Telecommunications

Telecommunications
! Telecommunication

Workstation
! Telephony
! AntennaLab
! AM & FM Radio Trainers
! Transmission Lines
! Antenna systems
! Microstrip
! Microwave
! Fibre Optics
! Discovery Courseware

Telecommunications is one of the worlds fastest growing industries and

world-wide personal communication of voice, picture and data is now
commonplace.
The Feedback range of Telecommunications training equipment has been
designed to provide a modern, efficient approach to training the engineers
and technicians working in this field.
Feedbacks philosophy is to equip students with the fundamental ideas and
principles that underpin modern telecommunications practice by using
versatile trainers that quickly and clearly demonstrate the required
characteristics.
Paramount to all Feedback equipment is the principle that Students of
Engineering and Technology should work with hardware and be allowed to
take a hands-on approach. All of Feedbacks teaching hardware is supported
by extensive teaching and theoretical courseware. This can either be in the
form of paper manuals or software.
Within the Telecommunications range, Feedback offers hardware that can
be used in conjunction with conventional test and measurement equipment,
using paper manuals. Alternatively, laboratory work can be carried out using
equipment connected to a PC enabling it to take advantage of Feedbacks
Discovery courseware, which offers on-screen instruction and embedded,
real-time, virtual instrumentation.
Both these teaching philosophies are valid ways of demonstrating technical
characteristics, but the underlying principle that both share is giving the
Student the opportunity to work with real hardware and avoid simulation.

System Benefits
! Ideally suited for University

and Technical College

courses
! Covers all areas of

Telecommunications
! All products provided with

in-depth teaching manuals

or software
! Compact, bench-top

systems
! Teaching material relevant

to industrial practice

Telecommunications

Discovery Software
Features
! Interactive hardware/software
configuration

Connecting-up the Virtual instruments

! Browser based curriculum

! Self-paced learning
! Practical demonstration of
theoretical background
! Simulations
! Interactive patching diagrams
! Shows real-time process
changes
! Hands off for tutors - Hands on
for students
! Embedded Virtual Instrumentation
! Automatic controller
configuration
! Data export to spreadsheet for
analysis
! Changeable timescales for
playback of results
! Dual playback for comparison
of process variables

Discovery Software operates

in the following areas:
!

Basic Electricity

Analogue and Digital

Electronics

Telecommunications

Linear Control

Process Control

Electrical Machines

Real-time data capture and

measurement

Discovery Software is Feedbacks continuously evolving software package. The

basic and most important philosophy of Discovery is its interactivity with
teaching hardware. Discovery can be applied to products within our complete
range of teaching products and is used extensively within the
Telecommunications range.
The Learning material is provided within the software and this includes the
underlying theory, which is written in such a way that it does not use
mathematics at too high a level. An important part of the teaching programme
is to highlight the learning objectives of the various experiments and convey
the background involved to the student: This information is also included in
the software. Consequently, the student is suitably prepared to start the
practical work using the hardware.
The interactivity of Discovery means that it provides real-time, pc-based
instrumentation and in the case of Telecommunications this includes:
Dual channel Oscilloscope
Spectrum Analyzer
Voltmeter
Frequency Counter
Phasor and Constellation Displays
BER Meter
Antenna Polar Diagram Plotter
Frequency Response
Gain/Phase Analyzer (for Bode
and Nyquist plots)

Detailed explanatory layout

Discovery is written in such a way

that its appearance and the
instrumentation made available
depends on the practical being
executed. So, if the practical requires
the display of a constellation or a
phase meter, as in QAM experiments, one is made available,
whereas at lower levels of study
it would not be provided.
Discovery Software can be installed
either in a stand-alone configuration
or networked and centrally served.

Integrated interactive simulations

Telecommunications

Discovery Tools 93-400

Discovery Tools allow full editing of supplied material, together with the
creation of new content and additional assignments.
Modified block diagram
using Winwiz and
Microsoft Visio software.
In Edit mode, Visio is used
to produce the background
(JPG) and Winwiz allows
changes to the monitoring
points and to the
test probe positions.

Typical Discovery assignment with the Tools Edit

mode selected. Microsoft
Word is the default editor.

The look and feel of the

user screens can be
personalised using
Laboratory Architect and
the skin edit file.

Features
! Enables the creation and
overlaying of diagrams
! Uses Microsoft Visio or
Winwiz to to edit diagrams
! Enables the creation & editing
of patching layouts
! Existing assignments modified
or developed new with
Assignment Builder
! Assignment functionality
controlled by Assignment
Builder
! Assignments selected and
allocated using Laboratory
Architect
! Screen presentation modified
with Laboratory Architect

System Benefits

Assignment Builder
controls assignment
functionality, test
equipment, test probes,
monitor point mapping
and board firmware.

