MODEL BDA-4

Bidirectional Line Amplifier

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
004-0348-001-AB
BDA-4 Manual Page 2 of 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. WARRANTY 2
2. INTRODUCTION 3
3. TERMINOLOGY 3
4. INSTALLATION 4
BDA 4 External I/O Connector .................................................................................................................................. 4
5. OPERATION 5
LED Descriptions 5
Downlink - AGC......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Downlink - Gain ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Data .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Uplink - AGC ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Uplink - Gain ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Source - Base/Tunnel/Battery .................................................................................................................................. 7
Line Current - High Current ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Line Current - Ground Loop...................................................................................................................................... 7
Line Current - Isolated .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Switch Descriptions 9
Rotary Switches ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Tunnel and Base SMB ............................................................................................................................................... 9
BDA address ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Aux Enable .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
AG Enable ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
AG One-shot ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
AG Coupled............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Sub-channel ............................................................................................................................................................ 10
AutoGain Button .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Reed Switch ............................................................................................................................................................ 11
Tunnel DC Status (Isolation) Switch ....................................................................................................................... 11
AutoGain 11

1. WARRANTY
The Model BDA-4 has a 12 month warranty period. This warranty covers any defects which prove to be in materials
and/or workmanship. This warranty shall be considered void on any unit which has been subjected to misuse, neglect,
and accident or used in violation of instructions. Modifications of this unit will void any and all warranty, implied,
expressed or written. Any defect should be brought to the attention of PBE, whereupon arrangements will be made
to repair or replace the unit.
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2. INTRODUCTION
PBE's Minecom Bidirectional Line Amplifier (BDA-4) is part of PBE's Minecom Leaky Feeder System which provides a
reliable and simple to use underground communications system. For more information visit our website or request
Technical Datasheet T120318 from your local sales representative.

3. TERMINOLOGY
AGC: (Automatic Gain Control) Process where amplifier gain is actively adjusted to maintain a constant output power.

BDA: (Bidirectional Amplifier) Unit contains two amplifiers, one pointing in the downlink direction, the other in the
uplink direction.

Downlink: The direction from the Head End Combiner (HEC) into the mine.

Uplink: The direction from inside the mine to the Head End Combiner.
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4. INSTALLATION
BDA-4 is designed for easy assembly underground without the need for specialized skills. Always Refer to the
Minecom Leaky Feeder System Manual for layout, device spacing and cable preparation methods

BDA 4 External I/O Connector

The BDA4 External I/O Connector allows the BDA-4 to be connected to other PBE products for a range of purposes,
such as:

• External battery backup eg. using a Model 1925.

• Gas Monitors eg. using a Model 3001 Carbon Monoxide Monitor.

Connection of PBE products through the proprietary interface allows users to view the product status and set
notification alarms through the MineBoss application. Refer to Application Note APP-BDA-4-01 for more detailed
information regarding connection to other PBE products with MineBoss.

Definition of pins

Pins 1 & 2: PBE proprietary data interface (for connecting other PBE products to the BDA4)

• Pin 1: DATA –: Connect to DATA – on the connected device (eg. Model 2112 Methane monitor)
• Pin 2: DATA +: Connect to DATA + on the connected device (eg. Model 2112 Methane monitor)

Figure 1: Connecting to Data Pins 1 & 2

Pins 3 – 8: Battery backup interface for connection to PBE battery backup power supply.
BDA-4 Manual Page 5 of 12

5. OPERATION
The BDA-4 has a number of adjustment options that are detailed below.

LED Descriptions

Figure 2: LEDs

Downlink - AGC
This LED is on if downlink AGC is functioning (output power is constant).

