ALxxF Microwave Radio

Indoor Unit (IDU)

Users Manual

Revision 2
1 June 2009

ALCOMA spol. s r.o.

Habartovska 313
152 00 Prague 5
Tel: +420-602619655

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Table of Contents
ALXXF PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1.1.

Overview

1.2.
1.2.1.
1.2.2.
1.2.3.
1.2.4.
1.2.5.
1.2.6.
1.2.7.

Front Panel Interfaces

7
T1/E1 Ports.............................................................................................................................. 7
Ethernet Transport Ports.......................................................................................................... 7
Ethernet Management Ports .................................................................................................... 8
Overhead/Hot Standby Interface ............................................................................................. 8
Command Line Serial Interface .............................................................................................. 9
DC Power ...............................................................................................................................10
ODU Interface........................................................................................................................11

1.

2.

SETUP AND OPERATION

13

3.

CLI TEXT MENU CONTROL AND STATUS SOFTWARE INTERFACE

15

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1. ALxxF Product Description

1.1. Overview
The ALxxF serves as the Indoor Unit of a point-to-point microwave radio
system designed for operation in the 7 to 38 GHz radio frequency band. Key
features and functions are as follows:

Line interface and conditioning functions necessary for transport of up to

four PDH T1/E1 channels

Ethernet transport via two front panel 100BaseT RJ-45 ports. The IDU
can be configured for standalone Ethernet transport, or a combination of
T1/E1 and Ethernet transport. VLAN security features and Ethernet port
rate controls.

Digital modem functions with configurable modulation modes of QPSK,

16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM and 256QAM.

Configurable forward error correction with settable interleaver depth

(latency)

Management interfaces include front panel RS-232 serial port and two
Management Ethernet ports and Web based GUI interface.
o Web based security user authentication
o Advanced link performance monitoring, including data log and
event logs
o Downloadable firmware upgrade feature via Ethernet
management ports
o Link status display of local and remote terminals
o Local and remote control of terminals via Ethernet management
ports
o Software selection of multiple versions of ODUs

On-board Ethernet Switch together with dual management Ethernet ports

supports daisy-chaining of Ethernet Management

Overhead admin serial channel interface (transported as side-channel

over the link)

SNMP alarm features and user settable heartbeat for use with trap server.

Two FormC general purpose relays. Two Alarm Bi-level inputs

Hot Standby control and status interface allows for Protected Mode
operation.

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Wide-mouth 21 to 60V DC Power interface is configurable via internal

switch for negative or positive voltage operation1

All Outdoor Unit (ODU) interface signals are multiplexed onto front-panel
N-type connector interface

Front panel LEDs indicate Power-on, Alarm and Fault status

Prototype DC power polarity configured via jumpers on Power Converter Board. Production version
will replace jumpers with slide switch.

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Expansion
Interface

ADC
BPF

DAC
BPF

Signal Processing
ASK Tlm
Demod

BPF

Cntrl/Status

LPF

MDC

Proc Bus

MII

BPF

Data I/O

ASK Cmd
Mod

MII

Ethernet
Switch

E1/T1
LIU

Quad
Magnetics

Quad
Magnetics

Quad Ethernet
RJ-45 Ports

Quad E1/T1
RJ-48 Ports

MDC

HSBY I/O

Admin. OH Serial Channel

Relay Controls

Power
Conversion

Alarm Bi-level Inputs

Relay

ODU I/F
(N-Type)

HSBY/Aux (DB-26)

Craft (DB-9)

GND

-V

+V

DC Power

Figure 1 ALxxF Functional Block Diagram

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ODU
DC Power
F1

F2

Power
Alarm
Fault

CLI
Modem

OH/Hsby

Eth
Mgmt

Eth
1

T1/ E1 T1/E1
P1
P3

Eth
Mgmt

Eth
2

T1/ E1 T1/E1
P2
P4

Figure 2 ALXXF Front Panel

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1.2. Front Panel Interfaces

1.2.1. T1/E1 Ports
The T1/E1 ports are 8-pin modular jacks with standard RJ-48 pinouts as
shown in Figure 3 and Table 1 below. Transport mode is software
configurable to support one to four T1 channels or 1 to 4 E1 channels. Lines
are matched to 100 ohm in T1 mode and 120 ohm in E1 mode.