Laboratory Architect allows

the tutor to select which
assignments the user
may access.

Typical assignment patching layout Winwiz is used

to modify patching connections (drag & drop) and to
draw new connections using
separate connections.

! Uniform hardware & software

delivery platform reduces
familiarisation time
! Step-by-step Discovery
instructed courseware reduces
wasted instructor time
! Automatic patching sequence
reduces patching errors
! Classroom sets courses can
be easily reorganised

Discovery Course Manager 93-410

Discovery Course Manager consists of two sub software applications Course Designer and Course Presenter.
Course Designer
Resources that may be added are: - Documents like
Word or Excel, html or pdf format, multimedia material
and third party programs. Web urls, or locations on
local intranets. The course window can have several
pages for different sections of a course, such as
sessions or modules.
External resources folders
can be easily created &
resources may then be added
to a folder. Once added, a
resource can be used in any
number of courses.

Course Presenter
Provides students with the means of selecting a
course by name from a list, as in this case Analogue
Signals.
The resulting course window contains resources
organised in pages. Clicking on a resource such as
Video Clip or Audio Clip etc. launches it.

Features
! Provides tutors with simple
creation or modification of
courses
! Includes Course Designer for
customising courses
! Includes Course Presenter the student interface that
delivers the courses
! Allows Discovery product
assignments to be mixed
! Can be used with a network
by using a shared drive

Benefits
! Customised courses can be
created
! Assignments from different
Discovery products can be
integrated
! Outside resources can be
included in the courses-video,
audio, additional information etc.

Telecoms Workstation

Telecommunications Workstation 53-004

Features
! Suitable for both technician
and undergraduate teaching
! Comprehensive set of
Laboratory Assignments
! Covers modern modulation
principles and practice
! Integrated hardware and
software environment

The Telecommunications Workstation range of products consist of a

series of open-board trainers that work in conjunction with Discovery software.
The 53-004 comprises three workboards: Amplifiers and Oscillators 53-210,
Tuned Circuits and Filters 53-220 and Modulation and Coding 53-230 and
the 92-200 USB Real-time Access Terminal (RAT).
The close integration of the hardware workboard with computer-based
instruction and instrumentation software provides the student with a rich
learning environment and the tutor with a cost-effective solution in this
field of telecommunications teaching.

! On-screen background, theory

and practical instructions
! Software provides embedded
instrumentation including a
Constellation meter
! Quantative measurements of
fundamental circuit properties
! Uses Gain Phase Analyzer

Integrated instructions and instrumentation

! No costly additional
instrumentation required

Each practical experiment is configured by patching together circuit blocks on

the boards. The patching sequence is shown sequentially through the software.

! Stand-alone workstation or
network operation (with
Feedbacks Discovery
Laboratory Manager)

The workboard connects to a personal computer via the USB Real-time

Access Terminal (92-200 RAT), which is a fast Analogue-to-Digital converter,
sampling signals on the workboard at rates from 10 to 100MHz, as required.
The Terminal also provides all the necessary power supplies for the workboard.

Further in-depth information always available

Amplifiers and Oscillators Workboard 53-210

Curriculum Coverage
! Voltage amplifier
! Current input amplifier
! Controlled gain amplifier
! Oscillation criteria
! Wien bridge oscillator
! Tuned amplifier
! LC oscillator
! Crystal oscillator
! Oscillator stability & buffering
! Multivibrator
! Tuned power amplifier

This workboard allows the construction of various Amplifiers, Oscillators and

Signal Sources. The workboard shows the principles of R-C, L-C and crystal
oscillators, feedback, loop gain, amplitude stabilisation, oscillation, distortion
and frequency stability. Using the PC instrumentation, Nyquist and Bode
diagrams can be easily shown.

Telecoms Workstation

Tuned Circuits and Filters Workboard 53-220

Curriculum Coverage
! Tuned circuits
! Coupled tuned circuits
! Crystal filters
! Ceramic bandpass filter
! Audio op-amp filters
! LC low pass filters
! LC high pass filters
! Butterworth filters
! Chebyshev filters
! High-order filters

With these circuits students can examine the principles of passive filters,
R-C and L-C tuned circuits, Q loading, low-pass crystal filters, active filters,
tuned amplifiers and automatic gain control (AGC).

