PAMS-C Manual 900-000008-002 rev E
Contents
1. Read our privacy policy Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software C Yes this time only Yes now and every time connect a device Neccscccescceseescsconescnestsesessoes Click Next to continue g Back Cancel Insert supplied CD and continue with automatic software installation decline the option to use Windows Update software search Page 17 Found New Hardware Wizard Please wait while the wizard searches Found New Hardware Wizard Please wait while the wizard installs the software Page 18 PRAXSYM Found New Hardware Wizard Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard The wizard has finished installing the software for USB Serial Converter Click Finish to close the wizard lt Back Click Finish The USB Serial Converter is now installed Found New Hardware Wizard Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard Windows will search for current and updated software by looking on your computer on the hardware installation CD or on the Windows Update Web site with your permission Read our privacy policy Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software Yes this time only Yes now and every time connect a device Click Next to continue lt Back Cancel Begin installation of the USB Serial Port Decline the option to use Windows Update software search Click Next Page2. 19 PAMS C Found New Hardware Wizard This wizard helps you install software for USB Serial Port If your hardware came with an installation CD lt 6 or floppy disk insert it now What do you want the wizard to do Install from a list or specific location Advanced Click Next to continue lt Back Cancel Continue with automatic software installation Found New Hardware Wizard Please wait while the wizard searches o USB Serial Port Cancel The Wizard will find and begin installation of the software Page 20 PRAXSYM Found New Hardware Wizard Please wait while the wizard installs the software N F USB Serial Port be z FTLang dll To C A WINDOWS system32 Found New Hardware Wizard Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard The wizard has finished installing the software for F USB Serial Port i Click Finish to close the wizard lt Back Click Finish The USB Serial Port is now installed Page 21 PRAXSYM 010611 Rev E 900 000008 002
3. CR gt Returns the current frequency setting in the form XXX y MHz Example 915 4 AT XX lt CR gt Sets the output attenuator Valid levels for XX are 00 to GO cB Example AT 30 sets the output attenuator to 30 dB for an output level of 0 dBm AT lt CR gt Returns the current setting of the output attenuator Example AT 30 PO XX lt CR gt Sets the transmitter output level Valid levels for XX are 30 to 30 dBm Example PO 30 sets the output level to 30 dBm attenuator O dB PO lt CR gt Returns the output level of the transmitter in dBm Example PO 30 output level is 30 dBm SR lt CR gt Status Request returns the status of the transmitter Example LC OK LC local mode RM remote mode OK normal operation UNLCK synthesizer is unlocked RM lt CR gt Places the transmitter controls in remote mode locking con trol until the transmitter receives an LC command or the power is cycled LC lt CR gt Places the transmitter controls in local mode Page 15 PAMS C TRANSMITTER COMMANDS CONTINUED BA lt CR gt TMP lt CR gt VR lt CR gt Returns the current battery voltage in volts Example BA 09 30 Returns the temperature of the transmitter in degrees C Example TMP 032C Returns the version of firmware installed Example PAMS TX v1 xx mm dd yyyy Error Responses Invalid commands will be acknowledged with an error response An error response will consist of 4 ASCI
4. TUNE LOCK LIGHT BATTERY LEVEL OUT PUT POWER MODE LOCK ATTEN LEVEL FREO Full Alpha numeric Back lit LCD display 0 C to 40 C 5 5 IDs 11 7 H x 5 1 D x 4 9 W Page 3 PAMS C Chapter 2 System Care Transportation The PAMS C is normally shipped and transported in a shock resistant transfer case Batteries for the transmitter and receiver are contained inside the respective units Recharging the PAMS C Units To charge the battery pack inside the PAMS C unit plug the 2 5mm female connector of the AC DC 15 V power pack into the power recep tacle on the right side of the PAMS C Transmitter or Receiver Plug the charger line cord into an AC source 95 250 VAC 47 63 Hz The green CHARGE light on the front face of the PAMS C unit should illuminate during the entire fast charge cycle The fast charge cycle of a dis charged battery will normally take less than 1 5 hours When the unit is fully charged the CHARGE light will begin flashing indicating the trickle charge phase The trickle charger will continue to top off the battery pack until the AC DC power pack is disconnected Although this top off process is normally completed in less than 6 hours it can be left on overnight The battery may self discharge to less than 3 Volts after a period of storage or if the unit is left on for several days During a new charge cycle it will first enter a pre charge trickle state before beginning the fast charge phase Th
