Home
Products
Product manuals and datasheets of BSI products.
Downconverter
Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Downconverter.
Downconverter Manual
This manual contains safety information and information for installing, configuring, and operating a Downconverter (IDC‑1500, IDC‑2027, IDC‑3239, IDC‑6475).
Downconverter
Troubleshooting
This chapter provides troubleshooting information for Real Freedom Downconverters.
RF signal issues

Products
Product manuals and datasheets of BSI products.
- Mini-Tx UHD
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Mini-Tx UHD.
- Real Freedom Receiver
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Real Freedom Receiver.
- Downconverter
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Downconverter.
  - Downconverter Manual
    This manual contains safety information and information for installing, configuring, and operating a Downconverter (IDC‑1500, IDC‑2027, IDC‑3239, IDC‑6475).
    - Downconverter
      - Introduction
        The Real Freedom Downconverter is a key component of BSI’s Real Freedom wireless camera system. It receives signals in the broadcast transmit band and down-converts them to a UHF signal of between 50 MHz and 850 MHz. The UHF signal is then fed to a receiver via a coaxial cable.
      - Installation and configuration
        Designed to be compact and fully weatherproof, the Real Freedom Downconverter can be temporarily installed almost anywhere or permanently on the roof of an outside broadcast van.
      - Operation
        Once connected to the system and configured, no further changes are required to the downconverters during the routine operation of the Real Freedom system.
      - Troubleshooting
        This chapter provides troubleshooting information for Real Freedom Downconverters.
        RF signal issues
        Status LED issues
        Performance issues
      - Maintenance
        This chapter describes the maintenance, cleaning, and storage procedures for Real Freedom Downconverters.
      - Technical data
        Technical drawings, specifications, and connector pinouts for the Real Freedom Downconverter.
      - Safety and regulatory compliance
        Important safety and electromagnetic compatibility information.
  - Datasheet
    The Real Freedom Downconverter receives signals in the broadcast transmit band and down-converts them to a UHF signal of between 50 MHz and 850 MHz. The UHF signal is then fed to a receiver via a coaxial cable.
- Data Transmitter
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Data Transmitter.
- Fiber Antenna Extender
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Fiber Antenna Extender.
- Active UHF Splitter
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Active UHD Splitter
- Fiber Base (Rack Mount)
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Fiber Base (Rack Mount) unit.
- Camera Back Transmitter
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the Camera Back Transmitter.
- 4K Camera Back Transmitter
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the 4K Camera Back Transmitter.
- VyuSync HEVC Decoder
  Provides detailed information and instructions on how to use, operate, assemble, install, troubleshoot, or maintain the VyuSync Decoder.

RF signal issues

Signal reception problems may be caused by issues at the transmitter, receiver, or downconverter. Use the information in the following table to help you troubleshoot downconverter RF issues.

Table 1. Downconverter RF troubleshooting
Symptom	Possible cause	Actions
No RF signal at the receiver.	No DC voltage.	Check the status LED is green. If not, see Status LED issues for details.
	Antenna issues.	Check the RSSI signal strength on the receiver unit. Refer to the Receiver Product Manual for details. Check the antenna is properly connected to the downconverter. Verify that the correct frequency band antenna is connected to the downconverter.
	Broken downconverter antenna or faulty coaxial cable.	Check the antenna and coaxial cable are functional. If faulty, replace the antenna and coaxial cables with new ones and check the signal at the receiver. If still faulty, replace the downconverter.
Poor RF signal.	Long cable runs.	Ensure cable runs have not exceeded recommended lengths (400 feet for LMR 240 or 200 feet for other high-quality cable). In the receiver menu (Receive > Receive Gain Boost), select the check box to apply a gain boost for extra long cable runs where signal loss is anticipated or where the RF reception level is poor.
	Incorrectly placed downconverters.	Check the placement of downconverters. Microwave, especially at higher frequencies, is best when the line of sight to a downconverter is maintained. Coverage may not be sufficient.
	Insufficient power.	Adjust the output power of the transmitter from the receiver (Remote Tx Crtl > Remote Tx Transmit Power). However, if the Carrier to Noise Ratio (CNR) falls as you increase the power of the transmitter, more power is not the solution. Note that CNR is dependent on frequency band. Typically, a good CNR at 1.4 GHz is 25–30 dB, at 2 GHz is 23–27 dB, and at 7 GHz is 20–25 dB.
	Incorrect configuration.	Ensure that power is enabled on BNC ports connected to downconverters. Downconverters require BNC power. The downconverters should have green illuminated LEDs.
	Mismatched downconverter antennas.	Verify there is no mismatch of antennas. All downconverter and transmitter antennas should match your band of operations.