Modulation and Coding Workboard 53-230

Curriculum Coverage
! Signals in the time and
frequency domains
! Sampling and Time
Division Multiplexing (TDM)
! Amplitude Modulation (AM)
! AM with Suppressed Carrier
! SSB generation with an
IQ modulator
! Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
! Frequency Modulation (FM)
! FM with an IQ modulator
! Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
! Phase Modulation (PM)
! Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

Modulation and Coding workboard 53-230 is a fully-featured, complete,

laboratory course covering the principles of operation and the practical
implementation of modern modulation systems required for both analogue
and digital communication systems.

! Multi-state Phase Shift Keying

! Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation (QAM)
! Uncoded binary data formats
! Bi-phase data format
! Alternate mark inversion
! Word synchronisation

Telephony

Telephony Training System 58-001

Features

The system comprises:

! Uses Discovery Software

! Uses commercial telephony

components

USB Real-time
Access Terminal (RAT)

Telephone & Interface

TDM/PCM board

! Automatic practical configuration

Curriculum Coverage
Telephone and Interface
! Telephone signalling
! Telephone speech
! Subscribers Line Interface
Circuit (SLIC)
! Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
(DTMF) Signalling
! SLIC Hybrid
! Testing

Telephone and Interface

Curriculum Coverage

TDM/PCM Principles

TDM/PCM Principles

Allows the study of the principles of TDM/PCM. It is based on the use of standard telephony devices but also uses special circuits to demonstrate the effects
of variable sampling rate, bit rate and filtering. PAM is used to demonstrate
the concept of taking short samples to represent a continuous waveform.
TDM is demonstrated by multi-channel PAM which shows the principle of
sharing a single physical link between different communication channels.

!
!
!
!
!

Sampling
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
Companding
Filtering

Signalling, speech circuits and the immediate interface at the switching centre
are examined. The use of a high quality, commercial telephone hybrid circuit in
the subscribers line interface (SLIC) allows useful measurements to be made.

Digital Switching System 58-002

Features
! Relevant to study of Central
Switching exchanges or PAB
exchanges

The system comprises:

n

Controller

Digital switching
centre board

One, four telephone

handset kit

! Uses commercial CODECs

Curriculum Coverage
! Local signalling
! Digital switch principles
! Digital switch
! Line scan
! Call records
! Line records
! Line maps
! State transitions
! Call progress
! Manual control
! Testing
! Traffic

Digital switching techniques and applications are covered, including time and
space switching and the control of a digital switch by connection memory.
Call state transistion diagrams, which conform to ITU-T SDL format for call
progress, are introduced, as well as concepts of call state and state transition,
and the three stages of call handling.

Telephony

Dual Switching System 58-003

The system comprises:
n

Controller

Two digital switching

centre boards

Two, four telephone

handset kits

Features
! Easily configurable for
different exchanges
! Can be easily upgraded from
58-002
! Uses ITU-T codes and formats

Curriculum Coverage
as 58-002 plus
! Trunk configuration
! Trunk switching
! Signal protocol controller
! Trunk signal units
! Signalling information field

The dual system adds a second switching centre board to support up to four
switching centres, extending the curriculum covered by 58-002 to include trunk
switching & trunk traffic topics, CCITT (now ITU-T) codes and formats are used.
The system is supplied with a vertical mounting frame for ease-of-use and
future upgrades.

! Error control
! Trunk state diagrams
! Trunk call progress

Trunk Network System 58-004

The system comprises:

Features

Controller

! Four local switching centres

Two digital switching

centre boards

! Can be easily upgraded from

58-003

Two, four telephone

handset kits

! Easily configurable

A Trunk networks
board

Curriculum Coverage
as 58-003 plus
! Transit switching centre
! Transit switch call progress
! Two-level transit switching
! Two-level transit call
progress
! Non-associated signalling

In addition to the curriculum covered by 58-002 and 58-003, the trunks network
board has three transit switches and extends the work to cover transit switching
and signalling. The system can be configured as four local switching centres,
to cover simple transit switching, two level transit switching, non-associated
signalling and the use of ITU-T type transaction capability messages to control
system testing.

