NAVIGATOR 100 FM

Measurement features

 Audio, MPX, Pilot, RDS, DARC levels
Type of analysis DSP sampling of the Multiplex signal, 500,000 samples/sec
Measurement validity RF level preferably > 50dB
Multiplex level Peak level displayed, 120,000 samples over approx  300ms
Audio level Peak level displayed, 120,000 samples over approx  300ms
Pilot level Mean peak level, 500,000 samples over 1 second, (ref 6.8 KHz)
RDS level Mean peak level, 500,000 samples over 1 second, (ref 4.0 KHz)
DARC level Mean peak level, 500,000 samples over 1 second, (ref 6.0 KHz)
Accuracy of MPX deviation display +/- 5KHz, +/- 2KHz typ
Accuracy of audio level display +/- 5%
Accuracy of sub-carrier level displays +/-10% typical and not guaranteed, to be checked by the user
 FM Multiplex signal peaks 
Type of analysis DSP sampling of the multiplex FM signal at 500KHz 
Unit The FM Navigator indicates the mean overshoot time rate
Thresholds 77KHz +/- 2KHz
 RDS data decoding 
Error Correction Can be enabled from the configuration menu
Group counting Yes (advanced functions)
Error counting Yes
Correction counting Yes
Radio Text Yes (advanced functions)
Paging The FM Navigator emulates an RDS Pager (beeper and text display)
ODA 3A groups (advanced functions)
Time/Date Yes (Main menu)
PS Yes (Main menu)
AF decoding Yes (Main menu)
PTYN Yes (Main menu)
PTY, DI, MS Yes (advanced functions)
TA/TP Beeps when TA changes state
SLC (Slow labelling Codes) Yes (advanced functions)
IN HOUSE Yes, dynamic display in advanced functions
RDS BLOCKS output Output in ASCII on RS232 at 9600 baud
RDS GROUPS output Output in ASCII on RS232 at 19200
UECP protocol RS232 output of the groups in UECP  format ("free format")
  Operation in RDS Pager mode 
Modes Numeric and alphanumeric 
Messages Up to 50 messages stored in volatile memory
Addressing A specific address or all addresses (configurable cf. GC IC)
Signal Navigator beeps upon each message arrival
DARC data decoding
DARC decoding Output of DARC data blocks, layer 2 level at 38400 baud
Type of frames Configurable A0, A1, B and C
Error correction Can be enabled or disabled in vertical and horizontal modes
Error rate Displayed on front panel and accessible via COM port (ASCII protocol)
DDJ (Zigzag) decoder Panels display in the FM Explorer software
Measurement campaigns and Flash memory storage
Analysis modes

Fast mode: 16 parameters per measurement, approx. 2 measurements / second

Slow mode: more than 38 parameters, 5 minutes per measurement (thorough MPX power analysis)
Storage Navigator 100: the data is stored in the FLASH memory card
Data formats Microsoft Excel compatible format (csv)
Frequency program memories
Capacity 50 frequencies
Automatic storage function available Scan for best (strongest) FM signals and best signals with RDS
RF receiver
FM frequency 87.5-108.0 MHz
RDS sensitivity 0 error at Vrf=-90dBµV, 4KHz RDS deviation, no modulation
DARC sensitivity 0 error at Vrf=-65dBµV, 6KHz DARC deviation, no modulation
Strong fields 3 AGC loops, AGC accounts for adjacent signal levels 
RF level evaluation +/- 4dB from 15°C to 25°C, from 20dBµV to 80dBµV without modulation
Dynamic 0 to 94dBµV
External attenuator 20dB, delivered with the Navigator
Stereo decoding
Stereo separation >20dB, typ >36dB @ 1KHz
Typical separation Approximately 26dB to 35dB
GPS receiver
Number of channels 8
Antenna Pre-amplified, 5m of cable, magnetic
Connector SMB, rear panel of the FM Navigator
GPS differential DGPS input on the rear panel of the FM Navigator (extension connector)

Hardware description

  Miscellaneous 
Dimensions (W x H x D)
 210 x 45 x 124 mm
Weight 1,2 Kg (Navigator 100)
 Operating conditions 
 Specifications above given for an ambient temperature of 20°C
Equipment operational between 0° and 50°C
EMC immunity 10V/m
 Power supply 
Connector 4 pin, male XLR, pin-out compatible with professional video power supplies and batteries.
Navigator 100 11,0V to 15,0V (max: 25V), 450mA
Power supply accessories
  • Mains transformer supplied
  • Cigarette lighter cable supplied
  • Optional battery pack

 
User interface
  • 2 push buttons
  • 1 LED, 10 character, red, adjustable intensity, alphanumeric display
  • 1 menu scrolling wheel
  • 1 buzzer (TA, error indication)
  • 1 internal loudspeaker 
  • Headphone jack (stereo, 3.5mm)

Communication

 COM port RS232 
Speed 9600 baud except for certain commands at 19200 bauds and DARC data output at 38400 baud
Communication protocol ASCII commands, compatible with all ASCII terminals
Access to all parameters (measurements, RDS, DARC, configuration, calibration) through the command interpreter
Antenna input
Connector BNC on rear panel
Impedance 50 ohms
External attenuator 20dB
 FM Multiplex input (BNC socket) 
Connector BNC Impedance = 50 Kohms
Max input level 8800mV (+12dBu)
 FM Multiplex output (BNC socket) 
Connector BNC
Impedance < 20 ohms
Max output level 4400mV (+6dBu)
Pass-band +/- 1dB from 50Hz to 50KHz
Stereo cross-talk 36dBu typ. at 1KHz (adjustable by potentiometer)
Headphones output
Headphones connector Stereo / 3.5mm jack
Volume Adjustable via front panel and ASCII protocol (RS232)
Max level +6dBu for 75KHz deviation

Options and accessories


  Loudspeaker
  • Monophonic audio monitoring
  • Mutes when headphones are plugged in
Buzzer  
  • Functions error signaling, TA switching, arrival of a paging message
  • Beeps for each measurement during a campaign
  • Signals input errors in the man-machine interface  
 Accessories 
  • Cigarette lighter cable
  • 20 dB attenuator
  • Optional portable battery pack