5. need be added to the value displayed on the screen Page 9 PAMS C e Before making shield level measurements turn on the transmit ter and receiver tune both units to the test frequency set the output of the transmitter to 60 dB attenuation allow both units to warm up for 5 minutes e With the receiver in SIGNAL STRENGTH mode monitor the test frequency to insure no interfering signal is present on your test frequency e When making measurements in an unfamiliar area set the re ceiver to SPECTRUM MONITOR mode to determine frequencies in the spectrum that are clear to use for testing your shielded enclosure The 60 dB shielding level indication offsets the 60 dB output attenua tion on the transmitter By placing the transmitter and receiver 4 5 feet apart approximately 30 dB of free space path loss exists When calibrating the units the receiver has been designed to account for this amount of path loss in conjunction with the 60 dB of attenuation given by the transmitter Thus when the attenuation is removed from the transmitter the receiver will read very close to OdB shield level e With the transmitter and receiver both set to the same test fre quency place the transmitter inside the enclosure on a marked reference position near the center of the enclosure Ensure the transmitter output level is set to 30 dB e Place the receiver outside the enclosure on a marked reference position at least four feet from the transmi
6. I bytes followed by a carriage return The error code consists of the two characters ER followed by a two character error status code ERIC lt CR gt ERIN lt CR gt ERIM lt CR gt ERNI lt CR gt Invalid command The command was not recognized because it was not in the proper format Invalid number or range The data included in the previous command was invalid or out of range Invalid command for current mode of operation The command was not recognized because it was not valid for the current mode of operation System not initialized receiver only Response to the SL query when the receiver has not been initialized with the transmitter Page 16 PRAXSYM Installing the USB Serial Drivers Plug the PAMS C unit into an available USB port using the supplied cable Begin installation of the USB Serial Converter Found New Hardware Wizard This wizard helps you install software for FT232R USB UART If your hardware came with an installation CD lt 6 or floppy disk insert it now What do you want the wizard to do Install from a list or specific location Advanced Click Next to continue lt Back Cancel Click Next Found New Hardware Wizard Welcome to the Found New as Hardware Wizard N Windows will search for current and updated software by looking on your computer on the hardware installation CD or on the Windows Update Web site with your permission
7. SEE PAMS C izd RAWSY XSY MI Portable Attenuation Measurement S yystem PRACTICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING User s Manual The commercial solution for making easy shielding effectiveness measurements PAMS C 310 010042 003 PAMS C TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 General Information 1 e Introduction e Equipment Purpose e Equipment List e Specifications Chapter 2 System Care 4 e Transportation e Recharging e Safety Handling Chapter 3 Operation 5 Describes operational seguences reguired for proper use of the product e Receiver e Transmitter e Making Shield Level Measurements e Audio Threshold Tone Usage e Logging Measurement Data Chapter 4 Serial Interface 13 e Remote Operation e Communications Interface e Installing USB Serial Drivers Warranty Statement PRAXSYM warrants that all items will be free from defects in material and workmanship under use as specified in this guide for a period of one year from date of delivery PRAXSYM further agrees to repair or replace at its discretion any failure which upon PRAXSYM s inspection appears to be a result of workmanship or material defect In no case shall PRAXSYM s liability for breach of warranty exceed the purchase price of the items in question PRAXSYM s liability on any claim of any kind for any loss con nected with or resulting from the use of performance or breach thereof installation inspection opera tion or use of any equipment fur