! System testing

Antennas

AntennaLab 57-200
Features
! Unique integration of
hardware and software
! Simulates, models and tests
real antennas
! Hardware modelling
between 1200 and 1800MHz
! NEC-2 based simulations
! PC measurement and results
! Rapid graphic display of
antenna characteristics
! Bench-top operation
! Low, safe power output
! USB interface

Curriculum Coverage
! Familiarisation
! The Dipole in free space
! Effects of the surroundings
! Dual sources
! Gain, directivity and aperture
! Ground reflections
! The monopole
! Phased monopoles

The AntennaLab is a unique system designed to be used in two distinct ways:

for teaching and demonstrating common antenna configurations at all levels of
study, and as a design tool by those engaged in research and development.
The system operates in conjunction with a PC via a USB interface and is
supported by Discovery Interactive Software and NECWIN simulation software.
The equipment comprises two towers, one being a low power transmitter,
controlled by a frequency synthesizer. The second contains a frequency
synthesiser controlled receiver. The antenna to be investigated is mounted
on top of the transmitter tower.
The PC controls the transmitter tower and rotates it through 360 degrees
and displays the following characteristics:
n
n
n

Frequency response
Polar diagrams
Return loss plots

n
n
n

Signal level
E & H planes in three dimensions
Bandwidth

! Resonance, impedance and

standing waves

Components are provided that allow these antennas to be constructed:

! Return loss and VSWR

measurements

Monopoles
Yagis - Stacked and bayed

n
n

Dipoles
Horn

! Parasitic elements
! Multi-element parasitic arrays
! Stacked and bayed arrays
! The log periodic antenna
! The horn antenna
! The dish antenna
! Projects

Return loss plots

Multiple polar plots

n
n

Log periodic
Parabolic dish

Fibre Optics

Fibre Optics Trainer EFO1101

Features
! Teaches fibre optic
measuring techniques
! Demonstrates standard
properties of light (visible
and infra-red)
! Analogue and Digital data
transmission
! Self-contained training
package

The trainer investigates various aspects of fibre optic technology and its use in
transmitting analogue and digital data, with reference to telecommunications.
The trainer comprises an optical transmitter with an infra-red LED, a red LED
and variable output controls. It also has an optical receiver, which includes: a
loudspeaker for analogue output, high and low impedance analogue outputs,
variable analogue gain, buzzer, digital output and TTL, CMOS and RS232
voltage level digital outputs. Two lengths of fibre optic cable, various electrical
connectors and accessories complete the kit.
For organisations with no practical experience of Fibre optics, this trainer provides
an effective means of obtaining a hands-on introduction to this technology.
EFO1101 is supported by a Fibre Optics Monitor, EFO1105, which measures
signals carried by fibre optic cables.

Fibre Optics Power Meter EFO1102

The Power Meter is an accurate, versatile and low-cost unit for measuring optical
power levels at terminated optical cables. An easy-to-read pointer scale gives
readings in both dBm and microwatts. The meter ranges between 1mW (0dBm)
down to a sensitivity of better than 1nW (-60dBm). The meter is calibrated at a
wavelength of 820nm and permits accurate measurements between 800nm &
850nm. A large area receiving diode ensures maximum light acceptance. Battery
life is typically 500 hours. Meter connector options include SMA & STRATOS.
The meter comes complete with instruction manual, battery, electrical
connectors and carrying case.

Fibre Optics Monitor EFO1105

The Monitor is a versatile, fully portable product used to design fibre optics and
general optics measurement applications. It uses SMA and STRATOS connections. Accessories include instruction manual, various electrical connectors, microphone, batteries and robust carrying case.
The Monitor consists of an optical transmitter with:
! A high radiance LED that gives good measurement performance for all types
of multimode optical fibres, including 50m core graded index fibre
! A variable output control
! A variable frequency square wave generator
! Both digital and analogue inputs
And an optical receiver with:
! Loudspeaker analogue output, low impedance analogue output and variable
analogue gain
! Mean power monitor output
! Silicon p-i-n diode mounted in a connector receptacle

Curriculum Coverage
! Shows the properties of light
and infra-red radiation
! Transmission of high quality
analogue and digital data over
optical fibres and free space
using visible and infra-red
light
! Converting various light
sources, such as:
mains lighting, torch-light,
and infra-red light and the
transmitters variable
frequency generator to audio
signals and listening to them
via the loudspeaker in the
receiver
! Construction of an alarm
system based on the presence
of a light signal
! Clarifying the important
differences between analogue
and digital techniques
! Measurement of the optical
absorption or reflection
properties of various materials
! Testing analogue or digital
optical receivers and
transmitters

Fibre Optics

OFSA - Optical Fibre Laboratory System

Features
! OFSA enables unlimited
experimentation using on-kit
circuitry and external interfaces
! Individual LED, Laser, PD and
APD modules enabling study
of device characteristics
! Specially designed reusable
PCBs for link construction
! Integrates the essential blocks
of an OTDR and demonstrates
its principles of operation
! Compatible light source and
power meter
! Comprehensive laboratory
manuals covering fibre optic
theory and experimental
assignments

Curriculum Coverage
! Multimode plastic fibre
characteristics
! Multi-mode glass fibre
characteristics
! Laser diode module

