Platinum™ VAX

VHF Air-Cooled TV/DAB Transmitter

The Platinum™ VAX VHF air-cooled transmitter delivers the most advanced and proven VHF transmission platform, with exceptional power efficiency, an extended power range and a full operator feature set. These capabilities, along with the VAX transmitter’s flexible configurations and compact design, provide a solid foundation for broadcasters to build their network.

The Platinum VAX incorporates the Harris® PowerSmart® solid-state architecture, along with 50-Volt LDMOS amplifier devices and the Harris Apex M2X™ exciter technology with RTAC™, to provide today’s broadcaster with leading power efficiency and unmatched signal performance. The VAX power amplifiers have a record of proven performance and reliability in the DMB 670 and Z transmitter families. This powerful blend of technologies provides best-in-class performance with respect to transmitter size, power efficiency and features. The modular design allows for simpler installation, easier maintenance and reduced total cost of ownership over the life of the transmitters. The VAX is available in very low-power to high-power output, suitable for almost any broadcast application.

Designed with future broadcasting needs in mind, the VAX transmitter is capable of multiple modulation schemes for band III VHF analog or digital operation — including ATSC, ATSC MDTV, DVB-T/H, DVB T2, ISDB-Tb, DAB/DMB and future digital standards. Upgrading from analog to digital or to newer digital standards is readily accomplished to further extend the capability and life of the transmitter.

The VAX transmitter is available as standalone units or in single- or dual-cabinet configurations, and has digital power levels up to 12 kW ATSC, 6.4 kW DVB-T/T2, 10 kW DAB/DMB, and analog levels up to 16 kW.

Features

PowerSmart technology, for best-in-class power efficiency and lowest operating costs
Rugged, reliable design and construction
Digital power levels up to 12 kW ATSC, 10 kW DAB and 6.4 kW COFDM TV
Analog power levels up to 16 kW
Field-proven Harris Apex M2X exciter technology, allowing easy migration from analog to digital, or upgrading to new standards
All-digital linear and nonlinear pre-correction, including exclusive Harris® Real-Time Adaptive Correction (RTAC™)
Fully broadband PA modules — 168 to 242 MHz
1:1 PA module to power supply redundancy
Hot-pluggable linear RF amplifier modules and DC power supplies
Transmitter monitoring and in-depth diagnostics via easy-to-use, front-panel controls and indicators
Incorporates Harris Web-enabled remote control graphical user interface

Product Details

Harris PowerSmart Technology Inside
With PowerSmart technology in its architecture, the Platinum VAX transmitter offers superior power and efficiency. New 50 volt LDMOS device technology delivers a dramatic increase in power density, lower operating costs and reduced cost of ownership over the life of the transmitter.

To learn more about PowerSmart, please click on the logo below:

Compact Footprint
As the most compact air-cooled Band III transmitter, the Platinum VAX is ideal for crowded, shared transmitter sites. The Platinum VAX transmitter reduces facility space requirements, simplifies installation, lowers shipping costs and allows for easier maintenance.

Global Monitoring and Control
The Platinum VAX transmitter can be controlled from anywhere in the world with an intuitive browser-based GUI or SNMP over TCP/IP via a telecom or network connection with password protection.

Improved Uptime and Reduced Service Costs
Hot-pluggable, redundant power amplifier (PA) and universal power supply (PS) modules make on-air servicing easy and eliminate costly service interruptions. Light-weight universal PA pallets and universal PS modules facilitate overnight/same-day shipping for simple, cost-effective spares holding. With lightweight subassemblies, the Platinum VAX eliminates any two-person lift requirements for routine maintenance and troubleshooting.

Smooth Upgradeability
The Platinum VAX features the Apex M2X exciter technology, allowing for a seamless transition from any analog standard to a digital terrestrial standard, or from an existing digital standard to a future standard, such as from DVB-T to DVB-T2 or from ATSC to ATSC MDTV.

Images/Diagrams

Platinum VAX – 8 PA System

5RU LPU, 1 PA & 2 PA Transmitter (Rack Optional)

Specifications

Specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.

General
Frequency Range	168 to 242 MHz, in 1 Hz steps
Transmission Standards	ATSC, DVB-T, DVB-T2, ISDB-Tb, Analog, DAB
Channel Bandwidth	1.5, 6, 7 or 8 MHz (system dependent)
Rated Power Output	See chart below
Output Power Reduction Range	0 to -10 dB
RF Load Impedance	50 ohms
VSWR	Protected against open or short circuit, all phase angles. Capable of operation into infinite VSWR with user-adjustable fold back threshold. Factory pre-set to 4% of nominal nameplate power (VSWR = 1.5:1)
RF Output Connector	N-female, 1-5/8 or 3-1/8 in. EIA (dependent upon power level, DIN 7-16 optional for lower power levels)
Transmitter Dimensions	Refer to Harris outline drawing 8398464263
Transmitter Weight	Refer to Harris outline drawing 8398464263

