R&S^®XB2900 HF Transmit/Receive Broadband System

Functionality

The HF Transmit/Receive Broadband System R&S® XB2900 operates in the frequency range 2 MHz to 30 MHz (RX down to 10 kHz) with an antenna system consisting of two or three broadband antennas. The frequency spacing between the transmit channels can be reduced to about 1 % separation. The power management system provides a wide variety of RF power levels for the output signals by combining several lines up to 4 kW and more (P3I).

The RF highpower signals are combined in highly linear 3 dB coupler units, so that there are no active switching elements at the high power levels. The configuration of the system is based on standard Rohde & Schwarz components such as the following:

• Transceivers R&S® XK2900L
• Power Management Unit (PMU) R&S® GV2900
• Power Combiners R&S® FK2910 and R&S® FK 2920, 2 kW and 4 kW
• Load Resistors R&S® RBS1000
• Triplexer R&S® FK2950 and diplexer for broadband antenna system (WBL, WBM, WBH)

The R&S® XB2900 is able to handle the following transceiver operating modes:

• Embedded fast data Modem with waveforms such as
• MIL-STD-188-110A
• MIL STD-188-110B, App. C
• STANAG 4285
• STANAG 4529
• Data link operation e.g.:
• LINK 11 (CLEW)
• LINK 11 (SLEW)
• LINK 22 (FF)
• LINK Y (Mk II)
• Automatic link establishment in line with FED STD 1045/1046/1049

Tailored to your specific requirements

Using these standard components the system can be precisely confi gured to the number of lines and power requirements for each line needed, i.e. tailored to the actual operational requirement, e.g. 2 to 32 HF lines in steps of 1 in an HF broadband antenna system. Each HF broadband line is equipped with a Transceiver R&S® XL2900L.

The HF receiver sections are connected to a separate receive antenna distribution system.

RF distribution

RF output signals are routed via an antenna diplexer or triplexer to the broadband antenna system. The frequency ranges of the different antenna ports overlap so that coverage of the entire HF frequency band is ensured. The fact that output signals are transmitted by two antennas in slightly overlapping frequency ranges has no particular influence on the radiation pattern, since the overall ship superstructure determines the radiation characteristics of the antenna system.

System control

The integration of the HF Transmit/Receive Broadband System R&S® XB2900 into a remote control system provides control and monitoring from one control terminal for all operations of the overall ship communications system.

Logistic aspects

A significant logistic advantage of both the broadband and narrowband systems is that all power amplifi ers and exciters are components of the same transceiver type – the R&S® XK2900. These identical transceivers provide extremely high system availability and reliability.

Outstanding reliability and survivability

The RF power amplifi er stages are based on MOSFET semiconductor technology providing very high linearity and very low RF noise figures.

The passive RF combining system, without active electronic elements at high power levels but with power management,results in a very high reliability and MTBF fi gure for the overall system and each individual communications line.

The total power consumption of the HF broadband system depends on the number of transmit lines actually in use and their respective output power. Power amplifier stages that are not transmitting operate in idle mode, i.e. their power consumption is less than 250 W per amplifier. All components are equipped with extensive continuous monitoring and BITE facilities that provide status information for the central control system and the front-panel displays of the individual units.

The system components can be changed easily and quickly without recalibration. Due to the compact design of the standard components the system can be installed in a minimum number of 19" standard racks.

Summary

• Full HF frequency band (2 MHz to 30 MHz) for voice, data, and ALE operation
• Operating frequency separation of 1%
• Very low levels of intermodulation
• Very high flexibility with regard to system confi guration and power management
• High system reliability and MTBF figures
• Extensive BITE and continuous monitoring facilities
• Exciter/receiver sections with optional plug-in modules for:
• ALE operation
• Fast data transmission
• Pre-/post-selection
• Digital speech processing
• Automatic phone patch
• High efficiency through optimum use of power amplifi er stages
• Full integration into a central remote control system
• Common tried-and-tested standard components for narrowband and wideband systems

The use of the HF Transmit/Receive Broadband System R&S® XB2900 is not limited to naval applications, but is also very effective in stationary scenarios.