Figure 3 Pin Definition for 8-pin Modular Jack (as seen looking into the port)

Pin

Signal Name

RX, Ring, -

RX, Tip, +

Shield/Return/Gnd

TX, Ring, -

TX, Tip, +

Shield/Return/Gnd

NC

NC

Table 1 T1/E1 RJ-48 Pinout

1.2.2. Ethernet Transport Ports

The two Ethernet transport ports (Enet-1 and Enet-2) provide 10/100BaseT
interfaces with standard RJ-45 pinouts. When the IDU is properly configured,
the IDU provides transport of Ethernet frames ingressed at these ports over
the link to the far side radio. An internal Ethernet switch also provides layer 2
switching functions between these two ports and the far side terminal. The
Ethernet PHYs provide MDI/MDI-X cross-connect with auto-detect, so both
straight-thru and cross cables are accommodated to any other 10/100 BaseT interface. Ethernet transport is configurable up to 130 Mbps.
Note that Ethernet transport will be enabled with a coming firmware
update.

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1.2.3. Ethernet Management Ports

The two Ethernet management ports (Mgmt-1 and Mgmt-2) provide
10/100BaseT interfaces to the IDUwith standard RJ-45 pinouts. These ports
allow management access to the IDUs internal CPU. An internal Ethernet
switch also provides layer 2 switching functions between these two ports and
the far side terminal. The Ethernet PHYs provide MDI/MDI-X cross-connect
with auto-detect, so both straight-thru and cross cables are accommodated to
any other 10/100 Base-T interface.
Note that Ethernet-based management is not yet enabled on the
prototypes. These functions will be enabled with a future firmware update.
1.2.4. Overhead/Hot Standby Interface
The Overhead and Hot Standby signals are provided over a DB-26 interface
with connector pinouts and signal assignments as defined in Figure 4 and
Table 2 below.
1

26

19

Figure 4 Pinout for High-density DB-26 Connector (as seen looking at front panel)

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Pin

Signal Name

Description

Chassis Ground

Ground

Aux Serial Receive

Aux Serial Channel Rx Data (to IDU)

Hot Standby 5V Power

5V Power to HSBY Shelf

Hot Standby SPI MISO

SPI communication bus to/from HSBY Shelf

Chassis Ground

Ground

Hot Standby Serial Transmit

Serial communication to HSBY Shelf

Hot Standby Shelf Present

HSBY Shelf present signal

Relay 2 COM

Relay 2 COM pin

Relay 1 NC

Relay 1 NC pin

10

Aux Serial Transmit

Aux Serial Channel Tx Data (from IDU)

11

Chassis Ground

Ground

12

Hot Standby SPI Clock

SPI communication bus to/from HSBY Shelf

13

Hot Standby 3.3V Power

3.3V Power to HSBY Shelf

14

Hot Standby Serial Receive

Serial communication from HSBY Shelf

15

Chassis Ground

Ground

16

Aux Alarm Input 2

Bi-level alarm 2 input

17

Relay 1 NO

Relay 1 NO pin

18

Relay 2 NC

Relay 2 NC pin

19

Chassis Ground

Ground

20

Hot Standby SPI Sel

SPI communication bus to/from HSBY Shelf

21

Hot Standby 5V Power

5V Power to HSBY Shelf

22

Hot Standby SPI MOSI

SPI communication bus to/from HSBY Shelf

23

Chassis Ground

Ground

24

Aux Alarm Input 1

Bi-level alarm 1 input

25

Relay 2 NO

Relay 2 NO pin

26

Relay 1 COM

Relay 1 COM pin

Table 2 Overhead/Hot Standby Interface Connector Pinout

1.2.5. Command Line Serial Interface

The CLI interface presents a standard three-wire RS-232 DCE interface on a
female DB-9 connector with connector pinouts and signal assignments as
defined in Figure 5 and Table 3 below. The CLI interface is configured as
follows:

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Data rate: 57600 bps

1 start bit
8 data bits
No parity
1 stop bit
5

1
9

Figure 5 Pin Definitions for Female 9 Pin Sub-D Connector (as seen by looking at
front panel)