8. VEL mode the re ceiver can be used to measure the amount shield level that is provided by an of attenuation SELECT DATA LOGGING MODE SIGNAL STRENGTH SHIELD LEVEL Page 6 PRAXSYM Initial Set Up and Power On Attach one of the antennas to the BNC connector located on the top of the receiver Power On Rotate POWER switch to ON position The receiver will power on in SIGNAL STRENGTH mode To se lect a different mode depress the MODE switch to rotate through SIGNAL STRENGTH SPECTRUM MONITOR SHIELD LEVEL and DATA LOGGING modes Allow the receiver to warm up for 5 minutes before taking measurement data Set Frequency The receiver always powers up tuned to 900 MHz Rotate the FREQUENCY adjust knob to tune the receiver in steps of 1 MHz Depress the F DIGIT switch to toggle the step size between 1 MHz and 100 kHz The current step size is displayed on the FR ADJ line of the display The frequency can be set in either SIGNAL STRENGTH or SHIELD LEVEL mode The receiver will remain tuned to this frequency as it is rotated through it s four modes of operation In SPEC TRUM MONITOR mode this frequency will become the center frequency of the 12 MHz frequency span Using the THOLD arrow keys in SPECTRUM MONITOR mode to move to a different part of the spectrum will not effect the receiver frequency when changing modes The SPECTRUM MONITOR screen displays 12 MHz of signals at a time from 864 936 MHz Alo
9. d to the value displayed on the screen Equipment List e Transmitter e Receiver e Rechargeable Battery Packs 2 each one installed per unit e AC DC power supply with cord 15 VDC 3 4A 2 each e 32 0 headphone set Antennas 2 each extended 1 4 wavelength Transit Case e Users Manual Page 1 PAMS C PAMS C Receiver Specifications Frequency Channel Spacing Detection Mode Measurement Range Measurement Accuracy Frequency Stability Charge Voltage at Power Jack Battery Operation Controls Indicators User Interface Operating Temperature Weight Size Headphone Impedance 864 936 MHz 100 kHz CW 120 to 0 dBm 2 dB 110 to 0 dBm 2 5 ppm DC 15 V 1 0 V 4 hours operation 70 minutes charge OFF VOL MODE CAL FREO TUNE THOLD UP DOWN LOCK LIGHT BATTERY LEVEL SIGNAL LEVEL THRESHOLD SETTING MODE LOCK CAL STATUS FREQ FREQ ADJ Full Alpha numeric Back lit LCD display 0 C to 40 C 5 5 Ibs 11 7 H x 5 1 D x 4 9 W 320 Page 2 PRAXSYM PAMS C Transmitter Specifications Frequency Channel Spacing Output Power Attenuation Frequency Stability Charge Voltage at Power Jack Battery Operation Controls Indicators User Interface Operating Temperature Weight Size 864 936 MHz 100 kHz 30 dBm to 30 dBm O to 60 dBm 1 2 or 5 dB steps 2 5 ppm DC 15 V 1 0 V 2 hours operation 70 minutes charge OFE ON MODE ATTEN FREO
10. dB attenuation and 30 dBm 1 watt corresponds to O dB at tenuation The output level can be changed using either the ATTEN button or the FREQUENCY control knob Depress the ATTN button on the top of the transmitter to toggle between 0 dB and 60 dB of attenuation Depress the MODE button on the top of the transmitter to toggle the function of the FREQUENCY control knob between fre quency adjust mode and power adjust mode allowing adjust ment of the attenuator in smaller steps The current setting of the mode button is displayed on the LCD Depress the F DIGIT button on the top of the transmitter to ro tate the increment of the FREQUENCY select knob between 1 2 and 5 GB steps Set Frequency The transmitter always powers up tuned to 900 MHz Depress the MODE button on the top of the transmitter to toggle the function of the FREQUENCY control knob between fre quency adjust mode and power adjust mode The current set ting of the mode button is displayed on the LCD Rotate the FREQUENCY adjust knob to tune the transmitter in 1 MHz steps Depress the F DIGIT switch to toggle the step size between 1 MHz and 100 kHz The current step size is displayed on the FR ADJ line of the display Making Shield Level Measurements The receiver measures the signal level of CW and narrowband signals applied to the 50 Q BNC input port located on the top of the receiver The gain or loss of an antenna or coax cable con nected to the RF input will
