UK Voluntary National Specification 2111

Performance parameters for Scanning Telemetry Systems
operating in the frequency bands 457.5 to 458.5 MHz and 463.0 to 464.0 MHz
in which spectrum is managed by Radiocommunications Agency

Parameters

Reference Standards

Equipment Parameters and Limits

Additional Information

General Characteristics

Channel Plan

Adaptable cellular channel plan

Details of the channel plan can be found in the RA report entitled "The future of UHF Scanning Telemetry Frequency Assignment - A report for DTI, JRC and TAG" published January 1989.

Co-polar Channel Spacing

N/A

Channel Spacing (kHz)

12.5

Normal Test Conditions

15 to 35°C and Relative Humidity of 20 % to 75 %

The normal environmental conditions are any convenient and naturally occurring combination of temperature and humidity within the stated ranges.

Extreme Test Conditions

-10°C to +55°C

The limits given here are the extreme temperature range for equipment that is designed for indoor use.

Transmitter Characteristics

Carrier Power

Output Power is subject to manufacturer declaration, but shall not exceed 10 watts in any case.

The transmitter power (conducted) is the mean power delivered to the artificial antenna during a radio frequency cycle, in the absence of modulation.

Transmitter carrier Power Tolerance

+2dB -3dB under all environmental conditions.

Frequency Error

N/A

± 1.5 kHz

The frequency error of the transmitter is the difference between the measured carrier frequency in the absence of modulation and the nominal frequency of the transmitter.

Maximum permissible frequency deviation

N/A

Maximum permissible frequency deviation at any modulating frequency shall not exceed ±2.5 kHz. For modulating frequencies between 3 kHz and 6 kHz the frequency deviation shall not exceed the frequency deviation at 3 kHz. At 6 kHz the frequency deviation shall be at least 6dB below that of the frequency deviation for a 1 kHz modulation frequency. For modulating frequencies from 6 kHz to a frequency equal to the channel separation the frequency deviation should not exceed the level given by a linear representation with a slope of 14 dB/octave with the frequency deviation diminishing as the modulating frequency increases to a value equal to channel separation. These limits are illustrated in figure 3.1.

The frequency deviation is the maximum difference between the instantaneous frequency of the modulated radio frequency signal and the carrier frequency in the absence of modulation.

Adjacent channel power

N/A

Adjacent channel power shall not exceed a value of 55 dB below the carrier power of the transmitter, without the need to be below -67 dBW (0.2µW). Refer to section 3.2 for the power measuring receiver specification and figure 3.2 for the IF filter selectivity characteristic.

The adjacent channel power is that part of the total output power of a transmitter, under defined conditions of modulation, which falls within a specified passband centred in the nominal frequency of either of the adjacent channels.

IF Filter Specification

N/A

Frequency separation of filter curve from nominal centre frequency of adjacent channel (kHz) for channel spacing of 12.5 kHz				Figure
D1	D2	D3	D4	3.2
3	4.25	5.5	9.5	3.2
Attenuation Points Close to the Carrier Tolerance Range (kHz)
D1	D2	D3	D4	3.2
1.35	±0.10	-1.35	-5.35	3.2
Attenuation Points Distant from the Carrier Tolerance Range (kHz)
D1	D2	D3	D4	3.2
±2.0	±2.0	±2.0	+2.0
±2.0	±2.0	±2.0	-6.0

The power measuring receiver consists of a mixer, an IF filter, an oscillator, an amplifier, a variable attenuator and an RMS value indicator, it is also possible to use an RMS voltmeter calibrated in decibels. The technical characteristics of the power measuring receiver are given in Annex A.

Spurious Emissions

N/A

Any spurious emissions in the frequency range 100 kHz to 2 GHz shall not exceed a power level of -56 dBW.

Spurious emissions are emissions at frequencies which are outside the necessary bandwidth and the level of which may be reduced without affecting the corresponding transmission of information. Spurious emissions include harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products and frequency conversion products but exclude emissions on frequencies immediately outside the necessary bandwidth which result from the modulation process.

Receiver Characteristics

Reference Sensitivity

N/A

For an input signal level of -124 dBW the minimum signal to noise ratio at the audio output, un-weighted, shall be 27 dB.

The reference sensitivity of the receiver is the minimum level of signal at the receiver input, at the nominal frequency of the receiver and with normal test modulation, that will produce an audio frequency output signal at the specified level.

Adjacent Channel Selectivity

N/A

Channel Seperation (kHz)

The S/N ratio should not be less than 24 dB under any conditions.

The adjacent channel selectivity is the capability of the receiver to receive a wanted modulated signal at the nominal frequency without exceeding a given degradation due to the presence of an unwanted modulated signal in the adjacent channel.