The OFSA is a comprehensive laboratory system designed to train users in Fibre

optic devices and digital communication systems.
It is also a useful development tool suitable for research projects and building
prototype systems.
The Laboratory spans fibre optics and related subjects that include:
n Fibre optic device characteristics
n

Principles of fibre optics and digital communications

Fibre optic equipment

Digital and Analogue fibre optic links

! Avalanche photodiode module

! LED module
! PIN photodiode module

The OFSA is suitable for many levels of education:

! OTDR and fibre event module

Scientific/Technical Professionals

! Digital communications
concepts

Research and development personnel in industry

Students of BE, ME, BS & MS

! Fibre optic link design and

analysis for analogue and
digital systems

Technical training centres

Students in Polytechnics and science colleges

Fibre Optics

OFT - Optical Fibre Trainer

Features
! Eleven usable 64kbps
channels
! User definable frame marker
(two alternating 8-bit markers can be set to be CCITT (UTIT)
compatible)
! On-board, two digitised voice
channels, one 8-bit data
channel and several user
expansion channels
! Demonstrates fully operational
integrated voice/data fibre
optic communication link
! Optional RS232C communications module used to demonstrate computer communications over fibre
! Time Division Multiplexing of
voice, data and user-defined
data streams
! Modular design, enables
configuration with userdesigned modules
! Wide scope for experimentation
through use of external
circuitry interfaced to kit

The Optical Fibre Trainer OFT is a powerful, versatile and cost-effective

experimental kit used to train students in the principles of fibre optics, through
the basics of digital base and communications, onto advanced experimentation
and development in fibre optic and digital communications.
Using the standard kit it can be used to cover established digital communication
subjects such as; Time Division Multiplexing, Transmitter and Receiver
operation, PCM voice coding at (64Kbits/sec), Manchester coding/decoding
for timing recovery, Voice coding - A-law and Pulse broadening in Fibre optic
communications.
Channels can be switched at transmitter and receiver using time-switching
principles.
It is very easy to interface to external circuitry - all required inputs and outputs
are provided and extensively documented.
The kit is supplied with a comprehensive Laboratory manual that clearly
explains experiments covering the theory of fibre optics for both Analogue
and digital communications.
It is supplied with all the accessories required to conduct the basic experiments and to interface with external circuitry.
An optional RS232C communication interface module is available to enable
a PC to be connected over fibre to demonstrate Integrated voice, data and a
RS232 communication link.

! Comprehensive manual
describes wide range of
experiments
! Ready-to-use kit, complete
with accessories

Curriculum Coverage
Basic Experiments
Fibre Optics
!
!
!
!
!

Fibre optic analogue links

Digital link
Losses in optical fibre
Effect of EMI interference
Numerical aperture
measurement

Multiplexing & Digital telecoms

! Time Division Multiplexing
! Framing in Time Division
Multiplexing
! Voice coding - A-law
! Pulse broadening in fibre optic
communications

Advanced Experiments
! Interfacing 8, 64, 256 kbs
synchronous channels and at
less than 8 kbs
! Asynchronous channel interfacing using oversampling and
bit stuffing

Fibre Optics

LAN-T Trainer
Features
! Comprehensive set of experiments to observe and measure
the behaviour of several LAN
protocols: MAC layer, Data
link layers and connection
management
! User configurable data rates 8kbps, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256,
512 and 1Mbps
! Generation of bit errors and
Frame errors between nodes up to 10-6
! Variable Network size - up
to six nodes with each NEU.
NEUs can be cascaded to
increase the network size
! Emulation of two nodes by
each PC. Halves the number
of PCs required
! User configurable delays
between nodes - emulates the
propagation delay in real
networks

Curriculum Coverage
Experiment Level 1
Observation and measurement
of behaviour of various network
protocols. Step-by-step instructions given in manual under the
Trying it out section.
! Packet transmission on a
point-to-point link
! Measure throughput for the
following MAC Layer protocols
by varying the offered load changing IPD, packet length,
data transmission rate, bit
delay, introducing bit errors,
frame errors, Token Holding
Time (THT) depending on
protocol:
! ALOHA ! CSMA ! CSMA/CD
! Token Bus
! Token Ring
! Measure of throughput and
the effect of bit errors for the
following DLL protocols (also
called as Reliable Transfer
Protocols) - varying the timeout period, introducing bit
errors and frame errors:
! Stop-and-Wait
! Sliding Window - Go-back-N
continues

The LAN-T trainer is useful for study and development of reliable data transfer
protocols, networking layers and applications. The Trainer exposes users to
networking concepts at the physical, MAC network and transport layers, through
a series of designed experiments.
The experiments reinforce the theory covered in lectures, while the hands-on
programming exercises train students to industry level.
The trainer can also be used for project work involving many layers of the network hierarchy.
The NEU hardware emulates six nodes (two nodes per PC), which can be
configured to Bus, Star or Ring topologies. It has error generators and delay
generators between nodes. Each NIU card emulates two independent nodes
supporting various MAC layers on a single PC. The system scales up to
emulate larger networks by adding more NEUs, NIUs and PCs.

