STARLINE® BLE*/* Broadband Line Extender Installation and Operation Manual 2 MB SE L 5 1 O I N M ED AS 6 EX I C 4 3
Caution These servicing instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the Installation and Troubleshooting Instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Special Symbols That Might Appear on the Equipment This symbol indicates that dangerous voltage levels are present within the equipment.
Copyright © 2001 by Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation or adaptation) without written permission from Motorola, Inc. Motorola reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of Motorola to provide notification of such revision or change.
Contents Section 1 Introduction Using This Manual ............................................................................................................................1-3 Related Documentation.....................................................................................................................1-3 Document Conventions......................................................................................................................1-3 If You Need Help.................................
ii Contents Automatic Drive Unit ............................................................................................................... 3-11 ADU Pads and Levels .............................................................................................................. 3-11 Return Path Alignment Before You Begin............................................................................................................................3-12 Alignment Procedure .....................................
Contents iii Figures Figure 1-1 BLE*/* - closed ...............................................................................................................1-1 Figure 1-2 BLE*/* - open .................................................................................................................1-2 Figure 2-1 BLE*/* line extender........................................................................................................2-1 Figure 2-2 BLE*/* configurator ...................................
S ec ti on 1 Introduction The Motorola STARLINE series of broadband line extenders, BLE*/*, accept a single input and provide 28 through 30 dB of operational gain (depending on model) to a single output. The high gain makes the BLE*/* series ideally suited for a hybrid fiber-coax system as well as conventional tree and branch designs. The BLE*/* series of line extenders comply with IEEE C62.41-1991 and Bell Core GR-1098 specifications for overvoltage testing as recommended by Cable Labs.
1-2 Introduction Figure 1-2 illustrates an open BLE*/* line extender: Figure 1-2 BLE*/* - open +24V DC TEST POINT -20dB RCB87 Align Dots JXP MID 87 75 55 S J A K E M T MAN JXP IN IN BLE BODE FWD EQ CHECK VOLTAG E SE LECTOR REFER TO MANUAL H LDR L MAN AC TEST POINT FUSE H L -20dB RTN EQ JXP THERM AUTO STATUS MONITOR ADU JXP IN FUSE OUT TDU JXP OUT -20dB ADU JXP G ADU ICS C A U TION : C ON TA INS PA R TS A N D A SSE M B LIES S US CE PTIBLE TO D A M AG E B Y E LE C TR O STATIC
Introduction 1-3 Using This Manual The following sections provide information and instructions to bench test, install, and operate the BLE*/*. Section 1 Introduction provides a product description, related documentation, the technical helpline, and repair/return information. Section 2 Overview describes the BLE*/* line extender and includes details on the various options and their functions. Section 3 Amplifier Setup provides instructions for full configuration and forward- and return-path alignment.
1-4 Introduction If You Need Help If you need assistance while working with the BLE*/* call the Motorola Technical Response Center (TRC): # Inside the U.S.: 1-888-944-HELP (1-888-944-4357). # Outside the U.S.: 215-323-0044 # Online: http://www.motorola.com/broadband, click HTML/Modem Version, click Customer Support, then click Web Support. The TRC is open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday and 10 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time, Saturday.
S ec ti on 2 Overview The BLE*/* is a two-way capable line extender used in CATV distribution systems. The BLE*/* is powered by the 60/90 Vac cable supply and can be configured to pass this power to additional line extenders. Installation of the optional return amplifier enables two-way signal flow.
2-2 Overview Configuration The BLE*/* is fully configured in the Motorola factory per customer request. It is recommended that you verify the configuration listed on the outside of the shipping carton with the configuration that you ordered. The shipped configuration is also noted in a label on the side of the RF chassis.
Overview 2-3 Housing The BLE*/* is furnished in a BLE-HSG/15 aluminum housing that protects the electronics from weather and dissipates internally generated heat. Figure 2-3 illustrates the BLE-HSG/15 housing and provides its dimensions: Figure 2-3 BLE-HSG/15 housing 10.6 2 MB SE L I N M 5 1 ED AS 6 O 4 8.0 EXIC 3 4.7 Coaxial cable connections to the housing are made using conventional 5/8 inch × 24 threads per-inch stinger-type connectors.
