HTL-6602

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON PCN-1600 SERIES VHF TV TRANSMITTERS

May 2003 NEC Corporation

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Introduction NEC introduced PCN-1600 series of TV transmitters with the state-of-the-art technologies in 1994. These TV transmitters are the successor of the PCN-1400 series TV transmitters having been highly evaluated with ample records because of their distinguished performance characteristics, high stability and high reliability. The PCN-1600 series of TV transmitters enjoy the integration of high-power solid state technology and digital technology NEC has acquired so far and provide "digital quality" to their users and viewers. The PCN-1600 series TV transmitters have been improved by adopting new technologies without losing the compatibility of former products since 1994, and NEC has shipped more than 350 sets of PCN-1600 series TV Transmitter for all over the world (as of May, 2003). As the result, the PCN-1600 series TV transmitters provide the excellent performances and reliability continuously.

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Design Philosophy NEC, emphasizing particularly the following items to be provided for the users, has developed the PCN-1600 series of TV transmitters: - Digital Quality - High Efficiency - High Reliability - Easy Maintenance

3.

Features The PCN-1600 series of TV transmitters provide the following features:

3.1 Exciter The exciter has been developed with due consideration given to maintainability and consists of plug-in cards for the respective functions as in the case of the existing TV transmitter models. In addition, the new series of TV transmitters provide the following advantages by digitalizing the video stage (10 bits: standard digital video).

The performance of the video stage is stable. - No temperature variation of the performance is caused by digitalization. The video characteristic performance can be automatically corrected at the video stage (non follow-up type). - 2-

- The luminance non-linearity, differential gain, and differential phase can readily be corrected all at a time by "one-touch" operation. Performance Luminance non linearity: Differential gain: Differential phase: - Group delay can be corrected by "one-touch" operation. Compactness - 480mm(W)250mm(H)400mm(D) (A fan panel with a height of 50mm is required.) 3.2 Power Amplifier FET has been adopted in VHF power amplifiers for use in the VHF band. And NEC developed an excellent FET with an output power of 250W in normal use, which has been adopted for 1.2kW VHF TR PA (1.2kW for the video and 900W for the audio). The major features of the 1.2kW VHF TR PA are shown below: 0.95 3% 3

High efficiency - High-gain, high-efficiency (16dB/250W in normal use) FET has been adopted while using a circuit technique that utilized the FET function to a maximum. - 3-

 High reliability - By adopting high-gain, high-power FET, the number of component parts has been greatly reduced compared with that of previous type TR PA. - By adopting printed patterns to minimize the use of semi-rigid cables as much as practicable, the number of component parts and the number of soldering spots have been greatly reduced. - It can be determined, by comparison in the 5kW block, the MTBF has been improved by about 2 times as good as the conventional MTBF (in the VHF band). Wideband coverage The VHF Band is covered by two split sections. Section 1: Section 2: High gain - No drive PA is required. - No drive PA is required upon maintenance because of low input level. High maintainability - By adopting surface-mounted component parts, component parts can be smoothly replaced when necessary. - 1kW PA is compact, lightweight and easy to handle when compared with the conventional ones. (approx. 10kg) Strong and stable against load variation - A circulator is used in the output section. In addition to these features mentioned above, the following advantageous functions indispensable for parallel operation are incorporated as in the conventional models: Phase adjuster and level adjuster - The respective TR PA outputs can be combined efficiently by using these adjusters. Self-protective circuitry - Even if abnormal power reflection or abnormal temperature rise is encountered, then the TR PA itself will be protected from such abnormality, the TR PA itself will be shut off not to spread such abnormality to other circuits, and the broadcasting service will be continued without interruption. - 4170 to 230 MHz 230 to 254 MHz

* The frequency range is specified by Fv of operating channel.

3.3 Power Supply For the power supply, a switching power supply is adopted as in the conventional transmitters. The power supplies and TR PA units are connected in plug-in construction in a 1:1 relationship. In addition, the following self-protective circuits are used as in the conventional transmitters so as to prevent fault if encountered from affecting other circuits.

Overload protection - The ACB (automatic circuit breaker) of the power supply is tripped after 4 times recycling operation. Overcurrent protection - The ACB of the power supply is tripped after 4 times recycling operation. Overheat protection - The ACB of the power supply is tripped. Protection against low input power - Switching is stopped. The rush current of the AC input power is suppressed by means of the built-in soft start circuit. 3.4 Monitor System High level functions are provided by adopting a CPU and an EL display. Abnormal condition if encountered in a component unit is indicated on an LED indicator as in the conventional transmitters, thereby compensating for the disadvantages of centralized monitoring. The major features of the monitor system are as follows: The status of each section of the transmitter can be monitored on an EL display. - Analog data such as the current, temperature, output power, and power - 5-

reflection of each TR PA, the output voltage of each power supply, the exciter output power, aural frequency deviation, transmitter output power, power reflection, V/A combiner power absorption, etc., are indicated on an EL display. - Abnormality if encountered in each section is indicated on an EL display.

Parallel and RS232C interfaces are provided as standard equipment. - Similar contents as indicated on the EL display can be indicated at the remote side by using an RS232C interface. (The personal computer and software for indication on the EL display are available as an option.) - By connecting a personal computer and a printer, the transmitter status can be printed out (optional function). This function helps a maintenance engineer to save time very much. 3.5 V/A Combiner A constant impedance band-pass filter type diplexer (CIB D) developed recently is adopted as the V/A combiner for VHF Band-III. This CIB D manufactured by NEC provides the following features: Tunable in the VHF Band-III. No modification parts and work of the CIB D is required at all upon changing from the monophonic to sound multiplex system (BTSC, IRT and NICAM system). Compact - Each V/A combiner for use in a VHF band-III transmitter of 20kW or lower output power is mounted into the rack of the transmitter. - 6-

3.6 Cooling System The PCN-1600 series TV transmitters employs two kind of cooling system. One is the air cooling system, another is the liquid cooling system. Depending on the customers requirement, NEC will provide the suitable cooling system. For liquid cooling system, it is available for VHF Band-III transmitter only. 3.6.1 Air Cooling System A hybrid air cooling system based on jet air cooling is adopted as in the conventional transmitters, realizing high-density TR PA mounting. In addition, by optimizing the cooling system this time, a high cooling efficiency with low noise has been achieved.

3.6.2

Liquid Cooling System

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NECs liquid cooling system employs a hybrid closed circuit that takes advantage of both open and closed circuits. Compared with the conventional closed circuit, the hybrid closed circuit has the following advantages: (1) (2) (3) Water feeding is easier. Air purge is easier. Dusts that strainers or filters cannot remove will precipitate at the bottom of the tank and can easily be removed. This easiness of air purge is especially convenient when you want to remove air that is trapped when PAs are replaced.

3.7 Transmitter A TR PA can be replaced during operation without interruption.

* In order to avoid a damage of TR PAs output connector due to the sparking when pull out the TR PA from operating transmitter, NEC recommend to replace a TR PA after turning off the transmitter.

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