Spurious Emissions

At each emission up to 2 GHz, the power of any spurious emission shall not exceed -77dBW.

CW Interference

N/A

At any frequency separated from the nominal frequency of the receiver by more than 12.5 kHz the signal to noise ratio shall not exceed 27 dB.

The spurious response rejection is the capability of the receiver to discriminate between the wanted modulated signal at the nominal frequency and an unwanted signal at any other frequency at which a response is obtained.

Figure 4.2: Antenna Radiation Pattern Envelope for Outstations - Standard Antenna

Figure 4.3: Antenna Radiation Pattern Envelope for Outstations - High Performance Antenna

General Enquiries to the Information and Library Service:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7211 0502 or 0505
Fax: +44 (0)20 7211 0507
E-mail: library@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Technical Enquiries to the Fixed Terrestrial and Satellite Links Unit:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7211 0300
Fax: +44 (0)20 7211 0113

Fixed Terrestrial and Satellite Links Unit,
Wyndham House,
189 Marsh Wall,
London,
E14 9SX

	2.1	Abbreviations
	2.2	Symbols

	4.1	Polarisation
	4.2	Specification limits
	4.3	Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP)

A.1	Introduction
A.2	Input and Output Ports
A.3	Procedures for Tests at Extreme Temperatures

	A 3.1	Equipment designed for continuous operation
	A 3.2	Equipment designed for intermittent operation

A.4	Arrangements for Test Signals at the Input to the Receiver
A.5	Receiver Mute or Squelch Facility
A.6	Receiver Rated Audio Output Power
A.7	Normal Test Modulation
A.8	Transmitter Artificial Load
A.9	Measuring Frequency Error
A.10	Carrier Power Measurement
A.11	Maximum Permissible Frequency Deviation Measurement
A.12	Response of the Transmitter at Modulation Frequencies above 3KHz
A.13	Adjacent Channel Power
A.14	Transmitter Spurious Emission Measurement
A.15	Reference Sensitivity Measurement
A.16	Adjacent Channel Selectivity
A.17	Spurious Response Rejection
A.18	Receiver Spurious Emissions Measurement
A.19	Antenna Testing

	3.1	Maximum Permissible Frequency Deviation
	3.2	Specifications for adjacent channel power measurement arrangements

1	Foreword
1.1	The Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive came into force on the 8th April 2000. This directive removes the need for national type approval regimes allowing manufacturers to self declare conformance to the R&TTE Directive, via a number of possible routes detailed in the Directive. Once a declaration of conformance has been made, and notification procedures with the relevant spectrum management authorities have been completed, where applicable, the manufacturer is free to sell the equipment in all European Union (EU) member states. In the UK the spectrum management authority is the Radiocommunications Agency (RA). Refer to information sheet RA368 for details of the notification procedure.
1.2	In order to declare conformance with the R&TTE Directive the manufacturers must satisfy the "essential requirements" laid out in the R&TTE Directive. It is the responsibility of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) to develop harmonised standards under mandate from the European Commission. Compliance with these harmonised standards gives a presumption of conformity with the "essential requirements" of the Directive. In the absence of a relevant ETSI Harmonised Standard for Scanning Telemetry applications this VNS identifies "essential parameters", and the numeric values associated with these parameters with reference to ETSI Candidate Harmonised Standards EN 300 113-2 and EN 300 086-2. The noted Candidate Harmonised standards cover similar systems but can not be used directly for this application hence the need for this VNS. Throughout table 3.1 this VNS identifies all "essential parameters" under Article 3.2 of Directive 99/5/EC as entries in bold italics.
1.3	There is currently no ETSI standard for the frequency band covered by this Voluntary National Specification (VNS). This VNS takes the parameters identified in the ETSI Candidate Harmonised Standard and supplies relevant numerical limits, which are taken directly from relevant European documents where these exist, and in other cases are calculated for this specific frequency band. This specification also includes a number of "non-essential parameters", as do the ETSI standards, which are included for reasons of spectrum efficiency and are used in the national frequency assignment process.
1.4	This document gives no presumption of conformity to the R&TTE Directive. Manufacturers should consult the R&TTE Directive specifically Annexes II, III, IV and V that detail the various routes to conformance with the Directive.
1.5	The details contained in this document will be used in the national frequency assignment process for this frequency band. Additional information on licensing of systems and antenna requirements can be found in the UK Radio Interface Requirement 2037 (IR 2037) document. The IR 2037 also contains reference to the Frequency Assignment Criteria document RA375.
1.6	This VNS should be used in conjunction with the IR 2037, R&TTE Directive, RA375 and the documents referenced within these publications that relate to this frequency band.
1.7	It is acknowledged that the use of any equivalent standards, produced by any relevant body of any European Economic Area (EEA) state, will be accepted as fulfilling the purpose of this VNS.
1.8	Further information on this VNS can be obtained from the technical enquiry contact, details are given on the back of this document along with contact details for more general enquiries.

