FM Modulation Monitor

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THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION

The 531 has been replaced in our catalog by the 531N.

Incorporating all the necessary features for station setup and regulatory compliance at an affordable price, Inovonics' 531 is the undisputed professional’s choice in FM Monitoring. Dependable, direct input and off-air reception lets you keep a sharp eye on your total RF signal performance and essential multiplex measurements.

The high-resolution LED bargraph displays are easy to read, and a "floating dot" program peak marker eliminates any ambiguity in the total-mod measurement. 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.

Multiple alarm tallies enable remote indications of various transmission and reception faults, and full display of subcarrier injection levels ensure proper setup when broadcasting RDS (Radio Data System) messaging and other subcarriers.

Features


  • Complete set of metering and measurement tools to ensure FM broadcast regulatory compliance worldwide

  • Separate inputs for Antenna, High Level ʻ direct ʼ 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

  • Composite and Balanced analog Left and Right line outputs

  • Front panel metering for subcarrier injection levels: 38kHz, 57kHz (RDS), 67kHz, & 92kHz

  • Rugged 1/8th inch (3mm) thick aluminum chassis design, fanless, sealed & thermally “burnt in” for maximum durability

  • Alarms for Peak Overmodulation, Signal Loss, Program Audio Loss and Multipath

  • Rear-panel closures to ground enable remote alarm indications and preset station switching

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Specifications


OFF-AIR RECEIVER SECTION

Type

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

Tuning Range

87.9MHz to 108.1MHz in 100kHz increments.

Station Presets

7 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 of typical 3V p-p equating to ±75kHz carrier deviation.

Composite/MPX Metering

58-segment LED bargraph display has quasi-peak response with floating peakhold. 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 off-air 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 deemphasis applied.

Distortion

<0.25%THD at 100% modulation.

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

Mode switching is automatic with a front panel indicator; monaural reception may be forced with front-panel button.

Program De-Emphasis

May be turned on and off from front panel (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. 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; fixed at a level of incoming RF signal below which modulation measurements are not valid.

Multipath

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

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% non-condensing relative humidity; up to 3000 meters AMSL