11. e green CHARGE light will flash during this phase and then stay on continually once the fast charge phase has begun The pre charge trickle phase can take anywhere form a few seconds to 60 minutes dependent on the initial charge state If the fast charge state has not begun after several hours the battery pack should be replaced If a charge cycle is initiated on a fully charged battery it is possible that it will not be able to complete a normal charging cycle illuminating the FAULT light Although the FAULT light indicates that the charge cycle was terminated the trickle charge will continue to top off the battery pack and it does not indicate a failure The FAULT light indicates that the charge process has been termi nated A FAULT light will be indicated with Excess supply input voltage Very low battery voltage indicate shorted cells Battery voltage low after 1 12th of charge timer The charge is not normally terminated before the end of the cycle timer gee Ma Page 4 PRAXSYM The OVERTEMP light indicates that the battery pack has exceeded its maximum temperature during the charge process When the OVER TEMP light is lit the CHARGE light will be turned off indicating that the charge process has been halted Once the battery has cooled down to an acceptable temperature the charge cycle will resume If it becomes necessary to remove or replace the NiCad battery pack e Locate the bottom face plate of the unit which hou
12. he USB cable removed before manually powering down the PAMS C unit Page 13 PAMS C Commands Commands may be sent to the PAMS C transmitter or receiver to set up the operation of the unit SET commands or to determine the setup and request data QUERY commands Entries may be in ei ther lower or upper case lt CR gt represents ENTER The response to successfully executed SET commands is the message OK lt CR gt RECEIVER COMMANDS LC lt CR gt Clears the data log LR lt CR gt The entire data log is read The data is distributed in a 10 x 10 table read left to right The first posi tion in the second row is data log entry number 11 FR XXX y lt CR gt Sets the receive frequency in MHz The inclusion of the decimal point and digits to the right of the decimal are optional FR lt CR gt Returns the current frequency setting in the form XXX y MHz Example 915 4 SS lt CR gt Returns the last measured signal strength in the form XXX dBm Example 70 SL lt CR gt Returns the last measured shield level in the form XXX dB Example 112 BA lt CR gt Returns the current battery voltage in volts Example BA 09 30 VR lt CR gt Returns the version of firmware installed Example PAMS C Receiver version 1 xx Page 14 PRAXSYM TRANSMITTER COMMANDS FR XXX y lt CR gt Sets the output frequency in MHz The inclusion of the decimal point and digits to the right of the decimal are optional FR lt
13. ing mode Initializing Shield Level Measurements In SHIELD LEVEL mode the signal level measured by the receiver must be initialized to the test signal from the transmitter to indicated O dB shield level when the enclosure is open This initialization proc ess is completed by depressing the CAL button Details of the initiali zation process are detailed in the Making Shield Level Measurements section Backlight Depress the LIGHT button on the top of the receiver to toggle the LCD backlight on off Leaving the backlight on continuously will decrease the battery operating time by approximately 10 Control Lock Once set the controls of the receiver can be locked to prevent inad vertently changing a setting that could result in measurement errors Depress the LOCK button on the top of the receiver to toggle the lock feature on off Transmitter The transmitter is a continuous wave signal source with adjustable output transmit level over it s frequency range Initial Set Up and Power On e Attach one of the antennas to the BNC connector located on the top face of the transmitter Page 8 PRAXSYM Power On rotate POWER switch to ON position Allow a 5 minute warm up period before making measurements Set the Output Level The transmitter powers up with the output level set to 30 dBm 60 dB attenuation The output level of the transmitter is adjusted by changing the attenuation level 30 dBm output level corresponds to 60
14. ng the bottom of the screen the start center and stop frequencies are displayed The FRE QUENCY select knob is used to move the marker across the spectrum The marker s frequency and the measured signal level at that freguency are displayed at the top of the display screen The THOLD arrows scroll through the 12 MHz spans of the receivers freguency range Setting the Tone Threshold The receiver contains a tone generator that can be used to alert the operator if shield level has dropped below a predetermined thresh old level This feature is especially useful when sweeping across seams or around openings in a shielded enclosure when the LCD display is not easy to view Page 7 PAMS C The tone alert feature may only be used in SHIELD LEVEL mode The frequency of the output tone is determined by the signal level meas ured by the receiver e Using the THOLD arrow keys on the top of the receiver adjust the threshold level to the desired level that the tone will be turned on The threshold level is displayed on the LCD on the THOLD line In SHIELD LEVEL mode this is the point where the shield level has degraded to the point that the operator should be alerted by the tone e Connect the 32 0 headset to the PHONES jack on the top of the receiver e The receiver s ON OFF switch is also the volume control for the tone generator output The tone threshold function will operate normally when collecting shield level data in the Data Logg
