TB8100 Installation Operation Manual (English)

TB8100 base station
Installation and Operation

Manual
MBA-00005-08
Issue 8
December 2007
Contact Information Intellectual Property Rights
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international equivalents, pending patent applications
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For assistance with specific technical issues, contact CA2439018, CA2554213, EU03784706.8,
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US10/546696, US10/547964, US10/523952, US11/
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please contact Technical Support.
Updates of Manual and Equipment

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or servicing of the equipment, Tait Electronics Limited
reserves the right to update the equipment or this
document or both without prior notice.
2 TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

© Tait Electronics Limited December 2007
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Scope of Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Associated Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Publication Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.1 The TB8100 Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.2 Mechanical Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2 Circuit Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.1 Reciter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.2 PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.3 PMU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.4 Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.4.1 Control Circuitry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.4.2 Audio Circuitry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.4.3 Power Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.4.4 Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.4.5 Multi-reciter Signal Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3 Operating Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.1 Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.1.1 Standard Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.1.2 Dual Base Station Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.1.3 Power Save Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.1.4 Multi-reciter Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.2 Reciter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.3 PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.4 PMU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4 Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.1 Base Station Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.1.1 Single Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.1.2 Dual Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.1.3 Single and Dual 12V PA Base Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.2 System Control Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.3 Signal Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.4 Power Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.5 PMU Operation on DC Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual 3

4.6 Data, Control and Monitoring Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
4.7 Fan Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4.8 Power Saving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.8.1 Power Saving Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
4.8.2 Power Saving Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
4.8.3 Overview of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
4.8.4 Using the Service Kit with Power Save Base Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.8.5 Configuring Receiver Gating for Base Stations with Power Save . . . . . 73
4.9 Ethernet Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
4.10 Multi-reciter Subracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.10.1 Description of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.10.2 Operational Constraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
5 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.1 Personal Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.1.1 Lethal Voltages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.1.2 AC Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.1.3 Explosive Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.1.4 Proximity to RF Transmissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.1.5 High Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.2 Equipment Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.2.1 ESD Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.2.2 Antenna Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5.2.3 Equipment Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
5.2.4 Installation and Servicing Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
5.3 Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.3.1 Distress Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.3.2 FCC Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.3.3 Unauthorised Modifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.3.4 Health, Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility in Europe. . . . . . . . 91
5.4 Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.4.1 Operating Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.4.2 Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.4.3 Dust and Dirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.5 Grounding and Lightning Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.5.1 Electrical Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.5.2 Lightning Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.6 Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
5.7 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
5.7.1 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
5.7.2 Cabinet and Rack Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
5.8 Unpacking the Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
5.9 Short Tuning Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.9.1 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.9.2 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.9.3 Adjusting the Lock Bands (Switching Ranges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.9.4 Tuning the Receiver Front End. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

5.9.5 Calibrating the RSSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
5.10 Mounting the Subrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
5.10.1 Auxiliary Support Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
5.10.2 Optional Slide Mounting Rails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
5.11 Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
6 Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
6.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
6.1.1 Module and Subrack Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
6.1.2 Control Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
6.1.3 Connector Torque Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
6.2 Power Supply Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.2.1 AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.2.2 DC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.2.3 Auxiliary DC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
6.3 RF Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
6.4 System Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6.4.1 Digital Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
6.4.2 System Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
6.4.3 Ethernet Site and Network Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
6.5 Service Kit Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
6.5.1 Service Kit Connection to an Ethernet Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
6.6 Calibration Kit Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
6.6.1 Connecting to an Ethernet Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
6.6.2 Connecting to a Multi-reciter Subrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
6.7 Microphone Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
6.8 12V PA Power Saving Control Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
6.9 TBA101D Interface Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
7 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
7.1 Configuring the Subrack Interconnect Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
7.1.1 Dual Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
7.1.2 Multi-reciter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
7.2 Configuring the Multi-reciter Control Panel Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
7.3 Configuring the Base Station with the Service Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
7.4 Network Configuration for Ethernet Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
7.4.1 Configuring the Base Station Network Identity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
7.4.2 Defining Routes for a Networked PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
7.4.3 Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
7.5 Using Syslog Messages with Ethernet Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
7.5.1 Syslog Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
7.5.2 Message Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
7.5.3 Heartbeat Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

8 Replacing Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
8.1 Saving the Base Station’s Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
8.2 Preliminary Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
8.3 Replacing the Control Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
8.4 Replacing the Reciter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
8.5 Replacing the Power Amplifier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
8.6 Replacing the Power Management Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
8.7 Replacing the Front Panel Fans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
8.8 Replacing the Module Guide Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
8.9 Replacing the Subrack Interconnect Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
8.10 Final Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
9 Preparation for Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

9.1 Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
9.2 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
9.3 Applying Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
9.4 Test Transmissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
10 Maintenance Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Tait General Software Licence Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Directive 1999/5/EC Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Preface
Scope of Manual
Welcome to the TB8100 base station system Installation and Operation
Manual. This manual provides information on installing and operating the
TB8100 hardware. Also included in this manual are a high level circuit
description, a functional description and a maintenance guide.
The 100W PA is not available in all markets. A lower power level is also
available if required. Consult your nearest Tait Dealer or Customer Service
Organisation for more information.
Document Conventions
“File > Open” means “click File on the menu bar, then click Open on the
list of commands that pops up”. “Monitor > Module Details > Reciter”
means “click the Monitor icon on the toolbar, then in the navigation pane
find the Module Details group, and select Reciter from it”.
Within this manual, four types of alerts are given to the reader: Warning,
Caution, Important and Note. The following paragraphs illustrate each type
of alert and its associated symbol.
Warning!! This alert is used when there is a potential risk

of death or serious injury.
Caution This alert is used when there is a risk of minor or

moderate injury to people.
Important This alert is used to warn about the risk of equipment dam-
age or malfunction.
Note This alert is used to highlight information that is required to

ensure procedures are performed correctly.

Associated Documentation
The following associated documentation is available for this product:
■ MBA-00001-xx TB8100 Specifications Manual.
■ MBA-00010-xx TB8100 Service Kit User’s Manual.
■ MBA-00011-xx TB8100 Calibration Kit User’s Manual.
■ MB8100-80-00-806 TB8100 Alarm Center User’s Manual.
■ MBA-00013-xx TBA0STU/TBA0STP Calibration and Test Unit
Operation Manual.
■ MBA-00016-xx TB8100 Service Manual
■ MBA-00040-xx TB8100 Safety and Compliance Information..
The characters xx represent the issue number of the documentation.
Technical notes are published from time to time to describe applications for
Tait products, to provide technical details not included in manuals, and to
offer solutions for any problems that arise.
All available TB8100 product documentation is provided on the Product

CD supplied with the base station. Updates may also be published on the
Tait Technical Support website (www.taitworld.com/technical).

Publication Record
Issue Publication Date Description
1 June 2003 First release
2 March 2004 Chapter 4 “Functional Description” added
3 September 2004 information added for 24VDC and 48VDC

(MBA-00005-03) PMU, TaitNet RS-232 system interface board,
and B-band & C-band equipment
4 December 2004 information added for K-band equipment;

improved description of PMU auxiliary DC
power supply, and system interface inputs and
outputs
5 March 2005 information added for 12V PA, and L-band

equipment (850MHz to 960MHz); improved
description of dual base station systems
6 June 2005 information added about PMU operation on

DC input; corrections to K-band and L-band
frequenciesa
7 February 2007 information added about multi-reciter and

Ethernet operation; improved descriptions of
PMU auxiliary DC power supply and
bidirectional digital inputs and outputs;
Chapter 7 “Configuration” added
8 December 2007 ■ “Short Tuning Procedure” added to

Installation Chapter
■ information added about the High Density/
RS-232 and High Density/Ethernet system
interfaces
■ information added on the PMU lower DC
startup voltage
■ minor corrections and additions
a. Refer to “Frequency Bands and Sub-bands” on page 18 for the actual frequency cov-
erage in these bands.

1 Description
The TB8100 is a software-controlled base station which is designed for

operation on most standard frequency ranges1. It makes extensive use of
digital and DSP technology. Many operating parameters such as channel
spacing, audio bandwidth, signalling, etc. are controlled by software. It is
also capable of generating alarms for remote monitoring.
The TB8100 comprises a number of separate modules. Each module is

inserted into the TB8100 4U subrack from the front and is secured at the
front with a metal clamp. Both clamp and module are easily removed for
rapid module replacement. The modules are secured laterally with plastic
guides which clip into the top and bottom of the subrack. These guides can
be easily repositioned to change the configuration of a subrack. The heavier
modules are also secured laterally by metal tabs at the rear of the subrack.
All modules are interconnected at the front of the subrack. The only
connections at the rear of the subrack are:
■ RF input from and output to the antenna
■ external frequency reference input
■ AC and/or DC power supply input
■ auxiliary DC output (optional)
■ system inputs and outputs (via the optional system interface board fitted
to the reciter).
The TB8100 features rugged construction with generous heatsinks and fan-
forced cooling for continuous operation from –30°C to +60°C (–22°F to
+140°F). Several different configurations are possible. The most common
are:
■ one 5W or 50W base station plus accessory modules or extra receivers
■ two 5W or 50W base stations
■ one 100W base station plus accessory module or extra receiver.
1. Consult your nearest Tait Dealer or Customer Service Organisation for

information on the most suitable equipment for your area and application.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Description 11

1.1 The TB8100 Modules
The modules which make up the TB8100 base station are described briefly
below. You can find more detailed information on these modules in the
other chapters in this manual, and also in the service manual.
Reciter The receiver, exciter and digital

control circuitry is located in the
reciter module. It also incorporates an
optional system interface board which
provides standard system inputs and
outputs.
Power Amplifier The power amplifier (PA) amplifies the RF output from the reciter and is
available in 5W, 50W and 100W models.
The 5W and 50W models mount vertically in the subrack, while the 100W
model mounts horizontally as it has a wider heatsink. The 100W PA is also
fitted with an airflow duct.
5/50W PA 100W PA
All three models of PA are designed to operate on the 28VDC output

provided by the TB8100 power management unit. In addition, 5W and
50W models are available for operation on 12VDC. These two 12V PAs
are fitted with an internal boost regulator board, which converts the 12V
nominal DC input to a 28VDC output to power the PA circuit boards. The
boost regulator board also provides a 12VDC output to power the reciter.
12 Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Power The power management unit (PMU)
Management Unit provides the 28VDC power supply for
the modules in the TB8100 base
station. The input voltage can be AC,
DC or both AC and DC, depending
on the model. An auxiliary DC
output is also available when the
optional power supply board is fitted.
This board is available with an output
of 13.65VDC, 27.3VDC, or
54.6VDC.
AC and DC PMU shown
Front Panel The TB8100 front panel is mounted onto the subrack with two quick-
release fasteners. It incorporates the cooling fans for the PA and PMU.
Control Panel The TB8100 control panel is

mounted onto the subrack and is
accessible through an opening in the
front panel. The control panel
provides the user with hardware
controls and connections for direct
control of the base station.
Four models are available: standard,
dual base station, Power Save, and
multi-reciter.
standard control panel shown
Subrack The TB8100 4U subrack is made of passivated steel and is designed to fit
into a standard 19 inch rack or cabinet.

Calibration and Test The base station calibration and test
Unit unit (CTU) provides a selection of
inputs and outputs which allows the
TB8100 base station to be connected
to standard test equipment, and also to
a PC running the Service Kit or
Calibration Kit software. Refer to the
TBA0STU/TBA0STP Calibration
and Test Unit Operation Manual
(MBA-00013-xx) for more details.
1.2 Mechanical Assembly

The main mechanical components of the TB8100 base station are shown in
the following illustrations.
Figure 1.1 Mechanical assembly - front panel, fans and control panel
single 5W or 50W base station shown

h i j
f g
e
d
c
b
1)
1!
1@
1$ 1#
b front panel i airflow separator
c PMU fan j cable retaining clip
d PA fan 1) subrack
e PMU fan duct 1! reciter
f PA fan duct 1@ plastic guide rail
g PMU 1# module retaining clamp
h PA 1$ control panel

The front panel can be easily removed from the subrack by undoing two
quick-release fasteners. Once the front panel is removed, the control panel
can also be removed from the subrack by undoing a single screw. Refer to
“Replacing Modules” on page 169 for more details.
Note Figure 1.1 shows the cooling fans and their ducts detached from
the front panel only for the clarity of the illustration. The cooling
fans and ducts are normally screwed to the rear of the front panel.
Figure 1.1 also shows the configuration for a typical single 5W or 50W base
station. The PMU occupies the slot at the left end of the subrack, with the
PA directly beside it. The single reciter normally occupies the second slot
from the right of the subrack.
The single PA is mounted vertically with the heatsink facing the centre of
the subrack. This positions the cooling fins directly behind the PA fan. The
airflow separator is fitted directly beside the PA to help direct the cooling
airflow through the heatsink.
Figure 1.2 Mechanical assembly - dual 5W or 50W base station
h
g
d e f
b c
b PMU f reciter for base station 1
c PA for base station 1 g reciter for base station 2
d airflow separator h subrack
e PA for base station 2
Figure 1.2 above shows the configuration for a typical dual 5W or 50W base
station. The PMU occupies its normal slot at the left end of the subrack,
with the reciters in the two right-hand slots.

The two PAs are mounted vertically in the middle of the subrack with the
heatsinks facing each other. This positions the cooling fins directly behind
the PA fan. The airflow separator between the PAs helps to direct the
cooling airflow evenly through each heatsink.
Note The configuration for single and dual 12V PA base stations is the
same as shown in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2, but the PMU and its
cooling fan are not fitted.
Figure 1.3 Mechanical assembly - single 100W base station
i
h
g
f
b c d e
b PMU f module retaining clamp
c PA g plastic guide rail
d airflow duct h subrack
e reciter i cable retaining clip
Figure 1.3 above shows the configuration for a typical single 100W base
station. The PMU occupies its normal slot at the left end of the subrack,
with the PA directly beside it. The single reciter occupies the slot
immediately to the right of the PA.
Unlike the 5W and 50W PAs, the 100W PA is mounted horizontally with
the heatsink facing upwards. It is also fitted with an airflow duct to channel
the airflow from the cooling fan through the heatsink fins.

2 Circuit Description
Figure 2.1 below shows a typical TB8100 dual base station of 5W or 50W.
It illustrates the main inputs and outputs for power, RF and control signals,
as well as the interconnection between modules. The circuitry of the
individual modules that make up the base station is described in more detail
in the following sections.
Figure 2.1 Dual base station high level block diagram
RF To
Base Station 1 Antenna
PA 1
RF +
PA Key
System I/O
RF From
Antenna
Reciter 1
External Reference
Frequency
(if used)
28VDC
(high current)
28VDC
AC I/P (low current)
PMU
DC I/P System Control Bus
2
I C Current RS-232
Source
Control
Auxiliary 28VDC Panel Microphone I/P
DC O/P (high current)
(Optional)
System I/O
Rotation
DC
Sensor
RF From
Antenna
Reciter 2
External Reference Cooling
Frequency Fans
(if used)
RF + I2C Current
PA Key Source*
RF To
PA 2 Antenna
*located on subrack
Base Station 2 interconnect board
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Circuit Description 17

Frequency Bands Much of the circuitry in the TB8100 base station modules is common to
and Sub-bands both VHF and UHF frequency bands, and is therefore covered by a single
description in this manual. Where the circuitry differs between VHF and
UHF, separate descriptions are provided for each frequency band. In some
cases the descriptions refer to specific VHF or UHF bands or sub-bands, and
these are identified with the letters listed in the following table.
Frequency
Identification Frequency Band and Sub-band
B band B1 = 136MHz to 174MHz

B2 = 136MHz to 156MHz
B3 = 148MHz to 174MHz
VHF
C band C0 = 174MHz to 225MHz

C1 = 174MHz to 193MHz
C2 = 193MHz to 225MHz
H band H0 = 380MHz to 520MHza

H1 = 400MHz to 440MHz
UHF
K band K4 = 762MHz to 870MHzb
L Band L0 = 850MHz to 960MHz

L1 = 852MHz to 854MHz, and 928MHz to 930MHz
L2 = 896MHz to 902MHz (receive only)
L2 = 927MHz to 941MHz (transmit only)
a. Only PAs with hardware version 00.02 and later can operate from 380MHz to
520MHz. PAs with hardware version 00.01 and earlier can only operate from
400MHz to 520MHz.
b. The actual frequency coverage in this band is:
Transmit: 762MHz to 776MHz, and 850MHz to 870MHz
Receive: 792MHz to 824MHz
2.1 Reciter
The reciter comprises three boards: an RF, a digital, and an optional system
interface board. These boards are mounted on a central chassis/heatsink.
Figure 2.2 on page 20 shows the configuration of the main circuit blocks,
and the main inputs and outputs for power, RF and control signals.
Receiver RF - The incoming RF signal is fed through a low pass filter, then through a
VHF Reciter band-pass “doublet” filter, and finally through a high-pass filter. The signal
is then amplified and passed through another band-pass “doublet” filter
before being passed to the mixer, where it is converted down to the
16.9MHz IF (intermediate frequency). A VCO (voltage controlled
oscillator) provides a +17dBm input to the mixer, and a diplexer terminates
the mixer IF port in 50Ω.. The signal from the mixer is fed through a 2-pole
crystal filter to the IF amplifier which provides enough gain to drive the
18 Circuit Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

digital receiver. Note that there are two 2-pole crystal filters, one for narrow
bandwidth and one for wide bandwidth. The appropriate filter is selected
by software-controlled PIN switches, according to the bandwidth selected
in the Service Kit software. The signal is finally passed to the ADC
(analogue-to-digital converter) in the digital receiver via an anti-alias filter.
Receiver RF - The incoming RF signal is fed through a band-pass filter, followed by a

UHF Reciter simple low-pass network. It then passes through further stages of filtering,
amplification and AGC1 (automatic gain control) before being fed to the
mixer where it is converted down to the 70.1MHz IF (intermediate
frequency). A VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) provides a +17dBm
input to the mixer, and a diplexer terminates the mixer IF port in 50Ω.. The
signal from the mixer is fed through a 4-pole crystal filter to the IF amplifier
which provides enough gain to drive the digital receiver. The signal is finally
passed to the ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) in the digital receiver via
an anti-alias filter.
Exciter RF Audio signals from the line or microphone input are fed to the exciter RF
circuitry via the DSP (digital signal processor) and CODECs (encoder/
decoder). These modulating signals are applied to the exciter at two points
(dual point modulation): low frequency modulation is via the FCL
(frequency control loop), which modulates the exciter synthesizer’s
frequency reference, and speech band modulation is supplied directly to the
VCO.
The VCO is phase-locked to the frequency reference via the synthesizer.

The output from the VCO passes through the VCO buffer to the exciter
amplifier, which increases the RF signal to +20dBm. This signal is then
attenuated through a pad to +11dBm. An 8VDC PA Key signal is mixed
in with the RF signal which is then fed to the PA.
The K-band and L-band reciters use two VCOs, with the appropriate VCO
stage being selected for operation according to the frequency of the channel
in use. Only one VCO can be operational at any one time.
Digital Circuitry The IF from the receiver RF circuitry is passed through an ADC and a DDC
(digital downconverter) to the DSP. The DSP provides demodulation, RSSI
calculation, SINAD calculations, muting, and decoding of subaudible
signals. Audio and RSSI from the DSP is passed via CODECs to the system
interface board.
Incoming audio from the system interface board or microphone is passed to

the exciter RF circuitry via the DSP and CODECs. The DSP provides the
audio characteristics, generates subaudible signals (e.g. DCS, CTCSS), and
controls the CODECs for line audio input.
1. AGC is available in H-band reciters only. It can be disabled using the Serv-
ice Kit software.

Figure 2.2 Reciter high level block diagram
28VDC I/P
28V
Power 28V Power 5V
Supply Supply
3.3V
8.5V
IF
RF I/P Digital
Receiver
Receiver
CODECs
External
Reference DSP/RISC Audio &
Frequency
Reference 12.8MHz RSSI
Ref. 40MHz
Frequency CODEC
(if used) Clock
Subsystem
Digital System
Receiver Interface
Board
CODEC
Control &
DSP Communications
Control &
Synthesizer Communications
RISC
Subsystem
Control &
Modulation Communications
RF O/P + & Frequency
PA Key Control Audio
Exciter CODEC
RF Board Digital Board
System
Control Bus System I/O
Control Circuitry The RISC controls the operating functions of the reciter and provides the
interface to the outside world. Some of the functions it controls are:
■ Tx key and Rx gate
■ communications to the system interface board
■ digital input from the system interface board
■ communication with the other modules in the TB8100 base station via
the I2C bus
■ communications with the Service Kit software.

System Interface The reciter can be fitted with an optional system interface board which
Board provides the links between the reciter’s internal circuitry and external
equipment. The circuitry on the system interface board provides additional
signal processing so that the outputs meet standard system requirements.
Several different types of system interface board are available, although only
one board can be fitted to a reciter at any one time. Each system interface
board can identify itself to the reciter control circuitry.
Power Supply The reciter operates off a +28 VDC (nominal) supply. The supply is fed to
two separate power supplies, one on the RF board and a second on the
digital board. The power supply on the RF board also powers some of the
circuitry on the system interface board.
The power supply on the RF board provides 5.3V and 8.5V regulated
supplies. This 5.3V supply is boosted to 23V and also provides a 3.3V
regulated supply. The power supply on the digital board provides 3.3V and
5.3V regulated supplies. It is also fed through to provide a 2.5V supply.
2.2 PA
The TB8100 PA is a modular design with the circuitry divided among
separate boards which are assembled in different configurations in different
models. Interconnect boards are used in certain models to connect boards
that are physically separated on the heatsink. The 5W, 50W and 100W PAs
are available for operation on 28VDC, while the 5W and 50W PAs are also
available for operation on 12VDC. Figure 2.3 on page 23 shows the
configurations of a 100W 28V PA and a 50W 12V PA, along with the main
inputs and outputs for power, RF and control signals.
RF Circuitry The RF output from the reciter is fed first to the 6W board. In the 100W
model shown in Figure 2.3, the output from the 6W board is fed into a
–3dB hybrid coupler on a separate splitter board and then to two 60W
boards in quadrature. The outputs from these two boards are then combined
by another –3dB hybrid coupler on a separate combiner board before being
fed to the low-pass filter (LPF)/directional coupler board.
In the 50W model, the output from the 6W board is fed to one 60W board
and then to the LPF/directional coupler board. In the 5W model, the
output from the 6W board is fed directly to the LPF/directional coupler
board.
Control Circuitry The microprocessor located on the control board monitors and controls the
operation of the PA. There are no manual adjustments in the PA because
all the calibration voltages and currents required to control and protect the
PA are monitored by the microprocessor. The software also automatically
detects the PA configuration and controls the PA accordingly.

If any of the monitored conditions exceeds its normal range of values, the
microprocessor will generate an alarm and reduce the output power to a
preset level (foldback). If the measured values do not return within the
normal range after foldback, the PA will be shut down.
The alarms and diagnostic functions are accessed through I2C bus messages
on the system control bus via the reciter, control panel and Service Kit
software. Some measurements are logged by the microprocessor and this
information can also be accessed through the system control bus.
The operation of the cooling fan mounted on the front panel is determined
by the temperature limits set in the PA software. If two PAs are fitted in a
TB8100 subrack, either PA will turn on the fan when required.
Power Supply The 100W PA operates off a 28VDC external power supply only, while the
5W and 50W PAs can operate off a 28VDC or 12VDC external power
supply, depending on the model. The 12V PAs are fitted with an internal
boost regulator board (refer to “Boost Regulator” below).
The PA also has four internal power supplies which produce –3, +2.5, +5
and +10VDC.
Boost Regulator 5W and 50W 12V PAs are fitted with a boost regulator board. Figure 2.3
on page 23 shows the configuration for a 50W PA, along with the main
inputs and outputs for power, RF and control signals. Note that the 60W
board is only fitted to the 50W PA.
The boost regulator board accepts an input of 12VDC nominal. The input
is firstly fed through the DC input filter, and then through an output filter
and switch which is controlled by a battery control circuit. This output is
fed to the reciter, which operates from 12VDC instead of the standard
28VDC provided when a PMU is used. The output from the DC input
filter is also fed to the power stage where the voltage is boosted to 28VDC,
and is then fed through an output filter to provide the 28VDC output for
the PA circuit boards.
The battery control circuitry monitors the DC input voltage from the
battery. Protection is provided against the wrong input voltage being
supplied. Reverse polarity protection is provided by a diode between
positive and ground, and requires a user-provided fuse or circuit breaker in
series with the DC input line. The fuse or circuit breaker should be rated
at 15A to 18A at 30VDC.
The minimum startup voltage is 12VDC. Once started, the boost regulator
will operate down to 10.5VDC ±0.25V before it shuts down to prevent
deep discharge of the battery.
Note The startup voltage and operating voltage range are set in hard-
ware at the factory, and cannot be adjusted in normal operation by
the user. However, the startup voltage can be lowered to

10.8VDC ±0.25V by carrying out the hardware modifications
described in TN-1305 (“Lowering the Startup Voltage of a 12V
PA”).
Figure 2.3 PA high level block diagrams
100W 28V PA
60W
RF Board RF
Combiner
Splitter
Board
Board
DC
RF I/P +
PA Key RF RF RF RF RF O/P
6W 60W
Board DC Board Low-Pass
28VDC Control & Filter
I/P Monitor &
Control & Directional
DC
Monitor Coupler
System Control & Board
Control Monitor
Bus
Control Board
Ambient Air
Temperature
Sensor
Board
50W 12V PA
12VDC 12VDC O/P

I/P (Reciter)
Boost Regulator
28VDC 28VDC
RF I/P +
PA Key 6W RF 60W RF RF O/P
Board Board Low-Pass
Filter
&
Control & Control & Directional
DC
Monitor Monitor Coupler
System Control & Board
Control Monitor
Bus
Control Board
Ambient Air
Temperature
Sensor
Board

2.3 PMU
The TB8100 PMU provides stable, low-noise 28VDC outputs to power the
TB8100 base station. The PMU is made up of a number of individual
boards and cards which comprise two main modules, the AC module and
the DC module. The auxiliary power supply board is optional. Figure 2.4
shows the configuration for an AC and DC PMU, along with the main
inputs and outputs for power and control signals.
The PMU is available in three main configurations:

■ AC PMU (AC input only)
■ DC PMU (DC input only)
■ AC and DC PMU (both AC and DC converters are fitted to allow both
AC and DC inputs).
AC Module The AC module accepts an input of 115/230VAC 50/60Hz nominal. The

input is fed via the PFC (power factor control) input stage to the HVDC
(high voltage DC) stage on the AC converter board. The HVDC circuitry
generates the final 28VDC outputs and provides galvanic isolation between
the mains input and DC output. The output stage on the AC converter
board provides a common output filter and current monitoring circuit
which is used by both AC and DC modules.
Each power stage is controlled by its own plug-in control card. The
microprocessor is also located on the HVDC control card. The
microprocessor is used by both the AC and DC modules and is fitted to all
PMU models.
The leaded high-power components are situated on the AC converter

board, while the plug-in cards have only SMD control components.
DC Module The DC module accepts an input of 12VDC, 24VDC or 48VDC nominal

(depending on the model). The input is fed through the DC input filter to
the input of the power stage on the DC converter board. This circuitry
provides PWM (pulse width modulation) conversion to produce the final
DC output. It also provides galvanic isolation, allowing the DC input to be
positive or negative ground. The final DC output is fed back to the output
stage on the AC convertor board.
The battery control card monitors the DC input voltage and prevents the
PMU from starting if an incorrect input voltage is applied. It also operates
as a fail-safe to prevent deep discharge of the battery, and provides
information to the microprocessor to allow the Service Kit software to
display information about the battery.
The DC control card controls the power stage of the DC converter. It also
provides protection from overload and short circuit conditions.

