Raditeq RadiLink® RF Optical Link Product Manual

System Components

The RLK3006C system comprises the following products:

• RLK3086R: RadiLink® TX Remote Unit, 8 Channels
• RLK3016C: RadiLink® RX Plug-in Card
• RLK3004B: RadiLink® Li-ion Battery Pack (+ Charger)
• CBL3006-25m: RadiLink® 25m Extension fibre

* Optional RadiLink® additional spare battery pack.

Read this manual carefully before operating the product and strictly follow all safety instructions.

A Quick Start Guide is included for basic start-up steps and safety warnings. Keep both guides accessible during operation.

For questions, please contact your local reseller.

Supplier Information

Raditeq B.V.
Vijzelmolenlaan 3
3447 GX, Woerden
The Netherlands

Tel.: +31 (0)348 200 100
Internet: www.raditeq.com
Email: sales@raditeq.com

Publish date: 02/11/2023

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Table of Contents

This manual covers the following topics:

• WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
• LASER Safety
• Related products
• Fibre handling and maintenance
• Cleaning Fibres
• The RadiLink® Components
• Product Components
• Introduction
• Product Introductions
• RadiLink® features
• RadiLink® Battery features
• The RadiLink®
• Product Characteristics
• Hardware installation
• The Remote unit - Connections and indicators
• Activating the RadiLink®
• Activating the link
• Software Configuration
• Firmware updates
• Remote control commands
• Specifications
• 8 Channel RF optical Link System
• Warranty Conditions

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

• Read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with safety markings, instructions, and handling procedures.
• This product requires a protective earth connection. Ensure the mains power source provides an uninterrupted safety ground.
• The plug-in card features a safety interlock system designed to work with the RadiCentre® series.
• Only qualified Raditeq maintenance personnel should perform maintenance or repairs.
• Caution: Connecting or disconnecting capacitive or inductive loads while Phantom bias supplies are active can cause high-energy spikes, potentially damaging the RadiLink® or active antennas. Always switch off Phantom bias supplies before connecting/disconnecting active antennas.
• This product contains recyclable materials. At end-of-life, please return it to your local reseller or Raditeq for recycling.
• Use a clean, dry cloth (or a damp cloth if needed) for cleaning.
• The product contains no hazardous substances as per the RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU).
• The product contains embedded software that is field-upgradeable via the RadiCentre® USB-A port. Refer to the RadiCentre® manual for details.

LASER Safety

The RadiLink® system uses lasers for analogue and digital data transmission via fiber optic cables. The maximum laser output power is 10 mW at the output ports, with wavelengths of 1310 nm and 1550 nm. This light is invisible to the human eye.

The RadiLink® is a fiber-coupled, closed system classified as a Class 1M LASER product according to EN60825-1:2014 and EN60825-2:2004. It is mandatory to check the proper connection of the fibers before system activation.

Invisible Laser Radiation
Do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments.
Class 1 M LASER products
Max 10 mW at 1310 nm & 1550nm

The RadiLink® is equipped with an Automatic Laser Shutdown feature for disconnections or interruptions, deactivating the lasers within milliseconds.

• Before switching on, check all fiber cables for damage. Do not switch on if cables appear damaged.
• NEVER look into fiber optic connectors, as the laser light is invisible and harmful.

Safety measures include:

• Digital link communication before analogue laser activation.
• Automatic loop detection for damaged/disconnected fiber optic cables, triggering laser shutdown within 25 milliseconds.
• Processor verification of circuits before laser activation.
• Processor verification of data validity from the remote unit, triggering laser shutdown for invalid data.

Related Products

• RadiMation® Automated EMC/RF Test Software: Software for remote control and automated RF and EMC testing, enhancing RadiCentre® capabilities.
• RadiField® Electric field generator: Used for Radiated Immunity (RI) testing, featuring integrated amplifiers, antennas, and a compact design.
• RadiSense® 10 Electric field probe: A highly accurate electric field probe for measurements up to 10 GHz, operated via RadiCentre®.
• RadiGen® RF signal generators: Provide fast, accurate RF signals with various modulations for EMC immunity testing.
• RadiPower® RF power meters: USB RF power meters for CW power measurements during EMC testing, covering frequencies from 4 kHz to 18 GHz.

