LED On YELLOW LOW LED On GREEN GOOD LED On YELLOW HIGH LED On RED HIGH HIGH LED On Downlink Weak Proceeding cable too long. Downlink a little weak, but O.K. Downlink Signal Perfect Downlink a little strong, but O.K. Downlink too Strong Proceeding cable too short.

Outstanding Characteristics of the Becker Electronics B.D.A.

The amplifier is unique in that it offers the lowest possible noise contribution to an already weak RF carrier
when operating in collocation with a strong carrier. In low distortion amplifiers, the active amplifier element is proceeded by an automatic level controlled PIN diode attenuator. Strong signals arriving at the low distortion amplifier input force the AGC to kick in and reduce the actual level arriving at the amplifier input. Only one power amplifier active element is therefore required on these low distortion amplifiers. HOWEVER, the Becker Electronics low noise unit offers the unique advantages of cascading 2 power amplifiers in series, with the AGC PIN diode attenuator located in the middle. The first amplifier is therefore always ahead of any attenuation caused by strong RF carriers presented to the amplifier. In a manner not unlike a satellite parabolic dish LNA, this amplifier protects the weaker carrier signals from being swamped into the noise by co-located strong carriers causing large AGC PIN diode attenuation. Whilst other manufacturers have given unwarranted attention to the linearity of the amplifiers in a non-linear modulation mode system (FM system), Becker Electronics Low Noise amplifier techniques have proven themselves in the field to be extremely successful. Of course this performance comes at the expense of cost and current consumption. Unlike the VHF system, there is no lower spec. unit available for UHF. UHF systems are typically used with multi-carrier data & voice applications and as such are less forgiving in terms of system configuration.

Cable Length Compensation

350m
1 2 3 4

-9

-6

-3

280m

-9

-6

-3

220m

-9

-6

-3

150m

-9

-6

-3

Econo Amplifier

AMP 1 Bandpassfilter

AGC

Bandpassfilter

Impedance matcher 75 R

BPF
High pass filter 50 R

BPF

High pass filter

50 R

Impedance matcher

75 R

3dB

AMP 2

3dB BPF AGC

Bandpassfilter

BPF
Bandpassfilter

BeckerCOM
PASSIVE PHERIPHERALS

Splitters and Termination Units

Power Supply & Couplers

I.S. Components

INTRINSICALLY SAFE LEAKY FEEDER ARCHITECTURE

Leaky Feeder Base Station
220VAC

IS Cell 1
VEXA VEXA VEXA

Ex ia PSU

Ex ia PSU VEXA

IS Cell 2

IS Cell Isolation Barrier

350 M

350 M

350 M

2M

IS Cell Isolation Barrier & Power Coupler

2M

350 M

ISBR

ISBC

VEXA:

Intrinsically Safe Ex ia Amplifier

ISBR:

Intrinsically Safe Cell Barrier

ISBC: Intrinsically Safe Cell Barrier with DC power Coupler

Handheld Radios

Telemetry Outstations

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Test Configuration Setup

1 2 3 4

RF SIGNAL GENERATOR 1
SG 3

MOD IN

OUT

BECKER BIDIRECTIONAL AMPLIFIER

IN1

RF SIGNAL GENERATOR 2
SG 3

SUMMER
SUM IN

10dB PAD
OUT

DOWN 14dB PAD

DC THROUGH

20 x AMPLIFIER + ATTENUATOR IN SERIES

B 10dB DC Isolating Attenuator IN2

UP

SPECTRUM ANALYSER

MOD IN

OUT

S p ec t r u m

An a ys e r l

BECKER BIDIRECTIONAL AMPLIFIER

RF IN

10dB PAD
IN OUT

DOWN 14dB PAD

DC THROUGH

10dB DC Isolating Attenuator

UP

Cascaded Noise
Injected Signal Strength at FAR SIDE : -10dBm Resultant Output Signal : 6dBm Resultant Output Noise Floor : -50dBm Overall System Gain : 16dB Signal to Noise Ratio : 56dB

Injected Signal Strength at FAR SIDE : -50dBm Resultant Output Signal : 6dBm Resultant Output Noise Floor : -55dBm Overall System Gain : 56dB Signal to Noise Ratio : 61dB

Injected Signal Strength at FAR SIDE : -100dBm Resultant Output Signal : -13dBm Resultant Output Noise Floor : -25dBm Overall System Gain : 87dB Signal to Noise Ratio : 12dB