Fibre Optics

LAN-T Trainer
Features

PC 1
Network Emulator Unit (NEU)
schematic

! Allows experimentation using

the software provided; source
code included for better
understanding
! Allows programming of all
experiments from scratch
using the library, for more
in-depth exposure

PC 2

! Menu driven user interface to

experiments
! Comprehensive manual
suitable for both lab instruction
as well as self-study

PC 3
Curriculum Coverage
Experiment Level 1 continued
Other possible topics of interest that
can be implemented by users are:
! Star topology - throughput
measurement
! Connection management 2-way handshake
! Sliding window - Jumping
window

Experiment Level 2
Implement & test various protocols
on one node by writing code while
the experiment software is run
on the other nodes. The program
development is explained in detail
in the manual. Data structures, FSM,
Pseudo-code, wherever necessary,
are provided. Exercises are given
at the end of each topic.

Experiment Level 3
(Projects demonstrating realworld principles)

By using a single trainer and a network of two or three PCs, users will gain
hands-on experience of a wide range of different network topologies and
protocols, including all the most used ones such as CSMA/CD (Ethernet)
and token passing (Arcnet, Token Ring).
The LAN-T consists of a Network Emulator Unit (NEU) with PC plug-in Network
Interface Units (NIU) and Windows based experiment software.
The software contains a series of experiments in the form of stand-alone
applications, C source code, allowing better understanding of the experiments
and a C library to access the NIU. This allows new users to program new
experiments, modify existing experiments and try out various network layers
and protocols.

Projects involving several layers

of network software, including
application layers, are possible to
implement with LAN-T. Users may
be required to workout and implement the detailed specification.
! File Transfer Programme (FTP)
bundled with the experiment
software
! Routing in a mesh WAN
! Network management
! Remote procedure calls
! Talk program
! Distributed database
! A sample Web

Transmission Lines and

Antennas

Transmission Line Demonstrator TLD511

Features
! Large bright LED display
! Built-in step function process
! Variable simulated line length
! Manual hold facility
! Comprehensive instruction
manual

Curriculum Coverage
! Propagation of a wave front
! Propagation of a sinewave
! Effect of wavelength
! Attenuation and dispersion
! Terminations
! Reflection, standing waves
and characteristic impedance
! Partial reflection, standing
waves and superposition of
incident and reflected waves
! Resonance and the effect of
attenuation

This system demonstrates the characteristics of transmission lines in a graphic

manner. The system uses a simulated line that effectively displays the high
frequency characteristics of a transmission line at low frequencies so that they
can be easily observed. The line characteristics can be easily adjusted by the
operator. The line is completely symmetrical so that either end may be
regarded as an input or an output.
The unit features large, bright LEDs, a built-in step function generator and is
supplied with a manual.

Further Curriculum Coverage

!
!
!
!
!

n
/2 lines
1 to 1 impedance transformations
Lines with dissimilar lossless terminations
Resonance and capacitive detuning
Reactive line impedance either side of resonance

Antenna System Demonstrator ASD512

Features
! Fully operational antennas
! Vivid displays of antenna
characteristics
! Convenient size for classroom
! Versatile and easy to assemble
! Complex concepts made easy
! Reconciles theory and practice

Curriculum Coverage
! Basic theory of radiation
! Radiating and non-radiating
systems
! Feeders
! Radiation resistance
! Drive point impedance and
ground resistance
! Physical and electrical length
! Directional antennas and
radiation patterns
! Parasitic arrays & antenna gain
! Antenna with folded elements
! Slot radiators
! 3-dimensional polar diagrams
! Loop antenna

This is a fully operational Antenna System Demonstrator, working at a

frequency of 167.2MHz, giving a half-wave element of approximately 90cm.
It has been designed to provide an ideal classroom demonstrator.
The system uses a kit of parts to allow many types of antenna to be constructed, making the system versatile as a demonstrator of both antenna principles
and practice.
The system has two hand-held detectors that show relative magnitudes of
voltage and current fields around the antenna, and the field strength of the
antenna. Practical demonstrations are described in the accompanying manuals,
illustrating the principles involved and introducing the student to the basic
concepts of most types of antennas in common use.

