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Theory of Operation

7

Low Reflection

 = 10% (

 = 2) is the typical limit of antenna match. Further effort is frequently 

not worthwhile because below this level reflected power is hard to measure, 
and W

l

 can not be significantly increased. TV and VHF transmitters are examples 

of systems requiring lower reflected power but for reasons other than 
maximizing power transmission.

When the same element is used to measure both forward and reflected power, 
meaningful readings are possible down to about 

 = 5% (

 =  1.5). For accurate 

measurement of very low levels of reflected power, i.e. 

 =  0.6% (

 =  1.17), use 

a second element rated at one tenth of the full scale power of the forward 
element. This method should not be used with element ranges differing by 
more than 10:1.

For example, consider an 80 watt transmitter and a Bird APM-16 with 100 and 
10 watt elements. Measure W

f

 with the 100 W element. Measure W

r

 with the 

10 W element (make sure the arrow points towards the transmitter). W

r

 can be 

measured down to at least 0.5 W, so that 

 = 0.5 / 80 or about 0.6%, 

corresponding to 

 = 1.17.

Transmitter Monitoring 

The Thruline Wattmeter can be used for continuous monitoring of transmitter 
output or reflected power, for instance while checking intermittent antenna or 
line faults.

Component Testing 

The Bird APM-16 is very helpful in component testing, and may be employed in 
several ways:
1.

Insertion VSWR or 

 can be measured by placing the component between 

the wattmeter and a good load resistor.

2.

Attenuation (power lost by heat in a line) as well as insertion VSWR or 

 can 

be measured by inserting the unknown line between two Thruline 
Wattmeters, or between a Thruline Wattmeter and a Termaline Absorption 
Wattmeter. 

CAUTION

For low reflection measurements, do not rotate the reflected power element 

to read forward power. Damage to the element or wattmeter could result.

Содержание Thruline APM-16

Страница 1: ...Thruline Wattmeter Model APM 16 Operation Manual Copyright 2016 by Bird Technologies Inc Instruction Book Part Number 920 APM16 Rev E Thruline and Termaline are registered trademarks of Bird Electron...

Страница 2: ...to remove the RF transmission line while RF power is present WARNING Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone Under no circumstances should any person reach into an enclosure for the purpose of service or adjus...

Страница 3: ...ted here for emphasis Refer to page 11 Refer to pages 11 and 13 WARNING Warning notes call attention to a procedure which if not correctly performed could result in personal injury CAUTION Caution not...

Страница 4: ...11 and 23 Refer to page 19 CAUTION For low reflection measurements do not rotate the reflected power element to read forward power Damage to the element or wattmeter could result CAUTION To prevent da...

Страница 5: ...GURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO BENUTZUNG WIRD DAS GER T AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN KANN DIE GER TESICHERHEIT BEEINTR CHTIGT WERDEN UTILISATION TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUME...

Страница 6: ...IE WARTUNG DES GER TES GELTEN NUR F R GESCHULTES FACHPERSONAL ZUR VERMEIDUNG GEF HRLICHE ELEKTRISCHE SCHOCKS SIND WARTUNGSARBEITEN AUSSCHLIE LICH VON QUALIFIZIERTEM SERVICEPERSONAL DURCHZUF HREN ENTRE...

Страница 7: ...NT H F CONSERVER L L MENT DANS LA PRISE LORS DE L EMPLOI HF SPANNUNG KANN IN DER HF ELEMENT BUCHSE ANSTEHEN ELEMENT W HREND DES BETRIEBS EINGEST PSELT LASSEN PUEDE HABER VOLTAJE RF EN EL ENCHUFE DEL E...

Страница 8: ...revision on the title page Literature Contents Chapter Layout Introduction Describes the features of the Bird APM 16 Theory of Operation Describes how the APM 16 operates and describes measurement me...

Страница 9: ...Theory of Operation 2 Traveling Wave Viewpoint 2 Coupling Circuit 2 Load Power 3 Standing vs traveling Waves 3 vs Low Reflection 7 Transmitter Monitoring 7 Component Testing 7 Frequency Response 9 Imp...

Страница 10: ...Repair 20 QC Connectors 20 Replacing the Meter 20 Replacing the Instrumentation Module 20 Calibration 21 Calibration Environment 21 Equipment Required 21 Calibrating 22 Storage 23 Customer Service 23...

Страница 11: ...in a variety of power and frequency ranges See the Bird Electronic Corporation Catalog for details Description The Bird APM 16 is portable and rugged with an aluminum housing For additional protection...

Страница 12: ...d and travels from the load back to the source It has an RF voltage Er and current Ir in phase with Er Ir Zo Each wave is mathematically simple and has a constant power Wf Watts Forward Ef 2 Zo If 2 Z...