The leaded high-power components are situated on the DC converter
board, while the plug-in cards have only SMD control components.
Figure 2.4 PMU high level block diagram
AC Module
AC Converter Board 28V O/P (PA)

AC I/P
115/230V
50/60Hz PFC 400VDC 28V O/P (Reciter)
HVDC Circuitry
Circuitry 28V
System
PFC HVDC Control & Control Bus
Control Microprocessor
Card Card
DC Module
DC I/P
12/24/48V DC Input Battery
Filter Control
Card Card
DC O/P
Standby Auxiliary 13.65/27.3/54.6V
28V
Power Supply Power Supply
Card Board*
28V
DC
DC Converter Board Control
Card
*optional
Standby Power This power supply card plugs into the DC converter board and provides
Supply power to the reciter output. This allows the main DC unit to be switched
off to reduce current consumption in low-power situations, e.g. when the
PA is not transmitting. Also, when battery capacity is low, it will maintain
the power supply to the microprocessor and shut down the rest of the PMU.
This card must be fitted to enable the software-controlled power saving

feature to operate. Refer to “Power Saving” on page 65 for more
information.
Auxiliary Power This optional power supply board is mounted on the DC module. It
Supply operates from the high current 28VDC output from the AC converter or
DC converter (depending on which is operating). It provides a regulated
13.65VDC, 27.3VDC or 54.6VDC output (depending on the model) to
power external accessory equipment. It can be configured using the Service
Kit to operate whenever AC mains voltage is available, or under the control
of Task Manager.
Microprocessor The microprocessor on the HVDC control card monitors and controls the
operation of the PMU. There are no manual adjustments in the PMU
because all the calibration voltages and currents required to control and
protect the PMU are monitored by the microprocessor. The software also
automatically detects the PMU configuration and controls the PMU
accordingly.
If any of the monitored conditions exceeds its normal range of values, the
microprocessor will generate an alarm and take appropriate action,
depending on the configuration of the PMU.
The alarms and diagnostic functions are accessed through I2C bus messages
on the system control bus via the reciter, control panel and Service Kit
software.
The operation of the cooling fan mounted on the front panel is determined
by the temperature limits set in the PMU software.
Important In base stations which use a PMU, the PMU must be con-
nected to the system control bus at all times. The I2C cur-
rent source is located in the PMU, and if the PMU is dis-
connected, the state of much of the bus will be undefined.
This may cause corrupted data to be present on the bus
when the reciter reads the states of the switches on the con-
trol panel. This in turn may result in random actuations of
microphone PTT, carrier, or speaker key, causing the base
station to transmit or the speaker to be actuated incorrectly.

2.4 Control Panel
The control panel is designed to be the link between the user and the
TB8100 base station. The circuitry for the operation of the control panel is
located on a board mounted behind its front face. All communication
between the base station and the control panel is via the system control bus.
Figure 2.5 on page 28 and Figure 2.6 on page 29 show the configuration of
the main circuit blocks, and the main inputs and outputs for power, audio
and control signals.
2.4.1 Control Circuitry
Standard, Dual Base The control panel translates I2C messages into an appropriate response on
Station, and Power the LEDs. It also translates button inputs from the front panel membrane
Save
and fan rotation inputs from both fans into appropriate I2C messages. The
type of control panel is also sent with I2C messages.
The control panel translates RS-232 communications from the

programming port into 0V to 5V open-collector signals which are
connected to the reciter (or to the selected reciter in a dual base station).
Note When a reciter fitted with a TaitNet RS-232 or High Density/

RS-232 system interface board is used in a TB8100 base station,
the RS-232 port on the control panel is disabled. In this situation
you must connect to the RS-232 port at the rear of the reciter.
Refer to “TaitNet RS-232” on page 138 or “High Density/
RS-232” on page 133 for more details. When a reciter fitted with
a TaitNet Ethernet system interface board is used, the RS-232
port on the control panel is available only when the base station
first powers up. Refer to “Service Kit Connection to an Ethernet
Base Station” on page 145 for more details.
Multi-reciter The control panel translates I2C messages from the reciter into an
appropriate response on the LEDs (except the channel LEDs). It also
translates control panel button inputs (except the channel button) and fan
rotation inputs from the PMU fan (if fitted) into appropriate I2C messages.
The type of control panel is also sent with I2C messages.
The control panel translates RS-232 communications from the

programming port into 0V to 5V open-collector signals which are
connected to whichever reciter is selected with the channel button.

Figure 2.5 Standard, dual base station, and Power Save control panel high level
block diagrams
Standard and Dual Base Station Control Panels
Microphone Audio Microphone Microphone

Pre-emphasis Connector
& Gain Control
Speaker Audio Speaker

Volume & Speaker
Gain Control
Speaker
Enable
2
I C Bus 2 Control
IC
Panel Type
Translation
System
Control Bus
Channel Select (dual base station only) LEDs &

Switches
28V, GND Power

Supply Fan Inputs
Fan Power & GND
Open Collector RS-232 RS-232 RS-232 Bus RS-232

Translation Connector
Power Save Control Panel

Full Power On
System 28V, GND Power Control

Control Bus Supply Panel Type
Power Save On
LEDs
2
I C Bus 2
IC
Translation
Fan Power & GND Fan Inputs

Figure 2.6 Multi-reciter control panel high level block diagram

Microphone Audio Microphone Microphone

Pre-emphasis PTT Connector
& Gain Control
Control
Panel Type
Speaker
2
I C Bus 2
Enable Speaker
Switched IC Speaker
Signals
Volume &
Translation Gain Control
Monitor LEDs
& Switches
to subrack
interconnect board
via 26-way D-range
Fan Rotation
Fixed
Signal Lines Speaker Audio
Channel Select
VIN, GND Power

Supply
Reciter Counter
Channel LED
Control & Channel LEDs
Channel LED Signalling
Decoding
2.4.2 Audio Circuitry
Standard and Dual The volume of the speaker is controlled by the volume control knob. In
Base Station addition, the control panel performs gain control so that, with an input of
167mV pp, the power output into a 16Ω speaker is ≥0.5W at the maximum
position of the volume control, and 0W at the minimum position of the
control. An LED indicates when the speaker is on.
The control panel is designed to work with an electret microphone with an

input range of 80dBSPL to 115dBSPL.

Power Save The audio circuitry is not fitted to this board.
Multi-reciter The volume of the speaker is controlled by the volume control knob. In
addition, the control panel performs gain control so that, with an input of
167mV pp, the power output into a 16Ω speaker is ≥0.5W at the maximum
position of the volume control, and 0W at the minimum position of the
control. Speaker audio is from the currently selected reciter only. An LED
indicates when the speaker is on.
The control panel is designed to work with an electret microphone with an

input range of 80dBSPL to 115dBSPL.
2.4.3 Power Save
This circuitry is present only on the Power Save control panel board.
When the base station enters Power Save mode, the control panel will shut
down after receiving the appropriate I2C bus message from the reciter. The
power LED flashes once every two seconds to indicate the base station is in
Power Save mode.
The control panel will power up again when it receives a signal from the
system control bus or from the serial port.
2.4.4 Power Supply
All control panels operate off the 28V (nominal) power supply provided by
a reciter. The power supply for the cooling fans mounted on the front panel
is fed through the control panel.
2.4.5 Multi-reciter Signal Switching
Speaker audio and power for the control panel share common circuitry for
all reciters in the subrack. Speaker audio is also controlled by software so
that only the audio from the currently selected reciter is audible.
The remaining signals (microphone audio, I2C messages, fan power, and
RS-232 communications) are switched so that only one reciter is connected
to the control panel at a time. This switching takes place on the subrack
interconnect board and is controlled by the channel button on the control
panel.

3 Operating Controls
The TB8100 base station has a number of hardware controls which are
available to the user. These controls are located on the control panel, reciter
and PMU. This chapter identifies and describes these controls.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Operating Controls 31

3.1 Control Panel
3.1.1 Standard Control Panel
The operating controls on the standard control panel allow some manual
control of a single base station in a TB8100 subrack. These controls and
their associated LED indicators are identified in Figure 3.1 below, and their
functions are explained in the paragraphs which follow. Refer to “Control
Panel Connections” on page 118 for information on the connectors located
on the control panel.
Note The controls on the right side of the standard control panel are not
functional. Subracks with two base stations require the dual base
station control panel (refer to “Dual Base Station Control Panel”
on page 34).
Figure 3.1 Operating controls on the standard control panel
d
f
e
h i
b speaker volume f power LED
c speaker button and LED g carrier button and transmit LED
d receive LED h alarm LED
e speaker i microphone channel button and LED
32 Operating Controls TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Speaker Volume Controls the volume of the speaker mounted behind the control panel.
Rotate clockwise to increase the volume, and anticlockwise to decrease the
volume.
Speaker Button and The speaker button cycles the base power on
LED station audio through three states. At
power-on the speaker is off. Pressing speaker off
the button once turns the speaker on, press
but leaves the audio gated (muted).
speaker on, press
Pressing the button a second time audio ungated
leaves the speaker on and ungates the
audio (monitor mode). Pressing the press
button for a third time returns to the speaker on,
audio gated
start of the sequence, with the speaker
off.
The green speaker LED is lit when the speaker is turned on.
Receive LED The green receive LED is lit when a valid signal is received on the base
station.
Speaker The control panel is fitted with a 0.5W speaker. Audio from the base station
can be connected to this speaker.
Power LED The green power LED is lit when the PMU or 12V PA is turned on and
supplying power to the base station.
Carrier Button and The carrier button is a momentary press switch. When held down, it keys
Transmit LED the transmitter while disabling the 600Ω balanced and unbalanced line, and
microphone audio. The transmitted signal is unmodulated, i.e. carrier only.
The red transmit LED is lit while the transmitter is transmitting.
Alarm LED The red alarm LED will flash at a rate of 2 to 5Hz when an alarm has been
generated by any of the TB8100 modules. It will continue to flash until the
alarm is cancelled or the fault is fixed. Note that only those alarms which
are enabled using the Service Kit (Configure > Alarms > Alarm Control)
will cause this LED to flash. Refer to the Service Kit documentation for
more information.
Microphone The microphone channel button controls whether the microphone audio is
Channel Button and connected to the base station. At power-on the audio is connected, and
LED
pressing the button once disconnects the audio. Pressing the button a
second time reconnects the audio.
The green LED is lit when the microphone audio is connected.

3.1.2 Dual Base Station Control Panel
The operating controls on the dual base station control panel allow some
manual control of two base stations in a TB8100 subrack. These controls
and their associated LED indicators are identified in Figure 3.2, and their
functions are explained in the paragraphs which follow. Refer to “Control
Panel Connections” on page 118 for information on the connectors located
on the control panel.
Figure 3.2 Operating controls on the dual base station control panel
b
h
c
d
i
e
j
f
b speaker volume g alarm LED
c speaker button and LED h base station 1 select button and LED
d receive LED i power LED
e speaker j base station 2 select button and LED
f carrier button and transmit LED
volume.

Speaker Button and The speaker button cycles the base power on
LED station audio through three states. At
power-on the speaker is off. Pressing speaker off
the button once turns the speaker on, press
but leaves the audio gated (muted).
speaker on, press
Pressing the button a second time audio ungated
leaves the speaker on and ungates the
audio (monitor mode). Pressing the press
button for a third time returns to the speaker on,
audio gated
start of the sequence, with the speaker
off.
Receive LED The green receive LED is lit when a valid signal is received on the selected
base station.
Speaker The control panel is fitted with a 0.5W speaker. Audio from either base
station can be connected to this speaker.
The red transmit LED is lit while the selected transmitter is transmitting.
generated by any of the TB8100 modules. It will continue to flash until the
more information.
Base Station 1 Pressing this button selects base station 1. Pressing the button again while
Select Button and base station 1 is selected has no effect. The control panel selects base station
LED
1 on power-up.
The green LED is lit when base station 1 is selected.
Power LED The green power LED is lit when the PMU or 12V PA is turned on and
supplying power to the base station.
Base Station 2 Pressing this button selects base station 2. Pressing the button again while
Select Button and base station 2 is selected has no effect.
LED
The green LED is lit when base station 2 is selected.

3.1.3 Power Save Control Panel
The indicator LEDs on the power save control panel are identified in
Figure 3.3 below.
Figure 3.3 LED indicators on the power save control panel
b c
b power LED c alarm LED
Indicator LEDs The power LED and alarm LED behave in the same way as for the standard
control panel. Refer to “Power Saving” on page 65 for information about
the behaviour of the LEDs when in power saving mode.

3.1.4 Multi-reciter Control Panel
The operating controls on the multi-reciter control panel allow some

manual control of the equipment mounted in the subrack. These controls
and their associated LED indicators are identified in Figure 3.4 below, and
their functions are explained in the subsections which follow. Refer to
“Control Panel Connections” on page 118 for information on the
connectors located on the control panel.
Figure 3.4 Operating controls on the multi-reciter control panel
j
d
i
e
f h
b channel button and LEDs g alarm LED
c speaker button and LED h microphone button and LED
d receive LED i power LED
e speaker j speaker volume
f carrier button and transmit LED

Channel Button and The channel button selects which reciter is connected to the control panel.
LEDs Repeatedly pressing this button cycles through positions 1 to 7 in the
CH subrack, regardless of whether the position is occupied. The selection
defaults to position 1 on power-up.
The channel LEDs have the following states (default settings):

■ red indicates which is the currently selected reciter
■ green indicates that the reciter is receiving a valid signal
■ orange indicates that the currently selected reciter is receiving a valid
signal.
Important The operation of these LEDs is controlled by links on the

subrack interconnect and control panel boards. The links
on the subrack board select whether the reciter’s Rx gate or
alarm status signal is connected to the control panel. The
links on the control panel board select the colour of the
LED when the selected status signal is received from the
reciter. The default settings are for the Rx gate signal to
turn the LED green. Refer to “Configuration” on
page 153 for more details.
Speaker Button and The speaker button cycles the audio power on
LED of the currently selected reciter
through three states. At power-on the speaker off
speaker is off. Pressing the button press
once turns the speaker on, but leaves
speaker on, press
the audio gated (muted). Pressing the audio ungated
button a second time leaves the
speaker on and ungates the audio press
(monitor mode). Pressing the button speaker on,
audio gated
for a third time returns to the start of
the sequence, with the speaker off.
In a multi-reciter subrack, use the channel button to select the reciter, then
use the speaker button to set the speaker output mode for that reciter.
Repeat this process for each reciter in the subrack.
Note The speaker audio is from the currently selected reciter only.
Receive LED The green receive LED is lit when a valid signal is received on the selected
reciter.
Speaker The control panel is fitted with a 0.5W speaker. Audio from the currently
selected reciter can be connected to this speaker.

The red transmit LED is lit while its associated transmitter is transmitting.
The carrier button is not used in a receive-only subrack.
generated by the currently selected reciter. It will continue to flash until the
more information.
Alarm status signals can also be connected to the channel LEDs by setting
links on the subrack interconnect board (refer to “Configuring the Multi-
reciter Control Panel Board” on page 159).
Microphone Button The microphone button enables and disables the microphone input. At
and LED power-on the audio is enabled, and pressing the button once disables the
audio. Pressing the button a second time re-enables the audio. The
microphone input is connected only to the currently selected reciter.
The green LED is lit when the microphone input is enabled.
Power LED The green power LED is lit when the PMU is turned on and supplying
power to the modules in the subrack, or when the DC supply is connected
to the DC input connector at the rear of the subrack.
volume.

3.2 Reciter
The only controls on the reciter are the rotary hex switch mounted on the
front panel, and the indicator LEDs visible through a slot in the front panel.
Figure 3.5 Operating controls on the reciter
b indicator LEDs c hex switch
Indicator LEDs These LEDs provide the following information about the state of the reciter:
■ steady green - the reciter is powered up
■ flashing red - one or more alarms have been generated; you can use the
Service Kit software to find out more details about the alarms.
Hex Switch The rotary hex switch mounted on the front panel is not used and has no
effect on the operation of the reciter.

3.3 PA
The only controls on the PA are the indicator LEDs visible through a slot in
the front panel.
Figure 3.6 Operating controls on the PA
5/50W PA
100W PA
b
b indicator LEDs
Indicator LEDs These LEDs provide the following information about the state of the PA:
■ steady green - the PA is powered up
■ flashing green - the PA has no application firmware loaded; you can use
the Service Kit software to download the firmware

3.4 PMU
The only controls on the PMU are the on/off switches on the rear panel for
the AC and DC modules, and the indicator LEDs visible through a slot in
the front panel.
Figure 3.7 Operating controls on the PMU
rear view front view
b c d
b AC module on/off switch d indicator LEDs
c DC module on/off switch
AC Module On/Off This switch turns the AC input to the PMU on and off. Note that this
Switch switch breaks only the phase circuit, not the neutral.
DC Module On/Off This switch turns the DC output from the PMU on and off. It is recessed
Switch to prevent the DC module being accidentally switched off, thus disabling
the battery back-up supply.
Note that this switch disables only the control circuitry - the DC input is
still connected to the power circuitry.
Warning!! These switches do not totally isolate the internal

circuitry of the PMU from the AC or DC power
supplies. You must disconnect the AC and DC
supplies from the PMU before dismantling or
carrying out any maintenance. Refer to the
service manual for the correct servicing
procedures.

Indicator LEDs These LEDs provide the following information about the state of the PMU:
■ steady green - the PMU is powered up
■ flashing green - the PMU has no application firmware loaded; you can
use the Service Kit software to download the firmware
Refer to “Indicator LEDs” on page 60 for more detailed information.

4 Functional Description
This chapter describes some principles of the TB8100 operation.

Information is provided on the following topics:
■ base station overview
■ system control bus operation
■ signal path
■ power distribution
■ data, control and monitoring paths
■ fan control
■ Power Saving
■ Ethernet operation
■ multi-reciter subracks.
Unless stated otherwise, the circuit descriptions are based on a single 50W
base station. Power Saving is an optional feature, enabled by a specific
hardware and software configuration. The additional operational features
which are available in Ethernet base stations or multi-reciter subracks are
described in their respective sub-sections.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Functional Description 45

4.1 Base Station Overview
4.1.1 Single Base Station
The single base station comprises a reciter, a PA, and a PMU. The standard
control panel and single base station subrack interconnect board are used in
this type of base station. Figure 4.1 below illustrates the main
communication paths. Note that the fans have power supplied from the
relevant module, with the rotation sensor alarm signal interfaced into the
control panel. This signal is processed via the reciter.
Figure 4.1 Single base station communication paths
Reciter PA PMU
μP μP μP I2C Current
Source
I2C I2C
RS-232
I2C
Fan Fan
Speaker
Mic
Control Panel
RS-232
Microphone
Speaker
2
User IC
Controls
Subrack Interconnect Board
PA PMU
Fan Fan
46 Functional Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

4.1.2 Dual Base Station
In a dual base station the second base station’s reciter and PA are isolated
from the first base station’s reciter, PA, and PMU. This is achieved through
the use of the dual base station subrack interconnect board and the dual base
station control panel. Solid state relays and control logic on the
interconnect board isolate the two base station communication channels
from each other. All other signals remain in parallel. The relays are
controlled by a key press of the base station select buttons on the control
panel.
Note The dual base station subrack interconnect board has a set of
switches which must be set according to the type of base station
in the subrack. Refer to “Configuring the Subrack Interconnect
Board” on page 154 for details of the switch settings.
Figure 4.2 Dual base station communication paths
Reciter 1 PA 1 PMU
μP μP μP I2C Current
Source
I2C I2C
RS-232
I2C
Fan Fan
Speaker
Mic
RS-232
Control Panel
Microphone
Speaker
2
User IC
Controls
Base Station
Selection
I2C Current
Source

Speaker
RS-232
Mic
I2C
I2C
Fan
PA PMU
Fan Fan
μP μP
Reciter 2 PA 2

The dual base station control panel imposes a number of constraints on the
operation of a base station. These are listed below.
Subrack ■ The front panel LEDs, switches, and RS-232 interface are controlled by
the currently selected base station.
■ The second base station does not communicate with the PMU, but the
PMU does provide power to it.
■ Email alarm outputs are only possible from the currently selected base
station1.
■ PA and PMU fan rotation detection should be turned off. This is not
supported by the system control bus, which can be switched IN/OUT
based on the currently selected base station. Refer to “Fan Signals” on
page 51 for more information on fan operation.
Service Kit ■ The Service Kit can only log on to the currently selected base station (1
or 2).
■ On the Monitor > Module Details > Reciter screen, the Module field
will state “Reciter 1” irrespective of the base station.
■ On the Monitor > Module Details > Power Amplifier screen, the
Module field will state “Power Amplifier 1” irrespective of the base
station.
■ As there is no PMU on base station 2, no PMU settings for this base
station will function. This includes the PMU battery voltage display,
monitoring, diagnostics, and power management display.
■ All PMU alarm LEDs on the Alarm screen of base station 2 will be grey.
■ In the Configure > Base Station > Miscellaneous form for base station
2, the Power configuration areas will display voltages of zero, and
error messages will be displayed when you leave the form.
■ All fan faults will not be detected, displayed, or acted on (if disabled).
■ The display of fan states in Diagnostic forms may be incorrect.
■ If you read a configuration from base station 2 and then go to Configure
> Alarms > Thresholds, the PMU battery voltages will be at zero. If you
want to click OK to confirm any changes to the screen, you need to re-
enter the PMU voltages. If not, just click Cancel.
Recommended The following Service Kit settings are recommended for dual base station
Service Kit Settings operation:
■ Disable the fan alarm for the PA on base stations 1 and 2.
■ Disable the fan alarm for the PMU on base station 1.
■ Disable Alarm Center and Email on base stations 1 and 2.
■ Disable the “No PMU detected” alarm on base station 2.
1. Email alarm outputs are available from both base stations if both reciters are
fitted with TaitNet RS-232 or High Density/RS-232 system interface
boards (see “System Interface Connections” on page 131 for more details).

4.1.3 Single and Dual 12V PA Base Stations
The TB8100 platform also supports the operation of one or two 12V PA
base stations in one subrack. Figure 4.3 below shows the main
communication paths in a dual 12V PA base station. The 12V PA base
station does not require a PMU, as the DC input is connected directly to
the 12V PA. An internal boost regulator board converts the 12V nominal
DC input to a 28VDC output to power the PA circuit boards. The boost
regulator board also provides a 12VDC output to power the reciter.
Figure 4.3 Dual 12V PA base station communication paths
Power Saving Control
Reciter 1 12V PA 1
μP SIF μP
2
RS-232
I2C
IC Fan
Speaker
Mic
RS-232
Control Panel
Microphone
Speaker
User I2C
Controls 2
I C Current
Source
Base Station
Selection
I2C Current
Source
Subrack
Interconnect
Board
Speaker
RS-232
Mic
2
I2C
IC Fan
PA
Fan
μP SIF μP
Reciter 2 12V PA 2
SIF = system interface board

Power Saving Control
A single or dual base station control panel is fitted, according to the type of
base station. However, both single and dual 12V PA base stations use the
dual base station subrack interconnect board. This board is mandatory for

dual base station operation, but is also used for single base station operation
because it provides the I2C current source normally provided by the PMU.
Note The dual base station subrack interconnect board has a set of
switches which must be set according to the type of base station
in the subrack. Refer to “Configuring the Subrack Interconnect
Board” on page 154 for details of the switch settings.
Power Saving operation in a 12V PA base station requires an external

connection between the reciter and 12V PA (refer to “12V PA Power
Saving Control Connection” on page 149). For details on Power Saving in
a 12V PA base station, refer to “12V PA Operation” on page 68.
Constraints The dual base station control panel imposes the same constraints on the
operation of a dual 12V PA base station as those described in “Service Kit”
on page 48, except that those which refer to the PMU do not apply.
In addition, because there is no PMU fitted, we recommend the following

Service Kit settings for 12V PA base station operation:
■ Disable the “No PMU detected” alarm on base stations 1 and 2.
4.2 System Control Bus

The system control bus, see Figure 4.4 on page 52, provides the
communications link between the modules in the TB8100 base station. It
provides the following physical paths:
■ I2C communications between modules
■ RS-232 communications between the reciter and Service Kit and
Calibration Kit software, via the control panel port
■ fan power from the PA and PMU
■ speaker and microphone signals to and from the control panel
■ power connections for the control panel.
The system control bus has been designed so that, if a major fault occurs on
the bus, the basic operation of the base station is unaffected, but some
features will not operate correctly. For example, if the PA is disconnected
from the bus:
■ the ‘PA not detected’ alarm is generated in the reciter; however,
transmission still takes place because the transmit RF and key signals are
transmitted from the reciter to the PA via the interconnecting coaxial
cable
■ the PA is unable to turn on its fan. Depending on the ambient
temperature at the site and the transmit duty cycle, this could allow the
PA to heat up to the point where it reaches the upper temperature
threshold. At this point it will begin power foldback, protecting the
equipment from damage.

The PMU behaves in a similar way to the PA.
The system control bus has been designed to operate only within the
TB8100 subrack. It has not been designed for use outside the subrack or to
interconnect two subracks.
I2C Signals The base station uses the I2C bus and a proprietary software protocol to
provide communications between any modules connected to the bus.
Typically this involves the reciter assuming “primary” status, and PAs and
PMUs “secondary” status. The reciter co-ordinates the entire subrack
operation, reading from and writing to all modules, including the control
panel. The I2C bus allows the reciter to perform the following functions:
■ monitoring (e.g. operating status, module details, operating temperatures
etc.)
■ diagnostics (execution of tests to confirm correct operation)
■ firmware upgrades
■ configuration (of operational parameters).
The I2C current source is located in the PMU so that the base station can
operate with the control panel removed. However, the PMU must be
powered up to enable the I2C communications to operate. Base stations
which use the 12V PA do not require a PMU, and in this case the I2C
current source is located on the dual base station subrack interconnect
board.
RS-232 Signals Service Kit, Alarm Center and Calibration Kit serial communications all
occur directly between the connected computer (or modem) and the reciter
over the RS-232 serial lines. When the connected computer needs to
communicate with the PA, PMU or control panel, the reciter routes the
RS-232 data stream to the I2C bus. Only reciters use the RS-232 interface.
Fan Signals The power and ground signals for the PA and PMU fans are routed from the
modules to the front panel (via the control panel) along the system control
bus. These signals are electrically isolated from all other system signals to
ensure fan noise is not transferred to other sensitive system components.
Protective diodes prevent the PA in one base station from being back-
powered by the PA in the other base station via the fan power lines.
In a dual base station, either PA can power the PA fan at any time. Thus the
PA that needs the cooling from the fan can control and receive it, while the
other PA will also be cooled even if it does not require it.
Although the PA and PMU modules provide the power and ground for their
respective fans, the fan rotation detection is performed in the control panel.
The result is then read and processed by the reciter via the I2C interface.
The PA and PMU do not know if their fan has been correctly enabled,
however, if there is a fault in the fan circuitry, each module is protected from
overheating by its internal foldback circuitry.

