Section 8: Planning control/monitor connections. Nautel NX25 / NX15

NX25 Pre-installation Manual Planning control/monitor connections

Section 8: Planning control/monitor connections

This section describes the types of control and monitoring for the NX25 transmitter. Consider this information and plan for the necessary requirements (wiring, remote switches/indicators, LAN, etc.):

•

AUI control (local and remote)

•

External system interlock - see page 8-2

•

External PDM inhibit - see page 8-4

•

Remote inputs - see page 8-5

•

Remote outputs - see page 8-9

•

Analog outputs - see page 8-12

•

Web based control - see page 8-13

•

SNMP Control/Monitoring - see page 8-14

•

Nautel Phone Home - see page 8-14

AUI control (local and remote)

The NX25’s front door contains an advanced user interface (AUI) that allows you to locally control all transmitter functions and set parameters and schedules.

The remote AUI allows you to adjust any parameter and view any status available in the local AUI via a web browser on a computer connected to the LAN connector on the single-board computer’s motherboard (A1U1) on the back of the control cabinet’s front door.

The NX25 also allows control and monitoring through an Ethernet connection via SNMP, supporting version 1 of the protocol, with traps.

The local or remote AUI also allow you to configure the remote inputs to control various transmitter functions and monitor the transmitter’s status by means of a conventional, parallel wire remote

control interface (see “External system interlock”

and

“Remote outputs” on page 8-9

) or an Ethernet connection (see

“Web based control” on page 8-13 ).

For detailed information about the AUI, refer to the NX25 Operating and Maintenance Manual .

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-1


External system interlock

You can connect an external system interlock to terminal block TB1 (terminals 1 through 4) of the control/interface PWB (A11A1), located on the exciter panel behind the front door. This connection allows you to configure an external system interlock circuit for the NX25. This circuit can be configured as single-ended or differential, using user-provided shorting jumpers on terminal block

TB1 (see Figure 8.1 on page 8-3 ).

Single Ended Input (Internal dc supply).

If you are using the transmitter's 15 V as the current source for the system interlock circuit, install a shorting jumper between the +15V terminal (TB1-1) and the + terminal (TB1-2) and connect your system interlock circuit between the GND terminal

(TB1-4) and the – terminal (TB1-3).

The system interlock circuit must present a short circuit (low impedance) between TB1-4 and TB1-3 when the interlock circuit is intact and it is safe to enable the RF output. It must present an open circuit when any external interlock switch is activated and the RF output requires inhibition.

Differential Input (External dc supply).

If you are using an external dc supply (capable of providing between 12 V and 25 V) as the current source for the system interlock circuit, connect the supply’s positive output to the + terminal (TB1-2) and the supply’s ground (negative) output to the – terminal (TB1-3), via the system interlock circuit. No shorting jumper is required.

The system interlock circuit must present a short circuit (low impedance) between the external supply’s ground (negative) output and TB1-3 when the interlock circuit is intact and it is safe to enable the RF output. It must present an open circuit when any external interlock switch is activated and the RF output requires inhibition.

You can install any number of serial interlock switches provided the above conditions are met. If you are not using an external system interlock circuit, connect user-provided jumpers between TB1-1 and

TB1-2 and between TB1-3 and TB1-4.

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Figure 8.1: External Interlock and PDM Inhibit Circuits

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-3


External PDM inhibit

You can connect an external PDM inhibit to terminal block TB1 (terminals 5 through 8) of the control/interface PWB (A11A1), located on the exciter panel behind the front door. This connection allows you to configure an external PDM inhibit circuit that provides an emergency RF inhibit control for the NX25. This circuit can be configured as single-ended or differential, using user-

provided shorting jumpers on terminal block TB1 (see Figure 8.1

).

Single Ended Input (Internal dc supply).

If you are using the transmitter's 15 V as the current source for the PDM inhibit circuit, install a shorting jumper between the +15V terminal (TB1-5) and the + terminal (TB1-6) and connect your external PDM inhibit circuit between the GND terminal

(TB1-8) and the – terminal (TB1-7).

The external PDM inhibit circuit must present a short circuit (low impedance) between TB1-8 and

TB1-7 when the RF output requires inhibition. It must present an open circuit for normal operation.

Differential Input (External dc supply).

If you are using an external dc supply (capable of providing between 12 V and 25 V) as the current source for the external PDM inhibit circuit, connect the supply’s positive output to the + terminal (TB1-6) and the supply’s ground (negative) output to the – terminal (TB1-7), via the external PDM inhibit circuit. No shorting jumper is required.