Fibre Handling and Maintenance

RadiLink® fibers are critical. Use only original Raditeq fiber cables. Improper handling can degrade system performance and cause damage.

Guidelines:

• Always use supplied plastic end-caps to cover fiber connectors when not in use.
• Clean fiber surfaces with isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes before installation. Dry with a lint-free wipe.
• Avoid touching fiber connector tips (core surface) to prevent contamination and damage.
• Do not drop fibers, as this can damage the core and surface.
• Avoid bending fibers beyond the minimum bend radius (<5 cm) to prevent core breakage.
• Never pull fiber connectors by their jacket or sleeve; use the connector itself.
• Fasten connectors by hand only.
• Avoid standing on or crushing fibers.
• Do not apply mechanical stress (pull) to the fibers.
• Switch off the system before detaching fibers.

Adhering to these guidelines extends system and fiber lifetime.

Cleaning Fibres

• Use only supplied isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes for cleaning fiber contact surfaces.
• Apply alcohol to the wipe, gently rub the contact surface, and dry with a clean part of the wipe.
• Ensure the system is switched OFF before detaching fibers.

Use a fiber inspection probe to check fiber quality and cleanliness. Compare observations with the provided images:

• Ideal: Operational optic fibre.
• Fine scratches: Polish with fine diamond film.
• Heavy scoring or scratches: Repolish with fine diamond film.
• Chip outside fiber core: Repolish; the optic cable should still work.
• Chip core: Unacceptable; reject and do not use.
• Rough surface: Repolish with fine diamond film.
• Dirt or debris: Re-clean and repolish.
• Chipped face: Unacceptable; do not use.
• Cracked fibre: Unacceptable; do not use.
• Broken fibre: Unacceptable; do not use.

Analogue fiber connectors require special polishing equipment.

The RadiLink® Components

Product Components

• RLK3086R: 8-channel remote unit of the RadiLink® system.
• RLK3004B: RadiLink® Battery pack (one battery included).
• RLK3016C: RadiLink® plug-in card for use in RadiCentre® models.
• CBL3006-25M: 25m duplex fibre with DIN/APC8 and ST/PC connectors for connecting the remote unit to the plug-in card.

The system includes a charger for the battery pack and a shielded cable for external power supply. All items are provided in a carry case.

Introduction

Product Introductions

The RadiLink® is an effective replacement for coaxial cables in RF measurement setups. It offers a stable RF link with minimal frequency response and virtually no losses over long distances, achieved by modulating and demodulating the RF signal over fiber optics. This system eliminates common mode currents found in coaxial cable shields.

Its multi-channel setup streamlines testing by eliminating the need to modify test setups between measurements. The 8 channels provide bias supply for active antennas via coaxial connectors, which can be generated internally by the RadiLink® or applied externally.

The RadiLink® 8-channel system is designed for broadband radiated emission measurements. Its primary function is to transfer RF signals from a remote, electrically isolated unit to a measurement system up to 100 meters away.

System Diagram:

A typical system includes:

• RLK3004B Battery Pack
• RLK3013H Pre-Amp (optional)
• RLK3086R 8-Channel Link
• RLK3016C Plug-in Card
• CTR1009B/CTR1004B/CTR10015 Modular Test System
• EMI Receiver/analyzer
• Analog Fibre / Bidi Fibre

The RadiLink® system consists of the 8-channel remote unit and a plug-in card for RadiCentre® models, connected via a duplex fiber.

Applications for the RadiLink®:

• Measurements according to CISPR25
• Active antenna measurement
• Antenna remoting
• RF over long distances
• General isolated RF measurements
• EMC emission measurements

RadiLink® applications examples:

Example 1: Aircraft Testing

Control Room (19-inch Rack) with Analyzer, Controlling & Switching unit (RadiCentre), USB/LAN connection to RadiMation. Optical RF & Control link to Test Chamber containing an 8 Channel RX unit.

Example 2: Vehicle Testing

Control Room (19-inch Rack) with Analyzer, Controlling & Switching unit (RadiCentre), USB/LAN connection to RadiMation. Optical RF & Control link to Test Chamber containing an 8 Channel RX unit.

