Section 1: Introduction
About This Manual
Details on manual navigation, hyperlinks, table of contents, and search.
Controllable
Information on remote control options via GPI, serial port, and modem.
Upgradeable
Details on upgrading the 8500FM to 8500 functionality or to Optimod FM 8600.
Subcarriers
Details on SCA inputs, mixing, and pilot tone reference output.
Digital Links
Information on using PCM and lossy data reduction digital links.
Dual Microwave STLs
Considerations for using dual microwave STLs, including noise immunity and phase matching.
EAS Test
Procedures for placing the 8500 in Bypass mode for EAS broadcasts.
Section 2: Installation
Unpack and Inspect
Procedures for unpacking, inspecting for damage, and saving packing materials.
8500 Rear Panel
Description of the rear panel features including ground lift, voltage select, fuses, and ports.
Ethernet Port
Description of the RJ45 Ethernet port for network connections.
Two SCA Inputs
Details on SCA inputs and their jumper configuration for pilot reference.
Analog Audio Input
Details on nominal input levels, peak input level, and electronically balanced input.
Analog Audio Output
Description of electronically balanced and floating outputs and their impedance.
Grounding
General grounding practices for audio studios to prevent noise and faults.
Power Ground
Proper grounding techniques for chassis and safety.
Circuit Ground
Connecting circuit and chassis grounds, and handling unbalanced exciter inputs.
8500 Front Panel
Description of front panel controls: Headphone Jack, Level Control, Enter, Locate, Escape, and Control Knob.
Quick Setup
A guided procedure for setting up the 8500 for analog FM facilities.
Set Time and Date
Instructions for setting the unit's clock and date, including Daylight Saving Time.
Set Input Levels
Procedures for adjusting analog and digital input reference levels for AGC.
Configure Output
Setting analog output pre-emphasis and digital output sample rate and word length.
Set Output Levels
Adjusting output levels to achieve target modulation using program material or test tones.
Calibrate Clip Level
Procedures for calibrating the clip level to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and prevent clipping.
Calibrate Using Tone
Setting reference levels using a tone, verifying external AGC, and adjusting reference level for AGC meters.
Set Output Levels
Adjusting output levels to achieve target modulation using program material or test tones.
Complete Quick Setup
Finalizing the quick setup process, including ITU-R 412 controller activation if required.
Factory Service
Procedures and guidelines for returning products for factory service.
Performance
Specifications for measurements from analog input to various outputs.
Installation
Technical data related to the unit's installation parameters.
Delay
Details on defeasible analog FM processing delay and minimum processing delay.
Analog Audio Input
Configuration, impedance, nominal/maximum input levels, connectors, A/D conversion, and filtering.
Analog Audio Output
Configuration, source impedance, load impedance, output level, signal-to-noise, crosstalk, connectors, D/A conversion, and filtering.
Digital Audio Input
Configuration, sampling rate, connector, input reference level, J.17 de-emphasis, and filtering.
Digital Audio Outputs
Configuration, sample rate, word length, connector, output level, filtering, and frequency response.
Composite Baseband Output
Details on composite outputs, source/load impedance, output level, pilot stability, D/A conversion, and signal-to-noise.
Circuit Description
Detailed description of user-serviceable circuits and component-level explanations.
Overview
System overview identifying circuit sections and their purpose.
Control Circuits
Description of the SC520 microprocessor and its control functions.
Input Circuits
Circuitry for interfacing analog and digital inputs to the DSP.
Output Circuits
Circuitry interfacing DSP to analog and digital audio outputs.
Abbreviations
List of abbreviations used in the manual for clarity.
Parts List
List of parts used in the 8500, including surface-mount components.
Base Board
List of components and identifiers for the Base Board.
CPU Module
List of components and identifiers for the CPU Module.
RS-232 Board
List of components and identifiers for the RS-232 Board.
Power Supply
List of components and identifiers for the Power Supply.
I/O Board
List of components and identifiers for the I/O Board.
DSP Board (V3)
List of components and identifiers for the V3 DSP Board.
Section 3: Operation
8500 Front Panel
Description of front panel controls: Headphone Jack, Level Control, Enter, Locate, Escape, and Control Knob.
AGC Controls
Controls for the Automatic Gain Control system, common to two-band and five-band structures.
Bass Clip Mode
Sets the operation of the bass clipper to HARD, LL HARD, MEDIUM, or SOFT.
Lookahead
Activates or defeats look-ahead functionality in the multiband compressor/limiter.
MB Speech Threshold
Sets the increment by which MB LIMIT THR is reduced when speech is detected.
Test Modes
Allows switching between OPERATE, BYPASS, and TONE modes.
Section 6: Technical Data
Specifications
Key performance and installation specifications for the OPTIMOD-FM.
Performance
Specifications for measurements from analog input to various outputs.
Installation
Technical data related to the unit's installation parameters.
Delay
Details on defeasible analog FM processing delay and minimum processing delay.
Analog Audio Input
Configuration, impedance, nominal/maximum input levels, connectors, A/D conversion, and filtering.
Analog Audio Output
Configuration, source impedance, load impedance, output level, signal-to-noise, crosstalk, connectors, D/A conversion, and filtering.
Digital Audio Input
Configuration, sampling rate, connector, input reference level, J.17 de-emphasis, and filtering.
Digital Audio Outputs
Configuration, sample rate, word length, connector, output level, filtering, and frequency response.
Composite Baseband Output
Details on composite outputs, source/load impedance, output level, pilot stability, D/A conversion, and signal-to-noise.
Circuit Description
Detailed description of user-serviceable circuits and component-level explanations.
Overview
System overview identifying circuit sections and their purpose.
Control Circuits
Description of the SC520 microprocessor and its control functions.
Input Circuits
Circuitry for interfacing analog and digital inputs to the DSP.
Abbreviations
List of abbreviations used in the manual for clarity.
Parts List
List of parts used in the 8500, including surface-mount components.
Base Board
List of components and identifiers for the Base Board.
CPU Module
List of components and identifiers for the CPU Module.
RS-232 Board
List of components and identifiers for the RS-232 Board.
Power Supply
List of components and identifiers for the Power Supply.
DSP Board (V3)
List of components and identifiers for the V3 DSP Board.