98-175666-A
E-1
Appendix E
Grounding and RF protection
E
E.1 Introduction to grounding
E.1.1 Reasons for grounding
Grounding the SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka 4.5W system is required for at least two reasons:
• Safety: Lightning protection of persons and equipment.
• Protection: ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection of equipment.
E.1.2 Safety
First of all grounding of the system is required for safety reasons. In the event of a lightning
strike at the ADU a proper grounding of the system will provide a low resistance path to
divert the strike discharge to seawater.
E.1.3 ESD Protection
The ESD protection circuits in the BDU rely on proper grounding of the system in order to
work properly. Otherwise sensitive circuits within the BDU might be damaged due to ESD
when you are handling the equipment.
E.1.4 RF interference
Interference induced from nearby high-power RF transmitters might cause system failures
and in extreme cases permanent damage to the SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka 4.5W equipment. If
there are problems with interference from HF transmitters, it is advisable to mount ferrite
clamps on the coax cable in order to provide suppression of induced RF. The ferrites will
have no effect on the differential-mode signals but increases the impedance in relation to
common-mode RFI.
Recommendations
Use 1-5 pcs. hinged clamp cores (e.g. the RFC or SFC series from Kitagawa) mounted on the
ADU cable near the ADU.