RadiLink® features

• Optical Radio Frequency (RF): Provides galvanic isolation, lossless long-distance signal transfer, no ground loops, and no frequency-dependent cable response.
• Built-in pre-amp: Offers switchable low-noise pre-amplification with 0, 20, or 40dB gain. With the pre-amplifier enabled, the RadiLink® has a noise figure of 2.5 dB, eliminating the need for an external low-noise amplifier.
• High dynamic range: Features a high compression point, providing a total dynamic range of 175 dB across combined amplifier stages and 150 dB individual range. This high dynamic range ensures it does not impact the measurement receiver's dynamic range.
• Multi-channel: Eight RF input channels can be switched automatically via software, allowing pre-configuration of multiple tests and reducing test time, especially for measurements like CISPR 25 involving multiple vehicle antennas.
• Single band 9kHz to 8GHz: All eight RF inputs cover the frequency range from 9kHz to 8GHz, eliminating the need to switch between frequency bands and preventing potential information loss.
• Support of phantom supply for active antennas: Each RF input can provide a phantom supply for active antennas, either internally generated or externally applied. The supply is fed via an internal bias-tee. Internal bias-tee losses are automatically compensated. For external supplies, manual compensation of bias-tee losses is required. Maximum phantom current is 200mA per channel. When using the internal battery, the total phantom current should not exceed 1000mA across all 8 channels.

RadiLink® Battery features

• Uninterrupted testing - interchangeable battery: The RadiLink® features an interchangeable battery providing 4 hours of operation. Battery life is reduced when phantom supply channels are active. An external power source can bypass the battery for continuous usage.
• Battery pack Protection system: Includes internal protection measures such as under-voltage, over-voltage, over-current, and temperature protection, contributing to a longer lifespan.
• Cell Balancing: A Battery Management System (BMS) ensures optimal cell balancing for improved efficiency and lifespan by maintaining consistent voltage ranges across individual cells.
• Stable output power: Whether powered by battery or external supply, the RadiLink® maintains a stable and constant output voltage, ensuring consistent performance regardless of the input source.
• Charging of the battery pack: The RadiLink® includes an external Lithium charger. Charging takes approximately 3 hours. It is advised to use only the supplied charger to avoid voiding the warranty.

The RadiLink®

Product Characteristics

Install the RadiLink® RLK3016R Plug-in card into a RadiCentre®. If a RadiCentre® was ordered with the RadiLink® system, it is pre-installed.

Plug-in card - connections and indicators

Top View:

• Green LED for Power On
• SMA connector for RF output signal to the measurement device
• Red LED for laser Link Active indication
• Optical DIN connector for the analogue Link
• Optical ST connector for the digital Link

Connections:

• Connect the DIN connector of the duplex fiber (green sleeve) to the Analogue link input of the plug-in card.
• Connect the ST-connector of the duplex fiber (blue sleeve) to the Digital link output of the plug-in card.

Note: Both optical connectors have a locking notch.

Hardware installation

Follow these instructions to correctly install the Raditeq plug-in card into the RadiCentre®. Ensure the RadiCentre® is turned OFF before installation.

Step 1: Slot Selection

Choose an empty slot in the RadiCentre® for the plug-in card. Remove the blind panel by unscrewing the four screws (two top, two bottom).

Step 2: Card Insertion

Insert the plug-in card into the rail of the empty slot (see picture A). Position the card and slowly push it using the lower part. Gently push and secure the card into the backplane socket when it reaches the end of the rail.

Step 3: Securing the Card

Once correctly inserted, fix the card by tightening the four screws at the top and bottom (see picture B). Use a Pozi size PZ1 screwdriver for panel connections.

Step 4: Power On

Connect the AC mains power cord to the back of the RadiCentre® and switch the ON/OFF button to ON. The RadiCentre® starts by tapping the touch screen. A properly installed plug-in card will be automatically recognized and displayed on the RadiCentre® front screen upon startup.

The Remote unit - Connections and indicators

Top View

• On-Off Button
• DC Power Supply
• Battery Pack
• Status LEDs

Side View

• Data Fibre
• Analogue Fibre
• Bias Input
• RF Inputs

Fibre Cables Connections

• Connect the duplex fiber's DIN connector (green sleeve) to the remote unit's Analog Link output.
• Connect the duplex fiber's ST connector (blue sleeve) to the remote unit's Digital Link input.

