User Equipment Manual for Phalcon NT Report Ref: Issue: Classification: Dated: Phalcon NT 10 Commercial in Confidence 21/05/2020 Approval: Name P Hayter Project Role Technical Authority S Green Manufacturing N Sparling Technical Director I Duke Quality Assurance Signature Page 1 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
Table of Contents Introduction. ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Equipment Description...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Equipment Identification ................................................................................................................
Measurement Units ................................................................................................................................................ 23 Sensitivity ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 Flow Chart ...............................................................................................................................................................
Introduction. This manual provides a brief description of the Transponder and its functions. It also details the initial setup and installation procedures. Equipment Description. The Phalcon NT Transponder is a marine radar beacon system (RACON) capable of responding to S-band and X-band pulsed radars in compliance with the ITU recommendations ITU-R M.824-4 ‘Technical Parameters of Radar Beacons’.
Block Diagram and Construction A. B. C. D. E. Flange Joint. Breather. Comms Connection. Power connection. Lightning Ground connection. The Transponder comprises one major assembly that contains the S-band and X-band receivers, transmitters and antennas, together with the signal processing and power conditioning sub-systems. The Transponder can be considered as being two sub-assemblies: the Base Housing and the Radome.
one for power and the other for communication. Additionally, a water impervious breather is used to allow pressure equalisation for air transport and the daily change in atmospheric pressure. This negates the need to pressurise the assembly. Above the main flange is the radome which contains and protects the antennas. This is made from Lustran® which is transparent to RF signals.
Specification Frequency of Operation S band 2.9 to 3.1GHz X band 9.2 to 9.
Frequency performance Frequency accuracy (50ns to 200ns pulse widths) ±3.5MHz Frequency accuracy(>200ns pulse widths) ±1.
BITE Monitoring / communication (via terminal and RS232 interface) Input voltages Firmware version Serial number Unit ID Alarms Alarm/Siren Control Closed fully floating contacts on fault Internal Fault detected Environmental Environmental Operating ranges GMU and ATEX Category 3 -40⁰C to +70⁰C ATEX Category 2 -20⁰C to +40⁰C Altitude <2000m IP Rating Designed to meet IP67 Page 9 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER
Interfaces External interface +10V to +36V DC (operating – 10% Tx duty cycle) < 10 W +10V to +36V DC (standby) <0.1W Current 3A max Power Connector types – MIL-C38999 . See appendix B Control Interface RS 232 Monitor and Control (M&C) and in field programming Connector types – MIL-C38999 . See appendix B Mechanical Height 810mm nom Diameter (including lift ring) 384mm nom Weight (Transponder with standard base ring) 10.
Parts List The following list identifies those parts that the end user will have interaction with, i.e. the external parts of the RACON. Additionally the main assemblies inside the RACON are detailed, although it is not expected that the unit will be disassembled at any time unless returned to the manufacturer, and disassembly should only be undertaken by trained and approved technicians.
The Transponder is secured to a platform using three or more bolts (suitable for M10 bolts torqued to a max of 15 Nm), arranged in the pattern given in Appendix A. As the manufacturer of the equipment, Linwave do not know the specifics of each installation site and so the supply of the fixing’s and any other parts required are left to the customer’s discretion; however a clear line of sight to intended radars is necessary for correct operation.
Connection process The two circular cable connectors are designed to be fitted by hand. This is done by grasping the connector firmly, aligning the outer connector to match the alignment pins on the mating half in the housing and then pressing towards the body of the transponder whilst twisting the outer body of the connector clockwise until the connector mates with the mating half fitted to the transponder housing.
Fault Diagnosis and Repair The unit contains no user-serviceable parts. In the event of failure, the unit should be returned to the supplier. Safety Only trained and approved technicians should attempt to disassemble the transponder or attempt to repair or replace any items within the transponder. RF power levels and surface temperatures within the transponder may exceed safe limits if the unit is still operating and/or has been recently operating at temperatures in excess of 60°C.
Appendix A. Mechanical Details Mounting hole locations (distribute fixings evenly about the circumference) Page 15 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
External Dimensions Page 16 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
Appendix B. Electrical Connection Points Connector Positioning Breather. Comms Connection. Power connection. Lightning Ground connection. Page 17 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
Connector Pin outs The Comms Connector on the Transponder is defined and configured as shown below. A mating connector is supplied with the system at one end of the comms cable.
The Power Connector on the Transponder is defined and configured as shown below. A suitable mating connector with appropriate sealing should be used in the construction of the power cable.
19 Way cable connector cores with optional 5 CORE CABLE Function BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER BITE BITE Signal On - Normally Close Relay Contact (Open if Fault A High) Middle - Relay Contact Off - Normally Open Relay Contact (Closed if Fault A High) Fault Ref Neg Fail - Opto Pulled to Fault Ref when Fault A High +V +V +V 0V 0V 0V Relay Enable A (Link to Relay Enable B to enable relay) Relay Enable B (Link to Relay Enable A to enable relay) 19-Way Metal Circular Bulkhead
Appendix C. Transponder Configuration GUI Overview The Configuration GUI provided with the system allows a simple method by which the transponder can be configured for the user’s requirement.
If for any reason the USB to serial connector is disconnected from either the PC or the transponder before completing the configuration of the transponder, then the GUI will need to be closed and reloaded (selecting the appropriate COM port as before) and the main power to the transponder cycled off and on. Configuring the Transponder Buoy Character The Morse character used for the transponder’s response can be chosen from the drop down list.
Response Length The length of the response, as seen by the radar that the transponder is responding to, can be selected from the drop down list. The units of measure for this can be changed between km and nautical miles (nmi) using an option under Setup. (Note that after changing the units of measure, the response length will be set to Auto.) If the Auto option is selected, then the Response Length is based on the length of the pulse received from the interrogating radar.
Sensitivity The sensitivity of the transponder to S-Band and X-Band signals can be set independently. The HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW settings are related as described in the following example: A radar that just triggers the transponder at some range (say 40km) when the HIGH option is selected would need to be at half that range (20km) to trigger a response if the MEDIUM setting was selected. Similarly, if LOW had been selected, then the radar would need to be at half the range again, i.e., 10km.
Flow Chart The flow chart shown on the Configuration GUI illustrates the way the transponder works through its various states, as well as allowing the various parameters that control its power consumption to be edited. Page 25 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
Three of the boxes contain durations in minutes and seconds that can be edited, whilst a fourth box allows a Pulse Count threshold to be set. Their specific functions are described as follows: The transponder listens for radar pulses for up to the time entered in the Listen box.
Change some of the Configuration GUI’s settings. Re-connect the power supply to the transponder. Observe that the Configuration GUI’s settings are restored to the configuration previously set and that none of the settings are shown in italics. Disconnect the power supply from the transponder. Disconnect the comms cable from the transponder. Page 27 of 28 Document Reference Phalcon NT, Issue 9 and Date 07/04/2020 THIS IS THE PROPERTY OF PHAROS MARINE AUTOMATIC POWER LIMITED.
Appendix D. Commissioning of the Racon Care must be exercised in the location of the RACON: The racon must be installed in an area that has a clear view or sight of where the client ships or vessels are located. Do not install the racon behind poles, posts, fences or guard rails. The racon signal behaves like light and cannot go through or around objects of any kind. The racon should be levelled. For fixed mounting surfaces, install the racon within a few degrees of true vertical.