2-4 Overview platform assembly kit (P/N 951941-006-00). The BLE-15A kit contains 15 A platform assemblies. Two messenger clamps are cast in the top of the housing and are secured with 5/16 inch × 24 threads-per-inch stainless-steel bolts. The back of the housing also contains two 5/16 inch × 24 threaded holes located on the vertical center-line separated by four inches center-to-center. Use these holes and the bolts from the messenger clamps for pedestal and surface-mounting installations.
Overview 2-5 Figure 2-4 illustrates the housing gaskets: Figure 2-4 Housing gaskets Weather gasket (silicone rubber) +24V DC TEST POINT -20dB RCB87 Align Dots JXP MID S J A K E M T 87 75 55 MAN JXP IN IN BLE BODE FWD EQ CHECK VOLTAG E SE LECTOR REFER TO MANUAL H LDR L MAN AC TEST POINT FUSE H L -20dB RTN EQ JXP THERM AUTO STATUS MONITOR ADU JXP IN FUSE OUT TDU JXP OUT -20dB ADU JXP G ADU ICS C A U TION : C ON TA IN S PA R TS A N D A SSE M BLIES SU S CE PTIB LE TO D A M AG E
2-6 Overview Figure 2-5 illustrates the housing port locations: Figure 2-5 Housing ports 2 AS MB SE L I N M 5 1 Test ports ED Test ports 6 O 4 E XI C 3 Port 1 Port 2 BLE*/* Installation and Operation Manual
Overview 2-7 Power Supplies The BLE*/* is available with a standard power supply or the optional power-factor-corrected (PFC) power supply. The following subsections describe and illustrate the differences. Standard Power Supply The power supply of the BLE*/* is a separate circuit board mounted to the underside of the amplifier module and is capable of 60 Vac or 90 Vac powering.
2-8 Overview The factory-installed 20-ampere fuse, illustrated in Figure 2-9, provides power-passing to additional line extenders. Power Factor Corrected Power Supply The PFC power supply is offered as a configured option in the BLE*/*. The PFC design lowers the current draw of the amplifier and improves power supply efficiency for the entire system. Information provided in the previous subsection, Standard Power Supply, is applicable to the PFC.
Overview 2-9 Figure 2-8 illustrates the interconnection among these components: Figure 2-8 BLE*/* block diagram -1.0dB SFE or JXP-T SCS ** ** -20 dB TP Input -1.7 port RF/ dB F AC RF AC -1.0 dB R -1.0dB (~0.0dB with jumper) -1.0dB -6.5dB * see chart PP JXP-T RCB LDR ** ** ** BODE * see chart -1.0dB ** H PD ** L -1.0dB Manual H Auto ** ** Surge protector JXP-T ** ** Status monitor ** +25.0dB L +30.0dB H -0.5dB SRE Therm ** ** Output port On-board attenuator -0.
2-10 Overview LIFELINE status-monitoring system, you can attenuate the return path through the line extender by 6 dB or by 38 dB. By reducing the ingress level at the headend or monitoring point, you can further isolate the ingress source. After an ingress source is isolated to the last possible amplifier, node, or line extender, you can shut the return path off at that location. This limits the impact of the ingress on the remainder of the network while eliminating the source of ingress.
Overview 2-11 Mo d el D es c r i p ti on F u n c tio n FTEC Fast Transfer Electronic Crowbar This option is used for overvoltage protection and replaces the existing surge protector. LL-BLE-HMS Status monitor module This module enables monitoring of the unit’s operating parameters by the LIFELINE status-monitoring system. This accessory also requires the deep housing cover.