DC Supply Connection

The RLK3086R can be powered by the battery pack or an external power supply using the included cable. The battery pack can be recharged with the provided charger.

RF Inputs

There are 8 SMA RF input connectors for connecting to the sources (antennas) to be measured.

Bias Supply Inputs

Each RF input can have a phantom supply for active devices. This supply can be internally generated by the RLK3086R or externally. For external bias supply, the required voltage (compensated for internal bias-tee losses) must be applied to the corresponding bias supply connector.

Channel status LED's

Eight multi-color LEDs next to each input channel indicate the status:

• Green: RF channel active
• Red: Phantom supply present
• Orange: RF channel active and Phantom supply present
• Blinking LED: Overcurrent detected on the channel
• LED off: RF channel not selected, no Phantom supply present

Batt low LED

Indicates the battery pack is low and needs recharging. The RadiLink® can be operated with an additional battery pack or external supply.

Batt Supply LED

Indicates the remote unit is operating on the battery pack.

Ext Supply LED

Indicates the remote unit is operating on external power.

Link Active LED

Indicates that the RF signal is transmitted over the analogue fiber.

Activating the RadiLink®

Once all installation steps are complete and components are connected and configured, the RadiLink® system is ready for operation.

To switch on the RadiLink® system, press the power button on the remote unit briefly.

Remote unit push button functions:

• Switching ON: Briefly press the push button while the system is OFF. All "Channel Status” LEDs will briefly light up during startup.
• Switching OFF: Press and hold the push button for 5-10 seconds. Pressing for longer than 10 seconds aborts the action.
• Switching between Battery and External Power Supply: Press the push button for 0.5-4 seconds. The battery and external supply LEDs will alternate.

Activating the link

Once the remote unit is powered on, the LASER link can be activated. Activation method depends on the RadiCentre® model.

• RadiCentre® 1 (CTR1001S): Press the START button on the back of the unit for at least 1 second until the red LED lights up. A beeping sound will occur during activation.
• RadiCentre® CTR1004B or CTR1009B: Press the START button on the touch screen, followed by the ACKNOWLEDGE button within 2 seconds.

After powering the RadiCentre® off and on, a laser safety code is required. The standard code is 3447.

The link is now ready to transfer RF signals from the remote unit to the plug-in card.

RadiCentre® setup

When new RadiLink® Hardware is installed into a RadiCentre®, a prompt appears upon startup.

• Hardware Detection: A prompt indicates new hardware detection and suggests installing the latest firmware for optimal performance.
• Software Installation: Press "OK" to install the newest software if required. Download the latest firmware from www.raditeq.com/softwareupdate.
• Powering On RLK3086R: Press the "standby, press to start" button.
• Laser Safety Code: After powering the RadiCentre® off and on, a laser safety code is required. The standard code is 3447.

The RadiCentre® will prompt "Verifying, press Ack." Pressing the ACK button within 2 seconds initializes the laser and causes the plugin card to beep.

Upon successful initialization, the RadiCentre® homescreen displays the selected RF input, gain, and the status of the analogue laser.

Useful parameters from the RLK3086R

• Laser current
• Laser temperature
• RadiLink 16V input (output voltage of RLK3004B)
• Supply input (input voltage of RLK3004B, depending on power source)

Parameter Explanations:

• Channel selection: Shows the selected channel; pressing the boxes allows selection of other channels.
• Gain: Shows the link gain; pressing the boxes allows selection of other gain settings.
• Laser Status: Shows the laser status (On/Off); pressing the box allows turning the laser ON/OFF.
• Power Source: Shows the selected power source; pressing the box allows switching between internal and external sources.
• Bias State: Shows the status of the phantom (bias) supply (Off, Internal, External).

Software Configuration

The RadiLink® can be controlled via a computer using the RadiMation® EMC software package (sold separately). A free version is available at: https://www.raditeq.com/automated-emc-software/radimation-free/. This chapter can be skipped if RadiPower® is operated manually.

RadiMation (version 2022.2 and later) features an Auto Detect function for automatic hardware detection and configuration.

