Antenna and Cable Monitoring your RF Transmission Systems
Bird’s® Antenna & Cable Monitor is the solution for monitoring your RF transmission systems. Service providers and self maintained end user’s can rely on this monitor and alarm to keep their critical sites up and running.
Designed to detect antenna and cable faults that transmitter-internal VSWR monitors may not detect, it also provides accurate RF in-line power measurement functionality.
Features
- Models available from 108-144 MHz, 136-225 MHz, 225-520 MHz, 470-960 MHz, 960-2400 MHz Accurately monitors your antenna and cable system VSWR levels.
- Integral coupler with high directivity optimizes measurement accuracy. Measures small changes in antenna VSWR with high feeder and interface losses.
- Provides multiple alarms if an antenna or cable failure should occur.
- Monitors transmitter output power and includes low or high power alarms.
- Measures true average power of signals with high peak-to-average characteristics - works with any modulation!
- Remote access with both monitoring and control via serial and ethernet interfaces.
- Included as standard Push-To-Talk (PTT) input to avoid false alarm triggering when the transmitter (radio) is not keyed.
Applications
3G, Low Power Broadcast, CDMA, CDMA 2000, Edge, GSM, Government, Microwave, Military, Paging, Public Safety, Rail, TDMA, TETRA, TETRAPOL, VHF & UHF, LMR and WLL
ACM (Serial) Part Number Definition
| Model (power range) |
Freq. Range (MHz) |
RF Input Connector |
RF Output Connector |
Monitor Port Connector |
Input Voltage (VDC) |
ACM
(2.5 to 100 W)
ACM 500
(12.5 to 500 W) |
L0= 108-144
L1 = 136 to 225
L2 = 225 to 520
M = 470 to 960
*H = 960 to 2400 |
NM = N (M)
NF = N (F)
DM = 7/16 DIN (M)
DF = 7/16 DIN (F) |
NM = N (M)
NF = N (F)
DM = 7/16 DIN (M)
DF = 7/16 DIN (F) |
N = N (F)
T = TNC (F)
B = BNC (F) |
L = ± (11 to 25)
H = ± (36 to 72) |
* “H” Frequency band unavailable with 500 W version
ACM Rack Configurations
| Part Number |
Description |
Compatiable Series |
Units Supported |
| ACM-RACKU |
Rack Shelf, Includes 15V Power Supply |
ACM-x-xxxxxL only |
2 |
| ACM-RACK |
Rack Shelf, Requires Customer Provided 48V Power Supply |
ACM-x-xxxxxH only |
2 |
Note: ACM-L2-DFDFTL-12SP can’t be used with rack mount option
Item No
ACM Series (Serial Port)
Item Name
Antenna and Cable Monitors
Frequency Range
108-144 MHz
136-225 MHz
225-520 MHz
470-960 MHz
960-2400 MHz
Measurement Range
ACM: 2.5 to 100 W
ACM 500: 12.5 to 500 W
Power Accuracy
108-144 MHz, ± 8%
136-225 MHz, ± 10%
225-520 MHz, ± 8%
470-960 MHz, ± 5%
960-2400 MHz, ± 5%
Insertion Loss
0.1 dB (108-960 MHz)
0.15 dB (960-2400 MHz)
VSWR
1.07 (108-960 MHz, N or 7/6 DIN Connectors)
1.1 (960-2400 MHz, N Connectors)
1.1 (960-2000 MHz, 7/16 DIN Connectors)
1.2 (2000 to 2400 MHz, 7/16 DIN Connectors)
Reflected Directivity
30 dB (108-960 MHz)
26 dB (960-2400 MHz)
Alarm Characteristics VSWR
Alarm Set Point
1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 to 1
Relay Contact Type
Dry, Form C, relay contacts, common, normally open, normally closed
Contact Rating: 100 VDC @ 0.5A
Visual Alarm: Red LED will illuminate to indicate alarm
Stimulus: VSWR set point exceeded, response time proportional to overload
Reset: Local Mechanical reset switch Remote input (Reset if VDC is 0 to +0.8 volts)
Push to Talk: +5/+24 VDC to activate
Monitor Ports
Connectors: Female N, TNC or BNC
Coupling: -63 dB approx., Subject to changes in full-scale power
Interface Specifications
RS-232: 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data birts
Serial Port: 1 stop bit, no handshake
General
Thruline® sensor for direct insertion in 50-ohm line
RF Connectors
N or 7/16 DIN, see chart above
Maximum Line Section Power
Dependent on frequency and connector
Alarm--Power Connector
15-pin Female “D” connector
Temperature
Operating: 0 to 50°C
Storage: -20 to 80°C
Humidity
0 to 95% (max), non-condensing
Altitude
Up to 3000 meters above sea level
Passive Intermodulation Products
Less than -130 dBc
Power Requirements
±11 to 6 VDC (or ±36 to 72 VDC)
Dimensions
4.8” (121 mm) wide (7.6” (192 mm) with connectors)
7.2” (183 mm) high, 1.06" (27 mm) deep
Weight
Less than 2 lbs. (0.9 kg)
EMC
European Standard EN 61326-1:1997 + Addendums A1: 1998 and A2:2001 - Electrical equip. for measurement
Safety
European Standard EN 61010-1:2001 - Safety Requirements - Electrical equip. for measurement, control and laboratory use - ECM Requirements.
Software
PC software, displays Antenna & Cable Monitor readings and alarms, controls alarms set points