AIM_Quick_Start.pdf

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AIM Quick Start Guide
Sept 26, 2011
LOADING THE SOFTWARE:
The AIMuhf/AIM4170/PowerAIM software does not require a formal installation
procedure. It does not interfere with any other programs or the registry on your computer.
1) Create a folder or a subfolder on any convenient hard drive.
For example, “C:\AntennaAnalyzer”. (the name can be anything)
2) Download the latest program from the website:
http://www.w5big.com/prog_update.htm
The latest program is shown at the top of the page.
3) Save the zip file in the folder you just created for the antenna analyzer software and
documentation. Unzip it in this folder or another folder if you wish.
4) The file labeled “AIM_xxx.exe” is the executable file. It is ready to run without going
through an installation process. When later versions of the program are released, the
number “_xxx” will be different. All versions of the antenna analyzer program can reside
in the same folder at the same time. The older programs with the lower numbers will not
interfere with the newest version, so they do not have to be deleted.
Be sure your computer displays the
extensions of files
so you can distinguish the *.exe
files from the other files. See Appendix 5 for more information.
5) The same program will run the
AIMuhf,
the
AIM4170
and the
PowerAIM.
It
automatically determines which instrument is connected when it starts to run. It is
important to turn on the hardware before starting the program.
If you want to make a shortcut icon for your desktop, right click on the AIM_xxx.exe file
(or the latest version) and select “create shortcut” from the dropdown menu. Drag the
shortcut to your desktop or task bar.
HARDWARE CONNECTIONS:
Plug in the DC power supply (8 to 12V at 500 ma recommended) and insert the connector
into the jack on the rear panel of the analyzer.
Press the power switch. The Green LED will blink a few times to indicate the version of
software and then remain on continuously. The Red LED is on only when a measurement
is in progress.
1
To turn off the power, press the power switch again. If the analyzer does not receive a
command from the PC for 10 minutes, it will power down automatically if it is in the
AutoPwrOff mode. The AutoPwrOff mode can be turned on/off with a menu selection
under the
Setup
tab at the top of the screen.
The AIMuhf/AIM4170 can be operated on battery power for remote operation with a
laptop computer. The current required is about 350-400ma while a measurement is in
progress and about 50ma when idle.
Batteries are not included with the AIMuhf/AIM4170 but you can make a battery pack
using any type of batteries you like. There is room
inside the case
for a 9V battery and
disconnect diodes are included so the battery and the AC power supply will not interfere
with each other. There is also a space for an optional resistor to use for trickle charging a
battery, if desired. The main power on/off switch controls the battery power too, so the
leakage current is less than one microamp when the AIMuhf/AIM4170 is turned off.
Refer to Appendix 6 and the Application-Help file for more details
When using the AIMuhf/AIM4170 to test a mobile antenna on a motor vehicle, it is better
to use a separate battery and
not
the 12V battery in the vehicle. A 9V battery will power
the unit for several hours or a small 12V gel cell (sealed lead acid) battery can be used for
extended operating periods. This avoids the problem of sneak paths through the ground
between the DC power input and the antenna ground connection. It will also help reduce
measurement noise if it’s necessary to run the engine while taking data (such as to
operate the air conditioner).
If it’s essential to get power for the AIMuhf/AIM4170
from the vehicle, be sure to put 500 ma fuses in BOTH the +12V lead and the power
ground lead.
A small voltage drop across the fuses will not affect the AIMuhf/AIM4170
since the battery voltage is much more than the required minimum operating voltage.
The laptop computer being used should remain
floating
for the best measurement
accuracy.
When using the AIMuhf/AIM4170 with a new antenna system, check the AC and DC
voltage between the antenna ground and the ground used for the AIMuhf/AIM4170 and
the PC. This voltage should be less than 1V. A balanced antenna should have a DC
connection to ground through a balun or RF choke on one side (or both sides). Of course
there should always be a large resistor (or balun) connecting both leads of the antenna to
a ground path in order to drain off static electricity.
NOTE: Before connecting a transmission line to the input of the
AIMuhf/AIM4170, be sure to momentarily short its pins together to drain
off any static charge that may be present. Also, be sure there is no DC
voltage on the antenna. If there is DC, use a blocking capacitor between the
AIMuhf/AIM4170 and the antenna input.
Antennas and transmission lines can have enough static charge to damage sensitive
electronic equipment. This can happen even when there is no rainstorm in the area.
2
A strong wind can generate static charge. So can just flexing a coaxial cable by
rolling it up or unrolling it, even if there is no antenna connected to it.
An antenna or a component to be measured should not be connected or
disconnected from the analyzer while a test is in progress. A test is in progress when
the
RED LED
is on.
Be sure the maximum input voltage at the DC power connector does not
exceed 15 volts. The minimum input voltage required is 6.0 volts.
NOTE:
Low cost power supplies that plug in the wall are usually not regulated and their
maximum output when no load is connected may be several volts higher than their rated
output.
Check the output voltage with no load to make sure it does not exceed 15
volts.
Power supplies that operate on a wide input voltage range such as 120V to 220V use a
switching regulator. Evaluate the measurement results to see if noise from the power
supply may be a problem.
PC INTERFACE CABLE:
Connect one end of the
RS232 cable
to the antenna analyzer and the other end to COM1
on your PC. If you want to use a different COMM port, start the AIMuhf/AIM4170
program and click on the
Setup
menu at the top of the screen. Then click on
Enter
Comm Port
and enter the port number that you want to use. This number will be saved
in the setup file called
AIM_xxx.ini.
If you are connecting to the RS232 port with a USB adapter, you will need the
appropriate driver. An adapter based on the FTDI chip is recommended, especially with
Win 7. For additional information on the usb port, refer to this document:
w5big.com/PC_USB_INTERFACE.pdf
If you have a USB adapter that you have been using, it should be ready to run.
3
Initial Operation:
Launch the AIM_xxx.exe program. You will see a graph similar to this:
When the AIMuhf/AIM4170 is present, it must be turned on
before
the PC program is
launched.
If the PC program starts when the AIMuhf/AIM4170 is not connected and powered up,
the program will automatically enter the DEMO mode. In the demo mode, you can look
at previously saved scan files.
For a quick test after calibrating, leave the calibration resistor connected to the RF
connector and click the
SCAN
button in the lower left corner of the screen.
The Red LED will come on while the scan is in progress. A blue bar will move across the
top of the graph as the scan progresses.
You will see a set of traces (similar to the picture below). The actual values are not
important, but this shows the AIMuhf/AIM4170 is functioning.
4
Scan using a 301 ohm resistor for a test load.
5

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