Auto Detect Process:

• Start Auto Detect after downloading and installing RadiMation, or by navigating to Devices -> Auto-detect.
• Scan Options: Select the interfaces to scan (e.g., TCP/IP - LAN, USB, GPIB) to reduce scan time.
• The wizard guides through setting up device drivers.
• After setting up, click "Continue" until the auto-detect wizard completes. Select all detected devices to add them to your configuration.

For more information and an instructional video, visit: https://www.raditeq.com/radimation-auto-detect-feature/

Explanation Radimation screens

Virtual instrument:

Opening the virtual instrument (Devices > devices > cables > driver name) displays the following screen where RLK3086 parameters can be configured:

• Channel selection: Select channels by pressing the boxes.
• Gain: Adjust link gain by pressing the boxes.
• Laser Status: Turn the laser ON/OFF by pressing the box.
• Power Source: Switch between internal and external power sources by pressing the box.
• Bias State: View phantom supply status (Off, Internal, External).

Useful parameters:

• Laser current
• Laser temperature
• Supply input (voltage of RLK3004B, depending on power source)
• Status: Shows laser status (On/Off) or error messages.

Internal Generated Phantom Supply

Internal Generation: Pressing "Internal" generates the phantom supply internally. The target voltage can be set by typing the desired value. Current and voltage are measured on the RF output.

External Application: Pressing "External" applies the given phantom power to the RF output. Current and voltage are measured on the RF output.

Device Driver Configuration

Configure the device driver for automated testing via: devices > configure > device drivers > cables > advances > settings. Note: Automatic laser activation is not possible; it requires manual action.

Bias settings:

• Do not change: Adopts current settings.
• Off: No phantom power.
• Internal: Requires setting the phantom target voltage.
• External: External phantom supply is fed to the RF output (phantom target is grayed out).

Firmware updates

New firmware releases for the RadiLink® system can be programmed using RadiMation® Free. Download from: https://www.raditeq.com/download/

Perform updates via advanced device driver settings, selecting the "Software update" tab.

Update Process:

• Select the upgrade file and press "Start software upgrade".
• The RadiLink® system must be fully switched on before starting the update.
• After programming, the remote unit will reboot. The system can be switched on again once the programming is finished.

Remote control commands

General Commands

Phantom supply commands

RF Supply commands

Power & temperature commands

RadiLink® Error codes

Specifications

Model RLK3006C consisting of:

Optional Parts

RF Specifications

Phantom Power Specifications

Power Consumption & Battery Life

Dynamic Range Graphs

Graphs illustrating dynamic range for 0 dB, 20 dB, and 40 dB gain settings, as well as combined gain stages, are provided.

Warranty Conditions

Raditeq B.V. offers a standard warranty of three (3) years for registered products (www.raditeq.com/support), calculated from the shipping date. A one (1) year limited warranty applies if the product is not registered.

Return Material Authorization (RMA) & Warranty repair

For defects within the warranty term, obtain an RMA number via www.raditeq.com/support. Ship the defective product to:

Raditeq B.V. - Service Department
Vijzelmolenlaan 3
3447GX WOERDEN
The Netherlands

Warranty exclusions:

• Normal wear and tear
• Fibre optic cables
• Improper use or use outside specified range
• Improper installation and/or maintenance
• Unauthorized modifications
• Calibration and/or re-calibration

Repair services for products not covered by warranty will be charged.

Repairs outside warranty

For out-of-warranty repairs or re-calibration, contact Raditeq via the RMA link. Calibration services are performed at ISO17025 accredited laboratories.

Warranty after repair

A limited six-month warranty applies to performed repairs outside the original warranty period.

Shipping

Customers are responsible for shipping costs (transportation, duties, taxes) to Raditeq. Raditeq will arrange and cover costs for return shipments after repair.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Raditeq B.V. declares that the RadiLink® product (models: RLK3086R, RLK3016R, RLK3004B) complies with European directives:

• EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
• RoHS Directive: 2015/863/EU

Compliance is based on the following harmonized standards:

• Emission: EN 61326-1:2013, Class A1
• Immunity: EN 61326-1:2013, Industrial level, performance criteria A
• Safety: EN 61010-1:2010, EN 60825-1:2014
• RoHS: EN 63000:2018

Technical construction files are maintained at Raditeq B.V.'s address.

Date of issue: 01/04/2023
Place of issue: Woerden, the Netherlands
Authorized by: P.W.J. Dijkstra, Director