AC Mains
AC Line Voltage	3 phase: 380 to 415 V, or 208 to 240 V, 50/60Hz, or Single Phase 208 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz - specify when ordering
AC Line Variation	±15%, between 208 to 230 V or 380 to 400 V
Power Factor	>0.97 (0.98 typical)

Environmental
Altitude	Up to 13,123 ft (4,000 m) elevation above mean sea level
Ambient Temperature	32° to 113° F (0° to 45° C) at sea level (upper limit derated 3.6° F (2° C) per 984 ft (300 m) elevation AMSL)
Humidity	95%, non-condensing
Cooling Method	Air-cooled with internal fans, air flow front to rear (external air using optional front air plenum)
Acoustic Noise	<65 dBA (measured 1 m in front of cabinet. For VAX-4PA systems and larger, the external input air plenum is required to meet acoustic noise specification)
Frequency Stability	Without precision frequency control/GPS: ±150 Hz/month (6.2 x 10^-7 ppm)

External Inputs
GPS Input	SMA female, 50 ohms, (+5 V DC @ 100 mA max output for active antenna)
1 PPS Input	BNC female, user selectable 50 ohms or high impedance termination
10 MHz Reference Frequency Input	BNC female, 50 ohms

Monitoring Outputs
RF Monitor (exciter)	SMA female
1 PPS	SMA female
10 MHz	SMA female

DVB-T/DVB-T2 / ISDB-Tb Specification
Power Output (average)	50 W to 6.4 kW models available, measured before mask filter (see chart below)
Systems	DVB-T/H, standard EN 300744 DVB-T2, standard EN 302 755 ISDB-Tb, Brazil ANATEL standard
ASI/T2MI Inputs	2 inputs BNC female; 75 ohms according to EN 50083-9 (for DVB-H 2 main/2 hierarchical
Crest Factor	13 dB maximum
Shoulder Level	<-37 dB (before mask filter)
END	<0.5 dB
MER	>33 dB (typical 35 dB)
Harmonics (before filter)	<-40 dB
Central Carrier Suppression	>75 dB
DVB-T2 Modes	Supports multiple PLP’s, MISO, extended bandwidth mode, PAPR reduction

DAB/DMB Specification
Power Output (average)	50 W to 10 kW models available, measured before mask filter (see chart below)
Systems	DAB/DMB (OFDM) ETSI EN 300 401 & ETSI TR101 496-1
Power Stability	≤ ±0.25 dB
Harmonic/Spurious Output	Complies with EN 302077-2 when used in conjunction with proper band pass filter
Shoulder Before Filter	35 dB minimum, >36 to 40 dB typical
Signal Inputs	ETI Input: BNC-female, user selectable 75 ohms or high impedance termination. 2x ETI (NI, G703) or 2x ETI (NA, G704), seamless input signal switch-over automatic optional EDI input: 10/100 Base T RJ-45, per ETSI TS 102 693 V1.1.2, 1 channel, UDP/DCP or TCP/DCP protocol
Monitoring Outputs	ETI Monitor 2.048 MHz Sync ETI Sync OFDM

ATSC Specification
Power Output (average)	60 W to 12 kW models available, measured before mask filter (see chart below)
System	ATSC A-53, 8-VSB DTV standard
Data Input	19.39 Mb/s, Configurable as SMPTE-310M or ASI (user selectable)
Impedance	75 ohms, unbalanced
Input Connector	2 inputs, BNC female
Signal to Noise (EVM)	>27 dB (EVM <4%), Typical >32 dB (EVM <2.5 %)
Phase Noise	<104 dBc/Hz @ 20 kHz offset (ATSC A/64)
Harmonic Radiation and Spurious	Meets mask requirements specified in FCC 5th and 6th report and order
Sideband Performance	Compliant with FCC radiation mask, when measured at the output of Harris-supplied output filter

Analog
Power Output (vision peak of sync)	100 W to 16 kW models available, measured before IMD filter (see chart below). 10% sound
Analog Television Systems	CCIR G, I, K, K1, M, N
Color Systems	PAL, NTSC, SECAM
Sound Systems	Monaural, BTSC, IRT, NICAM G

Analog Video Performance
Video Input	0.7 to 1.4 V, 75 ohms, 32 dB return loss
Variation of Output Power²	±2%
Vision Sideband Response³	PAL system G shown (other systems available) -1.25 MHz and below -20 dB or less -4.43 MHz -30 dB or less -0.75 to -1.25 MHz 0.5 dB or less -0.5 to 4.5 MHz 0.5 to -0.5 dB 5.0 MHz 0.5 to -2.5 dB 5.75 MHz and above -35 dB or less

Differential Gain⁵	3%
Differential Phase⁵	3°
Low Frequency Linearity⁶	10%
Incidental Carrier Phase Modulation⁵	±2°
Signal to Noise Ratio	>60 dB (weighted)
K Factor	2% or less with 2T sin² pulse
20T Equivalent Gain and Delay	3% total baseline distortion
Spurious and Harmonic Radiation	-60 dB, or better
In-Channel Intermodulation Distortion	-58 dB (-60 dB typical)