52
PA
2 I2C
IC 28V Power
Figure 4.4
28V Supply
Micro-
processor
16-Way IDC
I2C I2C Port Digital Outputs
Fan PA Fan
Expander Digital Inputs
Switch
Service Kit &
RS-232 Open Collector TTL RS-232 Calibration Kit
Converter
Functional Description
PMU 2
IC
I2C
Microphone Switch
3mA Speaker Speaker
Micro- 28V Current Buffer
processor Source
16-Way IDC
Fan PMU Fan
15-Way D-range
Switch
Microphone Microphone Microphone
Buffer
System control bus high level block diagram
Compressor
28V Input

from PMU 28V (To I2C Port
Expander)
I2C Rotation Output

2
IC
PA Fan
RISC PA Fan
Open Collector TTL RS-232 2 Power/Ground
UART Buffer (To I C Port
Expander)
Rotation Output
16-Way IDC
Microphone PMU Fan
Buffer
PMU Fan
Power/Ground
DSP CODECs
Control Panel
Speaker
Buffer
Reciter
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

In a dual base station, the fan rotation sensors report only to the currently
selected base station. The other base station will conclude that the fan is not
working and generate false alarms. We therefore recommend that you
disable all fan failure alarms (refer to “Dual Base Station” on page 47).
Speaker Signal Received audio can be sent from the reciter to the control panel. This
function is controlled by the speaker button on the control panel. The audio
signal is then amplified and passed to the control panel speaker for
monitoring purposes.
Microphone Signal When you press the microphone PTT button, the reciter enables the
transmitter and connects the audio signal from the microphone input to the
modulator. The microphone PTT signal is read via the control panel using
the I2C bus and this then enables the transmitter. Note that the PTT
response times are slower than the response times for the TX_KEY input
from the system interface board.
Power and Ground The PMU provides power to the control panel via the reciters. Each reciter
has a series diode to “diode OR” the power to the control panel, but not to
backpower a reciter that does not have a power cable connected.
Pin Allocations The subrack interconnect board at the front of the TB8100 subrack provides
a parallel interconnection between all connectors on the board.
The following table gives the pin allocations for the IDC connectors to the
reciter, PA and PMU, and for the D-range connector to the control panel.
Standard and Power Dual Base Station

Reciter, PA & PMU Save Control Panel Control Panel
Signal IDC Pin D-range Pin D-range Pin
I2C interrupt 1 (not used) 8 (not used) channel 2 select

2C
I data 2 15 15
ground (I2C) 3 no connection no connection
I2C clock 4 7 7
+28V (control panel power) 5 14 14
RS-232 Tx data 6 6 6
ground (control panel power) 7 13 13
RS-232 Rx data 8 5 5
ground (analogue) 9 12 12
control panel speaker 10 4 4
control panel microphone 11 11 11
PSU back-up 12 (not used) 3 (not used) channel 1 select
+24V switched (PA fan) 13 2 2
ground (PA fan) 14 10 10
+24V switched (PMU fan) 15 9 9
ground (PMU fan) 16 1 1

4.3 Signal Path
This section details what happens to an audio signal as it passes through the
various processes within a TB8100 base station, either from the RF input to
the system interface, or from the system interface to the RF output.
Figure 4.11 on page 82 shows the four main components of a single 50W
VHF base station: the reciter, PA, PMU and control panel. Figure 4.12 on
page 83 and Figure 4.13 on page 84 provide the same information for UHF
base stations.
The majority of all Tx/Rx signal processing is performed within the reciter.
All receiver functionality occurs within the reciter while the PA provides RF
amplification of the modulated signal to be transmitted.
The reciter sections of Figure 4.11, Figure 4.12 and Figure 4.13 show the
entire reciter, which is then broken down into the individual digital, RF and
system interface boards. In the digital board, the solid line shows the
functions provided by the DSP (Digital Signal Processor).
Also refer to “Circuit Description” on page 17 for more detailed circuit

descriptions of the individual sub-systems that make up the base station.
The following sections explain the basic operation of the base station by
describing the basic signal paths.
Receiver Path On the receiver side, an RF input signal is received via the RF input BNC
connector, filtered, amplified then mixed down to the IF frequency. The IF
signal is further filtered and then transferred from the RF to the digital board
via a coaxial interconnection cable. On the digital board the IF signal is then
sampled and further sample-rate-reduced by the DDC. The DSP then
demodulates the signal and generates RSSI, SINAD and sub-audible
signalling values and passes these to the RISC. The demodulated signal is
then split and processed using the configured options as set by the user for
Path A & Path B responses. The Rx crosspoint switch patches the recovered
audio signals to the correct output paths, reflecting the current status of the
receiver.
The final received signal is then set to CODECs which convert the digital
signal back to audio. The system interface board provides level adjustments
and final output impedance buffering. The signal finally appears as audio
signals on the rear panel interface connector.
Transmit Path Audio signals presented to the system interface connector on the system
interface board are buffered and level-converted based on the user input gain
settings. These signals are then passed to the digital board and digitized via
the CODECs, read into the DSP, and passed to the Tx crosspoint switch.
Microphone audio is passed into the Tx crosspoint switch from the control
panel via the system control bus. Based on the current base station status,
the different audio inputs can be fed into either path A or B, which are then

further processed depending on the user-configured path options. Audio
from both paths is then added together and processed via the channel
limiter/low pass filter. This signal then has any sub-audible signalling added
to it that is needed for the active channel before it is sent to the FCL
(Frequency Control Loop). The FCL performs a dual point modulation
process to modulate the VCXO and exciter VCO simultaneously. The final
modulated carrier signal is then buffered and passed, along with the DC
PA_KEY signal, to the PA (Power Amplifier) via an SMA interconnection
cable.
The PA detects and keys the PA based on this DC signal, also amplifying the
+11dBm input signal from the reciter to the final RF output power, which
is determined by the current channel output power setting. The amplified
RF output signal is then processed through a harmonic filter and a
directional coupler. The direction coupler provides power level information
to the PA to monitor and respond to the VSWR conditions on the PA
output.
Clock Processing The reciter reference clock can be selected from an external or internal
source (external reference or internal TCXO). Once the clock source has
been selected (based on the configuration and current operating status of the
base station), the 12.8MHz signal is passed from the RF board to the digital
board. On the digital board, the 12.8MHz signal is used by the CODECs,
and also generates the 40MHz clock for the DSP/RISC. This clock
structure ensures all clocks on the reciter are phase locked together to limit
possible clock interference from unlocked clock sources, generating
interference or deaf channels.
Direct Signal Paths It is possible to bypass a lot of the signal processing within the DSP on both
the Tx and Rx paths via user configuration. The demodulated audio signals
can be fed directly to the output CODECs, and the transmit CODEC
inputs are connected directly to the modulator. This allows wide band
audio signals to be processed via external equipment, if required, without
the DSP overheads usually needed for path A and B audio processing.
Digital I/O The bottom of the reciter section of Figure 4.11 shows the time-critical
RX_GATE, TX_KEY and COAX RELAY signals that interface directly
with the RISC. Less time-critical signals, such as digital I/O, interface to
the RISC via a synchronous serial I/O interface.
Module The reciter RISC supports two main inter-module communication paths:
Communication an asynchronous (RS-232) path to the control panel and a synchronous
Paths
(I2C) interface to all other modules and the control panel. Both of these
paths are interconnected via the system control bus cable on the front of the
modules.
The RS-232 signals from a connected computer or modem are buffered and
sent to the reciter on-board UART via the system control bus. The system
control bus uses an open collector TTL interface.

The inter-module I2C bus provides a path for the RISC to communicate
with all other modules and the control panel. This supports module alarms,
diagnostics, monitoring and control panel LED/keypad traffic.
The Power The PMU section of Figure 4.11 shows the major functional blocks of the
Management Unit PMU. Each converter is under the control of the PMU microprocessor,
(PMU)
which is also under the control of the reciter RISC processor via the I2C
communication path.
The high current DC-DC converter and high efficiency standby card are
both powered directly from the DC input. This means that the high power
DC converter can be switched off to conserve power when not transmitting
during modes.
The HVDC control and microprocessor card also provides current sources
(effectively pull-up resistors) for the system control bus I2C inter-module
communications path.
4.4 Power Distribution

This section details how the input power feed is distributed throughout the
base station to power its various sub-systems. The high level block diagrams
in Figure 4.5 on page 58 show the power distribution paths in single and
dual base stations, while Figure 4.10 on page 81 provides more detailed
information on a typical single base station. Also refer to “Circuit
Description” on page 17 for more detailed circuit descriptions of the
individual sub-systems that make up the base station.
The TB8100 can receive input power from either the AC or DC input.
Internal seamless switching between the AC or DC input ensures there are
no power interruptions should a changeover occur between the two inputs.
The base station will default to the AC input if both AC and DC inputs are
provided.
The AC converter has a series switch which isolates the mains input from
the converter. The DC input, however, has much higher current ratings,
and supports an on/off switch on the converter only.
The outputs from both the AC and DC high power converters are added
together and fed to the PA via the PA1 and PA2 outputs. The auxiliary
output is also tapped off this summed output.
When a DC module is fitted, a high efficiency standby card can be used to

power up the receiver circuitry. If required, the high power but low
efficiency converters can then be disabled, saving considerable power during
periods of no channel activity, by using the standby card to power the reciter
more efficiently.

Base stations fitted with a 12V PA do not require a PMU. In this case the
DC input is connected directly to the PA, where it is fed to the internal
boost regulator board. This board provides a 12VDC output for the reciter
and a 28VDC output for the PA circuit boards.
The reciter input power feed is distributed to all internal reciter boards.
Local regulation ensures that noise and common mode interface signals are
kept to a minimum between sub-assemblies. Various power supplies in the
reciter further power and isolate critical sub-sections.
The reciter also powers the control panel, via a backpower protection diode.
The system control bus is used to route power to the control panel, thus
whenever a reciter is powered, and plugged into the control bus, if a control
panel is connected there will always be a reciter present to drive the control
bus functions.
Reciter Power The power control signals PWD_EX, PWD_RX and PWR_ON (refer to
Control Signals Figure 4.10 on page 81) are control lines internal to the reciter that originate
from the DSP on the digital board and are distributed to the RF and system
interface boards. These lines allow the power control software to selectively
turn on or off different reciter circuit blocks depending on the depth of
power savings configured.
PWD_EX controls the circuitry associated with the exciter RF path, such
as the exciter buffer amplifier, VCO and synthesizer.
PWD_RX controls the circuitry associated with the receiver RF path, such
as the receiver VCO and synthesizer.
PWR_ON turns off all non-critical control logic that is not required to
maintain a minimum level of RISC and DSP activity. This ensures a timed
power-up and activity cycling process. The RF and system interface board
are shut down completely.

Figure 4.5 TB8100 base station power distribution high level block diagrams
Single Base Station Dual Base Station
DC AC DC AC
PMU Aux. DC PMU Aux. DC
28V 28V 28V 28V
PA Reciter PA 1 PA 2 Reciter 1 Reciter 2
28V
28V
Control Control
Panel Panel
Single 12V PA Base Station Dual 12V PA Base Station
12V 12V 12V
PA PA 1 PA 2
Boost Boost Boost
Regulator Regulator Regulator
28V 28V 28V
Power Saving Power Saving Power Saving

12V 12V 12V
Control Control Control
Reciter Reciter 1 Reciter 2
12V
12V
Control Control
Panel Panel

4.5 PMU Operation on DC Input
The operation of the PMU on DC input is controlled by three sets of
parameters:
■ user-programmable alarms
■ user-programmable startup and shutdown limits
■ battery protection limits.
The voltage range for each of these parameters is provided in Table 4.1 on
page 60. Figure 4.6 on page 61 illustrates how these parameters interact,
and how they control the operation of the PMU over a range of DC input
voltages.
Alarms User-programmable alarms can be set for low or high battery voltage. The
alarms will be triggered when the set voltage levels are reached. These limits
are subject to the tolerances of the battery protection circuitry, as stated in
“Battery Protection (Fail-safe) Limits” in Table 4.1 on page 60.
To set the alarms, run the Service Kit and select Configure > Alarms >
Thresholds. In the Thresholds form, enter the required minimum and
maximum values in the PMU battery voltage fields.
Startup and The user-programmable startup and shutdown limits allow for adjustable
Shutdown Limits startup and shutdown voltages. These limits can be adjusted for different
numbers of battery cells, or for the particular requirements of the base
station operation. Once the limits are reached, the PMU will shut down.
These limits are subject to the tolerances of the battery protection circuitry,
as stated in “Battery Protection (Fail-safe) Limits” in Table 4.1 on page 60.
To set the startup and shutdown limits, run the Service Kit and select
Configure > Base Station > Miscellaneous. In the Power Configuration
area, enter the required values in the Power shutdown voltage and
Power startup voltage fields.
Important The default startup voltage values in the Service Kit will not
allow the PMU to start up when the battery is below its
nominal voltage. However, PMUs with hardware version
00.03 and later, firmware version 02.09 and later, in con-
junction with Service Kit version 03.06 and later, allow the
user to set the startup voltage below the nominal voltage of
the battery. Continuing to use a battery for extended peri-
ods when it is below its nominal voltage will severely
shorten its service life. For more information on battery
management, we recommend that you consult the battery
manufacturer.

Battery Protection The battery protection limits are set in hardware at the factory, and cannot
Limits be adjusted by the user. These limits will not be reached under normal
operation conditions, but are provided as “fail-safe” measures to protect the
battery from deep discharge. They also remove the need for low-voltage
disconnect modules.
Table 4.1 PMU DC voltage limitsa
Voltage Range
Parameter 12V PMU 24V PMU 48V PMU
User-programmable Alarmsb
Low Battery Voltage 10V to 14V 20V to 28V 40V to 56V
High Battery Voltage 14V to 17.5V 28V to 35V 56V to 70V
User-programmable Limitsbcd
Startup Voltage 10.9V to 15.0V 21.8V to 30V 43.6V to 60V
(after shutdown)
Shutdown Voltage 10V to 13.5V 20V to 27V 40V to 54V
Battery Protection (Fail-safe) Limits

Startup Voltage 10.8V ±0.2V 21.6V ±0.5V 43.2V ±1V
Undervoltage Shutdown 9.5V ±0.3V 19V ±0.5V 38V ±1V
Overvoltage Shutdown 18.1V ±0.3V 36.2V ±0.5V 72.4V ±1V
Overvoltage Shutdown Reset 17.1V ±0.3V 34.2V ±0.5V 68.4V ±1V
a. The information in this table is extracted from the TB8100 Specifications Manual. Refer to the latest issue of this
manual (MBA-00001-xx) for the most up-to-date and complete PMU specifications.
b. Using the Service Kit software.
c. Only available if the standby power supply card is fitted.
d. These limits are subject to the tolerances of the battery protection circuitry, as stated in “Battery Protection (Fail-
safe) Limits”.
Indicator LEDs The indicator LEDs on the front panel are used to indicate the state of the
PMU and its microprocessor. There are two LEDs, one red and one green.
Each LED can be on, off, or flashing at two rates (fast or slow). The state
of these LEDs can indicate a number of operating modes or fault conditions,
as described in Table 4.2 on page 62.

DC Input Voltage
Figure 4.6
Overvoltage Shutdown (HW)
Overvoltage Shutdown Reset (HW)
High Battery Voltage Alarm (SW Alarm)
Startup Voltage (SW)
Startup Voltage (HW)
Low Battery Voltage Alarm (SW Alarm)
Shutdown Voltage (SW)
Undervoltage Shutdown (HW)

0V
Time
Hardware Behaviour
Run
Stop
Software Control &

Hardware Combined Run
Stop
30s delay 30s delay 30s delay
Software Alarm
PMU alarm thresholds and voltage limits when operating on DC
(Low Battery Voltage) Active
Off
Software Alarm
(High Battery Voltage) Active
Off
61
Table 4.2 PMU indicator LED states
Green Red PMU condition
off off power off (input above or below safe operating range)
flashing off no application firmware loaded; use the Service Kit software to
(3Hz) download the firmware
on off the microprocessor is operating; no alarm detected
on flashing one or more alarm conditions detected:

(3Hz) ■ output is overvoltage
■ output is undervoltage
■ output is current-limiting
■ overtemperature
■ mains failure
■ battery voltage is low
■ battery voltage is high
■ shutdown is imminent
■ DC converter is faulty
■ battery is faulty, or DC converter is switched off
■ auxiliary power supply is faulty
■ PMU is not calibrated
■ self-test has failed
■ PMU is not configured
flashing flashing PMU is in battery protection mode

(on 300ms, (on 300ms,
off 2700ms) off 2700ms)
flashing flashing PMU is in Deep Sleep mode

(on 300ms, (on 300ms,
off 4700ms) off 4700ms)
flashing flashing Service Kit LED test - LEDs flash alternately

(3Hz) (3Hz)
4.6 Data, Control and Monitoring Paths

This section describes the types of data and the methods used to move the
data around a TB8100 base station. Refer to Figure 4.14 on page 85 for
more information.
The reciter RISC is the central command and control entity in a base
station. As such it will often command modules to change state, based on
the information received in a module poll message reply. Messages from the
reciter over the I2C bus can control actions in the PA and PMU hardware,
such as changing Hysteresis mode in the PMU based on the current status
of any active power cycling modes, or reading the ambient temperature via
the PA module.

Serial Service Kit communications are transferred from the attached serial
device (e.g. a personal computer running the TB8100 Service Kit), buffered
on the control panel and passed into the RISC’s UART.
Inter-module communications traffic (for example monitoring, diagnostics

and firmware download messages) is passed between the reciter and
PA/PMU via the I2C bus, which runs a Tait proprietary protocol. The
reciter acts as a router, in that messages to and from the PA and PMU are
passed through the reciter between the UART and I2C ports.
When each PA/PMU module powers up for the first time, it requests the
RISC, via the I2C bus, to allocate a unique address to that module for use
across the I2C bus. Each module on the I2C bus must have a unique address.
The reciter assumes “primary” status, while all PAs and PMUs assume
“secondary” status. Consequently, the reciter polls modules and the
modules reply, forming a poll-response architecture with unique addresses
and associations.
There is no information passed over the system control bus that is real-time
dependent. All real-time processing needs, such as fault recovery for all
modules, are supported by the microprocessor present in each module. The
only real time signal in the system is the PA_KEY signal that is passed
between the reciter and the PA. This signal is a critical part of the TX_KEY
ramp up and down operation and is summed with the exciter RF output to
the PA over the coaxial interconnection cable.
For example, when a TX_KEY signal is passed to the reciter system

interface board, the following actions occur:
1. The TX_KEY signal is read and processed by the RISC

microprocessor which, depending on the configuration and status of
the reciter, will then initiate a transmission.
2. The RISC will instruct the DSP via the host port to initiate a
transmission and start modulating the RF carrier.
3. The DSP will enable the PA_KEY line to the PA microprocessor.
4. The PA microprocessor will then initiate a controlled PA output ramp

up.
Depending on the channel selected for the transmission, the RISC will also
re-configure the synthesizer as required, though this does not automatically
occur at the start of a Tx/Rx event.
At an appropriate time, the reciter’s RISC processor will poll the PA and
PMU modules for their status (including any alarm conditions) and process
the results accordingly. Whenever a user selects a PA/PMU monitor or
diagnostic screen in the Service Kit, the information is read from that
module via the I2C bus. It is then transferred through the RISC and passed
to the Service Kit computer using the Tait proprietary Service Kit protocol
over the serial port.

The PA and PMU sections on Figure 4.14 show most of the monitored
parameters in each module and the control outputs from the
microprocessors, which are also available to the reciter RISC via the I2C bus
and form the basis of the TB8100 monitored alarms.
Each reciter, PA and PMU module also stores the following information
specific to that module:
■ calibration parameters
■ serial and product number
■ factory configuration.
This ensures that the module is a true entity in its own right, thus helping
to support simple “plug and play” site module replacement procedures.
The TB8100 control panel provides several important functions.

Depending on the control panel version these functions include, but are not
limited to, the following:
■ an interface point to monitor and respond to failure alarm outputs from
the fans
■ a point to read key presses and display base station status on output LEDs
■ speaker control and amplifier for on-site monitor audio.
All control panel logic inputs and outputs are implemented by using an I2C
port expander that performs a serial (I2C) to parallel conversion (and vice
versa) over the I2C bus. The control panel port expanders are fixed address
8-bit input and output interfaces. The heaviest user of the I2C bus is actually
the control panel keypad read polls which occur on average every 50ms.
4.7 Fan Operation

The cooling fans are mounted on the front panel. One fan is in front of the
PA and another in front of the PMU. The fans do not operate continuously
but are switched on and off as needed by the reciter firmware. When the
base station is switched on, both fans come on for a short time and are then
normally switched off. The operation of the PA fan is configurable via the
Service Kit but the PMU fan is not. It has fixed on/off thresholds and a
defined set of duty cycles based on the PMU temperature, as follows:
PMU Temperature Duty Cycle
<65°C (<149°F) increases with increasing current draw
65°C to 75°C (149°F to 167°F) on two minutes, off one minute
>75°C (>167°F) always on

Fans used in the TB8100 must have the correct wiring: power and ground
(2-wire fans), or power, ground and rotation detect (3-wire fans). Both fans
in the subrack must be of the same type.
If 3-wire fans are fitted, the reciter can monitor whether the fans are rotating
and generate an alarm if the fan fails. Refer to the Service Kit and Alarm
Center documentation for more details. Refer also to “Dual Base Station”
on page 47 for information on the constraints of fan rotation detection in
dual base stations.
4.8 Power Saving

TB8100 base stations can be equipped with Power Saving. This set of
sophisticated current-reducing measures is made available through the
optional Power Saving Modes licence. Under the control of the reciter, all
modules in the subrack work together to offer many levels of current
reduction. The receiver circuitry can cycle on and off, parts of the PA
circuitry can be switched off, and the PMU can enter a power-saving
Hysteresis mode or even shut down its main DC-DC converter. These
measures can achieve a dramatic reduction in power consumption during
idle periods.
Power Saving is available for 5W, 50W and 100W base stations. There can
only be one base station in the subrack and most Power Saving measures are
only available when the base station is running on battery power. Dual base
stations cannot have Power Saving, but they can be configured to provide
modest reductions in current consumption. The same configuration can be
used for single base stations without a Power Saving licence. This brings
their power consumption in line with the Tait T800 range.
Two optional hardware items are needed to maximise the amount of power
that the base station can save. The Power Save Control Panel (for further
information, see “Power Save Control Panel” on page 36) is designed for
base stations with Power Saving; most of its circuitry can be switched off.
The PMU standby power supply card enables it to run in Hysteresis mode
or to turn off its DC-DC converter.
Power Saving is implemented in three different modes: Normal, Sleep, and

Deep Sleep. This makes it possible for the extent of the power saving
measures to vary depending on the amount of traffic on the channel. Each
mode combines a number of power saving measures and is enabled and
configured through the Service Kit.

4.8.1 Power Saving Measures
The following describes the different ways that the modules of a Power Save
base station are able to reduce their power consumption. Service Kit users
select these measures indirectly by selecting values for the Rx cycling time
and the Tx keyup time.
Receiver Signal Path The receiver can be cycled off for a user-definable time, then switched back
Cycling on. If a signal is detected, the receiver stays on, otherwise it cycles off again.
There are two levels of cycling: the first involves only the receiver, the
second involves most circuitry in the reciter.
If the Rx cycling time is 100 ms or less, only the PWD_RX power rail is
turned off. This turns off the receiver front end, receiver ADC (Analog to
Digital Converter) and DDC (Digital Down Converter). Once the cycling
time has elapsed, the following occurs:
1. The DSP turns on the PWD_RX power rail.
2. The DSP initialises the DDC. This results in a working receiver.
3. The DSP measures the RSSI to see whether there is a signal on the
channel.
4. If the RSSI does not exceed the threshold, the DSP turns the power
rail off.
The whole process takes about 10ms.
If the Rx cycling time is greater than 100ms, more circuitry (including the
receiver VCO) cycles on and off. In this case, the DSP turns the PWD_RX
and the PWR_ON power rails off (see “Power Distribution” on page 56 for
more information about reciter power rails). Once the cycling time has
elapsed, the following occurs:
1. The DSP turns the PWR_ON rail back on and tells the RISC.
2. The RISC programs the receiver synthesizer and waits for it to lock.
This takes around 20ms.
3. The RISC tells the DSP that the synthesizer is locked.
4. The DSP turns on the PWD_RX power rail back on, and the process
continues as for receiver cycling above.
Transmitter Keying Normally, the PA uses special Fast Key circuitry to give a fast but controlled
ramp-up of the PA’s power output. In Sleep and Deep Sleep modes (and in
Normal mode, with a Tx keyup time of 5ms or longer), this function is
disabled by turning off the PA 10V power rail (see “Power Distribution” on
page 56 for more information about power rails). This turns off most of the
PA analogue circuitry. The process of keying the transmitter then works like
this:

1. The PA receives a PA_KEY_COAX signal instructing it to key up.
This is a DC signal on the coaxial cable that goes from reciter to PA.
2. The PA microprocessor turns the 10V power rail on, and then waits
for 20-30ms for the regulator to stabilise the power.
3. The microprocessor sets the power level.
4. The microprocessor provides its usual ramping signal. This has the
form of a raised cosine.
PMU Hysteresis Hysteresis mode is the first means of reducing current consumption in the
Mode PMU. It requires a PMU standby power supply card and is not available if
the PMU’s auxiliary power output is on.
While the PMU DC converter is highly efficient for output currents in the
range of 1-15A, it is not efficient for low output currents. This is mainly due
to the current drive requirements for the heavy-duty switching FETs (field
effect transistors).
Hysteresis mode resolves this issue by setting the output voltage to swing
between two fixed levels. This allows the FETs drive signal to be turned off
for periods of time. The FET off time is dependent on the load current
drawn. Figure 4.7 on page 67 illustrates the output voltages for the PMU
DC converter in both normal and Hysteresis modes.
Figure 4.7 DC converter output voltages in PMU operation modes
FET switches OFF once upper

threshold reached
Voltage Voltage
27.9 27.9 Output voltage

27.5 ripple
(hysteresis voltage)
FET switches ON once lower

threshold reached
Time Time
Normal mode Hysteresis mode
You can confirm whether the PMU is in Hysteresis mode by connecting an

oscilloscope to the PMU’s 28V output power connector. You should see the
voltage ripple.
Hysteresis mode is used only when the base station is not transmitting. The
ripple generated by Hysteresis mode does not degrade the performance of
the receiver. However, when the base station is transmitting, Hysteresis
mode is turned off because the PA should never transmit with the ripple
voltage present.

PMU Standby In Deep Sleep mode, the second means of reducing PMU current
Operation consumption takes effect. The PMU microprocessor turns the DC-DC
converter off, removing all power to the PA. Only the reciter and the control
panel receive power (see Figure 4.10 on page 81 for details).
The PA LEDs go off. The PMU’s green Power LED also goes off, but the
red Alarm LED flashes briefly about every 20 seconds (these LEDs are only
visible when the subrack front panel is removed).
Control Panel In Sleep and Deep Sleep modes, the reciter instructs the Power Save control
Shutdown panel to shut down. This turns off most of its circuitry (fan detection, I2C
interface, RS-232). However, it is still monitoring the RS-232 lines for
activity.
Note The Power Save control panel does not shut down in Sleep and
Deep Sleep modes if the reciter is fitted with a TaitNet RS-232 or
High Density/RS-232 system interface board.
The red alarm LED goes off. This means that it cannot light up if an alarm
is generated. If an alarm is present when the control panel shuts down, it
cannot be displayed.
The Power LED flashes under hardware control to indicate that the base
station is in Sleep or Deep Sleep mode.
If the base station needs to communicate with an Alarm Center, or a Service

Kit attempts to connect, activity is detected on the RS-232 lines and the
Control Panel turns itself on. Immediately after the Service Kit disconnects,
the Control Panel shuts itself down again.
Note The standard and dual base station control panels cannot shut
themselves down, but their LEDs (except the Power LED) also
flash in Sleep and Deep Sleep modes.
12V PA Operation Power Saving is also available in base stations using a 12V PA. Both Sleep
and Deep Sleep modes can be configured, with the same receiver cycling
and Tx keyup options as a base station with a PMU. In Deep Sleep mode,
the reciter shuts down the PA by shutting down the boost regulator board
in the PA (refer to “12V PA Power Saving Control Connection” on
page 149 for more information on this connection). The 12VDC output
from the boost regulator board is unswitched and continues to power the
reciter even when the rest of the circuitry on the board is shut down.
4.8.2 Power Saving Modes
The Power Saving Modes licence makes two power saving modes available:
Sleep and Deep Sleep. The base station runs in Normal mode when there
is activity on the channel but can transition to Sleep and/or Deep Sleep
mode after it has been idle for a period of time.

Once the base station’s Power Saving Modes licence is enabled, you can use
the Service Kit to enable and configure its Sleep and Deep Sleep modes (see
the Service Kit online Help for details).
Each mode is defined by a receiver cycling time and a Tx keyup time and
the values of these parameters determine which power saving measures are
used. The transitions from Normal mode to Sleep and from Sleep to Deep
Sleep modes are initiated by an idle timer.
Normal mode needs no enabling and can be configured without a Power

Saving Modes licence. The configuration can involve no current reduction
at all (no receiver cycling and the fastest possible Tx Keyup time), or a
modest reduction to give similar performance to the T800.
The transitions between modes are shown in Figure 4.8. On startup, the
base station operates in Normal mode. A timer starts as soon as there is no
channel activity. PTT, front-panel carrier-only transmission, CWID bursts,
and alarm tones do not count as activity, and can all occur in Sleep and Deep
Sleep modes without affecting the timer.
Figure 4.8 Transitions between sleep modes
Normal Mode
User-selected Rx cycling time
and Tx keyup time
Idle timer reaches Sleep
Tx Key is activated or receiver mode value
detects activity and determines
that the signal is valid Tx Key is activated or receiver
detects activity and determines
that the signal is valid Sleep Mode
User-selected Rx cycling time.
Deep Sleep Mode Tx keyup time Medium
User-selected Rx cycling time.
Tx keyup time Slow
Idle timer continues until it
reaches the Deep Sleep value
When the timer reaches the value set in the Service Kit (in the “Start after’”
box) for Sleep mode, the base station enters Sleep mode. If the receiver

detects activity and determines that the signal is valid (or the Tx key line is
activated), it reverts to Normal mode. Otherwise, the timer continues
running.
When the timer reaches the value for Deep Sleep mode, the base station
enters Deep Sleep mode.
If the base station is running on AC power, the timer operates as usual.

However, the base station will continue to run in Normal mode, as
configured in the Service Kit, even after reaching the value for Sleep or
Deep Sleep mode. It only enters these modes after it has changed over to
DC power. If it changes back to AC power, it returns to Normal mode.
4.8.3 Overview of Operation
The following tables show the receiver cycling times and Tx keyup times
available for Normal, Sleep, and Deep Sleep modes and the power saving
measures they correspond to. For more details on power and current
consumption refer to the TB8100 Specifications Manual (MBA-00001-xx).
Table 4.3 Power Saving measures selected by receiver cycling time
Power Reciter Power Rails

Receiver
Saving
Cycling
Mode PWR_ON PWD_EX PWD_RX
Normal No cycling on on on
5ms on on cycling
10ms on on cycling
20ms on on cycling
Sleep No cycling on on on
20ms on on cycling
50ms on on cycling
100ms on on cycling
200ms cycling off cycling
Deep No cycling on on on
Sleep
1s cycling off cycling
5s cycling off cycling

Table 4.4 Power Saving measures selected by Tx keyup time
Power PMU PA
Tx Keyup
Saving
Time
Mode 28V Power Fast key
Normal 2ms ab on enabled
5ms a on disabled
20ms a on disabled
Sleep Medium Hysteresis mode disabled
Deep Sleep Slow off n/a: PA is off
a. The Tx Keyup time you select using the Service Kit refers to the amount of time need-
ed to key the transmitter AFTER the reciter detects valid RF or receives a Tx Key signal.
The total time needed is increased by receiver cycling and varies according to where
in the cycle the RF or Tx Key is applied. The reciter only looks for RF or Tx Key when
the PWD_RX rail is on.
b. The actual Tx Keyup time may be slightly shorter or longer than this value. Refer to
the TB8100 Specifications Manual for further details.
Further ■ Auxiliary power is not available in Sleep or Deep Sleep modes.