The external PDM inhibit circuit must present a short circuit (low impedance) between TB1-8 and

TB1-7 when the RF output requires inhibition. It must present an open circuit for normal operation.

Page 8-4 Issue 3.2 2016-02-08


Remote inputs

You can connect to up to 16 remote inputs, which allow you to remotely control various operational characteristics of the transmitter. Each input is mapped to a control that is user defined. See Table 8.1 on page 8-5 for a list of input options and their functional descriptions. See Table 8.2 on page 8-6 for the associated input terminals and control switches (see

“Backup control switches” on page 8-8

) on the remote interface PWB (A11A4). Refer to the NX25 Operations and Maintenance Manual for instructions on changing the remote input settings, including which setting is assigned to the input pin and which logic is required to change (activate, enable, etc.) the setting.

Unless otherwise noted these inputs are only accepted by the transmitter if the remote/local status is set to remote. That setting can only be made by a local user using the front panel AUI.

The external remote input circuits interface with the transmitter via the remote interface PWB and then with opto couplers on the control/interface PWB. The opto couplers buffer and isolate the external circuits and prevent any unwanted transients from affecting transmitter operation while remote control is selected on the transmitter.

Table 8.1: Remote Inputs - Selection Options

Remote Input

RF On

Function

Same as pressing the AUI RF On button. Tells the transmitter to provide RF power if possible. Provide an active pulse to select.

RF Off Same as pressing the AUI RF Off button. Tells the transmitter to disable RF power. Provide an active pulse to select.

Reset

Increase RF Power

Decrease RF Power Decreases the power level of the current mode. Send an active pulse to decrease the power slightly, or send a signal of greater duration to continue decreasing power.

Exciter A Select Causes a changeover to select exciter A as the active exciter. Provide an active pulse to select.

Exciter B Select

Causes a system reset. Provide an active pulse to select.

Increases the power level of the current mode. Send an active pulse to increase the power slightly, or send a signal of greater duration to continue increasing power.

Auto Exciter

Changeover

Causes a changeover to select exciter B as the active exciter. Provide an active pulse to select.

Enables or disables automatic exciter changeover. Provide an active pulse to toggle between selecting automatic or manual.

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-5


Remote Input

Scheduler On/Off

Max Power Lockout

Select

Preset Select

Function

Enables or disables the automatic mode scheduler. Provide an active pulse to toggle between selecting automatic or manual.

Selects the associated power lockout limit (1 to 8) as active. Provide an active pulse to select.

Selects the associated user-named mode as the active preset. Provide an active pulse to select.

Table 8.2: Remote Inputs - Remote Interface PWB Circuits

Remote Input

1

14

15

16

12

13

10

11

8

9

6

7

4

5

2

3

Input Terminal

J7-8

J9-6

J9-4

J9-3

J8-4

J8-3

J9-8

J9-7

J7-2

J8-8

J8-7

J8-6

J7-7

J7-6

J7-4

J7-3

Switch

01

14

15

16

12

13

10

11

08

09

06

07

04

05

02

03

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External switching circuit requirements

The switching circuits for the remotely controlled functions must be the equivalent of a normally open (momentary) switch. The switches must be configured to operate as a single-ended input using the transmitter's 15 V dc as the source, or as a differential input using an external dc power supply

(12 - 18 V) applied to J6-7 or J6-8. The control/interface PWB contains a selection circuit that allows you to select internal (single-ended, see Option 1) or external (differential, see Option 2) dc power supply for all remote inputs.

Inputs are toggled between states by an active pulse unless otherwise noted. To ensure proper operation, the duration of the active pulse should be a minimum of 250 ms. Refer to the NX25

Operations and Maintenance Manual to see the various logic control options for remote inputs.

Option 1 - Single Ended Input (Internal dc supply).

When you use the transmitter's 15 V as the current source for a control function's opto coupler, configure the circuits on the control/ interface PWB for single ended inputs (see Figure 8.2

). The INT/EXT 3-pin header (E3) must have its

2-socket shunt post connected between pins 2 and 3 to configure the circuit.

