OPERATIONAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: ON-0350-WT-9500MPR Advise for in case of maintenance activity

SEVERITY: Major
REQUIRED ACTION: Mandatory. Reminder of the rules for the maintenance or
installation activity of the MOD300 when unplugging of the
cables is required
REFERENCE ID: OND_WT_WT_1208_0350
DATE OF ISSUE: December 18th, 2008.
EDITION: 02
AUTHOR: Matteo Merlo
APPROVAL: Anthony Mason
CONTACT: Matteo Merlo (Matteo.Merlo@alcatel-lucent.it)

1. Introduction
Involved product: 9500 MPR
Involved releases: Release Independent
Reference document: 9500 MPR Installation handbook

This Operational Notice is a reminder of the warnings already inserted in the

installation handbook and provides an explanation of the rules that must be followed
when working with the 9500 MPR in order to avoid short circuit that can lead to the
failure of the Modem board.
The recommendation listed in this document must be transferred to installation
team in field

2. Problem description

The power output circuit of the Modem board is protected by a fuse. This fuse is not
filed replaceable. Therefore a short circuit can affect the board if:
• While connecting the IF cable to the modem, the ground on the QMA male
connector of the cable itself touches the central pin of the QMA female
connector of the board (case 1).
• While connecting the IDU/ODU cable to the ODU, the central pin of the N
connector of the cable touches the ground of the N connector (case 2)

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All the following modem part numbers can be affected by this issue:
• Modem 300
o 3DB18136AA (all ICS)
o 3DB18136AB (all ICS)
o 3DB18136AC (all ICS)
• NOTE: A change was implemented in ICS 3 of the 3DB18136AC
version to reduce the risk of a short circuit (for case 1),
however, the recommendation in this Operational Note MUST
still be followed.
• Modem 300 EN (ETSI ONLY)
o 3DB18538AA (all ICS)

IF Cable: Male QMA

connector

Picture 1: QMA connector of the IF cable

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 IDU/ODU cable: central pin
of the N connector

Picture 2: Central pin on the N connector of the IDU ODU cable

3. Recommendations
The following recommendations must be followed during installation or maintenance
activity for 9500 MPR equipment:
• Unplug the Modem board before to unplug the IF cable
o If the Modem cannot be unplugged, the user must pay close attention ,
removing the cable, to avoid contact between the hot central pin of
the female QMA connector of the modem (A) and ground (B)
• In case you need to work on the ODU, remember to unplug the modem at the
MSS, before removing the cable at ODU side (see picture 4)
• Pay attention to verify, at first installation, that the IDU/ODU cable is well
assembled and the N connectors are correctly clamped without false contacts
that can lead to short circuits. To do that It’s strongly recommended to follow
this procedure for testing the cable:
o Ensure that Modem card is not plugged in the IDU sub-rack
o Ensure that the QMA connector of the IF cable is not plugged to the
Modem card
o Connect IDU/ODU cable (having male N connectors on both sides) to
ODU (female N connector) on one side and to IDU front plate (female N
connector) on the other side
o By means of a tester, check, at the QMA connector of the IF cable (not
yet connected to Modem card), there isn’t short circuit
o If the result is OK connect the IF cable to the Modem (ensuring that the
board is still unplugged)
o Plug in the Modem board

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 B

Unplug the modem board before unplugging the

IF cable or (if modem cannot be unplugged) pay
A
attention so the pin inside the QMA connector
(A) doesn’t touch the grounding shield of the IF
output connector (B)

Picture 3

If you need to unplug the IDU/ODU cable at

ODU side, ensure that the cable is
UNPLUGGED also at the MSS before working
on the ODU

Picture 4

4. Solutions
In order to avoid short circuits and the potential failure of the Modem board, the
recommendations listed in “Recommendations” paragraph must be accurately followed
in case of in field activity
Project managers are requested to ensure that installation teams are aware of the
guidelines reported in this document and are following them

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5. Contact

Matteo Merlo (Matteo.Merlo@alcatel-lucent.it)

6. Disclaimer
This document contains Alcatel-Lucent confidential and proprietary information.
The information is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on
currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use
in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither
the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or
consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.

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