Schwarzbeck BAN 8508 Broadband Artificial Network

Broadband artificial networks (BAN) are used in the automotive industry to inject radio frequency power directly into signal or power lines. This method is called “direct power injection.”

The BAN provides good isolation between the AE-port and the EuT-port. The inserted radio frequency thus is mainly directed to the EuT-port. Seen from the EuT-port the BAN provides a standard minimum impedance. The RFsignal coming from the amplifier is loaded by this impedance. Larger current BAN require larger ferrites. They have lower impedance and the decoupling is worse. For this reason the BAN 8508 should only be used I the range 2 A to 8 A. For higher or lower currents use the suitable BAN!

The basic circuit is a L/C low-pass filter. There is a broadband monolithic ceramic capacitor at the AE side. The inductance consists of five toroid core coils connected in series.

The choice of the BAN depends on the maximum current and the rate of transmission of the signal. The BAN 8508 is specified for currents between 2 A and 8 A.

The test setup and the measurement methods are described in the standard ISO 11452-7 or in manufacturer standards like DaimlerChrysler DC-10614 (2005-03).

The BAN has to be connected in series with the device under test (DuT). Therfore the 4 mm jacks can be used. For higher currents hook type cable lugs should be used because of the lower contact resistance and less heat dissipation. The red AE-connector in ISO 11452-7 called “terminal 2” is connected with the power source our auxiliary equipment.

The black binding post on the AE-side is connected to reference ground. It can be used for measurement purposes of the electrical properties of the BAN or as additional ground connection. The ground connection of the BAN is already provided by the metal sheet which builds the base of BAN 8508.

The BNC connector can be used to inject an RF signal from the generator / amplifier to the DuT. The BNC connector is also called “terminal 3” in the previously mentioned standards.

According to the standard a DC block capacitor has to be used. It has to be connected to the BNC jack and provides isolation between the DC on-board voltage and the RF-injection equipment. Thus the possibility of damaging the connected measurement equipment through the direct current from the onboard voltage is avoided. A suitable DCblock capacitor is available as option. It is called “DC-Block 500.”

For the range 8 A to 30 A the BAN 8530 is recommended. BANs for other currents or transmission rates are available on request.

The solder junction for the power line of the EuT has been defined as reference plane to measure the impedance of BAN 8508.

Security advice: The BAN 8508 has an open-frame design. Hence it has no protection against accidental contact! Depending on the operating voltage dangerous voltages could occur. Thus no conductive items may be placed on or close to the BAN. Learning about the possible dangers is a must for any user. Accidential touching of wires must be made impossible by setting up the device in a closed environment.

If the BAN is being operated with high currents for a longer period of time the coils will get hot. Only skilled personnel may use the BAN. Security standards of the country where the BAN is used have to be followed.