When the repeater is on, the downlink AGC LED should be on. If the repeater is on and the downlink AGC LED is off, it
could mean:

(i) there is a cable break or cable damage somewhere between the BDA whose AGC LED is off and a BDA whose
AGC LED is on

(ii) improper or broken cable termination at the brass blocks

(iii) the BDA has been installed too far away from the previous one (the one closer to the HEC)

(iv) too many additional system elements have been installed between BDAs

(v) [UHF systems only] the 10cm separation between metallic objects and the Leaky Feeder cable has not been
observed

(vi) the BDA is in manual tune mode (AutoGain LED is off) and the downlink rotary switch has been set too high
(too much attenuation) - select a smaller value

(vi) that one of the SMB enable switches is active (i.e. the brass block is not selected), on either the base
side of that BDA, or the tunnel side of the previous BDA.

Downlink - Gain
By use of code flashing, this LED gives an indication of the actual gain of the amplifier relative to a system constant.
The system constant is the loss of a standard length of leaky feeder cable. For example for 350m of cable at UHF
frequencies the system reference gain is 24 dB. There are three distinct patterns to look for. See below for a
diagrammatic representation.

(i) the Gain LED is on steady

(ii) the Gain LED appears mostly on, but repeatedly flashes off with a distinct pulse count

(iii) the Gain LED appears mostly off, but repeatedly flashes on with a distinct pulse count.
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The interpretation of these three patterns is as follows. The example values assume a UHF system.

(i) On steady means that the amplifier gain is at the system reference gain plus or minus one dB. That is,
amplifier gain is about 24dB and, if the AGC LED is on, it can be concluded that the loss to the previous amplifier
is therefore also about 24dB. In this state it is implied that there is available gain margin which would allow the
insertion of additional system elements.

(ii) Flashing off means that the amplifier gain has reduced below the system reference by an amount in dB
corresponding to the pulse count. For example, three pulses means the amplifier gain is about 24 - 3 = 21dB. In
the downlink case this could indicate:

(a) the BDA was installed closer than 350m to the previous one

(b) the distance is about 350m, but the previous BDA is from a different manufacturer and its output
power in AGC is higher than PBE's and is therefore not compatible with this indicator

(c) the BDA is in manual tune mode (AutoGain LED off) and the downlink rotary switch has been set too
high (too much attenuation) - select a smaller value to cause pattern (i) or (iii).

(iii) Flashing on means that the amplifier gain has increased above the system reference. For example, three
pulses means the amplifier gain is about 24 + 3 = 27dB. In the downlink case this could indicate:

(a) the BDA was installed further than 350m from the previous one.

(b) the distance is about 350m, but the previous BDA is from a different manufacturer and its output
power in AGC is lower than PBE's and is therefore not compatible with this indicator.

(c) additional system elements have since been inserted between this BDA and the previous one, so this
BDA has increased its gain to compensate.

(d) the cable has been damaged causing increased loss which the BDA has compensated for by
increasing its gain.

(e) [UHF systems only] the 10cm separation between metallic objects and the Leaky Feeder cable has
not been observed

(f) that one of the SMB enable switches is active (i.e. the brass block is not selected), on either the base
side of that BDA, or the tunnel side of the previous BDA.

(g) The repeater is not on. The downlink AGC LED is not on. The pulse count is at maximum. The
maximum gain of the amplifier is revealed. The Gain LED is more informative when it is known that the
repeater is keyed-on and the AGC LED is on.

Figure 3: Gain LED

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AutoGain

When the AutoGain LED is off it indicates that Manual Mode has been selected. Use the internal rotary switches to
manually adjust the gain. The red button and reed switch do nothing in this state.

When the AutoGain LED is on, use the red button or reed switch to tell the BDA to automatically set the uplink gain.
The rotary switches do nothing in this state.

When the AutoGain LED is flashing the AutoGain algorithm is running. Normally the flashing lasts a few seconds. The
algorithm requires the downlink amplifier to be in AGC (AGC LED on) and the AutoGain LED will flash indefinitely until
this condition is met (e.g. the repeater keys-on).

Data
The Data LED flashes when communications are received from MineBoss.