Analog Sound Performance
Modulation Capability	±120 kHz peak deviation
Monaural Input	Adjustable 0 to 12 dBm, 600 ohms, balanced, >30 dB return loss
Pre-emphasis	Selectable 75 or 50 µS
Frequency Response	±0.5 dB, 40 Hz to 15 kHz
Harmonic Distortion	0.5%, 30 Hz to 15 kHz
FM Noise	60 dB RMS with de-emphasis
AM Noise	50 dB RMS from 30 Hz to 15 kHz
Synchronous AM Noise	40 dB RMS at 400 Hz with ±25 kHz deviation
IRT Sound	Available
NICAM Sound	Available

Remote Control
Parallel Remote	25 conductor D-sub for single drive basic rack, 12 conductor terminal block (mini Wago) on deluxe rack
Ethernet/SNMP	RJ-45, twisted pair

Compliance	RoHS 2002/95/EC R&TTE 1999/5/EC Safety: EN 60215 EMC: EN 301-489-1 FCC Part 73 Manufacturing: ISO 9001: 2008

¹Variation of peak output power with a change in average picture level from black to white (0% to 100%).

²Peak-to-peak variation of peak sync voltage during one field using field test signal per EIA-508.

³Response specified for transmitter operating into a resistive load of 1.05:1 VSWR.

⁴Measured using 20% peak-to-peak amplitude swept video modulation with pedestal set at 10%, 50% and 90% APL. All percentages relative to a blanking to white transition.

⁵Measured using a 5-step staircase signal. Test signal #3, CCIR REC. #421-3

VAX Power Levels

Model Number	Dimensions (HxWxD)	Weight (uncrated)	Number of Cabinets	Number of PA Blocks	Number of Final PA Modules	RF Output Power (W)
VAX‐100AN VAX‐50DA VAX‐60AT VAX‐50DV/IS/T2	22.2x48.3x50cm 8.72x19x19.7in (Rack optional¹)	20 kg 44.1 lb	0 or 1	0	1	100/10 50 60 50
VAX‐250AN VAX‐150DA VAX‐180AT VAX‐100DV/IS/T2	22.2x48.3x50cm 8.72x19x19.7in (Rack optional¹)	20 kg 44.1 lb	0 or 1	0	1	250/25 150 180 100
VAX‐500AN VAX‐300DA VAX‐375AT VAX‐200DV/IS/T2	22.2x48.3x50cm 8.72x19x19.7in (Rack optional¹)	25 kg 55.0 lb	0 or 1	0	1	500/50 300 375 200
VAX‐1000AN VAX‐600DA VAX‐750AT VAX‐400DV/IS/T2	22.2x48.3x50cm 8.72x19x19.7in (Rack optional¹)	25 kg 55.0 lb	0 or 1	0	2	1,000/100 600 750 400
VAX‐2000AN VAX‐1250DA VAX‐1500AT VAX‐800DV/IS/T2	93.2x48.3x67.4cm 36.7x19x26.5in (Rack optional¹)	286.5 kg 632 lb	0 or 1	1	4	2,000/200 1,200 1,500 800
VAX‐3000AN VAX‐1875DA VAX‐2250AT VAX‐1200DV/IS/T2	93.2x48.3x67.4cm 36.7x19x26.5in (Rack optional¹)	301.5 kg 665 lb	0 or 1	1	6	3,000/300 1,875 2,250 1,200
VAX‐4000AN VAX‐2500DA VAX‐3000AT VAX‐1600DV/IS/T2	93.2x48.3x67.4cm 36.7x19x26.5in (Rack optional¹)	316.5 kg 698 lb	0 or 1	1	8	4,000/400 2,500 3,000 1,600
VAX‐6000AN VAX‐3750DA VAX‐4500AT VAX‐2400DV/IS/T2	In 44RU Rack: 219.7x59.5x94.8cm 86.5x23.4x37.3in (2 racks for dual drive)	541 kg 1,193 lb	1 or 2	2	12	6,000/600 3,750 4,500 2,400
VAX‐8000AN VAX‐5000DA VAX‐6000AT VAX‐3200DV/IS/T2	In 44RU Rack: 219.7x59.5x94.8cm 86.5x23.4x37.3in (2 racks for dual drive)	580 kg 1,279 lb	1 or 2	2	16	8,000/800 5,000 6,000 3,200
VAX‐12000AN VAX‐7500DA VAX‐9000AT VAX‐4800DV/IS/T2	In 2x44RU Racks, total: 219.7x119x94.8cm 86.5x46.9x37.3in	658 kg 1,551 lb	2	3	24	12,000/1,200 7,500 9,000 4,800
VAX‐16000AN VAX‐10000DA VAX‐12000AT VAX‐6400DV/IS/T2	In 2x44RU Racks, total: 219.7x119x94.8cm 86.5x46.9x37.3in	753 kg 1,660 lb	2	4	32	16,000/1,600 10,000 12,000 6,400