Microstrip

Complete Microstrip Trainer MST532-1

Features
! Latest Microwave technology
! 2.4 to 3.4GHz VCO
! 2 to 4GHz PIN diode
modulator
! No ancillary test equipment
required
! Safe, low power output
! Components identified
with inscribed reference
number
! Supplied in protective case

This trainer uses high precision components to allow students to investigate

microstrip technology principles.
The Complete Microstrip System, MST532-1, needs no additional test
equipment, having been designed for use with a digital multimeter and
a dual dc power supply, which are provided.
A CD and paper manual is supplied and provides users with detailed
background material, theory and structured assignments, whilst avoiding
unnecessary mathematical analysis.
The precision components (18 passive and 3 active) are packaged in
bright nickel-plated enclosures and are interconnected using industry
standard SMA couplings.
The components are:
Microwave source (VCO)
n Low pass filter (LPF)
n Wilkinson power divider (PD)
n Ring resonator (RR)
n Three-port circulator (CIR)
n MMIC amplifier (AMP)
n Patch antenna (ANT)
n SMA coaxial connector (PPC)
n 50 ohm coaxial termination (MT)
n 20dB attenuator (ATT)
plus accessories.
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

Directional coupler (DC)

Matched load (ML)
Rat-race hybrid coupler (RRH)
Unknown load 1/4 & shunt stub (ZT)
PIN diode modulator (PIN)
dc biasing unit (BL)
Crystal detector (D)
Coaxial short-circuit termination (SC)
Coaxial open-circuit termination (OC)
SMA plug - BNC jack adapter (ADR)

Curriculum Coverage
! Power source and detector
action
! Action of a 3-port circulator
! Insertion loss measurement
on a low-pass filter
! Measurement of return loss,
reflection coefficient and
VSWR of a filter, microstrip
and commercial matched
loads
! Matched investigations:
reflection coefficient of
unknown resistive load and
g
its matching by 1/4
transformer and shunt stub
! Properties of a power divider
and rat-race coupler
! Effective dielectric constant/
line loss measurement with
a ring resonator
! dc biasing and MMIC
amplifier investigations

Alternative configurations

! PIN diode modulator investigations

The MST532 Microstrip Trainer excludes the digital multimeter and dual dc
power supply.

! Microwave radio link and

antenna investigations

56-001 MIDE Microstrip, adds the powerful MIDE Microwave Design Software,
(see next page) to the MST532-1.
56-100 MIDE Microstrip (without ancillaries), combines the Microstrip Trainer
and MIDE software.

Microwave

Microwave Trainer 56-200

Features
! Stand-alone, low cost system
! No ancillary equipment required
! Simple, robust stands for
antennas
! Modulated 10.425GHz solidstate DRO source
! Components identified with
inscribed reference number

Curriculum Coverage
! Introduction to microwave
waveguide bench and measurement of: (a) source frequency
(b) guide wavelength
! Measurement of Voltage
Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)
! Measurement of diode
detector law
! Measurement of impedance
and impedance matching
! Measurement of radiation
diagram of a horn antenna
! Use of directional couplers
in power transmission and
reflection measurement
! Series, shunt and hybrid tee
waveguide junctions
! Waveguide-to-coaxial
transformers

The system allows the user to investigate the principles of microwave

transmission systems, such as those used in radar and communications links.
It is a precision-made system, which uses standard type WG16 (WR90) waveguide components to illustrate the essential elements within this field of study.
It is completely self-contained and allows students to carry-out realistic practical
work.
The equipment has a modulated solid-state dielectric resonance oscillator
(DRO), X-band microwave source, a selection of waveguide components,
a console containing a power supply, a demodulation circuit and a meter that
monitors the detector output.
The trainer is supplied in a dedicated, protective carrying case.
MIDE Microwave 56-002 combines the Microwave Trainer 56-200 with
MIDE Microwave Design Software (shown below).

MIDE Microwave Design Software 56-901

Features
! Impedance, dispersion and
loss calculations
! Optimisation including eight
optimisers
! Yield analysis
! Interactive comparison (tuning)
capability
! Interactive Smith chart
! Interactive planar lines
analysis and synthesis
! Integrates measured data with
simulations
! Interactive help includes all
transmission line design
equations
! MIDE linear frequency-domain
circuit simulator

MIDE Design Software is a powerful computer-aided engineering program for

the simulation of complex linear microwave and high-frequency analogue circuits.
It is used to determine transmission, reflections, stability and gain of circuits.
These may be composed of lumped or distributed components, different lines
and passive or active sub-circuits, including elements determined by scattering,
admittance or impedance parameters.
MIDE is an ideal tool for microwave technology students to develop designs in
project work.