Considerations
■ Hysteresis mode is only available if a standby power supply card is fitted
and the auxiliary power output has not been turned on by Task Manager
action.
■ There may be a significant delay in the setting of digital outputs if
PWR_ON is cycling. A change, such as the state of a digital input, is
only read when the power cycles on. Task Manager carries out the action
to set the digital output while the power is off, but this action only takes
effect next time the power cycles on.
■ During receiver cycling, the base station is unable to provide a
continuous output on its audio output lines. When the receiver cycles
off, so does its line output, even if the outputs are not gated.
4.8.4 Using the Service Kit with Power Save Base Stations
You can connect the Service Kit to a base station in Sleep or Deep Sleep
mode and log on. The reciter is still able to communicate with the Service
Kit when powered by the standby power supply card. The control panel
needs to wake up, but the rest of the base station does not change mode. The
reciter can also initiate communications via the control panel to an Alarm
Center.
You can use the Service Kit to monitor Power Save operation and see what
power saving measures are currently active.
Important Displaying any PA monitoring or diagnostic screen turns

the PA on. The PA stays on until the screen is closed. Make
sure that you do not waste power by leaving any of these
screens on.

A monitoring screen shows you whether the DC-DC converter has shut
down. Select Monitor > Monitoring > Power Management.
The display shows that the DC-Converter is off, and that there is no power
to the PA.
To check whether Hysteresis mode is active, select Diagnose > Power

Management > Control Tests.
When the DC-DC converter display shows that Low Power Mode is on, the
PMU is in Hysteresis mode.

4.8.5 Configuring Receiver Gating for Base Stations with Power Save
Settings for receiver gating can adversely affect Power Save.
In low-noise situations, Tait recommends that you use the default settings
(RSSI disabled, SINAD enabled at 12dB).
In high-noise situations, follow these guidelines:

■ Use RSSI and SINAD gating.
■ Set the RSSI level to be above the ambient noise level, for example
–113dBm (0.5μV).
■ Set the SINAD level as desired.
■ Set the gating logic to OR.
■ Have no receiver cycling in Normal mode.
■ Set short idle times (for example 1 minute for Sleep mode and 10
minutes for Deep Sleep mode).
The background to these recommendations is as follows:
Receiver gating operates differently when the receiver is cycling. Whenever

the receiver cycles on, it first measures the RSSI, even if its configuration
disabled RSSI gating (this is because detecting the RSSI is very quick). If the
RSSI exceeds the threshold, power stays on. (If the configuration doesn’t
specify a threshold, –117dBm is used.)
If gating is configured for RSSI alone, the receiver unmutes straight away. If
SINAD gating is enabled, the base station must first determine whether the
SINAD is above the threshold. If it is, the base station stays on, otherwise it
returns to cycling in its existing mode.
To ensure the full benefits of power saving, it is important to use an RSSI

level that prevents the base station unnecessarily turning the receiver on
while it checks the SINAD. For example, if the RSSI gate is turned off, the
SINAD gate is set to 20dB, and the receiver cycling time is 100ms, the
following can happen in the presence of channel noise:
1. The receiver cycles on.
2. It detects a signal that is above the RSSI threshold.
3. It stays on for 100ms to check whether the SINAD is good enough.
4. The SINAD is too low, so the receiver cycles off.
5. 100ms later, it’s time for the receiver to cycle on again and repeat the
procedure.
The result is that the receiver is on for about 120ms out of every 220ms,
instead of for about 20ms out of every 120ms.

The recommendations for noisy sites have the following effects.
■ A high RSSI level means that the base station rarely wastes power by
holding the receiver on to check the SINAD. (This may mean that users
find it more difficult to gain access to the site. However, once they have
access and the base station is in Normal mode, the relatively low SINAD
makes access easy.)
■ Receiver cycling in Normal mode is not selected so that the higher RSSI
level is not required in order to open the gate.
■ The ‘OR’ setting for gating logic provides optimal gating when the base
station is in Normal mode: quick opening when the signal is strong,
reliable opening when it is weaker.
■ Short idle times maximise the proportion of time that the base station is
in Sleep and Deep Sleep modes.
Note If the base station is part of a CTCSS/DCS system, the base station
will use additional power whenever it hears a signal with the
wrong subtone. For example, if the receiver has the same settings
as above, it would be on for 320ms out of every 420ms (a subau-
dible check can take up to 230ms). The only way to minimise the
effects of this is to set a very long receiver cycling time, such as 5
seconds.
4.9 Ethernet Interface

The TaitNet Ethernet system interface board provides the TB8100 base
station with an Ethernet interface, allowing it to be integrated into IP
networks, for example those used for microwave links between sites (refer to
Figure 6.20 on page 143).
The TB8100 Service Kit supports Ethernet connection, allowing all its
features such as configuration, firmware downloading, monitoring and
diagnostics to be performed from any location where there is an IP
connection to the site.
The TaitNet Ethernet system interface board is designed for use with all
TB8100 base stations, including paging, TaitNet trunking, and TaitNet QS²
Simulcast. It supports Computer Controlled Interface (CCI) commands,
but does not support VoIP. It also supports auto speed detection of either
10 or 100 base T.
The TaitNet Ethernet system interface board requires reciter firmware

version 3.00 and later, and hardware version 00.02 and later. PSTN Alarm
Center dial-up and email services are disabled when a TaitNet Ethernet
system interface board is fitted (refer to “Using Syslog Messages with
Ethernet Connections” on page 164), but are still supported on other system
interface boards.

Alarm Processing Alarm processing has been enhanced from the solution previously available,
which involved the use of a PSTN, asynchronous port switch, and Alarm
Center. TB8100 base stations using an Ethernet connection cannot connect
to an Alarm Center. Instead, the TaitNet Ethernet system interface board
sends industry standard “syslog” TCP-IP messages to a syslog collector. The
syslog collector then displays the alarm notifications and, depending on the
actual collector used, can add further customised actions. Refer to “Using
Syslog Messages with Ethernet Connections” on page 164 for further details
on the syslog collector.
A typical process for TB8100 fault management via Ethernet would be as

follows:
1. A base station detects a fault and sends a syslog message to a syslog col-
lector.
2. Depending on the particular syslog collector being used, the collector

then:
■ Translates the message into an email notification for sending, based
on various priority rules.
■ Generates audible warnings, etc., or translates the message into an
SNMP trap for another SNMP-based notification service to use.
3. Once the fault has been notified, the TB8100 Service Kit may be
used to access the base station and diagnose the fault.
Ethernet and The TaitNet Ethernet system interface board has an RJ45 Ethernet
System I/O connector and an enhanced 15-way D-range connector. Some pins on the
D-range connector can be configured to provide different signals. “TaitNet
Ethernet” on page 139 has more information on these switch-selectable
signals and the pin allocations of the D-range.
Note The pin allocations for the 15-way D-range connector on the
TaitNet Ethernet system interface board are different from those
of other TaitNet boards (refer to Table 6.2 on page 141).
Monitoring Using the Service Kit you can configure the TB8100 to send a regular
Heartbeats heartbeat message. The interval between heartbeats can be set from one
minute to 12 hours. This enhances network fault monitoring because, if the
syslog collector fails to receive a periodic message from a base station, it can
raise the appropriate alarm.
The heartbeat output is disabled when CCI mode is active, because it is

expected that the remote device connecting to the base station will poll the
base stations to validate the communications link. There is also no heartbeat
if the Service Kit is connected.
Refer to “Using Syslog Messages with Ethernet Connections” on page 164

and the Service Kit documentation for more information.

Note Only one type of connection to a TB8100 is possible at any one
time (either the Service Kit, or syslog, or CCI).
Power Saving Power Saving is still possible with the TaitNet Ethernet system interface
board. However, the total power consumption will be slightly greater (for
example, approximately 1W more than the isolated system interface board).
Note If the Rx Cycling time is set to 200ms or longer, during Sleep and
Deep Sleep the state of the digital inputs will be undefined, and
the state of the digital outputs will always be inactive.
4.10 Multi-reciter Subracks
4.10.1 Description of Operation
Refer to Figure 4.9 on page 78.
The multi-reciter subrack allows multiple receive-only reciters to be

installed in a TB8100 subrack. The multi-reciter subrack can accommodate
one to five reciters with a PMU, or one to seven reciters with no PMU (refer
to “Connection” on page 109 for more details).
Note Reciters are numbered from right to left when viewed from the
front of the subrack. Reciters should always be installed starting
from the right-hand side of the subrack.
The important functions of the multi-reciter subrack are to:

■ provide an integrated wiring solution for the system control bus and DC
power connections to each reciter
■ allow reciters to be replaced without affecting the operation of other
reciters in the subrack1
■ provide a means of connecting to and monitoring, configuring and
diagnosing any reciter in the subrack
■ allow the status of all reciters in the subrack to be monitored in real time.
Hardware The multi-reciter configuration is made up of two special modules: the

multi-reciter control panel and the multi-reciter subrack interconnect board.
The control panel provides the user with some manual control of the reciters
in the subrack, and can display status information for each reciter (refer to
“Multi-reciter Control Panel” on page 37). The subrack board provides
switching and control logic (refer to “Configuring the Subrack Interconnect
Board” on page 154).
1. You do need to power down reciter 2 before removing reciter 3. Refer to

“Replacing the Reciter” on page 173 for more details.

Reciters are installed in the subrack from right to left (viewed from the
front), with the right-hand position corresponding to position 1 on the
control panel. Only the reciter in position 1 can communicate with the
PMU (if fitted).
The multi-reciter subrack interconnect board and control panel must be

used together and cannot be used in other types of TB8100 subracks. The
connection between the control panel and subrack board is made with a
high density 26-way D-range connector.
When power is applied to the subrack, the control panel will default to
reciter position 1. When a PMU is fitted, power is connected to the PMU
in the normal way. When no PMU is fitted, the DC input to the subrack
is connected to a terminal block mounted on the rear of the subrack (refer
to “Power Supply Connections” on page 122).
Control Panel and The multi-reciter control panel allows you to select which reciter is
Indicator LEDs connected to the control panel. This reciter will then drive the status LEDs,
and respond to inputs from the controls on the control panel. You can also
connect to this reciter using the Service Kit (if the system interface board
fitted to the reciter supports front panel connection - refer to “Service Kit
Connections” on page 144 for more details).
Note When a reciter is not fitted and that subrack position is selected,
the status LEDs will reflect the status of the channel which was
selected before the change was made. This is because there is no
reciter present in the newly selected position to update or clear the
status of the LEDs.
The channel LEDs use different colours to indicate the currently selected
reciter, and to provide real-time status information for any reciter installed
in the subrack (refer to “Multi-reciter Control Panel” on page 37). Any
reciter can update (in real time) the channel LEDs to display one of two
possible reciter status signals: Rx gate or alarm. Links on the multi-reciter
subrack interconnect board allow you to choose which status signal (either
Rx gate or alarm) is connected to the channel LEDs. Links on the control
panel board also allow you to select which colour (either red or green) will
be used for the selected status signal; the other colour will then be used to
indicate the currently selected reciter. The default colours for TB8100 are
green for Rx gate and red for alarm. If the LED for the currently selected
reciter receives a status signal, it will change to orange. Refer to
“Configuration” on page 153 for more information.
Audio The speaker output is from the currently selected reciter only. Refer to
“Speaker Button and LED” on page 38 for more details.
Power Saving Power Saving is possible in the multi-reciter subrack, but with some
limitations. Refer to “Operational Constraints” on page 79 for more
details.

78
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Figure 4.9
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Multi-reciter functional block diagram

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4.10.2 Operational Constraints
The multi-reciter subrack imposes a number of constraints on the operation

of TB8100 modules. These are listed below.
Reciter ■ Only reciters with firmware version 3.00 or later can be used in a multi-
reciter subrack. The control panel will not work with earlier versions of
reciter firmware.
Power Important If there is a PMU in the subrack, the reciter in subrack posi-
Saving tion 1 should never have Deep Sleep mode enabled, only
Sleep mode. If Deep Sleep is enabled for reciter 1, it will
turn off the power to all reciters in the subrack.
This is because the reciters in the multi-reciter subrack are powered from the
PA DC output on the PMU. In Deep Sleep mode this DC output is turned
off, which will power down all the reciters.
All other reciters in the subrack can have Sleep or Deep Sleep mode enabled.
Service Kit ■ The Service Kit can only log on to the currently selected reciter via the
control panel.
■ As the PMU is associated with reciter 1, no PMU settings for reciters 2
to 7 will function. This includes the PMU battery voltage display,
monitoring, diagnostics, and power management display.
■ All PMU alarms for reciters 2 to 7 must be disabled (the alarm LEDs on
the Alarm screen will therefore be grey).
■ In the Configure > Base Station > Miscellaneous form for reciters 2 to
7, the Power configuration areas will display voltages of zero.
■ All fan faults will not be detected, displayed, or acted on (if disabled) for
all reciters. All Fan failure alarms should be disabled.
■ The display of fan states in Diagnostic forms may be incorrect.
Recommended The following Service Kit settings are recommended for multi-reciter
Service Kit Settings operation:
■ Disable the “Fan failure” alarm for the PA for all reciters.
■ Disable the “Fan failure” alarm for the PMU for all reciters (whether a
PMU is fitted or not).
■ Disable the “No PMU detected” alarm for reciters 2 to 7 if a PMU is
fitted. If no PMU is fitted, disable the alarm for all reciters.
■ Disable the “No PA detected” alarm for all reciters.
■ Disable Alarm Center and Email on all reciters (refer also to “Service Kit
and Alarm Center Connections” below).

Service Kit and If you want to use the serial port on the control panel to connect to a reciter
Alarm Center in a multi-reciter subrack, you must first select the reciter using the channel
Connections
button. You cannot connect to the serial port on the control panel and then
remotely select the reciter you want to connect to.
It is also impossible for any reciter that has generated an alarm to dial out to
an Alarm Center if that reciter is not the currently selected reciter. If you
do require dial-out access to an Alarm Center, or remote dial-in access to
any reciter in the subrack, you will need to install reciters fitted with High
Density/RS-232, TaitNet RS-232 or TaitNet Ethernet system interface
boards. These boards will allow connection to any reciter in the subrack via
the rear panel connector.
Additional information on remote monitoring is provided in Application

Note TN-742-AN (“Remotely Monitoring and Configuring the TB8100
Base Station”).

Figure 4.10 TB8100 base station power distribution
Power
Management
AC module Power Control board
Unit RF circuits RF circuits
Rear panel Amplifier 28 to 10V Power
ON/OFF switch (PMU) regulator control
(PA) (switched) circuitry
28 to 2.5V
AC converter regulator
(500W) Front panel µP Control (permanent)
AC input PA1 & PA2 µP Control
(115-230VAC Temperature outputs
To / (optional)
50/60Hz) Mains good
from b
µP 28 to 5V Diagnostics 28 to 5V
Shutdown
regulator and power regulator
(permanent) control (permanent)
circuitry
Rear panel aux output
Rear panel To / Data (SIF / trickle
ON/OFF switch from
DC module µP
Run
Auxiliary
charger output)
28 to -3V Analogue RF circuits
28 to 12/24/48V regulator power control Low pass
(permanent) circuitry
6W board filter board 60W board
(optional)
DC converter
(40/500W) Auxiliary power
To / Data
(optional) supply board
from Temperature
µP Hysteresis enable
Run
Front panel
DC input
Reciter outputs
12/24/48VDC
Protection
Reciter Fuse
PMU µP
& SIF_28V
Not connected
I2C pull-ups
Standby power supply card
Standby isolate Power supply Power supply
To / Standby present connectors connectors
from Standby (from uP)
Shutdown System interface
µP 28-29V
power input
System
interface
digital Receiver
System interface logic RF
D-range supply Receiver circuitry
output digital
logic
System
Control bus
Exciter
RF
RISC
circuitry
-memory
-clock
Control 28 to 5V
Panel
RX/EX/EX
Ref
DSP Synths &
-Codec VCO's
I2C -ADC
control -DDC
Speaker
signal -Power control logic
amplifier
PWD_EX
Microphone PWD_RX
circuitry PWR_ON
System
interface
RS-232
analogue
circuitry
circuitry
I2C System interface board Digital board RF board

circuitry

Figure 4.11 TB8100 base station VHF signal path

RF RF Decimating
LPF BPF1 HPF BPF2 Direct demodulated audio output
Input* Amp filter
RISC
Noise PIN
RISC
IF Receiver Demodulated
audio
Path A Selcall decode RISC Reciter
source switch front end HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path A (muted)
Decimating Path A (un-muted) FFSK decode RISC
filter Σ RX path audio processing
Path B (un-muted)
DAC
NB Xtal Normalisation, BO audio
filter HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path B (muted) RISC
Digital FM Demod, SINAD measurement
Anti- RISC RSSI
IF down RSSI & SINAD processing Path B UO audio
Mixer Diplexer Buffer Pad Switch Switch alias ADC Buff output
Amp converter measurement measurement RISC
filter RISC Line out test tone. voltage
RSSI, RX
(DDC) RISC Rx sub-band
WB Xtal processing CTCSS Cross Test signal
signalling RISC RISC Tone remote RISC
filter decoder Point sink
OTL
To RISC, DSP, Σ Σ Voice reject
encoders RISC Voting tones
Switch
Interpolation Mute Unbalanced
Buffer RX VCO Loop filter RX Synth ADC, DDC
(CPS)
filter Σ DAC EPOT
Sw.
Buff
audio output
DCS decoder RISC RISC FFSF
152.9-241.9MHz Loopback Digital audio output
high side RISC 40MHz VCXO Cross RISC Pip tones Balanced
Interpolation Mute
12.8MHz TCXO Point DAC EPOT Buff audio
filter Sw.
Switch output
40MHz Synth (CPS) OTL decoders Interpolation
Buffer RISC Balanced RISC Selcall
Change over CTCSS filter
+ coax RISC
switch RISC encoder System
driver Line input level Tone remote
Ext. 10 or 12.8MHz Ref VCXO 12.8MHz to Interpolating RISC Interface Board
Ref.
REF Synth
(12.8MHz)
Buffer
CODECs filter Σ Voice reject DCS
measurements Line Repeater AC
RISC loopback coupling filter
filter encoder
RISC Unbalanced RISC FFSK
RISC RISC I TX sub-band signalling
Ref detect. RISC Frequency LPF ADC Balanced
Decimation
control loop ADC EPOT Buff audio
filter
quadrature input
Q
VCXO mixer + LPF ADC
Voice filter Digital audio input
buffers Frequency
Buffer Ex VCO Ex Loop filter Ex Synth control TX path audio processing
VCXO Decimation Unbalanced
loop ADC EPOT Buff
modulation Interpolating filter audio input
RISC
DAC Σ Limiter filter Hard limiter
filter Σ Variable delay Pre-emphasis HPF Notch filter Path A
VCO
Variable delay Pre-emphasis HPF Notch filter Path B
modulation
DAC
Σ PA_KEY TX
General I/O Cross
Test Signal
Point
generator
Switch
(CPS)
Exciter to
PA RF Power
RISC Selcall
from PMU
6W Board 60W RISC CWID Third party

Board LPF / Directional OTA interface
Coupler Board generators RISC PIP tones connections
Power to
RISC FFSK external
PIN Harmonic Directional RF equipment
HPF 100mW 1W 6W 60W
atten. filter coupler output
RISC Test tone Rear
RF SIO to
LPF panel
Detect UART
RS-232 RS-232
Direct modulation audio input
converter
Digital
Control Board Digital Signal Processor (DSP) General I/O inputs
Σ
Host port Discrete Digital
Logic outputs
PA_KEY ADC ADC ADC EPOTs
DAC DAC DAC DAC SIO DAC Mute Switches
ADC
SIF ID
Reduced instruction
control
RF power
Bias
Bias
Reverse
Forward
Power
System Fan buffer set computer

wave shape
power
power
setting
Transient
Control (RISC) TX_KEY Conventional TX_KEY

PA bus RX_GATE signalling RX_GATE
AND Fan
Microprocessor COAX Relay buffers COAX Relay
buff. I2C UART
I2C
50W Power Amplifier Reciter

System Control bus
fan
Amp & Speaker
Amp
Switch
System Vol.
Power Management Micro Card
PMU
I2C current
sources
Control
bus
Knob
Unit micro-
processor
I2C
Compressor Amp. Mic.
Auxiliary PS
Fan buffer
µP
Board
System
Standard
40W
AC Power factor
Converter
Aux. out (SIF) *Frequency Bands & Sub-bands
B2 = 136-156MHz
Control
bus
Control Panel
AC converter PA1/PA2 output B3 = 148-174MHz
input correction C1 = 174-193MHz
Rear panel
ON/OFF Reciter output C2 = 193-225MHz
2.5A RS-232
AC Converter Board µP polyfuse
converter
Service Kit
Speaker ON/OFF
Rear
Fan rotation
panel
I2C port Control panel ID
ON/OFF DC converter Standby PS card SIF = system interface board LEDs
expanders
DC µP Keypad
µP
input µP Mic PTT
10W PA
standby fan
Standby
DC Converter Board Isolate
PMU
fan

Figure 4.12 TB8100 base station UHF signal path - H band and K band

Decimating
Direct demodulated audio output
RF PIN RF PIN RF filter
Input*
BPF
switch Amp
LPF
Atten. Amp
BPF Pad
audio
front end HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path A (muted)
Noise RISC AGC AGC not fitted to
RISC FFSK decode
source Det. Decimating Path A (un-muted) RISC
K band reciters
filter Σ RX path audio processing
Path B (un-muted)
DAC
RISC Normalisation, BO audio

HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path B (muted) RISC
70.1MHz Anti- RISC RSSI
Mixer Diplexer Buffer Pad XTAL alias ADC Buff output
filter filter RISC Line out test tone. voltage
(DDC) RSSI, RX
RISC Rx sub-band
processing CTCSS Cross Test signal
decoder Point sink
OTL
Switch
Buffer RX VCO Loop filter RX Synth
ADC, DDC
(CPS)
filter Σ DAC EPOT
Sw.
Buff
audio output
Loopback Digital audio output
369.9-510.1MHz 721.9-753.9MHz RISC
12.8MHz 40MHz VCXO Cross RISC Pip tones Balanced
Interpolation Mute
H1 = high side K4 = low side TCXO Point DAC EPOT Buff audio
filter Sw.
H2 = low side Switch output
H3 = low side 40MHz Synth (CPS) OTL decoders Interpolation
H4 = high side Buffer RISC Balanced RISC Selcall
+ coax RISC
Ref.
REF Synth
(12.8MHz)
Buffer
filter encoder
Decimation
filter
quadrature input
Q
buffers Frequency
loop ADC EPOT Buff
RISC
VCO
modulation
DAC
Σ PA_KEY TX
General I/O Cross
Test Signal
Point
generator
Switch
(CPS)
Exciter to
PA RF Power
RISC Selcall
from PMU

Power to
RISC FFSK external
HPF 100mW 1W 6W 60W
RISC Test tone Rear
RF SIO to
LPF panel
Detect UART
RS-232 RS-232
converter
Digital
Σ
Logic outputs
DAC DAC DAC DAC SIO DAC
ADC Mute Switches
SIF ID
Reduced instruction
control
RF power
Bias
Bias
Reverse
Forward
Power

wave shape
power
power
setting
Transient

AND Fan
Microprocessor 2 COAX Relay buffers COAX Relay
buff. IC UART
I2C

System Control bus
fan
Amp & Speaker
Amp
Switch
System Vol.
PMU
I2C current
sources
Control
bus
Knob
Unit micro-
processor
I2C
Auxiliary PS
Fan buffer
µP
Board
System
Standard
40W
Control Panel
Control
Converter H1 = 400-440MHz
bus
AC Power factor H2 = 440-480MHz
AC converter PA1/PA2 output
input correction H3 = 470-520MHz
Rear panel
H4 = 380-420MHz
ON/OFF Reciter output
2.5A
K4 = Rx 792-824MHz RS-232
Tx 762-776MHz & 850-870MHz converter
Service Kit
Speaker ON/OFF
Rear
Fan rotation
panel
ON/OFF DC converter Standby PS card LEDs
expanders
DC µP SIF = system interface board Keypad
µP
input µP Mic PTT
10W PA
standby Standby fan
PMU
fan

Figure 4.13 TB8100 base station UHF signal path - L band
SAW SAW
Filter Filter Decimating
Direct demodulated audio output
RF RF filter
Input*
Switch
SAW
Switch LPF
Amp
LPF HPF Switch
SAW
Switch
audio
front end HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path A (muted)
Filter Filter
Decimating Path A (un-muted) FFSK decode RISC
Pad filter Σ RX path audio processing
Path B (un-muted)
DAC
Normalisation, BO audio
HPF De-emphasis Variable delay Mute switch Path B (muted) RISC
70.1MHz Anti- RISC RSSI
Mixer Diplexer Buffer Pad XTAL alias ADC Buff output
filter filter RISC Line out test tone. voltage
(DDC) RSSI, RX
RISC Rx sub-band
processing CTCSS Cross Test signal
decoder Point sink
OTL
Switch
Buffer RX VCO Loop filter RX Synth
ADC, DDC
(CPS)
filter Σ DAC EPOT
Sw.
Buff
audio output
Loopback Digital audio output
L1 = 781.9-783.9MHz RISC
12.8MHz 40MHz VCXO Cross RISC Pip tones Balanced
Interpolation Mute
L1 = 857.9-859.9MHz TCXO Point DAC EPOT Buff audio
filter Sw.
L2 = 825.9-831.9MHz Switch output
low side 40MHz Synth (CPS) OTL decoders Interpolation
Buffer RISC Balanced RISC Selcall
+ coax RISC
Ref.
REF Synth
(12.8MHz)
Buffer
filter encoder
Decimation
filter
quadrature input
Q
buffers Frequency
loop ADC EPOT Buff
RISC
VCO
modulation
DAC
Σ PA_KEY TX
General I/O Cross
Test Signal
Point
generator
Switch
(CPS)
Exciter to
PA RF Power
RISC Selcall
from PMU

Power to
RISC FFSK external
HPF 100mW 1W 6W 60W
RISC Test tone Rear
RF SIO to
LPF panel
Detect UART
RS-232 RS-232
converter
Digital
Σ
Logic outputs
DAC DAC DAC DAC SIO DAC
ADC Mute Switches
SIF ID
Reduced instruction
control
RF power
Bias
Bias
Reverse
Forward
Power

wave shape
power
power
setting
Transient

AND Fan
Microprocessor 2 COAX Relay buffers COAX Relay
buff. IC UART
I2C

System Control bus
fan
Amp & Speaker
Amp
Switch
System Vol.
PMU
I2C current
sources
Control
bus
Knob
Unit micro-
processor
I2C
Auxiliary PS
Fan buffer
µP
Board
System
Standard
40W
Control Panel
Control
Converter L1 = 852-854MHz, and 928-930MHz
bus
AC Power factor L2 = 896-902MHz (receive only)
AC converter PA1/PA2 output
input correction L2 = 927-941MHz (transmit only)
Rear panel
ON/OFF Reciter output
2.5A RS-232
SIF = system interface board converter
Service Kit
Speaker ON/OFF
Rear
Fan rotation
panel
ON/OFF DC converter Standby PS card LEDs
expanders
DC µP Keypad
µP
input µP Mic PTT
10W PA
standby Standby fan
PMU
fan

Figure 4.14 TB8100 base station data, control and monitoring path
RF signal
Exciter PA_KEY
TB8100 Reciter
Serial port
EX MCSPORT 3 (Not used)
Synth
Digital audio I/O
Data
Data bus
Digital
Signal Balanced
ADC DDC EPOT Buff
Processor audio input
RX Control MCSPORT 1 (DSP)

Receiver
Synth
EPOT Buff Unbalanced
AGC audio input
SYS_PWR MCSPORT 2 CODECs
Power PWR_EX
Noise source supply Mute Unbalanced
EPOT Buff
ON /OFF sub-section PWR_RX Sw. audio output
PWR_GOOD
Mute Balanced
Host EPOT Buff
Sw. audio output
port
Serial
to Digital
parallel outputs
Ext REF
Ref External Det
Rear
Synth reference Ext REF Synchronous SYNC to
panel
Select port 2 UART
Reduced RS-232
PIN Directional
HPF 100mW 1W 6W 60W
atten. coupler
RF
Instruction
SIF_ID
RF output 40MHz 40MHz Set Parallel
Digital
LPF to
Detect Synth clock Computer inputs
serial
(RISC)
Temperature
Temperature
Reverse
Forward
power
power
Synchronous TX_KEY
Current
Current
Bias port 1 RX_GATE

Bias
Temperature
COAX_RELAY
I2C
UART
Reciter Fan peripheral
PA_KEY
Sum
RF power setting
Transient wave Ambient
shape temperature
Power control Power Amplifier
PA fan
Control voltage Microprocessor
I2C Protocol Control
AND panel
RS-232
TB8100 50W Power Amplifier Service Kit RS232
Protocol converter
Connection types could be:
Speaker ON/OFF - Local Service Kit
Control panel ID - Modem to remote Service Kit
LEDs - Modem to ISP (E-mail alarms)
I2C port
Keypad
expanders - CCI
TB8100 Power Mic PTT
PA fan rotation
Management Unit
PMU fan rotation
AC
input
Rear panel
AC converter
TB8100
ON/OFF
ON/
Standard
Temperature
OFF
Control Panel
PMU fan
Power Management Unit ON/

Ambient
OFF Auxiliary
temperature Microprocessor PS Board
Aux. out (SIF)
Output voltage
Sum PA1/PA2
Output current output
Reciter
Temperature ON/OFF Input Input Hysteresis
ON/OFF output
voltage current ON/OFF
Rear
panel
ON/OFF DC converter
DC
input
Standby
PS card SIF = system interface board

5 Installation
This chapter describes how to install the TB8100 base station in a standard
19 inch rack or cabinet. It also provides some general information on safety
precautions and site requirements. We recommend that you read the entire
chapter before beginning the installation.
5.1 Personal Safety
5.1.1 Lethal Voltages
Warning!! The PMU contains voltages that may be lethal.