Pin #

Signal Name

NC
TXD
RXD
NC
GND
NC
NC
NC
NC

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Direction

Signal Description

Out
In

Transmit Data (from IDU)

Receive Data (to IDU)

N/A

Ground

Table 3 CLI Connector Pinout

1.2.6. DC Power
DC Power is provided via a three terminal connector, as indicated in Figure 6.
A switch internal to the IDU must be set to the desired polarity.
For positive voltage operation:
Internal power switch must be set for +24V operation
Connect positive terminal of external supply to +V terminal of
ALXXF
Connect negative terminal of external supply to -V terminal of
ALXXF.
Connect negative terminal of external supply to GND terminal of
ALXXF.

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For negative voltage operation:

Internal power switch must be set for -48V operation
Connect negative terminal of external supply to -V terminal of
ALXXF
Connect positive terminal of external supply to +V terminal of
ALXXF.
Connect positive terminal of external supply to GND terminal of
ALXXF.

+V

-V

GND

Figure 6 DC Power Connector (as seen from front panel)

Two fuses are accessible from the front panel. One fuse (labeled F1 in
Figure 2) provides short circuit protection when the IDU is configured for
positive voltage operation; the second fuse (F2) provides short circuit
protection when configured for negative voltage operation. In both cases, the
fuse protects both the IDU and the ODU. The fuse holders accommodate
standard 5 x 20 mm fuses. ALXXF units are delivered with 7A fast-acting
fuses installed.
A simplified block diagram of the power converter is provided as Figure 7,
depicting the function of the polarity selection switches and the positioning of
the fuses. In addition to the protection fuses, the production version will also
include electronic protection circuitry designed to protect against certain kinds
of short-circuit events without resulting in blowing either fuse. (Note that this
electronic over-current protection is not yet active in the Prototype Units.)
1.2.7. ODU Interface
The N-Type ODU interface multiplexes the following signals:
DC power (with polarity determined by internal switch setting as
discussed in Section 1.2.6).
Transmit modulated IF signal at center frequency 350 MHz (to
ODU)
Receive modulated IF signal at center frequency 140 MHz (from
ODU)
OOK ODU command signal at 5.5 MHz center frequency
OOK ODU telemetry signal at 10 MHz center frequency

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Secondary
Converters
DC Supply to IDU

+V
-V

F1

Pol Sense / Inrush

Limiting

Pol Sense/ Inrush

Limiting/ OV Prot.

Isolated 5V
Converter

F2

GND

DC to ODU

Figure 7 ALXXF Power Converter Simplified Block Diagram

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2. Setup and Operation

To setup a link for operation, proceed with the following steps at each end of the
link:
1.

Prior to operation, make certain that IDU is configured (via internal switch
setting) to DC Power polarity required by the ODU. The factory
configuration of the IDU is indicated via marking on the back of the IDU.
WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS STEP MAY DAMAGE THE
ODU.

2.

Prior to connecting DC power to the IDU, connect the IDU and ODU via a
50 ohm coaxial cable.

3.

Connect the CLI port to a terminal emulator with settings as defined in

Section 1.2.5.

4.

Connect an external DC power supply to the IDU front panel interface.

Make certain that the polarity of the external supply matches the
configuration of the IDU (see Section 1.2.6 for details).

5.

Configure the IDU to the desired transport mode via the text menu
interface, as described in Section 3. For example, to configure the IDU for
Two T1 Channel Transport, make the following menu selections:
From the Main Menu select 1) IDU Control / Status
From the IDU Control / Status Menu, select 1) Link Configuration
From the Link Configuration Menu, select 2 for 2DS1 (T1)
operation. All aspects of the IDU (line interfaces, modulation mode,
FEC, etc) are automatically configured from this selection.

6.

Enter X repeatedly to return to the Main Menu.

7.

Configure the ODU as desired:

From the Main Menu select 2) ODU Control / Status
From the ODU Control / Status Menu, configure Tx Power, Tx
Channel, and Rx Channel as desired, then enable Tx Power
Enable. (Note that the software is currently designed such that
ODU PA Tx must be explicitly enabled. The software can be
modified to automatically enable the ODU Tx PA upon turn-on if
desired by EMS.)