Figure 8.2: Single-Ended Input Selected

+15 V INPUT

GND

J6-7/8

J6-5/6

REMOTE

INTERFACE

PWB

+15V

1

E3

3

INT

2

CONTROL/

INTERFACE

PWB

DIGITAL INPUT (01 TO 16)

01 TO 16

REMOTE SELECTION CIRCUITRY

CONFIGURED FOR INTERNAL

DC SUPPLY

S2070500 V1

When the remote input is configured for logic ‘0’, a negative logic (current-sink-to-ground) command must be applied to the appropriate remote input (1 through 16). To avoid a ground loop, obtain the ground from the remote interface PWB (J7-1 or 5, J8-1 or 5, or J9-1 or 5).

Option 2 - Differential Input (External dc supply).

When you use an external dc voltage

(12 V to 18 V) as the current source for a control function's opto coupler, configure the control function's external switching circuit and the control/interface PWB’s selection circuit for a differential input (see Figure 8.3 on page 8-8 ). The INT/EXT 3-pin header (E3) must have its 2-socket shunt post connected between pins 1 and 2 to configure the circuit.

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-7

NX25 Pre-installation Manual

Figure 8.3: Differential Input Selected

EXTERNAL DC

PWR SUPPLY

(+12V TO +18V) J6-7/8

REMOTE

INTERFACE

PWB

Planning control/monitor connections

+15V

E3

1 EXT 2

3

CONTROL/

INTERFACE

PWB

DIGITAL INPUT (01 TO 16)

01 TO 16

REMOTE SELECTION CIRCUITRY

CONFIGURED FOR EXTERNAL

DC SUPPLY

S2070501 V1

The normally open/momentarily closed switch should be located between the dc supply's negative output and the remote input.

Backup control switches

The remote interface PWB contains a push-button switch [ 01 (S1) through 16 (S16)] for each of the

16 remote inputs. Each switch provides a means to locally activate its associated remote input in the event that the associated AUI control is not available. See Table 8.2 on page 8-6 to determine the switch associated with each of the remote inputs.

Below each switch is a blank, white label to allow for labelling of the control.

Remote input connections

Remote inputs 1 through 16, as required, connect to the terminals of connectors J7, J8 and J9 on the remote interface PWB (A11A4). See Table 8.2 on page 8-6 to determine the input terminal associated with each remote input.

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Remote outputs

Up to 16 remote outputs, that indicate either the presence of various alarms or the status of operator controlled circuits, are available for remote monitoring on connectors J3, J4 and J5 on the remote interface PWB (A11A4). The sources and active logic levels of these remote outputs are user-defined.

See Table 8.3 on page 8-10 for a list of output options and their descriptions. See Table 8.4 on page 8-11 for the associated output terminals and status LEDs (see

“LED configuration” ) on the

remote interface PWB.

A switching device for each remote output provides the desired active logic when a true condition exists. Nautel presets all remote outputs for Logic ‘0’ Active.

If the remote output is configured as Logic ‘0’ Active (see the NX25 Operations and Maintenance

Manual ), then the remote output’s switching circuit will provide a current-sink-to-ground when a logic true condition exists and an open collector for a logic false condition.

If the remote output is configured as Logic ‘1’ Active (see the NX25 Operations and Maintenance

Manual ), then the remote output’s switching circuit will provide an open collector when a logic true condition exists and a current-sink-to-ground for a logic false condition.

LED configuration

The remote interface PWB contains a bi-colour LED (DS1 through DS16) and a shorting jumper

(E1 through E16) for each of the 16 remote outputs. Each LED can be configured to glow green for a status output or red for an alarm output, by setting the position of the associated shorting jumper.

For a status output, install the shorting jumper to short positions 1 and 2 of its post. For an alarm output, install the shorting jumper to short positions 2 and 3 of its post. See Table 8.4 on page 8-11 to determine the LED and shorting jumper associated with each remote output.

Below each LED is a blank, white label to allow for labelling of the status/alarm output.

Remote output connections

Remote outputs 1 through 16, as required, connect to terminals of connectors J3, J4 and J5 on the remote interface PWB (A11A4). See Table 8.4 on page 8-11 to determine the output terminal associated with each remote output.

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-9


Table 8.3: Remote Outputs - Selection Options

Remote Output

Remote Status

RF On Status

Exciter A Status

Auto Exciter

Changeover Status

Main Exciter Status

Mode Scheduler

Status

Various Alarms

Watchdog Reset

Preset Status

Max Power Lockout

Status

Remote Input

Description

Indicates the local/remote control status of the transmitter. Logic true if transmitter is in remote mode. Logic false if transmitter is in local mode. Changes can only be made remotely if the transmitter is set to remote mode. The local user’s control of transmitter operation is limited, unless the transmitter is set to local mode.