Refer to the ratings label on the rear of the
module.
The TB8100 base station must be installed so that the rear of the PMU is
located in a service access area which is accessible only by qualified
personnel. The PMU must be connected to the mains supply source by
qualified personnel in accordance with local and national regulations.
Disconnect the mains IEC connector and wait for five minutes for
the internal voltages to self-discharge before dismantling. The AC
power on/off switch does not isolate the PMU from the mains. It
breaks only the phase circuit, not the neutral.
The PMU should be serviced only by qualified technicians. There are no

user-replaceable parts inside. If the PMU is damaged and does not function
properly, stop the module safely and contact your nearest Tait Dealer or
Customer Service Organisation immediately.
All servicing should be carried out only when the PMU is powered through
a mains isolating transformer of sufficient rating. We strongly
recommend that the mains power to the whole of the repair and test area
is supplied via an earth leakage circuit breaker.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Installation 87

5.1.2 AC Power Connection
English (en) The PMU must be connected to a grounded mains

socket-outlet.
Norsk (no) Apparatet må tilkoples jordet stikkontakt.
Suomi (fi) Laite on liitettävä suojamaadoitus-koskettimilla

varustettuun pistorasiaan.
Svenska (sv) Apparaten skall anslutas till jordat uttag.
5.1.3 Explosive Environments
Warning!! Do not operate TB8100 equipment near electri-

cal blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.
Operating the equipment in these environments
is a definite safety hazard.
5.1.4 Proximity to RF Transmissions
Do not operate the transmitter when someone is standing within 90cm (3ft)
of the antenna. Do not operate the transmitter unless you have checked that
all RF connectors are secure.
5.1.5 High Temperatures
Take care when handling a PMU or PA which has been operating recently.
Under extreme operating conditions (+60°C [+140°F] ambient air
temperature) or high duty cycles the external surfaces of the PMU and PA
can reach temperatures of up to +80°C (+176°F).
5.2 Equipment Safety
5.2.1 ESD Precautions
Important This equipment contains devices which are susceptible to

damage from static charges. You must handle these devices
carefully and according to the procedures described in the
manufacturers’ data books.
88 Installation TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

We recommend you purchase an antistatic bench kit from a reputable
manufacturer and install and test it according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. Figure 5.1 shows a typical antistatic bench set-up.
You can obtain further information on antistatic precautions and the dangers
of electrostatic discharge (ESD) from standards such as ANSI/ESD
S20.20-1999 or BS EN 100015-4 1994. The Electrostatic Discharge
Association website is http://www.esda.org.
Figure 5.1 Typical antistatic bench set-up
conductive wrist strap dissipative rubber

bench mat
common point ground

(building ground or
mains ground via 1M
ohm series resistor)
5.2.2 Antenna Load
Important The PA may be damaged if the load is removed or switched

while the PA is transmitting.
Introduction One of the inherent characteristics of 28V LDMOS technology is its lower
breakdown voltage. Tait Electronics, and most other major base station
manufacturers, have adopted this technology to benefit from its superb wide
band performance and high efficiency.
The MRF9060 LDMOS FET is used as the final power device in the
TB8100 50W and 100W PAs. In these PAs, the MRF9060 device is
protected from high VSWR by the design of the circuitry. This circuitry
makes it impossible to damage the device by keying the PA into a
mismatched load, or if the load deteriorates over even a short period of time
(milliseconds). Thus, no PA will fail if it is keyed while connected to a
mismatched load.
However, it is possible to damage the device if all the following conditions

happen at the same time:
■ there is a step change in the PA load (i.e. the load is removed)
■ the PA is transmitting
■ the feed line loss between the PA and the mismatch is <1dB.

The effect of such conditions is variable: some devices will not be destroyed,
and some may fail after repeated load interruptions.
Note Ice on the antenna, or a broken antenna, is unlikely to cause dam-

age to the PA. There should be enough coaxial cable between the
antenna and PA to protect it from high VSWR.
5W PAs will not fail due to a highly mismatched load. They do not use the
60W board with the MRF9060 device.
Recommendations The procedures recommended below should help to protect the PA from
damage under all but the most extreme operating conditions.
1. Do not remove the load from the PA while it is transmitting.
2. Do not connect the PA directly to the antenna. To protect the PA

output stage from load transients (i.e. switching or removing the load)
or atmospheric disturbances (e.g. rain static, electrical storms, etc.),
we recommend that you fit an isolator or cavity filter (e.g. duplexer)
between the PA and the load.
Fit the isolator as close as possible to the RF output connector on the
PA. Do not connect any switching equipment between the isolator
and the PA, unless the switch cannot operate while there is RF
present (i.e. the base station is transmitting).
3. Fit a surge suppressor to the antenna cabling where it enters the

building.
4. Inspect all cables and equipment connected to the TB8100 base

station for defects.
5.2.3 Equipment Grounding
To ensure safe operation the TB8100 base station equipment must be

correctly grounded as described in these installation instructions.
5.2.4 Installation and Servicing Personnel
The TB8100 base station should be installed and serviced only by qualified
personnel.

5.3 Regulatory Information
5.3.1 Distress Frequencies
The 406 to 406.1MHz frequency range is reserved worldwide for use by

Distress Beacons. Do not program transmitters to operate in this frequency
range.
5.3.2 FCC Compliance1
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
■ this device may not cause harmful interference
■ this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
5.3.3 Unauthorised Modifications
Any modifications you make to this equipment which are not authorised by
Tait Electronics Limited may invalidate your compliance authority’s approval
to operate the equipment.
5.3.4 Health, Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility in Europe
In the European Community, radio and telecommunications equipment is

regulated by Directive 1999/5/EC, also known as the Radio and
Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) directive. The
requirements of this directive include protection of health and safety of users,
as well as electromagnetic compatibility.
Intended Purpose of This product is an FM radio transceiver. It is intended for radio-

Product communication in the Private Mobile Radio (PMR) or Public Access
Mobile Radio (PAMR) services, to be used in all member states of the
European Union (EU) and states within the European Economic Area
(EEA).
This product can be programmed to transmit on frequencies that are not

harmonised throughout the EU/EEA, and will require a licence to operate
in each member state. Limitations may apply to transmitter power,
operating frequency, channel spacing, and emission.
1. Refer to the TB8100 Specifications Manual (MBA-00001-xx) for more information on the
compliance standards to which the TB8100 base station equipment has been tested and approved.

Declaration of Brief Declarations of Conformity appear on page 203. You can download
Conformity the formal Declaration of Conformity from http://eudocs.taitworld.com/.
You can also obtain a signed and dated paper copy of the Declaration of
Conformity from Tait Europe Ltd.
5.4 Environmental Conditions
5.4.1 Operating Temperature Range
The operating temperature range of the TB8100 base station is –30°C to

+60°C (–22°F to +140°F) ambient temperature. Ambient temperature is
defined as the temperature of the air at the intake to the cooling fans.
5.4.2 Humidity
The humidity should not exceed 95% relative humidity through the
specified operating temperature range.
5.4.3 Dust and Dirt
For uncontrolled environments, the level of airborne particulates must not

exceed 100µg/m3.
5.5 Grounding and Lightning Protection
5.5.1 Electrical Ground
The TB8100 modules are grounded by physical contact between the

module case and the subrack. To ensure a good ground connection you
must tighten each module retaining clamp securely (refer to “Final
Reassembly” on page 184 for the correct torque).
A threaded grounding connector is provided on the rear of the subrack for

connection to the site ground point (refer to “Connection” on page 109 for
more details).

5.5.2 Lightning Ground
It is extremely important for the security of the site and its equipment that
you take adequate precautions against lightning strike. Because it is outside
the scope of this manual to provide comprehensive information on this
subject, we recommend that you conform to your country’s standards
organisation or regulatory body.
5.6 Recommended Tools

It is beyond the scope of this manual to list every tool that an installation
technician should carry. However, the following tools are specifically
required for installing the TB8100 base station:
■ Pozidriv PZ3 screwdriver for the M6 screws used in the DC input
terminals on the PMU; M6 screws are also used to secure the subrack to
the cabinet in Tait factory-assembled systems
■ Pozidriv PZ2 screwdriver for the M4 screws used to secure the module
retaining clamps
■ 1/4in or 6mm flat blade screwdriver for the fasteners used to secure the
front panel to the subrack
■ 5/16in or 8mm AF spanner for the SMA connectors.
You can also obtain the TBA0ST2 tool kit from your nearest Tait Dealer or
Customer Service Organisation. It contains the basic tools needed to install,
tune and service the TB8100 base station.

5.7 Ventilation
Always ensure there is adequate ventilation around the TB8100 base station.
Do not operate it in a sealed cabinet. You must keep the ambient
temperature within the specified range, and we strongly recommended that
you ensure that the cooling airflow is not restricted.
Important The cooling fans are mounted on the front panel and will
only operate when the panel is fitted correctly to the front
of the subrack. To ensure adequate airflow through the base
station, do not operate it for more than a few minutes with
the front panel removed (e.g. for servicing purposes).
5.7.1 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor
The ambient air temperature reading

for the TB8100 base station is
provided by the ambient air
temperature sensor board b fitted to
the PA control board.
The sensor board is inserted through

slots in the control board and heatsink
to be positioned between the heatsink
fins.
b
Important If the sensor board is to provide accurate ambient tempera-
ture readings, it must have forced airflow and must not
come into contact with the metal of the heatsink fins. Do
not stack PAs with the fins together. It is possible for
the fins on one heatsink to slide between the fins on the
other heatsink. This can damage the sensor board, and pos-
sibly result in the heatsink fins becoming locked together.
5.7.2 Cabinet and Rack Ventilation
The cooling airflow for the TB8100 base station enters through the front
panel and exits at the rear of the subrack. For optimum thermal
performance, the heated air that has passed through a base station must not
be allowed to re-enter the air intakes on the front panel. Any space at the
front of the cabinet not occupied by equipment should be covered by a
blanking panel.

To allow enough cooling airflow through a cabinet-mounted base station,
we recommend the following:
■ an area of at least 150cm2 (23in2) of unrestricted ventilation slots or holes
in front of the air intakes for the fans for each subrack; for example,
thirty 6x85mm (0.25x3.3in) slots will allow the recommended airflow
■ a vent in the top of the cabinet with an area of approximately 150cm2
(23in2) per subrack, or a similar area of ventilation per subrack at the rear
of the cabinet behind each subrack
■ a 2U gap at the top of the cabinet.
Note The ventilation opening must be unrestricted. If the slots or holes

are covered with a filter, mesh or grille, the open area must be
increased to allow the same airflow as an unrestricted opening.
The maximum ambient temperature entering the cabinet must not exceed
+60°C (+140°F).
If you are installing multiple subracks in a cabinet, ensure that there will be
enough cooling airflow through the cabinet after the equipment has been
installed. For example, the recommended maximum number of subracks in
a 38U cabinet is five, as shown in Figure 5.2 on page 96.
If the TB8100 base station is installed in a rack or cabinet with other

equipment with different ventilation requirements, we recommend that the
TB8100 be positioned below this equipment.
Auxiliary Extractor The TB8100 base station does not require auxiliary extractor fans mounted
Fans in the top of the cabinet. If your cabinet is already fitted with fans, the
following procedures apply:
■ if there are six or more 120mm (4.75in) fans, each capable of extracting
160m3 per hour (94.2CFM), they must run continuously
■ if there are fewer than six fans, you must remove them and ensure the
vent in the top of the cabinet has an area of approximately 150cm2
(23in2) per subrack.
If you have any other configuration, the performance of your system will
depend on how closely you comply with the base station airflow
requirements described above.

Figure 5.2 Typical cabinet ventilation requirements
top view
b
20cm
(8in)
side view front view
2U
c c
≥17.5cm
(≥7in)
c c
b ventilation slots d airflow entry
c blanking panels e airflow exit

5.8 Unpacking the Base Station
Caution A TB8100 base station (subrack complete with mod-

ules) can weigh up to 28kg (62lb), or up to 30kg
(66lb) complete with packaging. We recommend
that you have another person help you unpack and
move the base station. The TBAA03-16 carrying
handles will make it easier to move the base station
once it has been unpacked. If necessary, remove the
modules from the subrack before moving it. In all
cases follow safe lifting practices.
The TB8100 base station is packed in a strong corrugated cardboard carton

with top and bottom foam cushions. To prevent personal injury and damage
to the equipment, we recommend that two people unpack the base station.
Figure 5.3 Unpacking the TB8100 base station
b c d
e f
g h i
1. Cut the tape securing the flaps at the top of the carton and fold them
flat against the sides b.
2. Rotate the carton carefully onto its side c and then onto its top d,
ensuring that none of the flaps is trapped underneath.

3. Slide the carton upwards over the foam cushions and lift it away e.
Remove the cushion from the bottom of the base station f .
4. Rotate the base station and cushion carefully over the rear of the base
station g so that the base station is the right way up with the cushion
on top h. Remove the cushion from the top of the base station i.
Moving the Base The TBAA03-16 carrying handles can be used to move the base station
Station once it has been unpacked. The handles fit into the holes in the sides of the
subrack, as shown below.
Figure 5.4 Base station carrying handles
Disposal of If you do not need to keep the packaging, we recommend that you recycle
Packaging it according to your local recycling methods. The foam cushions are CFC-
and HCFC-free and may be burnt in a suitable waste-to-energy combustion
facility, or compacted in landfill.

5.9 Short Tuning Procedure
Before the TB8100 base station is installed on site, you may need to adjust
the lock band (switching range) of the reciter and/or tune the receiver front
end. These procedures assume you are familiar with the operation of the
TB8100 Service Kit and Calibration Kit.
5.9.1 Before You Begin

1. Using the Service Kit, select Diagnose > Reciter > Synthesizers to
determine the base station’s current lock band.
2. Define a channel with the desired frequency pair and make it the
default channel.
3. Configure the Signal Path tab of the current channel profile to

provide balanced and/or unbalanced audio to the system interface
connector. You may want to clear the Gated check boxes, so that the
audio output is not muted.
4. Program the base station with this configuration.
5.9.2 Setup
1. Remove the reciter from the subrack.
2. Reconnect power and the control bus connection to the reciter. If

desired, use a 16-way IDC extension cable to provide a longer control
bus connection, so that you can put the reciter on top of the subrack.
Otherwise, you must place the reciter in front of the subrack. Do not
borrow the ribbon cable for the PMU or PA, as this could cause the
control bus to malfunction.
5.9.3 Adjusting the Lock Bands (Switching Ranges)
Adjusting the lock bands is only needed if the desired operating frequencies
lie outside the current lock bands. Follow these steps.
1. Connect your PC to the serial port on the control panel.

RS-232” on page 133 for more details.

2. Run the Calibration Kit and establish a software connection to the
reciter, as follows.
a. Click Connect to start the connection process.
b. When you see the “Waiting for logon prompt from Reciter”
screen, power up the reciter. If it is already on, turn it off, and
then on.
c. When the Calibration Kit has successfully connected to the
reciter, the Calibration Wizards are displayed in the main window.
Setting the Receiver 1. In the Calibration Kit, select the Frequency Setup tab and double-
Lock Band click Set Receiver VCO. The Set Receiver VCO Wizard appears.
2. Enter the Center Frequency (which must be a multiple of 500kHz)

of the lock band that you want to use, and click Next.
3. Insert the Murata tuning tool into the correct receiver VCO tuning
hole for the reciter type (as shown in Figure 5.5) and then click Next.
4. Adjust the receiver VCO trimmer until the actual band matches the
desired band. The bands turn green.
5. Click Finish. This stores the lock band in the reciter.
Figure 5.5 Receiver VCO tuning holes
H band (380–520MHz)
B band (136–74MHz) K band (792–824MHz)
C band (174–225MHz) L band (852–930MHz)
Setting the Exciter 1. Select the Frequency Setup tab, and double-click Set Exciter VCO.
Lock Band The Set Exciter VCO Wizard appears.
2. Enter the Center Frequency (which must be a multiple of 500kHz)

of the lock band that you want to use, and click Next.
3. Insert the Murata tuning tool into the correct exciter VCO tuning
hole (as shown in Figure 5.6) and adjust the trimmer until the actual
band matches the desired band. The bands turn green. Click Finish.

Note K-band and L-band exciters do not need their VCO to be set.
They have two VCOs and you simply choose which one to display
in the Service Kit.
Figure 5.6 Exciter VCO tuning holes
B band (136–74MHz)
C band (174–225MHz)
5.9.4 Tuning the Receiver Front End
The following procedure is suitable if the base station will operate on a single
frequency. If it will operate on a range of frequencies across the lock band,
follow the instructions in the Calibration Kit manual or online Help instead.
Note You can tune the receiver front end by measuring either SINAD
or RSSI, and both these methods are described below. We suggest
you tune via RSSI first, and then use the SINAD method for sub-
sequent repetitions to refine the response.
1. Using a test set, feed a signal at the receive frequency into the reciter’s
RF input. The signal should have a level that gives approximately
12dB SINAD (start at approximately –80dBm and adjust as needed).
Note If you do not have a test set, use a signal generator, and monitor
the RSSI voltage on the system interface connector. The System
Interface form in the Service Kit indicates which pin carries this
signal. Refer also to “System Interface Connections” on
page 131.
2. Fully unmute the front panel speaker (two presses of the speaker
button).
3. Connect a SINAD meter (audio frequency input on the test set) to

the balanced or unbalanced line output.

4. If the receiver is UHF, adjust the front-end helical filters.
a. Insert the Johanson tuning tool into the first hole of the first
(horizontal) set (as shown in Figure 5.7 on page 103). You can
start with the hole on the left side and proceed along to the hole
on the right, or vice versa. On K-band reciters, the third hole
tends to tune with the slug well out of the filter body. Be careful
not to unscrew the slug completely.
b. Tune each of the resonators in the first set once to give the best
signal (by ear using the speaker audio and/or by the SINAD
meter), reducing the RF input as required to give approximately
12dB SINAD. If RSSI is used, tune for maximum RSSI.
c. Insert the Johanson tuning tool into the first hole of the second
(vertical) set. You can start with the top hole and proceed down
to the bottom hole, or vice versa. (For hardware version 00.04 or
earlier H-band reciters, use the Murata tuning tool on this set
instead.)
d. Tune each of the resonators in the second set once to give the best
response, reducing the RF level as above.
e. Repeat this procedure as necessary to refine the response.
5. If the receiver is VHF, adjust the four front-end trimmers. You can do
this in any order.
5.9.5 Calibrating the RSSI
Tait advise that the RSSI may need recalibrating if the front end tuning has
been adjusted. If the RSSI needs to be accurate to within 1dB (for example
in a voted system), recalibrate the RSSI, following the instructions in the
Calibration Kit online Help or manual.

Figure 5.7 Receiver front end tuning holes
UHF Helical filters
K band (792–824MHz)
Second set
First set
VHF Trimmers
B band (136–74MHz)
C band (174–225MHz)

5.10 Mounting the Subrack
Caution We recommend that you have another person help

you lift the subrack. If necessary, remove the mod-
ules from the subrack before lifting it (refer to
“Replacing Modules” on page 169).
1. Remove the front panel, as described in “Preliminary Disassembly”

on page 170.
2. Fit the subrack into the cabinet or rack and secure it firmly with an
M6 (or 0.25in if you are using imperial fittings) screw, flat and spring
washer in each of the four main mounting holes b, as shown in
Figure 5.8.
Note If you need extra mounting security, there are additional mount-
ing holes c provided at the rear of the subrack for auxiliary sup-
port brackets.
Figure 5.8 Subrack mounting points
front view
b
rear view
c
b main mounting holes - front c auxiliary mounting holes - rear

5.10.1 Auxiliary Support Bracket
TBAA03-13 auxiliary support brackets can be fitted to the rear of the

TB8100 subrack to provide additional mounting security. Figure 5.9 below
shows a standard TBAA03-13 bracket b fitted in a typical Tait Electronics
cabinet c. If you are not using a Tait cabinet, you may have to make your
own brackets to suit your installation.
Figure 5.9 Auxiliary support bracket
Important You must fit the auxiliary support brackets if you intend to
transport a cabinet fitted with a fully built-up TB8100 base
station.
We also recommend that you fit the brackets under the following
conditions:
■ when the installation is in an area prone to earthquakes
■ when third party equipment is installed hard up underneath the TB8100
subrack.

5.10.2 Optional Slide Mounting Rails
You can also use TBAA03-14 slide mounting rails b when mounting the
TB8100 base station in a cabinet, as shown in Figure 5.10 below. These rails
will support the base station while you slide it into the cabinet.
However, you must still secure the base station to the cabinet with four M6
(0.25in) screws through the main mounting holes on the front of the
subrack, as shown in Figure 5.8 on page 104.
Figure 5.10 Optional slide mounting rail - rear view
Important The slide mounting rails are not suitable for transporting a
cabinet fitted with a fully built-up TB8100 base station. In
this case, you must also fit the TBAA03-13 auxiliary sup-
port brackets to the upper set of rear mounting holes c.

5.11 Cabling
General We recommend that you try to route all cables to and from the TB8100 base
station along the side of the cabinet so the cooling airflow is not restricted.
DC Power Cabling DC power cables should be well supported so that the terminals on the
PMU and on the ends of the cables do not have to support the full weight
of the cables.
Figure 5.11 below shows two recommended methods of securing these

cables to prevent straining either set of terminals.
We recommend that you fit the supplied covers to the DC terminals to

protect against accidental shorts.
Figure 5.11 DC power cabling
secure the cables to the

cabinet to support their
weight

6 Connection
Once the TB8100 base station has been installed, you need to connect the
individual modules to each other, and to any ancillary equipment required
in your system. This chapter provides information on all the inputs and
outputs available on the base station.
6.1 Overview
This section identifies the main input and output connections for the
TB8100 base station.
Single and Dual The connections on typical single and dual base stations are shown in the
Base Stations following illustrations:
■ dual base station front: Figure 6.1 on page 110
■ single base station rear: Figure 6.7 on page 116
■ dual 12V PA base station front: Figure 6.2 on page 111
■ single 12V PA base station rear: Figure 6.8 on page 117
■ single 100W base station front: Figure 6.3 on page 112
■ subrack interconnect board connections: Figure 6.4 on page 113
Multi-reciter The connections on a multi-reciter subrack are shown in the following

Subracks illustrations:
■ multi-reciter subrack with a PMU: Figure 6.5 on page 114
■ multi-reciter subrack interconnect board: Figure 6.6 on page 115
Control Panels The connections on the different types of control panel are shown in the
following illustrations:
■ standard: Figure 6.9 on page 118
■ dual base station: Figure 6.10 and
■ Power Save: Figure 6.11 on page 119
■ multi-reciter: Figure 6.12 on page 120
Refer to the following sections in this chapter for more details on these
connections.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Connection 109

6.1.1 Module and Subrack Connections
Figure 6.1 Connections on a dual 5W or 50W base station - front view
b c d e f g h g h
d f e d i d i d
PMU PA 1 PA 2 reciter 1 reciter 2
b 28VDC high current output for PA f 28VDC high current input cable from PMU
c 28VDC low current output for reciter g RF output to PA
d system control bus h 28VDC low current input from PMU
e RF input from reciter i DC output (for optional reciter fan only)
110 Connection TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Figure 6.2 Connections on a dual 5W or 50W 12V PA base station - front view
b c b d e d e
g c g g f g f
PA 1 PA 2 reciter 1 reciter 2
b 12VDC output for reciter e 12VDC input from PA
c RF input from reciter f DC output (for optional reciter fan only)
d RF output to PA g system control bus

Figure 6.3 Connections on a single 100W base station - front view
b c d e
f i h g f
PMU PA reciter
b 28VDC high current output for PA f system control bus
c 28VDC low current output for reciter g DC output (for optional reciter fan only)
d RF output to PA h 28VDC high current input cable from PMU
e 28VDC low current input from PMU i RF input from reciter

Figure 6.4 System control bus connections on the single and dual base station
subrack interconnect boards
PA 1/PMU PA 2 reciter 1 reciter 2

Figure 6.5 Connections on a multi-reciter subrack with PMU - front view
PMU reciter 5 reciter 4 reciter 3 reciter 2 reciter 1
b c c c c c
e d e d e d e d e d
b 28VDC output to subrack board d DC output (for optional reciter fan only)
c 28VDC input from subrack board e system control bus
The TB8100 subrack can accommodate one to seven reciters, or one to five
reciters with a PMU (as shown in Figure 6.5). When fitted, the PMU
occupies reciter positions 6 and 7 (numbered from right to left when viewed
from the front).
Note When a PMU is fitted, it is associated with reciter 1 and is visible

to the Service Kit for monitoring, configuration and diagnostics
when reciter 1 is selected.

Figure 6.6 Connections on the multi-reciter subrack interconnect board
reciter 1 reciter 1
reciter 2
reciter 2
reciter 3
DC output connectors for reciters

system control bus connectors
reciter 3
reciter 4
reciter 4
reciter 5
reciter 5
reciter 6
reciter 6
or PMU
reciter 7
reciter 7
DC input from PMU or terminal

block at rear of subrack

Figure 6.7 Connections on a single 5W or 50W base station - rear view
b c d e f
1) j i h g
reciter PA PMU
b system interface connector g auxiliary DC output
c external reference frequency input h AC mains input
d RF output (to antenna) i RF input (from antenna)
e –VDC input j auxiliary DC input for system interfacea
f +VDC input 1) subrack ground connector
a. Older system interface boards use the 4-way connector shown in the photograph, while the TaitNet RS-232 board
and all other boards manufactured after March 2005 use a 2-way connector. Refer to “Reciter Auxiliary DC Input
from PMU” on page 126 for more details.

Figure 6.8 Connections on a single 5W or 50W 12V PA base station - rear view
b c d e
j i h g f
reciter PA reciter shown with TaitNet RS-232
system interface board
b RS-232 connector g Power Saving control input
c external reference frequency input h RF input (from antenna)
d auxiliary DC input for system interface i TaitNet system interface connector
e RF output (to antenna) j subrack ground connector
f 12VDC input

6.1.2 Control Panel Connections

Note If high-power HF equipment is located close to the TB8100 base

station, it can sometimes cause interference to RS-232 serial port
communications. If this interference does occur, we recommend
fitting ferrites on the serial cable close to the control panel. This
recommendation only applies to communication equipment per-
manently connected to the base station.
Figure 6.9 Connections on the standard control panel
c
b
b DC outputs for fans mounted on front panel; d RS-232 programming port

also used for fan rotation detectors (if fitted)
c microphone connector

Figure 6.10 Connections on the dual base station control panel
c
b
b DC outputs for fans mounted on front panel; d RS-232 programming port

Note The microphone input feeds simultaneously to both base station 1

and base station 2. However, the PTT can only be used on the
currently selected base station. The RS-232 connection is only to
the reciter on the currently selected base station. You should dis-
connect the Service Kit before switching base stations.
Figure 6.11 Connections on the Power Save control panel
b DC outputs for fans mounted on front panel; c RS-232 programming port


Figure 6.12 Connections on the multi-reciter control panel
c
b
b DC outputs for fan mounted on front panel (if d RS-232 programming port
fitted); also used for fan rotation detectors (if
fitted)
Note The microphone input feeds to the currently selected reciter, and
the PTT can only be used on that channel. The RS-232 connec-
tion is only to the currently selected reciter. You should discon-
nect the Service Kit before switching reciters.