When both ends of the link have been configured to the same (or consistent)
configurations, acquisition is automatic on both sides. Many aspects of the IDU
status are available via the Link Status selection under the IDU Control /

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Status menu. ODU status is available via the Display Status menu under the
ODU Control / Status menu.
The table shows the total number of E1s that can be configured, total data speed
for each type of modulation and bandwidth are shown. All bandwidth not used
for E1 transport can be assigned for Ethernet transport with the iAM-ALXXF IDU.
The Ethernet looks like a single port to the modem. The Ethernet switch can be
programmed to rate limit any, each, or all of its ports. If you dont limit the input
rate, it will process what it can based on the modem configuration.

B CHANNEL = Channel Bandwidth (MHz)

Modulation

7.0

14.0

28.0

QPSK

4E1
8Mbps

4E1
16Mbps

4E1
34 Mbps

16 QAM

4E1
16Mbps

4E1
34 Mbps

4E1
68 Mbps

4E1
34 Mbps

4E1
68 Mbps

32 QAM

4E1
130 Mbps

64 QAM

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3. CLI Text Menu Control and Status Software Interface

The prototype Command Line Interface is a simple scrolling Text Menu interface
with structure as depicted in Figure 8. To proceed down any path of the menu
hierarchy, enter the indicated alphanumeric followed by the Return key. From
anywhere in the menu, proceed back up the hierarchy by entering the letter X
followed by the Return key.

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Main Menu:
1) IDU Control / Status
2) ODU Control / Status
3) Loopbacks
4) BER Testing
5) Test Signals
6) Utilities
1

IDU Control / Status:

1) Link Configuration
2) Link Status
3) Enable Aggreate Loopback
4) Enable Aggreate BERT
5) Expert Menu
6) Save Current Configuration
X) Exit

1
Link Configuration :
Capacity
1)
1DS1
2)
1DS1
3)
1DS1
4)
1DS1

Mod Type
QPSK
16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

5)
6)
7)

2DS1
2DS1
2DS1

16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

8)
9)

3DS1
3DS1

32QAM
64QAM

10)

4DS1

64QAM

21)
22)
23)
24)

1E1
1E1
1E1
1E1

QPSK
16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

25)
26)
27)

2E1
2E1
2E1

16QAM
32QAM
64QAM

28)

3E1

32QAM

ODU Control / Status:

1) Set TX Enable
2) Set TX Power
3) Set TX Frequency
4) Set TX Channel
5) Set RX Frequency
6) Set RX Channel
7) Display Version
S) Save Settings
R) Restore Factory
U) Update Status
X) Exit

Loopbacks:
1) Modem Loopback Mode
2) Lim A Loopback Mode
3) Lim B Loopback Mode
X) Exit

BER Testing:
1) LIM A BERT Tx Mode
2) LIM B BERT Tx Mode
3) LIM A BERT Rx Line Select
4) LIM B BERT Rx Line Select
X) Exit

2 or 3 (Enter Line # 0)

Test Signals:
1) Transmit single tone
2) Transmit two tone
3) Sweep single tone
4) Sweep single tone and capture ADC
5) Sweep single tone and capture loopback
6) Sweep single tone and capture receiver
7) Capture ADC
8) Capture loopback
9) Capture receiver
A) Capture receiver (Symbols)
X) Exit

Utilities:
1) LEDs
2) REAL TIME CLOCK
3) I2C DEVICES
4) IF PROCESSOR
5) MEMORY DUMPS
6) MODEM TEST
7) FLASH UTILITIES
X) Exit

2
Link Status:
1) Modem State
2) Modem Configuration
3) Modem Operational Status
4) Modem Link Quality Status
5) Modem BERT Status
6) Loopback/BERT Status
7) LIM A Operational Status
8) LIM B Operational Status
9) LIM A Link Quality Status
A) LIM B Link Quality Status
B) Overhead Link Quality Stats
C) Demod Status
D) RS Decoder Status
E) Constellation
W) Weights
R) Reset Statistics
X) Exit

LIM Loopback :
1) Disable Loopback
2) Line-Side Digital Loopback
3) Radio-Side Analog Loopback
4) Radio-Side Digital Loopback
X) Exit

Figure 8 CLI Text Menu Description

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