Intermodulation Distortion
Intermodulation Distortion Product Equations
f1 f2

fc

fa

fb

fd

fa = 2f1 f2 fb = 2f2 f1 fc = 3f2 2f1 fd = 3f2 2f1

The radio signals within the leaky feeder system must pass through many amplifiers en-route to the surface repeaters or the underground radios. Unlike a surface radio link through the ether, this path consists of active electronic components with a limited power handling capability. Each amplifier is responsible for contributing a degree of amplitude distortion (Through its non-ideal linearity transfer function) to the incoming signal. Since FM modulation is used for the radio communication equipment, this amplitude distortion is generally not a problem. However, too much amplitude distortion results in a type of frequency ghosting called Intermodulation Distortion or sometimes Spectral Regrowth. This type of distortion presents a problem when two of more RF carriers are simultaneously present within the system.

Dynamic Range
Strong Signal @ +7dBm Weak Signal @ -64dBm DELTA = +7dBm (-64dBm) = 71dB

Still better than 10dB S/N Ratio

We can conclude, from the above trace, that the Becker Electronics Leaky Feeder System exhibits a dynamic range of at least 71dB for a resultant signal/noise ratio of greater than 10dB on the weaker signal. This means that even whilst a strong signal source somewhere in the uplink path is causing the AGC of the amplifiers to reduce the overall gain, the 71dB weaker signal injected into the system is still capable of being successfully received by the HEAD END equipment. When you consider that the Dynamic Range specification of a high precision modern Radio Spectrum Analyser is typically 80 to 100dB (also limited by instrument noise performance) , this Leaky Feeder figure may be considered excellent!

Attack / Decay Times

ATTACK TIME INTERPRETATION DECAY TIME

-133dBm to 0dBm to -133dBm Attack settled to within 3dB in 200ms Decay settled to within 3dB in 400ms

-133dBm to -40dBm to -133dBm Attack settled to within 3dB in 150ms Decay settled to within 3dB in 300ms

-133dBm to -80dBm to -133dBm Attack settled to within 3dB in 0ms Decay settled to within 3dB in 0ms (AGC ATTENUATORS NEVER ACTUALLY SWING IN)

Attack / Decay
KeyUp and KeyDown Timing Recommendations
1 2 3 4

FASTEST TIMING AVAILABLE FOR SINGLE COMMAND - MULTIPLE RESPONSE PROTOCOL

D

DOWNLINK

THE 200ms KEY-UP COULD BE REDUCED TO 100ms THE 100ms DATA TIME IS TYPICALLY MUCH SHORTER THE 100ms RECOVERY TIME CANNOT BE AVOIDED

MOBILE-1

MOBILE-2

200ms

100ms

200ms

100ms 100ms

200ms 100ms

DOWNLINK KEY-UP

DOWNLINK DATA

GAIN RECOVERY

UPLINK KEY-UP

UPLINK KEY-UP

UPLINK DATA

UPLINK DATA

50ms per division

3 4

Note: The 300ms Gain Recovery is shortened to 100ms + 200ms KeyUp by using 200ms of the gain recovery timeslot for the subsequent Key-Up time as well.

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

8 way Headend Rear Panel Connections

16 way Headend Rear Panel Connections

dB vs Distance
WBSA RCC VHF LOSS 100m @ 20C (dB) 5.3 ATC BE VHF LOSS 100m @ 20C (dB) 4.5 RFS RCF 12-50 UHF LOSS 100m @ 20C (dB) 5.8

Dist (m)
0 10 20 30 40 50 70 80 100 120 140 150 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 330 350

Loss (dB
0.0 0.5 1.1 1.6 2.1 2.7 3.7 4.2 5.3 6.4 7.4 8.0 9.5 10.6 11.7 12.7 13.8 14.8 15.9 17.5 18.6

Loss (dB)
0.0 0.5 0.9 1.4 1.8 2.3 3.2 3.6 4.5 5.4 6.3 6.8 8.1 9.0 9.9 10.8 11.7 12.6 13.5 14.9 15.8

Loss (dB)
0.0 0.6 1.2 1.7 2.3 2.9 4.1 4.6 5.8 7.0 8.1 8.7 10.4 11.6 12.8 13.9 15.1 16.2 17.4 19.1 20.3

Splitter Losses
100m and 150m RULE When using Splitters

Each Splitter (Branch Coupler) in the cable introduces Insertion Loss. This Insertion Loss (Measured in dB) has an equivalent cable length as per the previous table. The Radiating Cable into and out of the Splitter must be reduced by that length accordingly.