6.1.3 Connector Torque Settings
Some of the connectors used in the TB8100 base station have recommended
torque settings. These are listed in the following table.
Location / Function Torque Driver Size
SMA connectors 0.9N·m (8lbf·in) 5/16in or 8mm AF

(reciter RF output and PA RF input)
DC input terminal screws on the PMU 2–2.25N·m (18–20lbf·in) PZ3 M6
DC connectors 0.5N·m (4.5lbf·in)

(PA DC input cables, and PMU auxiliary DC
input cable)

6.2 Power Supply Connections
6.2.1 AC Power
The TB8100 PMU is designed to accept a mains input of 88 to 264VAC at

45 to 65Hz. A standard 3-wire grounded socket-outlet must be used to
supply the AC power. The socket-outlet must be installed near the
equipment and must be easily accessible. This outlet should be connected
to an AC power supply capable of providing a maximum of 600W. The
requirements of two typical AC supplies are given in the following table.
Nominal Supply Circuit Breaker/Fuse

Current Requirement
Voltage Rating
115VAC 8A 10A
230VAC 4A 6A
Your TB8100 base station should come

supplied with a power supply cord to phase
connect the male IEC connector on the
PMU to the local AC supply. The pins of ground
the IEC connector on the PMU are
identified at right. neutral
external view
6.2.2 DC Power
Figure 6.13 Recommended DC power connection
Circuit Breaker
or Fuse
PMU or
12V PA
Battery
DC Power with a The TB8100 PMU is designed to accept a nominal 12VDC, 24VDC or
PMU 48VDC input (depending on the model) with negative or positive ground.
There is a minimum DC startup threshold to prevent damaging a battery
which has little capacity left.
You must connect the DC supply from the battery to the PMU via a fuse or
DC-rated circuit breaker with a contact separation of 3mm, and with the

appropriate rating, as shown in the table below. The DC input leads should
be of a suitable gauge to ensure less than 0.2V drop at maximum load over
the required length of lead.
Nominal Supply Circuit Breaker/Fuse Recommended Wire

Voltage Rating Gaugea
12VDC 60A 35mm2 / 2AWG
a. For a length of 1.5m to 2m (5ft to 6.5ft) (typical).
Terminate and insulate the DC input leads so they are protected from
accidentally shorting to the subrack if the PMU is removed before the leads
are disconnected. Protective covers for the DC terminals are supplied with
each PMU.
We recommend that you fit the supplied flat and shakeproof washers to the
DC terminal screws to stop them working loose.
DC Power with a The TB8100 12V PA is designed to accept a nominal 12VDC input with
12V PA negative ground. There is a minimum DC startup threshold to prevent
damaging a battery which has little capacity left.
You must connect the DC supply from the battery to the PA via a fuse or
DC-rated circuit breaker with a contact separation of 3mm, and with the
appropriate rating, as shown in the table below. The DC input leads should
be of a suitable gauge to ensure less than 0.2V drop at maximum load over
the required length of lead.
Nominal Supply Circuit Breaker/Fuse Recommended Wire

Voltage Rating Gaugea
12VDC 15A to 18A 8mm2 / 8AWG
a. For a length of 1.5m to 2m (5ft to 6.5ft) (typical).
The pin allocations for the 2-way DC input connector are shown below.
Pin Description
1 +V input
c 2 ground
b
2-way connector - external view

DC Power with a The multi-reciter subrack is designed to accept a DC input of 10.5VDC to
Multi-reciter 32VDC with negative ground. The DC input terminal block is mounted
Subrack
on the rear of the subrack (refer to Figure 6.14).
Figure 6.14 DC power supply connection for a multi-reciter subrack
recommended DC power connection Circuit Breaker

or Fuse
Subrack
PMU or
Terminal
12V PA
Block
Battery
subrack DC input terminal block

6.2.3 Auxiliary DC Power
PMU Auxiliary DC The PMU can provide an auxiliary DC output when it is fitted with the
Output optional auxiliary power supply board. This board is available with an
output of 13.65VDC, 27.3VDC, or 54.6VDC (depending on the model),
and is current limited to 3A, 1.5A or 750mA respectively. This optional
power supply is available on the auxiliary DC output connector b on the
rear panel. DC from this output can be supplied to the +AUX_V pin on
the system interface connector c on the reciter via the auxiliary DC input
connector d on the system interface board (see “Reciter Auxiliary DC
Input from PMU” below). The auxiliary DC power cable e is described
in “Auxiliary DC Power Supply Cable” on page 127.
Figure 6.15 Auxiliary DC power supply connections
c
b
d e
The auxiliary power supply is configured with the Service Kit (Configure >
Base Station > Miscellaneous > Power configuration > Auxiliary power
control). Its operation can be controlled by Task Manager statements, for
example:
IF Digital input 01 active THEN Enable auxiliary supply.
Refer to the Service Kit documentation for more details.
Note The auxiliary power supply is not available in Sleep or Deep Sleep
modes.
You can connect multiple auxiliary power supply boards in parallel for
redundancy purposes, or to provide an output greater than 40W. Although
no active current sharing is used, auxiliary boards connected in parallel will
current-share before reaching their power limit. For redundancy purposes
the failure (or switching off) of one auxiliary board will not load any other
paralleled auxiliary boards in the circuit.
Two different types of auxiliary DC output connector have been fitted to

the PMU. The pin allocations for the 8-way connector fitted to PMUs
manufactured before August 2004 are given in the following table. Note
that pins 1 to 4 and pins 5 to 8 on this connector are linked.

Linked
Pin Description Pins
1 +V output
2 +V output
5 1
3 +V output
6 2
4 +V output
7 3
8 4 5 ground
6 ground
7 ground
8 ground
The pin allocations for the 2-way connector fitted to PMUs manufactured
from August 2004 onwards are given in the following table.
Pin Description
1 +V output
c 2 ground
b
Reciter Auxiliary DC The system interface board in the reciter has an auxiliary DC input
Input from PMU connector. DC from the auxiliary DC output on the PMU can be supplied
to the +AUX_V pin on the system interface connector via this input (see
“PMU Auxiliary DC Output” above).
The pin allocations for the auxiliary DC input on the system interface board
are given in the following table. Older boards use the 4-way connector,
while the TaitNet RS-232 board and all other boards manufactured after
March 2005 use the 2-way connector. Note that pins 1 & 3 and pins 2 & 4
on the 4-way connector are linked. Refer to “System Connections” on
page 128 for the pin allocations for +AUX_V on each system interface
board.
Linked
1 +V input
3 1 2 ground
4 2 3 +V input
4 ground
2 1

The DC output from the PMU is 13.65VDC, 27.3VDC, or 54.6VDC
(depending on the model). Although this power output is isolated, the
negative side of the supply is grounded on the system interface board to give
a +V output.
Auxiliary DC Power Figure 6.16 below shows the TBAA04-05 auxiliary DC power cable.
Supply Cable Details of the individual connector types are also provided in case you want
to make up your own cable.
Figure 6.16 Auxiliary DC power cable
b c
b
b 2x1-way Molex 43025-0200/ c Phoenix MVSTBR2.5HC/2-ST/5.08

crimp socket 43030-0001 female female
Contact your nearest Tait Dealer or Customer Service Organisation for

details on the full range of wiring kits available.
6.3 RF Connections
Important The PA may be damaged if the load is removed or switched

while the PA is transmitting. Refer to “Antenna Load” on
page 89 for more details.
The RF input to the TB8100 base station is via the lower BNC/TNC
connector on the rear panel of the reciter. The RF output is via the N-type
connector on the rear panel of the PA (refer to Figure 6.7 on page 116).
We recommend that you use dual-screened coaxial cable such as RG223 for
the BNC/TNC connections, and RG214 for the N-type connections.
When the base station is used in simplex mode using a single antenna with
a coaxial changeover relay, the isolation of this relay must be ≥40dB.

6.4 System Connections
The reciter can be fitted with an optional system interface board which
provides the links between the reciter’s internal circuitry and external
equipment. This board is securely mounted to the reciter’s chassis and is
connected to the digital board with a flexible connector. The system
interface board is fitted with industry-standard connectors and several
standard types are available for different applications.
The circuitry on the system interface board provides additional signal

processing so that the outputs meet standard system requirements. It also
enables the board to identify itself to the reciter control circuitry. The
system interface board is removable, which makes it possible to change the
application of a reciter by removing one type of board and fitting another.
Only one system interface board can be fitted to a reciter at any one time.
This section provides details on the system interface boards available at the
time of publication. Other types may be developed for future applications.
Figure 6.17 System interface board
system interface board*
digital board
*isolated system interface board shown

6.4.1 Digital Interface
The system interface board provides several different types of digital

interface connections. The type and number of connections available
depends on the type of system interface board. These connections are
described in “System Interface Connections” on page 131, and also in the
Service Kit (Configure > Base Station > System Interface). For details on
the interface levels for these connections refer to the TB8100 Specifications
Manual (MBA-00001-xx).
The digital interface signals supported by the TB8100 base station are
described below.
Digital Inputs Digital inputs are read by the reciter RISC and can be used to perform
various actions based on the configuration of the reciter. The two major
uses for digital inputs are Channel Change and Task Manager. For example,
to send a status email when the status of a digital input line is changed, you
can use the following Task Manager statement: IF Digital input 01 active
THEN Email status now.
Digital Outputs All digital outputs are controlled by Task Manager statements. For example,
when any enabled base station alarm goes active, you can indicate this by
turning on digital output 1 with the following Task Manager statement: IF
Base station alarm on THEN Activate digital output 1.
Note Digital outputs 1 and 2 on the reciter may be active while the
TB8100 base station is powering up. This applies to reciters fitted
with a version 0 (zero) system interface board, but does not apply
to reciters fitted with a TaitNet RS-232 system interface board. If
this will cause problems for external equipment connected to the
base station, disconnect the system interface connector when
resetting the base station. To check the version of a system inter-
face board, run the Service Kit and select Monitor > Module
Details > Reciter. In the Versions area, the System Interface
field displays the version number.
Bidirectional Inputs/ Bidirectional signals can operate as either digital inputs or digital outputs,
Outputs based on how Task Manager is configured. Bidirectional signals use the
same processes described above to set and read the status of digital inputs and
outputs. When a bidirectional pin has its output activated, a reading of that
pin will reflect the current status on that line. Thus, it is possible to use a
bidirectional pin for input-only or output-only actions, if only that specific
action is configured for that digital pin number in Task Manager.
Note Each bidirectional pin has a 10k pull-up resistor to +5V as part of
the digital input circuitry (refer to Figure 6.18 on page 130). If
you are using a bidirectional pin as a digital output, and the pull-
up voltage is greater than 5V, some residual current will flow
through the pull-up resistor. This may affect the operation of the
digital output.

One possible way to offset this residual voltage is to use a zener diode. The
voltage rating of the diode should match the difference (in volts) between
the applied voltage and 5V. For example, if the applied voltage is 12V, the
rating of the diode should be approximately 7V.
Figure 6.18 Bidirectional input/output circuit detail
Bidirectional
Digital I/O

6.4.2 System Interface Connections
Isolated This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0B00 or TBA5xxx-0B00. If purchased separately, it has the
spares code TBA-SP-S0B0. The balanced audio interfaces are galvanically
(transformer) isolated. It provides the following:
■ transformer isolated 600Ω balanced audio I/O ■ Tx key ■ RSSI
■ high impedance unbalanced audio I/O ■ Tx relay
■ digital I/O (2 outputs, 6 inputs, 4 bi-directional) ■ Rx gate
It is fitted with a 25-way female D-range connector and a 4-way auxiliary

DC input connector. The pin allocations for the D-range are listed in the
table below, and the pin allocations for the DC input connector are provided
in “Reciter Auxiliary DC Input from PMU” on page 126.
Pin Signal Name Signal Type Notes
1 Rx line out +
audio output transformer isolated line
2 Rx line out –
3 Rx audio out audio output AC coupled
4 ground ground
5 Tx audio in audio input AC coupled
6 Tx line in +
audio input transformer isolated line
B 7 Tx line in –
1$
C 8 RSSI DC signal
1%
D 9 Rx gate output open collector
1^
E 10 Tx key input active low
1& a
F 11 digital out 1
1* output open collector
G 12 digital out 2
1(
H 13 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
2) maximum current 3A
I
2! 14 digital in 1
J
2@ 15 digital in 2
1) digital in/out 3b
2# 16
1! digital in/out 4b
2$ 17
1@ 18 digital in/out 5b
2% input
5V TTL logic
1# 19 digital in/out 6b active low
external view 20 digital in 7
21 digital in 8
22 digital in 9
23 digital in 10
24 Tx relay output open collector
25 ground ground
a. If a base station with a 12V PA is configured for Deep Sleep, digital out 1 is dedicated to Power Saving control and
cannot be used for any other Task Manager function.
b. On version 1 and later system interface boards, digital inputs 3, 4, 5, and 6 may also be configured as outputs using
a Task Manager statement. Refer to “Digital Interface” on page 129 and to the Service Kit documentation.

Isolated E&M This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0C00 or TBA5xxx-0C00. If purchased separately, it has the
spares code TBA-SP-S0C0. It provides the following:
■ transformer isolated 600Ω balanced audio I/O ■ Tx key
■ opto-isolated keying ■ Tx relay
■ opto-isolated gate output ■ Rx gate
■ digital I/O (2 outputs, 2 inputs, 4 bi-directional) ■ RSSI

1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
3 Rx audio out audio output
4 audio ground ground
5 Tx audio in audio input
6 Tx line in +
B 7 Tx line in –
1$
C 8 RSSI DC signal
1%
D 9 Rx gate output open collector
1^
E 10 Tx key input active low
1&
F 11 digital out 1 a
1* output open collector
G 12 digital out 2
1(
H 13 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
2) maximum current 3A
I
2! 14 digital in 1
J
2@ 15 digital in 2
1) digital in/out 3b
2# 16 5V TTL logic
1! digital in/out 4b
input
active low
2$ 17
1@ digital in/out 5b
2% 18
1# 19 digital in/out 6b
external view 20 opto +/– input voltage range
21 opto –/+ isolated keying input ±10VDC to ±60VDC;
current rating 10mA
22 relay +/–
isolated gate output
23 relay –/+
25 ground ground
a Task Manager statement. For more details refer to “Digital Interface” on page 129 and to the Service Kit docu-
mentation.

High Density/ The High Density/RS-232 system interface board provides the standard
RS-232 inputs and outputs of the Isolated system interface, with the addition of an
RS-232 interface. This is made possible by providing the isolated inputs and
outputs on a high-density 26-way D-range connector.
Note The pin allocations for pins 1 to 25 on the high-density 26-way

D-range are the same as for pins 1 to 25 on the isolated 25-way
D-range. Pin 26 is ground.
This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0M00 or TBA5xxx-0M00. If purchased separately, it has the
spares code TBA-SP-S0M0. The balanced audio interfaces are galvanically
It is fitted with a 26-way female high density D-range connector, a 9-way

female D-range connector (RS-232), and a 2-way auxiliary DC input
connector. The pin allocations for the D-ranges are listed in the tables on
the following page, and the pin allocations for the DC input connector are
provided in “Reciter Auxiliary DC Input from PMU” on page 126.
Note When a reciter fitted with an High Density/RS-232 system inter-

face board is used in a TB8100 base station, the RS-232 port on
the control panel is disabled. In this situation you must connect
to the RS-232 port at the rear of the reciter.
Each High Density/RS-232 system interface board is supplied with a

TBA101D interface board. This brings the inputs and outputs from the
26-way D-range onto a standard 25-way female D-range with the same
functionality as the Isolated system interface. Refer to “TBA101D Interface
Board” on page 150 for more information.

1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
4 ground ground
6 Tx line in +
7 Tx line in –
8 RSSI DC signal
9 Rx gate output open collector
B 1)
10 Tx key input active low
1!1(
c 1@ 2) 11 digital out 1 a
output open collector
d 1#2! 12 digital out 2
e 1$2@ 13 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
f 1%2# maximum current 1A
g 1^2$ 14 digital in 1
h 1&2% 15 digital in 2
i 1*2^ 16 digital in/out 3b
j 17 digital in/out 4b
external view 18 digital in/out 5b 5V TTL logic
input
19 digital in/out 6b active low
20 digital in 7
21 digital in 8
22 digital in 9
23 digital in 10
25 ground
ground
26 ground
mentation.
Linked
1 not connected
2 receive data
b 3 transmit data
g
c 4 not connected
h
d 5 ground
i
e 6 not connected
j
f 7 not connected
8 not connected
external view
9 not connected

High Density/ The High Density/Ethernet system interface board provides the standard
Ethernet inputs and outputs of the Isolated system interface, with the addition of an
Ethernet interface. This is made possible by providing the isolated inputs
and outputs on a high-density 26-way D-range connector.
Note The pin allocations for pins 1 to 25 on the high-density 26-way

D-range are the same as for pins 1 to 25 on the isolated 25-way
D-range. Pin 26 is ground.
This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0J00 or TBA5xxx-0J00. If purchased separately, it has the spares
code TBA-SP-S0J0. The balanced audio interfaces are galvanically
It is fitted with a 26-way female high density D-range connector, an RJ45

connector (Ethernet), and a 2-way auxiliary DC input connector. The pin
allocations for the RJ45 and D-range connectors are listed in the tables on
the following page, and the pin allocations for the DC input connector are
provided in “Reciter Auxiliary DC Input from PMU” on page 126.
Note When a reciter fitted with an High Density/Ethernet system

interface board is used in a TB8100 base station, the RS-232 port
on the control panel is available only when the base station first
powers up. Refer to “Service Kit Connection to an Ethernet Base
Station” on page 145 for more details.
Each High Density/Ethernet system interface board is supplied with a

TBA101D interface board. This brings the inputs and outputs from the
26-way D-range onto a standard 25-way female D-range with the same
functionality as the Isolated system interface. Refer to “TBA101D Interface
Board” on page 150 for more information.

1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
4 ground ground
6 Tx line in +
7 Tx line in –
8 RSSI DC signal
B 1)
10 Tx key input active low
1!1(
c 1@ 2) 11 digital out 1 a
output open collector
d 1#2! 12 digital out 2
e 1$2@ 13 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
f 1%2# maximum current 1A
g 1^2$ 14 digital in 1
h 1&2% 15 digital in 2
i 1*2^ 16 digital in/out 3b
j 17 digital in/out 4b
external view 18 digital in/out 5b 5V TTL logic
input
19 digital in/out 6b active low
20 digital in 7
21 digital in 8
22 digital in 9
23 digital in 10
25 ground
ground
26 ground
mentation.
Pin Signal Description
1 Tx + transmit data +
2 Tx – transmit data –
12 345678 3 Rx + Ethernet receive data +
4 terminated
5 terminated
6 Rx – Ethernet receive data –
7 terminated
external view 8 terminated

TaitNet This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0T10. If purchased separately, it has the spares code
TBA-SP-S0T1. It is designed for use with MPT trunking systems. It
provides the following:
■ high impedance unbalanced audio I/O ■ Rx gate
■ digital I/O (3 outputs, 1 input)

1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
B
J 5 Tx key input
C
1) 6 Tx audio in audio input DC coupled
D
1! 7 Tx line in +
E audio input transformer isolated line
1@ 8 Tx line in –
F
1# 9 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
G maximum current 3A
1$
H 10 digital out 3 output open collector
1%
I 11 no connection
12 digital out 1a
external view output open collector
13 digital out 2
14 digital in 1 input 5V logic
15 ground ground

TaitNet RS-232 This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0L00 or TBA5xxx-0L00. If purchased separately, it has the spares
code TBA-SP-S0L0. It is designed for use with MPT trunking systems, and
also for use with multiple base stations. It provides the following:
■ high impedance unbalanced audio I/O ■ Rx gate
■ digital I/O (3 outputs, 1 input)
It is fitted with a 15-way female D-range connector (TaitNet), a 9-way

female D-range connector (RS-232), and a 2-way auxiliary DC input
connector. The pin allocations for the D-ranges are listed in the following
tables, and the pin allocations for the DC input connector are provided in
“Reciter Auxiliary DC Input from PMU” on page 126.
Note When a reciter fitted with a TaitNet RS-232 system interface

board is used in a TB8100 base station, the RS-232 port on the
control panel is disabled. In this situation you must connect to the
RS-232 port at the rear of the reciter.
1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
B
J 5 Tx key input
C
1) 6 Tx audio in audio input DC coupled
D
1! 7 Tx line in +
E audio input transformer isolated line
1@ 8 Tx line in –
F
1# 9 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
G maximum current 3A
1$
H 10 digital out 3 output open collector
1%
I 11 no connection
12 digital out 1a
external view output open collector
13 digital out 2
14 digital in 1 input 5V logic
15 ground ground

Linked
1 not connected
2 receive data
b 3 transmit data
g
c 4 not connected
h
d 5 ground
i
e 6 not connected
j
f 7 not connected
8 not connected
external view
9 not connected
TaitNet Ethernet This system interface board is fitted to reciters bearing the product code
TBA4xxx-0K00 or TBA5xxx-0K00 (receive-only). If purchased separately,
it has the spares code TBA-SP-S0K0. It provides the TB8100 base station
with an Ethernet interface.
It is fitted with a 15-way D-range connector (modified TaitNet), an RJ45

connector (Ethernet), and a 2-way auxiliary DC input connector. These
connectors are described in more detail below. The pin allocations for the
DC input connector are provided in “Reciter Auxiliary DC Input from
PMU” on page 126.
Some pins on the 15-way D-range connector can be configured to provide

different signals. These pins are as follows:
■ pins 3, 4, 5 and 6 can be configured for Rx gate, Tx key and unbalanced
audio, or E&M signalling
■ pin 11 can be configured for RSSI or Tx relay.
You can select which signal is connected to each pin by setting switches S1
and S2 on the system interface board.
Important You must set both switches correctly for each D-range pin.
Setting the switches incorrectly may result in both signals
being connected to the pin at the same time, or no signal at
all being connected.
The pin allocations and switch settings for the factory default and optional
signals are listed in Table 6.1 on page 140. Figure 6.19 on page 141 shows
the location of switches S1 and S2 on the board, and also provides a pictorial
guide to their settings.
Note The pin allocations for the 15-way D-range connector on the
TaitNet Ethernet system interface board are different from those
on other TaitNet boards. These differences are described in
Table 6.2 on page 141.

Table 6.1 Pin allocations for the TaitNet Ethernet D-range connector
Switch S1 &
S2 Settings
Pin Signal Name On Off Signal Type Notes
1 Rx line out +
2 Rx line out –
3 Rx audio outa S1:5 S1:6 audio output
or
B
J opto +/– S1:6 S1:5 isolated input voltage range
C keying input ±10VDC to ±60VDC
1)
D 4 Rx gatea S1:3 S1:4 output open collector
1!
E or
1@
F relay +/– S1:4 S1:3 isolated gate
1# output
G
1$ 5 Tx keya S1:7 S1:8 input
H
1% or
I relay –/+ S1:8 S1:7 isolated gate
external view
output
6 Tx audio ina S1:1 S1:2 audio input DC coupled
or
opto –/+ S1:2 S1:1 isolated input voltage range
keying input ±10VDC to ±60VDC
7 Tx line in +
8 Tx line in –
9 +AUX_V power output from auxiliary DC input;
maximum current 3A
10 digital in/out 1bc input 5V TTL logic, active low
a
11 RSSI S2:8 S2:7 DC signal
or
Tx relay S2:7 S2:8 output open collector
b
12 digital in/out 2
13 digital in/out 3b input 5V TTL logic, active low
b
14 digital in/out 4
15 ground ground
a. Factory default settings.
b. Digital inputs 1, 2, 3, and 4 may also be configured as outputs using a Task Manager statement. For more details
refer to “Digital Interface” in the “Connection” chapter of the Installation and Operation Manual, and to the Serv-
ice Kit documentation.
c. If a base station with a 12V PA is configured for Deep Sleep, digital out 1 is dedicated to Power Saving control and

Table 6.2 Differences between the TaitNet Ethernet D-range connector
and other TaitNet connectors
TaitNet and TaitNet RS-232

Pin TaitNet Ethernet Signal Name Signal Name
10 digital in/out 1 digital out 3

11 RSSI no connection
14 digital in/out 4 digital in 1
Figure 6.19 Setting switches S1 and S2 on the TaitNet Ethernet system interface board
S2
S1
Factory default settings

Rx gate, Tx Key, unbalanced audio RSSI
S1 S2
ON ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
switches 1 to 6 not used
Optional settings
E&M signalling Tx relay
S1 S2
ON ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
switches 1 to 6 not used

The pin allocations for the RJ45 Ethernet connector are given in the
following table.
Table 6.3 Pin allocations for the RJ-45 Ethernet connector
Pin Signal Description
1 Tx + transmit data +
2 Tx – transmit data –
12 345678 3 Rx + Ethernet receive data +
4 terminated
5 terminated
6 Rx – Ethernet receive data –
7 terminated
external view 8 terminated
6.4.3 Ethernet Site and Network Connections
Site Connections Figure 6.20 on page 143 shows typical connections for a site linked by
microwave.
Network Figure 6.21 on page 143 shows an example of interconnections between

Connections TB8100 base stations, a network, a syslog collector, and the Service Kit.
It is also possible for customer-specific software applications to receive the

syslog message directly and integrate the handling of the message into
existing processes.
Ethernet The pin allocations of the Ethernet connector are configured for a straight-
Connections through network cable. If you want to connect directly to a computer's
Ethernet port, you will need to use a cross-over cable.
Note The TB8100 does not support multiple, simultaneous Ethernet

connections. The Ethernet interface is only able to carry out one
Ethernet function at a time: either Service Kit connection, CCI
command protocol, or Syslog messaging. While one of these
functions is in progress, all other Ethernet functions are blocked
until the current Ethernet connection is terminated.

Figure 6.20 Typical site connections
Microwave Linking Channel
Microwave Link 4-way

Ethernet
Microwave Link
E&M
Interface
Interface
Ethernet
RJ45
600 Ohm Tx/Rx TB8100

Audio & E&M Ethernet
Interfaces 15-way Base Station Local
D-range
Repeater
Antenna
Figure 6.21 Example network connections
Site 1
Ethernet Ethernet
TB8100
Email Notification Syslog
Collector
Site 2 Syslog Notification
Ethernet
TB8100 Intranet Internet Email
Notification
Site 3
TB8100
Ethernet
TB8100 H Ethernet Monitoring and Service Kit PC

U Configuring
B
TB8100
TB8100

6.5 Service Kit Connections
The TB8100 Service Kit is connected to the base station via the RS-232
serial port on the control panel. This port is a 9-way female D-range
connector. Use a straight through cable, as supplied with the Service Kit,
to connect your programming computer to the base station. The pin
allocations for the serial port are given in the following table. Note that pins
1, 4 & 6 and pins 7 & 8 are linked. This port is also used for remote
connection to the Service Kit or Alarm Center software via a modem or
radio modem.
Linked
1 not connected
2 receive data
3 transmit data
fedcb 4 not connected
jihg 5 ground
6 not connected
7 not connected
external view
8 not connected
9 not connected


6.5.1 Service Kit Connection to an Ethernet Base Station
There are various ways of connecting the Service Kit to a TB8100 base
station that is fitted with a TaitNet Ethernet system interface board. These
are described briefly below. Refer also to the Service Kit documentation.
Note The TB8100 does not support multiple, simultaneous Ethernet

connections. The Ethernet interface is only able to carry out one
Ethernet function at a time: either Service Kit connection, CCI
command protocol, or Syslog messaging. While one of these
functions is in progress, all other Ethernet functions are blocked
until the current Ethernet connection is terminated.
Note Only one Service Kit can connect to the base station at one time.
Direct Connection You can use an ordinary RS-232 modem cable to connect the serial port on
to the Control Panel the Service Kit PC to the serial port on the base station’s control panel. This
connection is available only when the base station first powers up.
1. Connect a serial cable from the Service Kit PC to the control panel.
2. Run the Service Kit and click Connect. In the Connecting dialog
box, select a direct connection, and click Connect.
3. Power up the base station.
4. If the base station has a multi-reciter or dual base station control panel,
select the appropriate channel.
Note When the base station is configured with a zero IP address (i.e. the
IP address field in the Service Kit is blank), direct connection at
the control panel is always available. There is no need to restart
the base station.
Note When a reciter fitted with a TaitNet Ethernet system interface

board is first powered up, the Service Kit (or Calibration Kit) can
connect via the reciter’s front panel serial port (16-way IDC con-
nector). If the reciter detects no activity on this port, it will switch
to communicating via the system interface board. All connection
via the front panel serial port will then be disabled until the next
power cycle.
Direct Connection You can connect the Service Kit PC directly to the RJ45 Ethernet
by Ethernet connector on the base station using an Ethernet crossover cable.
Crossover Cable
1. Connect an Ethernet crossover cable from the Service Kit PC to the

RJ45 connector at the rear of the reciter.
2. Configure the Service Kit PC with a fixed IP address that is on the

same subnet as the base station’s IP address. The PC will not be able

to obtain an IP address automatically. On some versions of Windows,
you will need to restart the PC.
Note If the base station has the default IP address (192.168.1.2), config-
ure the Service Kit PC as follows:
IP address: 192.168.1.3
subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: none.
box, select the appropriate network connection for the base station,
and click Connect.
Local Connection by Before connecting a Service Kit PC to the Ethernet at a site, you must
Ethernet at a Radio configure the PC with an appropriate fixed IP address.
Site
1. Configure the Service Kit PC with a fixed IP address that is on the

same subnet as the base station at the site.
2. At the site, use a normal (non-crossover) Ethernet cable to connect

the PC to a spare port on the switch or hub.
and click Connect.
Remote Connection If both the Service Kit PC and the base station have network access, you can
over the Network make a remote Service Kit connection.
1. Ensure that the Service Kit PC has network access, either via an office
network, or via modem to an ISP.
and click Connect.
Remote Connection You can connect the Service Kit PC to more than one base station over the
over the Internet Internet using a single router with a fixed IP address.
1. Make sure that the remote router is capable of port mapping, and has
a fixed IP address allocated by your ISP.
2. Find out the internal IP address range required by the router, and
allocate one IP address from this range to each base station.
3. Configure the router as follows:

■ map a public port (10001, 10002, etc.) to each internal IP address
allocated in Step 2
■ set the private port for each internal IP address to 10001.