2	Abbreviations and Symbols
2.1	Abbreviations For the purpose of this VNS, the following abbreviations apply:

	CW	Continuous Wave
	C/I	Carrier to Interference ratio (in dB)
	CEPT	Conférence des Administrations Européennes des Postes et Télécommunications
	EC	European Commission
	EIRP	Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
	EN	European Normative
	ETS	European Telecommunications Standard
	ETSI	European Telecommunications Standards Institute
	IF	Intermediate Frequency
	I/R	Interface Requirements
	ITU-R	International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector
	ITU-T	International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardisation Sector
	RA	Radiocommunications Agency
	RF	Radio Frequency
	RMS	Root Mean Square
	RSL	Receive Signal Level
	R&TTED	Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive.
	RX	Receiver
	TM	Transmission and Multiplexing
	TX	Transmitter
	VNS	Voluntary National Specification
	W/U	Wanted to Unwanted ratio

	dB	decibel
	dBm	decibels relative to 1 milliwatt
	GHz	Gigahertz
	kHz	kilohertz
	MHz	Megahertz
	ppm	parts per million

Antenna Radiation Pattern Envelope Limits
Antenna	Type	Limits
Base Station	Omni-directional	The radiation pattern when measured in azimuth shall not vary by more than ± 1.5 dB for horizontally and vertically polarised antennas.
Base Station	Sector coverage	See Figure 4.1
Outstation	Directional	See Figures 4,2 and 4.3

A.1	Introduction This section of the document is informative and includes data deemed to be helpful to engineers conducting tests to confirm system performance.
A.2	Input and Output Ports For the purpose of this VNS the "transmitter input port", "transmitter output port", "receiver input port" and "receiver output port" shall be taken to refer to those points corresponding respectively to the points Z', C', C and Z in Figure A1. Points Z' and Z are baseband input and output points respectively.