15. nished by PRAXSYM shall in no case exceed the purchase price of the goods which give rise to the claim PRAXSYM Chapter 1 General Information Introduction The Portable Attenuation Measurement System PAMS is designed to measure the shielding effectiveness of RF enclosures PAMS C is a variation of the original PAMS having subtle differences to enhance usefulness in more commercialized settings This product has been specifically engineered to enable regular maintenance of RF Shielded Enclosures Routine measurements can be made to ensure a baseline Shield level is maintained with minimal disruption to normal activities of the enclosure Equipment Purpose The PAMS C measures the shielding effectiveness of RF enclosures displaying results in both bar graph and numeric readout of the shielding level dB Separately the transmitter and receiver will also work well in custom applications The transmitter provides a portable and semi rugged CW transmitter with adjustable output power up to 1 Watt in the frequency range from 864 MHz to 936 MHz The receiver s features allow it to make accurate signal level measurements as low as 120 dBm in the presence of high ambient wireless energy over a large dynamic range The receiver measures the signal level of CW and narrowband signals applied to the 50 Q BNC input port located on the top of the receiver The gain or loss of an antenna or coax cable connected to the RF input will need to be adde
16. rd shows the current freguency and the E Save unio measured signal strength in real time unlocked The transmitter and receiver must be set to the same frequency for data to be valid t ttte se 5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ZD ne Page 12 PRAXSYM Chapter 4 Serial Interface Remote Operation Both the transmitter and receiver can be controlled by a PC or embed ded controller via the USB interface Procedures in this section de scribe how to control the PAMS C units remotely with terminal emula tion software on a PC or laptop computer Configuring Tera Term Pro Install a cable between a USB port on the PC laptop and the USB port on the PAMS C unit The supplied cable has a USB A plug connects to PC on one end and a Mini USB 5 pin type B plug on the opposite end Praxsym part 520 010004 002 Power up the PAMS C unit by rotating the ON OFF knob Start the terminal emulation software and open the Terminal setup window from the Setup Menu Select CR LF for Receive and CR for Transmit Enable Local Echo Also within the Setup menu choose the Serial Port options listed below Baud rate 9600 Data bits 8 Stop bits 1 Parity none Com port assigned by PC operating system If you are using another terminal emulation program the settings may be found in various places depending on the software used Gener ally check the Serial Port and Terminal configuration menus NOTE Tera Term must be closed and t
17. rent modes Signal Strength Spectrum Monitor Shield Level and Data Logging Page 5 PAMS C In SIGNAL STRENGTH mode the receiver can be used to measure the signal level of a continuous wave signal The receiver has a narrow 7 5 kHz IF bandwidth enabling it to measure a test sig nal in the presence of interfering signals in the same band Al though the receiver has no de modulation capabilities it can be used to measure the signal level of narrow band modulated signals low cha gi2 AMHz Mmmm FREQ BATT 1 THOLD 80 dB 50 90 SHIELD MODE LOCK 130 LEVEL 90dB Shield Level off FRQ ADJ 100 KHz enclosure or other obstacles be tween the transmitter and re ceiver is conducted the receiver is ini tialized with the transmitter to read O dB shield level In DATA LOGGING mode the receiver can be used to make measurements and store them in a list that is saved when the re ceiver is turned off The receiver will store data as signal strength dBm or shield level dB See the section on Data Logging for more information Before a shield level test U D select CAL begin logging MRK 22dBm0906 OMHz In SPECTRUM MONITOR mode the receiver can be used to view a 12 MHz span of the frequency spectrum This mode is ideal for locating a clear frequency for conducting a test by identifying large interfering signals that could cause measurement errors In SHIELD LE