Indicates the on/off status of the transmitter’s RF power stage. Logic true is RF is enabled.

Indicates which exciter is presently active. Logic true if exciter A is active. Logic false if exciter B is active.

Indicates the status of the auto exciter changeover function. Logic true if enabled (auto).

Logic false if disabled (manual).

Indicates which exciter is selected as main. Logic true if exciter A is main. Logic false if exciter B is main.

Indicates the status of the mode scheduler function. Logic true if enabled (scheduler). Logic false if disabled (manual).

Logic true condition indicates the associated alarm is occuring. Logic false if it is not occuring.

Must be configured as Remote Output 1 . Indicates that a watchdog reset is occurring, due to an error in communication between the Controller and the single-board computer.

Indicates that the associated user-named mode is currently active.

Indicates that a maximum power lockout limit (1 to 8) has been selected..Logic true if the lockout has been selected. Logic false if the lockout has not been selected.

Mimics the logic of the associated remote input selection. Example: If Remote Output 5 is set to Remote Input, it will mimic the logic received on remote input pin 5. This is typically used for debugging remote inputs.

Page 8-10 Issue 3.2 2016-02-08


Table 8.4: Remote Outputs - Remote Interface PWB Circuits

Remote Output

1

2

13

14

11

12

15

16

9

10

7

8

3

4

5

6

Output Terminal

J3-8

J3-7

J4-3

J5-8

J5-7

J5-6

J4-8

J4-7

J4-6

J4-4

J5-4

J5-3

J3-6

J3-4

J3-3

J3-2

Status LED

DS1

DS2

DS11

DS12

DS13

DS14

DS7

DS8

DS9

DS10

DS15

DS16

DS3

DS4

DS5

DS6

Shorting Jumper

E1

E2

E11

E12

E13

E14

E7

E8

E9

E10

E15

E16

E3

E4

E5

E6

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-11


Analog outputs

The transmitter provides sample signals that let you monitor transmitter performance. The sources of these analog outputs are pre-defined and configured at Nautel. See Table 8.5

for a list of these predefined outputs, their descriptions and their associated output terminals on the remote interface

PWB. The outputs are op-amp buffered outputs from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The dc voltage of each output is between 0 to 6 V, and varies within the real limits of the parameter being monitored. The monitoring circuit’s impedance for each analog output must be greater than 1,000 ohms.

In addition to the four pre-defined analog outputs, a true RF sample of the RF output voltage waveform is available for external monitoring.

Analog output connections

Analog outputs 1 through 4 connect to terminals of connector J6 on the remote interface PWB

(A11A4). See Table 8.5

to determine the output terminal associated with each analog output.

Table 8.5: Factory Defined Analog Outputs

Analog Output Description

1. Forward Power Reports a sample of the transmitter’s forward power level. This dc voltage is a pure square law function and will be full-scale (6 V) when the forward power is 25 kW.

Output Terminal

J6-4

2. Reflected

Power

J6-3

3. B+ Voltage

4. Dc Current

Reports a sample of the transmitter’s reflected power level. This dc voltage is a pure square law function and will be full-scale (6 V) when the reflected power is 4 kW.

Reports a sample of the control cabinet’s B+ dc voltage level. This dc voltage is a linear function and will be full-scale (6 V) when the B+ voltage in the control cabinet is 400 V.

Reports a sample of the dc current level. This dc voltage is a linear function and will be full-scale (6 V) when the dc current is 125 A.

J6-2

J6-1

Page 8-12 Issue 3.2 2016-02-08


Web based control

An Ethernet port is available on the SBC’s motherboard (A1U1) on the back of the control cabinet’s front door. This port allows a user with proper authentication to remotely control and interrogate the

NX25’s operational status. Most functionality available on the front panel AUI is available remotely, provided the user has been granted proper authorization (refer to the NX25 Operations and

Maintenance Manual for details on setting user permissions). Nautel recommends you use shielded

Cat5 cable or better to make this connection.

Remote Access

The only access to the AUI is through the LAN connector on the control/interface PWB (A4).

For security purposes, Nautel recommends you place your transmitter behind a router acting as a firewall. To allow remote AUI access to a transmitter behind a firewall, the firewall must allow TCP traffic through the following ports:

• TCP port 80: required to allow the web browser operating on the remote computer to access the web server operating on the transmitter.