VHF 3way Splitter UHF 3way Splitter VHF 4way Thru VHF 4way Split UHF 4 way Thru UHF 4way Split

< 4dB Insertion Loss

90m of VHF cable

(We round to 100m) (We round to 100m) (We round to 100m) (We round to 150m) (We round to 100m) (We round to 150m)

< 4.5dB Insertion Loss 80m of UHF cable < 4dB Insertion Loss < 7dB Insertion Loss 90m of VHF cable 130m of VHF cable

< 4.5dB Insertion Loss 80m of UHF cable < 7.6dB Insertion Loss 130m of UHF cable

Installation Guidelines
The radio signal attenuates in amplitude as is continues down the leaky feeder cable. The BDA in line amplifiers sole purpose is to restore that signal to the original level. This nominal carrier level is prescribed as follows : VHF AND UHF SYSTEM NOMINAL LEVELS: VHF (156-158MHz) (171-173MHz) 10dBm (10mW) UHF (435-445MHz) (460-470MHz) 0dBm (1mW) It is vitally important that the amplifiers be spaced correctly in the system. Spacing BDAs too far apart will cause the following problems: The available amplification from the BDA is insufficient to counter the loss in the proceeding cable run. The carrier level gradually drops away from the above prescribed levels, until the amplifiers are simply amplifying noise. Spacing BDAs too close together causes the following problems: AGC attenuators to kick in permanently and thereby increase the overall system noise floor. Note : Unnecessary Attenuation = Unnecessary Degradation in Signal to Noise Ratio The incoming carrier signals to the BDAs will cause unnecessary intermodulation distortion. The time delays involved with AGC settling time every time a carrier keys up will adversely effect the real-time response of the system. An ideal installation should not require any AGC settling time, as the AGC never actually kicks in. If amplifiers are very close together, feedback can result in oscillation conditions.

Installation Guidelines
The Amplifiers should be spaced in such a manner as to ensure that the OPEN-LOOP downlink gain precisely cancels out the cable loss on the downlink cable side. Any in-decision or doubt as to the distance MUST error on the shorter cable distance. In other words : Rather put the amplifier TOO CLOSE TOGETHER than too far apart. This is because the AGC will be able to compensate for the stronger signals, but if the amplifiers are too far apart, the available gain is just too little, and the signals will drop into the noise. The Cable is supplied on standard length drums. This often influences the practical amplifier spacing. The installer must properly understand the implication of using standard drum roll lengths when executing an installation.

Installation Guidelines
BDA TYPE BDA OPEN LOOP GAIN CABLE TYPE LOSS / 100m @ 20C FREQUENCY BAND IDEAL DISTANCE BETWEEN AMPS

(Current) VHF Low Noise BDA (Current) VHF Econo (Current) UHF Low Noise BDA (Historical) VHF Mini (Historical) VHF Video (Historical) UHF Mini (Historical) UHF Video

21dB 17dB 22dB 17dB 18dB 23dB 23dB

WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF WBSA RCC VHF ATC BE VHF RFS RCF 12-50 UHF

5.3 dB 4.5 dB 3.2 dB 5.3 dB 4.5 dB 3.2 dB 11.2 dB 10.2 dB 5.8 dB 5.3 dB 4.5 dB 3.2 dB 5.3 dB 4.5 dB 3.2 dB 11.2 dB 10.2 dB 5.8 dB 11.2 dB 10.2 dB 5.8 dB

156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 156 157MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz 460 470MHz

336m 396m 578m 272m 321m 451m 166m 183m 322m 272m 321m 451m 288m 340m 478m 174m 191m 337m 174m 191m 337m

NOTE : The ideal distances are quoted at 15% less than the actual calculated value. This is to ensure that the complete cascaded system cannot possibly run out of equalization gain.

Installation Guidelines
Never place two separate amplifiers too close to each other. They must be physically separated by at least 50m. Failure to do so will result in the amplifiers outputs feeding back into their own inputs. The Leaky feeder cables entering and exiting the amplifier are essentially antennas. Locating to amplifier within close proximity of one another with four antennas mounted to their respective inputs and outputs is a guaranteed way to set up an oscillating loop. One such oscillation anywhere in the system will cause the levels though-out the entire installation to be incorrect.

Positive Feedback causing Oscillation !!! Amps too close !!!

Installation Guidelines

A similar fault condition to the amplifiers being located too close together can be created by looping Leaky Feeder cable back on itself with an amplifier in the middle of the loop. NEVER loop cable back on itself with any amplification in-between. It is however common practice to loop cable back upon itself WITHOUT amplification anywhere in the loop. Typically this is used to provide coverage into a cross-cut tunnel. Loops in the radiating cable should however be avoided wherever possible as it can generate standing wave interference with the achieved throw off the cable.