XTBR X10 Transmit Booster

 

JV Digital Engineering     jeff@jvde.us    Initial Release 03-28-10

 

The XTBR is an enhanced Repeater version of the simple to use plug-in XTB.  Like the XTB, it will boost the output of a transmitter plugged into its X10 Boost receptacle to a much higher level.  However, the XTBR also includes a repeater capability to boost the X10 signals produced by other transmitters throughout the system.  The XTBR has the same transformer power supply as the XTB, but it will produce an even stronger signal because it does not waste energy on the superfluous 2nd and 3rd bursts of a 3-phase transmission, which are automatically blanked by default.  Depending on line characteristics, the XTB-IIR can output over 20Vpp at 120KHz onto the AC line.  Since the XTBR only drives the phase it is plugged into, a good passive coupler is still required to propagate its strong signal to the opposite phase.  A coupler may also be necessary for it to receive signals from other transmitters on the opposite phase.

 

The XTBR has a X10 input receptacle that functions similar to the one on the XTB.  There are several important differences.  The XTBR only samples that input during the X10 transmission window, and noise that occurs elsewhere in the 60Hz waveform is ignored.  It also uses its own 120KHz transmitter to re-transmit the incoming X10 signal, so commands from a miss-tuned transmitter will be re-transmitted at the correct frequency.

 

A control module such as the CM15A can be plugged directly into the X10 Input receptacle on the XTB, and it will re-transmit commands to the powerline at a much higher signal level.  The X10 Input receptacle on the XTBR can deliver up to 24 watts resistive maximum.  An internal fuse will blow if that rating is exceeded by a significant amount.  While a typical X10 transmitter consumes less than 3 watts, its load is reactive.  To remain safely within the rating of the receptacle, no more than two X10 transmitter loads should be powered by the XTBR.

 

The XTBR error checks all incoming data, and cancels its transmission when a collision is detected.  Like its bigger brother, XTBR includes the ability to repeat a series of sequential dims to avoid their being recognized by some dimmers as micro-dim commands.  The XTBR also includes the ability to transmit and receive extended commands, but it will only repeat “doublet” extended commands produced by controllers such as the CM15A or HomeVision due to the overlap issue.

 

The XTBR return signal amplifier has been enhanced from that of the XTB, but line transients can still make it through the low-pass filter that feeds power to the AC receptacle.  Devices that are sensitive to noise, such as the PowerLinc 1132, may not work well when plugged into XTBR.  Should that be the case, simply plug the controller into a standard AC receptacle, and use the XTBR strictly as a high-power repeater.

 

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

 

Unlike the XTB-IIR, the XTBR will plug into a standard AC receptacle.  When X10 devices are on both phases, a good tuned-circuit passive coupler like the XPCP should be installed near the electrical panel to propagate the strong XTBR signal to the opposite phase.  An active coupler/repeater like the XPCR will not do that.  And, because X10 signal strength falls off as it propagates down the wire, the couplers that plug into a dryer receptacle may not work well if the run between the dryer receptacle and the distribution panel is too long.  Twenty feet should be fine, but a lot of signal can be lost a round trip for a run of fifty feet or longer.

 

XTBR OPERATION

 

The XTBR will boost X10 commands received via the X10 Input receptacle, and it will also repeat X10 commands received over the powerline.  No mode changes are required.  The XTBR also includes a smart bright/dim repeater mode, which is enabled by default.  In this mode it will transmit all but the first bright or dim command received in a sequence.  Should there be excessive X10 activity on the powerline, the XTBR will inhibit its transmitter until the problem is corrected.

 

The X10 transmitter in the XTBR auto tunes itself to 120KHz using the powerline as a reference.  This may be a something to consider when using the XTBR in an installation powered by a generator.  By default, the XTBR only transmits the X10 burst following a zero crossing.  If three-phase transmission is enabled, all bursts will be transmitted in the standard 3-phase windows, and the transmitted power is reduced slightly.  Please refer to the XTBR Mode Options document for more information on how best to configure the unit for your installation.