Страница 13: ...h very little response to side band components added by modulation Load Power For loads with a VSWR of 1 2 or less the power dissipated in a load Wl is equal with less than one percent error to the fo...

Страница 14: ...been intentionally omitted from the Bird APM 16 Experience using the Thruline Wattmeter for transmitter tune up antenna matching etc will show that the power ratio measurement is as useful as the stan...

Страница 15: ...Theory of Operation 5 Figure 3 Percent Reflected Power vs VSWR 1 0 8 0...

Страница 16: ...RF Directional Thruline Wattmeter Model APM 16 6 Figure 4 Percent Reflected Power vs VSWR 1 0 1 3...

Страница 17: ...nd 10 watt elements Measure Wf with the 100 W element Measure Wr with the 10 W element make sure the arrow points towards the transmitter Wr can be measured down to at least 0 5 W so that 0 5 80 or ab...

Страница 18: ...to create than a high quality short To measure insertion loss use a high quality open circuit to check forward and reverse power equality then connect an open circuited unknown line to the wattmeter...

Страница 19: ...element types H A B C D at their respective frequencies Since C elements have a frequency range of 100 250 MHz response curves for other element types can be approximated by replacing the 100 and 250...

Страница 20: ...ater than 1 For example consider using a Bird APM 16 to tune a 70 ohm line If the load impedance is also 70 ohms the wattmeter will measure a VSWR of 70 50 1 4 However if you remove the wattmeter the...

Страница 21: ...ection of power flow that the meter will read To make measurements insert an element into the line section socket and rotate it against one of the stops Contacts on opposite sides of the element conne...

Страница 22: ...axial transmission lines The RF source can be connected to either side of the wattmeter Absorption Wattmeter Combining the Thruline Wattmeter with a Bird Termaline Load creates an accurate absorption...

Страница 23: ...5 Read the power using the scale whose full scale marking matches the element s maximum power Figure 7 Element Direction For your convenience a pair of VSWR conversion graphs are included in this manu...

Страница 24: ...RF Directional Thruline Wattmeter Model APM 16 14 Figure 8 VSWR Conversion Graph Reflected Power 0 2 20 0...

Страница 25: ...Operating Instructions 15 Figure 9 VSWR Conversion Graph Reflected Power 0 01 1 00...

Страница 26: ...ansmission line theory shows that if the line length changes by exactly 1 2 wavelength the impedance at the transmitter is unchanged To have identical match quality with the Bird APM 16 in or out of t...

Страница 27: ...Operating Instructions 17 Figure 10 Cable Length Wavelength Matching...

Страница 28: ...ion No meter reading No RF power Check RF source Arrow on element pointing wrong way Rotate element Battery drained Check the battery and replace if necessary DC contact bent Adjust contact See Contac...

Страница 29: ...ion Contact Adjustment When cleaning the socket bore do not disturb the spring finger of the DC contact If necessary the contact can be adjusted manually The button must be out far enough to maintain...

Страница 30: ...ide of the housing even with the meter 4 Pull the meter straight out Note If necessary the meter retaining ring and shock mount can be removed 5 Replace the meter by reversing the steps above Replacin...

Страница 31: ...he workspace should be free from electrical noise and radiated signals The workspace and equipment should be at a uniform and stabilized temperature between 20 and 25 C 68 to 77 F The relative humidit...

Страница 32: ...ter and calibration element as shown in Figure 11 above Note The APM does not need to be connected at this time 8 Turn on the voltmeter and power supply 9 Set the output to 2 00 0 1 V Allow the equipm...

Страница 33: ...ferred to a qualified service center If the unit needs to be returned for any reason request an Return Material Authorization RMA through the Bird Technologies website All instruments returned must be...

Страница 34: ...0 full scale Includes 5 overrange Connectors Bird QC N Female normally supplied Battery Standard 9V battery 200 hours operation minimum Operating Position Any EMC Complies with 89 336 EEC and 92 31 EE...

Страница 35: ...sembly 1 4401A002 Cover Assembly 1 4401A011 Line Section Instrumentation Module 1 4401A003 Carrying Strap Included in Housing Assembly 1 8580A003 Dust Plug Aluminum 1 3610 031 Selector Switch Knob 1 4...

Страница 36: ...4240 031 LC Male 4240 025 LT Female 4240 018 LT Male 4240 012 Mini UHF Female 4240 346 N Female 4240 062 N Male 4240 063 Open Term 10 32 Nut 4240 363 SC Female 4240 090 SMA Female 4240 336 SMA Male 42...

Страница 37: ...y such claim for breach of these warranties shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer unless made in writing within ten 10 days from the date of discovery of the defect The above warranties shall not exte...

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