18. ses the battery compartment cover Remove 4 socket head screws from the battery cover bumper Remove 4 Phillips head screws from the battery cover Remove the battery cover and disconnect the 2 pin connector Slide the battery out of the compartment Storing the PAMS C Units If the PAMS C units will be stored for long periods between use 2 3 months it is a good practice to disconnect the batteries to ensure long battery life With the batteries disconnected they can be stored charged or discharged To disconnect the batteries unplug the 2 pin connector using the process described in the proceeding paragraph Safety Handling The PAMS C system has been designed to survive in field usage how ever the following handling restrictions should be observed e Protect the units from electrostatic discharge e Do not connect high power RF sources gt 100 mW to the input BNC connector on the receiver Always use a 30 dB in line attenu ator when connecting the transmitter directly to the receiver input o Do not connect DC sources to the BNC connectors e The Receiver s RF Input contains a DC bias voltage on the BNC cen ter pin for powering an external RF switch Always use a DC block when connecting the receiver to test equipment Equipment Service Praxsym Inc provides repair and maintenance service Ph 217 897 1744 www praxsym com sales praxsym com Chapter 3 Operation Receiver Modes The receiver can be operated in one of four diffe
19. tal control inputs invalidating a test Logging Measurement Data e To enter data logging mode depress the THRESHOLD switches to select signal strength data or shield level data Press the CAL button to begin e Pressing the LOCK button to lock out the MODE button during the data logging process prevents the user from inadvertently exiting the data logging mode while taking data e The flashing cursor located to the left of the data entry points indicates the location where the measured data will be logged To record measured data into the data entry point depress the CAL button e The next data point may be selected by depress the THRESHOLD switches to select the data entry point to log Data entry points may be over written or skipped e Use the MODE button to save the logged data and exit data log ging mode Unsaved data will be lost when the Receiver is pow ered down Before shield level data can be logged the receiver and transmitter must first be setup and initialized as described in LOGGING MOTE SHIELD the Making Shield Level Measurements 900 OMH Hz section The receiver stores up to 100 60 data samples as signal strength dBm or shield level dB which may be downloaded to a PC The screen dis plays 10 data entry points at a time The flashing cursor located to the left of the data entry points indicates the loca tion where the measured data will be logged The second line of the screen reco
20. tter Ensure that the receiver reference position is within line of sight of the transmit ter Page 10 PRAXSYM Set the receiver to SHIELD LEVEL mode the receiver will flash INITIALIZE PRESS CAL on the display Ensure that there are no obstructions between the transmitter and receiver and then depress the CAL button on the Receiver The display should indicate a SHIELD LEVEL of 60 dB Return to the transmitter and depress the ATTN button The attenuation will toggle to 0 dB and the transmitter is now at 30 dBm output Verify that the SHIELD LEVEL reads less than 3 dB on the re ceiver This may vary slightly as every environment is unique A reading of O dB is ideal Close the door to the enclosure and begin sniffing with the Re ceiver The Receiver is now measuring and displaying SHIELD LEVEL of the enclosure nen Audio Threshold Tone Usage Depress the THRESHOLD switches until the desired thresh old is set Plug a set of 32 O headphones in the jack on the top face of the unit If the shielding level is less than the threshold a variable tone is emitted Low freguency tones correspond to low poor shield ing levels while high freguency tones signify high better shielding levels Page 11 PAMS C e Ifthe shielding level exceeds the threshold no tone sounds e Depress the lock switch to toggle the control lock function With the control lock enabled the operator is protected against acci den
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