2-12 Overview Figure 2-9 Location of options, pads, test points and accessories in the BLE*/* Forward equalizer or Cable simulator (SFE- * - * or SCS- * TP forward input Manual level (MAN) Midstage pad (JXP MID) Input Drive control pad select jumper: (JXP IN) Man/Auto LDR Bode board Optional RCB TP ADU pad (JXP) forward output (use for status Diplex monitor) filter SFE-XX-XX TDU or ADU (shown) TP return output Diplex filter Power block Return equalizer (SRE - * - *) Return output pad (JXP O
S ec ti on 3 Amplifier Setup This section provides instructions for fully configuring the BLE*/* and describes the proper forward and return path alignment procedures. Forward Path Alignment The following subsections describe the BLE*/* alignment procedures required for proper performance in the forward path. Before You Begin Before you begin to set-up the amplifier and perform forward-path alignment, please read the following instructions and recommendations.
3-2 Amplifier Setup that of the LDR must be compensated for by selecting and installing the appropriate SFE-*-* cable equalizer. Equalizers are available in 1 dB steps from 0 dB through 22 dB. The following examples describe how to choose the correct equalizer. E xa m p le 1 The BLE75/* is used in a cascade of amplifiers which operate with 10 dB of cable. System records show that 20 dB of cable exists between the line extender and the previous unit.
Amplifier Setup 3-3 Table 3-1 helps you choose the correct equalizers and also lists insertion loss at various frequencies: Table 3-1 Starline Forward Equalizers – SFE*-* Fr eq u en cy ( MHz ) v e rsu s I n se r ti on Lo ss (d B ) E q u a l i z er Va lu e E q u a l i z er Sl op e 50 200 300 450 550 650 750 870 22 16.3 17.3 11.6 9.1 6.0 4.2 2.5 1.0 20 14.8 15.8 10.7 8.4 5.5 3.9 2.4 1.0 18 13.4 14.4 9.7 7.6 5.1 3.6 2.2 1.0 16 11.9 12.9 8.7 6.9 4.6 3.3 2.1 1.
3-4 Amplifier Setup Figure 3-1 shows the equalizer slope versus equalizer value information presented in Table 3-1 as a graph. The amount of cable equals the equalizer value.
Amplifier Setup 3-5 Starline Cable Simulators The Starline Cable Simulators, Model SCS-*, are used in place of fixed equalizers in systems where the amplifiers are located close together. The simulators are designed to fit in the same location as the equalizers. Table 3-2 helps you choose the correct simulators: Table 3-2 Starline Cable Simulators S C S- * 1 2 3 4 F r eq u en c y 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ca b l e s l op e i n d B 40 MHz 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 45 MHz 0.0 0.
3-6 Amplifier Setup The information in Table 3-2 is shown as a graph in Figure 3-2: Figure 3-2 Frequency versus cable slope 0 Cable slope (dB) -1 -2 SCS-1 -3 SCS-2 -4 SCS-3 -5 SCS-4 -6 SCS-5 -7 870 800 750 700 650 600 550 500 SCS-10 450 -12 400 SCS-9 350 -11 300 SCS-8 250 -10 200 SCS-7 150 -9 100 SCS-6 40 -8 Frequency (MHz) Input and Midstage Pads Install Model JXP-*T pads to attenuate the signal per system design drawings.
Amplifier Setup ! 3-7 C3 produces a peak that is centered at approximately 400 MHz and varied in amplitude by R3. Air coils on the bottom of the *LDR/*/II board may slightly tune the upper portion of the response.
3-8 Amplifier Setup Figure 3-4 illustrates BLE87* flatness and control ranges: Figure 3-4 Typical flatness and control ranges CH2 S21 /M log MAG BLE87S/12/G 1 dB/ 25 Jun 2001 10:22:15 4: 30.757 dB REF 30.49 dB 870.000 000 MHz 1: 30.434 dB 52 MHz 2: 30.306 dB 200 MHz 3: 30.394 dB 800 MHz 4 1 3 2 PRm C? Del 14.7 dB P3-412 @870.0 MHz START 52.000 000 MHz STOP 900.
