Andrew Wireless Innovations Group BCEL-FAST900 User Manual

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MN021-01 
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demodulated back to an electrical signal. The data link associated with each remote unit is also 
detected and routed to the microprocessor. 
 
Amplification & AGC: Variable amplification is needed to compensate for the variable optical 
fibre loss, maintaining a good signal to noise ratio, so that for each link a constant gain is 
obtained. 
 
RF Combining: Signals coming from all remotes are combined into a single RF path, filtered and 
duplexed into the RF port. 
5.4. 
Remote supply 
The local unit provides connection and distribution for  –48VDC supply to the remote units, by 
means of composite cable, copper wires and optical fibre pairs. Each supply port is protected 
against overloads, short and surge with a self-recovery fuse and surge protection. The power 
switch will disconnect the remote supply in case of overcurrent. 
5.5. 
Automatic Gain Control  
Optical link losses are typically related to: 
 
- Fibre length (0.2-0.4dB/Km @ 1300nm) 
- Splices loss 
- Optical connectors tolerances and aging 
 
BriteCell™  Fast implements an automatic gain control (AGC) mechanism to maintain constant 
RF link gain, regardless of the overall optical link losses.  The allowed optical  loss per link must 
be in the range of 3dB.  Losses outside this window will trigger alarms and warnings according 
to the following table: 
 
 
OPTICAL LOSS 
OPERATION 
ALARM 
SEVERITY 
0 dB 
AGC working, constant RF gain  
none 
NONE 
< 3dB 
AGC working, constant RF gain 
none 
NONE 
< 5 dB 
AGC not working, RF gain 
decreases according to 2dB 
electrical per 1dB optical  
AGC out of range: 
red LED flashes  
MINOR 
> 5 dB 
AGC not working, the optical 
signal is too low, the receiver is 
automatically switched off in 
order to reduce the unwanted 
noise to the system. 
Optical power too 
low: red LED 
fixed, relays 
alarmed. 
MAJOR 
 
6. Alarms and settings  
Local unit LEDs are fully managed by software according to different severity levels, and 
reported as relay contact and visual alarms (LEDs).  There are six LED’s on the Local unit.  
Four are related to each optical link and remote unit, one is related to local unit, and one is for 
power supply. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5  TFLF Local Unit Status  LED’s