WA-611 Antenna Distribution System

The WiNRADiO WA-611 Antenna Distribution System features 3 antenna inputs and 6 receiver outputs, and consists of antenna matrix switches, preamplifiers with an extremely high third order intercept point, and a combination of suitable filters. Fully integrated to achieve the best possible performance over a wide frequency range, these systems are eminently suitable for government, defence, law enforcement and other demanding high-end applications.

The microprocessor-controlled unit can be operated autonomously via a control panel, or remotely via an RS-232 link using Windows-based PC-resident software with an easy-to-use graphical user interface. These units can be used with any third-party equipment, and are particularly suitable for WiNRADiO MS-8000-series Multichannel Surveillance and Monitoring Systems, for which they provide user-transparent, fully automatic antenna switching.

The antenna inputs are configured as follows:

Antenna 1	0.15 - 30 MHz
Antenna 2	30 -100 MHz
Antenna 3	100-1500 MHz

The frequency boundaries can be customized to meet individual customer specifications. For each antenna input, an 18dB switchable attenuator and a band-stop filter for broadcast frequencies can be used. The attenuators and filters can be engaged for each antenna independently, either directly via the front panel or remotely via the serial port.

The unit also contains the following user-switchable filters, in addition to the fixed band preselector filters. These are used to reject broadcast frequencies:

Ant. 1 Filter	0.515-1.610 MHz
Ant. 2 Filter	88-108 MHz
Ant. 3 Filter	88-108 MHz

The unit also contains power supplies for external antenna preamplifiers (+12V is applied to the antenna leads). These voltages are normally switched off by default, and can be selectively enabled/disabled in remote operation mode.

Front View

Antenna Distribution Unit - Front Panel

The front panel of the WA-611 unit is divided into a keypad area and the status display. The keypad is used to enter the matrix configuration (which receiver is connected to which antenna), to switch on/off the attenuators and band-stop filters, and to enable/disable remote control.

Rear View

Antenna Distribution Unit - Rear View

The antennas are connected using N-type connectors at the rear of the unit. The receivers are connected via BNC connectors. Connecting to the RS-232 serial port is done via a standard 9-pin connector. An optional second RS-232 port may be installed by special requirement. (This is usually used in high-reliability redundancy systems where the second RS-232 port is connected to a back-up computer equipment.)

Remote Operation

In remote operation mode, the unit will accept commands from the host computer and continue showing the current settings on the front panel status display. The unit can be controlled and its status interrogated via the serial interface, using a set of ASCII commands. For a detailed explanation of the low-level control commands, click here.

Control Software

For easy control of the unit from a PC under Windows, virtual control panel software is available, and supplied as part of the package. This software has a self-explanatory graphical user interface which makes it possible for the operator to observe what is happening inside the unit:

Antenna Distribution Unit Control Software
Virtual control panel of WA-611

The status of the antenna matrix is observed in a grid of antenna inputs and receiver outputs, and is easily changed by clicking on the intersecting lines. The status of filters and attenuators is shown by highlighting of the active attenuators or filters, and changed by simply clicking on the corresponding function blocks. Note also that power for the external antenna preamplifiers can be controlled from here, by clicking on the associated power supply blocks.

Technical Specifications

Configuration

3 inputs / 6 outputs
Fully non-blocking

Gain

0 dB typ.

Frequency range

0.15 MHz to 1500 MHz

Impedance

50 ohm (all inputs and outputs)

Max input level

+20 dBm for no damage

Gain compression point

Antenna Input	Frequency	1dB GPC
1	2 MHz 30 MHz	+15 dBm +15 dBm
2	31 MHz 99 MHz	+13 dBm +13 dBm
3	106 MHz 1471 MHz	+6 dBm +6 dBm

Active device third order intercept point (typical values)

Antenna Input	Frequency	IP2	IP3
1	2 MHz 30 MHz	+85 dBm +86 dBm	+25 dBm +25 dBm
2	31 MHz 99 MHz	+64 dBm +85 dBm	+23 dBm +23 dBm
3	106 MHz 1471 MHz	+53 dBm +56 dBm	+16 dBm +16 dBm

Dynamic range (typical values)

Antenna Input	Frequency	Dynamic range
1	2 MHz 30 MHz	111 dB 112 dB
2	31 MHz 99 MHz	107 dB 107 dB
3	106 MHz 1471 MHz	97 dB 97 dB

Output-to-output isolation
(typical values)

Frequency	Isolation
20 MHz	87 dB
100 MHz	75 dB
400 MHz	67 dB
1490 MHz	65 dB

Input-to-output isolation
(typical values)

Frequency	Isolation
20 MHz	60dB
100 MHz	46 dB
400 MHz	37 dB
1490 MHz	35 dB

Power

120/240 VAC, selectable

Dimensions

Width: 19" rack
Height: 3RU (5.25" = 133 mm)
Depth: 14.4"(365 mm)

Weight

19.5 lb (8.8 kg)