Amplifier Setup 3-9 Amplifier Level Control Signal levels vary in a cable system primarily because cable attenuation changes with temperature. Other components such as passives and amplifier hybrids are also affected by temperature changes. To automatically compensate for these signal level fluctuations and control output level, you must select the optional ADU or TDU. When necessary and appropriate, you can also use manual gain control.
3-10 Amplifier Setup If you use an SCS cable simulator and the design value is changed, you must also adjust the input pad. For each 1 dB increase in SCS value, 1 dB of loss is introduced at 750 MHz or 1.1 dB of loss at 870 MHz. Therefore, to maintain a proper gain level, it is necessary to adjust the input pad value as follows: 8 ! For each increase in SCS value, decrease the input pad by 1 dB for the BLE75* or 1.1 dB for BLE87*. Pads are available in 0.
Amplifier Setup 3-11 4 Connect a signal-level meter to the FWD OUT test point and tune the meter to the high band-edge carrier. 5 Turn the thermal level potentiometer on the TDU fully clockwise and then reduce to obtain the level obtained in Step 3 under Manual Gain Control. Au t oma ti c D r ive Un i t The ADU operates by using surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters to select a pilot frequency and then monitors the amplitude of this frequency.
3-12 Amplifier Setup Table 3-4 provides the AGC pad values for other output levels. Recommended pad values are shaded. Table 3-4 BLE*/* AGC pad levels B LE */ * AD U C on t r ol Ra n g e (d B m V ) A GC Pa d ( 1 0 t o 1 4 d B til t ) Min i mu m L ev el a t 5 4 7. 2 5 MH z Mid p oin t Le vel a t 5 4 7. 2 5 MH z Ma x imu m Lev el a t 5 4 7.
Amplifier Setup 3-13 Equipment required for return-path alignment includes: ! Full complement of JXP-*T pads and Starline return equalizers (SRE-*-*) ! Reverse signal generator — must produce at least one signal within the return bandpass and have variable output ! Return sweep or alignment equipment It is recommended that you: ! Do not use wire jumpers to bypass the SRE-*-* location ! Perform the return optical link set up before performing amplifier set up ! Specify reverse alignment design l
3-14 Amplifier Setup You can verify proper return alignment by injecting a carrier, at the design level, into any amplifier at random. Proper alignment is achieved if you observe the reference level at the headend optical receiver output. Return levels used for alignment are not necessarily operational system levels. These levels vary from system to system due to differences in equipment, architectures and design philosophies.
S ec ti on 4 B en ch Tes tin g Motorola’s recommended procedure for placing a new BLE*/* into service is to fully test it on the bench before it is field installed. There are specific alignment procedures that ensure proper functioning of all components and simplify final installation. If the BLE*/* is properly aligned on the bench only minor adjustments may be required in the field. The following subsections provide instructions to bench align the BLE*/*.
4-2 Bench Testing Measuring Forward Gain This subsection provides instructions for measuring the full gain and the operational gain and flatness of the BLE*/*. To measure the full gain of the amplifier: 1 Determine whether the power-supply jumper (J1) is positioned for LO or HI operation. 2 Remove the input pad (JXP-IN) before you apply power to avoid damage to the hybrids. 3 Connect the BLE*/* to the test equipment as illustrated in Figure 4-1 and apply power.
Bench Testing 4-3 The sweep response is essentially flat at this point. If the response exhibits tilt, the cable equalizer must be changed. Install a higher equalizer value if the gain is greater at the low frequencies; install the next lower equalizer value if the gain is less at the low-end frequencies. 3 Measure the gain excursions from an average value within the bandpass. The result is the peak-to-valley flatness.
4-4 Bench Testing Complete station records by recording pertinent information. Remove test-equipment connections and close the housing following instructions provided in Section 5, “Installation,” Closing the Housing.
S ec ti on 5 Installation The field installation procedures presented in the following subsections assume that the amplifier was previously tested and bench aligned. Cable power and RF signal must be available on the system. Although it is desirable to have a full complement of channels available for balancing, you can adjust the BLE*/* adequately with a limited number of channels. You can install the BLE-HSG/15 on a messenger strand or on a pedestal.