• TCP port 3501: used for regular AUI-to-transmitter communication. Also used to perform a security check to allow the remote web browser to access AUI content from the transmitter’s web server .

• TCP ports 161 and 162: Used for SNMP Agents and Traps, respectively.

For security purposes, Nautel recommends you block the following port:

• TCP port 22: block during normal operation; when required, may be used to allow Secure

Shell (SSH) programs such as PuTTY, etc. to access the transmitter.

Once your transmitter is isolated behind a firewall, there are a variety of standard network management techniques that can be used to establish a connection, including routing tables and a virtual private network (VPN).

Detailed information about network management is beyond the scope of this manual. Selecting a specific technique may depend on your existing network configuration. Nautel recommends that the planning, implementation and ongoing support of a network that includes a transmitter be performed by a team that includes at least one member with suitable knowledge of network management.

NOTE : If you have more than one transmitter on the same LAN, you will need to use port forwarding to allow access to individual transmitters on the network.

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-13


SNMP Control/Monitoring

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a request-response protocol where the client and agent communicate using binary packets. For Nautel transmitters, SNMP is used to communicate transmitter control commands (e.g., RF on/off, main exciter, active preset, power adjustments, etc.) as well as monitor data such as alarm states and meter values. Although there are three different versions of the protocol in widespread use (SNMPv1, SNMPv2c and SNMPv3), Nautel only supports SNMPv1.

Nautel provides the central software component, the SNMP agent, which is a program that runs on the transmitter. The SNMP agent interacts with SNMP client software applications, which range from simple MIB browser applications like the free one provided by iReasoning to customized solutions such as those provided by Burk. Nautel does not provide SNMP client software.

Access to SNMP control/monitoring is through the ETHERNET/USB connector (J3A) on the control/interface PWB (A4). When you log into the remote AUI, you can access the User Settings ->

SNMP Configuration page to set the SNMP Agent Port number, Read Community and Write

Community passwords and SNMP Trap information.

If you are planning to use SNMP, contact Nautel to obtain MIB files for your client software.

MIB files are available through Nautel’s FTP site: ftp://www3.nautel.com/SNMP_MIBs/

Email Server

The transmitter’s remote AUI allows you to configure an email notification feature, which can initiate emails to specified users when specific alarm or status conditions occur (refer to the NX25

Operations and Maintenance Manual for details).

The NX25 supports email servers that are unsecure and secure; requiring authentication (user name/ password) as well as encryption. Consult with your network administrator for more details.

Nautel Phone Home

Phone Home is a system developed by Nautel that takes advantage of the vast amount of data collected by Nautel transmitters by proactively sending information to Nautel via the internet once a user enables Phone Home on their transmitter.

This data includes logs, alarms and meter readings which are then stored in a database and can be analyzed by Nautel Customer Service if an alarm is reported by the transmitter. Since all data is pushed out to Nautel by the transmitter, there is no need to reconfigure your firewall and potentially compromise your transmitters security. All data transfers are one way.

Page 8-14 Issue 3.2 2016-02-08


Nautel transmitters are intelligent, collecting data on nearly every aspect affecting your transmitter’s performance. When this data is used by Nautel Customer Service staff for diagnostic purposes it cuts down on repair time and gets you back on air faster.

Nautel Customer Service technicians can use Phone Home to analyze data in real time, even accessing the live AUI, or to view the state of a customer’s transmitter at any time leading up to a fault.

This unique diagnostic approach allows Nautel support staff to review the events leading up to and during an alarm occurrence, giving customer service technicians valuable insight into how your transmitter is behaving before, during and after an alarm and how this behavior may be related to the alarm event.

If you are planning to participate in the Nautel Phone Home feature, no pre-installation actions are required. After successfully installing your NX25 and connecting to the remote AUI, navigate to the

User Settings -> Nautel Phone Home page and enter your serial number and email (optional).

Nautel will begin to monitor your transmitter’s performance.

Issue 3.2 2016-02-08 Page 8-15


Page 8-16 Issue 3.2 2016-02-08

Section 8: Planning control/monitor connections. Nautel NX25 / NX15

Section 8: Planning control/monitor connections

AUI control (local and remote)

External system interlock

External PDM inhibit

Remote inputs

External switching circuit requirements

Backup control switches

Remote input connections

Remote outputs

LED configuration

Remote output connections

Analog outputs

Analog output connections

Web based control

Remote Access

SNMP Control/Monitoring

Email Server

Nautel Phone Home

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