531N Inovonics Broadcast FM Modulation Monitor

531N Inovonics Broadcast FM Modulation Monitor

Off-air readings are qualified by Inovonics' exclusive multipath indicator, which also aids in antenna alignment during initial station build-outs. In addition, readouts of signal strength and synchronous AM noise qualify the incoming signal and validate measurements.

Synchronous AM Noise Monitoring - an exclusive with Inovonics.

Rear-panel alarms constantly check for Audio Loss, RF Loss, Multipath and Overmodulation, while advanced notifications alert personnel with e-mail or SMS messaging when any or all of the alarms occur.

Features

• Complete set of metering and measurement tools to ensure FM broadcast regulatory compliance worldwide.
• Separate inputs for Antenna, High Level ʻdirectʼ RF, and composite signal measurements.
• Full-time display of Signal Strength and Multipath effects, plus Synchronous AM noise output (BNC) to validate readings and aid in antenna alignment.
• Synchronous AM Noise Monitoring - an exclusive with Inovonics.
• Composite and Balanced analog Left and Right line outputs.
• Front panel metering for subcarrier injection levels: 38kHz, 57kHz (RDS), 67kHz, & 92kHz.
• Advanced Metering includes an FFT Spectrum Analyzer for the MPX, Left/Right XY plots and audio levels over time.
• Alarms for Peak Overmodulation, Signal Loss, Program Audio Loss and Multipath.
• Rear-panel closures to ground enable remote alarm indications and preset station switching.
• "Responsive" Remote Control Web interface with live audio streaming.
• SNMP control and support.

Specifications

OFF-AIR RECEIVER SECTION

Type

Double-conversion superhet circuit with proprietary ultra-linear, noise-rejecting pulse-counting FM detector

Tuning Range

76MHz – 108MHz  in 100kHz increments

Station Presets

6 user-programmable pushbutton presets; local or remote selection

RF Inputs

• F connector for 75-ohm antenna
• BNC connector for high-level 50-ohm RF sample; 1V - 7V r.m.s.

Receiver Sensitivity

10μV (10dBf) for 50dB mono quieting; 250μV (60dBf) required for valid Total Modulation reading

Receiver Selectivity

±0.25dB, 20Hz - 50kHz; –1.5dB or less at 100kHz (see Figure 1); –35dB (typ) at 200kHz (see Figure 2)

Baseband Output

BNC composite/MPX demod output; 3Vp-p at 100%-modulation.

RSSI (Incoming Signal Level)

Independent front-panel LED bargraph metering of the relative strength of the incoming carrier

Multipath Distortion Measurement

Independent front-panel LED bargraph metering of the relative degree of multipath reception-distortion effects

AM Noise Measurement

Front-panel metering may be switched to show the relative level of the incidental, synchronous AM noise component of the FM carrier. AM noise is routed to a separate BNC output and also monitored by headphones when selected.

FM BASEBAND MEASUREMENTS

Baseband Input

Adjustable BNC composite/MPX input to stereo decoder and subcarrier measurement circuitry. Accepts 100%- modulation levels (typical 3V p-p) equating to ±75kHz carrier deviation.

Composite/MPX Metering

58-segment LED bargraph display has quasi-peak response with floating peak hold. Switchable between positive deviation, negative deviation and highest of either

Meter Resolution

1% accuracy between 80% and 100% carrier modulation; 2% resolution between 46% and 80% (100% = ±75kHz carrier deviation)

Metering Integration

User-selectable at 0.1ms, 0.2ms, 0.5ms and 1.0ms

Meter Frequency Response

+0/–1%, 10Hz - 100kHz

Peak Flasher

Programmable in 1% increments between 95% and 120% of total carrier modulation.

STEREO DEMOD PERFORMANCE

Switch-Selected Composite/MPX Input

• Direct connection to the demodulated output of the offair receiver section
• BNC connector accepts an external baseband input 3V p-p (adjustable) equivalent to full (±75kHz) carrier deviation

Program Audio Outputs

• Balanced XLR Left & Right channel stereo program outputs deliver +4dBm at 100% monaural modulation (±75kHz carrier deviation)
• Front-panel headphone jack

Demod Metering Display

Dual LED bargraph displays show Left and Right or L+R and L–R demodulated program audio. The display is peak responding between +10dB and –30dB, and average responding between –30dB and – 64dB.

Stereo Audio Frequency Response

±0.5dB, 10Hz - 15kHz

Stereo Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Unmodulated (stereo) carrier noise is better than 65dB below 100% modulation with de-emphasis applied.

Distortion

<0.075%THD at 400Hz 100% Modulation Mono. No De-Emphasis, unweighted

Stereo Separation

55dB, 50Hz - 15kHz with an external composite/MPX input. In the off-air mode, receiver selectivity limits separation to >45dB, 50Hz - 15kHz (see Figure 3).

Stereo Crosstalk

By the M/S or S/M (stereo-difference) method, >60dB, 50Hz - 5kHz, derated to >45dB at 15kHz with external composite/MPX input. In the off-air mode receiver selectivity limits crosstalk to >50dB, 50Hz - 5kHz, derated to >35dB at 15kHz (See Figure 4).

Stereo/Mono Switching

Mod switching is automatic with a front-panel indicator; monaural reception may be forced with a front-panel button or from the remote Web Interface.

Proram De-Emphasis

May be turned on and off from front panel or Web Interface (indicator provided); internal jumper selects 50μs or 75μs characteristic.

FM SUBCARRIER MEASUREMENTS

Meter Scaling and Resolution/Accuracy

58-segment LED bargraph display measures stereo pilot and subcarrier levels between 2.6% and 14% with 0.2% resolution and accuracy. Injection percentages refer to 100% = ±75kHz carrier deviation.

Metering Characteristic

Peak-responding in all modes

Measurement Filters

• 19kHz Stereo Pilot Tone
• 38kHz Residual Stereo Subcarrier
• 57kHz RDS/RBDS Data Subcarrier
• 67kHz SCA Audio Subcarrier
• 92kHz SCA Audio Subcarrier

PROGRAMMABLE ALARMS

Peak Flasher

Ground-closure output gives remote indication coincidental with the front-panel Peak Flasher

Program Audio Loss

Front-panel LED and ground-closure (remote) alarm is programmable from the front panel to indicate when either stereo channel remains 10dB or more below 0dB for a period that may be set between 10 seconds and 2 minutes.

Low Signal

Front-panel LED and remote ground-closure alarm is fixed at a level of incoming RF signal below which modulation measurements are not valid.

Multipath

Front-panel LED and remote ground-closure alarm is fixed at a degree of multipath distortion above which modulation measurements are not valid.

NETWORK PORT

Rear Panel Connector

An RJ45 jack accepts TCP/IP Network Connections for remote setup and operation.

Settings

DHCP or Static IP address can be set from the front panel.

SNMP

Supports SNMP remote monitoring and control (MIB file can be downloaded directly from the 531N)

SMTP

Supports email services with or without SSL.

Dynamic DNS

Supports dyndns.org, no-ip.org, and dnsomatic.com.

MISCELLANEOUS

Power Requirements

105 - 130VAC or 210 - 260VAC, 50/60Hz; 20 watts

Size and Weight

3½”H x 19”W x 12”D (2U); 14 lbs. (shipping)

Environmental

0°C - 50°C operating temperature range; 95% noncondensing relative humidity; up to 3000 meters AMSL