5-2 8 9 Installation Check the ac voltage setting (jumper J1, Figure 2-6). J1 p osi t ion Desc r ip tion LO The voltage must be greater than 38 Vac as read with a true rms voltmeter or 42 Vac when using a conventional, average reading, ac voltmeter. HI The voltage must be greater than 55 Vac when read with a true rms voltmeter or 61 Vac when using a conventional, average reading, ac voltmeter. Check the dc voltage. Verify that it is between 23.6 V and 24.4 V and reinstall the input pad.
Installation 5-3 Pedestal Installation Mount the BLE*/* to the pre-drilled pedestal mounting plate. Use the 5/16-inch messenger clamp bolts to mount the unit to the pedestal and torque to 10 to 12 in-lbs. Pedestal installation is similar to the aerial installation with one exception—temperature. In an aerial installation, the cable and amplifier are subject to the same temperature.
S ec ti on 6 Operating Tips When using the BLE*/* in 750 MHz or 550 MHz systems, you must consider the best method for handling the reduced bandwidth and channel-loading requirement. The following information helps you determine the best approach. For distribution systems designed and installed as 870 MHz systems, but carrying a reduced channel load, there are no further concerns. You can add or remove channels at your discretion. If the system operates with ADUs, the pilot channel cannot be disturbed.
Ap p en d i x A Specifications Specifications are valid over the given bandpass and operating temperature range of −40°F to +140°F (−40°C to +60°C). Specifications are stated typical unless otherwise noted, and are subject to change. Refer to the Motorola BCS web site or contact your account representative for the latest specifications.
A-2 Specifications Model BLE87S/* Sp eci fica ti on Fo rwa rd A mp li fi e r Bandpass BLE87S/* 52 through 870 MHz Gain Full Operational 34 dB (with SFE-*-*) 30 dB (with SFE-*-* and slope reserves) Flatness 52 through 870 MHz ±0.
Specifications A-3 Model BLE75S/G* Sp eci fica ti on Fo rwa rd A mp li fi e r Bandpass BLE75S/G* 52 through 750 MHz Gain Full Operational 32 dB (with SFE-*-*) 28 dB (with SFE-*-* and slope reserves) Flatness 52 through 870 MHz ±0.60 dB maximum Level control, automatic Bode board using ADU/TDU Gain control Fixed pads, JXP-∗T Performance - reference frequency (MHz) 750/52 750/550/52 750/550/52 at typical output (dBmV) 47/37 45.5/48.5/41.
A-4 Specifications Model BLE75S/* Sp eci fica ti on Fo rwa rd A mp li fi e r Bandpass BLE75S/* 52 through 750 MHz Gain Full Operational 33 dB (with SFE-*-*) 29 dB (with SFE-*-* and slope reserves) Flatness 52 through 750 MHz ±0.
Specifications A-5 RA-Kit/L Return Amplifier Pa ra me t e r Sp eci fica ti on Bandpass BLE*/* Gain, station (minimum) 5 through 40 MHz 19 dB (18 dB for M-split, 16 dB for T-split) Flatness ±0.
Ap p en d i x B Tor q u e S p eci f i ca t i on s Torque specifications are valid for all models of the BLE*/*. T o rq u e Fas ten e r Sc rew Siz e W r en c h Siz e In-lbs F t- l b s N-M Strand clamp/pedestal mounting 5/16-18 1/2 inch 120-144 10-12 13.6-16.3 Housing/lid closure 1/4-20 7/16 inch 72 6.0 8.1 Test point plugs 5/8-24 1/2 inch 25-40 2.1-3.3 2.8-4.5 Seizure screw #8-32 3/16 inch or Phillips 12 1.0 1.4 Hybrid #6-32 Phillips 10-12 0.8-1.0 1.1-1.
Abbreviations and Acronyms The abbreviations and acronyms list contains the full spelling of the short forms used in this manual.
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