A.3	Procedures for Tests at Extreme Temperatures Equipment should be left un-powered in a temperature controlled chamber for a period of one hour or for such a period as may be judged necessary to achieve thermal balance before tests are carried out. The humidity content in the test chamber shall be controlled so that excessive condensation does not occur.
A 3.1	Equipment designed for continuous operation For tests at the upper temperature limit, see table 3.1 for details. After thermal balance has been attained the equipment shall be switched on in the transmit condition for half an hour, after which the appropriate tests shall be carried out. For tests at the lower temperature, see table 3.1 for details. After thermal balance has been attained the equipment shall be switched on in the receive or transmit condition for one minute, after which the appropriate tests shall be carried out. If the equipment contains temperature stabilisation circuits designed to operate continuously, the equipment may be switched on for 15 minutes before measurements are made.
A 3.2	Equipment designed for intermittent operation For tests at the upper temperature, the equipment shall be placed in the test chamber and left until thermal balance is attained. The equipment shall then be switched on for one minute in the transmit condition, followed by four minutes in the receive condition after which the equipment shall meet the specified requirements. For tests at the lower temperature the equipment shall be left in the test chamber until thermal balance is attained, then switched to the standby or receive conditions for one minute after which the equipment shall meet the specified requirements.
A.4	Arrangements for Test Signals at the Input to the Receiver Test signal sources which are applied to the receiver shall present an impedance of 50 ohms to the receiver input. This requirement shall be met irrespective of the number of signals using a combining network are applied to the receiver simultaneously. The effects of any intermodulation products and noise produced in the test signal sources shall be negligible.
A.5	Receiver Mute or Squelch Facility If the receiver is equipped with a mute or squelch circuit, this shall be made inoperative for the duration of the type approval tests.
A.6	Receiver Rated Audio Output Power The rated audio output power shall be the maximum power, declared by the manufacturer, for which all the requirements of this specification are met. With normal test modulation the audio output power shall be measured in a resistive load simulating the load with which the receiver normally operates.
A.7	Normal Test Modulation For normal test modulation, the modulation frequency shall be 1 kHz and the resulting frequency deviation shall be ± 1.5 kHz. The test signal shall be substantially free from amplitude modulation.
A.8	Transmitter Artificial Load Tests on the transmitter shall be carried out using a non-reactive and non-radiating load of 50 ohms connected to the transmitter radio frequency output port.
A.9	Measuring Frequency Error The transmitter output shall be connected to an artificial load (clause A.8) and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The emission shall be monitored by a frequency counter and the carrier frequency shall be measured in the absence of modulation. The measurements shall be made under normal test conditions, see table 3.1 for details, and repeated under extreme test conditions, see table 3.1 for details.
A.10	Carrier Power Measurement The transmitter output port shall be connected to an artificial load (clause A.8) with means of measuring the power delivered to this load. In the absence of modulation, the transmitter shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The carrier power shall be set to the manufacturer's maximum rated output. The measurement shall be made under normal test conditions, see table 3.1 for details, and repeated under extreme test conditions, see table 3.1 for details.
A.11	Maximum Permissible Frequency Deviation Measurement The transmitter output shall be connected to an artificial load (clause A.8) and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The emission shall be monitored by a modulation meter, capable of measuring the peak value of both positive and negative frequency deviation, including that due to any harmonics and intermodulation products which may be produced in the transmitter. The transmitter shall then be modulated by an audio frequency signal 20dB above the level necessary to produce normal test modulation (clause A.7) and the modulation frequency from 300 Hz to 3 kHz. At each frequency the peak deviation shall be measured.
A.12	Response of the Transmitter at Modulation Frequencies above 3 kHz The transmitter shall be arranged as described in clause A.11 and modulated with normal test modulation (clause A.7). With a constant input level of the modulation signal, the frequency shall be varied from 3 kHz to 12.5 kHz. At each test frequency, the resulting frequency deviation shall be measured.
A.13	Adjacent Channel Power The transmitter output shall be connected to a power measuring receiver (clause 3.2.1) via a 50 ohm attenuator, set to produce an appropriate level at the receiver input. The transmitter shall be operated at the carrier power, see table 3.1 for limits. The transmitter shall be modulated at 1.25 kHz at a level 20dB above that required to produce 60% of the maximum permissible frequency deviation, see table 3.1 for limits. The test receiver shall be tuned to the nominal frequency of such a transmitter and the receiver attenuator adjusted to a value "p" such that a meter reading, of the order of 5 dB above the receiver noise level, is obtained. The test receiver shall then be tuned to the nominal frequency of the higher adjacent channel and the receiver attenuator re-adjusted to a value "q" such that the same meter reading is again obtained. The ratio, in decibels, of the adjacent channel power to the carrier power is the difference between the attenuator settings "p" and "q". The adjacent channel power shall be determined by applying this ratio to the carrier power as detailed in table 3.1. The measurement shall be repeated for the lower adjacent channel.
A.14	Transmitter Spurious Emission Measurement The transmitter output shall be connected to either a spectrum analyser via an attenuator, or an artificial load, with means of monitoring the emission with the spectrum analyser or selective voltmeter. The transmitter shall be un-modulated and at each spurious emission in the frequency range given in table 3.1 the level of emission shall be measured relative to the carrier emission. The power level of each emission shall be determined by applying the ratio measured to the carrier power level determined in clause A.10.
A.15	Reference Sensitivity Measurement A test signal at the nominal frequency of the receiver and with normal test modulation (clause A.7) shall be applied to the input of the receiver via the standard input network according to clause A.4, at a level of -124 dBW. The receiver shall then be adjusted for standard power output according to clause A.6. With modulation removed the un-weighted signal to noise ratio shall be measured at the receiver output.
A.16	Adjacent Channel Selectivity A test signal at the nominal frequency of the receiver and with normal test modulation (clause A.7) shall be applied to the input of the receiver via one path of a combining unit. This signal constitutes the wanted signal. A second test signal shall be applied to the receiver via the second path of the combining unit. This test signal shall be set to the carrier frequency to the upper adjacent channel and shall be modulated with a frequency of 400Hz at a deviation of ± 2.5kHz. This signal constitutes the unwanted signal. In the absence of the unwanted signal the reference sensitivity shall be obtained as described in clause A.15. The unwanted signal shall then be applied at a level of -74 dBW at the receiver input. The un-weighted signal to noise ratio at the output of the receiver shall be measured. This measurement shall be repeated using the frequency of the lower adjacent channel. These measurements shall be made under normal test conditions and repeated under extreme test conditions (see table 3.1 for test condition limits).
A.17	Spurious Response Rejection A standard test signal according to clause A.7 shall be applied through the standard input network according to clause A.4 to the receiver input at a level of -64 dBW, and its frequency varied from the lowest intermediate frequency of the receiver to 2 GHz. At each frequency at which a response is obtained the un-weighted signal to noise ratio at the output of the receiver shall be measured.
A.18	Receiver Spurious Emissions Measurement The receiver input port shall be connected to either a spectrum analyser or a selective voltmeter via an attenuator or an artificial load with means of monitoring the emission with a spectrum analyser or a selective voltmeter. At each emission up to 2 GHz the power level of the emission shall be measured.
A.19	Antenna Testing
A.19.1	Polarisation Measurement of this characteristic shall be made under "free space" conditions.

Draft	Date	Changes