Hydrophone Booster Amplifier (HA2)

The HP series Hydrophone Booster Amplifier (HA2) amplifies low-level hydrophone signals over a wide range of frequencies. It has a minimum gain of 25dB and an input and output impedance of 50Ω. The HA2 is designed for use with either Precision Acoustics membrane hydrophone or Precision Acoustics HP Series Hydrophone Measurement System, which is shown in Fig 1.

Alternatively, the HA2 may be used when the acoustic signal is provided by a high output impedance hydrophone, such as a GEC-Marconi membrane device, or a conventional hydrophone. In this instance a BNC/MCX adaptor is used which connects directly to the HP Series Submersible Preamplifier, using it as a buffer amplifier, (i.e. the standard Precision Acoustic HP Series configuration shown in Fig 1 is used, but without the interchangeable probe).
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The HA2 amplifier is straightforward to use but the following points should be noted:

• The output of the amplifier should be correctly terminated in 50Ω before operation.
• The HA2 amplifier is non-inverting but this is of no consequence when used with the HP Series interchangeable probes as their design takes this into account. However when a submersible preamplifier is used as a high impedance buffer amplifier (as in Fig 2) the system output from the HA2 will be inverted as the HP Series Submersible Preamplifier is inverting.

Before Connecting the unit please read WARNING

To Connect

To  Disconnect

1	Connect Output Load	1	Remove RF Input
2	Apply DC Voltage	2	Remove DC Volts
3	Apply RF Input	3	Remove Load

Specification (HA2 Amplifier Only)

Voltage Gain = 25dB minimum
Bandwidth =  50kHz to 125MHz ±1.0dB
Maximum Output Level = 29dBm for 1dB compression (18.1V pk – pk into 50Ω load)
Input Impedance = Nominal 50Ω
Output Impedance  Nominal 50Ω (VSWR 2:1)
Output Noise Level = Typically 70μV pk – pk (bandwidth 125MHz)
Noise Figure = Typically 10dB
Phase = Non-inverting
Terminations:
Front panel = Input BNC socket BNC Output socket
Rear panel Power Requirements = 28v dc output to supply DC Coupler 100/120/220/240V ac, 50 to 60Hz,
7.5W
Operating Temperature = 0 to 50°C
Size = (90mm × 205mm ×194mm)
Weight = 2.6kg

Copyright : Precision Acoustics March 2004

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The constant-current design of the circuit guarantees a steady current through all LEDs, regardless of the forward voltage differences between them. Although this circuit was designed to operate from a single Li-Ion battery (2.5V to 4.5V), the LT1615 is also capable of operating from inputs as low as 1 V with relevant output power reductions. The Motorola MBR0520 surface mount Schottky diode (0.5 A 20 V) is a good choice for D1 if the output voltage does not exceed 20 V. In this application however, it is better to use a diode that can withstand higher voltages like the MBR0540 (0.5 A, 40 V). Schottky diodes, with their low forward voltage drop and fast switching speed, are the best match.

Many different manufacturers make equivalent parts, but make sure that the component is rated to handle at least 0.35 A. Inductor L1, a 4.7-µH choke, is available from Murata, Sumida, Coilcraft, etc. In order to maintain the constant off-time (0.4 ms) control scheme of the LT1615, the on-chip power switch is turned off only after the 350-mA (or 100-mA for the LT1615-1) current limit is reached. There is a 100-ns delay between the time when the current limit is reached and when the switch actually turns off. During this delay, the inductor current exceeds the current limit by a small amount. This current overshoot can be beneficial as it helps increase the amount of available output current for smaller inductor values.

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Author: D. Prabakaran

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