Radio

AM Radio Systems Trainer AM2961

Features
! Covers the principles of
AM radio signal generation
and reception
! Double sideband carrier
! Single and Double sideband
with suppressed carrier
! Receiver operating at 5001600kHz (MW) & 3 - 4MHz (SW)
! One fixed generator frequency
in each band

The AM Radio Systems Trainer comprises two open-boards:AM2961A, AM/DSB/SSB generator

AM2961B, AM/DSB/SSB receiver
The AM circuits operate within the AM broadcast band and the DSB/SSB
circuits operate within the 80m ham band.
The generator output is only a few milliwatts, so the range of transmission
is extremely limited.
The receiver has an integral antenna, but may also be used, with the addition
of an external antenna, to receive normal broadcast and amateur signals.
The principles and techniques of AM with full carrier, double-sideband
suppressed carrier and single-sideband suppressed carrier transmission
and reception can be easily investigated.

! Switched faults on both boards

Curriculum Coverage
! Modulation and demodulation
! Mixing techniques
! Filtering
! RF and audio AGC
! RF, IF and AF amplification
! LC, crystal and VCO oscillators
! Single and double sideband

FM Stereo Radio Systems Trainer FM2962

Features
! Covers the principles of FM
radio signal generation and
reception
! Stereo transmission and
reception
! Extensive use of monitoring
points for signal tracing
! Switched faults on both boards

Curriculum Coverage
The FM Stereo Radio Systems Trainer comprises two open-boards:FM2962A, stereo generator
FM2962B, stereo receiver
The FM receiver circuits operate over a range of 88-108MHz and the generator provides a fixed output frequency of 100MHz with a 19kHz pilot tone.
The generator output is only a few milliwatts, so the range of transmission is
extremely limited.
The receiver operates on an IF frequency of 10.7MHz in stereo or mono
mode and may also be used with an external antenna to receive normal
broadcast and amateur signals. Switched faults can be introduced on both
generator and receiver units. Fault options include Multiplex, Pilot tone and
Mute errors; power for tuner, audio and demodulator, forces tuning volts to
zero and high-gain AFC loops locking to a signal.

! Familiarisation with FM
multiplex stereo transmission
and reception
! Frequency modulation
! Stereo multiplex encoding,
pre-emphasis, pilot tones
and sub-carriers
! FM reception, filtering, limiting
and AFC
! FM demodulation
! Stereo multiplex decoding,
de-emphasis and audio
amplification

Telecommunications

Ordering Information
Ancillary
Equipment
Analogue & Digital Telecommunications Workstation

PC

Amplifiers and Oscillators Workboard

53-004
53-210

Tuned Circuits and Filters Workboard

53-220

PC

Modulation and Coding Workboard

53-230

PC

Telephony Training System

PC

Digital Switching System

58-001
58-002

Dual Switching System

58-003

PC

Trunk Network System

58-004

PC

AntennaLab

57-200

PC

AM2961
FM2961

01-100 P Supply
01-100 P Supply

AM Radio Systems Trainer

FM Radio Systems Trainer
Transmission Line Demonstrator

TLD511

Antenna System Demonstrator

ASD512

MIDE Microstrip System

56-001

MIDE Microstrip

56-100

Complete Microstrip Trainer

Microstrip Trainer
MIDE Microwave
Microwave Trainer
MIDE Microwave Design Software

MST532
56-002
56-200
56-901
EFO1101

Fibre Optics Power Meter

EFO1102

Fibre Optics Monitor

EFO1105

Optical Fibre Trainer

LAN-T Trainer

PC

MST532-1

Fibre Optics Trainer

Optical Fibre Laboratory System

PC

OFSA
OFT
LAN-T

Discovery Courseware
Discovery Tools
Discovery Course Manager

93-400
93-410

Telecommunications - 0109-5

Feedback Instruments Limited

Feedback Incorporated

Printed in England

Park Road, Crowborough, E. Sussex,

TN6 2QR, England.
Telephone: +44 (0) 1892 653322
Fax: +44 (0) 1892 663719
E mail: feedback@fdbk.co.uk
Website: www.fbk.com

437 Dimmocks Mill Road, Suite 27,

Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
Telephone: (919) 644 6466
Fax: (919) 644 6470
E-mail: info@feedbackinc.com
Website: www.fbk.com

Registered in England number 990620.

A subsidiary of Feedback plc.
Feedback reserves the right to change
these specifications without notice.