4. Using a direct connection from your PC, run the Service Kit and
configure each base station (Configure > Base Station > General)
with the IP address allocated to it in Step 2.
5. On the Service Kit PC, set up a connection to each base station

(Tools > Configure Connections) as follows:
■ set the IP address of each base station to the fixed IP address of the
router
■ set the public port for each base station to the number allocated to
that base station in Step 3.
Lost or Forgotten IP If you misplace the IP address of the base station, connect to the reciter in
Address the normal way using RS-232, as described in “Direct Connection to the
Control Panel” on page 145. You can then read or configure the IP address
without using the network interface.
6.6 Calibration Kit Connection

The standard methods of connecting the Calibration Kit to a TB8100 base
station are described in detail in the Calibration Kit documentation. This
section describes the specific connection methods required for an Ethernet
base station and multi-reciter subrack.
6.6.1 Connecting to an Ethernet Base Station
The Calibration Kit still connects via RS-232. You must connect the
Calibration Kit to the reciter’s front panel serial port (via the control panel
or a Calibration Test Unit) as described in the Calibration Kit
documentation.
Note When a reciter fitted with a TaitNet Ethernet system interface
board is first powered up, the Calibration Kit (or Service Kit) can
connect via the reciter’s front panel serial port (16-way IDC con-
nector). If the reciter detects no activity on this port, it will switch
to communicating via the system interface board. All connection
via the front panel serial port will then be disabled until the next
power cycle.
6.6.2 Connecting to a Multi-reciter Subrack
You can connect to a particular reciter in a multi-reciter subrack via the

control panel by using the following procedures.
If the subrack is already powered up.
1. Connect the PC to the RS-232 port on the control panel.

2. Using the channel button on the control panel, select the reciter you
want to calibrate.
3. Start the TB8100 Calibration Kit program.
4. Click Connect to start the connection process.
5. As soon as you see the “Waiting for logon prompt from Reciter”
screen, disconnect then reconnect the power to the selected reciter.
6. The reciter will generate the logon prompt within 20 to 30 seconds

after power-up and complete the connection to the Calibration Kit.
If the subrack is not powered up.
1. Connect the PC to the RS-232 port on the control panel.
2. Start the TB8100 Calibration Kit program.
3. Click Connect to start the connection process. The “Waiting for

logon prompt from Reciter” screen appears.
4. Power up the subrack.
5. Within 20 seconds, select the reciter you want to calibrate using the
channel button on the control panel. The selected reciter will
generate the logon prompt and complete the connection to the
Calibration Kit.
6.7 Microphone Connection

You can connect a microphone to the TB8100 base station via the standard
RJ45 socket on the control panel. If a standard TB8100 microphone has not
been supplied with your base station, you should use an electret
microphone. The pin allocations for the microphone socket are given in the
following table.
Pin Description
1 not connected
2 not connected
12 345678 3 not connected
4 PTT
5 voice band (microphone) input
6 microphone ground
7 not connected
external view 8 not connected

6.8 12V PA Power Saving Control Connection
To enable Power Saving in the 12V PA, you must connect digital out 1 on
the reciter’s system interface connector to pin 1 of the Power Saving control
connector on the rear panel of the PA. Once this connection is made, the
PA will shut down whenever the reciter goes into Deep Sleep mode. For
more information on the operation and configuration of Power Saving, refer
to “Power Saving” on page 65.
Note When a base station with a 12V PA is configured for Deep Sleep,
digital out 1 is dedicated to Power Saving control and should not
be used for any other Task Manager function.
Two ways of making the Power Saving control connection between the 12V
PA and reciter are described below. The circled numbers in the following
instructions refer to Figure 6.22.
Figure 6.22 Fitting the Power Saving control cable to a 12V PA
reciter shown with TaitNet RS-232

system interface board
d e b c
Method 1 1. Connect one end of the Power Saving control cable b (Tait part
number 219-02971-00) to the Power Saving control connector c at
the rear of the PA. Connect the other end to the auxiliary DC input
connector d at the rear of the reciter.
Note If you are using an older reciter with a 4-way connector, you will
need to use Method 2.
2. On the D-range plug that is fitted to the system interface connector

e on the reciter, link digital out 1 to +AUX_V.
Method 2 1. Connect one end of the Power Saving control cable b to the Power
Saving control connector c at the rear of the PA.

2. Cut the socket off the other end of the cable. Connect the wires
directly to the D-range plug fitted to the system interface connector
e as follows:
■ red - digital out 1
■ black - ground.
The pin allocations for the Power Saving control connector on the PA are
given in the following table.
1 PA shutdown input active low

2 1 2 ground ground
external view
If you wish to make up your own cable, use the following connector for
both the PA and reciter connections:
■ 2x1-way Molex 43025-0200/crimp socket 43030-0001 female.
6.9 TBA101D Interface Board

The TBA101D interface board plugs into the high-density 26-way D-range
connector b on the High Density/RS-232 and High Density/Ethernet
system interface boards. It brings the inputs and outputs from this connector
(pins 1 to 25, pin-for-pin) onto a standard 25-way female D-range c. This
25-way D-range has the same functionality as the Isolated system interface.
The Tx relay and +AUX_V lines are also available on connector J3,
providing an alternative connection for a coaxial relay.
Digital out 1, +AUX_V and ground are also available on solder pads DO1,
AUX and GND respectively, providing alternative connections for Power
Saving control of a 12V PA. Linking DO1 to AUX allows the Power Saving
cable to be connected between the 12V PA and the reciter’s auxiliary DC
input, as described in Method 1 in “12V PA Power Saving Control
Connection” on page 149. You can also solder one end of the Power
Saving control cable directly to pads DO1 and GND, as described in
Method 2.
Mount the TBA101D onto the reciter with the supplied 4-40 UNC screws
d, spacer e and M3 screw f. If required, fit the supplied retaining clips
to the 4-40 UNC screws.

Figure 6.23 Fitting the TBA101D to a reciter
d
x2
b e
f
c
Tx relay
+AUX_V
B
1$
C
1%
D
1^
E
1&
2 1 J3
F
1*
G
1(
H
2)
I
2!
J
2@
1) digital out 1 (DO1)
2#
1!
2$ +AUX_V (AUX)
1@
2%
1# ground (GND)

7 Configuration
The operation of the TB8100 base station can be configured in both

hardware and software. This chapter provides detailed information on the
hardware configuration required for dual base stations and multi-reciter
subracks. It also provides an overview of software configuration using the
Service Kit, and more detailed information on configuring the base station
for Ethernet operation.
Refer also to the Service Kit and its associated documentation for additional
information on software configuration.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Configuration 153

7.1 Configuring the Subrack Interconnect Board
7.1.1 Dual Base Station
Switch Settings You must set the switches b on the dual base station interconnect board
correctly. The switch settings depend on the type of base station(s) installed
in the subrack, and on the part number (IPN) of the board itself.
Table 7.1 gives the switch settings for older boards with the part number
220-02037-02. This board can only be used with dual base stations using a
PMU.
Table 7.2 gives the switch settings for newer boards with the part number
220-02037-04 and later. These boards can be used with dual base stations
using a PMU, and with single or dual 12V PA base stations.
Table 7.1 Switch S1 settings - IPN 220-02037-02
Dual Base Station

with PMU
Switch Function State
1 CH1 select button active on

2 CH2 select button active on
3 independent CH1 and CH2 channels Tait use only - leave on
4 channel 2 I2C_CLK pullup on
5 channel 2 I2C_DATA pullup on
6 unused off
7 grounded CAN off
8 connected CH1 and CH2 channels Tait use only - leave off
Table 7.2 Switch S1 settings - IPN 220-02037-04 and later
Dual Base Station Single or Dual Base

with PMU Station with 12V PA
Switch Function State State
1 CH1 select button active on single - off

dual - on
2 CH2 select button active on single - off
dual - on
3 independent CH1 and CH2 channels Tait use only - leave on Tait use only - leave on
4 channel 1 I2C_CLK pullup off on
5 channel 1 I2C_DATA pullup off on
6 channel 2 I2C_CLK pullup on on
7 channel 2 I2C_DATA pullup on on
8 connected CH1 and CH2 channels Tait use only - leave off Tait use only - leave off
154 Configuration TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Figure 7.1 Location of switch S1 on the dual base station subrack interconnect board
dual base station - IPN 220-02037-02
dual base station - IPN 220-02037-04 and later

7.1.2 Multi-reciter
The TB8100 multi-reciter subrack can accommodate up to seven reciters,

or up to five reciters with a PMU (as shown in Figure 6.5 on page 114).
The PMU occupies reciter positions 6 and 7 (numbered from right to left).
The multi-reciter subrack interconnect board has a set of DIP switches and
links that must be set correctly before the equipment is used. The locations
of these switches and links are shown in Figure 7.2 on page 158.
Switch Settings You must set switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 according to the type of modules
installed in the subrack. The switch settings are given in Table 7.3.
Table 7.3 DIP switch settings for subracks with and without a PMU
Switch Switch Settings Switch Settings

Number with a PMUa without a PMU
S1:1 not used not used

S1:2 not used not used
S1:3 off on
S1:4 off on
S2:1 off off

S2:2 off off
S2:3 on on
S2:4 on on
S3:1 off off

S3:2 off off
S3:3 on on
S3:4 on on
S4:1 on off
S4:2 on off
S4:3 off on
S4:4 off on
a. Note that these switch settings allow the Service Kit to communicate with the PMU
associated with reciter 1.

Link Settings A set of links is provided on the interconnect board for each position in the
subrack, as described in Table 7.4. You can set these links to connect either
the reciter’s alarm or Rx gate status signal to the appropriate channel LED
on the control panel (refer to “Multi-reciter Control Panel” on page 37).
Note There is a link on the control panel board which allows you to
select the colour displayed by these LEDs. Refer to “Configuring
the Multi-reciter Control Panel Board” on page 159.
Table 7.4 Link settings for selecting alarm or Rx gate signals
Subrack
Position Link Link Settings
1 J16
2 J18
3 J19 alarm status signal: link pins 1 & 2
4 J20 Rx Gate status signal: link pins 2 & 3

5 J21
6 J22
7 J23

Figure 7.2 Location of switches and links on the multi-reciter subrack interconnect board
pin 1
J16
S1
reciter 1
reciter 2
reciter 3
J18
J19
J20
reciter 4 S2
J21
S3
reciter 5
J22
reciter 6
or PMU S4
J23
reciter 7

7.2 Configuring the Multi-reciter Control Panel Board
A link (J300) is provided on the control panel board which allows you to
select the colour displayed by the seven channel LEDs (refer to the examples
below). This link selects the colour for all the channel LEDs.
Note Figure 7.3 on page 160 shows the bottom side of the board (as
seen with the board mounted in the control panel chassis). J300
is mounted on the top side of the board, and is accessible from the
top of the control panel assembly.
Examples of LED Example 1

Colours
With the following link settings:
■ subrack interconnect board links set for Rx gate status signal
■ control panel board link across pins 1 and 2
the channel LEDs will have the following states:

■ red indicates which is the currently selected reciter
■ green indicates that the reciter is receiving a valid signal
■ orange indicates that the currently selected reciter is receiving a valid
signal.
The link settings described above are the TB8100 factory default settings.
Example 2
With the following link settings:

■ subrack interconnect board links set for alarm status signal
■ control panel board link across pins 2 and 3
the channel LEDs will have the following states:

■ green indicates which is the currently selected
reciter
■ red indicates that the reciter is generating an
alarm
■ green, flashing orange indicates that the currently selected reciter is
generating an alarm.

Figure 7.3 Location of links on the multi-reciter control panel board
pin 1
J300

7.3 Configuring the Base Station with the Service Kit
The TB8100 base station can be configured using software to operate in
many different ways. Although it is programmed with a default
configuration at the factory, you will need to use the Service Kit software to
configure your base station to suit the requirements of your radio system.
Refer to the Service Kit and its associated documentation for full details of
all the options available in the complete configuration process.
Note The base station will be programmed at the factory with default
passwords which you will need to use to log on for the first time.
Refer to the Service Kit Help for more information on these pass-
words and how to change them.

7.4 Network Configuration for Ethernet Connections
7.4.1 Configuring the Base Station Network Identity
IP Address This is the unique number that identifies this particular base station. The
address is allocated by the network administrator, and is only valid within
that network.
Typically, you will need to add a route to any PC that wishes to connect to
the base station from outside the network (refer to “Defining Routes for a
Networked PC” below).
On the TB8100, the IP address 0.0.0.0 (i.e. the IP address field in the
Service Kit is blank) means that the Ethernet interface is not enabled, and
the base station will not appear on the network at all. When configured
with this address, direct Service Kit connection remains permanently
available at the control panel.
Subnet Mask The subnet mask is a bit mask used to tell how many bits in the IP address
identify the particular subnetwork, and how many bits (the rest) represent
an individual host within that subnet. For instance, a subnet mask of
255.255.255.0 means that the first 24 bits (3 8-bit bytes) of the IP address
identify the subnet, and the remaining 8 bits identify a particular host (e.g.
a base station or Syslog server) within that subnet. The subnet mask will be
determined by the network administrator.
Default Gateway The default gateway address is used by the base station when an IP packet's
destination address is outside the local subnet. The default gateway is usually
an interface belonging to a router that is connected to the outside world.
The default gateway address will be determined by the network
administrator, and may be left blank.
7.4.2 Defining Routes for a Networked PC
You may need to define routes so that the Service Kit PC uses the correct
IP routing path to the base station subnet. Without a correct entry in the
network routing table, the Service Kit will be unable to remotely connect
to the base station. You can provide this using the “route” command. The
operating system Help gives assistance on the use of this command.
To define a route, proceed as follows:
1. Select Start > Run.
2. Enter “cmd”.
3. At the command line prompt, enter “route print”.

4. If the displayed list of persistent routes at the bottom of the output
does not provide a route to the base station subnet, add one or more
persistent routes in the format:
route -p add destination mask subnetmask gateway
For example:
route -p add 172.16.16.0 mask 255.255.240.0 172.25.206.252
This example tells the PC that all packets destined for the 172.16.16.0
subnet will need to go via the gateway router found at
172.25.206.252.
7.4.3 Testing
You can use “ping” to check the connection to a base station. To use ping
under Windows, proceed as follows:
1. Select Start > Run.
2. Enter “cmd”.
3. At the command line prompt, enter “ping IP address”.
For example:
ping 172.16.16.0
Typical responses are as follows:
Request timed out
Either the connection is faulty, or an intervening gateway is blocking

access to the ping service. Consult your network administrator.
Reply from 172.16.16.0: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=64
The connection is OK.

7.5 Using Syslog Messages with Ethernet Connections
When TB8100 base stations have Ethernet connections instead of RS-232,
they are not able to communicate with a Tait Alarm Center. Instead, they
can send any alarms as syslog messages to a syslog collector. Other elements
in the network such as routers and switches can also be configured to send
syslog messages to the syslog collector.
Computers running Unix or Linux have a syslog collector as part of their

operating system. Windows-based PCs need a suitable third party syslog
collector. Tait has tested the TB8100 with the Kiwi Syslog Daemon (see
www.kiwisyslog.com). The Kiwi Syslog Daemon is able to handle the
syslog messages of Cisco routers as well. The freeware version can be used
to explore its capabilities, but the registered version offers useful additional
functions, such as the ability to display different screens for different base
stations.
To use syslog messages in your system, proceed as follows:

■ Use the Service Kit to enable and configure the sending of alarm
messages to the Syslog collector (Configure > Communications >
Syslog).
■ Configure the syslog collector to listen for TCP syslog messages.
Note TB8100 syslog messages are sent as TCP packets and, by default,
the Kiwi Syslog Daemon does not listen to them. In the Kiwi
Syslog Daemon, select File > Properties > Inputs > TCP > Listen
for TCP Syslog Messages, TCP Port 1468.
■ Optional: Set things up to monitor base station failure. First, use the
Service Kit to enable the sending of a heartbeat and to configure its
interval. Then set up a script in your syslog collector that takes action if
the heartbeat is not received (emails the technician, pages the technician,
or sends a syslog message).
■ Optional: Set up your syslog collector to email the duty technician
when significant error messages are received from a TB8100 or a router.
7.5.1 Syslog Operation
The TB8100 optionally sends syslog messages in Standby and in Run

modes.
Because the Ethernet interface communicates internally via RS-232, the

TB8100 cannot send syslog messages when it is in CCI mode or when a
Service Kit is connected. The fault log is able to store up to 50 messages
until they can be sent.
TB8100 syslog messages are not fully reliable, even though they use TCP.
They can be lost if Internet traffic is particularly heavy. This is due to
limitations of the base station’s Ethernet device. Syslog messages are also lost
if the fault log becomes full, for example during a long Service Kit session.

Task Manager actions can disable the sending of syslog messages. The fault
log continues to store any messages that are generated, and they are sent
when Task Manager re-enables the syslog service.
If Task Manager clears the alarm log, any syslog alarm messages that have not
already been sent are lost.
7.5.2 Message Format
TB8100 syslog messages have the following format:
IP address module: timestamp, alarm code - text
For example:
172.25.206.17 SYSTEM: 94608624.312, 007 – Unbalanced Line Input Low
They appear in the Kiwi Syslog Daemon like this:
Date and Time Syslog collectors display the date and time that the message was received.
Priority The priority consists of a facility code and a severity level. The default
facility code used by TB8100s is Local0. The severity for alarms is Error.
Note Heartbeat messages have a severity of Notice if an alarm is inactive,

and a severity of Warning if an alarm is active.
Hostname The host name or IP address that appears in the “sender” field of the TCP
packet containing the syslog message. If the network uses NAT, this will be
different from the IP address of the base station.

Message The message part of a TB8100 syslog message has the following parts:
IP Address The IP address of the TB8100 that originated the

syslog message.
Module Code The module code indicates which base station module
generated the message:
Module Code Module
SYSTEM TB8100 base station

REC reciter
PA power amplifier
PMU power management unit
Timestamp The timestamp gives the value of the base station timer
since its last start-up. It consists of a number of seconds
and milliseconds.
Alarm Code The alarm code is the last three characters of the CCI
data tag for the alarm (for a list of CCI data tags, see
TN-947-AN).
Text The text is an English description of the reason for the
message.
7.5.3 Heartbeat Messages
The TB8100 can send a regular heartbeat message. You can enable this
function and select an interval between heartbeats using the Service Kit. If
there is an alarm, the heartbeat is given a severity of Warning (4), and its
MSG is as follows:
SYSTEM:Timestamp, 001 - Base Station Alarm is ACTIVE
If there is no alarm, the heartbeat is given a severity of Notice (5), and its
MSG is as follows:
SYSTEM:Timestamp, 001 - Base Station Alarm is INACTIVE
To set up a syslog collector to respond to base station failure, proceed as

follows:
1. For each base station, set up a filter for any message from the base sta-
tion's IP address.
2. Set up an action for that filter: if the syslog collector receives a

message, it starts a timer.
3. Set up a duration for the timer. This needs to be long enough to cope
with the unavailability of syslog messages when the base station is
connected to a Service Kit, or when it is in CCI mode.

4. Set up an action if the timer expires (for example, send an email to
the duty technician).
(If you are using the Kiwi Syslog Daemon, these capabilities are only
available in the licensed version.)
Note There is no heartbeat when CCI mode is active or if the Service

Kit is connected.

8 Replacing Modules
Caution The TB8100 PA and PMU weigh between 4.6kg

(10.1lb) and 5.8kg (12.8lb) each. Take care when
handling these modules to avoid personal injury.
Important The cooling fans are mounted on the front panel and will
only operate when the panel is fitted correctly to the front
of the subrack. To ensure adequate airflow through the base
station, do not operate it for more than a few minutes with
the front panel removed (e.g. for servicing purposes). Both
the PMU and PA modules have built-in protection mech-
anisms to prevent damage from overheating.
Important Be careful when removing module retaining clamps and

screws in a live multi-reciter subrack. Dropping any metal
items onto the subrack interconnect board can cause shorts
which may damage the equipment.
8.1 Saving the Base Station’s Configuration

Before replacing a module in the TB8100 base station, you should decide
whether you need to save its configuration data. If you are unsure whether
you have a record of the configuration, use the Service Kit to read the base
station and save the configuration file before removing any modules. Once
you have replaced the module, you will be able to restore the original
configuration by programming the saved configuration back into the base
station. If one or more of the modules is faulty, you may be unable to read
the base station. In this case, you will have to restore the configuration from
a back-up file. Refer to the Service Kit and its associated documentation
for more information.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Replacing Modules 169

8.2 Preliminary Disassembly
Hot-pluggable The reciter, PA and control panel are hot-pluggable and can be removed
Modules from the TB8100 base station without powering down the whole subrack.
These modules can also be removed without disrupting the system control
bus communications with the other modules in the base station.
In a dual base station, you can remove the reciter and/or PA from one base
station without disrupting the operation of the other base station.
If you want to disconnect the power before working on the base station,
carry out the instructions in “Disconnect the Power” below.
Important Before removing a PA, disconnect the DC input and RF

input first, followed by the RF output (and DC output on
the 12V PA). After refitting the PA, reconnect the RF out-
put (and DC output on the 12V PA) first, followed by the
RF input, and then the DC input.
Disconnect the 1. Turn off the AC b and DC c switches at the rear of the PMU.
Power
2. Also at the rear of the PMU disconnect the mains d and battery e
supply leads, and the auxiliary DC supply lead f (if fitted).
3. 12V PA only: Disconnect the battery supply lead g.
4. Multi-reciter only: Disconnect the battery supply lead h.
170 Replacing Modules TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

PMU 12V PA multi-reciter
bd c e f g h
Remove the Front 1. Undo the fastener at each end of the front panel b with a quarter
Panel turn anti-clockwise.
2. While supporting the left end of the front panel, place your fingers in
the recess provided on the left side of the control panel opening c
and pull the right end of the front panel away from the subrack. You
will need to overcome the resistance of the spring clip securing the
front panel to the control panel.
b
unlocked locked

8.3 Replacing the Control Panel
Removal 1. If you have not already done so, carry out the instructions in
“Preliminary Disassembly” on page 170.
2. Undo the retaining screw b. Note that the screw stays attached to
the control panel.
3. Pull the bottom of the control panel away from the subrack c to
disconnect the D-range socket on the back of the panel from the plug
d on the subrack.
4. Pull the control panel down e to disengage the centre tab f from
the subrack.
d e
h c
i
b standard control panel shown
Refitting 1. Fit the top of the control panel to the subrack so that the centre tab
is behind the lip of the subrack and between the two locating tabs
formed in the lip. Push the control panel firmly upwards g.
2. Align the D-range socket on the back of the control panel with the
plug on the subrack. Gently push the bottom of the panel home
against the subrack h to engage the plug into the socket.
3. Insert the securing screw into the floating nut i in the subrack and
tighten. Note that you may have to push the screw in and down to
pick up the floating nut.
4. Carry out the instructions in “Final Reassembly” on page 184.

8.4 Replacing the Reciter
“Preliminary Disassembly” on page 170, and remove the control
panel, as described in “Replacing the Control Panel” on page 172.
2. At the rear of the reciter, unplug the RF input cable b, any system
cables c and the external reference cable d (if fitted).
3. At the front of the reciter, unplug the DC input cable e and the RF
output cable f , and move both cables to one side. Unplug both ends
of the system control bus g and remove it.
Note In a multi-reciter subrack, the DC output connector on the sub-

rack interconnect board for reciter 2 is located in front of reciter
3. You will need to disconnect reciter 2’s power cable from the
subrack board before removing reciter 3.
4. Loosen the screw securing the retaining clamp h and rotate the
clamp through 90° to clear the module.
5. Slide the reciter out of the subrack, taking care not to damage any of
the cables.
e
i
c b d h f g
Refitting 1. Slide the replacement reciter into the subrack and secure it with the
retaining clamp.
2. Reconnect all the front and rear panel cables previously disconnected.
Ensure the front panel cables are retained by the cable retaining clips
i in the top of the subrack.
Important Do not force the system control bus behind the reciter
handle as this may damage the ribbon cable.

Note If you need to remove any front panel cables, simply pull the front
of the cable retaining clip down and then slide it out from the sub-
rack until it reaches the end of its travel.
3. Tighten the nut on the SMA connector to a torque of 0.9Nm

(8lbf·in).
4. Refit the control panel, as described in “Replacing the Control

Panel” on page 172.
8.5 Replacing the Power Amplifier
Important Before removing a PA, disconnect the DC input and RF

input first, followed by the RF output (and DC output on
the 12V PA). After refitting the PA, reconnect the RF out-
put (and DC output on the 12V PA) first, followed by the
RF input, and then the DC input.
Important If you are replacing the H-band PA in a base station which

operates on H4 band (380MHz to 420MHz), make sure
that the replacement PA has the correct version of hard-
ware. Only H-band PAs with hardware version 00.02 and
later can operate from 380MHz to 520MHz. H-band PAs
with hardware version 00.01 and earlier can only operate
from 400MHz to 520MHz.
Removal 1. If you have not already done so, carry

out the instructions in “Preliminary
Disassembly” on page 170. If
necessary, remove the control panel,
as described in “Replacing the
Control Panel” on page 172.
2. At the rear of the PA, unplug the RF

output cable b. 12V PA only: also
unplug the battery supply lead c,
and Power Saving control cable d
(if fitted).
b c d

3. At the front of the PA, unplug the DC input cable (DC output cable
on the 12V PA) b and the RF input cable c, and move both cables
to one side. Unplug both ends of the system control bus d and
remove it.
4. Loosen the screw securing the retaining clamp(s) e and rotate the
clamp(s) through 90° to clear the module.
5. Slide the PA out of the subrack, taking care not to damage any of the
cables.
e
(obscured)
de b c d e d c b e
Refitting 1. Slide the replacement PA into the subrack and secure it with the
retaining clamp(s).
Ensure the front panel cables are retained by the cable retaining clips
in the top of the subrack.
3. Tighten the nut on the SMA connector to a torque of 0.9Nm

(8lbf·in).
4. If necessary, refit the control panel, as described in “Replacing the

Control Panel” on page 172.

8.6 Replacing the Power Management Unit
Important You must disconnect the AC and DC power cables before

removing the PMU from the subrack.
Removal 1. If you have not already done so, carry

out the instructions in “Preliminary
Disassembly” on page 170.
2. At the front of the PMU, unplug the

output power cable(s) b and system
control bus c, and move them to
one side.
3. Loosen the screw securing the

retaining clamps d and rotate the
clamps through 90° to clear the
module.
4. Slide the PMU out of the subrack,

taking care not to damage any of the
cables. d b c d
(obscured)
Refitting 1. Slide the replacement PMU into the subrack and secure it with the
retaining clamps.
Connect the DC power cables on the rear panel as shown in
Figure 5.11 on page 107. Ensure the front panel cables are retained
by the cable retaining clips in the top of the subrack.