Only by looking at the MineBoss screen can it be determined if the BDA's response is reaching the surface.

Uplink - AGC
This LED is on if uplink AGC is functioning (output power is constant).

Uplink - Gain
The same coded flashing sequence is used to indicate uplink gain as was described for Downlink – Gain.

Source - Base/Tunnel/Battery
The LED indicates whether the power source is from the base, tunnel or battery.

Line Current - High Current

The LED is lit when the line current passing through the BDA has exceeded 1.9A.

Line Current - Ground Loop

This LED is lit when the side of the BDA (tunnel or base) from where current is being sourced has a high-side current
and corresponding ground current that are mismatched. The mismatch must exceed an absolute value in milliamps
and it must also exceed a percentage difference, both of which are settable from MineBoss.

Ground potential may be different between power supplies. A solution is to install a DC block between power cells or
use the isolation switch.

When the LED is on, it implies that some current is flowing through an undesired path. Base and tunnel side current
measurements are reported to MineBoss.
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Line Current - Isolated
This LED indicates the position of the isolation switch. The purpose of the switch is to electrically isolate DC power
(positive and ground) from the tunnel side of the BDA. When the LED is on, the tunnel side is DC isolated.

Switch Power Source

Setting Notes
Position Base Powered Tunnel Powered

Base Power LED: OFF LED indicates source of

Base Power LED: ON
‘Isolate’ Tunnel Power LED: OFF
Isolate LED: ON
power due to the two sides
Tunnel Power LED: ON of the BDA being power
Isolate LED: ‘OFF’ isolated.
NB: BDA unpowered,
LED unable to
illuminate even though
BDA is isolated

Base Power LED: ON Base Power LED: ON When in connect position,

LEDs can only indicate the
presence of power, but not
‘Connect’ Tunnel Power LED: ON Tunnel Power LED: ON distinguish whether power
is being sourced from the
base or tunnel side.

Isolate LED: OFF Isolate LED: OFF

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Switch Descriptions

DIP Switches
AutoGain

Tunnel SMB
Base SMB
Uplink Rotary
Downlink Rotary Tunnel DC
Isolate
Figure 4: BDA-4 board with switch locations

Rotary Switches
When the AutoGain LED is off (manual mode) these
switches reduce the amplifier gain by 1dB per position
(position 0 = 0dB, position F = 15dB of attenuation).

Uplink and downlink each have their own rotary

switch.

Figure 5: Rotary Switch top left (and Isolate Switch below right)

These switches are ignored when the AutoGain is selected (LED is on), or if MineBoss is using remote manual mode
which works with virtual rotary switch positions stored inside the microcontroller. To ensure that the physical rotary
switches are being used, turn the AG Enable switch to the off position to override MineBoss control.

Tunnel and Base SMB

When the SMB Active LED is on, the Tunnel RF/Power SMB connector is the source of RF signals. When the SMB
Active LED is off, the brass block is the source.

Tunnel and base have their own switch located beside their respective SMB connector.

SMB connectors are reserved for factory calibration and servicing.

Figure 6: Switches
BDA-4 Manual Page 10 of 12
BDA address
7 DIP switches set the 7-bit address of the BDA

The switch 'on' position means the bit is a 1.

The 7 switches should never be in the all on or all off position as these are not valid addresses.

Aux Enable
When this switch is off, the Auxiliary band is forced off (de-powered).

When this switch is on, MineBoss can control the enable/disable state of the auxiliary band, but the default behavior
is auxiliary band on.

AG Enable
When this switch is off, the BDA is forced into manual tuning mode (AutoGain LED off). The rotary switches are used
to set the BDA gain. The red button and reed switch do nothing in this state.

When this switch is on (AutoGain LED is on), the tuning mode can be set by MineBoss, but the default behavior is
AutoGain where the rotary switches are ignored and the red button or reed switch initiates AutoGain.

