RFI U9I04D RECEIVER MULTICOUPLER User Guide
- June 5, 2024
- RFI
Table of Contents
RFI U9I04D RECEIVER MULTICOUPLER
INTRODUCTION
The Receiver Multicoupler (RxMUX) is a low noise, high intercept point active multicoupler designed to distribute signals from a single antenna to multiple receivers. The gain can be set locally using the Gain Switches or remotely via the USB interface. System status can be remotely monitored via the USB interface with local indication of power, fault and control status given by LEDs on the front and back panels. DC operation is standard with an optional external AC to DC power supply available for AC operation.
INSTALLATION
Mounting
The RxMUX is to be mounted indoors only. It is designed to fit in a 1U rack
space and should be mounted clear of any equipment that generates excess heat.
Do not mount the unit inside small unventilated enclosures. Continuous
operation above the specified maximum temperature may lead to premature
failure of the RxMUX.
DC Power
Power the unit from any convenient external supply that can provide the
appropriate voltage and current (see serial number label on the product). The
DC power input is reverse polarity protected.
AC Power
The optional AC plug pack is supplied with a two-way Phoenix plug. The plug
pack should be mounted safely in a convenient location and clear of any
equipment or obstructions which may cause it to overheat.
Alarm Connector
A three-way Phoenix plug is provided to connect the alarm relay to an
external alarm. Under normal operating conditions the alarm output pins marked
NC and COM are open. If a fault occurs or power is disconnected, these pins
close.
Earthing
Compliance with international electrical safety standards requires that the
external Protective Earthing point on this equipment, as indicated by this
symbol, be permanently hardwired to the premises protective earth system using
1.5 mm2 (14 AWG) minimum cross-sectional area conductor. This connection
provides protection from hazardous and transient voltages.
RF Input
The specified maximum input signal level should be observed to avoid
damaging the input amplifier.
RxMUX Configuration for up to 8 Outputs
RxMUX Configuration for up to 16 Outputs
RxMUX Configuration for up to 64 Outputs
RF Outputs 1 to 8
Eight equal-level N connector RF outputs are available. Best performance
will be achieved if 50 ohm terminations are fitted to any unused RF outputs
however, as the outputs are well isolated from each other, the performance
degradation is minimal if the unused RF outputs are left unterminated.
Expansion Port
This port is provided to connect to an optional Expansion Multicoupler. If
the optional Expansion Multicoupler is not fitted it is important to fit a
50-ohm termination to the Expansion Port. If it is not terminated the RxMUX
performance will be significantly degraded.
Cabling and RF Connections
Please ensure that the antenna connection to the unit is properly grounded
to avoid lightning transients damaging the unit.
USB Drivers
USB drivers must be installed on your PC to connect to the RxMUX. Go to the
RxMUX product page on the RFI website and click on the PDFS & DOWNLOADS tab.
Download the USB Drivers zip file and extract the contents to a convenient
temporary location. When the RxMUX USB cable is first plugged into your PC,
you will be asked to install the new driver. Follow the on-screen instructions
to install the driver from the temporary location. Two different drivers are
provided and it may be necessary to install both drivers depending on your
particular computer configuration.
OPERATION
Green Power LED
The green LED is active when external power is present. If the green LED is not on then either there is no DC voltage present or the polarity is incorrect.
Red Fault LED
The red LED will come on under the following circumstances.
- The input voltage is either too high or too low.
- The internal power rails are outside their normal operating range.
- The internal amplifier currents are outside their normal operating range.
Yellow Control Mode LEDs
The yellow LEDs indicate which control mode is active. If the “USB” LED is on
then the gain will be determined by a setting stored in internal memory which
can be changed via the USB interface. If the “Switch” LED is on then the gain
will be determined by the setting on the two rotary switches on the back of
the unit. If the yellow LED is blinking then a value outside the unit’s gain
range has been set on the switches and the gain will be 0 dB.
USB Control Mode
A USB type B connector is provided on the back panel. With a terminal program
running on the PC (e.g. HyperTerminal), it is possible to communicate with the
RxMUX to change the gain setting and monitor internal faults and voltages.
Switch Control Mode – Gain Setting
Two rotary switches are provided to set the gain of the RxMUX between 0 dB and
the Maximum Gain. One is labeled “x10” which steps the gain in 10 dB steps and
the other “x1” which steps the gain in 1 dB steps. e.g. For a RxMUX with a
Maximum Gain=15 dB the gain will increase from 0 dB with the switches set to
“00” to 15 dB with the switches set to “15”. For all switch settings outside
the 0 to 15 dB range the gain will be 0 dB.
Software Commands
- HELP: Displays a summary of available commands.
- SET GAIN: {x}Sets gain between 0 dB and the maximum gain.
- SET CONTROL: {USB|SW} Selects control mode.
- SET NAME: {name}User can enter the site name or other information.
- SHOW ID: Displays name, version, and serial number.
- SHOW STATUS: Displays gain and fault information.
- START: Resets the screen.
Resetting the RxMUX to Switch Control Mode
If the RxMUX is in USB control mode but the user does not have access to a
computer, the unit can be forced into Switch Control mode by setting the two
rotary GAIN switches to “99” and cycling the power.
Operating Precautions
- There is no On/Off switch on the unit – it becomes active as soon as DC power is connected or the AC plug pack is switched on at the AC outlet.
- Do not operate the unit outside the specified operating temperature range.
- Do not open the unit as there are no user-serviceable parts inside. All faulty equipment should be returned to the supplier for repair
Specifications
- Typical at 25⁰C
User Manual
For more detailed information on the hardware installation and software,
commands see the User Manual which can be downloaded from the product page on
the RFI website.
Help
For help on using this product contact your nearest Sales Office or visit:
www.rfi.com.au