8.7 Replacing the Front Panel Fans
Unless otherwise indicated, the following instructions refer to Figure 8.2 on
page 179. The front panel used in multi-reciter subracks has some minor
differences. These are explained in “Multi-reciter Subracks” on page 178.
“Preliminary Disassembly” on page 170.
2. PA Fan
a. Remove the four screws labelled b and remove the duct and fan
assembly from the front panel.
b. Unplug the fan from the fan contact board c.
c. Remove the fours screws holding the fan into the duct d and
remove the fan.
3. PMU Fan
a. Remove the PA fan/duct assembly as described above.
b. Remove the two screws labelled e and remove the PMU fan/
duct assembly.
c. Unplug the fan from the fan contact board f .
d. Remove the fours screws holding the fan into the duct g and
remove the fan.
Refitting 1. Fit the replacement fan into the duct with the power wires located in
the slot in the side of the duct h.
2. Refit the four screws securing the fan into the duct. Do not
overtighten these screws or you will distort the fan body.
3. PMU Fan
a. Refit the PMU fan/duct assembly onto its mounting bosses. Note
that the two inner mounting tabs i fit over the bosses.
b. Plug the fan into the fan contact board f and route the wires
around the PA fan opening j.
c. Refit the two screws labelled e.
d. Refit the PA fan as described below.
4. PA Fan
a. Plug the power wires into the fan contact board c and route the
wires around the PA fan opening j.
b. Refit the PA fan/duct assembly onto its mounting bosses. Note
that the two inner mounting tabs 1) fit over the inner tabs of the
PMU fan. Ensure that all the power wires are secured under the
retaining hooks 1! and are not crimped.
c. Refit the fours screws labelled b.

Important You must connect the fans to the correct sockets on the fan
contact board. If the fan connections are reversed, the
wrong fan will be activated when a module needs cooling.
The module may then fold back and shut down. When you
power-up the TB8100 base station, check that the PMU
fan runs first, followed by the PA fan. Each fan will run for
about five seconds.
Important You must refit the correct duct to the PA fan. There are
several small but important differences between the duct for
a 5W or 50W PA and the duct for a 100W PA. Refer to
Figure 8.5 on page 184 for more details.
Multi-reciter To replace the PMU fan (if fitted), follow the basic procedures described
Subracks above. When refitting the fan, note the following points (refer to
Figure 8.1):
■ the PMU fan assembly is secured with two M3 washers b where the PA
fan would normally sit
■ secure the fan wires with the two sleeved solder tags c
■ connect the fan wire to the correct socket d on the fan contact board.
Figure 8.1 PMU fan installation for multi-reciter subracks
d c b

Figure 8.2 Replacing the front panel fans
PA fan PMU fan
c f b e
PA fan PMU fan
h d g h
PA fan connector
PMU fan connector
1! j 1! 1) i
100W base station front panel shown

8.8 Replacing the Module Guide Rails
The module guide rails are held in place by four hooks that fit through the
slots in the top and bottom of the subrack. There is also a locking tab which
prevents the guide rails from working loose.
Removal 1. Bottom Guide Rails

a. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver under the front end of the
guide rail and lift it slightly b. This will ensure the small locking
tab is clear of the slot in the subrack.
b. Whilst holding the front end of the guide rail up, pull the guide
rail towards the front of the subrack c and lift it clear of the slots.
2. Top Rails
a. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver under the rear end of the
guide rail and lift it slightly d. This will ensure the small locking
tab is clear of the slot in the subrack.
b. Whilst holding the rear end of the guide rail up, pull the guide rail
towards the rear of the subrack e and lift it clear of the slots.
bottom guide rail top guide rail
b d
Refitting 1. Bottom Guide Rails

a. With the locating hooks pointing towards the rear of the subrack,
insert the hooks into the slots in the subrack.
b. Push the guide rail towards the rear of the subrack until you hear
the locking tab “click” into place.
2. Top Guide Rails

a. With the locating hooks pointing towards the front of the subrack,
insert the hooks into the slots in the subrack.
b. Push the guide rail towards the front of the subrack until you hear
the locking tab “click” into place.

8.9 Replacing the Subrack Interconnect Board
There are three types of subrack interconnect board available, as described
in the following table. You can identify the type of board by referring to
the product code printed on the label on the top of the board. Figure 8.3
on page 182 and Figure 8.4 on page 183 show the three types of board.
Board Type Product Code Spares Code Description
single base station XBAK22C0 TBA-SP-K22C0 for single base stations with PMU
dual base station XBAK22C2 TBA-SP-K22C2 ■ for dual base stations with PMU
■ for single and dual base stations with 12V PA
multi-reciter XBAK22C6 TBA-SP-K22C6 for multi-reciter subracks with or without PMU
Note In late 2006 the circuit board used in XBAK22C0 changed from
IPN 220-02029-04 to a sub-populated version of the dual base
station board, IPN 220-02037-05 or later. This sub-populated
version of the dual base station board must be used only for single
base stations.
Unless otherwise indicated, the circled numbers in the following

instructions refer to Figure 8.4 on page 183.
“Preliminary Disassembly” on page 170, and remove the control
panel, as described in “Replacing the Control Panel” on page 172.
2. Disconnect all cables from the interconnect board.
3. Remove the M3 nuts and spring washers b securing the board to the
subrack.
4. Multi-reciter only: Remove the two retaining clamps b securing

the left end of the board, as shown in Figure 8.3 on page 182.
5. Remove the board. If you are changing the type of board, also
remove the insulator c.
Refitting 1. If previously removed, replace the insulator. If you are changing the
type of board, you must fit the matching insulator.
2. Multi-reciter only: Reconnect the DC feed wires to connector J17

c on the interconnect board (red (+) to pin 1), as shown in
Figure 8.3 on page 182.
3. Refit the board and secure with the M3 nuts and spring washers.
4. Multi-reciter only: Replace the two retaining clamps.

5. Dual base station only: Set the switches of S1 d as described in
“Dual Base Station” on page 154.
6. Multi-reciter only: Set the switches and links as described in

“Multi-reciter” on page 156.
7. Reconnect all cables as shown in “Connection”:

■ single and dual base stations, refer to Figure 6.4 on page 113
■ multi-reciter subracks, refer to Figure 6.6 on page 115.
Figure 8.3 Replacing the subrack interconnect board in multi-reciter subracks
c b

Figure 8.4 Replacing the subrack interconnect board in single and dual base stations
single base station - IPN 220-02029-04 and earlier
c b x3
single base station - IPN 220-02037-05 and later
dual base station - IPN 220-02037-02
dual base station - IPN 220-02037-04 and later

8.10 Final Reassembly
Important You must refit the correct type of front panel to your
TB8100 base station. There are several small but important
differences between the front panel for a 5W or 50W base
station and the front panel for a 100W base station. These
differences are in the duct for the PA fan and are described
in the following paragraphs.
5W or 50W Front The PA fan duct does not have the cut-outs b required for the 100W PA
Panel RF and DC cables. The break-off tab c will also still be present and will
jam on the system control bus. Do not try to fit this front panel to a 100W
base station or you will damage these cables and possibly the front panel
itself.
100W Front Panel Do not fit this front panel to a 5W or 50W base station. The presence of
the cut-outs and absence of the break-off tab will allow air to escape and
reduce the velocity of air directed through the heatsink.
Figure 8.5 Identifying the correct front panel
100W front panel:

the PA fan duct has cut-outs
but no break-off tab
5W or 50W front panel:

c
the PA fan duct has the break-off
tab but no cut-outs

1. Before fitting the front panel, ensure that all cables are secured and
positioned correctly so they are clear of the fan ducts (refer to
“Overview” on page 109). Otherwise the panel may not fit properly,
or you may damage the cables.
2. Refit the Front Panel

a. Fit the front panel onto the locating pegs on the subrack Fit the
left end first, followed by the right end, pressing the panel in the
centre as shown b to secure the spring clip behind the control
panel.
b. Secure the fastener at each end c with a quarter turn clockwise.
Align the slot horizontally, then press the fastener in and turn to
lock.
c
unlocked locked
b
3. Before powering up the base station, check that all power, RF and
system cables are connected correctly and securely at the rear of the
base station.
Important When refitting modules, make sure they are fitted correctly
into the subrack and all retaining clamps are securely tight-
ened. The recommended torque for the retaining clamp
screws is 1.9Nm (17lbf·in). As well as holding the modules
in place, the retaining clamps push the modules hard against
the rear rail of the subrack to ensure a good ground connec-
tion between the modules and subrack.

9 Preparation for Operation
Once the TB8100 base station has been installed and connected, it is time
to prepare it for operation. The main procedures required to ensure your
base station is ready for operation are as follows:
■ tuning
■ configuration
■ applying power
■ test transmissions.
The following sections provide more detail on these procedures. Some

sections provide only an overview, as the full procedures are described in
other documents.
9.1 Tuning
You may need to adjust and tune the TB8100 reciters before operating them
in your radio system. Refer to “Short Tuning Procedure” on page 99 for
details on how to adjust the lock band (switching range) and tune the
receiver front end.
Refer to the Calibration Kit documentation for full details on the complete
adjustment and tuning procedures.
9.2 Configuration
You must ensure that the TB8100 base station has been correctly configured,
both in hardware and software, before operating it in your radio system.
Refer to “Configuration” on page 153, and also to the Service Kit and its
associated documentation, for full details of all the options available in the
complete configuration process.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Preparation for Operation 187

9.3 Applying Power
1. Before turning the TB8100 base station on:
■ check that the PMU is turned off (refer to “Preliminary
Disassembly” on page 170)
■ 12V PA and multi-reciter only: check that the battery supply
lead is disconnected (refer to “Preliminary Disassembly” on
page 170)
■ remove the front panel (refer to “Preliminary Disassembly” on
page 170)
■ check that all looms and cables at the front and rear of the base
station are fitted correctly (refer to “Overview” on page 109)
■ check that all connectors are secure
■ refit the front panel - ensure it is fitted correctly so that the fans
will operate if needed (refer to “Final Reassembly” on page 184).
2. Apply power by turning on the PMU, or by connecting the battery

supply lead to the 12V PA or subrack.
3. Check that the base station powers up correctly:

■ check that the cooling fans in the front panel turn on in the
correct order after power-up: the PMU fan will run first, followed
by the PA fan; each fan will run for about five seconds and then
switch off (note that the PMU fan is not fitted to a 12V PA base
station)
■ check that the appropriate LEDs on the control panel turn on after
about five seconds, as listed below:
standard power and microphone channel LEDs
dual base station power and base station 1 LEDs
Power Save power LED
multi-reciter power, microphone, and channel 1 LEDs;
all other LEDs should remain off (refer to “Control Panel” on
page 32)
■ at this point you can also safely press the speaker button and check
that it is operating correctly.
188 Preparation for Operation TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

9.4 Test Transmissions
Once you have completed the procedures described in the previous sections,
you may want to make some test transmissions. These will verify that your
TB8100 base station is operating correctly.
Note You may wish to have the Service Kit software running during
these tests so that you can monitor the performance of the base
station.
1. Ensure that the base station is correctly connected to an appropriate

antenna and that all RF connectors are secure.
2. Plug the microphone into the RJ45 socket on the control panel.
3. Select the base station you wish to transmit on.
4. Turn on the speaker audio for the selected base station.
5. Press the PTT switch on the microphone and make your

transmission. Check that:
■ the red transmit LED turns on
■ there are no alarms generated
■ the audio quality on the receiving radio is good.
6. When the other radio answers your transmission, check that:

■ the green receive LED turns on
■ the audio quality from the speaker in the control panel is good
(adjust the speaker volume as required).
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Preparation for Operation 189

190 Preparation for Operation TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual
10 Maintenance Guide
The TB8100 base station is designed to be very reliable and should require
little maintenance. However, performing regular checks will prolong the
life of the equipment and prevent problems from happening.
It is beyond the scope of this manual to list every check that you should
perform on your base station. The type and frequency of maintenance
checks will depend on the location and type of your system. The checks
and procedures listed below can be used as a starting point for your
maintenance schedule.
Remote Monitoring You can monitor the performance of your TB8100 base station remotely by
using the Service Kit and Alarm Center software provided with the
equipment. You can use the Service Kit to configure the base station to
generate alarms when its performance falls outside your own pre-defined
limits. Refer to the Service Kit and Alarm Center documentation for more
details.
Performance Checks We suggest you monitor the following operational parameters using the
Service Kit:
■ VSWR
■ DC input voltage, especially on transmit
■ receiver sensitivity
■ the setting of the receiver gate opening
■ any temperature alarms.
These basic checks will provide an overview of how well your base station
is operating.
Reciter There are no special maintenance requirements for the reciter. You may,
however, choose to recalibrate the TCXO frequency periodically. Refer to
the Calibration Kit documentation for more details.
PA There are no special maintenance requirements for the PA.
PMU There are no special maintenance requirements for the PMU. However, if
you are using battery back-up, you should check the batteries regularly in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Ventilation The TB8100 base station has been designed to have a front-to-back cooling
airflow. We strongly recommend that you periodically check and maintain
the ventilation requirements described in “Ventilation” on page 94 to
ensure a long life and trouble-free operation for your base station.
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Maintenance Guide 191

Cooling Fans The cooling fans have a long service life and have no special maintenance
requirements. You can use the Service Kit to configure the base station to
generate an alarm if either of the cooling fans fails. Refer to the Service Kit
and Alarm Center documentation for more details.
192 Maintenance Guide TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Glossary
This glossary contains an alphabetical list of terms and abbreviations related

to the TB8100 base station. For information about trunking, mobile, or
portable terms, consult the glossary provided with the relevant
documentation.
ABCDEFGHIKLNPRSTUVW
A
access level There are three different levels of access to a base station: Administrator,
User, and Read-only. The User access level has a configurable access profile;
the Administrator decides which functions that access level can carry out.
action An action is the second part of a Task Manager task. It specifies what the
base station must do when the first part (the input) becomes true.
active Digital outputs are active when the base station pulls their voltage low and
current is flowing. Digital inputs are active when external equipment is
pulling them to ground. All base station digital inputs and outputs are open
collector.
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter. A device for converting an analog signal to a

digital signal that represents the same information.
Alarm log The alarm log is a list of the last 50 alarms that the base station generated.
This list is stored in the base station. To view it, select Monitor > Alarms >
Reported Alarms.
Alarm Center Alarm Center is a utility provided with the Service Kit that is able to receive,
store, and display alarms from any number of base stations with dial-up
connections. Participating base stations need an Alarm Reporting license.
Alarm Center also routes emailed messages to the email server.
alarm notification Alarm notification is the process by which the base station passes on
information about an alarm condition. It can notify alarms over the air, over
the line, via email, or to an Alarm Center. It can also activate a digital
output. If the Service Kit is logged on to the base station, it is automatically
notified of any alarms.
air intake The temperature of the air as measured at the PA’s air intake.
temperature
TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Glossary 193

anti-kerchunking Anti-kerchunking is a base station configuration that discourages users from
kerchunking.
B
balanced line A balanced line has two wires carrying equal and opposite signals. It is
typically used in a line-connected base station for connecting to the
despatcher console. The system interface identifies the balanced line in as
Rx+ and Rx-, and the balanced line out as Tx+ and Tx-.
BCD BCD (binary coded decimal) is a code in which a string of four binary digits
represents a decimal number.
C
Calibration Kit The TB8100 Calibration Kit is a utility for defining the switching ranges of
the receiver and the exciter and for flattening the receiver response across its
switching range. It can also be used to calibrate various parts of the reciter
and the PA circuitry.
CCDI2 CCDI2 (computer controlled data interface version 2) is a proprietary Tait

command protocol used between computer equipment and a Tait radio.
channel A channel is:

■ A frequency pair (or just a single frequency in a simplex system).
■ A set of configuration information that defines the frequency pair and
other settings. Also referred to as a channel configuration. Generally,
‘channel’ has this meaning in the Service Kit.
channel profile A channel profile is a named set of configuration items relating to the base
station’s RF configuration, transmitter power output and power saving
modes. Like the signalling profile, it can be applied to any channel.
Together, these profiles define most configuration items.
channel spacing Channel spacing is the bandwidth that a channel nominally occupies. If a
base station has a channel spacing of 12.5 kHz, there must be a separation of
at least 12.5 kHz between its operating frequencies and those of any other
equipment.
channel table The channel table is the base station’s database of channel configurations. To
view it, select Configure > Base Station > Channel Table.
CODEC An IC which combines analog-to-digital conversion (coding) and digital-

to-analog conversion (decoding).
194 Glossary TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

configuration file A configuration file consists of all the configuration settings needed for a
base station, stored as a file in the configurations folder. Configuration files
have the extension *.t8c.
connection A connection is a named group of settings that the Service Kit uses when
establishing communications with a base station.
control bus The control bus is used for communications between modules in a base
station. It is an I2C bus, a bi-directional two-wire serial bus which is used
to connect integrated circuits (ICs). I2C is a multi-master bus, which means
that multiple chips can be connected to the same bus, and each one can act
as a master by initiating a data transfer.
control panel The control panel is an area at the front of the base station with buttons,
LEDs and other controls that let you interact with the base station.
CTCSS CTCSS (continuous tone controlled squelch system), also known as PL

(private line), is a type of signalling that uses subaudible tones to segregate
groups of users.
custom action A custom action is a user-defined Task Manager action that consists of more
than one pre-defined action.
custom input A custom input is a user-defined Task Manager input that consists of a
combination of pre-defined inputs.
CWID CWID (Continuous Wave IDentification) is a method of automatically

identifying the base station using a Morse code. Continuous wave means
transmission of a signal with a single frequency that is either on or off, as
opposed to a modulated carrier.
D
DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter. A device for converting a digital signal to an
analog signal that represents the same information.
DCS DCS (digital coded squelch), also known as DPL (digital private line), is a
type of subaudible signalling used for segregating groups of users. DCS
codes are identified by a three-digit octal number, which forms part of the
continuously repeating code word. When assigning DCS signalling for a
channel, you specify the three-digit code.
DDC Digital Down Converter. A device which converts the digitised IF signal of
the receiver down to a lower frequency (complex baseband) to suit the DSP.
de-emphasis De-emphasis is a process in the receiver that restores pre-emphasised audio

to its original relative proportions.

duty cycle Duty cycle is used in relation to the PA. It is the proportion of time
(expressed as a percentage) during which the PA is operated. The TB8100
PA can be operated continuously.
E
EIA Electronic Industries Alliance. Accredited by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) and responsible for developing
telecommunications and electronics standards in the USA.
EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility. The ability of equipment to operate in its

electromagnetic environment without creating interference with other
devices.
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute. The non-profit

organisation responsible for producing European telecommunications
standards.
F
flag A flag is a programming term for a “yes/no” indicator used to represent the
current status of something. The base station has a set of system flags that
are read and set by Task Manager. There is also a separate set of flags that
you can use in your own Task Manager tasks.
frequency band The range of frequencies that the equipment is capable of operating on.
front panel The cover over the front of the base station containing fans for the PA and
PMU.
G
gating Gating is the process of opening and closing the receiver gate. When a valid
signal is received, the receiver gate opens.
H
hiccup mode Many power supplies switch off in the event of a short-circuit and try to start
again after a short time (usually after a few seconds). This “hiccup”-type of
switching off and on is repeated until the problem is eliminated.

hysteresis Hysteresis is the difference between the upper and lower trigger points. For
example, the receiver gate opens when the upper trigger point is reached,
but will not close until the level falls to the lower trigger point. An adequate
hysteresis prevents the receiver gate from repeatedly opening and closing
when the level is about that of the trigger point.
Hysteresis mode A mode of PMU operation designed to save power. The PMU is mainly
turned off, but switches back on intermittently to maintain output voltage
when the output current is low.
I
inactive Digital outputs are inactive if the base station is doing nothing to them.
They are floating, open collector outputs. Digital inputs are inactive when
they are open circuit.
Intercom mode Intercom mode makes it possible for the operator at the dispatch centre and
the servicing technician at the base station to communicate with each other
over the line. It connects the base station microphone to line out.
isolator An isolator is a passive two-port device which transmits power in one

direction, and absorbs power in the other direction. It is used in a PA to
prevent damage to the RF circuitry from high reverse power.
K
kerchunking Kerchunking is transmitting for a second or less without saying anything in
order to test the base station. This results in a ‘kerchunk’ sound.
L
line-controlled base A TB8100 is a line-controlled base station when it receives audio (sending
station it out via its system interface), transmits audio received over its system
interface, and its transmitter is keyed via the Tx Key line.
logging on Once you have connected to a base station, you can log on. This establishes
communications between the Service Kit and the base station.
N
navigation pane The navigation pane is the left-hand pane of the Service Kit application
window. It displays a hierarchical list of items. When you click an item, the
main pane displays the corresponding form.

0
operating range Operating range is another term for switching range.
P
PA The PA (power amplifier) is a base station module that boosts the exciter
output to transmit level.
PMU The PMU (power management unit) is a module that provides power to the
base station.
pre-emphasis Pre-emphasis is a process in the transmitter that boosts higher audio

frequencies to improve the audio quality.
R
reciter The reciter is a module of a TB8100 base station that acts as receiver and
exciter.
reverse tone burst Reverse tone bursts can be used with CTCSS. When reverse tone bursts are
enabled, the phase of the generated tones is reversed for a number of cycles
just before transmission ceases. If the receiver is configured for reverse tone
burst, it responds by closing its gate.
RSSI RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) is a level in dBm or volts that
indicates the strength of the received signal.
Run mode Run mode is the normal operating mode of the base station.
S
SAW filter Surface Acoustic Wave filter. A band pass filter that can be used to filter both
RF and IF frequencies. A SAW filter uses the piezoelectric effect to turn
the input signal into vibrations that are turned back into electrical signals in
the desired frequency range.
selectivity The ability of a radio receiver to select the wanted signal and reject
unwanted signals on adjacent channels (expressed as a ratio).
sensitivity The sensitivity of a radio receiver is the minimum input signal strength
required to provide a useable signal.

signalling profile A signalling profile is a named set of configuration items related to signalling
that can be applied to any channel. Items include subaudible signalling and
transmit timers.
SINAD SINAD (Signal plus Noise and Distortion) is a measure of signal quality. It
is the ratio of (signal + noise + distortion) to (noise + distortion). A SINAD
of 12dB corresponds to a signal to noise ratio of 4:1. The TB8100 can
provide an approximate SINAD value while in service by comparing the in-
band audio against out-of-band noise. This value should not be relied upon
to make calibrated measurements.
Sleep mode Sleep mode is a power saving state in which a part of the base station is
switched off, and then periodically switched on again.
Standby mode Standby mode is a mode of base station operation in which active service is
suspended so that special operations can be carried out, such as
programming the base station with a new configuration.
status message A status message is a set of information about the base station that can be
emailed. It identifies the base station, indicates the current operating
channel, lists the status of all alarms, and gives the current values of a number
of other monitored parameters. It also contains the alarm log.
subaudible Subaudible signalling is signalling that is at the bottom end of the range of
signalling audible frequencies. The TB8100 base station supports CTCSS and DCS
subaudible signalling.
subtone A subtone (subaudible signalling tone) is a CTCSS tone or a DCS code.
switching range The switching range is the range of frequencies (about 10MHz) that the
equipment is tuned to operate on. This is a subset of the equipment’s
frequency band.
system flag System flags are binary indicators that are read and set by Task Manager.
Generally, they are used to disable or enable configured base station
functions.
system interface The system interface is the set of inputs to and outputs from the base station
(excluding power and RF), provided by a board inside the reciter. A range
of different boards are available for different applications.
T
TB8100 Base Station A Tait TB8100 base station consists of the equipment necessary to receive
and transmit on one channel. Generally, this means a reciter, a PA, and a
PMU. Often abbreviated to TB8100 or base station.

Talk Through A TB8100 is a talk through repeater when its audio path is configured to
Repeater pass the audio it receives on to the transmitter.
Task Manager Task Manager is a part of the TB8100 base station firmware that carries out
tasks in response to inputs. These tasks are formulated using the Service Kit.
template file A template file contains configuration information that can be used to create
a new base station configuration. Template files have the extension *.t8t.
test set A communications test set. It is used to analyse the performance of radio
equipment.
transmit lockout The transmit lockout feature prevents the base station from transmitting for
a time once the transmit timer has expired. It is designed to prevent users
from monopolising the base station.
U
Unbalanced line An unbalanced line has one wire earthed. It is typically used for short
connections, for example, between a base station and a repeater on the same
site. The system interface identifies the wires of unbalanced lines with Rx
audio, Tx audio, and Audio Ground. Audio Ground is common to line-in
and line-out.
V
valid signal A valid signal is a signal that the receiver responds to by opening the receiver
gate. A signal is valid for example when it is stronger than a minimum level
and when it has the specified subtone.
VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is the ratio of the maximum peak
voltage anywhere on the transmission line to the minimum value anywhere
on the transmission line. A perfectly matched line has a VSWR of 1:1. A
high ratio indicates that the antenna subsystem is poorly matched.
W
Watchdog A watchdog circuit checks that the system is still responding. If the system
does not respond (because the firmware has locked up), the circuit resets the
system.

Tait General Software Licence Agreement
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you (the “Licensee”) and Tait Electronics THE SOFTWARE OR FIRMWARE MAY CONTAIN
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to the terms of this Agreement, do not install DEVELOPERS AND/OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS OF
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Directive 1999/5/EC Declaration of Conformity
da Dansk fr Français
Undertegnede Tait Electronics Limited Par la présente, Tait Electronics Limited
erklærer herved, at følgende udstyr TBAB1, déclare que l'appareil TBAB1, TBAC0 &
TBAC0 & TBAH0 overholder de væsentlige TBAH0 est conforme aux exigences
krav og øvrige relevante krav i direktiv 1999/ essentielles et aux autres dispositions
5/EF. pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE.
Se endvidere: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/ Voir aussi: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/
de Deutsch it Italiano
Hiermit erklärt Tait Electronics Limited die Con la presente Tait Electronics Limited
Übereinstimmung des Gerätes TBAB1, dichiara che questo TBAB1, TBAC0 &
TBAC0 & TBAH0 mit den grundlegenden TBAH0 è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed
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Siehe auch: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/ Vedi anche: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/
el Ελληνικός nl Nederlands
Με την παρουσα Tait Electronics Limited Hierbij verklaart Tait Electronics Limited dat
δηλωνει οτι TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 het toestel TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 in
συμμορφωνεται προσ τισ ουσιωδεισ
απαιτησεισ και τισ λοιπεσ σχετικεσ διαταξεισ overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en
τησ οδηγιασ 1999/5/ΕΚ. de andere relevante bepalingen van richtlijn
βλέπε και: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/ 1999/5/ EG.
Zie ook: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/
en English
Tait Electronics Limited declares that this pt Português
TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 complies with Tait Electronics Limited declara que este
the essential requirements and other relevant TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 está conforme
provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. com os requisitos essenciais e outras provisões
See also: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/ da Directiva 1999/5/CE.
Veja também: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/
es Español
Por medio de la presente Tait Electronics sv Svensk
Limited declara que el TBAB1, TBAC0 & Härmed intygar Tait Electronics Limited att
TBAH0 cumple con los requisitos esenciales y denna TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 står I
cualesquiera otras disposiciones aplicables o överensstämmelse med de väsentliga
exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE. egenskapskrav och övriga relevanta
Vea también: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/ bestämmelser som framgår av direktiv 1999/
5/EG.
Se även: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/
fi Suomi
Tait Electronics Limited vakuuttaa täten että
TBAB1, TBAC0 & TBAH0 tyyppinen laite
on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten
vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin
muiden ehtojen mukainen.
Katso: http://eudocs.taitworld.com/


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TB8100 base station

Installation and Operation

Updates of Manual and Equipment

2 TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual 3

4 TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual 5

9 Preparation for Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

10 Maintenance Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

Tait General Software Licence Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Directive 1999/5/EC Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

6 TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Warning!! This alert is used when there is a potential risk

Caution This alert is used when there is a risk of minor or

Note This alert is used to highlight information that is required to

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual 7

The characters xx represent the issue number of the documentation.

All available TB8100 product documentation is provided on the Product

8 TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Issue Publication Date Description

1 June 2003 First release

2 March 2004 Chapter 4 “Functional Description” added

3 September 2004 information added for 24VDC and 48VDC

4 December 2004 information added for K-band equipment;

5 March 2005 information added for 12V PA, and L-band

6 June 2005 information added about PMU operation on

7 February 2007 information added about multi-reciter and

8 December 2007 ■ “Short Tuning Procedure” added to

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual 9

The TB8100 is a software-controlled base station which is designed for

The TB8100 comprises a number of separate modules. Each module is

1. Consult your nearest Tait Dealer or Customer Service Organisation for

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Description 11

Reciter The receiver, exciter and digital

All three models of PA are designed to operate on the 28VDC output

12 Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Control Panel The TB8100 control panel is

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Description 13

1.2 Mechanical Assembly

single 5W or 50W base station shown

b front panel i airflow separator

c PMU fan j cable retaining clip

e PMU fan duct 1! reciter

f PA fan duct 1@ plastic guide rail

g PMU 1# module retaining clamp

14 Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Figure 1.2 Mechanical assembly - dual 5W or 50W base station

b PMU f reciter for base station 1

c PA for base station 1 g reciter for base station 2

d airflow separator h subrack

e PA for base station 2

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Description 15

Figure 1.3 Mechanical assembly - single 100W base station

b PMU f module retaining clamp

c PA g plastic guide rail

d airflow duct h subrack

e reciter i cable retaining clip

16 Description TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

Figure 2.1 Dual base station high level block diagram

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual Circuit Description 17