AG One-shot
When this switch is off, the BDA is forced into periodic AutoGain mode where the algorithm is automatically invoked
at random intervals without end-user intervention.

When this switch is on, MineBoss can set either one-shot or periodic mode, but the default behavior is one-shot
where AutoGain is only invoked when told to by the end-user (either by the red button, reed switch or MineBoss
command)

AG Coupled
When this switch is off, the BDA is forced into using the AutoGain uplink tone method whereby the uplink amplifier's
gain is locked into place by the algorithm, when it is invoked.

When this switch is on, MineBoss can set either the Coupled or Up-Tone AutoGain method, but the default behavior is
the coupled method whereby the uplink gain is matched to the downlink gain.

Sub-channel
The sub-channel can be used to allow two BDAs to operate on the same primary address as set by the 7-bit DIP switch.

AutoGain Button
Push and release this red button (see Figure 4) to invoke the AutoGain algorithm.

If the AutoGain LED is on (AutoGain mode enabled) when the button is used, then the AutoGain LED will flash while
the algorithm runs.

The button has no effect in Manual mode (AutoGain LED is off).

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Reed Switch
The magnetic reed switch is paralleled with the red AutoGain button. Therefore, it behaves the same. Its purpose is to
allow AutoGain to be invoked without opening the BDA case. Figure 7 shows the location of the Reed Switch; in the
middle of the top side directly above the RF Signal black strip.

Figure 7: Reed Switch location

Tunnel DC Status (Isolation) Switch

Electrically isolates DC power from the tunnel side of the BDA (Isolate LED on). See Figure 4 & 5 for location.

AutoGain
The AutoGain feature allows tuning of the uplink band without having to open the BDA case and manually adjust the
rotary switches.

AutoGain does not tune the downlink band.

MineBoss is required for full AutoGain functionality.

AutoGain may work without MineBoss, but it is not recommended or supported.

It is not required to use the AutoGain feature to tune the system. To utilize your existing tuning methods, set the AG
Enable switch to the off position and adjust the amplifier gain with the rotary switches according to your own
procedures.

To use AutoGain, set the AG Enable switch to on. To invoke AutoGain, push the red button, swipe the magnetic reed
switch or use MineBoss.

AutoGain can work one of two ways. Consider the middle BDA in the following diagram (figure 7).

Figure 8: Three BDAs

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The choice is to set the uplink amplifier of the middle BDA (marked in green) to either 28 or 22dB of gain.

The AG Coupled switch selects which method to use.

When the AG Coupled switch is set 'on' and AutoGain is invoked, the uplink gain of the middle BDA would be set to
28dB, the same gain as its downlink amplifier. The uplink gain is coupled to the downlink.

When the AG Coupled switch is set 'off' (Up-Tone AutoGain enabled) and AutoGain is invoked, the uplink gain of the
middle BDA would be set to 22dB.

In order for either method to work properly there are two basic requirements that must be fulfilled:

a) The AGC LED must be on. When the AG Coupled switch is on, the downlink AGC LED must be on. When the
AG Coupled switch is off, the uplink AGC LED must be on.

b) The output power of the preceding BDA must be the same as the BDA being Auto Gained. The preceding BDA
is the one closer to the HEC when the AG Coupled switch is on. The preceding BDA is the one further into the
mine when the AG Coupled switch is off.

Do not mix the two methods on the same arterial.

The enemy of system tuning is band-pass ripple. This is one of a number of areas where error can creep into the
tuning result. Only MineBoss can fine tune the AutoGain result to give the optimum tune over long hauls.

Copyright © 2012 PBE Inc. All rights reserved. No section or element of this document may be removed from this
document, reproduced, electronically stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of PBE.

The information contained in this document produced by PBE, is solely for the use of the client(s) for the purpose for
which it has been prepared and PBE undertakes no duty to, nor accepts any responsibility to, any third party who may
rely upon this information contained in this document.